bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intra-individual variability of eGFR trajectories in early diabetic kidney disease and lack of performance of prognostic biomarkers
Authors: Kerschbaum Julia , Rudnicki Michael , Dzien Alexander , Dzien-Bischinger Christine , Winner Hannes , Heerspink Hiddo Lambers , Rosivall László , Wiecek Andrzej , Mark Patrick B. , Eder Susanne , Denicolò Sara , Mayer Gert 
Published: November 2020

AbstractStudies reporting on biomarkers aiming to predict adverse renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease (DKD) conventionally define a surrogate endpoint either as a percentage of decrease of eGFR (e.g. ≥ 30%) or an absolute decline (e.g. ≥ 5 ml/min/year). The application of those study results in clinical practise however relies on the assumption of a linear and intra-individually stable progression of DKD. We studied 860 patients of the PROVALID study and 178 of an independent population with a relatively preserved eGFR at baseline and at least 5 years of follow up. Individuals with a detrimental prognosis were identified using various thresholds of a percentage or absolute decline of eGFR after each year of follow up. Next, we determined how many of the patients met the same criteria at other points in time. Interindividual eGFR decline was highly variable but in addition intra-individual eGFR trajectories also were frequently non-linear. For example, of all subjects reaching an endpoint defined as a decrease of eGFR by ≥ 30% between baseline and 3 years of follow up, only 60.3 and 45.2% lost at least the same amount between baseline and year 4 or 5. The results were similar when only patients on stable medication or subpopulations based on baseline eGFR or albuminuria status were analyzed or an eGFR decline of ≥ 5 ml/min/1.73m2/year was used. Identification of reliable biomarkers predicting adverse prognosis is a strong clinical need given the large interindividual variability of DKD progression. However, it is conceptually challenging in early DKD because of non-linear intra-individual eGFR trajectories. As a result, the performance of a prognostic biomarker may be accurate after a specific time of follow-up in a single population only.
An acceleration of microwave-assisted transesterification of palm oil-based methyl ester into trimethylolpropane ester
Authors: Aziz Nur Atiqah Mohamad , Yunus Robiah , Hamid Hamidah Abd , Ghassan Alsultan Abdul Kareem , Omar Rozita , Rashid Umer , Abbas Zulkifly 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMicrowave-assisted synthesis is known to accelerate the transesterification process and address the issues associated with the conventional thermal process, such as the processing time and the energy input requirement. Herein, the effect of microwave irradiation on the transesterification of palm oil methyl ester (PME) with trimethylolpropane (TMP) was evaluated. The reaction system was investigated through five process parameters, which were reaction temperature, catalyst, time, molar ratio of TMP to PME and vacuum pressure. The yield of TMP triester at 66.9 wt.% and undesirable fatty soap at 17.4% were obtained at 130 °C, 10 mbar, sodium methoxide solution at 0.6 wt.%, 10 min reaction time and molar ratio of TMP to PME at 1:4. The transesterification of palm oil-based methyl ester to trimethylolpropane ester was 3.1 folds faster in the presence of microwave irradiation. The total energy requirement was markedly reduced as compared to the conventional heating method. The findings indicate that microwave-assisted transesterification could probably be an answer to the quest for a cheaper biodegradable biolubricant.
Robust quantum point contact via trench gate modulation
Authors: Park Dongsung T. , Lee Seokyeong , Kim Uhjin , Choi Hyoungsoon , Choi Hyung Kook 
Published: November 2020

AbstractQuantum point contacts (QPC) are a primary component in mesoscopic physics and have come to serve various purposes in modern quantum devices. However, fabricating a QPC that operates robustly under extreme conditions, such as high bias or magnetic fields, still remains an important challenge. As a solution, we have analyzed the trench-gated QPC (t-QPC) that has a central gate in addition to the split-gate structure used in conventional QPCs (c-QPC). From simulation and modelling, we predicted that the t-QPC has larger and more even subband spacings over a wider range of transmission when compared to the c-QPC. After an experimental verification, the two QPCs were investigated in the quantum Hall regimes as well. At high fields, the maximally available conductance was achievable in the t-QPC due to the local carrier density modulation by the trench gate. Furthermore, the t-QPC presented less anomalies in its DC bias dependence, indicating a possible suppression of impurity effects.
