bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of the National Pollutant Release Inventory in environmental research: a scoping review
Authors: Berthiaume A.
Published: June 2021

The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), which has been collecting and disseminating pollutant data since 1994, is Canada’s legislated, publicly accessible inventory of pollutant releases (to air, water, and land), disposals, and transfers (for treatment, recycling, or energy recovery). The public availability of NPRI data is a key program output, initially driven by the community-right-to-know movement and now also compelled by the need to support a myriad of environmental science and policy efforts at various scales. Twenty-five years after the inception of the NPRI, this scoping review of peer-reviewed literature (up to 2019) was undertaken to better understand the nature and extent of uptake of NPRI information by researchers, namely, who are using it and how. The findings show that NPRI use in peer-reviewed research has increased steadily since 1997. NPRI information is implicated in 225 scholarly journal articles between 1994 and 2019. The main users are from the Government of Canada and Canadian universities, though many users from diverse backgrounds beyond these categories and beyond Canada were also noted. Researchers were primarily leveraging NPRI data on pollutants released to air, the focus of which was most often on the criteria air contaminants and metals (mercury). Less popular were data on water releases, land releases, and disposal data, while there were no examples of researchers using data on transfers. Seven prominent themes arose pertaining to the area(s) of interest of studies that use NPRI information, including geospatial analyses, environmental monitoring, predictive modelling, industrial sectors, other pollutant inventories, human health outcomes, and policy or program analysis. Several other study themes were also noted relating to socioeconomic issues, waste treatment and remediation, climate change, indigenous groups, and biomonitoring. Future opportunities to increase NPRI use in research in general, and in understudied areas in particular, as well as to increase the use of underutilized NPRI variables, remain.
Do supernovae indicate an accelerating universe?
Authors: Mohayaee Roya , Rameez Mohamed , Sarkar Subir
Published: June 2021

In the late 1990’s, observations of two directionally-skewed samples of, in total, 93 Type Ia supernovae were analysed in the framework of the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) cosmology. Assuming these to be ‘standard(isable) candles’ it was inferred that the Hubble expansion rate is accelerating as if driven by a positive Cosmological Constant $$\varLambda $$
Λ
in Einstein’s theory of gravity. This is still the only direct evidence for the ‘dark energy’ that is the dominant component of today’s standard $$\varLambda $$
Λ
CDM cosmological model. Other data such as baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) in the large-scale distribution of galaxies, temperature fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), measurement of stellar ages, the rate of growth of structure, etc are all ‘concordant’ with this model but do not provide independent evidence for accelerated expansion. The recent discussions about whether the inferred acceleration is real rests on analysis of a larger sample of 740 SNe Ia which shows that these are not quite standard candles, and more importantly highlights the ‘corrections’ that are applied to analyse the data in the FLRW framework. The latter holds in the reference frame in which the CMB is isotropic, whereas observations are carried out in our heliocentric frame in which the CMB has a large dipole anisotropy. This is assumed to be of kinematic origin i.e. due to our non-Hubble motion driven by local inhomogeneity in the matter distribution which has grown under gravity from primordial density perturbations traced by the CMB fluctuations. The $$\varLambda $$
Λ
CDM model predicts how this peculiar velocity should fall off as the averaging scale is raised and the universe becomes sensibly homogeneous. However observations of the local ‘bulk flow’ are inconsistent with this expectation and convergence to the CMB frame is not seen. Moreover, the kinematic interpretation implies a corresponding dipole in the sky distribution of high redshift quasars, which is rejected by observations at $$4.9\sigma $$

4.9
σ

. Hence the peculiar velocity corrections employed in supernova cosmology are inconsistent and discontinuous within the data. The acceleration of the Hubble expansion rate is in fact anisotropic at $$3.9\sigma $$

3.9
σ

and aligned with the bulk flow. Thus dark energy could be an artefact of analysing data assuming that we are idealised observers in an FLRW universe, when in fact the real universe is inhomogeneous and anisotropic out to distances large enough to impact on cosmological analyses.
Multiscalar B − L model with Σ(18) symmetry for neutrino mass and mixing
Authors: Vien V. V.
Published: June 2021

We construct a non-renormalizable [Formula: see text] model based on [Formula: see text] symmetry, whereby, neutrino mass ordering and the tiny neutrino masses are explained at tree level via type I seesaw mechanism. The model can reproduce the recent observed neutrino oscillation data in which neutrino oscillation parameters including three mixing angles [Formula: see text], Dirac CP phase plus neutrino squared-mass splittings [Formula: see text] get the best-fit values for both Normal ordering (NO) and Inverted ordering (IO). The Majorana phases are predicted to be [Formula: see text] for NO, [Formula: see text] for IO and [Formula: see text] for both NH and IO. The sum of neutrino mass and the effective neutrino mass are, respectively, predicted to be [Formula: see text] for NO while [Formula: see text] for IO and [Formula: see text] for NO while [Formula: see text] for IO which are well compatible with the most recent experimental constraints.
A functional approach to the next-to-eikonal approximation of high energy gravitational scattering
Authors: Fazio A. R. , Reyes R. E. A.
Published: June 2021

