bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Translational Study on Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: High Incidence of Epileptiform Activity on Human and Rat Electrocorticograms and Histological Correlates in Rats
Authors: Komoltsev Ilia G. , Sinkin Mikhail V. , Volkova Aleksandra A. , Smirnova Elizaveta A. , Novikova Margarita R. , Kordonskaya Olga O. , Talypov Alexander E. , Guekht Alla B. , Krylov Vladimir V. , Gulyaeva Natalia V.
Published: August 2020

Background: In humans, early pathological activity on invasive electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and its putative association with pathomorphology in the early period of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains obscure. Methods: We assessed pathological activity on scalp electroencephalograms (EEGs) and ECoGs in patients with acute TBI, early electrophysiological changes after lateral fluid percussion brain injury (FPI), and electrophysiological correlates of hippocampal damage (microgliosis and neuronal loss), a week after TBI in rats. Results: Epileptiform activity on ECoGs was evident in 86% of patients during the acute period of TBI, ECoGs being more sensitive to epileptiform and periodic discharges. A “brush-like” ECoG pattern superimposed over rhythmic delta activity and periodic discharge was described for the first time in acute TBI. In rats, FPI increased high-amplitude spike incidence in the neocortex and, most expressed, in the ipsilateral hippocampus, induced hippocampal microgliosis and neuronal loss, ipsilateral dentate gyrus being most vulnerable, a week after TBI. Epileptiform spike incidence correlated with microglial cell density and neuronal loss in the ipsilateral hippocampus. Conclusion: Epileptiform activity is frequent in the acute period of TBI period and is associated with distant hippocampal damage on a microscopic level. This damage is probably involved in late consequences of TBI. The FPI model is suitable for exploring pathogenetic mechanisms of post-traumatic disorders.
18F-FDG, 11C-Methionine, and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT in Patients with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: Imaging Pattern and Clinical Features
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Dierks Alexander , Kertels Olivia , Kircher Malte , Schirbel Andreas , Samnick Samuel , Buck Andreas K. , Knorz Sebastian , Böckle David , Scheller Lukas , Messerschmidt Janin , Barakat Mohammad , Kortüm K. Martin , Rasche Leo , Einsele Hermann , Lapa Constantin
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to explore the correlation between imaging patterns and clinical features in patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) who simultaneously underwent 18F-FDG, 11C-Methionine, and 68Ga-Pentixafor positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). We retrieved and analyzed clinical characteristics and PET imaging data of 10 patients with SMM. We found a significant correlation between bone marrow (BM) plasma cell (PC) infiltration and mean standardized uptake values (SUVmean) of lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 on 11C-Methionine PET/CT scans (r = 0.676, p = 0.031) and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT scans (r = 0.839, p = 0.002). However, there was no significant correlation between BM involvement and SUVmean of lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 on 18F-FDG PET/CT scans (r = 0.558, p = 0.093). Similarly, mean target-to-background ratios (TBRmean) of lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 also correlated with bone marrow plasma cell (BMPC) infiltration in 11C-Methionine PET/CT (r = 0.789, p = 0.007) and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT (r = 0.724, p = 0.018) PET/CT. In contrast, we did not observe a significant correlation between BMPC infiltration rate and TBRmean in 18F-FDG PET/CT (r = 0.355, p = 0.313). Additionally, on 11C-Methionine PET/CT scans, we found a significant correlation between BMPC infiltration and TBRmax of lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 (r = 0.642, p = 0.045). In conclusion, 11C-Methionine and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT demonstrate higher sensitivity than 18F-FDG PET/CT in detecting BM involvement in SMM.
Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma: Current State, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Yang Minfeng , Oh In Young , Mahanty Arpan , Jin Wei-Lin , Yoo Jung Sun
Published: August 2020

Glioblastoma is the most lethal intracranial primary malignancy by no optimal treatment option. Cancer immunotherapy has achieved remarkable survival benefits against various advanced tumors, such as melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancer, thus triggering great interest as a new therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma. Moreover, the central nervous system has been rediscovered recently as a region for active immunosurveillance. There are vibrant investigations for successful glioblastoma immunotherapy despite the fact that initial clinical trial results are somewhat disappointing with unique challenges including T-cell dysfunction in the patients. This review will explore the potential of current immunotherapy modalities for glioblastoma treatment, especially focusing on major immune checkpoint inhibitors and the future strategies with novel targets and combo therapies. Immune-related adverse events and clinical challenges in glioblastoma immunotherapy are also summarized. Glioblastoma provides persistent difficulties for immunotherapy with a complex state of patients’ immune dysfunction and a variety of constraints in drug delivery to the central nervous system. However, rational design of combinational regimens and new focuses on myeloid cells and novel targets to circumvent current limitations hold promise to advent truly viable immunotherapy for glioblastoma.
Interphase Cytogenetic Analysis of G0 Lymphocytes Exposed to α-Particles, C-Ions, and Protons Reveals their Enhanced Effectiveness for Localized Chromosome Shattering—A Critical Risk for Chromothripsis
Authors: Pantelias Antonio , Zafiropoulos Demetre , Cherubini Roberto , Sarchiapone Lucia , De Nadal Viviana , Pantelias Gabriel E. , Georgakilas Alexandros G. , Terzoudi Georgia I.
Published: August 2020

