bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Ageing and Moisture Damage on the Fracture Properties of Plastic Waste Modified Asphalt
Authors: Radeef H R , Hassan N A , Abidin A R Z , Mahmud M Z H , Ismail C R , Abbas H F , Al-Saffar Z H , Redha S 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The utilisation of plastic waste as a modifier in asphalt mixtures has inflicted significant impacts on the cracking resistance of the produced mixtures. Whilst many studies have evaluated the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures incorporating plastic waste using wet method, limited studies have used the dry method are available. The current study aims to evaluate the effect of plastic waste incorporation on the fracture properties of conventional asphalt mixture. In addition, the impact of ageing and moisture damage on the fracture properties of modified asphalt was also investigated. Indirect tensile strength test was carried out to assess the CT-index, tensile strength, and fracture energy of the asphalt mixtures before and after exposure to ageing and moisture conditioning. The finding revealed that the asphalt mixture incorporating plastic waste demonstrated superior resistance to thermal and fatigue cracking compared to the control mixture, thus proving the capability of plastic waste in increasing the resistance of asphalt against ageing and moisture damage.
Effect of Processing Parameters on Properties of Bitumen Emulsions
Authors: Ghafar S A , Warid M N M , Hassan N A , Anowr Firas 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Bitumen emulsions are special type of paving binder materials used in road construction industry due to its environmentally friendly approach, cost efficiency and less energy consumption compared to other conventional bitumen binders. Despite so many benefits, the use of bitumen emulsions is still limited in many regions due to difficulties faced in its emulsification process. Controlling several process parameters are needed during formulation while achieving the sufficient storage stability and viscosity. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of different processing parameters on the properties of bitumen emulsions in terms of storage stability and viscosity. The 80/100 grade bitumen was emulsified through colloid mill, considering different pH values and emulsifier concentrations as processing parameters during emulsification process. The results indicate that the storage stability has improved significantly with increased concentration of emulsifier whereas high acidic system in terms of pH level has also substantially enhanced storage stability at lower level of emulsifier concentration. In addition, the viscosity of bitumen emulsions has also been affected by the emulsifier concentration and higher amount of emulsifier resulted in higher values of viscosity at lower pH level. The data achieved through this investigation can be further used to study the effect of other formulation parameters on properties of bitumen emulsions.
Performance of Bus Services in Urban Area: A Case Study in Penang, Malaysia
Authors: Norhisham S , Bakar M F Abu , Zamree S F , Azlan N N I M , Mohamad A M , Katman H Y 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Since the escalated industrialisation and urbanisation process began traffic congestion has been a serious problem in many Malaysian cities. One of the solutions for the traffic congestion is by promoting public transport. Public transport is needed to manage the transport in cities. In 2007, a corporate body owned by the Malaysian Government named Prasarana Malaysia, introduced the Rapid bus service in Penang. Currently, Rapid bus is the main public transport operator in Penang. However, the bus service had some setbacks and passengers had publicly voiced their dissatisfaction. Therefore, to encourage more people in using the public transport, a better public transport system should be provided and improved occasionally. Previous comprehensive studies were inadequate, and thus a detailed analysis of the bus service performance in Penang is needed. The Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM) was chosen for guidelines. Based on reviews from journals and papers three (3) objectives which focused on service frequency, on time performance and passenger load factor were chosen for the study. The study was conducted to evaluate the bus service performance in Penang. The study results obtained the quality of service (QOS) of D for the Rapid bus service performance in Penang, which was regarded as satisfactory. This showed that buses in Penang needed to be greatly improved to change the passenger’s perceptions.
Physiochemical characterization of lateritic bauxite mining soil
