bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of discharges of water flows and debris floods in a small watershed
Authors: Guo Xiaojun , Cui Peng , Chen Xingchang , Li Yong , Zhang Ju , Sun Yuqing 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFloods in small mountainous watersheds cover a wide spectrum of flow. They can range from clear water flows and hyperconcentrated flows to debris floods and debris flows, and calculation of the peak discharge is crucial for predicting and mitigating such hazards. To determine the optimal approach for discharge estimation, this study compared water flow monitoring hydrographs to investigate the performance of five hydrological models that incorporate different runoff yields and influx calculation methods. Two of the models performed well in simulating the peak discharge, peak time, and total flow volume of the water flood. The ratio (γ) of the monitored debris flood discharge (Qd) to the simulated water flow discharge (Qw) was investigated. Qualitatively, γ initially increased with Qw but then decreased when Qw exceeded a certain threshold, which corresponded to rainfall of 95 and 120 mm in a 6‐ and 24‐h event with a normal distribution of precipitation, respectively. The decrease might be attributable to a threshold of sediment availability being reached, beyond which increased flow rate is not matched by increased sediment input in the large watershed. Uncertainty of hydrological calculation was evaluated by dividing the catchment into sub‐basins and adopting different rainfall time steps as input. The efficiency of using a distributed simulation exhibited marginal improvement potential compared with a lumped simulation. Conversely, the rainfall time step input significantly affected the simulation results by delaying the peak time and decreasing the peak discharge. This research demonstrates the applicability of a discharge estimation method that combines a hydrological water flow simulation and an estimation of γ. The results were verified on the basis of monitored flow densities and videos obtained in two watersheds with areas of 2.34 and 32.4 km2.
Wildfire and earth surface processes
Authors: Rengers F. K. , McGuire Luke A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWildfire is a landscape‐scale disturbance that changes the rate and magnitude of many earth surface processes. The impacts of fire on earth surface processes can vary substantially from place to place depending on a variety of site‐specific conditions, including topography, fire severity, regional climate, vegetation type, and soil type. This variation makes it critical to bring together scientists studying fire and earth surface processes from different perspectives and in different parts of the world. This special issue pulls together studies that present cutting‐edge research addressing the geomorphic and hydrologic impacts of wildfire across a range of spatial and temporal scales, including advances in managing some of the negative, short‐term effects of wildfire. Contributions to this collection cover the following themes: insights from field measurements, sediment and carbon redistribution, insights from process‐based modeling, post‐fire debris flows, and post‐fire mitigation. The work presented in this special issue will help to advance the capabilities of scientists and land managers to observe, simulate, and anticipate changes to earth surface processes following fire.
A systematic survey on internet of things: Energy efficiency and interoperability perspective
Authors: Rana Bharti , Singh Yashwant , Singh Pradeep Kumar 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWith the provision of rapid advancement in smart devices used in various technological fields exponentially increases the heterogeneity and energy consumption in internet of things (IoT). The technological leap in information and communication technology instigates the heterogeneity in smart devices, frameworks, architectures, communication technologies, and various industrial and nonindustrial applications. Therefore, a detailed taxonomy of IoT is proposed covering the diverse aspect of IoT lacking interoperability and energy efficiency. Existing research lacks the root causes of heterogeneity and energy consumption at the industrial and technological level. Keeping this in view, our research identified industrial integration and technological challenges. Moreover, we explore the effect on IoT devices when different types of energy harvesters are connected with IoT devices. Our comprehensive research addresses the various issues such as resource management, fog data analytics, energy consumption, heterogeneity, scalability, and the role of quality of service, data science, machine learning to accomplish interoperability and energy efficiency in IoT.
