bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ants Can Anticipate the Following Quantity in an Arithmetic Sequence
Authors: Cammaerts Marie-Claire , Cammaerts Roger
Published: January 2021

Workers of the ant Myrmica sabuleti have been previously shown to be able to add and subtract numbers of elements and to expect the time and location of the next food delivery. We wanted to know if they could anticipate the following quantity of elements present near their food when the number of these elements increases or decreases over time according to an arithmetic sequence. Two experiments were therefore carried out, one with an increasing sequence, the other with a decreasing sequence. Each experiment consisted of two steps, one for the ants to learn the numbers of elements successively present near their food, the other to test their choice when they were simultaneously in the presence of the numbers from a previously learned sequence and the following quantity. The ants anticipated the following quantity in each presented numerical sequence. This forethinking of the next quantity applies to numerosity, thus, to concrete items. This anticipatory behavior may be explained by associative learning and by the ants’ ability to memorize events and to estimate the elapsing time.
Tumor Hypoxia as a Barrier in Cancer Therapy: Why Levels Matter
Authors: Hompland Tord , Fjeldbo Christina Sæten , Lyng Heidi
Published: January 2021

Hypoxia arises in tumor regions with insufficient oxygen supply and is a major barrier in cancer treatment. The distribution of hypoxia levels is highly heterogeneous, ranging from mild, almost non-hypoxic, to severe and anoxic levels. The individual hypoxia levels induce a variety of biological responses that impair the treatment effect. A stronger focus on hypoxia levels rather than the absence or presence of hypoxia in our investigations will help development of improved strategies to treat patients with hypoxic tumors. Current knowledge on how hypoxia levels are sensed by cancer cells and mediate cellular responses that promote treatment resistance is comprehensive. Recently, it has become evident that hypoxia also has an important, more unexplored role in the interaction between cancer cells, stroma and immune cells, influencing the composition and structure of the tumor microenvironment. Establishment of how such processes depend on the hypoxia level requires more advanced tumor models and methodology. In this review, we describe promising model systems and tools for investigations of hypoxia levels in tumors. We further present current knowledge and emerging research on cellular responses to individual levels, and discuss their impact in novel therapeutic approaches to overcome the hypoxia barrier.
Toxicity Reduction after Craniospinal Irradiation via Helical Tomotherapy in Patients with Medulloblastoma: A Unicentric Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Öztunali Anil , Elsayad Khaled , Scobioala Sergiu , Channaoui Mohammed , Haverkamp Uwe , Grauer Oliver , Sträter Ronald , Brentrup Angela , Stummer Walter , Kerl Kornelius , Eich Hans Theodor
Published: January 2021

Objectives: Recent trials with craniospinal irradiation (CSI) via helical Tomotherapy (HT) demonstrated encouraging medulloblastoma results. In this study, we assess the toxicity profile of different radiation techniques and estimate survival rates. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 46 patients who underwent irradiation for medulloblastoma between 1999 and 2019 (27 conventional radiotherapy technique (CRT) and 19 HT). Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics, as well as treatment outcomes—local control rate (LCR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS)—were reviewed. Acute and late adverse events (AEs) were evaluated according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (RTOG/EORTC) criteria. Results: In total, 43 courses of CSI and three local RT were administered to the 46 patients: 30 were male, the median age was 7 years (range 1–56). A median total RT dose of 55 Gy (range 44–68) and a median CSI dose of 35 Gy (range, 23.4–40) was delivered. During follow-up (median, 99 months), six patients (13%) developed recurrence. The EFS rate after 5 years was 84%. The overall OS rates after 5 and 10 years were 95% and 88%, respectively. There were no treatment-related deaths. Following HT, a trend towards lower grade 2/3 acute upper gastrointestinal (p = 0.07) and subacute CNS (p = 0.05) toxicity rates was detected compared to CRT-group. The risk of late CNS toxicities, mainly grade 2/3, was significantly lower following HT technique (p = 0.003). Conclusion: CSI via HT is an efficacious treatment modality in medulloblastoma patients. In all, we detected a reduced rate of several acute, subacute, and chronic toxicities following HT compared to CRT.
Fenton Degradation of Ofloxacin Using a Montmorillonite–Fe3O4 Composite
Authors: Ahmad Alamri Rahmah Dhahawi , Imam Saifullahi Shehu , Oh Wen Da , Adnan Rohana
Published: January 2021

In this work, FeM composites consisting of montmorillonite and variable amounts of Fe3O4 were successfully synthesized via a facile co-precipitation process. They were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), a transmission electron microscope (TEM), N2 adsorption–desorption, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques to explain the effect of Fe3O4 content on the physicochemical properties of the Fe3O4–montmorillonite (FeM) composites. The FeM composites were subsequently used as heterogeneous Fenton catalysts to activate green oxidant (H2O2) for the subsequent degradation of ofloxacin (OFL) antibiotic. The efficiency of the FeM composites was studied by varying various parameters of Fe3O4 loading on montmorillonite, catalyst dosage, initial solution pH, initial OFL concentration, different oxidants, H2O2 dosage, reaction temperature, inorganic salts, and solar irradiation. Under the conditions of 0.75 g/L FeM-10, 5 mL/L H2O2, and natural pH, almost 81% of 50 mg/L of OFL was degraded within 120 min in the dark, while total organic carbon (TOC) reduction was about 56%. Although FeM composites could be a promising heterogeneous catalyst for the activation of H2O2 to degrade organic pollutants, including OFL antibiotic, the FeM-10 composite shows a significant drop in efficiency after five cycles, which indicates that more studies to improve this weakness should be conducted.
Lithium and Therapeutic Targeting of GSK-3
Authors: Snitow Melinda E. , Bhansali Rahul S. , Klein Peter S.
Published: January 2021

