bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth and photosynthetic traits differ between shoots originated from axillary buds or from adventitious buds in Populus balsamifera L. cuttings
Authors: Wang Lei , Dang Qing‐Lai
Published: November 2021

Bud development influences shoot branching and the plasticity and adaptability of plants. To explore the differences of post‐embryonic development of different types of buds, shoots originated from adventitious buds and axillary buds of cuttings in two populations of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) were investigated for differences in leaf morphology, photosynthetic and growth characteristics, and the effects of a carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor on CA activity, photosynthesis and mesophyll conductance (gm). The results showed that axillary buds produced ovate first few leaves and longer shoots while adventitious buds produced lanceolate first few leaves with higher specific leaf area (SLA). There were no significant differences in leaf area‐based photosynthetic rate (An), maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), and maximum electron transport rate (Jmax) between shoots originated from the two bud types. Based on the principal component analysis, shoots of adventitious bud origin grouped on daytime respiration and SLA, while cuttings from axillary buds clustered toward the opposite direction of quantum yield and light saturation point. Shoots originated from different types of buds had different growth rates and biomass, but the direction of the differences varied with the population of the mother tree. The two populations differed in An, gm, and relationships between CA, An, and gm. There were differences in post‐embryonic growth traits of shoots from axillary buds and those from adventitious buds, which may be an adaptive strategy for regeneration under different light conditions.
A single nucleotide mutation in exon 3 produces the novel HLA‐DPB1*700:01N allele
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: November 2021

A nucleotide mutation in codon 135 of HLA‐DPB1*02:01:02:01 results in the novel allele HLA‐DPB1*700:01N.
Spatial regulation of RBOHD via AtECA4‐mediated recycling and clathrin‐mediated endocytosis contributes to ROS accumulation during salt stress response but not flg22‐induced immune response
Authors: Lee Jihyeong , Hanh Nguyen Hong , Park Youngmin , Lin Jinxing , Hwang Inhwan
Published: November 2021

Various environmental stresses can induce production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to turn on signaling for proper responses to those stresses. Plasma membrane (PM)‐localized respiratory burst oxidase homologs (RBOHs), in particular RBOHD, produce ROS via the post‐translational activation upon abiotic and biotic stresses. Although the mechanisms of RBOHD activation upon biotic stress have been elucidated in detail, it remains elusive how salinity stress activates RBOHD. Here, we present evidence that trafficking of PM‐localized RBOHD to endosomes and then its recycling back to the PM is critical for ROS accumulation upon salinity stress. ateca4 plants that were defective in recycling of proteins from endosomes to the PM and clc2‐1 and chc2‐1 plants that were defective in endocytosis showed a defect in salinity stress‐induced ROS production. In addition, ateca4 plants showed a defect in transient accumulation of GFP:RBOHD to the PM at the early stage of salinity stress. By contrast, ateca4 plants showed no defect in the increase in the ROS level and accumulation of RBOHD to the PM upon flg22 treatment as wild‐type plants. Based on these observations, we propose that factors involved in the trafficking machinery such as AtECA4 and clathrin are important players in salt stress‐induced, but not flg22‐induced, ROS accumulation.
Effect of Butanol on the Performance of DeNOx Aftertreatment Systems of a Diesel Vehicle Under WLTC Driving Conditions
Authors: Calle-Asensio Alejandro , Hernández Juan José , Rodríguez-Fernández José , Domínguez-Pérez Víctor
Published: November 2021

Advanced biofuels and electrofuels, among which are medium-long chain alcohols, have gained importance in the transport sector with the enforcement of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001). In parallel, last European emission regulations have become much more restrictive regarding NOx, so vehicle manufacturers have been forced to incorporate lean NOx trap (LNT) and/or selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Thus, the combination of modern DeNOx devices and the upcoming higher contribution of sustainable biofuels is a new challenge. In this work, two Euro 6 diesel vehicles, one equipped with LNT and the other with ammonia-SCR, have been tested following the Worldwide harmonized Light-duty vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC) at warm (24°C) and cold (−7°C) conditions using conventional diesel fuel and a diesel-butanol (90/10% vol.) blend. While the effect of butanol on the LNT efficiency was not significant, its influence on the SCR performance was notable during the low and medium-speed phases of the driving cycle, mainly under warm climatic conditions. Despite of the lower NOx concentration at the catalyst inlet, the worst efficiency of the SCR with butanol could be attributed to hydrocarbons deposition on the catalyst surface, which inhibits the NOx reduction reactions with ammonia. Moreover, the LNT was not sensitive to the ambient temperature while the SCR performance greatly depended on this parameter.
Experimental Investigation of a Simulated Byproduct Fuel Mixture From the Cl-ODH Process in a Spark-Ignition Engine
Authors: Gore Matt , Nonavinakere Vinod Kaushik , Fang Tiegang
Published: November 2021

