bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A National Comparative Investigation of Twins With Congenital Heart Defects for Neurodevelopmental Outcomes and Quality of Life (Same Same, but Different?): Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Remmele Julia , Helm Paul Christian , Oberhoffer-Fritz Renate , Bauer Ulrike MM , Pickardt Thomas , Ewert Peter , Tutarel Oktay
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Due to the increased survival rates of patients with congenital heart defects (CHD), associated disorders are an increasing focus of research. Existing studies figured out an association between CHD and its treatment, and neurodevelopmental outcomes including motor competence impairments. All these studies, however, compared their test results with reference values or results of healthy control groups. This comparison is influenced by socioeconomic and genetic aspects, which do have a known impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study protocol describes a setting that aims to find out the role of CHD and its treatments on neurodevelopmental outcomes, excluding socioeconomic and genetic aspects. Only a twin comparison provides the possibility to exclude these confounding factors.

METHODS

In a German-wide prospective cohort study, 129 twin siblings registered in the National Register for Congenital Heart Defects will undergo testing on cognitive function (Wechsler Intelligence Tests age-dependent: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, fourth edition; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, fifth edition; and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, fourth edition) and motor competence (Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition). Additionally, the self-reported health-related quality of life (KINDL-R for children, Short Form 36 for adults) and the parent-reported strength and difficulties of the children (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, German version) will be assessed by standardized questionnaires. CHD data on the specific diagnosis, surgeries, transcatheter procedures, and additional medical information will be received from patient records.

RESULTS

The approval of the Medical Ethics Committee Charité Mitte was obtained in June 2018. After getting funded in April 2019, the first enrollment was in August 2019. The study is still ongoing until June 2022. Final results are expected in 2022.

CONCLUSIONS

This study protocol provides an overview of the study design’s technical details, offering an option to exclude confounding factors on neurodevelopmental outcomes in patients with CHD. This will enable a specific analysis focusing on CHD and clinical treatments to differentiate in terms of neurodevelopmental outcomes of patients with CHD compared to twin siblings with healthy hearts. Finally, we aim to clearly define what is important to prevent patients with CHD in terms of neurodevelopmental impairments to be able to develop targeted prevention strategies for patients with CHD.

CLINICALTRIAL

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00021087; https://tinyurl.com/2rdw8w67

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/26404
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex fulfilling the criteria set by the 2012 International Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Consensus Conference: A case report (Preprint)
Authors: Malik Aimen , Akbar Arshia , Ashraf Gohar , Akram Hammad
Published: May 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a rare multisystem neuro-cutaneous disorder associated with the growth of benign tumors in different organs such as the brain, lungs, kidneys, heart, and eye. The dermatological findings of this disorder are very common; present at early age and not easy to miss. The neurological manifestations of TSC include seizures, autism, and intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, intracranial abnormalities and hamartoma formation in the heart and other organs are found among sufferers. The clinical diagnostic criteria have been critically evaluated and updated in the 2012 International Tuberous Sclerosis Conference. The diagnosis is based on genetic criteria, clinical criteria, and various manifestations of skin, kidneys, lungs, and brain. The management involves multispecialty and multidisciplinary approaches. Here, we present a case of a 13-years-old female with characteristic clinical, radiological, and pathological features of TSC. The patient had many dermatological manifestations of the condition.
Social Semiotics of Gangstalking Evidence Videos on YouTube: Multimodal Discourse Analysis of a Novel Persecutory Belief System (Preprint)
Authors: Lustig Andrew , Brookes Gavin , Hunt Daniel
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Gangstalking refers to a novel persecutory belief system wherein sufferers believe that they are being followed, watched, and harassed by a vast network of people in their community who have been recruited as complicit perpetrators. They are frequently diagnosed as mentally ill, although they reject this formulation. Those affected by this belief system self-identify as targeted individuals (TIs). They seek to prove the veracity of their persecution and dispute the notion that they are mentally ill by posting videos online that purport to provide evidence of their claims.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to characterize the multimodal social semiotic practices used in gangstalking evidence videos.

METHODS

We assembled a group of 50 evidence videos posted on YouTube by self-identified TIs and performed a multimodal social semiotic discourse analysis using a grounded theory approach to data analysis.

RESULTS

TIs accomplished several social and interpersonal tasks in the videos. They constructed their own identity as subjects of persecution and refuted the notion that they suffered from mental illness. They also cultivated positive ambient affiliation with viewers of the videos but manifested hostility toward people who appeared in the videos. They made extensive use of multimodal deixis to generate salience and construe the gangstalking belief system. The act of filming itself was a source of conflict and served as a self-fulfilling prophecy; filming was undertaken to neutrally record hostility directed toward video bloggers (vloggers). However, the act of filming precipitated the very behaviors that they set out to document. Finally, the act of filming was also regarded as an act of resistance and empowerment by vloggers.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide insight into a novel persecutory belief system. Interpersonal concerns are important for people affected, and they construe others as either sympathetic or hostile. They create positive ambient affiliation with viewers. We found that vloggers use multimodal deixis to illustrate the salience of the belief system. The videos highlighted the Derridean concept of différance, wherein the meaning of polysemous signifiers is deferred without definitive resolution. This may be important in communicating with people and patients with persecutory belief systems. Clinicians may consider stepping away from the traditional true/false dichotomy endorsed by psychiatric classification systems and focus on the ambiguity in semiotic systems generally and in persecutory belief systems specifically.
Correction: Design and Evaluation of User-Centered Exergames for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Multilevel Usability and Feasibility Studies (Preprint)
Authors: Schättin Alexandra , Häfliger Stephan , Meyer Alain , Früh Barbara , Böckler Sonja , Hungerbühler Yannic , de Bruin Eling D , Frese Sebastian , Steinlin Egli Regula , Götz Ulrich , Bauer René , Martin-Niedecken Anna Lisa
Published: May 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

