bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exergy and Energy Analyses of the Spirulina Microalgae Blends in a Direct Injection Engine at Variable Engine Loads
Authors: Thanh Nguyen Chi , Askary Ahmad El , Elfasakhany Ashraf , Nithya S.
Published: August 2021

This article explores the exergy analysis of the diesel engine with the selected Spirulina microalgae bio-oil (SMBO) biodiesel. The adaptability of the biofuels as an efficient replacement to the fossil fuel has to be tested and proved. To estimate the overall efficiency of the engine with the biofuel blends, it is essential to find out the energy conversion capability of the engine. Different fuel blends were taken as B0 (100% diesel), B10 (10% SMBO + 90% diesel), B20 (20% SMBO + 80% diesel), and B30 (30% SMBO + 70% diesel). All experimental tests were conducted in a naturally aspirated directly injected engine. The brake power (BP), heat release rate (HRR), exergy destruction, ideal efficiency, actual efficiency, exergy rate and energy rate of the fuel, as well as exhaust were measured for all fuel blends. All tests were conducted at different rpm values from 0 to 3000 rpm with 500 rpm interval and also at different loads such as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% load. The loss of exergy of fuel and thermal was on the rise and noticed in B0, B10, B20, and B30, while the HRR and loss of exergy rate were found in exhaust as more decreasing one in B10, B20, and B30 fuel blends than B0 (pure diesel).
Rheological Modeling of Complex Flow Behavior of Bitumen-Solvent Mixtures and Implication for Flow in a Porous Medium
Authors: Alade Olalekan Saheed
Published: August 2021

The viscosity of extra-heavy oils including bitumen can be reduced significantly by adding solvent such as toluene to enhance extraction, production, and transportation. Thus, prediction of viscosity and/or rheology of bitumen-solvent mixtures has become necessary. More so, selecting a suitable rheological model for simulation of flow in porous media has an important role to play in engineering design of production and processing systems. While several mixing rules have been applied to calculate the viscosity of bitumen-solvent mixtures, rheological model to describe the flow characteristics has rarely been published. Thus, in this investigation, rheological behavior of bitumen and bitumen-toluene mixtures (weight fractions of bitumen WB = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.6, 0.75, and 1 w/w) have been studied at the flow temperature (75 °C) of the bitumen and in the range of shear rates between 0.001 and 1000 s−1. The data were fitted using different rheological models including the Power law, Cross model, Carreau–Yasuda model, and the newly introduced ones herein named as Cross-Logistic and Logistic models. Then, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was built using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of rock sample (representing a realistic porous geometry) to simulate pore scale flow characteristics. The observations revealed that the original bitumen exhibits a Newtonian behavior within the low shear rate region (0.001–10 s−1) and shows a non-Newtonian (pseudoplastic) behavior at the higher shear rate region (100–1000 s−1). Conversely, the bitumen-toluene mixtures show shear thinning (pseudoplastic) behavior at low shear rate region (0.001–0.01), which appears to become less significant within 0.01 to 0.1 s−1, and exhibit shear independent Newtonian behavior within 0.1 and 1000 s−1 shear rates. Moreover, except for the original bitumen, statistical error analysis of prediction ability of the tested rheological models as well as the results from the pore scale flow parameters suggested that the Power law might not be suitable for predicting the flow characteristics of the bitumen–toluene mixtures compared to the other models.
Nanomaterials Modified Drilling Fluid for Improving Deep Drilling Conditions
Authors: Abdo Jamil , Haneef Muhammad Danish
Published: August 2021

Achieving stability of drilling fluids (DFs) rheology with high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) has always seen a growing focus with increasing pursuits of deep drilling operations to maximize hydrocarbon recovery. Since there is no boundary of how deep the drilling technology can be pushed to access deep-lying reservoirs, the quest to improve and stabilize the drilling fluids rheology is an open-ended and ongoing matter. This paper presents an investigation of two distinct clays namely sepiolite (SP) and attapulgite (AT) in nanoform as water-based drilling fluid (WBDF) additives for improved and stable rheological properties. The process of material sourcing, characterization, development in nanoform, and testing as a drilling fluid additive at low and high temperature and pressure conditions are the main focus of this study. Through experiments, it was determined that 30–60 nm size range and 4 wt% concentration of developed nanomaterials yielded the optimal performance. Various tests were then performed at HTHP, and the stability of nanosepiolite (NSP) and nanoattapulgite (NAT) in 4 wt% concentration was compared with regular drilling fluid additive (bdf403) which is used as a common rheology stabilizer in the industry. It was found that for NSP and NAT-modified drilling fluids, the yield point, plastic viscosity, and gel strength were found to be retained at temperatures and pressures of up to 180 °C and 15 ksi, respectively, in contrast to bdf403 WBDF which deteriorated at much lower temperature and pressure. NSP additives were found to be more effective than NAT additives. The results confirmed a strong dependence of the DF stability on the morphological characteristics of the tested clays, implying that the properties of the DFs can be tailored by modifying the clay morphologies, particularly in the nanoform.
The Influence of Menstrual Cycle on Bioimpedance Vector Patterns, Performance, and Flexibility in Elite Soccer Players
Authors: Campa Francesco , Levi Micheli Matteo , Pompignoli Matilde , Cannataro Roberto , Gulisano Massimo , Toselli Stefania , Greco Gianpiero , Coratella Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