Dyschloremia is associated with failure to restore renal function in survivors with acute kidney injury: an observation retrospective study
Authors: Kee Youn Kyung , Jeon Hee Jung , Oh Jieun , Shin Dong Ho 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDyschloremia is common in critically ill patients. However, little is known about the effects of dyschloremia on renal function in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). A total of 483 patients who received CRRT for AKI were selected and divided into three groups according to their serum chloride concentrations at the time of CRRT initiation. At 90 days after initiating CRRT, renal outcome, i.e., non-complete renal recovery, or renal failure, was assessed in the three groups. The hypochloremia group (serum chloride concentrations < 96 mEq/L, n = 60), the normochloremia group (serum chloride concentrations, 96–111 mEq/L, n = 345), and the hyperchloremia group (serum chloride concentrations > 111 mEq/L, n = 78) were classified. The simplified acute physiology score III was higher in the hyperchloremia and hypochloremia groups than in the normochloremia group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that hypochloremia (odds ratio, 5.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.56–10.23; P < 0.001) and hyperchloremia (odds ratio, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.25–5.13; P = 0.01) were significantly associated with non-complete renal recovery. Similar trends were observed for renal failure. This study showed that dyschloremia was independently associated with failure in restoring renal function following AKI.
Quantitative analysis of renal arterial variations affecting the eligibility of catheter-based renal denervation using multi-detector computed tomography angiography
Authors: Song Won Hoon , Baik Jinhwan , Choi Eue-Keun , Lee Hae-Young , Kim Hyeon Hoe , Park Sung-Min , Jeong Chang Wook 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCatheter-based renal denervation (RDN) was introduced to treat resistant hypertension. However, the reduction in blood pressure after the RDN was modest. Catheter-based RDN was performed only at main renal arteries, except for accessory and branch arteries due to the diameter being too small for the catheter to approach. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the anatomy of diverse renal arteries via 64-channel multi-detector computed tomography angiograms of 314 consecutive donors who underwent living donor nephrectomy from January 2012 to July 2017. Occurrence rates of one or more accessory renal arteries in donors were 25.3% and 19.4% on the left and right sides, respectively. Early branching rates before 25 mm from the aorta to the right and left renal arteries were 13.7% and 10.5%, respectively. Overall, 63.1% and 78.3% of donors had no accessory artery bilaterally and no branched renal artery, respectively. As a result, 47.1% had only main renal arteries without an accessory artery and early-branching artery. Approximately half of the donors had multiple small renal arteries bilaterally, for which catheter-based denervation may not be suitable. Thus, preoperative computed tomography angiography requires careful attention to patient selection, and there is a need for improved methods for denervation at various renal arteries.
Evolution of ferritin levels in hepatitis C patients treated with antivirals
Authors: Chang Ming-Ling , Hu Jing-Hong , Yen Ching-Hao , Chen Kuan-Hsing , Kuo Chia-Jung , Lin Ming-Shyan , Lee Cheng-Han , Chen Shiang-Chi , Chien Rong-Nan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe evolution of ferritin levels in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with sustained virological responses (SVRs) following various therapy regimens remains elusive. An 8-year prospective cohort study of 1194 HCV-infected patients [interferon-based therapy (n = 620), direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) therapy (n = 355)] was conducted. At baseline, sex, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglycerides, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, iron/total iron-binding capacity (Fe/TIBC) and IFNL3-rs12979860 genotypes were associated with ferritin levels. At 24 weeks posttherapy, ALT, triglycerides, total cholesterol, eGFR, Fe/TIBC and the therapy regimen were associated with ferritin levels in SVR patients. Among interferon-treated patients, ferritin levels increased at 24 weeks posttherapy, regardless of SVR, and 24-week posttherapy ferritin levels were higher in non-SVR patients (n = 111) than in SVR patients (n = 509); ferritin levels began decreasing at 3 years posttherapy and were lower than pretherapy levels since 4 years posttherapy in SVR patients. Among DAA-treated SVR patients (n = 350), ferritin levels decreased and remained stable since 24 weeks posttherapy. ALT, triglycerides, eGFR, and Fe/TIBC were HCV-unrelated factors associated with ferritin levels; sex, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, hemoglobin and IFNL3-rs12979860 genotype were HCV-related factors associated with ferritin levels. In interferon-treated SVR patients, the increased trend of posttherapy ferritin levels was not reversed until 4 years posttherapy. In DAA-treated SVR patients, ferritin levels decreased since 24 weeks posttherapy.
