bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 mortality in the UK Biobank cohort: revisiting and evaluating risk factors
Authors: Elliott Joshua , Bodinier Barbara , Whitaker Matthew , Delpierre Cyrille , Vermeulen Roel , Tzoulaki Ioanna , Elliott Paul , Chadeau-Hyam Marc
Published: February 2021

Most studies of severe/fatal COVID-19 risk have used routine/hospitalisation data without detailed pre-morbid characterisation. Using the community-based UK Biobank cohort, we investigate risk factors for COVID-19 mortality in comparison with non-COVID-19 mortality. We investigated demographic, social (education, income, housing, employment), lifestyle (smoking, drinking, body mass index), biological (lipids, cystatin C, vitamin D), medical (comorbidities, medications) and environmental (air pollution) data from UK Biobank (N = 473,550) in relation to 459 COVID-19 and 2626 non-COVID-19 deaths to 21 September 2020. We used univariate, multivariable and penalised regression models. Age (OR = 2.76 [2.18–3.49] per S.D. [8.1 years], p = 2.6 × 10–17), male sex (OR = 1.47 [1.26–1.73], p = 1.3 × 10–6) and Black versus White ethnicity (OR = 1.21 [1.12–1.29], p = 3.0 × 10–7) were independently associated with and jointly explanatory of (area under receiver operating characteristic curve, AUC = 0.79) increased risk of COVID-19 mortality. In multivariable regression, alongside demographic covariates, being a healthcare worker, current smoker, having cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and oral steroid use at enrolment were independently associated with COVID-19 mortality. Penalised regression models selected income, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cystatin C, and oral steroid use as jointly contributing to COVID-19 mortality risk; Black ethnicity, hypertension and oral steroid use contributed to COVID-19 but not non-COVID-19 mortality. Age, male sex and Black ethnicity, as well as comorbidities and oral steroid use at enrolment were associated with increased risk of COVID-19 death. Our results suggest that previously reported associations of COVID-19 mortality with body mass index, low vitamin D, air pollutants, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors may be explained by the aforementioned factors.
A Study of the Centuries-Long Reliance on Local Ceramics in Jerash Through Full Quantification and Simulation
Authors: Romanowska Iza , Brughmans Tom , Bes Philip , Carrignon Simon , Egelund Line , Lichtenberger Achim , Raja Rubina
Published: February 2021

The Danish-German Jerash Northwest Quarter Project revealed a robust and striking pattern of the extreme dominance (>99%) of locally produced ceramics over six centuries and across different depositional contexts (in total over half a million pottery sherds). The archaeology of Jerash points towards an exceptional degree of self-sufficiency in craft products: why? The project team implemented a full quantification approach during excavation, manually and digitally recording and counting all pottery and other classes of artefacts. This enabled a full analysis of trends in production and use of ceramics throughout the archaeologically documented history of Jerash and revealed the unexpected pattern of the extreme dominance of local pottery. Archaeologists formulated a set of hypotheses to explain this pattern, and we developed an agent-based model of simple customer preference driving product distribution to evaluate several explanatory factors and their potential interactions. Our simulation results reveal that preference for locally produced ceramics at Jerash might be a plausible theory, but only if its intrinsic value was considered rather high in comparison to other goods, or if it was preferred by a majority of the population, and there was a tendency to follow this majority preference (or a combination of these factors). Here, we present a complete research pipeline of a full quantification of ceramics, analysis and modelling applicable at any archaeological site. We argue that transparent methods are necessary at all stages of an archaeological project: not only for data collection, management and analysis but also in theory development and testing. By focusing on a common archaeological material and by leveraging a range of widely available computational tools, we are able to better understand local and intra-regional distribution patterns of craft products in Jerash and in the ancient eastern Mediterranean.
Profilin-1; a novel regulator of DNA damage response and repair machinery in keratinocytes
Authors: Lee Chang-Jin , Yoon Min-Ji , Kim Dong Hyun , Kim Tae Uk , Kang Youn-Jung
Published: February 2021

Profilin-1 (PFN1) regulates actin polymerization and cytoskeletal growth. Despite the essential roles of PFN1 in cell integration, its subcellular function in keratinocyte has not been elucidated yet. Here we characterize the specific regulation of PFN1 in DNA damage response and repair machinery. PFN1 depletion accelerated DNA damage-mediated apoptosis exhibiting PTEN loss of function instigated by increased phosphorylated inactivation followed by high levels of AKT activation. PFN1 changed its predominant cytoplasmic localization to the nucleus upon DNA damage and subsequently restored the cytoplasmic compartment during the recovery time. Even though γH2AX was recruited at the sites of DNA double strand breaks in response to DNA damage, PFN1-deficient cells failed to recruit DNA repair factors, whereas control cells exhibited significant increases of these genes. Additionally, PFN1 depletion resulted in disruption of PTEN-AKT cascade upon DNA damage and CHK1-mediated cell cycle arrest was not recovered even after the recovery time exhibiting γH2AX accumulation. This might suggest PFN1 roles in regulating DNA damage response and repair machinery to protect cells from DNA damage. Future studies addressing the crosstalk and regulation of PTEN-related DNA damage sensing and repair pathway choice by PFN1 may further aid to identify new mechanistic insights for various DNA repair disorders.
Actively revealing card attack on card-based protocols
Authors: Takashima Ken , Miyahara Daiki , Mizuki Takaaki , Sone Hideaki
Published: February 2021

