bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous removal of SO2 and NOx from flue gas by low-temperature adsorption over activated carbon
Authors: Wang Shiqing , Xu Shisen , Gao Shiwang , Xiao Ping , Jiang Minhua , Zhao He , Huang Bin , Liu Lianbo , Niu Hongwei , Wang Jinyi , Guo Dongfang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAn exceptional phenomenon has been observed that SO2 and NOx in flue gas can be effectively adsorbed over activated carbon with a surprising capacity at cold temperatures with the presence of oxygen. In this study, the adsorption characteristics of NO and SO2 over activated carbon at 80, 20, 0, and − 20 is experimentally investigated. Without the presence of oxygen, adsorption of NO is negligible. In the presence of oxygen, NO can be oxidized to NO2 over activated carbon which leads to the co-adsorption of NO/NO2 within the adsorption bed. Catalytic oxidation of NO over activated carbon can be significantly enhanced at cold temperatures, leading to an extraordinary increase of adsorption capacity of NO. With an initial concentration of NO = 200 ppmv and a space velocity of 5000 h−1, the average specific capacity increases from 3.8 to 169.1 mg/g when the temperature decreases from 80 to – 20 ℃. For NO–O2 co-adsorption, the specific capacity increases along the adsorption bed due to the increasing NO2 concentrations. The adsorption capacity of SO2 is also significantly enhanced at cold temperatures. With an initial concentration of SO2 = 1000 ppmv, the specific capacity increases from 12.9 to 123.1 mg/g when the temperature decreases from 80 to – 20 ℃. A novel low-temperature adsorption (LAS) process is developed to simultaneously remove SO2 and NOx from flue gas with a target of near-zero emission. A pilot-scale testing platform with a flue gas flowrate of 3600 Nm3/h is developed and tested. Emission of both SO2 and NOx is less than 1 ppmv, and the predicted energy penalty is about 3% of the net generation.
Seven day pre-analytical stability of serum and plasma neurofilament light chain
Authors: Altmann Patrick , Ponleitner Markus , Rommer Paulus Stefan , Haslacher Helmuth , Mucher Patrick , Leutmezer Fritz , Petzold Axel , Wotawa Christoph , Lanzenberger Rupert , Berger Thomas , Zetterberg Henrik , Bsteh Gabriel 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNeurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a biomarker of neuroaxonal damage in several neurologic conditions. With increasing availability of fourth-generation immunoassays detecting NfL in blood, aspects of pre-analytical stability of this biomarker remain unanswered. This study investigated NfL concentrations in serum and plasma samples of 32 patients with neurological diagnoses using state of the art Simoa technology. We tested the effect of delayed freezing of up to 7 days and statistically determined stability and validity of measured concentrations. We found concentrations of NfL in serum and plasma to remain stable at room temperature when processing of samples is delayed up to 7 days (serum: mean absolute difference 0.9 pg/mL, intraindividual variation 1.2%; plasma: mean absolute difference 0.5 pg/mL, intraindividual variation 1.3%). Consistency of these results was nearly perfect for serum and excellent for plasma (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.99 and 0.94, respectively). In conclusion, the soluble serum and plasma NfL concentration remains stable when unprocessed blood samples are stored up to 7 days at room temperature. This information is essential for ensuring reliable study protocols, for example, when shipment of fresh samples is needed.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis versus quantitative computer tomography and anthropometry for the assessment of body composition parameters in China
Authors: Qin Qian , Yang Yang , Chen Jingfeng , Jiang Yaojun , Li Ang , Huang Meng , Dong Yihan , Wang Shoujun , Ding Suying 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObesity, especially abdominal obesity, is correlated to increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is urgent to search a simply method to predict visceral fat area (VFA). Herein, we evaluated the correlation of waist circumference (WC) measured by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and VFA estimated by BIA or measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in China. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.09 ± 3.31 kg/m2 and the mean age was 49.16 ± 9.19 years in 2754 subjects. VFA-BIA were significantly smaller than VFA-QCT in both BMI and age subgroups between male and female (p < 0.001). High correlation was observed for WC between BIA and manually (r = 0.874 for all, r = 0.865 for male and r = 0.806 for female) and for VFA between BIA and QCT (r = 0.512 for all). