bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greater decline of acute stroke admissions compared with acute coronary syndromes during COVID‐19 outbreak in Greece: Cerebro/cardiovascular implications amidst a second wave surge
Authors: Katsouras Christos , Karapanayiotides Theodoros , Papafaklis Michail , Giannopoulos Sotirios , Ziakas Antonios , Sianos George , Papagiannopoulou Georgia , Koutroulou Ioanna , Varytimiadi Eythimia , Kosmidou Maria , Naka Katerina , Michalis Lampros K. , Tsivgoulis Georgios
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose

A remarkable decline in admissions for acute stroke and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been reported in countries severely hit by the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, limited data are available from countries with less COVID‐19 burden focusing on concurrent stroke and ACS hospitalisation rates from the same population.

Methods

The study was conducted in three geographically and demographically representative COVID‐19 referral university hospitals in Greece. We recorded the rate of stroke and ACS hospital admissions during a 6‐week period of the COVID‐19 outbreak in 2020 and compared them with the rates of the corresponding period in 2019.

Results

We found a greater relative reduction of stroke admissions (51% [35 vs. 71]; incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.49, p = 0.001) compared with ACS admissions (27% [123 vs. 168]; IRR: 0.73, p = 0.009) during the COVID‐19 outbreak (p = 0.097). Fewer older (>65 years) patients (stroke: 34.3% vs. 45.1%, odds ratio [OR]: 0.64, p = 0.291; ACS: 39.8% vs. 54.2%, OR: 0.56, p = 0.016) were admitted during the COVID‐19 compared with the control period.

Conclusions

Hospitalisation rates both for stroke and ACS were reduced during the COVID‐19 outbreak in a country with strict social distancing measures, low COVID‐19 incidence and low population mortality. Lack of triggers for stroke and ACS during social distancing/quarantining may explain these observations. However, medical care avoidance attitudes among cerebro/cardiovascular patients should be dissipated amidst the rising second COVID‐19 wave.
Evaluation of eosinopenia as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator in COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Soni Mamta
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Eosinopenia has been observed during infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the causative agent of COVID‐19. This study evaluated the role of eosinopenia as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator in COVID‐19 infection.

Methods

Information on 429 patients with confirmed COVID‐19, admitted to Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, India between 04 June 2020 to 15 August 2020, was retrospectively collected through electronic records and analysed.

Results

79.25% of the patients included in the study had eosinopenia on admission. The median eosinophil count in COVID‐19‐positive patients was 0.015 × 109/L, and in negative patients, it was 0.249 × 109/L. Eighteen per cent of the positive patients presented with 0 eosinophil count. Eosinopenia for early diagnosis of COVID‐19 had a sensitivity of 80.68% and specificity of 100% with an accuracy of 85.24. Role of eosinopenia in prognostication of COVID‐19 was found to be insignificant. There was no statistically significant difference between the median eosinophil counts in survivors and nonsurvivors. Eosinophil trends during the course of disease were found to be similar between survivors and nonsurvivors.

Conclusions

Eosinopenia on admission is a reliable and convenient early diagnostic marker for COVID‐19 infection, helping in early identification, triaging and isolation of the patients till nucleic acid test results are available. Role of eosinopenia as a prognostic indicator is insignificant.
Payment of Universal Credit for couples in the UK: Challenges for reform from a gender perspective
Authors: Howard Marilyn , Bennett Fran
Published: December 2020

Universal Credit has been rolled out gradually in the United Kingdom since 2013 as one integrated means‐tested benefit replacing six different transfers with a single monthly payment. Previously, these benefits were awarded for distinct purposes and, for couples who claimed them, were potentially payable to different partners. Concerns about Universal Credit’s single payment include the opportunities it may create for facilitating domestic abuse, the fostering of more unequal power relations within couples, the reduction of financial autonomy for individuals, and the de‐labelling of benefit payments. This article explores debates about the prospects for individual payments to partners in couples of Universal Credit as a jointly assessed integrated means‐tested benefit, including different approaches emerging from the United Kingdom’s devolved governments (mainly Scotland and Northern Ireland). Whilst payment to each partner is likely to be more feasible where there are separate rather than integrated means‐tested benefits, it concludes that genuine financial autonomy for partners in couples is best pursued via individually based non‐means‐tested benefits.
Extending pension coverage in Cambodia: The governance and investment challenges of the Social Security Investment Fund
Authors: Hiilamo Heikki , Bitinas Audrius , Chân Narith
Published: December 2020

Rapid economic growth, declining fertility and changes in family structures have encouraged the Kingdom of Cambodia to reform its old‐age pension system. The Government of Cambodia reached an important milestone in 2019, when the Law on Social Security was promulgated. The Law includes provisions for a compulsory defined benefit pension scheme, establishing a sound framework for extending compulsory pension coverage beyond the public sector to formal private‐sector workers. As a future step, the compulsory pension scheme should be extended to informal workers. To accompany the reform, the investment policy for the pension scheme’s reserve funds, including the supervisory regime and investment strategy, will be essential for the modernization of the Cambodian social security system. In this regard, Cambodia has successfully sought policy advice. However, the country should continue to seek further advice, and to act on this. Otherwise, the necessary and increasingly pressing policy ambitions of Cambodia to develop an adequate and sustainable social protection system may not be fully realized.
Witnessing racial discrimination shapes collective action for racial justice: Enhancing awareness of privilege among advantaged groups
Authors: Uluğ Özden Melis , Tropp Linda R.
Published: December 2020

