bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pewenomyces kutranfy gen. nov. et sp. nov. causal agent of an important canker disease on Araucaria araucana in Chile
Authors: Balocchi Felipe , Wingfield Mike J. , Ahumada Rodrigo , Barnes Irene
Published: February 2021

Araucaria araucana, (commonly referred to as araucaria, pewen, or monkey puzzle tree) is an ancient conifer endemic to the Chilean and Argentinian mountain ranges where it has a sacred relevance to indigenous communities. During 2015, a serious disease was noticed on trees of all ages in most of the natural distribution of this iconic tree. Four areas were surveyed, and the most important symptoms of the disease were cankers on branches and stems resulting in copious resin exudation. Trees were monitored for a period of two years and isolations were made from the cankers. Field observations showed that the disease typically begins on the leaves or at the leaf bases and progresses downwards to initiate cankers that can girdle branches or stems within a two‐year period. Black ascomata, resembling those of Caliciopsis species previously described from A. araucana, were consistently found developing in the cankers from which isolations were made. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, nucSSU, and nucLSU gene regions showed that the fungus resides in the Coryneliaceae but is distinct from other genera in that family. The morphological characteristics and phylogenetic position of the fungus show that it represents a new genus and species, described here as Pewenomyces kutranfy gen. nov. et sp. nov. Pathogenicity trials on trees under field conditions confirmed that this newly described fungus is able to cause cankers on A. araucana similar to those found under natural conditions.
Capital mobility and the synchronization of business cycles: Evidence from the European Union
Authors: Beck Krzysztof
Published: February 2021

Business cycle synchronization (BCS) is crucial for effective common monetary policy in the Eurozone. However, the impact of capital market integration on BCS is ambiguous in the literature. In this paper, we quantify the different channels through which capital mobility affects BCS, considering dynamic panel framework accounting for model uncertainty, reverse causality, and contagion. Four different channels are examined: exuberance of business cycles through short‐run flows, risk‐sharing‐induced specialization, international value chain integration resulting from foreign direct investment, and contagion. The results show that the overall impact of capital mobility on BCS is positive in the EU.
The Coming Authoritarianism
Authors: Hughey Matthew W.
Published: February 2021

This article reviews predictions made in an earlier piece entitled “Gender and Race in American Elections: From the Pathos of Prediction to the Power of Possibility” (Hughey 2020).
Epidemiology and outcome for viremia in children undergoing bone marrow transplant: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Silcock Robyn , Mitchell Katriona , Fraser Chris , Clark Julia
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Viral infections pose a serious risk for children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). There are few published case series of prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes examining multiple viruses simultaneously, and no pediatric Australasian data published to date. We describe the real‐life experience of viremia in pediatric HSCT in a single tertiary center.

Methods

All episodes of viremia in children undergoing HSCT between 2000 and 2018 were identified by matching HSCT patients’ unique identification numbers with positive blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results for human adenovirus (HAdV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), and human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6). Paper or electronic charts and electronic pathology results were used to extract the study variables.

Results

Viremia was detected in 177/445 (39.8%) HSCT episodes, of which 46% were allogeneic and 19% autologous transplants. Viremia was disseminated in 96 (21.6%) episodes, with 80 (18%) having more than one virus. HAdV was detected in 108 (24.3% of total episodes) and frequently in autologous transplants, CMV in 71 (16.0%), EBV in 60 (13.5%), and HHV‐6 in 38 (8.5%). Of 174 children, 19 (10.9%) died of a viral‐associated cause, with viral mortality highest in CMV (18.3%), lowest in HHV‐6 (2.6%) with HAdV and EBV similar (6.6% and 6.7%). Adenoviral (but not other virus) dissemination was significantly associated with lower lymphocyte count at time of first detection. CMV dissemination and death were significantly associated with initial and highest CMV viral loads (copies/mL).

Conclusion

This study presents the first pediatric‐specific Australasian data for viremia in HSCT. Findings may help guide clinicians in prophylaxis and treatment decisions.
Know‐do gaps in obstetric and newborn care quality in Uganda: a cross‐sectional study in rural health facilities
Authors: Rokicki Slawa , Mwesigwa Brian , Cohen Jessica L.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Variable and inadequate quality of maternity care is a critical factor in persistently high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality in Uganda. We investigated whether provider quality of care deviates from knowledge and the factors associated with these ‘know‐do gaps’ in Ugandan maternity facilities.

Methods

Data were collected from 109 providers in 40 facilities. Quality was measured using direct observations of intrapartum care, and scores were based on the percentage of essential care actions provided out of a 20‐item validated quality index. Knowledge was measured based on the percentage of items that providers reported knowing to do using vignette surveys. The know‐do gap was the difference between knowledge and quality. Multivariable models were used to assess the association between provider‐ and facility‐level characteristics and knowledge, quality and know‐do gaps.

