bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving RGB-D SLAM in dynamic environments using semantic aided segmentation
Authors: Kenye Lhilo , Kala Rahul
Published: November 2021

Most conventional simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) approaches assume the working environment to be static. In a highly dynamic environment, this assumption divulges the impediments of a SLAM algorithm that lack modules that distinctively attend to dynamic objects despite the inclusion of optimization techniques. This work exploits such environments and reduces the effects of dynamic objects in a SLAM algorithm by separating features belonging to dynamic objects and static background using a generated binary mask image. While the features belonging to the static region are used for performing SLAM, the features belonging to non-static segments are reused instead of being eliminated. The approach employs deep neural network or DNN-based object detection module to obtain bounding boxes and then generates a lower resolution binary mask image using depth-first search algorithm over the detected semantics, characterizing the segmentation of the foreground from the static background. In addition, the features belonging to dynamic objects are tracked into consecutive frames to obtain better masking consistency. The proposed approach is tested on both publicly available dataset as well as self-collected dataset, which includes both indoor and outdoor environments. The experimental results show that the removal of features belonging to dynamic objects for a SLAM algorithm can significantly improve the overall output in a dynamic scene.
Outer limits of the continental shelf beyond CLCS recommendations and Article 76(8) of UNCLOS: With reference to Japan’s Cabinet Order No. 302
Authors: Gau Michael Sheng-ti , Zhao Si-han
Published: November 2021

In 2014 Japan’s Cabinet Order No. 302 declared the outer limits of its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles (OL) to the west and north of Oki-no-Tori Shima (Area 302). Oki-no-Tori Shima consists of two small, barren, and uninhabitable rocks in the West Pacific. The northern part of Area 302 is broader than what the 2012 recommendations of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) specify. A question arises whether Order No. 302 violates Article 76(8) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides that the OL established by a coastal state ‘on the basis of’ the CLCS recommendations shall be final and binding. Another question is the role played by the CLCS in ‘assisting’ the coastal states to delimit their national jurisdiction so as to know where the Area (i.e., the Common Heritage of Mankind under UNCLOS Articles 1(1)(1) and 136) begins. The essential questions arising from Area 302 concern how well the UNCLOS mechanism can perform to safeguard the Common Heritage of Mankind through preventing encroachment thereupon by individual coastal states. This article looks at the context and explores the obligations implied by Article 76(8) for coastal states to ‘follow’ the recommendations in establishing the OL, with special reference to the northern part of Area 302. The article also examines legal consequences arising from a breach of these obligations.
Competing repair strategies for word-final obstruent-liquid clusters in northern metropolitan French
Authors: Griffiths Joshua M.
Published: November 2021

French licenses word-final obstruent-liquid clusters (table /tabl/; souffre /sufʁ/). These clusters may be realised faithfully resulting in an apparent violation of the sonority sequencing principle (Clements, 1990). Yet, the clusters can also be repaired in one of two ways: (1) through the reduction of the cluster (i.e. [tab]) or (2) through the epenthesis of a schwa vowel, resyllabifying the cluster into the onset position (i.e. [ta.blə].) In this article, I investigate which factors condition the realisation of word-final obstruent-liquid clusters. The results are formalised in Maximum Entropy Grammar (Goldwater and Johnson, 2003), but evidence for effects of style and speaker age require the scaling of several constraints (Coetzee and Kawahara, 2013). This study sheds light on these curious clusters, while raising new questions about the interaction of grammatical and non-grammatical factors.
Causal inference via string diagram surgery
Authors: Jacobs Bart , Kissinger Aleks , Zanasi Fabio
Published: November 2021

