bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“PNR-Bleed” classification and Hemorrhoid Severity Score—a novel attempt at classifying the hemorrhoids
Authors: Khan Mudassir Ahmad , Chowdri Nisar A. , Parray Fazl Q. , Wani Rauf A. , Mehraj Asif , Baba Arshad , Laway Mushtaq
Published: June 2020

Hemorrhoids are the most common anorectal disorders with a prevalence of 39% in general population. Hemorrhoids are generally classified on the basis of their location and degree of prolapse. Goligher’s classification does not describe the number of hemorrhoidal columns involved and does not give much consideration to the amount of blood loss. To describe the hemorrhoidal disease more vividly, we devised the “PNR-Bleed” (or PNR-Booking) classification system. We tried to classify the hemorrhoids based on the four main characteristics of the hemorrhoidal disease i.e. the degree of hemorrhoidal Prolapse (P), Number (N) of the primary hemorrhoidal columns involved, Relation (R) of the hemorrhoidal tissue to dentate line and the amount of Bleeding (B) from it. All the four components in this classification system are graded into five grades ranging from 1 to 5. The peculiarity of this new classification system is that it allows more detailed documentation of the hemorrhoids in a particular patient and conveys more explicit meaning and information about the hemorrhoids for future references. Based on this ‘PNR-Bleed’ classification, we are introducing another concept of scoring the severity of hemorrhoids and referred it as the Hemorrhoid Severity Score (HSS). Hemorrhoid Severity Score (HSS) is the total score obtained by the sum of the numerical grades of all four characteristics of hemorrhoids in “PNR-Bleed” classification. This new “PNR-Bleed” system of classifying the hemorrhoids and calculation of HSS seems to be more comprehensive, detailed, more objective and easily reproducible.
The role of surgeon‐performed ultrasound in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA)
Authors: Razavi Christopher R. , Shaear Mohammad , Anuwong Angkoon , Russell Jonathon O.
Published: June 2020

Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) is a recently described surgical technique where the thyroid and central neck can be accessed without a cutaneous incision. To date nearly 700 cases have been described within the English literature demonstrating the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the technique. As more institutions begin to adopt the surgical approach, it is important that surgeons pay close attention to appropriate patient selection and surgical optimization to prevent experience‐related complications. A valuable tool to facilitate these considerations is the utilization of surgeon‐performed ultrasonography (US). While the merits of surgeon‐performed US are well‐documented within head & neck endocrine surgery as a whole, its value may be of even greater importance when implementing a novel surgical technique such as TOETVA. Here we highlight and summarize the role of surgeon‐performed US within head & neck endocrine surgery, focusing on how it may influence patient selection and surgical planning with TOETVA.
Production Flux and Chemical Characteristics of Spray Aerosol Generated From Raindrop Impact on Seawater and Soil
Authors: Zhou Kaili , Wang Shurong , Lu Xiaohui , Chen Hong , Wang Lin , Chen Jianmin , Yang Xin , Wang Xiaofei
Published: June 2020

Raindrops impacting water or soil generate bubbles, which can burst and eject spray aerosols. However, aerosols resulting from raindrop impact are often overlooked in atmospheric aerosol studies, and their production flux and chemical characteristics have not been quantified. Here we measured the production rate, size distribution, and chemical composition of spray aerosols from laboratory simulations of raindrops impinging on seawater and soils. It was found that the number of spray aerosols produced from each raindrop impact on seawater grows exponentially with increasing raindrop diameter. The spray aerosol production flux was then calculated for a range of rain rates. The spray aerosol production rate from raindrop impact on soil was approximately one order of magnitude lower than that from impact on seawater, but the production rate was enhanced drastically when water ponded on the soil surface. The chemical compositions of the generated spray aerosols were characterized by a single particle mass spectrometer. Generally, spray aerosol from raindrop impact on seawater contained sodium, potassium, calcium, and other metals as well as some organic carbon. The spray aerosols from raindrop impact on soils contained metals and some organic carbon. These aerosol production flux and composition findings are critical to identification of raindrop impact produced aerosols and further investigation of their roles in the atmosphere.
A First Look at Elusive Deep-Ocean Carbon Molecules
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: June 2020

A new analytical technique enables direct analysis of dissolved organic carbon molecules that store carbon in the ocean for thousands of years.
Ionospheric Plasma Irregularities Based on In Situ Measurements From the Swarm Satellites
Authors: Jin Yaqi , Xiong Chao , Clausen Lasse , Spicher Andres , Kotova Daria , Brask Steffen , Kervalishvili Guram , Stolle Claudia , Miloch Wojciech
Published: June 2020

