bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of metakaolin and hybrid polymers incorporated mortar for the compressive strength and acid resistance of industrial and wastewater infrastructure
Authors: Idrees Maria , Hussain Arbab Talib , Saeed Farhan , Hussain Tousif 
Published: October 2020

AbstractConcrete used in sewer pipes and industrial areas is susceptible to acid attacks that can significantly damage wastewater infrastructure. This investigation addresses the effect of using both mineral and polymer admixtures on the flowability, compressive strength, and the resistance against sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid attacks on the modified mortars. The cement was replaced by 10% and 15% of metakaolin along with 5% of two polymer powders: ethylene‐vinyl‐acetate and polyvinyl‐acetate. Raw kaolin clay was heated at 800°C for 8 hours to produce metakaolin. The pozzolanic activity was determined by both strength‐activity index and X‐ray diffraction method. A total of 180 specimens was cast and tested for compressive strength and acid resistance. The outcomes revealed that the workability, along with compressive strength, was improved significantly up to 24% and 18.43%, respectively. While acid resistance of modified mortar was also enhanced considerably by 59.9% and 24.9% against hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, respectively, proving the combinations to be very effective against acid attacks. The investigation focuses on resolving the major wastewater infrastructure issue besides acid utilizing industry and leads toward sustainability. Much sustainable, durable, and environment‐friendly mortar compositions have been suggested to be used in areas prone to acid attacks.
Performance evaluation of aquaporin forward osmosis membrane using chemical fertilizers as a draw solution
Authors: Mirshekar Leila , Kamarehie Bahram , Jafari Ali , Ghaderpoori Mansour , Karami Mohammad Amin , Sahebi Soleyman 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe performance of a newly commercialized aquaporin (AQP)‐based biomimetic forward osmosis (FO) membrane was evaluated with several commonly used fertilizers ((CO (NH2)2, KCl, CaCl2, (NH4)2SO4 and (NH4)2HPO4) as a draw solutions (DSs) to verifying the possible implementation of this AQP‐FO membrane in the fertigation industry. Also, DS and feed solution (FS) concentrations were evaluated under FO and pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) operation modes. The results showed that CaCl2 seems to be a more suitable DS in terms of the tradeoff between water flux and salt permeability, compared to the other DSs used in this study. However, KCl gained the highest performance in terms of water flux which was 13.9 and 24.1 Lm−2 h−1 in the FO and PRO mode, respectively. The performance of the AQP membrane in terms of water flux and reverse solute flux can be improved by modifying the structural and the membrane inhibitor layer characteristics for utilizing in commercial scales to compete with other available membranes of the FO process.
A novel application of Mangifera indica L and Eugenia uniflora L extracts as antioxidants to control biodiesel oxidation stability
Authors: Neuana Neuana Fernando , de Sousa Barboza Jayne Carlos , dos Santos Ester P. , da Silva Maria Lucia Caetano P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe present research aims to evaluate the effect on the stability of biodiesel during the storage period at 60°C and at low temperatures of the antioxidants from extracts of mango (biodiesel with extracts of mango), pitanga (biodiesel with extracts of pitanga) added at concentrations of 500, 2000, 4000 and 8000 parts per million to soybean biodiesel. All samples were characterized by the tests of acid value, kinematic viscosity, cloud point, pour point, pour point, cold filter plugging point and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Through the FTIR, it was observed that the CH and OH regions showed greater intensity for the non‐additive biodiesel (B100) in relation to the additive Biodiesel, which shows the antioxidant effect of the additives on the oxidative stability of biodiesel. The effect of the extracts on thermo‐oxidative stability follows the sequence: mango leaf extracts > pitanga leaf extracts > B100 after 504 h and at the low temperature the effect of antioxidant following sequence: pitanga extract > mango extract > B100 showing the effect of the antioxidant additives of leaf extracts on the stability of soybean biodiesel at regions of high and low temperatures. The mango and pitanga leaves extracts, are very promising as green antioxidant for biodiesel because it allows the longest storage time without deteriorating.
