bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hybrid directed energy deposition strategies and manufacturing of tooling with conformal cooling channels
Authors: Wilson Neil , Gupta Manhar , Mazur Maciej , Patel Milan J , Nguyen Vu , Gulizia Stefan , Cole Ivan S 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Additive Manufacturing (AM) of Injection Moulding (IM) tools has attracted significant interest in the polymer manufacturing industry for quite some time. However, Hybrid Manufacturing (HM) using Directed Energy Deposition (DED), which involves concurrent additive and subtractive manufacture, has not been a commonly used process for IM tooling manufacture, despite several advantages over the prevalent Laser-Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) alternative, including higher build rate, lower cost, and integrated machining to directly achieve higher tolerances and surface finish. A key reason for this low utilisation is the limited ability of DED processes to produce circular channel profiles typically used in IM tooling, due to stricter constraints on the manufacturability of overhanging geometry. To address this, a range of self-supporting IM cooling channel profiles suited for hybrid laser and powder-based DED manufacture are proposed in this work. Numerical and experimental evaluations are conducted of the cooling performance of several non-circular conformal cooling channel (NCCC) profiles to identify a profile which achieves the maximum heat transfer for a constant cross-sectional area and coolant flow rate. Experimental studies included AM builds to evaluate the DED manufacturability of the selected NCCC profile on a conformally cooled HM benchmark model, followed by cooling performance characterisation, including a comparison against a reference L-PBF manufactured benchmark model. In conclusion, a shape correcting factor is obtained using response surfaces. This factor is used to convert thermal performance calculations for non-circular profiles to a conventional circular channel profile to simplify the DED manufacturing process for non-circular IM cooling channels.
An Integrated Approach to Water Conservation: Fuzzy Logic Assessment of Water Tariffs in Abu Dhabi Emirate's Residential Sector
Authors: AlHamad Issah M. , Hemyari Osamah Al , Shashati Ahmad , Seraihi Hazza Al , Albahlooli Hamad , Ewim Daniel Raphael Ejike , Nuaimi Saeed Al 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: Abu Dhabi, a part of the United Arab Emirates, is situated in an arid region where water scarcity is a significant concern. The residential sector in Abu Dhabi consumes a large portion of the available water resources, leading to a critical need for effective water management strategies. This study aims to understand the relationship between water tariffs and water consumption in the residential sector in Abu Dhabi. It employs an integrated fuzzy logic model, a form of artificial intelligence, to assess the impact of water tariffs on water consumption. The model includes variables such as water tariffs, the level of water awareness, the level of water behavior, and the level of technology use. The objective of these variables is to evaluate their impact on the water-saving index, which represents the ratio of daily water consumption per capita in Abu Dhabi to the global average.
Results: The findings of this study, based on a survey measuring the level of water awareness, behavior, and technology use, revealed a potential strategy for reducing water consumption in Abu Dhabi's residential sector. It was observed that increasing water tariffs, while maintaining current levels of water awareness, behavior, and technology use, could lead to a reduction in water consumption. However, it was also found that the impact of further tariff increases on water conservation diminishes after a certain threshold, indicating the necessity of a balanced approach in tariff adjustment. Interestingly, the study also highlights that Abu Dhabi residents demonstrate high levels of water behavior and technology use, indicating a positive trend toward water conservation.
Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of increasing water awareness among Abu Dhabi residents as a means to foster sustainable water consumption practices. While water tariffs can contribute to reductions in water consumption, the effects tend to decrease beyond a certain point. Therefore, a comprehensive approach involving water tariffs, increased water awareness, and the adoption of water-saving technologies may be the most effective strategy for water conservation. The insights from this study extend beyond Abu Dhabi and offer valuable guidance for addressing water conservation challenges worldwide. It highlights the importance of adopting a multi-faceted approach in water management, and the potential for such strategies to have international relevance in the pursuit of sustainable water consumption.
Multiple Arbitrarily Inflated Negative Binomial Regression Model and its Application
Authors: Abusaif İhab , Kuş Coşkun 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

This paper presents a new modification of the negative binomial distribution that generalizes both the negative binomial and zero-inflated negative binomial distributions. A novel distribution allows for an arbitrary number of inflation points at arbitrary locations. We discuss some distributional properties for the proposed distribution. We derive several methods to obtain estimates of the unknown parameters. Using the modified distribution we propose a new count regression model. Monte Carlo simulation studies are performed to evaluate the performance of the parameter estimators for both the new distribution and the count regression model. Finally, a real data set is analyzed to determine the superiority of the proposed model.
