bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Patients with Similar Gait Compensating Strategies Due to Unilateral Hip Osteoarthritis and the Effect of Total Hip Replacement: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: van Drongelen Stefan , Stetter Bernd J. , Böhm Harald , Stief Felix , Stein Thorsten , Meurer Andrea
Published: May 2021

Despite good clinical functional outcome, deficits in gait biomechanics exist 2 years after total hip replacement surgery. The aims of this research were (1) to group patients showing similar gait adaptations to hip osteoarthritis and (2) to investigate the effect of the surgical treatment on gait kinematics and external joint moments. In a secondary analysis, gait data of 51 patients with unilateral hip osteoarthritis were analyzed. A k-means cluster analysis was performed on scores derived via a principal component analysis of the gait kinematics. Preoperative and postoperative datasets were statistically tested between clusters and 46 healthy controls. The first three principal components incorporated hip flexion/extension, pelvic tilt, foot progression angle and thorax tilt. Two clusters were discriminated best by the peak hip extension during terminal stance. Both clusters deviated from healthy controls in spatio-temporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters. The cluster with less hip extension deviated significantly more. The clusters improved postoperatively but differences to healthy controls were still present one year after surgery. A poor preoperative gait pattern in patients with unilateral hip osteoarthritis is associated with worse gait kinematics after total hip replacement. Further research should focus on the identification of patients who can benefit from an adapted or individualized rehabilitation program.
In Silico Mathematical Modelling for Glioblastoma: A Critical Review and a Patient-Specific Case
Authors: Falco Jacopo , Agosti Abramo , Vetrano Ignazio G. , Bizzi Alberto , Restelli Francesco , Broggi Morgan , Schiariti Marco , DiMeco Francesco , Ferroli Paolo , Ciarletta Pasquale , Acerbi Francesco
Published: May 2021

Glioblastoma extensively infiltrates the brain; despite surgery and aggressive therapies, the prognosis is poor. A multidisciplinary approach combining mathematical, clinical and radiological data has the potential to foster our understanding of glioblastoma evolution in every single patient, with the aim of tailoring therapeutic weapons. In particular, the ultimate goal of biomathematics for cancer is the identification of the most suitable theoretical models and simulation tools, both to describe the biological complexity of carcinogenesis and to predict tumor evolution. In this report, we describe the results of a critical review about different mathematical models in neuro-oncology with their clinical implications. A comprehensive literature search and review for English-language articles concerning mathematical modelling in glioblastoma has been conducted. The review explored the different proposed models, classifying them and indicating the significative advances of each one. Furthermore, we present a specific case of a glioblastoma patient in which our recently proposed innovative mechanical model has been applied. The results of the mathematical models have the potential to provide a relevant benefit for clinicians and, more importantly, they might drive progress towards improving tumor control and patient’s prognosis. Further prospective comparative trials, however, are still necessary to prove the impact of mathematical neuro-oncology in clinical practice.
Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Green Insulation Composites Made from Cannabis and Bark Residues
Authors: Ninikas Konstantinos , Mitani Andromachi , Koutsianitis Dimitrios , Ntalos George , Taghiyari Hamid R. , Papadopoulos Antonios N.
Published: May 2021

The objective of this paper was to investigate the technical feasibility of manufacturing low density insulation particleboards that were made from two renewable resources, namely hemp fibers (Cannabis sativa) and pine tree bark, which were bonded with a non-toxic methyl cellulose glue, as a binder. Four types of panels were made, which consisted of varying mixtures of tree bark and hemp fibers (tree bark to hemp fibers percentages of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40). An additional set of panels was made, consisting only of bark. The results showed that addition of hemp fibers to furnish improved mechanical properties of boards to reach an acceptable level. The thermal conductivity unfavorably increased as hemp content increased, though all values were still within the acceptable range. Based on cluster analysis, board type 70:30 (with 30% hemp content) produced the highest mechanical properties as well as the optimal thermal conductivity value. It is concluded that low density insulation boards can be successfully produced using these waste raw materials.
Functional Analysis of Components Manufactured by a Sheet-Bulk Metal Forming Process
Authors: Hetzel Andreas , Schulte Robert , Vogel Manfred , Lechner Michael , Besserer Hans-Bernward , Maier Hans Jürgen , Sauer Christopher , Schleich Benjamin , Wartzack Sandro , Merklein Marion
Published: May 2021

Due to rising demands regarding the functionality and load-bearing capacity of functional components such as synchronizer rings in gear systems, conventional forming operations are reaching their limits with respect to formability and efficiency. One way to meet these challenges is the application of the innovative process class of sheet-bulk metal forming (SBMF). By applying bulk forming operations to sheet metal, the advantages of both process classes can be combined, thus realizing an optimized part weight and an adapted load-bearing capacity. Different approaches to manufacturing relevant part geometries were presented and evaluated regarding the process properties and applicability. In this contribution, a self-learning engineering workbench was used to provide geometry-based data regarding a novel component geometry with circumferential involute gearing manufactured in an SBMF process combination of deep drawing and upsetting. Within the comprehensive investigations, the mechanical and geometrical properties of the part were analyzed. Moreover, the manufactured components were compared regarding the increased fatigue strength in cyclic load tests. With the gained experimental and numerical data, the workbench was used for the first time to generate the desired component as a CAD model, as well as to derive design guidelines referring to the investigated properties and fatigue behavior.
Optimum Curvature Characteristics of Body/Caudal Fin Locomotion
Authors: Liu Yanwen , Jiang Hongzhou
Published: May 2021

