bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of skin-friction field measurements in a transonic wind tunnel using a global luminescent oil film
Authors: Costantini Marco , Lee Taekjin , Nonomura Taku , Asai Keisuke , Klein Christian
Published: January 2021

The feasibility of skin-friction field measurements using the global luminescent oil-film skin-friction field estimation method was evaluated for a challenging case of a supercritical airfoil model under transonic wind-tunnel conditions (freestream Mach number of 0.72) at a high Reynolds number (10 million, based on the model chord length). The oil-film thickness and skin-friction coefficient distributions were estimated over the airfoil model upper surface for a range of angles of attack (from $$-0.4^{\circ }$$

-
0
.

4
∘

to $$2.0^{\circ }$$

2
.

0
∘

), thus enabling the study of different boundary-layer stability situations with laminar–turbulent transition, including cases with shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction. Conventional pressure measurements on the surface and in the wake of the model as well as Schlieren flow visualizations were conducted to support the oil-film based investigations. In the laminar-flow regions, the oil-film thickness could be generally kept below the critical limit of roughness that would induce premature boundary-layer transition. The skin friction in this region could be estimated with a moderate confidence level, as confirmed for portions of the chord by the reasonable agreement with numerical data obtained via laminar boundary-layer computations. Moreover, the location of transition onset was evaluated from the skin-friction estimations with relatively low uncertainty, thus enabling the examination of the transition location evolution with varying angle of attack. The estimated locations of transition onset were shown to be in general agreement with reference transition locations measured via temperature-sensitive paint. On the other hand, the oil-film thickness in the turbulent-flow regions was larger than the height of the viscous sublayer, which led to an hydraulically rough surface with increased skin friction, as compared to the clean configuration. For this reason, quantitative skin-friction estimations were not feasible in the turbulent-flow regions. The global effects of the oil-film setup on the flow around the airfoil were evaluated from the estimations of the aerodynamic coefficients. In particular, it was shown that the presence of the specific base coat used for the application of the oil film already induced a significant increase in airfoil drag, as compared to the clean configuration, whereas a thin oil film led to negligible or small additional increases in drag. Based on the present observations, considerations for the further improvement of the global luminescent oil-film skin-friction field estimation method in transonic flow experiments at high Reynolds numbers are elucidated.

Graphic abstract
Extreme sea levels along coastal China: uncertainties and implications
Authors: Fang Jiayi , Wahl Thomas , Zhang Qiang , Muis Sanne , Hu Pan , Fang Jian , Du Shiqiang , Dou Tingfeng , Shi Peijun
Published: January 2021

Extreme sea levels (ESLs) due to typhoon-induced storm surge threaten the societal security of densely populated coastal China. Uncertainty in extreme value analysis (EVA) for ESL estimation has large implications for coastal communities’ adaptation to natural hazards. Here we evaluate uncertainties in ESL estimation and relevant driving factors based on hourly observations from 13 tide gauge stations and a complementary dataset derived from a hydrodynamic model. Results indicate significant uncertainties in ESL estimations stemming from using different EVA methods, which then propagate to the inundation assessment. Amplification factors due to sea-level rise (SLR) are highly sensitive to local relative SLR and the shape of the exceedance probability curve, which in turn depends on the selected EVA method. The hydrodynamic model hindcast indicates that high ESLs mainly occurred in eastern coastal China due to typhoon-induced storm surge. Larger uncertainties in the modelled ESLs are found for the coasts of the Yangtze River Delta, and particularly in the river mouth region. Future research and adaptation planning should prioritize these regions given expected future rising sea level, compound flood events, and human-induced factors (e.g. subsidence). This study provides theoretical and practical references for adaptation to ESL-related hazards along coastal China, with implications for coastal regions worldwide.
Explicit form of yield conditions dual to a class of dissipation potentials dependent on three invariants
Authors: Szwed Aleksander , Kamińska Inez
Published: January 2021

In the paper, a pragmatic approach to finding the dual formulation for isotropic perfectly plastic materials given a dissipation potential dependent on three cylindrical invariants and involving the Ottosen shape function is proposed and illustrated by examples. The main goal is to provide instructions on how to perform the Legendre transformation used when passing from a dissipation potential to its conjugate yield condition and offer some suggestions regarding calibration for particular potentials dependent on the trace of the strain rate tensor and the product of the norm of its deviator and the Ottosen shape function, which covers a wide class of engineering materials. The classic framework for constitutive modelling of thermodynamically consistent materials within the small deformation theory is used. First, general formulae connecting a dissipation potential dependent on three invariants of the strain rate tensor to the coupled yield condition are derived. Then, they are narrowed down for the aforementioned case of dissipation functions dependent on the Lode angle in a way proposed by Ottosen. Finally, three examples are given involving classical potentials: Beltrami’s, Drucker–Prager’s and Mises–Schleicher’s generalised potential using the shape function. Detailed calculations exposing the introduced technique are performed. Also, a method of the calibration of such potentials leading to explicit mathematical formulae is demonstrated, based on the typical tests located on the tension and compression meridians.
TableRobot: an automatic annotation method for heterogeneous tables
Authors: Wu Guibin , Zhou Junjie , Xiong Yongping , Zhou Chaoyi , Li Chong
Published: January 2021