Purpose: To examine whether menstrual cycle affects body composition and bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) patterns, jumping and sprinting ability, and flexibility in elite soccer players. Methods: A total of 20 elite female soccer players (age: 23.8 [3.4] y, height: 1.63 [0.04] m, body mass: 61.4 [5.9] kg, and body mass index: 22.5 [2.4] kg/m2) were monitored during the early follicular and ovulatory phase across 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. Bioimpedance analysis was performed using foot-to-hand technology, and total body water and fat mass were determined by specific equations developed for athletes. Bioelectrical resistance and reactance were adjusted according to the BIVA procedures and plotted as a vector within the resistance–reactance graph. In addition, countermovement jump, 20-m sprint, and sit and reach were assessed. Results: A time effect (P < .05) was found for body mass, total body water, bioelectrical resistance and reactance, and flexibility. Specifically, body mass increased (P = .021) along with a gain in total body water (P = .001) from the ovulatory to the early follicular phase, while it decreased from the early follicular to the ovulatory phase during the second menstrual cycle. The BIVA vector shortened during the early follicular phases (P < .001). No change in jumping and sprinting capacity was observed (P > .05). Flexibility was impaired during the early follicular phases (P < .05). Conclusions: Specific bioelectrical impedance analysis and BIVA procedures are able to detect menstrual cycle–induced changes in body composition in elite soccer players. The early follicular phase resulted in fluid accumulations and BIVA vector shortening. In addition, while menstrual cycle did not affect performance, a fluctuation in flexibility was observed.
A Sense of Connection: Examining Social Identity and Adherence to a School-Based Exercise Club
Authors: Bruner Mark W. , McLaren Colin , Spink Kevin S.
Published: August 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social identity and adherence in the context of a school-based, 8-week structured group exercise program. Methods: Secondary students (N = 116; Mage = 15.52 years) from 10 newly formed school-based exercise clubs reported social identity perceptions specific to their exercise group, which were used to predict attendance and intentions to return to the club in the future. Results: Controlling for sex and grade level, the results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that exercise group social identity was significantly positively related to program attendance (ΔR2 = .09, p < .01). A positive relationship was also found between exercise group social identity and intentions to return to the exercise club in the future, while also controlling for sex, grade level, and program attendance (ΔR2 = .05, p < .05). Discussion/Conclusion: The findings suggest that stronger exercise group social identity in the form of ingroup ties is associated with greater attendance and intention to return to the school-based exercise club among secondary school students.
Supporting Teachers in Implementing Movement Integration: Addressing Barriers Through a Job-Embedded Professional Development Intervention
Authors: Sobolewski Kristina M. , Lobo Larissa T. , Stoddart Alexandra L. , Kerpan Serene
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Movement integration (MI) is a method to increase physical activity with numerous learning outcomes. However, MI implementation is low. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a job-embedded professional development intervention on teachers’ MI barriers. An implementation science approach was used. Methods: The intervention was developed and delivered through six procedures. Mixed-methods data were used to develop the intervention and assess outcomes. The intervention was delivered over 3 weeks to 12 participants. Results: Reported barriers included time constraints, lack of space, fear of losing control, and limited confidence and competence. Results indicated a significant increase in teachers’ self-reported MI use from pre- to postimplementation (Z = −2.138, p = .0165, r = .6), improved confidence (p = .048), and a strong positive correlation (τb = .627, p = .018) between confidence and competence. Conclusion: Job-embedded professional development may be an effective strategy to support teachers in overcoming barriers to MI.
Cocultivation of Anaerobic Fungi with Rumen Bacteria Establishes an Antagonistic Relationship
Authors: Swift Candice L. , Louie Katherine B. , Bowen Benjamin P. , Hooker Casey A. , Solomon Kevin V. , Singan Vasanth , Daum Chris , Pennacchio Christa P. , Barry Kerrie , Shutthanandan Vaithiyalingam , Evans James E. , Grigoriev Igor V. , Northen Trent R. , O’Malley Michelle A.
Published: August 2021

Anaerobic fungi are outnumbered by bacteria by 4 orders of magnitude in the herbivore rumen. Despite their numerical disadvantage, they are resilient members of the rumen microbiome.
A New Model Trypanosomatid,
Novymonas esmeraldas
: Genomic Perception of Its “
Candidatus
Pandoraea novymonadis” Endosymbiont
Authors: Zakharova Alexandra , Saura Andreu , Butenko Anzhelika , Podešvová Lucie , Warmusová Sandra , Kostygov Alexei Yu. , Nenarokova Anna , Lukeš Julius , Opperdoes Fred R. , Yurchenko Vyacheslav
Published: August 2021

