bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Evolution Mechanism of A Rock Slope with Discontinuities Under Earthquake Motions Using Shaking Table Tests
Authors: Zhou Hanxu , Che Ailan , Zhu Renjie 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Under the impact of earthquake, even if the slopes do not fail, the integrity of rock slope structure would be damaged subjected to the seismic motion. The process of damage, destruction and failure for slopes is characterized by the dynamic evolution of stability. In the areas with active tectonic activities, frequent earthquakes have a significant effect on the attenuation of slope stability. To investigate the dynamic evolution of a rock slope under earthquake motions, a series of shaking table tests were performed. An artificial synthetic earthquake seismic wave was adopted to investigate the horizontal acceleration response. The results show that the wave field propagation results in MPGA values for the slope body above the tuff structural surface are larger than those inside the slope, and a maximum value of 3.7 is observed at slope crest. The structural surface results in a mutation of the acceleration response, which is not conducive to the slope stability. The modeled slope entered the plastic stage (input motion of 2.97 m/s2) earlier than landslides occurred (input motion of 4.46 m/s2). In addition, the safety factor of the sliding blocks was calculated based on pseudo static analysis. A good correspondence was found between the safety factors and the failure mode of the slope. The damage evolution process for the rock slope can be divided into three stages: an elastic stage (Ks=1.6–4.7), a plastic stage (Ks=0.8–1.6), and a damage stage (Ks<0.8).
A Novel Solar Powered Milk Cooling Refrigeration Unit with Cold Thermal Energy Storage for Rural Application
Authors: Sidney Shaji , Prabakaran Rajendran , Kim Sung Chul , Dhasan Mohan Lal 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This experimental study analyzed the use of solar photovoltaic energy for operating a novel twin-circuit DC milk chiller without batteries using water-based cold thermal energy storage for different seasons in Chennai, India. HFC-134a and HC-600a were used as refrigerants in the two individual circuits. For each season, the test was conducted continuously for 18 days to analyze the quantity of generated ice that could be utilized to chill 10 L of milk in the morning and in the evening. The average quantity of ice formed per day in the ice bank during monsoon, winter, and summer seasons was found to be 3.61, 19.75, and 27.97 kg, respectively. Thus, it is evident that the use of solar energy with thermal energy storage is effective for operating the milk chilling unit for two seasons, namely winter and summer. However, the system requires an additional power source for continuous operation during the monsoon season. In this study, solar photovoltaic power was observed to be a good choice for chilling milk in the context of global warming and energy consumption. The use of thermal energy storage also allows the initial cost to be reduced.
Long Range PCR-based deep sequencing for haplotype determination in mixed HCMV infections
Authors: Brait Nadja , Kül Büsra , Goerzer Irene 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Short read sequencing, which has extensively been used to decipher the genome diversity of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strains, often falls short to assess co-linearity of non-adjacent polymorphic sites in mixed HCMV populations. In the present study, we established a long amplicon sequencing workflow to identify number and relative quantities of unique HCMV haplotypes in mixtures. Accordingly, long read PacBio sequencing was applied to amplicons spanning over multiple polymorphic sites. Initial validation of this approach was performed with defined HCMV DNA templates derived from cell-free viruses and was further tested for its suitability on patient samples carrying mixed HCMV infections.
Results
Our data show that artificial HCMV DNA mixtures were correctly determined upon long amplicon sequencing down to 1% abundance of the minor DNA source. Total error rate of mapped reads ranged from 0.17 to 0.43 depending on the stringency of quality trimming. PCR products of up to 7.7 kb and a GC content < 55% were efficiently generated when DNA was directly isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage samples, yet long range PCR may display a slightly lower sensitivity compared to short amplicons. In a single sample, up to three distinct haplotypes were identified showing varying relative frequencies. Intra-patient haplotype diversity is unevenly distributed across the target site and often interspersed by long identical stretches, thus unable to be linked by short reads. Moreover, diversity at single polymorphic regions as assessed by short amplicon sequencing may markedly underestimate the overall diversity of mixed populations.
