bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computational aeroacoustic modeling using hybrid Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes/large‐eddy simulations methods with modified acoustic analogies
Authors: Nyandeni Zamashobane , Chinyoka Tiri 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study employs a numerical approach to investigate noise mechanisms in tandem cylinders. The tandem cylinder configuration is an excellent model for aircraft landing gear. The study is therefore primarily motivated by the need to understand the aircraft landing gear as a primary contributor to airframe noise during approach and landing. Fluctuations in the flow properties induced by turbulent flow around the tandem cylinders are computed and analyzed. A hybrid improved delayed detached eddy simulation turbulence model is employed to compute the boundary layer flow as well as to compute the fluctuations in the flow properties. The numerical methodologies for the turbulent flow computations are implemented on the OpenFOAM software platform. The study also considers the impact of neglecting the volume sources and employs two modified versions of Curle's and Ffowcs‐Williams and Hawkings analogies. The results are in good agreement with published numerical and experimental data in the existing literature.
Beschreibung von Fels als Baugrund für Talsperren und Wasserkraftanlagen – Erfahrungen aus Sicht des Feldgeologen
Authors: Dietler Thomas 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe characterisation of rock as a foundation for hydropower plants in general and dams in particular is highly complex and requires a great deal of experience on the part of the geologists involved. Geology cannot be studied remotely; it requires geological field surveys and investigations. This paper describes the aspects to be considered, the planning of the investigations and the degree of detail needed at the various planning phases from the field geologist's perspective. It also highlights the internationally recognised methods of investigation used for large‐scale projects and describes how the results are documented and recorded. It concludes by briefly outlining the soft factors which constitute an integral part of successful geological feasibility studies. Geology is an ”inexact“ science that requires extensive experience in order to generate the most realistic ground model possible. For this reason, a clear distinction must be made between facts (basic data) and their interpretation (experience). Furthermore, it is important to consider what other conclusions can be drawn from surveying the subsoil.
Erweiterung Kraftwerk Kirchbichl in Tirol – Herausforderungen an den Spezialtiefbau
Authors: Hautz Werner , Neuner Johann 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTiwag – Tiroler Wasserkraft AG sees itself as a driving force in the energy transition, pursuing the goals of the Tyrolean and Austrian energy strategies with a moderate, environment friendly expansion of hydropower. The projects are essentially aimed at expanding existing power plants so that they can be used more effectively, and additional hydropower potential can be developed. The Kirchbichl Power Plant is a good case in point. From 2017 to 2020, the power plant was made fit for the next decades as part of an extensive refurbishment and expansion project. The main project components are to improve flood security through the construction of an additional weir field, to adapt to enhanced environmental standards through the construction of a fish passage and a power plant for residual flow, and to increase the discharge of the power plant by installing an additional turbine. One of the challenges was the construction pits in the immediate vicinity of the existing system. The pit design with bored pile retaining wall and base seal with a jet grout slab has proven to be very effective.
Investigating oligodendrocyte connexins: Heteromeric interactions between Cx32 and mutant or wild‐type forms of Cx47 do not contribute to or modulate gap junction function
Authors: Abrams Charles K. , Flores‐Obando Rafael E. , Dungan Gabriel D. , Cherepanova Elina , Freidin Mona M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOligodendrocytes express two gap junction forming connexins, connexin 32 (Cx32) and Cx47; therefore, formation of heteromeric channels containing both Cx47 and Cx32 monomers might occur. Mutations in Cx47 cause both Pelizaeus–Merzbacher‐like disease Type 1 (PMLD1) and hereditary spastic paraparesis Type 44 (SPG44) and heteromer formation between these mutants and Cx32 may contribute to the pathogenesis of these disorders. Here, we utilized electrophysiological and antibody‐based techniques to examine this possibility. When cells expressing both Cx32 and Cx47 were paired with cells expressing either Cx32 or Cx47, properties were indistinguishable from those produced by cells expressing homotypic Cx32 or Cx47 channels. Similarly, pairing cells expressing both Cx32 and Cx47 with cells expressing Cx30 or Cx43 produced channels indistinguishable from heterotypic Cx32/Cx30 or Cx47/Cx43 channels, respectively. The same assessments were performed on cells expressing Cx32 and four mutant forms of Cx47 (p.I33M associated with SPG44 or p.P87S, p.Y269D or p.M283T associated with PMLD1). None of these mutants showed a functional effect on Cx32. Immunostained cells co‐expressing Cx32WT (wild type) and Cx47WT showed a Pearson correlation coefficient close to zero, suggesting that any overlap was due to chance. p.Y269D showed a statistically significant negative correlation with Cx32, suggesting that Cx32 and this mutant overlap less than expected by chance. Co‐immunoprecipitation of Cx32 with Cx47WT and mutants show only very low levels of co‐immunoprecipitated protein. Overall, our data suggest that interactions between PMLD1 or SPG44 mutants and Cx32 gap junctions do not contribute to the pathogenesis of these disorders.
