bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technological parameter optimization for walnut shell-kernel winnowing device based on neural network
Authors: Li Hao , Tang Yurong , Zhang Hong , Liu Yang , Zhang Yongcheng , Niu Hao 
Published: February 2023

The detection method for technological parameter is outdates as the traditional test cycle is long as well as the measurement error and the test amount are huge. Moreover, it is difficult to disclose the operation mechanism of devices as the operation is time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, numerical simulation was used in this study to reveal the mechanism of the walnut shell-kernel winnowing device. Moreover, the influence of baffle opening combinations, inlet wind velocity and inlet angle on cleaning rate and loss rate was predicted by the neural network model. The results demonstrated that inlet wind velocity was the primary influencing factor of cleaning rate, followed by baffle opening and inlet angle. Besides, inlet wind velocity was the primary influencing factor of loss rate, followed by inlet angle and baffle opening. The winnowing device performed best (79.91% cleaning rate, 14.37% loss rate) when the baffle opening, inlet wind velocity and inlet angle were 7.01 cm, 24.36 m/s, and 9.47°. In addition, 1/8 walnut shells and 1/4 walnut kernels were incorrectly classified due to the increase in inlet wind velocity. The inlet wind velocity was considered the major cause behind the deteriorating winnowing performance of the device. Finally, the bench test and simulation optimization results were compared. The cleaning rate and loss rate relative error during the simulation test was lower than 1.06%, which ascertained the feasibility and validity of the neural network as well as the combined numerical simulation method. This study could be useful for future research and development of shell-kernel winnowing devices for hard nuts.
Personalized surgical planning for coronary bypass graft configurations using patient-specific computational modeling to avoid flow competition in arterial grafts
Authors: Chaudhuri Krish , Pletzer Alexander , Waqanivavalagi Steve W. F. R. , Milsom Paget , Smith Nicolas P. 
Published: February 2023

ObjectivesFlow competition between coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) and native coronary arteries is a significant problem affecting arterial graft patency. The objectives of this study were to compare the predictive hemodynamic flow resulting from various total arterial grafting configurations and to evaluate whether the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models capable of predicting flow can assist surgeons to make better decisions for individual patients by avoiding poorly functioning grafts.MethodsSixteen cardiac surgeons declared their preferred CABG configuration using bilateral internal mammary and radial arteries for each of 5 patients who had differing degrees of severe triple vessel coronary disease. Surgeons selected both a preferred 'aortic' strategy, with at least one graft arising from the ascending aorta, and a preferred “anaortic” strategy which could be performed as a “no-aortic touch” operation. CT coronary angiograms of the 5 patients were coupled to CFD models using a novel flow solver “COMCAB.” Twelve different CABG configurations were compared for each patient of which 4 were “aortic” and 8 were “anaortic.” Surgeons then selected their preferred grafting configurations after being shown predictive hemodynamic metrics including functional assessment of stenoses (instantaneous wave-free ratio; fractional flow reserve), transit time flowmetry graft parameters (mean graft flow; pulsatility index) and myocardial perfusion.ResultsA total of 87.5% (7/8) of “anaortic” configurations compared to 25% (1/4) of “aortic” configurations led to unsatisfactory grafts in at least 1 of the 5 patients (P = 0.038). The use of the computational models led to a significant decrease in the selection of unsatisfactory grafting configurations when surgeons employed “anaortic” (21.25% (17/80) vs. 1.25% (1/80), P &lt; 0.001) but not “aortic” techniques (5% (4/80) vs. 0% (0/80), P = 0.64). Similarly, there was an increase in the selection of ideal configurations for “anaortic” (6.25% (5/80) vs. 28.75% (23/80), P &lt; 0.001) but not “aortic” techniques (65% (52/80) vs. 61.25% (49/80), P = 0.74). Furthermore, surgeons who planned to use more than one unique “anaortic” configuration across all 5 patients increased (12.5% (2/16) vs. 87.5% (14/16), P&lt;0.001).Conclusions“COMCAB” is a promising tool to improve personalized surgical planning particularly for CABG configurations involving composite or sequential grafts which are used more frequently in anaortic operations.