Fish propelled by body and/or caudal fin (BCF) locomotion can achieve high-efficiency and high-speed swimming performance, by changing their body motion to interact with external fluids. This flexural body motion can be prescribed through its curvature profile. This work indicates that when the fish swims with high efficiency, the curvature amplitude reaches a maximum at the caudal peduncle. In the case of high-speed swimming, the curvature amplitude shows three maxima on the entire body length. It is also demonstrated that, when the Reynolds number is in the range of 104–106, the swimming speed, stride length, and Cost of Transport (COT) are all positively correlated with the tail-beat frequency. A sensitivity analysis of curvature amplitude explains which locations change the most when the fish switches from the high-efficiency swimming mode to the high-speed swimming mode. The comparison among three kinds of BCF fish shows that the optimal swimming performance of thunniform fish is almost the same as that of carangiform fish, while it is better not to neglect the reaction force acting on an anguilliform fish. This study provides a reference for curvature control of bionic fish in a future time.
A Comparative Study of Statistical Techniques for Prediction of Meteorological and Oceanographic Conditions: An Application in Sea Spray Icing
Authors: Shojaei Barjouei Abolfazl , Naseri Masoud
Published: May 2021

Environmental conditions in Arctic waters pose challenges to various offshore industrial activities. In this regard, better prediction of meteorological and oceanographic conditions contributes to addressing the challenges by developing economic plans and adopting safe strategies. This study revolved around simulation of meteorological and oceanographic conditions. To this aim, the applications of Bayesian inference, as well as Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) methods including sequential importance sampling (SIS) and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) were studied. Three-hourly reanalysis data from the NOrwegian ReAnalysis 10 km (NORA10) for 33 years were used to evaluate the performance of the suggested simulation approaches. The data corresponding to the first 32 years were used to predict the meteorological and oceanographic conditions, and the data corresponding to the following year were used to model verification on a daily basis. The predicted meteorological and oceanographic conditions were then considered as inputs for the newly introduced icing model, namely Marine-Icing model for the Norwegian Coast Guard (MINCOG), to estimate sea spray icing in some regions of the Arctic Ocean, particularly in the sea area between Northern Norway and Svalbard archipelago. The results indicate that the monthly average absolute deviation (AAD) from reanalysis values for the MINCOG estimations with Bayesian, SIS, and MCMC inputs is not greater than 0.13, 0.22, and 0.41 cm/h, respectively.
Investigation of Adequate Calibration Methods for X-ray Fluorescence Core Scanning Element Count Data: A Case Study of a Marine Sediment Piston Core from the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Mondal Md Nurunnabi , Horikawa Keiji , Seki Osamu , Nejigaki Katsuya , Minami Hideki , Murayama Masafumi , Okazaki Yusuke
Published: May 2021

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanner elemental count data are useful for high-resolution paleoceanographic studies. However, because several factors, such as changes in physical core properties, significantly affect element count intensities, the appropriate calibration of the count data is required. Besides, the existing approaches for calibration were not widely employed and require rigorous testing based on sediment variety. In this study, we analyzed high-resolution element intensity (cps) using a wet muddy marine sediment piston core that was collected from the northeast Gulf of Alaska and tested several approaches with ratio and log-ratio methods, and the reliability was evaluated by comparison with the concentrations that were measured by WD-XRF and an elemental analyzer. The results show that the lighter elements (Ti and K) exhibited a significantly weak relationship between raw counts measured by ITRAX and concentrations that were measured by the WD-XRF, indicating that some factors artificially influence ITRAX intensity data. The Cl intensity that is expressed as the water content in marine sediment increased significantly in the upper 202 cm by 42% and the top 25 cm by 73% as compared to the down-core (below 202 cm), which deviates the X-ray scattering and element-counts. The calibration of raw data through coherent/incoherent X-ray scattering ratio (CIR) and additive- and centered-log ratio reduces the offsets. The calibration by CIR performed best for Sr, Fe, Mn, Ti, Ca, K, and Br (0.56 < R2 < 0.91), and the correlation with concentration significantly increased for Ti and K of 100% and 56%, respectively. Therefore, the study suggests that the correction of raw counts through CIR is an effective approach for wet marine sediment when core physical properties have greater variability.
Impact of Typhoons on Floating Offshore Wind Turbines: A Case Study of Typhoon Mangkhut
Authors: Li Jiawen , Bian Jingyu , Ma Yuxiang , Jiang Yichen
Published: May 2021