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed the perfect agreement between BIA and manually to measure WC (ICC = 0.832 for all, 0.845 for male and 0.697 for female) and implied a good reliability for VFA between BIA and QCT with women among subgroups (ICC = 0.623 for all, ICC = 0.634 for age < 50 years and ICC = 0.432 for BMI > 24 kg/m2), whereas the good reliability was lost in men (ICC = 0.174). The kappa analysis showed a moderate consistency for VFA measured by BIA and QCT (Kappa = 0.522 with age < 50 years, 0.565 with age ≥ 50 years in male; Kappa = 0.472 with age < 50 years, 0.486 with age ≥ 50 years in female). In addition, BIA to estimate VFA (r = 0.758 in male, r = 0.727 in female, P < 0.001) has a stronger correlation with VFA measured by QCT than BMI and WC according to gender categories. Furthermore, ROC analysis showed the cut-off point of VFA measured by BIA for predicting visceral obesity was: 101.90 cm2, 119.96 cm2 and 118.83 cm2 and the Youden’s index was 0.577, 0.577 and 0.651, respectively and the Kappa value was 0.532, 0.536 and 0.611 in unadjusted model, model 1 and model 2. In conclusion, being non-invasive and free of radiation, BIA can be used as a safe and convenient tool to estimate VFA in female; especially for monitoring the VFA of the same person, the BIA has superiority to a certain extent. However, the consistency is not most ideal between BIA and QCT. When using BIA to assess whether a person is visceral obesity, we must take into consideration age, BMI and WC. Therefore, we established a regression formula to reflect VFA-QCT by VFA-BIA, age, BMI, and WC. In addition, a more accurate formula is needed to match the CT data in China.
Health risk assessment of heavy metals in marine fish to the population in Zhejiang, China
Authors: Han Jian-Long , Pan Xiao-Dong , Chen Qing , Huang Bai-Fen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEnvironmental pollution with toxic metals can lead to the possible contamination of the marine fish. We investigated the levels of As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in 652 marine fish samples (15 species) collected from coastal areas of Zhejiang, China and estimated their health risk. Mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb were 0.783, 0.009, 0.114, 0.031, 0.043 mg/kg wet weight. The average estimated daily intakes (EDIs) for As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb were 1.214, 0.014, 0.177, 0.048 and 0.067 μg/kg bw/day. The risk assessment at mean exposure level showed that there was no health risk associated with these elements through consumption of marine fish. However, potential health risk may exist for high exposure consumers considering the possible contamination of As and Hg. Given that the different levels of certain elements in marine fish in China, this study provides a scientific basis for food safety assessment and suggestions for risk management.
Reductions in the deposition of sulfur and selenium to agricultural soils pose risk of future nutrient deficiencies
Authors: Feinberg Aryeh , Stenke Andrea , Peter Thomas , Hinckley Eve-Lyn S. , Driscoll Charles T. , Winkel Lenny H. E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAtmospheric deposition is a major source of the nutrients sulfur and selenium to agricultural soils. Air pollution control and cleaner energy production have reduced anthropogenic emissions of sulfur and selenium, which has led to lower atmospheric deposition fluxes of these elements. Here, we use a global aerosol-chemistry-climate model to map recent (2005–2009) sulfur and selenium deposition, and project future (2095–2099) changes under two socioeconomic scenarios. Across the Northern Hemisphere, we find substantially decreased deposition to agricultural soils, by 70 to 90% for sulfur and by 55 to 80% for selenium. Recent trends in sulfur and selenium concentrations in USA streams suggest that catchment mass balances of these elements are already changing due to the declining atmospheric supply. Sustainable fertilizer management strategies will need to be developed to offset the decrease in atmospheric nutrient supply and ensure future food security and nutrition, while avoiding consequences for downstream aquatic ecosystems.
Time-dependent re-organization of biological processes by the analysis of the dynamic transcriptional response of yeast cells to doxorubicin
Authors: Karabekmez Muhammed Erkan , Taymaz-Nikerel Hilal , Eraslan Serpil , Kirdar Betul 
Published: May 2021

