bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of perfluoropolyether and the micro nano structure of ZnO on anti icing performance of fluorinated organic superhydrophobicity coatings on wind turbine blade surface
Authors: Zeng Zijing , He Jianjun , Jie Jun , Zhou Chengwei , Chen Biao , Bao Jiangyong , Yang Kaijun , Luo Jin 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
The ice coating on the blade surface of wind turbine in winter seriously affects the operation safety and power generation efficiency of wind turbine, and anti icing and deicing is an urgent technical problem. In this paper, a super-hydrophobic anti-icing coating was prepared by fluorination modification, and the effect of the addition of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) and ZnO on the performance of the coating was studied. The research results show that the addition of PFPE reduces the surface energy of the coating from 18.12 mJ m−2 at 0% to 13.22 mJ m−2 at 15%. The surface free energy has a linear relationship with the binding force of icing. With the increase of the amount of PFPE, the contact angle of the coating increases, the sliding angle decreases, and the delayed icing performance improves. When the amount of PFPE reaches 15%, the contact angle reaches the highest value of 158°, and the sliding angle is 2°; adding PFPE coating, the freezing delay time can reach 107.1 s. The addition of PFPE can effectively reduce the icing strength, and the icing bonding force of the coating is reduced to 0.59 N at 15%. The addition of a amount of ZnO can greatly change the microstructure of the coating surface, thereby changing its superhydrophobicity. The fluorinated superhydrophobicity coating modified by the addition and removal of ZnO has obvious anti-icing performance. The 6 wt% sample has the best delayed icing energy.
Identification of Fe-Zn coating behaviors by a new reverse approach using artificial intelligence
Authors: Nasser Mohamed , Attyaoui Slimen , Tlili Brahim , Montagne Alex , Briki Jalel , Iost Alain 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Nanoindentation is a technique commonly used to measure the mechanical properties of thin films even at depths less than 1 μm. In fact, the characterization is based on the study of the load/displacement curves resulting from the nanoindentation test. We aim to use the backtracking search optimization algorithm (BSA) to improve the extraction of P(h) curves performed by nanoindentation on galvannealed Fe-Zn coating in terms of precision and dispersion. Indeed, the originality of this study is not limited only to the P(h) curve extraction methods, but also to its application in modeling the reverse approach for the case of Fe-Zn coating deposited on a Dual-Phase DP600 steel substrate. Indeed, the BSA approach showed more precision (with respect to the determined mean value) and less dispersion (magnitude of error around the identified mean value) compared to the Least-squares approach. The average error with the BSA and LS methods is respectively 0.89% and 3.16% for the yield stress

σ

Y

and 3.17% and 7.93% for the strain hardening exponent (n). This reduced the error variability in the prediction of the constitutive law to 72% and 60% for (

σ

Y

) and n, respectively. Thus, we solved the problems of accessibility, uniqueness of the solution, precision (+10%) and dispersion (−85%) of the required prediction models for the Fe-Zn coating behavior.
Strain in heterogeneous quantum devices with atomic layer deposition
Authors: Kennedy Oscar W , O’Sullivan James , Zollitsch Christoph W , Thomas Christopher N , Withington Stafford , Morton John J L 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
We investigated the use of dielectric layers produced by atomic layer deposition (ALD) as an approach to strain mitigation in composite silicon/superconductor devices operating at cryogenic temperatures. We show that the addition of an ALD layer acts to reduce the strain of spins closest to silicon/superconductor interface where strain is highest. We show that appropriately biasing our devices at the hyperfine clock transition of bismuth donors in silicon, we can remove strain broadening and that the addition of ALD layers left T
2 (or temporal inhomogeneities) unchanged in these natural silicon devices.
Energy access investment, agricultural profitability, and rural development: time for an integrated approach
Authors: Falchetta Giacomo 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
In rural sub-Saharan Africa, the global poverty hotspot, smallholder farmers account for 80% of agricultural production, with 90% of cropland being exclusively rainfed. A key obstacle to rural development and poverty elimination is the lack of electricity access: less than one in three dwellers have electricity at home. The main barrier to rural electrification is the capital-intensiveness of energy supply infrastructure among sparse communities with low demand density and insecurity of payment. While public governments have largely been unable to channel the required resources, private players are often unwilling to pursue risky and unprofitable household electrification programs. In this context, this perspective argues that the paradigm of rural electrification should be centred around an integrated approach aiming at increasing agricultural productivity and profitability. These bear the necessary potential to enable local income generation and thus also provide an incentive for private energy investment, including in the residential sector. A framework for the integrated approach is proposed and the crucial synergetic role of data modelling and business and policy research to pursue this paradigm is discussed.
Neuron segmentation using 3D wavelet integrated encoder–decoder network
Authors: Li Qiufu , Shen Linlin 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Motivation
3D neuron segmentation is a key step for the neuron digital reconstruction, which is essential for exploring brain circuits and understanding brain functions. However, the fine line-shaped nerve fibers of neuron could spread in a large region, which brings great computational cost to the neuron segmentation. Meanwhile, the strong noises and disconnected nerve fibers bring great challenges to the task.

