bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
p‐Type Plastic Inorganic Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Gao Zhiqiang , Yang Qingyu , Qiu Pengfei , Wei Tian‐Ran , Yang Shiqi , Xiao Jie , Chen Lidong , Shi Xun
Published: April 2021

Deformable thermoelectrics have great potential in self‐powered flexible or hetero‐shaped electronics. The exceptional room‐temperature plasticity recently discovered in several inorganic semiconductors makes it possible to develop new thermoelectric (TE) materials with both high performance and intrinsic deformability. Nonetheless, all the known plastic or ductile TE materials are n‐type semiconductors. It is urgent to explore p‐type counterparts for device design and fabrication. In this study, the first p‐type plastic inorganic TE material is reported. Via alloying Cu in n‐type plastic Ag2S0.7Se0.3 to modulate the charged crystal defects, (Ag1−xCux)2S0.7Se0.3 (x = 0.7–0.8) can simultaneously realize good plasticity and p‐type conduction. Particularly, (Ag0.2Cu0.8)2S0.7Se0.3 with a hexagonal structure shows a maximum zT of 0.42 at 800 K. Via the introduction of Cu deficiencies, the good plasticity is well maintained while the maximum zT is greatly enhanced to 0.95 at 800 K, a record‐high value for plastic TE materials. This study is expected to accelerate the development of plastic TE semiconductors and full‐inorganic deformable TE devices for the application in hetero‐shaped power generators.
Machine learning specific heat capacities of nanofluids containing CuO and Al2O3
Authors: Zhang Yun , Xu Xiaojie
Published: April 2021

Empirical work and modeling approaches have shown that fundamental thermophysical parameters of constituents, nanoparticles, and base liquids have complex but synergistic effects on the specific heat capacity of nanofluids. In this work, we develop the Gaussian process regression model to investigate the statistical relationship among temperature, specific heat capacities of nanoparticles and base liquids, nanoparticle volume concentrations, and specific heat capacities of nanofluids. The model is developed with a dataset containing nanofluids with CuO and Al2O3 nanoparticles, and water and ethylene glycol (EG) as base liquids. The model also applies well to nanofluids containing mixtures of water and EG, and Al2O3 nanoparticles with different particle size distributions. The model is highly accurate and stable that contributes to fast and low‐cost estimations of specific heat capacities of nanofluids over a wide range of compositions and temperature.
Real‐time model‐free resilient control for discrete nonlinear systems
Authors: Alanis Alma Y. , Alvarez Jesus G.
Published: April 2021

Motivated by the increasing complexity of systems to be controlled and different system components that cause uncertainties, threats, and disturbances, among other system stressing phenomena. Resilient control is an important design paradigm that has attracted attention from academics, practitioners, and the industrial sector. Therefore, this paper proposes the design of a model‐free resilient control for unknown discrete‐time nonlinear systems based on a recurrent high order neural network trained with an on‐line extended Kalman filter‐based algorithm for output trajectory tracking in the presence of uncertainties, disturbances, and unmodeled dynamics. This paper also includes the stability proof of the entire proposed scheme; its applicability is shown via simulation and experimental results including a comparative analysis of the proposed controller against well‐known controllers for a three‐phase induction motor.
Decreasing motor stereotypy with competing stimuli and tasks: Analysis of prompted engagement and response blocking
Authors: Schmidt Jonathan D. , Falligant John M. , Goetzel Amanda , Hardisty Shelby , Hagopian Louis P.
Published: April 2021

Competing stimulus assessments (CSAs) are used to empirically identify stimuli associated with low levels of problem behavior. For some individuals with automatically maintained behavior, it can be difficult to identify effective competing stimuli. Recent research shows that prompting engagement and response blocking can be employed during the CSA to obtain significant reductions in problem behavior. The purpose of the present study was to replicate and extend prior research on the use of these tactics not only with competing stimuli, but also competing tasks, which require the active completion of a discrete response or response sequence. In addition, the current study validated the results of these pretreatment assessments in an extended treatment analysis, and examined the isolated and combined effects of prompting and response blocking within a component analysis. Future research directions and implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Synthesis of Conjugated Copolymer Containing Spirobifluorene Skeleton by Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization for Polymer Light‐Emitting Diode Applications
Authors: Park Seongwook , Jeong Soyeong , Kang Changmuk , Hong Sukwon
Published: April 2021

Grubbs‐type, Hoveyda‐type, cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC)‐based ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts were used for the acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization of 2,7‐divinyl‐9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorene (DVF). Additionally, various ratios of DVF and 2,2′,7,7′‐tetravinyl‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene (TVSF) were subjected to ADMET polymerization to obtain polymers P1–P7. Polymers P1–P4 were analyzed with gel permeation chromatography, UV–vis spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. As the TVSF ratio increases, polymers exhibit lower solubility but a narrower band in the photoluminescence spectrum. Polymer light‐emitting diode (PLED) devices were fabricated with polymers P1, P2, and P3. The performances of the PLED devices indicated that polymers including more spirobifluorene blocks showed better turn‐on voltage, brightness, current efficiency, and power efficiency.
Introducing SELEX via a semester‐long course‐based undergraduate research experience (CURE)
Authors: Kushner David B.
Published: April 2021