REMOVE
Financial Environment and Risk of Stock Price Crash
Authors: Shuangze Xie , Xinpeng Xu
Published: May 2021

The risk of stock price crash has become an important topic in the field of macroeconomics and micro-finance in recent years, but there are relatively few researches on the risk of stock price crash from an external perspective. Therefore, this paper takes China’s GEM listed companies as samples to empirically test the impact of financial environment on stock price crash risk. The research finds that there is a significant negative correlation between the financial environment and the risk of stock price crash, that is, the better the financial environment of the GEM listed company is, the lower the risk of stock price crash is. This conclusion still exists after controlling for the conservatism and endogenicity.
FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF A THIRD COMPONENT USED IN TERNARY SOLID DISPERSION: A REVIEW
Authors: S. SREE VARSHINI , C. VAIYANA RAJESH
Published: May 2021

Ternary solid dispersion (TSD) is one of the promising approaches used in recent studies to address the issues encountered by poorly water-soluble drugs. The binary solid dispersion (BSD) with the drug and the single polymer is not sufficient to satisfy all the criteria such as improved solubility, dissolution, stability, supersaturation, and recrystallization inhibition. Hence, the TSD with the third component/ternary agent aids in overcoming the limitations, thereby enhancing the solubility and bioavailability to a greater extent when compared to the BSD. Excipients that can be used as a third component includes surfactants, pH modulator, polymer and adsorbents. All these excipients have distinct benefits in improving the efficiency of the final dosage form. However, care must be taken in selecting suitable excipients for the research. This review highlights the impact of these excipients in improving the formulation complications and the therapeutic potential of the TSD.
DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION AND RP-HPLC METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF QUERCETIN, ELLAGIC ACID AND KAEMPFEROL IN A POLYHERBAL FORMULATION
Authors: K. SHALINI , K. ILANGO
Published: May 2021

Objective: The current study was planned to develop polyherbal tablet formulation, standardization and evaluation for mitigating the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). To control the issue of PCOS in women by the utilization of newly developed polyherbal tablet formulation.

Methods: The polyherbal tablets were prepared using a hydroalcoholic extract of the selected medicinal plants viz. Asparagus racemosus, Bauhinia variegata, Caesalpinia bonducella, Saraca asoca, and Symplocos racemosa with the help of a super disintegrant addition technique using crospovidone, kyron T-314 and pregelatinized starch in various percentages. Evaluation assessments such as pre-formulation studies, weight variation, hardness, friability, thickness, disintegration, IR compatibility and simultaneous estimation of quercetin, ellagic acid and kaempferol by RP-HPLC method were done.

Results: The results reveal that preformulation and evaluation parameters were satisfactory and found to be within an acceptable limit. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) compatibility displays no chemical interaction amongst the hydroalcoholic extract of polyherbal formulation and excipients. In simultaneous estimation, the retention time of quercetin, ellagic acid, and kaempferol were found to be 4.86, 6.96 and 10.01 min respectively. The linearity of quercetin, ellagic acid and kaempferol were found in the range of 0-200 µg/ml with correlation coefficients (R2>0.997) within the tested ranges. The LOD and LOQ values of quercetin, ellagic acid and kaempferol were found to be 11.86, 2.63, 5.28 µg/ml and 35.95, 7.98, 16.00 µg/ml respectively. The % RSD values were found to be less than 2 showed the optimized method is precise.

Conclusion: To conclude, the prepared polyherbal tablet and its quality control analysis revealed satisfactory pharmaceutical properties that fulfill within the limits of pharmacopeial standards. The RP-HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of quercetin, ellagic acid and kaempferol were simple, precise, accurate and consistent for the quantitative analysis and quality control examination of herbal formulations.
Aportaciones del espacio público para los gobiernos locales a través de la gobernanza. El Programa de Mejoramiento Barrial en la Ciudad de México.
Authors: Rodríguez Villavicencio Bryan Jorge
Published: May 2021

La finalidad de este trabajo es analizar la importancia del espacio público desde una perspectiva de la administración pública y utilizando el procesos de gobernanza como una herramienta que exige una participación de actores y el establecimiento de redes para la definición de objetivos que permitan la eficiencia y la eficacia en la conducción de la sociedad, con base en el conocimiento de los capitales de cada actor involucrado en la configuración del espacio público para dar factibilidad a la solución de problemas interrelacionados.
La puesta en escena de la Cuarta Transformación
Authors: Puga Espinosa Cristina
Published: May 2021

El texto expone que la permanencia del actual gobierno mexicano, encabezado por el presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador, se explica en buena parte por una eficaz puesta en escena que proyecta la imagen de un mandatario cercano al pueblo y que descansa en un acertado manejo de escenarios, símbolos, códigos, ceremonias, guiones y rituales.
Los elementos más destacados de ese montaje teatral, los analiza con base en el concepto de performatividad. Este concepto descansa simultá-neamente en el acervo dramatúrgico y en el trasfondo cultural de una so-ciedad que responde favorablemente a ciertos elementos que apelan a sus emociones y a sus experiencias históricas y vivenciales
Origin of voluminous mid-tertiary ignimbrites of the batopilas region, Chihuahua: implications for the formation of continental crust beneath the Sierra Madre Occidental
Authors: Cameron K.L. , Cameron M. , Barreiro B.
Published: May 2021