Results
In this article, we propose a 3D wavelet and deep learning-based 3D neuron segmentation method. The neuronal image is first partitioned into neuronal cubes to simplify the segmentation task. Then, we design 3D WaveUNet, the first 3D wavelet integrated encoder–decoder network, to segment the nerve fibers in the cubes; the wavelets could assist the deep networks in suppressing data noises and connecting the broken fibers. We also produce a Neuronal Cube Dataset (NeuCuDa) using the biggest available annotated neuronal image dataset, BigNeuron, to train 3D WaveUNet. Finally, the nerve fibers segmented in cubes are assembled to generate the complete neuron, which is digitally reconstructed using an available automatic tracing algorithm. The experimental results show that our neuron segmentation method could completely extract the target neuron in noisy neuronal images. The integrated 3D wavelets can efficiently improve the performance of 3D neuron segmentation and reconstruction.

Availabilityand implementation
The data and codes for this work are available at https://github.com/LiQiufu/3D-WaveUNet.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
68 Outcomes of Emergency Appendicectomy At Torbay Hospital During Peak SARS-COV-2 Pandemic
Authors: Babar M , Whitmore H , Goodrum S 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
SARS-COV-2 has created unprecedented challenges for healthcare systems. As a result, new intercollegiate guidelines have been published in the UK to manage emergency surgeries commencing 25th March 2020. Devon has one of the lowest incidences of Covid-19 in UK. In this study, we report outcomes of emergency appendicectomy at Torbay Hospital during peak COVID-19 pandemic, from 25th March till 26th May 2020.

Method
This is a single centre retrospective review at Torbay Hospital, Devon. It includes all patients who underwent emergency appendicectomy. Primary outcomes were intra-operative findings, change of operation choice due to revised guidelines, and length of admission. The secondary outcome was 14 days post-operative mortality and morbidity.

Results
A total of 29 patients, median age 33.1, underwent emergency appendicectomy. 79.3% (n = 23) had a pre-operative SARS-COV-2 nasal swab test, all of which were negative. All appendicectomies were conducted in a non-COVID theatre. Level 3 PPE and precautions were used intra-operatively. The choice of operation was changed in 37.9% (n = 10), from laparoscopic to open as per COVID-19 guidelines. Most patients (86.2%) were discharged from hospital within 5 days of operation. None of the patients or surgeons contracted COVID-19 related infection in 14 days following the operation.

Conclusions
This study is a snapshot into safety of operative management of acute appendicitis in patients not suspected of COVID-19 infection during first wave of pandemic. However, it will be interesting to see long-term multi-centre comparative studies analysing the effect of surgical management of appendicitis during all three waves of pandemic.
91 Management and Outcomes of Appendicitis in The Pre-COVID-19, COVID-19 And Post-COVID-19 Periods
Authors: Abeywickrema M , Patel C , Ghumman A K , Krishan A , Puventhiranathan P , Mae Kelly G , Nijjar R 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Aim
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an upheaval of national surgical guidance on appendicitis, which has previously favoured surgical over conservative approaches. We analysed how these guidelines altered management and outcomes of appendicitis.

Method
A retrospective cohort study at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham of all appendicitis admissions around and during the first COVID-19 peak was conducted, with analysis of electronic patient records using the acute surgical worklist.

Results
48 admissions for appendicitis during the two-month period from 01/02/20 to 25/03/20 prior to the COVID-19 peak and 28 admissions in the two months during the peak itself from 30/03/20 to 24/05/20 were identified. Prior to the COVID-19 peak, a lower proportion of cases was managed conservatively (18.8%) compared to the latter (67.9%, p &lt; 0.0001). This change also coincided with a switch from laparoscopic to open approaches in those managed surgically. We studied a further period post-COVID-19 peak from 01/06/20 to 26/07/20, where proportions of patients managed conservatively versus surgically did not significantly change following the COVID-19 peak, although surgical preference reverted from open to laparoscopic approaches. During the COVID-19 period, a reduced length of stay was seen in cases managed conservatively (1.65 days) compared to those managed surgically (4 days, p = 0.024). Differences in readmission rates were not statistically significant.