Lithium salts have been in the therapeutic toolbox for better or worse since the 19th century, with purported benefit in gout, hangover, insomnia, and early suggestions that lithium improved psychiatric disorders. However, the remarkable effects of lithium reported by John Cade and subsequently by Mogens Schou revolutionized the treatment of bipolar disorder. The known molecular targets of lithium are surprisingly few and include the signaling kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), a group of structurally related phosphomonoesterases that includes inositol monophosphatases, and phosphoglucomutase. Here we present a brief history of the therapeutic uses of lithium and then focus on GSK-3 as a therapeutic target in diverse diseases, including bipolar disorder, cancer, and coronavirus infections.
EpCAM (CD326) Regulates Intestinal Epithelial Integrity and Stem Cells via Rho-Associated Kinase
Authors: Ouchi Takeshi , Morimura Sohshi , Dow Lukas E. , Miyoshi Hiroyuki , Udey Mark C.
Published: January 2021

Humans with biallelic inactivating mutations in Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) develop congenital tufting enteropathy (CTE). To gain mechanistic insights regarding EpCAM function in this disorder, we prepared intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) organoids and spheroids. IEC organoids and spheroids were generated from ROSA-CreERT2 EpCAMfl/fl mice. Proliferation, tight junctions, cell polarity and epithelial integrity were assessed in tamoxifen-induced EpCAM-deficient organoids via confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blotting. Olfm4-expressing stem cells were assessed in IEC cells in vitro and in vivo via fluorescence in situ hybridization. To determine if existing drugs could ameliorate effects of EpCAM deficiency in IEC cells, a variety of pharmacologic inhibitors were screened. Deletion of EpCAM resulted in increased apoptosis and attenuated growth of organoids and spheroids. Selected claudins were destabilized and epithelial integrity was severely compromised. Epithelial integrity was improved by treatment with Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) inhibitors without restoration of claudin expression. Correspondingly, enhanced phosphorylation of myosin light chain, a serine/threonine ROCK substrate, was observed in EpCAM-deficient organoids. Strikingly, frequencies of Olfm4-expressing stem cells in EpCAM-deficient IEC cells in vitro and in vivo were decreased. Treatment with ROCK inhibitors increased numbers of stem cells in EpCAM-deficient organoids and spheroids. Thus, EpCAM regulates intestinal epithelial homeostasis via a signaling pathway that includes ROCK.
Avian Reovirus P17 Suppresses Angiogenesis by Promoting DPP4 Secretion
Authors: Manocha Ekta , Bugatti Antonella , Belleri Mirella , Zani Alberto , Marsico Stefania , Caccuri Francesca , Presta Marco , Caruso Arnaldo
Published: January 2021

Avian reovirus p17 (ARV p17) is a non-structural protein known to activate autophagy, interfere with gene transcription and induce a significant tumor cell growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we show that ARV p17 is capable of exerting potent antiangiogenic properties. The viral protein significantly inhibited the physiological angiogenesis of human endothelial cells (ECs) by affecting migration, capillary-like structure and new vessel formation. ARV p17 was not only able to suppress the EC physiological angiogenesis but also rendered ECs insensitive to two different potent proangiogenic inducers, such as VEGF-A and FGF-2 in the three-dimensional (3D) Matrigel and spheroid assay. ARV p17 was found to exert its antiangiogenic activity by upregulating transcription and release of the well-known tumor suppressor molecule dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). The ability of ARV p17 to impact on angiogenesis is completely new and highlights the “two compartments” activity of the viral protein that is expected to hamper the tumor parenchymal/stromal crosstalk. The complex antitumor activities of ARV p17 open the way to a new promising field of research aimed to develop new therapeutic approaches for treating tumor and cancer metastasis.
Gold-Platinum Core-Shell Nanoparticles with Thiolated Polyaniline and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for the Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Six Drug Molecules
Authors: Li Shaopei , Zhou Jiayun , Noroozifar Meissam , Kerman Kagan
Published: January 2021