Using deep learning networks to recognize the table attracts lots of attention. However, due to the lack of high-quality table datasets, the performance of using deep learning networks is limited. Therefore, TableRobot has been proposed, an automatic annotation method for heterogeneous tables. To be more specific, the annotations of table consist of the coordinates of the item block and the mapping relationship between item blocks and table cells. In order to transform the task, we successfully design an algorithm based on the greedy approach to find the optimum solution. To evaluate the performance of TableRobot, we check the annotation data of 3000 tables collected from the LaTex documents in arXiv.com, and the result shows that TableRobot can generate table annotation datasets with the accuracy of 93.2%. Besides, the table annotation data is feed into GraphTSR which is a state-of-the-art table recognition graph neural network, and the F1 value of the network has increased by nearly 10% compared with before.
Diversity analysis of thermophilic hydrogenogenic carboxydotrophs by carbon monoxide dehydrogenase amplicon sequencing using new primers
Authors: Omae Kimiho , Oguro Tatsuki , Inoue Masao , Fukuyama Yuto , Yoshida Takashi , Sako Yoshihiko
Published: January 2021

The microbial H2-producing (hydrogenogenic) carbon monoxide (CO)-oxidizing activity by the membrane-associated CO dehydrogenase (CODH)/energy-converting hydrogenase (ECH) complex is an important metabolic process in the microbial community. However, the studies on hydrogenogenic carboxydotrophs had to rely on inherently cultivation and isolation methods due to their rare abundance, which was a bottleneck in ecological study. Here, we provided gene-targeted sequencing method for the diversity estimation of thermophilic hydrogenogenic carboxydotrophs. We designed six new degenerate primer pairs which effectively amplified the coding regions of CODH genes forming gene clusters with ECH genes (CODHech genes) in Firmicutes which includes major thermophilic hydrogenogenic carboxydotrophs in terrestrial thermal habitats. Amplicon sequencing by these primers using DNAs from terrestrial hydrothermal sediments and CO-gas-incubated samples specifically detected multiple CODH genes which were identical or phylogenetically related to the CODHech genes in Firmictes. Furthermore, we found that phylogenetically distinct CODHech genes were enriched in CO-gas-incubated samples, suggesting that our primers detected uncultured hydrogenogenic carboxydotrophs as well. The new CODH-targeted primers provided us with a fine-grained (~ 97.9% in nucleotide sequence identity) diversity analysis of thermophilic hydrogenogenic carboxydotrophs by amplicon sequencing and will bolster the ecological study of these microorganisms.
Challenging situations in cholecystectomy and strategies to overcome them
Authors: Függer Reinhold
Published: January 2021

Background

Cholecystectomy may be difficult and hazardous, causing major morbidity and mortality. This review aims to identify situations increasing the probability of difficult gallbladders and present today’s best practice to overcome them.

Methods

Review of the literature and expert comment.

Results

One in six gallbladders is expected to be a difficult cholecystectomy. The majority can be predicted by patient history, clinical symptoms, and pre-existing comorbidities. Acute cholecystitis, mild biliary pancreatitis, prior endoscopic sphincterotomy, and liver cirrhosis are the predominant underlying diseases. Early or delayed cholecystectomy, percutaneous cholecystostomy, and pure conservative treatment are evidence-based options. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is of advantage in patients fit for surgery, with subtotal cholecystectomy or conversion to open surgery as bail-out strategies. The choice of the procedure depends on the experience of the surgeon.

Conclusion

Clinical decisions should follow a pathway based on patients’ risk, favoring laparoscopic cholecystectomy whenever possible. The implementation of an institutional pathway to deal with difficult gallbladders is recommended.
Triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers found by mammography screening show excellent prognosis
Authors: Alanko Johanna , Tanner Minna , Vanninen Ritva , Auvinen Anssi , Isola Jorma
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Our purpose was to explore the prognosis of aggressive breast cancers of the HER2 oncogene amplification (HER2 +) and triple-negative (TN) subtypes detected by screening, as well as the prognosis of interval cancers (clinically due to symptoms between screening rounds) and cancers in screening nonparticipants.

Methods

The study population comprised of 823 breast cancers in women aged 50–69 years from 2006–2014. Of these, 572 were found by screening mammography (69%), 170 were diagnosed between the screening rounds (21%), and 81 were diagnosed in women who did not participate in the screening program (10%).

Results

The majority of all HER2 + (59%) and TN cancers (57%) in this age group were detected by screening. Screen-detected HER2 + tumors were small (median 12 mm), and node-negative (84%). During a median follow-up of eight years, the distant disease-free survival of screen-detected HER2 + and TN cancers was better than that of interval and nonparticipant cancers (age-adjusted HR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.03–0.81 and HR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01–0.79, respectively). In nonparticipants, the distant disease-free survival of these cancers was worse than in participants (age-adjusted HR = 2.52, 95% CI 0.63–10.11 and HR = 5.30, 95% 1.16–24.29, respectively).