Most super-Earths formed by dry pebble accretion are less massive than 5 Earth masses
Authors: Venturini Julia , Guilera Octavio Miguel , Ronco María Paula , Mordasini Christoph 
Published: November 2020

Aims. The goal of this work is to study the formation of rocky planets by dry pebble accretion from self-consistent dust-growth models. In particular, we aim to compute the maximum core mass of a rocky planet that can sustain a thin H-He atmosphere to account for the second peak of the Kepler size distribution.
Methods. We simulate planetary growth by pebble accretion inside the ice line. The pebble flux is computed self-consistently from dust growth by solving the advection–diffusion equation for a representative dust size. Dust coagulation, drift, fragmentation, and sublimation at the water ice line are included. The disc evolution is computed solving the vertical and radial structure for standard α-discs with photoevaporation from the central star. The planets grow from a moon-mass embryo by silicate pebble accretion and gas accretion. We perform a parameter study to analyse the effect of a different initial disc mass, α-viscosity, disc metallicity, and embryo location. We also test the effect of considering migration versus an in situ scenario. Finally, we compute atmospheric mass loss due to evaporation over 5 Gyr of evolution.
Results. We find that inside the ice line, the fragmentation barrier determines the size of pebbles, which leads to different planetary growth patterns for different disc viscosities. We also find that in this inner disc region, the pebble isolation mass typically decays to values below 5 M⊕ within the first million years of disc evolution, limiting the core masses to that value. After computing atmospheric mass loss, we find that planets with cores below ~4 M⊕ become completely stripped of their atmospheres, and a few 4–5 M⊕ cores retain a thin atmosphere that places them in the “gap” or second peak of the Kepler size distribution. In addition, a few rare objects that form in extremely low-viscosity discs accrete a core of 7 M⊕ and equal envelope mass, which is reduced to 3–5 M⊕ after evaporation. These objects end up with radii of ~6–7 R⊕.
Conclusions. Overall, we find that rocky planets form only in low-viscosity discs (α ≲ 10−4). When α ≥ 10−3, rocky objects do not grow beyond 1 Mars mass. For the successful low-viscosity cases, the most typical outcome of dry pebble accretion is terrestrial planets with masses spanning from that of Mars to ~4 M⊕.
Behavioral effects of a four-wing attractor with circuit realization: a cryptographic perspective on immersion
Authors: Khan Najeeb Alam , Qureshi Muhammad Ali , Hameed Tooba , Akbar Saeed , Ullah Saif 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we propose an innovative chaotic system, combining fractional derivative and sine-hyperbolic nonlinearity with circuit execution. The study of this system is conducted via an analog circuit simulator, using two anti-parallel semiconductor diodes to provide hyperbolic sine nonlinearity, and to function as operational amplifiers. The multi-stability of the system is also enhanced with the help of multi-equilibrium points for distinct real orders of system. The system explores the generation of a four-wing attractor in different phases, both numerically and electronically. By changing the input parameters of the system, different graphs are generated for current flow in state, phase, and space, to confirm the precision of the fractional order derivatives. A reasonable simulation shows that the deliberate circuit provides effective chaos in terms of speed and accuracy, which is comensurate with the numerical simulation. This nonlinear chaotic behavior is utilized to encrypt sound (.wav), images (.jpg), and animated (.gif) data which are a major requirement for the security of communication systems. The proposed circuit performs chaos and cryptographic tasks with high-effective analog computation, and constitutes a novel approach to this area of research.
