bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Close Supercritical Versus Inverse Brayton Cycles for Power Supply, Using Waste of a Biogas-Driven Open Brayton Cycle
Authors: Ebadollahi Mohammad , Rostamzadeh Hadi , Pourali Omid , Ghaebi Hadi , Amidpour Majid 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Power generation via a biogas-driven Brayton cycle (BC) can be regarded as the best scenario for electricity supply of decentralized complexes or small communities. However, the central problem associated with such technology is the high temperature of its exhaust gases, which can be recovered via appropriate waste heat elimination schemes. Although various studies have previously discussed optimal operating conditions of the enhanced biogas-driven BC in terms of thermodynamics and economic, no comprehensive investigation in terms of selecting the best bottoming cycle for the biogas-driven BC has been carried out up to yet. This spurs the current investigation to recommend the it best bottoming cycle between a close supercritical BC (CSBC) and an inverse BC (IBC) for waste heat recovering of a biogas-driven BC around the optimum point. Another novelty of the present study is the inclusion of the environment index (EI) along with energy, exergy, and economic metrics in the performed multi-objective optimization scheme, resulting in the design of a highly sustainable energy system. The results indicated that no single optimal solution exists in selecting the best bottoming cycle by accounting energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental metrics, simultaneously. Hence, a trade-off should be deliberated in selecting the best case in the design process. Accordingly, the integrated BC/CSBC system is superior to the BC/IBC system in terms of thermodynamics (i.e., both energy and exergy metrics) around both base and optimal design points; however, it is not commendable in terms of economic and exergoenvironmental viewpoints. Quantitatively speaking, selecting the BC/CSBC system can lead to thermal and exergetic performance enhancement of around 3.3%, while degrading economic and exergoenvironmental metrics around 7.2% and 8.3%, respectively.
A Novel Wave Propagation Method for Measuring Viscoelastic Properties of Prestrained Materials
Authors: Lemerle Pierre 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Viscoelastic materials are widely used for vibroacoustic solutions due to their ability to dissipate energy and thus mitigate vibrations and structure-borne sound. Wave propagation methods belong to a growing family of material characterization techniques based on the analysis of waveform patterns in one-dimensional structures. The time evolution of patterns results from material elasticity and damping. Conversely, it is possible to identify these properties once the pattern's time evolution is known. The most frequently used propagation methods, namely, Hopkinson bar methods, assume no dispersion, i.e., the complex elasticity modulus is not frequency dependent. However, this is not relevant for resilient materials such as elastomers. More recent approaches have been developed to measure frequency-dependent properties from a pulse propagating in a slender bar. In the previous works, we showed how to adapt these methods for shorter samples of materials. This represented a real advance, as extrusion is a cumbersome process for many materials. The main concept was to reconstruct the time history of the wave propagating in a composite structure composed of a long incident bar made of a known material and extended by a shorter sample bar. The sample material's viscoelastic properties were then determined in the frequency domain by optimization and wave fitting in the time domain. In industry, most insulation solutions that rely on mounts and bushings have to support structural weights. Consequently, it is particularly useful to measure the tangent viscoelastic properties of the material around the static stressed state and not only in stress-free conditions. Measuring strained materials not only requires modifying the experimental apparatus but also extending the scope of the underlying theory as the waves propagate differently in composite structures made of strained media. Here, we show how to overcome this challenging issue. The theoretical framework and its numerical implementation are described, and the method was validated experimentally by characterizing an elastomer sample under prestrained conditions.
Patients with KCNH1-related intellectual disability without distinctive features of Zimmermann-Laband/Temple-Baraitser syndrome
Authors: Aubert Mucca Marion , Patat Olivier , Whalen Sandra , Arnaud Lionel , Barcia Giulia , Buratti Julien , Cogné Benjamin , Doummar Diane , Karsenty Caroline , Kenis Sandra , Leguern Eric , Lesca Gaetan , Nava Caroline , Nizon Mathilde , Piton Amelie , Valence Stéphanie , Villard Laurent , Weckhuysen Sarah , Keren Boris , Mignot Cyril 
Published: April 2021