The study investigates a fuel mixture with ethane and methane as active species and a high dilution of CO2 for application in a spark-ignition (SI) engine. The simplified fuel mixture used is a byproduct of a chemical looping based oxidative dehydrogenation (Cl-ODH) process to convert ethane to ethylene. The byproduct gas mixture has a concentration of 41% CO2, 40% ethane, and 5% methane by weight along with other minor compounds. Varying mixtures of ethane and methane were selected and combined with between 42 to 46 percent by weight CO2 to evaluate the viability and efficiency of this fuel to operate in existing internal combustion engines as a means for reducing emissions and improving the process efficiency of the Cl-ODH process. An experimental test stand was built based on a 13 hp gasoline generator with modified gas induction. The engine was also instrumented for data acquisition from the engine. A gas metering and mixing system was installed to precisely control the mass of gases induced into the engine. Various instrumentation was installed on the engine to monitor in-cylinder pressure, temperature at various locations, emissions, and fuel and airflow rates. Varying loads were applied and flow rates of the gases were induced to simulate different mixtures. It was found that under a high load, the mixed gas was able to generate comparable thermal efficiency and power to gasoline. But under no load or a part load condition the indicated thermal efficiency was found to be lower than that of gasoline. Further, the mixed gas also resulted in lower CO and NOx emissions compared to gasoline. The application of this work is an alternative fuel for existing engines that with little modification can operate effectively and benefit the overall process of ethylene generation.
Ammonia Slip Estimation Based on ASC Control-Oriented Modelling And OBD NOx Sensor Cross-Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Piqueras Pedro , Pla Benjamín , Sanchis Enrique José , Aronis André
Published: November 2021

The incoming emission regulations for internal combustion engines are gradually introducing new pollutant species, which requires greater complexity of the exhaust gas aftertreatment systems concerning layout, control and diagnostics. This is the case of ammonia, which is already regulated in heavy-duty vehicles and to be included in the emissions standards applied to passenger cars. The ammonia is injected into the exhaust gas through urea injections for NOx abatement in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems and can be also generated in other aftertreatment systems as three-way catalysts. However, ammonia slip may require removal on a dedicated catalyst called ammonia slip catalyst (ASC). The set consisting of the urea injection system, SCR and ASC requires control and on-board diagnostic tools to ensure high NOx conversion efficiency and minimization of the ammonia slip under real driving conditions. These tasks are based on the use of NOx sensors ZrO2 pumping cell-based, which present as a drawback high cross-sensitivity to ammonia. Consequently, the presence of this species can affect the measurement of NOx and compromise SCR-ASC control strategies. In the present work, a methodology to predict ammonia and NOx tailpipe emissions is proposed. For this purpose, a control-oriented ASC model was developed to use its ammonia slip prediction to determine the cross-sensitivity correction of the NOx sensor placed downstream of the ASC. The model is based on a simplified solution of the transport equations of the species involved in the main ASC reactions. The ammonia slip model was calibrated using steady- and quasi-steady-state tests performed in a Euro 6c diesel engine. Finally, the performance of the proposed methodology to predict NOx and ammonia emissions was evaluated against experimental data corresponding to Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycles (WLTC) applying different urea dosing strategies.
A Numerical Investigation on Mixing Characteristics of Natural Gas Jets With High-Pressure Injection
Authors: Liu Long , Dai Tianyang , Xiong Qian , Qian Yuehua , Liu Bo
Published: November 2021

With increasingly stringent emissions limitation of greenhouse gas and atmospheric pollutants for ship, the direct injection of natural gas on the cylinder head with high-pressure injection is an effective method to make a high power output and decrease harmful gas emissions in marine natural gas dual fuel engines. However, the effects on mixing characteristics of high-pressure natural gas underexpanded jet have not been fully understood. Especially, the injection pressure is up to 30 MPa with large injection quantity and critical surrounding gas conditions for the low-speed two-stroke marine engine.

Therefore, this research is focused on the flow and mixing process of the natural gas jet with high-pressure injection under the in-cylinder conditions of low-speed two-stroke marine engine. The gas jet penetration, the distribution of velocity and density, the equivalence ratio and air entrainment have been analyzed under different nozzle hole diameters by numerical simulation. The effects of surrounding gas conditions including pressure, temperature and swirl ratio on air entrainment and equivalence ratio distribution were studied in detail. From the numerical simulation, it is found that the mixing characteristics of natural gas jet can be improved under in-cylinder conditions of higher ambient temperature and swirl ratio, which is relevant to the low-speed two-stroke marine engine.
Hydrocarbon Species Impact on NO to NO2 Conversion in a Compression Ignition Engine Under Low Temperature Combustion Conditions
Authors: Gupta Nupur , Yu Xiao , LeBlanc Simon , Eaves Nick , Zheng Ming
Published: November 2021