Extracting causal relationships from observed correlations is a growing area in probabilistic reasoning, originating with the seminal work of Pearl and others from the early 1990s. This paper develops a new, categorically oriented view based on a clear distinction between syntax (string diagrams) and semantics (stochastic matrices), connected via interpretations as structure-preserving functors. A key notion in the identification of causal effects is that of an intervention, whereby a variable is forcefully set to a particular value independent of any prior propensities. We represent the effect of such an intervention as an endo-functor which performs ‘string diagram surgery’ within the syntactic category of string diagrams. This diagram surgery in turn yields a new, interventional distribution via the interpretation functor. While in general there is no way to compute interventional distributions purely from observed data, we show that this is possible in certain special cases using a calculational tool called comb disintegration. We demonstrate the use of this technique on two well-known toy examples: one where we predict the causal effect of smoking on cancer in the presence of a confounding common cause and where we show that this technique provides simple sufficient conditions for computing interventions which apply to a wide variety of situations considered in the causal inference literature; the other one is an illustration of counterfactual reasoning where the same interventional techniques are used, but now in a ‘twinned’ set-up, with two version of the world – one factual and one counterfactual – joined together via exogenous variables that capture the uncertainties at hand.
Comparing the Meaningfulness of Finite and Infinite Lives: Can We Reap What We Sow if We Are Immortal?
Authors: Metz Thaddeus
Published: November 2021

On the rise over the past 20 years has been ‘moderate supernaturalism’, the view that while a meaningful life is possible in a world without God or a soul, a much greater meaning would be possible only in a world with them. William Lane Craig can be read as providing an important argument for a version of this view, according to which only with God and a soul could our lives have an eternal, as opposed to temporally limited, significance since we would then be held accountable for our decisions affecting others’ lives. I present two major objections to this position. On the one hand, I contend that if God existed and we had souls that lived forever, then, in fact, all our lives would turn out the same. On the other hand, I maintain that, if this objection is wrong, so that our moral choices would indeed make an ultimate difference and thereby confer an eternal significance on our lives (only) in a supernatural realm, then Craig could not capture the view, aptly held by moderate supernaturalists, that a meaningful life is possible in a purely natural world.
God, The Meaning of Life, and Meaningful Lives
Authors: Hill Daniel J
Published: November 2021

In my 2002 piece ‘The Meaning of Life’ I argued that Life, meaning the sum of the lives of all living things, had a meaning if and only if it had been purposefully brought about by a designer or creator. Michael Hauskeller has recently criticized this argument, responding that this sense of ‘meaning’ is not the one in view when we are discussing ‘the meaning of life’. In this piece I respond to Hauskeller's argument, and, while I stand by my 2002 argument in terms of one meaning of ‘meaning’, I admit that it does not apply to the different question of what makes a life meaningful. I assert that glorifying God is the activity that contributes the most meaningfulness to a life, though I deny that this is the only activity that can contribute meaningfulness to a life. This makes me, in terms due to Thaddeus Metz, a moderate supernaturalist rather than an extreme supernaturalist. Despite this distinction, Metz has argued in this volume that moderate supernaturalism is vulnerable to the same objection as in his view defeats extreme supernaturalism, and I close by responding to this argument.
When Death Comes Too Late: Radical Life Extension and the Makropulos Case
Authors: Hauskeller Michael
Published: November 2021

Famously, Bernard Williams has argued that although death is an evil if it occurs when we still have something to live for, we have no good reason to desire that our lives be radically extended because any such life would at some point reach a stage when we become indifferent to the world and ourselves. This is supposed to be so bad for us that it would be better if we died before that happens. Most critics have rejected Williams’ arguments on the grounds that it is far from certain that we will run out of things to live for, and I don't contest these objections. Instead, I am trying to show that they do not affect the persuasiveness of Williams’ argument, which in my reading does not rely on the claim that we will inevitably run out of things to live for, but on the far less contentious claim that it is not unthinkable we will do so and the largely ignored claim that if that happens, we will have died too late.
Why Do People Want to Die? The Meaning of Life from the Perspective of Euthanasia
Authors: Svenaeus Fredrik
Published: November 2021

