bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial variability in river bed porosity determined by nuclear density gauging: A case study from a French gravel‐bed river
Authors: Tabesh Mina , Vollmer Stefan , Schüttrumpf Holger , Frings Roy M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPorosity is one of the key properties of fluvial sediments. It is defined as the ratio of pore volume to total volume. In river science, porosity is often assumed to be spatially constant, which might be a gross simplification of reality. Ignoring the spatial variations in porosity can cause errors in morphological, ecological, hydrological, hydrogeological and sedimentological applications. Although detailed information about spatial porosity variations can be obtained from porosity measurements at field sites, such information has never been collected where these variations might be important. In this study, field porosity measurements were carried out to quantify the magnitude of the spatial porosity variation for four different sedimentological environments of a braided river: a confluence, a tributary delta, a braid bar and a secondary channel. A nuclear density gauge was used for the measurement of porosity. The nuclear density gauge proved to be a time‐saving and labour‐saving technique that produces accurate porosity values with a root mean square error of 0.03. The four sedimentological environments showed significant differences in porosity, with mean porosity being lower for confluence and bar than for delta and secondary channel. Semi‐variogram analysis showed the absence of any spatial correlation in porosity for distances beyond 4 m. This shows that distance cannot be used as a parameter for porosity extrapolation in a fluvial system unless the extrapolation distance is less than 4 m. At least eight measurements of porosity are required to obtain a reliable estimate of mean porosity in a sedimentary environment, i.e. with uncertainty <0.03. Although grain size characteristics were found to have a significant impact on porosity, the relationships between these parameters and porosity were not very strong in this study. The unique porosity dataset, presented in this article, provides a valuable source of information for researchers and river managers.
Study of the Effect of Air Injection On the Surge and Flow Characteristic of Compressor and the Pumping Loss in a Heavy-Duty Turbocharged NGSI Engine
Authors: Liao Cheng , Fu Jianqin , Zhao Dan , Ren Chengqin , Liu Jingping , Liu Qi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
In this study, bench tests of a heavy-duty turbocharged natural gas spark ignition (NGSI) engine were conducted with intake air injection at full load and different engine speeds. The flow characteristic of the compressor was revealed. The flow capacity of the compressor is reduced with air injection, and the reduction range increases gradually with the air injection pressure increasing at a constant speed, which would likely lead the compressor to surge. But the decrease extent of the compressor flow rate is improved as the speed increases, which reduces the tendency of surge. Based on those, prediction models for safe air injection pressure which can avoid compressor surge during various operations were proposed and then validated with experimental data. In addition, the influence of air injection on the pumping loss was also analyzed. The turbocharger efficiency is reduced therefore the pumping loss of the engine is increased during the air injection process. At 1200 rpm, the pumping loss efficiency of the engine without air injection is 0.25%, while it is increased to 1.83% with an air injection pressure of 400kPa at the same load.
Parametric Study on Exergy and NOxMetrics of Turbofan Engine Under Different Design Variables
Authors: Aygun Hakan , Sheikhi Mohammad Rauf , Kirmizi Mehmet 
Published: August 2021

AbstractExamining the effects of design variables on performance and emission parameters for gas turbine engines is of high importance. In this study, the effects of by-pass ratio (BPR) and turbine inlet temperature (TIT) of turbofan engine on energy, exergy, and exhaust emissions are parametrically analyzed at 0.85 Ma and altitude of 11 km. Moreover, cruise NOx emission is quantified by Boeing Fuel Flow Method 2 (BFFM2) and DLR methods. As a novelty, specific NOx production (SNP) is first quantified for PW4000 engine. In this study, parametric cycle equations regarding turbofan engine are encoded so as to compute performance and emission metrics. According to energy analysis, specific fuel consumption (SFC) of the turbofan averagely changed from 19.82 to 18.64 g/kNs due to rising BPR whereas it increases from 18.62 to 19.93 g/kNs owing to rising TIT. Furthermore, exergy efficiency of turbofan rises from 27.67% to 29.42% due to rising BPR whereas it decreases from 29.46% to 27.65% owing to rising TIT. As for NOx emission results, the higher BPR leads to the lowering of the SNP index of the turbofan from 0.46 to 0.375 g/kNs while the higher TIT yields to the increase of the SNP index from 0.377 to 0.455 g/kNs. According to the findings of this study, the decision mechanism could be improved to find out optimum design variables in terms of eco-friendly aircraft activities.
Test–Retest Reliability of Soccer Dribbling Tests in Children
Authors: Duncan Michael J. , Richardson Darren , Morris Rhys , Eyre Emma , Clarke Neil D. 
Published: August 2021