Las ignimbritas riolíticas de la región de Batopilas, del norte de la Sierra Madre Occidental, están interestratificadas con un número menor de lavas andesíticas y dacíticas. Varias líneas de evidencia indican que esta serie andesita - dacita - riolita es co-magmática. Por ejemplo, esta serie es distinta químicamente de rocas Ígneas más jóvenes y más viejas de la misma región; no se observan variaciones sistemáticas en composición isotópica, y las variaciones en elementos-traza en la serie pueden ser modeladas por cálculos de fraccionación Rayleigh. Las variaciones en las concentraciones de Sr no concuerdan con un origen de fusión parcial para la serie y las riolitas parecen ser el producto de un sistema cerrado de cristalización fraccionada de magmas de una fuente subcortical. Los resultados adicionales publicados sobre riolitas terciarias de otras cuatro áreas de la Sierra Madre Occidental establecen que estas rocas son heterogéneas isotópicamente, al compararlas con las de Batopilas y que algunas de ellas contienen una componente cortical. La fuente sub-cortical debajo de la Sierra Madre Occidental tiene cocientes de 87Sr/86sr entre O. 7042 y O. 7050 y ENd cercanos a cero. La mayoría de las riolitas analizadas tienen razones iniciales de Sr menores de O. 7070 y sus composiciones isotópicas pueden explicarse por un modelo de asimilación y cristalización fraccionada que abarca menos del 25º/o de componente cortical. La extrusión de la secuencia Volcánica Superior y el emplazamiento del batolito marcaron un evento mayor de formación de corteza en el occidente de México.
Volcanismo riolitico en el Eje Neo volcanico Mexicano
Authors: Ferriz H. , Mahood G.A.
Published: May 2021

El Eje Neovolcánico Mexicano es una faja volcánica plio-cuaternaria, de orientación Este-Oeste, que bisecta la porción central de México. Está formada por grandes estratovolcanes andesíticos, centros volcánicos silícicos, y extensos campos de conos cineríticos basálticos y andesíticos. A la fecha· han sido reconocidos cinco centros volcánicos silícicos en el Eje Neovolcánico: La Primavera, Jal., Los Azufres, Mich., Amealco; Qro., Huichapan; Hgo. y Los Humeros, Pue. Estos centros se encuentran localizados a lo largo de la porción norte del Eje, por "detrás" del frente definido por los volcanes andesíticos activos. Los volúmenes de magmas riolítico y riodacítico extruidos en cada uno de estos centros varían entre 10 y 150 km 3. En la mayoría de estos centros volcánicos, algunas unidades eruptivas individuales muestran un fuerte zoneamiento composicional, en algunos casos incluyendo productos de composición riolítica a andesítica. La única excepción la constituye La Primavera, en que exclusivamente hizo erupción magma riolítico con alto contenido de sílice. Además de los centros mencionados, existen numerosas manifestaciones adicionales de volcanismo riolítico a través del Eje Neovolcánico; algunas de ellas pueden estar relacionadas con grandes centros volcánicos que a la fecha no han sido identificados, ¡:iero en otros casos parecen representar eventos aislados. El volcanismo silícico del Eje Neovolcánico tiene dos implicaciones económicas de importancia: riesgo volcánico y energía geotérmica. Entre los centros conocidos, La Primavera es ·el que representa el mayor riesgo por lo reciente de su actividad y por su cercanía a la ciudad de Guadalajara. En lo que respecta a energía geotérmica, Los Azufres es un campo geotérmico actualmente en explotación, y La Primavera y Los Humeros son prospectos actualmente en exploración. En los tres casos los yacimientos están localizados en zonas de permeabilidad secundaria en el basamento volcánico local.
Análisis de las columnas eruptivas del Volcán Chichón marzo-abril, 1982. Velocidad de salida, presión de la cámara magmatica y energía cinética asociada
Authors: Medina M. F.
Published: May 2021

Usando como base los datos de la cantidad de material arrojado y los tiempos de duración observados en las erupciones de marzo-abril de 1982, del volcán Chichón, se evalúan las alturas que alcanzaron las columnas eruptivas y las velocidades máximas de salida del flujo eruptivo. Las velocidades resultantes son superiores a los 400 m/seg para la erupción del 28 de marzo y cercana a los 1 000 m/seg para la erupción del 4 de abril. Con los datos de velocidad máxima se calculan las presiones internas desarrolladas en el nivel de fragmentación de la cámara magmática. Las presiones resultantes se proponen ligadas al porcentaje de agua en cada erupción. Para la erupción del día 3 de abril, este porcentaje es del orden de 150,b; este alto valor, así como el súbito crecimiento del radio del cráter, se postulan como el origen de los 'surges' (derrames acarreados por flujo turbulento) desarrollados en esta erupción. Adicionalmente, se evalúan las energías cinéticas desarrolladas en cada erupción, las energías térmicas y las eficiencias de conversión de energía térmica a cinética.
Balances de radiación y potenciales de productividad primaria en algunos ecosistemas terrestres de la Republica Mexicana
Authors: Ritter Ortiz W. , Garay M. E. de , Guzmán Ruiz S.
Published: May 2021