Evolution and Driving Mechanism of Ecological Security Pattern: A Case Study of Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Huang Qianqian , Peng Benhong , Elahi Ehsan , Wan Anxia 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Urbanization adversely affects the ecological environment and reduces the quality of life in China. In view of the current situation, this study aims to determine the dynamics of the ecological security pattern of urban agglomerations using the Yangtze River urban agglomeration (YRUA) as a case study. We used the pressure–state–response (PSR) framework to establish an ecological security assessment system, combined with the technique for order of preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) method and gray correlation method, to estimate a comprehensive ecological security index, and we analyzed its evolution trends and driving mechanisms. The results indicated that the distribution of the regional ecological security level had a linked effect and that industrial pollutants posed the greatest threat to ecological security. Moreover, the main factors affecting the YRUA were urbanization, ecopathology, economic development, population pressure, land pressure, and water resource pressure. For the protection of ecological security, it is necessary to establish an ecological security governance mechanism. Moreover, the study stresses changing the traditional sewage discharge model and establishing an ecologically safe market system. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:573–583. © 2020 SETAC
KEY POINTS
Based on the scale of ecological source, this paper uses the method of combining technique for order of preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) and gray correlation to calculate the ecological security index of an urban agglomeration. Taking Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration as an example, this paper studies the evolution trend of its ecological security, which is of great significance to the study of ecological environment of other urban agglomerations. It is reasonable and general to explore the ecological security situation with the pressure–state–response (PSR) model. The conclusion of this paper is innovative and practical.
Local volumetric mass transfer coefficient estimation for Scenedesmus microalgae culture in a cylindrical airlift photobioreactor
Authors: Ojah Aastha , Sabri Laith S , Aldahhan Muthanna H 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA plug flow model without axial dispersion was utilized to evaluate the mass transfer coefficient in Scenedesmus microalgae culture grown in a split airlift photobioreactor. The local volumetric mass transfer coefficient and the local interfacial area also were calculated at various gas velocity (1.0, 2.0 and 2.8 cm s–1). In the riser and the downcomer section, the local volumetric mass transfer coefficients were dominated by interfacial area and gas holdup values, and were favored by lower optical densities (ODs) and higher values of superficial gas velocities of microalgae cultures. The OD effects on the liquid side and the local volumetric mass transfer coefficient were analyzed over the growth period divided into three zones: Zone I, for OD ≤0.08; Zone II, OD between 0.08 and 0.19; and Zone III, OD between 0.19 and 0.30. Although the local volumetric mass transfer coefficient was constant axially in the riser, it decreased axially on moving through the downcomer. The estimated local volumetric mass transfer coefficient was found always to be higher than that estimated from the available correlations. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Competing native and invasive Anolis lizards exhibit thermal preference plasticity in opposite directions
Authors: Ryan Lucy M. , Gunderson Alex R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInvasive species have emerged as a significant problem in the age of anthropogenic change. Behavior can be key to invasive species success and is strongly affected by temperature. Therefore, knowledge of the temperature dependence of behavior is likely critical to understand invasive species dynamics and their interactions with native species. In this study, we tested for differences in thermal preference plasticity and temperature‐dependent activity levels in a pair of congeneric lizards found in the United States: the invasive Anolis sagrei and the native A. carolinensis. We predicted that A. sagrei would demonstrate greater thermal preference plasticity and would utilize a higher and/or wider range of activity temperatures than A. carolinensis. Both would point to plasticity allowing A. sagrei to behaviorally exploiting thermal conditions that A. carolinensis cannot. We found that both species exhibited plasticity in thermal preference, but in opposite directions: preferred temperatures of A. carolinensis increased with acclimation temperature, while those of A. sagrei decreased. As a result, which species had a higher thermal preference changed with acclimation conditions. We saw no difference in overall field activity rates between the species, but that A. sagrei did tend to be active over a broader range of body temperatures. In sum, we found little evidence that differences in thermal preference plasticity between the species allow A. sagrei to remain active at a higher or broader temperature range than A. carolinensis. Nonetheless, the thermal preference data suggest complementary thermal preferences between the species that could promote microclimatic partitioning, though more work is required to test this idea.