The present study examined the test–retest reliability of the Ghent University dribbling test and short dribble test in a pediatric population. Fifty-four boys aged 9–14 years (mean ± SD = 11 ± 2 years) undertook the Ghent University and dribbling tests on two occasions separated by 2 weeks. Intraclass correlation coefficients, coefficient of variation, and 95% limits of agreement were conducted for each test. Intraclass correlation coefficients and coefficient of variation indicated good to excellent reliability, and relatively small variability for both dribbling tests. The 95% limits of agreement indicated relatively little bias Ghent University dribbling test for both running alone and running with the ball components, and the Bangsbo and Mohr short dribble test. The results of the present study suggest both dribbling tests examined in the present study demonstrate good reliability and low levels of systematic bias.
Homogeneous perfect fluid collapse in five-dimensional spherically symmetric spacetime
Authors: Ahmad Zahid , Raza Muhammad Ali , Zubair M. 
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the higher-dimensional collapse of homogeneous isotropic perfect fluid is studied by considering the geometry of five-dimensional spherically symmetric metric. Using equations of state for different fields like dust, radiation and stiff fluid with and without cosmological constant [Formula: see text], the gravitational collapse is studied. The results are compared with the usual four-dimensional study in [A. V. Astashenok, K. Mosani, S. D. Odintsov and G. C. Samanta, Int. J. Geom. Methods Mod. Phys. 16, 1950035 (2019)]. It is found that the collapse rate is faster in five-dimensional spacetime as compared to four-dimensional case supporting the cosmic censorship hypothesis.
Lipidomic Profiling of Clinical Prostate Cancer Reveals Targetable Alterations in Membrane Lipid Composition
Authors: Butler Lisa M. , Mah Chui Yan , Machiels Jelle , Vincent Andrew D. , Irani Swati , Mutuku Shadrack M. , Spotbeen Xander , Bagadi Muralidhararao , Waltregny David , Moldovan Max , Dehairs Jonas , Vanderhoydonc Frank , Bloch Katarzyna , Das Rajdeep , Stahl Jurgen , Kench James G. , Gevaert Thomas , Derua Rita , Waelkens Etienne , Nassar Zeyad D. , Selth Luke A. , Trim Paul J. , Snel Marten F. , Lynn David J. , Tilley Wayne D. , Horvath Lisa G. , Centenera Margaret M. , Swinnen Johannes V. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Dysregulated lipid metabolism is a prominent feature of prostate cancer that is driven by androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Here we used quantitative mass spectrometry to define the “lipidome” in prostate tumors with matched benign tissues (n = 21), independent unmatched tissues (n = 47), and primary prostate explants cultured with the clinical AR antagonist enzalutamide (n = 43). Significant differences in lipid composition were detected and spatially visualized in tumors compared with matched benign samples. Notably, tumors featured higher proportions of monounsaturated lipids overall and elongated fatty acid chains in phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine lipids. Significant associations between lipid profile and malignancy were validated in unmatched samples, and phospholipid composition was characteristically altered in patient tissues that responded to AR inhibition. Importantly, targeting tumor-related lipid features via inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 significantly reduced cellular proliferation and induced apoptosis in tissue explants. This characterization of the prostate cancer lipidome in clinical tissues reveals enhanced fatty acid synthesis, elongation, and desaturation as tumor-defining features, with potential for therapeutic targeting.

Significance:
This study identifies malignancy and treatment-associated changes in lipid composition of clinical prostate cancer tissues, suggesting that mediators of these lipidomic changes could be targeted using existing metabolic agents.
English Language Education in the National Development Planning of Modern Taiwan
Authors: Wang Li-Yi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Articulating and implementing national development plans (ndp s) has been a popular approach taken by most governments in the world in response to the opportunities and challenges occurring in domestic and international spheres. Since the 2000s the Taiwanese government has launched a series of ndp s with different goals, foci, and tactical approaches. This paper adopts a retrospective lens to examine how English language education has been strategically situated in the ndp s of Taiwan and reflects on both the alignments and misalignments between the unveiled goals of the ndp s and the policies pertaining to English language education of the nation over the last two decades. In the pursuit of the goals of the contemporary ndp of the nation, strategic remodelling of teacher education programmes is needed through: (1) expanding bilingual/all-English programmes within departments; (2) advocating departmental interaction within/across teacher training institutes; and (3) optimising training and teaching opportunities for foreign students.
Seeing History in the Present: Reflections on the Concept of “Contaminated Landscapes”
Authors: Klei Alexandra 
Published: August 2021