Three studies tested whether witnessing incidents of racial discrimination targeting Black people may motivate White people to engage in collective action for racial justice. In studies of White Americans (Study 1) and self‐identified White activist “allies” (Study 2), witnessing incidents of racial discrimination predicted greater willingness to participate in collective action for racial justice, through the pathway of enhanced awareness of racial privilege. Studies 1 and 2 showed that awareness of racial privilege uniquely predicted the link between witnessing incidents of racial discrimination and willingness to participate in collective action for racial justice; these effects were consistent both with and without controlling for Whites’ sense of identification with their own racial group. Study 3 tested experimentally how witnessing incidents of racial discrimination may compel White people to become more motivated to engage in collective action for racial justice. Compared to those in a control condition, White participants who were randomly assigned to watch a brief video depicting recent discriminatory incidents targeting Black people (e.g., Starbucks incident in Philadelphia, housing incident at Yale University) tended to show greater motivation to engage in collective action for racial justice, an effect accounted for largely by enhanced awareness of racial privilege. How witnessing incidents of racial discrimination can transform views of privilege and willingness to stand up for racial justice among members of advantaged racial groups is discussed.
The relation of cephalometric features to internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Shu Chang , Xiong Xin , Huang Liwei , Liu Yang
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To review and summarize the data on the relationship between craniofacial morphology features and internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Method

A systematic review was designed and registered at PROSPERO, CRD42019132731. The PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases were searched for cephalometric studies comparing craniofacial morphology between female patients with TMJ ID and controls. The Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used for quality assessment. Weighted mean differences for cephalometric measurements were pooled for subsequent meta‐analysis.

Result

From the establishment date to August 2020, 14 of 1038 collected records were selected, which consisted of 772 patients with TMJ ID and 423 controls. These records were eventually pooled for the designed statistical analysis after the NOS quality assessment. Compared with the controls, TMJ ID patients had obviously smaller, retruded and clockwise‐rotated mandible, showing significantly decreased S‐Na, S‐Go, Go‐Me, Ar‐Pog, Ar‐Go, SNB, Na perp Pog, and increased FH‐MP, SN‐MP, PP‐MP, SN to Ar‐Go, S‐Ar‐Go and ANB.

Conclusion

Certain craniofacial morphology features were found strongly associated with the presence of TMJ ID, especially the size and position of the mandible.
The effect of topical chamomile in the prevention of chemotherapy‐induced oral mucositis: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Elhadad Mahmoud Ahmed , El‐Negoumy Ehsan , Taalab Maha R. , Ibrahim Reham S. , Elsaka Rasha O.
Published: December 2020

Objective

To clinically assess the effectiveness of topical chamomile oral gel in the prevention of chemotherapy‐induced oral mucositis.

Material and methods

A parallel single‐blind randomized clinical trial conducted on 45 patients who were undergoing chemotherapy. Patients were assigned to three equal groups. Group I received conventional symptomatic treatment that included antifungal agents (Miconaz oral gel, Medical Union Pharmaceuticals), topical anesthetics, and anti‐inflammatory agent (BBC oral spray, Amoun Pharmaceutical Company) three times per day for three weeks, group II received 3% chamomile topical oral gel, whereas group III patients were given both conventional symptomatic treatment and chamomile topical oral gel. All patients were clinically assessed for pain and oral mucositis severity at three separate time intervals: 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks.

Results

Most patients experienced oral mucositis with more severity reported in the conventional group (grade III = 6.7%) compared to the other two groups, neither of which developed more than grade II. Mean pain scores showed no significant difference between the groups, but intragroup analysis showed that pain score increased in the conventional treatment group more than the other two groups.

Conclusion

Topical chamomile 3% gel has demonstrated in this study to lower the severity of the mucositis with lower pain scores compared to the other two groups.
Breeding of tetra null soybean (Glycine max) for lipoxygenase, kunitz trypsin inhibitor, lectin, and 7S α' subunit proteins
Authors: Choi Sang Woo , Chae Won Gi , Kang Gyung Young , Chung Jong Il
Published: December 2020

Soybean seed includes various bioactive substances. Also, they contain a variety of antinutritional factors including lipoxygenase, Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI), lectin, and 7S α' subunit proteins. The genetic removal of these proteins will improve the nutritional value of soybean seed. The objective of this research was to breed new soybean with tetra recessive alleles (lox1lox2lox3/lox1lox2lox3‐ti/ti‐le/le‐cgy1/cgy1) for lipoxygenase, KTI, lectin, and 7S α' subunit proteins. Seven parents were used to breed tetra null strain. SDS‐PAGE and Western blot analysis were used to determine the presence or absence of lipoxygenase, 7S α' subunit, KTI, and lectin proteins in mature seed. Tetra null soybean line has a purple flower, determinate growth habit, tan pod, and yellow seed coat colour. Stem height of the breeding line was 62.3 cm. The 100‐seed weight of the breeding line was 27.1 g and yield (t/ha) was 2.84. This is the first soybean strain with lox1lox2lox3/lox1lox2lox3‐ti/ti‐le/le‐cgy1/cgy1 genotype (absence of lipoxygenase, KTI, lectin, and 7S α' subunit proteins).
Outcome of a thorough screening of lower urinary tract function in all pediatric kidney recipients
Authors: De Wall Liesbeth Lilian , Oomen Loes , Glaap‐Roeven Femke , Feitz Wout Fransiscus , Bootsma‐Robroeks Charlotte Magdalena Hubertus Hubertina Theodorus
Published: December 2020