A typhoon is a restrictive factor in the development of floating wind power in China. However, the influences of multistage typhoon wind and waves on offshore wind turbines have not yet been studied. Based on Typhoon Mangkhut, in this study, the characteristics of the motion response and structural loads of an offshore wind turbine are investigated during the travel process. For this purpose, a framework is established and verified for investigating the typhoon-induced effects of offshore wind turbines, including a multistage typhoon wave field and a coupled dynamic model of offshore wind turbines. On this basis, the motion response and structural loads of different stages are calculated and analyzed systematically. The results show that the maximum response does not exactly correspond to the maximum wave or wind stage. Considering only the maximum wave height or wind speed may underestimate the motion response during the traveling process of the typhoon, which has problems in guiding the anti-typhoon design of offshore wind turbines. In addition, the coupling motion between the floating foundation and turbine should be considered in the safety evaluation of the floating offshore wind turbine under typhoon conditions.
Empirical Support for the Pattern of Competitive Exclusion between Insect Parasitic Fungi
Authors: Li Shiqin , Yi Wenjuan , Chen Siyi , Wang Chengshu
Published: May 2021

Fungal entomopathogens are largely facultative parasites and play an important role in controlling the density of insect populations in nature. A few species of these fungi have been used for biocontrol of insect pests. The pattern of the entomopathogen competition for insect individuals is still elusive. Here, we report the empirical competition for hosts or niches between the inter- and intra-species of the entomopathogens Metarhizium robertsii and Beauveria bassiana. It was found that the synergistic effect of coinfection on virulence increase was not evident, and the insects were largely killed and mycosed by M. robertsii independent of its initial co-inoculation dosage and infection order. For example, >90% dead insects were mycosed by M. robertsii even after immersion in a spore suspension with a mixture ratio of 9:1 for B. bassiana versus M. robertsii. The results thus support the pattern of competitive exclusion between insect pathogenic fungi that occurred from outside to inside the insect hosts. Even being inferior to compete for insects, B. bassiana could outcompete M. robertsii during co-culturing in liquid medium. It was also found that the one-sided mycosis of insects occurred during coinfection with different genotypic strains of either fungi. However, parasexual recombination was evident to take place between the compatible strains after coinfection. The data of this study can help explain the phenomena of the exclusive mycosis of insect individuals, but co-occurrence of entomopathogens in the fields, and suggest that the synergistic effect is questionable regarding the mixed use of fungal parasites for insect pest control.
Heavy Metal-Resistant Filamentous Fungi as Potential Mercury Bioremediators
Authors: Văcar Cristina L. , Covaci Enikö , Chakraborty Somsubhra , Li Bin , Weindorf David C. , Frențiu Tiberiu , Pârvu Marcel , Podar Dorina
Published: May 2021

Filamentous fungi native to heavy metals (HMs) contaminated sites have great potential for bioremediation, yet are still often underexploited. This research aimed to assess the HMs resistance and Hg remediation capacity of fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of plants resident on highly Hg-contaminated substrate. Analysis of Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd concentrations by X-ray spectrometry generated the ecological risk of the rhizosphere soil. A total of 32 HM-resistant fungal isolates were molecularly identified. Their resistance spectrum for the investigated elements was characterized by tolerance indices (TIs) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Clustering analysis of TIs was coupled with isolates’ phylogeny to evaluate HMs resistance patterns. The bioremediation potential of five isolates’ live biomasses, in 100 mg/L Hg2+ aqueous solution over 48 h at 120 r/min, was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry. New species or genera that were previously unrelated to Hg-contaminated substrates were identified. Ascomycota representatives were common, diverse, and exhibited varied HMs resistance spectra, especially towards the elements with ecological risk, in contrast to Mucoromycota-recovered isolates. HMs resistance patterns were similar within phylogenetically related clades, although isolate specific resistance occurred. Cladosporium sp., Didymella glomerata, Fusarium oxysporum, Phoma costaricensis, and Sarocladium kiliense isolates displayed very high MIC (mg/L) for Hg (140–200), in addition to Pb (1568), Cu (381), Zn (2092–2353), or Cd (337). The Hg biosorption capacity of these highly Hg-resistant species ranged from 33.8 to 54.9 mg/g dry weight, with a removal capacity from 47% to 97%. Thus, the fungi identified herein showed great potential as bioremediators for highly Hg-contaminated aqueous substrates.
Epichloë gansuensis Increases the Tolerance of Achnatherum inebrians to Low-P Stress by Modulating Amino Acids Metabolism and Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency
Authors: Liu Yinglong , Hou Wenpeng , Jin Jie , Christensen Michael , Gu Lijun , Cheng Chen , Wang Jianfeng
Published: May 2021

