bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Astrometric Calibration of the Clementine Meridian Line (1702) of S. Maria degli Angeli on the Zodiacal Signs, in the IGEA Observational Campaign (2018/21)
Authors: Sigismondi Costantino
Published: May 2021

The meridian line is a basic instrument for positional astronomy, it was used to study the motion of Sun, Moon, planets and the position of stars by measuring position and time of their passage through the meridian plane. The accuracy of such positions was dependent on precise theories of the atmospheric refraction (Cassini, 1655 and Laplace, 1825) and by the use of reference marks present originally on the meridian line, and now cancelled by the centuries. From October 27, 2018 the new pinhole of the meridian line in the Basilica of S. Maria degli Angeli in Rome (1702) is a circle 25 mm wide and 6.11 mm thick and its position is fixed, in order to perform a series of observations of astrometric quality, the IGEA campaign. The comparison of the observed positions of the meridian passages of the Sun, Southern and Northern limbs, with the ephemerides of Calsky.org and Stellarium 0.20.2 for the Sun are examined for the dates of the ingresses into the zodiacal signs, when the ecliptic longitude is exactly 0°/180° (Aries and Libra, spring and fall equinox), 30°/150° (Taurus, Virgo), 60°/120° (Gemini, Leo), 90° (Cancer), 330°/210° (Pisces, Scorpio), 300°/240° (Aquarius/Sagittarius), 270° (Capricorn). The former geometrical calibration of the marks present on the line, with a total station, is compared with another calibration done with a metal and laser meter. The first star on the floor of the Basilica representing the position of the Sun on August 20, 1702 when the pope Clement XI visited the meridian line, financed by him, has been calibrated with the solar image. The present pinhole is 4.4±0.1 mm South with respect to the original one of 1702.
The microRNA Landscape of Acute Beta Cell Destruction in Type 1 Diabetic Recipients of Intraportal Islet Grafts
Authors: Martens Geert Antoine , Stange Geert , Piemonti Lorenzo , Anckaert Jasper , Ling Zhidong , Pipeleers Daniel , Gorus Frans , Mestdagh Pieter , De Smet Dieter , Vandesompele Jo , Keymeulen Bart , Roels Sarah
Published: May 2021

Ongoing beta cell death in type 1 diabetes (T1D) can be detected using biomarkers selectively discharged by dying beta cells into plasma. MicroRNA-375 (miR-375) ranks among top biomarkers based on studies in animal models and human islet transplantation. Our objective was to identify additional microRNAs that are co-released with miR-375 proportionate to the amount of beta cell destruction. RT-PCR profiling of 733 microRNAs in a discovery cohort of T1D patients 1 hour before/after islet transplantation indicated increased plasma levels of 22 microRNAs. Sub-selection for beta cell selectivity resulted in 15 microRNAs that were subjected to double-blinded multicenter analysis. This led to identification of 8 microRNAs that were consistently increased during early graft destruction: besides miR-375, these included miR-132/204/410/200a/429/125b, microRNAs with known function and enrichment in beta cells. Their potential clinical translation was investigated in a third independent cohort of 46 transplant patients, by correlating post-transplant microRNA levels to C-peptide levels 2 months later. Only miR-375 and miR-132 had prognostic potential for graft outcome and none of the newly identified microRNAs outperformed miR-375 in multiple regression. In conclusion, this study reveals multiple beta cell-enriched microRNAs that are co-released with miR-375 and can be used as complementary biomarkers of beta cell death.
Regulation of Alcohol and Acetaldehyde Metabolism by a Mixture of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium Species in Human
Authors: Jung Su-Jin , Hwang Ji-Hyun , Park Eun-Ok , Lee Seung Ok , Chung Yun-Jo , Chung Myung-Jun , Lim Sanghyun , Lim Tae - Joong , Ha Yunhi , Park Byung-Hyun , Chae Soo-Wan
Published: May 2021

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Alcohol is oxidized to toxic and carcinogenic acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and further oxidized to a non-toxic acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Emerging evidence shows that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species encode alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) mediate alcohol and acetaldehyde metabolism, respectively. This study involves supplementation of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic mixture in humans and assessed their effects on alcohol and acetaldehyde metabolism. Here, twenty-seven wild types (ALDH2*1/*1) and the same number ofheterozygotes (ALDH2*2/*1) were recruited for the study. The enrolled participants were randomly divided into either the probiotic (Duolac ProAP4) or the placebo group. Each group received a probiotic or placebo capsule for 15 days with subsequent crossover. Primary outcomes were measurement of alcohol and acetaldehyde in the blood after the alcohol intake. Blood levels of alcohol and acetaldehyde in the ALDH2 heterozygote group were significantly downregulated in the probiotic-supplemented group with no changes in hangover score symptoms than the placebo group. No clinically significant changes were observed in safety parameters. These results suggest that probiotic has a potential to downregulate the alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations, and their effects depend on the presence or absence of polymorphism on the ALDH2 gene.
Positive Impact of a Modified Atkins Diet on Cognition, Seizures Control and Abnormal Movements in an Adult With Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Diaz-Arias Luisa A. , Henry-Barron Bobbie J. , Buchholz Alison , Cervenka Mackenzie C.
Published: May 2021