In this study, we present global climatological distributions of ionospheric plasma irregularities based on measurements by the Swarm satellites. These first global statistics obtained by direct, in situ measurements of plasma variations with Swarm confirm the presence of three main regions of strong ionospheric irregularities: the magnetic equator extending from postsunset to early morning, in the auroral ovals (from dayside cusp to nightside), and inside the polar caps. At equatorial latitudes, ionospheric irregularities form two bands of enhanced plasma fluctuations centered around ±10° magnetic latitude. Due to different plasma processes, ionospheric irregularities at high and low latitudes show different distributions. Though the averaged intensity of plasma irregularities is weaker at equatorial latitudes than at high latitudes, the occurrence rate of significant plasma fluctuations (corresponding to extreme events) is much higher at the equator than that at high latitudes. Equatorial irregularities display clear seasonal and longitudinal variations; that is, they are most prominent over South America during the December solstice and are located over Africa during the June solstice. The magnitude of ionospheric irregularities at all latitudes is strongly controlled by the solar activity. Ionospheric irregularities become significantly weaker after 2016 during the current declining phase of solar activity. The interplanetary magnetic field Bz modulates the occurrence of ionospheric irregularities at both high and low latitudes.
An Overview of CMIP5 and CMIP6 Simulated Cloud Ice, Radiation Fields, Surface Wind Stress, Sea Surface Temperatures, and Precipitation Over Tropical and Subtropical Oceans
Authors: Li J.‐L. F. , Xu K.‐M. , Jiang J. H. , Lee Wei‐Liang , Wang Li‐Chiao , Yu Jia‐Yuh , Stephens G. , Fetzer Eric , Wang Yi‐Hui
Published: June 2020

The potential links between ice water path (IWP), radiation, circulation, sea surface temperature (SST), and precipitation over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans resulting from the falling ice radiative effects (FIREs) are examined from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and phase 6 (CMIP6) historical simulations. The latter is divided into two subsets with (SON6) and without FIREs (NOS6) in CMIP6. Improvement in nonfalling cloud ice (~20 g m−2) is noticeable over convective regions in CMIP6 relative to CMIP5. The inclusion of FIREs in SON6 subset may contribute to reduce biases of overestimated outgoing longwave radiation and downward surface shortwave and underestimated reflected shortwave at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) by magnitudes of ~8 W m−2 over convective regions against CERES, compared to NOS6 subset. The reduced biases in radiative fluxes in convective regions stabilize the atmosphere and lead to circulation, SST, cloud, and precipitation changes over the trade wind regions, as seen from improved radiative fluxes (~15 W m−2), surface wind stress biases, SST (~0.8 K), and precipitation (1 mm day−1) biases. The significant improvement from NOS6 to SON6 leads to improved multimodel means for CMIP6 relative to CMIP5 for radiation fields over the trade wind regions but the degradation over convective zones is attributed to NOS6 subset. The results suggest that other sources of uncertainty and deficiencies in climate models may play significant roles for reducing discrepancies although FIREs, via radiation‐circulation coupling, may be one of the factors that help to reduce regional biases.
High-efficiency methanol oxidation electrocatalysts realized by ultrathin PtRuM–O (M = Ni, Fe, Co) nanosheets
Authors: Pan Yue , Li Hongdong , Wang Zuochao , Han Yi , Wu Zhanchao , Zhang Xinyi , Lai Jianping , Wang Lei , Feng Shouhua
Published: June 2020

PtRuM–O (Ni, Fe, Co) ultrathin nanosheets exhibited excellent mass activity (3.57 A mgPt−1) for methanol oxidation under acidic conditions.
Mechano-assisted synthesis of an ultramicroporous metal–organic framework for trace CO2capture
Authors: Zhang Zhaoqiang , Ding Qi , Peh Shing Bo , Zhao Dan , Cui Jiyu , Cui Xili , Xing Huabin
Published: June 2020

Hybrid ultramicroporous ZU-36-Ni (GeFSIX-3-Ni) synthesized by a mechano-assisted thermal transformation method exhibits excellent trace CO2capture performance through strong host–guest interactions.
Large nonlinear optical effect in tungsten bronze structuresviaLi/Na cross-substitutions
Authors: Chu Shihang , Lin Kun , Yang Tao , Yu Chengyi , Cao Yili , Zhang Yujuan , Sun Yujiao , Li Zerui , Jiang Xingxing , Lin Zheshuai , Li Qiang , Chen Jun , Kato Kenichi , Wu Hui , Huang Qingzhen , Xing Xianran
Published: June 2020

By a simple cross-substitution of Li/Na in a tungsten bronze structures, the SHG response was significantly prompted to ∼47 × KDP, manifesting local distortion be a possibly general route to improve NLO effect in stiff and low symmetric structures.
Phenolic compound ellagic acid inhibits mitochondrial respiration and tumor growth in lung cancer
Authors: Duan Jing , Li Yuxiang , Gao Huihan , Yang Donghui , He Xuan , Fang Yulin , Zhou Guangbiao
Published: June 2020

Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenol compound that exists in a variety of fruits and vegetables, has been reported to inhibit tumor growth by reducing cell growth, inducing apoptosis, and damaging mitochondria.
Optical micro/nanofibre embedded soft film enables multifunctional flow sensing in microfluidic chips
Authors: Zhang Zhang , Pan Jing , Tang Yao , Xu Yue , Zhang Lei , Gong Yuan , Tong Limin
Published: June 2020