Conclusions
A reduction in numbers of appendicitis presentations as well as a switch to conservative approaches was seen during COVID-19. These findings furthermore support non-inferiority of conservative over open surgical approaches in most appendicitis cases at a time where laparoscopy was deemed unfeasible.
160 Informed Consent for Surgery at Resumption of Elective Activity After the First Wave of COVID-19
Authors: Darwish N , Iqbal M , Dhahri Adeel A , Jacob N , Jebamani J , Easthope A , Vijay V 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Aim
The Royal College of Surgeons of England published guidance on consent during COVID-19. Through this study, we aimed to assess our local consent adherence to these guidelines on the resumption of elective activity after the first wave of COVID-19.

Method
This prospective review of consecutive elective surgical consent forms was conducted from 20 July 2020 to 16 August 2020 at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, England. The primary outcome was evidence of COVID-19 risk documentation on the consent forms.

Results
A total of 116 patients’ consent forms were reviewed. Most patients were American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade 2 (n = 70; 60.34%). Only 25 consent forms (21.55%) had COVID -19 and its associated risks documented, with registrars being the most compliant (19/46; 41.3%) followed by consultants (6/51; 11.7%). With regards to the surgical sub-specialities, general surgery, orthopaedics and ENT had the highest compliance with the guidance.