Glucose is the primary energy fuel used by the brain and is transported across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by the glucose transporter type 1 and 2.[1] A GLUT1 genetic defect is responsible for glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1DS). Patients with GLUT1DS may present with pharmaco-resistant epilepsy, developmental delay, microcephaly, and/or abnormal movements, with tremendous phenotypic variability. Diagnosis is made by the presence of specific clinical features, hypoglycorrhachia and an SLC2A1 gene mutation. Treatment with a ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) is the standard of care as it results in production of ketone bodies which can readily cross the BBB and provide an alternate energy source to the brain in the absence of glucose. KDTs have been shown to reduce seizures and abnormal movements in children diagnosed with GLUT1DS. However, little is known about the impact of KDT on cognitive function, seizures and movement disorders in adults newly diagnosed with GLUT1DS and started on a KDT in adulthood, or the appropriate ketogenic diet therapy to administer. This case report demonstrates the potential benefits of using a modified Atkins diet (MAD), a less restrictive ketogenic diet therapy on cognition, seizure control and motor function in an adult with newly-diagnosed GLUT1SD.
Water-Quality Data Imputation With High Percentage of Missing Values: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Rodriguez Rafael , Pastorini Marcos , Etcheverry Lorena , Chreties Christian , Fossati Mónica , Castro Alberto , Gorgoglione Angela
Published: May 2021

The monitoring of surface-water quality followed by water-quality modeling and analysis is essential for generating effective strategies in water-resource management. However, worldwide, particularly in developing countries, water-quality studies are limited due to the lack of a complete and reliable dataset of surface-water-quality variables. In this context, several statistical and machine-learning models were assessed for imputing water-quality data at six monitoring stations located in the Santa Lucía Chico river (Uruguay), a mixed lotic and lentic river system. The challenge of this study is represented by the high percentage of missing data (between 50% and 70%) and the high temporal and spatial variability that characterizes the water-quality variables. The competing algorithms implemented belonged to both univariate and multivariate imputation methods (inverse distance weighting (IDW), Random Forest Regressor (RFR), Ridge (R), Bayesian Ridge (BR), AdaBoost (AB), Hubber Regressor (HR), Support Vector Regressor (SVR), and K-nearest neighbors Regressor (KNNR)). According to the results, more than 76% of the imputation outcomes are considered satisfactory (NSE > 0.45). The imputation performance shows better results at the monitoring stations located inside the reservoir than the ones positioned along the mainstream. IDW was the most chosen model for data imputation.
Base Dependence of Benford Random Variables
Authors: Benford Frank
Published: May 2021

A random variable X that is base b Benford will not in general be base c Benford when c is not equal to b. This paper builds on two of my earlier papers and is an attempt to cast some light on the issue of base dependence. Following some introductory material, the “Benford spectrum” of a positive random variable is introduced and known analytic results about Benford spectra are summarized. Some standard machinery for a “Benford analysis” is introduced and combined with my method of “seed functions” to yield tools to analyze the base c Benford properties of a base b Benford random variable. Examples are generated by applying these general methods to several families of Benford random variables. Berger and Hill's concept of “base-invariant significant digits” is discussed. Some potential

extensions are sketched.
Welcoming new entrants into European electricity markets
Authors: Schittekatte Tim , Reif Valerie , Meeus Leonardo
Published: May 2021

We select four important waves of new entrants that knocked on the door of European electricity markets to illustrate how market rules need to be continuously adapted to allow new entrants to come in and push innovation forward. The new entrants that we selected are utilities venturing into neighbouring markets after establishing a strong position in their home market, utility-scale renewables project developers, asset-light software companies aggregating the assets of smaller consumers and producers, and different types of communities. We show that well-intentioned rules designed for certain types of market participants can (unintentionally) become obstacles for new entrants. We conclude that the evolution of market rules illustrates the importance of dynamic regulation. At the start of the liberalisation process the view was that we would deregulate or re-regulate the sector after which the role of regulators could be reduced. But their role has only increased. New players might also present new risks that require intervention by regulators.
Discipline and Work Environment Affect Employee Productivity: Evidence From Indonesia
Authors: Rusdiyanto Rusdiyanto
Published: May 2021