Authors: Ismail N I N , Awang H , Mohd Yunus N Z , Saleh S 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Physiochemical characteristics play a significant role in evaluating the engineering behaviour of soil material and its suitability for foundation. Investigation upon the physical and chemical characteristics of lateritic bauxite soils were done on samples collected from three exmining bauxite sites (Bukit Goh, Semambu and Indera Mahkota) in Kuantan District, Pahang, Malaysia. The presence of chemical element was evaluated based on the elemental mineral composition content identified through X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The results revealed that Semambu lateritic bauxite soil has the highest content of alumina (Al2O3), 25.54%. The alumina content enrichment is one of the effects from the laterization of bauxite process. In addition, the physical testing included are moisture content, specific gravity and Atterberg Limit. Further investigation on the physical properties of the soil has found that Semambu has the highest MC, 33.27%, but at the same time PI is less than 12%. This is as a key indicator that lateritic bauxite is prone to surface erosion and unsuitable for construction purposes in its natural condition. The risk of the surface erosion and settlement of the ground causes it requires stabilizer that can rapid the curing time. Additionally, the high moisture content is likely to have higher chance to experience liquefaction and causes foundation problem to future infrastructures that may be built in the studied area.
Seismic Damage-Level Prediction Model of Cable-Stayed Bridge Using Nonlinear Time History Analysis for Intelligent Structural Health Monitoring under Earthquake Events
Authors: Aizon N H , Adnan  , Arjuna N 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The current condition of a bridge should be given the highest priority to ensure its safety and its serviceability to the bridge users. Therefore, this paper explained the development of an intelligent decision-support tool in Bridge Health Monitoring system using a Neural Network model as a prediction of seismic damage-level for cable-stayed bridge. A total of eight earthquake loads scaled to various Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) values. The input and output data which were fed into Feed Forward Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for damage level prediction model were developed based on acceleration responses from the Non-Linear Time History (NLTH) analysis of the cable-stayed bridge. A total of 16620 data were used as the input data. The damage-level categorization is based on FEMA 356. Data used for the ANN training are 70% for training, 15% for validation, and 15% for testing. The damage level prediction can greatly help bridge authority in order to maintain their bridge structure integrity by identifying and predicting the probability of damage occurring under earthquake loads.
Effect of Mesophase particles on the Electrographite carbon brush tribology behavior under no-load condition
Authors: K Muthupandi , D Thenmuhil 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Electrographite (EG) has partial electrical conductivity and is used as a current collector in direct current motors. EG is prepared from a suitable carbon source through a multi-step process to convert it to conductive carbon. In this work, EG was prepared with coal tar pitch (CTP) having different mesophase (MP) content (4, 8, 19, and 33%) and their characteristics were compared. The microstructural analysis of CTP indicated that increase in MP leads to increase in mesophase particle size. MP was found to have a significant impact on the physical and binding properties of CTP. X-ray diffraction studies showed EG to be a partially graphitized material with a degree of graphitization (DOG) ranging from 30% to 60%. Since coke-based materials graphitize more easily than lamp black, the DOG, crystal size, and d-spacing of coke-based material were higher. Graphitization in tube furnaces was better than induction and Acheson furnaces because of its concentrated heat in small size susceptor. The Design of Experiments (DOE) method with Face Centre Factorials was used to generate 14 different combinations of load (20 N,60 N, and 100 N) and velocity (1 m s−1, 3 m s−1, and 5 m s−1) for wear and COF analysis which were done on pin on disc apparatus. Response surface method (RSM) was used to investigate the relationship between wear, COF, and MP content. The CTP binder properties had a significant impact on wear. The COF decreased as the number of Brooks and Taylor structure MP particles increased. On the EG wear characteristics, adhesive wear was a more dominant factor than abrasive wear.
Counting basis extensions in a lattice
Authors: Forst Maxwell , Fukshansky Lenny 
Published: February 2022