Integration of co-expression clusters with TFs involved in the dynamic regulatory events revealed re-organization of the transcriptional landscape in S. cerevisae cells in reaction to a sudden pulse of the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin.
Cross-Validation and Normative Values for the German Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale
Authors: Lukaschyk Julia , Abel Jakob , Brockmann-Bauser Meike , Keilmann Annerose , Braun Angelika , Rohlfs Anna-Katharina 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
The Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTD Scale) is a self-rating questionnaire investigating physical symptoms in the larynx associated with vocal pathology. The aim of this work was to investigate the reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity of the first German version and to provide normative data with thresholds for pathology and a scaling scheme.

Study Design
A retrospective multicenter study was performed.

Method

A total of 571 participants (409 female and 162 male), with a mean age of 47.2 years, were recruited at three German centers; of these, there were 447 participants with voice disorder and 124 vocally healthy participants. The clinical examination consisted of patient history, visual laryngeal examination, acoustic and aerodynamic assessment, perceptual analysis by the Grading-Roughness-Breathiness-Asthenia-Strain Scale, and subjective evaluation using the VTD Scale and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Statistics included group comparisons (
t
test and analysis of variance), Pearson correlation coefficient (between VTD Scale and VHI), and Cronbach's alpha to assess validity and reliability. Analysis of receiver operating characteristics was performed to examine VTD Scale's discriminatory ability and provide a cutoff score. Additionally, percentiles were applied to provide VTD Scale ranges.

Results

There were highly significant differences between healthy participants and participants with voice disorder regarding the total score and both subscales of the VTD Scale. Internal consistency was excellent (α = .928). We found moderate, positive correlation between the VTD Scale and VHI (ρ = .596,
p
< .001). Receiver operating characteristics analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.876 (
p
< .001, 95% confidence interval [0.846, 0.906]). VTD Scale ranges were no (score: 0–13), mild (score: 14–26), moderate (score: 27–40), and severe (score: 41–96) disorder.

Conclusions
Results confirm an excellent reliability and validity of the German VTD Scale. It provides additional and independent diagnostic information and is a useful instrument to complement voice assessment. The scaling into four severity subgroups allows the tool to be used for screening patients and considers a transferral to a voice specialist.
Investigating ionospheric calibration for LOFAR 2.0 with simulated observations
Authors: Edler H. W. , de Gasperin F. , Rafferty D. 
Published: May 2021

Context. There are a number of hardware upgrades for the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) currently under development. These upgrades are collectively referred to as the LOFAR 2.0 upgrade. The first stage of LOFAR 2.0 will introduce a distributed clock signal and allow for simultaneous observations using all the low-band and high-band antennas of the array.
Aims. Our aim is to provide a tool for obtaining accurate simulations for LOFAR 2.0.
Methods. We present our software for simulating LOFAR and LOFAR 2.0 observations, which includes realistic models for all important systematic effects such as the first- and second-order ionospheric corruptions, time-variable primary-beam attenuation, station-based delays, and bandpass response. The ionosphere is represented as a thin layer of frozen turbulence. Furthermore, thermal noise can be added to the simulation at the expected level. We simulate a full eight-hour simultaneous low- and high-band antenna observation of a calibrator source and a target field with the LOFAR 2.0 instrument. The simulated data are calibrated using readjusted LOFAR calibration strategies. We examine novel approaches of solution-transfer and joint calibration to improve direction-dependent ionospheric calibration for LOFAR.
Results. We find that the calibration of the simulated data behaves very similarly to a real observation and reproduces certain characteristic properties of LOFAR data, such as realistic solutions and image quality. We analyze strategies for direction-dependent calibration of LOFAR 2.0 and find that the ionospheric parameters can be determined most accurately when combining the information of the high-band and low-band in a joint calibration approach. In contrast, the transfer of total electron content solutions from the high-band to the low-band shows good convergence but is highly susceptible to the presence of non-ionospheric phase errors in the data.
Non-adiabatic ionization with tailored laser pulses
Authors: Azizi Sajad , Saalmann Ulf , Rost Jan M 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Non-adiabatic photo-ionization is difficult to control as it relies on the derivatives of the envelope and not on phase-details of the short ionizing pulse. Here, we introduce a catalyzing state, whose presence render non-adiabatic ionization sensitive to phase-details of tailored pulses. Since a catalyzing state is in general easy to create, this opens a perspective for coherent control of ultra-fast ionization.
Principal component analysis of diffuse magnetic neutron scattering: a theoretical study
Authors: Twyman Robert , Gibson Stuart J , Molony James , Quintanilla Jorge 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
We present a theoretical study of the potential of principal component (PC) analysis to analyse magnetic diffuse neutron scattering data on quantum materials. To address this question, we simulate the scattering function

