bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ANÁLISE NUMÉRICA DE BLOCO SOBRE DUAS ESTACAS METÁLICAS
Authors: Delalibera Rodrigo Gustavo , Gonçalvez Vítor Freitas 
Published: August 2020

RESUMO: Perfis metálicos são utilizadas em diversas aplicações na construção civil. No entanto, ainda existem dúvidas quanto ao comportamento estrutural de blocos de coroamento quando se utiliza estacas metálicas. No presente trabalho foram desenvolvidos modelos numéricos, por meio do método dos elementos finitos, de um bloco sobre duas estacas metálicas, com o intuito de identificar tendências com relação ao comportamento estrutural bloco. Os resultados numéricos apresentaram correlações satisfatórias com os resultados experimentais, com os quais foram feitas análises comparativas. Concluiu-se que o modelo de bielas e tirantes utilizado no dimensionamento do bloco sobre estacas analisado não apresentou resultado esperado para o comportamento estrutural de blocos sobre estacas metálicas e, portanto, mais estudos devem ser realizados para se obter um modelo analítico satisfatório.
ABSTRACT: Steel piles are used on various fields on civil construction. However, there are still some uncertainties about the structural behavior of pile caps supported on steel piles. On this study the finite element method was used to develop numerical models of a two-pile cap on steel pile, with the aim of identifying tendencies on the structural behavior of the element. The numerical results showed good match with the experimental results of Tomaz (2018), which were used for analysis. It was concluded that the strut and tie model proposed by Blévot & Frémy (1967), usually used on the design of pile caps, doesn’t depict the actual structural behavior of pile caps on steel piles and, therefore, further studies must be made in order to develop a better physical model.
High antibody titres induced by protein subunit vaccines usingMycobacterium ulceransantigens Hsp18 and MUL_3720 with a TLR-2 agonist fail to protect against Buruli ulcer in mice
Authors: Mangas Kirstie M. , Tobias Nicholas J. , Marion Estelle , Babonneau Jérémie , Marsollier Laurent , Porter Jessica L. , Pidot Sacha J. , Wong Chinn Yi , Jackson David C. , Chua Brendon Y. , Stinear Timothy P. 
Published: August 2020

BackgroundMycobacterium ulceransis the causative agent of a debilitating skin and soft tissue infection known as Buruli ulcer (BU). There is no vaccine against BU. The purpose of this study was to investigate the vaccine potential of two previously described immunogenicM. ulceransproteins, MUL_3720 and Hsp18, using a mouse tail infection model of BU.MethodsRecombinant versions of the two proteins were each electrostatically coupled with a previously described lipopeptide adjuvant. Seven C57BL/6 and seven BALB/c mice were vaccinated and boosted with each of the formulations. Vaccinated mice were then challenged withM. ulceransvia subcutaneous tail inoculation. Vaccine performance was assessed by time-to-ulceration compared to unvaccinated mice.ResultsThe MUL_3720 and Hsp18 vaccines induced high titres of antigen-specific antibodies that were predominately subtype IgG1. However, all mice developed ulcers by day-40 post-M. ulceranschallenge. No significant difference was observed in the time-to-onset of ulceration between the experimental vaccine groups and unvaccinated animals.ConclusionsThese data align with previous vaccine experiments using Hsp18 and MUL_3720 that indicated these proteins may not be appropriate vaccine antigens. This work highlights the need to explore alternative vaccine targets and different approaches to understand the role antibodies might play in controlling BU.