A partir de la información climatológica se calculan los balances de radiación y los potenciales de productividad primaria neta para trece estaciones de la República Mexicana, con diferentes tipos de vegetación: Bosque tropical caducifolio, Pastizal, Matorral xerófilo y Bosque de Coníferas y Quercus. Los balances de radiación se estiman con datos de normales climatológicas de temperatura, precipitación, humedad relativa e insolación y con valores esperados de albedo, para los tipos de vegetación considerados. La determinación del coeficiente de calentamiento como un índice de importancia ecológica, muestra que éste está más ligado a las condiciones atmosféricas que a las superficies consideradas. Los potenciales de productividad primaria neta se obtienen aplicando los modelos climáticos de Rosenzweig, (PER 1) Lieth y Box (PER2), Lieth (PN y Pn construidos en función de la evapotranspiración real, la precipitación y la temperatura. Los resultados obtenidos con los modelos de Lieth y Box (PER2) y Lieth (PN) coinciden con los observados en tipos de vegetación equivalentes. La relación entre la productividad primaria neta estimada con el Modelo de Lieth y Box (PERú y Lieth (PN), y el índice de aridez, calculado con los balances de radiación y los valores de precipitación, confirman las observaciones de Budyko, teniéndose las siguientes relaciones: PER2=2480.7 (IA)-0.7958, PN=2016.0 (IA)-0.83139. El mejor ajuste de estas curvas señala que las variaciones en la productividad responden directamente a la cantidad de agua y energía disponibles.
Distribución del vapor de agua precipitable en México
Authors: Jaurequi O. Ernesto
Published: May 2021

Utilizando datos de 8 estaciones de la red nacional de radiosondeo para el período de 1965-74, se han calculado los valores medios de la cantidad de agua precipitable para México. Se presentan mapas de distribución del vapor de agua precipitable (V AP) para 4 meses representativos. Se examina la variación estacional del V AP en las diversas regiones del país.
Descripción preliminar de la geología y mecánica de emplazamiento del complejo ultrabásico del cretácico de Loma Baya, Guerrero, México
Authors: Delgado Argote L. A. , Rubinovich Cogan R. , Gasca Durán A.
Published: May 2021

A la altura de Papanoa, la costa de Guerrero corta a un cinturón magmático del Cretácico Medio, dentro del cual se emplazan cuatro complejos básicos-ultrabásicos. Uno de éstos, el de Loma Baya cubre una área de O. 7 5 km2, y aparece encajonado por rocas volcánicas e hipabisales de composición intermedia. En orden de abundancia, este núcleo está compuesto por clinopiroxenitas de olivino, wherlitas, clinopiroxenitas, dunitas, y en menor cantidad, pegmatitas de homblenda y cromititas. El olivino es Fo90 en promedio, y los clinopiroxenos son diopsida y augita diopsídica. El ortopiroxeno está típicamente ausente. Químicamente, el conjunto ultrabásico es más rico en FeO que sus similares de tipo ofiolítico y aun de las intrusiones cordilleranas del oeste de Canadá, E. U. A. y Alaska. Entre los óxidos analizados por medio de microsonda, se identificaron magnetitas y ferrocromitas primarias seudoestratificadas, y secundarias formadas durante la serpentinización del conjunto. Estos últimos se diferencian claramente de los primarios por los altos valores de Si02 y MgO, típicamente entre 8 y 20% y 14 y 24%, respectivamente. Con respecto a otras localidades, las cromitas masivas presentan un mayor contenido de Mg y menor de Cr. Los rasgos estructurales predominantes presentan una tendencia vertical, un intenso brechamiento interno, con una foliación promedio de 73°, mientras que el cuerpo en conjunto parece haberse emplazado con una inclinación de 53° W. Se explica la intrusión forzada del cuerpo, como debida al efecto combinado del aumento de volumen (30% ?) y la pérdida aproximada de un tercio de la densidad de la masa ultrabásica durante la serpentinización, lo cual puede producir el movimiento ascendente del núcleo ultrabásico. Así, se considera que el emplazamiento del cuerpo ocurrió durante el Cretácico Superior, mediante un mecanismo de tipo diapírico.
Hydrothermal activity detected by self-potential measurements at the N-S volcanic axis between the volcanoes "Nevado de Colima" and "Volcán de fuego de Colima" (México)
Authors: Aubert M. , Lima E.
Published: May 2021

Los resultados de las medidas de potencial espontaneo (SP) obtenidos en el lado norte del volcán de Fuego de Colima muestran una importante anomalía. Esta anomalía no puede ser correlacionada con el domo actual que se observa en la cima del volcán y es debida a una actividad hidrotermal que corresponde a un área de fracturamiento asociada a una fuente de calor. Se supone que esta anomalía está relacionada con el alineamiento volcánico Norte-Sur, formado por el antiguo volcán Nevado de Colima actualmente inactivo y el cono activo del Volcán de Fuego de Colima.
Dobraduras Dinâmicas e a Argumentação em Geometria
Authors: Ferreira Silveira Priscila , Rodrigues Notare Márcia
Published: May 2021