Results

The average quality score was 45%, with quality varying widely within and across providers. The mean knowledge score was 70%, yielding a mean know‐do gap of 25%. Know‐do gaps were largest for practices related to infection control, vitals monitoring, and prevention of postpartum haemorrhage. The association between quality and knowledge scores was positive but small (P = 0.08), so know‐do gaps were largest for providers with the highest knowledge scores. Greater provider training was positively associated with knowledge (P = 0.005) but not with quality (P = 0.60). Having 10 or more years of work experience was associated with higher quality scores (5.3, 95%CI: 0.6 to 10.1), while higher patient volumes were associated with lower quality scores (−2.2, 95%CI: −3.7 to − 0.07). None of the factors of provider motivation, cadre, availability of essential medicines and supplies or facility staffing were associated with quality or know‐do gaps.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that, in Uganda, gaps between knowledge and quality do not appear to be explained by factors such as lack of motivation, education, training or supplies. Gaps are particularly large for essential practices related to prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal mortality in Uganda and similar settings.
Intersections of (infra)structural violence and cultural inclusion: The geopolitics of minority cemeteries and crematoria provision
Authors: Maddrell Avril , McNally Danny , Beebeejaun Yasminah , McClymont Katie , Mathijssen Brenda
Published: February 2021

Building on embodied and de‐colonial approaches to geopolitics, this paper examines the relationship between forms of governance in municipal cemetery and crematorium provision and the needs of established minorities, arguing that inadequate infrastructure and services can constitute harm. Crucially, it is contended that forms of governance impact not only on the living, but also on perceptions of the wellbeing of the dead. Grounded in a study of four towns in England and Wales, the paper identifies firstly how intersectional identity fundamentally shapes people’s experiences of deathscape governance; secondly, the possibilities of infrastructural benefits of inclusive services; and thirdly, the harms done by non‐inclusive forms of governance, implicit territoriality and inadequate infrastructure. This is evidenced in the negative impact of poor municipal cemetery organisation and management on specific minority groups, such as inadequate burial space, high burial costs, hindrances to timely rituals, and reduced access to services as a result of government austerity measures; as well as protracted local planning processes. The conclusion calls for a wider conceptualisation of necropolitics, based on a critical‐feminist‐decolonial geopolitics of deathscapes in multicultural societies, and offers insights for the practical governance of inclusive cemeteries and crematoria.
Understanding of the Role of Carbon Fiber Paper in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Sun Xiuyu , Wang Zhenwei
Published: February 2021

Carbon fiber paper (CFP) is currently the main product of the macroporous substrate (MPS) for the gas diffusion layer (GDL) of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The optimization of certain mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, air conduction, and mass transfer capabilities together with matched interaction can improve the core competitiveness of CFP. The artical conducts a detailed theoretical analysis of these conducting processes and principles based on CFP's main functions mentioned above. Thinner CFP with a wider pore channel brings about better mass permeability but unsatisfactory mechanical property. Thicker CFP with higher porosity and rougher surface results in worse electrical and thermal conductivity. Meanwhile, the temperature, pressure, time, and other fabrication parameters of CFP are also discussed. With so many contradictories, how to make a balance for real PEMFCs operation and reduce the cost would be a practical strategy for the optimization of CFP in the future.
Reservoir and Wellbore Flow Coupling Model for Fishbone Multilateral Wells in Bottom Water Drive Reservoirs
Authors: Yue Ping , Zhou Jiantang , Kang Li Xia , Liu Ping , Chunsheng Jia , Chen Xiaofan
Published: February 2021

Nowadays, different types of complex production wells are applied in challenging reservoirs in order to maximize oil recovery. A representative application is the fishbone multilateral horizontal wells, which have advantages of expanding the drainage area information and reducing the pressure loss in the long single lateral wellbore. This paper investigated the performance of fishbone wells and derived a wellbore and reservoir flow coupling model for fishbone multilateral wells in the bottom water reservoirs. The new model considered plenty of parameters that may have significant impacts on productivity and pressure drop in the well, including the fishbone structure, the main and branch wellbores’ length, the spacing distance of the branch wellbores, wellbore radius, and preformation parameters. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis example by the numerical method is presented in this paper. Compared with other models, our coupling model, when it is degraded to horizontal well, is more consistent with the results of actual field situation. In another comparative analysis, the results of the new model with branches show a good match with the numerical simulation results by software. The proposed method in this paper can be used as a valuable tool to analyze the productivity, wellbore inflow profile, and pressure profile of the fishbone multilateral wells in the bottom water reservoir.
The Effect of Counterweight Mass and Line Stiffness on the Global Dynamic Performance of a Hanging-Mass Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Ward Jacob C. , Goupee Andrew J. , Viselli Anthony M. , Dagher Habib J.
Published: February 2021