LUTD is one of the possible factors influencing pediatric kidney graft outcomes. This study evaluates the results of a thorough assessment of voiding behavior in pediatric transplants. Data of patients with kidney disease of nephrological origin are compared to those with urological origin. A single‐center analysis of pediatric kidney transplants performed from 2005 to the present was executed. Donor and recipient characteristics as well as voiding and drinking habits were documented using FVCs and uroflowmetry with PVR measurements. LUTD was defined by a mean MVV >150% or <65% of the EBC for age, abnormal uroflowmetry, PVR repeatedly >15% of EBC or >20 mL, abnormal voiding patterns or behavior, and presence of LUT symptoms. LUTD was diagnosed in 71% of the 56 screened children and more present in urological origin of kidney disease (100%) compared to nephrological origin (61%, P = .005). Individual presence of LUT symptoms, abnormal voiding behavior, FVC parameters, UTIs, and uroflowmetry/PVR parameters were not different between the two groups. Polyuria after transplantation was seen in 63% of patients, mainly in the first post‐transplant years and recipients aged <10 years. Time after transplantation was a significant independent predictive factor for the presence of LUTD. LUTD is common in all pediatric kidney recipients and underestimated in those with a nephrological origin of disease. Active screening, monitoring and a care attention plan prior to transplantation and during follow‐up, is advocated to optimize outcomes for all patients.
Attracting High‐Quality Contestants to Contest in the Context of Crowdsourcing Contest Platform
Authors: Chen Pei‐Yu , Pavlou Paul , Wu Shinyi , Yang Yang
Published: December 2020

Contests have long existed to source ideas and solutions. The emergence of crowdsourcing contest platforms greatly reduces the costs and broadens the reach of running contests by facilitating access to a large pool of labor, making contests a cost‐efficient approach to procure ideas/solutions even for employers of limited resources. As a result, the use of contests surges and there is a flux of small‐to‐medium size contests to these platforms. This study focuses on these new waves of small‐to‐medium‐size contests on crowdsourcing contest platforms and extends the literature in several ways: First, prior literature focuses extensively on contest prize, we also consider the effect of contest duration, which plays salient role on contest platforms. Our findings provide evidence that contest duration affects both the number and the quality of contestants attracted to a contest. Second, prior literature assumes contests exist independently and that the quality distribution of contestants is exogenous; accordingly, the number of contestants can be regarded as a proxy of contest performance. We show that contest design parameters have direct effects on the quality distribution of contestants. Specifically, increasing contest duration, while attracting more contestants, results in a downward shift on the quality distribution of the contestants attracted to the contest. Third, recognizing that each contest does not exist independently on crowdsourcing contest platforms, we also incorporate the number of competing contests in our model. Our results provide practical recommendations on how to set up successful contests and attract high‐quality contestants to a contest on a crowdsourcing contest platform.
The mantle, CO2and the giant Aptian chemogenic lacustrine carbonate factory of the South Atlantic: Some carbonates are made, not born
Authors: Wright V. Paul
Published: December 2020

During the Aptian (Cretaceous), in what is now the South Atlantic, the largest chemogenic (abiotic) carbonate factory so far identified in the Phanerozoic geological record developed as a vast hyper‐alkaline lake system. This covered at least 330 000 km2, producing carbonates, locally over 500 m thick, in what are now the offshore Santos and Campos basins (Brazil), and Kwanza Basin (Angola). Current evidence supports the view that almost all of this carbonate was chemogenic in origin, precipitated from hyper‐alkaline, shallow lake waters, probably by evaporation. This unit, best documented from offshore Brazil and known as the Barra Velha Formation (Santos Basin) and the Macabu Formation (Campos Basin), consists of just two basic carbonate components, millimetre to centimetre sized crystal shrubs and spherulites. These are commonlyin situbut can also be reworked into a range of detrital facies. Demonstrable microbialites are generally rare. These carbonates are associated with Mg silicates (as clays) which had a profound influence not only on the textural development of thein situcarbonates, but also on their diagenesis. The dissolution of the clays produced much of the porosity in these limestones, which are the hosts for multi‐billion barrel oil fields. The source of the carbonate was most likely from metasomatic alteration of mafic rocks, such as continental flood basalts related to Atlantic opening, with some contribution from much older continental basement. Clear evidence that serpentinization of possible exhumed mantle is lacking but mantle CO2is likely to have been a critical factor in determining the composition of the fluids from which the carbonates formed and the high alkalinities of the lake waters.
Investigation of the Optimum Surface Roughness of AISI 5120 Steel by Using a Running-in Attractor
Authors: Ding Cong , Sun Guodong , Zhou Zhenyu , Piao Zhongyu
Published: December 2020

