bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropathic pain in Charcot–Marie‐Tooth disease: A clinical and laser‐evoked potential study
Authors: Peretti Alessia , Squintani Giovanna , Taioli Federica , Tagliapietra Matteo , Cavallaro Tiziana , Fabrizi Gian M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundPain, either nociceptive or neuropathic (NP), is a common symptom in Charcot–Marie‐Tooth (CMT) disease.MethodsWe investigated small fibers involvement and its correlation with pain in different CMT subtypes through a systematic clinical and neurophysiological study. We enrolled 50 patients: 19 with duplication of PMP22 (CMT1A), 11 with mutation of MPZ (CMT1B, CMT2I/J, or CMTDID), 12 with mutation of GJB1 (CMTX1), and 8 with mutation of MFN2 (CMT2A and CMT2A2B). Pain was rated with the 11‐point Numerical Rating Scale and characterized through Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Inventory. Laser‐evoked potentials (LEPs) were recorded after right foot and hand stimulation and N2–P2 complex amplitude and latency were compared with those of 41 controls.ResultsOverall pain prevalence was 36%. NP was present in 14.6% of patients, with a length‐dependent distribution in 85.7% of cases, and it was significantly more frequent in CMT1A (p < 0.001). Aδ fibers involvement greatly varies between CMT subtypes, reflecting differences in molecular pathology and pathophysiologic mechanisms. Prolonged N2 latency from foot stimulation was noted in 11 CMT1A patients, 5 of which report NP. MPZ‐CMTs displayed different neurophysiological phenotypes and a very low prevalence of NP. LEPs were normal in all but one CMTX1 patients, although lower limbs N2‐P2 amplitude was significantly reduced in males (p = 0.043). MFN2‐CMTs were NP free and LEPs recordings were all normal. NP strictly correlated with LEPs alterations (p = 0.017).ConclusionsNP prevalence varies among CMTs subtypes and is mainly related to Aδ fibers impairment.SignificanceNeuropathic pain is a frequent finding in Charcot–Marie Tooth disease and is related to Aδ fibers impairment. Patients at higher risk are those belonging to certain genetic subtypes (i.e. CMT1A and CMT2J) or with laser‐evoked potentials abnormalities. While managing this disease, clinicians should be aware of this symptom in order to offer best treatment options to their patients.
Placebo response varies between different types of sham acupuncture: A randomized double‐blind trial in neck pain patients
Authors: Zeng Dian , Yan Xiaoxia , Deng Hongmei , Li Jiemei , Xiao Jiaxin , Yuan Jiawei , Huang Jianpeng , Xu Nenggui , Fu Wenbin , Liu Jianhua 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn prospective experimental studies of neck pain patients, it is difficult to determine whether responses to sham acupuncture differ from responses to real acupuncture due to the heterogeneous methodologies in control/sham interventions. Here we aim to compare the specific and nonspecific effects of electroacupuncture with four types of sham acupuncture.MethodsIn this double‐blind, sham‐controlled study, we randomly assigned 175 patients with neck pain to receive 10 sessions of electroacupuncture, shallow puncture, nonacupoint deep puncture, nonacupoint shallow puncture, or nonpenetration acupuncture. We used the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) as our primary outcome, and Short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire, visual analog scale (VAS), and Pain Threshold as secondary outcomes to measure the changes from baseline to a 3‐month follow up.ResultsAll groups, except nonacupoint shallow puncture, had significant improvement in all outcome measurements. Electroacupuncture only showed superior improvements than the shallow puncture, nonacupoint shallow puncture, and nonpenetration groups when compared using the NPQ and VAS scale (*p < 0.001). Interestingly, the nonacupoint shallow puncture produced even less placebo response than nonpenetration acupuncture.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the high variability of placebo response among different types of sham controls depending on the depth of needle insertion and the puncture location. An important implication of our results is nonacupoint deep puncture produced similar analgesic effects as electroacupuncture. Our study may shed a new light on the predominant underlying mechanisms among different types of sham acupuncture controls, which can help with interpreting the effect of acupuncture in other studies.Trial registrationChinese clinical trial registry (ChiCTR‐IOR‐15006886).SignificanceThis study compared the observed specific and nonspecific analgesia effect in four different types of sham acupuncture stimulation with neck pain patients, assessed by four outcomes. Although all of the sham controls produced significant reduction in neck pain, electroacupuncture had superior significant improvement. Importantly, placebo responses differed significantly between the sham controls and responses were inconsistent according to different outcome assessments. This study emphasizes the importance of taking into consideration which sham control and method of outcome measurement were used in a pain research study when evaluating its results.