Innovative floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platforms that deviate from the conventional semi-submersible, spar, and tension leg platforms (TLP) have become increasingly common due to the need to tap into the high wind energy potential located in deeper waters. One example is the hanging-mass concept, in which a suspended counterweight stabilizes a positively buoyant floater. This work presents a two-dimensional, nonlinear, multi-body model used to assess the influence of the counterweight mass and the suspension line stiffness on the system’s global performance, using linear stability analysis and time-domain simulations to conduct a parametric study. For example, the counterweight mass has a strong influence on the amplitude of rotational degrees-of-freedom. Corresponding natural periods may occur within the linear wave energy range for suitable counterweight sizes due to this strong influence leading to undesirable motions. High-frequency multi-body modes are also dependent on both the line stiffness and counterweight mass, which may result in high relative motion amplitudes and slack lines in certain conditions. Finally, the parametric study results contribute to preliminary hanging-mass FOWT design recommendations.
A Novel Esterase, DacA
pva
, from
Comamonas
sp. Strain NyZ500 with Deacetylation Activity for the Acetylated Polymer Polyvinyl Alcohol
Authors: Yin Chao-Fan , Xu Ying , Deng Shi-Kai , Yue Wen-Long , Zhou Ning-Yi
Published: February 2021

Water-soluble PVA, which possesses a very robust ability to accumulate in the environment, has a very grave environmental impact due to its widespread use in industrial and household applications. On the other hand, chemical transformation of PVA derivatives is currently being carried out under high-energy-consumption and high-pollution conditions using hazardous chemicals (such as NaOH and methanol) under high temperatures.
Supplemental Material: Temperatures of Late Cretaceous (Campanian) methane-derived authigenic carbonates from the Western Interior Seaway, South Dakota, USA, using clumped isotopes
Authors: Gao Yang , al. et
Published: February 2021

Raw data spreadsheet, scanned pictures of every analyzed hand sample, and Cathodoluminescence and X-ray diffraction images of selected samples.
Supplemental Material: Flow of Devonian anatectic crust in the accretionary Altai Orogenic Belt, central Asia: Insights into horizontal and vertical magma transfer
Authors: Wang Sheng , Jiang Yingde , al. et
Published: February 2021

GPS coordinate and zircon U-Pb data of samples.
Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial polyneuropathy: a rare cause of orbital pain
Authors: Rama Raj Palaniraj , Kumar Himeesh , Ha Jerome , Wan Sue Ling
Published: February 2021

Hypertrophic cranial polyneuropathy (HCP) is sporadically encountered in clinical practice. Aetiologies of HCP have been classified as autoimmune, infectious and demyelinating. However, an accurate diagnosis remains elusive in some cases despite rigorous investigations. These cases represent idiopathic HCP. Given the high clinical variance in presenting symptoms, HCP often leaves medical practitioners in a diagnostic quandary. Here, we seek to expand current knowledge by reporting the first documented case of idiopathic HCP presenting atypically with unilateral orbital pain and exclusively involving the bilateral trigeminal nerves.
Incidental diagnosis of sad fetus syndrome in triplets
Authors: Rajasekaran Keerthana , Dadhwal Vatsla , Jassim Mohamed
Published: February 2021

An unusual presentation of gestational trophoblastic disease is twin molar pregnancy, rarest in triplets with differentials being partial/complete mole, placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD), placental cysts or chorioangioma each with different complications. Counselling to continue pregnancy depends on diagnosis. A 37-year-old G2P1L1, donor oocyte In vitro fertlisation (IVF) twin pregnancy was referred at 24 weeks with cystic areas in placenta. Probability of twin partial mole or PMD was assessed. The scan of fetuses showed normal growth, no structural anomalies. Biochemical markers showed high maternal beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG). Amniocentesis of molar fetus revealed normal karyotype. Likely diagnosis made as twin partial mole. The patient delivered by caesarean section at 28+2weeks due to preterm labour. Twins, a male and a female baby, were delivered with three placentas, two normal and the third with molar changes and no fetal parts. Diagnosis was revised as triplet with partial mole, which was confirmed on histopathology. Serial monitoring of β-hCG became undetectable by eighth week. The male baby died on day 4. The mother and the female baby were discharged.
Masquerading Guillain-Barré syndrome: uncommon, in-hospital presentation of Miller-Fisher syndrome shadowed by secondary diseases
Authors: Pandurangan Viswanathan , Dronamraju Sujay Prabhath , Ramadurai Srinivasan , Arthur Preetam
Published: February 2021

Presentation of severe pain syndromes prior to onset of motor weakness is an uncommon but documented finding in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Sciatica in GBS is a difficult diagnosis when patients present with acute radiculopathy caused by herniated disc or spondylolysis. A middle-aged woman was admitted for severe low back pain, symptomatic hyponatraemia, vomiting and constipation. On further investigation, she was diagnosed with radiculopathy, and appropriate treatment was initiated. Brief symptomatic improvement was followed by new-onset weakness in lower limbs, which progressed to involve upper limbs and right extraocular muscles. With progressive, ascending, new-onset motor and sensory deficits and laboratory evidence of demyelination by Nerve Conduction Study, a diagnosis of variant GBS was made. She was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin 2 g/kg over 5 days. The presentation of severe low back pain that was masking an existing aetiology and possible dysautonomia and the unilateral right extraocular muscles instead of bilateral make our case unique and rare.
Massive antepartum haemorrhage at insertion of Foley balloon catheter for induction of labour
Authors: Fieldwick Diana , Power Orla , Sood Meera
Published: February 2021

