bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The transition from meandering river delta to braided river delta: Depositional characteristics and controlling factors from the second member of Shanxi Formation to the eighth member of Lower Shihezi Formation in Southeastern Ordos Basin
Authors: Min Wenwei , Deng Hongwen , Xia Shiqiang , Ye Dongqing
Published: August 2020

The Ordos Basin, as one of the most petroliferous basins in China, hosts 12.9 billion tons of oil reserves and 15.2 trillion cubic meters of natural gas reserves. The extensive hydrocarbon exploration and production shows that the southeastern Ordos Basin contains considerable potential in the Shanxi Formation and Lower Shihezi Formation. In this study, cores, wireline logs, thin sections, and heavy minerals are employed to carry out research on classification of sequence stratigraphy, identification of sedimentary facies, reconstruction of palaeo‐geomorphology, analysis of sediment supply, palaeo‐climate, and accommodation space changes. The results indicate that palaeo‐geomorphology gradient tends to be steep, which results in increasing hydrodynamics and turns to be wide and flat which results in decreasing accommodation space. In addition, heavy mineral distribution reveals the direction of sediment supply which indicates provenance changes. The palaeo‐climate changes commonly cause differences in lithology associations, monsoon and vegetation properties. The differences in temperature and humidity result in different colours of lithology associations which indicate various sedimentary environments. The prevalence of monsoon assists in the preservation of fluvial delta by controlling lateral migration of rivers through affecting vegetation and lithology associations. The accommodation space variations control the development of fluvial delta and result in various depositional characteristics of fluvial delta. All these factors trigger the transition from meandering river delta to braided river delta. The reconstruction of the transition and analysis of controlling factors play an important role on understanding the sedimentary evolution of analogous reservoir successions.
Analytical solutions to runoff on hillslopes with curvature: numerical and laboratory verification
Authors: Lapides Dana A. , David Cy , Sytsma Anneliese , Dralle David , Thompson Sally
Published: August 2020

Predicting the behavior of overland flow with analytical solutions to the kinematic wave equation is appealing due to its relative ease of implementation. Such simple solutions, however, have largely been constrained to applications on simple planar hillslopes. This study presents analytical solutions to the kinematic wave equation for hillslopes with modest topographic curvature that causes divergence or convergence of runoff flowpaths. The solution averages flow depths along changing hillslope contours whose lengths vary according hillslope width function, and results in a one‐dimensional approximation to the two‐dimensional flow field. The solutions are tested against both two‐dimensional numerical solutions to the kinematic wave equation (in ParFlow) and against experiments that use rainfall simulation on machined hillslopes with defined curvature properties. Excellent agreement between numerical, experimental and analytical solutions is found for hillslopes with mild to moderate curvature. The solutions show that curvature drives large changes in maximum flow rate qpeak and time of concentration tc, predictions frequently used in engineering hydrologic design and analysis.
Corporate governance and performance in sports organisations: The case of UK premier leagues
Authors: Malagila John K. , Zalata Alaa M. , Ntim Collins G. , Elamer Ahmed A.
Published: August 2020

A considerable amount of accounting, economics and finance studies have investigated the link between corporate governance (CG) and performance in profit and non‐profit organisations. This paper departs from the existing literature by investigating the relationship between CG structures and both financial performance (FP, measured as return on assets (ROA) and equity (ROE)) and non‐financial performance, measured as league points won (NFP‐Points), of sports organisations with specific focus on UK premier leagues' football (soccer) teams. We collect data relating to CG structures, FP and NFP‐Points of football clubs playing in the four UK premier leagues in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales along with the English Championship teams over the 2011–2016 period. We analyse our data relating to 80 football clubs over a 6‐year period (generating 397 club‐year observations) by running a number of multivariate analyses to test our hypotheses. Our findings are as follows. First, we find that NFP‐Points is higher in clubs with larger boards, non‐executive directors (NED), CEO role duality, and higher percentage of foreign and/or younger directors, but lower in firms with higher percentage of female directors. Second and by contrast, we find that the relationship between these same set of variables and FP is, however, insignificant except for boards with NED that remained significant and negatively related to ROA. Our findings appear to reflect the prioritisation of on‐the‐field performance over off‐the‐field performance by sports organisations. Our evidence is largely robust to using alternative measures and estimation models.
Do the Shanghai–Hong Kong & Shenzhen–Hong Kong Stock Connect programs enhance co‐movement between the Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong, and U.S. stock markets?
Authors: Li Shuangqi , Chen Qi‐an
Published: August 2020