Novymonas esmeraldas
is a parasitic flagellate of the family Trypanosomatidae representing the closest insect-restricted relative of the human pathogen
Leishmania
. It bears symbiotic bacteria in its cytoplasm, the relationship with which has been established relatively recently and independently from other known endosymbioses in protists.
Regulation of the Dimerization and Activity of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease through Reversible Glutathionylation of Cysteine 300
Authors: Davis David A. , Bulut Haydar , Shrestha Prabha , Yaparla Amulya , Jaeger Hannah K. , Hattori Shin-ichiro , Wingfield Paul T. , Mieyal John J. , Mitsuya Hiroaki , Yarchoan Robert
Published: August 2021

SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is imperative that we learn as much as we can about the biochemistry of the coronavirus proteins to inform development of therapy.
Guided by Microbes: Applying Community Coalescence Principles for Predictive Microbiome Engineering
Authors: Rocca Jennifer D. , Muscarella Mario E. , Peralta Ariane L. , Izabel-Shen Dandan , Simonin Marie
Published: August 2021

Every seed germinating in soils, wastewater treatment, and stream confluence exemplify microbial community coalescence—the blending of previously isolated communities. Here, we present theoretical and experimental knowledge on how separated microbial communities mix, with particular focus on managed ecosystems.
Soil Candidate Phyla Radiation Bacteria Encode Components of Aerobic Metabolism and Co-occur with Nanoarchaea in the Rare Biosphere of Rhizosphere Grassland Communities
Authors: Nicolas Alexa M. , Jaffe Alexander L. , Nuccio Erin E. , Taga Michiko E. , Firestone Mary K. , Banfield Jillian F.
Published: August 2021

Here, we investigated overlooked microbes in soil, candidate phyla radiation (CPR) bacteria and Diapherotrites, Parvarchaeota, Aenigmarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, and Nanohaloarchaeota (DPANN) archaea, by size fractionating small particles from soil, an approach typically used for the recovery of viral metagenomes. Concentration of these small cells (<0.2 μm) allowed us to identify these organisms as part of the rare soil biosphere and to sample genomes that were absent from non-size-fractionated metagenomes.
Long-term (7 Ma) strain fluctuations within the Dead Sea transform system from high-resolution U-Pb dating of a calcite vein
Authors: Craddock John P. , Nuriel Perach , Kylander-Clark Andrew R.C. , Hacker Bradley R. , Luczaj John , Weinberger Ram
Published: August 2021

The onset of the Dead Sea transform has recently been reevaluated by U-Pb age-strain analyses of fault-related calcite taken from several fault strands along its main 500-km-long sector. The results suggest that the relative motion between Africa and Arabia north of the Red Sea was transferred northward to the Dead Sea transform as early as 20 Ma and along a ~10-km-wide deformation zone that formed the central rift with contemporaneous bounding sinistral motion. The Gishron fault is the western bounding fault with normal and sinistral fault offsets that placed Proterozoic crystalline rocks and a cover of Cambrian sandstones in fault contact with Cretaceous-Eocene carbonates. Fault-related calcite veins are common in the Gishron fault zone, and we report the results of a detailed study of one sample with nine calcite fillings. Low fluid inclusion entrapment temperatures <50 °C, stable isotopes values of–3.3–0‰ (δ13C; PDB) and 15.3‰ to 17.6‰ (δ18O; SMOW), and low rare earth element (REE) concentrations within the nine calcite fault fillings indicate that a local, meteoric fluid fed the Gishron fault zone over ca. 7 Ma at depths of <2 km. Laser ablation U-Pb ages within the thin section range from 20.37 Ma to 12.89 Ma and allow a detailed fault-filling chronology with the oldest calcite filling in the middle, younging outward with shearing between the oldest eight zones, all of which are finally crosscut by a perpendicular (E-W) vein. All nine calcite fillings have unique mechanical twinning strain results (n = 303 grains). Shortening strain magnitudes (–0.28% to–2.8%) and differential stresses (–339 bars to–415 bars) vary across the sample, as do the orientations of the shortening (ε1) and extension (ε3) axes with no evidence of any twinning strain overprint (low negative expected values). Overall, the tectonic compression and shortening is sub-horizontal and sub-parallel to the Gishron fault (~N-S) and Dead Sea transform plate boundary. Most strikingly, the 7 m.y. period of vein growth correlates exactly with the timing of fault activity as evident within the 10-km-wide deformation zone in this evolving plate boundary (between 20 Ma and 13 Ma).
Pelvic lipomatosis associated with bilateral obstructive uropathy and proliferative cystitis
Authors: Flor Joan Marie Salangsang , Gaston Michael John Francis Velarde , Lapitan Marie Carmela Montillero
Published: August 2021

Pelvic lipomatosis is a rare benign entity characterised by excessive deposition of adipose tissue in the perirectal and perivesical spaces. We describe a 43-year-old man with bilateral distal ureteral obstruction secondary to pelvic lipomatosis with concomitant proliferative cystitis resulting in severe hydronephrosis. We performed urinary diversion with percutaneous nephrostomy tube insertion to prevent further renal impairment. The patient was advised close follow-up to monitor the increased risk of bladder adenocarcinoma transformation observed in patients with cystitis glandularis. This report, compliant with the CARE (CAse REport) guidelines for clinical case reporting, presents another case of pelvic lipomatosis associated with acute kidney failure, bilateral hydronephrosis and proliferative cystitis without urodynamic evidence of bladder outlet obstruction that may serve to guide urologists in managing patients with a similar profile.
Vulvar aggressive angiomyxoma: a surgical challenge
Authors: Srivastava Vivek , Jha Pratik K , Verma Awgesh Kumar , Ansari Mumtaz Ahmad
Published: August 2021

