bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wear behavior of rice straw powder in automotive brake pads
Authors: Mutlu İbrahim , Keskin Ahmet 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This paper investigates the use of rice straw powder in a brake pad as a substitute for asbestos which is a carcinogenic with detrimental effects on health. Rice straw powder was used as a novel material in a brake pad. Rice straw powder has a silica content which gives the pad a c eramic-like action. Rice straws were ground after drying in order to produce the powder. Five laboratory varieties were produced, altering the rice straw powder ingredients from 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt.-%, respectively added to other abrasive materials, binder, friction modifiers, solid lubricant, and filler material utilizing conventional techniques. In this study, the friction surface temperature, the wear amount, and the change of the friction coefficient were determined. Additionally, the microstructure specifications of the brake pads were determined using scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results showed that a 15 wt.-% fraction of rice straw powder yielded better wear and thermo-mechanical features as compared with other combinations. The micro-structure shows a uniform distribution of the rice straw powder in the matrix. Hence, rice straw powder can be a possible candidate friction material for producing non-asbestos new brake pad without any detrimental impact.
High strain rate compression behaviour of 3D printed Carbon-PA
Authors: Utzeri Mattia , Farotti Emanuele , Coccia Mattia , Mancini Edoardo , Sasso Marco 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In the last few years, Fused Filament Fabrication is growing in the industrial field for the manufacture of final products by using new materials with high mechanical performances. Among those, one of the strongest is Carbon-PA. This is a composite material made by Nylon thermoplastic matrix filled with short carbon fibers reinforces. The aim of this work is to investigate its mechanical properties in static and dynamic conditions. Cylindrical specimens were produced by extruding the material in the three main printing directions. Then, uniaxial quasi-static and dynamic compression tests have been performed to evaluate its strain rate sensitivity. Dynamic tests have been carried out through a direct Split Hopkinson Bar setup with a pulse-shaping technique. The results show a compression behaviour dependent on the printing direction and strain rate. The behaviour of Carbon-PA was different between static and dynamic condition, passing from ductile to brittle. Moreover, a tomography analysis was carried out on the samples to evaluate the voids distribution.

Graphic abstract
Fine-needle aspiration cytology (pre-operative) and histopathological (post-operative) correlation in thyroid swellings
Authors: Mandal Manit M. , Panchal Ajay J. , Kumar Rakesh , Kapadia Parth B. , Valiya Vipul 
Published: May 2021

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is one of the most important pre-operative procedures used in the primary diagnosis of thyroid swelling. Even if non-surgical and non-invasive techniques can provide a diagnosis, the ultimate answer rests in the histopathological examination of the surgically excised thyroid tissue. A correlation of both FNAC and HPE though can help predict outcomes and may be helpful to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures for benign conditions. The purpose of this study was to establish a cyto-histological correlation and to evaluate accuracy of FNAC in diagnosing thyroid lesions.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The study was carried out over a period of three years between September 2017 to September 2020 prospective study in which 38 cases were taken who eventually underwent thyroid surgery. A cyto-histological correlation was made between the pre-operative FNAC and the post-operative HPE report. These reports were correlated and conclusions drawn after statistical analysis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Cyto-histological correlation was done and overall accuracy was 94.7%. Majority of cases were non-neoplastic, peak age of incidence was in third and fourth decade and there was female predominance.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> It was observed that FNAC is a very reliable test having high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in diagnosing thyroid swellings which is also a simple, safe and cost effective modality in investigation.</p><p class="abstract"> </p><p class="Default"> </p>
Characteristics of Pyogenic Liver Abscess
Authors: Pandak Nenad , Mahdi Asmaa S. , Al Majrafi Ali , Molay Mariya , Deenadayalan Stepen S. , Khamis Faryal , Al Balushi Zakariya 
Published: May 2021

Objectives: Liver abscess can develop as a complication of hepatobiliary disease or other intraabdominal infections, but more recently it is associated with primary and secondary liver malignancies and their treatment. The goal of this study was to analyze the epidemiology, etiology and clinical characteristics of pyogenic liver abscess in Oman. The intention was to obtain the information needed for the adequate liver abscess empirical treatment. Methods: This retrospective study took place in a tertiary hospital. Consecutive patients treated for the liver abscess during the five years period, from January 2013 until the end of 2017, were enrolled. Their demographic and clinical data were used to study the characteristics of pyogenic liver abscess in Oman. Results: Fifty-three patients with pyogenic liver abscess were enrolled in the study. They were predominantly male and younger than 60 years. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most usual bacteria causing the liver abscess. Clinical presentation was unspecific and the abdominal pain and high fever were the most usual symptoms. Conclusion: The majority of pyogenic liver abscesses are caused by K. pneumoniae so the empirical treatment should be started with antibiotic directed against it. Further studies are needed to establish the local role of anaerobic bacteria in pyogenic liver abscess as well as to monitor the presence of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae in Oman.