Clinical features of plastic bronchitis in children after congenital heart surgery
Authors: Zhu Li-min , Li Chun-xiang , Gong Xiao-lei , Xu Zhuo-ming , Liu Jin-long , Zhang Hai-bo 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Plastic bronchitis (PB) can occur in patients who have undergone congenital heart surgery (CHS), This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of PB in chidren after CHS.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the electronic medical record system. The study population consisted of children diagnosed with PB after bronchoscopy in the cardiac intensive care unit after CHS from May 2016 to October 2021.
Results
A total of 68 children after CHS were finally included in the study (32 in the airway abnormalities group and 36 in the right ventricular dysfunction group). All children were examined and treated with fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Pathogens were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of 41 children, including 32 cases in the airway abnormalities group and 9 cases in the right ventricular dysfunction group. All patients were treated with antibiotics, corticosteroids (intravenous or oral), and budesonide inhalation suspension. For children with right ventricular dysfunction, pharmacological treatment such as reducing pulmonary arterial pressure was given. Clinical symptoms improved in 64 children, two of whom were treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation due to recurrent PB and disease progression.
Conclusions
Children with airway abnormalities or right ventricular dysfunction after CHS should be alerted to the development of PB. Pharmacological treatment such as anti-infection, corticosteroids, or improvement of right ventricular function is the basis of PB treatment, while fiberoptic bronchoscopy is an essential tool for the diagnosis and treatment of PB. ECMO assistance is a vital salvage treatment for recurrent critically ill PB patients.
Causal impact of weather on the COVID-19 spread, mediated by human mobility
Authors: Nichita Denis , Dima Mihai , Boboc Loredana , Hancean Marian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Previous correlative and modelling approaches indicate influences of environmental factors on COVID-19 spread, through atmospheric conditions’ impact on virus survival and transmission, or on host susceptibility. However, causal connections from environmental factors to pandemic, mediated by human mobility, received less attention. We use a technique for dynamical systems to identify the causal connections at the country level between pairs of variables associated with weather conditions, human mobility and the number of COVID-19 cases, for 32 European states. Here we present data-based evidence that the relatively reduced number of cases registered in Northern Europe is related to the causal impact of precipitation on people’s decision to spend more time at home and that the relatively large number of cases observed in Southern Europe is linked with the people’s choice to spent time outdoors during warm days. Channels of significant impact of pandemic on human mobility are also emphasized. The weather-human mobility connections inferred here are relevant not only for COVID-19 spread, but also for any other virus transmitted through human interactions. These results may help authorities and public health experts in containing possible future waves of COVID-19 pandemic or in limiting the threats of similar human-to-human transmitted viruses.
Effects of He and Ni ion irradiation on the ZrO2/Cr composite coating on Zr1Nb alloy
Authors: Xu Chi , Zhou Qian , Wang Xingping , Xue Wenbin , Jin Xiaoyue , Sun LIangting , Shen Tielong , Liao Bin , Li Yongliang , Li Song 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

ZrO2/Cr composite coating has been irradiated by 2.8 MeV He and 38 MeV Ni ions at 350°C. Similar extents of grain-growth and partial healing of microcracks have been identified in the ZrO2 layer of both irradiated samples. The monoclinic to tetragonal transformation of ZrO2 and the formation of an amorphous (Zr,Cr)O phase at the ZrO2/Cr interface is identified in the Ni-irradiated sample. Large amounts of dislocation loops and small cavities are observed in the Cr layer while significantly less loops are found in the ZrO2 layer in both samples. The irradiation processes also cause significant growth of surface Cr oxides.
Influence of Certified Perioperative Nurses on the Establishment of Preoperative Outpatient and Rate of Preoperative Assessment in Japan
Authors: Yamamoto Chie , Mills Shigeko , Osaki Kengo , Tokuyama Kaoru , Inoue Takahiro , Hara Kentaro 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the influence of certified perioperative nurses on preoperative outpatient and preoperative assessments. The study was conducted from February 2021 to September 2022; data were collected and analyzed using a questionnaire at 247 hospitals in Japan. To analyze the factors affecting the rate of preoperative assessment with the primary endpoint of preoperative outpatient and preoperative visits, we performed multiple linear regression analysis of facility characteristics, perioperative nurse background, and the presence or absence of certified perioperative nurses. Patients from 68 and 41 institutions in the enrolled and non-enrolled groups, respectively, underwent a preoperative assessment; the enrolled group underwent a significantly higher number of preoperative assessments than did the non-enrolled group. The preoperative assessment rate was significantly higher in the enrolled group than in the non-enrolled group. Multivariate analysis of factors influencing the preoperative assessment rate revealed a significant association with certified perioperative nurse attendance. Facilities with certified perioperative nurses have a significantly higher prevalence of preoperative outpatient visits and significantly higher rates of preoperative assessments than facilities without certified perioperative nurses. Enrollment of certified perioperative nurses will lead to the improvement of the quality of preoperative nursing interventions.