To investigate the influence of surface roughnesses on the dynamic characteristics of AISI 5120 steel in sliding friction process, a suite of running-in experiments are performed on a pin-on-disk tribometer. The running-in attractor is used to analyze the high-dimensional features of a friction system under different surface roughnesses. The experimental results show that the roughnesses of different original surfaces evolve to the same value in stable wear stage. The pin-on-disk friction system has a chaotic nature and exists a running-in attractor. The original surface of a disk of Ra = 0.953 μm is the most conducive to shorten the running-in duration, reduce the friction coefficient value, and improve the stability of the friction system. This roughness value is termed as the optimum surface roughness. It is an ideal working surface for the friction pair in the running-in design.
Canonical Implementation of Simplified Spherical Harmonics (SPL) in the Neutron Diffusion Code AZNHEX
Authors: Muñoz-Peña Guillermo , del Valle Gallegos Edmundo , Gomez-Torres Armando
Published: December 2020

The SPL approximation has been used to improve the accuracy of neutron transport solvers and has been widely used thanks to the diffusion like equations that can be solved with traditional diffusion codes. The objective of this work is to extend the AZtlan Nodal HEXagonal (AZNHEX) diffusion code capabilities to include SPL approximation. For achieving this goal, an independent preprocessor has been developed to determine new specific neutronic parameters based on the canonical form of the SPL approximation. The SPL neutronic parameters are used to conform an extended system of diffusion like differential equations that can be discretized and solved numerically. The degree of SPL approximation defines the number of equations. Since the original AZNHEX code solves one diffusion equation by means of an algebraic system (matrix) with size depending on energy groups, an artificial increase in the number of energy groups allows to increase the matrix order by adding additional rows and columns to the original matrix depending on the SPL order, SP3 increases the matrix order by two times, SP5 three times and SP7 four times. Two exercises are presented. The initial one for verification purposes in which the effects of mesh refinement and increase of SPL approximation degree are presented and discussed. It was shown that the percentage error between successive SPL approximations reduces in a consistent manner as the order of SPL approximation increases. A second case is presented for validation against a transport code. In this case it was shown that keff values approach asymptotically to the transport solver solution as the SPL degree of approximation increases and as mesh is finer.
Systematic Approach to Transboundary Radioactivity Monitoring for Accidents in External Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Silva Kampanart , Krisanangkura Piyawan , Phungsara Krirerk , Chaiyasaen Chatchai , Udomsomporn Suchin
Published: December 2020

Past nuclear accidents demonstrated that radioactive materials from an accident in a nuclear power station (NPS) can disperse to other countries or even across the globe. This means all countries need to be prepared to respond to a nuclear power emergency even if they have no nuclear power program. This study aims to propose a structured framework to enable transboundary radio activity monitoring of accidental releases in external NPSs in such a country with limited calculation resources. A trial calculation of a hypothetical release from an interfacing system loss of coolant accident (ISLOCA) in Unit 1 of Fangchenggang NPS during different representative meteorological scenarios is carried out to demonstrate the usability of the proposed framework. It was found that a relatively large release can reach the border of Thailand within 24 h when the wind along the dispersion pathway is basically in northeast direction with significant amount of rainfall, though it may not be able to trigger the alarm at the radiation monitoring stations. However, it is highly likely that the release that fulfills the aforementioned conditions be detected by one of the stations within 48 h-timeframe. As the trial calculation could deliver insightful findings with limited calculation resources, the proposed transboundary atmospheric dispersion calculation framework can be used in other nonnuclear power countries to prepare for emergency response to accidents in external NPSs.
A Techno-Economic Assessment of Syngas Production by Plasma Gasification of Municipal Solid Waste as a Substitute Gaseous Fuel
Authors: Montiel-Bohórquez Néstor D. , Saldarriaga-Loaiza Juan D. , Pérez Juan F.
Published: December 2020

The updraft plasma gasification process of different municipal solid wastes (MSWs) to produce syngas as a substitute gaseous fuel was assessed from a techno-economic viewpoint. The plasma gasification process was modeled under a thermo-chemical approach using aspen plus. The model validation has been carried out with experimental data from the literature, reaching an average relative error of 6.23% for temperature, heating values, and fuel species concentration of the syngas. The plasma torch power consumption was one of the main process parameters that affects the energy and exergy efficiencies. In spite of increasing moisture content of MSW, from 26.61% to 57.9%, the energy and exergy efficiencies expanded by 1.5% and 5.4% on average, respectively, which ascribed to the reduction of torch power consumption; this behavior resulted as the torches thermally degraded a lower fraction of dry MSW. Whereas, if plasma temperature increased (2500 °C to 4000 °C), the gasification efficiencies diminished because of the torch power consumption boosted by 28.3%. Furthermore, the parameter combinations process (air flow and plasma temperature) was found to reach the highest process efficiency, the efficiency ranged from 79.22% to 83.46%, highlighting the plasma gasification flexibility. The levelized cost of syngas production varied from 15.83 to 26.21 ¢US$/kW h. Therefore, to make these projects feasible (waste to energy), a waste disposal charge ranging between 14.67 and 26.82 ¢US$/kW h was proposed.
Design of a 1 MWth Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Primary Heat Exchanger Test System
Authors: Carlson Matthew , Alvarez Francisco
Published: December 2020