Taking the body off the mind: Decreased functional connectivity between somatomotor and default‐mode networks following Floatation‐REST
Authors: Al Zoubi Obada , Misaki Masaya , Bodurka Jerzy , Kuplicki Rayus , Wohlrab Colleen , Schoenhals William A. , Refai Hazem H. , Khalsa Sahib S. , Stein Murray B. , Paulus Martin P. , Feinstein Justin S. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFloatation‐Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) is a procedure that reduces stimulation of the human nervous system by minimizing sensory signals from visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, thermal, tactile, vestibular, gravitational, and proprioceptive channels, in addition to minimizing musculoskeletal movement and speech. Initial research has found that Floatation‐REST can elicit short‐term reductions in anxiety, depression, and pain, yet little is known about the brain networks impacted by the intervention. This study represents the first functional neuroimaging investigation of Floatation‐REST, and we utilized a data‐driven exploratory analysis to determine whether the intervention leads to altered patterns of resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC). Healthy participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after 90 min of Floatation‐REST or a control condition that entailed resting supine in a zero‐gravity chair for an equivalent amount of time. Multivariate Distance Matrix Regression (MDMR), a statistically‐stringent whole‐brain searchlight approach, guided subsequent seed‐based connectivity analyses of the resting‐state fMRI data. MDMR identified peak clusters of rsFC change between the pre‐ and post‐float fMRI, revealing significant decreases in rsFC both within and between posterior hubs of the default‐mode network (DMN) and a large swath of cortical tissue encompassing the primary and secondary somatomotor cortices extending into the posterior insula. The control condition, an active form of REST, showed a similar pattern of reduced rsFC. Thus, reduced stimulation of the nervous system appears to be reflected by reduced rsFC within the brain networks most responsible for creating and mapping our sense of self.
MicroRNA‐mediated extracellular matrix remodeling in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
Authors: Menderico Junior Gilberto Mendes , Theodoro Thérèse Rachell , Pasini Fatima Solange , de Menezes Ishikawa Marina , Santos Nayara Stephânie Sousa , de Mello Evandro Sobroza , da Silva Pinhal Maria Aparecida , Moyses Raquel Ajub , Kulcsar Marco Aurelio Vamondes , Dedivitis Rogério Aparecido , Cernea Claudio Roberto , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , de Matos Leandro Luongo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe evaluated microRNAs and extracellular matrix component profiles in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) in comparison to healthy mucosa.MethodsRetrospective study investigating 64 microRNAs related to oncogenic process and to constituents of the extracellular matrix. We also performed immunohistochemical assays for molecules involved in the same biological processes.ResultsHigh expression of miR‐21‐5p (p < 0.001) and miR‐106‐5p (p < 0.001) and low expression of miR‐320a (p= 0.001) and miR‐222‐3p (p= 0.001) were predictors of malignancy. Individually, miR‐21‐5p exhibited the best statistical performance (area under the curve = 0.972; 95% confidence interval: 0.911–1.000) in the differentiation between tumor tissue and healthy mucosa. Moreover, tumor sample showed increased expression of MMP‐2, MMP‐9, α‐laminin, and β‐laminin in tumor‐related fibroblasts and lower continuity of type IV collagen in the basement membrane.ConclusionThe present study demonstrates the biological effects of microRNAs on the carcinogenesis of OSCC as well as the intense modification of the tumor microenvironment.
