bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of offloading devices on static and dynamic balance in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review
Authors: Horstink Koen Andre , van der Woude Lucas Henricus Vincentius , Hijmans Juha Markus 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPatients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) usually have reduced somatosensory information and altered perception in feet and ankles. Somatosensory information acts as feedback for movement control and loss of somatosensation leads to altered plantar pressure patterns during gait and stance. Offloading devices are used to reduce peak plantar pressure and prevent diabetic foot ulcers. However, offloading devices can unfortunately have negative effects on static and dynamic balance. It is important to investigate these unwanted effects, since patient with DPN already are at high risk of falling and offloading devices could potentially increase this risk. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the effects of plantar offloading devices used for ulcer prevention on their role in static and dynamic balance control in patients with DPN. PubMed and Embase were systematically searched using relevant search terms. After title selection, abstract selection, and full-text selection only five articles could be included for further analysis. Two articles included static balance measurements, two articles included dynamic balance measurements, and one article included both. Results suggested that static balance control is reduced when rocker bottom shoes and different insole configurations are used, however, toe-only rockers showed less evidence for reduced static balance control. There was no evidence for reduced dynamic balance control in combination with offloading devices. However, these results should be interpreted with care, since the number of studies was very small and the quality of the studies was moderate. Future research should evaluate balance in combination with different offloading devices, so that clinicians subscribing them are more aware of their potential unwanted consequences.
Evaluation of specific capacity of poultry litter in heavy metal sorption
Authors: Kucharski Piotr , Białecka Barbara , Śliwińska Anna , Pieprzyca Anna 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe article highlights sorptive properties of poultry litter. Preliminary studies on sorption of Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ ions at the concentration range of 1–1000 mg L-1 were carried out. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to determine the potential capacities of the poultry litter. Sorption parameter outcome from isotherms exhibited the following order: Pb > Cd > Cu > Zn > Ni. During the batch adsorption experiment, a decrease of the absorbance of solutions in the UV-Vis range was observed, proportional to the increase in the concentration of metals in the solutions. This phenomenon was associated with the precipitation of complexes of fulvic/humic-like compounds and uric acid with metals. The decrease in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration confirmed previous assumptions. The FT-IR spectroscopy showed significant role of uric acid in Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ sorption. FT-IR measurements allowed determining the type of active sites involved in sorption, especially carboxylic groups. The findings should be helpful in soil reclamation practices with poultry litter.
The Role of Lengthscale in the Creep of Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu Solder Microstructures
Authors: Gu Tianhong , Gourlay Christopher M. , Britton T. Ben 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCreep of directionally solidified Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu wt.% (SAC305) samples with near-<110> orientation along the loading direction and different microstructural lengthscale is investigated under constant load tensile testing and at a range of temperatures. The creep performance improves by refining the microstructure, i.e. the decrease in secondary dendrite arm spacing (λ2), eutectic intermetallic spacing (λe) and intermetallic compound (IMC) size, indicating a longer creep lifetime, lower creep strain rate, change in activation energy (Q) and increase in ductility and homogeneity in macro- and micro-structural deformation of the samples. The dominating creep mechanism is obstacle-controlled dislocation creep at room temperature and transits to lattice-associated vacancy diffusion creep at elevated temperature ($$ \frac{T}{{T_{M} }} $$

T

T
M

> 0.7 to 0.75). The deformation mechanisms are investigated using electron backscatter diffraction and strain heterogeneity is identified between β-Sn in dendrites and β-Sn in eutectic regions containing Ag3Sn and Cu6Sn5 particles. The size of the recrystallised grains is modulated by the dendritic and eutectic spacings; however, the recrystalised grains in the eutectic regions for coarse-scaled samples (largest λ2 and λe) is only localised next to IMCs without growth in size.