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare and locally aggressive mesenchymal tumour, predominantly occurring in women of reproductive age group. The term aggressive is attributed to the infiltrative nature and frequent local recurrences. They arise commonly from the vulvovaginal region, perineum or pelvis and are usually misdiagnosed as other common entities in these regions. Radiological investigations aid in the diagnosis and planning of surgery. However, the final diagnosis in most of the cases is established by histopathological examination. We herein report a case of a middle-aged woman presenting with recurrent large right vulvar mass highlighting the surgical challenges posed by its intrapelvic extension.
Management of hyponatraemia in pre-eclampsia with severe features
Authors: Whitley Julia , Swartz Sarah , Martinez Anjali
Published: August 2021

Pre-eclampsia is a common pregnancy complication with many associated maternal and fetal risks, yet its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Hyponatraemia is a rarely described finding in pre-eclampsia that has been associated with both maternal and fetal complications and medically indicated delivery. We present a case of hyponatraemia in a patient admitted for induction of labour for gestational hypertension, which developed into pre-eclampsia with severe features requiring magnesium sulfate therapy for seizure prophylaxis. The patient’s hyponatraemia resolved with delivery, fluid restriction and serial sodium monitoring. Adjustment to the components of the patient’s magnesium sulfate infusion was made to reduce free water intake and avoid further exacerbation of her hyponatraemia. While there is currently no recommendation to routinely monitor sodium levels in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, careful consideration of this potential finding in cases of pre-eclampsia should be given due to the overlap between symptoms of hyponatraemia and cerebral symptoms of pre-eclampsia.
Bleeding risk in patients with cardiac disease from ischaemic stroke reperfusion therapy: an update
Authors: Chen Bridget J , Daneshvari Nicholas O , Johansen Michelle C
Published: August 2021

Background

Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and arterial endovascular therapy (ET) rapidly restore cerebral perfusion in eligible patients who had an acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). It is unknown whether patients who had an AIS with premorbid cardiac disease respond differently to reperfusion therapies than those without. These patients may have risk factors that worsen outcomes or may represent those who would most benefit from reperfusion therapy.

Objective

To determine whether patients who had an AIS with the most frequently encountered pre-existing cardiac conditions, atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure (HF), left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), or taking anticoagulation for cardiac indications, are at increased risk for poor outcome, such as symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH), after reperfusion therapy.

Results

Although AF is an independent risk factor for poor poststroke outcomes, intravenous rtPA is not associated with increased risk of sICH for those not on anticoagulants. Likewise, HF is independently associated with mortality post stroke, yet these patients benefit from reperfusion therapies without increased rates of sICH. Patients with LVADs or who are on anticoagulation should not be given IV rtPA; however, ET remains a viable option in those who meet criteria, even patients with LVAD.

Conclusion

There is no evidence of an increased risk for sICH after intravenous rtPA or ET for those with AF or HF. Intravenous rtPA should not be given to patients on anticoagulation or with LVADs, but ET should be offered to them when eligible. Whenever possible, future AIS reperfusion research should include patients with premorbid cardiac disease as they are frequently excluded, representing a gap in evidence.
Cost-effectiveness of oral anticancer drugs and associated individualised dosing approaches in patients with cancer: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: van Dyk Madelé , Bulamu Norma , Boylan Chelsea , Mc Laughlin Anna M , Kichenadasse Ganessan , May Nikki , Michelet Robin , Kloft Charlotte , Kaambwa Billingsley
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Oral anticancer drugs (OADs) have rapidly expanded with more than 70 OADs targeting several molecular targets. Many of the OADs exert an exposure–response relationship but still, a ‘one-size fits-all’ dose is used, ignoring interindividual variability. Several of these OADs share similar mechanisms of actions and thus target the same cancer and has resulted in a substantial research focus on comparing the health benefit of each. However, significantly less is known about the cost–benefit associated with OADs. This paper will provide a protocol to systematically review studies that have evaluated the cost-effectiveness of OADs and their associated individualised dosing interventions.

Methods and analysis

Systematic review methodology will be applied to identify, select and extract data from published economic evaluation (costs and outcomes/benefits) studies of OADs and their associated individualised dosing interventions. Bibliographic databases (eg, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE) will be used to perform the systematic literature search (between 1 January 2000 and October 2020). Only full economic evaluations will be included, but no restrictions on study outcomes will be applied. The quality of included primary studies will be assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist for reporting economic evaluations. Studies with low-quality evidence will be excluded. A narrative synthesis of the results from the included studies will be undertaken, with a subgroup analysis where appropriate.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review will not require ethics approval as there will not be any collection of primary data. Findings of this review will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at workshops or conferences and sharing through a media release. Findings from this review will provide evidence to direct and inform policy-makers where cost-neutral strategies may be effective or where dose individualising strategies may be economically beneficial. Additionally, gaps will be identified in the current literature to inform future-related research.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020218170.

