bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental Investigation of Depletion- and Injection-Induced Changes in Poromechanical, Transport, and Strength Properties of High-Porosity Sandstone
Authors: Rafieepour S. , Miska S. Z. , Ozbayoglu E. M. , Takach N. E. , Yu M. , Zhang J. 
Published: March 2021

Summary
In this paper, an extensive series of experiments was performed to investigate the evolution of poromechanical (dry, drained, undrained, and unjacketed moduli), transport (permeability), and strength properties during reservoir depletion and injection in a high-porosity sandstone (Castlegate). An overdetermined set of eight poroelastic moduli was measured as a function of confining pressure (Pc) and pore pressure (Pp). The results showed larger effect on pore pressure at low Terzaghi’s effective stress (nonlinear trend) during depletion and injection. Moreover, the rock sample is stiffer during injection than depletion. At the same Pc and Pp, Biot’s coefficient and Skempton’s coefficient are larger in depletion than injection. Under deviatoric loading, absolute permeability decreased by 35% with increasing effective confining stress up to 20.68 MPa. Given these variations in rock properties, modeling of in-situ-stress changes using constant properties could attain erroneous predictions. Moreover, constant deviatoric stress-depletion/injection failure tests showed no changes or infinitesimal variations of strength properties with depletion and injection. It was found that failure of Castlegate sandstone is controlled by simple effective stress, as postulated by Terzaghi. Effective-stress coefficients at failure (effective-stress coefficient for strength) were found to be close to unity (actual numbers, however, were 1.03 for Samples CS-5 and CS-9 and 1.04 for Sample CS-10). Microstructural analysis of Castlegate sandstone using both scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope revealed that the changes in poroelastic and transport properties as well as the significant hysteresis between depletion and injection are attributed to the existence and distribution of compliant components such as pores, microcracks, and clay minerals.
Nearly continuous Ca^+ optical clocks with stability at the 10^-18 level
Authors: Huang Yao , Zhang Baolin , Zeng Mengyan , Zhang Huaqing , Hao Yanmei , Chen Zheng , Wang Miao , Guan Hua , Gao Kelin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Optical clocks are important for precise measurements in the field of physics. As reported, both the instability and uncertainty of optical lattice clocks are more than two orders of magnitude smaller than those of the best microwave clocks. Therefore, in the near future, optical clocks could be used to redefine the second. Nevertheless, an optical clock with reliability comparable to microwave clocks has not been achieved thus far. In this paper, we compared the frequencies of two Ca^+ optical clocks that were nearly continuously operated for 31 days. Through the comparison experiment, the frequency stability of a single clocks was found to be 6.3×10^-18 at an averaging time of 520 000 s and 7.9×10^-18 at averaging time of 262000 s, while the operating uptime rate reached more than 90% in the period of around 5 days. Thus, our experiment demonstrated that it is possible to increase the stability of single-ion optical clocks to the 10^-18 level, while still maintaining quasi-continuous operation with a high operating rate. This result further confirms that optical clocks can potentially be used to redefine the second.
Study on the Burr Formation Process in Micro Milling of High Aspect Ratio Structures
Authors: Zhang Xinlei , Chen Ni , Wu Jinming , Wei Jiawei , Yan Bo , Li Liang , He Ning 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
High-aspect-ratio (HAR) micro-structures of harden steel (SKD11) are widely used in the national defense and electronic fields. Micro-milling is a suitable method for machining HAR micro structures, however the inevitable generation of burrs deteriorates the machined surface. Previous studies have mostly focused on the burr formation process of shallow grooves, but have ignored HAR grooves. This paper investigated the burr formation mechanism in HAR (2:1) grooves on harden steel (SKD11). Due to the fact that the burr formation process was difficult to be observed in the actual micro-milling process, a finite element model was established. A corresponding experimental research was conducted, which revealed a good consistency between simulation and experimental results. Moreover, a new burr type was formed on the sidewall of the HAR groove, which was transformed from top burrs and was named as side burr. The results demonstrated that the chip flow on the rake face of the micro-mill was hindered by the sidewall, which caused chip crumbling, chip accumulation, and surface scraping, seriously affecting the burr formation mechanism. This paper revealed the burr formation mechanism for HAR grooves, and provided research direction for improving the machining accuracy of HAR grooves.