Comparison of the Initial Growth of Different Poplar Clones on Four Sites in Western Slovakia—Preliminary Results
Authors: Heilig Dávid , Heil Bálint , Leibing Christoph , Röhle Heinz , Kovács Gábor 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate four hybrid poplar comparison tests along a groundwater availability gradient in Western Slovakia. The weather fluctuation during the 3-year study period was described with indices, such as the Forestry Aridity Index (FAI) or the hydrothermal coefficient (HTC). The soil chemical and physical parameters were determined from soil samples from the two upper horizons. The nutrient status and supply of the trees were categorized based on leaf elemental analysis. Altogether, 21 different clones from 6 genomic groups were compared. The survival (SRV), diameter at breast height (DBH), and height of the trees (H) had been measured annually since the plantations were established, and from these measurements, mean annual height increment (MAHI) values were derived. These weather, edaphic, and clonal factors were evaluated and compared. Significant effects of the site (edaphic factors) were found as the primary source of variance and clonal differences as secondary sources of variance among the growth of trees. The interaction of site × clone effects was not significant. The results showed that for short rotation forestry (SRF), the site parameters—especially groundwater availability—are key factors.
A new investigative strategy to diagnose β-thalassemia syndrome in past human populations
Authors: Scianò Filippo , Bramanti Barbara , Gualdi-Russo Emanuela 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe study of thalassaemia syndromes in archeological human remains is of growing interest in the field of paleopathology. However, a definitive diagnosis of the disease in skeletonized individuals remains difficult. Several non-specific bone lesions have been suggested as the most likely evidence of β-thalassaemia syndrome. In particular, skull lesions have been considered by several scholars as the most indicative of this hematopoietic disorder, while other authors have identified postcranial lesions as the best evidence of β-thalassemia. In this study, we reviewed the main features that have been identified in β-thalassaemia patients thanks to an extensive bibliographic research of clinical cases, radiological and microscopic analyses. Our aim was to discern between those skeletal lesions that can be considered “indicative/diagnostic” and those that are “indicative/non-diagnostic” of β-thalassaemia syndrome. With this knowledge, we developed a new evaluation form (Eva-BeTa) and tested it on previously published archeological cases. Based on our results, we believe that Eva-BeTa can be a valid diagnostic tool for the identification of ancient individuals potentially affected by β-thalassemia for further genetic confirmation.
An exceptionally preserved conulariid from Ordovician erratics of Northern European Lowlands
Authors: Sendino Consuelo , Bochmann Martin M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA conulariid preserved in three dimensions from Ordovician fluvioglacial erratics of the Northern European Lowlands (North German Plain) is described under open nomenclature. It is assigned to the genusConulariawith similarities to Baltoscandian conulariids. The lithology of the erratic boulder and fauna contained in it provide important information on the origin and transport direction of the sediment preserved in a kame from the Saalian glaciation. This paper deals with the site of origin of the boulder in Baltoscandia analysing the comprised palaeofauna, from a palaeostratigraphic and palaeogeographic point of view, from its deposition in Ordovician times until its arrival at its current location in the Late Pleistocene. It also reveals for the first time the internal structure of the conulariid aperture.
Difference in basic concept of coronary bifurcation intervention between Korea and Japan. Insight from questionnaire in experts of Korean and Japanese bifurcation clubs
Authors: Murasato Yoshinobu , Kinoshita Yoshihisa , Shite Junya , Hikichi Yutaka , Nam Chang-Wook , Koo Bon-Kwon 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe coronary bifurcation intervention varies among countries due to the differences in assessment of lesion severity and treatment devices. We sought to clarify the difference in basic strategy between South Korea and Japan. A total of 19 and 32 experts from Korean (KBC) and Japanese Bifurcation Clubs (JBC), respectively, answered a survey questionnaire concerning their usual procedure of coronary bifurcation intervention. JBC experts performed less two-stent deployment in the left main (LM) bifurcation compared to KBC experts (JBC vs. KBC: median, 1–10% vs. 21–30%, p < 0.0001) instead of higher performance of side branch dilation after cross-over stenting in both LM (60% vs. 21%, p = 0.001) and non-LM bifurcations (30% vs. 5%, p = 0.037). KBC experts more frequently performed proximal optimization technique (POT) in non-LM bifurcation (41–60% vs. 81–99%, p = 0.028) and re-POT in both LM (1–20% vs. 81–99%, p = 0.017) and non-LM bifurcations (1–20% vs. 81–99%, p = 0.0003). JBC experts more frequently performed imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention, whereas KBC experts more often used a pressure wire to assess side branch ischemia. JBC experts used a rotablator more aggressively under the guidance of optical coherence tomography. We clarified the difference in the basic strategy of coronary bifurcation intervention between South Korea and Japan for better understanding the trend in each country.