Objective: This paper aims to test and evaluate the Effect of Discipline And Work Environment on Employee Productivity of state-owned public bodies.Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses a quantitative approach using a survey approach. The survey is a study conducted on the employee population of state-owned public agency companies, samples taken from the employee population of state-owned public agency companies to find events related to discipline variables and work environments that can affect employee productivity variables, to analise the influence between discipline variables and the work environment on employee productivity variables using a statistic regression approach. This method is used to explain the influence of discipline variables and work environment on employee productivity variables. This approach is simply to provide a description and test the influence between discipline variables and the work environment on employee productivity variables that can be known how much the influence of discipline variables and work environment on employee productivity variables.Findings: The findings of this study explain that discipline has an influence on the productivity of employees of publicly owned companies, the work environment has an influence on the productivity of employees of publicly owned companies, while together discipline and work environment have an influence on the productivity of employees of publicly owned companies.Practical Implications: The results of the study are recommended for employees to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the performance of state-owned public bodies.Originality: Previous research conducted to test the influence of discipline and work environment on the productivity of employees of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, the findings concluded that discipline and work environment have an influence on the work productivity of employees of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. This research object of research on publicly owned companies owned by the state.
Near-optimal Sparse Neural Trees
Authors: Chakraborty Tanujit , Chakraborty Tanmoy
Published: May 2021

Decision tree algorithms have been among the most popular algorithms for interpretable (transparent) machine learning since the early 1980s. On the other hand, deep learning methods have boosted the capacity of machine learning algorithms and are now being used for non-trivial applications in various applied domains. But training a fully-connected deep feed-forward network by gradient-descent backpropagation is slow and requires arbitrary choices regarding the number of hidden units and layers. In this paper, we propose near-optimal neural regression trees, intending to make it much faster than deep feed-forward networks and for which it is not essential to specify the number of hidden units in the hidden layers of the neural network in advance. The key idea is to construct a decision tree and then simulate the decision tree with a neural network. This work aims to build a mathematical formulation of neural trees and gain the complementary benefits of both sparse optimal decision trees and neural trees. We propose near-optimal sparse neural trees (NSNT) that is shown to be asymptotically consistent and robust in nature. Additionally, the proposed NSNT model obtain a fast rate of convergence which is near-optimal upto some logarithmic factor. We comprehensively benchmark the proposed method on a sample of 80 datasets (40 classification datasets and 40 regression datasets) from the UCI machine learning repository. We establish that the proposed method is likely to outperform the current state-of-the-art methods (random forest, XGBoost, optimal classification tree, and near-optimal nonlinear trees) for the majority of the datasets.
GPR Clutter Reflection Noise Filtering Through Singular Value Decomposition in the Bidimensional Spectral Domain
Authors: Oliveira Rui Jorge , Caldeira Bento , Teixidó Teresa , Borges José Fernando
Published: May 2021

Usually, in ground-penetrating radar (GPR) datasets the user defines the limits between the useful signal and the noise through standard filtering to isolate the effective signal as much as possible. However, there are true reflections that mask the coherent reflectors that can be considered noise. In archaeological sites these clutter reflections are caused by scattering with origin in subsurface elements (e.g., isolated masonry, ceramic objects and archaeological collapses). Its elimination is difficult because the wavelet parameters similar to coherent reflections and there is a risk of creating artifacts. In this study a procedure to filtering the clutter reflection noise (CRN) from GPR datasets is presented. The CRN filter is a singular value decomposition-based method (SVD), applied in the 2D spectral domain. This CRN filtering was tested in a dataset obtained from a controlled laboratory environment, to establish a mathematical control of this algorithm. Also, it has been applied in a 3D-GPR dataset acquired in the Roman villa of Horta da Torre (Fronteira, Portugal), which is an uncontrolled environment. The results show an increase in the quality of archaeological-GPR planimetry that were verified via archaeological excavation.
Lost Hills Solar Project: Powering an Oil and Gas Field with California Sunshine
Authors: Demayo T. N. , Herbert N. K. , Hernandez D. M. , Hendricks J. J. , Velasquez B. , Cappello D. , Creelman I.
Published: May 2021

This paper outlines one of the first efforts by a major oil and gas company to build a net-exporting, behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic (PV) plant to lower the operating costs and carbon intensity of a large, mature oil and gas field. The 29 MWAC (35 MWDC) Lost Hills solar plant in Lost Hills, California, USA, commissioned in April 2020, covers approximately 220 acres on land adjacent to the oil field and is designed to provide more than 1.4 TWh of solar energy over 20 years to the field’s oil and gas production and processing facilities. The upgrades to the electrical infrastructure in the field also include new technology to reduce the risk of sulfur hexafluoride emissions, another potent greenhouse gas (GHG).

Before the solar project, the Lost Hills field was importing all its electricity from the grid. With the introduction of the Innovative Crude Program as part of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and revisions to the California Public Utilities Commission Net Energy Metering program, Lost Hills was presented with a unique opportunity to reduce its imported electricity expenses and reduce its carbon intensity, while also generating LCFS credits. The solar plant was designed to power the field during the day and export excess power to the grid to help offset nighttime electricity purchases. It operates under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the solar PV provider and, initially, will meet approximately 80% of the oil field’s energy needs. Future plans include incorporating 20 MWh of lithium-ion batteries, direct current (DC)–coupled with the solar inverters. This energy storage system will increase the amount of solar electricity fed directly into the field and reduce costs by controlling when the site uses stored solar electricity rather than electricity from the grid. The battery system will also increase the number of LCFS credits by 15% over credits generated by solar alone. Together, solar power and energy storage provide a robust renewable energy solution.