The Fradkin–Schwinger functional methods to represent a Green function in an external gravitational field are used to study the eikonal and the next-to-eikonal limit, including the nonlinear gravitational interactions, of the scattering amplitudes of an ultra-relativistic scalar particle on a static super-massive scalar target in the nearly forward limit. The functional approach confirms the exponentiation of the leading eikonal which also applies to the first non-leading power in the energy of the light particle, moreover includes the interaction at impact parameter much larger than the Schwarzschild radius associated with the center of mass energy in the ultra-relativistic limit.
Dielectric permittivity and relaxation process investigation of C-doped TlInS2 crystals
Authors: Samedov O. A. , Alekperov O. Z. , Orujova Kh. B. , Nadjafov A. İ. , Huseynov E. M. , Samedov S. F. , Gabulov İ. A. , Mekhtiyev N. M.
Published: June 2021

In this work, permittivity of TlInS2 and TlInS2 (5%[Formula: see text]C) crystals has been investigated at the AC field with 100–500 K temperatures ranges. [Formula: see text] temperature dependencies of TlInS2 and TlInS2 (5%[Formula: see text]C) crystals are studied at the frequency range of 25–106 Hz. Activation energy and ionic conductivity nature of sample were analyzed. Moreover, permittivity of these samples was studied at the perpendicular direction of axis “[Formula: see text]” of TlInS2 (5%[Formula: see text]C) crystals. The jumping process in the TlInS2 (5%[Formula: see text]C) crystals was studied using [Formula: see text] temperature dependencies.
Penalization for a PDE with a nonlinear Neumann boundary condition and measurable coefficients
Authors: Bahlali Khaled , Boufoussi Brahim , Mouchtabih Soufiane
Published: June 2021

We consider a system of semilinear partial differential equations (PDEs) with measurable coefficients and a nonlinear Neumann boundary condition. We then construct a sequence of penalized PDEs, which converges to our initial problem. Since the coefficients we consider may be discontinuous, we use the notion of solution in the [Formula: see text]-viscosity sense. The method we use is based on backward stochastic differential equations and their S-tightness. This work is motivated by the fact that many PDEs in physics have discontinuous coefficients. As a consequence, it follows that if the uniqueness holds, then the solution can be constructed by a penalization.
Reversals and transpositions distance with proportion restriction
Authors: Brito Klairton Lima , Alexandrino Alexsandro Oliveira , Oliveira Andre Rodrigues , Dias Ulisses , Dias Zanoni
Published: June 2021

In the field of comparative genomics, one way of comparing two genomes is through the analysis of how they distinguish themselves based on a set of mutations called rearrangement events. When considering that genomes undergo different types of rearrangements, it can be assumed that some events are more common than others. To model this assumption, one can assign different weights to different events, where common events tend to cost less than others. However, this approach, called weighted, does not guarantee that the rearrangement assumed to be the most frequent will be also the most frequently returned by proposed algorithms. To overcome this issue, we investigate a new problem where we seek the shortest sequence of rearrangement events able to transform one genome into the other, with a restriction regarding the proportion between the events returned. Here, we consider two rearrangement events: reversal, that inverts the order and the orientation of the genes inside a segment of the genome, and transposition, that moves a segment of the genome to another position. We show the complexity of this problem for any desired proportion considering scenarios where the orientation of the genes is known or unknown. We also develop an approximation algorithm with a constant approximation factor for each scenario and, in particular, we describe an improved (asymptotic) approximation algorithm for the case where the gene orientation is known. At last, we present the experimental tests comparing the proposed algorithms with others from the literature for the version of the problem without the proportion restriction.
Stock price prediction based on stock price synchronicity and deep learning
Authors: Jing Nan , Liu Qi , Wang Hefei
Published: June 2021

Deep learning technology has been widely used in the financial industry, primarily for improving financial time series prediction based on stock prices. To solve the problem of low fitting and poor accuracy in traditional stock price prediction models, this paper proposes a stock price prediction model based on stock price synchronicity and deep learning methods, which applied the stock price synchronicity theory in stock price trend analysis. This paper first uses the affinity propagation algorithm to build stock clusters, and then, based on convolution neural network (CNN), and feature weight to construct the stock price synchronicity factor. At last, the long short-term memory (LSTM) network with multifactor is built for stock price trend analysis. According to the theory of stock price synchronicity, the affinity propagation algorithm can find the potential related stocks of the target stock. The spatial data analysis ability of the CNN model provides a guarantee for the application in stock price synchronicity factor analysis. The LSTM model can better analyze the information contained in the stock price time series and predict the future price. The experimental results show that, compared with the traditional multilayer neural network model, the LSTM model has better accuracy in the trend prediction of the stock price. Simultaneously, the application of stock price synchronicity effectively improves the performance of the multifactor LSTM network.
Muscle-nerve communication and the molecular assessment of human skeletal muscle denervation with aging
Authors: Soendenbroe Casper , Andersen Jesper L. , Mackey Abigail L.
Published: June 2021