Induction of labour using a balloon catheter is common practice throughout the world, often used in high-risk pregnancies due to the improved safety profile for the fetus compared with pharmacological methods. This report outlines the case of a 2500 mL antepartum haemorrhage on placement of a Foley catheter through the cervix at a secondary obstetric unit in New Zealand. An emergency caesarean section was carried out 20 min after the bleeding onset. No obvious cause for the bleeding was identified at caesarean. The mother required a blood transfusion, but otherwise, did well clinically; the infant required resuscitation at birth and went on to suffer a left middle cerebral artery stroke. At 6 months, he is assumed to have recovered with no long-term sequelae. A literature review has highlighted this was an unprecedented event. We hope to raise awareness of this rare catastrophic adverse outcome given the prevalence of balloon catheter induction.
False elevations in urinary metanephrines: under-recognised pitfall with 24-hour urinary volume collection
Authors: Shin Terry , Hoang Thanh Duc , Plunkett Mary Thomas , Shakir Mohamed K M
Published: February 2021

One pitfall in 24-hour urine collection is the input of incorrect urinary volume by the reference laboratory. This may lead to an incorrect diagnosis of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. A 48-year-old African-American woman was seen in the clinic for an elevated 24-hour urine metanephrine screen during workup for secondary hypertension. Urine volume was found to be incorrectly inputted by the lab as 9750 mL rather than 975 mL. The urinary metanephrines were then recalculated and the 24-hour urinary metanephrines resulted within normal limits. This case highlights this unique and potentially under-recognised error in testing with 24-hour urine volume collection.
Biomarker-assessed passive smoking in relation to cause-specific mortality: pooled data from 12 prospective cohort studies comprising 36 584 individuals
Authors: Kvaavik Elisabeth , Tverdal Aage , Batty G David
Published: February 2021

Aims

While investigators have typically quantified the health risk of passive (secondhand) smoking by using self-reported data, these are liable to measurement error. By pooling data across studies, we examined the prospective relation of a biochemical assessment of passive smoking, salivary cotinine, with mortality from a range of causes.

Methods

We combined data from 12 cohort studies from England and Scotland initiated between 1998 and 2008. A total of 36 584 men and women aged 16–85 years of age reported that they were non-smoking at baseline, provided baseline salivary cotinine and consented to mortality record linkage.

Results

A mean of 8.1 years of mortality follow-up of 36 584 non-smokers (16 792 men and 19 792 women) gave rise to 2367 deaths (775 from cardiovascular disease, 779 from all cancers and 289 from smoking-related cancers). After controlling for a range of covariates, a 10 ng/mL increase in salivary cotinine was related to an elevated risk of total (HRs; 95% CI) (1.46; 1.16 to 1.83), cardiovascular disease (1.41; 0.96 to 2.09), cancer (1.49; 1.00 to 2.22) and smoking-related cancer mortality (2.92; 1.77 to 4.83).

Conclusions

Assessed biomedically, passive smoking was a risk factor for a range of health outcomes known to be causally linked to active smoking.
Recanalisation therapies for acute ischaemic stroke in patients on direct oral anticoagulants
Authors: Seiffge David J , Meinel Thomas , Purrucker Jan Christoph , Kaesmacher Johannes , Fischer Urs , Wilson Duncan , Wu Teddy Y
Published: February 2021

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged as primary therapeutic option for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, patients may have ischaemic stroke despite DOAC therapy and there is uncertainty whether those patients can safely receive intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy. In this review, we summarise and discuss current knowledge about different approaches to select patient. Time since last DOAC intake—as a surrogate for anticoagulant activity—is easy to use but limited by interindividual variability of drug pharmacokinetics and long cut-offs (>48 hours). Measuring anticoagulant activity using drug-specific coagulation assays showed promising safety results. Large proportion of patients at low anticoagulant activity seem to be potentially treatable but there remains uncertainty about exact safe cut-off values and limited assay availability. The use of specific reversal agents (ie, idarucizumab or andexanet alfa) prior to thrombolysis is a new emerging option with first data reporting safety but issues including health economics need to be elucidated. Mechanical thrombectomy appears to be safe without any specific selection criteria applied. In patients on DOAC therapy with large vessel occlusion, decision for intravenous thrombolysis should not delay thrombectomy (eg, direct thrombectomy or immediate transfer to a thrombectomy-capable centre recommended). Precision medicine using a tailored approach combining clinicoradiological information (ie, penumbra and vessel status), anticoagulant activity and use of specific reversal agents only if necessary seems a reasonable choice.
Line managers’ hiring intentions regarding people with mental health problems: a cross-sectional study on workplace stigma
Authors: Janssens Kim M E , van Weeghel Jaap , Dewa Carolyn , Henderson Claire , Mathijssen Jolanda J. P. , Joosen Margot C W , Brouwers Evelien P M
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Stigma may negatively affect line managers’ intention to hire people with mental health problems (MHP). This study aims to evaluate line managers’ knowledge and attitudes concerning job applicants with MHP, and to assess which factors are associated with the intention (not) to hire an applicant with MHP.