Nesse artigo analisa-se o desenvolvimento do pensamento geométrico e da argumentação a partir da exploração de situações geométricas de dobraduras em ambiente de geometria dinâmica. A investigação foi conduzida por um experimento, com alunos do nono ano do Ensino Fundamental. Por meio de investigação geométrica, foram elaboradas atividades dinâmicas, nas quais se oportunizou o desenvolvimento de aspectos essenciais do pensamento geométrico, como a exploração, formulação e teste de conjecturas, assim como o incentivo à argumentação na escola. Essa investigação foi realizada com o software GeoGebra, a partir da manipulação de objetos geométricos dinâmicos que simulam dobraduras em folhas de papel, nos quais os alunos foram incentivados a explorar e argumentar. Os resultados do experimento apontam que, com a utilização de ambiente de geometria dinâmica, é possível resgatar o trabalho com o desenvolvimento do pensamento geométrico na escola básica.
MicroRNA-143-3p alleviates murine collagen-induced arthritis by polarizing naive CD4+T cells into Treg cells
Authors: Shen Mei Yu , Jiang Bao Ping , Zhang Ming Fei , Wang Xiang , Zhu Hong , Gu Zhen Ning , Zhou Xue Ping , Lu Yan , ling zhou
Published: May 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic autoimmune disease
with the decreasing proportion of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Previous
studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs, miR) act as key regulators of
Treg cells. In this study, we assessed the involvement of miR-143-3p on
Treg cells differentiation and function in the RA progress. We reported
that the expression of miR-143-3p has been negatively associated with RA
disease activity, and actively correlated with anti-inflammatory
cytokine IL-10, which was secreted by Treg cells. In vitro, miR-143-3p
expression in the CD4+T cells contributed to the upregulation of
forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3), which was the characteristic
transcription factor of Treg cells. Notably, miR-143-3p mimics treatment
markedly upregulated the frequency of Treg cells in vivo, effectively
prevented CIA development and significantly inhibited inflammation in
mice. Altogether, we proposed that MiR-143-3p can alleviate CIA by
polarizing naive CD4+T cells into Treg cells, which warrants miR-143-3p
as a target for the new therapeutic strategy of Treg-deficiency
autoimmune diseases such as RA.
Reference range of naïve T and T memory lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of healthy adult
Authors: Xia Ying , Liu Aqing , Li Wentao , Liu Yunhe , Zhang Guan , Ye Songshan , Zhao Zhijieruo , Shi Juan , Yu Jianchun , Jia Yingjie , Liu Xu , Guo Yongtie , Chen Huayu
Published: May 2021

Abstract: Background： Naïve T and T memory cell subsets can provide
important information for the diagnosis and treatment of immunological
and hematological disorders. Lymphocyte compartment undergo dramatic
changes during adulthood; age-related reference values derived from
healthy individuals are crucial. However, extensively detailed
immunophenotyping reference values of peripheral blood lymphocytes in
whole spectrum of adulthood performed by flow cytometry-based
single-platform method are rare. Methods: 309 healthy adult volunteers
were recruited from Tianjin in China. The absolute counts and
percentages of CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells, naïve T cells (Tn), T
memory stem cells (Tscm), central memory T cells (Tcm), effector memory
T cells (Tem), terminal effector T cells (Tte) were determined by flow
cytometry with single platform technologies. Results: Reference range of
absolute counts and percentage of lymphocyte subsets were formulated by
different age and gender. We also find out the changing regularity of
them: the cells which have stem cell properties, Tn and Tscm cells,
decrease with aging; memory cell subsets, Tcm and Tem increase with
aging, which increase from 18 to 64 years old and present no significant
change over the 65 years old. Gender have influence on the fluctuation
of lymphocyte subsets, absolute count of CD3+CD8+, CD8+ Tcm, CD8+ Tem in
male are higher than that in female. Conclusion: The reference values of
percentages and absolute numbers of naïve T and T memory cell subsets
can help doctors to understand the immune state of patients and to
evaluate conditions of prognosis then adjust treatment for patients.
Evaluation of FAO-56 procedures for estimating reference evapotranspiration using missing climatic data for a Brazilian tropical savanna
Authors: Junior Luiz Claudio Valle , Vourlitis George , Curado Leone Francisco , Palacios Rafael , Nogueira José , Lobo Francisco , Islam Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Rodrigues Thiago
Published: May 2021

Since the Brazilian Cerrado has been heavily impacted by agricultural
activities over the last four to five decades, reference
evapotranspiration (ETo) plays a pivotal role in water resources
management for irrigation agriculture. The Penman-Monteith (PM) is one
of the most accepted models for ETo estimation, but it requires many
inputs that are not commonly available. Therefore, assessing the FAO
guidelines to compute ETo when meteorological data are missing could
lead to a better understanding of how climatic variables are related to
water requirements and atmospheric demands for a grass-mixed savanna
region and which variable impacts the estimates the most. In this study,
ETo was computed from April 2010 to August 2019. We tested twelve
different scenarios considering radiation, relative humidity, and/or
wind speed as missing climatic data using guidelines given by FAO. When
wind speed and/or relative humidity data were the only missing data, the
PM method showed the lowest errors in the ETo estimates and correlation
coefficient (r) and Willmott’s index of agreement (d) values close to
1.0. When radiation data were missing, computed ETo was overestimated
compared to the benchmark. FAO procedures to estimate the net radiation
presented good results during the wet season; however, during the dry
season, their results were overestimated, especially because the method
could not estimate negative Rn. Therefore, we can infer that radiation
data have the highest impact on ETo for our study area and also regions
with similar conditions and FAO guidelines are not suitable when
radiation data are missing.
Continuous synthesis of high-performance isobutylaluminoxanes in a compact and integrated approach
Authors: Feng Yirong , Zhang Mengbo , Zhang Haomiao , Wang Jingdai , Yongrong Yang
Published: May 2021