Low temperature combustion has proved to be beneficial for low NOx and particulate matter emissions. Renewable fuels, such as biodiesel, alcohol fuels, and ether fuels can further decrease the carbon footprint of the engine. The NO to NO2 ratio in engine out NOx emissions has shown dependency on the concentration of hydrocarbon emissions. This relationship has a significant impact on the design of exhaust after-treatment systems. However, the effect of the renewable fuels on NO to NO2 conversion process is less understood. This paper investigates the impact of DME and propane on the in-cylinder conversion of NO to NO2 in a compression ignition engine. Firing test under low temperature combustion condition is first performed to demonstrate the impact of HC concentration on exhaust NO concentration and composition. Then, motoring tests are performed with a mixture of the HC and NO dosed into the engine intake manifold. The simplified testing scenario makes it easier to understand HC-NO interaction. To simplify the process of understanding the difference in fuel behavior a study of NO to NO2 conversion as a resolution of engine cycle is conducted using a Gas Sampling Valve which is capable of collecting in-cylinder gases at varying crank-angles. The FTIR data from these compression tests can help assist future mechanism studies to be performed. This study aims to describe the impact of the two fuels on the NO to NO2 conversion process and the boundary conditions at which these differences occur.
Investigation of Valvetrain Dynamics Using Transient Dynamic Simulation in ANSYS
Authors: Koli Ashish , Rao Nikhil , Parekar Vinod
Published: November 2021

Engine valvetrain is one of the complex mechanisms in internal combustion engine as it involves many components namely, cam, pushrod, rocker lever, crosshead, intake and exhaust valves etc. Due to many components, their interactions with each other and presence of valve lash makes the system complicated to simulate. Typically, engine system level valvetrain dynamic simulation is performed in 1D software.

Aim of this study is to understand the physics governing interactions and motion of the components in the valvetrain. This is done by simulating an inline 6-cylinder engine valvetrain mechanism through transient dynamic analysis in Ansys. This paper describes an approach used to simulate the valvetrain mechanism in Ansys and associated learnings. Finite Element Analysis model considers actual stiffnesses of all components. Appropriate joints/contacts are used to model the interactions. The comparative assessment of the valvetrain forces between Ansys results and 1D simulation results shows a good match. Further, 3D simulation in Ansys captures the key characteristics of valvetrain like crosshead tilting, uneven valve actuations and closing. It is also able to predict uneven contact and polishing observed on valve tip face.

Overall, this study helped to ascertain the validity of 3D FEA method. This method also enhances the understanding of the valvetrain dynamics which can be helpful in further design improvements. This paper also includes a discussion on further steps to improve analysis model to make it more realistic e.g. including hot valve lash, valve seat wear etc. These improvements will help to understand effects of valve lash on valve velocities, sudden impact loads on valves, valve stresses/fatigue, pushrod buckling etc.
A Comparison of Injection, Spray, and Combustion Characteristics for Non-Eroded and Eroded Multi-Hole Fuel Injectors
Authors: Magnotti Gina M. , Nunno A. Cody , Kundu Prithwish , Tekawade Aniket , Sforzo Brandon A. , Kastengren Alan L. , Powell Christopher F. , Som Sibendu
Published: November 2021

It is well known that cavitation erosion in fuel injectors can prevent reliable engine performance after only several thousand hours of operation. However, current simulation tools lack the ability to link flow predictions within the fuel injector to both the efficacy of combustion strategies and lifetime of the injector. Multiphase flow simulation predictions were studied and compared between an informed baseline injector geometry and an x-ray scanned eroded injector geometry. Overall, erosion was found to decrease the fuel mass delivery and injection velocities. A two-stage static coupling approach was employed to link the predicted injection conditions from non-eroded and eroded injectors with the external spray simulations under reacting conditions. Combustion modeling in this coupled approach was carried out using the Unsteady Flamelet Progress Variable approach with a detailed chemical mechanism for n-dodecane, comprising of 2,755 species and 11,173 reactions. Erosion in the injectors led to lower rates of spray penetration in comparison to the baseline configurations. Analysis of the reacting spray simulations revealed an insensitivity of ignition to erosion, yet shorter lift off lengths, higher levels of the soot, and lower levels of NOx were predicted in the eroded injector.
Evaluating Diesel/Biofuel Blends Using Artificial Neural Networks and Linear/Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Kessler Travis , Schwartz Thomas , Wong Hsi-Wu , Mack J. Hunter
Published: November 2021

The use of biomass-derived additives in diesel fuel mixtures has the potential to increase the fuel’s efficiency, decrease the formation of particulate matter during its combustion, and retain the fuel’s behavior in cold weather. To this end, identifying compounds that enable these behaviors is paramount. The present work utilizes a series of linear and non-linear equations in series with artificial neural networks to predict the cetane number, yield sooting index, kinematic viscosity, cloud point, and lower heating value of multi-component blends. Property values of pure components are predicted using artificial neural networks trained with existing experimental data, and these predictions and their expected errors are propagated through linear and non-linear equations to obtain property predictions for multi-component blends. Individual component property prediction errors, defined by blind prediction median absolute error, are 4.91 units, 7.84 units, 0.06 cSt, 4.00 °C, and 0.55 MJ/kg for cetane number, yield sooting index, kinematic viscosity, cloud point, and lower heating value respectively. On average, property predictions for blends are shown to be accurate to within 6% of the blends’ experimental values. Further, a multitude of compounds expected to be produced from catalytically upgrading products of fast pyrolysis are evaluated with respect to their behavior in diesel fuel blends.
Measurement of Air-Fuel Mixing in a Diesel Spray at Engine Relevant Conditions Using UV-VIS DBI Diagnostic
Authors: Godbold Conner , Poursadegh Farzad , Bibik Oleksandr , Genzale Caroline
Published: November 2021