Comparison of Swine Wastewater Treatment by Microalgae and Heterotrophic Nitrifiers: Focusing on Nitrogen Removal Mechanism Revealed by Microbiological Correlation Analysis
Authors: Liu Hui , Liang Junyu , Markou Giorgos , Song Zhaofeng , Ye Jianfeng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Swine wastewater (SW) poses a great threat to the environment due to its high-nutrient profiles if not properly managed. Advanced biological treatment method is an efficient method to treat SW by screening potent microalgae or bacterial strains. In this study, activated sludge, nine locally isolated heterotrophic nitrification bacteria and one microalgal strain (Chlorella) were used as inoculums in treating a local SW. Their treatment efficiencies were compared, while the nitrogen removal mechanisms and microbiome profile were explored in detail. It was found that certain heterotrophic nitrification strains had a slight advantage in removing chemical oxygen demand and phosphorus from SW, with the highest removal efficiencies of 83.9% and 76.2%, respectively. The removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen in wastewater by microalgae reached 80.9% and 66.0% respectively, which were far higher than all the heterotrophic nitrification strains. Biological assimilation was the main pathway of nitrogen conversion by microalgae and heterotrophic nitrifying bacteria; especially microalgae showed excellent biological assimilation performance. Correlation analysis showed that Comamonas was highly positively correlated with nitrogen assimilation, while Acidovorax was closely correlated with simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. This study gives a comparison of microalgae and heterotrophic nitrifying bacteria on the nitrogen transfer and transformation pathways.
Chronic liver disease not a significant comorbid condition for COVID-19
Authors: Lin Jiahao , Bao Bingting , Khurram Nigar Anjuman , Halsey Kasey , Choi Ji Whae , Wang Lesan , Tran Thi My Linh , Liao Wei-Hua , Feldman Michael D. , Zhang Paul J. , Wu Jing , Bai Harrison X. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To explore the role of chronic liver disease (CLD) in COVID-19.Methods: A total of 1,439 consecutively hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from one large medical center in the United States from March 16, 2020 to April 23, 2020 were retrospectively identified. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients with and without CLD. Postmortem examination of liver in 8 critically ill COVID-19 patients was performed.Results: There was no significant difference in the incidence of CLD between critical and non-critical groups (4.1% vs 2.9%, p=0.259), or COVID-19 related liver injury between patients with and without CLD (65.7% vs 49.7%, p=0.065). Postmortem examination of liver demonstrated mild liver injury associated central vein outflow obstruction and minimal to moderate portal lymphocytic infiltrate without evidence of CLD.Conclusion: Patients with CLD were not associated with a higher risk of liver injury or critical/fatal outcomes. CLD was not a significant comorbid condition for COVID-19.
Influence of Aqueous Chloride and Bromide Anions on the Reactivity of ZnO&nbsp;on Bisphenol a Degradation
Authors: Yang Yi-Chen , Sahu Rama Shanker , Shih Yang Hsin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have been widely investigated for applications in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. Despite the advantages of robust ZnO material, its photocatalytic activity is greatly affected by environmental factors. Halogen ions are commonly found in wastewater, which directly influence the pollutant aggregation and sedimentation, therefore it is necessary to discuss their effect on the photodegradation. The current study assesses the halogen ions effect on the photocatalytic degradation of BPA using different dosage of sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium bromide (NaBr). The microstructural characterization of ZnO was conducted by transmission electron microscopy and hydrodynamic size was analyzed through dynamic light scattering. Degradation reactions of BPA with ZnO nanoparticles followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The increase of ZnO dosage from 0.01 g/L to 0.1 g/L enhanced the degradation rate constant of BPA up to 0.089 min-1 (14.8 folds). In order to evaluate the the role halogen ions to degrade BPA, NaBr and NaCl were used. The degradation rate was reduced up to 26 folds (0.0034 min-1) after the addition of NaBr, which was attributed to the increase in hydrodynamic particle size leading, thereby restricting the light adsorption capacity. Noteworthy, upon addition of NaCl from 10 mM to 500 mM concentration, there was only a slight decrease (2.4 folds, 0.037 min-1) on the degradation rate of BPA. Therefore, this study unveils the role of chloride ions as an effective medium for BPA degradation by ZnO nanoparticles, without aggregation, and provides a novel platform for the treatment of organic pollutants in saline water.