Methods

A sample of Dutch line managers (N=670) filled out a questionnaire on their knowledge, attitudes and experiences concerning applicants/employees with MHP. Descriptive analyses and multiple regression analyses were used.

Results

The majority (64%) was reluctant to hire a job applicant with MHP, despite the fact that only 7% had negative and 52% had positive personal experiences with such employees. Thirty per cent were reluctant to hire an applicant if they knew the applicant had past MHP. Associated with higher reluctance to hire an applicant with MHP were the concerns that it will lead to long-term sickness absence (β (95% CI)=0.39 (0.23 to 0.55)), that the employee cannot handle the work (β (95% CI)=0.16 (0.00 to 0.33)) that one cannot count on the employee (β (95% CI)=0.41 (0.23 to 0.58)) and higher manager education level (β (95% CI)=0.25 (0.05 to 0.44)). Conversely, associated with positive hiring intentions was being in favour of diversity and/or inclusive enterprise (β(95% CI)=−0.64 (−0.87 to −0.41)).

Conclusions

As the majority of managers were reluctant to hire applicants with MHP, and even 30% were reluctant to hire applicants who had past MHP, these findings have major implications for social inclusion in the Netherlands, where about 75% of employees would disclose MHP at work.
The Effect of Vertical Relationships on Investment Timing
Authors: Zormpas Dimitrios , Agliardi Rossella
Published: February 2021

Billette de Villemeur et al. [Billette de Villemeur, E., Ruble, R. and Versaevel, B. [2014] Investment timing and vertical relationships, Int. J. Industrial Organization 33, 110–123] discuss the case of a firm undertaking a project in order to serve an uncertain demand. They show that when the investor requires an outside supplier with market power to provide it with a discrete input the investment occurs too late from an industry stand point. In this paper, we extend their work assuming that the input production cost is also uncertain. We show that upstream market power results in dynamic inefficiency also in our framework. We also demonstrate how this inefficiency is affected by the correlation between the two stochastic terms.
Exponential Smoothing on Modeling and Forecasting Multiple Seasonal Time Series: An Overview
Authors: Sulandari Winita , Rodrigues Paulo Canas
Published: February 2021

This paper presents the development process of the exponential smoothing (ES) model, starts with the traditional ES model and then focuses to the multiple seasonal ES model. This paper describes and visualizes the existing multiple seasonal ES models for the purpose of finding guidance for further development. Though some progress and development have been made in this field, the best fit for many possible cases is still needed. Finally, the paper is concluded with comments regarding possible direction of future research.
Nested block design as key pre-distribution in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Singh K. R. , Das P. , Banerjee S.
Published: February 2021

An accumulation of wireless sensor nodes is combined together to form the Wireless Sensor Networks. The sensor nodes are distributed haphazardly without any decided method into a natural setting, which is generally inhospitable and it is difficult to provide key-chains to each node for security as they are haphazardly distributed. In this paper, we use Nested Block Design (NBD) as Key Pre-distribution Scheme (KPS) and found out that NBD support large networks with fewer keys in each node than Symmetric Balanced Incomplete Block Designs (SBIBD) and Transversal Design (TD[Formula: see text]), provide higher resiliency than SBIBDs and better connectivity than TD[Formula: see text], tradeoff between local connectivity and resiliency ([Formula: see text]) is lower than SBIBD but more than TD[Formula: see text] and key-node ratio ([Formula: see text]) is same for [Formula: see text] but lower than SBIBD.
Ultrasonographic Measurement of the Median Nerve Transverse Diameter at the Wrist for Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Sonofuchi Kazuaki , Hatta Taku , Goto Hitoshi
Published: February 2021

Background: Ultrasonographically measuring the median nerve cross-sectional area (MN-CSA) is a useful and complementary method for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study investigated the usefulness of the median nerve transverse diameter (MN-TD) as a simpler and easier technique than MN-CSA for diagnosing CTS severity.

Methods: We examined 145 hands from 101 patients with CTS and 114 age- and gender-matched control hands. Based on the electrodiagnostic findings, the severity of CTS was divided into minimal, mild, moderate, severe and extreme. An ultrasonographic assessment of MN-TD and MN-CSA was performed to measure the maximal values around the carpal tunnel inlet level. The values were assessed for comparisons between the CTS and control groups and for the evaluation of differences by CTS severity.