With the growing importance of the field of RNA biology, undergraduates need to perform RNA‐related research. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) has become an important method in RNA biology. The principles of SELEX were applied to a semester‐long course‐based undergraduate research experience (CURE) in which two rounds of in vivo functional selection of regions of a viral RNA were performed. As the labwork had an unknown outcome, students indicated that they were excited by the work and became invested in the experience. By completing two rounds of SELEX, the students repeated molecular methods (e.g., RNA extraction, RT‐PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA purification, cloning, and sequence analysis) and reported that repetition reinforced their learning and helped them build confidence in their lab abilities. Students also appreciated that they did not learn a “technique‐per‐week” without context, but rather they understood why certain methods were used for certain molecular tasks. Results from a 19‐question multiple‐choice assessment indicated increased comprehension of theory underlying methods performed. Details regarding experimental methods and timeline, and assessment and attitudinal results from three student cohorts, are described herein.
Improved Stability of Octahedral PtCu by Rh Doping for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Wang Chang‐Yi , Chen Li‐Fang , Li Gen , Lu Bang‐An , Zhou Zhi‐You , Tian Na , Sun Shi‐Gang
Published: April 2021

Octahedral Pt−M nanocrystals are recognized to be ideal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) because of their outstanding electrocatalytic activity. However, these high‐activity catalysts usually show shortage in the long‐term stability since the octahedral morphology is severely destroyed and transition metals are easily leached out during the electrochemical test. Herein, we prepared octahedral PtCu and PtCuRh0.05 nanocrystals with an edge length of about 15 nm. After being dispersed on carbon black, the octahedral PtCu/C catalyst exhibits a very high ORR activity with a specific activity and mass activity of 3.29 mA cm−2 and 1.12 A mgPt−1 at 0.90 V, making it among one of the most active PtCu catalyst for ORR ever reported. Although the incorporation of Rh slightly decreases the ORR activity, it can improve the stability, and the half‐wave potential is only shifted negatively by 1 mV after an accelerated durability test of 10,000 potential cycles for the PtCuRh0.05/C catalyst. The improved stability is attributed to the anchoring effect of the Rh atoms, which inhibits the leaching of Cu and helps to maintain the octahedral morphology during the ORR.
Fibrosis‐4 Predicts the Need for Mechanical Ventilation in a National Multiethnic Cohort of Corona Virus Disease 2019
Authors: Sterling Richard K. , Shin Dongho , Shin Yongyun , French Evan , Stevens Michael P. , Bajaj Jasmohan S. , DeWit Marjolein , Sanyal Arun J.
Published: April 2021

Simple tests of routine data are needed for those with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes corona virus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), to help identify those who may need mechanical ventilation (MV). In this study, we aimed to determine if fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) is associated with the need for MV in patients with COVID‐19 and if there is an association to determine the optimal FIB‐4 cutoff. This was a retrospective, national, multiethnic cohort study of adults seen in an ambulatory or emergency department setting who were diagnosed with COVID‐19. We used the TriNetX platform for analysis. Measures included demographics, comorbid diseases, and routine laboratory tests. A total of 4,901 patients with COVID‐19 were included. Patients had a mean age of 56, 48% were women, 42% were obese, 38% were white, 40% were black, 15% had cardiac disease, 39% had diabetes mellitus, 20% had liver disease, and 50% had respiratory disease. The need for MV was 6%. The optimal FIB‐4 cutoff for the need for MV was 3.04 (area under the curve, 0.735), which had sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 42%, 77%, 11%, and 95%, respectively, with 93% accuracy. When stratified by race, increased FIB‐4 remained associated with the need for MV in both white and black patients. Conclusion: FIB‐4 can be used by frontline providers to identify patients that may require MV.
Macroeconomic risks and capital structure adjustment speed: The Chinese evidence
Authors: He Wei , Kyaw NyoNyo A
Published: April 2021

Using both integrated and two‐stage dynamic partial adjustment capital structure models, we find evidence that macroeconomic conditions affect Chinese firms' capital structure adjustment speeds towards target leverage. Chinese firms revert towards target leverages faster in high economic growth states than in low economic growth states as measured by bond and stock market capitalization relative to GDP, banking sector development, real interest rate and risk premiums. Overall, firms that are financially unconstrained, of large size, and those with small deviation of actual leverage from target leverage rebalance faster towards the target leverage than the counterparts. The same findings occur during high economic growth states, while variations in adjustment speeds exist among firms with different financial constraints and distance to target leverage during low economic growth states. The firms' leverage adjustment speed depends on the adjustment cost associated with added debt or debt replaced with internal funds or equity.
Molecular mechanism of mitoquinol mesylate in mitigating the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma—in silico and in vivo studies
Authors: Sulaimon Lateef Adegboyega , Adisa Rahmat Adetutu , Samuel Titilola Aderonke , Joel Ireoluwa Yinka , Ayankojo Akinrinade George , Abdulkareem Fatimah Biade , Olaniyi Timothy Olajire
Published: April 2021