The Shanghai–Hong Kong Stock Connect (SH–HK–SC) and Shenzhen–Hong Kong Stock Connect (SZ–HK–SC) programs aim to strengthen the openness of Mainland Chinese stock market. They are considered milestones in the development process of the Mainland Chinese capital market. This paper studies the effects of the SH–HK–SC and SZ–HK–SC programs on the co‐movement between the Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong and U.S. stock markets in terms of dynamic conditional correlation by the t‐copula–DCC–GARCH model. We find that both programs do not substantively enhance the daily price co‐movements among the examined markets for all pairs except the Hong Kong–U.S. pair. The combination effect of the programs significantly enhances the weekly price co‐movements between the Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong, or U.S. stock market after the SZ–HK–SC program, with an insignificant effect on the Hong Kong–U.S. pair. Although the multiple breakpoint tests for the daily data and weekly data exhibit somewhat different results, the structural breakpoints of the dynamic correlation coefficients among the stock markets easily appear during the subprime crisis. Some possible explanations are provided for the results, and correspondent suggestions are given for investors and policymakers.
Systemic treatment for coexisting mucinous urethral adenocarcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma
Authors: Nezu Kunihisa , Okubo Teppei , Shiraiwa Manabu , Nozawa Yoshihiro , Kyan Atsushi
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Mucinous urethral adenocarcinoma is a rare and progressive cancer of the prostatic urethra. Reports on palliative systemic treatment for mucinous urethral adenocarcinoma are few. We present a case of coexisting mucinous urethral and prostate adenocarcinomas managed with systemic treatment.

Case presentation

A 66‐year‐old man presented with gross hematuria and urinary retention. Prostate‐specific antigen level was elevated, at 99 ng/mL, and prostate biopsy revealed moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Hormone therapy and standard chemotherapy for prostate adenocarcinoma were ineffective. Prostate re‐biopsy revealed coexisting mucinous urethral and prostate adenocarcinomas. Gemcitabine + cisplatin chemotherapy and folinic acid + 5‐fluorouracil + irinotecan chemotherapy temporarily suppressed the cancer, but 14 months after presentation, he developed liver metastasis and died. Autopsy revealed metastasis of both mucinous urethral adenocarcinoma and carcinosarcoma.

Conclusion

Mucinous urethral adenocarcinoma is difficult to diagnose in coexistence with prostate adenocarcinoma. This was an extremely rare case showing chemoresistance due to epithelial‐mesenchymal transition.
Green production and antioxidant activity study of new pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines
Authors: Soleimani Amiri Somayeh
Published: August 2020

In current research, pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivative are synthesized via a new process of four component reaction of phthalaldehyde or its derivatives, primary amines, alkyl bromides, activated acetylenic compounds and potassium fluoride/Clinoptilolite nanoparticles (KF/CP NPs) under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature. Also, Dielz‐Alder reactions take place in the reaction of synthesized pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivatives, activated acetylenic compounds and triphenylphosphine in the presence of KF/CP NPs under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature. As well, antioxidation property of some prepared pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines are investigated by employing of trapping diphenyl‐picrylhydrazine (DPPH) radical and ability of ferric reduction experiment. Among investigated compounds, compounds 5c have good results relative to BHT and TBHQ as standard antioxidant. Our procedure has a few benefits relative to reported method such as good rate of reaction, product with high efficiency and simple removal of catalyst from mixture of reaction. In these reactions, KF/Clinoptilolite nanoparticles show a satisfactory recyclable activity.
The separation and identification of synthetic cathinones by portable low microflow liquid chromatography with dual capillary columns in series and dual wavelength ultraviolet detection
Authors: May Marisa C. , Pavone David C. , Lurie Ira S.
Published: August 2020

This study ascertained the viability of a portable liquid chromatograph, operating at low microliter per minute flow, for the analysis of seized drugs at remote sites as well as in laboratory settings. Synthetic cathinones were screened using dual capillary columns in series, C8 and biphenyl, with on‐column ultraviolet detection at 255 and 275 nm. The relative retention times of the two columns in series and their peak area absorbance ratio were used to determine if the 16 synthetic cathinones investigated could be uniquely identified in these conditions. Based on these parameters all of the analytes could be distinguished. Representative mixtures of synthetic cathinones were used to determine the repeatability, linearity, and limits of detection of the method. This cost effective and green instrumentation has the potential to satisfy minimum international guidelines for the analysis of seized drugs.
Deep Learning Enabled Laser Speckle Wavemeter with a High Dynamic Range
Authors: Gupta Roopam K. , Bruce Graham D. , Powis Simon J. , Dholakia Kishan
Published: August 2020

The speckle pattern produced when a laser is scattered by a disordered medium has recently been shown to give a surprisingly accurate or broadband measurement of wavelength. Here it is shown that deep learning is an ideal approach to analyze wavelength variations using a speckle wavemeter due to its ability to identify trends and overcome low signal to noise ratio in complex datasets. This combination enables wavelength measurement at high precision over a broad operating range in a single step, with a remarkable capability to reject instrumental and environmental noise, which has not been possible with previous approaches. It is demonstrated that the noise rejection capabilities of deep learning provide attometre‐scale wavelength precision over an operating range from 488 nm to 976 nm. This dynamic range is six orders of magnitude beyond the state of the art.
A module of multifactor‐mediated dysfunction guides the molecular typing of coronary heart disease
Authors: Li Yuewei , Lin Maohuan , Wang Kangjie , Zhan YaQing , Gu Wenli , Gao Guanghao , Huang Yuna , Chen Yangxin , Huang Tucheng , Wang Jingfeng
Published: August 2020

Background

Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) is the most common cardiovascular disease and has become a leading cause of death globally. Various molecular typing methods are available for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. However, molecular typing results are not routinely used for CHD.