Investigations of combustion, performance, and emission characteristics in a diesel engine fueled with Prunus domestica methyl ester and n‐butanol blends
Authors: Nalla Bhanu Teja , Devarajan Yuvarajan , Subbiah Ganesan , Sharma Dilip Kumar , Krishnamurthy Vybhav , Mishra Ruby 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe chief objective of this study is to utilize non‐edible, carbon‐rich oil derived from Prunus domestica seeds as blended fuel. The combustion efficiency of derived blends shall further be enhanced by blending higher alcohol into biodiesel/diesel blends. This work details the impact of effectively utilizing waste and non‐edible oil to replace fossil fuels partially. In this study, the P. domestica is trans‐esterified to methyl ester and blended with diesel at 20%. Further to enhance the ignition nature, butanol, higher alcohol, is blended to P. domestica biodiesel/diesel blends at 5% and 10%. The ignition pattern of the modified fuels is extensively studied and compared with diesel in a stationary research diesel engine. This study involves four fuel samples, namely, neat P. domestica methyl ester and is termed PDME. 20% of PDME is blended with 80% diesel is referred to as PDME20. 20% of PDME with 5% n‐butanol and 75% diesel is termed PDME20Bu5D75, 20% of PDME with 10% n‐butanol and 70% diesel is termed as PDME20Bu10D70 and diesel. Addition of PDME and butanol at different blends found miscible with diesel. PDME and butanol provided a suitable time for reaction and mixing, complete combustion, higher O2 content, and rich fuel‐air mixture, resulting in lower emissions than diesel. Further, butanol aided better atomization, effective combustion and resulted in higher efficiency with lower fuel consumption. Adding butanol also lowered the viscosity and improved the mixing process, and produced better in‐cylinder pressure and heat release rate.
Study on aerodynamic performance of mine air duct horizontal axis wind turbine based on breeze power generation
Authors: Gui Xiaohong , Xue Haiteng , Su Shujun , Hu Zhengyu , Xu Yufeng 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe development of wireless sensor network based on breeze power generation is of great significance to promote the development of the intelligent mine. According to the underground environment of coalmine, a small horizontal axis wind turbine with mine air duct was designed. The aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine was analyzed by constructing the three‐dimensional solid model of the wind turbine. The results show that under the condition of underground low wind speed. Outer basin: the air flow entering the air duct is accelerated and rectified, and the speed increases near the impeller. The pressure value at the front end of the blade is the largest and the pressure value at the rear end of the blade is the smallest. A certain range of negative pressure zone is formed at the rear end of the impeller, which is conducive to the operation of the wind turbine. After passing through the impeller, the speed of the air flow decreases and is the lowest near the impeller rotating shaft. Inner basin: the air flow speed gradually increases along the radial direction of the impeller center. The pressure at the front end of the blade is greater than the atmospheric pressure, which is conducive to facilitating the operation of the wind turbine. When the wind speed reaches the rated wind speed of the wind turbine, the power, torque, and output power of the wind turbine increase, which can provide effective power generation. Compared with other airfoils, NACA5505 airfoil has higher lift drag ratio and thrust coefficient. Compared with the wind turbine without air duct, the wind turbine with air duct has higher wind energy conversion and output power under the condition of low Reynolds number, which verifies the feasibility of the wind turbine with air duct.