Conclusions
Quantitative haplotype determination by long amplicon sequencing provides a novel approach for HCMV strain characterisation in mixed infected samples which can be scaled up to cover the majority of the genome. This will substantially improve our understanding of intra-host HCMV strain diversity and its dynamic behaviour.
Tuberculosis Forecasting and Temporal Trends by Sex and Age in a High Endemic City in Northeast Brazil: Where Were we Before the Covid-19 Pandemic?
Authors: de Andrade Hamilton Leandro Pinto , Gomes Dulce , Ramos Antônio Carlos Vieira , Arroyo Luiz Henrique , Neto Marcelino Santos , Palha Pedro Fredemir , Fiorati Regina Célia , Fronteira Inês , Monroe Aline Aparecida , Santos Márcio Souza dos , Fuentealba-Torres Miguel , Yamamura Mellina , Crispim Juliane de Almeida , Arcêncio Ricardo Alexandre 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to describe the temporal trend of tuberculosis cases according to sex and age group and evidence the level of disease before the Covid-19 pandemic in a city in northeast Brazil. Methods: This was a time series study carried out in a city in northeast Brazil. The population was composed of cases of tuberculosis, excluding those with HIV-positive status, reported between the years 2002 and 2018. An exploratory analysis of the monthly rates of tuberculosis detection, smoothed according to sex and age group, was performed. Subsequently, the progression of the trend and prediction of the disease were also characterized according to these aspects. For the trends forecast, the seasonal autoregressive linear integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and the usual Box-Jenkins method were used to choose the most appropriate models. Results: A total of 1,620 cases of tuberculosis were reported, with an incidence of 49.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in men and 34.0 per 100,000 in women. Regarding the incidence for both sexes, there was a decreasing trend, which was similar for age. Evidence resulting from the application of the time series shows a decreasing trend in the years 2002–2018, with a trend of stability. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a decreasing trend in tuberculosis, even before the Covid-19 pandemic, for both sex and age; however, in a step really slow that recommended by the World Health Organization. According to the results, the disease would have achieved a level of stability had it not been for the Covid-19 pandemic. The results are relevant to evidence the problem of TB that transcends its aspects prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Study on the Influence of Snow Melt Water in Tianshan Mountains on the Water Filling of Yili No. 1 Mine and the Prevention of Water Hazards
Authors: Feng Lin , Sun Yajun , Zhang Chenghang , Xu Zhimin , Yuan Zewen , Luo Bin , Wang Xin 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Yili No.1 Mine locates opposite Tianshan Mountain in Yili Prefecture, Xinjiang. The main coal seams are No.3 and No.5 coal seams. The alluvial strata cover the surface of the minefield in the piedmont of the Tianshan Mountains. Snowmelt in the Tianshan Mountains is an essential source of replenishment for surface water and alluvial strata in the basin. Due to the particular diagenetic environment and geological conditions, coal mining is mainly affected by weakly cemented sandstone aquifers on the roof and floor. To solve the water hazard problems of the No.3 coal roof and the No.5 coal floor faced by the mine, we take the 1520w first mining face of Yili No.1 Mine as the research object. And through drilling and on-site water release tests, the threat of water inrush from the working face of the study area and the treatment plan are analyzed. The results show that the Quaternary aquifer in the study area is thin in thickness and fast in velocity. Therefore, it mainly flows through the site in the form of “slope transit flow”, which has little impact on the roof water filling of the No.3 coal seams. In addition, the floor water discharge test proved that the sandstone aquifer of the No.5 coal seam floor has the characteristics of dredging. To eliminate the threat of water inrush during the next mining step in the mine, we proposed arranging an “L”-shaped drainage project in the first working face. And the dredging effect was pronounced and can ensure the safety of mining. At the same time, it has essential reference significance for the mining work of other similar mines in the western region.