A new generation of concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies is under development to provide dispatchable renewable power generation and reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) to 6 cents/kWh by leveraging heat transfer fluids (HTFs) capable of operation at higher temperatures and coupling with higher efficiency power conversion cycles. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has funded three pathways for Generation 3 CSP (Gen3CSP) technology development to leverage solid, liquid, and gaseous HTFs to transfer heat to a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) Brayton cycle. This paper presents the design and off-design capabilities of a 1 MWth sCO2 test system that can provide sCO2 coolant to the primary heat exchangers (PHX) coupling the high-temperature HTFs to the sCO2 working fluid of the power cycle. This system will demonstrate design, performance, lifetime, and operability at a scale relevant to commercial CSP. A dense-phase high-pressure canned motor pump is used to supply up to 5.3 kg/s of sCO2 flow to the primary heat exchanger at pressures up to 250 bar and temperatures up to 715 °C with ambient air as the ultimate heat sink. Key component requirements for this system are presented in this paper.
Multivariable Adaptive Control Method for Turbofan Engine With Dynamic and Input Uncertainties
Authors: Liu Jiashuai , Wang Xi , Zhu Meiyin , Miao Keqiang
Published: December 2020

The dynamic characteristics of the turbofan engine vary greatly in the full flight envelope, which makes the problem of dynamic uncertainty and input uncertainty very prominent. This brings different degrees of performance impact to the engine control system and even makes it lose stability. This paper proposes a multivariable adaptive control method for dealing with multivariable dynamic uncertainty and input uncertainty. First, for the case where the number of state variables is less than or equal to the number of input variables and the input matrix satisfies the full-rank condition of the row, the existence of the right pseudo-inverse matrix of the input matrix can be guaranteed. Then, the dynamic uncertainty and input uncertainty can be mathematically converted into standard matched uncertainty. Second, the Lyapunov quadratic function is constructed by the closed-loop tracking error vector and the adaptively adjustable control parameter estimation errors, and the Lyapunov stability constraint is considered. Then, under the premise of considering the dynamic characteristics of the actuator, an adaptive control algorithm for multivariable uncertainty model of turbofan engine is derived. Finally, ground and high-altitude simulations are carried out on the dual-loop control system based on the nonlinear dynamic model of the turbofan engine. The results show that the control system has robust stability and anti-interference performance for dynamic uncertainty and input uncertainty of turbofan engine in the full flight envelope. By introducing stronger parameter change rate information to the controller, its performance can be further improved, and the transient state control is more stable.
Effects of Turbocharger Rotation Inertia on Instantaneous Turbine Efficiency in a Turbocharged-Gasoline Direct Injection (T-GDI) Engine
Authors: Park Chansoo , Ebisu Motoki , Bae Choongsik
Published: December 2020

The effects of turbocharger rotation inertia on instantaneous turbine efficiency were analyzed in a 2.0 L four-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged gasoline direct injection (T-GDI) engine. Two turbochargers of different weights were prepared for comparison purposes: base T/C and light T/C. In order to evaluate the instantaneous efficiency of each turbocharger, a combination of engine tests and a 1D simulation was conducted. In the experiments, the instantaneous exhaust gas pressures, upstream and downstream of the turbine, were measured. The instantaneous turbocharger rotation speed was also measured. The instantaneous temperature and mass flow rate of the exhaust gas were taken from the 1D simulation results. Through a combination of measuring and simulating exhaust gas states for the turbines, the instantaneous turbine blade speed ratio (BSR), total-to-static turbine efficiency (ηts), reduced mass flow rate (φ), and reduced turbine speed (Nred) were calculated. The light T/C showed higher fluctuations in the instantaneous turbine rotation speed compared to the base T/C. This greater response from the light T/C is due to experiencing less inertia loss, this leads to higher fluctuations in the instantaneous Nred, BSR, ηts, and φ. As a result, the light T/C shows higher turbine efficiency at certain points after the start of the exhaust gas pulse cycle. This is because the greater response of the light T/C lead the operating conditions of the turbine to more efficient regions in the turbine map.
Superconformal growth and trench filling using a consumable inhibitor in chemical vapor deposition of Hf1−xVxBy
Authors: Canova Kinsey L. , Zhang Zhejun V. , Girolami Gregory S. , Abelson John R.
Published: December 2020