Keywords: Pyogenic liver abscess; Etiology; Epidemiology; Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Efeito da correção do pH do requeijão cremoso tipo ovino sobre as características físico químicas e microbiológica
Authors: Mallmann Stéfani , Camili Scopel Bruna , Naiara Schmeier Mônica , Cavalheiro Darlene , Rigo Elisandra 
Published: May 2021

O “requeijão cremoso” é um tipo de queijo processado brasileiro muito consumido no país, obtido da mistura de diferentes tipos de queijos com sais emulsionantes e outros ingredientes lácteos. As características deste produto são dependentes especialmente da matéria-prima proteíca utilizada e seu valor de pH. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da correção do pH do requeijão elaborado com leite de ovelha nas características físico-químicas e microbiológicas durante 30 dias de armazenamento à 4 ± 0,1 °C. Os parâmetros físico-químicos mantiveram-se estáveis durante o armazenamento. A contagem de microrganismos mesófilos e Staphylococcus coagulase-positiva foi de < 1,0 log UFC.mL-1 durante todo o período avaliado. Em ambos os requeijões, com e sem correção de pH, não houve a presença de alterações visíveis na cor instrumental. O requeijão cremoso elaborado com caseína enzimática ovina, apresentou características de brilho, textura, espalhabilidade em pH’s 5,7 a 5,9 mas também tem valores próximos a 7 durante o período avaliado.
Multiscale Formation Damage Mechanisms and Control Technology for Deep Tight Clastic Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Wang Yijun , Kang Yili , You Lijun , Xu Chengyuan , Yan Xiaopeng , Lin Chong 
Published: May 2021

Summary
Severe formation damage often occurs during the drilling process, which significantly impedes the timely discovery, accurate evaluation, and efficient development of deep tight clastic gas reservoirs. The addition of formation protection additives into drilling fluid after diagnosing the damage mechanism is the most popular technique for formation damage control (FDC). However, the implementation of traditional FDC measures does not consider the multiscale damage characteristics of the reservoir. The present study aims at filling this gap by providing a complete and systematic damage control methodology based on multiscale FDC theory. First, the characteristics of multiscale seepage channels were described through petrology, petrophysics, and well-history data. Subsequently, based on laboratory formation damage evaluation experiments, the formation damage mechanism of each seepage scale was determined. Finally, based on the multiscale formation damage mechanism, a systematic multiscale FDC technology was proposed. Through the use of optimized drilling fluid based on multiscale FDC theory, high-permeability recovery ratio (PRR), high-pressure bearing capacity of plugging zone, and low cumulative filtration loss were observed by laboratory validation experiments. Shorter drilling cycle, less drill-in-fluid loss, lower skin factor, and higher production rates were obtained by using the optimized FDC drilling fluid in field application. This multiscale FDC theory shows excellent results in minimizing formation damage, maintaining original production capacity, and effectively developing gas reservoirs with multiscale pore structure characteristics.