Eliciting Provider Perspectives on Diabetes Management During Cancer Care
Authors: Cho Jacklyn , Nilo Daniela , Sterling Madeline , Kern Lisa , Safford Monika , Pinheiro Laura 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: We sought to elicit the perspectives of primary care providers (PCPs) and oncologists regarding their expectations on who should be responsible for diabetes management, as well as communication mode and frequency about diabetes care during cancer treatment. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with PCPs (physicians and nurse practitioners) and oncologists who treat cancer patients with type 2 diabetes. Interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze the qualitative data and identify key themes.Results: Ten PCPs and ten oncologists were interviewed between March and July 2019. Two broad themes emerged from our interviews with PCPs: (1) cancer patients pausing primary care during cancer treatments, and (2) patients with poorer prognoses and advanced cancer. The following theme emerged from our interviews with oncologists: (3) challenges in caring for cancer patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Three common themes emerged from our interviews with both PCPs and oncologists: (4) discomfort with providing care outside of respective specialty, (5) the need to individualize care plans, and (6) lack of communication across primary and oncology care. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that substantial barriers to optimal diabetes management during cancer care exist at the provider level. Interventions prioritizing effective communication and educational resources amongst PCPs, oncologists, and additional members of the patients’ care team should be prioritized to achieve optimal outcomes.
Study on optical performance of red-emitting phosphor:&nbsp;SrAl2O4:&nbsp;Eu2+, Dy3+/Sr2MgSi2O7: Eu2+, Dy3+ /light conversion agent&nbsp;for long-lasting luminous fibers
Authors: LU Bohui , PANG Zengyuan , ZHU Yanan , LI Yonggui 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A novel luminous phosphor SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+/Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+, Dy3+/light conversion agent with both red luminescence characteristics and persistent luminescent performance were prepared. According to the intermediary color law, the color purity of red emission can be controlled by the doping ratio of SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ in SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+/Sr2MgSi2O7: Eu2+, Dy3+ composite luminous material. The anticipated luminescence properties could be realized precisely by adjusting the ratio. The microscopic morphology of the composite material, energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectra, emission spectrum, CIE chromaticity diagrams and afterglow properties were examined. The brief outlines about some phenomena aspects and detailed physical descriptions as well as manuals were available. From the analyses of CIE chromaticity diagrams and afterglow properties, the doping ratio of SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+/Sr2MgSi2O7: Eu2+, Dy3+ can influence afterglow brightness and red emission purity. The samples show great optical performance.