Three-dimensional nanodevice architectures require the coating and filling of deep vias and trenches, leading to an ongoing demand for dry processes with step coverages equal to or greater than one. We describe a new superconformal chemical vapor deposition process based on the use of two precursors: The first precursor readily deposits to afford film growth, but it cannot fill trenches when used alone because the coating is subconformal. The second precursor inhibits the deposition rate of the first precursor, and it grows film relatively slowly so that the overall film growth rate decreases when both precursors are present. In a trench, the inhibitor significantly suppresses the growth rate at the trench opening, but its pressure declines with depth due to consumption (film growth on the sidewalls) and the suppression effect weakens. Near the opening of the trench, where the inhibitor pressure is high, the consumption rate of the first precursor is small; it, therefore, diffuses deep into the trench to afford a growth rate that increases toward the bottom. If the flux of the inhibitor is not too high and the uninhibited growth rate of the first precursor is larger than that of the inhibitor, then the resulting film will be superconformal. We demonstrate this superconformal process for the growth of a metallic ceramic alloy, Hf1−xVxBy, in which the vanadium-bearing precursor serves as the consumable inhibitor. A continuous, single-step process is used to fill trenches with aspect ratios up to 10 with no void or seam along the centerline. We develop a model that captures the trench filling kinetics using Langmuirian growth kinetics, in which the two precursors compete for available adsorption sites and have different reaction rates. Calculations using physically plausible model parameters agree well with measured results and can be used to predict filling as a function of the aspect ratio. The model also indicates why filling fails at very high aspect ratios. In principle, a superconformal film of constant composition could be obtained using two precursors that each afford the same material.
Evidence of improved power conversion efficiency in lead-free CsGeI3 based perovskite solar cell heterostructure via scaps simulation
Authors: Raj Abhishek , Kumar Manish , Bherwani Hemant , Gupta Ankit , Anshul Avneesh
Published: December 2020

Simulation has been performed on fully lead-free inorganic cesium germanium tri-iodide (CsGeI3) perovskite solar cell heterostructure and achieved a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ∼18.30% with significantly improved device parameters. The influence of thickness of an electron transport layer, a hole transport layer, an absorber, defect density, doping concentration, electron affinity, temperature, and series resistance issued for the optimization of the lead-free device is studied. It is confirmed via the scaps simulation results that this device is perfectly optimized with the experimental results and demonstrates the maximum possible improved power conversion efficiency in a fully inorganic lead-free CsGeI3 perovskite solar cell device. The final optimized device performance parameters are as follows: %PCE = 18.30%, %FF = 75.46%, Jsc = 23.31 mA/cm2, and Voc = 1.04 V. In the future, this efficiency may offer prominent potential as a substitute in a highly efficient green solar absorber material for photovoltaic applications after confirmation in the laboratory.
World-Class Sprinters’ Careers: Early Success Does Not Guarantee Success at Adult Age
Authors: Boccia Gennaro , Cardinale Marco , Brustio Paolo Riccardo
Published: December 2020

Purpose: To quantify how many of the top 50 under-18 (U18) sprinters in the world managed to become top 50 ranked as adult competitors. The authors also described the career trajectory of athletes ranked in the top 50 during either U18 or senior category. Methods: A total of 4924 male and female athletes competing in sprint races and ranked in the International Association of Athletics Federations (now World Athletics) lists in any of the seasons between the 2000 and 2018 were included in the study. The athletes ranked in the top 50 positions of all-time lists during U18, senior, or both categories were analyzed. Results: Only 17% of the male and 21% of the female top 50 ranked U18 managed to become top 50 ranked senior athletes. The top 50 ranked senior athletes consistently produced yearly larger improvements during late adolescence and early adulthood compared with those who ranked in the top 50 at U18. Furthermore, top 50 ranked senior athletes reached their peak performance later compared with the top 50 ranked only in U18. Conclusions: This study confirms that early success in track and field is not a good predictor of success at senior level in sprinting events. The yearly performance improvements and their tracking provide the most suitable approach to identify athletes more likely to succeed as elite performers in adulthood. The authors hope that the results of this study can provide useful comparative data and reference criteria for talent-identification and -development programs.
Late endosomes promote microglia migration via cytosolic translocation of immature protease cathD
Authors: Liu Yi-Jun , Zhang Ting , Cheng Daxiao , Yang Junhua , Chen Sicong , Wang Xingyue , Li Xia , Duan Duo , Lou Huifang , Zhu Liya , Luo Jianhong , Ho Margaret S. , Wang Xiao-Dong , Duan Shumin
Published: December 2020

Protease cathD escapes from late endosomes to cytosol and accelerates actin dynamics.
Mus81-Eme1–dependent aberrant processing of DNA replication intermediates in mitosis impairs genome integrity
Authors: Calzetta Nicolás Luis , González Besteiro Marina Alejandra , Gottifredi Vanesa
Published: December 2020

The molecular scissors Mus81 fixes or ruins chromosomes depending on the availability of DNA precursors in mitosis.
Scalable integrated single-photon source
Authors: Uppu Ravitej , Pedersen Freja T. , Wang Ying , Olesen Cecilie T. , Papon Camille , Zhou Xiaoyan , Midolo Leonardo , Scholz Sven , Wieck Andreas D. , Ludwig Arne , Lodahl Peter
Published: December 2020

An on-chip deterministic source generating more than 100 identical photons meets the resource requirement for quantum advantage.
Titanium isotopes constrain a magmatic transition at the Hadean-Archean boundary in the Acasta Gneiss Complex
Authors: Aarons Sarah M. , Reimink Jesse R. , Greber Nicolas D. , Heard Andy W. , Zhang Zhe , Dauphas Nicolas
Published: December 2020

Titanium isotopes reveal a shift toward convergent arc magmatism in some of Earth’s oldest known rocks.
Environmental exposure enhances the internalization of microplastic particles into cells
Authors: Ramsperger A. F. R. M. , Narayana V. K. B. , Gross W. , Mohanraj J. , Thelakkat M. , Greiner A. , Schmalz H. , Kress H. , Laforsch C.
Published: December 2020