For precision cancer radiotherapy, high linear energy transfer (LET) particle irradiation offers a substantial advantage over photon-based irradiation. In contrast to the sparse deposition of low-density energy by χ- or γ-rays, particle irradiation causes focal DNA damage through high-density energy deposition along the particle tracks. This is characterized by the formation of multiple damage sites, comprising localized clustered patterns of DNA single- and double-strand breaks as well as base damage. These clustered DNA lesions are key determinants of the enhanced relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of energetic nuclei. However, the search for a fingerprint of particle exposure remains open, while the mechanisms underlying the induction of chromothripsis-like chromosomal rearrangements by high-LET radiation (resembling chromothripsis in tumors) await to be elucidated. In this work, we investigate the transformation of clustered DNA lesions into chromosome fragmentation, as indicated by the induction and post-irradiation repair of chromosomal damage under the dynamics of premature chromosome condensation in G0 human lymphocytes. Specifically, this study provides, for the first time, experimental evidence that particle irradiation induces localized shattering of targeted chromosome domains. Yields of chromosome fragments and shattered domains are compared with those generated by γ-rays; and the RBE values obtained are up to 28.6 for α-particles (92 keV/μm), 10.5 for C-ions (295 keV/μm), and 4.9 for protons (28.5 keV/μm). Furthermore, we test the hypothesis that particle radiation-induced persistent clustered DNA lesions and chromatin decompaction at damage sites evolve into localized chromosome shattering by subsequent chromatin condensation in a single catastrophic event—posing a critical risk for random rejoining, chromothripsis, and carcinogenesis. Consistent with this hypothesis, our results highlight the potential use of shattered chromosome domains as a fingerprint of high-LET exposure, while conforming to the new model we propose for the mechanistic origin of chromothripsis-like rearrangements.
Is Host Metabolism the Missing Link to Improving Cancer Outcomes?
Authors: Wright Christopher M. , Shastri Anuradha A. , Bongiorno Emily , Palagani Ajay , Rodeck Ulrich , Simone Nicole L.
Published: August 2020

For the past 100 years, oncologists have relentlessly pursued the destruction of tumor cells by surgical, chemotherapeutic or radiation oncological means. Consistent with this focus, treatment plans are typically based on key characteristics of the tumor itself such as disease site, histology and staging based on local, regional and systemic dissemination. Precision medicine is similarly built on the premise that detailed knowledge of molecular alterations of tumor cells themselves enables better and more effective tumor cell destruction. Recently, host factors within the tumor microenvironment including the vasculature and immune systems have been recognized as modifiers of disease progression and are being targeted for therapeutic gain. In this review, we argue that—to optimize the impact of old and new treatment options—we need to take account of an epidemic that occurs independently of—but has major impact on—the development and treatment of malignant diseases. This is the rapidly increasing number of patients with excess weight and its’ attendant metabolic consequences, commonly described as metabolic syndrome. It is well established that patients with altered metabolism manifesting as obesity, metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation have an increased incidence of cancer. Here, we focus on evidence that these patients also respond differently to cancer therapy including radiation and provide a perspective how exercise, diet or pharmacological agents may be harnessed to improve therapeutic responses in this patient population.
Conditioning Intensity, Pre-Transplant Flow Cytometric Measurable Residual Disease, and Outcome in Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Morsink Linde M. , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Othus Megan , Palmieri Raffaele , Granot Noa , Bezerra Evandro D. , Wood Brent L. , Mielcarek Marco , Schoch Gary , Davis Chris , Flowers Mary E. D. , Deeg H. Joachim , Appelbaum Frederick R. , Storb Rainer , Walter Roland B.
Published: August 2020

How conditioning intensity is related to outcomes of AML patients undergoing allografting in morphologic remission is an area of great ongoing interest. We studied 743 patients in morphologic remission and known pre-transplant measurable residual disease (MRD) status determined by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) who received a first allograft after myeloablative, reduced intensity, or nonmyeloablative conditioning (MAC, RIC, and NMA). Overall, relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were longer after MAC than RIC or NMA conditioning, whereas relapse risks were not different. Among MRDpos patients, 3-year estimates of relapse risks and survival were similar across conditioning intensities. In contrast, among MRDneg patients, 3-year RFS and OS were longer for MAC (69% and 71%) than RIC (47% and 55%) and NMA conditioning (47% and 52%). Three-year relapse risks were lowest after MAC (18%) and highest after NMA conditioning (30%). Our data indicate an interaction between conditioning intensity, MFC-based pre-transplant MRD status, and outcome, with benefit of intensive conditioning primarily for patients transplanted in MRDneg remission. Differing from recent findings from other studies that indicated MAC is primarily beneficial for some or all patients with MRDpos pre-HCT status, our data suggest MAC should still be considered for MRDneg AML patients if tolerated.
A Biobank of Colorectal Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts
Authors: Abdirahman Suad M. , Christie Michael , Preaudet Adele , Burstroem Marie C. U. , Mouradov Dmitri , Lee Belinda , Sieber Oliver M. , Putoczki Tracy L.
Published: August 2020