One way to examine the enigmatic meaningfulness of human life is to ask under which conditions persons ask in earnest for assistance to die, either through euthanasia or physician assisted suicide. The counterpart of intolerable suffering must consist in some form of, however minimal, flourishing that makes people want to go on with their lives, disregarding other reasons to reject assisted dying that have more to do with religious prohibitions. To learn more about why persons want to hasten death during the last days, weeks or months of their lives, what kinds of suffering they fear and what they hold to be the main reasons to carry on or not carry on living, the paper offers some examples from a book written by the physician Uwe-Christian Arnold. He has helped hundreds of persons in Germany to die with the aid of sedative drugs the last 25 years, despite the professional societies and codes in Germany that prohibit such actions. The paper discusses various examples from Arnold's book and makes use of them to better understand not only why people sometimes want to die but what made their lives meaningful before they reached this final decision.
Cyclone “Seed” Survival Affects Hurricane Season Intensity
Authors: Learn Joshua
Published: November 2021

Understanding how seed storms grow into full-blown hurricanes and typhoons could help predict hurricane season intensity in a changing climate.
Identifying an Eruption “Tipping Point” in Hot Spot Volcanoes
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: November 2021

By analyzing lava samples, researchers show how chemical processes that occur during magma’s ascent to the surface may contribute to a volcano’s eruptible state.
Advancing Local Distance Discrimination of Explosions and Earthquakes With Joint P/S and ML‐MC Classification
Authors: Wang Ruijia , Schmandt Brandon , Holt Monique , Koper Keith
Published: November 2021

Classification of local‐distance, low‐magnitude seismic events is challenging because signals can be numerous and difficult to characterize with approaches developed for larger magnitude events observed at greater distances. Yet, accurate classification is important to studies of earthquake processes and detection of potential underground nuclear tests. Here, we combine two classification metrics: the three‐component ratio of high‐frequency P/S amplitudes and the difference between local and coda duration magnitudes (ML‐MC). The metrics use different parts of the high‐frequency wavefield and exhibit complementary sensitivity for classification of M ∼ 0.5–4 natural earthquakes and borehole explosions, which are the best analog for underground nuclear explosions. Using means from bootstrap resampling across four diverse geologic settings, joint classification achieves >94.4% true positives and <8.4% false positives when using ≥8 seismographs within 200 km of the source. This high performance is obtained without local site corrections, indicating that the method may be transportable for local event classification.
High Supply, High Demand: A Fertilizer Waste Release Impacts Nitrate Uptake and Metabolism in a Large River
Authors: Kelly Michelle C. , Zeglin Lydia H. , Husic Admin , Burgin Amy J.
Published: November 2021

Current understanding of the relationship between nitrate (NO3−) uptake and energy cycling in lotic environments comes from studies conducted in low‐nutrient (NO3− < 1 mg‐N L−1), small (discharge <1 m3 s−1) systems. Recent advances in sensor technology have allowed for continuous estimates of whole‐river NO3− uptake, allowing us to address how the relationship between nutrient uptake and metabolism changes over time and space in larger rivers. We used a six‐month, controlled nitrogen (N) waste release into the eighth order Kansas River (USA) as an ecosystem level nutrient addition experiment. We deployed four NO3− and dissolved oxygen sensors along a 33 km study reach, from February to May 2018, to assess the spatiotemporal relationship between nutrient uptake and stream metabolism during the waste addition. Contrary to our prediction, we did not find evidence of uptake saturation despite an extreme increase in nutrient supply during winter, a period of generally lower biological activity. Although high uptake rates were observed across the study reach, they were uncorrelated to gross primary production. Overall, despite winter temperatures, NO3− uptake rates were high compared to small streams and rivers. We provide evidence that large rivers can be effective ecosystems for retaining and transforming nutrients, while showing that the fine‐scale mechanisms that regulate nutrient retention in large rivers are still largely unknown.
Genetic risk for schizophrenia is associated with altered visually-induced gamma band activity: evidence from a population sample stratified polygenic risk
Authors: Dimitriadis S. I. , Perry G. , Foley S. F. , Tansey K. E. , Jones D. K. , Holmans P. , Zammit S. , Hall J. , O’Donovan M. C. , Owen M. J. , Singh K. D. , Linden D. E.
Published: November 2021

