bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular imaging and deep learning analysis of uMUC1 expression in response to chemotherapy in an orthotopic model of ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhao Hongwei , Hayat Hasaan , Ma Xiaohong , Fan Daguang , Wang Ping , Moore Anna
Published: September 2020

Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms including deep learning have recently demonstrated remarkable progress in image-recognition tasks. Here, we utilized AI for monitoring the expression of underglycosylated mucin 1 (uMUC1) tumor antigen, a biomarker for ovarian cancer progression and response to therapy, using contrast-enhanced in vivo imaging. This was done using a dual-modal (magnetic resonance and near infrared optical imaging) uMUC1-specific probe (termed MN-EPPT) consisted of iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MN) conjugated to a uMUC1-specific peptide (EPPT) and labeled with a near-infrared fluorescent dye, Cy5.5. In vitro studies performed in uMUC1-expressing human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3/Luc and control uMUC1low ES-2 cells showed preferential uptake on the probe by the high expressor (n = 3, p < .05). A decrease in MN-EPPT uptake by SKOV3/Luc cells in vitro due to uMUC1 downregulation after docetaxel therapy was paralleled by in vivo imaging studies that showed a reduction in probe accumulation in the docetaxel treated group (n = 5, p < .05). The imaging data were analyzed using deep learning-enabled segmentation and quantification of the tumor region of interest (ROI) from raw input MRI sequences by applying AI algorithms including a blend of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Fully Connected Neural Networks. We believe that the algorithms used in this study have the potential to improve studying and monitoring cancer progression, amongst other diseases.
Development of the muographic tephra deposit monitoring system
Authors: Tanaka Hiroyuki K. M.
Published: September 2020

Measurements of volcanic tephra fallout deposits provide useful information about the magnitude and intensity of explosive volcanic eruptions and potential for remobilization of deposits as dangerous volcanic flows. However, gathering information in the vicinity of erupting craters is extremely dangerous, and moreover, it is often quite difficult to determine deposit thickness proximal to volcanic craters because the thickness of the deposit is too great to easily measure; thus, airborne remote sensing technologies have generally been utilized during the intermission between eruptions. As an alternative tool, a muographic tephra deposit monitoring system was developed in this work. Here we report the performance of this system by applying the muographic data acquired at Sakurajima volcano, Japan as an example. By assuming the average density of the deposit was 2.0 g cm−3, the deposit thicknesses measured with muography were in agreement with the airborne results, indicating that volcanic fallout built up within the upper river basin, showed its potential for monitoring the episodic tephra fallouts even during eruptions.
Actin bundles play a different role in shaping scales compared to bristles in the mosquito Aedes aegypti
Authors: Djokic Sanja , Bakhrat Anna , Tsurim Ido , Urakova Nadya , Rasgon Jason L. , Abdu Uri
Published: September 2020

Insect epithelial cells contain cellular extensions such as bristles, hairs, and scales. These cellular extensions are homologous structures that differ in morphology and function. They contain actin bundles that dictate their cellular morphology. While the organization, function, and identity of the major actin-bundling proteins in bristles and hairs are known, this information on scales is unknown. In this study, we characterized the development of scales and the role of actin bundles in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. We show that scales undergo drastic morphological changes during development, from a cylindrical to flat shape with longer membrane invagination. Scale actin-bundle distribution changes from the symmetrical organization of actin bundles located throughout the bristle membrane to an asymmetrical organization. By chemically inhibiting actin polymerization and by knocking out the forked gene in the mosquito (Ae-Forked; a known actin-bundling protein) by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, we showed that actin bundles are required for shaping bristle, hair, and scale morphology. We demonstrated that actin bundles and Ae-Forked are required for bristle elongation, but not for that of scales. In scales, actin bundles are required for width formation. In summary, our results reveal, for the first time, the developmental process of mosquito scale formation and also the role of actin bundles and actin-bundle proteins in scale morphogenesis. Moreover, our results reveal that although scale and bristle are thought to be homologous structures, actin bundles have a differential requirement in shaping mosquito scales compared to bristles.
Driving the polar spin reorientation transition of ultrathin ferromagnets with antiferromagnetic–ferromagnetic phase transition of nearby FeRh alloy film
Authors: Dróżdż P. , Ślęzak M. , Janus W. , Szpytma M. , Nayyef H. , Kozioł-Rachwał A. , Freindl K. , Wilgocka-Ślęzak D. , Korecki J. , Ślęzak T.
Published: September 2020

We show that in-plane to out-of-plane magnetization switching of a ferromagnetic layer can be driven by antiferromagnetic–ferromagnetic phase transition in a nearby FeRh system. For FeRh/Au/FeAu trilayers, the impact of the magnetic phase transition of FeRh onto the perpendicular magnetization of monoatomic FeAu superlattices is transferred across the Au spacer layer via interlayer magnetic coupling. The polar spin reorientation process of the FeAu spins driven by the magnetic phase transition in the FeRh reveals its major features; namely it is reversible and displays hysteresis.
Infant gut microbiota characteristics generally do not modify effects of lipid-based nutrient supplementation on growth or inflammation: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial in Malawi
Authors: Hughes Riley L. , Arnold Charles D. , Young Rebecca R. , Ashorn Per , Maleta Ken , Fan Yue-Mei , Ashorn Ulla , Chaima David , Malamba-Banda Chikondi , Kable Mary E. , Dewey Kathryn G.
Published: September 2020

