bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upper and lower limb performance fatigability in people with multiple sclerosis investigated through surface electromyography: a pilot study
Authors: Beretta-Piccoli Matteo , Cescon Corrado , Barbero Marco , Villiger Michael , Clijsen Ron , Kool Jan , Kesselring Jürg , Bansi Jens 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Objective: Fatigue experienced by people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is multidimensional, consisting of different components, such as perceived, physical and cognitive fatigue and performance fatigability. At present, there is no gold standard to assess performance fatigability in pwMS; therefore, we aimed to determine whether, during a fatiguing task, average rectified value (ARV), mean frequency of the power spectrum (MNF), muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) and fractal dimension (FD) of surface electromyography (sEMG) may be used as indirect indices of performance fatigability. Moreover, we analyzed whether a three-week rehabilitation program impacts on performance fatigability in pwMS, and whether a relationship between sEMG parameters and trait levels of perceived fatigability, before and after rehabilitation, does exist. Approach: Twenty-one pwMS performed a 20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of 1 min, and afterwards a 60% MVC held until exhaustion. sEMG signals were detected from the biceps brachii, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis. Performance fatigability was determined at entry to (t
0) and discharge from (t
1) rehabilitation. Perceived fatigability was measured at t
0 and t
2, one month after rehabilitation. Main results: ARV, MNF, CV and FD rates of change showed significant changes at t
0 and t
1 (p  <  0.05) during the high-level contraction in the BB, but rather limited in the vastii muscles. Moreover, rehabilitation did not induce any reductions in either perceived or performance fatigability. No significant correlations between ARV, MNF, CV and FD rates of change during the 60% MVC and perceived fatigability, at t
0 and t
2, were found. Significance: Our findings suggest that the sEMG parameters are useful for indirectly assessing performance fatigability in pwMS during sub-maximal fatiguing contractions, particularly in the biceps brachii.
A swarm design paradigm unifying swarm behaviors using minimalistic communication
Authors: Cherian Varughese Joshua , Hornischer Hannes , Zahadat Payam , Thenius Ronald , Wotawa Franz , Schmickl Thomas 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Numerous nature inspired algorithms have been suggested to enable robotic swarms, mobile sensor networks and other multi-agent systems to exhibit various self-organized behaviors. Swarm intelligence and swarm robotics research have been underway for a few decades and have produced many such algorithms based on natural self-organizing systems. While a large body of research exists for variations and modifications in swarm intelligence algorithms, there have been few attempts to unify the underlying agent level design of these widely varying behaviors. In this work, a design paradigm for a swarm of agents is presented which can exhibit a wide range of collective behaviors at swarm level while using minimalistic single-bit communication at the agent level. The communication in the proposed paradigm is based on waves of ‘ping’-signals inspired by strategies for communication and self organization of slime mold (Dictyostelium discoideum) and fireflies (lampyridae). The unification of common collective behaviors through this Wave Oriented Swarm Paradigm (WOSP) enables the control of swarms with minimalistic communication and yet allowing the emergence of diverse complex behaviors. It is demonstrated both in simulation and using real robotic experiments that even a single-bit communication channel between agents suffices for the design of a substantial set of behaviors. Ultimately, the reader will be enabled to combine different behaviours based on the paradigm to develop a control scheme for individual swarms.
Domestic well vulnerability to drought duration and unsustainable groundwater management in California’s Central Valley
Authors: Pauloo R A , Escriva-Bou A , Dahlke H , Fencl A , Guillon H , Fogg G E 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Millions of Californians access drinking water via domestic wells, which are vulnerable to drought and unsustainable groundwater management. Groundwater overdraft and the possibility of longer drought duration under climate change threatens domestic well reliability, yet we lack tools to assess the impact of such events. Here, we leverage 943 469 well completion reports and 20 years of groundwater elevation data to develop a spatially-explicit domestic well failure model covering California’s Central Valley. Our model successfully reproduces the spatial distribution of observed domestic well failures during the severe 2012–2016 drought (n = 2027). Next, the impact of longer drought duration (5–8 years) on domestic well failure is evaluated, indicating that if the 2012–2016 drought would have continued into a 6 to 8 year long drought, a total of 4037–5460 to 6538–8056 wells would fail. The same drought duration scenarios with an intervening wet winter in 2017 lead to an average of 498 and 738 fewer well failures. Additionally, we map vulnerable wells at high failure risk and find that they align with clusters of predicted well failures. Lastly, we evaluate how the timing and implementation of different projected groundwater management regimes impact groundwater levels and thus domestic well failure. When historic overdraft persists until 2040, domestic well failures range from 5966 to 10 466 (depending on the historic period considered). When sustainability is achieved progressively between 2020 and 2040, well failures range from 3677 to 6943, and from 1516 to 2513 when groundwater is not allowed to decline after 2020.