Methods and Results

Aiming to uncover the underlying molecular features of different types of CHD, we screened the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with CHD based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data and expanded those with the NCBI‐gene and OMIM databases to finally obtain 2021 DEGs. The weighted gene co‐expression analysis (WGCNA) was performed on the candidate genes, and six distinctive WGCNA modules were identified, two of which were associated with CHD. Moreover, DEGs were mined as key genes for co‐expression based on the module network relationship. Furthermore, the differentially expressed miRNAs in CHD and interactions in the database were mined in the GEO data set to build a multifactor regulatory network of key genes for co‐expression. Based on the network, the CHD samples were further classified into five clusters and we defined FTH1, HCAR3, RGS2, S100A9, and TYROBP as the top genes of the five subgroups. Finally, the mRNA levels of FTH1, S100A9, and TYROBP were found to be significantly increased, while the expression of HCAR3 was decreased in the blood of CHD patients. We did not detect measurable levels of RGS2.

Conclusion

The screened core clusters of genes may be a target for the diagnosis and treatment of CHD as a molecular typing module.
Single‐cell RNA sequencing analysis of human kidney reveals the presence of ACE2 receptor: A potential pathway of COVID‐19 infection
Authors: He Qiyu , Mok Tsz N. , Yun Liang , He Chengbo , Li Jieruo , Pan Jinghua
Published: August 2020

Background

A novel coronavirus called SARS‐Cov‐2, which shared 82% similarity of genome sequence with SARS‐CoV, was found in Wuhan in late December of 2019, causing an epidemic outbreak of novel coronavirus‐induced pneumonia with dramatically increasing number of cases. Several organs are vulnerable to COVID‐19 infection. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was reported in parts of case‐studies reporting characteristics of COVID‐19 patients. This study aimed at analyzing the potential route of SARS‐Cov‐2 entry and mechanism at cellular level.

Method

Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) technology was used to obtain evidence of potential route and ACE2 expressing cell in renal system for underlying pathogenesis of kidney injury caused by COVID‐19. The whole process was performed under R with Seurat packages. Canonical marker genes were used to annotate different types of cells.

Results

Ten different clusters were identified and ACE2 was mainly expressed in proximal tubule and glomerular parietal epithelial cells. From Gene Ontology (GO) & KEGG enrichment analysis, imbalance of ACE2 expression, renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) activation, and neutrophil‐related processes were the main issue of COVID‐19 leading kidney injury.

Conclusion

Our study provided the cellular evidence that SARS‐Cov‐2 invaded human kidney tissue via proximal convoluted tubule, proximal tubule, proximal straight tubule cells, and glomerular parietal cells by means of ACE2‐related pathway and used their cellular protease TMPRSS2 for priming.
Fractional stochastic Burgers‐type equation in Hölder space—Wellposedness and approximations
Authors: Arab Zineb , Debbi Latifa
Published: August 2020

In this work, we use the spectral Galerkin method to prove the existence of a pathwise unique mild solution of a fractional stochastic partial differential equation of Burgers type in a Hölder space. We get the temporal regularity, and using a combination of Galerkin and exponential‐Euler methods, we obtain a full discretization scheme of the solution. Moreover, we calculate the rates of convergence for both approximations (Galerkin and full discretization) with respect to time and to space.
Estimating the Discard Mortality of Atlantic Cod in the Southern Gulf of Maine Commercial Lobster Fishery
Authors: Sweezey B. B. , Capizzano C. W. , Langan J .A. , Benoît H. P. , Hutchins E. W. , Mandelman J. W. , Koh W. Y. , Dean M. J. , Anderson B. N. , Sulikowski J. A.
Published: August 2020

The Gulf of Maine (GOM) commercial lobster fishery has approximately 3.5 million actively fished traps and captures several nontargeted groundfish species, including Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua, as bycatch, yet there has been limited research on the incidental mortality of groundfish in this fishery. Although the mortality of Atlantic Cod has been estimated in other GOM commercial fisheries, unaccounted discard mortality in the lobster fishery may impair recovery efforts for this stock. To help meet research needs, we assessed the discard mortality rate of Atlantic Cod captured in the Maine Lobster Management Zone G commercial lobster fishery using acoustic transmitters and observations of viability. From 2016 to 2017, 111 Atlantic Cod were captured in 18,853 individual trap hauls and were observed for viability. A subsample of 54 Atlantic Cod was externally tagged with acoustic transmitters and observed after release. The combined at-vessel mortality (9.3%) and model-based long-term discard mortality (17.1%) estimates indicated an overall discard mortality rate of 24.8% for Atlantic Cod captured in commercial lobster gear. Based on this finding and the low bycatch of Atlantic Cod in the lobster fishery, the commercial lobster fishery may not be responsible—to the extent previously assumed—for hindering the GOM Atlantic Cod stock’s regrowth.
Finite element simulations of 3D planar hydraulic fracture propagation using a coupled hydro‐mechanical interface element
Authors: Gao Qian , Ghassemi Ahmad
Published: August 2020