An unhealthy gut microbial community may act as a barrier to improvement in growth and health outcomes in response to nutritional interventions. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether the infant microbiota modified the effects of a randomized controlled trial of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) in Malawi on growth and inflammation at 12 and 18 months, respectively. We characterized baseline microbiota composition of fecal samples at 6 months of age (n = 506, prior to infant supplementation, which extended to 18 months) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V4 region. Features of the gut microbiota previously identified as being involved in fatty acid or micronutrient metabolism or in outcomes relating to growth and inflammation, especially in children, were investigated. Prior to correction for multiple hypothesis testing, the effects of LNS on growth appeared to be modified by Clostridium (p-for-interaction = 0.02), Ruminococcus (p-for-interaction = 0.007), and Firmicutes (p-for-interaction = 0.04) and effects on inflammation appeared to be modified by Faecalibacterium (p-for-interaction = 0.03) and Streptococcus (p-for-interaction = 0.004). However, after correction for multiple hypothesis testing these findings were not statistically significant, suggesting that the gut microbiota did not alter the effect of LNS on infant growth and inflammation in this cohort.
Machine learning improves the prediction of febrile neutropenia in Korean inpatients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Cho Bum-Joo , Kim Kyoung Min , Bilegsaikhan Sanchir-Erdene , Suh Yong Joon
Published: September 2020

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of the most concerning complications of chemotherapy, and its prediction remains difficult. This study aimed to reveal the risk factors for and build the prediction models of FN using machine learning algorithms. Medical records of hospitalized patients who underwent chemotherapy after surgery for breast cancer between May 2002 and September 2018 were selectively reviewed for development of models. Demographic, clinical, pathological, and therapeutic data were analyzed to identify risk factors for FN. Using machine learning algorithms, prediction models were developed and evaluated for performance. Of 933 selected inpatients with a mean age of 51.8 ± 10.7 years, FN developed in 409 (43.8%) patients. There was a significant difference in FN incidence according to age, staging, taxane-based regimen, and blood count 5 days after chemotherapy. The area under the curve (AUC) built based on these findings was 0.870 on the basis of logistic regression. The AUC improved by machine learning was 0.908. Machine learning improves the prediction of FN in patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer compared to the conventional statistical model. In these high-risk patients, primary prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor could be considered.
Effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid sources on expression of lipid-related genes in bovine milk somatic cells
Authors: Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar , Cancino-Padilla Nathaly , Geldsetzer-Mendoza Carolina , Morales María Sol , Leskinen Heidi , Garnsworthy Philip C. , Loor Juan J. , Romero Jaime
Published: September 2020

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of contrasting sources of dietary n-6 and n-3 PUFA on expression of genes related to lipid metabolism in dairy cows. During 63 days, fifteen lactating cows were assigned to a control or basal diet containing no added lipid (n = 5 cows); and treatment diets supplemented with SO (n = 5 cows; unrefined soybean oil; 2.9% of DM) or FO (n = 5 cows; fish oil manufactured from salmon oil; 2.9% of DM). Plasma for fatty acid (FA) analysis and milk somatic cells (MSC) were obtained from all cows at the beginning of the study (day 0) and on days 21, 42 and 63. Plasma was used to determine FA transport dynamics. Compared with control and FO, plasma from SO had increased contents of C18:1 cis-9, C18:1 trans-11, C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 and total monounsaturated FA. On the other hand, compared with control and SO, FO increased plasma contents of C20:3 n-3, C20:3 n-6, C20:4 n-6, C20:5 n-3, C22:6 n-3 and total polyunsaturated FA. Moreover, plasma C18:3 n-3 and C20:5 n-3 increased over time for all diets. Compared with control, SO downregulated ACACA, INSIG1, and DGAT1, whereas FO downregulated ACACA, PPARGC1, LPIN1 and FABP3 on day 63, in MSC. At different time-points, SO and FO downregulated genes related to synthesis and intracellular transport of FA, synthesis of triglycerides, and transcription factors.
Direct identification of a mutation in OsSh1 causing non-shattering in a rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant cultivar using whole-genome resequencing
Authors: Li Feng , Komatsu Akira , Ohtake Miki , Eun Heesoo , Shimizu Akemi , Kato Hiroshi
Published: September 2020