Pore characteristics and preservation mechanism of over-6000-m ultra-deep shale reservoir in the Sichuan Basin
Authors: Xie Guoliang , Jiao Kun , Deng Bin , Hao Weiduo , Liu Shugen 
Published: February 2023

Investigation of pore characteristics and their preservation mechanism of over 6000 m ultra-deep shale reservoirs is of significance for shale gas exploration and development in the Sichuan Basin. In this study, the pores structure and multifractal characteristics of pores for the Longmaxi shale and Qiongzhusi shale in the Sichuan Basin are well studied by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), gas adsorption and multifractal analysis. The results show that: (1) Extremely strong mechanical compaction resulting from ultra-deep burial depth can lead to the homogenization of pore structure, which is characterized by the change of bubble-like OM pores to silt or fracture shape pores and the higher average pore diameter (APD) value. (2) The Longmaxi shale and Qiongzhusi shale reservoirs have the obvious multifractal nature for different pore sizes. Samples from the Longmaxi shale and Qiongzhusi shale in well CS#1 demonstrate the higher average H values and smaller average ΔD values compared with those samples in well MS#1, indicating that shale reservoir in over-pressure condition has higher connectivity and less heterogeneity. The pore preservation in over 6000 m ultra-deep shale reservoirs are influenced by several geological factors, including 1) quartz is beneficial for the preservation of pores especially for OM pores due to its supporting effect; 2) the shale reservoirs in over-pressure show many more OM pores and higher surface porosity than those in normal pressure; 3) the direct floor of Qiongzhusi shale is likely the critical geological factor affecting the pores preservation. Therefore, the Longmaxi shale with both over-pressure condition and high quartz content is likely the best target zone for deep shale gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin.
Model test study on the dynamic response of high-speed railway subgrade crossing ground fissure zone
Authors: Wang Zuochen , Huang Qiangbing , Xie Qingyu , Xue Liming , Kang Xiaosen , Gou Yuxuan 
Published: February 2023

Ground fissure is a typical geohazard widely developed in China, which brings serious geological challenges to the construction and safe operation of the Chinese high-speed railways. However, the dynamic response mechanism of high-speed railway natural subgrade crossing the ground fissure zone is unclear. In this study, a new trainload excitation equipment that can simulate moving train loads was developed. The model test was carried out on the dynamic responses of the natural subgrade of high-speed railway crossing ground fissure zone under moving train loads. The results show that the ground fissure had a great influence on the acceleration response of the subgrade across the ground fissure zone, and the average peak acceleration value of the subgrade in the hanging wall was greater than the footwall. Along the longitudinal direction of the railway, the dynamic Earth pressure of the subgrade in the hanging wall was significantly greater than that in the footwall of the ground fissure and is about 2.5 times than that in the footwall, demonstrating a typical hanging wall amplification effect. The displacement amplitude on the subgrade and ground surface in the hanging wall was larger than that in the footwall of ground fissure. The attenuation rate of peak acceleration, dynamic velocity, and displacement in the hanging wall along the depth direction was more evident than that of the footwall of ground fissure. For the natural subgrade of high-speed railway crossing ground fissure zone, the critical influence depth of moving train load was about 12 m below the subgrade surface.