Conclusion

In the 50–69 age group, the majority of HER2 + and TN cancers can be found by a quality assured population-based mammography screening. Despite their generally aggressive behavior, after a median follow-up of 8 years, distant disease-free survival was over 90% of these cancers detected by screening. The worst prognosis of these cancers was in women who did not participate in screening.
FOXA1 is a determinant of drug resistance in breast cancer cells
Authors: Kumar Uttom , Ardasheva Anastasia , Mahmud Zimam , Coombes R. Charles , Yagüe Ernesto
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women. Five subtypes of breast cancer differ in their genetic expression profiles and carry different prognostic values, with no treatments available for some types, such as triple-negative, due to the absence of genetic signatures that could otherwise be targeted by molecular therapies. Although endocrine treatments are largely successful for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive cancers, a significant proportion of patients with metastatic tumors fail to respond and acquire resistance to therapy. FOXA1 overexpression mediates endocrine therapy resistance in ER-positive breast cancer, although the regulation of chemotherapy response by FOXA1 has not been addressed previously. FOXA1, together with EP300 and RUNX1, regulates the expression of E-cadherin, and is expressed in luminal, but absent in triple-negative and basal-like breast cancers. We have previously determined that EP300 regulates drug resistance and tumor initiation capabilities in breast cancer cells.

Methods

Here we describe the generation of breast cancer cell models in which FOXA1 expression has been modulated either by expression of hairpins targeting FOXA1 mRNA or overexpression plasmids.

Results

Upon FOXA1 knockdown in luminal MCF-7 and T47D cells, we found an increase in doxorubicin and paclitaxel sensitivity as well as a decrease in anchorage independence. Conversely, upregulation of FOXA1 in basal-like MDA-MB-231 cells led to an increase in drug resistance and anchorage independence.

Conclusion

Together, these data suggest that FOXA1 plays a role in making tumors more aggressive.
Energy investment and motivation: The additive impact of task demand and reward value on exerted force in hand grip tasks
Authors: Stanek Joséphine C. , Richter Michael
Published: January 2021

According to motivational intensity theory, individuals are motivated to conserve energy when pursuing goals. They should invest only the energy required for success and disengage if success is not important enough to justify the required energy. We tested this hypothesis in five experiments assessing exerted muscle force in isometric hand grip tasks as indicator of energy investment. Our results provided mixed evidence for motivational intensity theory. Corroborating its predictions, energy investment was a function of task demand. However, we did not find evidence for the predicted disengagement, and we observed that participants exerted in most conditions more force than required. Furthermore, the data could be better explained by a model that predicted an additive effect of task demand and success importance than by models drawing on motivational intensity theory’s predictions. These results illustrate the strong link between energy investment and task demand but challenge motivational intensity theory’s primacy of energy conservation.
Integrating genetics with newborn metabolomics in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
Authors: Fadista João , Skotte Line , Courraud Julie , Geller Frank , Gørtz Sanne , Wohlfahrt Jan , Melbye Mads , Cohen Arieh S. , Feenstra Bjarke
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is caused by hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter muscle.

Objectives

Since previous reports have implicated lipid metabolism, we aimed to (1) investigate associations between IHPS and a wide array of lipid-related metabolites in newborns, and (2) address whether detected differences in metabolite levels were likely to be driven by genetic differences between IHPS cases and controls or by differences in early life feeding patterns.

Methods

We used population-based random selection of IHPS cases and controls born in Denmark between 1997 and 2014. We randomly took dried blood spots of newborns from 267 pairs of IHPS cases and controls matched by sex and day of birth. We used a mixed-effects linear regression model to evaluate associations between 148 metabolites and IHPS in a matched case–control design.

Results

The phosphatidylcholine PC(38:4) showed significantly lower levels in IHPS cases (P = 4.68 × 10−8) as did six other correlated metabolites (four phosphatidylcholines, acylcarnitine AC(2:0), and histidine). Associations were driven by 98 case–control pairs born before 2009, when median age at sampling was 6 days. No association was seen in 169 pairs born in 2009 or later, when median age at sampling was 2 days. More IHPS cases than controls had a diagnosis for neonatal difficulty in feeding at breast (P = 6.15 × 10−3). Genetic variants known to be associated with PC(38:4) levels did not associate with IHPS.

Conclusions

We detected lower levels of certain metabolites in IHPS, possibly reflecting different feeding patterns in the first days of life.
Achieving parametric transparency in model-based factory planning
Authors: Burggräf Peter , Bergs Thomas , Dannapfel Matthias , Korff Andreas , Ebade Esfahani Matthias , Splettstoesser Antonia , Steinlein Julius
Published: January 2021