Gamma oscillations (30–90 Hz) have been proposed as a signature of cortical visual information processing, particularly the balance between excitation and inhibition, and as a biomarker of neuropsychiatric diseases. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) provides highly reliable visual-induced gamma oscillation estimates, both at sensor and source level. Recent studies have reported a deficit of visual gamma activity in schizophrenia patients, in medication naive subjects, and high-risk clinical participants, but the genetic contribution to such a deficit has remained unresolved. Here, for the first time, we use a genetic risk score approach to assess the relationship between genetic risk for schizophrenia and visual gamma activity in a population-based sample drawn from a birth cohort. We compared visual gamma activity in a group (N = 104) with a high genetic risk profile score for schizophrenia (SCZ-PRS) to a group with low SCZ-PRS (N = 99). Source-reconstructed V1 activity was extracted using beamformer analysis applied to MEG recordings using individual MRI scans. No group differences were found in the induced gamma peak amplitude or peak frequency. However, a non-parametric statistical contrast of the response spectrum revealed more robust group differences in the amplitude of high-beta/gamma power across the frequency range, suggesting that overall spectral shape carries important biological information beyond the individual frequency peak. Our findings show that changes in gamma band activity correlate with liability to schizophrenia and suggest that the index changes to synaptic function and neuronal firing patterns that are of pathophysiological relevance rather than consequences of the disorder.
A laboratory study of hydraulic fracturing at the brittle-ductile transition
Authors: Parisio Francesco , Yoshioka Keita , Sakaguchi Kiyotoshi , Goto Ryota , Miura Takahiro , Pramudyo Eko , Ishibashi Takuya , Watanabe Noriaki
Published: November 2021

Developing high-enthalpy geothermal systems requires a sufficiently permeable formation to extract energy through fluid circulation. Injection experiments above water’s critical point have shown that fluid flow can generate a network of highly conductive tensile cracks. However, what remains unclear is the role played by fluid and solid rheology on the formation of a dense crack network. The decrease of fluid viscosity with temperature and the thermally activated visco-plasticity in rock are expected to change the deformation mechanisms and could prevent the formation of fractures. To isolate the solid rheological effects from the fluid ones and the associated poromechanics, we devise a hydro-fracture experimental program in a non-porous material, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In the brittle regime, we observe rotating cracks and complex fracture patterns if a non-uniform stress distribution is introduced in the samples. We observe an increase of ductility with temperature, hampering the propagation of hydraulic fractures close to the glass transition temperature of PMMA, which acts as a limit for brittle fracture propagation. Above the glass transition temperature, acoustic emission energy drops of several orders of magnitude. Our findings provide a helpful guidance for future studies of hydro-fracturing of supercritical geothermal systems.
A spatial analysis of seagrass habitat and community diversity in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
Authors: Carter Alex B. , Collier Catherine , Lawrence Emma , Rasheed Michael A. , Robson Barbara J. , Coles Rob
Published: November 2021

The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) in north eastern Australia spans 2500 km of coastline and covers an area of ~ 350,000 km2. It includes one of the world’s largest seagrass resources. To provide a foundation to monitor, establish trends and manage the protection of seagrass meadows in the GBRWHA we quantified potential seagrass community extent using six random forest models that include environmental data and seagrass sampling history. We identified 88,331 km2 of potential seagrass habitat in intertidal and subtidal areas: 1111 km2 in estuaries, 16,276 km2 in coastal areas, and 70,934 km2 in reef areas. Thirty-six seagrass community types were defined by species assemblages within these habitat types using multivariate regression tree models. We show that the structure, location and distribution of the seagrass communities is the result of complex environmental interactions. These environmental conditions include depth, tidal exposure, latitude, current speed, benthic light, proportion of mud in the sediment, water type, water temperature, salinity, and wind speed. Our analysis will underpin spatial planning, can be used in the design of monitoring programs to represent the diversity of seagrass communities and will facilitate our understanding of environmental risk to these habitats.
Role of the prefrontal cortex in prosocial and self-maximization motivations: an rTMS study
Authors: Zinchenko Oksana , Savelo Olga , Klucharev Vasily
Published: November 2021