The safety and efficacy of mitoquinol mesylate (MitoQ) in attenuating the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Wistar rats has been reported. However, the binding modes for MitoQ as well as its molecular mechanisms in cirrhosis and liver cancer have not been fully investigated. This study sought to understand the structural and molecular mechanisms of MitoQ in modulating the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in cirrhotic‐HCC rats. The research indicates that the upregulated Nrf2 expression in cirrhotic‐HCC rats was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by MitoQ while the activity of SDH was significantly (p < 0.05) increased. Analysis of binding modes revealed MitoQ interacts with amino acid residues in the active pocket of tramtrack and bric‐a‐brac (BTB) and KELCH domains of KEAP1 with average binding affinities of −66.46 and −74.74 kcal/mol, respectively. Also, MitoQ interacted with the key amino acid residues at the active site of mitochondrial complex II with a higher average binding affinity of −75.76 kcal/mol compared to co‐crystallized ligand of complex II (−62.31 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations data showed the binding of MitoQ to be stable with low eigenvalues while the quantum mechanics calculations suggest MitoQ to be very reactive with its mechanism of chemical reactivity to be via electrophilic reactions. Thus, MitoQ modulates expression of Nrf2 and enhances activity of mitochondrial SDH in cirrhotic‐HCC rats via its interaction with key amino acid residues in the active pocket of BTB and KELCH domains of KEAP1 as well as amino residues at the active site of SDH. These findings are significant in demonstrating the potential of Nrf2 and SDH as possible biomarkers for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients. This study also supports repurposing of mitoQ for the treatment/management of liver cirrhosis and HCC.
Salinity differently affects antioxidant content and amino acid profile in two cultivars of Amaranthus cruentus differing in salinity tolerance
Authors: Luyckx Adrien , Beghin Camille , Quinet Muriel , Achadé Brice , Prodjinoto Hermann , Gandonou Christophe Bernard , Lutts Stanley
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Amaranthus cruentus is a promising leafy vegetable with high nutritional value and is able to cope with salt stress but the impact of sodium chloride (NaCl) on its main properties have not been studied in detail. Plants from two contrasting cultivars (Rouge: salt‐tolerant and Locale: salt‐sensitive) were exposed to NaCl (0, 30, 60 and 90 mmol L–1) in nutrient solution for 2 weeks. Plant growth, mineral content, oxidative status and antioxidant concentration, salicylic acid concentration, protein content and amino acid profile were analyzed in the harvested leaves.

RESULTS

Low dose (30 mmol L–1 NaCl) increased plant growth while Na+ accumulated to higher extent in salt‐sensitive Locale than in salt‐tolerant Rouge. A total of 30 mmol L–1 NaCl increased magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) content, as well as total antioxidant activity, ascorbate, phenolics, α‐tocopherol and carotenoids content to higher extent in cultivar (cv.) Rouge than in cv. Locale. Low (30 mmol L–1) and moderate salinities (60 mmol L–1) increased γ‐tocopherol and total protein in cv. Locale. They also increased lysine, valine, methionine and proline concentration as well as chemical score of protein in this cultivar. The highest NaCl (90 mmol L–1) dose had a detrimental impact on both cultivars.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that A. cruentus is a promising plant species for saline agriculture since moderate doses of salt improve both quantitative and qualitative parameters in cultivar dependent manner. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of feeding a live yeast on rumen fermentation and fiber degradability of tropical and subtropical forages
Authors: de Poppi Amanda Camila , Lazzari Gustavo , Gomes Ana Luiza Mendonça , do Prado Rodolpho Martin , de Almeida Rafaela Takako Ribeiro , Zanzarin Daniele Maria , Pilau Eduardo Jorge , Jobim Clóves Cabreira , Mari Lucas José , Chevaux Eric , Chaucheyras‐Durand Frédérique , Adesogan Adegbola Tolulope , Daniel João Luiz Pratti
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

The effect of live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CNCM I‐1077 (SC) on the ruminal degradability of different forages commonly found in dairy diets in South America was evaluated. We also assessed if SC supplementation interacts with forage group to affect ruminal fiber degradability. Four non‐lactating rumen‐cannulated Holstein cows were randomly assigned to two treatment sequences: Control‐SC‐Control or SC‐Control‐SC, in a switchback design, with three 30‐day periods. Cows in the SC treatment were supplied with 1 × 1010 colony‐forming units of yeast daily via rumen cannula. In situ degradability of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) was measured in 15 forages collected in South America. Forages were assigned to one of three groups: corn silages; tropical grasses (sugarcane silages and tropical grass silages); and temperate grasses and alfalfa (oat silages, ryegrass silages, alfalfa silage, and alfalfa hay).

RESULTS

Cows supplemented with SC had higher (P = 0.05) counts of yeasts and lower (P = 0.03) concentration of lactate in rumen fluid. There was no interaction between forage group and yeast supplementation (P > 0.10) on in situ degradability. The SC increased DM (by 4.6%) and aNDF degradation (by 10.3%) at 24 h of incubation (P < 0.05). Metabolomics revealed that a chemical entity (C17H29N6O3, m/z 365.2284 [M + H]+) from the family of lipids and related molecules was suppressed in the rumen fluid of cows supplemented with SC.