Assessment of the short-term mortality effect of the national action plan on air pollution in Beijing, China
Authors: Han Ling , Sun Zhaobin , Gong Tianyi , Zhang Xiaoling , He Juan , Xing Qian , Li Ziming , Wang Ji , Ye Dianxiu , Miao Shiguang 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (referred to as the Action Plan henceforth) provides a golden opportunity for China to evaluate whether the remarkable air quality improvements as a result of the plan have brought about health benefits to residents. Based on the ground-level particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) concentrations and the daily respiratory–cardiovascular mortality, we aimed to assess changes in the mortality effect associated with short-term exposure to PM2.5 due to the implementation of the Action Plan in Beijing. We analyzed the changes in PM2.5 concentrations and air quality during the pre- and post-emission reduction periods. We then used the generalized additive model to estimate the changes in mortality risk associated with PM2.5 exposure during both periods. We found that following the introduction of the Action Plan, the annual average PM2.5 concentrations declined from 101.7 μg m−3 in 2013 to 58.6 μg m−3 in 2017, attaining the target of the plan (60 μg m−3). The remarkable reduction in PM2.5 concentrations has led to a marked decrease in mortality risk. Compared with the pre-emission reduction level, total respiratory mortality decreased from 0.56% (95% CI: 0.40%–0.73%) to 0.43% (95% CI: 0.23%–0.63%), while the total cardiovascular mortality decreased from 0.44% (95% CI: 0.37%–0.52%) to 0.29% (95% CI: 0.19%–0.39%). Significant decreases were also observed in sex-specific subgroups. Our study implied that the significant efforts of the nation to clean China’s air has yielded positive results of air quality improvement and human health protection in Beijing. However, the ambient air pollution in Beijing remains severe. The PM2.5 concentrations still exceed the level (annual average of 10 μg m−3) recommended by the World Health Organization. Thus, consistent efforts are required to implement the emission abatement measures to continuously curb air pollution and protect public health.
Sputtered Mo-bilayer thin films with reduced thickness and improved electrical resistivity
Authors: Keleş Filiz , Atasoy Yavuz , Seyhan Ayşe 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In this study, Mo-bilayer film, the thickness of which was reduced to approximately 270 nm with a very low resistivity of 14 μΩ.cm, was successfully grown by DC magnetron sputter. The Mo-bilayer, whose bottom and top layers were obtained by high pressure sputter (HPS) and low pressure sputter (LPS) respectively, demonstrates good adhesivity and crystalline properties, together with high reflectance. In order to obtain Mo-bilayer with these improved properties, we first determined the optimal growth temperature and pressure parameters by checking the structural and electrical properties respectively of Mo-single layers. As a result, we achieved a deposit of Mo-bilayer thin film that can be used as a good back contact layer in solar cell applications, both in terms of material cost saving and its superior properties, even at such low thickness.
Investigation of slurry erosion-corrosion behavior of Ta(Si1−xAlx)2 nanocrystalline coatings
Authors: Xu Jiang , Xie Qingwen , Peng Shuang , Li Zhengyang , Jiang Shuyun 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
To enhance the erosion-corrosion resistance of titanium alloys, two Ta(Si1−xAlx)2 coatings with different Al content were deposited on Ti−6Al−4V alloy by double cathode glow discharge method. The coatings consist of single hexagonal C40 structured TaSi2 phase, which forms an equiaxed grain structure with an average diameter of ∼5 nm. Al addition was found to enhance the values of H/E and adhesive strength between the substrate and coating. The erosion–corrosion behavior of the coatings was studied in a liquid–solid acid slurry flow (specifically a medium of 5 wt% HCl solution that contained a 10 wt% concentration of silica-based sand) using electrochemical measurements, weight loss tests and SEM observation. The results indicated that the ternary Ta(Si0.875Al0.125)2 coating provided better protection, compared to the binary TaSi2 coating, against the combined attack of mechanical erosion and electrochemical corrosion in a liquid–solid acid slurry flow. This is attributable to high self-healing ability of the surface passive film and a higher H/E ratio.
Remarkable photocatalytic degradation of Remazol Brilliant Blue R dye using bio-photocatalyst ‘nano-hydroxyapatite’
Authors: Begum Sumayya , Narwade Vijaykiran N , Halge Devidas I , Jejurikar Suhas M , Dadge Jagdish W , Muduli Subas , Mahabole Megha P , Bogle Kashinath A 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNanostructured bio-photocatalyst hydroxyapatite (HAp) was synthesized by a simple and productive wet chemical precipitation method to explore the photocatalytic performance of the material for degradation of Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dye. Wet chemically synthesized nano-HAp was characterized through x-ray diffraction, Transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, N2-adsorption–desorption, thermo gravimetric analyzer, Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis absorption techniques. Photocatalytic degradation of RBBR under ultraviolet irradiation was examined and ∼80% degradation was achieved in 120 min by using nano-HAp. The photocatalytic degradation followed Parabolic Diffusion kinetics. Fast degradation kinetics and removal of RBBR dye was achieved by nano-HAp due to modification of surface entities leading to suppression of photo-generated electron-hole recombination. This makes nano-HAp a remarkable bio-photocatalyst material for removing dyes from water.
Design and construction of a microporous