We present a 3D-printed continuous flow platform for controllable
synthesis of isobutylaluminoxanes (IBAO), an effective olefin
polymerization co-catalyst, via highly exothermic hydrolytic reaction of
triisobutylaluminum (TIBA). This platform encompasses modules of mixing
and reaction, in-line separation, and in situ UV-vis characterization.
In addition, two NMR protocols are established to validate the results
of in-line UV-vis analysis (31P NMR) and reveal product structures (1H
NMR). Measured temperature profiles over the reactor indicate
essentially fast heat removal, ensuring inherent safety. Subsequently,
co-catalytic activity of IBAO is obtained by ethylene oligomerization
experiments using an iron-based catalyst system at atmospheric pressure.
Furthermore, we investigate the influence of key operating parameters
including initial molar ratio between water and TIBA, initial TIBA
concentration, and residence time. High IBAO yield over 98% and
superior co-catalytic activity of ~5000 kg·(mol
Fe)–1·h–1 are achieved with optimized parameters in this single-pass
platform, demonstrating the advantages of process.
Massively parallel DNA target capture using Long Adapter Single Stranded Oligonucleotide (LASSO) probes assembled through a novel DNA recombinase mediated methodology
Authors: TOSI LORENZO , Chkaiban Lamia , Larman H. Benjamin , Rosenfeld Jeffrey , Parekkadan Biju
Published: May 2021

In the attempt to bridge the widening gap from DNA sequence to
biological function, we developed a novel methodology to assemble
Long-Adapter Single-Strand Oligonucleotide (LASSO) probe libraries that
enabled the massively multiplexed capture of kilobase-sized DNA
fragments for downstream long read DNA sequencing or expression. This
method uses short DNA oligonucleotides (pre-LASSO probes) and a plasmid
vector that supplies the backbone for the mature LASSO probe through
Cre-Loxp intramolecular recombination. This strategy generates high
quality LASSO probes libraries (~46% of probes). We
performed NGS analysis of the post-capture PCR amplification of DNA
circles obtained from the LASSO capture of 3087 E.coli ORFs spanning
from 400- to 4,000 bp. The median enrichment of all targeted ORFs versus
untargeted ORFs was 30 times. For ORFs up to 1kb in size, targeted ORFs
were enriched up to a median of 260-fold. Here, we show that LASSO
probes obtained in this manner, are able to capture full-length open
reading frames from total human cDNA. Furthermore, we show that the
LASSO capture specificity and sensitivity is sufficient for target
capture from total human genomic DNA template. This technology can be
used for the preparation of long-read sequencing libraries and for
massively multiplexed cloning of human sequences.
Dermatoscopic differentiation of dermal nevus and seborrheic keratosis
Authors: Diamandis Dr. Carolina , Davis Alexander , Seideman David
Published: May 2021

The majority of seborrheic keratoses can be reliably differentiated
clinically from a melanocytic nevus. In case of difficult findings, for
example at unusual localization, dermatoscopy is the key method for
diagnosis. In the near future, developments in artificial intelligence
(A.I.) might help to classify the findings. Initial results from studies
are promising in this regard.
Saturation Point and Phase Envelope Calculation for Reactive Systems Based on the RAND Formulation
Authors: Medeiros Fernando de Azevedo , Stenby Erling Halfdan , Yan Wei
Published: May 2021

Analysis of multicomponent reactive systems requires reliable and
accurate equilibrium calculation. There are many stoichiometric or
non-stoichiometric methods to solve the flash-type calculations of a
mixture in chemical and phase equilibrium. In contrast, there is a lack
of robust and efficient methods for another important type of
equilibrium calculation, the saturation point calculation or the
calculation under the phase fraction specification (β-specification),
for a reactive mixture. In this work, we developed RAND-based algorithms
for calculating the saturation points and phase envelope of a reactive
mixture. The RAND formulation is a non-stoichiometric approach recently
extended to non-ideal mixtures for different flash specifications. We
showed here how to modify the RAND-based flash formulation to solve the
β-specification problems. We distinguished between two types of phase
fractions, the one based on components and the one based on elements.
They led to different constraint equations in the formulation.
Furthermore, we introduced element-based partition coefficients, similar
to the equilibrium ratios or K-factors used for non-reactive mixtures.
Use of these new variables is essential to cross the critical point of a
reactive mixture in the phase envelope construction. Since the
formulation developed for reactive mixtures is general, it can also be
reduced and used for the simpler non-reactive mixtures. We showed how
the reduction could be made and how the reduced algorithm served as an
alternative approach to the prevailing phase envelope algorithm of
Michelsen. We illustrated the robustness and efficiency of the proposed
algorithm using four examples: Pxy diagrams for CO2-NaCl brine, a
solid-liquid T xy diagram for MgCl2-water, a PT phase envelope for a
reactive mixture with the alkene hydration reaction, and a PT phase
envelope for a non-reactive hydrocarbon mixture.
Bronchoscopic evaluation of children less than 5 years old with stridor
Authors: Mohite Kaustubh , Mohite Mahesh
Published: May 2021