In this proof-of-concept study, a novel nanocomposite of the thiolated polyaniline (tPANI), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and gold–platinum core-shell nanoparticles (Au@Pt) (tPANI-Au@Pt-MWCNT) was synthesized and utilized to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for simultaneous voltammetric determination of six over-the-counter (OTC) drug molecules: ascorbic acid (AA), levodopa (LD), acetaminophen (AC), diclofenac (DI), acetylsalicylic acid (AS) and caffeine (CA). The nanocomposite (tPANI-Au@Pt-MWCNT) was characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Using the sensor (GCE-tPANI-Au@Pt-MWCNT) in connection with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the calibration plots were determined to be linear up to 570.0, 60.0, 60.0, 115.0, 375.0 and 520.0 µM with limit of detection (LOD) of 1.5, 0.25, 0.15, 0.2, 2.0, and 5.0 µM for AA, LD, AC, DI, AS and CA, respectively. The nanocomposite-modified sensor was successfully used for the determination of these redox-active compounds in commercially available OTC products such as energy drinks, cream and tablets with good recovery yields ranging from 95.48 ± 0.53 to 104.1 ± 1.63%. We envisage that the electrochemical sensor provides a promising platform for future applications towards the detection of redox-active drug molecules in pharmaceutical quality control studies and forensic investigations.
Post-Operative Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome Following Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Resection
Authors: Wong Liam , Sutton Thomas , Spurrier Ryan , Zigman Andrew , Mayo Skye
Published: January 2021

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is an uncommon phenomenon caused by the compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the aorta and the SMA. Here, we present a previously healthy 15-year-old male who presented with early satiety and 20 kg weight loss. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a massive retroperitoneal liposarcoma displacing the entire small intestine into the right upper quadrant. Following resection of the large mass, the patient was intolerant of oral intake despite evidence of bowel function. Abdominal CT revealed a narrowing of the duodenum at the location of the SMA. A nasojejunal feeding tube was placed past this area, and enteral nutrition was initiated before slowly resuming oral intake. Post-operative SMA syndrome is an uncommon complication but should be considered in patients intolerant of oral intake following resection of large abdominal tumors associated with extensive retroperitoneal fat loss, even in the absence of concomitant major visceral resection.
Not All That Shines on a PET Scan Is Cancer: A Silicone-Induced Granuloma Masquerading as Malignancy
Authors: Vedala Krishna , Sobash Philip , Johnson Deborah , Kakkera Krishna
Published: January 2021

PET/CT scans are frequently used in the initial workup of suspicious lesions but not all that lights up on a PET is cancerous. We wish to discuss a case of silicone-induced granuloma mimicking malignancy and the role of other imaging modalities for further workup.
Quality of Oil- and Wax-Based Surface Finishes on Thermally Modified Oak Wood
Authors: Vidholdová Zuzana , Slabejová Gabriela , Šmidriaková Mária
Published: January 2021

In this study, natural linseed oil, hard wax oil, and hard wax, commonly used as finishes for wooden furniture and parquet, were used for surface finishes on Turkey oak wood (Quercus cerris L.), thermally modified at temperatures of 175 °C and 195 °C for 4 h. Several resistance surface properties were investigated. The mechanical resistance properties of all surface finishes were very much allied to interactions between the finish and the type of substrate. The adhesion strength and impact resistance decreased if higher temperature was used for thermal modification of the substrate. The surface hardness and the resistance to abrasion were high and increased slightly with increasing temperature during thermal modification of wood. It was also found that surface adhesion, hardness and resistance to impact were very much related to interactions between the coating film and the substrate. The resistance properties of finishes, such as resistance to cold liquids and mold, were mainly influenced by the type of the surface finish. The resistance to cold liquids increased in the order: surface finish with hard wax < linseed oil < finish system of linseed oil + hard wax oil. The lowest resistance to cold liquids showed up in condensed milk and sanitizer. Resistance to Aspergillus niger and Penicillium purpurogenum was relatively weak, however apparently improved during the first 7 days of the fungal test; the surfaces were covered with a lower distribution density of fungal mycelium after 21 days of the fungal test. Individual surface performances of oil and wax-based surface finishes on native wood were different from thermally modified wood.
Evaluation of Growth, Thermal, and Spectroscopic Properties of Er3+-Doped CLNGG Crystals for Use in 2.7 μm Laser
Authors: Tang Kaiyang , Yingming Shawuti , Gai Jinggang , Pan Zhongben
Published: January 2021

A series of optical-quality Er3+-doped calcium lithium niobium gallium garnet (CLNGG) single crystals with different Er3+ ion concentration (10, 15 and 30 at.%) has been grown by the Czochralski method. A comparative study of their structure, thermal, and spectroscopic properties is performed. Crystal structure was analyzed with X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and refined by the Rietveld method, results showing that the Er:CLNGG crystal possesses a cubic structure with space group Ia3¯d, and the lattice constants decrease linearly as the Er3+ concentration increase. The complete set of thermal properties were systematically studied for the first time. It has been found that all the thermal conductivities increase with temperature, indicating a glass-like behavior. Effect of Er3+ concentration on spectroscopic properties of Er:CLNGG crystals was studied. Results show that with the Er3+ concentration increase, the NIR fluorescence around 1600 nm weakens, while the Mid-IR fluorescence intensity around 2700 nm strengthens. Fluorescence lifetime of 4I13/2 decreased faster than that of 4I11/2 with the Er3+ concentration increase, which is beneficial for surmounting the “bottleneck” effect to achieve 2.7 μm laser. All the results show that CLNGG crystal with high Er3+ concentration is a potential candidate for the 2.7 μm laser.
Smart Window Based on Angular-Selective Absorption of Solar Radiation with Guest–Host Liquid Crystals
Authors: Ji Seong-Min , Oh Seung-Won , Yoon Tae-Hoon
Published: January 2021