Stacking of predictors for the automatic classification of disruption types to optimize the control logic
Authors: Murari A. , Rossi R. , Lungaroni M. , Baruzzo M. , Gelfusa M. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Nowadays, disruption predictors, based on machine learning techniques, can perform well but they typically do not provide any information about the type of disruption and cannot predict the time remaining before the current quench. On the other hand, the automatic identification of the disruption type is a crucial aspect required to optimize the remedial actions and a prerequisite to forecasting the time left for intervening. In this work, a stack of machine learning tools is applied to the task of automatic classification of the disruption types. The strategy is implemented from scratch and completely adaptive; the predictors start operating after the first disruption and update their own models, following the evolution of the experimental program, without any human intervention. Moreover, they are designed to implement a form of transfer learning, in the sense that they identify autonomously the most important disruption classes, generating new ones when necessary. The results obtained are very encouraging in terms of both prediction performance and classification accuracy. On the other hand, regarding the narrowing of the warning times, some progress has been achieved, but new techniques will have to be devised to obtain fully satisfactory properties.
Editorial
Authors: Colbeck Roger , Loveridge Leon , Weigert Stefan 
Published: November 2020

In June 2018, our friend and colleague Paul Busch [1–3] passed away unexpectedly. Paul’s death put an abrupt end to a particularly productive period during which many of his ideas–after a long incubation period–came to fruition. There would have been more to come.
To remember Paul and to celebrate his achievements a memorial event was held in York a year after his untimely death. On the 18th and 19th June 2019, the workshop “Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics–in memoriam Paul Busch” took place at King’s Manor, a historic building dating back to the 15th century. Around 35 people attended the event: colleagues old and new, current and former students, collaborators, friends, admirers and family members. The meeting was kindly supported by the Department of Mathematics at the University of York, Paul’s academic home since 2005, and by the Institute of Physics, of which Paul was an Elected Fellow.
Time-energy uncertainty does not create particles
Authors: Roberts Bryan W , Butterfield Jeremy 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In this contribution in honour of Paul Busch, we criticise the claims of many expositions that the time-energy uncertainty principle allows both a violation of energy conservation and particle creation, provided that this happens for a sufficiently short time. But we agree that there are grains of truth in these claims: which we make precise and justify using perturbation theory.
Effect of the hydraulic fracturing-induced slippage of regional natural fracture on casing deformation in horizontal shale gas wells: A case study on the Weiyuan block
Authors: Zeng Y J , Liu K , Ding S D , Zhou S M , Tao Q , Du J L , Du X Y 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Casing deformation problems are widespread in the shale gas field, and the dominant natural fracture reactivation and slippage are treated as the main reasons for these casing deformations. This study establishes a mechanical model and uses the field data of Weiyuan to study the fracture slippage and the casing deformation. According to rock mechanics, the dominant natural fracture can be reactivated by the fluid injected into the fracture. A higher fluid pressure in the fracture can induce a larger slippage and a higher shear stress on the casing. The fracture slippage is not uniform along the fracture. Moreover, the maximum slippage is located at the center of the reactivation zone. The in-situ stress, friction coefficient, and angle between the fracture and the maximum in-situ stress can affect the slippage. Case studies on the casing deformation of two wells in Weiyuan have shown that the calculated slippage according to the analytical model herein is in accordance with the detected data in the field. In summary, this study provides a reliable and quick method for determining the slippage of the dominant fracture reactivation based on the distance from the fracture center.