This project will generate multiple cobenefits for the Lost Hills oil field by lowering the cost of power, reducing GHG emissions, generating state LCFS credits and federal Renewable Energy Certificates, and demonstrating a commitment to energy transition by investing in renewable technology. Conceivably, the Lost Hills solar project can be a model for similar future projects in other oil fields, not only in California, but across the globe.
A Comprehensive Model for Simulating Supercritical-Water Flow in a Vertical Heavy-Oil Well
Authors: Gao Jiaxi , Yao Yuedong , Wang Dawen , Tong Hang
Published: May 2021

Supercritical water has been proved effective in heavy-oil recovery. However, understanding the flow characteristics of supercritical water in the wellbore is still in the early stages. In this paper, using the theory of heat transfer and fluid mechanics and combining that with the physical properties of supercritical water, a heat-transfer model for vertical wellbore injection with supercritical water is established. The influence of heat transfer and the Joule-Thomson effect on the temperature of supercritical water are considered. Results show the following:

The predicted values of pressure and temperature are in good agreement with the test values. The apparent pressure of supercritical water at the upper end of the wellbore is lower than the apparent pressure at the lower end. However, the equivalent pressure of supercritical water at the upper end of the wellbore is higher than the equivalent pressure at the lower end. The apparent pressure of supercritical water is affected by three factors: flow direction, overlying pressure, and Joule-Thomson effect. The closer to the bottom of the well, the greater the overlying pressure of the supercritical water, resulting in an increase in apparent pressure and the density of the supercritical water. As the injection time for supercritical water increases, the temperature around the upper horizontal wellbore increases.
Effects of sanitary pad distribution and reproductive health education on primary school attendance and reproductive health knowledge and attitudes in Kenya: a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Austrian Karen , Kangwana Beth , Muthengi Eunice N. , Soler-Hampejsek Erica
Published: May 2021

Background: Adolescent girls’ risk of school dropout and reproductive health (RH) challenges may be exacerbated by girls’ attitudes toward their bodies and inability to manage their menstruation. We assessed effects of sanitary pad distribution and RH education on girls in primary grade 7 in Kilifi, Kenya in 2017-18.Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial design was used. Eligible clusters were all non-boarding schools in three sub-counties in Kilifi County that had a minimum of 25 girls enrolled in primary grade 7. 140 primary schools, 35 per arm, were randomly assigned to one of four study arms: 1) control (standard government provision of pads and health education); 2) sanitary pad distribution; 3) RH education; or 4) both sanitary pad distribution and RH education. Outcomes were school attendance, school engagement, RH knowledge and attitudes, gender norms, and self-efficacy. For outcomes measured both at baseline and endline, difference-in-differences (DID) models were estimated and for outcomes without baseline data available, analysis of covariance models were used. Results: The study enrolled 3,489 randomly selected girls in primary grade 7. Girls in arms 2 and 4 received on average 17.5 out of 20 packets of sanitary pads and girls in arms 3 and 4 participated on average in 21 out of 25 RH sessions. Ninety-four percent of the baseline sample was interviewed at the end of the intervention with no differential attrition by arm. There was no evidence of an effect on primary school attendance on arm 2 (coefficient [coef] 0.37, 95% CI -0.73, 1.46), arm 3 (coef 0.14, 95% CI -0.99, 1.26) or arm 4 (coef 0.58, 95% CI -.37, 1.52). There was increased positive RH attitudes for girls in arm 3 (DID coef. 0.63, 95% CI 0.40, 0.86) and arm 4 (DID coef. 0.85, 95% CI 0.64, -1.07). There was also an increase in RH knowledge, gender norms and self-efficacy in arms 3 and 4.Conclusions: The findings suggest that neither sanitary pad distribution nor RH education, on their own or together, were sufficient to improve primary school attendance. However, as the RH education intervention improved RH outcomes, the evidence suggests that sanitary pad distribution and RH education can be positioned in broader RH programming for girls. Trial Registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN10894523. Registered 22 August 2017 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN10894523
Based on HMGB1-PTEN pathway to explore the difference of T lymphocyte function in chronic hepatitis B with representative TCM syndromes
Authors: Li Xia , Liu Chao , Li Guiyu , Zheng Yanfeng , Mu Jie , Xie Lushuang , Feng Quansheng , Jiang Cen
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims. Liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome (LDSDS) and spleen-gastric damp-heat syndrome (SGDHS) are two representative syndromes of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) based on our early researches, and both of them exhibit significant differences in the pathogenesis and prognosis, which is closely related to immune regulation. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. This study aimed to better understand the immunoregulatory mechanisms of the two syndromes and promote the differentiation precision of the two syndromes in the clinical.Methods. We studied the content of T lymphocytes by Flow cytometry and the expression levels of HMGB1-PTEN pathway proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) in the two syndromes and healthy controls, then constructed a protein association network through STRING database and the GeneMANIA database to analyze the functional expression correlation among the HMGB1, PTEN, PI3K, PDK1, and Akt. The correlations between T lymphocytes and proteins were analyzed by constructing multiple regression equations and Pearson test.Results. The CD8+T cell levels in the two syndromes were lower than that in healthy controls, and the levels of Th17, Treg cells, Th17/Treg and HMGB1, PI3K, PDK1, Akt were higher than those of the healthy controls (P<0.05). Moreover, compared with the SGDHS, the levels of CD4+T, Th17 cells and HMGB1, PTEN, PI3K in LDSDS were higher (P<0.05). Protein interaction network indicated that HMGB1 can regulate PI3K/Akt pathway through multiple pathways and has strong relevance. The EGFR may be a key target in HMGB1-PTEN protein network. The regression analysis showed that there was a linear correlation between the HMGB1-PTEN pathway axis and the level of immune cells, and the linear correlation factors of the two syndromes were inconsistent.Conclusion. HMGB1-PTEN pathway may play an important role in regulating the formation of immune differences between the two syndromes. CD4+T and Th17 are two representative immune cells which may serve as two potential biological markers of LDSDS and SGDHS in CHB patients.
The protective effect of curcumin on rats with DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and its mechanisms
Authors: Guo Jing , Zhang Yan-yan , Sun Mei , Xu Ling-fen
Published: May 2021