3D chromatin architecture and epigenetic regulation in cancer stem cells
Authors: Feng Yuliang , Liu Xingguo , Pauklin Siim 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDedifferentiation of cell identity to a progenitor-like or stem cell-like state with increased cellular plasticity is frequently observed in cancer formation. During this process, a subpopulation of cells in tumours acquires a stem cell-like state partially resembling to naturally occurring pluripotent stem cells that are temporarily present during early embryogenesis. Such characteristics allow these cancer stem cells (CSCs) to give rise to the whole tumour with its entire cellular heterogeneity and thereby support metastases formation while being resistant to current cancer therapeutics. Cancer development and progression are demarcated by transcriptional dysregulation. In this article, we explore the epigenetic mechanisms shaping gene expression during tumorigenesis and cancer stem cell formation, with an emphasis on 3D chromatin architecture. Comparing the pluripotent stem cell state and epigenetic reprogramming to dedifferentiation in cellular transformation provides intriguing insight to chromatin dynamics. We suggest that the 3D chromatin architecture could be used as a target for re-sensitizing cancer stem cells to therapeutics.
A solution algorithm for integrated production-inventory-routing of perishable goods with transshipment and uncertain demand
Authors: Liu Peide , Hendalianpour Ayad , Razmi Jafar , Sangari Mohamad Sadegh 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSupply and distribution management of blood products is a challenging task due to their short lifespan. The problem is even more sophisticated considering uncertain demand for these products. This paper addresses integrated inventory-routing of blood in a supply chain network consisting of a single supplier and a group of blood centers. Transshipment among blood centers is allowed to decrease the cost of excess inventory and shortage of goods. A mathematical model is developed that decides on the optimal quantity of supplied blood, delivery plan, inventory level, and quantity of products transshipped between blood centers with the objective of minimizing total costs. In addition, a robust optimization approach is adopted to deal with uncertainty in demand. Since the proposed model is NP-hard, a heuristic solution algorithm is developed that improves solution quality by determining the most efficient change in vehicle routes in each search stage. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is examined in a set of numerical experiments and using data from a real case of supply and distribution management of blood platelets. The results indicated that allowing transshipment reduces the need for supply capacity at the supplier, product shortage, inventory level, and the total cost.
Investigation of availability, demand, targets, and development of renewable energy in 2017–2050: a case study in Indonesia
Authors: Erdiwansyah Erdiwansyah , Mahidin Mahidin , Husin Husni , Nasaruddin Nasaruddin , Khairil Khairil , Zaki Muhammad , Jalaluddin Jalaluddin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAbundant potential of renewable energy (RE) in Indonesia is predicted to replace conventional energy which continues to experience depletion year by year. However, until now, the use of RE has only reached 2% of the existing potential of 441.7 GW.
The main overview of this work is to investigate the availability of RE that can be utilized for electricity generation in Indonesia. National energy demand and targets in the long run during the 2017–2050 period are also discussed.
