bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Field Measurement and Numerical Simulation of the Relationship Between Vertical Wind Environment and Building Morphology in Residential Areas in Xi’an, China
Authors: Feng Wei , Zhen Meng , Ding Wei , Zou Qishu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The inadequate consideration of the impact of building morphology on ventilation efficiency in many urban residential areas has resulted in a series of environmental problems that threaten human health. The purpose of this paper is to establish a prediction model between ventilation efficiency and building forms in residential areas. Firstly, the characteristics of vertical wind profile in residential areas are measured through unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); secondly, the wind speed ratio (WSR) at different height levels under the impact of morphological index (floor area ratio, building density, average building height, enclosure degree, height fall and maximum building height) in the residential area is simulated by ENVI-met; finally, two kinds of prediction formulas are obtained: (1) the average ventilation efficiency at the pedestrian level and (2) the prediction formula of WSR at different heights. The results show that the wind speed (WS) in residential area below 35 m is about 0.6 m/s lower than that in park. The results of numerical simulation show that the mean WSR at the pedestrian level is negatively correlated with each index and the height fall morphological index has the greatest impact on the WSR at different heights. The research can provide a reference for the optimal planning and design of ventilation efficiency of residential buildings, especially those in static wind areas.
Experimental investigation of an active inclined solar panel absorber solar still - Energy and Exergy analysis
Authors: Rafeek Mohamed Thalib Mohamed , Muthu Vimala , Athikesavan Muthu Manokar , Sathyamurthy Ravishankar , Kabeel Abd Elnaby 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The objective of the current study is to investigate the performance of the Inclined Solar Panel Basin Still (ISPBS) incorporated with a Spiral Tube Collector (STC) for various mass flow rates of water (mf). The maximum potable water yield of 8.1, 6.9 and 6.1 kg is obtained for different mass flow rates of 1.8, 3.2 and 4.7 kg/hr in each instance. Also, for mf values of 1.8, 3.2 and 4.7 kg per hour, the daily average energy and exergy efficiency of the ISPBS is recorded to be 47.9, 39.3 and 31.02 % and 9.8, 7.9 and 5.6 % in each instance. The average electrical, energy and exergy efficiency of the PV panel is noted to be 6.5, 7.1 and 7.5 %, 15.67, 17.1 and 18.04 % and 20.03, 22.21 and 23.36 % for mf values of 1.8, 3.2 and 4.7 kg/hr in each instance. The rise in mf causes a drop in the fresh water production yield, thermal, exergy and overall thermal effectiveness and an enhancement in the power production of the panel, electrical, thermal, exergy and overall exergy efficiency of the system.
Large evanescently-induced Brillouin scattering at the surrounding of a nanofibre
Authors: Yang Fan , Gyger Flavien , Godet Adrien , Chretien Jacques , Zhang Li , Pang Meng , Beugnot Jean-Charles , Thévenaz Luc 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Brillouin scattering has been widely exploited for advanced photonics functionalities such as microwave photonics, signal processing, sensing, lasing, and more recently in micro- and nano-photonic waveguides. So far, all the works have focused on the opto-acoustic interaction driven from the core region of micro- and nano-waveguides. Here we observe, for the first time, an efficient Brillouin scattering generated by an evanescent field nearby a sub-wavelength waveguide embedded in a pressurised gas cell, with a maximum gain coefficient of 18.90 ± 0.17 m^(-1)W^(-1). This gain is 11 times larger than the highest Brillouin gain obtained in a hollow-core fibre and 79 times larger than in a standard single-mode fibre. The realisation of strong free-space Brillouin scattering from a waveguide benefits from the flexibility of confined light while providing a direct access to the opto-acoustic interaction, as required in free-space optoacoustics such as Brillouin spectroscopy and microscopy. Therefore, our work creates an important bridge between Brillouin scattering in waveguides, Brillouin spectroscopy and microscopy, and opens new avenues in light-sound interactions, optomechanics, sensing, lasing and imaging.