Ecological Risk Assessment of Five Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in Wastewater Treatment Plants from Monterrey, Mexico
Authors: López-Velázquez Khirbet , Guzmán-Mar Jorge L. , Saldarriaga-Noreña Hugo A. , Murillo-Tovar Mario A. , Villanueva-Rodríguez Minerva 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The potential ecological risk of five residual endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was studied. The wastewater samples were collected in WWTPs of the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey, Mexico (designed as Monterrey City hereinafter) and 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol A (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (4NP), and 4-tert-octylphenol (4TOP) were studied by SPE/GC-MS method. Results showed that all EDCs are widely distributed in WWTPs, finding high concentrations of BPA (450 ng/L) and EE2 (407.5 ng/L) in influents, while EE2 and 4TOP were the most abundant in effluents at levels from 1.6–26.8 ng/L (EE2) and < LOQ – 5.0 ng/L (4TOP), which corroborate that the wastewater discharges represent critical sources of EDCs to the aquatic environments. The potential ecological risk of residual EDCs was evaluated through risk quotients (RQs), and results indicated that the effluents of the WWTPs represent a high risk to exposed aquatic species, mainly due to the effect of residual estrogens E2 and EE2 which were considered as the most hazardous compounds among the studied EDCs, with RQ values up to 49.1 and 1165.2, respectively.
Regulating Immune Memory and Reversing Tumor Thermotolerance through a Step-by-Step Starving-Photothermal therapy
Authors: Luo Lihua , Qin Bing , Jiang Mengshi , Xie Lin , Luo Zhenyu , Guo Xuemeng , Zhang Junlei , Li Xiang , Zhu Chunqi , Du Yongzhong , Peng Ling , You Jian 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a highly effective treatment for solid tumorsand can induce long-term immune memory worked like an in situ vaccine. Nevertheless, PTT inevitably encounters photothermal resistance of tumor cells, which hinders therapeutic effect or even leads to tumor recurrence. Naïve CD8+T cells are mainly metabolized by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), followed by aerobic glycolysis after activation. And the differentiate of effector CD8+ T cell (CD8+Teff) into central memory CD8+ T cell (CD8+TCM) depends on fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to meet their metabolic requirements, which is regulated by adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK). In addition, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is severely immunosuppressive, confering additional protection against the host immune response mediated by PTT.Methods: Metformin (Met) down-regulates NADH/NADPH, promotes the FAO of CD8+T cells by activating AMPK, increases the number of CD8+TCM, which boosts the long-term immune memory of tumor-bearing mice treated with PTT. Here, a kind of PLGA microspheres co-encapsulated hollow gold nanoshells and Met (HAuNS-Met@MS) was constructed to inhibit the tumor progress. 2-Deoxyglucose (2DG), a glycolysis inhibitor for cancer starving therapy, can cause energy loss of tumor cells, reduce the heat stress response of tumor cell, and reverse its photothermal resistance. Moreover, 2DG prevents N-glycosylation of proteins that cause endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), further synergistically enhance PTT-induced tumor immunogenic cell death (ICD), and improve the effect of immunotherapy. So 2DG was also introduced and optimized here to solve the metabolic competition among tumor cells and immune cells in the TME.Results: We utilized mild PTT effect of HAuNS to propose an in situ vaccine strategy based on the tumor itself. By targeting the metabolism of TME with different administration strategy of 2DG and perdurable action of Met, the thermotolerance of tumor cells was reversed, more CD8+TCMs were produced and more effective anti-tumor was presented in this study.Conclusion: The Step-by-Step starving-photothermal therapy could not only reverse thetumor thermotolerance, but also enhance the ICD and produce more CD8+TCM during the treatment.
Polyester Fabric With Fluorescent Properties Using Microwave Technology For Anti-Counterfeiting Applications
Authors: Saad Fredj , Baffoun Ayda , Mahltig Boris , Hamdaoui Mohamed 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The article presented concerns the application of fluorescein as a fluorescent material for anti-counterfeiting technology which will allow the labeling and identification of legitimate articles in the textile field. Fluorescein has been applied to polyester fabrics by microwave irradiation technique in the presence of a UV absorber. Thus, its presence in the textile substrate is detectable following an excitation at a specific wavelength belonging to the Ultra-violet zone, which makes this material very effective for tracking and detecting counterfeit articles. Fluorescent samples are characterized morphologically by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantitatively by optical spectroscopy such as reflectance and transmission measurements. The treated samples show under UV light a yellowish green emission with a slight yellow coloration of the polyester fiber. The UV absorber applied to the fluorescent solution improves the light resistance of the treated samples by 25%. Their addition to the bath can also ensure the production of a protective fabric against UV.