Muscle fiber denervation is a major contributor to the decline in physical function observed with aging. Denervation can occur through breakdown of the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) itself, affecting only that particular fiber, or through the death of a motor neuron, which can lead to a loss of all the muscle fibers in that motor unit. In this review, we discuss the muscle-nerve relationship, where signaling from both the motor neuron and the muscle fiber is required for maximal preservation of neuromuscular function in old age. Physical activity is likely to be the most important single factor that can contribute to this preservation. Furthermore, we propose that inactivity is not an innocent bystander, but plays an active role in denervation through the production of signals hostile to neuron survival. Investigating denervation in human muscle tissue samples is challenging due to the shared protein profile of regenerating and denervated muscle fibers. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the key traits observed in immunohistochemical preparations of muscle biopsies from healthy, young, and elderly individuals. Overall, a combination of assessing tissue samples, circulating biomarkers, and electrophysiological assessments in humans will prove fruitful in the quest to gain more understanding of denervation of skeletal muscle. In addition, cell culture models represent a valuable tool in the search for key signaling factors exchanged between muscle and nerve, and which exercise has the capacity to alter.
Impact of age and cyclooxygenase inhibition on the hemodynamic response to acute cognitive challenges
Authors: Pearson Andrew G. , Miller Kathleen B. , Corkery Adam T. , Eisenmann Nicole A. , Howery Anna J. , Carl Alexandra E. , Eldridge Marlowe W. , Barnes Jill N.
Published: June 2021

Structural and functional changes in the cerebral vasculature occur with advancing age, which may lead to impaired neurovascular coupling (NVC) and cognitive decline. Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition abolishes age-related differences in cerebrovascular reactivity, but it is unclear if COX inhibition impacts NVC. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of aging on NVC before and after COX inhibition. Twenty-three young (age = 25 ± 4 yr) and 21 older (age = 64 ± 5 yr) adults completed two levels of difficulty of the Stroop and n-back tests before and after COX inhibition. Middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) was measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasound and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was measured using a finger cuff. Hemodynamic variables were measured at rest and in response to cognitive challenges. During the Stroop test, older adults demonstrated a greater increase in MCAv (young: 2.2 ± 6.8% vs. older: 5.9 ± 5.8%; P = 0.030) and MAP (young: 2.0 ± 4.9% vs. older: 4.8 ± 4.9%; P = 0.036) compared with young adults. There were no age-related differences during the n-back test. COX inhibition reduced MCAv by 30% in young and 26% in older adults ( P < 0.001 for both). During COX inhibition, there were no age-related differences in the percent change in MCAv or MAP in response to the cognitive tests. Our results show that older adults require greater increases in MCAv and MAP during a test of executive function compared with young adults and that any age-related differences in NVC were abolished during COX inhibition. Collectively, this suggests that aging is associated with greater NVC necessary to accomplish a cognitive task.
Body mass-normalized moderate dose of dietary nitrate intake improves endothelial function and walking capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease
Authors: Pekas Elizabeth J. , Wooden TeSean K. , Yadav Santosh K. , Park Song-Young
Published: June 2021

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is characterized by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques in the lower extremity conduit arteries, which impairs blood flow and walking capacity. Dietary nitrate has been used to reduce blood pressure (BP) and improve walking capacity in PAD. However, a standardized dose for PAD has not been determined. Therefore, we sought to determine the effects of a body mass-normalized moderate dose of nitrate (0.11 mmol nitrate/kg) as beetroot juice on serum nitrate/nitrite, vascular function, walking capacity, and tissue oxygen utilization capacity in patients with PAD. A total of 11 patients with PAD received either nitrate supplement or placebo in a randomized crossover design. Total serum nitrate/nitrite, resting BP, brachial and popliteal artery endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation, FMD), arterial stiffness (pulse-wave velocity, PWV), augmentation index (AIx), maximal walking distance and time, claudication onset time, and skeletal muscle oxygen utilization were measured pre- and postnitrate and placebo intake. There were significant group × time interactions ( P < 0.05) for serum nitrate/nitrite, FMD, BP, walking distance and time, and skeletal muscle oxygen utilization. The nitrate group showed significantly increased serum nitrate/nitrite (Δ1.32 μM), increased brachial and popliteal FMD (Δ1.3% and Δ1.7%, respectively), reduced peripheral and central systolic BP (Δ−4.7 mmHg and Δ−8.2 mmHg, respectively), increased maximal walking distance (Δ92.7 m) and time (Δ56.3 s), and reduced deoxygenated hemoglobin during walking. There were no changes in PWV, AIx, or claudication ( P > 0.05). These results indicate that a body-mass normalized moderate dose of nitrate may be effective and safe for reducing BP, improving endothelial function, and improving walking capacity in patients with PAD.
The effect of leg preference on mechanical efficiency during single-leg extension exercise
Authors: Venturelli Massimo , Tarperi Cantor , Milanese Chiara , Festa Luca , Toniolo Luana , Reggiani Carlo , Schena Federico
Published: June 2021