The planning of new factories, as well as the re-planning of existing factories, has become more frequent due to increasingly changing business requirements, as for example shorter product life cycles and Industry 4.0. A higher number of involved planners and the resulting high amount of planning information strongly require coordination. In this context, the importance of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in factory planning rises as it provides a method of integrated building planning and planning validation by means of 3D software and object-oriented modelling. However, despite the use of BIM, there are still major interface problems in factory planning that cannot be solved by the still manual plausibility checks of non-geometrical planning information. To enable automatic checking of planning results, thereby improving the BIM-based factory planning process, machine-readable explication of the parametric dependencies are required between different planning fields such as production planning and building planning. The goal of this paper is to show parametric and thus non-geometric dependencies that exist between the sub-models of BIM-based factory planning in such a way that software agents can automatically evaluate this design information. Within the planning interface between production planning and building planning, the paper focusses on the particular exchange between the planning of the manufacturing system and the planning of a cutting fluid pump. With the involvement of domain experts from factory planning, systems engineering and production engineering, we as the authors have managed to develop a coherent system of block diagrams, constraint diagrams and parametric diagrams that explicate the focused interface in a machine-readable manner. We believe our accomplishments are an essential element for completely automated planning validation in BIM-based factory planning and general object-oriented modelling in the future.
A third-party replication service for dynamic hidden databases
Authors: Hintzen Stefan , Liesy Yves , Zirpins Christian
Published: January 2021

Much data on the web is available in hidden databases. Users browse their contents by sending search queries to form-based interfaces or APIs. Yet, hidden databases just return the top-k result entries and limit the number of queries per time interval. Such access restrictions constrict those tasks that require many/specific queries or need to access many/all data entries. For a temporary solution, an unrestricted local snapshot can be created by crawling the hidden database. Yet, keeping the snapshot permanently consistent is challenging due to the access restrictions of its origin. In this paper, we propose a replication approach providing permanent unrestricted access to the local copy of a hidden database with dynamic changes. To this end, we present an algorithm to effectively crawl hidden databases that outperforms the state of the art. Furthermore, we propose a new way to continuously control the consistency of the replicated database in an efficient manner. We also introduce the cloud-based architecture of a replication service for hidden databases. We show the effectiveness of the approach through a variety of reproducible experimental evaluations.
Modified Snake α-Neurotoxin Averts β-Amyloid Binding to α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor and Reverses Cognitive Deficits in Alzheimer’s Disease Mice
Authors: Fonar Gennadiy , Polis Baruh , Sams Dev Sharan , Levi Almog , Malka Assaf , Bal Natalia , Maltsev Alexander , Elliott Evan , Samson Abraham O.
Published: January 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of senile dementia and one of the greatest medical, social, and economic challenges. According to a dominant theory, amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide is a key AD pathogenic factor. Aβ-soluble species interfere with synaptic functions, aggregate gradually, form plaques, and trigger neurodegeneration. The AD-associated pathology affects numerous systems, though the substantial loss of cholinergic neurons and α7 nicotinic receptors (α7AChR) is critical for the gradual cognitive decline. Aβ binds to α7AChR under various experimental settings; nevertheless, the functional significance of this interaction is ambiguous. Whereas the capability of low Aβ concentrations to activate α7AChR is functionally beneficial, extensive brain exposure to high Aβ concentrations diminishes α7AChR activity, contributes to the cholinergic deficits that characterize AD. Aβ and snake α-neurotoxins competitively bind to α7AChR. Accordingly, we designed a chemically modified α-cobratoxin (mToxin) to inhibit the interaction between Aβ and α7AChR. Subsequently, we examined mToxin in a set of original in silico, in vitro, ex vivo experiments, and in a murine AD model. We report that mToxin reversibly inhibits α7AChR, though it attenuates Aβ-induced synaptic transmission abnormalities, and upregulates pathways supporting long-term potentiation and reducing apoptosis. Remarkably, mToxin demonstrates no toxicity in brain slices and mice. Moreover, its chronic intracerebroventricular administration improves memory in AD-model animals. Our results point to unique mToxin neuroprotective properties, which might be tailored for the treatment of AD. Our methodology bridges the gaps in understanding Aβ-α7AChR interaction and represents a promising direction for further investigations and clinical development.
Subsurface structures and conceptual hydrothermal model of the area lying between Quseir and Safaga area, Red Sea Coast, Egypt
Authors: Mohamed Haby Salaheldin
Published: January 2021

The study area is located in the Quseir–Safaga area of the Egyptian Red Sea Coast. This location considered one of the most promising areas for touristic villages depending on groundwater domestic uses as well as geothermal energy. The geothermal energy is considered one of the promising sources in the studied area. Nevertheless, few attempts have been carried out to evaluate the geothermal setting of the area. The present study aims to throw more light on studying the predominant structures in the area and their relation with geothermal manifestations, as well as defining the hydrothermal system type at the study area. Achieving this goal is dependent on using aeromagnetic data in the form of reduced to northern Pole (RTP) anomalies. These data were subjected to different techniques of processing and interpretation through both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Two-dimensional (2D) modeling of aeromagnetic data has been used to simulate the subsurface structure configuration along some selected profiles trending in NW-SE and E-W directions. In addition, a conceptual model of the hydrothermal system was built based on geophysical results of the aeromagnetic data analysis and processed numerically to obtain a 2D hydrothermal model that contains all simplifications and assumptions made on the conceptual model. The HYDROTHERM Interactive (HTI) program version 3 was used for two-dimensional simulation in the study area to study the temperature and pressure distributions beneath the study area. The results of the study showed that the depth to basement from the ground surface ranges from 20 to 1200 m. The hydrothermal simulation in the area indicated that the origin of thermal water is due to high heat flow and deep groundwater circulation controlled by structures in the subsurface reservoir. Under the thermal water, the water speeds up and flows through the fractures and faults. In general, the high heat flow in the Eastern Desert is associated with shallow basement depths. Thus, the modeled hydrothermal system is considered a dynamic type.
Rationale and Design of a Telehealth Self-Management, Shared Care Intervention for Post-treatment Survivors of Lung and Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Sun Virginia , Reb Anne , Debay Marc , Fakih Marwan , Ferrell Betty
Published: January 2021