Loss of seed shattering has been regarded as a key step during crop domestication. Mutagenesis contributes to the development of novel crop cultivars with a desired seed-shattering habit in a relatively short period of time, but also to uncovering the genetic architecture of seed shattering. ‘Minamiyutaka’, a non-shattering indica rice cultivar, was developed from the easy-shattering cultivar ‘Moretsu’ by mutation breeding via gamma-ray irradiation. In present study, we observed significant differences in shattering habit, breaking tensile strength, and abscission zone structure between ‘Moretsu’ and ‘Minamiyutaka’. Whole-genome mutation analysis of ‘Minamiyutaka’ newly identified a 13-bp deletion causing defective splicing in exon 3 of the OsSh1 gene which has previously been referred to as a candidate for controlling seed shattering. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, we demonstrated that loss-of-function mutation in OsSh1 causes non-shattering in rice. Furthermore, gene expression analysis suggests that OsSh1 may function downstream of qSH1, a known key gene involved in abscission zone differentiation. Nucleotide diversity analysis of OsSh1 in wild rice accessions and cultivars revealed that OsSh1 has been under strong selection during rice domestication, and a missense mutation might have contributed to the reduction of seed shattering from the wild progenitors to cultivated rice.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonism before reperfusion attenuates cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Kwon Jae-Im , Heo Hwon , Ham Su Jeong , Chae Yeon Ji , Lee Do-Wan , Kim Sang Tae , Min Joongkee , Sung Yu Sub , Kim Kyung Won , Choi Yoonseok , Woo Dong Cheol , Woo Chul-Woong
Published: September 2020

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonism can mitigate cellular damage associated with cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of AhR antagonist administration before reperfusion in a rat stroke model and influence of the timing of AhR antagonist administration on its neuroprotective effects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at baseline, immediately after, and 3, 8, and 24 h after ischaemia in the sham, control (I/R injury), TMF10 (trimethoxyflavone [TMF] administered 10 min post-ischaemia), and TMF50 (TMF administered 50 min post-ischaemia) groups. The TMF treatment groups had significantly fewer infarcts than the control group. At 24 h, the relative apparent diffusion coefficient values of the ischaemic core and peri-infarct region were significantly higher and relative T2 values were significantly lower in the TMF10 groups than in the control group. The TMF treatment groups showed significantly fewer terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling positive (+) cells (%) in the peri-infarct region than the control group. This study demonstrated that TMF treatment 10 or 50 min after ischaemia alleviated brain damage. Furthermore, the timing of AhR antagonist administration affected the inhibition of cellular or vasogenic oedema formation caused by a transient ischaemic stroke.
Determination of 4 psychoactive substances in tea using ultra high performance liquid chromatography combined with the quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Jian , Ma Junmei , Zhang Yan , Zheng Lei
Published: September 2020

In this study, a method for the qualification and quantification of 4 psychoactive substances in tea using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with the quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) has been developed.
Combination of guanidinium and quaternary ammonium polymers with distinctive antimicrobial mechanisms achieving a synergistic antimicrobial effect
Authors: Leong Jiayu , Yang Chuan , Tan Jason , Tan Bing Qian , Hor Sherwin , Hedrick James L. , Yang Yi Yan
Published: September 2020

Synergistic killing of Gram negative bacteria by polymers that disrupt bacterial membranes and translocate and precipitate cytosolic proteins and nucleic acids.
Temperature-dependent transport properties of CVD-fabricated n-GaN nanorods/p-Si heterojunction devices
Authors: Saron K. M. A. , Hashim M. R. , Ibrahim M. , Yahyaoui M. , Allam Nageh K.
Published: September 2020

We report on the structural, electrical, and transport properties of high quality CVD-fabricated n-GaN nanorods (NRs)/p-Si heterojunction diodes.
First-principles study of two dimensional C3N and its derivatives
Authors: Chen Zhao , Wang Haidi , Li ZhongJun
Published: September 2020

Here we have performed a comprehensive first-principles study for electronic and mechanical properties of newly synthesized C3N and its derivatives.
NaBH4 induces a high ratio of Ni3+/Ni2+ boosting OER activity of the NiFe LDH electrocatalyst
Authors: Wang Yaqiong , Tao Shi , Lin He , Han Shaobo , Zhong Wenhua , Xie Yangshan , Hu Jue , Yang Shihe
Published: September 2020

Reaction between NiFe LDH and NaBH4 induces vacancies around Fe3+ and enrichment in Ni3+, crucially activating the OER catalyst leading to high performance.
Rhombic-magnetoelastic/metal–organic framework functionalized resonators for highly sensitive toluene detection
Authors: G. Saiz Paula , Fernández de Luis Roberto , Bartolome Luis , Gutiérrez Jon , Arriortua María Isabel , Lopes Ana Catarina
Published: September 2020

Rhombic magnetoelastic sensors functionalized with MOFs have been applied for the wireless sensing of VOCs showing very promising results.
Load flow calculation for droop‐controlled islanded microgrids based on direct Newton–Raphson method with step size optimisation
Authors: Pan Zhongmei , Wu Jianzhong , Ding Tao , Liu Jian , Wang Fei , Tong Xiangqian
Published: September 2020

Load flow calculation for droop‐controlled islanded microgrids (IMGs) is different from that of transmission or distribution systems due to the absence of slack bus and the variation of frequency. Meanwhile considering the common three‐phase imbalance condition in low‐voltage systems, a load flow algorithm based on the direct Newton–Raphson (NR) method with step size optimisation for both three‐phase balanced and unbalanced droop‐controlled IMGs is proposed in this study. First, the steady‐state models for balanced and unbalanced droop‐controlled IMGs are established based on their operational mechanisms. Then taking frequency as one of the unknowns, the non‐linear load flow equations are solved iteratively by the NR method. Generally, iterative load flow algorithms are faced with challenges of convergence performance, especially for unbalanced systems. To tackle this problem, a step‐size‐optimisation scheme is employed to improve the convergence performance for three‐phase unbalanced IMGs. In each iteration, a multiplier is deduced from the sum of higher‐order terms of Taylor expansion of the load flow equations. Then the step size is optimised by the multiplier, which can help smooth the iterative process and obtain the solutions. The proposed method is performed on several balanced and unbalanced IMGs. Numerical results demonstrate the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Data‐driven prediction for the number of distribution network users experiencing typhoon power outages
Authors: Hou Hui , Yu Jufang , Geng Hao , Zhu Ling , Li Min , Huang Yong , Li Xianqiang
Published: September 2020