Due to the non-premixed nature of diesel combustion, mixing prior to the reaction zone has proven to be one of the primary factors in emissions formation. Therefore, the advancement of diagnostics used to measure mixing fields in diesel applications is imperative for a greater understanding of how in-cylinder emissions mitigation techniques operate. Towards this goal, we have recently demonstrated the use of a high-speed two-wavelength extinction imaging measurement, UV-VIS DBI, for time-resolved measurements of mixing in a diesel spray. This diagnostic operates by back-lighting the spray with ultra-violet and visible illumination. The visible illumination is selected at a non-absorbing wavelength, such that the visible light is only attenuated by liquid droplet scattering, enabling discrete detection of the liquid-vapor mixture and pure vapor phases of the spray. For this work, Ultraviolet and visible light are generated using a ND:YAG pumped frequency-doubled tunable dye laser operating at 9.9 kHz . The simultaneous UV-Visible illumination is used to back-illuminate a vaporizing diesel spray, and the resulting extinction of each signal is recorded by a pair of high-speed cameras. Using an aromatic tracer (naphthalene, BP = 218 °C) in a base fuel of dodecane (BP = 215–217 °C), the UV illumination (280 nm) is absorbed along the illumination path through the spray, yielding a projected image of line-of-sight optical depth that is proportional to the projected fuel vapor concentration in the pure vapor region of the spray. In this paper, a new method of determining the absorption coefficient for the pure-vapor phase of the spray will be discussed, along with showing how an Inverse-Abel transform can be used to compute planar concentration data from the projected concentration data yielded by the diagnostic. This diagnostic and data processing is applied to diesel sprays from two Bosch CRI3-20 ks1.5 single-orifice injectors (140 μm and 90 μm orifice diameters) injecting into a nonreacting high-pressure and temperature nitrogen environment using a constant-flow, optically-accessible spray chamber operating at 60 bar and 900 K. The mixing data produced agrees well with previously existing mixing data, which further instills confidence in the diagnostic, and gives the diesel combustion community access to mixing field data for a 140 μm orifice diameter injector at a 60 bar and 900 K condition.
Backward-Design Model for an Astronomy Course Using RSpec
Authors: Shakur Asif , Schwartz Joseph
Published: November 2021

The new normal imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic restricted the traditional ways we would teach high school students who are eager to participate in introductory astronomy projects on our university campus. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we were forced to come up with creative ways to get around this obstacle. The outcome is an outline of a pedagogically sound and even more robust instructional plan for an astronomy course using RSpec in conjunction with freely available databases. In addition to the traditional topics, the new model will allow an instructor to explore emission lines of variable Be stars like Gamma Cas and the classification of supernovae by an interpretation of their spectra. We argue that this new model should be used even if we return to the old normal.
Using Math in Physics: 4. Toy models
Authors: Redish Edward
Published: November 2021

Learning to create, use, and evaluate models is a central element of becoming a scientist. In physics, we often begin an analysis of a complicated system with highly simplified or toy models. In introductory physics classes, we tend to use them without comment or motivation. Some students infer that physics is irrelevant to their understanding of the real world and are discouraged from making the cognitive blend of physics concepts with math symbology essential for making sense of physics. In this paper, I discuss the often-hidden barriers that make it difficult for our students to accept and understand the value of toy models and suggest instructional approaches that can help.
Over The Top
Authors: Mungan Carl E.
Published: November 2021

A common homework problem in many introductory physics courses is similar to the following.
More attention with less working memory: The active inhibition of attended but outdated information
Authors: Fu Yingtao , Zhou Yiling , Zhou Jifan , Shen Mowei , Chen Hui
Published: November 2021

Attention could have an inhibitory role in the selection of information into working memory.
Epigenetically mismatched parental centromeres trigger genome elimination in hybrids
Authors: Marimuthu Mohan P. A. , Maruthachalam Ravi , Bondada Ramesh , Kuppu Sundaram , Tan Ek Han , Britt Anne , Chan Simon W. L. , Comai Luca
Published: November 2021

CENH3 variation mediates parental centromere imbalance.
Supplemental Material: Can coseismic static stress changes sustain postseismic degassing?
Authors: Bonini Marco
Published: November 2021

Figures S1 and S2 (normal stress changes produced by the Wenchuan and Maule earthquakes).
Fifteen-minute consultation: Evaluation of paediatric torticollis
Authors: Dayasiri Kavinda , Rao Sahana
Published: November 2021