A smart microfluidic chip enabled by optical micro/nanofibres embedded soft film can detect flow rate, count droplets, and predict the morphology of droplets.
A quantum dot-based fluorescence sensing platform for the efficient and sensitive monitoring of collagen self-assembly
Authors: Zhong Huaying , Zhu Weizhe , Yan Zihan , Xu Chengzhi , Wei Benmei , Wang Haibo
Published: June 2020

An efficient and sensitive assay for monitoring collagen self-assembly is presented.
Organic/inorganic nanocomposites for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Hao Mingqiang , Chen Beibei , Zhao Xiaoyi , Zhao Nana , Xu Fu-Jian
Published: June 2020

Organic/inorganic nanocomposites are ideal candidates for cancer immunotherapy since they could combine both advantages of organic and inorganic components.
Hollow sphere structured V2O3@C as an anode material for high capacity potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Chen Fei , Wang Shuo , He Xiao-Dong , Liao Jia-Ying , Hu Qiao , Dong Jie-Min , Chen Chun-Hua
Published: June 2020

Carbon-coated V2O3 hollow spheres are synthesized by a solvothermal route, with promising cycling stability and rate performance for PIBs. The homogeneous carbon coating improves the electronic conductivity and the hollow structure buffers the volume change during cycling.
Enhanced luminescence intensity of near-infrared-sensitized upconversion nanoparticles via Ca2+ doping for a nitric oxide release platform
Authors: Zhao Jing , Hu Yanbing , Lin Shao wei , Resch-Genger U. , Zhang Rui , Wen Jian , Kong Xiangfei , Qin Aimiao , Ou Jun
Published: June 2020

Light-induced NO release based on exogenous NO donors has attracted substantial attention in clinical applications; the induction light source usually converts near-infrared light to blue or ultraviolet light.
Adaptive immune‐inspired energy‐efficient and high coverage cross‐layer routing protocol for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Yarde Pallavi , Srivastava Sumit , Garg Kumkum
Published: June 2020

Networks (wireless sensor networks) an important challenge of network design is maximising the network lifetime. In this study, the performance of the network is enhanced by proposing an adaptive immune‐inspired energy‐efficient cross‐layer routing (AIEECR) protocol. For data transmission, three layers are considered which include the physical layer, transport layer, and data link layer. For the clustering of sensor nodes, the K‐means approach is utilised. The cluster heads (CHs) are selected for each round, on the basis of the threshold value and so it will reduce the energy consumption. In addition to that adaptive sunflower optimisation (ASFO) is used for improving the coverage area and reduce the coverage hole issues. An artificial immune‐based routing protocol is used for selecting an efficient routing path for the transmission of data to the base station from every CH. The proposed AIEECR‐ASFO performance results are evaluated and also compared with the existing methods, which include dynamic multi‐objective routing algorithm, quality of service assured multi‐objective hybrid routing algorithm, and simple hybrid routing protocol. Average energy consumption, packet delivery ratio, jitter, throughput, and delay are considered for the comparison. The experimental outcomes prove that the proposed method outperforms the existing methods.
Denoising real bursts with squeeze‐and‐excitation residual network
Authors: Tan Hanlin , Xiao Huaxin , Lai Shiming , Liu Yu , Zhang Maojun
Published: June 2020

The goal of image denoising is to recover a clean image from noisy input(s). For single image denoising, utilising similarities (or priors) within and across an image dataset helps recover clean images. As the noise level increases, using multiple frames become feasible, which is defined as burst denoising. In this study, the authors propose a deep residual model with squeeze‐and‐excitation (SE) modules for the burst denoising. Unlike previous methods, the authors' model does not need an explicit aligning procedure, which is light‐weighted and fast. The network contains a noise estimation convolutional neural network, which makes it capable of blind denoising. Besides, by inverting the image processing pipeline and simulating real noise in bursts, their model can suppress real noise blindly. Since denoising performance is closely related to the noise level, frame displacement, and the number of frames (burst length), intensive experiments including ablation study are performed. Quantitative results show that the proposed method performs significantly better than previous state‐of‐the‐art methods V‐BM4D and KPN in removing Gaussian noise. Qualitative results show that the proposed method is also effective in removing real noise using bursts and the SE module is key to reduce blur in results.
FPGA‐assisted state‐of‐polarisation generation for polarisation‐encoded optical communications
Authors: Muga Nelson J. , Ramos Mariana F. , Mantey Sara T. , Silva Nuno A. , Pinto Armando N.
Published: June 2020

This study presents a theoretical model for polarisation manipulation using electronic polarisation controllers (EPCs) based on fibre squeezing. A method to calculate the EPC configuration in order to transform between two arbitrary states of polarisation (SOP) is presented. After, a technique to deterministically generate four SOPs for use in polarisation‐encoded quantum communication systems is proposed. Moreover, the effectiveness of the proposed technique is experimentally assessed through the generation of two pairs of orthogonal SOPs. The experimental implementation used an field programmable gate array (FPGA) board to electrically control the four waveplates of the EPC, reaching a rate of 500 qubit/s. Results show that this polarisation generation process is intrinsically stable, demonstrating its potential for practical implementations of polarisation‐encoding quantum key distribution systems using the BB84 and B92 protocols.
High step‐down dc–dc converter with low voltage stress and wide soft‐switching range
Authors: Khalili Siamak , Farzanehfard Hosein , Esteki Morteza
Published: June 2020