The contributions of climate change and production area expansion to drought risk for maize in China over the last four decades
Authors: Song Yanling , Tian Jinfeng , Linderholm Hans W. , Wang Chunyi , Ou Zhaorong , Chen Deliang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMaize is one of China's most important crops and is profoundly sensitive to drought. Using weather and county‐level maize yield data, the drought risk for maize in China was estimated for the period 1971–2010. The results show that drought risk has increased in China over the last 40 years, and that areas experiencing moderate to high drought risk have expanded, particularly in Northeast China. The main reasons for the observed changes are increased drought hazard associated with climate change, and increased exposure of maize to drought due to an expanded production area. Drought risk over all of China increased by 55% in the 2000s compared to the 1970s. While around 93% of the increase in drought risk in the maize production regions is due to increased drought exposure, 7% is attributable to climate change. In Northeast China alone, drought risk increased by 129% from the 1970s to the 2000s, which is the sum of an 86% increase caused by greater drought exposure, associated with expansion of the production area, and a 14% increase driven by climate change. The results indicate that the drought hazard has increased by around 13%, and drought risk has increased by 110% for each 1°C rise in annual mean temperature in Northeast China over the past 40 years. Maize yield losses have increased by around 4% per 1°C increase in annual mean temperature in this region. The sensitivity of maize to drought means that climate change is likely to have significant negative impact on future maize productivity, and China's export and import of maize is likely to be affected.
THE POWER OF AN ABUNDANCE MINDSET FOR CHANGEMAKERS
Authors: Putnam‐Walkerly Kris 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe author stresses the need for leaders to have an abundance mindset in creating change, particularly in roles of philanthropy. The article begins with three examples of social entrepreneurs adopting an abundance mindset: The Kenya Community Development Foundation, Social Venture Partners India, and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Eight behaviors that lead with abundance are you are proactively generous; you have the courage to grow and develop yourself continuously; you are resilient; you embrace inclusion; you believe you deserve the best; you think big; you take prudent risks; and you invest in your capacity and talent, and that of your partners. Within the section on investing in yourself, four areas are explored: capacity, talent, technology, and learning. Within investing in your partners, the areas are take time to build trusting relationships; stick with partners though challenging times; make sufficient investments in infrastructure, organizational capacity, and long‐term planning; and support the competition. When you or the people around you have an abundance mindset, you’ll routinely hear questions like Who are the top experts in the country (or world) who can advise us? Who are the best people we can get and what is the most strategic use of their time?
Multicomponent Polymerization toward Cationic Polymers for Efficient Gene Delivery
Authors: Zheng Nan , Cudjoe Daniel Kwesi , Song Wangze 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA new class of cationic polymers containing tertiary amine, thioether, and hydroxyl groups are prepared via a catalyst‐free, multicomponent polymerization method using dithiol, formaldehyde, and di‐sec‐amine with a ratio of 1:2:1, to access a library of water‐soluble polymers with well‐defined structures and suitable molecular weights (Mw ranging from 5000 to 8000 Da) in high yields (up to 90%). Such polycations are demonstrated to be promising nonviral gene delivery vectors with high transfection efficiency (up to 3.5‐fold of PEI25k) and low toxicity with multiple functionalities: 1) efficient gene condensation by tertiary amine groups; 2) reactive oxygen species scavenging by thioether groups; and 3) positive charge shielding by hydroxyl groups. Both the thioether and hydroxyl groups are contributed to reduce the cytotoxicity of the polycations by tuning the oxidative stress and preventing the undesired serum binding. The optimized polycations can achieve high transfection efficiency under the serum conditions, indicating the great potential as a nonviral gene delivery vector candidate for clinical application.