Rhizobium inoculation enhanced the resistance of alfalfa and soil enzymatic activity in Cu-polluted soils
Authors: Duan Chengjiao , Mei Yuxia , Wang Qiang , Wang Yuhan , Li Qi , Hong Maojun , Hu Sheng , Li Shiqing , Fang Linchuan 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Although some studies have reported an important role of rhizobia in mitigating heavy metal toxicity, the regulatory mechanism of the alfalfa-rhizobium symbiosis system to resist copper (Cu) stress through biochemical reactions in the plant-soil system is still unclear. Hence, this study assessed the effects of rhizobium inoculation (i.e., Sinorhizobium meliloti CCNWSX0020) on the growth of alfalfa and soil enzyme activities under Cu stress. Our results showed that rhizobium inoculation markedly alleviated Cu-induced growth inhibition by increasing chlorophyll content, height and biomass and the contents of nitrogen and phosphorus in alfalfa. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased in both shoot and root of alfalfa under Cu stress. The application of rhizobium alleviated Cu-induced phytotoxicity by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and soluble protein content of tissues and inhibiting the level of lipid peroxidation (i.e., MDA level). In addition, rhizobium inoculation improved soil nutrient cycling, increased soil enzyme activities (i.e., β-glucosidase activity and alkaline phosphatase) and microbial biomass nitrogen. Both Pearson correlation coefficient analysis and partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) identified that the interactions between soil nutrient content, enzyme activity, microbial biomass and plant antioxidant enzymes and oxidative damage could jointly regulate plant growth. This study provides comprehensive insights into the mechanism of action of the legume-rhizobium symbiosis system to mitigate Cu stress and provide an efficient strategy for phytoremediation of Cu-polluted soils.
Evaluation of standard dosing for selected broad spectrum Hydrophilic antibiotics in critically ill patients with Augmented renal clearance: An observational Study
Authors: Almutairi Majed , Sulaiman Khalid Al , Alenazi Sultan , Vishwakarma Ramesh , Aljuhani Ohoud 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Inappropriate antibiotics dosing in critically ill patients with augmented renal clearance (ARC) may be associated with pathogens resistance and worse outcomes. Unfortunately, studies regarding the relationship between ARC and clinical outcomes in patients treated with antibiotics medication are rare. The study evaluates the efficacy and clinical outcomes of selected broad-spectrum hydrophilic antibiotics in ARC critically ill patients with confirmed infections. Methods: A retrospective cohort study in adult critically ill patients who were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC)-Riyadh and received standard dosing of selected broad-spectrum hydrophilic antibiotics (Meropenem, Imipenem, or Piperacillin/Tazobactam) with confirmed infection. All the patients who met our inclusion criteria during the study period (01/01/2018 – 31/12/2019) were included. Eligible patients have been divided into two groups (ARC Vs. non-ARC) according to the calculated creatinine clearance using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. The primary outcome was to assess pathogen eradication at 10-14 days; other outcomes were considered secondary. Multivariate logistic and generalized linear regression analyses were used. We considered a P value of < 0.05 statistically significant. Results: A total of 133 patients were included in the study; 67 Patients had ARC. The distribution of infections and types of pathogens between the groups were the same. The pathogen eradication at 10-14 days was similar between the two groups (OR 1.08; 95% CI, 0.41–2.78 p = 0.88). Moreover, the odds of resistance development and persistence after 3 days were not significantly different between the groups ((OR 0.78; 95% CI, 0.25–2.40 p = 0.66) and (OR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.35–2.18 p = 0.78) respectively). Conclusion: Using standard dosing of Meropenem, Imipenem, or Piperacillin/Tazobactam in ARC patients was not associated with therapy failure. Further randomized clinical and interventional studies are required to confirm our findings.