Microplastic that was exposed to the environment is much more likely internalized by cells than pure unmodified microplastic.
Digital-WGS: Automated, highly efficient whole-genome sequencing of single cells by digital microfluidics
Authors: Ruan Qingyu , Ruan Weidong , Lin Xiaoye , Wang Yang , Zou Fenxiang , Zhou Leiji , Zhu Zhi , Yang Chaoyong
Published: December 2020

Digital-WGS enables high-performance single-cell sequencing with automatic processing based on digital microfluidics.
Distinct inflammatory profiles distinguish COVID-19 from influenza with limited contributions from cytokine storm
Authors: Mudd Philip A. , Crawford Jeremy Chase , Turner Jackson S. , Souquette Aisha , Reynolds Daniel , Bender Diane , Bosanquet James P. , Anand Nitin J. , Striker David A. , Martin R. Scott , Boon Adrianus C. M. , House Stacey L. , Remy Kenneth E. , Hotchkiss Richard S. , Presti Rachel M. , O’Halloran Jane A. , Powderly William G. , Thomas Paul G. , Ellebedy Ali H.
Published: December 2020

Immunologic evaluation shows that most COVID-19 patients exhibit targeted immunosuppression compared to patients with influenza.
Anti-inflammatory drug formulations fight fat
Authors: Rodell Christopher B.
Published: December 2020

Macrophage-targeted dexamethasone improves weight loss and glucose tolerance not possible with systemic administration of the free drug.
A Futile Metabolic Cycle of Fatty Acyl Coenzyme A (Acyl-CoA) Hydrolysis and Resynthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum and Its Disruption Leading to Fatty Acid Production
Authors: Ikeda Masato , Takahashi Keisuke , Ohtake Tatsunori , Imoto Ryosuke , Kawakami Haruka , Hayashi Mikiro , Takeno Seiki
Published: December 2020

The industrial amino acid producer
Corynebacterium glutamicum
has evolved into a potential workhorse for fatty acid production. In this organism, we obtained evidence showing the presence of a unique mechanism of lipid homeostasis, namely, formation of a futile cycle of acyl-CoA hydrolysis and resynthesis mediated by acyl-CoA thioesterase (Tes) and acyl-CoA synthetase (FadD), respectively.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Terrestrial Planctomycete,
Singulisphaera
sp. Strain GP187, Isolated from Forest Soil
Authors: Morrow Maureen A. , Pold Grace , DeAngelis Kristen M.
Published: December 2020

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of a novel species of the genus
Singulisphaera
(phylum
Planctomycetes
, family
Isosphaeraceae
) isolated from soil.
Singulisphaera
sp. strain GP187 has a relatively large mobilome and numerous novel genes that may contribute to the production of bioactive molecules.
Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacter hormaechei Isolated from Imported Retail Shrimp
Authors: Indugu Nagaraju , Sharma Laxmi , Jackson Charlene R. , Singh Prashant
Published: December 2020

Here, we announce the draft genome sequence of
Enterobacter hormaechei
2B-MC1, isolated from a shrimp sample collected from a farmer’s market in Atlanta, Georgia. The assembled genome sequence observed was 4,661,561 bp long with a G+C content of 55.3%. The isolate harbored
sul1
,
sul2
,
qnrA1
,
oqxB
,
dfrA23
,
blaACT
,
floR
,
fosA
,
tet
(A),
aph(6)-Id
, and
aph(3″)-Ib
antibiotic resistance genes.
Genome Sequence of “
Candidatus
Dehalogenimonas etheniformans” Strain GP, a Vinyl Chloride-Respiring Anaerobe
Authors: Yang Yi , Yan Jun , Li Xiuying , Lv Yan , Cui Yiru , Kara-Murdoch Fadime , Chen Gao , Löffler Frank E.
Published: December 2020

“
Candidatus
Dehalogenimonas etheniformans” strain GP couples growth with the reductive dechlorination of vinyl chloride and several polychlorinated ethenes. The genome sequence comprises a circular 2.07-Mb chromosome with a G+C content of 51.9% and harbors 50 putative reductive dehalogenase genes.
Glaciers, isostasy, and eustasy in the Fraser Lowland: A new interpretation of late Pleistocene glaciation across the International Boundary
Authors: Clark Douglas H. , Clague John J.
Published: December 2020

High-resolution light detection and ranging (lidar) data and new stratigraphic, lake sediment, and radiocarbon constraints help to resolve a long-standing dispute regarding the timing and nature of the Everson interstade and the Sumas stade, the last major events of the Cordilleran ice sheet in the Fraser Lowland. The new data indicate that: (1) an early, maximum Sumas advance occurred roughly 14,500 cal yr B.P. (calibrated 14C years before 1950), extending into the Salish Sea near Bellingham, Washington; (2) ice retreated north of the International Boundary long enough for forests to establish in deglaciated lowland sites; (3) a rapid, short-lived rise in local relative sea level (RSL) of ~20–30 m, possibly related to meltwater pulse 1A or the collapse of a glacio-isostatic forebulge, inundated the U.S. portion of the lowlands up to ~130 m above modern sea level; and (4) directly following this transgression at ca. 14,000 cal yr B.P., ice readvanced across the border to nearly the same limit as reached during the early Sumas period. Distinct crosscutting marine strandlines (erosional and depositional remains of emerged marine shorelines), subaerial moraines, and till plains imaged in lidar data indicate that following the maximum extent of the second Sumas advance, local RSL progressively lowered as the glacier fluctuated and gradually thinned. By ca. 13,000 cal yr B.P., ice had retreated north of the border, and local RSL had fallen to within ~4 m of modern.