Survivors of lung and colorectal cancer have high post-treatment needs; the majority are older and suffer from greater comorbidities and poor quality of life (QOL). They remain underrepresented in research, leading to significant disparities in post-treatment outcomes. Personalized post-treatment follow-up care and care coordination among healthcare teams is a priority for survivors of lung and colorectal cancer. However, there are few evidence-based interventions that address survivors’ post-treatment needs beyond the use of a follow-up care plan. This paper describes the rationale and design of an evidence-informed telehealth intervention that integrates shared care coordination between oncology/primary care and self-management skills building to empower post-treatment survivors of lung and colorectal cancer. The intervention design was informed by (1) contemporary published evidence on cancer survivorship, (2) our previous research in lung and colorectal cancer survivorship, (3) the chronic care self-management model (CCM), and (4) shared post-treatment follow-up care between oncology and primary care. A two-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial will determine the efficacy of the telehealth intervention to improve cancer care delivery and survivor-specific outcomes. ClinicalTrials.govIdentifier: NCT04428905
Cardioprotective mechanism of SGLT2 inhibitor against myocardial infarction is through reduction of autosis
Authors: Jiang Kai , Xu Yue , Wang Dandan , Chen Feng , Tu Zizhuo , Qian Jie , Xu Sheng , Xu Yixiang , Hwa John , Li Jian , Shang Hongcai , Xiang Yaozu
Published: January 2021

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce cardiovascular mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus but the protective mechanism remains elusive. Here we demonstrated that the SGLT2 inhibitor, Empagliflozin (EMPA), suppresses cardiomyocytes autosis (autophagic cell death) to confer cardioprotective effects. Using myocardial infarction (MI) mouse models with and without diabetes mellitus, EMPA treatment significantly reduced infarct size, and myocardial fibrosis, thereby leading to improved cardiac function and survival. In the context of ischemia and nutritional glucose deprivation where autosis is already highly stimulated, EMPA directly inhibits the activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) in the cardiomyocytes to regulate excessive autophagy. Knockdown of NHE1 significantly rescued glucose deprivation-induced autosis. In contrast, overexpression of NHE1 aggravated the cardiomyocytes death in response to starvation, which was effectively rescued by EMPA treatment. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo analysis of NHE1 and Beclin 1 knockout mice validated that EMPA’s cardioprotective effects are at least in part through downregulation of autophagic flux. These findings provide new insights for drug development, specifically targeting NHE1 and autosis for ventricular remodeling and heart failure after MI in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
Farmer adoption of sustainable intensification technologies in the maize systems of the Global South. A review
Authors: Jones-Garcia Eliot , Krishna Vijesh V.
Published: January 2021

This paper reviews the empirical literature on the determinants of farmer adoption of sustainable intensification technologies in maize agri-food systems of the Global South. The attributes of the technology and the dissemination institutions interact with farm/farmer-specific variables, leading to heterogeneous impacts, making the prediction of technology adoption challenging. However, most empirical studies oversimplify the adoption process and examine only the farm/farmer-specific variables as the determinants of adoption, thereby limiting the scope of learning on how the attributes of the technology and the dissemination system could have been altered to realize a more efficient and more inclusive technological change. We argue for a realignment of empirical adoption analysis for better implications through a conscious rejection of the assumption that the onus of technology performance rests solely with the farmer. Here we review the studies published between 2007 and 2018 on the adoption of sustainable intensification technologies in maize systems of the Global South to examine how the adoption models are currently dependent on the farm/farmer attributes vis-à-vis the attributes of technologies and disseminating institutions. The main findings from a synthesis of 137 adoption studies are threefold. (1) Limited information access and technologies not suitable for the small landholdings were the major constraints of farmer adoption of technologies. (2) The criticisms on the conventional adoption analysis concerning oversimplification and decontextualization of the decision-making process are reaffirmed. (3) The empirical adoption research needs to incorporate the attributes of technologies and the socio-institutional context to develop better research strategies toward inclusive agrarian development. We examine how the framework of the socioeconomic analysis can be reconstructed to facilitate the research and development (R&D) institutions to overcome the major hurdles of rapid and inclusive dissemination. Evaluation of the degree to which the attributes of technology favor its adoption requires increased research attention.
Chemical Coupled PEDOT:PSS/Si Electrode: Suppressed Electrolyte Consumption Enables Long-Term Stability
Authors: Liu Xuejiao , Xu Zhixin , Iqbal Asma , Chen Ming , Ali Nazakat , Low CheeTongJohn , Qi Rongrong , Zai Jiantao , Qian Xuefeng
Published: January 2021