Revisit to the THINC/QQ scheme: Recent progress to improve accuracy and robustness
Authors: Chen Dezhu , Xie Bin , Xiao Feng 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn this article, we revisit to the THINC/QQ (tangent of hyperbola interface capturing method with quadratic surface representation and Gaussian quadrature) scheme to make thorough investigations on its numerical property. Furthermore, it presents some recent progress made extensively on THINC/QQ algorithm to improve numerical accuracy and robustness which include (1) construct the interface equation on the global coordinate so as to apply THINC/QQ on polygonal/polyhedral elements, which ensures the boundedness of numerical solutions as well; (2) determine the coefficients of reconstruction polynomial from the unit normal vector of interface to reduce computational cost and alleviate numerical diffusion; (3) represent the interface with a cubic polynomial rather than quadratic representation used in THINC/QQ to obtain better geometric fidelity; (4) provide an appropriate choice considering different combinations, such as the number of quadrature points and temporal discretization methods. The verification benchmark tests are carried out on different types of grids, which convinces that THINC/QQ scheme with normalization on global coordinate delivers higher accuracy and robustness than the original one, and demonstrates effective competition compared with other existing interface capturing methods.
Early Cretaceous back‐arc basin basalt‐type gabbros in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau: Implications for Neo‐Tethyan oceanic slab subduction
Authors: Xie Zhipeng , Xue Chuandong , Yang Tiannan , Wang Wei , Liu Jingkun , Xin Di 
Published: February 2022

Although progress has been made in defining and explaining the temporal and spatial distributions of Neo‐Tethyan magmatism in the Tibet–Himalaya region, the correlation of magmatic suites in the SE Tibetan Plateau remains poorly constrained. This paper reports zircon U–Pb dating, geochemistry, and Sr–Nd isotope compositions of a concealed gabbroic unit (coverage area of >6.0 km2) in the southern Lancangjiang tectonic zone, western Yunnan, SW China. Zircon 206Pb/238U ages of 143–133 Ma indicate that the unit formed during the Early Cretaceous (ca. 139.7 Ma). The gabbro samples have variable MgO (7.88–16.1 wt%; Mg# = 58–74) and relatively low TiO2 (0.76–1.24 wt%) and total‐alkali (K2O + Na2O = 2.61–4.06 wt%) contents. The samples exhibit weakly fractionated rare earth element (REE) patterns with slight depletion in light REEs and negligible Eu anomalies. In a primitive‐mantle‐normalized element‐variation diagram, the gabbros, display variable enrichment in large‐ion lithophile elements and relatively flat patterns of high‐field‐strength elements. Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7079 to 0.7142 and relatively depleted εNd(t) values of +3.96 to +4.84 are similar to those of the mantle source of back‐arc basin basalts (BABBs) in the central Lhasa Block and mid‐ocean ridge basalt in the Indus–Tsangpo Suture Zone. These various characteristics suggest that the gabbroic unit was derived from a shallow and depleted mantle source by relatively high‐degree partial melting in the spinel stability field. The parental magma underwent slight crustal contamination, as well as fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene. The studied gabbros have distinct BABB‐type geochemical affinities similar to those of the Okinawa BABB. Combining our data with the coeval occurrence of a continental rift basin (the Simao–Lanping Basin) leads us to suggest the existence of a back‐arc rifting setting in the SE Tibetan Plateau during the Jurassic–Cretaceous. This setting can also be geochronologically and genetically correlated to the back‐arc basin developed within the Lhasa Block. These settings and constituent characteristics formed as a result of Neo‐Tethyan oceanic slab subduction during the late Mesozoic.