Torticollis refers to a state in which the neck is twisted due to excessive contraction or shortening of the muscles on one side. Congenital muscular torticollis, which is more common than acquired torticollis, has an incidence of 0.3%–1.9% among all live births. The clinical approach to torticollis depends on the age at presentation, duration of torticollis and presenting symptoms. The underlying aetiology for torticollis varies with the age of the child. Torticollis can be a presenting feature for life-threatening conditions and thus requires careful evaluation.
Chronic migraine reversal and prevention with the LIFE diet: a nutrient dense whole food plant-based diet (WFPBD)
Authors: Perzia Brittany Marie , Dunaief Joshua L , Dunaief David M
Published: November 2021

We report a case of a 60-year-old man who struggled with frequent migraines for 12.5 years, which were refractory to all conventional therapies. Six months before initial consultation, these migraines become chronic. The patient was then advised to follow the Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) diet, a nutrient-dense, dark green leafy vegetable-rich, whole food plant-based diet. Within 2 months, his headache frequency declined from 18 to 24 headache days per month to 1, and he discontinued his preventive and abortive migraine medications. After 3 months, the patient had no headaches. These results far exceed the goal of migraine treatment with medication, which is to reduce migraine frequency by >50% per month. In addition, the results were durable; this patient has been migraine-free for 7.5 years. Serum beta-carotene more than tripled after the patient started the LIFE diet, consistent with its high content of dark green leafy vegetables. Weight, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), complete blood count (CBC), hydration status, sodium and other electrolytes remained constant throughout the study.
Fatal case of delayed-onset haemolytic anaemia after oral artemether–lumefantrine
Authors: Gustafsson Lotta , James Sunil , Zhang Yimeng , Thozhuthumparambil Karunakaran Pradeep
Published: November 2021

Artemisinin derivatives are used globally in the management of falciparum malaria. Postartemisinin delayed haemolysis (PADH) is a recognised adverse event contributing to severe anaemia. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first recorded fatal case of PADH. A 60-year-old woman presented with two episodes of collapse at home and feeling generally unwell. She had recently been treated for uncomplicated falciparum malaria 1 month prior with artemether 80 mg/lumefantrine 480 mg in Congo. Her results on admission revealed an anaemia (haemoglobin 43 g/L), raised lactate dehydrogenase and positive direct antiglobulin test that suggested an intravascular haemolytic process. She made a capacitous decision to refuse blood products in line with her personal beliefs. Despite best supportive treatment, she did not survive. This case highlights the importance of postartemisinin follow-up and should encourage discussion and careful consideration of its use in the context of lack of access to/patient refusal of blood products.
Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with polyarteritis nodosa presenting as massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Abon Juan Carlos Reyes , Lopez Marc Paul Jose , Berberabe A'Ericson , Cinco Kenan Jared
Published: November 2021

The pancreaticoduodenal arteries are rare sites for true aneurysm formation, but these may develop in association with occlusion of the coeliac circulation, degenerative conditions or inflammatory vascular disorders. These have a high risk of rupture regardless of size or other factors. One identified cause is polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), which is an autoimmune necrotising vascular condition that affects small-sized and medium-sized arteries. We report a case of a 40-year-old man with massive gastrointestinal tract bleeding from a ruptured pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm secondary to PAN. This was managed with emergent open aneurysm ligation followed by high-dose corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy. Only three other cases of PAN-associated pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms have been reported in the literature.
Presumed tuberculosis-related scleritis
Authors: Sainz de La Maza Maite , Hernanz Ines , Moll-Udina Aina , Mesquida Marina , Adan Alfredo , Martinez Jose Antonio , Espinosa Gerard , Llorenç Víctor
Published: November 2021

Aims

To evaluate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcome of patients with recurrent scleritis of unknown demonstrable aetiology and positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT).

Methods

Retrospective chart review of the demographic, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic outcome data of 15 patients. Clinical characteristics as well as remission rate after standard antituberculous therapy (ATT) were assessed.

Results

There were 9 men and 6 women with a mean age of 48.9 years (range, 32–73). Scleritis was diffuse in 10 patients (66.6%) and nodular in 5 patients (33.3%), 1 of them with concomitant posterior scleritis. It was bilateral in 7 patients (46.6%) and recurrent in all of them. Scleritis appeared after prior uveitis (10 patients, 66.6%) and/or with concomitant uveitis (5 patients, 33.3%) or peripheral keratitis (5 patients, 33.3%). Previous ocular surgery was found in 7 patients (46.6%). Previous extraocular tuberculosis (TB) infection or previous TB contact was detected in 11 patients (73.3%). No radiologic findings of active extraocular TB were detected. ATT was used in 15 patients, sometimes with the addition of systemic corticosteroids (5 patients) and methotrexate (1 patient); 14 patients achieved complete remission (93.3%).