S

q

for a model describing a cluster magnet with anisotropic spin–spin interactions under different conditions of applied field and temperature. We find high dimensionality reduction and that the algorithm can be trained with surprisingly small numbers of simulated observations. Subsequently, observations can be projected onto the reduced-dimensionality space defined by the learnt PCs. Constant-field temperature scans correspond to trajectories in this space which show characteristic bifurcations at the critical fields corresponding to ground-state phase boundaries. Such plots allow the ground-state phase diagram to be accurately determined from finite-temperature measurements.
Performance of a low gain avalanche detector in a medical linac and characterisation of the beam profile
Authors: Isidori T , McCavana P , McClean B , McNulty R , Minafra N , Raab N , Rock L , Royon C 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Low gain avalanche detectors can measure charged particle fluences with high speed and spatial precision, and are a promising technology for radiation monitoring and dosimetry. A detector has been tested in a medical linac where single particles were observed with a time resolution of 50 ps. The integrated response is similar to a standard ionising chamber but with a spatial precision twenty times finer, and a temporal precision over 100 million times better, with the capability to measure the charge deposited by a single linac pulse. The unprecedented resolving power allows the structure of the ∼3 μs linac pulses to be viewed and the 350 ps sub-pulses in the train to be observed.
Non-Hermitian topological phases and dynamical quantum phase transitions: a generic connection
Authors: Zhou Longwen , Du Qianqian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The dynamical and topological properties of non-Hermitian systems have attracted great attention in recent years. In this work, we establish an intrinsic connection between two classes of intriguing phenomena—topological phases and dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs)—in non-Hermitian systems. Focusing on one-dimensional models with chiral symmetry, we find DQPTs following the quench from a trivial to a non-Hermitian topological phase. Moreover, the critical momenta and critical time of the DQPTs are found to be directly related to the topological invariants of the non-Hermitian system. We further demonstrate our theory in three prototypical non-Hermitian lattice models, the lossy Kitaev chain (LKC), the LKC with next-nearest-neighbor hoppings, and the nonreciprocal Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model. Finally, we suggest a proposal to experimentally verify the found connection by a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond.
Implant- and anesthesia-related factors affecting cardiopulmonary threshold intensities for vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Ahmed Umair , Chang Yao-Chuan , Lopez Maria F , Wong Jason , Datta-Chaudhuri Timir , Rieth Loren , Al-Abed Yousef , Zanos Stavros 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objective. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is typically delivered at increasing stimulus intensity until a neurological or physiological response is observed (‘threshold’) for dose calibration, preclinically and therapeutically. Factors affecting VNS thresholds have not been studied systematically. In a rodent model of VNS we measured neural and physiological responses to increasing VNS intensity, determined neurological and physiological thresholds and examined the effect of implant- and anesthesia-related factors on thresholds. Approach. In acute and chronic vagus implants (45 and 20 rats, respectively) VNS was delivered under isoflurane, ketamine-xylazine, or awake conditions. Evoked compound action potentials (CAPs) were recorded and activation of different fiber types was extracted. Elicited physiological responses were registered, including changes in heart rate (HR), breathing rate (BR), and blood pressure (BP). CAP and physiological thresholds were determined. Main results. The threshold for evoking discernable CAPs (>10 µV) (CAP threshold) is significantly lower than what elicits 5%–10% drop in heart rate (heart rate threshold, HRT) (25 µA ± 1.8 vs. 80 µA ± 5.1, respectively; mean ± SEM). Changes in BP and small changes in BR (bradypnea) occur at lowest intensities (70 µA ± 8.3), followed by HR changes (80 µA ± 5.1) and finally significant changes in BR (apnea) (310 μA ± 32.5). HRT and electrode impedance are correlated in chronic (Pearson correlation r= 0.47; p< 0.001) but not in acute implants (r = −0.34; p NS); HRT and impedance both increase with implant age (r= 0.44; p< 0.001 and r = 0.64; p < 0.001, respectively). HRT is lowest when animals are awake (200 µA ± 35.5), followed by ketamine-xylazine (640 µA ± 151.5), and isoflurane (1000 µA ± 139.5). The sequence of physiological responses with increasing VNS intensity is the same in anesthetized and awake animals. Pulsing frequency affects physiological responses but not CAPs. Significance. Implant age, electrode impedance, and type of anesthesia affect VNS thresholds and should be accounted for when calibrating stimulation dose.