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a challenging disease, with a high mortality rate and limited effective treatment options, particularly for late-stage disease. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) have emerged as an informative, renewable experimental resource to model CRC architecture and biology. Here, we describe the generation of a biobank of CRC PDXs from stage I to stage IV patients. We demonstrate that PDXs within our biobank recapitulate the histopathological and mutation features of the original patient tumor. In addition, we demonstrate the utility of this resource in pre-clinical chemotherapy and targeted treatment studies, highlighting the translational potential of PDX models in the identification of new therapies that will improve the overall survival of CRC patients.
A Mathematical Model to Predict Diagnostic Periods for Secondary Distant Metastases in Patients with ER/PR/HER2/Ki-67 Subtypes of Breast Cancer
Authors: Tyuryumina Ella Ya. , Neznanov Alexey A. , Turumin Jacob L.
Published: August 2020

Previously, a consolidated mathematical model of primary tumor (PT) growth and secondary distant metastasis (sdMTS) growth in breast cancer (BC) (CoMPaS) was presented. The aim was to detect the diagnostic periods for visible sdMTS via CoMPaS in patients with different subtypes ER/PR/HER2/Ki-67 (Estrogen Receptor/Progesterone Receptor/Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2/Ki-67 marker) of breast cancer. CoMPaS is based on an exponential growth model and complementing formulas, and the model corresponds to the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system and BC subtypes (ER/PR/HER2/Ki-67). The CoMPaS model reflects (1) the subtypes of BC, such as ER/PR/HER2/Ki-67, and (2) the growth processes of the PT and sdMTSs in BC patients without or with lymph node metastases (MTSs) in accordance with the eighth edition American Joint Committee on Cancer prognostic staging system for breast cancer. CoMPaS correctly describes the growth of the PT in the ER/PR/HER2/Ki-67 subtypes of BC patients and helps to calculate the different diagnostic periods, depending on the tumor volume doubling time of sdMTS, when sdMTSs might appear. CoMPaS and the corresponding software tool can help (1) to start the early treatment of small sdMTSs in BC patients with different tumor subtypes (ER/PR/HER2/Ki-67), and (2) to consider the patient almost healthy if sdMTSs do not appear during the different diagnostic periods.
Annexin A2 Mediates Dysferlin Accumulation and Muscle Cell Membrane Repair
Authors: Bittel Daniel C. , Chandra Goutam , Tirunagri Laxmi M. S. , Deora Arun B. , Medikayala Sushma , Scheffer Luana , Defour Aurelia , Jaiswal Jyoti K.
Published: August 2020

Muscle cell plasma membrane is frequently damaged by mechanical activity, and its repair requires the membrane protein dysferlin. We previously identified that, similar to dysferlin deficit, lack of annexin A2 (AnxA2) also impairs repair of skeletal myofibers. Here, we have studied the mechanism of AnxA2-mediated muscle cell membrane repair in cultured muscle cells. We find that injury-triggered increase in cytosolic calcium causes AnxA2 to bind dysferlin and accumulate on dysferlin-containing vesicles as well as with dysferlin at the site of membrane injury. AnxA2 accumulates on the injured plasma membrane in cholesterol-rich lipid microdomains and requires Src kinase activity and the presence of cholesterol. Lack of AnxA2 and its failure to translocate to the plasma membrane, both prevent calcium-triggered dysferlin translocation to the plasma membrane and compromise repair of the injured plasma membrane. Our studies identify that Anx2 senses calcium increase and injury-triggered change in plasma membrane cholesterol to facilitate dysferlin delivery and repair of the injured plasma membrane.
On the Use of Concentrated Time–Frequency Representations as Input to a Deep Convolutional Neural Network: Application to Non Intrusive Load Monitoring
Authors: Houidi Sarra , Fourer Dominique , Auger François
Published: August 2020

Since decades past, time–frequency (TF) analysis has demonstrated its capability to efficiently handle non-stationary multi-component signals which are ubiquitous in a large number of applications. TF analysis us allows to estimate physics-related meaningful parameters (e.g., F0, group delay, etc.) and can provide sparse signal representations when a suitable tuning of the method parameters is used. On another hand, deep learning with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) is the current state-of-the-art approach for pattern recognition and allows us to automatically extract relevant signal features despite the fact that the trained models can suffer from a lack of interpretability. Hence, this paper proposes to combine together these two approaches to take benefit of their respective advantages and addresses non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) which consists of identifying a home electrical appliance (HEA) from its measured energy consumption signal as a “toy” problem. This study investigates the role of the TF representation when synchrosqueezed or not, used as the input of a 2D CNN applied to a pattern recognition task. We also propose a solution for interpreting the information conveyed by the trained CNN through different neural architecture by establishing a link with our previously proposed “handcrafted” interpretable features thanks to the layer-wise relevant propagation (LRP) method. Our experiments on the publicly available PLAID dataset show excellent appliance recognition results (accuracy above 97%) using the suitable TF representation and allow an interpretation of the trained model.
Blue-Light Levels Emitted from Portable Electronic Devices Compared to Sunlight
Authors: Moyano David Baeza , Sola Yolanda , González-Lezcano Roberto Alonso
Published: August 2020