In the long-term evolutionary process, Achnatherum inebrians and seed-borne endophytic fungi, Epichloë gansuensis, formed a mutually beneficial symbiosis relationship, and Epichloë gansuensis has an important biological role in improving the tolerance of host grasses to abiotic stress. In this work, we first assessed the effects of Epichloë gansuensis on dry weight, the content of C, N, P and metal ions, and metabolic pathway of amino acids, and phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) of Achnatherum inebrians at low P stress. Our results showed that the dry weights, the content of alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glycine, glutamine, glutamic acid, L-asparagine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, and tryptophan were higher in leaves of Epichloë gansuensis-infected (E+) Achnatherum inebrians than Epichloë gansuensis-uninfected (E−) Achnatherum inebrians at low P stress. Further, low P stress increased C content of leaves of E+ Achnatherum inebrians compared to 0.5 mM P; Epichloë gansuensis increased K content of leaves compared to the leaf of E− plant at 0.01 mM P and 0.5 mM P. Epichloë gansuensis reduced Ca content of roots compared to the root of E− plant at 0.01 mM P and 0.5 mM P; Epichloë gansuensis reduced the content of Mg and Fe in leaves compared to the leaf of E− plant at 0.01 mM P and 0.5 mM P. In addition, at low P stress, Epichloë gansuensis most probably influenced aspartate and glutamate metabolism; valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis in leaves; and arginine and proline metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism in roots. Epichloë gansuensis also affected the content of organic acid and stress-related metabolites at low P stress. In conclusion, Epichloë gansuensis improves Achnatherum inebrians growth at low P stress by regulating the metabolic pathway of amino acids, amino acids content, organic acid content, and increasing PUE.
Causal Analysis of Ecological Impairment in Land Ecosystem on a Regional Scale: Applied to a Mining City Daye, China
Authors: Guo Kai , Chen Yiyun , Chen Min , Wang Chaojun , Chen Zeyi , Cai Weinan , Li Renjie , Feng Weiming , Jiang Ming
Published: May 2021

We adopted a weight of evidence approach to establish a causal analysis of an impaired land ecosystem on a regional scale; namely, Daye, a traditional mining city in China. Working processes, including problem statements, a list of candidate causes, and a conceptual model were developed to represent a causal hypothesis for describing land degradation. Causal criteria were applied to integrate multiple lines of evidence. Then, various pieces of evidence were scored to either strengthen or weaken our causal assumptions. Results showed that habitat alteration, heavy metal accumulation, organic pollutants, water eutrophication, and nutrient runoff were the probable causes of land ecosystem impairment in Daye. Meanwhile, noxious gas, toxicants, altered underground runoff, atmospheric deposition, and acid rain were identified as possible causes. The most unlikely causes were altered hydrology, altered earth surface runoff, and soil erosion. Soil salinization, soluble inorganic salts, biological species invasion, and pathogens were deferred as delayed causes due to lack of adequate information. The causal analysis approach was applied to identify the primary causes of land degradation and implement accurate protective measures in an impaired land ecosystem.
Effects of Forestry Intensification and Conservation on Green Infrastructures: A Spatio-Temporal Evaluation in Sweden
Authors: Angelstam Per , Manton Michael
Published: May 2021

There is a rivalry between policies on intensification of forest management to meet the demands of a growing bioeconomy, and policies on green infrastructure functionality. Evaluation of the net effects of different policy instruments on real-world outcomes is crucial. First, we present data on final felling rates in wood production landscapes and stand age distribution dynamic in two case study regions, and changes in dead wood amounts in Sweden. Second, the growth of formally protected areas was compiled and changes in functional connectivity analysed in these regions, and the development of dead wood and green tree retention in Sweden was described. The case studies were the counties Dalarna and Jämtland (77,000 km2) representing an expanding frontier of boreal forest transformation. In the wood production landscape, official final felling rates averaged 0.84%/year, extending the regional timber frontier. The amount of forest <60 years old increased from 27–34% in 1955 to 60–65% in 2017. The amounts of dead wood, a key forest naturalness indicator, declined from 1994 to 2016 in north Sweden, and increased in the south, albeit both at levels far below evidence-based biodiversity targets. Formal forest protection grew rapidly in the two counties from 1968 to 2020 but reached only 4% of productive forests. From 2000 to 2019, habitat network functionality for old Scots pine declined by 15–41%, and Norway spruce by 15–88%. There were mixed trends for dead wood and tree retention at the stand scale. The net result of the continued transformation of near-natural forest remnants and conservation efforts was negative at the regional and landscape levels, but partly positive at the stand scale. However, at all three scales, habitat amounts were far below critical thresholds for the maintenance of viable populations of species, let alone ecological integrity. Collaboration among stakeholder categories should reject opinionated narratives, and instead rely on evidence-based knowledge about green infrastructure pressures, responses, and states.
The Diphthong  in Variationist Studies of Brazilian Portuguese: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Araujo Gabriel Antunes de , Vieira Nancy Mendes Torres
Published: May 2021