CO

3

2
−

-containing HA/β-TCP biphasic ceramic as a novel bone graft material
Authors: Dou Wenxue , Chen Haiwen , Chen Tong , Zhu Qingfeng , Jiang Danyu , Xue Zhenhai , Wang Shuang , Wang Shaohai , Tang Weizhong 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics, viewed as the first-line therapeutic materials in clinical practice, are still confronted with challenges such as undesirable biocompatibility and bioactivity given their structural and chemical deficiency. In this study, we designed a novel microporous

CO

3

2
−

-containing BCP ceramic from Salmo salar bone in a CO2 atmosphere via two-step high-temperature sintering, and its physicochemical properties and biocompatibility were explored. A without

CO

3

2
−

- BCP bioceramic material prepared in a single gas atmosphere was used as a comparison. The two scaffolds were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) , measured the size of its porosity and specific surface area by an instrument and in vitro cell experiment was used to test its biocompatibility. Such synthetic strategy endowed the BCP products with increased β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) percentage from 37.18wt% to 45.3wt% (compared to BCP without

CO

3

2
−

), with the

CO

3

2
−

content calculated to be 1.98wt%, which is close to that in human bone tissue. The amount of

CO

3

2
−

incorporation, the a-axes of the lattice parameters have decreased significantly from 9.4845 nm to 9.2942 nm by Rietveld structure refinement. Especially, the novel

CO

3

2
−

containing BCP exhibits a lower degree of crystallinity than that without CO32-. In addition, the natural microporosity remarkably increased from 49.6% for BCP without

CO

3

2
−

to 64.06% for

CO

3

2
−

-containing BCP, and the specific surface area increased from 5.829 m2g−1 to 17.161 m2g−1. Besides, two materials were non-toxic to human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and the