Evaluating lacustrine groundwater discharge to a large glacial lake using regional scale radon‐222 surveys and groundwater modelling
Authors: Wallace Hayley , Wexler E. J. , Malott Spencer , Robinson Clare E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) can be an important pathway for delivering pollutants to lakes but this pathway is often poorly characterized. Evaluating the potential impact of LGD on lake water quality requires understanding the magnitude and spatial variability of LGD, as well as understanding the age and flow paths of the discharging groundwater (e.g., recharge area, groundwater flow paths, and travel times). This study first compares LGD rates along two ~40 km shoreline lengths of a large glacial lake, Lake Simcoe, Canada, that were independently estimated via a radon‐222 (222Rn) field survey and via regional scale groundwater‐surface water modelling. Backward particle tracking analysis is then used to examine the age and flow paths of the LGD and thereby assess the potential for the LGD to deliver anthropogenic pollutants to the lake. The field and modelling results compare well with respect to the magnitude and spatial variability of LGD. However, the comparison highlights the need for well‐defined hydrogeological characterization if regional scale models are to be applied for LGD estimation. The particle tracking analysis indicates large variation in the groundwater flow path lengths and travels times (>1000 years to <50 years) for LGD along the shoreline. This illustrates that the LGD along different shoreline areas has varying potential to deliver anthropogenic pollutants to the lake. The study findings demonstrate the benefits of comparing independent field measured and model‐simulated LGD estimates, and moreover suggest that it may be possible, in some cases, to use existing regional scale groundwater‐surface water models, purpose‐built for other water resource and quality objectives, to conduct preliminary evaluation of LGD contributions to lakes. Preliminary model‐based evaluation would enable field efforts aiming to quantify and manage LGD to be better targeted rather than relying solely on regional scale field techniques that are often highly resource intensive.
Origin of sulphate in the unsaturated zone and groundwater of a loess aquifer
Authors: Long Yin , Huang Tianming , Zhang Fen , Li Zhenbin , Ma Baoqiang , Li Yiman , Pang Zhonghe 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe use of the sulphate mass balance (SMB) between precipitation and soil water as a supplementary method to estimate the diffuse recharge rate assumes that the sulphate in soil water originated entirely from atmospheric deposition; however, the origin of sulphate in soil and groundwater is often unclear, especially in loess aquifers. This study analysed the sulphur (δ34S‐SO4) and oxygen (δ18O‐SO4) isotopes of sulphate in precipitation, water‐extractable soil water, and shallow groundwater samples and used these data along with hydrochemical data to determine the sources of sulphate in the thick unsaturated zone and groundwater of a loess aquifer. The results suggest that sulphate in groundwater mainly originated from old precipitation. When precipitation percolates through the unsaturated zone to recharge groundwater, sulphates were rarely dissolved due to the formation of CaCO3 film on the surface of sulphate minerals. The water‐extractable sulphate in the deep unsaturated zone (>10 m) was mainly derived from the dissolution of evaporite minerals and there was no oxidation of sulphide minerals during the extraction of soil water by elutriating soil samples with deionized water. The water‐extractable concentration of SO4 was not representative of the actual SO4 concentration in mobile soil water. Therefore, the recharge rate cannot be estimated by the SMB method using the water‐extractable concentration of SO4 in the loess areas. This study is important for identifying sulphate sources and clarifying the proper method for estimating the recharge rate in loess aquifers.