Refining clinical trial inclusion criteria to optimize the standardized response mean of the CMTPedS
Authors: Cornett Kayla M. D. , Menezes Manoj P. , Bray Paula , Shy Rosemary R. , Moroni Isabella , Pagliano Emanuela , Pareyson Davide , Estilow Tim , Yum Sabrina W. , Bhandari Trupti , Muntoni Francesco , Laura Matilde , Reilly Mary M. , Finkel Richard S. , Eichinger Katy J. , Herrmann David N. , Shy Michael E. , Burns Joshua ,   CMTPedS Study Group
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe CMT Pediatric Scale (CMTPedS) is a reliable, valid, and responsive clinical outcome measure of disability in children with CMT. The aim of this study was to identify the most responsive patient subset(s), based on the standardized response mean (SRM), to optimize the CMTPedS as a primary outcome measure for upcoming clinical trials. Analysis was based on a 2‐year natural history data from 187 children aged 3–20 years with a range of CMT genetic subtypes. Subsets based on age (3–8 years), disability level (CMTPedS score 0–14), and CMT type (CMT1A) increased the SRM of the CMTPedS considerably. Refining the inclusion criteria in clinical trials to younger, mildly affected cases of CMT1A optimizes the responsiveness of the CMTPedS.
Fabrication of Light‐Weight and Highly Conductive Copper–Carbon Nanotube Core–Shell Fibers Through Interface Design
Authors: Daneshvar Farhad , Chen Hengxi , Zhang Tan , Sue Hung‐Jue 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMetal‐carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid fibers are emerging materials for light‐weight conductors that can replace common metallic conductors. One of the main challenges to their development is the poor affinity between CNT and metals. In this work, a new approach for fabrication of CNT/Cu core‐shell fibers is demonstrated that outperforms the commercial Cu wires in terms of specific conductivity, ampacity, and strength. By introducing thiol groups to the surface of CNT fibers, a dense Cu coating with enhanced adhesion is obtained. Consequently, CNT/Cu core‐shell fibers with specific conductivity of 3.6 × 107 S m−1 and tensile strength of 1 GPa, which is almost five times higher than commercial Cu wires, are produced. Due to strong interaction of thiol functional groups and Cu atoms, the fiber can preserve its integrity and conductivity after >500 fatigue bending cycles. Furthermore, the ampacity of the composite wire reaches to 1.04 × 105 A cm−2, which corresponds to a specific ampacity two times higher than that of commercial Cu wires. The interfacial design between Cu and CNT presented here is versatile and can be implemented in other processing and deposition methods.
Characteristics of extreme rainfall in South China during the late rice growth period
Authors: Wu Liji , Hu Fei , Pan Shenggang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractExtreme rainfall has significant impacts on human society and agricultural development, as well as severe effects on rice development. However, few studies have investigated the characteristics of extreme rainfall during different stages of rice growth period. Taking the South China region as a case study, the characteristics of extreme daily rainfall in the late rice growth period (July to November) from 1960 to 2009 were investigated using the percentile method. The results indicated that the extreme rainfall threshold varies between stages of rice growth period. The regional average extreme rainfall threshold exceeded the traditional heavy rainfall threshold (50 mm/day) during the seeding (60.6 mm/day), tillering (56.6 mm/day) and booting stage (51 mm/day) of late rice growth period. Regions with high extreme rainfall threshold are observed in coastal cities during each stage. Typhoons are the most important weather system that causes extreme rainfall, especially in the first three stages of the late rice growth period. Pronounced annual variability is found in a number of cases of extreme rainfall and typhoon‐caused (TC) extreme rainfall. Extreme rainfall, ranging from 100–200 mm/day, is most common for cases with TC and none‐typhoon‐caused (NTC) extreme rainfall. Finally, flood risk regions more easily form in the coastal cities in cases of TC extreme rainfall, but for NTC extreme rainfall, the north‐western region of South China is the main flood risk region.