Huge volume changes of Si during lithiation/delithiation lead to regeneration of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and consume electrolyte. In this article, γ-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GOPS) was incorporated in Si/PEDOT:PSS electrodes to construct a flexible and conductive artificial SEI, effectively suppressing the consumption of electrolyte. The optimized electrode can maintain 1000 mAh g−1 for nearly 800 cycles under limited electrolyte compared with 40 cycles of the electrodes without GOPS. Also, the optimized electrode exhibits excellent rate capability. The use of GOPS greatly improves the interface compatibility between Si and PEDOT:PSS. XPS Ar+ etching depth analysis proved that the addition of GOPS is conducive to forming a more stable SEI. A full battery assembled with NCM 523 cathode delivers a high energy density of 520 Wh kg−1, offering good stability.
High-Energy and High-Power Pseudocapacitor–Battery Hybrid Sodium-Ion Capacitor with Na+ Intercalation Pseudocapacitance Anode
Authors: Wei Qiulong , Li Qidong , Jiang Yalong , Zhao Yunlong , Tan Shuangshuang , Dong Jun , Mai Liqiang , Peng Dong-Liang
Published: January 2021

High-performance and low-cost sodium-ion capacitors (SICs) show tremendous potential applications in public transport and grid energy storage. However, conventional SICs are limited by the low specific capacity, poor rate capability, and low initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) of anode materials. Herein, we report layered iron vanadate (Fe5V15O39 (OH)9·9H2O) ultrathin nanosheets with a thickness of ~ 2.2 nm (FeVO UNSs) as a novel anode for rapid and reversible sodium-ion storage. According to in situ synchrotron X-ray diffractions and electrochemical analysis, the storage mechanism of FeVO UNSs anode is Na+ intercalation pseudocapacitance under a safe potential window. The FeVO UNSs anode delivers high ICE (93.86%), high reversible capacity (292 mAh g−1), excellent cycling stability, and remarkable rate capability. Furthermore, a pseudocapacitor–battery hybrid SIC (PBH-SIC) consisting of pseudocapacitor-type FeVO UNSs anode and battery-type Na3(VO)2(PO4)2F cathode is assembled with the elimination of presodiation treatments. The PBH-SIC involves faradaic reaction on both cathode and anode materials, delivering a high energy density of 126 Wh kg−1 at 91 W kg−1, a high power density of 7.6 kW kg−1 with an energy density of 43 Wh kg−1, and 9000 stable cycles. The tunable vanadate materials with high-performance Na+ intercalation pseudocapacitance provide a direction for developing next-generation high-energy capacitors.
Influence of Si–In–Zn–O/Ag/Si–In–Zn–O Electrode on Amorphous Si–Zn–Sn–O Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Hwang Jin Young , Lee Sang Yeol
Published: January 2021

Amorphous SiZnSnO (a-SZTO) thin film transistors (TFTs) have been reported with transparent Si–In–Zn–O/Ag/Si–In–Zn–O (SIZO OMO) source/drain (S/D) electrodes. The characteristics of ITO and SIZO OMO electrodes were compared with conventional metal electrode of Ti/Al. The SZTO TFT with SIZO OMO electrode showed high field effect mobility of 17.69 cm2/Vs, threshold voltage of 4.05 V and low sub-threshold swing of 0.33 V/decade. The stability of a-SZTO TFTs with SIZO OMO electrode was measured ∆VTH = 1.4 V at 333 K, and − 20 V for 7200 s under negative bias temperature stress (NBTS).
Assessment of groundwater quality and determination of hydrochemical evolution of groundwater in Shillong, Meghalaya (India)
Authors: Jain Chakresh K. , Sharma Sanjay K. , Singh Surya
Published: January 2021

Deterioration of surface water quality in various parts of India due to increasing urbanization has led to the extensive usage of groundwater for various domestic and irrigation needs, thereby raising concerns over its quality. However, there are very few studies focussing over the issue of groundwater quality in North-Eastern region of India. In order to make an assessment of the quality of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes, this study was carried out in Shillong—the Capital City of Meghalaya State in North-East India during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of 2018. Standard sampling and analytical procedures were followed for groundwater quality assessment. Minimal variation was observed in the water quality of pre- and post-monsoon seasons. However, the study found that groundwater samples are having acidic pH and presence of nitrate is also reported. Some of the samples also showed the presence of mercury, nickel, and cadmium. The presence of these contaminants could be attributed to the industrial activities in the state. Overall, the groundwater quality was found suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes after conventional treatment. Hydrochemical studies further inferred that groundwater properties in the region are influenced by the rock weathering along with the atmospheric precipitation.
Influence of addition of KOH on the yield and characteristics of humic acids extracted from lignite using NaOH
Authors: Li Yaxing , Yuan Shenfu
Published: January 2021