Results: The ultrasonographic measurements of MN-TD and MN-CSA were significantly increased in the CTS group compared to the normal group. Furthermore, both measurements significantly increased with increasing CTS severity. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that participants with MN-TD > 7.2 mm had CTS with 88% specificity and 74% sensitivity, and those with MN-CSA > 12.0 mm2 had CTS with 86% specificity and 84% sensitivity.

Conclusions: Ultrasonographic measurement for MN-TD may be useful for diagnosing CTS patients and predicting the severity.
Development of the ground model in an area of significant faulting and periglacial legacy: case study from Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Authors: Groves M. R. , Birnie J. S. , Creighton M. P. , Giles D. P.
Published: February 2021

This case study describes a proposed commercial redevelopment at Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The site, located on the Tunbridge Wells Sand and Wadhurst Clay formations, has been affected by major structural faulting as well as by periglacial conditions during the Quaternary. A key aspect of the project was the development of a geological model to inform the engineering design. This study presents the ground model development process, starting with an appreciation of the macro geological setting, understanding the Quaternary landsystem, to focusing on the data from the intrusive ground investigation. The understanding of the primary sedimentary depositional system is critical to the development of a site geological conceptual model. Sediments from highly variable environments of deposition, such as were present in the Early Cretaceous, will present geotechnical and geohazard challenges to a site's development and this first-principles understanding is important in this process. The link from these fundamental geological principles to engineering design, communicated through the ground model, as demonstrated in this paper, is the requirement of the engineering geological appraisal. Locally complex geology demanded a phased site investigation approach, responding to an evolving design and to construction demands, and to meet defined programme requirements for a second-stage tender, to ultimately de-risk key areas with regard to the dynamic ground and groundwater conditions.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Ground models in engineering geology and hydrogeology collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/Ground-models-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology
Roles of Chloride Ions in the Formation of Corrosion Protective Films on Copper
Authors: Kozlica Dževad K. , Ekar Jernej , Kovač Janez , Milošev Ingrid
Published: February 2021

Unambiguous evidence is presented that the chloride ions play a dual role in the formation of a micrometre thick film of polymerized [Cu-Cl-MBI]n. This occurs when the copper is exposed to 3 wt.% NaCl solution containing 1 mM of mixture of inhibitors 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, MBI, and octylphosphonic acid, OPA, in the molar ratio MBI:OPA of 9:1. The chloride ions act simultaneously as a promoter of polymerized [Cu–MBI]n/[Cu–Cl–MBI]nfilm formation and a reactant that is incorporated in the film, as confirmed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Also, formation of a Cu2O film under the Cu-inhibitor film was proven by focused ion beam microscopy, with chemical analysis being employed at the cross-section of the thick polymerized film. The Cu(I) oxide underlayer, together with the porous straw-like morphology of the [Cu–Cl–MBI]noverlayer, is believed to be responsible for the excellent corrosion protection of copper, even in a chloride environment without the reservoir of MBI+OPA. We also report a new insight into the mechanism of degradation of the Cu–MBI/Cu–Cl–MBI film that results in the formation of (MBI)2dimers. The inhibitor layer, formed in NaCl solution and containing the synergistic combination of MBI and OPA, showed outstanding resistance to degradation.
Effects of the Composition and the Particle Size of Octahedral Pt-Ni Nanoparticles on Their Durability
Authors: Nagai Tomoyuki , Kodama Kensaku
Published: February 2021

Carbon-supported octahedral Pt-Ni nanoparticles (oct-Pt-Ni/C) have been expected to be one of the most promising cathode catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells because of their extremely high catalytic activities for oxygen reduction reaction. While the effects of the Pt-Ni composition and the particle size on the activity have been widely studied to achieve the highest activity, their effects on the durability have been hardly examined. Here, we synthesized oct-Pt-Ni/C with different Pt-Ni compositions and sizes by changing concentrations of the precursors and the protecting agents, respectively. Then, their degradation behaviors were systematically examined by using an RDE-based accelerated durability test (ADT). Although the oct-Pt-Ni/C exhibited extremely high activities (630–3400 A g−1-Pt) with a volcano-like dependency against the Ni atomic ratio, all these ORR activities rapidly decreased in the beginning to approach that of Pt/C (400 A g−1-Pt). After the ADT, all the oct-Pt-Ni/C lost their octahedral shape through Ni leaching. There was no significant dependency of the degradation rate on the Pt-Ni composition and the particle size for the oct-Pt-Ni/C with the sizes smaller than 7 nm, which are needed to exhibit at least decent performances in a fuel cell. Therefore, further efforts are needed to develop highly durable oct-Pt-Ni/C.
Anti‐5 ′‐Nucleotidases (5 ′‐ND) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Activities of Medicinal Plants to Combat Echis carinatus Venom‐Induced Toxicities
Authors: Aslam Nazia , Fatima Syeda , Khalid Sofia , Hussain Shahzad , Qayum Mughal , Afzal Khurram , Asad Muhammad Hassham Hassan Bin
Published: February 2021