Allelopathic effects of native and invasive Brassica nigra do not support the novel‐weapons hypothesis
Authors: Oduor Ayub M. O. , van Kleunen Mark , Stift Marc 
Published: August 2020

PremiseThe novel‐weapons hypothesis predicts that some plants are successful invaders because they release allelopathic compounds that are highly suppressive to naïve competitors in invaded ranges but are relatively ineffective against competitors in the native range. For its part, the evolution of enhanced weaponry hypothesis predicts that invasive populations may evolve increased expression of the allelopathic compounds. However, these predictions have rarely been tested empirically.MethodsHere, we made aqueous extracts of roots and shoots of invasive (North American) and native (European) Brassica nigra plants. Seeds of nine species from North America and nine species from Europe were exposed to these extracts. As control solutions, we used pure distilled water and distilled water with the osmotic potential adjusted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to match that of root and shoot extracts of B. nigra.ResultsThe extracts had a strong negative effect on germination rates and seedling root lengths of target species compared to the water‐control. Compared to the osmolality‐adjusted controls, the extracts had a negative effect on seedling root length. We found no differences between the effects of B. nigra plant extracts from the invasive vs. native populations on germination rates and seedling root growth of target plant species. Responses were largely independent of whether the target plant species were from the invaded or native range of B. nigra.ConclusionsThe results show that B. nigra can interfere with other species through allelochemical interactions, but do not support predictions of the novel‐weapons hypothesis and evolution of increased allelopathy.
Microbial fuel cell‐assisted Congo red dye decolorization using biowaste‐derived anode material
Authors: Prajapati Shalini , Yelamarthi Pydi Setty 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMicrobial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising technology for wastewater treatment coupled with electricity generation. Biowaste‐derived electrodes are used to improve the surface area, roughness, and hydrophilicity, which play pivotal role in the enhanced biofilm formation. In the present study, Ficus religiosa leaves (FRL) biowaste was used to develop the bioelectrode. In this study, Congo red (CR) dye decolorization was performed using MFC, wherein the effect of dye decolorization with respect to dye concentration, glucose concentration, and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was studied. The surface roughness and distribution of carbon powder on carbon cloth were confirmed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Also, Bacillus subtilis adhesion and chain‐like structure formation on the electrode confirmed the biofilm formation on the electrode. The polarization curve was performed to assess the MFC performance. The maximum power density of 70.50 mW/m2 and current density of 251.79 mA/m2 at 2,224 Ω was achieved. The maximum decolorization of 80.95 ± 2.08% and COD reduction of 73.96 ± 1.76% were obtained, respectively, after complete treatment of MFC for 54 h. UV‐visible spectrometry analysis of dye contained samples during MFC treatment at various time intervals was confirmed the cleavage of azo bond (NN), and the corresponding peak intensity variation was noticed at 490 nm.
Reduced graphene oxide/silica nanocomposite‐reinforced anticorrosive fluorocarbon coating
Authors: Zhong Beijie , Shen Liming , Zhang Xiaoyan , Li Chang , Bao Ningzhong 
Published: August 2020

AbstractReduced graphene oxide‐silica (rGO/SiO2) nanocomposite filler was prepared with a ball milling process and then modified using a coupling agent of NH2C3H6Si(OC2H5)3(KH‐550) to improve its dispersion in the fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE) coating. The surface properties and morphologies of the modified rGO/SiO2(M‐rGO/SiO2) nanocomposite filler and M‐rGO/SiO2‐reinforced FEVE coating were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarization curves were applied to illustrate the corrosion resistance of the coating. The results showed that the M‐rGO/SiO2composite can disperse well in the coating and efficiently extend the corrosion path, enhancing the anti‐corrosion property of the FEVE coating. Therefore, the |Z|0.01 Hzof M‐rGO/SiO2reinforced FEVE coating maintained at around 1010 Ω·cm2in the 30 days test cycle and a protection efficiency of up to 95.18% was achieved.
Superparamagnetic biobased poly(thioether‐ester) via thiol‐ene polymerization in miniemulsion for hyperthermia
Authors: dos Santos Paula C. M. , Machado Thiago O. , Santin João V. C. , Feuser Paulo E. , Córneo Emily S. , Machado‐de‐Ávila Ricardo A. , Sayer Claudia , de Araújo Pedro H. H. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThiol‐ene polymerization has been pointed out as a promising technique to produce biobased polymers for biomedical applications due to its advantages, including mild conditions and rapid reaction rates without the formation of byproducts. Therefore, in this study different concentrations of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were incorporated in poly(thioether‐ester) (PTEE) nanoparticles by thiol‐ene miniemulsion polymerization of biobased monomers to form both linear and branched cross‐linked polymers. Loading efficiencies up to approximately 95% (thermogravimetric analysis) of the MNPs within the polymer matrix were obtained. In addition, the substitution of the dithiol 1,4‐butanedithiol (64.2%) for the tetrathiol PTEMP (95.8%), increased the encapsulation efficiency by about 30%. Hybrid nanoparticles presented average mean diameters between 95 and260 nm with polydispersity index between 0.13 and 0.42 by DLS, negative zeta potentials around −45 mV and superparamagnetic behavior. The hyperthermia assays performed on breast cells (MDA‐MB 231) have shown that the cell death was dependent on the exposure time to the AC magnetic field and the reduction in cell viability was approximately 35%. These results demonstrated the production of superparamagnetic PTEE nanoparticles via thiol‐ene polymerization and highlight the promising application of these biobased materials for cancer treatment by hyperthermia.