Exerted force estimation using a wearable sensor during manual material handling
Authors: Chihara Takanori , Sakamoto Jiro 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWhile evaluating the physical workload on workers, the force exerted needs to be estimated in a convenient way because biomechanical analysis for physical workload evaluation requires data on both posture and exerted force. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of exerted force estimation using a wearable device that can be easily utilized even by ordinary workers. We measured eight electromyograms (EMGs) on the forearm and the forearm posture with an armband type wearable sensor during manual material handling with varying holding weights and heights. The measurement results showed that the EMGs monotonically increased with an increase in weight. In addition, the EMGs varied with the holding height even when the same weight was held. We constructed an estimation function of the weight using multiple regression analysis. Two sets of explanatory variables were used to investigate the effectiveness of the forearm posture data: the eight EMGs (i.e., SET 1) and the eight EMGs and the two forearm angles (i.e., SET 2). Multiple regression analysis showed that the accuracy of SET 2 was better than that of SET 1. In addition, the average absolute error of the estimation function with SET 2 was 1.49 kg; thus, we concluded that the accuracy of this estimation function has sufficient accuracy for the evaluation of physical workload.
The impact of childhood experience of starvations on the health of older adults: Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Yiwei , Diao Li , Xu Ling 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis paper used pooled cross‐sectional data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey to comprehensively investigate how childhood experiences of starvation affect the health of older Chinese adults. The study found that the childhood experience of starvation was negatively correlated with self‐rated health, functional health and cognitive health among older adults. After using the model and variable substitution methods to address the endogeneity problems caused by omitted variables, the negative effects of childhood experiences of starvation on the health of older adults were still present. The Karlson–Holm–Breen decomposition method was used to test the mediation effects, and it was found that childhood experiences of starvation had adverse effects on the health of older adults through endowment insurance, household income, education and nutrition. Consequently, the government should strengthen nutrition or other related health interventions for children and make longer‐term plans for improving the health of older adults.
Nonlinear convection flow of dissipative Casson nanofluid through an inclined annular microchannel with a porous medium
Authors: Idowu Amos S. , Akolade Mojeed T. , Oyekunle Timothy L. , Abubakar Jos U. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe nonlinear convection study on the flow of a dissipative Casson nanofluid through a porous medium of an inclined micro‐annular channel is presented. The cylindrical surfaces were conditioned to temperature increase and velocity slip effects. A uniform magnetic field strength was applied perpendicular to the cylinder surface. The heat source and Darcy number influence are explored in the examination of the blood rheological model (Casson) through the annular cylinder. Appropriate dimensionless variables are imposed on the dimensional equations encompassing Casson nanofluid rheology through an annular microchannel. The resulting systems of equations were solved and computed numerically via Chebyshev‐based collocation approach. Thus, the solutions of flow distributions, volumetric flow rate, and other flow characteristics were obtained. The result shows that both nonlinear convection parameters decrease the nanoparticle volume fraction, whereas they increase the energy and momentum distributions. Moreover, the volumetric flow rate is upsurged significantly by a wider porous medium, annular gap, a higher Casson parameter, and nonlinear convection influence.
Hydrologic variability in black ash wetlands: Implications for vulnerability to emerald ash borer
Authors: Cianciolo Thomas R. , Diamond Jacob S. , McLaughlin Daniel L. , Slesak Robert A. , D'Amato Anthony W. , Palik Brian J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBlack ash (Fraxinus nigra) wetlands are widespread, forested landscape features in the western Great Lakes region. However, the future of these ecosystems is threatened due to impending spread of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB), which results in tree mortality, decreased transpiration, and potential shifts to wetter, non‐forested conditions. The vulnerability to such ecohydrologic shifts likely varies according to local hydrologic regimes controlled by landscape settings, but this site‐dependent vulnerability and our ability to predict it is unknown. Here, we assessed vulnerability potential as a function of site hydrology in 15 undisturbed black ash wetlands from their three most common hydrogeomorphic settings in northern Minnesota: lowland, depression, and transition. Further, we used high‐resolution (1‐cm) surface elevation models to assess spatial variability of water levels at a subset of 10 sites. Although we observed similar ET and groundwater exchange rates among settings, lowland sites were generally drier because of elevated landscape position and greater water level drawdowns (via lower specific yield). We predict that such drier sites will exhibit greater water level increases following EAB‐induced ash mortality, compared to wetter sites where open water evaporation and shallow‐rooted understory transpiration will offset losses in tree transpiration. Moreover, compared to wetter sites, drier sites exhibited minimal microtopographic variation, limiting the number of elevated microsites for tree establishment and eventual canopy recovery after ash loss. These results suggest that site wetness is a simple and effective predictor of black ash wetland vulnerability to hydrologic regime change. To that end, we assessed the ability of common terrain metrics to predict site wetness, providing a potential tool to target vulnerable areas for active management efforts.