Over recent years, a technological revolution has taken place in which conventional lighting has been replaced by light emitting diodes (LEDs). Some studies have shown the possibility that blue light from these artificial sources could have deleterious effects on the retina. Considering that people spend a non-negligible time in front of screens from computers and mobile phones, the eyes receive blue light of different intensities depending on the source. Nevertheless, any study about the visual and non-visual effects of blue light must consider precise measurements taken from actual artificial sources. For this reason, we have analyzed the spectral emission of 10 different electronic devices and weighted them according to the hazard caused by blue light to the eyes, comparing the results with solar radiation simulated with a radiative transfer model. The maximum spectral irradiance of the measured electronic devices at 10 cm from the detector was located between 440 nm and 460 nm. The irradiance for blue light hazard ranged from 0.008 to 0.230 Wm−2 depending on the particular characteristics of each electronic device. In contrast, the solar radiances in the same spectral range are larger both under clear and cloudy conditions.
Do Tense Geopolitical Factors Drive Crude Oil Prices?
Authors: Li Fen , Huang Zhehao , Zhong Junhao , Albitar Khaldoon
Published: August 2020

Geopolitical factors are considered a crucial factor that makes a difference in crude oil prices. Over the last three decades, many political events occurred frequently, causing short-term fluctuations in crude oil prices. This paper aims to examine the dynamic correlation and causal link between geopolitical factors and crude oil prices based on data from June 1987 to February 2020. By using a time-varying copula approach, it is shown that the correlation between geopolitical factors and crude oil prices is strong during periods of political tensions. The GPA (geopolitical acts) index, as the real factor, drives the rise in prices of crude oil. Moreover, the dynamic correlation between geopolitical factors and crude oil prices shows strong volatility over time during periods of political tensions. We also found unidirectional causality running from geopolitical factors to crude oil prices by using the Granger causality test.
Application of Multi-Parameter Fuzzy Optimization to Enhance Performance of a Regulated Two-Stage Turbocharged Diesel Engine Operating at High Altitude
Authors: Xia Meng , Zhang Fujun
Published: August 2020

Air intake and fuel supply conditions are the major factors that affect diesel engine performance at plateau. In a regulated two-stage turbocharged diesel engine, these parameters are reflected as the adjustment of fuel injection mass (mfuel), fuel injection advance angle, and bypass valve opening of a high-pressure stage (HP) turbine. Due to the strongly nonlinear nature and complexity of the diesel engine, it is difficult to find the proper parameter combinations. That is why a model-based optimization method is adopted in this paper. The simulation model of a six-cylinder two-stage turbocharged diesel engine is built on the GT-SUITE platform. According to the analysis of diesel engine operation characteristics at high altitude, a fuzzy optimization algorithm is proposed based on a fuzzy logic controller and is realized in a MATLAB/simulink (MATLAB 2014, Mathworks, Natick, MA, USA) environment. Joint optimization of air intake and fuel supply parameters is then performed on the GT-MATLAB co-simulation platform. Results show that engine torque at full load is significantly increased. At the full load point of 2100 r/min, engine power is increased from 256.5 to 319.6 kW, and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) is reduced from 243.1 to 222.3 g/(kW·h). Peak torque is increased from 1944.8 to 2173.2 N·m.
Energy Consumption Prediction in Vietnam with an Artificial Neural Network-Based Urban Growth Model
Authors: Lee Hye-Yeong , Jang Kee Moon , Kim Youngchul
Published: August 2020