In this study, the integration of buck converter with Cuk converter to achieve a non‐isolated high step‐down dc–dc converter is investigated. Also, a soft‐switching cell is modified and used in the integrated converter to provide zero current switching and zero voltage switching condition for the converter switches at turn‐on and turn‐off, respectively. The auxiliary cell also eliminates the reverse recovery problem of the converter diodes. As a result, a high efficiency high step‐down converter with reduced voltage stress for semiconductor components is derived. The analysis, operational principle and design considerations of the proposed converter are discussed in this study. The accuracy of the converter operation is verified by a 200 W, 155 V‐to‐24 V laboratory prototype.
Fuzzy logic adaptive particle swarm optimisation based MPPT controller for photovoltaic systems
Authors: Merchaoui Manel , Hamouda Mahmoud , Sakly Anis , Mimouni Mohamed Faouzi
Published: June 2020

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers are a key element in photovoltaic (PV) conversion systems since they allow extracting the maximum power from PV generators. Metaheuristic algorithms such as the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) are nowadays widely adopted and have shown their superiority to many other techniques. However, conventional PSO (CPSO) algorithms still suffer from the problem of long convergence time when the range of the search area is large. To overcome this issue, this study proposes a fast fuzzy logic PSO (FL‐PSO) based MPPT controller for PV systems. Unlike CPSO algorithm running with constant key parameters (inertia weight and acceleration coefficients), the proposed method includes a fuzzy inference system that dynamically adjusts these parameters. The effectiveness and rapidity of the proposed FL‐PSO algorithm is validated trough numerical simulations and experimental tests. The obtained results show the superiority of the proposal as compared to CPSO, Jaya and hill climbing algorithms even under partial shading conditions and abrupt change of solar irradiation.
Real‐time estimation of roll angle for trajectory correction projectile using radial magnetometers
Authors: Zhao Hui , Su Zhong
Published: June 2020

An adaptive extend Kalman filter（EKF） is designed to estimate the roll angle for trajectory correction projectile only using radial magnetometers. By analysing the characteristics of the radial magnetometer output signal and the complex angular motion of the high‐spin projectiles, the measurement equation is established. Two important measures, namely noise parameter adaptation and increasing system observation, are taken to improve the performance of the designed EKF. The novelty of this study is the proposed adaptive EKF has no requirements on the magnetometer measurement accuracy. That is the magnetometers used need not undergo a complicated calibration process. In addition, orthogonal difference method is introduced to adjust noise parameters. Finally, a series of numerical simulations and flight tests are carried out to verify the performance of the proposed method. The results show the designed adaptive EKF can effectively estimate the roll angle for the trajectory correction projectile and could be extended to practical engineering applications.
Integral sliding mode control for back‐to‐back converter of DFIG wind turbine system
Authors: Merabet Adel , Al‐Durra Ahmed , Debouza Mahdi , Tanvir Aman A. , Eshaft Hisham
Published: June 2020

In this study, an integral sliding mode control approach for controlling the power electronics converters of a doubly‐fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbine system is presented. The power electronics interface consists of back‐to‐back converters. The rotor side converter regulates the active and reactive powers at the DFIG stator through controlling the stator currents. The stator current dynamics, with respect to the rotor voltages, is developed from the conventional equations of the DFIG model. In this control configuration, the knowledge about the rotor currents is not required, which reduces the use of the current measurement sensors. The grid side converter ensures constant dc‐link voltage while transferring the power from the DFIG rotor to the grid. The proposed control approach uses a composition of sliding mode and integral parts to improve the overall performance and robustness against parametric variations and uncertainties. A lab‐scale DFIG wind turbine system is used to investigate the proposed control approach efficiency under various operating conditions. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed control approach in achieving control objectives to operate the DFIG wind turbine system.
COSMOGRAIL
Authors: Millon M. , Courbin F. , Bonvin V. , Paic E. , Meylan G. , Tewes M. , Sluse D. , Magain P. , Chan J. H. H. , Galan A. , Joseph R. , Lemon C. , Tihhonova O. , Anderson R. I. , Marmier M. , Chazelas B. , Lendl M. , Triaud A. H. M. J. , Wyttenbach A.
Published: June 2020

We present the results of 15 years of monitoring lensed quasars, which was conducted by the COSMOGRAIL programme at the Leonhard Euler 1.2 m Swiss Telescope. The decade-long light curves of 23 lensed systems are presented for the first time. We complement our data set with other monitoring data available in the literature to measure the time delays in 18 systems, among which nine reach a relative precision better than 15% for at least one time delay. To achieve this, we developed an automated version of the curve-shifting toolbox PyCS to ensure robust estimation of the time delay in the presence of microlensing, while accounting for the errors due to the imperfect representation of microlensing. We also re-analysed the previously published time delays of RX J1131−1231 and HE 0435−1223, by adding six and two new seasons of monitoring, respectively, and confirming the previous time-delay measurements. When the time delay measurement is possible, we corrected the light curves of the lensed images from their time delay and present the difference curves to highlight the microlensing signal contained in the data. To date, this is the largest sample of decade-long lens monitoring data, which is useful to measure H0 and the size of quasar accretion discs with microlensing as well as to study quasar variability.
Search for the sub-stellar lithium depletion boundary in the open star cluster Coma Berenices
Authors: Martín E. L. , Lodieu N. , Béjar V. J. S.
Published: June 2020

Aims. We mainly aim to search for the lithium depletion boundary (LDB) among the sub-stellar population of the open star cluster Coma Berenices.