Sex discrepancy in the reduction of mucosal‐associated invariant T cells caused by obesity
Authors: Liu Jianyun , Nan Hongmei , Brutkiewicz Randy R , Casasnovas Jose , Kua Kok Lim 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionGut microbiota has been reported to contribute to obesity and the pathology of obesity‐related diseases but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Mucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a unique subpopulation of T cells characterized by the expression of a semi‐invariant T cell receptor (TCR) α chain (Vα19 in mice; Vα7.2 in humans). The expansion and maturation of MAIT cells require the gut microbiota and antigen‐presenting molecule MR1, suggesting that MAIT cells may play a unique role in bridging gut microbiota, obesity, and obesity‐associated inflammation.MethodsThe levels of human MAIT cells from obese patients, as well as mouse MAIT cells from obese mouse models, were determined by flow cytometry. By comparing to controls, we analyzed the change of MAIT cells in obese subjects.ResultsWe found obese patients had fewer circulating MAIT cells than healthy‐weight donors and the difference was more distinct in male patients. Consistently, male mice (but not female mice) have shown reduced MAIT cells in the liver and adipose tissue after a 10‐week Western diet compared to mice on a control diet. We also explored the possibility of utilizing high‐throughput technology (i.e., quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR]), other than flow cytometry, to determine the expression levels of the invariant TCR of human MAIT cells. But a minimal correlation (R2 = 0.23, p = .11) was observed between qPCR and flow cytometry data.ConclusionOur study suggests that there is a sex discrepancy in the impact of obesity on MAIT cells: MAIT cells in male (but not female) humans and male mice are reduced by obesity.
Prospective longitudinal study of immune checkpoint molecule (ICM) expression in immune cell subsets during curative conventional therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
Authors: von Witzleben Adrian , Fehn Adrian , Grages Ayla , Ezić Jasmin , Jeske Sandra S. , Puntigam Lisa K. , Brunner Cornelia , Kraus Johann M. , Kestler Hans A. , Doescher Johannes , Brand Matthias , Theodoraki Marie‐Nicole , Ottensmeier Christian H. , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Schuler Patrick J. , Laban Simon 
Published: December 2020

AbstractProgrammed‐death‐1 (PD1) antibodies are approved for recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Multiple drugs targeting costimulatory and coinhibitory immune checkpoint molecules (ICM) have been discovered. However, it remains unknown how these ICM are affected by curative conventional therapy on different immune cell subsets during the course of treatment. In the prospective noninterventional clinical study titled “Immune Response Evaluation to Curative conventional Therapy” (NCT03053661), 22 patients were prospectively enrolled. Blood samples were drawn at defined time points throughout curative conventional treatment and follow‐up. Immune cells (IC) from the different time points were assessed by multicolor flow cytometry. The following ICM were measured by flow cytometry: PD1, CTLA4, BTLA, CD137, CD27, GITR, OX40, LAG3 and TIM3. Dynamics of ICM expression were assessed using nonparametric paired samples tests. Significant changes were noted for PD1, BTLA and CD27 on multiple IC types during or after radiotherapy. Nonsignificant trends for increased expression of OX40 and GITR from baseline until the end of RT were observed on CD4 T cells and CD4+ CD39+ T cells. In patients with samples at recurrence of disease, a nonsignificant increase of TIM3 and LAG3 positive CD4+ CD39+ T cells was evident, accompanied by an increase of double positive cells for TIM3/LAG3. Potential future targets to be combined with RT in the conventional treatment and anti‐PD1/PD‐L could be BTLA agonists, or agonistic antibodies to costimulatory ICM like CD137, OX40 or GITR. The combination of cetuximab with CD27 agonistic antibodies enhancing ADCC or the targeting of TIM3/LAG3 may be another promising strategy.