Two‐dimensional hydraulic fracturing simulations using the cohesive zone model (CZM) can be readily found in the literature; however, to our knowledge, verified 3D cohesive zone modeling is not available. We present the development of a 3D fully coupled hydro‐mechanical finite element method (FEM) model (with parallel computation framework) and its application to hydraulic fracturing. A special zero‐thickness interface element based on the CZM is developed for modeling fracture propagation and fluid flow. A local traction‐separation law with strain softening is used to capture tensile cracking. The model is verified by considering penny‐shaped hydraulic fracture and plain strain Kristianovich‑Geertsma‑de Klerk hydraulic fracture (in 3D) in the viscosity‐ and toughness‐dominated regimes. Good agreement between numerical results and analytical solutions has been achieved. The model is used to investigate the influence of rock and fluid properties on hydraulic fracturing. Lower stiffness tip cohesive elements tend to yield a larger elastic deformation around the fracture tips before the tensile strength is reached, generating a larger fracture length and lower fracture pressure compared with higher stiffness elements. It is found that the energy release rate has almost no influence on hydraulic fracturing in the viscosity‐dominated regime because the energy spent in creating new fractures is too small when compared with the total input energy. For the toughness‐dominated regime, the released energy during fracturing should be accurately captured; relatively large tensile strength should be used in order to match numerical results to the asymptotic analytical solutions. It requires smaller elements when compared with those used in the viscosity‐dominated regime.
Application of Markov renewal theory and semi‐Markov decision processes in maintenance modeling and optimization of multi‐unit systems
Authors: Salari Nooshin , Makis Viliam
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a condition‐based maintenance model for a multi‐unit production system is proposed and analyzed using Markov renewal theory. The units of the system are subject to gradual deterioration, and the gradual deterioration process of each unit is described by a three‐state continuous time homogeneous Markov chain with two working states and a failure state. The production rate of the system is influenced by the deterioration process and the demand is constant. The states of the units are observable through regular inspections and the decision to perform maintenance depends on the number of units in each state. The objective is to obtain the steady‐state characteristics and the formula for the long‐run average cost for the controlled system. The optimal policy is obtained using a dynamic programming algorithm. The result is validated using a semi‐Markov decision process formulation and the policy iteration algorithm. Moreover, an analytical expression is obtained for the calculation of the mean time to initiate maintenance using the first passage time theory.
Refeeding Syndrome in Patients Receiving Parenteral Nutrition Is Not Associated to Mortality or Length of Hospital Stay: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Meira Ana Paula Corrêa , Santos Carolina Oliveira dos , Lucho Cíntia Lopes Castro , Kasmirscki Cristine , Silva Flávia Moraes
Published: August 2020

Background

Refeeding syndrome (RS) is characterized by severe electrolyte derangement that may be associated with worse clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients. In this study, we aim to assess the incidence of RS in inpatients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) and its possible association with the length of hospital stay (LHS) and mortality.

Methods

We conducted a historical cohort study involving adults receiving PN, monitored by a nutrition therapy team in a Brazilian public hospital. Data collection was made from electronic records. We assessed the presence of RS after PN therapy was initiated. The amount of energy delivered within 72 hours of PN, LHS, and mortality were compared between patients with and without RS.

Results

One‐hundred ninety‐seven patients (aged 57.7 ± 14.1 years; 55.7% men) were followed for a median of 51 days. The incidence of RS was equal to 25.4%. The adequacy of energy delivered in relation to energy requirements within 72 hours (69.4% ± 29.3% vs 61.8% ± 21.6%) was higher in patients with RS than in those without RS (P = .054). The incidence of death was 55.3% and did not differ between groups. The median of LHS was equal to 51.0 (32.0–83.0) days, and it also did not differ between patients with and without RS.

Conclusion

RS was identified in 25% of patients receiving PN, but it was not associated to mortality and LHS, even when energy delivery was considered in combination to RS.
Ocular preservation in patients with bilateral retinoblastoma before chemotherapy in situ era: A report from a Mexican Retinoblastoma Reference Hospital
Authors: del Carmen Bernal‐Díaz Zaira , Murillo‐Maldonado Marco A. , Pérez‐Villanueva Heynar , Reyes‐López Alfonso , Ramírez‐Ortiz Marco A.
Published: August 2020

Background

Bilateral retinoblastoma (Rb) treatment remains a challenge for ophthalmologists and pediatric oncologists despite new therapeutic strategies for eye preservation. The purpose of this work is to evaluate treatment outcomes in patients who underwent eye salvage treatment at a single‐center prior to the chemotherapy in situ era.

Procedure

We followed a cohort of 88 consecutive Rb patients diagnosed at Hospital Infantil de México between November 2000 and June 2014. Eye salvage treatment consisted of systemic chemotherapy plus focal therapy planned by a multidisciplinary team. Unresponsive tumors were treated with episcleral brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Results

A total of 96 eyes underwent eye salvaging therapy. Seventy‐eight eyes (81%) were salvaged. Seven patients (8%) required brachytherapy and 34 patients (39%) underwent EBRT. Thirty‐three of 78 preserved eyes (42%) achieved normal visual acuity: 5/27 (20%) in radiated patients and 28/51 (61%) in nonradiated patients. Eight patients developed secondary primary malignancies; however, those treated with EBRT did not have a significantly increased risk when compared with nonirradiated patients (OR: 1.66; P = 0.492). The overall survival rate was 86% (95% CI, 76%‐92%) after a mean follow‐up of 10 years.