Considering the 3Rs for castration and tail docking in sheep
Authors: Gascoigne Emily , Mouland Charlotte , Lovatt Fiona 
Published: April 2021

Background: Tail docking and castration in lambs are permitted in the UK and are governed by multiple legislations including the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act (1954), the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966), the Welfare of Livestock Regulations (1982), the Animal Welfare Act (2006) and the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures)(England) Regulations (2007). However, with political uncertainty and increasing consumer interest in how red meat is produced, the changing global agenda with reference to mutilations will mean that such procedures in the UK are increasingly under the spotlight and may require increasing justification on farm. Notably, the pain caused by these mutilations and their blanket use in regards to sheep production feature on the agenda of several animal welfare charities, including Compassion in World Farming and People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.Aim of the article: With over 10 years since the publication of the Farm Animal Welfare Council's (FAWC) report discussing the implications of these mutilation procedures on the welfare of lambs (FAWC 2008), and the recent publication of the BVA's policy on tail docking and castration (BVA 2020), in this article we will review the debate. Key areas that are considered include the changes in perception of mutilations; the developments in the evidence since the FAWC's publication; the current legislation and how global practices adhere to these rules; the European perspective of mutilations; and how the ‘reduce, refine, replace’ (3Rs) approach can be applied to mutilation discussions when preparing health plans. The arguments surrounding this topic are complex and the ultimate driver for any discussion on farm should be maximising overall animal welfare.
In a Minsky Moment, can financial statement data predict stock market crashes and recessions?
Authors: Bressler Paige D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe Financial Instability Hypothesis posits that debt, and the validation of debt characterizes the state of the economy. A Minsky Moment is a swift collapse of asset prices after a long period of debt‐fueled growth. Current literature lacks empirical analysis to validate the Financial Instability Hypothesis with respect to stock market crashes and financial crises. Based on Vercelli’s (2009) interpretation, Minskys’ characterization of debt validation is based on two indices. This first index depicts the current liquidity of a firm. The second index depicts the expected solvency of a firm. Both the liquidity index and the solvency index can be calulated using financial statement data. Using Compustat data from 1982 to 2015 in a probit regression model, this paper supports how the role of debt and how the change in the validation of debt predict a stock market crash and an onset of a recession. This study contributes to the existing literature by being the first study to support the validity of the Financial Instability Hypothesis using financial statement data and by creating a model to predict future stock crashes and recessions.
Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic tumor enucleation is a feasible technique for renal hilar tumors: A retrospective study
Authors: Liu Tianyao , Zhao Zihan , Feng Baofu , Wang Xin , Li Tianhang , Xie Shangxun , Zhu Wenjie , Li Xiaogong , Guo Hongqian , Yang Rong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of robot‐assisted laparoscopic tumor enucleation (RAE) for the treatment of renal hilar tumors and to describe our experience with renorrhaphy‐related surgical techniques.MethodsRetrospective data were collected from 173 consecutive patients who underwent RAE for localized renal tumors (cT1–cT2N0M0) at our hospital between September 2014 and November 2019.ResultsSeventy‐five patients had renal hilar tumors and 98 patients had nonhilar tumors. There were no statistical differences between the hilar and nonhilar groups in operation time (190 [115–390] vs. 190 [110–390] min, p = 0.889), warm ischemia time (26 [12–60] vs. 27 [17–41] min, p = 0.257), hospital stay duration (8 [3–16] vs. 7.5 [4–18] days, p = 0.386), renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate, 102.5 [29.4–144] vs. 101.3 [64.2–134.7] ml/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.631); creatinine level, (76 [43–169] vs. 78.5 [50–281.3] µmol/L, p = 0.673), perioperative complications rate, or surgical margin status. However, patients with hilar tumors lost significantly more blood than did those with nonhilar tumors (250 [50–1500] vs. 200 [20–1200] ml, p = 0.007). During the follow‐up period (median, 30 months), three patients in each group experienced recurrence. The 5‐year recurrence‐free rates were 93.0% and 95.4% in the hilar and nonhilar tumor groups, respectively (p = 0.640).ConclusionsFor experienced robot laparoscopists, RAE is a safe, effective, and feasible procedure for renal hilar tumors, without increased risk of positive surgical margins or worse midterm oncologic outcomes compared with nonhilar tumors.