The impact of air pollution on COVID-19 pandemic varied within different cities in South America using different models
Authors: Huang Haining , Lin Congtian , Liu Xiaobo , Zhu Liting , Avellán-Llaguno Ricardo David , Lazo Mauricio Manuel Llaguno , Ai Xiaoyan , Huang Qiansheng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
There is a rising concern that air pollution plays an important role in the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the results weren’t consistent on the association between air pollution and the spread of COVID-19. In the study, air pollution data and the confirmed cases of COVID-19 were both gathered from five severe cities across three countries in South America. Daily real-time population regeneration (Rt) were calculated to assess the spread of COVID-19. Two frequently used model, generalized additive models (GAM) and multiple linear regression, were both used to explore the impact of environmental pollutants on the epidemic. Wide ranges of all the six air pollutants were detected across the five cities. Spearman's correlation analysis confirmed the positive correlation within six pollutants. Rt value showed a gradual decline in all the five cities. Further analysis showed that the association between air pollution and COVID-19 varied across five cities. Multiple linear regression and GAM did not give the same trend in a specific city. For example, in Sao Paulo, the GAM model shows that PM10 has a nonlinear negative correlation with Rt, while PM10 has no significant correlation in the multiple linear model. According to our research results, even for the same region, varied models gave inconsistent results. Moreover, in the case of multiple regions, current used models should be selected according to local conditions.
Detection of antinuclear antibodies targeting intracellular signal transduction, metabolism, apoptotic processes and cell death in critical COVID-19 patients
Authors: Fakhroo Aisha D. , Nasarallah Gheyath K. , Khan Taushif , Cyprian Farhan S. , Ali Fatima Al , Ata Manar M.A. , Taleb Sara , Hssain Ali A. , Eid Ali H. , Abu-Raddad Laith J. , Al-Khal Abdullatif , Thani Asmaa A. Al , Marr Nico , Yassine Hadi M. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

The heterogeneity of COVID-19 lies within its diverse symptoms and severity, ranging from mild to lethal. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been shown to be the leading cause of mortality in COVID-19 patients, characterized by a hyper cytokine storm. Autoimmunity is proposed to occur as a result of COVID-19, given the high similarity of the immune responses observed in COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases.
Results

Here, we investigate the level of autoimmune antibodies in COVID-19 patients with different severities. Initial screening for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) IgG revealed that 1.6% (2/126) and 4% (5/126) of ICU COVID-19 cases developed strong and moderate ANA levels, respectively. However, all the non-ICU cases (n = 273) were ANA negative. The high ANA level was confirmed by immunofluorescence (IFA) and large-scale autoantibody screening by phage immunoprecipitation-sequencing (PhIP-Seq). Indeed, the majority of the samples showed "speckled" ANA pattern by microscopy, and we demonstrate that samples of ICU patients with strong and moderate ANA levels contain autoantibody specificities that predominantly targeted proteins involved in intracellular signal transduction, metabolism, apoptotic processes, and cell death; further denoting reactivity to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens.
Conclusion

Our results further support the notion of routine screening for autoimmune responses in COVID-19 patients, which might help improve disease prognosis and patient management. Further, results provide compelling evidence that ANA-positive individuals should be excluded from being donors for convalescent plasma therapy in the context of Covid-19.