In 1989, den Boer presented the first card-based protocol, called the “five-card trick,” that securely computes the AND function using a deck of physical cards via a series of actions such as shuffling and turning over cards. This protocol enables a couple to confirm their mutual love without revealing their individual feelings. During such a secure computation protocol, it is important to keep any information about the inputs secret. Almost all existing card-based protocols are secure under the assumption that all players participating in a protocol are semi-honest or covert, i.e., they do not deviate from the protocol if there is a chance that they will be caught when cheating. In this paper, we consider a more malicious attack in which a player as an active adversary can reveal cards illegally without any hesitation. Against such an actively revealing card attack, we define the t-secureness, meaning that no information about the inputs leaks even if at most t cards are revealed illegally. We then actually design t-secure AND protocols. Thus, our contribution is the construction of the first formal framework to handle actively revealing card attacks as well as their countermeasures.
Towards a more environmentally sustainable production of graphene-based materials
Authors: Beloin-Saint-Pierre Didier , Hischier Roland
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study compares prior life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on graphene-based materials (GBMs) with new results from original data on ball milling of few-layer graphene. The analysis thus offers an overview of the current state of knowledge on the environmental sustainability of GBM production. Possible future development pathways and knowledge gaps are identified and explained to provide guidance for the future development of GBMs.

Methods

Comparable scopes, aggregation levels, and impact assessment methods are used to analyse diverse GBMs with three different functional units for graphene oxide, pristine graphene, and other GBMs with different carbon/oxygen ratios or thickness. The ecoinvent v3.4 cut-off database is used for background data in all models to provide a common basis of comparison. Furthermore, uncertainty calculations are carried out to give insights on the current level of knowledge and to check if GBM production methods can be differentiated. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed on the energy inputs with a detailed description of three future scenarios for the European electricity mix.

Results and discussion

The general analysis of all results highlights three key strategies to improve the environmental sustainability of GBM production. (1) The use of decarbonised energy sources reduces substantially the impacts of GBMs. This benefit is decreased, however, when conservative forecasts of the future European electricity mix are considered. (2) Increased energy efficiency of production is useful mainly for the processes of electrochemical exfoliation and chemical vapour deposition. (3) The principles of green chemistry provide relevant ideas to reduce the impacts of GBMs mainly for the processes of chemical and thermal reduction and for the production of graphene oxide. Furthermore, the analysis of new data on ball milling production reveals that transforming GBM solutions into dry-mass can substantially increase the environmental impacts because of the energy-intensive nature of this conversion. The uncertainty analysis then shows that it is still difficult to differentiate all production methods with the current knowledge on this emerging technology.

Conclusions

With our current level of knowledge on GBMs, it is clear that more accurate data is needed on different production methods to identify frontrunners. Nevertheless, it seems that unknowns, like the state of future electricity mixes, might not often hinder such comparisons because conservative forecasts bring similar changes on many production options. Additionally, functional properties and toxicity for GBMs will require further attention to improve our confidence in the comparison of production methods in the future.
Understanding the High-Temperature Fatigue Crack Growth from Exceptional Nano-α Phases and {10$$ \bar{1} $$2} Deformation Twins in Hot Deformed Titanium Alloy
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Han Yuanfei , Su Xin , Li Shaopeng , Huang Guangfa , Mao Jianwei , Lu Weijie
Published: February 2021

In this study, the fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) of Ti-6Al-4V alloy at 723 K was measured by direct current potential drop (DCPD) method, and exceptional nano-α phases and {10

$$ \bar{1} $$

1

¯

2} deformation twins were newly found at the crack tip in Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The results showed that nano-α phases have Burgers orientation relationships (OR) (0001)
α
//(110)
β
, [

$$ \bar{2} $$

2

¯

110]
α
//[

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with β phases. The terraced-structure interface consisted of (0

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and (10

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//(1

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. Numerous dislocations accumulated in the β phase and became the diffused channels of O and V atoms. The α stabilizers (O element) diffused into the crystal lattice and β stabilizers (V element) spread out of the crystal lattice which accelerated the nano-α phases nucleation.  and  dislocations piled up at the primary α grain, interface and low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs), and dissociated into twinning dislocations to promote the twin nucleation. Dislocation transformation enabled nano-twins to grow through the primary α/β interface and strain transfer led that deformation twins nucleated in the adjacent primary α grains. With the effects of nano-α phases, LAGBs and twins, the resistance of crack propagation increased and the driving force decreased, and resulted in the low FCGR.