More than a decade of neuroimaging and brain stimulation studies point to a crucial role for the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) in prosocial behavior. The intuitive prosociality model postulates that the rDLPFC controls intuitive prosocial behavior, whereas the reflective model assumes that the rDLPFC controls selfish impulses during prosocial behavior. The intuitive prosociality model implies that the transient disruption of the rDLPFC should increase voluntary transfers in both dictator and generosity games. In contrast, the reflective model suggests that the transient disruption of the rDLPFC should decrease transfers in the dictator game, without affecting voluntary transfers in the generosity game, in which selfish motives are minimized. The aim of this paper was to compare predictions of the intuitive and reflective models using the classic dictator game and generosity game and continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS). In this study, two groups of healthy participants (dictators) received either cTBS over the rDLPFC or right extrastriate visual areas. As shown by the results, the transient disruption of the rDLPFC significantly promoted prosocial motives in the dictator game only, particularly in the trials with the lowest dictator’s costs. These findings partially support the notion that the rDLPFC controls intuitive prosocial behavior.
The influence of stimulus and behavioral histories on predictive control of smooth pursuit eye movements
Authors: Miyamoto Takeshi , Hirata Yutaka , Katoh Akira , Miura Kenichiro , Ono Seiji
Published: November 2021

The smooth pursuit system has the ability to perform predictive feedforward control of eye movements. This study attempted to examine how stimulus and behavioral histories of past trials affect the control of predictive pursuit of target motion with randomized velocities. We used sequential ramp stimuli where the rightward velocity was fixed at 16 deg/s while the leftward velocity was either fixed (predictable) at one of seven velocities (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or 28 deg/s) or randomized (unpredictable). As a result, predictive pursuit responses were observed not only in the predictable condition but also in the unpredictable condition. Linear mixed-effects (LME) models showed that both stimulus and behavioral histories of the previous two or three trials influenced the predictive pursuit responses in the unpredictable condition. Intriguingly, the goodness of fit of the LME model was improved when both historical effects were fitted simultaneously rather than when each type of historical data was fitted alone. Our results suggest that predictive pursuit systems allow us to track randomized target motion using weighted averaging of the information of target velocity (stimulus) and motor output (behavior) in past time sequences.
Chlorine, chromium, proteins of oxidative stress and DNA repair pathways are related to prognosis in oral cancer
Authors: de Assis Aricia Leone Evangelista Monteiro , Archanjo Anderson Barros , Maranhão Raul C. , Mendes Suzanny O. , de Souza Rafael P. , de Cicco Rafael , de Oliveira Mayara M. , Borçoi Aline R. , de L. Maia Lucas , Nunes Fabio D. , dos Santos Marcelo , Trivilin Leonardo O. , Pinheiro Christiano J. G. , Álvares-da-Silva Adriana M. , Nogueira Breno Valentim
Published: November 2021

The comparison of chemical and histopathological data obtained from the analysis of excised tumor fragments oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with the demographic and clinical evolution data is an effective strategy scarcely explored in OSCC studies. The aim was to analyze OSCC tissues for protein expression of enzymes related to oxidative stress and DNA repair and trace elements as candidates as markers of tumor aggressiveness and prognosis. Tumor fragments from 78 OSCC patients that had undergone ablative surgery were qualitatively analyzed by synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence for trace elements. Protein expression of SOD-1, Trx, Ref-1 and OGG1/2 was performed by immunohistochemistry. Sociodemographic, clinical, and histopathological data were obtained from 4-year follow-up records. Disease relapse was highest in patients with the presence of chlorine and chromium and lowest in those with tumors with high OGG1/2 expression. High expression of SOD-1, Trx, and Ref-1 was determinant of the larger tumor. Presence of trace elements can be markers of disease prognosis. High expression of enzymes related to oxidative stress or to DNA repair can be either harmful by stimulating tumor growth or beneficial by diminishing relapse rates. Interference on these players may bring novel strategies for the therapeutic management of OSCC patients.
Morphological reassessment of the movable calcar of delphacid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae)
Authors: Markevich Darya , Walczak Marcin , Borodin Oleg , Szwedo Jacek , Brożek Jolanta
Published: November 2021