The functioning of academic employees in a dynamic South African higher education environment
Authors: ChaaCha Thapelo D. , Oosthuysen Elrie 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionThe higher education sector is experiencing changes in the profile of employees and stakeholders. Current employees are expected to function effectively and efficiently in institutions to achieve individual and organisational goals. The functioning aspect of the capability approach presents the opportunity to investigate how academic employees function in the current work environment. The study aimed to investigate the functioning of academic employees in the current work environment. Understanding how academic employees function in their current work environment provides the opportunity to develop relevant talent management practices to motivate, retain, support, develop, and lead academic employees.MethodsA qualitative research approach and a critical realism perspective was utilised to explore social relations in the sample environment. Purposive sampling was employed to identify appropriate participants for the study. Nine online semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the participants.ResultsThe findings of the study show that academic employees function effectively when they experience support and relationships at work as well as when autonomy and technology are available among various aspects of work. Talent management strategies require proactive reviewing to meet academic employees’ needs to enhance performance.DiscussionHuman resource practitioners and leaders in the institution have the responsibility to explore the functioning of academics in their environment to understand how they can enhance their performance and develop and retain these employees to meet institutional goals. The study adds some insights to the current literature related to the functioning of academic employees using the capability approach. The institution can develop new mechanisms to enhance the performance of these employees in a dynamic environment through talent management practices.
Effect of maternal periconceptional undernutrition in sheep on cortisol regulation in offspring from mid-late gestation, through to adulthood
Authors: Oliver Mark H. , Jaquiery Anne L. , Connor Kristin L. , Phua Hui Hui , Harding Jane E. , Thorstensen Eric B. , Bloomfield Frank H. 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionMaternal periconceptional undernutrition (PCUN) alters fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) function and placental glucocorticoid metabolism in sheep. The effects of PCUN on HPAA function in adult life are not known. We investigated the effects of PCUN on fetal adrenal development across gestation and on cortisol regulation in adult offspring.MethodsEwes were undernourished from 61 days before to 30 days after conception (‘PCUN’) or fed ad libitum (‘N’). mRNA expression in the fetal adrenal gland of ACTH receptor (ACTHR), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1), 11beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2), insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF2), and in the fetal hippocampus of 11βHSD1, 11βHSD2, mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was determined at 50 (adrenal only), 85, 120 and 131 days of gestation (term=148 days). In adult offspring (≥ 3 years, N; 10 female, 5 male, PCUN; 10 female, 10 male) a combined arginine vasopressin (AVP, 0.1 μg/kg) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH, 0.5 μg/kg) challenge and a metyrapone (40 mg/kg) challenge were undertaken. mRNA expression of ACTHR, STAR and CYP17A1 were determined in adult adrenals.ResultsFetal adrenal STAR, CYP17A1 and IGF2 mRNA expression were not different between groups in early gestation but were higher in PCUN than N at 131 days’ gestation (all p&lt;0.01). PCUN reduced fetal hippocampal MR and GR mRNA expression by 50% at 85 day, but not in later gestation. Adult offspring plasma cortisol responses to AVP+CRH or metyrapone were not different between groups. Plasma ACTH response to AVP+CRH was lower in PCUN males but ACTH response to metyrapone was not different between groups. Adult adrenal ACTHR, STAR, and CYP17A1 mRNA expression were not affected by PCUN.ConclusionsWe conclude that the effects of PCUN on fetal HPAA function that became apparent in late gestation, are not reflected in adrenal cortisol secretion in mid-adulthood.