Performance analysis of direct solar dryer driven by photovoltaic thermal energy recovery and solar air collector for drying materials and electricity generation
Authors: Kabeel A. E. , El‐Sheekh Mostafa M. , Masoud Alaa A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe direct‐type solar dryer is characterized by very simple construction, less maintenance, cost‐effectiveness, and is easy to handle. The present study aims to enhance the performance of a direct‐type solar dryer. To achieve this, the photovoltaic (PV) panels with thermal energy recovery and solar air collector were integrated with the direct‐type solar dryer. In this study, the PV panels with thermal energy recovery and solar air collector were utilized as preheating units to raise the air temperature before entering the direct solar dryer. Moreover, the PV panels were utilized to drive the air blower. In this study, three incorporated models are suggested to study the performance of the solar dryer integrated with PV panels with thermal energy recovery and solar air collector. The model of each component was validated by the previously recorded empirical data. The results confirmed that the dual utilization of the PV panels with thermal energy recovery and solar air collector as a preheating unit raised the air temperature entering the direct solar dryer by the rate varying between 29°C and 42°C within the period 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Also, the moisture content of banana samples inside the direct solar dryer reduced from the initial value of 72% (wb) to the value of 33.4% (wb) within 7 h (9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.). During this operating period, moisture removal from the banana samples varied between 110 and 400 g/h.
The impact of COVID‐19 on cancer care of outpatients with low socioeconomic status
Authors: Zeilinger Elisabeth L. , Lubowitzki Simone , Unseld Matthias , Schneckenreiter Carmen , Heindl Daniel , Staber Philipp B. , Raderer Markus , Valent Peter , Zöchbauer‐Müller Sabine , Bartsch Rupert , Prager Gerald , Jaeger Ulrich , Gaiger Alexander 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPatients with low socioeconomic status (SES) are among the most underserved groups of people regarding cancer care. Analyzing the impact of the coronavirus‐induced disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on health care disparities and calling attention to inequalities in cancer care is crucial to justify and initiate adequate countermeasures. We aimed to determine whether the COVID‐19 pandemic aggravated health care disparities of cancer outpatients related to their SES and analyzed patient data of the largest university center providing services for patients with hematologic and oncologic disorders in Austria from 2018 to 2021. SES was assessed using three indicators: monthly net household income, level of education and occupational prestige. In total, 1217 cancer outpatients (51.1% female) with a mean age of 59.4 years (SD = 14.2) participated. In the first year of the pandemic, the relative proportion of individuals with low income, low education level and low occupational prestige seeking cancer care at our outpatient center decreased significantly (P ≤ .015). The strongest indicator was income, with a consistent effect throughout the first pandemic year. Countermeasures and specific interventions to support cancer patients with low SES in their access to health care should be initiated and prioritized.
Groundwater quality evaluation for potable and irrigation uses in the semi‐arid region of southern Iran
Authors: Bahrami Mehdi , Khaksar Elmira , Bahrami Amir 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIran is in a serious freshwater shortage crisis because its major part is located in arid and semi‐arid areas. This research evaluated the groundwater quality in terms of potable and irrigation uses in the wet and dry seasons in the Kazeroon plain, southern Iran. In this study, a total of 408 groundwater samples were gathered from 68 boreholes to measure water quality indices, such as acidity (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), bicarbonate (HCO3−), chloride (Cl−), sulphate (SO42−), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+). Geographical information system technology was also applied to draw maps of spatial changes of water quality parameters. The results showed that groundwater quality indices had the minimum and maximum values of pH (6.9–8.6), EC (414–9,813 μmho cm−1) and TDS (278–6,180), TH (175–3250), HCO3− (152–518), Cl− (5–1950), SO42− (17–2371), Ca2+ (30–681), Mg2+ (12–607), Na+ (1–1303) and K+ (0.8–18) (mg L−1). Based on World Health Organization standards, the results indicated that all of the aquifer water in the plain except for the northern region was of poor and very poor quality for potable usages. Also, the United States Salinity Laboratory diagram showed that the groundwater quality is doubtful for irrigation. Therefore, the cultivation pattern in this plain should be switched towards salt‐tolerant crops.