Given a primitive collection of vectors in the integer lattice, we count the number of ways it can be extended to a basis by vectors with sup-norm bounded by

T
T

, producing an asymptotic estimate as

T
→
∞

T \to \infty

. This problem can be interpreted in terms of unimodular matrices, as well as a representation problem for a class of multilinear forms. In the

2
2

-dimensional case, this problem is also connected to the distribution of Farey fractions. As an auxiliary lemma we prove a counting estimate for the number of integer lattice points of bounded sup-norm in a hyperplane in

R

n

\mathbb R^n

. Our main result on counting basis extensions also generalizes to arbitrary lattices in

R

n

\mathbb R^n

. Finally, we establish some basic properties of sparse representations of integers by multilinear forms.
A short note on relative entropy for a pair of intermediate subfactors
Authors: Bakshi Keshab 
Published: February 2022

Given a quadruple of finite index subfactors we explicitly compute the Pimsner-Popa probabilistic constant for the pair of intermediate subfactors and relate it with the corresponding Connes-Størmer relative entropy between them. This generalizes an old result of Pimsner and Popa [Ann. Sci. École Norm. Sup. (4) 19 (1986), pp. 57–106].
Imaginary power operators on Hardy spaces
Authors: Bui The Anh , Bui The , Hong Qing , Hu Guorong 
Published: February 2022

Let

(
X
,
d
,
μ
)

(X,d, \mu )

be an Ahlfors

n
n

-regular metric measure space. Let

L

\mathcal {L}

be a non-negative self-adjoint operator on

L
2

(
X
)

L^2(X)

with heat kernel satisfying Gaussian estimate. Assume that the kernels of the spectral multiplier operators

F
(

L

)

F(\mathcal {L})

satisfy an appropriate weighted

L
2

L^2

estimate. By the spectral theory, we can define the imaginary power operator

L

i
s

,
s
∈

R

\mathcal {L}^{is}, s\in \mathbb R

, which is bounded on

L
2

(
X
)

L^2(X)

. The main aim of this paper is to prove that for any

p
∈
(
0
,
∞
)

p \in (0,\infty )

,

‖

L

i
s

f

‖

H

L

p

(
X
)

≤
C
(
1
+

|

s

|

)

n

|

1

/

p
−
1

/

2

|

‖
f

‖

H

L

p

(
X
)

,

s
∈

R

,

\begin{equation*} \big \|\mathcal {L}^{is} f\big \|_{H^p_{\mathcal {L}}(X)} \leq C (1+|s|)^{n|1/p-1/2|} \|f\|_{H^p_{\mathcal {L}}(X)}, \quad s \in \mathbb {R}, \end{equation*}

where

H

L

p

(
X
)

H^p_\mathcal {L}(X)

is the Hardy space associated to

L

\mathcal {L}

, and

C
C

is a constant independent of

s
s

. Our result applies to sub-Laplaicans on stratified Lie groups and Hermite operators on