Conclusions

Eye preservation, long‐term tumor control, and functional visual acuity could be maintained in many child and adolescent Rb survivors. Our data suggest that ocular radiotherapy can be used as consolidation treatment when other recently developed therapies with potentially fewer side effects are not available. Multidisciplinary management of Rb is mandatory to obtain cancer control during eye salvage treatment.
Does intensity of stimulus and culture matter in death anxiety?
Authors: Tasmeera Saiyida , Akhtar Tanvir , Afaq M. Yasir Masood
Published: August 2020

Two experiments were designed to study the effect of mortality salience (MS) and terror attack news on socioreligious attribution of Muslims in Pakistan. The first sample of students (n = 238) was taken from public and private universities of Pakistan. The age range of the sample was 18–37 years. Participants were randomly assigned to one of eight conditions: 2 (MS vs. pain salience) × 4 (non‐Muslims attacking Muslims vs. Muslims attacking non‐Muslims vs. Muslims attacking Muslims vs. weather news). Results indicated a non‐significant main effect of MS (p = .83) on socioreligious attribution. Similarly, a non‐significant interaction effect (p = .76.) on socioreligious attribution was found. However, the main effect of terror news was significant (p = .01). Post hoc analyses revealed that individuals exposed to the news video showing Muslims attacking non‐Muslims scored significantly higher than the rest. Study II was conducted to compare the results of Study I by observing the effect of MS and four news videos after introducing MS through death simulation. The sample of students (n = 120) was taken from public and private universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The age range of the sample was 18–37 years. Participants were randomly assigned to one of eight conditions: 2 (MS vs. pain salience) × 4 (non‐Muslims attacking Muslims vs. Muslims attacking non‐Muslims vs. Muslims attacking Muslims vs. weather news). Results indicated a significant main effect of MS (p = .001) on socioreligious attribution. Similarly, findings indicated a significant interaction effect (ρ = .001) on socioreligious attribution. These studies were conducted within the culture and religion in question. Further studies on terror management theory are needed in Pakistan to benefit from the work being done on post‐traumatic stress disorder with reference to Pakistan.
THz‐Raman – A New Analytical Tool
Authors: Carriere James , Schulze Matthias
Published: August 2020

THz‐Raman is a new analytical technique that uses optical sensing to obtain quantitative information about macroscopic motion and structure in samples, including phase changes, ligand binding of proteins, and biopolymer conformational data. This technique is now packaged for easy integration into optical microscopes and spectrometers for research use, as well as in stand‐alone well plate readers for use in high‐throughput drug discovery and related applications.
“Every Change We Made on the Chip Was an Adventure”
Authors: Pozo Jose
Published: August 2020

EPIC's chief technology officer Jose Pozo had the opportunity to talk to Pim Kat, CTO of Technobis, one of the earliest adopters of integrated photonics for industrial applications in Europe.
Bleeding risk from antidepressants in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: August 2020

Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants have a generally favorable safety profile, their use has been associated with abnormal coagulation and hemostasis, with literature reports of increased bleeding in some patients. This could increase the risk of bleeding in patients who have cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation, who are often prescribed anticoagulants for prophylaxis against stroke and SSRIs for depressive symptoms.
Reliability of safety‐critical systems: A state‐of‐the‐art review
Authors: Maurya Ankur , Kumar Divya
Published: August 2020

Safety‐critical systems are designed to prevent catastrophic consequences from failure, such as injury or death to humans and environmental damage. These must be carefully designed to ensure reliability requirements. The purpose of this paper is to identify the number of models in the reliability analysis of safety‐critical systems. To achieve this goal, we conducted a systematic review of 40 shortlisted studies. The selected studies are classified based on various techniques used in safety‐critical systems. This paper summarizes the literature review in the field of reliability of safety‐critical systems. The limitations of the literature are exquisitely represented. The international safety norms and applications of safety‐critical systems are discussed systematically in this paper. This paper emerges research trends, research challenges and insights of the researcher for future research direction in the area of safety‐critical systems.
Tracheobronchial amyloidosis: an uncommon disease with a common presentation
Authors: Mangla Loveleen , Vadala Rohit , Kadli Shirish Kumar , Prajapat Deepak , Talwar Deepak
Published: August 2020

Amyloidosis is an uncommon heterogeneous and multi‐systemic disease characterized by extracellular amyloid deposition. The size of proteins varies and forms a part of local disease or systemic process. Light chain amyloidosis (AL) is the most prevalent form of systemic amyloidosis which may also be seen in localized disease. Isolated tracheobronchial amyloidosis (TBA) is rather unusual with local amyloid deposition which may pose a diagnostic dilemma with subsequent therapeutic challenge. Awareness of such a presentation is crucial in the diagnosis of this rare disease. We describe three cases who presented with haemoptysis, which on further evaluation were diagnosed as isolated TBA, and a review of literature.
Hybrid threshold strategy‐based adaptive tracking control for nonlinear stochastic systems with full‐state constraints
Authors: Hua Changchun , Meng Rui , Li Kuo
Published: August 2020