Methods. Since the number of brown dwarf candidates in Coma Ber available in the literature is scarce, we carried out a search for additional candidates photometrically using colour–magnitude diagrams combining optical and infrared photometry from the latest public releases of the following large-scale surveys: the United Kingdom InfraRed Telescope Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIRT/UKIDSS), the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS), the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), and AllWISE. We checked astrometric consistency with cluster membership using Gaia DR2. A search for Li in three new and five previously known brown dwarf candidate cluster members was performed via spectroscopic observations using the OSIRIS instrument at the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GTC).

Results. A couple dozen new photometric candidate brown dwarfs located inside the tidal radius of Coma Ber are reported, but none of these are significantly fainter and cooler than previously known members. No LiI resonance doublet at 6707.8 Å was detected in any of eight Coma Ber targets in the magnitude range J = 15–19 and G = 20–23 observed with the GTC. Spectral types and radial velocities were derived from the GTC spectra. These values confirm the cluster membership of four L2–L2.5 dwarfs, two of which are new in the literature.

Conclusions. The large Li depletion factors found among the four bona fide sub-stellar members in Coma Ber implies that the LDB must be located at spectral type later than L2.5 in this cluster. Using the latest evolutionary models for brown dwarfs, a lower limit of 550 Myr on the cluster age is set. This constraint has been combined with other dating methods to obtain an updated age estimate of 780 ± 230 Myr for the Coma Ber open cluster. Identification of significantly cooler sub-stellar cluster members in Coma Ber awaits the advent of the Euclid wide survey, which should reach a depth of about J = 23; this superb sensitivity will make it possible to determine the precise location of the sub-stellar LDB in this cluster and to carry out a complete census of its sub-stellar population.
Studies of stationary features in jets: BL Lacertae
Authors: Arshakian T. G. , Pushkarev A. B. , Lister M. L. , Savolainen T.
Published: June 2020

Context.Monitoring of BL Lacertae at 15 GHz with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) has revealed a quasi-stationary radio feature in the innermost part of the jet, at 0.26 mas from the radio core. Stationary features are found in many blazars, but they have rarely been explored in detail.

Aims.We aim to study the kinematics, dynamics, and brightness of the quasi-stationary feature of the jet in BL Lacertae based on VLBA monitoring with submilliarcsecond resolution (subparsec-scales) over 17 years.

Methods.We analysed position uncertainties and flux leakage effects of the innermost quasi-stationary feature and developed statistical tools to distinguish the motions of the stationary feature and the radio core. We constructed a toy model to simulate the observed emission of the quasi-stationary component.

Results.We find that trajectories of the quasi-stationary component are aligned along the jet axis, which can be interpreted as evidence of the displacements of the radio core. The intrinsic motions of the core and quasi-stationary component have a commensurate contribution to the apparent motion of the stationary component. During the jet-stable state, the core shift significantly influences the apparent displacements of the stationary component, which shows orbiting motion with reversals. The quasi-stationary component has low superluminal speeds on time scales of months. On time-scales of few years, the apparent mean speeds are subrelativistic, of about 0.15 the speed of light. We find that the brightness profile of the quasi-stationary component is asymmetric along and transverse to the jet axis, and this effect remains unchanged regardless of epoch.

Conclusions.Accurate positional determination, a high cadence of observations, and a proper accounting for the core shift are crucial for the measurement of the trajectories and speeds of the quasi-stationary component. Its motion is similar to the behaviour of the jet nozzle, which drags the outflow in a swinging motion and excites transverse waves of different amplitudes travelling downstream. A simple modelling of the brightness distribution shows that the configuration of twisted velocity field formed at the nozzle of the jet in combination with small jet viewing angle can account for the observed brightness asymmetry.
The future of IMF studies with the ELT and MICADO
Authors: Leschinski K. , Alves J.
Published: June 2020

Context. Young stellar cluster cores in the local Universe provide the most pristine information available on the stellar initial mass function (IMF), but their stellar densities are too high to be resolved by present-day instrumentation. With a resolving power 100 times better than the Hubble Space Telescope, the Multi-Adaptive Optics Imaging CameraA for Deep Observations (MICADO), which is the near-infrared camera on the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), will for the first time provide access to a significant number of dense young stellar clusters that are critical for direct studies on the universality and shape of the IMF.

Aims. In this work we aim to estimate the lowest stellar mass that MICADO will be able to reliably detect given a stellar density and distance. We also show that instrumental effects that will play a critical role, and report the number of young clusters that will be accessible for IMF studies in the local Universe with the ELT.