CO

3

2
−

-containing BCP had more factor expression in the early stage of osteogenesis induction, such as Runx2 and Smad 4. Overall, microporous

CO

3

2
−

-containing BCP were prepared via a simple preparation method from natural bone, combining the structural and chemical preponderance, as well as in vitro performance it should be considered as a promising biomaterial for further explorations in the fields of bone graft materials from natural bone to satisfy versatile clinical requirements.
Finite element model based on an efficient layerwise theory for dynamics and active vibration control of smart functionally graded beams
Authors: Yasin M Yaqoob , Prakash Bhanu , Khan Arshad Hussain 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In this work, we present a two-noded efficient finite element (FE) model incorporating the layer-wise mechanics for the dynamics and active vibration control of smart functionally graded (FG) beams. The material properties in the FG beam are assumed to vary smoothly in the thickness direction according to power law variation. The effective properties are computed using Mori-Tanaka homogenization scheme. Electric potential profile in the electroded piezoelectric layers/patches is assumed quadratic across its thickness. The equations of motion are derived using extended Hamilton’s principle. Due to the complex algebraic expressions involved in the effective properties of FG system, the inertia and stiffness parameters are computed numerically using six point Gauss integration method. To fulfill the convergence requirements for weak integration of various energy terms in the variational formulation, the transverse displacement is interpolated with Hermite interpolation function possessing C1-continuity while the inplane displacement, shear rotation and quadratic component of the electric potential are interpolated with linear Lagrangian functions of C0-continuity. The equipotential condition of the electroded piezoelectric sensors and actuators is conveniently modelled using electric node concept. The control system is designed for constant gain velocity feedback (CGVF), and optimal LQR and LQG control strategies for a reduced order model using state space approach. The control performance is studied for single-input-single-output (SISO) and multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) configurations under various excitations. The effect of material inhomogeneity on stability/instability of the closed-loop response in the CGVF control has been discussed.
Microstructural, mechanical and tribological characterization on the Al based functionally graded material fabricated powder metallurgy
Authors: Srinivas P Naga Sudhakar , Babu P Ravindra , B Balakrishna 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The characteristics of composite materials can be enhanced by using it as functionally graded composites (FGM). In this work, four-layer FGMs are produced by using aluminum, silicon carbide,and magnesium peroxide. The entire fabrication process has been performed through the sintering process, in which, the powder methodology is used to blend the particles of each material. During the fabrication of FGM, three parameters such as sintering time, sintering temperature and compacting pressure are considered. Four layers of the FGM are formulated as 100% of pure aluminum, 90%Al + 10%SiC, 90%Al + 5%SiC + 5%MgO2, and 85%Al + 5%SiC + 10%MgO2 respectively. The created FGMs have been analyzed to find out the mechanical, tribological and microstructural characteristics. The microstructure and worn-out surface of the FGM layers are analyzed via the scanning electron microscopy. In the mechanical analysis, the compressive strength and hardness characteristics of FGM material are investigated. The outcomes of the mechanical analysis are exhibited that the FGMs deliver the finest compressive strength,microhardness,and macro hardness as 315 Mpa, 1.26 Gpa,and 1.87 Gpa which are higher than the composite materials. Finally, Taguchi optimization has been performed to determine the optimum process parameters in terms of mechanical characteristics. The results of the Taguchi optimization exhibited that the mechanical characteristics of FGM are highly depending upon the sintering temperature and slightly on compacting pressure and sintering time.
Effect of Ni-based cathodic layer on intermediate temperature tubular electrolysis cell using LaGaO3-based electrolyte thin film
Authors: Tan Zhe , Ishihara Tatsumi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
NiO-YSZ tubular-type supported solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) was prepared by dip-coating and co-sintering process for intermediate temperature steam electrolysis. To achieve a small overpotential, infiltration of Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ
(SSC) powder into porous La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−δ
(LSGM) layer on dense LSGM electrolyte film was performed for the air electrode. In this study, the effect of the Ni-Sm0.2Ce0.8O2−δ
(Ni-SDC) and Ni-Fe2O3 (Ni-Fe) cathodic layer on steam electrolysis was further investigated. It was found that the Ni-based layer was effective for increasing electrolysis performance of the cell at low temperature in particular, but Ni-Fe layer was more effective. Impedance analysis suggests that this increased electrolysis performance of the cell using Ni-Fe layer was attributed to the decrease both in cathodic IR loss and overpotential. Electrolysis current density at 1.5 V was achieved to current density of 0.69, 0.47 and 0.28 A cm−2 at 873, 823 and 773 K, respectively. In addition, the overpotential was also decreased by the insertion of Ni-SDC layer, which shows the mixed conductivity. The long-term stability of the cell when using Ni-SDC layer was also measured up to 150 h and stable electrolysis performance was demonstrated (degradation rate: around 1.9%/100 h).
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of burns in the older person: a seven-year retrospective analysis of 693 cases at a burn center in south-west China
Authors: Qian Wei , Wang Song , Wang Yangping , Zhang Xiaorong , Liu Mian , Zhan Rixing , Huang Yong , He Weifeng , Luo Gaoxing 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Burns are one of the major traumas that may affect older individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of geriatric burns at a major center in south-west China.