R

n

\mathbb {R}^n

with

n
≥
2

n\ge 2

.
Localising social work practice for migrant workers’ children in China: An action research learning from other countries
Authors: Huang Xiwei , Jiang Chenxi , Zhu Xiaoxu 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
While literature abounds in studying the phenomenon of migrant workers in China and offering policy suggestions from a macro perspective, this article proposes an inspiration for clinical social workers by developing a comprehensive case management model which aims at improving the well-being of migrant workers’ children. It is argued that lessons could be learned from theories, methods and strategies to address immigration-related issues in the USA, Canada and some European countries, because migration patterns of China’s migrant workers and international immigrants are similar. An action research approach is adopted. Unstructured interviews are conducted with clinical social workers, heads of social work organisations and schoolteachers. Based on the findings, a draft version of the case management model is constructed by borrowing immigrant social work methods selectively. As licensed social workers, the authors offer case management services to migrant workers’ children and families under a social work agency’s supervision in two urban–suburban-integrated schools. In the service process, the model is finished by modifications and localisation. The revised version of the model is elaborated in four steps. In each step, specific methods for migrant workers’ children and families are presented with related case examples attached.
Sex and APOE ɛ4 modify the effect of cardiovascular risk on tau in cognitively normal older adults
Authors: Tsiknia Amaryllis A. , Reas Emilie , Bangen Katherine J. , Sundermann Erin E. , McEvoy Linda , Brewer James B. , Edland Steven D. , Banks Sarah J. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The interaction between APOE ɛ4 and vascular risk factors on cognitive function is stronger in women than in men. These effects may be mediated by the amount of tau pathology in the brain. Therefore, we examined whether APOE ɛ4 and sex modify cross-sectional associations between cardiovascular risk and tau deposition in cognitively normal older adults from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. We calculated the Framingham Heart Study cardiovascular disease risk score for 141 participants (74 women, 47 APOE ɛ4 carriers) with complete medical history data, processed tau-PET data and a Clinical Dementia Rating global score of 0.0 at the time of the tau-PET scan, implying no significant cognitive or functional impairment. We used linear regression models to examine the effects of sex, APOE ɛ4, cardiovascular risk and their interactions on tau deposition in the entorhinal cortex, inferior temporal cortex and a composite meta-region of interest of temporal lobe areas. We found a significant three-way interaction among sex, APOE ɛ4 status and cardiovascular disease risk on tau deposition in the entorhinal cortex (β = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01–0.07; P = 0.008), inferior temporal cortex (β = 0.02; 95% CI, 0.0–0.05; P = 0.029) and meta-region (β = 0.02; 95% CI, 0.0–0.04; P = 0.042). After stratifying by APOE ɛ4 status to examine interactions between sex and cardiovascular disease risk on tau in APOE ɛ4 carriers and non-carriers, we found a significant two-way interaction between sex and cardiovascular disease risk on tau in the entorhinal cortex (β = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02–0.08; P = 0.001), inferior temporal cortex (β = 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01–0.05; P =0.009) and meta-region (β = 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01–0.04; P = 0.008) only among APOE ɛ4 carriers. In analyses stratified by sex, higher cardiovascular risk scores were associated with higher levels of tau in the entorhinal cortex (β = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02–0.08; P = 0.002), inferior temporal cortex (β = 0.02; 95% CI, 0.0–0.05; P = 0.023) and meta-region (β = 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01–0.04; P = 0.013) in female APOE ɛ4 carriers but not in male carriers. Our findings suggest that cognitively normal older women carrying at least one APOE ɛ4 allele, may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of cardiovascular disease risk on early tau deposition.
Astrocytic junctional adhesion molecule-A regulates T-cell entry past the glia limitans to promote central nervous system autoimmune attack
Authors: Amatruda Mario , Chapouly Candice , Woo Viola , Safavi Farinaz , Zhang Joy , Dai David , Therattil Anthony , Moon Chang , Villavicencio Jorge , Gordon Alexandra , Parkos Charles , Horng Sam 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Contact-mediated interactions between the astrocytic endfeet and infiltrating immune cells within the perivascular space are underexplored, yet represent potential regulatory check-points against CNS autoimmune disease and disability. Reactive astrocytes upregulate junctional adhesion molecule-A, an immunoglobulin-like cell surface receptor that binds to T cells via its ligand, the integrin, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1. Here, we tested the role of astrocytic junctional adhesion molecule-A in regulating CNS autoinflammatory disease. In cell co-cultures, we found that junctional adhesion molecule-A-mediated signalling between astrocytes and T cells increases levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, C–C motif chemokine ligand 2 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, pro-inflammatory factors driving lymphocyte entry and pathogenicity in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of CNS autoimmune disease. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, mice with astrocyte-specific JAM-A deletion (mGFAP:CreJAM-Afl/fl) exhibit decreased levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, reduced ability of T cells to infiltrate the CNS parenchyma from the perivascular spaces and a milder histopathological and clinical course of disease compared with wild-type controls (JAM-Afl/fl). Treatment of wild-type mice with intraperitoneal injection of soluble junctional adhesion molecule-A blocking peptide decreases the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, highlighting the potential of contact-mediated astrocyte–immune cell signalling as a novel translational target against neuroinflammatory disease.
The Effectiveness of Low Dead Space Syringes for Reducing the Risk of Hepatitis C Virus Acquisition Among People Who Inject Drugs: Findings From a National Survey in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Authors: Trickey Adam , Croxford Sara , Emanuel Eva , Ijaz Samreen , Hickman Matthew , Kesten Joanna , Thomas Clare , Edmundson Claire , Desai Monica , Vickerman Peter 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Syringes with attached needles (termed fixed low dead space syringes [LDSS]) retain less blood following injection than syringes with detachable needles, but evidence on them reducing blood-borne virus transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) is lacking. Utilizing the UK Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring cross-sectional bio-behavioral surveys among PWID for 2016/18/19 (n = 1429), we showed that always using fixed LDSS was associated with 76% lower likelihood (adjusted odds ratio  = 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .08–.67) of recent hepatitis C virus infection (RNA-positive and antibody-negative) among antibody-negative PWID compared to using any syringes with detachable needles.
Intravascular ultrasound-guided stent implantation in reimplanted left main coronary artery of a 15-year-old child: a case report
Authors: Luo Xing Yu , Zheng Bo , Wu Lin , Huo Yong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
Only a few cases have been reported about clinical value of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with stenosis of a re-implanted left main coronary artery (LMCA).