In developing countries, energy planning is important in the development planning due to high rates of economic growth and energy demand. However, existing approaches of energy prediction, using gross domestic product, hardly demonstrate how much energy specific regions or cities may need in the future. Thus, this study seeks to predict the amount of energy demand by considering urban growth as a crucial factor for investigating where and how much energy is needed. An artificial neural network is used to forecast energy patterns in Vietnam, which is a quickly developing country and seeks to have an adequate energy supply. Urban growth factors, population, and night-time light intensity are collected as an indicator of energy use. The proposed urban-growth model is trained with data of the years 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010, and predicts the light distribution in 2015. We validated the model by comparing the predicted result with actual light data to display the spatial characteristics of energy-consumption patterns in Vietnam. In particular, the model with urban growth factors estimated energy consumption more closely to the actual consumption. This spatial prediction in Vietnam is expected to help plan geo-locational energy demands.
Zero-Airgap Induction Motor Used to Drive a Transmission Oil Pump
Authors: Popa Dan-Cristian , Jurca Nicolae-Florin , Inte Razvan Alexandru , Hrusch Nicholas , Hemphill Jeff , Cantemir Codrin G.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we propose a novel study concerning the future use of a zero-airgap induction motor in applications related to transmission oil pumps. The name of the machine comes from the fact that the rotor touches the stator as it spins. The use of such an eccentric motor provides the possibility to remove the mechanical part that is typically found in the transmission oil pump, increasing its efficiency in this way. We focused on determining the optimum variant of a zero-airgap small power induction motor from the point of view of the electrical and mechanical performance. As such, 18 topologies of induction motors with various numbers of pole pairs and rotor bars were designed and numerically analyzed. For the best variant from each category, different eccentricities were considered to evaluate this effect over the performances of the motors. For the best candidate, various analyses were performed in order to demonstrate the validity of this solution for the proposed application. Elements regarding the thermal analysis of this structure are also presented here.
Validation of a RANS 3D-CFD Gaseous Emission Model with Space-, Species-, and Cycle-Resolved Measurements from an SI DI Engine
Authors: Esposito Stefania , Mally Max , Cai Liming , Pitsch Heinz , Pischinger Stefan
Published: August 2020

Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of gaseous emissions from combustion engines are very demanding due to the complex geometry, the emissions formation mechanisms, and the transient processes inside the cylinders. The validation of emission simulation is challenging because of modeling simplifications, fundamental differences from reality (e.g., fuel surrogates), and difficulty in the comparison with measured emission values, which depend on the measuring position. In this study, detailed gaseous emission data were acquired for a spark ignition (SI) direct-injection (DI) single-cylinder engine (SCE) fueled with a toluene reference fuel (TRF) surrogate to allow precise comparison with simulations. Multiple devices in different sampling locations were used for the measurement of average emission concentration, as well as hydrocarbon (HC) cycle- and species-resolved values. A RANS 3D-CFD methodology to predict gaseous pollutants was developed and validated with this experimental database. For precise validation, the emission comparison was performed in the exact same locations as the pollutants were measured. Additionally, the same surrogate fuel used in the measurements was defined in the simulation. To focus on the emission prediction, the pressure and heat release traces were reproduced by calibrating a G-equation flame propagation model. The differences of simulation results with measurements were within 4% for CO2, while for O2 and NO, the deviations were within 26%. CO emissions were generally overestimated probably because of inaccuracies in mixture formation. For HC emissions, deviations up to 50% were observed possibly due to inexact estimation of the influence of the piston-ring crevice geometry. The reasonable prediction accuracy in the RANS context makes the method a useful framework for the analysis of emissions from SI engines, as well as for mechanism validation under engine relevant conditions.
Data Augmentation for Electricity Theft Detection Using Conditional Variational Auto-Encoder
Authors: Gong Xuejiao , Tang Bo , Zhu Ruijin , Liao Wenlong , Song Like
Published: August 2020

Due to the strong concealment of electricity theft and the limitation of inspection resources, the number of power theft samples mastered by the power department is insufficient, which limits the accuracy of power theft detection. Therefore, a data augmentation method for electricity theft detection based on the conditional variational auto-encoder (CVAE) is proposed. Firstly, the stealing power curves are mapped into low dimensional latent variables by using the encoder composed of convolutional layers, and the new stealing power curves are reconstructed by the decoder composed of deconvolutional layers. Then, five typical attack models are proposed, and the convolutional neural network is constructed as a classifier according to the data characteristics of stealing power curves. Finally, the effectiveness and adaptability of the proposed method is verified by a smart meters’ data set from London. The simulation results show that the CVAE can take into account the shapes and distribution characteristics of samples at the same time, and the generated stealing power curves have the best effect on the performance improvement of the classifier than the traditional augmentation methods such as the random oversampling method, synthetic minority over-sampling technique, and conditional generative adversarial network. Moreover, it is suitable for different classifiers.
Investigating the Width of Isolated Coal Pillars in Deep Hard-Strata Mines for Prevention of Mine Seismicity and Rockburst
Authors: Wang Bo , Zhu Sitao , Jiang Fuxing , Liu Jinhai , Shang Xiaoguang , Zhang Xiufeng
Published: August 2020

In deep mines, a reasonable design of the widths of isolated coal pillars (ICPs) is critically important, particularly for hard-strata mines. This is because the frequent occurrence of mine seismicity (MS) and rockburst in deep mines often arises from the inappropriate widths of the remnant ICPs. To address this problem, this paper takes the ICP of Yingpanhao Coal Mine in Inner Mongolia in China as the engineering case study and then presents a mechanical model to illuminate the occurrence mechanism of MS induced by the mining on both sides of ICPs. The results indicate that, after the mining on both sides of ICPs, the ICPs will produce a vertical compressive deformation, and the overlying high main key stratum (MKS) will experience a flexure deformation. When the limited deflection of MKS is less than the compression of ICPs, the MKS will be fractured, and the released energy may lead to MS. Based on the mechanism model, a design criterion is proposed for ICP widths; this criterion can effectively reduce the risk of the induced rockburst and MS. Then the occurrence mechanism of MS and the design basis for ICP width are verified by numerical simulation and field microseismic monitoring. The results in this paper may be used as a theoretical guidance for rational ICP design in deep mines and may help mitigate the risk of rockburst and MS from early mining stages.
Effect of Premixed n-Butanol Ratio on the Initial Stage of Combustion in a Light-Duty Butanol/Diesel Dual-Fuel Engine
Authors: Tian Wei , Zhang Hongchuan , Wang Lenian , Han Zhiqiang , Yu Wenbin
Published: August 2020