Augmentation on CNNs for Handwritten Digit Classification in a Small Training Sample Size Situation
Authors: Mitani Y , Fujita Y , Hamamoto Y 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In general, a deep learning needs a lot of samples. However, in a practical pattern recognition problem, the number of training samples is usually limited. We investigate the effect of an image data augmentation by a perspective transformation on a convolution neural network(CNN) for handwritten digit classification in a small training sample size situation. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the image data augmentation by the perspective transformation on the CNN for handwritten digit classification particularly in the small training sample size situation.
Can new mobile technologies enable fugitive methane reductions from the oil and gas industry?
Authors: Fox Thomas A , Hugenholtz Chris H , Barchyn Thomas E , Gough Tyler R , Gao Mozhou , Staples Marshall 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
New mobile platforms such as vehicles, drones, aircraft, and satellites have emerged to help identify and reduce fugitive methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. When deployed as part of leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs, most of these technologies use multi-visit LDAR (MVL), which consists of four steps: (a) rapidly screen all facilities, (b) triage by emission rate, (c) follow-up with close-range methods at the highest-emitting sites, and (d) conduct repairs. The proposed value of MVL is to identify large leaks soon after they arise. Whether MVL offers an improvement over traditional single-visit LDAR (SVL), which relies on undirected close-range surveys, remains poorly understood. We use the Leak Detection and Repair Simulator (LDAR-Sim) to examine the performance and cost-effectiveness of MVL relative to SVL. Results suggest that facility-scale MVL programs can achieve fugitive emission reductions equivalent to SVL, but that improved cost-effectiveness is not guaranteed. Under a best-case scenario, we find that screening must cost < USD 100 per site for MVL to achieve 30% cost reductions relative to SVL. In scenarios with non-target vented emissions and screening quantification uncertainty, triaging errors force excessive close-range follow-up to achieve emissions reduction equivalence. The viability of MVL as a cost-effective alternative to SVL for reducing fugitive methane emissions hinges on accurate triaging after the screening phase.
Responses of Arctic cyclones to biogeophysical feedbacks under future warming scenarios in a regional Earth system model
Authors: Akperov Mirseid , Zhang Wenxin , Miller Paul A , Mokhov Igor I , Semenov Vladimir A , Matthes Heidrun , Smith Benjamin , Rinke Annette 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Arctic cyclones, as a prevalent feature in the coupled dynamics of the Arctic climate system, have large impacts on the atmospheric transport of heat and moisture and deformation and drifting of sea ice. Previous studies based on historical and future simulations with climate models suggest that Arctic cyclogenesis is affected by the Arctic amplification of global warming, for instance, a growing land-sea thermal contrast. We thus hypothesize that biogeophysical feedbacks (BF) over the land, here mainly referring to the albedo-induced warming in spring and evaporative cooling in summer, may have the potential to significantly change cyclone activity in the Arctic. Based on a regional Earth system model (RCA-GUESS) which couples a dynamic vegetation model and a regional atmospheric model and an algorithm of cyclone detection and tracking, this study assesses for the first time the impacts of BF on the characteristics of Arctic cyclones under three IPCC Representative Concentration Pathways scenarios (i.e. RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Our analysis focuses on the spring- and summer time periods, since previous studies showed BF are the most pronounced in these seasons. We find that BF induced by changes in surface heat fluxes lead to changes in land-sea thermal contrast and atmospheric stability. This, in turn, noticeably changes the atmospheric baroclinicity and, thus, leads to a change of cyclone activity in the Arctic, in particular to the increase of cyclone frequency over the Arctic Ocean in spring. This study highlights the importance of accounting for BF in the prediction of Arctic cyclones and the role of circulation in the Arctic regional Earth system.