The essay takes the 2014 book Kontaminierte Landschaften [Contaminated Landscapes] by the Austrian journalist and writer Martin Pollack as an opportunity to explore relationships between landscapes, (marked) places, and memory. In considering the relationship between the metaphorical (literary) image of contaminated landscapes and the actual crime scenes, I focus on the mass shootings of Jews by the German Nazis and their local supporters in the former Soviet Union. These specific crime scenes are used to explore the limits of Pollack’s metaphor and the problems it causes. The central arguments are presented using concrete examples provided by seven photographs.
Images of Failure
Authors: Stańczyk Xawery 
Published: August 2021

On the one hand, the sphere of art offers the possibility to imagine a different, less oppressive and normative world, where just as in the case of cartoons even the greatest gawks, misfits, and outcasts would build friendships and alliances helping them to reach a happy ending. On the other hand, there is something of an artistic performance, at least of an illusionist show, to an intentional act of failure. To perform failure, one has to improvise, to operate randomly, blunderingly, and ostentatiously, as well as to resist the social norms and rules. The artworks that are presented here pertain to all of these meanings of the “art of failure”.
Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement in Patients With and Without Borderline Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Murata Yoichi , Fukase Naomasa , Dornan Grant , Martin Maitland , Soares Rui , Pierpoint Lauren , Philippon Marc J. 
Published: August 2021

Background: Based on previous studies, it is difficult to discern whether patients who have femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with borderline developmental dysplasia of the hip (BDDH) would benefit from arthroscopy when compared with patients without BDDH. Purpose: To evaluate the existing comparative literature on arthroscopic findings, procedures, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and failures in patients who have FAI with BDDH compared with those without BDDH. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Ovid databases were searched for studies published up to August 31, 2019, that reported outcomes after arthroscopy to treat patients who had FAI with BDDH. Included studies were required to have patients diagnosed with FAI and BDDH who were treated arthroscopically and compared with control patients (FAI without BDDH). Arthroscopic findings, PROs, and revision or total hip arthroplasty (THA) conversion rates were compared between groups. Results: Included in the review were 4 articles (933 patients). Patients who had FAI with BDDH were defined as having a lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) of either 18° to 25° or 20° to 25°; for control patients, the maximum LCEA was 40°. Across the studies, there were 224 patients who had FAI with BDDH compared with 709 control patients; the mean follow-up time ranged from 21.6 to 31.3 months among the groups. Improvements were shown across all PROs in each study. Random-effects meta-analysis indicated no statistically significant differences in postoperative PROs, the risk for revision surgery, or conversion to THA between the patients who had FAI with versus without BDDH. Conclusion: The results of the current review indicated that hip arthroscopy produced similar short-term outcomes between patients who had FAI with versus without BDDH.
Opportunities and limits of combining microbiome and genome data for complex trait prediction
Authors: Pérez-Enciso Miguel , Zingaretti Laura M. , Ramayo-Caldas Yuliaxis , de los Campos Gustavo 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Analysis and prediction of complex traits using microbiome data combined with host genomic information is a topic of utmost interest. However, numerous questions remain to be answered: how useful can the microbiome be for complex trait prediction? Are estimates of microbiability reliable? Can the underlying biological links between the host’s genome, microbiome, and phenome be recovered?

Methods
Here, we address these issues by (i) developing a novel simulation strategy that uses real microbiome and genotype data as inputs, and (ii) using variance-component approaches (Bayesian Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space (RKHS) and Bayesian variable selection methods (Bayes C)) to quantify the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by the genome and the microbiome. The proposed simulation approach can mimic genetic links between the microbiome and genotype data by a permutation procedure that retains the distributional properties of the data.

Results
Using real genotype and rumen microbiota abundances from dairy cattle, simulation results suggest that microbiome data can significantly improve the accuracy of phenotype predictions, regardless of whether some microbiota abundances are under direct genetic control by the host or not. This improvement depends logically on the microbiome being stable over time. Overall, random-effects linear methods appear robust for variance components estimation, in spite of the typically highly leptokurtic distribution of microbiota abundances. The predictive performance of Bayes C was higher but more sensitive to the number of causative effects than RKHS. Accuracy with Bayes C depended, in part, on the number of microorganisms’ taxa that influence the phenotype.