Typhoons have substantial impacts on power systems and may result in major power outages for distribution network users. Developing prediction models for the number of users going through typhoon power outages is a high priority to support restoration planning. This study proposes a data‐driven model to predict the number of distribution network users that may experience power outages when a typhoon passes by. To improve the accuracy of the prediction model, twenty six explanatory variables from meteorological factors, geographical factors and power grid factors are considered. In addition, the authors compared the application effect of five different machine learning regression algorithms, including linear regression, support vector regression, classification and regression tree, gradient boosting decision tree and random forest (RF). It turns out that the RF algorithm shows the best performance. The simulation indicates that the accuracy of the optimal model error within ±30% can reach up to 86%. The proposed method can improve the prediction accuracy through continuous learning on the existing basis. The prediction results can provide efficient guidance for emergency preparedness during typhoon disaster, and can be used as a basis to notify the distribution network users who are likely to lose power.
Comparison of three widely used multi‐GNSS real‐time single‐frequency precise point positioning models using the International GNSS Service real‐time service
Authors: Wang Ahao , Chen Junping , Zhang Yize , Wang Jiexian
Published: September 2020

Real‐time single‐frequency precise point positioning (RT‐SFPPP) of low‐cost has been attracting increasing attention in numerous global navigation satellite system (GNSS) applications. Nowadays, three multi‐GNSS RT‐SFPPP models are widely applied, i.e. ionosphere‐corrected (IC), ionospherefree (IF) and ionosphere‐weighted (IW) models. A comprehensive evaluation of the three models using CLK93 products is performed in the aspect of observation residuals, positioning accuracy and convergence. Data sets with quad‐system are collected from 16 multi‐GNSS experiments (MGEX) stations and are analysed in the simulated kinematic precise point positioning (PPP). Besides, kinematic PPP for a 5‐h shipborne data set is also conducted. Experimental results show that the positioning accuracy of IW model using MGEX data is better than that of both IC and IF models. Regarding the kinematic shipborne test, positioning accuracy of IF/IW model is of 0.27/0.26, 0.21/0.26 and 0.49/0.48 m for the N, E and U components, respectively, which is much better than that of IC model. As for average convergence time, IW model shows the best performance, which is at least 25% faster than the IF model. Different from both IF and IW models, the amplification of ionospheric errors has some impact on the positioning performance of the IC model at different frequencies.
Validating the Fisher approach for stage IV spectroscopic surveys
Authors: Yahia-Cherif S. , Blanchard A. , Camera S. , Casas S. , Ilić S. , Markovič K. , Pourtsidou A. , Sakr Z. , Sapone D. , Tutusaus I.
Published: September 2020

In recent years, forecasting activities have become an important tool in designing and optimising large-scale structure surveys. To predict the performance of such surveys, the Fisher matrix formalism is frequently used as a fast and easy way to compute constraints on cosmological parameters. Among them lies the study of the properties of dark energy which is one of the main goals in modern cosmology. As so, a metric for the power of a survey to constrain dark energy is provided by the figure of merit (FoM). This is defined as the inverse of the surface contour given by the joint variance of the dark energy equation of state parameters {w0, wa} in the Chevallier-Polarski-Linder parameterization, which can be evaluated from the covariance matrix of the parameters. This covariance matrix is obtained as the inverse of the Fisher matrix. The inversion of an ill-conditioned matrix can result in large errors on the covariance coefficients if the elements of the Fisher matrix are estimated with insufficient precision. The conditioning number is a metric providing a mathematical lower limit to the required precision for a reliable inversion, but it is often too stringent in practice for Fisher matrices with sizes greater than 2 × 2. In this paper, we propose a general numerical method to guarantee a certain precision on the inferred constraints, such as the FoM. It consists of randomly vibrating (perturbing) the Fisher matrix elements with Gaussian perturbations of a given amplitude and then evaluating the maximum amplitude that keeps the FoM within the chosen precision. The steps used in the numerical derivatives and integrals involved in the calculation of the Fisher matrix elements can then be chosen accordingly in order to keep the precision of the Fisher matrix elements below this maximum amplitude. We illustrate our approach by forecasting stage IV spectroscopic surveys cosmological constraints from the galaxy power spectrum. We infer the range of steps for which the Fisher matrix approach is numerically reliable. We explicitly check that using steps that are larger by a factor of two produce an inaccurate estimation of the constraints. We further validate our approach by comparing the Fisher matrix contours to those obtained with a Monte Carlo Markov chain (MCMC) approach – in the case where the MCMC posterior distribution is close to a Gaussian – and finding excellent agreement between the two approaches.
TDCOSMO
Authors: Millon M. , Courbin F. , Bonvin V. , Buckley-Geer E. , Fassnacht C. D. , Frieman J. , Marshall P. J. , Suyu S. H. , Treu T. , Anguita T. , Motta V. , Agnello A. , Chan J. H. H. , Chao D. C.-Y. , Chijani M. , Gilman D. , Gilmore K. , Lemon C. , Lucey J. R. , Melo A. , Paic E. , Rojas K. , Sluse D. , Williams P. R. , Hempel A. , Kim S. , Lachaume R. , Rabus M.
Published: September 2020