De novo missense variants in KCNH1 encoding Kv10.1 are responsible for two clinically recognisable phenotypes: Temple-Baraitser syndrome (TBS) and Zimmermann-Laband syndrome (ZLS). The clinical overlap between these two syndromes suggests that they belong to a spectrum of KCNH1-related encephalopathies. Affected patients have severe intellectual disability (ID) with or without epilepsy, hypertrichosis and distinctive features such as gingival hyperplasia and nail hypoplasia/aplasia (present in 20/23 reported cases).We report a series of seven patients with ID and de novo pathogenic KCNH1 variants identified by whole-exome sequencing or an epilepsy gene panel in whom the diagnosis of TBS/ZLS had not been first considered. Four of these variants, p.(Thr294Met), p.(Ala492Asp), p.(Thr493Asn) and p.(Gly496Arg), were located in the transmembrane domains S3 and S6 of Kv10.1 and one, p.(Arg693Gln), in its C-terminal cyclic nucleotide-binding homology domain (CNBHD). Clinical reappraisal by the referring clinical geneticists confirmed the absence of the distinctive gingival and nail features of TBS/ZLS.Our study expands the phenotypical spectrum of KCNH1-related encephalopathies to individuals with an attenuated extraneurological phenotype preventing a clinical diagnosis of TBS or ZLS. This subtype may be related to recurrent substitutions of the Gly496, suggesting a genotype–phenotype correlation and, possibly, to variants in the CNBHD domain.
Taking the burden off: a study of the quality of ethics consultation in the time of COVID-19
Authors: Kana Lulia , Shuman Andrew , De Vries Raymond , Firn Janice 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundThe quality of ethics consults is notoriously difficult to measure. Survey-based assessments cannot capture nuances of consultations. To address this gap, we conducted interviews with health professionals who requested ethics consults during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodHealthcare professionals requesting ethics consultation between March 2020 and May 2020 at a tertiary academic medical centre were eligible to participate. We asked participants to comment on the consults they called and thematically analysed responses to identify features associated with optimal quality consultations.ResultsOf 14 healthcare providers, 8 (57%) were women and professions were as follows: 11 (79%) medical doctors, 1 (7%) social worker, 1 (7%) physician assistant and 1 (7%) nurse practitioner. Two aspects of quality emerged: satisfaction and value. Themes within the domain of satisfaction included: responsiveness of the ethics consultant, willingness to consult, institutional role of the ethics service and identifying areas for improvement. When describing value, respondents spoke of the intrapersonal and interpersonal worth of consultation.ConclusionParticipants were generally satisfied with ethics consultation services, similar to opinions of those found in pre-COVID-19 survey studies. Our qualitative approach allowed for a richer exploration of the value of ethics consultation during the pandemic and has implications for ethics consultation services more broadly. Ethics consultation—emphasising both the process and outcome—created valuable moral spaces, promoting thoughtful and ethical responses to dilemmas in patient care. Future assessments should incorporate patient and family/surrogate perspectives and explore the domain of education as an additional quality measure.
High-definition ultrasound imaging defines the paraneural sheath and fascial compartments surrounding the cords of the brachial plexus at the costoclavicular space and lateral infraclavicular fossa
Authors: Areeruk Pornpatra , Karmakar Manoj Kumar , Reina Miguel A , Mok Louis Y H , Sivakumar Ranjith Kumar , Sala-Blanch Xavier 
Published: April 2021