Description and analysis of the time–domain response of nabla discrete fractional order systems
Authors: Wei Yiheng , Gao Qing , Cheng Songsong , Wang Yong 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the time–domain response of nabla discrete fractional order systems by exploring several useful properties of the nabla discrete Laplace transform and the discrete Mittag–Leffler function. In particular, we find the limitation of discrete Mittag–Leffler when adopted in describing the response. Then we establish two fundamental properties of a nabla discrete fractional order system with nonzero initial instant: i) the existence and uniqueness of the system time–domain response; and ii) the dynamic behavior of the zero input response. Finally, a simulation study is provided to show the validity of the theoretical results.
How microplastic components influence the immune system and impact on children health: Focus on cancer
Authors: Segovia‐Mendoza Mariana , Nava‐Castro Karen E. , Palacios‐Arreola Margarita I. , Garay‐Canales Claudia , Morales‐Montor Jorge 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundAs a result of human socioeconomic activity, industrial wastes have increased distressingly. Plastic pollution is globally distributed across the world due to its properties of buoyancy and durability. A big health hazard is the sorption of toxicants to plastic while traveling through the environment. Two broad classes of plastic‐related chemicals are of critical concern for human health—bisphenols and phthalates. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine‐disruptor compound (EDC) with estrogenic activity. It is used in the production of materials that are used daily. The endocrine modulating activity of BPA and its effects on reproductive health has been widely studied. BPA also has effects on the immune system; however, they are poorly investigated and the available data are inconclusive. Phthalates are also EDCs used as plasticizers in a wide array of daily‐use products. Since these compounds are not covalently bound to the plastic matrix, they easily leach out from it, leading to high human exposure. These compounds exert several cell effects through modulating different endocrine pathways, such as estrogen, androgen, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma, and arylhydrocarbon receptor pathways. The exposure to both classes of plastic derivatives during critical periods has detrimental effects on human health.MethodsIn this review, we have compiled the most important of their perinatal effects on the function of the immune system and their relationship to the development of different types of cancer.Results/ConclusionThe administration of bisphenols and phthalates during critical stages of development affects important immune system components, and the immune function; which might be related to the development of different diseases including cancer.
Information Processing in Affective Disorders: Did an Ancient Peptide Regulating Intercellular Metabolism Become Co‐Opted for Noxious Stress Sensing?
Authors: Lovejoy David A. , Hogg David W. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAffective disorders arise in stressful situations from aberrant sensory information integration that affects energetic nutrient (i.e., glucose) utilization to the cognitive centers of the brain. Because energy flow is mediated by molecular signals and receptors that evolved before the first complex brains, the phylogenetically oldest signaling systems are essential in the etiology of affective disorders. The corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) peptide subfamily is a phylogenetically old metazoan peptide family and is pivotal for regulating organismal energy response associated with stress. Highly conserved, both the CRF peptide family and its receptors possess a structural relationship to the teneurins, and their receptors, latrophilins, respectively. The CRF homologous region of teneurin is defined as the “teneurin C‐terminal associated peptide” (TCAP) and antagonizes CRF action, regulates mitochondrial energy production, and is anxiolytic in vivo. Here, it is postulated that TCAP represents an ancient peptide that mediates intercellular information transfer of stressful and noxious events by regulating energy utilization among neurons.