Conclusions
While we conclude that, overall, genome-microbiome-links can be characterized using variance component estimates, we are less optimistic about the possibility of identifying the causative host genetic effects that affect microbiota abundances, which would require much larger sample sizes than are typically available for genome-microbiome-phenome studies. The R code to replicate the analyses is in https://github.com/miguelperezenciso/simubiome.
Correlation of serum delta-like ligand-4 level with the severity of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Zhu Yan , Hu Jingcheng , Du Xuan , Fang Qionglei , Zhou Yingyi , Chen Ke 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most serious microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Delta-like ligand-4 (DLL4) maintains the normal physiological microenvironment of the retina. However, the relationship between the level of DLL4 and the severity of DR remains unclear.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed serum DLL4 levels and other laboratory and clinical data in 94 T2DM patients (35 patients without DR [NDR], 32 with non-proliferative DR [NPDR], 27 with proliferative DR [PDR]), and 30 healthy controls.ResultsThe serum DLL4 level was significantly greater in the NDR group (43.38 ± 16.23 pg/mL), NPDR group (56.57 ± 25.89 pg/mL), and PDR group (74.97 ± 25.28 pg/mL) than in the healthy controls (29.9 ± 8.92 pg/mL; allp < 0.05). Among T2DM patients, the level of DLL4 increased as the severity of DR increased (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that DR was positively associated with DLL4, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and duration of T2DM (allp < 0.05). Consistently, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis also indicated that DLL4 was a potential candidate biomarker for identifying the severity of DR.ConclusionsT2DM patients, especially those with DR, have increased serum levels of DLL4. DLL4 may be used as a biomarker and an independent risk factor for DR, and targeting DLL4 may be a potential therapy in patients with DR.
Traditional application and modern pharmacological research of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.
Authors: Huang Lichuang , Lyu Qiang , Zheng Wanying , Yang Qiao , Cao Gang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAs a Traditional Chinese Medicine,Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.has been used for the treatment of various diseases since ancient times, involving lumbar pain, knee pain, osteoporosis, hepatoprotection, paralysis, intestinal haemorrhoids, vaginal bleeding, abortion, spermatorrhoea, foot fungus, anti-aging etc. With the developing discovery ofE. ulmoidesextracts and its active components in various pharmacological activities,E. ulmoideshas gained more and more attention. Up to now,E. ulmoideshas been revealed to show remarkable therapeutic effects on hypertension, hyperglycemia, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, sexual dysfunction.E. ulmoideshas also been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, anti-aging, anti-cancer and immunoregulation activities etc. Along these lines, this review summarizes the traditional application and modern pharmacological research ofE. ulmoides, providing novel insights ofE. ulmoidesin the treatment of various diseases.
A qualitative study of the impacts of having an infant or young child with achondroplasia on parent well-being
Authors: Pfeiffer Kathryn M. , Brod Meryl , Smith Alden , Viuff Dorthe , Ota Sho , Charlton R. Will 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Currently, there is limited research on how having a child diagnosed with achondroplasia affects parents’ lives. The purpose of the study was to investigate the experiences of parents of infants and young children less than two years of age with achondroplasia.

Methods
Concept elicitation interviews were conducted with parents of children less than 2 years of age with achondroplasia in the United States and Spain. Using grounded theory methods modified for health outcomes research, a qualitative analysis of interview transcripts was conducted. Based on the qualitative analysis, a preliminary theoretical model of the experiences of parents of infants and young children with achondroplasia was developed.

Results
Fifteen parents, including 14 mothers and 1 father from 15 unique families, participated in individual or focus group concept elicitation interviews in the US (n = 9) and Spain (n = 6). The qualitative analysis identified four key parent impact domains, which included caretaking responsibilities, impacts on emotional well-being, having worries and concerns about their child, and impacts on daily well-being. Frequently discussed caretaking responsibilities among parents were managing child’s medical care/treatment (93%), obtaining adaptations/items for child (73%), and monitoring child to avoid complications of achondroplasia (67%). Emotional impacts included feeling stressed/overwhelmed (67%), depressed/sad (40%), and anxious/nervous (33%). Worries and concerns included worry/concern about the future (100%), concerns regarding child’s physical health (87%), worry about child’s social well-being (80%), concern for child’s emotional well-being (73%), and worry about child being able to function independently (67%). Daily well-being impacts included family strain (60%), missed work time (47%), and missed/limited social activities (33%). Based on the qualitative findings, a preliminary theoretical model depicting the experiences of parents of infants and young children with achondroplasia was created.

Conclusions
The study sheds light on the range of impacts that parents of infants and young children with achondroplasia may experience, including caretaking responsibilities, impacts on emotional well-being, worries/concerns regarding their child, and impacts on daily well-being. The theoretical model of parent experiences may provide a helpful framework for informing future research and clinical practice.