Electronic supplemental material

The online version of this article contains supplemental material, which is available to authorised users.
Identifying neurocognitive outcomes and cerebral oxygenation in critically ill adults on acute kidney replacement therapy in the intensive care unit: the INCOGNITO-AKI study protocol
Authors: Jawa Natasha Arianne , Holden Rachel M , Silver Samuel A , Scott Stephen H , Day Andrew G , Norman Patrick A , Kwan Benjamin Y M , Maslove David M , Muscedere John , Boyd John Gordon
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Initiation of acute kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is common in critically ill adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. KRT has been linked to poor neurocognitive outcomes, leading to reduced quality of life and increased utilisation of healthcare resources. Adults on dialysis in the ICU may be particularly at risk of neurocognitive impairment, as survivors of critical illness are already predisposed to developing cerebrovascular disease and cognitive dysfunction long-term relative to healthy controls. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation may provide a critical early marker of long-term neurocognitive impairment in this population. This study aims to understand cerebral oxygenation in patients undergoing KRT (continuous or intermittent) in the ICU. These findings will be correlated with long-term cognitive and functional outcomes, and structural brain pathology.

Methods and analysis

108 patients scheduled to undergo treatment for acute kidney injury with KRT in the Kingston Health Sciences Centre ICU will be recruited into this prospective observational study. Enrolled patients will be assessed with intradialytic cerebral oximetry using near infrared spectroscopy. Delirium will be assessed daily with the Confusion Assessment Method-ICU (CAM-ICU) and severity quantified as cumulative CAM-ICU-7 scores. Neurocognitive impairment will be assessed at 3 and 12 months after hospital discharge using the Kinarm and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. Structural brain pathology on MRI will also be measured at the same timepoints. Driving safety, adverse events and medication adherence will be assessed at 12 months to evaluate the impact of neurocognitive impairment on functional outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is approved by the Queen’s University Health Sciences/Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board (DMED-2424-20). Results will be presented at critical care conferences, and a lay summary will be provided to patients in their preferred format.

Trial registration number

NCT04722939
Comparison of qSOFA and Hospital Early Warning Scores for prognosis in suspected sepsis in emergency department patients: a systematic review
Authors: Sabir Lisa , Ramlakhan Shammi , Goodacre Steve
Published: August 2021

Background

Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and many tools exist to facilitate early recognition. This review compares two tools: the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) and Early Warning Scores (National/Modified Early Warning Scores (NEWS/MEWS)) for predicting intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality when applied in the emergency department.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using Medline, CINAHL, Embase and Cochrane Library, handsearching of references and a grey literature search with no language or date restrictions. Two authors selected studies and quality assessment completed using QUADAS-2. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivities and specificities were compared.

Results

13 studies were included, totalling 403 865 patients. All reported mortality and six reported ICU admission.

The ranges for AUROC estimates varied from little better than chance to good prediction of mortality (NEWS: 0.59–0.88; qSOFA: 0.57–0.79; MEWS 0.56–0.75), however, individual papers generally reported higher AUROC values for NEWS than qSOFA. NEWS values demonstrated a tendency towards better sensitivity for ICU admission (NEWS ≥5, 46%-91%; qSOFA ≥2, 12%–53%) and mortality (NEWS ≥5, 51%–97%; qSOFA ≥2, 14%–71%) but lower specificity (ICU: NEWS ≥5, 25%–91%; qSOFA ≥2, 67%–99%; mortality: NEWS ≥5, 22%–91%; qSOFA ≥2, 58%–99%).

Conclusion

The wide range of AUROC estimates and high heterogeneity limit our conclusions. Allowing for this, the NEWS AUROC was consistently higher than qSOFA within individual papers. Both scores allow threshold setting, determined by the preferred compromise between sensitivity and specificity. At established thresholds NEWS tended to higher sensitivity while qSOFA tended to a higher specificity.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019131414.
Growth, feed conversion, sexual maturation, and cataract formation in coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Atlantic (Salmo salar) salmon post-smolts reared at different salinities in recirculating aquaculture systems for over one year
Authors: Fang Yuanchang , Emerman Joshua D. , Chan Victor K.S. , Stiller Kevin T. , Brauner Colin J. , Richards Jeffrey G.
Published: August 2021

There is increasing interest in defining optimal conditions for rearing salmon to market size in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Salinity, however, as a parameter that can be potentially manipulated, has been poorly studied. To address this knowledge gap, we reared coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum, 1792)) and Atlantic (Salmo salar Linnaeus, 1758) salmon from smolt to market size over ∼460 days at five different salinities (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 ppt) and examined their growth performance. We found that both species reared at intermediate salinities (5–10 ppt) started to show significantly larger body mass than fish reared either in freshwater or full-strength seawater at around days 250–300. These growth-enhancing effects were maintained until day 460. The higher growth in Atlantic salmon at intermediate salinities was associated with a reduced economic feed conversion ratio, but this was not observed in coho salmon. The all-female coho salmon showed no incidence of sexual maturation and negligible cataract formation, while the mixed-sex Atlantic salmon showed high levels of sexual maturation (up to 50%) and presence of cataracts (up to 60%). Our results indicate that all-female coho salmon may be better suited to RAS than Atlantic salmon in some aspects. However, in both species, long-term rearing at intermediate salinities improved growth in RAS.
On conserved quantities for the Schwarzschild black hole in teleparallel gravity
Authors: Emtsova E. D. , Krššák M. , Petrov A. N. , Toporensky A. V.
Published: August 2021