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry measurement of 26 steroid hormones in human serum and plasma samples
Authors: Jia Yongjuan , Liu Xingli , Xu Li , Zhao Jinbao , Ni Junjun , Zhang Yuanyuan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe measurement of steroid hormones provided critical information in the clinical evaluation of endocrine disorders. In this study, we developed a high‐throughput solid‐phase extraction method for the analysis of 26 steroids in human serum and plasma samples by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatographic conditions and sample preparation were optimized to achieve good separation and maximum sensitivity for these analytes. Under the optimum conditions, good linearities were achieved in the quantitative range for each steroid hormone with the correlation coefficients (r) larger than 0.99. The limits of quantitation of the method were in the range from 0.0005 to 0.7901 ng/mL. The recoveries were in the range of 87.2–114.2% with intra‐ and interday precision lower than 9.94%. This method has already been applied to series of samples from clinical trials, and there was no significant difference between serum and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid plasma samples.
Patterns of Recurrence of Phonotraumatic Vocal Fold Lesions Suggest Distinct Mechanisms of Injury
Authors: Lee Mark , Mau Ted , Sulica Lucian 
Published: April 2021

Objectives/HypothesisTo examine patterns of recurrence of benign phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions over time for insights into pathophysiology.Study DesignCase series with mathematical modeling.MethodsMedical records and stroboscopic exams of adults who underwent microlaryngoscopic resection of phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions over a 13‐year period were reviewed for time to recurrence after surgery. Uniform and log‐normal probability distributions were fitted to the time to recurrence curves for vocal fold polyps, midfold masses, and pseudocysts. Model fits were compared using the Akaike information criterion corrected, a standard measure of the goodness of fit. Stochastic simulations were used to verify that the mechanistic hypotheses were concordant with the selected probability distributions and empiric data.ResultsOf 567 patients who underwent microlaryngoscopic resection, 65 had a recurrence (16 polyps, 14 midfold masses, and 35 pseudocysts). Midfold mass and pseudocyst recurrences were predominantly seen in younger women. Polyps were best fit by a uniform distribution rather than log‐normal, whereas midfold masses and pseudocysts were better fit by log‐normal rather than uniform. Stochastic simulations suggest that polyps recur sporadically according to a paroxysmal‐developmental model, whereas midfold mass and pseudocyst recurrences follow a force‐multiplication, damage‐accumulation process.ConclusionsVocal fold polyps are acute lesions evenly distributed by age and gender that recur uniformly over time, suggesting they arise from sudden tissue reactions to phonotraumatic stress. Pseudocysts and midfold fibrous masses are chronic lesions predominantly found in young women that recur with log‐normal distribution over time, suggesting gradual damage accumulation in larynges predisposed to enhanced phonotrauma.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:2523–2529, 2021
A collaborative learning health system agent‐based model: Computational and face validity
Authors: Seid Michael , Bridgeland David , Bridgeland Alexandra , Hartley David M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionImproving the healthcare system is a major public health challenge. Collaborative learning health systems (CLHS) ‐ network organizations that allow all healthcare stakeholders to collaborate at scale ‐ are a promising response. However, we know little about CLHS mechanisms of actions, nor how to optimize CLHS performance. Agent‐based models (ABM) have been used to study a variety of complex systems. We translate the conceptual underpinnings of a CLHS to a computational model and demonstrate initial computational and face validity.MethodsCLHSs are organized to allow stakeholders (patients and families, clinicians, researchers) to collaborate, at scale, in the production and distribution of information, knowledge, and know‐how for improvement. We build up a CLHS ABM from a population of patient‐ and doctor‐agents, assign them characteristics, and set them into interaction, resulting in engagement, information, and knowledge to facilitate optimal treatment selection. To assess computational and face validity, we vary a single parameter ‐ the degree to which patients influence other patients ‐ and trace its effects on patient engagement, shared knowledge, and outcomes.ResultsThe CLHS ABM, developed in Python and using the open‐source modeling framework Mesa, is delivered as a web application. The model is simulated on a cloud server and the user interface is a web browser using Python and Plotly Dash. Holding all other parameters steady, when patient influence increases, the overall patient population activation increases, leading to an increase in shared knowledge, and higher median patient outcomes.ConclusionsWe present the first theoretically‐derived computational model of CLHSs, demonstrating initial computational and face validity. These preliminary results suggest that modeling CLHSs using an ABM is feasible and potentially valid. A well‐developed and validated computational model of the health system may have profound effects on understanding mechanisms of action, potential intervention targets, and ultimately translation to improved outcomes.