Stability analysis of an epidemic model with two competing variants and cross-infections
Authors: Niu Ruiwu , Chan Yin-Chi , Liu Simin , Wong Eric W. M. , Wyk Michael Antonie van 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The competition between pathogens is an essential issue in epidemiology. As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, new variants mutate resulting in further waves of infections. In this work, we propose a simple two-variant susceptible-infected-removed-susceptible (SIRS) model for studying the competitive epidemic processes. We obtain the global basic reproduction number of our proposed model and show that whether the epidemic persists or diminishes depends on the more contagious of the two variants. Furthermore, by studying the stability of the endemic equilibria, given a specific choice of parameters, we can predict \textcolor{red}{whether either variant will eventually dominate the competitive epidemic process, or if both variants will persist.}Numerical results show that periodic solutions become viable if the two variants’ cross-infectivities are unequal, i.e., recovery from one variant offers unequal protection against the other. In other words, reducing the infectivity of a variant via non-pharmaceutical interventions may trigger periodic or even chaotic behavior and paradoxically cause healthcare demand to increase. Note that our model is sufficiently general so as to be used for studying competitive behavior in other areas of science.
Source apportionment of fine atmospheric particles in Bloemfontein, South Africa, using positive matrix factorization
Authors: Westhuizen Deidré van der , Howlett-Downing Chantelle , Molnár Peter , Boman Johan , Wichmann Janine , von Eschwege Karel G. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Air pollution is of major health and environmental concern globally and in South Africa. Studies on the sources of PM2.5 air pollution in low- and middle-income countries such as South Africa, are limited. This study aimed to identify local and distant sources of PM2.5 pollution in Bloemfontein. PM2.5 samples were collected from June-16 2020 to August-18 2021. Trace element concentrations were determined by EDXRF spectroscopy. The US EPA PMF 5.0 program was used to determine local sources: combustion/wood burning (49 %), industry (22 %), soil dust (10%), base metal/pyrometallurgical and traffic (9.6 %) and water treatment/industry (9.4 %). The HYSPLIT program was applied to determine distant PM2.5 source areas: Mpumalanga province (52 %), Northern Cape province (35 %), Indian Ocean (8 %) and Atlantic Ocean (6 %). The results can be applied in setting up an Air Quality Management Plan for Bloemfontein.
Characteristics of risk factors for ischemic stroke recurrence and death in Western China: a retrospective study
Authors: Fan DaYing , Yang Shan , Wang XianLin , Miao Rui , Huang Hao , Deng Renli 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Ischemic stroke (IS) has the characteristics of high recurrence and mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the recurrence and mortality rates of IS patients one year after their first-episode IS and to analyze the related risk factors for the recurrence of IS and death after recurrence.
Methods
The clinical history and laboratory data of patients who were hospitalized and diagnosed with first-episode IS from 2020 to 2021 were collected, and retrospective analysis was conducted after tracking the recurrence of IS in the patients for one year. Outcome events were defined as recurrence or death after recurrence within one year after the patients’ stroke, excluding other causes of neurological deterioration. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine the risk factors associated with stroke recurrence.
Results
A total of 1,052 patients with IS were included in this study. The recurrence rates at three, six, and 12 months were 2.75%, 6.27%, and 11.97%, respectively. The mortality rate after recurrence within one year was 5.13%. The patients’ recurrence time nodes, age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), platelet count, and hemoglobin were independent influencing factors of recurrence within three months after the first-episode IS. The NIHSS score, HDL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), platelet count, and creatinine were independent influencing factors of recurrence within six months after the first-episode IS. On the timeline of one year after the patients’ stroke, the common independent influencing factors of IS recurrence were the NIHSS score and HDL, among which the NIHSS score was positively correlated with stroke recurrence, while HDL was negatively correlated with stroke recurrence.
Conclusions
The study found that there was a high risk of stroke recurrence and death within one year after the first-episode IS; thus, there is an urgent need to improve the secondary prevention of stroke to reduce this risk. Through analysis, it was concluded that various risk factors were associated with recurrence. Therefore, Chinese medical staff and healthcare workers should focus on the secondary prevention of stroke, which includes the development and implementation of effective prevention strategies to prevent stroke recurrence and improve the long-term prognosis of stroke survivors.