CONCLUSION

The SC supplementation improved DM and aNDF degradability regardless of the forage group. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Upscaling critical state considering the distribution of meso‐structures in granular materials
Authors: Wang Xiaoxiao , Liu Yang , Yu Pengqiang
Published: April 2021

The evolutions of meso structures of granular materials play important roles during shearing toward the critical state. This study aims to establish an extended analytical model based on a specific upscaling procedure considering the distributions of meso structures in granular materials. A general Gaussian distribution is applied when determining the relationship between meso critical state parameters and order n, and then a quantitative model of macro CSL is developed by taking the discrete case into a continuous function. The quantitative model is then related to interparticle friction μ and contact stiffness k for predicting the macro CSLs for ideal granular assemblies, and the analytical results have good agreement with DEM results. Furthermore, the influence patterns of contact properties on both meso and macro critical states are discussed in detail, which provides a roughly explanation on the variations of critical friction angle with μ.
Bayesian inference of spatially varying parameters in soil constitutive models by using deformation observation data
Authors: Tao Yuan‐qin , Sun Hong‐lei , Cai Yuan‐qiang
Published: April 2021

Parameters of soil constitutive models are usually identified through laboratory tests. The spatial variability of these parameters is generally not considered due to the limitation of the test scale. This study proposes a data‐driven approach to infer the spatially varying parameter of the modified Cam‐clay model from limited field observations and subsequently improves soil settlement predictions. The observation data and numerical results of random finite element method are assimilated in an inverse modeling process based on the iterative Ensemble Kalman filtering (iEnKF). Different unknown variables and number of observations are used to study their effects on parameter estimations and settlement predictions. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated through a synthetic partial‐loading test. The results show that the site‐specific spatial variability can be estimated reasonably, and predictions of settlement can be improved by using the inferred parameter field. When the variables to be inferred change from all 60 variables to the selected 17 important variables, the average error of the estimated fields increases, but the variance decreases. A reduction in the observation spacing and an increase in the number of observations lead to a slightly smaller error of the mean and considerably reduced uncertainties of soil parameters. Although the inferred results of parameter field show different accuracies, the corresponding calculated settlements are generally similar and satisfactory.
A new soft red winter wheat cultivar, ‘GA 07353‐14E19’, adapted to Georgia and the U.S. Southeast environments
Authors: Mergoum Mohamed , Johnson Jerry W. , Buck James W. , Sutton Steve , Lopez Benjamin , Bland Daniel , Chen Z. , Buntin G. D. , Mailhot Daniel J. , Babar Md A. , Mason Richard E. , Harrison Stephen A. , Murphy J. Paul , Ibrahim Amir M. H. , Sutton Russell L. , Simoneaux Bryan E. , Griffey Carl A. , Bockelman Harold E. , Baik Byung‐Kee , Marshall David , Cowger Christina , Brown‐Guedira Gina L. , Kolmer James A. , Jin Yue , Chen X. , Boyles Richard , Cambron Sue E.
Published: April 2021

Soft red winter wheat (SRWW) (Triticum aestivum L.), historically a major crop in Georgia and the U.S. Southeast (SE) region, has been challenged by numerous biotic and abiotic constraints resulting in decreased hectarage in recent years. Hence, an urgent need exists to release new cultivars with high yield potential, good resistance to predominant diseases and insects, and acceptable quality attributes to capture and maximize value in regional markets. The SRWW breeding program at the University of Georgia (UGA), in collaboration with the Southeastern University GRAINS (SUNGRAINS) breeding programs, is responding to these challenges by developing and releasing superior SRWW cultivars adapted to Georgia and the SE wheat region. ‘GA 07353‐14E19’ (Reg. no. CV‐1179, PI 689520), a SRWW cultivar developed by the UGA small grains breeding program, was released by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and licensed to Stratton Seed Company in 2017 as GO WHEAT 2032. GA 07353‐14E19 is adapted to the SE region with high yield, good resistance to prevalent diseases, including leaf and stripe rusts, Fusarium head blight, powdery mildew, and Soil‐borne wheat mosaic virus. GA 07353‐14E19 also showed good resistance to current biotypes of Hessian fly. GA 07353‐14E19 possesses the H13, Sbm1, and Yr17–Lr37–Sr38 genes that protect it against the above pests. It has very good grain volume weight and good milling and baking quality as a SRWW.
Tannic acid based super‐intumescent coatings for prolonged fire protection of cardboard and wood
Authors: Price Erik J. , Covello James , Paul Rajib , Wnek Gary E.
Published: April 2021

Tannic acid (TA) has gained increased attention in recent years for its application in fire safety due to its natural abundance and char‐forming ability. In this paper, TA‐based composites were developed and evaluated against control composites containing pentaerythritol (PER), a common intumescent char‐forming agent. Individual component analysis was performed to provide a fundamental material understanding, followed by compounding in epoxy resin with other intumescent ingredients for intumescent testing (especially compared against PER control). In all TA systems, time to failure was elongated from seconds or minutes to over 15 min (up to 27 min). Quantitative analysis followed using cone calorimetry. TA composites displayed lower peak heat release values (211 vs. 108 kW/m2), lower total heat release values (37.2 vs. 24.4 MJ/m2), and lower fire growth rates (2.43 vs. 1.27 kW/m2s−1) relative to PER composites. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that TA char is more carbonaceous, containing 54.71 at% C (relative to only 39.63 at% C in PER char). This work presents TA‐containing composites that offer superior fire protection as compared to previous reports using TA composites and hence offer significant advancement in fire protection related and packaging industries.
Proteomic discovery in sickle cell disease: Elevated neurogranin levels in children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Lance Eboni I. , Faulcon Lisa M. , Fu Zongming , Yang Jun , Whyte‐Stewart Donna , Strouse John J. , Barron‐Casella Emily , Jones Kimberly , Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Casella James F. , Everett Allen D.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy that causes stroke and silent cerebral infarct (SCI). Our aim was to identify markers of brain injury in SCD.