This article focuses on the adaptive tracking control problem for a class of interconnected nonlinear stochastic systems under full‐state constraints based on the hybrid threshold strategy. Different from the existing works, we propose a novel pre‐constrained tracking control algorithm to deal with the full‐state constraint problem. First, a novel nonlinear transformation function and a new coordinate transformation are developed to constrain state variables, which can directly cope with asymmetric state constraints. Second, the hybrid threshold strategy is constructed to provide a reasonable way in balancing system performance and communication constraints. By the use of dynamic surface control technique and neural network approximate technique, a smooth pre‐constrained tracking controller with adaptive laws is designed for the interconnected nonlinear stochastic systems. Moreover, based on the Lyapunov stability theory, it is proved that all state variables are successfully pre‐constrained within asymmetric boundaries. Finally, a simulation example is presented to verify the effectiveness of proposed control algorithm.
Versatile Yolk–Shell Encapsulation: Catalytic, Photothermal, and Sensing Demonstration
Authors: Lee Hak‐Lae , Wei Haoran , Kim Kiyoon , Choe Hyun‐Seok , Park Hyun , Yu Taekyung , Lee Changha , Kim Jae‐Hong , Kim Jae‐Hyuk
Published: August 2020

Here, a novel, versatile synthetic strategy to fabricate a yolk–shell structured material that can encapsulate virtually any functional noble metal or metal oxide nanocatalysts of any morphology in a free suspension fashion is reported. This strategy also enables encapsulation of more than one type of nanoparticle inside a single shell, including paramagnetic iron oxide used for magnetic separation. The mesoporous organosilica shell provides efficient mass transfer of small target molecules, while serving as a size exclusion barrier for larger interfering molecules. Major structural and functional advantages of this material design are demonstrated by performing three proof‐of‐concept applications. First, effective encapsulation of plasmonic gold nanospheres for localized photothermal heating and heat‐driven reaction inside the shell is shown. Second, hydrogenation catalysis is demonstrated under spatial confinement driven by palladium nanocubes. Finally, the surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopic detection of model pollutant by gold nanorods is presented for highly sensitive environmental sensing with size exclusion.
Thermal Desorption Spectra of H in an Fe–C–Nb Alloy Evaluated by Diffusion Simulation
Authors: Zügner Dominik , Zamberger Sabine , Yigit Nevzat , Rupprechter Günther , Kozeschnik Ernst
Published: August 2020

In this work, cell‐based numerical long‐range diffusion calculations for hydrogen in steel are conducted to simulate the diffusion characteristics of H in the presence of atomic traps, in particular, carbides. The charging of alloys with H from the gaseous phase and the effusion during storage and thermal desorption are initially simulated. To account for the influence of NbC traps, thermokinetic simulations with the software package MatCalc are used to predict the evolution of the size distribution of precipitates during the prescribed heat treatment. The calculated precipitate sizes are compared to experimental results obtained from transmission electron microscopy. The thermal desorption spectra from the diffusion simulation are finally compared with the measured data, thus demonstrating the potential of the present simulation framework for academic studies and industrial applications related to H uptake and desorption.
Rainfall Variability and Quantity of Water Supply in Bamenda I, Northwest Region of Cameroon
Authors: Sedrique Zoyem Tedonfack , Nfor Julius Tata
Published: August 2020

Bamenda I municipality found in the humid tropic is endowed with a dense hydrological network which makes it a water catchment for the entire region. Paradoxically, the region still suffers problems of water shortage. This is due to the spatial and temporal variability in rainfall that greatly affects water supply through its impacts on surface and groundwater. For this reason, we came up with the research topic “Rainfall variability and quantity of water supply in Bamenda 1, Northwest Region of Cameroon.” The objective of this study is to examine the manifestations of rainfall variability, and how it affects quantity of water supply in the humid tropics. Rainfall data use for this study comprised of annual, monthly, and daily rainfall over a period of 55 years. Water supply data was made of monthly and annual supply. With these data, a Pearson’s correlation was computed, and it gave a value of 0.701, with a rainfall proportion of 49.14% and 50.86% for other factors. The seasonality and the Standardized Precipitation Index were equally analyzed. At the end of the study, results showed that rainfall events in Bamenda I fluctuates with time and in space. It equally presented a reduction in the number of rainy days from 204 days in 1663 to 155 in 2018. This led to a reduction in length of rainy season and in rainfall amounts. In addition, the area has witnessed sedimentation of riverbeds and water reservoirs due to erosion and deposition during high rainfall peaks. Equally, floods observed during high rainfall episodes have become a potential threat to water infrastructures imposing exceptional water shortages during the rainy seasons. Due to these, actors in the water supply sector are putting in measures to remedy the situation.
Neuronal lineages derived from the nerve-associated Schwann cell precursors
Authors: Kameneva Polina , Kastriti Maria Eleni , Adameyko Igor
Published: August 2020