Testicular rupture successfully treated with a tunica vaginalis flap
Authors: Yokokawa Shuhei , Tabei Tadashi , Kobayashi Kazuki 
Published: December 2020

IntroductionTesticular injury with a tunica albuginea tear is typically reconstructed by primary closure. We herein describe the successful use of a tunica vaginalis flap for reconstruction of a ruptured testis for which primary closure was not possible.Case presentationA 21‐year‐old man visited our hospital with scrotal swelling after a baseball struck his left testis. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography indicated a left tunica albuginea tear, and emergency surgery was performed. Primary closure of the tunica albuginea was impossible since a tight closure could cause secondary damage. A vascular pedicle flap was prepared by shaping the tunica vaginalis to replace the tunica albuginea. He was discharged 2 days postoperatively. Ultrasonography showed normal size and blood flow in the ruptured testis at the 2‐week and 3‐month follow‐up.ConclusionA testicular vaginalis flap should be considered when primary closure is difficult in cases of testicular rupture with tunica albuginea damage.
Development and nationwide implementation of a postdischarge responsive parenting intervention program for very preterm born children: The TOP program
Authors: Jeukens‐Visser Martine , Koldewijn Karen , van Wassenaer‐Leemhuis Aleid G. , Flierman Monique , Nollet Frans , Wolf Marie‐Jeanne 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTA previous randomized controlled trial has suggested the effectiveness of a Dutch postdischarge responsive parenting program for very preterm (VPT) infants, indicating that nationwide implementation was justified. This paper describes the development and nationwide implementation of the intervention, known as the TOP program, which consisted of three phases. In the preparation phase (2006–2010), a theory of change and the structure of the TOP program were developed, and funding for phase two, based on a positive Business Case, was obtained. In the pilot implementation phase (2010–2014), intervention strategies were developed for a real‐world setting, capacity and adoption were increased, systematic evaluations were incorporated, and sustained funding was obtained. In the full‐implementation phase (2014–2019), all Dutch Healthcare Insurers reimbursed the TOP program, enabling VPT infants to participate in the program without charge. By 2018, the number of interventionists that provided the TOP program had increased from 37 to 91, and all level III hospitals and 65% of regional hospitals in the Netherlands referred VPT infants. Currently, the program reaches 70% of the Dutch target population and parental satisfaction with the TOP program is high. After a 12‐year implementation period, the TOP program forms part of routine care in the Netherlands.
Novel therapeutic regimens for urethane‐induced early lung cancer in rats: Combined cisplatin nanoparticles with vitamin‐D3
Authors: Radwan Eman , Ali Maha , Faied Soad M. A. , Omar Hossam M. , Mohamed Wael S. , Abd‐Elghaffar Sary Kh. , Sayed Ayat A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractLung cancer remains incurable; therefore, novel therapeutical approaches are of great demand. This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of cisplatin nanoparticles combined with vitamin‐D3 on urethane‐induced early lung cancer in rats and to clarify the underlying signaling mechanisms. Early lung cancer was induced in male Wistar rats by urethane. Rats were divided into six groups: I‐control, II‐cancer untreated, III‐cancer + free cisplatin, IV‐cancer + cisplatin nanoparticles, V‐cancer + free cisplatin + vitamin‐D3, VI‐cancer + cisplatin nanoparticles + vitamin‐D3. Inflammation, proliferation, and apoptosis were evaluated together with the levels of tumor marker CK‐19 along with histological assessment. Treatment of lung cancer with either free or nanoparticles of cisplatin alone demonstrated significant suppression in the expression of inflammatory, anti‐apoptotic and tumor markers compared to rats with lung cancer. Moreover, vitamin‐D3 supplementation with either cisplatin forms lead to a further decrease of all markers, markedly with cisplatin nanoparticles. The present study shows the synergistic effect of cisplatin‐nanoparticles combined with vitamin‐D3 as a new therapy regimen against lung cancer. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer duration are needed to confirm these results.