Graphic Abstract
Hybrid manufacturing of sheet metals and functionalizing for joining applications via hole flanging
Authors: Bambach Markus , Ünsal Ismail , Sviridov Alexander , Hama-Saleh Rebar , Weisheit Andreas
Published: February 2021

Efficient lightweight solutions are of great interest in many industries (aviation, automotive) particularly regarding the limitation of CO$$_2$$

2

-emissions and material waste. An innovative strategy to address these challenges is the use of hybrid manufacturing. Additive manufacturing (laser metal deposition, LMD) and conventional forming methods (hole-flanging) are used to optimize and functionalize AA 6016 sheet metal parts, which are widely used in the manufacturing of car body parts. First of all, the effects of the additive reinforcements on the mechanical and microstructural properties are investigated using tensile and microstructural tests. After manufacturing reinforced blanks and performing subsequent forming operations, the parts are investigated regarding damages and functionalized through threading. This allows the application of a bolt connection, which is tested through rip-off tests to evaluate the effect of the reinforcements on the fracture forces. It can be shown, that reinforcements can be manufactured without defects and virtually no porosity and the formability is only slightly reduced compared to conventional materials. At the same time, the performance of the reinforced bolt joint can be enhanced while the increase in weight can be limited to relatively small amounts.
Study on the Correlation Between NF-κB and Central Fatigue
Authors: Yang Xingzhe , Li Feng , Liu Yan , Li Danxi , Li Jie
Published: February 2021

In recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has included fatigue as a major risk factor for human life and health. The incidence rate of fatigue is high. In Europe and America, nearly 1/3 of the population is suffering from fatigue. Due to the acceleration of modern people’s life rhythm and the increase of work pressure, more and more attention has been paid to central fatigue. The activation of NF-κB is related to central fatigue, which has been paid little attention by previous studies. At the same time, previous studies have mostly focused on the immune regulation function of NF-κB, while the NF-κB pathway plays an equally important role in regulating nerve function. NF-κB can participate in the occurrence and development of central fatigue by mediating immune inflammatory response, regulating central excitability and inhibitory transmitters, regulating synaptic plasticity and regulating central nervous system (CNS) functional genes. In addition to neuroprotective effects, NF-κB also has nerve damage effects, which is also closely related to the occurrence and development of central fatigue. In this review, we focus on the relationship between NF-κB pathway and central fatigue and further explore the biological mechanism of central fatigue. At the same time, the clinical application and potential of typical NF-κB inhibitors in the treatment of fatigue were analyzed to provide reference for the clinical treatment of central fatigue.
From “the Moon Is Rounder Abroad” to “Bravo, My Country”: How China Misperceives the World
Authors: Huang Haifeng
Published: February 2021

For a long time, since China’s opening to the outside world in the late 1970s, admiration for foreign socioeconomic prosperity and quality of life characterized much of the Chinese society, which contributed to dissatisfaction with the country’s development and government and a large-scale exodus of students and emigrants to foreign countries. More recently, however, overestimating China’s standing and popularity in the world has become a more conspicuous feature of Chinese public opinion and the social backdrop of the country’s overreach in global affairs in the last few years. This essay discusses the effects of these misperceptions about the world, their potential sources, and the outcomes of correcting misperceptions. It concludes that while the world should get China right and not misinterpret China’s intentions and actions, China should also get the world right and have a more balanced understanding of its relationship with the world.
123I metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake predicts early relapse of neuroblastoma using semi-quantitative SPECT/CT analysis
Authors: Kitamura Yoshiyuki , Baba Shingo , Isoda Takuro , Maruoka Yasuhiro , Sasaki Masayuki , Kamitani Takeshi , Koga Yuhki , Kawakubo Naonori , Matsuura Toshiharu , Ishigami Kousei
Published: February 2021

Objective

123I metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy is a useful tool for the diagnosis of neuroblastoma (NB). MIBG uptake is correlated with norepinephrine transporter expression; hence, it is expected that high-MIBG tumors would be more highly differentiated and have a better prognosis than those with lower expression. We have introduced a method of assessing MIBG accumulation semi-quantitatively using SPECT/CT fusion images. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of 123I MIBG uptake measured by semi-quantitative values of SPECT/CT and early relapse of NB.

Methods

We studied the cases of 11 patients (5 males and 6 females, age 5–65 months, median age 20 months) with histopathologically proven NB between April 2010 and March 2015. The early-relapse group was defined as patients who had relapsed within 3 years after the first 123I MIBG SPECT/CT exam. Other patients were classified as the delay-relapse group. Uptake of MIBG was evaluated using the count ratio of tumor and muscles. T/Mmax and T/Mmean were defined as follows: T/Mmax = max count of tumor/max count of muscle, T/Mmean = mean count of tumor/mean count of muscle.