Methods. We used SimCADO*, the instrument simulator package for the MICADO camera, to generate observations of 56 dense stellar regions with densities similar to the cores of young stellar clusters. We placed the cluster fields at distances between 8 kpc and 5 Mpc from the Earth, implying core densities from 102 to 105 stars arcsec−2, and determined the lowest reliably observable mass for each stellar field through point-spread function fitting photometry.

Results. Our results show that stellar densities of <103 stars arcsec−2 will be easily resolvable by MICADO. The lowest reliably observable mass in the Large Magellanic Cloud will be around 0.1 M⊙ for clusters with densities <103 stars arcsec−2. MICADO will be able to access the stellar content of the cores of all dense young stellar clusters in the Magellanic Clouds, allowing the peak and shape of the IMF to be studied in great detail outside the Milky Way. At a distance of 2 Mpc, all stars with M > 2 M⊙ will be resolved in fields of <104 stars arcsec−2, allowing the high-mass end of the IMF to be studied in all galaxies out to and including NGC 300.

Conclusions. We show that MICADO on the ELT will be able to probe the IMF of star clusters that are ten times denser than what the James Webb Space Telescope will be able to access, and over one hundred times denser than the clusters that the Hubble Space Telescope can successfully resolve. While the sensitivity of MICADO will not allow us to study the brown dwarf regime outside the Milky Way, it will enable access to all stellar members of over 1000 young clusters in the Milky Way and the Magellanic Clouds. Furthermore, direct measurements of the Salpeter slope of the IMF will be possible in over 1500 young clusters out to a distance of 5 Mpc. MICADO on the ELT will be able to measure resolved IMFs for a large ensemble of young clusters under starkly different environments and test the universality of the IMF in the local Universe.
Triple-Plane Dissection of Combined Forehead and Scalp Flaps for Large Posttraumatic Forehead Defects
Authors: Saha Srinjoy
Published: June 2020

Introduction Reconstruction of large (>20 cm2) posttraumatic forehead defects, with esthetically pleasing results and without distorting the surrounding anatomical landmarks like eyebrow and hairline, is a significant surgical challenge. This study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of a triple-plane dissection technique of significantly-sized flaps, combining forehead, and scalp to cover large forehead defects.

Materials and Methods A retrospective review from January 2009 to December 2019 revealed that 12 patients with large defects over the forehead were operated on. Significantly-sized rotation and advancement flaps, combining both the forehead and scalp tissues, were performed. Triple-plane dissection and careful galeal scoring recruited more tissues and increased the reach of these flaps while maintaining adequate flap vascularity.

Results Large forehead posttraumatic defects in all 12 patients were covered in a single surgery with this combined flap. Eight patients were men and four were women (mean age, 58 years). Size of the defects ranged from 21 to 40 cm2 (mean, 27 cm2). Complications included deep marginal necrosis in one patient (8%), superficial necrosis in one patient (8%), and mild venous stasis in four patients (33%). Superficial necrosis and venous stasis resolved by itself. Good color and contour match, minimal alopecia, maintained positions of eyebrow, and hairline positions were found in most patients. Six months postoperatively, patient satisfaction measured on a visual analogue scale ranged between 3 and 9 out of 10 (mean, 7).

Conclusion Primary forehead reconstruction with significant-sized flaps combining forehead and scalp tissues, with triple-plane dissection and galeal scoring, appears to be an effective option for covering large forehead defects.
Cachexia in Cancer Patients: Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Hariyanto Timotius I. , Kurniawan Andree
Published: June 2020

Introduction Cachexia in cancer patients, especially in advanced stage, is recently known as an emerging problem. Cachexia occurs in about half of all patients with neoplastic disease. The diagnosis of cachexia needs comprehensive evaluation of body weight and body composition for several months. Cachexia will give negative impacts such as increased mortality, chemotoxicity, and decreased quality of life. Here, we review the current evidence describing the definition, stages, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of cachexia in cancer patients.

Methods We identified 75 studies and/or review articles evaluating cachexia and weight loss in cancer patients by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases.

Results Cachexia is reported across all stages and types of cancers. The most recent definition of cachexia is reported in a 2011 paper by International Consensus. The mechanism of cachexia in cancer is complex and involved many factors which elaborate together to produce cachexia. The diagnostic evaluation and cut-off measurement of cachexia, especially in cancer varied across studies. The loss of weight that happens during chemotherapy will make a poor prognosis. Cachexia can worsen chemotherapy toxicity. Combination of dietary modification and exercise with supplementation of medication that control appetite and inflammation are important in the management of cachexia in cancer patients.