Intravenous Nimodipine in Initial Intensive Care Management of Vasospasm in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage – A Review
Authors: R Sreehari N , Sugunan Aadharsa , Reynold Sheen , Subhash Athulya , Gopan Athul , KN Anila , Menon Sajesh K . 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: As known to every Neuroscientist the spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage is a medical condition in which bleeding occurs in subarachnoid space due to cerebrovascular disease most commonly due ruptured aneurysms. Nimodipine is a calcium channel antagonist used to treat vasospasm. When compared to oral, intravenous nimodipine shows better neurological outcome with low dose, less frequency of administration and less fluctuations of blood pressure in between doses ( as in oral ) due to availability of continuous infusion . Titrated dose Intra venous nimodipine is useful in the initial Intensive Care management of Subarachnoid haemorrhage for Vasospasm with close monitoring of blood pressure.Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of intravenous Nimodipine in the management of acute ischemic vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhagic patients. Material and methods: The study was a prospective and observational study conducted in all inpatients with SAH having acute ischemic vasospasm in the intensive care unit using IV Nimodipine admitted the department of Neurosurgery in AIMS during a period of 1yr.Results: Evaluation of SAH occurrence in study patients (n=38) showed predominance of females (68.4%) and majority with hypertension (57.9%) as the common comorbid condition. The chance of developing SAH was high in patients who did not practice any form of exercise (60.5%). None of the patients had occurrence of adverse drug reactions while administering IV nimodipine other than hypotension which was corrected with inotropic support with close blood pressure monitoring. Out of the subjects enrolled, 37 patients showed improvement clinically and resolution of ischemic changes in CT scan . Majority of patients experienced cerebral edema. Using pair t test, it was found that the difference between the Glasgow Coma Score pre and follow up post treatment score were mild. Using pair t test, it was found that the difference between the mRS pre and follow up post treatment score were significant.Conclusion: Introduction of IV Nimodipine to the treatment strategy of SAH showed significant improvement in the clinical and radiological outcome.IV Nimodipine showed benefit in treating the condition without any life-threatening adverse events other than correctable hypotension. A significant decrease in the mRS score in majority of patients after treatment indicates the improvement in the quality of life of SAH patients. Pre and Post neurological status strengthens the evidence of improvement in our study subjects.
Modelling The Positive Testing Rate of Covid-19 in South Africa Using a Semi-Parametric Smoother for Binomial Data
Authors: Owokotomo Olajumoke Evangelina , Manda Samuel , Kasim Adetayo , Claesen Jürgen , Reddy Tarylee , Shkedy Ziv 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The current outbreak of COVID-19 is a major pandemic that has adversely affected the world economies, societies and also an increase in health burdens within a short time. South Africa has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa and is the fourteenth most affected country in the world. Understanding the country’s COVID-19 infection rate will help in preventing the spread of the disease. Method: We propose to estimate both the the positive testing rate and the rate at which the positive testing rate changes over time using a flexible semi-parametric model. We used publicly available data collected from March 5th to September 2nd 2020. Results: We found that the positive testing rate was declining from early March when the disease was first observed until early May. In the month of July 2020, the infection reached its peak then its started to decrease again. Conclusion: The observed increase in the positive testing rates between May and July 2020 could imply that the testing algorithm was effective; however its effectiveness declined after the end of July 2020, which coincided with the end of winter season in the country.
Safety and immunostimulatory activity of the dietary supplement Houttuynia cordata Thunb. fermentation product in healthy volunteers
Authors: Woranam Khanutsanan , Prompipak Jeerati , Mootsikapun Piroon , Senawong Gulsiri , Promdee Limthong , Pintaraks Ketsarin , Senawong Thanaset 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Houttuynia cordata Thunb. fermentation product (HCFP) is widely used in Thailand as a dietary supplement for immune support with no experimental verification. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and immunomodulation of HCFP in healthy adult volunteers. The effect of HCFP on antiretroviral drugs (TDF and EFV) was also evaluated in Sprague Dawley rats. The basic characteristics and blood chemistry of ten healthy volunteers did not show any significant differences between before and after 4 weeks of intervention with a daily intake of HCFP, and no major adverse event was observed. However, the LDL-c level was significantly decreased after 4 weeks of intervention. Immunomodulation assay revealed that the percentage of neutrophil was significantly increased after 8 weeks of intervention in 30 healthy volunteers. Meanwhile, the mean of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell ratio was not significantly increased after 8 weeks of intervention. In addition, the plasma concentrations of EFV and TDF in Sprague Dawley rats showed no significant difference between single drug group and combination with HCFP group, suggesting that HCFP has no effect on the plasma level of antiretroviral drugs.