PCDD/F removal at low temperatures over Vanadium-based catalyst: insight into the superiority of mechanochemical method
Authors: Tang Minghui , Ye Qiulin , Du Cuicui , Peng Yaqi , Makwarimba Chengetai Portia , He Yao , Lu Shengyong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The high toxicity and low volatility of PCDD/Fs prevent detailed study of their catalytic degradation removal characteristics. In this study, firstly, 1,2-dichlorobenzene (1,2-DCBz) was initially used as a model to investigate the catalytic characteristics of various vanadium-based catalysts prepared by different methods. Then, the optimized catalyst was used for catalytic degradation of real PCDD/Fs at low-temperatures based on a self-made stable source. The VOx/TiO2 catalysts synthesized by the mechanochemical method (VTi-MC2) had a higher 1,2-DCBz removal efficiency (> 85%) and stability (> 420 min) at low temperatures (< 200 oC) compared to VTi-SG (sol-gol method) and VTi-WI (wetness impregnation method). The physico-chemical properties of catalysts were studied using comprehensive characterization. It was found that the VTi-MC2 has better VOx species distribution and possesses the highest V5+ species and surface adsorbed oxygen content, which are the key factors contributed to the higher removal efficiency. Accordingly, the mechanochemical method can be used to control the physico-chemical properties of catalyst by adjusting the milling parameters. The optimum ball-milling time is 2 h and the suitable precursor is NH4VO3 for VOx/TiO2. Moreover, the removal efficiency of gas phase PCDD/Fs catalyzed by VTi-MC2 is 97% within a temperature range below 200 ℃, and the catalytic degradation of PCDD/Fs surges to 50%, which is higher than those reported research. In general, the mechanochemical strategy reported provides a means for seeking more efficient catalysts used for low-temperature degradation of various trace organic pollutants.
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST): an emerging complication of SARS CoV-2 infection
Authors: Maggialetti Nicola , ALESSANDRA GUALANO , Russo Roberto , Accogli Rocco Umberto , Ianora Amato Antonio Stabile 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: During Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, SARS CoV-2 infection has been documented to be associated with thrombotic complications, especially pulmonary embolism, which are triggered by virus binding to ACE-2 receptors and consequent activation of a cascade leading to a hypercoagulable pathway, however Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) is emerging as a further thrombotic complication of COVID-19.Case presentation: We report our experience of a patient affected by SARS CoV-2 infection, who presented to our emergency department with neurological symptoms such as confusion and headache and was diagnosed with CVST at imaging exams.Conclusion: As neurological symptoms such as confusion and headache are aspecific and shared with patients affected by SARS CoV-2 infection in absence of CVST, clinicians should be aware of this emerging hematologic complication in order to recognize it as soon as possible and provide the best patient care.
Effect of brominated flame retardant on the pyrolysis products of polymers originating in WEEE
Authors: Charitopoulou Maria Anna , Papadopoulou Lambrini , Achilias Dimitrios S. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Pyrolysis is an environmentally friendly method, which is often used for the recycling of the plastics included in waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE); since secondary valuable materials can be produced. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are usually added into these plastics to reduce their flammability; but they are toxic substances. The aim of this work is to examine the thermal behaviour and the products obtained after pyrolysis of polymer blends that consist of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) with composition that simulates real WEEE; in the absence and presence of a common BFR, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), in order to investigate its effect on pyrolysis products. Blends were prepared via the solvent casting method and the melt-mixing in an extruder; it was revealed that the latter method may be a better choice for blends preparation, since it didn’t affect the products obtained. The chemical structure of each polymeric blend was identified by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal degradation of the blends was evaluated by thermogravimetric (TG) experiments performed using a thermal analyser (TGA) and a pyrolyser for evolved gas analysis (EGA). It was observed that blends had a similar behaviour during their thermal degradation; and in most cases, they followed a one-step mechanism. Pyrolysis products were identified by the pyrolyser combined with a Gas Chromatographer/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS); and comprised various useful compounds, such as monomers, aromatic hydrocarbons, phenolic compounds, etc. that could be used as chemical feedstock. Furthermore, it was found that TBBPA affected products’ distribution by enhancing the formation of phenolic compounds and on the other hand by resulting in brominated compounds, such as dibromophenol.