This study examined the impact of leg preference on efficiency during single-leg exercise. The results revealed lower efficiency of the nonpreferred leg during exercises performed at absolute and relative workloads. Central (cardiac output) and peripheral (fiber typing) determinants of efficiency did not explain the difference between the legs. However, the lower muscle activation of the preferred leg that was inversely correlated with efficiency is likely the primary determinant of this physiological feature.
Multislice Spiral CT Image Analysis and Meta-Analysis of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Muscle Function
Authors: An Lijuan , Li Baiyan , Ming Dan , Wang Weizhan
Published: June 2021

Respiratory muscle function has a significant effect on stroke. Stroke is one of the most common cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in the clinic and has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Hemiplegia, cerebral hemorrhage, and even death can occur, mainly in the elderly. In this paper, we meta-analyzed the effect of inspiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle function. In this article, we used a topic search method to search for relevant literature on respiratory muscle training and obtained 58 and 32 literature studies from CNKI and Wanfang Data, respectively. As a result of the screening, 36 and 28 documents were obtained. In this paper, 64 selected articles were studied. The authors make statistics on the literature of designing serum content index and multislice spiral CT (Member of the Society of Cardiological Technicians) image of patients, so as to analyze the influence of CT image and inspiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle function. The study showed that FVC, FEV1, MIP, and diaphragm mobility of the experimental group were significantly improved after treatment in more than 85% of the studies (

P
<
0.05

), while those of the control group were not significantly improved (

P
>
0.05

). The comparison between the two groups after treatment showed that FVC, FEV1, MIP, and diaphragm mobility of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (

P
<
0.05

). The application of multislice spiral CT image analysis technology can effectively evaluate the effect of inspiratory muscle training on respiratory dysfunction in stroke patients, the mechanism of which regulates the expression of related pathways, suppresses the inflammatory response, and can reduce oxidative stress damage. Therefore, respiratory muscle training can improve the function of respiratory muscle and reduce the death rate of cerebellar hemorrhage in patients with stroke and other vascular diseases.
Adaptive Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control of a Pressure-Controlled Artificial Ventilator
Authors: Mehedi Ibrahim M. , Shah Heidir S. M. , Al-Saggaf Ubaid M. , Mansouri Rachid , Bettayeb Maamar
Published: June 2021

This paper presents the application of adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control (AFSMC) for the respiratory system to assist the patients facing difficulty in breathing. The ventilator system consists of a blower-hose-patient system and patient’s lung model with nonlinear lung compliance. The AFSMC is based on two components: singleton control action and a discontinuous term. The singleton control action is based on fuzzy logic with adjustable tuning parameters to approximate the perfect feedback linearization control. The switching control law based on the sliding mode principle aims to minimize the estimation error between approximated single fuzzy control action and perfect feedback linearization control. The proposed control strategy manipulated the airway flow delivered by the ventilator such that the peak pressure will remain under critical values in presence of unknown patient-hose-leak parameters and patient breathing effort. The closed-loop stability of AFSMC will be proven in the sense of Lyapunov. For comparative analysis, classical PID and sliding mode controllers are also designed and implemented for mechanical ventilation problems. For performance analysis, numerical simulations were performed on a mechanical ventilator simulator. Simulation results reveal that the proposed controller demonstrates better tracking of targeted airway pressure compared with its counterparts in terms of faster convergence, less overshoot, and small tracking error. Hence, the proposed controller provides useful insight for its application to real-world scenarios.
The Herbal Formula Granule Prescription Mahuang Decoction Ameliorated Chronic Kidney Disease Which Was Associated with Restoration of Dysbiosis of Intestinal Microbiota in Rats
Authors: Ming Yao , Cheng Sijing , Long Wen , Wang Hong-Lian , Xu Chuanlan , Liu Xiaoyu , Zhang Qiong , Zhao Sha , Zou Xia , Fan Junming , Wang Li , Shen Hongchun
Published: June 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a global health issue, and there is increasing evidence showing the beneficial roles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in CKD treatment. Here, we studied the renoprotective role of Mahuang decoction, a famous TCM prescription, in a rat CKD model induced with the combination of doxorubicin and adenine. Our data showed that intragastric administration of Mahuang decoction inhibited the loss of bodyweight and attenuated proteinuria, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen in CKD rats. Kidney histological analysis revealed decreased tubulointerstitial injury and fibrosis in CKD rats treated with Mahuang decoction accompanied with suppressed expression of TGF-β1 and phosphorylated NF-κB/P65 (p-P65) as indicated by immunohistochemistry. ELISA analysis demonstrated reduced serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-6. Most importantly, intestinal microbiota analysis by 16s rRNA-seq showed that Mahuang decoction restored the impaired richness and diversity of intestinal microflora and recovered the disrupted microbial community through reducing the abundance of deleterious microbes and promoting the expansion of beneficial microbes in CKD rats. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that Mahuang decoction mitigated kidney functional and structural impairment in CKD rats which were associated with the restoration of dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota, implying its potential in clinical CKD treatment.
circSLC6A6 Sponges miR-497-5p to Promote Endometrial Cancer Progression via the PI4KB/Hedgehog Axis
Authors: Hu Juan , Peng Xing , Du Weina , Huang Yichuan , Zhang Chun , Zhang Xian
Published: June 2021