In this study, humic acids (HAs) were extracted from Chinese lignite by adding KOH to a NaOH solution. The extraction yield of HAs was found to improve because of the synergistic effect imparted by the alkali mixture of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH). The maximum yield was obtained at 150 min by adding the mixture of 0.750 M NaOH + 0.710 M KOH to Xianfeng lignite at 80 °C. The potassium (K), sodium (Na), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and iron (Fe) contents were determined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and proximate and ultimate analysis. The oxygen-containing functional groups in HAs were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The addition of KOH resulted in higher oxygen/carbon and nitrogen/carbon ratios and oxygen-containing functional groups, as compared with that in NaOH alone. The extractants containing KOH could release HAs with a higher proportion of K, Fe, N contents, which is beneficial for HAs fertilizers prepared from the lignite. The release of the nutrients (K, Fe, N) which are essential for the crops is determined by the KOH dosages.
GC–MS analysis of phytocompounds and antihyperglycemic property of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.
Authors: Swargiary Ananta , Daimari Manita
Published: January 2021

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. is a popular medicinal plant of Assam having several ethnomedicinal values. The present study investigated the metallic content, phytochemical contents, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase enzymes inhibitory property of H. sibthorpioides using in-vitro and in-silico methods. Heavy metal contents were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. GC–MS was used to analyze the phytochemical compounds of the plant. Enzyme inhibition study was carried out by Spectrophotometry methods. The drug-likeness and toxicity properties of the phytocompounds were studied using SwissADME and ADMETlab databases. Docking and molecular visualizations were performed in AutoDock vina and Discovery studio tools. The study found that the extract of H. sibthorpioides contains a negligible amount of toxic elements. GC–MS analysis detected four compounds from the methanolic extract of the plant. Biochemical study showed considerable α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory property of the crude extract of H. sibthorpioides. The IC50 of the plant extracts were found to be 1.27 mg/ml and 430.39 µg/ml for α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, respectively. All four compounds were predicted to have potential drug-likeness properties with high cell membrane permeability, intestinal absorption, and less toxic effects. The docking study also showed strong binding affinities between the plant compounds and enzymes. Plant compound C2 showed an almost similar binding affinity with the α-amylase enzyme as compared to standard acarbose. The present study, thus, suggests the antihyperglycemic property of H. sibthorpioides and can be a potential source of antidiabetic drug candidates.
Potential flood frequency analysis and susceptibility mapping using CMIP5 of MIROC5 and HEC-RAS model: a case study of lower Dwarkeswar River, Eastern India
Authors: Malik Sadhan , Pal Subodh Chandra
Published: January 2021

Floods are one of the major concerns in the world today. The lower reaches of the river coming from the western side of West Bengal are often affected by floods. Thereby estimation and prediction of flood susceptibility in the light of climate change have become an urgent need for flood mitigation and is also the objective of this study. The historical floods (1978–2018) of the monsoon-dominated lower Dwarkeswar River, as well as the possibility of future floods (2020–2075), were investigated applying peak flow daily data. The possibilities of future flow and floods were estimated using rainfall data from MIROC5 of CMIP5 Global Circulation Model (GCM). Besides, four extreme value distribution functions like log-normal (LN), Log-Pearson Type III (LPT-3), Gumbel’s extreme value distribution (EV-I) and extreme value distribution-III (EV-III) were applied with different recurrence interval periods to estimate its probability of occurrences. The flood susceptibility maps were analyzed in HEC-RAS Rain-on-grid model and validated with Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. The result shows that Log-Pearson-Type-III can be very helpful to deal with flood frequency analysis with minimum value in Kolmogorov–Smirnov (K–S = 0.11676), Anderson–Darling (A–D = 0.55361) and Chi-squared test (0.909) and highest peak discharge 101.9, 844.9, 1322.5, 1946.2, 2387.9 and 2684.3 cubic metres can be observed for 1.5, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 75 years of return period. Weibull’s method of flood susceptibility mapping is more helpful for assessing the vulnerable areas with the highest area under curve value of 0.885. All the applied models of flood susceptibility, as well as the GCM model, are showing an increasing tendency of annual peak discharge and flood vulnerability. Therefore, this study can assist the planners to take the necessary preventive measures to combat floods.
Investigation of petroleum hydrocarbon pollution along the coastline of South Attica, Greece, after the sinking of the Agia Zoni ΙΙ oil tanker
Authors: Kapsalis Konstantinos , Kavvalou Maria , Damikouka Ioanna , Cavoura Olga
Published: January 2021

Oil spills at sea pose risks to the marine environment and to the economy of many nations. Marine ecosystems are very vulnerable and precious as producers of oxygen and as regulators of climate. Therefore, their protection and preservation are necessary. In the event of an oil spill, anthropogenic clean-up activities and natural weathering processes can minimize the negative effects on marine organisms, and the marine environment in general. The target of this study was to investigate the status of the sea along the coastline of the Saronic Gulf, Greece, a year after the sinking of the Agia Zoni II oil tanker. Seawater samples from 15 sampling locations from Phlisvos coast to Anavissos, an area easily approached by bathers with recreational interest, were collected and analysed for total petroleum hydrocarbons. Concentrations up to a maximum of 56.6 μg/L were detected. Despite the large extent of the initial hydrocarbon pollution, the immediate clean-up operations and natural weathering and/or sorption processes have reduced the impact of the spill on surface waters.
Genesis of the Yarikçi Hydrothermal Clay Deposit Within the Mesozoic Metamorphic Units, Mihaliççik, Eskişehir, Turkey
Authors: Kadİr Selahattİn , Erkoyun Hülya , Külah Tacİt
Published: January 2021