In this study, we analyzed angular-selective absorption in a guest–host liquid crystal (GHLC) cell for its application in smart windows. For reducing the energy consumption, angular-selective absorption is desired because the light transmitted through windows during the daytime is predominantly incident obliquely from direct sunlight. Owing to the absorption anisotropy of guest dichroic dyes, a GHLC cell can absorb the obliquely incident light, while allowing people to see through windows in a normal view. Therefore, the cell can provide a comfortable environment for occupants, and reduce the energy required for cooling by blocking the solar heat incident from the oblique direction. The GHLC cell can be switched between the transparent and opaque states for a normal view. The rising (falling) time was 6.1 (80.5) ms when the applied voltage was 10 V.
Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen as Surrogate Biomarker of Intrahepatic Hepatitis B Virus Covalently-Closed-Circular DNA in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Caviglia Gian Paolo , Armandi Angelo , Rosso Chiara , Ribaldone Davide Giuseppe , Pellicano Rinaldo , Fagoonee Sharmila
Published: January 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently-closed-circular (ccc)DNA is the key molecule responsible for viral persistence within infected hepatocytes. The evaluation of HBV cccDNA is crucial for the management of patients with chronic HBV infection and for the personalization of treatment. However, the need for liver biopsy is the principal obstacle for the assessment of intrahepatic HBV cccDNA. In the last decade, several studies have investigated the performance of hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) as a surrogate of HBV cccDNA amount in the liver. In this meta-analysis, we collected 14 studies (1271 patients) investigating the correlation between serum HBcrAg and intrahepatic HBV cccDNA. Serum HBcrAg showed a high correlation with intrahepatic HBV cccDNA (r = 0.641, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.510–0.743, p < 0.001). In a head-to-head comparison, we observed that the performance of HBcrAg was significantly superior to that of hepatitis B surface antigen (r = 0.665 vs. r = 0.475, respectively, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the correlation between HBcrAg and intrahepatic HBV cccDNA was high, both in hepatitis B e antigen-positive and -negative patients (r = 0.678, 95% CI 0.403–0.840, p < 0.001, and r = 0.578, 95% CI 0.344–0.744, p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, the measurement of serum HBcrAg qualifies as a reliable non-invasive surrogate for the assessment of an intrahepatic HBV cccDNA reservoir.
Influence Cascades: Entropy-Based Characterization of Behavioral Influence Patterns in Social Media
Authors: Senevirathna Chathurani , Gunaratne Chathika , Rand William , Jayalath Chathura , Garibay Ivan
Published: January 2021

Influence cascades are typically analyzed using a single metric approach, i.e., all influence is measured using one number. However, social influence is not monolithic; different users exercise different influences in different ways, and influence is correlated with the user and content-specific attributes. One such attribute could be whether the action is an initiation of a new post, a contribution to a post, or a sharing of an existing post. In this paper, we present a novel method for tracking these influence relationships over time, which we call influence cascades, and present a visualization technique to better understand these cascades. We investigate these influence patterns within and across online social media platforms using empirical data and comparing to a scale-free network as a null model. Our results show that characteristics of influence cascades and patterns of influence are, in fact, affected by the platform and the community of the users.
Improvement of Bobrovsky–Mayor–Wolf–Zakai Bound
Authors: Koike Ken-ichi , Hashimoto Shintaro
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a difference-type lower bound for the Bayes risk as a difference-type extension of the Borovkov–Sakhanenko bound. The resulting bound asymptotically improves the Bobrovsky–Mayor–Wolf–Zakai bound which is difference-type extension of the Van Trees bound. Some examples are also given.
Teachers’ Experiences of Presence in Their Daily Educational Practice
Authors: Roefs Edith , Leeman Yvonne , Oosterheert Ida , Meijer Paulien
Published: January 2021

In the context of education, ‘presence’—a state of alert awareness, receptivity and connectedness to what is happening in class—is related to depth of insight into the situation, and to more opportunities for action. Presence is mainly conceptualized in philosophical and theoretical terms and idealistic accounts. This study aims to gain understanding of teachers’ experiences of the emergence and manifestation of their own and students’ presence in their daily educational practice and insight into the significance they attach to presence. This is relevant because presence may contribute to teachers’ reflection-in-action and their ability to respond to classroom situations. Using a phenomenological approach, we interviewed 12 secondary teachers in the Netherlands about their lived experiences of presence. The participants relate presence to being concurrently attentive and aware of students and of themselves, to lively interaction, to relevant education and to students’ deep understanding of the subject matter and students’ personal development. In the discussion of the significance of presence, we suggest that research on presence might promote our understanding of how teaching may afford the coming together of students’ academic learning and their personal development. In addition, our findings are related to teachers’ professionalism and personal professional fulfillment.
Contradictory Conservation: The Role of Leadership in Shaping Energy Efficiency Culture in Urban Residential Cooperative Buildings
Authors: Hewitt Elizabeth
Published: January 2021