Background. As a new kind of noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been substantiated to be involved in multiple biological processes. Accumulating studies indicate that circular RNAs (circRNAs) regulate the development of cancers by acting as miRNA sponges. However, the role of circRNAs in endometrial cancer (EC) is rarely reported. This study was aimed at investigating the functional roles of circSLC6A6 in EC. Methods. The qRT-PCR assay was performed to detect the circSLC6A6 expression in EC tissues and cell lines. The luciferase reporter assay was performed to explore the connection between circSLC6A6 and miR-497-5p as well as the connection between miR-497-5p and PI4KB. The colony formation assay, EdU assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay were performed to examine the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EC cells. The in vivo assay was performed to reveal the function of circSLC6A6 in tumorigenesis. Results. We found that circSLC6A6 was highly expressed in both EC tissues and cells. And circSLC6A6 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EC cells in vitro. In vivo, circSLC6A6 promoted tumor growth. Besides, a mechanistic study demonstrated that circSLC6A6 could regulate tumor-associated signaling PI4KB/hedgehog pathway by sponging miR-497-5p. Conclusion. This study illustrates that circSLC6A6 plays a role in promoting EC progression via the miR-497-5p-mediated PI4KB/hedgehog pathway. Our study may provide a potential novel biomarker for EC diagnosis or treatment.
Topological Study of Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 via Degree-Based Topological Indices
Authors: Saeed Nouman , Long Kai , Islam Tanweer Ul , Mufti Zeeshan Saleem , Abbas Ayesha
Published: June 2021

Graph theory is a subdivision of discrete mathematics. In graph theory, a graph is made up of vertices connected through edges. Topological indices are numerical parameters or descriptors of graph. Topological index tells the symmetry of compound and helps us to compare those mathematical values, with boiling point, melting point, density, viscosity, hydrophobic surface area, polarity, etc., of that compound. In the present research paper, degree-based topological indices of Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 are calculated. Names of those topological indices are Randić index, first Zagreb index, general sum connectivity index, hyper-Zagreb index, geometric index, ABC index, etc.
A Fuzzy Radial Basis Adaptive Inference Network and Its Application to Time‐Varying Signal Classification
Authors: Huang Long , Xu Shaohua , Liu Kun , Yang Ruiping , Wu Lu
Published: June 2021

A fuzzy radial basis adaptive inference network (FRBAIN) is proposed for multichannel time‐varying signal fusion analysis and feature knowledge embedding. The model which combines the prior signal feature embedding mechanism of the radial basis kernel function with the rule‐based logic inference ability of fuzzy system is composed of a multichannel time‐varying signal input layer, a radial basis fuzzification layer, a rule layer, a regularization layer, and a T‐S fuzzy classifier layer. The dynamic fuzzy clustering algorithm was used to divide the sample set pattern class into several subclasses with similar features. The fuzzy radial basis neurons (FRBNs) were defined and used as parameterized membership functions, and typical feature samples of each pattern subclass were used as kernel centers of the FRBN to realize the embedding of the diverse prior feature knowledge and the fuzzification of the input signals. According to the signal categories of FRBN kernel centers, nodes in the rule layer were selectively connected with nodes in the FRBN layer. A fuzzy multiplication operation was used to achieve synthesis of pattern class membership information and establishment of fuzzy inference rules. The excitation intensity of each rule was used as the input of T‐S fuzzy classifier to classify the input signals. The FRBAIN can adaptively establish fuzzy set membership functions, fuzzy inference, and classification rules based on the learning of sample set, realize structural and data constraints of the model, and improve the modeling properties of imbalanced datasets. In this paper, the properties of FRBAIN were analyzed and a comprehensive learning algorithm was established. Experimental validation was performed with classification diagnoses from four complex cardiovascular diseases based on 12‐lead ECG signals. Results demonstrated that, in the case of small‐scale imbalanced datasets, the proposed method significantly improved both classification accuracy and generalizability comparing with other methods in the experiment.
Correlation between Photoluminescence Properties of Surface Defects and Laser-Induced Damage Threshold of Fused Silica
Authors: Chen Qiao , Wang He , Dai Rucheng , Wang Zhongping , Tao Xiaoping , Zhao Wei , Zhang Zengming , Hoffmann Dieter H.H.
Published: June 2021