Results

The average T/Mmean values of the early-relapse group and delay-relapse group were 2.65 ± 0.58 and 7.66 ± 2.68, respectively. The T/Mmean values of the early-relapse group were significantly lower than those of delay-relapse group (p < 0.05). The average T/Mmax of the early-relapse group and delay-relapse group were 8.86 ± 3.22 and 16.20 ± 1.97, respectively. There was no significant difference in T/Mmax values between the two groups.

Conclusions

Low 123I MIBG uptake using semi-quantitative SPECT/CT analysis was correlated with early relapse of NB.
Trends in Jewish Young Adult Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism in America from 2017 to 2019
Authors: Wright Graham , Volodarsky Sasha , Hecht Shahar , Saxe Leonard
Published: February 2021

Since 2016, a series of horrific acts motivated by antisemitism appear to have caused a fundamental shift in the prevalence of antisemitism in the United States. Little is known, however, about how the events during this time have affected the day-to-day experiences and concerns of American Jews. Using repeated cross-sectional data from surveys of Jewish young adults who applied to Birthright Israel, this paper analyzes recent trends in Jewish young adults’ experiences and perceptions of antisemitism. Despite the high-profile incidents during this period, there is no evidence of a major increase in experiences of antisemitic harassment among Jewish young adults—either on or off campus—between 2017 and 2019. At the same time, data show a substantial increase in concerns among young Jews about antisemitism in the United States and on college campuses, with concerns about antisemitism in the United States (but not on campus) being especially concentrated among liberal Jews. These results suggest that Jewish concerns about antisemitism are linked to broader views about the climate for marginalized populations in the United States. They also point to growing Jewish anxieties over violence, safety, and acceptance in the United States. In an era of widely disseminated antisemitic conspiracy theories, even young Jews who have no first-hand experience of antisemitic harassment have become concerned.
Impact of the recreational use of virtual reality on physical and mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 lockdown
Authors: Siani Alessandro , Marley Sarah Anne
Published: February 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes to most aspects of our lives. As a result of the quarantine enforced by governments and authorities worldwide, people had to suddenly adapt their daily routines, including work, study, diet, leisure and fitness activities to the new circumstances. A growing body of research indicates that the engagement with virtual reality (VR) activities can have a positive impact on users’ mental and physical wellbeing. This study aims to evaluate the impact of VR activities on users under lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An online survey was carried out to investigate the recreational use of VR during the lockdown period and to gather users’ opinions on its impact on their physical and mental health. Non-parametric tests were used to evaluate the statistical significance of the responses provided by the 646 participants. The results of the survey show that VR use has significantly increased during the lockdown period for most participants, who expressed overwhelmingly positive opinions on the impact of VR activities on their mental and physical wellbeing. Strikingly, self-reported intensity of physical activity was considerably more strenuous in VR users than in console users. Given the current uncertainty as to the duration and course of the pandemic, as well as the possibility of intermittent lockdown in the upcoming years, the outcomes of this study could have a significant impact towards the development and deployment of VR-based strategies aimed at helping the population cope with prolonged social distancing, with particular regards to vulnerable individuals.
Visualization of submerged turbulent jets using particle tracking velocimetry
Authors: Shaffer Franklin , Ibarra Eric , Savaş Ömer
Published: February 2021

Over the past few decades, advances have been made in using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) for mapping of Lagrangian velocity and acceleration flow fields. With PIV, Lagrangian trajectories are not measured directly; rather, hypothetical trajectories must be constructed from sequences of Eulerian velocity snapshots. Because PTV directly measures actual trajectories, it provides distinct advantages over PIV, especially for trajectories with abrupt changes in direction. In this work, a novel particle tracking algorithm is described, then applied to track trajectories of tracer particles in submerged turbulent jets. The Reynolds numbers ranged from 1000 to 25,000, thereby covering laminar, transitioning-to-turbulence, and fully turbulent flow regimes. The novel particle tracking algorithm is designed to handle flows with very high particle concentrations, thereby resolving small-scale flow structures. Trajectories are tracked with high velocity gradients, sharp curvatures, cycloids, abrupt changes in direction, and strong recirculation—all of which are inaccessible via construction from PIV sequences. Most trajectories measured in this work are at least 500 camera frames (time steps) long, with many being more than 3000 frames long.