The impact of emotions on shopping behavior during epidemic. What a business can do to protect customers
Authors: Szymkowiak Andrzej , Gaczek Piotr , Jeganathan Kishokanth , Kulawik Piotr 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe study investigated how the perception of in‐shop COVID‐19 contraction influences emotions in decision‐making and how they further effect actions undertaken by consumers to control the situation within a store. Structural equation modeling was used to study the relationship between the risk of in‐store infection, emotions and in‐shop behavior, based on data retrieved from 914 questionnaires. Results showed, that the perceived risk of becoming infected in a store causes an increase in arousal and, at the same time, a decrease in perceived pleasure during shopping. The rise in arousal led to an increase in consumers taking actions to decrease their risk of contagion, while an increase in noticeable pleasure lowered interest of following recommendations for pandemic behavior. The findings imply that through changes regarding in‐store atmosphere, stationary shops can provide consumers with a sense of urgency and awareness of infection risk so that they may do their shopping more efficiently.
Acute myocardial infarction and large coronary thrombosis in a patient with COVID‐19
Authors: Tedeschi Delio , Rizzi Andrea , Biscaglia Simone , Tumscitz Carlo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis is a case report of a 60‐year‐old male, without any cardiovascular risk factor and no cardiac history admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). After 7 days, the blood tests showed a significant rise of inflammatory and procoagulant markers, along with a relevant elevation of high‐sensitivity Troponin I. Electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) were consistent with a diagnosis of infero‐posterolateral acute myocardial infarction and the patient was transferred to the isolated Cath Lab for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The angiography showed an acute massive thrombosis of a dominant right coronary artery without clear evidence of atherosclerosis. Despite the optimal pharmacological therapies and different PCI techniques, the final TIMI flow was 0/1 and after 3 hr the clinical condition evolved in cardiac arrest for pulseless electric activity. Acute coronary syndrome–ST‐elevation myocardial infarction is a relevant complication of COVID‐19. Due to high levels of proinflammatory mediators, diffuse coronary thrombosis could occur even in patients without cardiac history or comorbidities. This clinical case suggests that coronary thrombosis in COVID‐19 patients may be unresponsive to optimal pharmacological (GP IIb–IIIa infusion) and mechanical treatment (PCI).
Cyanide poisoning in inhalation injuries
Authors: Kennedy Sharon , Cahill Kevin C. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCyanide gas forms during the combustion of synthetic polymers and should be considered in patients presenting with inhalation injuries. A persistently high lactate following adequate resuscitation may be an indicator of cyanide exposure. As cyanide poisoning can be rapidly fatal, prompt recognition and treatment of this condition is vital.
Dually Decorated Na3V2(PO4)2F3 by Carbon and 3D Graphene as Cathode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries with High Energy and Power Densities
Authors: Hu Lizhen , Cheng Siqi , Xiao Shunhua , Li Wenna , Chen Zhuo , Li Wei , Huang Bin , Liu Qingquan , Chen Quanqi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe dually decorated Na3V2(PO4)2F3 by in‐situ formed carbon and three‐dimensional graphene (NVPF/C@3DG) is prepared via two hydrothermal steps and a high‐temperature calcination. Benefiting from the high electronic conductivity of carbon and 3DG, high surface area and the resulted high diffusion coefficients of Na+, NVPF/C@3DG displays superior electrochemical performance to the control NVPF/C. Between 2.5 and 4.5 V (vs. Na+/Na), NVPF/C@3DG presents the initial discharge capacity of 123.6 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C (25.6 mA g−1) and capacity retention of 92.1 % after 60 cycles, while NVPF/C shows initial discharge capacity of 119 mAh g−1 and capacity retention of 84.1 % under the identical test conditions. Even at 15 C, the initial discharge capacity and capacity retention after 1000 cycles of NVPF/C@3DG are as high as 91.2 mAh g−1 and 82.9 %, respectively, much better than the initial discharge capacity of 71.2 mAh g−1 and the corresponding capacity retention of 76.4 % for NVPF/C, respectively.