The impact of premixed n-butanol mixture on the heat release rate was investigated based on a modified light-duty diesel engine. The results show that reactivity stratification is formed in the cylinder through n-butanol port fuel injection (PFI) and diesel direct injection (DI). The initial heat release rate of the diesel/butanol dual-fuel combustion is restrained due to the low ignitability of butanol and the high volatility. Because of the auto-ignition of diesel, premixed n-butanol undergoes a high-temperature reaction, which has an active influence on the heat releasing of diesel/butanol dual-fuel combustion. With the increase of the amount of premixed n-butanol injected, the heat release rate in the initial combustion period has a critical value. When the n-butanol injection quantity is less than 13 mg/cycle, the initial heat release rate of dual-fuel combustion is lower than the pure diesel combustion because the lean premixed n-butanol/air mixture limits the flame propagation. When the fuel injection rate of n-butanol is higher than 13 mg/cycle, the heat release rate is accelerated, leading to obvious flame propagation.
Comparison and Analysis of Radial and Tangential Bending of Softwood and Hardwood at Static and Dynamic Loading
Authors: Borůvka Vlastimil , Novák David , Šedivka Přemysl
Published: August 2020

This paper should primarily lead to a targeted expansion of the database dealing with bending characteristics, and thus help to understand the static and dynamic bending strength depending on the direction of external forces. Wood is very often used in the structural elements of buildings and wood products (e.g., furniture), in which there is both a static load, and in many cases a dynamic load, whilst the direction of loading is usually not considered. Specifically, the paper focuses on determining the bending strength and impact strength of seven economically-important wood species in the Czech Republic. The research includes not only the above-mentioned strength characteristics, but also the elastic characteristics, i.e., the static modulus of elasticity, and the dynamic modules of elasticity determined using the ultrasound and resonance methods. The procedure was methodologically in accordance with the valid harmonized standards or the usual methodological regulations. The most significant finding can be considered that the largest difference of the mean values of impact strength in the radial direction to the tangential direction was recorded for spruce wood, namely 50.3%. Slightly smaller differences were observed for larch wood, i.e., 41.2%. Minor differences of around 20% were recorded for beech, ash and oak wood. A difference with the opposite trend was recorded for birch wood rather than for the above-mentioned woods, namely −9.5%. Linden wood showed almost no difference (−0.8%). With regard to static bending strength, it was found that the largest difference (radial/tangential) was recorded for oak wood, i.e., 7.9%, while smaller differences were found for linden wood amounting to 6.6% and birch 4.7%. For spruce, larch, beech and ash wood, these differences are negligible. Another finding is that the dynamic modules of elasticity are greatly overestimated compared to static modules of elasticity. In the case of the examined wood of coniferous trees, these differences were up to a maximum of 20%. For wood of wood species with a diffuse-porous structure of wood, the differences were more pronounced, i.e., the range of 36% to 68%, and for wood species with a ring-porous structure in the range of 21% to 43%.
Estimating Carbon Efficiency of Bioenergy Systems in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley
Authors: Masum Md Farhad H. , Mehmood Sayeed R. , Pelkki Matthew H. , Liechty Hal O.
Published: August 2020

Due to climate change and energy security concerns, bioenergy products and systems are becoming increasingly important, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can provide a better understanding of their carbon efficiency. In this study, we used a cradle-to-grave LCA to analyze the carbon efficiency of a cottonwood-switchgrass agroforest system grown on agriculturally marginal soils on three sites established in 2009 in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV). A complete carbon inventory was done for both the agroforestry bioenergy system and a control cropping system that rotated soybeans and grain sorghum. Three years after establishment, the cottonwood sequestered the highest amount of carbon in dead roots, live roots, and surface residues (3222 kg ha−1) and the switchgrass sequestered the highest amount of carbon in above-ground biomass (4233 kg ha−1). The maximum carbon was emitted (1733 kg ha−1) from the soybean/grain sorghum rotation production system. The carbon emission during production was not statistically different for the bioenergy crops. Carbon emission from both bioenergy crops were significantly different compared to traditional agricultural crops. At the end of the third growing season, cottonwood showed the best performance in the net (6.2) and gross (11.8) ratios of carbon balance. The gross ratio of carbon by switchgrass (11.6) was comparable to cottonwood, but the net ratio was approximately 50% (3.3). The net and gross ratios of carbon balance were positive for the control cropping system as well, 1.2 and 2.2 respectively. Carbon emission from the traditional agricultural production system was at least 234% higher compared to the dedicated bioenergy production system. It was evident that bioenergy crops provide a more environmentally efficient practice in terms of carbon balance than the traditional agricultural practice in the Lower Mississippi alluvial Valley.
Optimal Harvesting Decision Paths When Timber and Water Have an Economic Value in Uneven Forests
Authors: Ovando Paola , Speich Matthias
Published: August 2020