Graphic abstract
Multiplex Molecular Point-of-Care Test for Syndromic Infectious Diseases
Authors: Kim Hanbi , Huh Hee Jae , Park Eunkyoung , Chung Doo-Ryeon , Kang Minhee
Published: February 2021

Point-of-care (POC) molecular diagnostics for clinical microbiology and virology has primarily focused on the detection of a single pathogen. More recently, it has transitioned into a comprehensive syndromic approach that employs multiplex capabilities, including the simultaneous detection of two or more pathogens. Multiplex POC tests provide higher accuracy to for actionable decisionmaking in critical care, which leads to pathogen-specific treatment and standardized usages of antibiotics that help prevent unnecessary processes. In addition, these tests can be simple enough to operate at the primary care level and in remote settings where there is no laboratory infrastructure. This review focuses on state-of-the-art multiplexed molecular point-of-care tests (POCT) for infectious diseases and efforts to overcome their limitations, especially related to inadequate throughput for the identification of syndromic diseases. We also discuss promising and imperative clinical POC approaches, as well as the possible hurdles of their practical applications as front-line diagnostic tests.
Age and comorbidities do not affect short-term outcomes after laparoscopic rectal cancer resection in elderly patients. A multi-institutional cohort study in 287 patients
Authors: Peltrini Roberto , Imperatore Nicola , Carannante Filippo , Cuccurullo Diego , Capolupo Gabriella Teresa , Bracale Umberto , Caricato Marco , Corcione Francesco
Published: February 2021

Postoperative complications and mortality rates after rectal cancer surgery are higher in elderly than in non-elderly patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether, like in open surgery, age and comorbidities affect postoperative outcomes limiting the benefits of a laparoscopic approach. Between April 2011 and July 2020, data of 287 patients with rectal cancer submitted to laparoscopic rectal resection from different institutions were collected in an electronic database and were categorized into two groups: < 75 years and ≥ 75 years of age. Perioperative data and short-term outcomes were compared between these groups. Risk factors for postoperative complications were determined on multivariate analysis, including age groups and previous comorbidities as variables. Seventy-seven elderly patients had both higher ASA scores (p < 0.001) and cardiovascular disease rates (p = 0.02) compared with 210 non-elderly patients. There were no significative differences between groups in terms of overall postoperative complications (p = 0.3), number of patients with complications (p = 0.2), length of stay (p = 0.2) and death during hospitalization (p = 0.9). The only independent variables correlated with postoperative morbidity were male gender (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.53–3.68, p < 0.01) and low-medium localization of the tumor (OR 2.12; 75% CI 1.43–4.21, p < 0.01). Although older people are more frail patients, short-term postoperative outcomes in patients ≥ 75 years of age were similar to those of younger patients after laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Elderly patients benefit from laparoscopic rectal resection as well as non-elderly patient, despite advanced age and comorbidities.
Effects of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine monotherapy on intellectual and cognitive development in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
Authors: Suo Gui-hai , Zheng Yu-qin , Wu You-jia , Tang Ji-hong
Published: February 2021

Levetiracetam (LEV) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) are commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy, but their efficacy and safety have seldom been compared for the treatment of children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). We thus assessed the efficacy of LEV and OXC monotherapy in the treatment of children with BECTS, and the effect of this treatment on children’s intelligence and cognitive development. This was a randomized, single-center trial. Children with BECTS were randomized (1:1) into LEV and OXC groups, and were assessed at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment. The primary outcomes were the frequency of seizures and changes in intelligence and cognitive function. Secondary outcomes were electroencephalogram (EEG) results and safety. Seventy children were enrolled and randomized to the LEV group or the OXC group, and 32 of the 35 children in each group completed the study. After 6 months, the effective treatment rate of the OXC group was significantly higher than that of the LEV group (78.12 vs. 53.12%, p = 0.035). However, no significant inter-group difference was observed in EEG improvement (p = 0.211). In terms of intelligence and cognitive development, children in the OXC group exhibited significantly improved choice reaction time, mental rotation, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test results (all p < 0.05). Both LEV and OXC were well tolerated, with 18.75 and 21.88% of children reporting mild adverse events (p = 0.756). OXC monotherapy was more effective than LEV for children with BECTS. In addition, children with OXC monotherapy had higher improvements in children’s intelligence and cognitive function than those with LEV monotherapy.
A new energy-positive technological approach for wastewater treatment and bioenergy generation using a photo anoxic baffled reactor (PABR)
Authors: Hasan M. , Khalekuzzaman Md. , Alamgir M. , Datta P. , Kabir S. B.
Published: February 2021