Conclusions
As the elective activity resumes, peri-operative risks of COVID-19 should be weighted in during the informed consent process, as mentioned in the latest international guidelines on consent to avoid litigation and negligence claims.
A pleiotropic ATM variant (rs1800057 C&gt;G) is associated with risk of multiple cancers
Authors: Qian Danwen , Liu Hongliang , Zhao Lingling , Luo Sheng , Walsh Kyle M , Huang Jiaoti , Li Chuan-yuan , Wei Qingyi 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
ATM (ataxia–telangiectasia mutated) is an important cell-cycle checkpoint kinase required for cellular response to DNA damage. Activated by DNA double strand breaks, ATM regulates the activities of many downstream proteins involved in various carcinogenic events. Therefore, ATM or its genetic variants may have a pleiotropic effect on cancer development. We conducted a pleiotropic analysis to evaluate associations between genetic variants of ATM and risk of multiple cancers. With genotyping data extracted from previously published genome-wide association studies of various cancers, we performed multivariate logistic regression analysis, followed by a meta-analysis for each cancer site, to identify cancer risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In the ASSET two-sided analysis, we found that two ATM SNPs were significantly associated with risk of multiple cancers. One tagging SNP (rs1800057 C&gt;G) was associated with risk of multiple cancers (two-sided P = 5.27 × 10−7). Because ATM rs1800057 is a missense variant, we also explored the intermediate phenotypes through which this variant may confer risk of multiple cancers and identified a possible immune-mediated effect of this variant. Our findings indicate that genetic variants of ATM may have a pleiotropic effect on cancer risk and thus provide an important insight into common mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
Using theory-based evaluation to understand what works in asset-based community development
Authors: Ward Sarah 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Asset-based community development (ABCD) has become a popular approach to community work, with the claim that it can support high poverty communities to drive the process of community development. Yet there is little detailed evidence on the efficacy of the ABCD model, and how this relates to the political, economic, and social context in which the intervention is located. This article presents research from a community case study in Scotland to explore how Theory-Based Evaluation can clarify ABCD’s hypothesis for change. Understanding ABCD’s causal mechanisms allows a nuanced consideration of why it may have limited impact and highlights the importance of context when planning community interventions. The study demonstrates that ABCD can generate locally led activity and build social networks but is unlikely to achieve a ‘tipping point’ from activity generation into wider community association without pre-existing resources being in place. Community association relies on pathways of activism that support local action incrementally and require resources in support of this.
Constitutional Biography of Hong Kong and Ambiguities of One Country, Two Systems Policy
Authors: Husa Jaakko 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
This essay reviews Albert Chen’s ‘The Changing Legal Orders in Hong Kong and Mainland China: Essays on One Country, Two Systems' (2021). The aim is to address the most significant points raised by the author of the book and provide a readable and critical synthesis of Chen’s key arguments. The focus is on the background of the tension points between China and Hong Kong that are generated by the One Country, Two Systems policy. The article ends with discussion on the book’s contribution and the possible future of Hong Kong’s common law heritage as a part of China.
Can social housing help to integrate divided cities?
Authors: Turok Ivan , Scheba Andreas , Visagie Justin 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Social housing has the potential to contribute to economic inclusion and urban integration if it is well-located. However, this is complicated by economic forces that shape land and property markets and constrain the ability of social housing organisations to afford suitable sites for development on the open market. The paper shows how South Africa’s transformative vision for social housing has been diluted by the gradual spatial drift of projects from the accessible urban core towards outlying areas. Poor coordination has meant that social housing organisations have operated in relative isolation without the consistent government support required to obtain surplus public land in well-situated areas.
Long-term follow-up of passive containment surgery in patients with aortic regurgitation
Authors: Bredin Fredrik , Franco-Cereceda Anders 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
The goal of this case-control study was to evaluate the long-term effects on cardiac dimensions, cardiac function and coronary circulation in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) and left ventricular dilatation undergoing aortic valve replacement and application of the Acorn CorCap cardiac support device Of 10 patients with AR and ventricular dilatation who had a mechanical aortic valve implanted, 5 in addition received the cardiac support device. Cardiac dimensions and cardiac function were measured by echocardiography preoperatively and 1, 5 and 10 years postoperatively. The coronary circulation was assessed by computed tomography angiography. After aortic valve replacement, there was a rapid and sustained decrease in cardiac dimensions. This result did not differ after application of the cardiac support device. Improvement in cardiac function remained unchanged in both groups at the 10-year follow-up. None of the patients had developed any signs of coronary artery disease. Application of the Acorn CorCap cardiac support device in patients with AR and left ventricular dilatation did not add to the reversed remodelling or cardiac function at the long-term follow-up compared to aortic valve replacement alone.
Feasibility of hybrid Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy after sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Pines Guy , Khalayleh Harbi , Mashni Ibrahim , Bar Ilan 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Oesophageal resection is a challenging procedure, and it is more so in patients who have undergone bariatric procedures, especially after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. We present the case of a patient with a history of an laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy who underwent a hybrid Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy in which the sleeve was successfully used to reconstruct the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Identifying the mechanisms that contribute to safe and effective electronic test result management systems— a multisite qualitative study
Authors: Georgiou Andrew , Li Julie , Thomas Judith , Dahm Maria R 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectiveSuboptimal design of health information technology (IT) systems can lead to the introduction of errors in the diagnostic process. We aimed to identify mechanisms that can affect the safety and effectiveness of these systems in hospital settings thus contributing to the building of an explicit and replicable understanding of the variables that can affect the functioning of IT systems.Materials and MethodsThis qualitative study drew from observations and semistructured interviews from a purposive sample of 46 participants (26 emergency department and 20 laboratory and medical imaging staff) across 3 Australian hospitals. Iterative, inductive coding of the data led to the development of higher-level themes based on relationships between codes.ResultsTwo overarching themes emerged: (1) usability and safety of the electronic test result management system; and (2) system redesign considerations about who is meant to follow up, when and how. The usability and safety of digital systems and the way these systems deal with accountability processes are triggered by mechanisms that are contextually dependent.DiscussionOur findings highlighted the multitransactional nature of the test result management process involving numerous healthcare professionals across different settings. This communication requires integration of the systems utilized by different departments and transparency of the test result follow-up process to facilitate clear lines of responsibility and accountability.ConclusionIdentifying mechanisms that shape the functionality and sustainability of electronic result management can offer a valuable appreciation of key elements that need to be accounted for, and the circumstances in which they need to operate effectively.
PSII-14 Inclusion of popcorn and crawfish shells as components in non-feedstock silage production
Authors: Bielamowicz Lauren P , Keele Jennifer A , Nix Lauren M , Smith William B 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
As the future of agricultural sciences, it is imperative that student scientists seek to investigate alternatives to help improve production by lowering costs while meeting dietary requirements, increasing output, and maintaining sustainability. Anthropogenic waste as potential feedstock, we are engaging in an innovative wave of agricultural research. While previous research in our laboratory has evaluated newspaper, waste popcorn, and crawfish shells as feedstock, their potential for ensiling represents an alternative avenue for upcycling and long-term storage. The objective of this experiment was to determine the optimum concentrations of newspaper, waste popcorn, and crawfish shells for ideal silage fermentation. This experiment was conducted as a Box-Wilson composite design with four replications. Prescribed amounts of shredded newspaper, ground crawfish shells and heads, and waster popcorn were thoroughly mixed, and water and inoculant were added to achieve 25% dry matter. Central points for popcorn were 35.5, 1.3, 35.5, and 1.3% dry matter, respectively, for grain silage, grass silage, high combination, and low combination. Central points for crawfish were 4.0, 6.4, 4.0, and 6.4% dry matter, respectively, for grain silage, grass silage, high combination, and low combination. Samples were sealed using a food-grade sealer and allowed to ferment for 35 d. A subsample was frozen for assay of pH and silage acids. The remaining sample was dried at 55°C, ground, and assayed for NDF, ADF, CP, and IVTD. Across block, there was no effect of crawfish or popcorn inclusion on NDF (P ≥ 0.09; μ = 74%), ADF (P ≥ 0.24; μ = 60%), or IVTD (P ≥ 0.12; μ = 35%). Results are interpreted to mean that these feed ingredients may be used in non-feedstock silage production, but its usefulness to livestock production is questionable.