Conclusion

Presumed TB-related scleritis may appear in recurrent scleritis of unknown origin and positive QFT. It may occur after prior uveitis and/or concomitantly with uveitis or peripheral keratitis, and it may be triggered by previous ocular surgery. No patients had evidence of concurrent active extraocular infection, although many had previous TB infection or TB contact. ATT was effective, sometimes with the addition of systemic corticosteroids and methotrexate.
Injury incidence within male elite New Zealand cricket from the early T20 era: 2009–2015
Authors: Dovbysh Timofei , Reid Duncan , Shackel Dayle
Published: November 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the injury epidemiology of domestic and international level male New Zealand cricketers from seasons 2009–2010 to 2014–2015 across all match formats given the increasing popularity of T20 cricket.

Methods

Match exposure and injury surveillance data collected prospectively by New Zealand Cricket was analysed using international consensus recommendations for injury surveillance and reporting in cricket. Relationships between playing level, role and injury were statistically analysed.

Results

A total of 268 elite male New Zealand cricketers from seasons 2009–2010 to 2014–2015 were analysed from the New Zealand Cricket injury surveillance system. Total new match injury incidence rates were 37.0 and 58.0 injuries per 10 000 player hours in domestic and international cricket, respectively. Total new and recurrent match injury incidence in international cricket was approximately 1.7 times higher than domestic cricket (277.6 vs 162.8 injuries per 1000 player days). Injury prevalence rates were 7.6% and 10.0% in domestic and international cricket. The hamstring (8.2%) in domestic cricket and the groin (13.5%) in international cricket were the most injured body sites. Most match days lost in domestic cricket were to the lumbar spine (417 days), and groin in international cricket (152 days). There were statistically significant differences in injury between domestic and international level cricketers (χ2=4.39, p=0.036), and playing role (χ2=42.29, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Total injury incidence rates in elite New Zealand cricket increased in 2009–2015 compared with previous data. International-level players and pace bowlers were the most injured individuals.
Association of disability with mortality in the Spanish adult non-institutionalised population
Authors: Damián Javier , Padron-Monedero Alicia , Almazán-Isla Javier , García López Fernando J , de Pedro-Cuesta Jesús , Pastor-Barriuso Roberto
Published: November 2021

Background

There are scant studies focused on measuring the association between disability and all-cause mortality based on large representative national samples of the community-dwelling adult population; moreover, the number of such studies which also include cause-specific mortality is yet lower.

Methods

Longitudinal cohort study that used baseline data from 162 381 adults who participated in a countrywide disability survey (2008). A nationally representative sample was selected and interviewed in their homes. We present data on people ≥18 years. Disability was considered as any substantial limitation found on a list of 44 life activities that have lasted or are expected to last more than 1 year and originate from an impairment. Cause-specific mortality data were obtained from the Spanish Statistical Office. Subjects contributed follow-up time from baseline interview until death or the censoring date (31 December 2017). We computed standardised rate ratios (SRRs), with age, sex, living with a partner and education level distribution of the total group as standard population.

Results

Adults with disability (11%) had an adjusted mortality rate more than twice as high as adults without disability (SRR 2.37, 95% CI 2.24 to 2.50). The increased mortality risk remained over the 10-year follow-up period. Mortality due to diseases of the nervous system (SRR 4.86, 95% CI 3.93 to 6.01), diseases of the musculoskeletal system (SRR 3.45, 95% CI 2.18 to 5.47), infectious diseases (SRR 3.38, 95% CI 2.27 to 5.01) and diabetes mellitus (SRR 3.56, 95% CI 2.71 to 4.68) was particularly high in those with disability.

Conclusions

All-cause mortality rates are markedly higher among adults with disability. Preventive measures and health promotion initiatives are needed to reduce mortality risk in this population. Special attention should be paid to disabled people with certain specific diseases.
Impact of using different predictive equations on the prevalence of chronic byssinosis in textile workers in Pakistan
Authors: Nafees Asaad Ahmed , Muneer Muhammad Zia , De Matteis Sara , Amaral Andre , Burney Peter , Cullinan Paul
Published: November 2021

Objective

Byssinosis remains a significant problem among textile workers in low/middle-income countries. Here we share our experience of using different prediction equations for assessing ‘chronic’ byssinosis according to the standard WHO classification using measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1).

Methods

We enrolled 1910 workers in a randomised controlled trial of an intervention to improve the health of textile workers in Pakistan. We included in analyses the 1724 (90%) men who performed pre-bronchodilator spirometry tests of acceptable quality. We compared four different equations for deriving lung function percentage predicted values among those with symptoms-based byssinosis: the third US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III, with ‘North Indian and Pakistani’ conversion factor); the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI, ‘other or mixed ethnicities’); a recent equation derived from survey of a western Indian population; and one based on an older and smaller survey of Karachi residents.

Results

58 men (3.4%) had symptoms-based byssinosis according to WHO criteria. Of these, the proportions with a reduced FEV1 (<80% predicted) identified using NHANES and GLI; Indian and Pakistani reference equations were 40%, 41%, 14% and 12%, respectively. Much of this variation was eliminated when we substituted FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (<lower limit of normality) as a measure of airway obstruction.