Geographical Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) based groundwater Potential Zones delineation in Chennai River Basin (CRB), India
Authors: PJ Sajil Kumar , L Elnago , Schneider Michael 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Groundwater depletion is one of the most important concerns for users and policy makers. Information on the locations where groundwater potential is high, or low is the key factor that helps them to do proper planning. Application of new technologies and methods are essential in this situation. This study has used the possibilities of Geographical Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing and, of course, field data to delineate the groundwater potential zones in the Chennai River Basin (CRB). To provide accurate results, 11 controlling factors- geology, water level, drainage, soil, lineament, rainfall, land use, slope, aspect, geomorphology, and depth to bed rock-- were brought into a digital GIS environment and appropriate weightage given to each layer depending on their effect on potential. The weightage is given based on Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), namely Analytical Hierarchal Process (AHP). Groundwater potential zones in the CRB were mapped as very poor, poor, moderate, good, very good using weighted overlay analysis. The results were compared with actual specific capacity from the borehole data. The accuracy of prediction was found to be 78.43%, indicating that in most of the locations, the predicted potential map agrees with the bore hole data. Thus, AHP aided GIS-RS mapping is a useful tool in groundwater prospecting in this region of the world.
Estimation of COVID-19 Recovery and Decease Periods in Canada Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Paul Subhendu , Lorin Emmanuel 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
We derive a novel model escorted by large scale compartments, based on a set of coupled delay differential equations with extensive delays, in order to estimate the incubation, recovery and decease periods of COVID-19, and more generally any infectious disease. This is possible thanks to machine learning algorithms applied to publicly available database of confirmed corona cases, recovered cases and death toll. In this purpose, we separate i) the total cases into 14 groups corresponding to 14 incubation periods, ii) the recovered cases into 406 groups corresponding to a combination of incubation and recovery periods, and iii) the death toll into 406 groups corresponding to a combination of incubation and decease periods. In this paper, we focus on recovery and decease periods and their correlation with the incubation period. The estimated mean recovery period we obtain is 22.14 days (95% Confidence Interval(CI): 22.00 to 22.27), and the 90th percentile is 28.91 days (95% CI: 28.71 to 29.13), which is in agreement with statistical supported studies. The bimodal gamma distribution reveals that there are two groups of recovered individuals with a short recovery period, mean 21.02 days (95% CI: 20.92 to 21.12), and a long recovery period, mean 38.88 days (95% CI 38.61 to 39.15). Our study shows that the characteristic of the decease period and the recovery period are alike. From the bivariate analysis, we observe a high probability domain for recovered individuals with respect to incubation and recovery periods. A similar domain is obtained for deaths analyzing bivariate distribution of incubation and decease periods.
Stable Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Bismuth-Halide Monocrystalline Compounds With Adjustable Optoelectronic Properties
Authors: Hu Xinru , Wang Jilin , He Jian , Zheng Guoyuan , Yao Disheng , Mo Shuyi , Tian Nan , Zhou Bing , Long Fei 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Two kinds of novel organic-inorganic bismuth-halide hybrid monocrystalline compounds (C6H5CH2NH3)2BiCl5 and (C6H5CH2NH3)BiI4 were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure, intermolecular interaction, morphology, chemical groups and bonds, optical and thermal stability of the samples were systematically investigated through single crystal X-ray diffraction, Hirshfeld surface analysis, SEM, FTIR, TG and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The results indicated that (C6H5CH2NH3)2BiCl5 and (C6H5CH2NH3)BiI4 crystals displayed a monoclinic system with the space group P21/c and P21/n at room temperature, respectively. These materials showed strong absorption in the ultraviolet and visible light regions, resulting in very low Eg, which could be continuously adjustable from 1.67 eV to 3.21 eV by changing the halogen ratio. In addition, these hybrid materials also exhibited good thermal stability. The decomposition temperature of (C6H5CH2NH3)2BiCl5 and (C6H5CH2NH3)BiI4 were 260℃ and 300℃ respectively. Therefore, these organic-inorganic bismuth-halide hybrid compounds have excellent development potential in the field of solar cell research.