Background: Stridor is a harsh, vibratory sound with variable pitch
which is caused by partial obstruction of airway that results in
turbulent airflow. It is mainly due to anatomic deformities in the
infantile age group. However, various acquired conditions affecting
upper airway may also cause stridor. Here, we evaluated 87 cases of
stridor using Flexible bronchoscope in order to determine the cause of
stridor. Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics, Flexible
bronchoscopy findings and clinical correlation in children admitted in
our hospital with complains of stridor. Design: Retrospective
observational study. Setting: Single center study conducted in Amrut
medical foundation. 87 children aged less than 5 years with a clinical
complains of stridor were included in the study and Flexible
bronchoscopy was performed. The findings were analyzed and results were
reported. Results: A total of 87 children with stridor were enrolled in
the study and Flexible Bronchoscopy was performed in them. Of these, 68
children had an abnormal bronchoscopy finding. Laryngomalacia was the
commonest cause of stridor observed followed by subglottic stenosis and
tracheomalacia. Cough was the commonest presenting symptom associated
with stridor and tachypnea was the commonest clinical sign observed in
these children. Conclusion: Flexible bronchoscopy plays an important
role in diagnosing the exact cause of stridor in pediatric age group.
Key words: Stridor, Flexible Bronchoscopy, Laryngomalacia.
Sº and jarosite behavior during recovery of values from the direct leaching residue of sphalerite using cyanide and glycine
Authors: Picazo-Rodríguez N.G. , Carrillo-Pedroza F.R. , Martínez Luévanos A. , Soria-Aguilar M.J. , Almaguer-Guzmán I.
Published: May 2021

This paper reports the effect of the components of a direct leaching residue (jarosite and elemental sulfur), on the recovery of valuable metals such as gold and silver. Leaching media such as cyanide and mixtures of cyanide with glycine were used to recover the gold and silver from the residue; however, a low recovery of these metals was obtained. This occurred due to the negative effect of its components which caused problems in the extraction process such as encapsulation of silver (due to jarosite) and the formation of thiocyanate and re-precipitation of silver (due to sulfur). Various treatments prior to leaching were tested, finding that when the residue was desulfurized with perchlorethylene and subjected to an oxidizing alkaline hydrothermal treatment, the gold extraction increased from 39.73 to 88% and the silver extraction of 64.76 to 94.29%. Additionally, it was determined that when cyanide was assisted by glycine, the latter decreased the cyanide consumption by inhibition of the dissolution of iron and sulfur in cyanide.
The reasons for unusable lipemic blood plasma in transfusion treatment
Authors: Radonjic Dragan , Raicevic Sasa , Kljakic Dusko , Varjacic Mirjana
Published: May 2021

Introduction/Objective. The increased presence of lipid particles in blood is one of most common reasons that transfusion units are unusable. The risk factors for lipemic plasma in donated blood are not completely known. The aim of this study is to identify the factors that influence plasma to be fatty so that we can prevent further storage costs and eliminate unusable transfusion units. Methods. This case?control study was conducted in 2017, and 1552 respondents were included in the study. The control group included 1502 subjects whose blood was not lipemic, while 50 patients with lipemic blood were selected for the case group. The presence of lipemic blood was assessed by inspection, while data were collected by clinical laboratory tests and a questionnaire. Results. Our findings show that multiple blood donors with lipemic blood were significantly older (p < 0.0005) and have higher systolic and diastolic pressure (p < 0.0005), high triglyceride levels (p < 0.0005), and lower levels of hemoglobin (p < 0.0005). Additionally, the presence of lipemic plasma was associated with female sex (p = 0.002), blood type (p = 0.016), heart disease (p < 0.0005), smoking (p < 0.005), diabetes (p = 0.001), lipid intake prior to blood donation (p < 0.005) and venipuncture therapy (p < 0.0005). Systolic pressure is a reliable predictor of lipemic blood (AUROC = 0.901, p < 0.0005). Conclusion. Our study provided a rational explanation and identified some of the risk factors that may help identify potential donors with lipemic blood.
Chemical kinetic analysis of in-cylinder ion current generation under direct water injection within internal combustion Rankine cycle engine
Authors: Kang Zhe , Lv Yang , Zhou Nanxi , Fu Lezhong , Deng Jun , Wu Zhijun
Published: May 2021

Direct water injection provides feasible solution for combustion optimization and efficiency enhancement within internal combustion Rankine cycle engine, while the feedback signal of close-loop direct water injection control is still absent. Ion current detection monitors in-cylinder electron variation which shows potential in revealing direct water injection process. For better understanding of unprecedented augment of ion current signal under direct water injection within internal combustion Rankine cycle engine, a chemical kinetic model is established to calculate the effect of intake oxygen fraction, fuel quantity, initial temperature, and residual water vapor on in-cylinder electron formation based on GRI Mech 3.0 and ion current skeleton mechanism. The simulation results indicate direct water injection process show significant impact on in-cylinder electron formation through chemical interactions between H2O and other intermediate species including HO2, O2, CH3, and H, these reactions provides additional OH radical for propane oxidation facilitation, which result in large portion of CH radical formation and therefore, lead to higher in-cylinder electron generation. The initial temperature plays a vital role in determining whether residual water vapor show positive or negative effect by in-cylinder temperature co-ordination of direct water injection. Results of this work can be used to explain phenomenon related to direct water injection and ion current signal variation under both internal combustion Rankine cycle or traditional petrol engine.
Evaluation model of the steady-state heat transfer performance of two-phase closed thermosyphons
Authors: Wu Yafeng , Zhang Zhe , Li Wenbin , Xu Daochun
Published: May 2021