Application of Inverted Vertical Line Method in Landslide Monitoring
Authors: Yang Zhongmin , Zhang Yufang , Li Jian 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The inverted vertical line method is generally used in dam monitoring. It relies on the relative displacement between the vertical wire and vertical coordinate instrument installed in the dam wall to monitor the deformation of the dam at different heights. In this study, the inverted vertical line method is applied to a landslide monitoring process. Firstly, a geological exploration well is excavated during geological supplementary exploration. A fixed point is embedded in the exploration well basement as a vertical reference. Secondly, a buoy is erected at the wellhead. Thirdly, vertical coordinate instruments are installed at the upper and lower sides of the predicted sliding surface to monitor the displacement of the rock mass. Finally, the sliding direction and displacement of the sliding body are determined by analyzing the monitoring data. Hence, real-time monitoring of the landslide deformation is possible through the field application of the aforementioned method. Furthermore, the reliability of the inverted vertical line method in landslide monitoring was verified by comparing the monitoring results obtained with that from an inclinometer.
Numerical Analyses on the Rockbolt Behaviour in Rock Wedges Reinforcement Using 2D-DDA
Authors: Wang Wenqi , Nie Wen , Li Xu , Liu Shuang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
One major concern in the design and construction of caverns in jointed rock mass is the potential failure of rock wedges falling from the roof or sliding out from the sidewalls. The rockbolts are commonly used to improve the stability and to prevent failure in the caverns. In this paper, the two-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis (2D-DDA) method was used to analyse the stability of the rock wedge supported by rockbolts on the cavern roof. The joint relaxation method was adopted to represent a deformable rock joint under stresses. Parametric studies were conducted to investigate the effects of the confining pressure, the spacing and the angle between rockbolt and direction of wedge falling on the stability of the rock wedge. The numerical simulation results indicate that the wedge is self-supporting after stress redistribution if the confining pressure is larger than the critical confining pressure and the semi-apical angle of the wedge is less than the friction angle of rock joint. The force in rockbolt slightly decreases with reduced rockbolts spacing but increase when the rockbolt is not along the falling direction of rock wedge.
Shale Brazilian split test and numerical simulation of the discrete element method
Authors: Wang Jiong , Wang Yang , Gong Weili , Wang Zhaoxuan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This study performs a shale Brazilian split test by setting the loading and bedding directions at different angles to study the effect of anisotropy caused by the bedding structure and heterogeneity caused by different particles on the mechanical properties of shale. The results indicate that the cracks of the specimens splitting and breaking at 0° and 90° all extend vertically through the disk. A combination of Neper and 3DEC software is applied to the numerical simulation study of the shale splitting process through the discrete element method. The shale splitting failure modes are divided into three categories. At 0° and 90°, the cracks extend linearly through the loading ends, and the models show bedding and particle tensile failures, respectively. At 15°, the cracks run diagonally through the rock sample from the end of the upper loading section, parallel to the bedding direction. At 30° to 75°, the cracks propagate from the loading end along the parallel bedding direction. The experiments and numerical simulations verify that bedding influences the shale splitting failure mode and the mechanical behavior. Therefore, the investigation of the mechanical problems caused by the destruction of shale gas mining has a far-reaching significance.
Preliminary numerical analysis of the influence of pit-in-pit excavation on the stability of the foundation pit supported by diaphragm wall
Authors: Shao Yong , Chen Congxin , Zheng Yun , Zhang Yapeng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Pit-in-pit is common in foundation pit-engineering practice. Pit-in-pit excavation disturbs the stress field in the passive zone of the foundation pit, which induces the loss of soil resistance in the passive zone and adversely affects the safety of the foundation pit. Based on a real foundation pit supported by diaphragm wall in Hohhot, this study used the finite difference software FLAC3D to establish a finite difference model of the foundation pit. At different construction steps and excavation parameters, the horizontal displacements of the diaphragm wall, the vertical displacement of the soil around the foundation pit, and the plastic zone of the model were analyzed. It was found that the excavation of the inner pit intuitively impacted the deformation of the diaphragm wall, and the asymmetry of the position of the inner pit led to the whole pit’s deformation in a certain direction. Furthermore, we reported that the increase in excavation parameters h and l increased the subsidence of the soil closer to the inner pit. Moreover, excavation parameters, including L, h, and l, are proportional to the volume of the plastic area. This study provides reference value for designing foundation pits containing pit-in-pit.