In addition to formalized leadership roles within organizations, leadership can also influence members through informal channels. This work argues that multifamily residential buildings can be viewed as organizations and, as such, explores the influence that informal leaders can wield in shaping culture around the motivation for conserving energy. This work draws on qualitative fieldwork conducted in a Brooklyn cooperative building. Findings indicate that the study building benefitted from the leadership of a long-standing board member, which contributed to the implementation of a number of energy efficiency initiatives. Interestingly, this leadership also led to a culture of cost efficiency over environmental concern as the motivating force behind these initiatives. This narrative was well disseminated, with most residents reporting that the building does not have a culture of conservation, despite a strong energy efficiency leaning. Thus, this work posits that leadership can greatly shape perception and culture around energy but can also be leveraged to craft a more environmentally-motivated conservation culture. It also argues that leadership can be complementary to decentralized organizational structures, and that creative mechanisms in residential buildings can capitalize on both, allowing members at all levels of the organization more influence in shaping the building’s culture.
Creating a Virtual Test Bed Using a Dynamic Engine Model with Integrated Controls to Support in-the-Loop Hardware and Software Optimization and Calibration
Authors: Mirzaeian Mohsen , Langridge Simon
Published: January 2021

In the current study, a 0D/1D engine model built in the commercial code GT-Suite was coupled with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) model created in the Simulink environment, aiming to more accurately predict the interaction of the engine and aftertreatment system (ATS) operating parameters, both during steady-state and transient maneuvers. After a detailed validation based on extensive experimental data from a heavy-duty commercial diesel Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), the engine model was fine-tuned and the 0D predictive diesel combustion model, DIPulse, was calibrated to best predict the combustion process, including engine-out NOx emissions. For correct prediction of the engine’s behavior in transient operations, the complete control strategy of the air path, including boost, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), main and pilot Start of Injection (SOI), injection pressure, and exhaust flap, was implemented in the Simulink environment. To demonstrate the predictive capability of the model, a hot World Harmonized Transient Cycle (WHTC) was simulated, obtaining good agreement with the experimental data both in terms of emissions and performance parameters, confirming the reliability of the proposed approach. Finally, a case study on possible fuel consumption improvement through thermal insulation of the exhaust manifold, exhaust ports, and turbocharger was carried out.
Effect of Soiling on Solar Photovoltaic Performance under Desert Climatic Conditions
Authors: Al Siyabi Idris , Al Mayasi Arwa , Al Shukaili Aiman , Khanna Sourav
Published: January 2021

The solar irradiation at the gulf Arabia is considered one of the highest in the world. However, this region is classified as a desert with high dust accumulation. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the effect of soiling and the photovoltaic (PV) tilt angle on the performance of 2.0 MWp of car park PV plant in Oman. Experimental measurements were taken and a model was developed for simulation. The power generation by the cleaned PV system was measured as 1460 kW around noon. After one week of operation, the power production (at the same irradiance level) reduced to 1390 kW due to soiling. It further reduced to 1196 kW and 904 kW after three and five weeks of operation, respectively. The results also show that a soiling-percentage of 7.5% reduced the monthly electricity generation (307 MWh) by 5.6% and a soiling-percentage of 12.5% reduced the generation by 10.8%. Furthermore, the increase in tilt is not recommended due to the duo-pitch canopy effect of the car park where the panels with 180° azimuth generate lower electricity than the panels with 0° azimuth. In addition, the part of the car park with 180° azimuth caused shading to the other part for high tilt angles.
Evaluation of Stiffness and Dynamic Properties of a Mine Shaft Steelwork Structure through In Situ Tests and Numerical Simulations
Authors: Jakubowski Jacek , Fiołek Przemysław
Published: January 2021

A mine shaft steelwork is a three-dimensional frame that directs the vertical motion of conveyances in mine shafts. Here, we conduct field and numerical investigations on the stiffness and dynamic properties of these structures. Based on the design documentation of the shaft, materials data, and site inspection, the steelwork’s finite element model, featuring material and geometric non-linearities, was developed in Abaqus. Static load tests of steelwork were carried out in an underground mine shaft. Numerical simulations reflecting the load test conditions showed strong agreement with the in situ measurements. The validated numerical model was used to assess the dynamic characteristics of the structure. Dynamic linear and non-linear analyses delivered the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and structural response to dynamic loads. The current practices and regulations regarding shaft steelwork design and maintenance do not account for the stiffness of guide-to-bunton connections and disregard dynamic factors. Our experimental and numerical investigations show that these connections provide considerable stiffness, which leads to the redistribution and reduction in bending moments and increased stiffness of the construction. The results also show a high dynamic amplification factor. The omission of these features implicates an incorrect assessment of the design loads and can lead to over- or under-sized structures and ultimately to shortened design working life or failure.
The Degree of Polymerization in a Prediction Model of Insulating Paper and the Remaining Life of Power Transformers
Authors: Ghoneim Sherif S. M.
Published: January 2021