Conclusion Patients with cancer are the population at risk for developing cachexia before and after chemotherapy. Cachexia diagnosis needs evaluation of body weight and body composition. Nonpharmacological treatments, such as dietary modification and physical exercise, are the best strategy to reduce cachexia in cancer patients.
Relative host resistance to Alternaria leaf spot in canola and mustard varieties is defined by Alternaria species
Authors: Al-Lami Hebba F. D. , You Ming Pei , Barbetti Martin J.
Published: June 2020

Both Alternaria japonica and A. brassicae cause severe Alternaria leaf spot on canola (Brassica napus) and mustard (B. juncea). We tested 103 Brassicaceae varieties including 93 Australian canola, nine Indian mustard, and a single variety of Ethiopian mustard (B. carinata) under greenhouse conditions to identify host resistance to Alternaria leaf spot caused by A. japonica and A. brassicae in terms of disease incidence (percentage leaf disease incidence, %LDI), disease severity (percentage leaf area diseased, %LAD) and defoliation (percentage leaf collapse index, %LCI). Against A. japonica, across the three parameters, B. napus Surpass 404 CL was the most resistant (%LDI 7.5, %LAD 5.0, %LCI 0). Varieties Hyola 635 CC, Oscar, AG-Outback and Rottnest, with %LDI 15.6–19.4 and %LAD 12.5–15.6, also showed strong resistance, and with %LCI 10. Varieties 47C02, ATR-Signal and Clancy of B. napus showed a moderate level of resistance across %LDI (21.2–25.6) and %LAD (15.0–20.6), along with a low level of defoliation (%LCI 10). Varieties 46C03, 46C72, ATR-Cobbler and Granite TT of B. napus also showed a moderate level of resistance, with %LDI 23.1–28.7, %LAD 18.1–20.6 and %LCI 11.2–14.4. The significance of this resistance against A. japonica is highlighted by the severe disease on B. napus Thunder TT (%LDI 78.8, %LAD 72.5, %LCI 47.5). Against A. brassicae, all varieties showed susceptibility; however, B. napus ATR-Grace was the least susceptible in relation to disease incidence (%LDI 41.2) and severity (%LAD 36.2), and B. napus Hyola 450 TT the most susceptible (%LDI 90.0, %LAD 82.5). Variety Hurricane of B. napus was the least susceptible in terms of consequent defoliation (%LCI 11.2) and B. napus CBTM Tribune the most susceptible (%LCI 81.2). The B. carinata variety BCA 1 (ATC 95065) and all test B. juncea varieties showed susceptibility to both pathogens. These findings demonstrate high levels of resistance across Australian canola varieties against A. japonica that can be directly deployed where A. japonica is important and can be utilised by breeders for improving resistance in future varieties. By contrast, susceptibility across Australian canola and mustard varieties to A. brassicae is concerning, highlighting a need to locate suitable resistances and, until effective host resistance can be located, to develop and deploy cultural and chemical options.
A systematic review of methods used to study fish in saltmarsh flats
Authors: Harrison-Day Violet , Prahalad Vishnu , Kirkpatrick Jamie B. , McHenry Melinda
Published: June 2020

There is a growing body of research highlighting the importance of saltmarshes as habitats for fish for feeding, refuge from predation and reproduction. However, more work is needed on fish on vegetated marsh flats (or surfaces). We reviewed 60 studies that used 21 methods to sample fish assemblages on saltmarsh flats. Drop samplers, fyke nets and pop nets were most frequently employed, with considerably more studies being conducted in graminoid than succulent marsh. Reporting of sampling temporal and tidal details, environmental variables and fish attributes was inconsistent. Most of the papers focussed on one or more of conservation management, comparisons among habitat types, and the use of saltmarsh (including fish activity type or residency status). Important potential areas of research include the relationships between the fish assemblages of saltmarsh flats and coastal fisheries, the effects of invasive plant species and marsh restoration efforts in areas outside the United States, and the potential effects of sea-level rise on vegetated flats as fish habitat. Sampling methods that provide density measures are likely to be most useful for most of this research. Thus, drop samplers and pop nets are an appropriate choice, the former in graminoid saltmarshes and the latter in succulent saltmarshes.
Introduction.
Authors: Mung'Ong'O Claude G. , Yanda Pius Z. , Mabhuye Edmund B.
Published: June 2020

This book provides a detailed analysis of the impacts of climate change on various tropical ecosystems in Tanzania and their related aspects of economic endeavour - from agriculture, marine resources and wildlife to weather forecasting. The analyses concentrate on Real and potential impacts of climate change, focusing on changes in temperature and precipitation, as well as alternative adaptive capacity and resilience-enhancing strategies such as changing crop types and cropping patterns. Across all of the analyses, particular attention is paid to impacts, vulnerability and resilience of ecosystems and communities to climate change outcomes with special reference to the impacts of extreme events such as droughts and flooding. The chapters in this book represent some of the early attempts at analysing the implications of climate change carried out at the Centre for Climate Change Studies of the University of Dar es Salaam. The chapters employ 'a bottom-up systems approach' whereby the implications of climate change are evaluated based on analytical models from agriculture, wildlife management and weather forecasting systems. The approach allows for experimentation with alternative policy options for achieving research and development objectives in the context of climate change.
Lessons learnt and the way forward for research on climate change in Tanzania.
Authors: Yanda Pius Z. , Mung'Ong'O Claude G. , Mabhuye Edmund B.
Published: June 2020