We developed an uneven-aged forest economic decision-making framework that combines: (i) a size-structured matrix model, based on growth and mortality predictions of a dynamic process-based forest landscape model, (ii) an optimal control model that determines the dynamics of control and state variables, which in turn are defined by tree harvesting and forest stock, respectively, and (iii) a water yield function that depends on changes in the leaf area index (LAI), the latter being affected by forest management. This framework was used to simulate the effects of economic-driven harvesting decisions on water yields on a catchment of South-Western Swiss Alps when both timber and water benefits are considered. Water benefits are estimated as environmental prices considering current water demands for drinking, irrigation and hydropower production. We simulated optimal harvesting decisions given the initial forest structure at each 200 m × 200 m grid cells, a set of restrictions to harvesting, and specific species survival, recruitment and growth probabilities, all of which are affected by the stand’s LAI. We applied this model using different harvesting restriction levels over a period of 20 to 40-years, and accounting for single and joint timber and water benefits. The results suggested that at the environmental prices estimated at the catchment area, water benefits have a slight influence on harvesting decisions, but when water is accounted for, harvesting decisions would include more tree species and different diameter classes, which, in principle, is expected to favor more diverse forest structures.
Leaching Behaviors of Chromium(III) and Ammonium-Nitrogen from a Tannery Sludge in North China: Comparison of Batch and Column Investigations
Authors: Kong Xiangke , Wang Yanyan , Ma Lisha , Huang Guoxin , Zhang Zhaoji , Han Zhantao
Published: August 2020

Tannery sludge usually has high content of trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) and ammonium-nitrogen (NH4+-N). It is important to make a critical evaluation of the releasing behaviors of Cr(III) and NH4+-N from tannery sludge before its use on improving soil fertility in agricultural applications. For this purpose, static batch and dynamic leaching experiments with different mathematical models were carried out to simulate the Cr(III) and NH4+-N releasing kinetics from tannery sludge sampled in a typical tannery disposal site in North China, and their influencing factors were also discussed. The results showed that a larger solid-liquid ratio, a higher temperature, and a lower pH value of the leaching solution were beneficial for the release of Cr(III) and NH4+-N from the tannery sludge. The release kinetics of Cr(III) and NH4+-N followed parabolic diffusion and simple Elovich models both in the static and dynamic leaching conditions, indicating that the release was a complex heterogeneous diffusion process. The NH4+-N was easy to be leached out and its released amount reached 3.14 mg/g under the dynamic leaching condition (pH 7), whereas the released amount of the Cr(III) was only 0.27 μg/g from the tannery sludge. There was a positive correlation coefficient between dissolved Fe and Cr(III) in the leachate under different leaching conditions, and the calculated average ratio of Fe/Cr(III) concentration was 3.56, indicating that the small amount of the released Cr(III) came from the dissolution of Cr0.25Fe0.75(OH)3 minerals in tannery sludge.
The Impact of Implementing a Namaste Care Intervention in UK Care Homes for People Living with Advanced Dementia, Staff and Families
Authors: Latham Isabelle , Brooker Dawn , Bray Jennifer , Jacobson-Wright Nicola , Frost Faith
Published: August 2020