This study proposed a new energy-positive technological approach for wastewater treatment and bioenergy generation using an algal–bacterial symbiosis system in a photo anoxic baffled reactor (PABR). The PABR consisted of a sedimentation chamber, four regular baffled chambers, and two floated filter media chambers. The PABR was operated in the presence of natural sunlight with an average intensity of 30 µmoles/m2/s. A wide range of ORP (−215 to 255 mV) data suggested that a suitable environment condition existed in the PABR for photosynthesis, nitrification, and denitrification. Simultaneous nitrification/denitrification (SND) was observed in the first three chambers, and microbial assimilation was governed in the last four chambers. An average biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), NH3–N, total nitrogen (TN), and PO43− removal efficiencies were more than 88, 48, 36, and 42%, respectively. Moreover, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) was carried out for sludge and microalgae samples for bioenergy (e.g., biocrude and biochar) conversion, where the sludge sample containing microalgae and bacteria was collected from PABR and microalgae sample was collected from photobioreactor. Finally, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was done for both biocrude and biochar derived from sludge and microalgae samples, and it was suggested that the biocrude and biochar derived from sludge sample were better than that of microalgae sample.
A short review on DNA damage and repair effects in lip cancer
Authors: Toprani Sneh M. , Mane Varsha Kelkar
Published: February 2021

Increasing trend in oral cancer (0.6% per year) and its related mortality has been reported worldwide since 2010. The United States alone reports an increase of 57% within the past 10 years. This emphasizes the need not only for designing strategies of prevention and planning but also for an effective treatment regime for the various oral cancers. Cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and hard palate have been primarily classified under the category of oral cancers. If left undiagnosed, these cancers can be life threatening. Amongst these, the most undesignated and understudied cancer type is the lip carcinoma, which is either categorized under oral cancer or/as well as skin cancer or head and neck cancer. However, lip cancer corresponds to 25–30% of all diagnosed oral cancers. Though the etiology of lip cancer is not yet fully understood, numerous risk factors involved in its development are now being studied. The cells in the lip region are continuously exposed to various DNA damaging agents from endogenous as well as exogenous sources. Flaws in DNA repair mechanisms involved in eliminating these damages may be linked to the origin of carcinogenesis. Accumulation of DNA damage and defect in repair mechanisms may play a role in lip carcinogenesis and progression. This literature review is an exhaustive compilation of the research work performed on the role of DNA damage and repair responses in lip carcinoma which will pave a path for researchers to identify predictive DNA repair biomarker/s for lip cancer, and its diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Matrix, Numerical, and Optimization Methods in Science and Engineering
Authors: Cassel Kevin W.
Published: February 2021

Address vector and matrix methods necessary in numerical methods and optimization of linear systems in engineering with this unified text. Treats the mathematical models that describe and predict the evolution of our processes and systems, and the numerical methods required to obtain approximate solutions. Explores the dynamical systems theory used to describe and characterize system behaviour, alongside the techniques used to optimize their performance. Integrates and unifies matrix and eigenfunction methods with their applications in numerical and optimization methods. Consolidating, generalizing, and unifying these topics into a single coherent subject, this practical resource is suitable for advanced undergraduate students and graduate students in engineering, physical sciences, and applied mathematics.
The Law Multiple
Authors: van Oorschot Irene
Published: February 2021

In the field of socio-legal studies or law and society scholarship, it is rare to find empirically rich and conceptually sophisticated understandings of actual legal practice. This book, in contrast, connects the conceptual and the empirical, the abstract and the concrete, and in doing so shows the law to be an irreducibly social, material and temporal practice. Drawing on cutting-edge work in the social study of knowledge, it grapples with conceptual and methodological questions central to the field: how and where judgment empirically takes place; how and where facts are made; and how researchers might study these local and concrete ways of judging and knowing. Drawing on an ethnographic study of how narratives and documents, particularly case files, operate within legal practices, this book's unique and innovative approach consists of rearticulating the traditional boundaries separating judgment from knowledge, urging us to rethink the way truths are made within law.
Good Thinking
Authors: Cummins Denise D.
Published: February 2021

This book is for anyone who wonders whether to trust the media, seeks creative solutions to problems, or grapples with ethical dilemmas. Cognitive scientist Denise D. Cummins clearly explains how experts in economics, philosophy, and science use seven powerful decision-making methods to tackle these challenges. These techniques include: logic, moral judgment, analogical reasoning, scientific reasoning, rational choice, game theory and creative problem solving. Updated and revised in a second edition, each chapter now features quizzes for course use or self-study.
Settling and clustering of snow particles in atmospheric turbulence
Authors: Li Cheng , Lim Kaeul , Berk Tim , Abraham Aliza , Heisel Michael , Guala Michele , Coletti Filippo , Hong Jiarong
Published: February 2021