Experimental Design

Plasma proteomes were analyzed using a sequential separation approach of hemoglobin (Hb) and top abundant plasma protein depletion, followed by reverse phase separation of intact proteins, trypsin digestion, and tandem mass spectrometry. We compared plasma proteomes of children with SCD with and without SCI in the Silent Cerebral Infarct Multi‐Center Clinical Trial (SIT Trial) to age‐matched, healthy non‐SCD controls.

Results

From the SCD group, 1172 proteins were identified. Twenty‐five percent (289/1172) were solely in the SCI group. Twenty‐five proteins with enriched expression in the human brain were identified in the SCD group. Neurogranin (NRGN) was the most abundant brain‐enriched protein in plasma of children with SCD. Using a NRGN sandwich immunoassay and SIT Trial samples, median NRGN levels were higher at study entry in children with SCD (0.28 ng/mL, N = 100) compared to control participants (0.12 ng/mL, N = 25, p < 0.0004).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

NRGN levels are elevated in children with SCD. NRGN and other brain‐enriched plasma proteins identified in plasma of children with SCD may provide biochemical evidence of neurological injury.
Biomarker evaluation under imperfect nested case‐control design
Authors: Wang Xuan , Zheng Yingye , Jensen Majken Karoline , He Zeling , Cai Tianxi
Published: April 2021

The nested case‐control (NCC) design has been widely adopted as a cost‐effective sampling design for biomarker research. Under the NCC design, markers are only measured for the NCC subcohort consisting of all cases and a fraction of the controls selected randomly from the matched risk sets of the cases. Robust methods for evaluating prediction performance of risk models have been derived under the inverse probability weighting framework. The probabilities of samples being included in the NCC cohort can be calculated based on the study design ``a previous study'' or estimated non‐parametrically ``a previous study''. Neither strategy works well due to model mis‐specification and the curse of dimensionality in practical settings where the sampling does not entirely follow the study design or depends on many factors. In this paper, we propose an alternative strategy to estimate the sampling probabilities based on a varying coefficient model, which attains a balance between robustness and the curse of dimensionality. The complex correlation structure induced by repeated finite risk set sampling makes the standard resampling procedure for variance estimation fail. We propose a perturbation resampling procedure that provides valid interval estimation for the proposed estimators. Simulation studies show that the proposed method performs well in finite samples. We apply the proposed method to the Nurses' Health Study II to develop and evaluate prediction models using clinical biomarkers for cardiovascular risk.
Numerical simulation of a mixed vertical ventilation system
Authors: Nagler Jacob
Published: April 2021

The following work describes the process of finding the flow and the temperature fields for a given ventilation system configuration. In order to simplify the problem, the flow was characterized as 2D, incompressible, viscous and in constant state. First, the governing equations in terms of the stream function, vorticity and Reynolds number have been developed. The obtained mathematical model for the flow field is actually a pair of coupled elliptical partial differential equations. Solving the resulting equations was performed using SOR (successive over‐relaxation) methods following upwind second‐order finite differences. In the second stage, the temperature field was numerically calculated using the flow field data obtained in the first stage. In fact, as expected, the flow has been advanced from the left inlet opening to the right outlet opening. Also, the main flow was creating a vortex while above the main flow large vortex has been generated and surrounded by several small vortices around it. Last but not least, Reynolds (Re) number influence on the solution nature has been expressed by flow expansion in the whole ventilation cell. Finally, comparison between different Re numbers have proved the flow type dependency on the Re number and its effect on the temperature field.
The dimension-shift conjecture for one-loop amplitudes
Authors: Britto Ruth , Jehu Guy R. , Orta Andrea
Published: April 2021

Abstract

A conjecture made by Bern, Dixon, Dunbar, and Kosower asserts a simple dimension shifting relationship between the one-loop structure of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 MHV amplitudes and all-plus helicity amplitudes in pure Yang-Mills theory. We prove this conjecture to all orders in dimensional regularisation using unitarity cuts, and evaluate the form of these simplest one-loop amplitudes using a generalised D-dimensional unitarity technique which captures the full amplitude to all multiplicities.
Cryoablation of renal tumors: long-term follow-up from a multicenter experience
Authors: Stacul Fulvio , Sachs Camilla , Giudici Fabiola , Bertolotto Michele , Rizzo Michele , Pavan Nicola , Balestreri Luca , Lenardon Oliviero , Pinzani Alessandro , Pola Lisa , Cicero Calogero , Celia Antonio , Cova Maria Assunta
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To retrospectively investigate long-term outcomes of renal cryoablation from a multicenter database.