Numerical optimisation of chemotherapy dosage under antiangiogenic treatment in the presence of drug resistance
Authors: Bajger Piotr , Bodzioch Mariusz , Foryś Urszula 
Published: October 2020

We consider a two‐compartment model of chemotherapy resistant tumour growth under angiogenic signalling. Our model is based on the one proposed by Hahnfeldt et al. (1999), but we divide tumour cells into sensitive and resistant subpopulations. We study the influence of antiangiogenic treatment in combination with chemotherapy. The main goal is to investigate how sensitive are the theoretically optimal protocols to changes in parameters quantifying the interactions between tumour cells in the sensitive and resistant compartments, that is, the competition coefficients and mutation rates, and whether inclusion of an antiangiogenic treatment affects these results. Global existence and positivity of solutions and bifurcations (including bistability and hysteresis) with respect to the chemotherapy dose are studied. We assume that the antiangiogenic agents are supplied indefinitely and at a constant rate. Two optimisation problems are then considered. In the first problem a constant, indefinite chemotherapy dose is optimised to maximise the time needed for the tumour to reach a critical (fatal) volume. It is shown that maximum survival time is generally obtained for intermediate drug dose. Moreover, the competition coefficients have a more visible influence on survival time than the mutation rates. In the second problem, an optimal dosage over a short, 30‐day time period, is found. A novel, explicit running penalty for drug resistance is included in the objective functional. It is concluded that, after an initial full‐dose interval, an administration of intermediate dose is optimal over a broad range of parameters. Moreover, mutation rates play an important role in deciding which short‐term protocol is optimal. These results are independent of whether antiangiogenic treatment is applied or not.
Bariatric surgery outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries
Authors: Wirth Keith , Kizy Scott , Abdelwahab Hisham , Zhang Jianying , Agarwal Santosh , Ikramuddin Sayeed , Leslie Daniel B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe Medicare population is increasing while the prevalence of obesity remains high. Bariatric surgery is the most efficacious treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. The objective of this investigation was to assess trends in utilization, readmission, mortality, and cost of bariatric surgery in the Medicare population.MethodsUtilizing the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review database, patients with clinically severe obesity undergoing laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) from 2011–2015 were identified. Trends in procedure selection, readmissions, mortality, and cost were examined. A multivariable logistic regression analysis to evaluate factors associated with readmission and mortality was performed.ResultsOf the 73,718 patients identified, 53,949 (73%) of patients were enrolled in Medicare due to disability, 19,191 (26%) due to age, and 578 (<1%) due to end stage renal disease (ESRD). Utilization of SG increased (1% in 2011 to 61% in 2015), while utilization of RYGB (68% to 32%) and LAGB (31% to 1%) decreased. Length of stay (LOS) was highest after RYGB (2.54 days), and lowest after LAGB (1.32 days). LOS decreased from 2.23 days in 2011 to 2.12 days in 2015. Thirty‐day readmissions were 8.24% for the disabled, 5.5% for the elderly, 12.8% with ESRD. Odds of readmission increased with black race, higher body mass index (BMI), and RYGB. Readmission decreased from 8% in 2011 to 7% in 2015. Thirty‐day mortality was 0.22% in the disabled, and 0.28% in the elderly. Odds of 30‐day mortality increased among men, those with higher BMI, some comorbidities, and those who underwent RYGB. Cost of SG decreased while cost of RYGB increased.ConclusionsAmong the Medicare population, an increase in SG while a decrease in RYGB and LAGB utilization was noted from 2011–2015. Readmissions and cost have decreased, while mortality has remained low.