Laser-induced damage threshold is the main limitation for fused silica optics in high-power laser applications. The existence of various defects near the surface is the key factor for the degradation of the threshold. In this work, the photoluminescence spectra at different regions of the damaged and recovered fused silica samples are recorded to analyze the correlation between photoluminescence of surface defects and laser-induced damage threshold. The experimental data concluded the inverse proportional correlation between fluorescence and laser-induced damage threshold value. The weak photoluminescence is the guarantee of the high laser-induced damage threshold, and then the higher local Si nanocluster concentration corresponds with the higher laser-induced damage threshold value for the fused silica optics after CO2 laser treatment. The investigation reveals that photoluminescence measurement can be employed to check the quality of pristine fused silica and evaluate the tendency of the laser-induced damage threshold value. The current results are helpful for understanding the evolution of interaction from CO2 laser treatment and fused silica optics and can provide the guide of process technology for the high quality of fused silica optics.
ACE2 and Apelin-13: Biomarkers with a Prognostic Value in Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Goidescu Cerasela Mihaela , Chiorescu Roxana Mihaela , Diana Mocan-Hognogi Larisa , Mocan Mihaela , Stoia Mirela Anca , Anton Florin Petru , Farcaş Anca Daniela
Published: June 2021

The progression of heart failure is the result of the interaction of several pathogenetic processes that involve the activation of biomarkers belonging to the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), to its counterregulatory mechanisms, to the sympathetic nervous system and inflammation, and to oxidative stress. This study is aimed at determining the prognostic role of biomarkers in the evolution of patients with heart failure. These biomarkers are representative of different pathogenetic pathways involved in the progression of heart failure and the possible interrelationships between them and heart remodelling. Method. This is a progressive observational study on 53 hospitalized patients with low ejection fraction heart failure, who were followed up for 12 months. The aetiology of heart failure was ischemic heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. The patients were clinically and biochemically evaluated by EKG (echocardiography) on admission and at 6 and 12 months. The biomarkers included in the present study were angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2), apelin-13, NT-proBNP (biomarkers involved in the counterregulation of RAAS), interleukin 17 (IL-17), hsCRP (inflammatory biomarkers), and urinary 8-iso-PGF2α (oxidative stress biomarker). The evolution was considered unfavourable if the patients presented complications during hospitalization, were readmitted for decompensated heart failure, or died. Results. From the study group, 14 patients (24.52%) presented an unfavourable clinical evolution. The biomarkers that were associated with the evolution of patients during hospitalization were ACE2, apelin-13, NT-proBNP, and hsCRP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified ACE2 and apelin-13 as independent, predictive biomarkers for the unfavourable evolution of patients over the study period. Values of ACE2 above 4000.75 pg/mL and of apelin-13 less than 402.5 pg/mL were associated with an unfavourable evolution (poor clinical outcomes). Conclusion. The serum values of ACE2 and apelin-13 correlate with the unfavourable evolution of patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure.
Evaluation of the Technical Wind Energy Potential of Kisii Region Based on the Weibull and Rayleigh Distribution Models
Authors: Ongaki N. Laban , Maghanga Christopher M. , Kerongo Joash
Published: June 2021

Background. Global warming is a growing threat in the world today mainly due to the emission of CO2 caused by the burning of fossil fuel. Consequently, countries are being forced to seek potential alternative sources of energy such as wind, solar, and photovoltaic among many others. However, the realization of their benefits is faced with challenges. Though wind stands a chance to solve this problem, the lack of adequate site profiles, long-term behavioural information, and specific data information that enables informed choice on site selection, turbine selection, and expected power output has remained a challenge to its exploitation. In this research, Weibull and Rayleigh models are adopted. Wind speeds were analyzed and characterized in the short term and then simulated for a long-term measured hourly series data of daily wind speeds at a height of 10 m. The analysis included daily wind data which was grouped into discrete data and then calculated to represent the mean wind speed, diurnal variations, daily variations, and monthly variations. To verify the models, statistical tools of Chi square, RMSE, MBE, and correlational coefficient were applied. Also, the method of measure, correlate, and predict was adopted to check for the reliability of the data used. The wind speed frequency distribution at the height of 10 m was found to be 2.9 ms-1 with a standard deviation of 1.5. From the six months’ experiments, averages of wind speeds at hub heights of 10 m were calculated and found to be 1.7 m/s, 2.4 m/s, and 1.3 m/s, for Ikobe, Kisii University, and Nyamecheo stations, respectively. The wind power density of the region was found to be 29 W/m2. By a narrow margin, Rayleigh proves to be a better method over Weibull in predicting wind power density in the region. Wind speeds at the site are noted to be decreasing over the years. The region is shown as marginal on extrapolation to 30 m for wind energy generation hence adequate for nongrid connected electrical and mechanical applications. The strong correlation between the site wind profiles proves data reliability. The gradual decrease of wind power over the years calls for attention.
Complement Fixation Test for Specific Antibody Detection against Bovine Brucellosis in Selected Peasant Association of Guto Gida District, East Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Ararsa Gudeta , Hirpa Eyob , Amante Morka
Published: June 2021

Brucellosis is one of the major zoonotic diseases yet prevalent in Ethiopia. It is contagious and has harmful effects on free animal movement and export. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017 in the Loko and Uke peasant association of Guto Gida District. The goal of this study is to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine brucellosis. The questionnaire survey was conducted on 200 respondents to collect the livestock owner’s perception of this disease. Eighty (80) blood samples were collected from grazing cattle above six months of age. Serum was tested by complement fixation test (CFT) for Brucella antibody detection. Pearson chi-square is used to assess the relation of independent variables such as sex, site, and age with seroprevalence in a 95% confidence interval if