This study presents a systematic literature review of the monophthongization of the diphthong  in Brazilian Portuguese. Monophthongization is a sound change by which a diphthong becomes a single vowel. Thus, the output of, for example, the word beira (‘edge’) can be b[eɪ̯]ra or b[e]ra. Our primary sources, 10 Master’s theses that analyzed this phenomenon using quantitative sociolinguistic methodologies, focus on individually describing a region’s variety of Portuguese. However, the results were never systematically related to each other. Consequently, these works do not present a comprehensive overview of the production of  in Brazilian Portuguese. Therefore, this systematic review gathers and unifies information dispersed in these studies, aiming to offer an overview of this optional phenomenon. The overall results demonstrate that the following context was the relevant linguistic variable, while the speaker’s educational level and dialect variation are the relevant non-linguistic variables for the application of the monophthongization rule.
“I Speak My Language My Way!”—Young People’s Kunwok
Authors: Marley Alexandra
Published: May 2021

Bininj Kunwok is a Gunwinyguan language (a non-Pama-Nyungan) spoken in west Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park, NT, Australia. With around 2500 speakers and children learning it as a first language, Kunwok is one of the strongest Indigenous languages in Australia. Despite its small speech community, it exhibits considerable variation, much of which has been the subject of recent research. One of the primary findings from this study into variation in Kunwok is the rich interspeaker diversity, particularly between different generations of Kunwok speakers. Comparing the speech of young adults and children with that of their elders through a multigenerational corpus has revealed a language change in progress (demonstrated both in real time and apparent time). This paper will discuss three of the key differentiating features of young people’s Kunwok: word-initial engma production, pronominal forms and paradigms and loanwords. We will also examine community members’ perspectives on young people’s Kunwok on the basis that they provide insight into the ideological frameworks that support the linguistic variation and change documented in the community. In conclusion, the paper will summarise the findings, outlining the main features of young people’s Kunwok, and then reflect on the trajectory of Kunwok and the contributions of this study to our understanding of language change in the Australian Aboriginal context.
Numerical Optimization of a Single Bunch of NiTi Wires to Be Placed in an Elastocaloric Experimental Device: Preliminary Results
Authors: Cirillo Luca , Farina Adriana Rosaria , Greco Adriana , Masselli Claudia
Published: May 2021

Italy has not yet presented to the scientific community any elastocaloric prototype suitable for refrigeration/air conditioning. The SUSSTAINEBLE project was born from the idea to build a demonstrative elastocaloric prototype for environmental conditioning. The prototype is planned to be rotary and composed by a few bunches of elastocaloric wires crossed by air as heat transfer fluid. Many are the parameters to be investigated before the realization of the device. A numerical practical tool would help to easily optimize the prototype. In this paper a two-dimensional tool of a single bunch of elastocaloric wires based on finite-element method is introduced; it can reproduce step by step the velocity and the pressure field of fluid to predict more accurately the solid-to-fluid heat exchange. The results of a test campaign mostly focused on the optimization of the frequency of the cycle, fluid velocity and the distance between the elastocaloric wires are presented. The results reveal that: (i) 0.12 Hz as frequency; (ii) 7 m s−1 as velocity; (iii) 1.0 mm as optimal wire distance, would better satisfy the trade-off existing in the maximization of temperature span and cooling power per mass unit: 23.7 K and 311.97 W kg−1 are the values achieved, respectively.
Deciphering the Structural Characterization, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, Raman Studies, and Temperature-Dependent Magnetodielectric Properties of BiMn2O5
Authors: Felhi Houda , Smari Mourad , Mansouri Saber , Massoudi Jalel , Dhahri Essebti
Published: May 2021

We investigate the structural, Hirshfeld surface, magnetic, and magnetodielectric properties of BiMn2O5. The sample can be indexed with an orthorhombic phase associated with space group Pbam, with crystallographic parameters a = 7.54946 Å, b = 8.54962 Å and c = 5.753627 Å. The Hirshfeld surface analysis, associated with 2D fingerprint plots, was used to visualize and explore the significant intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure quantitatively. The Raman spectra, measured from 6 to 300 K in a frequency range between 250 and 750 cm−1, exhibit good agreement between the SHELL model calculations and the experimental measurement of the proximity of the phonon frequencies for our sample. Furthermore, magnetic measurements show that BiMn2O5 becomes antiferromagnetic below the Néel temperature (TN)—the temperature above which an antiferromagnetic material becomes paramagnetic (TN = 31 K). The relaxation at intermediate temperatures (200–300 K) can be attributed to the polar jump process at two charge transfer sites between the Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions, which, in combination with the special arrangement of the Mn3+/Mn4+ ions, is likely to produce the strong intrinsic magnetodielectric effect (MD) in the same temperature range.
Multiple Diamond-Alpha Integral in General Form and Their Properties, Applications
Authors: Mao Zhong-Xuan , Zhu Ya-Ru , Hou Jun-Ping , Ma Chun-Ping , Liu Shi-Pu
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we introduce the concept of n-dimensional Diamond-Alpha integral on time scales. In particular, it transforms into multiple Delta, Nabla and mixed integrals by taking different values of alpha. Some of its properties are explored, and the relationship between it and the multiple mixed integral is provided. As an application, we establish some weighted Ostrowski type inequalities through the new integral. These new inequalities expand some known inequalities in the monographs and papers, and in addition, furnish some other interesting inequalities. Examples of Ostrowski type inequalities are posed in detail at the end of the paper.
Modeling COVID-19 with Uncertainty in Granada, Spain. Intra-Hospitalary Circuit and Expectations over the Next Months
Authors: Garrido José M. , Martínez-Rodríguez David , Rodríguez-Serrano Fernando , Sferle Sorina-M. , Villanueva Rafael-J.
Published: May 2021