Background and objectivesThe paraneural sheath is a multilayered network of collagen fibers that surround the brachial plexus. Currently, there are no sonographic data on the paraneural sheath of the brachial plexus, which this study aimed to evaluate.MethodsUltrasound imaging datasets of 100 patients who received a costoclavicular brachial plexus block, using high-definition ultrasound imaging, were retrospectively reviewed. Video files, representing sonograms before and after the local anesthetic injection, from the costoclavicular space and lateral infraclavicular fossa were collated and reviewed by three experienced anesthesiologists. Frequency (yes/no) of ultrasound visualization of the paraneural sheath, septum, and the anterior and posterior compartments was assessed. Representative sonograms from the costoclavicular space and lateral infraclavicular fossa were visually correlated with archived cadaver microanatomic sections from the same location.ResultsDatasets of the 98 patients who achieved surgical anesthesia were evaluated. The paraneural sheath, septum, and the anterior and posterior compartments were visualized in 17.3%, 7.1%, 5.1% and 5.1%, respectively, at the costoclavicular space before the brachial plexus block; this contrasts (p<0.001) with their visibility post-block (94.9%, 75.5%, 75.5% and 75.5%, respectively). At the lateral infraclavicular fossa, the corresponding visibility of these structures post-block were 67.7%, 81.5%, 81.5% and 81.5%, respectively. Ultrasound images of the paraneural sheath and septum correlated well with that in the cadaver microanatomic sections.ConclusionWe have demonstrated the paraneural sheath and fascial compartments surrounding the cords of the brachial plexus at the costoclavicular space and lateral infraclavicular fossa using high-definition ultrasound imaging.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04370184), (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/).
Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on health insurance coverage among trauma patients: a study of six level I trauma centers
Authors: Sercy Erica , Duane Therese M , Lieser Mark , Madayag Robert M , Berg Gina , Banton Kaysie L , Hamilton David , Bar-Or David 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundIncreased unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic has likely led to widespread loss of employer-provided health insurance. This study examined trends in health insurance coverage among trauma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, including differences in demographics and clinical characteristics by insurance type.MethodsThis was a retrospective study on adult patients admitted to six level 1 trauma centers between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2020. The primary exposure was hospital admission date: January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 (Period 1), January 1, 2019 to March 15, 2020 (Period 2), and March 16, 2020 to June 30, 2020 (Period 3). Covariates included demographic and clinical variables. χ² tests examined whether the rates of patients covered by each insurance type differed between the pandemic and earlier periods. Mann-Whiney U and χ² tests investigated whether patient demographics or clinical characteristics differed within each insurance type across the study periods.ResultsA total of 31 225 trauma patients admitted between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 were included. Forty-one per cent (n=12 651) were admitted in Period 1, 49% (n=15 258) were from Period 2, and 11% (n=3288) were from Period 3. Percentages of uninsured patients increased significantly across the three periods (Periods 1 to 3: 15%, 16%, 21%) (ptrend=0.02); however, there was no accompanying decrease in the percentages of commercial/privately insured patients (Periods 1 to 3: 40%, 39%, 39%) (ptrend=0.27). There was a significant decrease in the percentage of patients on Medicare during the pandemic period (Periods 1 to 3: 39%, 39%, 34%) (p<0.01).DiscussionThis study found that job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increases of uninsured trauma patients. However, there was not a corresponding decrease in commercial/privately insured patients, as may have been expected; rather, a decrease in Medicare patients was observed. These findings may be attributable to a growing workforce during the study period, in combination with a younger overall patient population during the pandemic.Level of evidenceRetrospective, level III study.
A New True Random Number Generator Based on Differential Variable Ring Oscillator Robust Against PVT Variation
Authors: Salighehdar Niloofar Khayyat , Mousazadeh Morteza , Khoei Abdolah 
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a new true random number generator (TRNG) based on a new variable differential ring oscillator has been presented. In this structure, the ring oscillator’s jitter is considered a random phenomenon. The jitter of the proposed ring oscillator is driven by thermal noise and flicker noise so that the generated jitter is random. In this paper, a new variable differential ring oscillator has been designed. The stage of this ring oscillator is changed randomly in order to create random jitter. A new differential delay cell has been proposed to boost the speed of TRNG and random jitter. The proposed random number generator (RNG) is robust against temperature variations of [Formula: see text]40–120[Formula: see text] and voltage variations from 0.8 to 1.8[Formula: see text]V. The proposed system’s bitrate is 50[Formula: see text]MB/s and its efficiency is 30.03[Formula: see text]Mb/mJ. This process has been implemented in the 0.18[Formula: see text]um CMOS process. Simulation results have been presented in Hspice software and cadence. The output bit images have been displayed by Matlab software.
Optimal non-homogeneous improvements for the series expansion of Hardy’s inequality
Authors: Gkikas Konstantinos T. , Psaradakis Georgios 
Published: April 2021