“There’s Somebody Like Me:” Perspectives of a Peer-to-peer Gynecologic Cancer Mentorship Program&nbsp;
Authors: Moran Hannah Kang , Brooks Joanna Veazey , Spoozak Lori 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance’s Woman to Woman (W2W) program is a peer mentorship program for women with gynecological cancer that was founded in 2004 and has expanded to 43 sites nationwide. An initial program survey was conducted in 2013, but no qualitative studies have investigated patient experiences with peer support programs for gynecologic cancer in the United States. The aim of this qualitative study was to capture mentor and mentee experiences giving and receiving peer support, including how relationships were initiated and developed.Methods: Hour-long, semi-structured interviews were conducted with both mentors and mentees. Interviews focused on the dynamics of the mentor-mentee relationship. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and open-coded. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to organize findings into themes. Results: Sixteen participants (N=16) were interviewed (seven mentors and nine mentees.) Three broad themes emerged: (i) pathways to the program; (ii) how connection occurred; (iii) themes of compatibility. While program participants universally valued their match experience, frequency and mode of communication, as well as expectations of the match relationship were widely divergent among the program participants. Conclusion: The W2W peer mentorship program is a valuable resource for patients with gynecologic cancer. Refining the wants and needs of mentees including mode of communication, frequency of communication, type of support desired, identifying topics of mutual interest, and introducing the concept of recurrence may improve the connectivity experienced by mentor-mentee dyads.
Streamlining the Contents of Resuscitation Cart in a Super Specialty Centre in North India
Authors: Paul Biraj Chandra , Sharma Nishant , Singh Gurpreet , Singh IB , Goyal Keshav 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background:The equipment and medications that would be required to treat a patient in the first thirty minutes or so of a medical emergency are stored in resuscitation cart. There was no standardization of resuscitation cart as observed during ward rounds in our super specialty hospital. Hence the study was conducted with an aim of streamlining the contents of the resuscitation cart and to develop a policy for its maintenance.Materials & Methods:The study was conducted in all the patient care areas of the super specialty hospital. Resuscitation cart policy and checklist were developed by seeking inputs from all the stakeholders and validating the same using the available literature. A training program was conducted and a total of 13 resuscitation carts were inspected against the approved checklist for checking its contents in both pre and post intervention periods. Results: Resuscitation cart policy and checklist were prepared, validated by the domain experts and implemented. The compliance of all 13 resuscitation cart in terms of their contents increased from 77.82% to 97.87% with p value of <0.05 which is statistically significant.Conclusion: Maintaining resuscitation carts as per the checklist is a continuous process which will contribute to patient safety.
Outbreak of Oral Ulcers (Glossitis) among the students of three Central Schools under Tsirang District in Bhutan, 2018
Authors: Gyeltshen Tshewang , Dorji Lham , Dorji Leki , Choden Kuenga 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundIn the early weeks of September 2018, clusters of oral sores mostly affecting the tongue were reported in three central schools under Tsirang district, Bhutan. All the three central schools have both boarding and day schooling facilities. A total of 243 students were affected in total as aggregated by the schools in all three central schools. Almost all the affected students’ complaint of burning sensation of the mouth followed by redness depapillation of the tongue. All the affected students have been assessed on the outbreak and nutritional survey was conducted in the schools.MethodsDescriptive cross sectional study among the affected three central schools is conducted. The descriptive statistics are presented as findings from the outbreak investigations.ResultsAlmost all the affected students in all the three schools had complaints of Burning Sensation (n=158) followed by Pain (n=153), Impaired Taste Sensation (n=100) and Intolerance to Spicy Food (n=95). Other complaints such as Fissured Tongue and Depapillation of the dorsum of the tongue accounted to about 16.6% of the total affected students.Nutritional Survey on school diet revealed the school diet not meeting the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic Acid), B6 (Pyridoxine), B9 (Folic Acid), B12 (Cyanocobalamin) and Iron.ConclusionsWhile some recommendations are provided, the strongest and most effective measures to prevent the outbreak is to improve the school diet with extended green fruits and vegetables in the school’s dietary menu. Laboratory investigation on the content of currently supplied fortified rice in the schools and the Hazard Analysis of the manufacturers of the fortified rice supplied to Bhutan is also suggested with importance to Bhutanese authorities in school feeding program under the Ministry of Education, Royal Government of Bhutan.