Besides, government policies in supporting RE development are considered in this work. The results show that the potential of RE in Indonesia can be utilized and might replace conventional energy for decades. The use of RE for electricity generation can be achieved by employing a government policy that supports the investor as the executor of RE development. The selling price of electricity generated from RE is cheaper than electricity generated from fossils; this makes economy is more affordable for people. Finally, the target set by the government for utilizing RE as the main energy in Indonesia can be done by implementing several policies for the RE development. Thus, greenhouse gas emissions and the use of petroleum fuels can be reduced.
A Qualitative Study on Providing Alternative Solutions for Handling the HSR Passenger’s Luggage
Authors: Lo Lok Pan , Marinov Marin , Rüger Bernhard 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to look at the problem of high-speed rail (HSR) passengers’ luggage and provide alternative solutions to improve luggage handling. A qualitative study is carried out to assess the current state of HSR practices, analyse existing issues with HSR passenger luggage and provide alternative solutions, including modification of the passenger unit, double-deck rolling stock, an additional train for transporting luggage, and repositioning of passenger seats. Four solutions are discussed that could solve the problem of HSR passenger luggage handling and evaluated from four aspects namely passengers, railway operator, cost and passenger comfort level. The solution of additional trains for transporting luggage may be the preferred solution when compared with other options, without compromising the comfort of the passengers or the profit of the railway company.
Laser Interference Lithography for Fabrication of Planar Scale Gratings for Optical Metrology
Authors: Shimizu Yuki 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLaser interference lithography is an attractive method for the fabrication of a large-area two-dimensional planar scale grating, which can be employed as a scale for multi-axis optical encoders or a diffractive optical element in many types of optical sensors. Especially, optical configurations such as Lloyd’s mirror interferometer based on the division of wavefront method can generate interference fringe fields for the patterning of grating pattern structures at a single exposure in a stable manner. For the fabrication of a two-dimensional scale grating to be used in a planar/surface encoder, an orthogonal two-axis Lloyd’s mirror interferometer, which has been realized through innovation to Lloyd’s mirror interferometer, has been developed. In addition, the concept of the patterning of the two-dimensional orthogonal pattern structure at a single exposure has been extended to the non-orthogonal two-axis Lloyd’s mirror interferometer. Furthermore, the optical setup for the non-orthogonal two-axis Lloyd’s mirror interferometer has been optimized for the fabrication of a large-area scale grating. In this review article, principles of generating interference fringe fields for the fabrication of a scale grating based on the interference lithography are reviewed, while focusing on the fabrication of a two-dimensional scale grating for planar/surface encoders. Verification of the pitch of the fabricated pattern structures, whose accuracy strongly affects the performance of planar/surface encoders, is also an important task to be addressed. In this paper, major methods for the evaluation of a grating pitch are also reviewed.
Software synthesis from dataflow schedule graphs
Authors: Lee Kyunghun , Lee Yaesop , Raina Abhay , Liu Yanzhou , Wu Jiahao , Defrancisci Christopher , Riggan Benjamin S. , Bhattacharyya Shuvra S. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe dataflow-model of computation is widely used in design and implementation of signal processing systems. In dataflow-based design processes, scheduling—the assignment and coordination of computational modules across processing resources—is a critical task that affects practical measures of performance, including latency, throughput, energy consumption, and memory requirements. Dataflow schedule graphs (DSGs) provide a formal abstraction for representing schedules in dataflow-based design processes. The DSG abstraction allows designers to model a schedule as a separate dataflow graph, thereby providing a formal, abstract (platform- and language-independent) representation for the schedule. In this paper, we introduce a design methodology that is based on explicit specifications of application graphs and schedules as cooperating dataflow models. We also develop new techniques and tools for automatically synthesizing efficient implementations on multicore platforms from these coupled application and schedule models. We demonstrate the proposed methodology and synthesis techniques through a case study involving real-time detection of people and vehicles using acoustic and seismic sensors.