Diagnostic and predictive values of pyroptosis-related genes in sepsis
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Guo Zhe , Wang Ziyi , Liao Haiyan , Wang Ziwen , Chen Feng , Wang Zhong 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundSepsis is an organ dysfunction syndrome caused by the body’s dysregulated response to infection. Yet, due to the heterogeneity of this disease process, the diagnosis and definition of sepsis is a critical issue in clinical work. Existing methods for early diagnosis of sepsis have low specificity.AimsThis study evaluated the diagnostic and predictive values of pyroptosis-related genes in normal and sepsis patients and their role in the immune microenvironment using multiple bioinformatics analyses and machine-learning methods.MethodsPediatric sepsis microarray datasets were screened from the GEO database and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with pyroptosis were analyzed. DEGs were then subjected to multiple bioinformatics analyses. The differential immune landscape between sepsis and healthy controls was explored by screening diagnostic genes using various machine-learning models. Also, the diagnostic value of these diagnosis-related genes in sepsis (miRNAs that have regulatory relationships with genes and related drugs that have regulatory relationships) were analyzed in the internal test set and external test.ResultsEight genes (CLEC5A, MALT1, NAIP, NLRC4, SERPINB1, SIRT1, STAT3, and TLR2) related to sepsis diagnosis were screened by multiple machine learning algorithms. The CIBERSORT algorithm confirmed that these genes were significantly correlated with the infiltration abundance of some immune cells and immune checkpoint sites (all P&lt;0.05). SIRT1, STAT3, and TLR2 were identified by the DGIdb database as potentially regulated by multiple drugs. Finally, 7 genes were verified to have significantly different expressions between the sepsis group and the control group (P&lt;0.05).ConclusionThe pyroptosis-related genes identified and verified in this study may provide a useful reference for the prediction and assessment of sepsis.
Joint spatiotemporal models to predict seabird densities at sea
Authors: Arimitsu Mayumi L. , Piatt John F. , Thorson James T. , Kuletz Katherine J. , Drew Gary S. , Schoen Sarah K. , Cushing Daniel A. , Kroeger Caitlin , Sydeman William J. 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionSeabirds are abundant, conspicuous members of marine ecosystems worldwide. Synthesis of distribution data compiled over time is required to address regional management issues and understand ecosystem change. Major challenges when estimating seabird densities at sea arise from variability in dispersion of the birds, sampling effort over time and space, and differences in bird detection rates associated with survey vessel type.MethodsUsing a novel approach for modeling seabirds at sea, we applied joint dynamic species distribution models (JDSDM) with a vector-autoregressive spatiotemporal framework to survey data collected over nearly five decades and archived in the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database. We produced monthly gridded density predictions and abundance estimates for 8 species groups (77% of all birds observed) within Cook Inlet, Alaska. JDSDMs included habitat covariates to inform density predictions in unsampled areas and accounted for changes in observed densities due to differing survey methods and decadal-scale variation in ocean conditions. ResultsThe best fit model provided a high level of explanatory power (86% of deviance explained). Abundance estimates were reasonably precise, and consistent with limited historical studies. Modeled densities identified seasonal variability in abundance with peak numbers of all species groups in July or August. Seabirds were largely absent from the study region in either fall (e.g., murrelets) or spring (e.g., puffins) months, or both periods (shearwaters).DiscussionOur results indicated that pelagic shearwaters (Ardenna spp.) and tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) have declined over the past four decades and these taxa warrant further investigation into underlying mechanisms explaining these trends. JDSDMs provide a useful tool to estimate seabird distribution and seasonal trends that will facilitate risk assessments and planning in areas affected by human activities such as oil and gas development, shipping, and offshore wind and renewable energy.
Submesoscale variability in a mesoscale front captured by a glider mission in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea
Authors: Salm Kai , Liblik Taavi , Lips Urmas 
Published: January 2023

Modern research methods enable unfolding the structure of the water column with higher resolution than ever, revealing the importance of submesoscale. Submesoscale processes have intermediate space and time scales of &lt;5 km and a few days in the Baltic Sea. A glider mission was conducted in the Gulf of Finland in May 2018. The appearance of a mesoscale front as a response to the persisting NE–E winds was observed. Within the front, smaller scale features at a lateral scale of a km were apparent. The tracer patterns indicated the presence of two adjacent motions – cold (warm) water penetrating upward (downward) on the lighter (denser) side of the front. We suggest they were traces of ageostrophic secondary circulation emerging while the loss of the upwelling-favorable forcing arrested the strengthening of the front. The analysis showed favorable conditions for the baroclinic and wind-driven instability. Such circulations could work to equalize the differences in cross-front direction, affecting the stratification and acting against the persistence of the mesoscale front. The spatial spectra of isopycnal tracer variance revealed the depth-dependence of the spectral slopes at the lateral scales of 1–10 km in the upper part of the water column. The differing of the slopes in the density layers associated with the mesoscale front indicates that frontal dynamics contribute to the energy cascade.