We consider the series expansion of the [Formula: see text]-Hardy inequality of [G. Barbatis, S. Filippas and A. Tertikas, Series expansion for [Formula: see text] Hardy inequalities, Indiana Univ. Math. J. 52 (2003) 171–190], in the particular case where the distance is taken from an interior point of a bounded domain in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. For [Formula: see text] we improve it by adding as a remainder term an optimally weighted critical Sobolev norm, generalizing the [Formula: see text] = 2 result of [S. Filippas and A. Tertikas, Optimizing improved Hardy inequalities, J. Funct. Anal. 192 (2002) 186–233] and settling the open question raised in [G. Barbatis, S. Filippas and A. Tertikas, A unified approach to improved [Formula: see text] Hardy inequalities with best constants, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 356 (2004) 2169–2196]. For [Formula: see text] we improve it by adding as a remainder term the optimally weighted Hölder seminorm, extending the Hardy–Morrey inequality of [G. Psaradakis, An optimal Hardy–Morrey inequality, Calc. Var. Partial Differential Equations 45 (2012) 421–441] to the series case.
A Novel Framework for Multiple Ground Target Detection, Recognition and Inspection in Precision Agriculture Applications Using a UAV
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Tufail Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Tahir , Khan Zubair Ahmad , Iqbal Javaid , Wasim Arsalan 
Published: April 2021

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been recently used for different civilian applications such as remote sensing, search, and rescue (SAR), precision agriculture (PA), etc. A UAVs ability to sense and find targets remotely and, based on that, hover close to the target for a particular action makes it an ideal platform for the aforementioned applications. There has been extensive work carried out in the field of visual-based detection, navigation, and control, but the problem of detecting different ground targets and performing certain actions is still an open research area. This study proposes a novel framework for multiple target detection, recognition, and navigation of the UAV to the desired target and closely inspect it. This proposed framework can be deployed for accurately spot spraying in PA applications or SAR. The target detection and recognition in the framework are achieved through a computationally efficient Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) trained model, whereas the close inspection of the target is achieved through a PID-based tracking algorithm which ensures the UAV hover around the target for few seconds. The developed framework performed the desired objective in five stages employing Lawson’s control theory of sense, process, compare, decide and act. The target detection and recognition in the framework were validated with the field experiment, while the entire framework was validated through a variety of simulation flights conducted in Gazebo and PX4. The experiments’ results showed the versatility of the developed system to many complex missions where the targets are added or removed.
Evaluation of Multimode Color Doppler Flow Imaging in the Diagnosis of Solid Renal Tumor
Authors: Chen Ming , Fu Xiaohong , Shen Yan 
Published: April 2021

Background. Renal cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in urinary system, seriously affecting people’s health and life. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of multi-mode color Doppler flow imaging for diagnosis of solid renal tumor. Methods. Sixty-six renal solid tumors from 63 patients were examined by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), power Doppler flow imaging (PDFI), superb microvascular imaging (SMI), and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) before surgery. The diagnostic efficacy of the four methods was compared by determining blood flow grade and ring-like blood flow with Adler’s method. Chi-square test and Fisher’s test were performed to compare the results of sensitivity and specificity among four methods. Results. Statistically significant differences in blood flow grade and ring-like blood flow were observed between benign and malignant renal tumors as detected by SMI and CEUS (