Facile synthesis of Cu/Ls MOF for laccase-like oxidative decomposition of phenols and identification of toxicity effects for C. elegans
Authors: Li Hui , Guo Feng , Fu Zhendong , Wang Liping 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Certain compounds in chemical products adsorb heavy metals co-occurring in surface waters and thereby modulate their toxicity for invertebrates. Sodium N-lauroylsarcosinate salt (Ls) is widely used as a medium additive in detergents and can chelated with certain metal ions. In this study, we constructed metal-organic framework by the co-assembly of Ls and Cu (Cu/Ls MOF), which has laccase like activity. The morphology of Cu/Ls appeared spherical or ellipsoidal with a diameter in the range of 50–500 nm. Cu/Ls MOF followed the typical Michaelis-Menten model and showed laccase-like activity and oxidizes phenol-containing substrates, such as phenol, 4-iodophenol, and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. To understand the toxicity of Cu/Ls exposure, the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was exposed to various concentrations of Cu/Ls, and the impact on physiological level was determined. High dose of Cu/Ls increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased the exercise activity of the C. elegans and inhibited the growth of their larvae. Cu/Ls had strong binding interaction and the ability of Cu/Ls to oxidize pollutants may be a form of self-regulation by nature. The biological toxicity of Cu/Ls is low under high concentration conditions, and the dose of MOF that may be formed by the discharge of daily washing is less harmful to the environment.
Role of Lung Ultrasound in the Management of Patients with Suspected SARS-Cov-2 Infection in the Emergency Department
Authors: Boccatonda Andrea , Grignaschi Alice , Lanotte Antonella , Giostra Fabrizio , Schiavone Cosima , Guagnano Maria Teresa , Frisone Alessio , Cocco Giulio 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: the LUS score has been proposed as an optimal scheme for the ultrasound study of the patient with suspected / confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia. The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of lung ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, and to examine the validity of LUS score for the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia, and to correlate with hospitalization rate and 30-days mortality.Material & methods: a retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who were referred to the General Emergency Department of the S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital from April 2020 to May 2020 for symptoms suspected for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The ultrasound examination was based on a common execution scheme called LUS score, as previously described.Results & Conclusions: LUS score correlates with the degree of clinical severity and respiratory failure (P/F ratio, Delta (A-a), Delta (A-a) increase). COVID-19 patients with a LUS score > 7 require the use of oxygen support; a value > 10 is associated with an increased risk of oro-tracheal intubation. The LUS score presents higher values in hospitalized patients, increasing according to the degree of care intensity. COVID-19 died patients were characterized by a mean LUS score of 11 at presentation to the emergency department. A LUS score value > 7.5 displays a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 89% against 30-days mortality in COVID-19 patients. Lung ultrasound seems to be an optimal first level method for pneumonia detection in patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Integrated Health Care System Application in Patients With Hypertension and Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Yan , Ma Yue , Zhao Chongbo , Lu Jiahong , Jiang Hong , Cao Yanpei , Xu Yafang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
【Background】Integrated health care provide patients with comprehensive and continuous care, but it still no consequence whether it could improve the illness condition of patients who suffer from chronic disease, such as hypertension and diabetes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the integrated health care system in patients with hypertension and diabetes. 【Methods】Randomised controlled trials testing the effect of integrated health care system in patients with hypertension and diabetes were be included. We search in GIN, NICE, Cochrane, JBI, CINAHL, EMBASE, PUBMED, Web of Science, SINOMED, CNKI (Chinese database), WANFANG (Chinese database) and VIP (Chinese database) databases from the building date of database to 31/Oct/2020. The articles must meet the following inclusion criteria: research objects are patients who have been clearly diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes, all of the articles should use Integrated Health Care as intervention, the study type of article is randomized clinical trials, the articles should be published in Chinese or English. Risk of bias were assessed regarding randomisation, allocation sequence concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome data, selective outcome reporting, and other biases. 【Results】. 16 randomized controlled trials (seven hypertension, nine diabetes) involving 5,231 patients (2,593 with diabetes and 2,638 with hypertension) with intervention duration ranging from 6 to 24 months. Meta-analysis showed that integrated health care significantly improved systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension, it also significantly declined the level of glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetes. After using the integrated health care for 12 months, glycosylated hemoglobin was significantly decreased which compared to the 6-month intervention in patients with diabetes. 【Discussion】In this study, we undertook a meta-analysis of the published work that systematically evaluated the effects of integrated health care. Integrated Health Care could be beneficial to reduce glycosylated hemoglobin, and control blood pressure in patients with diabetes and hypertension. The diabetes management based on integrated health care is a long-term care process, and it would be effective over time.