Combinative solution processing and Li doping approach to develop p-type NiO thin films with enchanced electrical properties
Authors: Oluwabi Abayomi T. , Spalatu Nicolae , Maticiuc Natalia , Katerski Atanas , Mere Arvo , Krunks Malle , Acik Ilona Oja 
Published: February 2023

The deposition of nickel oxide (NiOx) thin film from an acetylacetonate source using many solution-based techniques has been avoided owing to its poor solubility in alcohol solvents. From this perspective, this work provides a systematic investigation of the development of NiOx thin film, using a combinative approach of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) and Li dopant for the synthesis and optimization of structural and optoelectronic properties of the films. An in-depth comparative analysis of nickel acetylacetonate-based precursor, employing acetonitrile and methanol as solvents, is provided. It is demonstrated that USP from acetylacetonate precursor yielded uniform, well-compact, and transparent films, with polycrystalline cubic NiOx crystal structures. By screening the deposition temperature in the range of 300–450°C, a temperature of 400°C was identified as an optimal processing temperature leading to uniform, compact, highly transparent, and p-type conductive films. At optimized deposition conditions (400°C), lithium-doped NiOx (Li:NiOx) thin film was deposited. The shift of the main (200) XRD peak position from 43.48° (0-Li:NiOx) to 43.56° (60-Li:NiOx) indicated Li incorporation into the NiOx lattice. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study was employed to unravel the incorporation of Li into the deposited Li:NiOx thin films. With the deconvolution of the Ni 2p core level for the as-deposited (0, 60)-Li:NiOx films, the intensity of Ni3+ related peak was found to increase slightly with Li doping. Furthermore, all the deposited Li:NiOx thin films showed p-type conductivity behavior, and the resistivity was reduced from 104 Ωcm (0-Li:NiOx) to 102 Ωcm (60-Li:NiOx). Based on these results, the deposited NiOx and Li:NiOx thin films suggested that USP-deposited Li:NiOx is highly suitable for application in inverted structure solar cells as the hole transport layer.
Ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint injections for shoulder pain in ALS: A case series
Authors: Burke Katherine M. , Ellrodt Amy S. , Joslin Benjamin C. , Sanpitak Pia P. , MacAdam Claire , Deo Prabhav , Ozment Kevin , Shea Cristina , Johnson Stephen A. , Ho Doreen , Chu Samuel K. , Babu Ashwin N. , Franz Colin K. , Paganoni Sabrina 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionShoulder pain is a common secondary impairment for people living with ALS (PALS). Decreased range of motion (ROM) from weakness can lead to shoulder pathology, which can result in debilitating pain. Shoulder pain may limit PALS from participating in activities of daily living and may have a negative impact on their quality of life. This case series explores the efficacy of glenohumeral joint injections for the management of shoulder pain due to adhesive capsulitis in PALS.MethodsPeople living with ALS and shoulder pain were referred to sports medicine-certified physiatrists for diagnostic evaluation and management. They completed the Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale and a questionnaire asking about their pain levels and how it impacts sleep, function, and quality of life at baseline pre-injection, 1-week post-injection, 1 month post-injection, and 3 months post-injection.ResultsWe present five cases of PALS who were diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis and underwent glenohumeral joint injections. Though only one PALS reported complete symptom resolution, all had at least partial symptomatic improvement during the observation period. No complications were observed.ConclusionsPeople living with ALS require a comprehensive plan to manage shoulder pain. Glenohumeral joint injections are safe and effective for adhesive capsulitis in PALS, but alone may not completely resolve shoulder pain. Additional therapies to improve ROM and reduce pain should be considered.