Case summary
We herein report a rare case of restenosis after direct reimplantation of an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) in a 15-year-old girl. At the first evaluation, she had mildly reduced systolic dysfunction with left ventricular ejection fraction of 47%. Three months after surgical repair, the patient developed recurrent precordial pain. Consequent imaging tests and IVUS revealed a restenosis of the LMCA characterized as an attenuated plaque with a large plaque burden. A drug-eluting stent was implanted with IVUS guidance. Follow-up revealed a patent LMCA and preserved systolic function.

Discussion
The current case demonstrated that IVUS-guided PCI can be feasible in the treatment of coronary artery stenosis after repair of an ALCAPA. Further study is needed to explore the pathophysiological mechanism of this condition and the clinical value of PCI and IVUS in patients with stenosis of the LMCA.
Altered lymphatic structure and function in pleural anthracosis: negative role in skip N2 metastasis
Authors: Takeda Aya , Ueda Kazuhiro , Aoki Masaya , Nagata Toshiyuki , Kamimura Go , Umehara Tadashi , Tokunaga Takuya , Tabata Kazuhiro , Tanimoto Akihide , Sato Masami 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The present study investigated whether or not pleural anthracosis is associated with changes in the pleural lymphatic structures or function, which would interfere with nodal skip metastasis.

METHODS
This study comprised 2 different case series. In the first series, we observed pleural lymphatic drainage using near-infrared fluorescent endoscopy by the subpleural injection of indocyanine green immediately after thoracotomy for lung cancer. We also performed a histological assessment of the pleura. In the second series, we reviewed the nodal metastatic pattern (skip or non-skip metastasis) in pathological N2 lung cancer involving the pleura. These findings were compared with the severity of pleural anthracosis, which was quantified by thoracoscopic vision and a software-based imaging analysis.

RESULTS
In the first series (n = 42), pleural lymphatic drainage was not visualized in 19 (45%) patients who had relatively severe anthracosis, while it was visualized in the remaining 23 (55%) patients who had relatively minimal anthracosis. Histologically, severe anthracosis was associated with pleural thickening accompanied by a decreased incidence of straight-running lymphatic vessels and, in turn, an increased incidence of short lymphatic vessels, which was suggested to be the result of pleural remodelling. In the second series (n = 53), a skip metastatic pattern was found in 24 (45%) patients who predominantly had less-severe anthracosis, while a non-skip metastatic pattern was found in 29 (55%) patients who predominantly had severe anthracosis.

CONCLUSIONS
Pleural anthracosis was associated with pathological changes in the pleural lymphatics and decreased pleural lymphatic drainage, thereby interfering with nodal skip metastasis.