Echis carinatus is one of the highly venomous snakes of Pakistan that is responsible for numerous cases of envenomation and deaths. In Pakistan, medicinal plants are commonly used traditionally for snakebite treatment because of their low cost and easy availability in comparison with antivenom. The current research is aimed at evaluating the inhibitory activity of Pakistani medicinal plants against acetylcholinesterase and 5 ′‐nucleotidases present in Echis carinatus venom. Acetylcholinesterase and 5 ′‐nucleotidase enzymatic assays were performed at different venom concentrations to check the activity of these enzymes. Methanolic extracts from different parts of plants were used for in vitro determination of their inhibitory activity against 5 ′‐nucleotidases in snake venom. Active methanolic extracts were subsequently fractioned using different solvents, and these fractions were also assessed for their anti‐5 ′‐nucleotidase activity. Results of this study exhibited that Eugenia jambolana Willd. ex O. Berg, Rubia cordifolia L., Trichodesma indicum (L.) R. Br., Calotropis procera (Wild.) R. Br., Curcuma longa L., and Fagonia arabica L. were able to significantly (p > 0.5) neutralize the 5 ′‐nucleotidase activity by 88%, 86%, 86%, 85%, 83.7%, and 83%, respectively, compared with a standard antidote (snake venom antiserum). Thus, this study indicates that these plants possess the potential to neutralize one of the toxic enzymatic components of Echis carinatus venom and hence can help to augment the future efforts of developing alternative therapy for the management of snakebites.
Fuzzy Conformable Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Harir Atimad , Melliani Said , Chadli Lalla Saadia
Published: February 2021

In this study, fuzzy conformable fractional differential equations are investigated. We study conformable fractional differentiability, and we define fractional integrability properties of such functions and give an existence and uniqueness theorem for a solution to a fuzzy fractional differential equation by using the concept of conformable differentiability. This concept is based on the enlargement of the class of differentiable fuzzy mappings; for this, we consider the lateral Hukuhara derivatives of order

q
∈

0,1

.
[Retracted] Use of Platelet‐Rich Fibrin in the Treatment of Periodontal Intrabony Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Chen Liang , Ding Yi , Cheng Guoping , Meng Shu
Published: February 2021

Background. Platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) is a kind of autologous platelet concentrate which is easy to obtain and cheap. In recent years, it has been studied to improve the effect of periodontal regeneration. However, few studies have systematically evaluated the complementary effect of PRF in the treatment of intrabony defects. The present review is aimed at systematically assessing the effects of PRF on clinical and radiological outcomes of the surgical treatment of periodontal intrabony defects. Methods. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) as CRD42020206056. An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases. Only randomized clinical trials were selected. Systematically healthy patients with two or three walls of intrabony defects were considered. Intrabony defect (IBD) depth reduction and bone fill (BF) % were set as primary outcomes while probing depth (PD) reduction, clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, and gingival margin level (GML) gain were considered as the secondary outcome. When possible, a meta‐analysis was performed. Results. Eighteen articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and seventeen studies were quantitatively analyzed. Of 17 studies, four were rated as high risk of bias and thirteen as the moderate risk of bias. Two comparisons were set: (1) open flap debridement (OFD) combined with PRF and OFD alone and (2) bone grafting (BG) combined with PRF and BG alone. Compared to OFD alone, OFD+PRF showed significantly greater in all primary and secondary outcomes. Compared to BG alone, BG+PRF showed significantly greater in IBD depth reduction, PD reduction, CAL gain, and GML gain. Conclusions. The use of PRF was significantly effective in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects. The benefit of OFD+PRF may be greater than BG+PRF. PRF can promote early wound healing in periodontal surgery. As all included studies were not at low risk of bias, well‐designed RCTs having a high methodological quality are needed to clarify the additional effectiveness of PRF in the treatment of intrabony defects in the future.
Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization with Gaussian Perturbation and Mutation
Authors: Chen Binbin , Zhang Rui , Chen Long , Long Shengjie
Published: February 2021

The particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a wide used optimization algorithm, which yet suffers from trapping in local optimum and the premature convergence. Many studies have proposed the improvements to address the drawbacks above. Most of them have implemented a single strategy for one problem or a fixed neighborhood structure during the whole search process. To further improve the PSO performance, we introduced a simple but effective method, named adaptive particle swarm optimization with Gaussian perturbation and mutation (AGMPSO), consisting of three strategies. Gaussian perturbation and mutation are incorporated to promote the exploration and exploitation capability, while the adaptive strategy is introduced to ensure dynamic implement of the former two strategies, which guarantee the balance of the searching ability and accuracy. Comparison experiments of proposed AGMPSO and existing PSO variants in solving 29 benchmark functions of CEC 2017 test suites suggest that, despite the simplicity in architecture, the proposed AGMPSO obtains a high convergence accuracy and significant robustness which are proven by conducted Wilcoxon’s rank sum test.
Analysis on the Difference of Impact Response between Single Coal‐Rock Particle and the Box Structure‐Based Tail Beam
Authors: Wan Li-rong , Li Zhe , Yang Yang , Li Ran
Published: February 2021