We examine various methods of constructing conserved quantities in the Teleparallel Equivalent of General Relativity (TEGR). We demonstrate that in the covariant formulation the preferred method are the Noether charges that are true invariant quantities. The Noether charges depend on the vector field $$\xi $$
ξ
and we consider two different options where $$\xi $$
ξ
is chosen as either a Killing vector or a four-velocity of the observer. We discuss the physical meaning of each choice on the example of the Schwarzschild solution in different frames: static, freely falling Lemaitre frame, and a newly obtained generalised freely falling frame with an arbitrary initial velocity. We also demonstrate how to determine an inertial spin connection for various tetrads used in our calculations, and find a certain ambiguity in the “switching-off” gravity method where different tetrads can share the same inertial spin connection.
A class of Lie racks associated to symmetric Leibniz algebras
Authors: Abchir Hamid , Abid Fatima-Ezzahrae , Boucetta Mohamed
Published: August 2021

We classify symmetric Leibniz algebras in dimensions 3 and 4 and we determine all associated Lie racks. Some of such Lie racks give rise to nontrivial topological quandles. We study some algebraic properties of these quandles and we give a necessary and sufficient condition for them to be quasi-trivial.
Modified proximal symmetric ADMMs for multi-block separable convex optimization with linear constraints
Authors: Shen Yuan , Zuo Yannian , Sun Liming , Zhang Xiayang
Published: August 2021

We consider the linearly constrained separable convex optimization problem whose objective function is separable with respect to m blocks of variables. A bunch of methods have been proposed and extensively studied in the past decade. Specifically, a modified strictly contractive Peaceman–Rachford splitting method (SC-PRCM) [S. H. Jiang and M. Li, A modified strictly contractive Peaceman–Rachford splitting method for multi-block separable convex programming, J. Ind. Manag. Optim. 14(1) (2018) 397-412] has been well studied in the literature for the special case of m = 3. Based on the modified SC-PRCM, we present modified proximal symmetric ADMMs (MPSADMMs) to solve the multi-block problem. In MPSADMMs, all subproblems but the first one are attached with a simple proximal term, and the multipliers are updated twice. At the end of each iteration, the output is corrected via a simple correction step. Without stringent assumptions, we establish the global convergence result and the O(1/t) convergence rate in the ergodic sense for the new algorithms. Preliminary numerical results show that our proposed algorithms are effective for solving the linearly constrained quadratic programming and the robust principal component analysis problems.
Offset Trajectory Planning of Robot End Effector and its Jerk with Curvature Theory
Authors: Güler Fatma
Published: August 2021

Some situations that change the parameters of the kinematic structure may cause the robot end effector to deviate [Merlet [2005] Parallel Robots, Vol. 128 (Springer Science & Business Media, Germany)] from the desired trajectory. This effect is called the robustness of the robot by Merlet. One of the ways to correct the robustness is by updating the robot trajectory. The jerk vector of the robot end effector is the third-order positional variation of the TCP and defined as thus the time derivative of the acceleration vector. If there is a high curvature on the transition curve trajectory of robot, then there is a tangential jerk along the trajectory. In this study, the geometrically offset trajectory of the robot end effector from the current trajectory was obtained by using the curvature theory. The angular velocity and angular acceleration of the offset trajectory were calculated. An example of the main trajectory of robot end effector and its offset is given. Also, the jerk of the robot end effector of the offset trajectory was calculated according to the curvature of the trajectory surface in case of a jerk problem caused by a high curvature in the transition curve along the offset trajectory curve.
WHAT IS GOING ON RECENTLY IN THE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM FIELD? A BIBLIOMETRIC AND CONTENT-BASED ANALYSIS
Authors: FOGUESATTO CRISTIAN ROGÉRIO , SANTINI MATEUS AUGUSTO FASSINA , MARTINS BIBIANA VOLKMER , FACCIN KADÍGIA , DE MELLO SAMUEL FERREIRA , BALESTRIN ALSONES
Published: August 2021

Purpose: The popularisation of studies on ecosystem occurred, fundamentally, after the work of Adner (2006) and began to gain theoretical strength after the study by Gomes et al. (2018a), who identified a turning point between the concepts of business ecosystems and innovation ecosystems (IE) analysing studies from 1993 to 2016. The objective of this study is to present the characteristics, trends, and current research avenues of the concept post-transition, especially in the period from 2017 to 2019, during which more publications were produced than in the first 24 years.

Design/methodology/approach: Using data from the Web of Science, we performed a systematic literature review, through bibliometric ([Formula: see text] = 153 studies) and content analysis ([Formula: see text] = 15 studies). Data were analysed through bibliometrix (a R-tool package) and reading of the studies selected.

Findings: Our study revealed some new research suggestions linked to actors, infrastructure and financial capital for innovation; public policy, social capital, and development; IE Governance; and IE limits.