This study presents the morphology of calcar in adult Delphacidae based on representatives of the genera Ugyops Guérin-Meneville, 1834, Notuchus Fennah, 1969 (Ugyopini), Asiraca Latreille, 1798 (Asiracini), Kelisia Fieber, 1866, (Kelisini), Stenocranus Fieber, 1866 (Stenocranini), Chloriona Fieber, 1866, Megadelphax Wagner, 1963, Muellerianella Wagner, 1963, Javesella Fennah, 1963, Conomelus Fieber, 1866, Euconomelus Haupt, 1929, Hyledelphax Vilbaste, 1968, Stiroma Fieber, 1866, Struebingianella Wagner, 1963 and Xanthodelphax Wagner, 1963 (Delphacini). We used SEM electron microscopy, to define seven types of calcar structure (Types 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) based on combinations of characters including shape, number of teeth and differentiation of sensory structures in species from fifteen genera. Additionally, two other types (Types 3 and 4) were determined based on the calcar descriptions from previous studies. Similarities and differences in calcar structure and function were discussed and emerging relationships between planthopper species and their particular habitats were indicated.
Probing the existence of non-thermal Terahertz radiation induced changes of the protein solution structure
Authors: Schroer Martin A. , Schewa Siawosch , Gruzinov Andrey Yu. , Rönnau Christian , Lahey-Rudolph Janine Mia , Blanchet Clement E. , Zickmantel Till , Song Young-Hwa , Svergun Dmitri I. , Roessle Manfred
Published: November 2021

During the last decades discussions were taking place on the existence of global, non-thermal structural changes in biological macromolecules induced by Terahertz (THz) radiation. Despite numerous studies, a clear experimental proof of this effect for biological particles in solution is still missing. We developed a setup combining THz-irradiation with small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), which is a sensitive method for detecting the expected structural changes. We investigated in detail protein systems with different shape morphologies (bovine serum albumin, microtubules), which have been proposed to be susceptible to THz-radiation, under variable parameters (THz wavelength, THz power densities up to 6.8 mW/cm2, protein concentrations). None of the studied systems and conditions revealed structural changes detectable by SAXS suggesting that the expected non-thermal THz-induced effects do not lead to alterations of the overall structures, which are revealed by scattering from dissolved macromolecules. This leaves us with the conclusion that, if such effects are present, these are either local or outside of the spectrum and power range covered by the present study.
Novel method to decrease the exposure time of the extraction string of the ureteral stent and its efficiency and safety verification in the clinic
Authors: Hu WenGang , Song YaJun , Li Yang , Li YueHua , Mu Jiao , Zhong Xiao , Chen YiRong , Wu RongHua , Xiao Ya , Huang ChiBing
Published: November 2021

Ureteral stent removal by an extraction string is advantageous. However, the increased risk of complications attributed to the continuous exposure of the string outside the urethra must be managed. This paper introduces a method to decrease the exposure time, and conducts a retrospective study to verify its efficiency and safety. A total of 231 male patients undergoing routine ureteroscopy (URS) were included, and all of them accepted indwelling ureteral stents with strings. Among them, 123 patients (Normal-S group) underwent the normal method to determine the length of string (Lstring), which was shortened to 4 cm (cm) past the urethral meatus; 108 patients (Novel-S group) underwent the novel method (Lstring = Lurethra + 2 cm), the length of urethra (Lurethra) was measured during ureteroscopy by ureteroscope body. The demographic characteristics, stent indwelling and removal-related variables, complications, and medical costs in each group were recorded. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics, the rate of UTI, the operative duration of URS, or the VAS pain scores for stent removal between the 2 groups. For the Novel-S group, the stent dwelling time was longer, the self-rated discomfort and symptom, the stent dislodgement rate, the numbers of clinic or emergency visits and the overall medical cost post operation was lower in comparison with the Normal-S group, while the rate of removal of stents by hand was lower, the time for removing ureteral stents was longer. This novel method improved stenting comfort, avoided ureteral stent dislodgement, decreased complications, and lowered medical costs, it was safe and reliable and merits widespread application.
Resuscitative efficacy of hemoglobin vesicles for severe postpartum hemorrhage in pregnant rabbits
Authors: Ishibashi Hiroki , Hagisawa Kohsuke , Kinoshita Manabu , Yuki Yukako , Miyamoto Morikazu , Kure Tomoko , Sakai Hiromi , Saitoh Daizoh , Terui Katsuo , Takano Masashi
Published: November 2021