Care homes can struggle to provide optimal care for residents with advanced dementia. Namaste Care provides a structured daily programme of physical, sensory and emotional care delivered by regular care workers. A three-year, mixed method process study of implementation and impact created a manualised Namaste Care Intervention for UK care homes (NCI-UK). This article reports on the impact of NCI-UK delivered consistently in five care homes for 12–24 weeks. Impact for residents was assessed using, pre-post data, showing significant positive effects for QUALID (t = 2.92, p = 0.01, n = 31) and CMAI (t = 3.31, p = 0.002, n = 32), alongside many qualitative examples of positive impacts on wellbeing, responsiveness and communication. Pre-post staff questionnaire data (n = 20) were not significant. Qualitative data indicated that NCI-UK is a positive staff experience, providing sense of purpose, improved wellbeing and relationships. The care homes reported benefiting from implementing NCI-UK in terms of reputation and quality improvement. Family interviews were also positive, relating to seeing the difference, improving relationships and being involved. NCI-UK can therefore be recommended as an impactful intervention for residents, staff and families.
Migration Status, Internet Use, and Social Participation among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: Consequences for Depression
Authors: Liu Qian , Pan Haimin , Wu Yuanyuan
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to examine the underlying relationship between migration status and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in China. Data were derived from three waves of panel data (2011, 2013, and 2015) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Two-level regression models and generalized structural equation modeling were run to fit the data. The results showed that migration status of the respondents could ameliorate their depression (β = −0.02, p < 0.01), so did internet use (β = −0.02, p < 0.001), and social participation (β = −0.06, p < 0.001). The indirect effects of migration status on depression through internet use and of internet use on depression through social participation existed. The effects of migration status, internet use, and social participation in decreasing depression were discussed. Provided the associations among migration status, internet use, social participation, and depression, attention should be paid on increasing protective aspects of migration among middle-aged and older adults, such as internet use and social participation, to enhance their mental health.
Factors Influencing Medication Non-Adherence among Chinese Older Adults with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Xu Ningze , Xie Shiyu , Chen Yingyao , Li Jiajia , Sun Long
Published: August 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of medication non-adherence among older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Shandong province, China and to identify its influencing factors. Methods: A sample of 1002 older adults aged 60 or above with DM was analyzed. Medication adherence was measured using the Morisky–Green–Levine (MGL) Medication Adherence Scale. Descriptive statistical analysis, chi-square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed. Results: The prevalence of self-reported medication non-adherence among older adults with DM was 19.9%. Female respondents (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.09–2.24) and respondents who perceived medication adherence to be unimportant (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.05–2.74) were more likely to experience medication non-adherence. Respondents with 5 years of disease duration or longer were less likely (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.46–0.87) to experience medication non-adherence. Conclusions: This study showed that about one out of five older adults with DM in Shandong province, China, experienced medication non-adherence, and that gender, disease duration and perceived importance of medication adherence were associated with medication non-adherence in this population group. Provision of counseling and health education programs could be the future priority to raise patients’ awareness of the importance of medication adherence and improve patients’ self-management of DM.
Bioremediation of Hexavalent Chromium by Chromium Resistant Bacteria Reduces Phytotoxicity
Authors: Hossan Shanewaz , Hossain Saddam , Islam Mohammad Rafiqul , Kabir Mir Himayet , Ali Sobur , Islam Md Shafiqul , Imran Khan Mohammad , Moniruzzaman M. , Mou Taslin Jahan , Parvez Anowar Khasru , Mahmud Zahid Hayat
Published: August 2020

Chromium (Cr) (VI) has long been known as an environmental hazard that can be reduced from aqueous solutions through bioremediation by living cells. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of reduction and biosorption of Cr(VI) by chromate resistant bacteria isolated from tannery effluent. From 28 screened Cr(VI) resistant isolates, selected bacterial strain SH-1 was identified as Klebsiella sp. via 16S rRNA sequencing. In Luria–Bertani broth, the relative reduction level of Cr(VI) was 95%, but in tannery effluent, it was 63.08% after 72 h of incubation. The cell-free extract of SH-1 showed a 72.2% reduction of Cr(VI), which indicated a higher activity of Cr(VI) reducing enzyme than the control. Live and dead biomass of SH-1 adsorbed 51.25 mg and 29.03 mg Cr(VI) per gram of dry weight, respectively. Two adsorption isotherm models—Langmuir and Freundlich—were used for the illustration of Cr(VI) biosorption using SH-1 live biomass. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed an increased cell size of the treated biomass when compared to the controlled biomass, which supports the adsorption of reduced Cr on the biomass cell surface. Fourier-transform infrared analysis indicated that Cr(VI) had an effect on bacterial biomass, including quantitative and structural modifications. Moreover, the chickpea seed germination study showed beneficial environmental effects that suggest possible application of the isolate for the bioremediation of toxic Cr(VI).
Coping Strategies, Quality of Life, and Neurological Outcome in Patients Treated with Mechanical Thrombectomy after an Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Reverté-Villarroya Silvia , Dávalos Antoni , Font-Mayolas Sílvia , Berenguer-Poblet Marta , Sauras-Colón Esther , López-Pablo Carlos , Sanjuan-Menéndez Estela , Muñoz-Narbona Lucía , Suñer-Soler Rosa
Published: August 2020

New reperfusion therapies have improved the clinical recovery rates of acute ischemic stroke patients (AISP), but it is not known whether other factors, such as the ability to cope, might also have an effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endovascular treatment (EVT) on coping strategies, quality of life, and neurological and functional outcomes in AISP at 3 months and 1 year post-stroke. A multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, and comparative study of a sub-study of the participants in the Endovascular Revascularization with Solitaire Device versus Best Medical Therapy in Anterior Circulation Stroke within 8 Hours (REVASCAT) clinical trial was conducted after recruiting from two stroke centers in Catalonia, Spain. The cohort consisted of 82 ischemic stroke patients (n = 42 undergoing EVT and n = 40 undergoing standard best medical treatment (BMT) as a control group), enrolled between 2013–2015. We assessed the coping strategies using the Brief Coping Questionnaire (Brief-COPE-28), the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the EQ-5D questionnaire, and the neurological and functional status using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Stroke Impact Scale-16 (SIS-16). Bivariate analyses and multivariate linear regression models were used. EVT patients were the ones that showed better neurological and functional outcomes, and more patients presented reporting no pain/discomfort at 3 months; paradoxically, problem-focused coping strategies were found to be significantly higher in patients treated with BMT at 1 year.