Research limitation/implications: One limitation of our study is the fact that it only used the Web of Science database.

Originality/value: Even though the literature on IE is extensive, no studies have captured the recent trends on this topic. These trends can be useful for ‘new avenues’ in IE research. The findings also can be important to clarify the concept of IE.
A Shannon Entropy-Based Methodology to Detect and Locate Cables Loss in a Cable-Stayed Bridge
Authors: Machorro-Lopez Jose M. , Valtierra-Rodriguez Martin , Amezquita-Sanchez Juan P. , Carrion-Viramontes Francisco J. , Quintana-Rodriguez Juan A.
Published: August 2021

As with any civil structure or mechanism, vehicular bridges can suffer structural damages which can conduct to devastating human and economic losses if they are not detected and corrected on time. In this work, a methodology based on the Shannon entropy index combined with statistical indexes and a fuzzy logic classifier to detect and locate a cable loss in cable-stayed bridges is proposed. Shannon entropy index is used to characterize the changes in the vibration signals associated with structural damage, which are integrated with statistical indexes for damage detection and damage location. On the other hand, the fuzzy logic classifier is used as a pattern recognition algorithm to detect structural damage automatically. For this study, the vibration data acquired experimentally from the Rio Papaloapan Bridge (Veracruz, Mexico) are analyzed. Results demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method since 93.3% of effectiveness in the damage detection is obtained with a 100% of effectiveness in its location.
Optimization of a Class of n-Sub-Step Time Integration Methods for Structural Dynamics
Authors: Ji Yi , Xing Yufeng
Published: August 2021

This paper develops a family of optimized [Formula: see text]-sub-step time integration methods for structural dynamics, in which the generalized trapezoidal rule is used in the first [Formula: see text] sub-steps, and the last sub-step employs [Formula: see text]-point backward difference formula. The proposed methods can achieve second-order accuracy and unconditional stability, and their degree of numerical dissipation can range from zero to one. Also, the proposed methods can achieve the identical effective stiffness matrices for all sub-steps, reducing computational costs in the analysis of linear systems. Using the spectral analysis, optimized algorithmic parameters are presented, ensuring that the proposed methods can accurately calculate different types of dynamic problems such as wave propagation, stiff and nonlinear systems. Besides, with the increase in the number of sub-steps, the accuracy of the proposed methods can be enhanced without extra workload compared with single-step methods. Numerical experiments show that the proposed methods perform better in different dynamic systems.
Seamlessly Unifying Attributes and Items: Conversational Recommendation for Cold-start Users
Authors: Li Shijun , Lei Wenqiang , Wu Qingyun , He Xiangnan , Jiang Peng , Chua Tat-Seng
Published: August 2021

Static recommendation methods like collaborative filtering suffer from the inherent limitation of performing real-time personalization for cold-start users. Online recommendation, e.g., multi-armed bandit approach, addresses this limitation by interactively exploring user preference online and pursuing the exploration-exploitation (EE) trade-off. However, existing bandit-based methods model recommendation actions homogeneously. Specifically, they only consider the
items
as the arms, being incapable of handling the
item attributes
, which naturally provide interpretable information of user’s current demands and can effectively filter out undesired items. In this work, we consider the conversational recommendation for cold-start users, where a system can both ask the attributes from and recommend items to a user interactively. This important scenario was studied in a recent work  [54]. However, it employs a hand-crafted function to decide when to ask attributes or make recommendations. Such separate modeling of attributes and items makes the effectiveness of the system highly rely on the choice of the hand-crafted function, thus introducing fragility to the system. To address this limitation, we seamlessly unify attributes and items in the same arm space and achieve their EE trade-offs automatically using the framework of Thompson Sampling. Our
Conversational Thompson Sampling
(ConTS) model holistically solves all questions in conversational recommendation by choosing the arm with the maximal reward to play. Extensive experiments on three benchmark datasets show that ConTS outperforms the state-of-the-art methods
Conversational UCB
(ConUCB) [54] and
Estimation—Action—Reflection
model [27] in both metrics of success rate and average number of conversation turns.
NVLSM: A Persistent Memory Key-Value Store Using Log-Structured Merge Tree with Accumulative Compaction
Authors: Zhang Baoquan , Du David H. C.
Published: August 2021

Computer systems utilizing byte-addressable
Non-Volatile Memory
(
NVM
) as memory/storage can provide low-latency data persistence. The widely used key-value stores using
Log-Structured Merge Tree
(
LSM-Tree
) are still beneficial for NVM systems in aspects of the space and write efficiency. However, the significant write amplification introduced by the leveled compaction of LSM-Tree degrades the write performance of the key-value store and shortens the lifetime of the NVM devices. The existing studies propose new compaction methods to reduce write amplification. Unfortunately, they result in a relatively large read amplification. In this article, we propose NVLSM, a key-value store for NVM systems using LSM-Tree with new accumulative compaction. By fully utilizing the byte-addressability of NVM, accumulative compaction uses pointers to accumulate data into multiple floors in a logically sorted run to reduce the number of compactions required. We have also proposed a cascading searching scheme for reads among the multiple floors to reduce read amplification. Therefore, NVLSM reduces write amplification with small increases in read amplification. We compare NVLSM with key-value stores using LSM-Tree with two other compaction methods: leveled compaction and fragmented compaction. Our evaluations show that NVLSM reduces write amplification by up to 67% compared with LSM-Tree using leveled compaction without significantly increasing the read amplification. In write-intensive workloads, NVLSM reduces the average latency by 15.73%–41.2% compared to other key-value stores.
Target-guided Emotion-aware Chat Machine
Authors: Wei Wei , Liu Jiayi , Mao Xianling , Guo Guibing , Zhu Feida , Zhou Pan , Hu Yuchong , Feng Shanshan
Published: August 2021