Conclusion

Accurate measures of occupational disease frequency and distribution require approaches that are both standardised and meaningful. We should reconsider the WHO definition of ‘chronic’ byssinosis based on changes in FEV1, and instead use the FEV1/FVC.
Brand-switching and tobacco taxation in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Anh , Nguyen The Hoang , Nguyen Nuong Ai
Published: November 2021

Background

The government of Vietnam is embarking on a radical tobacco excise tax reform, switching from the current pure ad valorem scheme to a mixed system by adding a specific component. There have been concerns raised by state-owned tobacco companies against this initiative that switching to a mixed scheme may shift consumption away from cheaper, domestic brands to more expensive, foreign brands (produced locally by joint ventures between multinational tobacco companies and domestic firms) and to illicit cigarettes, thus impairing the domestic industry, rather than reducing cigarette consumption effectively. Unfortunately, although this concern has been one of the biggest obstacles to the tobacco tax reform in the country, no study thus far has attempted to address it due mostly to the unavailability of relevant micro-market data with detailed information on brand choice.

Objectives

This research attempts to study cigarette brand substitution patterns and quantify the potential effect of the proposed tax structure change on cigarette brand choice to inform tax policy discussions in Vietnam.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment is conducted to collect data on smokers’ stated brand choice when cigarette prices change exogenously. Combined with data on their current cigarette consumption, random parameter logit models were estimated and then used to calculate brand-level price semielasticities as well as numerically simulate the impact of tax reforms on smoking.

Results

Smokers are more likely to substitute a low-priced domestic brand with another domestic brand than either with a foreign brand or with an illicit brand, both of which are more expensive. Furthermore, the opt-out is one of the closest substitutes to low-priced brands and also the most sensitive to a change in their prices, implying that smokers of low-priced brands are more likely to buy none of the studied brands when cigarette prices increase. This provides strong suggestive evidence that they appear more likely to stop smoking when faced with higher cigarette prices. Imposing a specific tax tends to reduce the market share for both low-priced and high-priced licit brands, although the estimated market share reduction is larger for the former. In response to specific tax increases, a large share of current smokers do not intend to switch to illegal cigarette brands, but rather choose none of the experimented brands, suggesting their intention to quit. Finally, the magnitude of substitution to illicit brands tends to be negatively related to change in their prices as a result of the specific excise tax hike.

Conclusion

Contrary to the raised concern, smokers are more likely to substitute a domestic brand with another domestic brand than with a foreign brand. Moreover, the threat of illicit trade should not be exaggerated, and there are actions that the government of Vietnam can take to mitigate the threat effectively.
Morphophysiological dormancy and germination ecology in diaspores of the subtropical palmPhoenix canariensis
Authors: He Lanlan , Jaganathan Ganesh K. , Liu Baolin
Published: November 2021

The timing of germination is a crucial event in a plant’s life cycle. Seed dormancy and germination mechanisms are important factors regulating seedling emergence. Since detailed experimental evidence of the germination pattern of Phoenix canariensis Chabaud colonizing sub-tropical climates is scarce, we investigated seed dormancy and germination ecology of P. canariensis. We found that the embryo is underdeveloped at the time of dispersal and doubles in size before the cotyledonary petiole (CP) protrudes through the operculum. The primary root and plumule emerge from the elongated CP outside the seed. In light/dark cycles of 30/25 °C, the CP emerged from 8% of the diaspores within 30 days and from 76% within 14 weeks. Thus, 8% of the diaspores have morphological dormancy and the others have morphophysiological dormancy. Removal of the pericarp and operculum resulted in 100% germination within five days in a light/dark cycle of 30/25 °C. Cold and warm stratification as well as treatment with GA3significantly increased the germination speed but the final germination percentage was not significantly increased. Seed germination was synchronized in early summer when seed dormancy was released by cold stratification in the soil over winter. A remote-tubular germination type and intricate root system provide an ecological advantage to seedling establishment.
Contact interactions II; Gross-Pitaewskii equation, Bose-Einstein condensate, Fermi sea
Authors: Dell’Antonio G. F.
Published: November 2021

In Dell’Antonio (Eur Phys J Plus 13:1–20, 2021), we explored the possibility to analyse contact interaction in Quantum Mechanics using a variational tool, Gamma Convergence. Here, we extend the analysis in Dell’Antonio (Eur Phys J Plus 13:1–20, 2021) of joint weak contact of three particles to the non-relativistic case in which the free one particle Hamiltonian is $$ H_0 = - \frac{\Delta }{2M} $$

H
0

=
-

Δ

2
M

. We derive the Gross–Pitaevskii equation for a system of three particles in joint weak contact. We then define and study strong contact and show that the Gross–Pitaevskii equation is also the variational equation for the energy of the Bose–Einstein condensate (strong contact in a four-particle system). We add some comments on Bogoliubov’s theory. In the second part, we use the non-relativistic Pauli equation and weak contact to derive the spectrum of the conduction electrons in an infinite crystal. We prove that the spectrum is pure point with multiplicity two and eigenvalues that scale as $$ \frac{1}{log {n}}$$