We present six new time-delay measurements obtained from Rc-band monitoring data acquired at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPIA) 2.2 m telescope at La Silla observatory between October 2016 and February 2020. The lensed quasars HE 0047−1756, WG 0214−2105, DES 0407−5006, 2M 1134−2103, PSJ 1606−2333, and DES 2325−5229 were observed almost daily at high signal-to-noise ratio to obtain high-quality light curves where we can record fast and small-amplitude variations of the quasars. We measured time delays between all pairs of multiple images with only one or two seasons of monitoring with the exception of the time delays relative to image D of PSJ 1606−2333. The most precise estimate was obtained for the delay between image A and image B of DES 0407−5006, where τAB = −128.4−3.8+3.5 d (2.8% precision) including systematics due to extrinsic variability in the light curves. For HE 0047−1756, we combined our high-cadence data with measurements from decade-long light curves from previous COSMOGRAIL campaigns, and reach a precision of 0.9 d on the final measurement. The present work demonstrates the feasibility of measuring time delays in lensed quasars in only one or two seasons, provided high signal-to-noise ratio data are obtained at a cadence close to daily.
Adaptive Modeling and Operation Optimization for the Cold End System of Thermal Power Units based on Mechanism and Statistical Analysis
Authors: Jin Wei , Ren Shaojun , Dong Yunshan , Si Fengqi , Wang Ce , Zhang Zhenwei
Published: September 2020

The operation optimization for the cold end system is an efficient means to improve the economy of steam turbine units. To compensate for the inadequacy of the traditional mechanism analysis utilized in obtaining actual operating characteristics of the cold end system, the prediction model of the exhaust pressure was established on the basis of mechanism analysis combined with data from the operation process. An online adaptive updating strategy was introduced to guarantee the modeling accuracy. A discrete model of the cooling tower outlet water temperature (CTOWT) was constructed based on the operation data partitioned into different groups according to the pump operating mode change (POMC). Combining the above two models, the coupled model of the cold end system was therefore obtained. A model-based operation optimization system was then implemented for the cold end system in a coal-fired power plant. Experimental trials authenticate that the optimization suggestions provided by the system can effectively enhance the benefit of power generation.
Study on Hydrogen Content in Cord Steel by Carrier gas hot extraction
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhu Ke , Huang Bei , Li Xide , Qian Xuehai , Zeng Jianmin
Published: September 2020

Cord steel has very strict requirements on the content of impurities. Hydrogen is a harmful gas element in steel and is the cause of hydrogen embrittlement. In this work, the Carrier gas hot extraction method is used to measure the hydrogen content of 77A steel. It was found that the measured value of hydrogen content was related to cooling capability of the mold. It is found that with the increasing of cooling speed of the mold, the hydrogen content increases. The measured hydrogen content can roughly reflect the hydrogen content in the liquid alloy by using the cast iron mold with faster cooling speed.
Study on the Characterization Method of Ultrasonic Cavitation Field based on the Numerical Simulation of the Amplitude of Sound Pressure
Authors: Tao Tangfei , Zhao Jinmin , Wang Wei
Published: September 2020

In order to meet the visualization requirements of the cavitation field distribution in the ultrasonic cavitation reactor, a method based on the numerical simulation of the amplitude of sound pressure is proposed. In order to verify that the amplitude of sound pressure plays a decisive role in cavitation effect, the dynamic equation of a single cavitation bubble is established, and the influence law of the amplitude of sound pressure on cavitation motion is analyzed in principle; then, the three-dimensional model of the self-built drum type ultrasonic cavitation reactor is built using the finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics, and the amplitude distribution of the sound pressure at the longitudinal section is obtained when the liquid height was 25 mm, 60 mm and 90 mm. Through the comparison of aluminum foil corrosion experiments, it shows that the numerical simulation method based on the amplitude of sound pressure can accurately characterize the distribution area of ultrasonic cavitation field, which overcomes the disadvantage of time-consuming and labor-consuming in the traditional measurement method of cavitation field distribution, and lays a foundation for the study of the distribution law of ultrasonic cavitation field.
Efficiency Analysis of Pump-controlled Motor System of Hydraulic Machinery Continuously Variable Transmission for Agricultural Machinery
Authors: Bao Mingxi , Ni Xiangdong , Kang Shiwei
Published: September 2020