Methods

338 patients with 363 renal tumors underwent cryoablation in 4 centers in North-Eastern Italy. 340/363 tumors (93.7%) were percutaneously treated with CT guidance. 234 (68.8%) were treated after conscious sedation, 76 (22.3%) under local lidocaine anesthesia only and 30 (8.8%) under general anesthesia. Treatment efficacy and complication rate considered all procedures. Oncologic outcomes considered a subset of 159 patients with 159 biopsy proven renal cell carcinoma.

Results

Mean tumor size was 2.53 cm. Technical success was achieved in 355/363 (97.8%) treatments. Treatment efficacy after the first treatment was achieved in 348/363 (95.9%) tumors. Statistical analysis revealed a significant lower treatment efficacy for ASA score >3, Padua score >8, tumor size >2.5 cm, use of >2 cryoprobes, presence of one single kidney. In the subset of 159 patients, recurrence-free survival rates were 90.5% (95% CI 83.0%, 94.9%) at 3 years and 82.4% (95% CI 72.0%, 89.4%) at 5 years; overall survival rates were 96.0% (95% CI 90.6%, 98.3%) at 3 years and 91.0% (95% CI 81.7%, 95.7%) at 5 years; no patient in this subset developed metastatic disease. Clavien-Dindo >1 complications were recorded in 14/369 procedures (3.8%) and were related to age >70 years, tumor size >4 cm and use of >2 cryoprobes.

Conclusion

Cryoablation performed across four different centers in a large cohort of predominantly small renal tumors showed that this technique provides good recurrence-free survival rates and overall survival rates at three- and five-year with very low major complications rate.
Echocardiographic diagnosis of atrial cardiomyopathy allows outcome prediction following pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Eichenlaub Martin , Mueller-Edenborn Bjoern , Minners Jan , Allgeier Martin , Lehrmann Heiko , Allgeier Juergen , Trenk Dietmar , Neumann Franz-Josef , Jander Nikolaus , Arentz Thomas , Jadidi Amir
Published: April 2021

Background

Relevant atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM), defined as a left atrial (LA) low-voltage area ≥ 2 cm2 at 0.5 mV threshold on endocardial contact mapping, is associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), higher arrhythmia recurrence rates after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), and an increased risk of stroke. The current study aimed to assess two non-invasive echocardiographic parameters, LA emptying fraction (EF) and LA longitudinal strain (LAS, during reservoir (LASr), conduit (LAScd) and contraction phase (LASct)) for the diagnosis of ACM and prediction of arrhythmia outcome after PVI.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 60 consecutive, ablation-naive patients (age 66 ± 9 years, 80% males) with persistent AF. In 30 patients (derivation cohort), LA-EF and LAS cut-off values for the presence of relevant ACM (high-density endocardial contact mapping in sinus rhythm prior to PVI at 3000 ± 1249 sites) were established in sinus rhythm and tested in a validation cohort (n = 30). Arrhythmia recurrence within 12 months was documented using 72-h Holter electrocardiograms.

Results

An LA-EF of < 34% predicted ACM with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.846 (sensitivity 69.2%, specificity 76.5%) similar to a LASr < 23.5% (AUC 0.878, sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 82.4%). In the validation cohort, these cut-offs established the correct diagnosis of ACM in 76% of patients (positive predictive values 87%/93% and negative predictive values 73%/75%, respectively). Arrhythmia recurrence in the entire cohort was significantly more frequent in patients with LA-EF < 34% and LASr < 23.5% (56% vs. 29% and 55% vs. 26%, both p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The echocardiographic parameters LA-EF and LAS allow accurate, non-invasive diagnosis of ACM and prediction of arrhythmia recurrence after PVI.

Graphic abstract
Are visual working memory and episodic memory distinct processes? Insight from stroke patients by lesion-symptom mapping
Authors: Lugtmeijer Selma , Geerligs Linda , de Leeuw Frank Erik , de Haan Edward H. F. , Kessels Roy P. C. ,   on behalf of The Visual Brain Group, Smits Anouk R. , Schmand Ben A. , de Haan Edward H. F. , de Leeuw Frank Erik , Luijckx Gert jan , Scholte H. Steven , Spikman Joke M. , Kappelle L. Jaap , Geerligs Linda , van Zandvoort Martine J. E. , Caan Matthan W. A. , Raemaekers Matthijs A. H. L. L. , Prokop Mathias , Ramsey Nick F. , Lammers Nikki A. , van den Berg Nils S. , Seijdel Noor , Nederkoorn Paul J. , Huitema Rients B. , Kentridge Bob , Kessels Roy P. C. , Lugtmeijer Selma , Pinto Yair
Published: April 2021

Working memory and episodic memory are two different processes, although the nature of their interrelationship is debated. As these processes are predominantly studied in isolation, it is unclear whether they crucially rely on different neural substrates. To obtain more insight in this, 81 adults with sub-acute ischemic stroke and 29 elderly controls were assessed on a visual working memory task, followed by a surprise subsequent memory test for the same stimuli. Multivariate, atlas- and track-based lesion-symptom mapping (LSM) analyses were performed to identify anatomical correlates of visual memory. Behavioral results gave moderate evidence for independence between discriminability in working memory and subsequent memory, and strong evidence for a correlation in response bias on the two tasks in stroke patients. LSM analyses suggested there might be independent regions associated with working memory and episodic memory. Lesions in the right arcuate fasciculus were more strongly associated with discriminability in working memory than in subsequent memory, while lesions in the frontal operculum in the right hemisphere were more strongly associated with criterion setting in subsequent memory. These findings support the view that some processes involved in working memory and episodic memory rely on separate mechanisms, while acknowledging that there might also be shared processes.
The Emotions in Cultural-Historical Activity Theory: Personality, Emotion and Motivation in Social Relations and Activity
Authors: Burkitt Ian
Published: April 2021