A layer of possible loess in sediments in Squalicum Lake suggests a possible third and final Sumas readvance between 13,000 and 11,150 cal yr B.P., at which time a moraine was constructed ~8 km south of the border near the town of Sumas, Washington. Together, our results suggest that the concept of a distinct Everson interstade and Sumas stade should be abandoned in favor of a more nuanced “Sumas episode” that encompasses the sequence of events recorded in the Fraser Lowland.
Profiling interactions between the Westerlies and Asian summer monsoons since 45 ka: Insights from biomarker, isotope, and numerical modeling studies in the Qaidam Basin
Authors: Hou Mingqiu , Zhuang Guangsheng , Ji Junliang , Xiang Shuyuan , Kong Wenwen , Cui Xingqian , Wu Minghao , Hren Michael
Published: December 2020

The Qaidam Basin marks a crucial boundary between the Westerlies and the Asian summer monsoons. Previous studies in the Qaidam Basin have advanced our knowledge of the paleoclimate over glacial to interglacial cycles. However, our understanding of the paleoclimatic sensitivity of the Qaidam Basin to the relative strength of these two climatic driving forces remains limited due to the lack of regional paleoclimatic reconstructions. The Qaidam Basin is proposed as a regional and global eolian dust source during the glacial periods, during which a cold, dry climate is associated with the equatorward shift of the jet stream. On the contrary, paleoshoreline records suggest that a highstand lake stage prevailed in late Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3) and lasted until 15 ka. To address this conundrum, we have applied an integrated approach to reconstructing the regional paleoclimatic history by combining compound-specific isotope analysis, lake temperature reconstruction, and numerical modeling. Our results show varying paleoclimate associated with the dynamic climate boundary since 45 ka: (1) a wet climate during late MIS 3, when the Asian summer monsoons are strengthened under high summer insolation and penetrate further into Central Asia; (2) a general cold, dry but wetter than at present climate in the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), when the Asian summer monsoons retreat and the Westerlies become dominant; and (3) three short periods of extreme aridity corresponding to the Younger Dryas and Heinrich 2 and 4 events, when the normal moisture transport via the Westerlies and Asian summer monsoons is interrupted. The numerical modeling supports an increase in the effective precipitation during the LGM due to reduced evaporation under low summer insolation. These results suggest that the Westerlies and Asian summer monsoons alternately controlled the climate in the Qaidam Basin in response to precessional forcing during the late Pleistocene.
Priorities for the child public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery in England
Authors: Hefferon Catherine , Taylor Catherine , Bennett Davara , Falconer Catherine , Campbell Melisa , Williams Joanna G , Schwartz Dave , Kipping Ruth , Taylor-Robinson David
Published: December 2020

Child health is at risk from the unintended consequences of the COVID-19 response and will suffer further unless it is given proper consideration. The pandemic can be conceived as a systemic shock to the wider determinants of child health, with impacts on family functioning and income, access to healthcare and education. This article outlines COVID-19 impacts on children in England. Key priorities relate to the diversion of healthcare during lockdown; interruption and return to schooling; increased health risks and long-term impacts on child poverty and social inequalities. We provide an overview of mitigation strategies and policy recommendations aimed to assist both national and local professionals across child health, education, social care and related fields to inform the policy response.
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas with distant metastasis during pregnancy: a diagnostic and treatment challenge
Authors: Santos Diogo , Calhau Ana , Bacelar Filipe , Vieira Joaquim
Published: December 2020

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are rare pancreatic cystic neoplasms occurring predominantly in young women and diagnosis is often a challenge. This report describes the case of a 23-year-old primigravida who presented with abnormally elevated liver blood tests at 24 weeks of gestation. Imaging studies were suggestive of SPN with metastatic liver disease. A multidisciplinary team approach decided on a preterm caesarean delivery of a healthy female child at 36 weeks of gestation. Subsequently, a CT-guided biopsy was performed, with confirmation of SPN in the anatomopathological study. Subpartial pancreatectomy, partial gastrectomy, cholecystectomy, total splenectomy and partial hepatectomy were successfully performed. A 3-month control CT scan and positron emission tomography-CT studies revealed disease recurrence with pulmonary and liver metastatic disease. The patient was started on a palliative chemotherapy protocol with good tolerance. To our knowledge this is the first case of a SPN described in pregnancy with distant metastasis and disseminated recurrence after surgical treatment.
Mechanophysiologically active patch for closure of atrial septal defect
Authors: Lahiri Raja , Gaur Namrata
Published: December 2020

Closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) can be achieved by various methods right from direct closure to patch closure using various materials viz. pericardium, Dacron and Teflon, to device closure using percutaneous techniques. Although percutaneous techniques are the most commonly practised method in developed countries, a subset of patients will require surgical closure. Various patch materials have been used for long, but all of them have some complications and risks associated with them. We report a case of novel technique of ASD closure done using a pedicled, vascularised and contractile right atrial wall flap.