Prevalence and incidence rate of hospital admissions related to medication between 2008 and 2013 in The Netherlands
Authors: Lghoul‐Oulad Saïd Fouzia , Hek Karin , Flinterman Linda E , Herings Ron MC , Warlé‐van Herwaarden Margaretha F , de Bie Sandra , Valkhoff Vera E , Alsma Jelmer , Mosseveld Mees , Vanrolleghem Ann M , Stricker Bruno HCH , Sturkenboom Miriam CJM , De Smet Peter AGM , van den Bemt Patricia MLA 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurposeIn 2009 a Dutch guideline was published containing recommendations to reduce Hospital Admissions Related to Medications (HARMs). This study aims to examine time‐trends of HARMs and their potential preventability between 2008 and 2013 in The Netherlands.MethodsA retrospective prevalence study was conducted using the Dutch PHARMO Database Network. A semi‐automated pre‐selection was used to make a crude identification of possible HARMs of which four samples were selected. These were independently assessed with respect to causality and potential preventability by a physician and pharmacist. The results were stratified by age into 18‐64 years and 65 years and older. For these groups the net prevalences and incidence rates of HARMs and potentially preventable HARMs were calculated for the years 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013.ResultsFour samples of 467 (2008), 447 (2009), 446 (2011) and 408 (2013) admissions were assessed. The net prevalence of HARMs in the 18‐64 years group was approximately four times smaller compared to the older group with a mean prevalence of 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]:2.4%‐3.0%) and 10.2% (95%CI: 9.7%‐10.7%) respectively. The potential preventability was 25.1% (18.4%‐31.8%) and 48.3% (95%CI: 44.8%‐51.8%), respectively. The prevalence of HARMs in both groups did not change significantly between 2008 and 2013 with 2.4% (95%CI: 1.9%‐3.0%) and 10.0% (95%CI: 9.0%‐11.0%) in 2008 and 3.1% (2.7%‐3.5%) and 10.4% (95%CI: 9.4%‐11.4%) in 2013, respectively.ConclusionDespite efforts to reduce HARMs, the prevalence did not decrease over time. Additional measures are therefore necessary, especially in the elderly population.
AuSi molecule revisited: IOTC/CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations
Authors: Barysz Maria , Černušák Ivan , Kellö Vladimir , Neogrády Pavel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe results of theoretical calculations for the ground and low‐lying excited states of the AuSi molecule are presented. Calculations were carried out using the spin‐free relativistic infinite‐order two‐component (IOTC) Hamiltonian in conjunction with the multistate CASPT2 method. For comparison, the ground state was also calculated using the IOTC‐CCSD(T) method. The spin‐orbit coupling is introduced via the restricted active space state interaction method with the use of the atomic mean‐field SO integrals. The results are compared with the available experimental and theoretical results. The spectroscopic parameters derived from the potential energy curves are presented. The results obtained suggest that the experimental data should be reconsidered.
Rapid identification and discrimination of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains via matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Xin , Su Taojunfeng , Hsu Yen‐Michael S. , Yu Hua , Yang He Sarina , Jiang Li , Zhao Zhen 
Published: October 2020

RationaleMethicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of major clinical pathogens responsible for both hospital‐ and community‐acquired infections worldwide. A delay in targeted antibiotic treatment contributes to longer hospitalization stay, higher costs, and increasing in‐hospital mortality. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) has been integrated into the routine workflow for microbial identification over the past decade, and it has also shown promising functions in the detection of bacterial resistance. Therefore, we describe a rapid MALDI‐TOF MS‐based methodology for MRSA screening with machine‐learning algorithms.MethodsA total of 452 clinical S. aureus isolates were included in this study, of which 194 were MRSA and 258 were methicillin‐sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). The mass‐to‐charge ratio (m/z) features from MRSA and MSSA strains were binned and selected through Lasso regression. These features were then used to train a non‐linear support vector machine (SVM) with radial basis function (RBF) kernels to evaluate the discrimination performance. The classifiers' accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were evaluated and compared with those from the random forest (RF) model.ResultsA total of 2601 unique spectral peaks of all isolates were identified and 38 m/z features were selected for the classifying model. The AUCs of the non‐linear RBF‐SVM model and the RF model were 0.89 and 0.87, respectively, and the accuracy ranged between 0.86 (RBF‐SVM) and 0.82 (RF).ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that MALDI‐TOF MS coupled with machine‐learning algorithms could be used to develop a rapid and easy‐to‐use method to discriminate MRSA from MSSA. Considering that this method is easy to implement in routine microbiology laboratories, it suggests a cost‐effective and time‐efficient alternative to conventional resistance detection in the future to improve clinical treatment.