Two-phase closed thermosyphons have good thermal conductivity and are widely used in heat transfer applications. It is essential to establish an effective method for evaluating the steady-state heat transfer performance of two-phase closed thermosyphons, as such a method can help to select appropriate designs and to improve the efficiency of these devices. In this paper, the equivalent thermal conductivity is derived by the principle of equal total thermal resistance, in which the influence of the adiabatic length is eliminated. An evaluation model of the steady-state heat transfer performance of two-phase closed thermosyphons is established. Test results of three two-phase closed thermosyphons with total lengths of 220 mm, 320 mm, and 500 mm show that as the heat transfer rate increases, the equivalent thermal conductivity of these devices decreases by 28.91%, increases by 6.10% and increases by 10.02%, respectively, among which the minimum value is 831.63 W/mK and the maximum value is 1694.19 W/mK. The decrease (in-crease) in the equivalent thermal conductivity in the evaluation model indicates a decrease (increase) in the heat transfer performance. The results show that the equivalent thermal conductivity of the model can effectively evaluate the heat transfer performance of two-phase closed thermosyphons.
Numerical study on the flow and heat transfer of water-based Al2O3 forced pulsating nanofluids based on self-excited oscillation chamber structure
Authors: Yuan Hong , Wang Zhaohui , Gao Quanjie , Fu Ting
Published: May 2021

In this study, the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the forced pulsating Al2O3-water nanofluid were numerically studied. The pulsating excitation of the nanofluid is provided by the Helmhertz self-excited oscillating cavity. The large eddy simulation method is used to solve the equation, and the local Nusselt number and heat transfer performance index are used to analyze the heat transfer characteristics of the nanofluid in the self-excited oscillation heat exchange tube. In addition, the effect of different downstream tube diameters on heat transfer enhancement is discussed. The research results show that the existence of the countercurrent vortex can increase the disturbance of the near-wall fluid, thereby improving the mixing degree of the near-wall fluid and the central mainstream. As the countercurrent vortex migrates downstream, pulse enhanced heat transfer is realized. Furthermore, it was also found that when the downstream tube diameter d2 = 1.8d1, the periodic effect of the local Nusselt number of the wall is the best and the heat transfer performance index has the most stable pulsation effect within a pulsation cycle. But when d2 = 2.0d1, the change curve of heat transfer performance index in a pulsating period is the highest, the maximum value is 3.95.
Comparative analysis of a flat solar collector and flat solar collector with chemical coating
Authors: Amirgaliyev Yedilkhan , Kunelbayev Murat , Ormanov Talgat , Sundetov Talgat , Daulbayev Salauat
Published: May 2021

The given article considers results of experimental measurements, productivity comparison and master controller executive system of flat-plate solar collector with thermosiphon circulation and flat solar collector with special chemical coating. There has been developed master controllers control module, which receives data from temperature and lighting sensors, obtained in operation process. The aim of the research is getting the solar collectors? optimal parameters, representing maximal usage performance index, controllability, as well as, construction type, allowing energy saving. In the recent years flat-plate solar collectors with chemical coating are characterized with higher efficiency in real conditions usage. The developed master controllers? executive system is used for monitoring the installation?s main parameters, as well, it permits to compare characteristics of solar collector with thermosiphon circulation those of flat-plate solar collector with chemical coating. The obtained experimental data has shown, that flat solar collectors, using chemical coating as a transfer medium in solar heat supply system, have an advantage in the context of usage effectiveness. The heat output and water heating in a flat solar collector are calculated, which vary depending on the intensity of solar radiation. The thermal efficiency of a flat solar collector with a thermosiphon tank based on the Mojo V3 platform using Dallas sensors is calculated.
Competitiveness of power systems with nuclear power plants and with high participation of intermittent renewable energy sources
Authors: Grkovic Vojin , Doder Djordjije
Published: May 2021

In the paper are presented and discussed the results of a more complex research of technology portfolio's competitiveness in power systems with high penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources (i-RES). Possible technology portfolios compositions are analyzed. The portfolios comprise very high participation of i-RES, as well as a certain participation of energy storage technologies, but also and other energy technologies like nuclear and fossil fueled power plants. Within the research are developed new competitiveness indicators i.e., dispatchability indicator and the technology portfolio?s assured capacity. The latter is defined on the basis of recently published Ulrich?s and Schiffer?s paper. Obtained results point out that inclusion of pumped-hydro storage plants improves portfolio?s dispatchability. However, within the researched interval up to PHS installed capacities relative to i-RES capacities of 0.3. Numerical values of the dispatchability indicators are still below their values for the portfolio without i-RES. Increased participation of nuclear power plants contribute to the improvement of numerical values of the dispatchability indicators. The sensitivity analysis for the case of two times smaller cost of pumped hydro storage capacities is also performed. Hypothetical change of power system?s technology structure in sense of substitution hard coal and lignite fired power plants with wind generators or with nuclear power plants is also analyzed. The analysis points out that the substitution with nuclear power plants enables much better results regarding power system?s ability to change the power on demand than substitution with wind generators, particularly in the countries with high participation of hard coal and/or lignite in electricity generation.