In order to improve the efficiency of Hydraulic Machinery Continuously Variable Transmission (HMCVT), studying the efficiency of its pump-controlled motor system is of great significance to promote the practical application of HMCVT in agricultural machinery. By analyzing the HMCVT transmission principle and the driving parameters of medium and large vehicles, determine the HMCVT transmission scheme that meets the actual requirements. The simulation model of the whole HMCVT system was established by SimulationX software, and the relationship curves between different engine speeds and HMCVT output speeds were given. And determine the effect of the pump-controlled motor system on the response parameters of HMCVT under different volumetric efficiency.
Research and Design of Lightning Protection System for Oil Tanks
Authors: Zhou C , Cao X , Li Y , Wang J
Published: September 2020

The construction of large oil depots has become increasingly important, and oil storage safety also becomes a hot topic. It can be seen from multiple major safety accidents that have occurred in recent years that lightning is considered being one of the main causes of oil tank fires. Through in-depth research on safety issues, we are trying to find a scientific and economical safety management model for oil depots. Most of the objects stored in the oil depots are flammable liquids, and the oil gases which are produced by oil products can easily cause an explosion. A little carelessness may cause casualties and huge economic losses. The main purpose of this research is to design a lightning protection system for fixed roof oil tanks on the ground. By providing a complete design of lightning protection, to show how to ensure the safety level of the oil tank and oil depots, then the authors briefly describe other latest technologies for lightning protection which could be used in the future improvement.
Calculation method for the service life of Chinese historical reinforced concrete buildings
Authors: Jin Hui , Chun Qing
Published: September 2020

Almost all of the existed studies on the corrosion of rebars were based on round-section rebars. However, the square-section steel rebars were widely used in China from 1912 to 1949, and there was no specific calculation model or durability assessment method for this type of historical buildings. In this study, based on the original configuration design of this kind of structures, the experiments of the corrosion-induced cover cracking of a certain number of reinforced concrete members with square-section rebars were carried out with the electrochemical acceleration method. The average rust depths of the square-section rebars at the critical corrosion-induced cover cracking moment were obtained. Then, the calculation method of critical rust depth of steel rebars at the concrete cover cracking moment was presented with data fitting method. Finally, combining with predication of carbonization life of concrete, a calculation method of the service life for Chinese historical RC buildings using square-section rebars was proposed. The research results can provide the basis for the durability assessment and conservation for Chinese historical RC buildings.
Analysis of the rainfall influence on critical wind speed of flutter of long-span suspension bridge based on mumerical method
Authors: Jun Hu
Published: September 2020

In order to study the influence of rainfall on the critical wind speed of flutter of long-span suspension bridges in mountainous area, the impact of rainfall on stiffening girder is analyzed based on the main characteristics of rainfall and the movement speed in all directions. The mechanical equation under the joint action of wind and rain is established and the impact force is transferred, the damping effect of rainfall is then derived, and the element damping matrix form of rainfall is obtained by combining the integration of shape function. Furthermore, the flutter motion equation of wind-rain-bridge coupling system is derived, and the finite element analysis method for critical wind speed of structural flutter considering the influence of rainfall is established. Finally, taking a large-span suspension bridge in mountainous area as the research object, the influence of rainfall on the critical wind speed of flutter is analyzed, the results indicate that the critical wind speed of flutter will be accordingly increased due to the existence of rainfall damping, whereas the mass of raindrops is too light and the final velocity of raindrops in the falling process is low, the critical wind speed of flutter increased by only 5.54% in the case of heavy rainstorm. Therefore, when the rainfall intensity is general, the influence of rainfall on the critical wind speed of flutter can be ignored.
Is There a Role for Cerebral Ultrasonography in Near-Term/Term Neonates Following Assisted Vaginal Delivery? A Prospective, Single-Center Study
Authors: Poryo Martin , Zimmer Anika , Hamza Amr , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Zemlin Michael , Geipel Martina , Löffler Günther , Meyer Sascha , Tutdibi Erol
Published: September 2020

Aim To evaluate the role of cerebral ultrasonography studies (CUSS) in detecting intracerebral and cranial pathologies (hemorrhages, ischemia, skull fractures) in near-term and term neonates following assisted vaginal delivery.

Patients and Methods Prospective single-center study (11/2017–11/2018) at the University Children’s Hospital of Saarland, Homburg, Germany including newborns with a gestational age ≥ 36 weeks born by assisted vaginal delivery. In all newborns, a standardized CUSS was performed within the first three days of life prior to discharge.

Results 200 neonates (43.0 % female, 57.0 % male; gestational age 39.6 ± 1.3 weeks) were included in this study (birth weight 3345.6 ± 450.6 g, body length 51.7 ± 2.5 cm, head circumference 35.0 ± 1.5 cm). 67 (33.5 %) neonates had minor external injuries of the scalp. 5 children showed clinical neurologic abnormalities: 4 (2.0 %) seizures and 1 facial palsy (0.5 %). In 34 (17.0 %) patients, minor incidental intracranial abnormalities unrelated to mode of delivery were detected on CUSS. No intracerebral, cranial pathologies or skull fractures were seen on routine CUSS.