In the process of coal caving, the basis of identifying coal and rock by the vibration signal is the difference of the tail beam response when coal‐rock impacts the tail beam, and the tail beam in the hydraulic support is a complex box structure with multiplate transverse and longitudinal welding, and the response difference of the box structure‐based tail beam under the impact of coal‐rock is not clear. Therefore, this paper studies the response difference of box structure‐based tail beam when coal‐rock particle impacts on the box structure‐based tail beam. Firstly, through the construction and analysis of the impact theoretical model of the coal‐rock particle and metal plate, it is found that the complex box structure of the tail beam makes it extremely difficult to establish the impact theoretical model of the coal‐rock and box structure‐based tail beam, so it is impossible to directly study the response of the box structure‐based tail beam when the coal‐rock impacts on the box structure‐based tail beam by the theoretical method. Therefore, the impact simulation model of coal‐rock particle and box structure‐based tail beam is further established. Through the changes of kinetic energy and internal energy of the box structure‐based tail beam system, the contact response of collision contact zone, and noncollision contact zone of the box structure‐based tail beam, the response difference of box structure‐based tail beam when coal‐rock particle impacts on the box structure‐based tail beam is analyzed. Then, by changing the impact speed and contact mode of the coal‐rock particle, the effects of impact speed and the contact mode on the response difference of the box structure‐based tail beam are studied separately. The conclusion shows that the response difference of the box structure‐based tail beam under the impact of the coal particle and rock particle is obvious, and the difference increases as the impact speed increases, and the difference increases as the contact range increases.
Adsorptive Behavior of Prepared Metal-Organic Framework Composites on Phosphates in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Zhao Yan , Guo Hui-xuan , Han Hong-guang , Zhang Jia-qi , Hu Xiao-min
Published: February 2021

As an efficient water treatment method for treating dilute solution systems, electrosorption is promising for the separation and recovery of organic compounds, wastewater treatment, and deep purification of water. Here, two types of UiO-66 samples were prepared using the solvothermal synthesis method, and the effects of different regulators on the microstructure of materials were compared using the various characterization methods. The electrochemical properties of the activated carbon and two types of materials were tested by cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy, and the desalination effect of the materials on phosphate was investigated. The UiO-66 material with uniform-size particles, smaller-size particles, and more surface adsorption sites exhibited better phosphate removal and adsorption capacity. It was found that the desalination process of the UiO-66 material is reversible, and the adsorbent material can be reused, which is advantageous for engineering applications.
Decision Tree Model for Rockburst Prediction Based on Microseismic Monitoring
Authors: Zhao Hongbo , Chen Bingrui , Zhu Changxing
Published: February 2021

Rockburst is an extremely complex dynamic instability phenomenon for rock underground excavation. It is difficult to predict and evaluate the rank level of rockburst in practice. Microseismic monitoring technology has been adopted to obtain microseismic events of microcrack in rock mass for rockburst. The possibility of rockburst can be reflected by microseismic monitoring data. In this study, a decision tree was used to extract the knowledge of rockburst from microseismic monitoring data. The predictive model of rockburst was built based on microseismic monitoring data using a decision tree algorithm. The predictive results were compared with the real rank of rockburst. The relationship between rockburst and microseismic feature data was investigated using the developed decision tree model. The results show that the decision tree can extract the rockburst feature from the microseismic monitoring data. The rockburst is predictable based on microseismic monitoring data. The decision tree provides a feasible and promising approach to predict and evaluate rockburst.
Crack Identification on the Fresh Chilli (Capsicum) Fruit Destemmed System
Authors: Huynh Quoc-Khanh , Nguyen Chi-Ngon , Vo-Nguyen Hong-Phuc , Tran-Nguyen Phuong Lan , Le Phan-Hung , Le Dang-Khanh-Linh , Nguyen Van-Cuong
Published: February 2021

Destemming fresh chilli fruit (Capsicum) in large productivity is necessary, especially in the Mekong Delta region. Several studies have been done to solve this problem with high applicability, but a certain percentage of the output consisted of cracked fruits, thus reducing the quality of the system. The manual sorting results in high costs and low quality, so it is necessary that automatic grading is performed after destemming. This research focused on developing a method to identify and classify cracked chilli fruits caused by the destemming process. The convolution neural network (CNN) model was built and trained to identify cracks; then, appropriate control signals were sent to the actuator for classification. Image processing operations are supported by the OpenCV library, while the TensorFlow data structure is used as a database and the Keras application programming interface supports the construction and training of neural network models. Experiments were carried out in both the static and working conditions, which, respectively, achieved an accurate identification rate of 97 and 95.3%. In addition, a success rate of 93% was found even when the chilli body is wrinkled due to drying after storage time at 120 hours. Practical results demonstrate that the reliability of the model was useful and acceptable.