Aim This study aimed to explore effect of curcumin on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in rats and its mechanism.Methods: A dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) rat model was established. The disease activity index (DAI) scores were calculated. The histopathological damage scores were determined by haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Regulatory T (Treg) cells and T helper 17 (Th17) cells in the spleen were analysed by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-17A were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Compared with the DSS model group, the curcumin group exhibited significantly reduced DAI scores and improvements in histopathological damage. The expression of CD4+IL-17+ Th17 cells was significantly lower and the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells was significantly higher in the curcumin group than in the DSS group.Conclusion: Curcumin may be a new and effective treatment for IBD by regulating the balance of Treg/Th17 cells and the expression of IL-10 and IL-17A.
Family members’ psychological experiences of the COVID-19 lockdown: A qualitative study
Authors: Salarvand Shahin , Mousavi Masoumeh , Almasian Mohammad
Published: May 2021

Background: Major traumatic events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown can affect the family as the fundamental unit of all societies. This study aimed to describe the psychological experiences of healthy families during the COVID-19 lockdown.Methods: A descriptive qualitative research was conducted by purposive sampling. The sample size was achieved 29 by data saturation. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect the data. Content analysis was used in data analysis.Results: The findings of this study included both positive and negative psychological aspects, each of which had some subcategories. Negative psychological aspects: Anxiety, a sense of isolation and intensification of loneliness, Mood and energy changes (hardship and fatigue from lockdown/Boredom, anger, depression), disruption of the sleep-wake patterns, feelings of helplessness, more frequent family disputes and arguments, Increasing the risk of the problematic Internet use. Positive psychological aspects: The expansion of the worldview and a sense of pleasure and happiness.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown created negative and disruptive experiences and positive and constructive experiences for different individuals.
Theta-burst stimulation entrains frequency-specific oscillatory responses
Authors: Solomon Ethan , Sperling Michael , Sharan Ashwini , Wanda Paul , Levy Deborah , Lyalenko Anastasia , Pedisich Isaac , Rizzuto Daniel , Kahana Michael
Published: May 2021

Background: Brain stimulation has emerged as a powerful tool in human neuroscience, becoming integral to next-generation psychiatric and neurologic therapeutics. Theta-burst stimulation (TBS), in which electrical pulses are delivered in rhythmic bouts of 3-8 Hz, seeks to recapitulate neural activity seen endogenously during cognitive tasks. A growing literature suggests that TBS can be used to alter or enhance cognitive processes, but little is known about how these stimulation events influence underlying neural activity.Objective/Hypothesis: The goal of our study was to investigate the effect of direct electrical TBS on mesoscale neural activity in humans by asking (1) whether TBS evokes persistent theta oscillations in cortical areas, (2) whether these oscillations occur at the stimulated frequency, and (3) whether stimulation events propagate in a manner consistent with underlying functional and structural brain architecture.Methods: We recruited 20 neurosurgical epilepsy patients with indwelling electrodes and delivered direct cortical TBS at varying locations and frequencies. Simultaneous iEEG was recorded from non-stimulated electrodes and analyzed to understand how TBS influences mesoscale neural activity. Results: We found that TBS rapidly evoked theta rhythms in widespread brain regions, preferentially at the stimulation frequency, and that these oscillations persisted for hundreds of milliseconds post stimulation offset. Furthermore, the functional connectivity between recording and stimulation sites predicted the strength of theta response, suggesting that underlying brain architecture guides the flow of stimulation through the brain.Conclusions: By demonstrating that direct TBS induces frequency-specific oscillatory responses, our results suggest this technology can be used to directly and predictably influence the activity of cognitively-relevant brain networks.
A Universal Severity Classification for Natural Disasters
Authors: Caldera H. Jithamala , Wirasinghe S. C.
Published: May 2021