Mathematical models have been remarkable tools for knowing in advance the appropriate time to enforce population restrictions and distribute hospital resources. Here, we present a mathematical Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) model to study the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in Granada, Spain, taking into account the uncertainty of the phenomenon. In the model, the patients moving throughout the hospital’s departments (intra-hospitalary circuit) are considered in order to help to optimize the use of a hospital’s resources in the future. Two main seasons, September–April (autumn-winter) and May–August (summer), where the hospital pressure is significantly different, have been included. The model is calibrated and validated with data obtained from the hospitals in Granada. Possible future scenarios have been simulated. The model is able to capture the history of the pandemic in Granada. It provides predictions about the intra-hospitalary COVID-19 circuit over time and shows that the number of infected is expected to decline continuously from May without an increase next autumn–winter if population measures continue to be satisfied. The model strongly suggests that the number of infected cases will reduce rapidly with aggressive vaccination policies. The proposed study is being used in Granada to design public health policies and perform wise re-distribution of hospital resources in advance.
A Residual-Learning-Based Multi-Scale Parallel-Convolutions- Assisted Efficient CAD System for Liver Tumor Detection
Authors: Maqsood Muazzam , Bukhari Maryam , Ali Zeeshan , Gillani Saira , Mehmood Irfan , Rho Seungmin , Jung Young-Ae
Published: May 2021

Smart multimedia-based medical analytics and decision-making systems are of prime importance in the healthcare sector. Liver cancer is commonly stated to be the sixth most widely diagnosed cancer and requires an early diagnosis to help with treatment planning. Liver tumors have similar intensity levels and contrast as compared to neighboring tissues. Similarly, irregular tumor shapes are another major issue that depends on the cancer stage and tumor type. Generally, liver tumor segmentation comprises two steps: the first one involves liver identification, and the second stage involves tumor segmentation. This research work performed tumor segmentation directly from a CT scan, which tends to be more difficult and important. We propose an efficient algorithm that employs multi-scale parallel convolution blocks (MPCs) and Res blocks based on residual learning. The fundamental idea of utilizing multi-scale parallel convolutions of varying filter sizes in MPCs is to extract multi-scale features for different tumor sizes. Moreover, the utilization of residual connections and residual blocks helps to extract rich features with a reduced number of parameters. Moreover, the proposed work requires no post-processing techniques to refine the segmentation. The proposed work was evaluated using the 3DIRCADb dataset and achieved a Dice score of 77.15% and 93% accuracy.
Localization and Bioreactivity of Cysteine-Rich Secretions in the Marine Gastropod Nucella lapillus
Authors: D’Ambrosio Mariaelena , Gonçalves Cátia , Calmão Mariana , Rodrigues Maria , Costa Pedro M.
Published: May 2021

Marine biodiversity has been yielding promising novel bioproducts from venomous animals. Despite the auspices of conotoxins, which originated the paradigmatic painkiller Prialt, the biotechnological potential of gastropod venoms remains to be explored. Marine bioprospecting is expanding towards temperate species like the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus, which is suspected to secrete immobilizing agents through its salivary glands with a relaxing effect on the musculature of its preferential prey, Mytilus sp. This work focused on detecting, localizing, and testing the bioreactivity of cysteine-rich proteins and peptides, whose presence is a signature of animal venoms and poisons. The highest content of thiols was found in crude protein extracts from the digestive gland, which is associated with digestion, followed by the peribuccal mass, where the salivary glands are located. Conversely, the foot and siphon (which the gastropod uses for feeding) are not the main organs involved in toxin secretion. Ex vivo bioassays with Mytilus gill tissue disclosed the differential bioreactivity of crude protein extracts. Secretions from the digestive gland and peribuccal mass caused the most significant molecular damage, with evidence for the induction of apoptosis. These early findings indicate that salivary glands are a promising target for the extraction and characterization of bioactive cysteine-rich proteinaceous toxins from the species.
In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Sulfated Polysaccharides Isolated from the Edible Brown Seaweed, Sargassum fulvellum
Authors: Wang Lei , Yang Hye-Won , Ahn Ginnae , Fu Xiaoting , Xu Jiachao , Gao Xin , Jeon You-Jin
Published: May 2021