The research themes in this volume have focused on impacts of climate change, vulnerability and resilience of ecosystems and communities to climate change. Other key sub-themes have been community access, control, and rights to climate information, importance of integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge in weather forecasting, participation of communities in decision making, and gender roles in response to impacts of climate change in various areas of mainland Tanzania. This last chapter of the book synthesizes the lessons learnt from the reported case studies and tries to chart out a road map for future research on climate change in Tanzania.
Compliance with animal welfare regulations: drivers and consequences
Authors: Berg Charlotte , Frida Lundmark Hedman
Published: June 2020

In the field of animal welfare science focus has traditionally been on the risk factors for, and prevention of, animal welfare problems. More recently, the topic of measuring animal welfare at the individual level or at the group level has attracted substantial attention among animal welfare scientists. Furthermore, research into the content and structure of various regulations—including both official legislation and private standards—and their effects on animal welfare outcomes is growing. However, the amount of research related to compliance with animal welfare regulations is still extremely limited. In this review, we aim at illuminating the concept of compliance, how it can be measured within different audit systems, and the scientific challenges encountered when comparing different regulations in terms of compliance. In addition, we analyse and discuss different drivers for compliance, as well as the obstacles and complications in relation to various inspection and follow-up approaches in cases of non-compliance. We conclude that if participation in voluntary private animal welfare schemes is to be used as one of the variables when applying a risk-based approach to official animal welfare control, then the methods of measuring and accounting for compliance within such schemes must be clearly reported.
Precision livestock farming: automatic lameness detection in intensive livestock systems
Authors: Azarpajouh Samaneh , Díaz Julia A. Calderón , Taheri Hossein
Published: June 2020

Lameness is a major production disease affecting animal welfare and profitability. Although lameness is a prevalent condition in livestock production systems, its identification can be unreliable due to lack of individual animal observation for gait and posture abnormalities and standard evaluation criteria. To prevent financial losses and welfare problems, early and accurate lameness detection and treatment are essential. Visual scoring is the most common method to evaluate lameness, which is time and labor involved and is prone to observer error. Therefore, automated lameness detection methods that do not rely on the human eyes and are not subjective may offer a more accurate lameness identification method. Application of engineering techniques in livestock farming to monitor, model, and manage animal production is called precision livestock farming (PLF). Using PLF, a large amount of data can be collected in short period of time, which can improve lameness prediction accuracy. This review paper will (a) explain engineering advances in PLF; (b) describe lameness and visual and automatic lameness detection; and (c) discuss sensors applied in PLF research.
The influence of various basalt mineral and sodium hydroxide concentration on the physical properties and characterization of geo-polymer products
Authors: Handoko A S , Amin M , Pertiwi D R , Syafriadi
Published: June 2020

Environment friendly product has a major concern nowadays. The use of cement as a binder to make concrete cannot be negligible since cement production has contributed to the increasing of CO2 emissions. To produce 1 ton of cement, approximately 1 ton of CO2 is also released from the process. Rock geo-polymer cement as one categories of cement is known to be more environmentally friendly than Portland cement. Basalt rock has an opportunity for a material substitute in geo-polymer cement production. Variability influence of basalt and sodium hydroxide concentration on the physical properties and characterization of Geopolymer products are observed in this research. The raw materials used are basalt, sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate, and water. Geo-polymer is made by adding basalt as much as 2.5 %, 5 % and 7.5 % with basalt grain size of 80, 150 and 270 mesh. This research shows that the greater variation of sodium hydroxide concentration, the smaller compressive strength produced; however the absorption considered becomes greater. Geo-polymer with addition sodium hydroxide 2.5 % with basalt grain size of 270 mesh has a highest compressive strength and the lowest absorption rate. Characterization of the sample using XRF and XRD have indicated that the sample has the highest SiO2 compound content of 48.731 % with 2.5 % sodium hydroxide in the 270 mesh, while the phases formed were Albite Na(Si3Al)O8, Cristobalite (SiO2), Forseterit (Mg2SiO4), Anorthite Ca(Al2Si2O8) and Magnetide (Fe3O4).
Modification of photocatalyst Ti-Pillared clay by Zn metal addition for decolorization process of organic liquid waste
Authors: Rinaldi N , Nashiruddin I , Dwiatmoko A A , Saridewi N
Published: June 2020

Black liquor produced from a pretreatment process of bioethanol using the lignocellulose material, such as an empty palm bunch. Black liquor is organic liquid waste and should be treated before release to the environment. One of the degradation processes of black liquor is by the photocatalytic reaction using the Ti-Pillared Clay (Ti-PiLC) catalyst. However, there is a limitation of process condition if using a Ti-PiLC catalyst; the degradation process should be conducted under a UV light source. This study is focused on the modification of photocatalytic catalyst Ti-PiLC by adding Zn metal (Ti-Zn/PiLC), thus the degradation process of black liquor could be conducted on a visible light source. Characterizations of the prepared photocatalysts were obtained using XRD, BET, TPD, TGA, SEM, TEM and UV-Vis spectrophotometer for the degradation degree. Although the degradation process of black liquor could be conducted on the visible light source, the degradation degree was still minor compared with only using Ti-PiLC photocatalyst. It is assumed that combination Ti and Zn as the active metals of the photocatalyst was not good enough to enhance the degradation process of black liquor even on the visible light source, perhaps using other metal, such as cerium (Ce).