For a long time, neurogenic placodes and migratory neural crest cells were considered the immediate sources building neurons of peripheral nervous system. Recently, a number of discoveries revealed the existence of another progenitor type—a nerve-associated multipotent Schwann cell precursors (SCPs) building enteric and parasympathetic neurons as well as neuroendocrine chromaffin cells. SCPs are neural crest-derived and are similar to the crest cells by their markers and differentiation potential. Such similarities, but also considerable differences, raise many questions pertaining to the medical side, fundamental developmental biology and evolution. Here, we discuss the genesis of Schwann cell precursors, their role in building peripheral neural structures and ponder on their role in the origin in congenial diseases associated with peripheral nervous systems.
Klassische IVF vs. Natural-Cycle- und Minimal-Stimulation-IVF
Authors: von Wolff Michael , Magaton Isotta
Published: August 2020

Hintergrund

Zunehmend werden neben den klassischen IVF(In-vitro Fertilisation)-Therapien nichtklassische IVF-Therapien ohne Stimulation (Natural-Cycle-IVF) oder mit einer nur sehr geringen Gonadotropinstimulation (Minimal-Stimulation-IVF) durchgeführt. Diese nichtklassischen IVF-Therapien werden unter Reproduktionsmedizinern kontrovers diskutiert.

Fragestellung

Wie unterschieden sich diese Therapieformen und warum werden sie kontrovers diskutiert?

Material und Methoden

Basierend auf der aktuellen Literatur und eigenen Daten werden die verschiedenen Therapien dargestellt, verglichen und diskutiert.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Nichtklassische IVF-Therapien werden monatlich durchgeführt, sind pro Therapiezyklus kostengünstiger, weniger belastend für die Frauen und weniger risikoreich. Allerdings ist die Schwangerschaftsrate pro Zyklus im Vergleich zu klassischen IVF-Therapien geringer. Da bei den nichtklassischen IVF-Therapien im gleichen Therapiezeitraum ca. 4 Zyklen durchgeführt werden können, sind Zeit- und Konsultationsaufwand sowie Kosten pro erzielter Schwangerschaft ähnlich. Beide Formen sollten nicht als konkurrierende, sondern als sich ergänzende Behandlungsformen im Sinne einer personalisierten IVF-Therapie verstanden werden mit z. T. unterschiedlichen Zielgruppen und Indikationen und der Möglichkeit eines Wechsels zwischen den Therapien.

Die deutsche IVF-Kostenerstattung benachteiligt nichtklassische IVF-Therapien. Aufgrund der vielen Vorteile nichtklassischer IVF-Therapien wäre eine Anpassung der Kostenerstattung im Sinne einer Erstattung von Therapiekosten anstatt von Therapiezyklen sinnvoll und zeitgemäß.
Droplet velocity and diameter distributions in flash boiling liquid nitrogen jets by means of phase Doppler diagnostics
Authors: Rees Andreas , Araneo Lucio , Salzmann Heiko , Lamanna Grazia , Sender Joachim , Oschwald Michael
Published: August 2020

Due to current and future environmental and safety issues in space propulsion, typical propellants for upper stage or satellite rocket engines such as the toxic hydrazine are going to be replaced by green propellants like the combination of liquid oxygen and hydrogen or methane. The injection of that kind of cryogenic fluids into the vacuum atmosphere of space leads to a superheated state, which results in a sudden and eruptive atomization due to flash boiling. For a detailed experimental investigation of superheated cryogenic fluids, the new cryogenic test bench M3.3 with a temperature controlled injection system was built at DLR Lampoldshausen. After a first test campaign with high-speed shadowgraphy of flash boiling liquid nitrogen sprays, a laser-based Phase Doppler system was set-up to determine the spatial distributions of droplet velocities and diameters in highly superheated sprays. The spatial distributions revealed a core region with high mean velocities close to the injector orifice. With increasing distance from the injector orifice, the sprays develop a more and more monodisperse pattern. These distributions also showed that atomization due to flash boiling generates finer sprays with growing degrees of superheat. In certain spray regions, two droplet populations varying in their direction of motion, velocity and diameter due to possible recirculation zones were observed. The experimental data of flash boiling liquid nitrogen generated within this study provide a comprehensive data base for the validation of numerical models and further numerical investigations.

Graphic abstract
Entropy Numbers of Finite Dimensional Mixed-Norm Balls and Function Space Embeddings with Small Mixed Smoothness
Authors: Mayer Sebastian , Ullrich Tino
Published: August 2020

We study the embedding $$\mathrm {id}: \ell _p^b(\ell _q^d) \rightarrow \ell _r^b(\ell _u^d)$$

id
:

ℓ
p
b

(

ℓ
q
d

)

→

ℓ
r
b

(

ℓ
u
d

)

and prove matching bounds for the entropy numbers $$e_k(\mathrm {id})$$

e
k

(
id
)

provided that $$0<p<r\le \infty $$

0
<
p
<
r
≤
∞

and $$0<q\le u\le \infty $$

0
<
q
≤
u
≤
∞

. Based on this finding, we establish optimal dimension-free asymptotic rates for the entropy numbers of embeddings of Besov and Triebel–Lizorkin spaces of small dominating mixed smoothness, which gives a complete answer to an open problem mentioned in the recent monograph by Dũng, Temlyakov, and Ullrich. Both results rely on a novel covering construction recently found by Edmunds and Netrusov.
Impaired naming performance in temporal lobe epilepsy: language fMRI responses are modulated by disease characteristics
Authors: Trimmel Karin , Caciagli Lorenzo , Xiao Fenglai , van Graan Louis A. , Koepp Matthias J. , Thompson Pamela J. , Duncan John S.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To investigate alterations of language networks and their relation to impaired naming performance in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) using functional MRI.