The magnitude of a disaster’s impact cannot be easily assessed because there is no global method that provides real magnitudes of natural disaster severity levels. Therefore, a new universal severity classification scheme for natural disasters is developed and is supported by data. This universal system looks at the severity of disasters based on the most influential impact factor and gives a rating from zero to ten; zero indicates no impact and ten is a world-wide devastation. This universal system is for all types of natural disasters, from lightning strikes to super volcanic eruptions and everything in between, that occur anywhere in the world at any time. This novel universal classification system measures, describes, compares, rates, ranks, and categorizes impacts of disasters quantitatively and qualitatively, thereby making the severity index applicable to diverse stakeholder groups, including policy makers, governments, responders, and civilians, by providing clear definitions that help convey the impact levels or severity potential of a disaster. Therefore, this universal system avoids inconsistencies and, primarily, connects severity metrics to generate a clear understanding of the degree of an emergency and improves mutual understanding among stakeholder groups. Consequently, the proposed universal system generates a common communication platform and improves understanding of disaster risk, which aligns with the priority of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. This research was completed prior to Covid-19, but the pandemic is briefly addressed in the discussion section.
Simulation Study of the Impact of Traps in GaN Substrates on the Electrical Characteristics of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with Thin Channel Layers
Authors: Oishi Toshiyuki , Ito Kaito
Published: May 2021

GaN substrates are promising candidates for GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) due to their epitaxial layer growth with a low defect density. In this study, technology computer-aided design simulations were executed to design the GaN HEMTs on semi-insulating GaN substrates with thin channel layers. Traps in the GaN substrates played a role in suppressing drain-leakage currents, although degrading transient responses changed the bias from off to on-state for the 0.02-μm thin channel layer. A trade-off relationship between the drain-leakage current and transient response is occurred by changing the trap concentration in the GaN substrates. The AlGaN back-barrier structure has been found to be highly effective in suppressing the drain-leakage current in low-trap-concentration GaN substrates. The trade-off relationship improved by adopting the back-barrier layers, and the maximum drain current decreased. The drain-current reduction compensated by increasing the Al content in the barriers without degrading the trade-off relationship. Therefore, for GaN HEMTs that have low-trap-concentration GaN substrates combined with the back-barrier layer, a high-Al-content barrier have characteristics that are favorable for the trade-off relationship in the case of thin channel layers. Moreover, the traps in GaN substrates were found to affect low-frequency S 21 , which is important for linearity of the power amplifier, as critically as the transient responses.
Piezoelectric Active Damper for Surface Roughness Improvement in Hard Turning Processes
Authors: Bahador Amirabbas , Du Chunling , Jin Yicheng
Published: May 2021

Surface roughness and profile accuracy on rolling or sliding surfaces are critical for the wear and fatigue of a component. A high roughness or poor profile accuracy results in higher friction and higher wear rate of the surface. One of the major factors affecting the surface roughness is chatter vibrations. This paper presents a novel design and development of an active damper for chatter suppression of hard turning processes using a piezoelectric actuator and strain signal for chatter detection. The active damper consists of a piezoelectric actuator with an embedded strain gauge for measuring the vibration displacement. In this work, the radial strain signal as a result of radial chatter vibrations from the strain gauge is used as a feedback signal to the actuator using a feedback controller. The experimental results showed a significant suppression in chatter vibrations and improvement of surface roughness using the proposed active damper. The details of the tool design, control design, hardware implementation and system validation are given hereinafter.
Combination of Anns and Heuristic Algorithms in Modelling and Optimizing of Fenton Processes for Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Cüce Hüseyin , Yolcu Ozge Cagcag , TEMEL Fulya AYDIN
Published: May 2021