The effect of turbulence on snow precipitation is not incorporated into present weather forecasting models. Here we show evidence that turbulence is in fact a key influence on both fall speed and spatial distribution of settling snow. We consider three snowfall events under vastly different levels of atmospheric turbulence. We characterize the size and morphology of the snow particles, and we simultaneously image their velocity, acceleration and relative concentration over vertical planes approximately$30\ \textrm {m}^2$in area. We find that turbulence-driven settling enhancement explains otherwise contradictory trends between the particle size and velocity. The estimates of the Stokes number and the correlation between vertical velocity and local concentration are consistent with the view that the enhanced settling is rooted in the preferential sweeping mechanism. When the snow vertical velocity is large compared to the characteristic turbulence velocity, the crossing trajectories effect results in strong accelerations. When the conditions of preferential sweeping are met, the concentration field is highly non-uniform and clustering appears over a wide range of scales. These clusters, identified for the first time in a naturally occurring flow, display the signature features seen in canonical settings: power-law size distribution, fractal-like shape, vertical elongation and large fall speed that increases with the cluster size. These findings demonstrate that the fundamental phenomenology of particle-laden turbulence can be leveraged towards a better predictive understanding of snow precipitation and ground snow accumulation. They also demonstrate how environmental flows can be used to investigate dispersed multiphase flows at Reynolds numbers not accessible in laboratory experiments or numerical simulations.
Peter Michael Neumann OBE
Authors: McBride Adam , Cullingworth Barbara
Published: February 2021

Peter Neumann was a major figure in UK mathematics during a career spanning over 50 years. His parents, Bernhard and Hanna Neumann, were group theorists, so it was perhaps inevitable that Peter would become a specialist in the same area. A notable occurrence, and a sign of things to come, was the publication in 1962 of a joint paper with his parents which gave rise to the concept of an NNN group. There can be few instances in mathematics of three members of the same family co-authoring a paper. His parents spent many years in Australia and Peter maintained strong links with that country throughout his own professional life.
Meat consumption, stratified by dietary quality, and risk of heart disease
Authors: Møller Sanne Pagh , Mejborn Heddie , Christensen Anne Illemann , Biltoft-Jensen Anja , Thygesen Lau Caspar
Published: February 2021

Associations between meat consumption and heart disease have been assessed in several studies, but it has been suggested that other dietary factors influence these associations. The aim of the present study was to assess whether meat consumption is associated with ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and if the association is modified by dietary quality. The analyses were based on the cohort of adult participants in the Danish National Survey on Diet and Physical Activity in 2000–2002, 2003–2008 and 2011–2013. From these surveys, information on meat consumption and dietary quality was extracted. The cohort was followed in national registers to identify incident IHD. Associations were estimated using Cox regression analyses adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Analyses of associations between meat consumption and IHD stratified by dietary quality were subsequently evaluated. Among the 8007 participants, the median follow-up was 9·8 years and 439 cases of IHD were recorded. The results suggested a trend between consumption increments of 100 g/d of red meat (hazard ratio (HR) = 1·23; 95 % CI 0·99, 1·53) or of 50 g/d of processed meat (HR = 1·09; 95 % CI 0·93, 1·29) and higher risk of IHD. The trends were, however, not statistically significant. Stratification by dietary quality did not suggest that associations between meat consumption and risk of IHD were modified by dietary quality. This population-based cohort study with detailed dietary information suggested a trend with higher meat consumption being associated with higher risk of IHD, but the association was not statistically significant. Results did not indicate that dietary quality modifies such associations.
On particle acceleration and transport in plasmas in the Galaxy: theory and observations
Authors: Amato Elena , Casanova Sabrina
Published: February 2021

Accelerated particles are ubiquitous in the Cosmos and play a fundamental role in many processes governing the evolution of the Universe at all scales, from the sub-AU scale relevant for the formation and evolution of stars and planets to the Mpc scale involved in Galaxy assembly. We reveal the presence of energetic particles in many classes of astrophysical sources thanks to their production of non-thermal radiation, and we detect them directly at the Earth as cosmic rays. In the last two decades both direct and indirect observations have provided us a wealth of new, high-quality data about cosmic rays and their interactions both in sources and during propagation, in the Galaxy and in the Solar System. Some of the new data have confirmed existing theories about particle acceleration and propagation and their interplay with the environment in which they occur. Some others have brought about interesting surprises, whose interpretation is not straightforward within the standard framework and may require a change of paradigm in terms of our ideas about the origin of cosmic rays of different species or in different energy ranges. In this article, we focus on cosmic rays of galactic origin, namely with energies below a few petaelectronvolts, where a steepening is observed in the spectrum of energetic particles detected at the Earth. We review the recent observational findings and the current status of the theory about the origin and propagation of galactic cosmic rays.
Going beyond elementary mechanisms: the strategic interplay between grounded procedures
Authors: Kardos Peter
Published: February 2021

The model presented by Lee and Schwarz provides a novel explanation for the elementary mechanisms of psychological cleansing. I argue that the model could be extended to account for complex instances of psychological cleansing where the grounded procedures are not isolated and the opposing motives of separation and connection are entangled in a strategic interplay.
Specifying separation: avoidance, abstraction, openness to new experiences
Authors: Körner Anita , Strack Fritz
Published: February 2021