Poor sleep behaviors may increase the risk of schizophrenia: results from a study of population in southern China
Authors: Lin Yawen , Luo Suping , Xiao Zhikai , Zheng Fuhao , Liu Yihan , Ma Dexiang , Zhong Wenping , Zhou Xiaoting , Wei Shichao , Li Huangyuan , Wu Siying 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objective:There is a strong correlation between sleep disorders and schizophrenia. However, current research has mainly focused on the treatment of sleep disorders in schizophrenic patients. Our study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of sleep behaviors on schizophrenia from a preventive perspective and to explore optimal sleep patterns.
Methods:Based on a hospital case-control study, Logistic regression analysis, interaction analysis, Restricted cubic spline and subject work characteristic curves were used to study the relationship between sleep behaviors and schizophrenia. Sleep scores (including unhealthy sleep factors: sleep deprivation at night, insomnia, snoring, nighttime sleep patterns and excessive daytime sleepiness) were constructed and assessed.
Results:After adjusting for confounders, we found that sleep duration was less than 6 hours at night (OR=2.45, 95%CI: 1.67-3.58), sleep quality was poor (OR=3.26, 95%CI: 1.87-5.69), and irregular getting up (OR=4.07, 95%CI: 2.67-6.19) and occasional napping (OR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.12-3.81) were risk factors for schizophrenia. The length and quality of sleep at night, the length of sleep at night and the pattern of napping are also risk factors for developing schizophrenia. Finally, the optimal sleep pattern is the morning sleep pattern, with six to nine hours of sleep a night, good sleep quality, no daytime sleepiness, and no snoring.
Conclusions: Poor sleep behaviors is associated with the development of schizophrenia. Through a comprehensive assessment of poor sleep behaviors, we can obtain optimal sleep patterns. This study highlights the importance of sleep behaviors and provides a new perspective on the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia.
Genomic prediction for polysomic tetraploid potato inbred and hybrid offspring
Authors: Ortiz Rodomiro Octavio , Reslow Fredrik , Vetukuri Ramesh , García-Gil M. Rosario , Pérez-Rodríguez Paulino , Crossa José 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Potato genetic improvement begins with crossing cultivars or breeding clones -often having complementary characteristics– for producing heritable variation in segregating offspring, in which phenotypic selection is used thereafter across various vegetative generations (Ti). Multi-environment, multi-trait, tetrasomic genomic best linear unbiased predictors (GBLUPs) have the potential to identify promising parents for further crossing, predict untested environments or genotypes, or purge deleterious alleles in inbred potato populations. Hence, the aim of this research was to determine whether GBLUPs may predict tuber yield across early Ti within and across breeding sites in inbred (S1) and hybrid (F1) tetraploid potato offspring. This research used 858 breeding clones for a T1 trial at Umeå in 2021, as well as 829 and 671 clones from the breeding population for T2 trials during 2022 at Umeå (Norrland) and Helgegården (Skåne), in northern and southern Sweden respectively, along with their parents (S0) and check cultivars. The S1 and F1 derived from selfing and crossing four S0. The experimental layout was an augmented design of 4-plant plots in the three breeding sites, in which breeding clones were non-replicated and the parents and cultivars were in all blocks in between the former. Genomic prediction ability (r) for tuber weight per plant were 0.5944 and 0.6776 in T2 at Helgegården and Umeå, respectively, when T1 at Umeå was the training population. On average, r was larger in inbred than in hybrid offspring at both breeding sites. There were significant differences for r among half-sib F1 offspring at Helgegården, and among S1 at both Helgegården and Umeå. The r was also estimated using multi-environment data (involving at least one S1 and one F1) for T2 performance at both breeding sites. The r was strongly influenced by the genotype in both S1 and F1 offspring irrespective of the breeding site. GBLUPs are therefore useful for selecting breeding clones with different inbreeding levels in early stages.
Earthquake is Predicted
Authors: Liu Peng , Gao Zhongqiang , Chen Xi , Zhang Xiaodong , Chen Huizhong , Yang Hao , Qin Minxuan , Liu Xu , Ma Ming , Yuan Jiabin , Yong Shanshan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Earthquake prediction is a global challenge. Seismologists have established a large number of observation stations in active seismic areas that provide massive, continuous, and complete geomagnetic and geoacoustic data from different regions. Based on these data, we have developed a convolutional neural network earthquake forecasting model to achieve short-term earthquake prediction. After normalizing geomagnetic and geoacoustic observation data, we randomly divided the data into training and testing groups, inputted the training group into the convolutional neural network model for training, and used the resulting model to test testing group and calculate the accuracy. Our research shows that the model has approximately 81% accuracy(17.7% higher than 620 groups of researchers using same datasets). The model is suitable for integrating geomagnetic and geoacoustic data and has great potential for improving the accuracy of earthquake prediction in China, and all other regions if datasets are available.