Methods
This retrospective study was conducted at the Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital of Army Medical University between 2010 and 2016, and the data collected from medical records included admission date, age, gender, premorbid disease, burn etiology, injured anatomical location, burn area and depth, inhalation injury, number of surgeries, length of stay (LOS), clinical outcome, and medical cost.

Results
Of the 693 older burn patients included, 60.75% were male and 56.85% were aged 60–69 years. Burns peaked in December–March and June. Flame was the most common cause of burns, making up 51.95% of all cases, and also dominated in the burn patients aged 60–69 years. Limbs were the most common anatomical sites of burns (69.41%), and the median total body surface area (TBSA) was 5% (interquartile range [IQR]: 2%–15%). The percentage of the patients who underwent surgeries and number of surgeries significantly increased in the cases of contact burns, younger age and full-thickness burns. Six deaths resulted in a mortality of 0.9%. The median LOS was 16 days (IQR: 8–29 days), and the main risk factors were more surgeries, better outcomes, and full-thickness burns. The median cost was 20,228 CNY (IQR: 10,457– 46,581.5 CNY), and major risk factors included longer LOS, larger TBSA, and more surgeries. Furthermore, compared to the earlier data from our center, the proportion of older adults among all burns (7.50% vs. 4.15%), proportion of flame burns (51.95% vs. 33.90%), and mean age (69.05 years vs. 65.10 years) were significantly higher, while the proportion of premorbidities (16.9% vs. 83.9%), mortality (0.9% vs. 7.5%) and median TBSA (5% vs. 21%) were significantly lower.

Conclusions
This study suggested that closer attention should be paid to prevent burn injuries in older people aged 60–69 years, especially males, regarding incidents in the summer and winter, and flame burns. Moreover, tailored intervention strategies based on related risk factors should be under special consideration.
“We Act as One Lest We Perish Alone”: A Case Study in Mediated White Nationalist Activism
Authors: Feshami Kevan A 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis article provides a case study of mediated white nationalist activism, focusing on how white nationalists circulate affects to reinforce and grow the movement. The article examines a group called EuropeanUnity565 (EU565) which maintained several social media accounts, most prominently a YouTube channel, to distribute white nationalist video content which they subtitled in English and other European languages. Intended to foster racial harmony across ethno-linguistic lines in order to resist perceived racial imperilment—a sentiment captured in their motto, “We act as one lest we perish alone”—EU565’s activism fits into a larger tradition of urging the importance of racial community and belonging. The article thus also situates EU565 within a broader tradition of white nationalist activism called metapolitics. The potential for this networked activism, of which EU565 is only a part, to reach larger publics makes research in this area important, a task to which this case study contributes.