P

value is less than 0.05, recoded as significant. Seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis in the present study is 22.5%. Bovine brucellosis prevalence recorded in Uke (28.6%) was higher than that in Loko (21.2%). Again bovine brucellosis is higher in males (30.4%) than females (19.2%). There is prevalence variation among site, sex, and age which is statistically insignificant (

P

value>0.05). Survey findings revealed that 52% (104/200) of respondents did not know the causes of abortion, while 48% (96/200) of them confirmed abortion in their herd and 64% (124/200) of respondents removed retained fetal membrane by themselves. Brucellosis is a contagious reproductive disease of cattle with zoonotic implications and needs to design and implement control measures aiming at preventing further spread of the disease.
Axial Compression Behavior of Circular Concrete‐Filled High‐Strength Thin‐Walled Steel Tubular Columns with Out‐of‐Code D/t Ratios
Authors: Li Jun-Xin , Wang Jian-Tao , Sun Qing , Wu Yan-Ru , Zhou Shi-Ming , Wang Fa-Cheng
Published: June 2021

This paper systematically investigated the axial compression behavior of circular concrete‐filled high‐strength thin‐walled steel tubular (CFHTST) columns with out‐of‐code diameter‐to‐thickness (D/t) ratios. The axial compression test was first conducted to examine the failure mode, load‐displacement curves, and composite mechanism effect. The finite element (FE) model was thereafter established to perform full‐range analysis on the load versus displacement curve as well as the interaction behavior, where the parametric study was performed to investigate the influences of the material strengths and geometric sizes. Subsequently, the applicability of typical design methods was evaluated, and a revised equation for determining strain εscy corresponding to ultimate strength was established to assess the plastic deformation capacity of CFHTST columns. Finally, a theoretical model for calculating axial bearing capacity was derived based on unified twin‐shear strength theory by considering the influence of intermediate principal stress. The research results indicate that a relatively high confine effect can be guaranteed for CFHTST columns under out‐of‐code D/t ratios, given that the ratio Nu/Nnom between the measured capacity (Nu) and nominal cross‐sectional capacity (Nnom) mainly distributes within 1.179∼1.292; the full‐range analysis reflects that the axial load‐deformation curve can be distinguished by four various loading stages; the scope b = 0.3∼0.55 of intermediate stress coefficient is generally suggested for predicting axial strength of circular CFST columns within an error of ±5%. The abovementioned study can provide the meaningful design reference for the analysis and application of CFHTST columns.
Hardware Removal in Maxillofacial Trauma: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Aramanadka Chithra , Kamath Abhay T. , Srikanth G. , Pai Deepika , Singla Nishu , Daundiyal Shriya , Desai Avani
Published: June 2021

Background. Miniplates are commonly used for the fixation of maxillofacial fracture segments. Removal of the hardware is controversial. A retrospective study of medical records was performed to observe the reasons for plate removal. Materials and Methods. A 10-year retrospective study of medical records was performed. Demographics, type of fracture, location, type of miniplate used, the time gap between the insertion and removal, and causes of hardware removal were assessed. Results. About 1472 patients had undergone internal fixation for the facial fractures. Stainless steel miniplate was used in 489 patients, and titanium was used in 983 patients. Out of the 42 cases, 22 cases involved the removal of titanium hardware and 20 patients involved the removal of stainless steel hardware. Infection/osteomyelitis was the main cause of hardware removal. The maximum amount of hardware failure was in the mandible. 78.6% of hardware removal was performed in males. Conclusion. Based on our study, routine removal of titanium miniplates can be performed in children to avoid growth disturbances, not indicated in adult patients unless symptomatic.
Numerical Simulation of the Shear Behaviour of Cement Grout
Authors: Chen Jianhang , Zhang Fan , Zhao Hongbao , Zhang Junwen
Published: June 2021