This article conceptualizes human emotion as formed within the cultural and historical development of each individual within their society, using theories of emotion created within cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT). It examines how the process of the cultural formation of emotion takes place as part of the social development of the personality, intimately tied in with motivation, need and desire. In doing this I review ideas about emotion in the work of the two founding thinkers of cultural-historical activity theory, L. S. Vygotsky and A. N. Leontyev; however, for different reasons their work has its limits in creating a contemporary understanding of emotion. Moving forward, I draw on more recent work on emotions in the field of CHAT, as well as on the work of M. M. Bakhtin, to create a more embodied understanding of the cultural-historical formation of the emotions as part of the dynamics of personality as a whole, including its conscious and unconscious elements.
Integrating Food Sensitive Planning and Urban Design into Urban Governance Actions
Authors: Haysom Gareth
Published: April 2021

Food access, stability and utilisation are key dimensions of food security at an urban scale. When the majority resided in rural areas, and lived predominantly agrarian lifestyles, it made sense for the state to govern food security through national agricultural ministries, focusing predominantly on the availability dimension of food security. With the transition to a majority urban world, coupled with the food security challenges currently experienced in urban areas, specifically in Africa, these historical policy and governance structures are increasingly inadequate in responding to essential food and nutrition needs. Problematically, urban areas, and specifically urban managers, cite unfunded mandates, and absent authority, as the reasons for not engaging food and nutrition governance responses. This paper argues that this is a false position. Drawing on recent data from household food security and poverty surveys, the paper calls for new and expanded planning and design approaches at the urban scale. The paper argues that spatial planning and urban design principles and actions provide an immediate and effective means through which to engage urban food system questions. Importantly these actions are essential to the transition from the current piecemeal project responses to urban food system inadequacies. Food sensitive planning and urban design is offered as a specific approach that could assist in programming food system–related challenges at the urban scale, responding to conceptual, analytical, organisational and design related dimensions of planning, and in so doing offering a longer term, systematic response to urban food insecurity.
Lichnerowicz-Obata Estimate, Almost Parallel p-form and Almost Product Manifolds
Authors: Aino Masayuki
Published: April 2021

We show a Lichnerowicz-Obata type estimate for the first eigenvalue of the Laplacian ofn-dimensional closed Riemannian manifolds with an almost parallelp-form ($$2\le p \le n/2$$2≤p≤n/2) in$$L^2$$L2-sense, and give a Gromov-Hausdorff approximation to a product$$S^{n-p}\times X$$Sn-p×Xunder some pinching conditions when$$2\le p<n/2$$2≤p<n/2.
The ABC of Primary Care for University Students: a 3-Step Structured Approach at Geneva University Hospitals
Authors: Pernin Thomas , Dominicé Dao Melissa , Cheval Boris , Courvoisier Delphine , Haller Dagmar M. , Narring Françoise , Farinelli Tiziana , Gaspoz Jean-Michel , Jackson Yves , Guessous Idris
Published: April 2021

University and college students present specific health issues with vulnerabilities related to mental health and sexual health, risk-taking behaviors, and delayed access to primary care. A new student outpatient clinic was created in September 2016 at Geneva University Hospitals to respond to the health needs of this population. We present here the clinical management framework developed for a primary care consultation with students. A 3-step approach (ABC) was designed by expert consensus using different sources. A post-consultation satisfaction survey was conducted among students attending the clinic. The approach proposed 3 steps comprising general information, social evaluation, and preventive care. The importance of offering modern means of communication (online appointments, email exchanges with clinicians) was emphasized by experts. The question of cultural identity and connectedness was also addressed, especially for international students or those coming from a different Swiss region. In November 2018, a survey conducted among 128 patients out of 449 consultations showed that 94.5% agreed or totally agreed to recommend the consultation to fellow students, and 89% considered that care providers adequately addressed their specific student-related issues. A specific approach is needed in primary care for university/college students requiring particular competences across several domains. Our findings suggest that our approach is effective to cover the main health challenges faced by students. A comparison of the outcomes of this novel 3-step primary care consultation approach with non-structured approaches should be evaluated in future studies, including clinician’s satisfaction, elements of patient’s participation to governance, and medico-economic aspects.
Estimating zonal Ekman transport along coastal Senegal during passage of Hurricane Fred, 30–31 August 2015
Authors: Dieng Abdou Lahat , Ndoye Siny , Jenkins Gregory S. , Sall Saïdou M. , Gaye Amadou T.
Published: April 2021