In this study, it is aimed to evaluate COD removal performance of Classical-Fenton and Photo-Fenton Processes from cosmetic wastewater by different prediction models. Besides Response Surface Methodology (RSM), three neural networks were used to more reliably and effectively predict the behavior of dependent variable at different values of relevant parameters. These neural networks; multi-layer perceptron trained by Levenberg-Marquardt (MLP-LM); multi-layer perceptron and single multiplicative neuron model trained by particle swarm optimization algorithm (MLP-PSO; SMN-PSO). H2O2 doses, Fe(II) doses, and H2O2/Fe(II) rates were independent variables of prediction models to optimize both processes in batch reactors. The generated predictions for whole data set were compared with each other. The prediction performances of models were evaluated by RMSE and MAPE error criteria. Regression analysis was also applied to determine the performance of the best model. The results obtained from all prediction tools showed that the model produces the best predictive results in almost all cases is SMN-PSO model in terms of both criteria. In addition, the genetic algorithm was utilized for SMN-PSO model results to find the optimum values of the study. Thus, without the need to perform many different experiments, the optimum parameter values can be determined to get maximum removal ratios.
Somatic Distress, Mental Health and Psychological Resilience Among Cancer Patients During the Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sağaltıcı Eser , Sönmez Özcan , Karcı Ebru , Şahin Şengül Kocamer , Ertürk Arzu
Published: May 2021

Objective

The current researches during COVID-19 have not yet addressed somatic distress among cancer patients. The aims of this study are to investigate the somatic distress and psychological symptoms levels of cancer patients, and analyze the influencing factors on somatic distress during the pandemic.
Methods

This cross-sectional study included consecutively selected 216 eligible cancer patients. The Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for DSM-5, The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, the Brief Resilience Scale, the Stressful Life Events List due to Pandemic and, demographic and clinical characteristics form were administered to the participants with face to face interviewing.
Results

The moderate to severe somatic distress rate was % 38 and probable PTSD rate was 20.4%. Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were 36.1%, 49.1% and 45.4%, respectively, from mild to extremely severe at any level. There were substantial association between somatic symptoms severity and high PTSD, anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms levels. Low educations levels, high anxiety levels, high experience stressful life events, and low psychological resilience predicted high somatic distress levels.
Conclusion

This study demonstrates the high risk of somatic distress, PTSD, depression, anxiety and stress in patients with cancer during the pandemic. In addition, somatic distress may indicate high levels of psychological symptoms, high experience stressful life events, and low psychological resilience. It underscores the need to assess psychological status during the pandemic, especially those with high level somatic symptoms.
Factors Related to Specialized Palliative Care Use and Aggressive Care at End of Life in Japanese Patients With Advanced Solid Cancers: A Cohort Study
Authors: Hiratsuka Yusuke , Oishi Takayuki , Miyashita Mitsunori , Morita Tatusya , Mack Jennifer W , Sato Yuko , Takahashi Masahiro , Komine Keigo , Saijo Ken , Ishioka Chikashi , Inoue Akira
Published: May 2021

Purpose:This study aimed to identify factors associated with specialized palliative care (SPC) use and aggressive care at the end of life (EOL) among Japanese patients with advanced cancer. Methods:This single-center, follow-up cohort study involved patients with advanced cancer who received chemotherapy at Tohoku University Hospital. Patients were surveyed at enrollment, and we followed clinical events for 5 years from enrollment in the study. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent factors related to SPC use and chemotherapy in the last month before death.Results:We analyzed a total of 135 patients enrolled between January 2015 and January 2016. No patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and few received resuscitation or ventilation. We identified no factors significantly associated with SPC use. Meanwhile, younger age (20–59 years, odds ratio [OR] 4.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–12.91; p=0.02) and no receipt of SPC (OR 4.32; 95% CI 1.07–17.37; p=0.04) were associated with chemotherapy in the last month before death.Conclusion:Younger age and a lack of SPC were associated with chemotherapy at the EOL in patients with advanced cancer in Japan. These findings suggest that Japanese patients with advanced cancer may benefit from access to SPC.
Single-Stage Biofilm-Based Total Nitrogen Removal in a Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor: Impact of Aeration Mode, HRT and Scouring Intensity
Authors: mehrabi Sadaf , Houweling Dwight , Dagnew Martha
Published: May 2021

High energy costs, organic carbon availability, and space limitation are some of the barriers faced by wastewater treatment processes. This research investigates the impact of membrane aeration mode, scouring intensity, and loading rate in a single-stage total nitrogen removal process in a membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR). Under ammonia loading of 2.7 g N/m2.d, continuous process aeration led to 1.7 g NH4-N/m2.d and 0.8 g TN/m2.d removal, respectively. Conversely, intermittent (5/12 min on/off) aeration resulted in 35% less ammonia removal but 34% higher total nitrogen (TN) removal. The MABR under ammonia load of 1.6 g N/m2.d showed an enhanced effluent quality with an average of 2.5 mg/L effluent ammonia concentration. This finding highlights the nitrification potential of a flow-through MABR as a standalone treatment step without any downstream process. Also, slough-off, a common issue in the biofilm process and was hypothesized to reduce the removal efficiency, showed increased ammonia removal rates by 20%. The microbial analysis indicated the dominant AOB and NOB species as Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrospira spp, respectively. Moreover, the relative abundance of denitrifying bacteria (40.5%) were found twice in intermittently-aerated MABR compared to the continuously-aerated one (20.5%). However, NOB and denitrifying bacteria relative abundances were comparable where continuous air was supplied.
Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor is Associated with Increased Risk of Metastasis in NSCLC Patients Following Postoperative Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Yong , Fang Chen , Yuan Shangkun , Chen Renfang , Chen Lin , Qiu Xiaotong , Qian Xiaoying , Zhang Xinwei , Xiao Zhehao , Wang Qian , Fu Biqi , Song Xiaoling , Li Yong
Published: May 2021