Cement grout is widely used in civil engineering and mining engineering. The shear behaviour of the cement grout plays an important role in determining the stability of the systems. To better understand the shear behaviour of the cement grout, numerical direct shear tests were conducted. Cylindrical cement grout samples with two different strengths were created and simulated. The numerical results were compared and validated with experimental results. It was found that, in the direct shear process, although the applied normal stress was constant, the normal stress on the contacted shear failure plane was variable. Before the shear strength point, the normal stress increased slightly. Then, it decreased gradually. Moreover, there was a nonuniform distribution of the normal stress on the contacted shear failure plane. This nonuniform distribution was more apparent when the shear displacement reached the shear strength point. Additionally, there was a shear stress distribution on the contacted shear failure plane. However, at the beginning of the direct shear test, the relative difference of the shear stresses was quite small. In this stage, the shear stress distribution can be assumed uniform on the contacted shear failure plane. However, once the shear displacement increased to around the shear strength point, the relative difference of the shear stresses was obvious. In this stage, there was an apparent nonuniform shear stress distribution on the contacted shear failure plane.
Identification of a Locus Near ULK1 Associated With Progression-Free Survival in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Quinn Michael C.J. , McCue Karen , Shi Wei , Johnatty Sharon E. , Beesley Jonathan , Civitarese Andrew , O'Mara Tracy A. , Glubb Dylan M. , Tyrer Jonathan P. , Armasu Sebastian M. , Ong Jue-Sheng , Gharahkhani Puya , Lu Yi , Gao Bo , Patch Ann-Marie , Fasching Peter A. , Beckmann Matthias W. , Lambrechts Diether , Vergote Ignace , Velez Edwards Digna R. , Beeghly-Fadiel Alicia , Benitez Javier , Garcia Maria J. , Goodman Marc T. , Dörk Thilo , Dürst Matthias , Modugno Francesmary , Moysich Kirsten , du Bois Andreas , Pfisterer Jacobus , Bauman Klaus , Karlan Beth Y. , Lester Jenny , Cunningham Julie M. , Larson Melissa C. , McCauley Bryan M. , Kjaer Susanne K. , Jensen Allan , Hogdall Claus K. , Hogdall Estrid , Schildkraut Joellen M. , Riggan Marjorie J. , Berchuck Andrew , Cramer Daniel W. , Terry Kathryn L. , Bjorge Line , Webb Penelope M. , Friedlander Michael , Pejovic Tanja , Moffitt Melissa , Glasspool Rosalind , May Taymaa , Ene Gabrielle E.V. , Huntsman David G. , Woo Michelle , Carney Michael E. , Hinsley Samantha , Heitz Florian , Fereday Sian , Kennedy Catherine J. , Edwards Stacey L. , Winham Stacey J. , deFazio Anna , Pharoah Paul D.P. , Goode Ellen L. , MacGregor Stuart , Chenevix-Trench Georgia
Published: June 2021

Background:

Many loci have been found to be associated with risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, although there is considerable variation in progression-free survival (PFS), no loci have been found to be associated with outcome at genome-wide levels of significance.

Methods:

We carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of PFS in 2,352 women with EOC who had undergone cytoreductive surgery and standard carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy.

Results:

We found seven SNPs at 12q24.33 associated with PFS (P < 5 × 10–8), the top SNP being rs10794418 (HR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.15–1.34; P = 1.47 × 10–8). High expression of a nearby gene, ULK1, is associated with shorter PFS in EOC, and with poor prognosis in other cancers. SNP rs10794418 is also associated with expression of ULK1 in ovarian tumors, with the allele associated with shorter PFS being associated with higher expression, and chromatin interactions were detected between the ULK1 promoter and associated SNPs in serous and endometrioid EOC cell lines. ULK1 knockout ovarian cancer cell lines showed significantly increased sensitivity to carboplatin in vitro.

Conclusions:

The locus at 12q24.33 represents one of the first genome-wide significant loci for survival for any cancer. ULK1 is a plausible candidate for the target of this association.

Impact:

This finding provides insight into genetic markers associated with EOC outcome and potential treatment options.

See related commentary by Peres and Monteiro, p. 1604
Does Prior Abdominal Surgery Influence Peritoneal Transport Characteristics or Technique Survival of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients?
Authors: Dias da Silva Andreia , García Gago Leticia , Rodríguez Magariños Catuxa , Astudillo Jarrín Daniela , Rodríguez-Carmona Ana , García Falcón Teresa , Pérez Fontán Miguel
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Prior abdominal surgery may result in peritoneal membrane adhesions and fibrosis, compromising the success of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The impact of this factor on peritoneal membrane function and PD technique survival has not been adequately investigated. Methods: Following an observational, retrospective design, we studied 171 incident PD patients, with the main objective of analyzing the influence of prior abdominal surgical procedures (main study variable) on baseline and evolutionary peritoneal transport characteristics (main outcome) and PD patient and technique survival (secondary outcomes). Abdominal surgeries were categorized according to the degree of presumed injury to the peritoneal membrane. We also considered the additive effect of aggressions to the membrane during the first year on PD therapy. Results: All patients had a baseline peritoneal equilibration test with complete drainage at 60′, and 113 patients had a second study at the end of the first year. Sixty-one patients (35.7%) had a record of prior abdominal surgery, including 29 patients with at least one major intraperitoneal surgery, 22 having undergone minor intraperitoneal procedures, and 21 with a background of major abdominopelvic extraperitoneal surgery. We did not observe differences, at baseline or after 1 year, among patients with or without previous abdominal procedures regarding small solute transport, overall capacity of ultrafiltration, free water transport, small pore ultrafiltration, or peritoneal protein excretion. Stratified analysis, considering prior and first-year-on-PD peritoneal aggressions, did not reveal any differences, although in this case our analysis was hampered by a limited statistical power. Abdominal surgical events did not influence patient or PD technique survival. Conclusion: Prior abdominal surgical procedures do not appear to compromise peritoneal membrane function or technique survival in patients successfully started on PD.