1

logn

.
Nonlocal implementation of multi-qubit controlled unitary quantum gates with quantum channel
Authors: Şahin Engin , Yilmaz İhsan
Published: November 2021

Quantum computers are very efficient in terms of speed and security. Decoherence and architectural complexity restrict the control of sensitive quantum information as the number of qubits in a quantum computer increases. Therefore, it is more convenient to make a device with multiple quantum processors with small number of qubits instead of making a device with a large number of qubits quantum processors. The implementation of controlled unitary gates is a problem in such nonlocal systems. The methods in the literature for this problem use entangled qubit pairs, classical communication channels and classical bits. The existing methods perform some unitary operations on the target state for reconstruction after sending information through classical communication channels and applying quantum measurements on control states. In this study, a generalized method for nonlocal implementation of multi-qubit controlled unitary quantum gates with quantum channel is proposed. The proposed method can implement any controlled gate on the control and target qubits that are far from each other in terms of location. The method does not require classical channels and classical bits, any extra unitary operation for reconstruction. The proposed method is both more secure and uses less resources for operations than the other hybrid methods in the literature. Comparisons with existing studies are given in terms of required entangled qubit pairs, classical channels and bits, extra unitary operations for reconstruction the target state, and the advantages of the proposed method are revealed.
The Prediction and Analysis of Acoustic Metamaterial Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Sun Yang
Published: November 2021

Low-frequency noise is regarded as special environmental noise problem which has a serious impact on people’s lives. The traditional technology cannot effectively insulate the low-frequency noise, while the emergence of acoustic metamaterial makes it come true. This paper studies the acoustic insulation of membrane-type acoustic metamaterial. Due to different weights of the factor, an analytical method based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed to analyze the affecting factors of acoustic insulation performance. The orthogonal array results show that the main factors affecting acoustic insulation are membrane thickness, membrane preload force and attached mass. A factor-weighted k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) classification approach is proposed to predict different levels of acoustic insulation, which also provides a reference for the analysis of acoustic insulation. The experimental results demonstrate that when k = 3, the maximum classification accuracy of acoustic insulation is 98.2% by using AHP-kNN approach, which makes the accuracy for acoustic insulation is higher than other three baselines.
Modeling and Dynamics of Magnetically Repulsive Negative Stiffness Permanent Magnetic Array for Precision Air/Magnetic Composite Vibration Isolation
Authors: Zhao Yamin , Cui Junning , Zou Limin , Cheng Zhongyi
Published: November 2021

To reduce the natural frequency of air isolators and realize low or ultra-low frequency air/magnetic composite vibration isolation with large payloads, a magnetically repulsive negative stiffness permanent magnetic array (MRNSPMA) is proposed. Specifically, we utilize cuboidal permanent magnets to form a spatial array that is mechanically repulsive in the horizontal direction and structurally parallel in the vertical direction. The superiority of MRNSPMA in achieving high amplitude negative stiffness is verified. Furthermore, the effects of structural parameters on vibration transmissibility under the base and force excitations are investigated with the introduction of MRNSPMA. The displacement transmissibility, the force transmissibility and the frequency corresponding to the peak transmissibility are significantly reduced, validating the promise of MRNSPMA for improving the isolation performance of cutting-edge scientific experimental systems and facilities.
Mining sponge phenomena in RNA expression data
Authors: Angiulli Fabrizio , Colombo Teresa , Fassetti Fabio , Furfaro Angelo , Paci Paola
Published: November 2021

In the last few years, the interactions among competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) have been recognized as a key post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism in cell differentiation, tissue development, and disease. Notably, such sponge phenomena substracting active microRNAs from their silencing targets have been recognized as having a potential oncosuppressive, or oncogenic, role in several cancer types. Hence, the ability to predict sponges from the analysis of large expression data sets (e.g. from international cancer projects) has become an important data mining task in bioinformatics. We present a technique designed to mine sponge phenomena whose presence or absence may discriminate between healthy and unhealthy populations of samples in tumoral or normal expression data sets, thus providing lists of candidates potentially relevant in the pathology. With this aim, we search for pairs of elements acting as ceRNA for a given miRNA, namely, we aim at discovering miRNA-RNA pairs involved in phenomena which are clearly present in one population and almost absent in the other one. The results on tumoral expression data, concerning five different cancer types, confirmed the effectiveness of the approach in mining interesting knowledge. Indeed, 32 out of 33 miRNAs and 22 out of 25 protein-coding genes identified as top scoring in our analysis are corroborated by having been similarly associated with cancer processes in independent studies. In fact, the subset of miRNAs selected by the sponge analysis results in a significant enrichment of annotation for the KEGG32 pathway “microRNAs in cancer” when tested with the commonly used bioinformatic resource DAVID. Moreover, often the cancer datasets where our sponge analysis identified a miRNA as top scoring match the one reported already in the pertaining literature.