Lee and Schwarz suggest grounded procedures of separation as a mechanism for embodied cleansing. We compare this process to other mechanisms in grounded cognition and suggest a broader conceptualization that allows integration into general cognitive models of social behavior. Specifically, separation will be understood as a mindset of completed avoidance resulting in high abstraction and openness to new experiences.
Cultural mindsets shape what grounded procedures mean: Cleansing can separate or connect and separating can feel good or not so good
Authors: Oyserman Daphna
Published: February 2021

Are grounded procedures such as cleansing value-neutral main effects? Culture-as-situated-cognition theory suggests otherwise. Societies differ in how frequently they trigger membership and individualizing cultural mindsets and their linked mental-procedures – connecting and separating, respectively. Commonly triggered mindsets (and their linked mental-procedures) feel fluent. Fluency feels good. Cleansing can separate from but also connect to others in the form of membership-based rituals.
Grounding together: Shared reality and cleansing practices
Authors: Rossignac-Milon Maya , Higgins E. Tory
Published: February 2021

We propose that cleansing behaviors and other acts of separation or connection have more powerful effects when they are grounded in shared practices – in a shared reality. We conceptualize sensorimotor and shared reality effects as synergistic. Most potent should be physical behaviors performed collectively as a shared practice (e.g., communal bathing), grounded both in sensorimotor experience and in shared reality.
Evaluation of carotid artery access in comparison with femoral artery access in neonatal percutaneous stenting of ductus arteriosus
Authors: Alsawah Gehan A. , Elmarsafawy Hala , Hafez Mona , Rakha Shaimaa
Published: February 2021

Background:

Patent ductus arteriosus stenting in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation is a challenging procedure. Percutaneous carotid artery access for ductal stenting has proven to be feasible; however, comparison with femoral artery access in terms of procedure details and complications either immediate or late is scarce. Therefore, we evaluated carotid artery access in comparison with femoral artery for stenting of patent ductus arteriosus.

Methods:

Forty neonates were reviewed, 20 were stented via carotid artery access, and 20 via the traditional femoral artery access. Comparison variables were neonatal demographics at the procedure, angiographic ductal anatomy, procedure details, and immediate complications. Follow-up Doppler ultrasound on access site was performed to document late complications.

Results:

Median age of included cases was 10.5 (3–28) days with complex ductal anatomy more frequently accessed via carotid artery than femoral. Immediate access-related complications were significantly higher with femoral than carotid artery access; 9 (45%) versus 3 (15%) respectively, p = 0.038. With carotid access, we had only one case with small pseudoaneurysm and acute hemiparesis 3 days after the procedure. Delayed local complications were more common with femoral access (15%) than carotid access (5%), mild stenosis in one case, and severe in another with femoral access; while with transcarotid arterial access, only one case had mild narrowing.

Conclusion:

Percutaneous carotid artery access in neonates is a more convenient approach for patent ductus arteriosus stenting especially with complex ductal anatomy. Moreover, local complications are limited and vascular patency is better preserved, in comparison with trans-femoral arterial access. However, the potential for neurological adverse events should not be overlooked.
Community-Based First Responder Network in Rural Thailand: A Case Study of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Pattanarattanamolee Ratrawee , Sanglun Rujeewan Yomstreeken , Nakahara Shinji
Published: February 2021

Recently, the Thai government introduced a novel program to train health volunteers as first responders to deal with increasing acute illness and injuries. This case study demonstrates the potential of this program to improve public access to emergency care through the integration of emergency care with a community-based health care system, specifically in a rural setting. A 39-year-old man collapsed with cardiac arrest in his village. Lay first responders from his neighborhood attended him immediately, administered chest compressions, and contacted Emergency Medical Services (EMS). They continued chest compressions until the EMS unit arrived. While the EMS transported him to the hospital, the patient attained return of spontaneous circulation and consciousness. He returned to his normal life without obvious neurological problems. The Thai strategy to develop a community-based first responder network through health volunteer training would address the issue of inequitable access to emergency care and improve patients’ chances of survival and prognoses.
Non-native Readers Are More Sensitive to Changes in Surface Linguistic Information than Native Readers*
Authors: Bordag Denisa , Opitz Andreas , Polter Max , Meng Michael
Published: February 2021

In the present study we challenge the generally accepted view based primarily on L1 data that surface linguistic information decays rapidly during reading and that only propositional information is retained in memory. In two eye-tracking experiments, we show that both L1 and L2 adult readers retain verbatim information of a text. In particular, the reading behaviour of L2 German learners revealed that they were sensitive to both lexical (synonyms) and syntactic (active/passive alternation) substitutions during a second reading of the texts, while L1 exhibited only reduced sensitivity to the lexical substitutions. The results deliver an important piece of evidence that complies with several current processing (e.g., Shallow Structure Hypothesis), acquisition (Declarative/Procedural Model) and cognitive (e.g., Fuzzy Trace Theory) approaches and adds a new dimension to their empirical and theoretical basis.