Progression of Corneal Endothelial Insult by Chronic Elevation of intraocular Pressure: A prospective Observational Comparative Study Among Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients
Authors: A.Mateen Elshimaa , Ammar Hatem Gamal , Sayed Khulood Muhammad 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate specular microscopic changes of corneal endothelial cells (CEC) count and morphology in correlation to retinal nerve fiber layer RNFL changes detected by visual field (VF) and OCT in early and advanced primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods: A prospective observational comparative study was conducted on patients with POAG versus non-glaucomatous patients of the same age group. Specular microscopy, VF test, OCT scans of RNFL, and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) were performed. Glaucoma group was further subdivided into early and advanced stages.Results: The study included 130 eyes of 130 subjects, 70 were eyes with POAG (glaucoma group), 60 were healthy eyes (control group). Both groups were comparable regarding mean age and sex.In the early glaucoma group, a significant negative correlation was found between the coefficient of variation (CV%) and superior PRNFL thickness (r=-0.5, p-value=0.018). A significant negative correlation was also found between percentage of cellular hexagonality (HEX%) and vertical cup/disc (C/D) ratio (r=-0.43, p-value= 0.035). A significant positive correlation was found between HEX% and (superior, inferior) PRNFL thickness (r=0.53, 0.5 and p-value= 0.008, 0.015) respectively.Mean CEC count was significantly lower in the advanced glaucoma group than in the control group (2958.7±371.2 vs 3085±172.5, p value=0.043). Conclusions: CEC is affected by chronic intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation just like the PRNFL and macular GCC. CEC morphology is insulted in the early stages of POAG while the count can withstand chronic IOP elevation till advanced stages were both are affected.
Female Breast Cancer Trends in Disaggregated Asian American Populations: Analysis of 2003-2017 U.S. Mortality Data
Authors: Bhamidi Vaishnavi , Islas Nathaniel , Feng Caroline , Garg Naveli , Xi Kevin , Huang Robert , Au Timothy , Sharp Nora , Kurian Allison W. , Palaniappan Latha , Chung Sukyung , Thompson Caroline A. , Sriniva Malathi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
PurposeBreast cancer is the second leading cause of female cancer mortality in the United States and breast cancer mortality in Asian Americans (AA) is rising by 1.5% per year. However, aggregated AA breast cancer death rates may mask important mortality differences in major AA groups.Population & Setting11,388 AA and 473,927 non-Hispanic White (NHW) females based on the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Vital Statistics System database 2003-2017.MethodsAge-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were used to estimate trends in breast cancer mortality in Asian Indians, Chinese, Filipinas, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, and non-Hispanic Whites from 2003–2017, with attention to annual percentage change (APC) and proportional mortality rates (PMR).ResultsFrom 2003-2017, breast cancer deaths comprised 14.4% in NHWs, 13.7% in aggregate AAs, 19.8% in Asian Indians, and 18.6% of all cancer deaths in Filipinas. While NHW breast cancer mortality rate significantly decreased (APC -2.1; CI -2.6, -1.6; p < 0.001) from 2003 to 2017, aggregate AA mortality rates were unchanged (APC 3.07; CI -0.37, 7.8; p = 0.071). However, when disaggregated, breast cancer mortality in Filipina (APC 1.9; CI 0.8, 3.0; p < 0.002), Chinese (APC 2.1; CI 1.3, 3.0; p < 0.001), and Korean (APC 2.6; CI 1.0, 4.1; p = 0.004) women significantly increased. Breast cancer mortality rates in Japanese women decreased (APC -1.9; CI -5.9, 2.1; p = 0.3).ConclusionWhile the proportion of women dying from breast cancer were similar in NHWs and aggregate Asians, when disaggregated, Filipina, Korean, and Chinese women had increased mortality rates over the past 15 years. During this time, breast cancer mortality in NHW and Japanese women decreased. Understanding disaggregated breast cancer mortality rates in Asians may improve culturally-tailored outreach, prevention, and treatment strategies to reduce cancer deaths from this critical disease.
Slow slip events are regular earthquakes
Authors: Weng Huihui 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Slow slip events usually occur downdip of seismogenic zones in subduction megathrusts and crustal faults, with rupture speeds much slower than earthquakes. The empirical moment-duration scaling relation can help constrain the physical mechanism of slow slip events, yet it is still debated whether this scaling is linear or cubic and a fundamental model unifying slow slip events and earthquakes is still lacking. Here I present numerical simulations that show that slow slip events are regular earthquakes with negligible dynamic-wave effects. A continuum of rupture speeds, from arbitrarily-slow speeds up to the S-wave speed, is primarily controlled by the stress drop and a transition slip rate above which the fault friction transitions from rate-weakening behaviour to rate-strengthening behaviour. This continuum includes tsunami earthquakes, whose rupture speeds are about one-third of the S-wave speed. These numerical simulation results are predicted by the three-dimensional theory of dynamic fracture mechanics of elongated ruptures. This fundamental model unifies slow slip events and earthquakes, reconciles the observed moment-duration scaling relations, and opens new avenues for understanding earthquakes through investigations of the kinematics and dynamics of frequently occurring slow slip events.