Characterization of G protein‐coupled estrogen receptors in Japanese medaka, Oryzias latipes
Authors: Miyaoku Kaori , Ogino Yukiko , Lange Anke , Ono Ayaka , Kobayashi Tohru , Ihara Masaru , Tanaka Hiroaki , Toyota Kenji , Akashi Hiroshi , Yamagishi Genki , Sato Tomomi , Tyler Charles R. , Iguchi Taisen , Miyagawa Shinichi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor 1 (Gper1) is a membrane‐bound estrogen receptor that mediates non‐genomic action of estrogens. A Gper1‐mediating pathway has been implicated in reproductive activities in fish, including oocyte growth, but Gper1 has been characterized in only a very limited number of fish species. In this study, we cloned and characterized two genes encoding medaka (Oryzias latipes) Gper1s, namely, Gper1a and Gper1b, and phylogenic and synteny analyses suggest that these genes originate through a teleost‐specific whole genome duplication event. We found that Gper1a induced phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) in 293T cells transfected with medaka Gper1s on exposure to the natural estrogen, 17β‐estradiol (E2) and a synthetic Gper1 agonist (G‐1), and treatment with both E2 and G‐1 also decreased the rate of spontaneous maturation in medaka oocytes. These findings show that the processes for oocyte growth and maturation are sensitive to estrogens and are possibly mediated through Gper1a in medaka. We also show that 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2), one of the most potent estrogenic endocrine‐disrupting chemicals, and bisphenol A (BPA, a weak environmental estrogen) augmented phosphorylation of MAPK through medaka Gper1s in 293T cells. Interestingly, however, treatment with EE2 or BPA did not attenuate maturation of medaka oocytes. Our findings support that Gper1‐mediated effects on oocytes are conserved among fish species, but effects of estrogenic endocrine‐disrupting chemicals on oocytes acting through Gper1 may be divergent among fish species.
QMCube (QM3): An all‐purpose suite for multiscale QM/MM calculations
Authors: Martí Sergio 
Published: December 2020

AbstractQMCube (QM3) is a suite written in the Python programming language, initially focused on multiscale QM/MM simulations of biological systems, but open enough to address other kinds of problems. It allows the user to combine highly efficient QM and MM programs, providing unified access to a wide range of computational methods. The suite also supplies additional modules with extra functionalities. These modules facilitate common tasks such as performing the setup of the models or process the data generated during the simulations. The design of QM3 has been carried out considering the least number of external dependencies (only an algebra library, already included in the distribution), which makes it extremely portable. Also, the modular structure of the suite should help to expand and develop new computational methods.
Religiousness, meaning, and quality of life: Test of a mediational model among adults seeking a spiritually integrated inpatient program
Authors: Hinkel Hannah M. , Isaak Steven L. , Abernethy Alexis D. , Witvliet Charlotte V. O. , Schnitker Sarah A. , Root Luna Lindsey M. , Currier Joseph M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveReligious beliefs and practices may augment a sense of meaning in life that could support quality of life (QOL) in physical, social, and emotional domains amid mental health crises. However, these associations have not been thoroughly tested among persons with serious mental illness (SMI).MethodsFocusing on 248 adults who had recently enrolled in a spiritually integrated acute psychiatric hospitalization program, we incorporated structural equation modeling to examine whether (1) religiousness would be associated with better overall QOL; and (2) inpatients’ sense of meaning in life would at least partially account for the religiousness‐QOL link.ResultsReligiousness was linked indirectly with QOL at the time of admission: religiousness was associated with greater meaning in life, and a higher degree of meaning in life was associated with QOL.ConclusionsFindings underscore the crucial role of religiousness for meaning and wellness among many individuals with SMI who seek stabilization and healing.