Background: Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), which can reduce neutropenia events, is widely used in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. However, the effects of rhG-CSF on distant organ metastasis (DOM) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients following postoperative chemotherapy remain unclear.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on NSCLC patients who suffered complete surgical resection and postoperative system chemotherapy at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2017. The effect of rhG-CSF on DOM was assessed, regulating with other confounding factors using Cox regression analyses.Results: We identified 307 NSCLC patients who received postoperative system chemotherapy (n=246 rhG-CSF group, n=61 No rhG-CSF group). The incidence of DOM in postoperative NSCLC patients with rhG-CSF treatment was observably higher than without rhG-CSF (48.3% vs. 27.9%, p<0.05). Univariate regression analysis revealed that rhG-CSF and clinical stage were the independent risk factor of Metastasis-free survival (MFS) (p<0.05). rhG-CSF users had a higher risk of DOM (adjusted HR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.31-4.15) than nonusers of rhG-CSF. The association between rhG-CSF and risk of DOM was significant only among patients presenting with myelosuppression (HR: 3.34, 95% CI: 1.86-6.02), not among those without myelosuppression (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.17-2.94, Interaction p-value<0.01). The risk increased with higher dosage density of rhG-CSF use, comparing those using rhG-CSF versus no users (p for trend<0.001).Conclusion These analyses indicated that rhG-CSF use is related to DOM following postoperative chemotherapy in NSCLC.
Epidemic Trend of Dental Fluorosis in Mainland China, 1995-2020: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhan Yuzhen , Xiong Lianjie , Gong Zhoujie , Xu Ting , Zhang Xiaonan
Published: May 2021

The aim of this system review and meta-analysis was to explore the epidemiological characteristics of dental fluorosis in mainland China from 1995 to 2020. A comprehensive literature search was conducted through PubMed, Embase, CBM, CNKI, Chinese Wan Fang database, and VIP database. Subgroup analyses were done to explore epidemic tread of dental fluorosis (gender, location, survey year and geographical distribution) with the help of relative software. Forty-one publications were included in this study. The overall prevalence was 23.6%, and the prevalence of dental fluorosis increased from 18.8% during 1995–1999 to 34.3% during 2010–2014, while it decreased to 20.5% during 2015–2019. There was no significant difference in prevalence between boys (15.7%) and girls (15.2%) (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.07); and the prevalence of dental fluorosis in rural areas (14.5%) was slightly higher than those in urban areas (12.7%) (RR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.76–1.13). The prevalence before (63.3%) and after (34.7%) water improvement showed a great benefit of fluoride reduction policy. Result of this meta-analysis provides evidence enable governments taking effective measures to control dental fluorosis.
Strong specific anti-viral responses in pediatric COVID-19 patients in South Brazil
Authors: Fazolo Tiago , Lima Karina , Fontoura Julia , de Souza Priscila , Hilario Gabriel , Zorzetto Renata , Júnior Luiz Rodrigues , Pscheidt Veridiane , Neto Jayme Ferreira , Haubert Alisson , Gambin Izza , Oliveira Aline , Mello Raissa , Gutierres Matheus Balbe e , Gassen Rodrigo , Sartor Ivaine , Zavaglia Gabriela , Fernandes Ingrid , Varela Fernanda , Polese-Bonatto Márcia , Borges Thiago , Callegari-Jacques Sidia , Costa Marcela da , Schwartz Jaqueline , Scotta Marcelo , Stein Renato T. Stein , Bonorino Cristina
Published: May 2021

Epidemiological evidence that COVID-19 manifests as a milder disease in children compared to adults has been reported by numerous studies, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have not been characterized. It is still unclear how frequently children get infected, and/or generate immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. We have performed immune profiling of pediatric and adult COVID-19 patients in Brazil, producing over 38 thousand data points, asking if cellular or humoral immune responses could help explain milder disease in children. In this study, pediatric COVID-19 patients presented high viral titers. Though their non-specific immune profile was dominated by naive, non-activated lymphocytes, their dendritic cells expressed high levels of HLA-DR and were low in CX3CR1, indicating competence to generate immune responses that are not targeted to inflamed tissue. Finally, children formed strong specific antibody and T cell responses for viral structural proteins. Children’s T cell responses differed from adults in that their CD8+ TNFα+ T cell responses were low for S peptide but significantly higher against N and M peptide pools. Altogether, our data support a scenario in which SARS-CoV-2 infected children may contribute to transmission, though generating strong and differential responses to the virus that might associate with protection in pediatric COVID-19 presentation.