We examine the role of zonal Ekman transport along the coast of Senegal on 30 August 2015 when the tropical disturbance associated with Tropical Cyclone Fred was located to the west of Senegal, causing considerable coastal damage in the southern Senegal–Gambia domain (south of Dakar, Senegal). Ten-meter winds from three Weather Research and Forecast model simulations were used to estimate zonal Ekman transport, when the maximum values were found on 30 August. These simulations are in agreement with limited coastal observations showing increasing southerly wind speeds during 30 August but overestimated relative to the three coastal stations. The strong meridional winds translate into increased zonal Ekman transport to the coast of Senegal on 30 August and are likely responsible for some coastal flooding. Ekman transport along the coast contributes significantly to the water-level variations during swell events. The use of a coupled ocean model will improve the estimates of Ekman transport along the Guinea-Senegalese coast. The observed damage suggests that artificial and natural barriers (mangroves) should be strengthened to protect coastal communities in Senegal.
Real-time 2D–3D door detection and state classification on a low-power device
Authors: Ramôa João Gaspar , Lopes Vasco , Alexandre Luís A. , Mogo S.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we propose three methods for door state classification with the goal to improve robot navigation in indoor spaces. These methods were also developed to be used in other areas and applications since they are not limited to door detection as other related works are. Our methods work offline, in low-powered computers as the Jetson Nano, in real-time with the ability to differentiate between open, closed and semi-open doors. We use the 3D object classification, PointNet, real-time semantic segmentation algorithms such as, FastFCN, FC-HarDNet, SegNet and BiSeNet, the object detection algorithm, DetectNet and 2D object classification networks, AlexNet and GoogleNet. We built a 3D and RGB door dataset with images from several indoor environments using a 3D Realsense camera D435. This dataset is freely available online. All methods are analysed taking into account their accuracy and the speed of the algorithm in a low powered computer. We conclude that it is possible to have a door classification algorithm running in real-time on a low-power device.
The Origins of Modern Science
Authors: Gal Ofer
Published: April 2021

The Origins of Modern Science is the first synthetic account of the history of science from antiquity through the Scientific Revolution in many decades. Providing readers of all backgrounds and students of all disciplines with the tools to study science like a historian, Ofer Gal covers everything from Pythagorean mathematics to Newton's Principia, through Islamic medicine, medieval architecture, global commerce and magic. Richly illustrated throughout, scientific reasoning and practices are introduced in accessible and engaging ways with an emphasis on the complex relationships between institutions, beliefs and political structures and practices. Readers gain valuable new insights into the role that science plays both in history and in the world today, placing the crucial challenges to science and technology of our time within their historical and cultural context.
Virago Reprints and Modern Classics
Authors: Withers D-M
Published: April 2021

Reprinting, republishing and re-covering old books in new clothes is an established publishing practice. How are books that have fallen out of taste and favour resituated by publishers, and recognised by readers, as relevant and timely? This Element outlines three historical textures within British culture of the late 1970s and early 1980s – History, Remembrance and Heritage – that enabled Virago's reprint publishing to become a commercial and cultural success. With detailed archival case studies of the Virago Reprint Library, Testament of Youth and the Virago Modern Classics, it elaborates how reprints were profitable for the publisher and moved Virago's books - and the Virago brand name - from the periphery of culture to the centre. Throughout Virago's reprint publishing - and especially with the Modern Classics - the epistemic revelation that women writers were forgotten and could, therefore, be rediscovered, was repeated, again and again, and made culturally productive through the marketplace.
The Pre-Pottery Neolithic Water-well at Tell Seker al-Aheimar, Upper Mesopotamia: The Social Contexts of its Construction and Management
Authors: Nishiaki Yoshihiro
Published: April 2021

The water-well recovered from a Late Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) level in Tell Seker al-Aheimar, Northeast Syria, represents the oldest well thus far known in Upper Mesopotamia. It demonstrates that the construction of water-wells was a wide-spread practice among the PPNB communities across Cyprus, the Mediterranean coast, and now a far inland region of Upper Mesopotamia. This article provides detailed data on the water-well’s excavation and its stratigraphy, morphology, spatial positioning in the settlement, dating, and associated artefacts. An important implication of these data is that the construction and use of this well involved community activities that may have included rituals. Further, its location close to the Khabur River suggests that the well was not constructed to merely obtain fresh water; its major purpose could have been to guarantee the procurement of non-polluted water as this was an increasing concern among the developing Neolithic villages. On the whole, the water-well of Tell Seker al-Aheimar gives us important insights that develop our understanding of the Neolithisation processes of the region, notably the ‘domestication of water’.
Close to Home: Place-Based Mobilization in Racialized Contexts
Authors: NUAMAH SALLY A. , OGORZALEK THOMAS
Published: April 2021

How do racially concentrated policy changes translate to political action? Using official election returns, the Cooperative Congressional Election Study, and original data on the unprecedented mass closure of schools in segregated, predominantly Black neighborhoods across Chicago, we demonstrate that those living in the communities affected (1) increase their attendance at political meetings; (2) mobilize in support of ballot measures to avert future closings; and (3) increase their participation in the subsequent local election, while decreasing their support for the political official responsible for the policy on the ballot—at a higher rate than every other group. These findings shed light on how groups that previously participated at the lowest rates go on to participate at the highest rates on community issues that matter to them. We develop a theory of place-based mobilization to explain the role of “the community” in acting as a site of coidentification and political action for marginalized groups.