The aging of power transformers causes several defects and damages in the insulating system, especially in the insulating paper. The degradation of the insulating paper generates dissolved gases in the insulating oil, which are measured by gas chromatography and used as an indicator of the insulation status. The state of the insulating paper can be identified based on the degree of polymerization (DP) measurement. In some cases, when the measurement of DP is difficult, estimating DP can be accomplished through gathering information about some of the testing parameters, such as the dissolved gases (DGA), breakdown voltage (BDV), oil interfacial tension (IF), oil acidity (ACI), moisture content (MC), oil color (OC), dielectric loss (Tan δ), and furans concentration specifically (2-furfuraldhyde (FA)). The statistical tools (correlation and multiple linear regression), based on 131 transformer samples, can be used to build a relation linking DP and one or more of the previous parameters to identify the insulating paper status and the percentage of remaining life of the transformer. The results indicated that it is difficult to build a mathematical model to relate between the DP and the testing variables, except with FA, where the trend of DP with FA is more obvious than with other variables. The empirical formula to compute DP based on the FA concentration was developed and gave promising results to compute DP and the remaining life of the power transformers.
Identification of the State of Electrical Appliances with the Use of a Pulse Signal Generator
Authors: Wójcik Augustyn , Bilski Piotr , Łukaszewski Robert , Dowalla Krzysztof , Kowalik Ryszard
Published: January 2021

The paper presents the novel HF-GEN method for determining the characteristics of Electrical Appliance (EA) operating in the end-user environment. The method includes a measurement system that uses a pulse signal generator to improve the quality of EA identification. Its structure and the principles of operation are presented. A method for determining the characteristics of the current signals’ transients using the cross-correlation is described. Its result is the appliance signature with a set of features characterizing its state of operation. The quality of the obtained signature is evaluated in the standard classification task with the aim of identifying the particular appliance’s state based on the analysis of features by three independent algorithms. Experimental results for 15 EAs categories show the usefulness of the proposed approach.
Energy Modelling and Analytics in the Built Environment—A Review of Their Role for Energy Transitions in the Construction Sector
Authors: Manfren Massimiliano , Sibilla Maurizio , Tronchin Lamberto
Published: January 2021

Decarbonisation and efficiency goals set as a response to global warming issue require appropriate decision-making strategies to promote an effective and timely change in energy systems. Conceptualization of change is a relevant part of energy transitions research today, which aims at enabling radical shifts compatible with societal functions and market mechanisms. In this framework, construction sector can play a relevant role because of its energy and environmental impact. There is, however, the need to move from general instances to specific actions. Open data and open science, digitalization and building data interoperability, together with innovative business models could represent enabling factors to accelerate the process of change. For this reason, built environment research has to address the co-evolution of technologies and human behaviour and the analytical methods used for this purpose should be empirically grounded, transparent, scalable and consistent across different temporal/spatial scales of analysis. These features could potentially enable the emergence of “ecosystems” of applications that, in turn, could translate into projects, products and services for energy transitions in the built environment, proposing innovative business models that can stimulate market competitiveness. For these reasons, in this paper we organize our analysis according to three levels, from general concepts to specific issues. In the first level, we consider the role of building energy modelling at multiple scales. In the second level, we focus on harmonization of methods for energy performance analysis. Finally, in the third level, we consider emerging concepts such as energy flexibility and occupant-centric energy modelling, considering their relation to monitoring systems and automation. The goal of this research is to evaluate the current state of the art and identify key concepts that can encourage further research, addressing both human and technological factors that influence energy performance of buildings.
Humidity Distribution in High-Occupancy Indoor Micro-Climates
Authors: Bonello Matthew , Micallef Daniel , Borg Simon Paul
Published: January 2021

The general consensus among academics is that the spatio-temporal humidity distribution is more or less uniform in an indoor space. This has, for the large part, not yet been proven by an academic study; subsequently, this paper aims to demonstrate that this is not always true. The paper makes use of a validated transient CFD model, which uses the Low Reynolds Number k-ϵ turbulence model. The model simulates people in a room at a constant skin temperature and emitting a constant source of humidity using source terms in the species equation. The model is eventually used to predict the implications of having a high source of humidity, in the form of occupancy, on the micro-climate’s spatio-temporal humidity distribution. The results for the high-occupancy case show that different locations experience various amounts of humid air, with a 31% difference between the lowest and highest locations. The amount of water vapor in each person’s proximity is deemed to be highly dependent on the flow of the inlet jet, with the people farthest from the jet having an overall less mass of water vapor in their proximity over the two-hour experimental period. This paper has concluded that there are, in fact, cases where the humidity non-uniformity inside an interior environment becomes substantial in situations of high occupancy. The results of this paper may be useful to improve the design of HVAC systems.
Growth and Allocation of Woody Biomass in Forest Trees Based on Environmental Conditions
Authors: Collalti Alessio , Todaro Luigi , Rita Angelo
Published: January 2021

Terrestrial ecosystems, and forests in particular, are important components of land processes because of their key role in reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations by storing a large amount of carbon in tree biomass and soils [...]
Profiling of Phenolic Compounds and Triterpene Acids of Twelve Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) Cultivars
Authors: Geană Elisabeta-Irina , Ciucure Corina Teodora , Ionete Roxana Elena , Ciocârlan Alexandru , Aricu Aculina , Ficai Anton , Andronescu Ecaterina
Published: January 2021