The consistency of a response to a given post at the

semantic

level and

emotional

level is essential for a dialogue system to deliver humanlike interactions. However, this challenge is not well addressed in the literature, since most of the approaches neglect the emotional information conveyed by a post while generating responses. This article addresses this problem and proposes a
unified
end-to-end neural architecture, which is capable of simultaneously encoding the
semantics
and the
emotions
in a post and leveraging target information to generate more intelligent responses with appropriately expressed emotions. Extensive experiments on real-world data demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in terms of both content coherence and emotion appropriateness.
Response Ranking with Multi-types of Deep Interactive Representations in Retrieval-based Dialogues
Authors: Xu Ruijian , Tao Chongyang , Feng Jiazhan , Wu Wei , Yan Rui , Zhao Dongyan
Published: August 2021

Building an intelligent dialogue system with the ability to select a proper response according to a multi-turn context is challenging in three aspects: (1) the meaning of a context–response pair is built upon language units from multiple granularities (e.g., words, phrases, and sub-sentences, etc.); (2) local (e.g., a small window around a word) and long-range (e.g., words across the context and the response) dependencies may exist in dialogue data; and (3) the relationship between the context and the response candidate lies in multiple relevant semantic clues or relatively implicit semantic clues in some real cases. However, existing approaches usually encode the dialogue with mono-type representation and the interaction processes between the context and the response candidate are executed in a rather shallow manner, which may lead to an inadequate understanding of dialogue content and hinder the recognition of the semantic relevance between the context and response. To tackle these challenges, we propose a representation

[
K
]

-interaction

[
L
]

-matching framework that explores multiple types of deep interactive representations to build context-response matching models for response selection. Particularly, we construct different types of representations for utterance–response pairs and deepen them via alternate encoding and interaction. By this means, the model can handle the relation of neighboring elements, phrasal pattern, and long-range dependencies during the representation and make a more accurate prediction through multiple layers of interactions between the context–response pair. Experiment results on three public benchmarks indicate that the proposed model significantly outperforms previous conventional context-response matching models and achieve slightly better results than the BERT model for multi-turn response selection in retrieval-based dialogue systems.
Transparent Y-α SiAlON:Ce3+ Ceramics Fabricated by Low-Temperature Liquid Phase Sintering Technique
Authors: Takahashi Takuma , Sano Yuki , Tatami Junichi , Iijima Motoyuki , Yokouchi Masahiro
Published: August 2021

As the output of solid-state lighting and light sources increases, the demand for transparent phosphor inorganic plates with excellent heat resistance is increasing. It is known that α-SiAlON, which has excellent heat resistance as engineering ceramics, shows photoluminescence by stabilized ions, but it is not possible to obtain α-SiAlON bulk single crystals. In this study, we fabricated transparent Y-α SiAlON:Ce3+ ceramics for use as wave conversion materials for high-power solid-state semiconductor light sources. For this purpose, gas pressure sintering, followed by hot isostatic pressing at lower temperatures, were carried out using homogeneous and dense green bodies. In particular, cyclic cold isostatic pressing increased the density and homogeneity of the green body, which promoted the densification at lower temperatures and the efficient disappearance of pores during sintering. As a result of the suppression of grain growth by low-temperature densification, Y-α SiAlON:Ce3+ ceramics with high in-line transmittance were successfully obtained. The transparent Y-α SiAlON:Ce3+ ceramics exhibited photoluminescence due to the 5d-4f transition of Ce3+. The peak wavelength of the emission intensity depended on the concentration of Ce3+, and the luminescence color was in the range of blue to blue-green.
Coupling Coordination Degree between New Urbanization and Eco-Environment in Shaanxi, China, and Its Influencing Factors
Authors: Guo Lifeng
Published: August 2021

Taking northwestern China’s Shaanxi Province as the object, this paper constructs a comprehensive evaluation system (CES) for new urbanization and a CES for eco-environment. On this basis, the coordination coupling between new urbanization and eco-environment in Shaanxi and its key factors were evaluated and analyzed, using composite index method, relative development level model, coupling degree model, and coordination coupling degree (CCD) model. The results show that the development level of new urbanization in the province increased linearly, while that of eco-environment rose slowly; the relative development between the two systems gradually changed from the development lag of eco-environment to the development lag of new urbanization; the CCD between the two shifted from medium incoordination to high coordination; the coordinated development between the two systems is greatly driven by per-capita gross domestic product (GDP) in the new urbanization system, and the park area in the eco-environment system.