β-Hydroxybutyrate Exacerbates Hypoxic Injury by Inhibiting HIF-1α-Dependent Glycolysis in Cardiomyocytes—Adding Fuel to the Fire?
Authors: Ma Xiurui , Dong Zhen , Liu jingyi , Ma Leilei , Sun Xiaolei , Gao Rifeng , Pan Lihong , Zhang Jinyan , A Dilan , An Jian , Hu Kai , Sun Aijun , Ge Junbo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Ketone body oxidation yields more ATP per mole of consumed oxygen than glucose. However, whether an increased ketone body supply in hypoxic cardiomyocytes and ischemic hearts is protective or not remains elusive. The goal of this study is to determine the effect of β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB), the main constituent of ketone bodies, on cardiomyocytes under hypoxic conditions and the effects of ketogenic diet (KD) on cardiac function in a myocardial infarction (MI) mouse model. Methods: Adult mouse cardiomyocytes and MI mouse models fed a KD were used to research the effect of β-OHB on cardiac damage. qPCR, western blot analysis and immunofluorescence were used to detect the interaction between β-OHB and glycolysis. Live/dead cell staining and imaging, lactate dehydrogenase, Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, echocardiography and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining were performed to evaluate the cardiomyocyte death, cardiac function and infarct sizes. Results: β-OHB level was significantly higher in acute MI patients and MI mice. Treatment with β-OHB exacerbated cardiomyocyte death and decreased glucose absorption and glycolysis under hypoxic conditions. These effects were partially ameliorated by inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) degradation via roxadustat administration in hypoxia-stimulated cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, β-OHB metabolisms were obscured in cardiomyocytes under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, MI mice fed a KD exhibited exacerbated cardiac dysfunction compared with control chow diet (CD)-fed MI mice. Conclusion: Elevated β-OHB levels may be maladaptive to the heart under hypoxic/ischemic conditions. Administration of roxadustat can partially reverse these harmful effects by stabilizing HIF-1α and inducing a metabolic shift toward glycolysis for energy production.
Soil Fungal Community Composition Is More Sensitive To Nitrogen And Phosphorus Additions Than The Bacterial Community In A Temperate Meadow Ecosystem
Authors: Yan Yan , Zhao Nanyi , Sun Fengwei , Sun Wei , Zhang Tao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background and aims Soil microorganisms play key roles in the cyclings of soil nutrient and ecosystem stability, however, the soil microbial community composition often is influenced by nutrient enrichment. Increased nitrogen (N) input endangers plant species diversity and stability of grassland ecosystems, and which should be often affected by the addition of phosphorus (P) addition. However, the resistance of soil microbial community to N and P additions, and their interactions in the N-limited temperate meadow ecosystem remains poorly understood.Methods We carried out a seven-year experiment with the additions of N and P in a temperate meadow. The community structures of soil bacteria and fungi were examined based on high-throughput sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA and ITS genes, respectively.Results N addition did not influence on the community composition and species richness of bacteria, while altered soil fungal community composition and increased fungal OTU richness. P addition significantly altered soil fungal and bacterial community compositions and declined the richness of bacterial OTU, increased the OTU richness of fungi. The Proteobacteria (38.5%) and Acidobacteria (22.3%) were the most dominant bacteria. The Ascomycota was the dominant fungi (42.6%) across all samples. The enrichment of soil available P concentration caused by the addition of P played key roles in the bacterial β-diversity, while the β-diversity of soil fungi was mainly influenced by the concentrations of soil N and P, and soil moisture. Conclusions The sensitivity of soil fungi and bacteria to the addition of P is stronger than N addition, and which is more sensitive than the plant community. Our result highlights the unequal sensitivity of soil fungal and bacterial community composition and structure to the eutrophications of N and P, thereby causing changes in above and belowground communities and influencing ecosystem stability in the studied temperate meadow ecosystem.