Conclusion Routine CUSS in newborns after assisted vaginal delivery did not yield clinically relevant results in our cohort. Clinical observation and selective CUSS in symptomatic newborns might be more efficient than routine CUSS.
High Transaminases Following Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review
Authors: Omar Amr S. , Taha Adel , Al-Khulaifi Abdulaziz
Published: September 2020

Elevation of liver enzymes after cardiac surgery is encountered infrequently. Acute heart failure during and after surgery may be the culprit responsible for liver dysfunction. However, it may create clinical confusion whether acute liver dysfunction could induce some sort of cardiac dysfunction through mechanisms similar to those encountered in chronic liver disease. We searched through the Medline, Cochrane, and Embase databases up to January 2018. We included review articles, meta-analyses, and original trials on the elevation of liver enzymes after cardiac surgery, and combined the following MESH terms: “intensive care, “cardiac surgery,” “high liver enzymes,” “ischemia,” “left ventricular dysfunction,” and “critical illness.” Case reports were excluded. Language restrictions were not applied. References were examined for other potentially useful articles. We did not find any articles that supported the cardiac decompensation phenomenon after acute liver injury. In contrast, low-hepatic flow, hypoxemia, or pump-induced inflammation could induce hepatic dysfunction in acute settings after cardiac surgery. In conclusion, a rise in the transaminases following cardiac surgery would favor an ischemic etiology for the condition.
Yield and Safety of Transjugular Versus Percutaneous Liver Biopsies in Suspected Cases of Diffuse Liver Disease and Correlation of Yield of Transjugular Liver Biopsy with Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient
Authors: Dey Mousam , Das Simi , Chatterjee Argha , Dutta Agnibha , Ghosh Ranajoy , Dasgupta Jayanta
Published: September 2020

Background Liver biopsy is indicated in both diagnosis and prognosis of diffuse liver diseases. Conventionally, percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) is used, as it is easily available, affordable and has a shorter procedure time, whereas transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) is used in the setting of ascites and coagulopathy. Our aim is to evaluate the diagnostic yield of TJLB in comparison to PLB with tract embolization. Our secondary aims were to evaluate whether there is any difference in rate of major and minor complications between the two procedures and evaluate whether there is any correlation between diagnostic yield of TJLB and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG).

Methods In this retrospective study, we included a total of consecutive 123 patients who underwent liver biopsy through percutaneous (n = 97) and transjugular route (n = 26). We compared the yield of the specimen based on the number of complete portal tracts (CPT).

Results There was no significant difference between mean CPT in TJLB and PLB specimens (mean CPT of TJLB and PLB were 10.9 ± 2.7 and 11.6 ±2.5, respectively [p = 0.566]). There was a moderate but significant negative correlation between the total number of CPT and HVPG in the TJLB group (Spearman’s rho − 0.58) (p = 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference in minor complication between the two procedures. Only one patient who underwent PLB developed major complication and none of TLJB procedure had any major complication.

Conclusion Yield of tissue and complication rates are comparable in TJLB and PLB groups. Yield of tissue in TJLB have intermediate but significant negative correlation with HVPG.
Dielectric properties of water in the Earth’s interior vary widely
Authors: Mandel Savannah
Published: September 2020

Data-driven machine learning technique hints that solvation properties of water vary across different depths in the upper mantle.
Effect of aspect ratio on cross-flow turbine performance
Authors: Hunt Aidan , Stringer Carl , Polagye Brian
Published: September 2020

Cross-flow turbines convert kinetic power in wind or water currents to mechanical power. Unlike axial-flow turbines, the influence of geometric parameters on turbine performance is not well-understood, in part because there are neither generalized analytical formulations nor inexpensive, accurate numerical models that describe their fluid dynamics. Here, we experimentally investigate the effect of aspect ratio—the ratio of the blade span to rotor diameter—on the performance of a straight-bladed cross-flow turbine in a water channel. To isolate the effect of aspect ratio, all other non-dimensional parameters are held constant, including the relative confinement, Froude number, and Reynolds number. The coefficient of performance is found to be invariant for the range of aspect ratios tested (0.95–1.63), which we ascribe to minimal blade–support interactions for this turbine design. Finally, a subset of experiments is repeated without controlling for the Froude number, and the coefficient of performance is found to increase, a consequence of the Froude number variation that could mistakenly be ascribed to aspect ratio. This highlights the importance of a rigorous experimental design when exploring the effect of geometric parameters on cross-flow turbine performance.
Seasonal fine fuel and coarse woody debris dynamics in north Australian savannas
Authors: Yates Cameron , MacDermott Harry , Evans Jay , Murphy Brett P. , Russell-Smith Jeremy
Published: September 2020

Several studies have separately explored accumulation of the dominant fuels (grass, fine litter (<6mm diameter) and coarse woody debris (CWD, 6–50mm diameter)) in north Australian savannas. We report an analysis of two longitudinal datasets describing how these three fuel components covary in abundance throughout the year in eucalypt-dominated savanna over a rainfall gradient of 700–1700mm mean annual rainfall (MAR). Our observations concur generally with previous observations that litter accumulation results in a late dry season (LDS) peak in biomass, whereas cured grassy fuels typically are seasonally invariant, and CWD inputs are associated with stochastic severe wet season storms and dry season fires. The distinct LDS litter peak contributes significantly to the potential for LDS fires to be of higher intensity, burn more fuel per unit area and produce greater emissions relative to early dry season (EDS) fires. However, Australia’s current (2018) formal savanna burning emissions avoidance methodology erroneously deems greater EDS fine fuel (grass and fine litter) biomass in four of nine designated vegetation fuel types. The study highlights the need to develop seasonally dynamic modelling approaches that better account for significant seasonal variation in fine fuel inputs and decomposition.
Making an efficient but cost-effective automated goniometric device for a light-scattering study
Authors: Deb Dwaipayan
Published: September 2020