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.), a popular and widely cultivated fruit world-wide, contains bioactive compounds responsible for their health benefits. Here we report the amounts of some bioactive compounds: two major triterpenes (oleanolic and ursolic acids) and polyphenols (phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, flavonoids and t-resveratrol), together with bioactive properties of twelve apple cultivars measured by chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods. Significant variations were found comparing the bioactive potential of the investigated cultivars. High contents of phenolic acids were identified in the Montuan, Golden Delicious and Cretesc cultivars, while the most flavonoid dominant was the Richard cultivar. Starkrimson, Jonatan, Beliy Naliv and Richard cultivars present higher antioxidant capacity. Oleanolic acid ranged from 11 to 83 mg/g apple extract, while ursolic acid ranged from 55 to 436 mg/g apple extract, with higher amounts in Richard and Montuan cultivars. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) allowed the discrimination of apple cultivars depending on polyphenolic and triterpene acids composition. Caffeic acid, gallic acid and epicatechin were identified as the main bioactive compounds in Starkrimson, Jonathan, Beliy Naliv and Richard cultivars, while ursolic and oleanolic acids were identified in high amounts in Richard, Montuan, Golden Delicious, Idared and Beliy Naliv apple cultivars. The results obtained in this study will contribute to the understanding of the bioactive composition of apples as well as the importance of their capitalization to obtain value-added products that promote human health.
Extensive Countrywide Field Investigation of Somatic Cell Counts and Total Bacterial Counts in Bulk-Tank Raw Milk in Sheep Flocks in Greece
Authors: Lianou Daphne T. , Michael Charalambia K. , Vasileiou Natalia G. C. , Petinaki Efthymia , Cripps Peter J. , Tsilipounidaki Katerina , Katsafadou Angeliki I. , Politis Antonis P. , Kordalis Nikos G. , Ioannidi Katerina S. , Gougoulis Dimitris A. , Trikalinou Constantina , Orfanou Denise C. , Fragkou Ilektra A. , Angelidou Elisavet , Katsarou Eleni I. , Tzora Athina , Albenzio Marzia , Mavrogianni Vasia S. , Caroprese Mariangela , Fthenakis George C.
Published: January 2021

Objectives were to investigate somatic cell counts (SCC) and total bacterial counts (TBC) in the raw bulk-tank milk of sheep flocks in Greece, to study factors potentially influencing increased SCC and TBC in the bulk-tank milk of sheep and to evaluate possible associations of SCC and TBC with milk content. Throughout Greece, 325 dairy sheep flocks were visited for collection of milk sampling for somatic cell counting, microbiological examination and composition measurement. Geometric mean SCC were 0.488 × 106 cells mL−1; geometric mean TBC were 398 × 103 cfu mL−1; 228 staphylococcal isolates were recovered form 206 flocks (63.4%). Multivariable analyses revealed annual incidence risk of clinical mastitis, age of the farmer and month into lactation period (among 53 variables) to be significant for SCC > 1.0 × 106 cells mL−1 and month into lactation period at sampling and availability of mechanical ventilators (among 58 variables) to be significant for TBC > 1500 × 103 cfu mL−1. Negative correlation of SCC with fat, total protein and lactose and positive correlation of SCC with added water were found. With SCC > 1.0 × 106 cells mL−1, significant reduction of protein content (2%) was observed, whilst in flocks with SCC > 1.5 × 106 cells mL−1, significantly lower annual milk production per ewe (42.9%) was recorded.
Radio Constraints of Dark Matter: A Review and Some Future Perspectives
Authors: Chan Man
Published: January 2021

In the past few decades, many studies have analyzed the data of gamma-rays, X-rays, radio waves, electrons, positrons, anti-protons, and neutrinos to search for the signal of dark matter annihilation. In particular, analyzing radio data has been one of the most important and effective ways to constrain dark matter. In this article, we review the physics and the theoretical framework of using radio data to constrain annihilating dark matter. We also review some important radio constraints of annihilating dark matter and discuss the future perspectives of using radio detection to reveal the nature of dark matter.
A Visual Investigation of CO2 Convective Mixing in Water and Oil at the Pore Scale Using a Micromodel Apparatus at Reservoir Conditions
Authors: Amarasinghe Widuramina , Farzaneh Seyed , Fjelde Ingebret , Sohrabi Mehran , Guo Ying
Published: January 2021

CO2 convective mixing in water has been visualized in Hele-Shaw and PVT cell experiments but not at the pore scale. Furthermore, CO2 convective mixing in a three-phase system (i.e., CO2 in the presence of both water and oil) has not been visually investigated. A vertically placed micromodel setup was used to visualize CO2 convective mixing at 100 bar and 50 °C, representative of reservoir conditions. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, we have visually investigated CO2 convective mixing in water at the pore scale and also CO2 convective mixing in a multiphase system (water and oil). CO2 mixing in water governed by both diffusion and convection mechanisms was observed. The vertical CO2 transport velocity was calculated to be 0.3 mm/min in both a 100% water saturation system and a residual oil-saturated system. First, CO2 always found the easiest path through the connected pores, and then CO2 was transported into less connected pores and dead-end pores. CO2 transport into dead-end pores was slower than through the preferential path. CO2 transport into water-filled ganglia with trapped oil was observed and was slower than in water.
Cdx2 Regulates Intestinal EphrinB1 through the Notch Pathway
Authors: Zhu Yalun , Hryniuk Alexa , Foley Tanya , Hess Bradley , Lohnes David
Published: January 2021