Automation Assisted Anaerobic Phenotyping For Metabolic Engineering
Authors: Venkatesan Kaushik , Venayak Naveen , Diep Patrick , Golla Sai Akhil , Yakunin Alexander , Mahadevan Radhakrishnan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Microorganisms can be metabolically engineered to produce a wide range of commercially important chemicals. Advancements in computational strategies for strain design and synthetic biological techniques to construct the designed strains have facilitated the generation of large libraries of potential candidates for chemical production. Consequently, there is a need for a high-throughput, laboratory scale techniques to characterize and screen these candidates to select strains for further investigation in large scale fermentation processes. Several small-scale fermentation techniques, in conjunction with laboratory automation have enhanced the throughput of enzyme and strain phenotyping experiments. However, such high throughput experimentation typically entails large operational costs and generate massive amounts of laboratory plastic waste. Results: In this work, we develop an eco-friendly automation work ow that effectively calibrates and decontaminates fixed-tip liquid handling systems to reduce tip waste. We also investigate inexpensive methods to establish anaerobic conditions in microplates for high-throughput anaerobic phenotyping. To validate our phenotyping platform, we perform two case studies - an anaerobic enzyme screen, and a microbial phenotypic screen. We used our automation platform to investigate conditions under which several strains of E. coli exhibit the same phenotypes in 0.5 L bioreactors and in our scaled-down fermentation platform. We also propose the use of dimensionality reduction through t-distributed stochastic neighbours embedding (t-SNE) in conjunction with our phenotyping platform to effectively cluster similarly performing strains at the bioreactor scale. Conclusions: Fixed-tip liquid handling systems can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated in biological laboratories and our decontamination and calibration protocols could facilitate the widespread adoption of such systems. Further, the use of t-SNE in conjunction with our automation platform could serve as an effective scale-down model for bioreactor fermentations. Finally, by integrating an in-house data-analysis pipeline, we were able to accelerate the 'test' phase of the design-build-test-learn cycle of metabolic engineering.
Response of Leaf Biomass, Leaf and Soil C:N:P Stoichiometry Characteristics to Different Site Conditions and Forest Age: A Case of Pinus Tabuliformis Plantations in the Temperate Mountainous Area of China
Authors: Liu Ping , Wang Lijiao , Jing Xin , Yu Lei , Wang Yutao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Ecological stoichiometry is an important index that reflects the element cycle and ecosystem stability. In this study, two sites (sunny and shady slopes) and five forest ages (young forest, middle-aged forest, near-mature forest, mature forest, and over-mature forest) in a Pinus tabuliformis plantation were chosen to illustrate the effects of forest age and site on the biomass and stoichiometric characteristics of leaves and soils in the temperate mountainous area of China. Results: For all forest ages, the biomass, leaf total carbon, leaf total nitrogen, leaf total phosphorus of the leaves of P. tabuliformis on sunny slopes were all higher than those on shady slopes, while the nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the leaves showed the opposite of this. The biomass of leaves increased on sunny slopes, and increased first and then decreased in shady slopes with increasing forest age. The contents of soil total carbon (STC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) decreased with increasing soil depth, while the soil total phosphorus (STP) and soil available phosphorus (SAP) contents displayed the opposite. In addition to SAP, the average content of STC, STN, and STP in shady slopes was higher than that in sunny slopes, and the ratio was the opposite. Except for STC:STN on shady slopes, the other ratios showed a downward trend with an increase in soil depth. Excluding the topsoil, the change trend of STC:STP and STN:STP in shady slopes and sunny slopes was consistent with forest age. Conclusions: The results showed that forest age and site conditions had significant effects on leaf biomass. The biomass of the leaves is mainly limited by nitrogen. In management, it is recommended to plant on sunny slopes, especially in the young stage of P. tabuliformis plantation. In addition, it is suggested to apply a reasonable amount of nitrogen fertilizer to increase leaf biomass.