Hydrothermal alteration led to development of the Yarıkçı clay deposit within the Mesozoic chlorite-, muscovite-, chlorite-muscovite-schist, and garnet-graphite phyllite units along NW–SE- and N–S-trending faults in Mihalıççık in western central Anatolia. The geological, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics and genesis of this economically important clay deposit have not been examined in detail previously. The present study has attempted to fill this gap. Green smectitic and cream kaolinitic claystones are abundant with smaller amounts of gray illite, dark brown Fe oxides, and silica phases occurring as stockwork/fracture infill and stain/coating. These units are covered by a dark, hard, sharp-edged, and thick silica cap. Metamorphic units exhibit cataclastic texture due to tectonic activities. Muscovite is mostly degraded to kaolinite, and feldspars show sericitization and argillization. Kaolinite typically has a platy form with irregular margins and locally sub-rounded, book-like texture suggesting hydrolysis during the hydrothermal injections. The association of Fe oxides, cristobalite/tridymite/quartz, gypsum/anhydrite, and jarosite are indicative of intense hydrothermal activities and development of kaolinite under acidic geochemical conditions. The local enrichment of SiO2, Fe2O3, S, Cu, and Au also supports this suggestion. The leaching of Sr, Rb, Ba, and Zr, and the slight increase in LREE/MREE+HREE ratios together with the negative Eu and Ce anomalies suggest the selective dissolution of muscovite, garnet, feldspar, and pyroxene by the hydrothermal fluids. Thus, abundant claystones of smectite and kaolinite were formed via the increase in Al+Fe+Mg/Si and Al±Fe/Si ratios in the alkaline and acidic environment, respectively, under the tectonic control of hydrothermal activity as seen in the alteration of chlorite, muscovite, and feldspar in metamorphic units.
Non dispersive solutions of the generalized Korteweg-de Vries equations are typically multi-solitons
Authors: Friederich Xavier
Published: January 2021

We consider solutions of the generalized Korteweg-de Vries equations (gKdV) which are non dispersive in some sense and which remain close to multi-solitons. We show that these solutions are necessarily pure multi-solitons. For the Korteweg-de Vries equation (KdV) and the modified Korteweg-de Vries equation (mKdV) in particular, we obtain a characterization of multi-solitons and multi-breathers in terms of non dispersion.
Islam in a Zongo
Authors: Pontzen Benedikt
Published: January 2021

Zongos, wards in West Africa populated by traders and migrants from the northern savannahs and the Sahel, are a common sight in Ghana's Asante region where the people of these wards represent a dual-minority as both foreigners and Muslims in a largely Christian area, facing marginalisation as a result. Islam provides the people of the zongos with a common ground and shared values, becoming central to their identity and to their shared sense of community. This detailed account of Islamic lifeworlds highlights the irreducible diversity and complexity of 'everyday' lived religion among Muslims in a zongo community. Benedikt Pontzen traces the history of Muslim presence in the region and analyses three Islamic phenomena encountered in its zongos in detail: Islamic prayer practices, the authorisation of Islamic knowledge, and ardently contested divination and healing practices. Drawing on empirical and archival research, oral histories, and academic studies, he demonstrates how Islam is inextricably bound up with the diverse ways in which Muslims live it.
Effect of Travel Restrictions of Wuhan City Against COVID-19: A Modified SEIR Model Analysis
Authors: Li Yue , Hou Shike , Zhang Yongzhong , Liu Junfeng , Fan Haojun , Cao Chunxia
Published: January 2021

Objective:

Since December 2019, a new coronavirus viral was initially detected in Wuhan, China. Population migration increases the risk of epidemic transmission. Here, the objective of study is to estimate the output risk quantitatively and evaluate the effectiveness of travel restrictions of Wuhan city.

Methods:

We proposed a modified susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) dynamics model to predict the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptomatic and asymptomatic infections in Wuhan. And, subsequently, we estimated the export risk of COVID-19 epidemic from Wuhan to other provinces in China. Finally, we estimated the effectiveness of travel restrictions of Wuhan city quantitatively by the export risk on the assumption that the measure was postponed.

Results:

The export risks of COVID-19 varied from Wuhan to other provinces of China. The peak of export risk was January 21-23, 2020. With the travel restrictions of Wuhan delayed by 3, 5, and 7 d, the export risk indexes will increase by 38.50%, 55.89%, and 65.63%, respectively.

Conclusions:

The results indicate that the travel restrictions of Wuhan reduced the export risk and delayed the overall epidemic progression of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. The travel restrictions of Wuhan city may provide a reference for the control of the COVID-19 epidemic all over the world.