The majority of colorectal cancers harbor loss-of-function mutations in APC, a negative regulator of canonical Wnt signaling, leading to intestinal polyps that are predisposed to malignant progression. Comparable murine APC alleles also evoke intestinal polyps, which are typically confined to the small intestine and proximal colon, but do not progress to carcinoma in the absence of additional mutations. The Cdx transcription factors Cdx1 and Cdx2 are essential for homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium, and loss of Cdx2 has been associated with more aggressive subtypes of colorectal cancer in the human population. Consistent with this, concomitant loss of Cdx1 and Cdx2 in a murine APC mutant background leads to an increase in polyps throughout the intestinal tract. These polyps also exhibit a villous phenotype associated with the loss of EphrinB1. However, the basis for these outcomes is poorly understood. To further explore this, we modeled Cdx2 loss in SW480 colorectal cancer cells. We found that Cdx2 impacted Notch signaling in SW480 cells, and that EphrinB1 is a Notch target gene. As EphrinB1 loss also leads to a villus tumor phenotype, these findings evoke a mechanism by which Cdx2 impacts colorectal cancer via Notch-dependent EphrinB1 signaling.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Integrated Civilian-Military Scheduling of Medical Supplies for Epidemic Prevention and Control
Authors: Ling Hai-Feng , Su Zheng-Lian , Jiang Xun-Lin , Zheng Yu-Jun
Published: January 2021

In a large-scale epidemic, such as the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), there is huge demand for a variety of medical supplies, such as medical masks, ventilators, and sickbeds. Resources from civilian medical services are often not sufficient for fully satisfying all of these demands. Resources from military medical services, which are normally reserved for military use, can be an effective supplement to these demands. In this paper, we formulate a problem of integrated civilian-military scheduling of medical supplies for epidemic prevention and control, the aim of which is to simultaneously maximize the overall satisfaction rate of the medical supplies and minimize the total scheduling cost, while keeping a minimum ratio of medical supplies reservation for military use. We propose a multi-objective water wave optimization (WWO) algorithm in order to efficiently solve this problem. Computational results on a set of problem instances constructed based on real COVID-19 data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Mortality, Severity, and Hospital Admission among COVID-19 Patients with ACEI/ARB Use: A Meta-Analysis Stratifying Countries Based on Response to the First Wave of the Pandemic
Authors: Alamer Ahmad A. , Almulhim Abdulaziz S. , Alrashed Ahmed A. , Abraham Ivo
Published: January 2021

Background: The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is controversial for treating COVID-19 patients. We aimed to estimate pooled risks of mortality, disease severity, and hospitalization associated with ACEI/ARB use and stratify them by country and country clusters. Methods: We conducted a search in various databases through 4 July 2020 and then applied random-effects models to estimate pooled risks (ORp) across stratifications by country cluster. Clusters were chosen to reflect outbreak times (China followed by Korea/Italy, others subsequently) and mobility restrictions (China and Denmark/France/Spain with stricter lockdowns than the UK/US). Results: Overall analysis showed no increase in mortality; however, a statistical increase in mortality was seen in the US/UK cluster with ORp = 1.28 [95% CI = 1.04; 1.56] and a decrease in China with ORp = 0.65 [95% CI = 0.43; 0.96] and France with OR = 0.31 [95% CI = 0.14; 0.69]. Severity and hospitalization were not statistically significant in the analysis; however, several associations were seen in specific countries but not in country clusters. Conclusion: The country-cluster meta-analysis provided a reasonable explanation for COVID-19 mortality among ACEI/ARB users. The analysis did not explain differences in severity and suggested the involvement of other factors. Hospitalization findings among ACEI/ARB users may be considered informative as they may have been subjected to clinical decisions and hospital-bed availability.
Personalized Healthcare for Dementia
Authors: Lee Seunghyeon , Cho Eun-Jeong , Kwak Hyo-Bum
Published: January 2021

Dementia is one of the most common health problems affecting older adults, and the population with dementia is growing. Dementia refers to a comprehensive syndrome rather than a specific disease and is characterized by the loss of cognitive abilities. Many factors are related to dementia, such as aging, genetic profile, systemic vascular disease, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. As the causes and types of dementia are diverse, personalized healthcare is required. In this review, we first summarize various diagnostic approaches associated with dementia. Particularly, clinical diagnosis methods, biomarkers, neuroimaging, and digital biomarkers based on advances in data science and wearable devices are comprehensively reviewed. We then discuss three effective approaches to treating dementia, including engineering design, exercise, and diet. In the engineering design section, recent advances in monitoring and drug delivery systems for dementia are introduced. Additionally, we describe the effects of exercise on the treatment of dementia, especially focusing on the effects of aerobic and resistance training on cognitive function, and the effects of diets such as the Mediterranean diet and ketogenic diet on dementia.