In the present study, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of the sulfated polysaccharides isolated from Sargassum fulvellum (SFPS) were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish. The results indicated that SFPS improved the viability of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages from 80.02 to 86.80, 90.09, and 94.62% at the concentration of 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL, respectively. Also, SFPS remarkably and concentration-dependently decreased the production levels of inflammatory molecules including nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, SFPS significantly inhibited the expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the in vivo test results indicated that SFPS improved the survival rate of LPS-treated zebrafish from 53.33 to 56.67, 60.00, and 70.00% at the concentration of 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, SFPS effectively reduced cell death, reactive oxygen species, and NO levels in LPS-stimulated zebrafish. Taken together, these results suggested that SFPS possesses strong in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities, and could be used as an ingredient to develop anti-inflammatory agents in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries.
Fish Oil Increases Diet-Induced Thermogenesis in Mice
Authors: Yamazaki Tomomi , Li Dongyang , Ikaga Reina
Published: May 2021

Increasing energy expenditure (EE) is beneficial for preventing obesity. Diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) is one of the components of total EE. Therefore, increasing DIT is effective against obesity. We examined how much fish oil (FO) increased DIT by measuring absolute values of DIT in mice. C57BL/6J male mice were given diets of 30 energy% fat consisting of FO or safflower oil plus butter as control oil (Con). After administration for 9 days, respiration in mice was monitored, and then the data were used to calculate DIT and EE. DIT increased significantly by 1.2-fold in the FO-fed mice compared with the Con-fed mice. Body weight gain was significantly lower in the FO-fed mice. FO increased the levels of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) mRNA and UCP1 protein in brown adipose tissue (BAT) by 1.5- and 1.2-fold, respectively. In subcutaneous white adipose tissue (subWAT), the levels of Ucp1 mRNA and UCP1 protein were increased by 6.3- and 2.7-fold, respectively, by FO administration. FO also significantly increased the expression of markers of browning in subWAT such as fibroblast growth factor 21 and cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor α-like effector a. Thus, dietary FO seems to increase DIT in mice via the increased expressions of Ucp1 in BAT and induced browning of subWAT. FO might be a promising dietary fat in the prevention of obesity by upregulation of energy metabolism.
Foundational Statistical Principles in Medical Research: Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive Value, and Negative Predictive Value
Authors: Monaghan Thomas F. , Rahman Syed N. , Agudelo Christina W. , Wein Alan J. , Lazar Jason M. , Everaert Karel , Dmochowski Roger R.
Published: May 2021

Sensitivity, which denotes the proportion of subjects correctly given a positive assignment out of all subjects who are actually positive for the outcome, indicates how well a test can classify subjects who truly have the outcome of interest. Specificity, which denotes the proportion of subjects correctly given a negative assignment out of all subjects who are actually negative for the outcome, indicates how well a test can classify subjects who truly do not have the outcome of interest. Positive predictive value reflects the proportion of subjects with a positive test result who truly have the outcome of interest. Negative predictive value reflects the proportion of subjects with a negative test result who truly do not have the outcome of interest. Sensitivity and specificity are inversely related, wherein one increases as the other decreases, but are generally considered stable for a given test, whereas positive and negative predictive values do inherently vary with pre-test probability (e.g., changes in population disease prevalence). This article will further detail the concepts of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values using a recent real-world example from the medical literature.
Flow Stress of 6061 Aluminum Alloy at Typical Temperatures during Friction Stir Welding Based on Hot Compression Tests
Authors: Ding Sansan , Shi Qingyu , Chen Gaoqiang
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this paper is to report quantitative data and models for the flow stress for the computer simulation of friction stir welding (FSW). In this paper, the flow stresses of the commercial 6061 aluminum alloy at the typical temperatures in FSW are investigated quantitatively by using hot compression tests. The typical temperatures during FSW are determined by reviewing the literature data. The measured data of flow stress, strain rate and temperature during hot compression tests are fitted to a Sellars–Tegart equation. An artificial neural network is trained to implement an accurate model for predicting the flow stress as a function of temperature and strain rate. Two models, i.e., the Sellars–Tegart equation and artificial neural network, for predicting the flow stress are compared. It is found that the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) between the measured and the predicted values are found to be 3.43 MPa for the model based on the Sellars–Tegart equation and 1.68 MPa for the model based on an artificial neural network. It is indicated that the artificial neural network has better flexibility than the Sellars–Tegart equation in predicting the flow stress at typical temperatures during FSW.
AA7075-ZrO2 Nanocomposites Produced by the Consecutive Solid-State Process: A Review of Characterisation and Potential Applications
Authors: Sabbar Huda M. , Leman Zulkiflle , Shamsudin Shazarel B. , Tahir Suraya Mohd , Aiza Jaafar Che N. , Hanim Mohamed A. Azmah , Ismsrrubie Zahari N. , Al-Alimi Sami
Published: May 2021