Spectroscopic and computational study of chromone derivatives with antitumor activity: detailed DFT, QTAIM and docking investigations
Authors: Mary Y. Sheena , Mary Y. Shyma , Resmi K. S. , Rad Ali Shokuhi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTheoretical investigations of three pharmaceutically active chromone derivatives, (E)-3-((2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)hydrazono)methyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (TPC), (E)-3-((2-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)hydrazono)methyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (FHM) and(E)-3-((2-(perfluorophenyl)hydrazono)methyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (PFH) are reported. Molecular geometries, vibrational spectra, electronic properties and molecular electrostatic potential were investigated using density functional theory. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) study shows that the maximum of ellipticity parameters in the existing bonds in TPC, FHM and PFH, attributes to the bonds involving in aromatic region points toward the π-bond interactions in the molecules. Based on energy gap (1.870, 1.649 and 1.590 eV) and electrophilicity index (20.233, 22.581 and 23.203 eV) values of TPC, FHM and PFH, we can conclude that all molecules have more biological activity. The molecular electrostatic potential maps were calculated to provide information on the chemical reactivity of the molecule and also to describe the intermolecular interactions. All these studies including docking studies, help a lot in determining the biological activities of chromone derivatives. Activities of chromone derivatives are compared with 5-fluorouracil and azathioprine (antitumor, antiproliferative standards) and were found to be higher than reference ones.
Spice Variables and Their Use in Physical Oceanography
Authors: McDougall Trevor J. , Barker Paul M. , Stanley Geoffrey J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThere have been a variety of definitions of a “spice” type variable in physical oceanography. These variables have been used to measure water‐mass variations and to examine how the stability ratio varies vertically on a water column. Some authors have chosen to derive such an oceanographic variable, called potential spicity, so that its isolines are orthogonal to isolines of potential density on a suitably scaled salinity‐temperature diagram. Here it is shown that isopycnal differences of potential spicity are more than a factor of 100 different to the corresponding isopycnal differences of other measures of water‐mass variations such as spiciness, whose isopycnal differences are proportional to the compensating contributions of salinity and temperature to potential density. This behavior of potential spicity is caused by the imposition of the orthogonal constraint which lacks a physical oceanographic motivation. Such orthogonal potential spicity variables also depend on the arbitrarily chosen scaling factor that relates the scales of the salinity and temperature axes on the salinity‐temperature diagram.A preferred alternative to using either of these two spice variables is (1) to plot variations of Absolute Salinity in approximately neutral surfaces and (2) to calculate and plot the stability ratio on vertical water columns. The anomaly of Absolute Salinity is best made with respect to a reference relationship between Absolute Salinity and Conservative Temperature that is typical of vertical casts in the oceanographic region of interest.
Urbanization Impacts on Pearl River Delta Extreme Rainfall Sensitivity to Land Cover Change Versus Anthropogenic Heat
Authors: Hu Chenxi , Fung Kwun Yip , Tam Chi‐Yung , Wang Ziqian 
Published: January 2021

AbstractImpacts of urban land cover and anthropogenic heat (AH) on extreme local rainfall over the coastal Pearl River Delta (PRD) megacity region during boreal summer are investigated by conducting numerical experiments using the Weather Research and Forecastingmodel coupled with a single‐layer urban canopy model. To examine the relative importance of land cover change versus the presence of AH, three numerical experiments corresponding to different levels of urbanization in the PRD area were designed: one with cropland covering the whole region, one with urban land cover but zero AH, and one with urban land cover and a strong diurnal maximum of 300 Wm−2 of AH in the model simulations. Results show that the increase of rainfall in the urban area is much more sensitive to the intensity of AH than the mere change of surface properties. Urbanization with intense AH can enhance both the intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall, which can be attributed to higher surface temperature (of about 3.5–4°C), higher convective available potential energy, and lower convective inhibition, thus creating an environment more conducive to strong convection over the urban areas. Moreover, enhanced rainfall is supported by moisture supply from the South China Sea and increased water vapor flux convergence over the PRD city area. The amount of moisture flux converging over the coastal megacity area was found to depend on the direction of prevailing background wind.