High Dose IL-17A Enhances the Antiosteoarthritic Effect of Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Reducing Inflammatory Response and Promoting Chondrocyte Proliferation
Authors: qi Fu Bi , Yao Zhou , Wei Long , Fen Cai , Qiang Xia , Ren Liu , Rui Wu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have promising potential in regenerative therapy, partially through their potent immune modulation. The inflammatory cytokine IL-17A has been suggested to improve the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. Herein, we determined whether pretreatment of dental pulp MSCs (DPMSCs) with IL-17A enhances the therapeutic potency of DPMSCs for osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: DPMSCs pretreated with IL-17A (0-75 ng/ml) were co-cultured with T lymphocytes for cytokine assay. In a rat OA model, DPMSCs pretreated with IL-17A were evaluated for antiosteoarthritic activity. Rat knee joints were harvested for color Doppler ultrasonography and histological staining, and synovial fluid was collected for cytokine assay. Additionally, chondrocytes isolated form joint cartilage of OA rats were co-cultured with IL-17A-pretreated DPMSCs for cell proliferation assay.Results: DPMSCs demonstrated a pluripotent capacity to differentiate into osteocytes, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. For in vitro co-culture, although DPMSCs pretreated with low dose of IL-17A (25 ng/ml) had inflammation-promoting effect, indicated by increased IL-2 and TNF-α secretion and decreased IL-4 release, high dose IL-17A (75 ng/ml) pretreatment enhanced the anti-inflammatory activity of DPMSCs. In vivo, high dose IL-17A-pretreated DPMSCs showed a stronger antiosteoarthritic activity than untreated DPMSCs, indicated by significantly reducing joint swelling, synovial fluid formation, the OARSI scores, and the production of inflammatory cytokines in synovial fluid. Besides, high dose IL-17A- pretreated DPMSCs enhanced the stimulatory activity of DPMSCs in chondrocyte proliferation in vitro.Conclusion: high dose IL-17A enhances the immunosuppressive property of DPMSCs, which helps alleviate osteoarthritis by inhibiting inflammatory response and promoting chondrocyte proliferation in the affected joints.
Dapagliflozin Attenuates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Through Erythropoietin Up-Regulation of AKT/JAK/MAPK Pathways in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: El-Sayed Nora , Mostafa Yasser M. , AboGresha Noha M , Ahmed Amal A.M. , Mahmoud Islam Z. , El-Sayed Norhan M. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the mechanism of Dapagliflozin (Dapa) cardioprotection against diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Structural and functional changes in the heart as well as decrease of Erythropoietin (EPO) levels were reported in DCM. EPO simultaneously activates three pathways: the Janus-activated kinase–signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK2/STAT5), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-Akt (PI3K/Akt), and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK/MAPK) cascades, that result in proliferation and differentiation of cardiac cells.Methods and Results: DCM was induced by a high fat diet for 10 weeks followed by administration of streptozotocin. After confirmation of diabetes, rats were divided randomly to 5 groups: Group 1; normal control group, Group 2; untreated diabetic group and Groups (3-5); diabetic groups received Dapa daily (0.75 mg, 1.5 or 3 mg /Kg, p.o) respectively for a month. At the end of the experiment, full anaesthesia was induced in all rats using ether inhalation and ECG was recorded. Blood samples were collected then rats were sacrificed and their heart were dissected out and processed for biochemical and histopathological studies. Untreated diabetic rats showed abnormal ECG pattern, elevation of serum cardiac enzymes, decrease EPO levels, downregulation of P-Akt, P-JAK2 and pMAPK pathways, abnormal histological structure of the heart and increase immunostaining intensity of P53 and TNF α in the cardiomyocytes. Dapa in a dose dependent manner attenuated the alterations in the previously mentioned parameters. Conclusion: The cardioprotective effect of Dapa could be mediated by increasing EPO levels and activation of P-Akt, P-JAK2 and pMAPK signalling cascades which in turn decrease apoptosis.