P

< 0.05), whereas no difference was found as detected by CDFI and PDFI (

P

> 0.05). The results indicated that the sensitivity and specificity of SMI (82.46%, 88.89%) and CEUS (84.21%, 88.89%) were higher than those of CDFI (42.11%, 66.67%) and PDFI (47.37%, 77.78%). Compared with the abilities of CDFI and PDFI, SMI and CEUS can better display the micro-blood flow in the tumors and evaluate the blood flow grading, which indicated that SMI and CEUS may have high values in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant solid renal tumors. Conclusion. SMI and CEUS can improve the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of benign and malignant renal tumors and have a high application value.
The Maximal ABC Index of the Corona of Two Graphs
Authors: Liu Haiqin , Shao Yanling 
Published: April 2021

Let

G

1

∘

G

2

be the corona of two graphs

G

1

and

G

2

which is the graph obtained by taking one copy of

G

1

and

V

G

1

copies of

G

2

and then joining the

i

th vertex of

G

1

to every vertex in the

i

th

copy of

G

2

. The atom-bond connectivity index (ABC index) of a graph

G

is defined as

A
B
C

G

=

∑

u
v
∈
E

G

d

G

u

+

d

G

v

−
2

/

d

G

u

d

G

v

, where

E

G

is the edge set of

G

and

d

G

u

and

d

G

v

are degrees of vertices

u

and

v

, respectively. For the ABC indices of

G

1

∘

G

2

with

G

1

and

G

2

being connected graphs, we get the following results. (1) Let

G

1

and

G

2

be connected graphs. The ABC index of

G

1

∘

G

2

attains the maximum value if and only if both

G

1

and

G

2

are complete graphs. If the ABC index of

G

1

∘

G

2

attains the minimum value, then

G

1

and

G

2

must be trees. (2) Let

T

1

and

T

2

be trees. Then, the ABC index of

T

1

∘

T

2

attains the maximum value if and only if

T

1

is a path and

T

2

is a star.
A Prospective Pilot Study of Lung Cancer Screening in Patients at High Risk for Lung Cancer Who do not Meet Current Screening Guidelines
Authors: Hirsch EA , Brown SL , New ML , Malkoski SP 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To describe the results of a lung cancer screening (LCS) study of high-risk individuals ineligible for screening by Medicare (CMS) guidelines and prospectively selected by 6-year risk score. Methods: Study inclusion criteria included individuals 40–82 years old, with a 6-yr risk score of ≥1.5% for &lt;77 years or age or &gt;4% for 78–82 years of age, calculated by the PLCOm2012 model, no symptoms of lung cancer, and willingness to sign a consent form. Enrollment was offered to eligible individuals referred for screening through the University of Colorado Hospital LCS program that did not meet CMS screening guidelines (55–77 years old, ≥30 pack year smoking history, current smoker or quit within the past 15 years). Enrolled participants completed a shared design making visit with a LCS clinic provider, underwent a LDCT read in Lung-RADs (LR) by thoracic radiologists, and received follow-up and additional referrals, if indicated, from the LCS clinic. Individuals could undergo up to 3 LDCTs as part of the study. Results: The study completed 66 LDCTs on 48 participants. Screened individuals were 52% male, 85% white, 52% former smokers, had a mean baseline age of 69(±9) years, and a mean 6-year risk score of 5.6%(±5.9%). LR results of the index LDCTs included 46% LRs 1, 44% LRs 2, 4% LRs 3, and 6% LRs 4. 35% of screened participants had a significant incidental finding; 59% were coronary calcifications. Reasons screened individuals were ineligible by CMS guidelines included: 12% &lt;55 years, 21% &gt;77 years, 27% &lt;30 pack year smoking history, and 40% quit smoking &gt;15 years prior. The study diagnosed two lung cancers, a stage 1A adenocarcinoma diagnosed in 74 yr old white female with a 3.3% 6-yr risk score and a carcinoid diagnosed in a 77 yr old white male with a risk score of 7.5%. Both individuals had quit smoking &gt;15 years prior. Conclusions: Early stage lung cancers can be detected in asymptomatic individuals who are prospectively selected by risk calculators and fall outside current CMS guidelines. However, the two cancers were diagnosed in people that would not qualify for the proposed expanded US Preventive Service Task Force guidelines, lowering eligibility to 50 years of age and tobacco exposure to 20 pack years.