A goniometer is an instrument which is frequently used in optics and other branches of physics. It enables the study of light scattered in various directions from a solid, liquid or powdered sample. The goniometric instruments that are already available on the market are designed for a specific purpose and are quite costly. Fully-computerized devices—which automatically acquire data and control the positions of the light source and detector—are even more expensive. In this work, the instrumentation of a self-fabricated, low cost, but fully computerized goniometric instrument designed for studying a light-scattering problem in planetary science is described in detail. This device uses Arduino microcontroller boards for acquiring data, and stepper motors are employed for automated control of the positions of the light source and detector. A low-cost but high-intensity laser diode was used as the light source, and a very sensitive photodiode integrated circuit was used as the light detector. This work has a pedagogical value in the sense that the reader will benefit from learning about the techniques used, the components and their calibration, the software, etc. More importantly, the cost-effectiveness of this work may be beneficial to many experimentalists and instrument designers working in this field, to control their project budgets.
Cation interstitial diffusion in lead telluride and cadmium telluride studied by means of neural network potential based molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Mińkowski Marcin , Hummer Kerstin , Dellago Christoph
Published: September 2020

Using a recently developed approach to represent ab initio based force fields by a neural network potential, we perform molecular dynamics simulations of lead telluride and cadmium telluride crystals. In particular, we study the diffusion of a single cation interstitial in these two systems. Our simulations indicate that the interstitials migrate via two distinct mechanisms: through hops between interstitial sites and through exchanges with lattice atoms. We extract activation energies for both of these mechanisms and show how the temperature dependence of the total diffusion coefficient deviates from Arrhenius behaviour. The accuracy of the neural network approach is estimated by comparing the results for three different independently trained potentials.
Modeling the electron acceleration in relativistic channels for space irradiation applications
Authors: Budrigă O , Ticoş C M
Published: September 2020

We study the interaction of an intense short laser pulse (duration > 100 fs) with a helium gas jet (with a pressure from 1–80 bar) by performing two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The parameters of the existing setups at the CETAL PW facility are used in PIC simulations. The mechanisms of the relativistic laser channeling such as filamentary bifurcation, long-wavelength hosing, bifurcation due to long-wavelength hosing and refractive bifurcation are shown. We also findthe optimum parameters of the laser pulse and the helium gas jet for which electrons are accelerated in the direct laser acceleration regime. We obtained electrons with energies higher than 100 MeV and broad electron energy spectra features that are very useful for space irradiation simulations.
Singularity confinement in delay-differential Painlevé equations
Authors: Stokes Alexander
Published: September 2020

We study singularity confinement phenomena in examples of delay-differential Painlevé equations, which involve shifts and derivatives with respect to a single independent variable. We propose a geometric interpretation of our results in terms of mappings between jet spaces, defining certain singularities analogous to those of interest in the singularity analysis of discrete systems, and what it means for them to be confined. For three previously studied examples of delay-differential Painlevé equations, we describe all such singularities and show they are confined in the sense of our geometric description.
Luminous properties of recycling luminous materials SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ based on luminous polyester fabric
Authors: Zhu Yanan , Yu Qincen , Zheng Liubin , Pang Zengyuan , Ge Mingqiao
Published: September 2020

The recycling luminous materials SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ is a kind of long afterglow phosphor, prepared based on the alcoholysis of luminous polyester fabric, which has excellent characteristics like high lightness and long afterglow time. However, for that the luminous materials SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ are recycling, and the process on the alcoholysis of luminous polyester fabric may affect its performance. Hence, in this study a couple of luminous materials SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ were recycled from luminous polyester fabric based on the method of alcoholysis, the phase structure and luminescent properties of the fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffractometer (XRD), fluorescence spectrometer and afterglow luminance meter. The results deduced that under a certain condition, the luminous polyester fabric can be basically degraded, and the recovered luminescent materials can be obtained at a high purity. Our research supplies a strategy to recycle luminous phosphors as well as other functional materials, and hopefully it could inspire development for luminous materials and fibers.
On the absence of remainders in the Wiener-Ikehara and Ingham-Karamata theorems: A constructive approach
Authors: Broucke Frederik , Debruyne Gregory , Vindas Jasson
Published: September 2020

We construct explicit counterexamples that show that it is impossible to get any remainder, other than the classical ones, in the Wiener-Ikehara theorem and the Ingham-Karamata theorem under just an additional analytic continuation hypothesis to a half-plane (or even to the whole complex plane).
Piltz divisor problem over number fields à la Voronoï
Authors: Banerjee Soumyarup
Published: September 2020

In this article, we study the Piltz divisor problem, which is sometimes called the generalized Dirichlet divisor problem, over number fields. We establish an identity akin to Voronoï’s formula concerning the error term in the Dirichlet divisor problem.