Solid-state recycling is a direct conversion method for producing metal chips, whereas the materials are plastically deformed into the final product without melting, offering lower energy consumption and metal waste. This technique was reported for fabricating aluminium-zirconium oxide (Al-ZrO2) composite and it was widely used to avoid metal chips bounding at high temperatures during the extrusion process. Aluminium alloy (AA7075) is known for its high yield strength of more than 500 MPa under optimum ageing conditions. However, AA7075 can be further reinforced by zirconium oxide nanoparticles when needed for high-performance applications. Hot extrusion is used to obtain better mechanical properties of composite materials. The equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), a severe plastic deformation technique, was recently used to produce bulk and light recycled metal chips, such as porosity-free and ultra-fine-grained aluminium nanocomposites (ANCs). Heat treatments (HT) and ECAP post hot extrusion are mostly incorporated to improve tribological and mechanical properties and aluminium nanocomposite bonding efficiency. In this review, ANCs’ fabrication by the hot extrusion technique and the effects of ZrO2 nanoparticle are duly summarised and discussed. Furthermore, this review emphasises the importance of using HT and ECAP techniques to acquire better metal alloy incorporation, such as AA7075-ZrO2. Interestingly, owing to the lightweight properties and superior performance of AA7075-ZrO2, it was reported to be suitable for fabricating many drones’ parts, military equipment, and some other promising applications.
Microstructural Evolution along the NiCrMoV Steel Welded Joints Induced by Low-Cycle Fatigue Damage
Authors: Weng Shuo , Huang Yuhui , Zhu Mingliang , Xuan Fuzhen
Published: May 2021

The degradation of mechanical properties of materials is essentially related to microstructural changes under service loadings, while the inhomogeneous degradation behaviors along welded joints are not well understood. In the present work, microstructural evolution under low-cycle fatigue in base metal (BM) and weld metal (WM) of NiCrMoV steel welded joints were investigated by miniature tensile tests and microstructural observations. Results showed that both the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the BM and WM decreased after low-cycle fatigue tests, which were attributed to the reduction of dislocation density and formation of low-energy structures. However, the microstructural evolution mechanisms in BM and WM under the same cyclic loadings were different, i.e., the decrease of dislocation density in BM was attributed to the dislocation pile-ups along the grain boundaries, dislocation tangles around the carbides at the lower strain amplitudes (±0.3% or ±0.5%). Additionally, when the strain amplitude was ±8%, the dislocation density was further decreased by the formation of subgrains in BM. For WM, the dislocation density decreased with the increase of strain amplitude, which was mainly caused by the dislocation pile-ups along the grain boundaries and the formation of subgrains.
The Relationship between Surface and In-Depth Hardness for the Nitrocarburizing Treatment Process
Authors: Réger Mihály , Horváth Richárd , Széll Attila , Réti Tamás , Gonda Viktor , Felde Imre
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study is to exhibit the mutual connection between surface and in depth hardness values in the case of surface-treated metal samples with inhomogeneous hardness distribution in the surface layer. The reason for surface treatments of metal alloys is most commonly to increase the hardness and wear resistance at the surface. Case depth, as a result of surface treatment and the in-depth hardness distribution, can be determined by measuring the hardness of a section perpendicular to the treated surface and by metallographic examination. The result of heat treatment can also be checked rapidly by surface hardness testing. Surface hardness carries only indirect information regarding case depth and hardness distribution. Surface and cross-sectional hardness can be related to the mathematical modeling of the plastic zone developing in the indentation process. The mathematical model applied in this study allows the conversion of the surface hardness function into the in-depth hardness function and vice-versa. The calculation method presented was validated by analyzing the hardness data of nitrocarburized samples of various case depths. The validation result proves that cross-sectional hardness distribution can be adequately estimated by surface hardness data in the case of a surface layer with monotonically decreasing hardness distribution.
A Genetically Engineered Commercial Chicken Line Is Resistant to Highly Pathogenic Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J
Authors: Kheimar Ahmed , Klinger Romina , Bertzbach Luca D. , Sid Hicham , Yu You , Conradie Andelé M. , Schade Benjamin , Böhm Brigitte , Preisinger Rudolf , Nair Venugopal , Kaufer Benedikt B. , Schusser Benjamin
Published: May 2021

Viral diseases remain a major concern for animal health and global food production in modern agriculture. In chickens, avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) represents an important pathogen that causes severe economic loss. Until now, no vaccine or antiviral drugs are available against ALV-J and strategies to combat this pathogen in commercial flocks are desperately needed. CRISPR/Cas9 targeted genome editing recently facilitated the generation of genetically modified chickens with a mutation of the chicken ALV-J receptor Na+/H+ exchanger type 1 (chNHE1). In this study, we provide evidence that this mutation protects a commercial chicken line (NHE1ΔW38) against the virulent ALV-J prototype strain HPRS-103. We demonstrate that replication of HPRS-103 is severely impaired in NHE1ΔW38 birds and that ALV-J-specific antigen is not detected in cloacal swabs at later time points. Consistently, infected NHE1ΔW38 chickens gained more weight compared to their non-transgenic counterparts (NHE1W38). Histopathology revealed that NHE1W38 chickens developed ALV-J typical pathology in various organs, while no pathological lesions were detected in NHE1ΔW38 chickens. Taken together, our data revealed that this mutation can render a commercial chicken line resistant to highly pathogenic ALV-J infection, which could aid in fighting this pathogen and improve animal health in the field.