Irrigation canal control using enhanced fuzzy SARSA learning
Authors: Shahverdi Kazem , Javad Monem Mohammad 
Published: February 2022

AbstractFuzzy SARSA learning (FSL) is a robust reinforcement learning (RL) technique that represents successful solutions in various industrial problems. Water management in irrigation canals is one of these problems where an FSL agent interacts with the canal environment to control the gates. FSL often requires a large number of interactive experiences and takes a long time in real‐life problems. To reduce the iteration and speed up the learning process, an enhanced FSL (EFSL) was developed to accelerate the process of policy learning. A MATLAB program was written, and combined with the irrigation canal conveyance system simulation (ICSS) model. To evaluate the proposed idea, the E1R1 Dez canal, located in the south‐west of Iran, was considered as a case study. Standard performance indicators were used for assessing the results based on considered water delivery scenarios, showing a shorter learning time with reasonable performance in controlling water depth changes within the canal.
Submicron topography design for controlling staphylococcal bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation
Authors: Xu Li‐Chong , Siedlecki Christopher A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractSurface topography modification with nano‐ or micro‐textured structures has been an efficient approach to inhibit microbial adhesion and biofilm formation and thereby to prevent biomaterial‐associated infection without modification of surface chemistry/bulk properties of materials and without causing antibiotic resistance. This manuscript focuses on submicron‐textured patterns with ordered arrays of pillars on polyurethane (PU) biomaterial surfaces in an effort to understand the effects of surface pillar features and surface properties on adhesion and colonization responses of two staphylococcal strains. Five submicron patterns with a variety of pillar dimensions were designed and fabricated on PU film surfaces and bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation of Staphylococcal strains (Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A and Staphylococcus aureus Newman D2C) were characterized. Results show that all submicron textured surface significantly reduced bacterial adhesion and inhibited biofilm formation, and bacterial adhesion linearly decreased with the reduction in top surface area fraction. Surface wettability did not show a linear correlation with bacterial adhesion, suggesting that surface contact area dominates bacterial adhesion. From this, it appears that the design of textured patterns should minimize surface area fraction to reduce the bacterial interaction with surfaces but in a way that ensures the mechanical strength of pillars in order to avoid collapse. These findings may provide a rationale for design of polymer surfaces for antifouling medical devices.
Morphological adaptations on the eye of the golden gray mullet (Chelon aurata): Using light and scanning electron microscopical study
Authors: Abumandour Mohamed M. A. , Massoud Ehab , El‐Kott Attalla , Morsy Kareem , El‐Bakary Neveen , Abumandour Ramzy , El‐Mansi Ahmed , Kandyel Ramadan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe present investigations were designed to describe the ultrastructural properties of the eye of the golden gray mullet (Chelon aurata). For this purpose, the eyes were examined grossly, and by light and electron microscope. The external layer consists of the cornea and the sclera. Three layers compose the cornea; the anterior stratified cuboidal epithelial; the anterior limiting (Bowman) membrane; and the thick dermal layer of the stroma. The mucoidal layer has small collagen fiber bundles embedded in the CT layer and located between the anterior portion of the scleral cornea and the dermal stroma, (or “substancia propria”). The iridescent layer is thin at the center and thick at the periphery. It contains a pigmented layer with many ossicles. SEM analysis reveals that the cornea consists of undetermined shaped cells joined together by numerous thread‐like micro‐ridges, with several micro‐tubercles on the external surface. The photoreceptor layer had two types of cells: the rod‐shaped and the cone‐shaped cells. The cone cells differentiate into two types of cells: single and double cells. SEM analysis of the retina showed that rod cells appear as thin long uniform rod‐like, while the cone cells appear as rod cells with ovoid bases. SEM analysis demonstrates that the inner side of the retinal epithelium appears to be wrapped around itself. The morphological appearance of the eye adapts to life in superficial aquatic conditions. In conclusion, the current findings provide morphologic evidence to better understand the mechanism of fish vision adaptation to environmental conditions.Research HighlightsThe transparent cornea composed of three layers; anterior stratified cuboidal epithelial, Bowman's membrane, and a thick dermal stromal layer. The mucoidal layer is formed from small collagen fibers bundles embedded in the CT layer and located between the anterior portion of the scleral cornea and the dermal stroma. There are two types of photoreceptor cells: rod and cone cells. Cone cells can be single and double cells.