Methods

Seventy-two adult TLE patients (41 left) and 36 controls were studied with overt auditory and picture naming fMRI tasks to assess temporal lobe language areas, and a covert verbal fluency task to probe frontal lobe language regions. Correlation of fMRI activation with clinical naming scores, and alteration of language network patterns in relation to epilepsy duration, age at onset and seizure frequency, were investigated with whole-brain multiple regression analyses.

Results

Auditory and picture naming fMRI activated the left posterior temporal lobe, and stronger activation correlated with better clinical naming scores. Verbal fluency MRI mainly activated frontal lobe regions. In left and right TLE, a later age of epilepsy onset related to stronger temporal lobe activations, while earlier age of onset was associated with impaired deactivation of extratemporal regions. In left TLE patients, longer disease duration and higher seizure frequency were associated with reduced deactivation. Frontal lobe language networks were unaffected by disease characteristics.

Conclusions

While frontal lobe language regions appear spared, temporal lobe language areas are susceptible to dysfunction and reorganisation, particularly in left TLE. Early onset and long duration of epilepsy, and high seizure frequency, were associated with compromised activation and deactivation patterns of task-associated regions, which might account for impaired naming performance in individuals with TLE.
An international survey on anastomotic stricture management after esophageal atresia repair: considerations and advisory statements
Authors: ten Kate Chantal A. , Tambucci Renato , Vlot John , Spaander Manon C. W. , Gottrand Frederic , Wijnen Rene M. H. , Dall’Oglio Luigi
Published: August 2020

Background

Endoscopic dilatation is the first-line treatment of stricture formation after esophageal atresia (EA) repair. However, there is no consensus on how to perform these dilatation procedures which may lead to a large variation between centers, countries and doctor’s experience. This is the first cross-sectional study to provide an overview on differences in endoscopic dilatation treatment of pediatric anastomotic strictures worldwide.

Methods

An online questionnaire was sent to members of five pediatric medical networks, experienced in treating anastomotic strictures in children with EA. The main outcome was the difference in endoscopic dilatation procedures in various centers worldwide, including technical details, dilatation approach (routine or only in symptomatic patients), and adjuvant treatment options. Descriptive statistics were performed with SPSS.

Results

Responses from 115 centers from 32 countries worldwide were analyzed. The preferred approach was balloon dilatation (68%) with a guidewire (66%), performed by a pediatric gastroenterologist (n = 103) or pediatric surgeon (n = 48) in symptomatic patients (68%). In most centers, hydrostatic pressure was used for balloon dilatation. The insufflation duration was standardized in 59 centers with a median duration of 60 (range 5–300) seconds. The preferred first-line adjunctive treatments in case of recurrent strictures were intralesional steroids and topical mitomycin C, in respectively 47% and 31% of the centers.

Conclusions

We found a large variation in stricture management in children with EA, which confirms the current lack of consensus. International networks for rare diseases are required for harmonizing and comparing the procedures, for which we give several suggestions.
Representation of grossone-based arithmetic in simulink for scientific computing
Authors: Falcone Alberto , Garro Alfredo , Mukhametzhanov Marat S. , Sergeyev Yaroslav D.
Published: August 2020

Numerical computing is a key part of the traditional computer architecture. Almost all traditional computers implement the IEEE 754-1985 binary floating point standard to represent and work with numbers. The architectural limitations of traditional computers make impossible to work with infinite and infinitesimal quantities numerically. This paper is dedicated to the Infinity Computer, a new kind of a supercomputer that allows one to perform numerical computations with finite, infinite, and infinitesimal numbers. The already available software simulator of the Infinity Computer is used in different research domains for solving important real-world problems, where precision represents a key aspect. However, the software simulator is not suitable for solving problems in control theory and dynamics, where visual programming tools like Simulink are used frequently. In this context, the paper presents an innovative solution that allows one to use the Infinity Computer arithmetic within the Simulink environment. It is shown that the proposed solution is user-friendly, general purpose, and domain independent.
On some morphological and ultrastructural features of the insemination system in five species of the genus Brevipalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)
Authors: Di Palma Antonella , Tassi Aline D. , Kitajima Elliot W.
Published: August 2020

The genus Brevipalpus (Tenuipalpidae) includes 291 described species commonly found in the tropical and subtropical regions. Morphological characters considered in the taxonomy of Brevipalpus species are difficult to discern, which often leads to erroneous identifications and the presence of cryptic species within species is suspected. New morphological characters are now considered relevant for identification of Brevipalpus species; among them, the morphology of the seminal receptacle (spermatheca) of the female insemination system. This feature has not been considered relevant until now; thus, there is little information about the insemination system in the available species descriptions. Hence, in the present study, ultrastructural details are provided for the insemination system in five species of Brevipalpus, representing different morphological groups. The seminal receptacle (spermatheca) and the insemination duct are illustrated using light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The spermatheca proved to have specific morphological features that can be useful for taxonomic purposes. On the other hand, its appearance within a population might be variable in a way that needs to be ascertained and evaluated.