We aimed to investigate the resuscitative efficacy of hemoglobin vesicles (HbVs) as a red blood cell (RBC) substitute for the initial treatment of severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Twenty-five pregnant rabbits underwent cesarean section; uncontrolled hemorrhage was induced by transecting the right uterine artery to establish a severe PPH model. During the first 30 min, all rabbits were administered 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) of an equivalent volume to the hemorrhage every 5 min. Thereafter, they received any of the following three isovolemic fluids for resuscitation every 5 min: RBCs with platelet-poor plasma (RBC/PPP) (n = 8), 6% HES (n = 7), or HbVs with 25% human serum albumin (n = 10). After surgical hemostasis at 60 min, survival was monitored until 12 h. No rabbits receiving only HES infusion survived beyond 6 h, whereas all rabbits receiving RBC/PPP transfusion survived. The rabbits receiving HbV infusion showed significantly higher mean arterial pressure and hemoglobin levels than the HES-receiving rabbits, and 8 of 10 rabbits survived for 6 h. The HbV group showed significantly higher survival than the HES group but worse survival than the RBC/PPP group. In conclusion, HbV infusion for severe PPH effectively prevents lethal hemorrhagic shock in a pregnant rabbit model.
Correlation between hyperglycemia and glycated albumin with retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Almeida Ana C. , Silva Gabriela A. , Santini Gabriele , Brízido Margarida , Correia Miguel , Coelho Constança , Borrego Luís Miguel
Published: November 2021

To determine the association between hyperglycemia, glycated albumin (GlyA) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Prospective study of all infants under ROP screening from March 2017 to July 2019. All demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected. Glucose was measured at birth and every 8 h for the first week and serum GlyA was evaluated at birth, 1st, 2nd and 4th weeks after birth. Reference range for GlyA was obtained. Univariate logistic regression was used to examine risk factors for ROP followed by multivariate regression. A total of 152 infants were included in the study. Median gestational age was 30 weeks and median birth weight 1240 g. Thirty-three infants (21.7%) had ROP. Hyperglycemia was present in 24 (72.7%) infants diagnosed with any ROP versus 6 (0.05%) in those without ROP. Median GlyA at birth, 1st, 2nd and 4th and respective reference ranges were 8.50% (6.00–12.65), 8.20% (5.32–11.67), 8.00% (5.32–10.00) and 7.90% (5.30–9.00) respectively. After multivariate logistic regression, hyperglycemia but not GlyA, remained a significant risk factor for ROP overpowering the other recognized risk factors (Exp (B) 28.062, 95% CI for Exp(B) 7.881–99.924 p < 0.001). In our cohort, hyperglycemia but not GlyA, remained a significant risk factor for ROP overpowering the other recognized risk factors.
Development and application of a method to classify airborne pollen taxa concentration using light scattering data
Authors: Miki Kenji , Fujita Toshio , Sahashi Norio
Published: November 2021

Although automated pollen monitoring networks using laser optics are well-established in Japan, it is thought that these methods cannot distinguish between pollen counts when evaluating various pollen taxa. However, a method for distinguishing the pollen counts of two pollen taxa was recently developed. In this study, we applied such a method to field evaluate the data of the two main allergens in Japan, Chamaecyparis obtusa and Cryptomeria japonica. We showed that the method can distinguish between the pollen counts of these two species even when they are simultaneously present in the atmosphere. This result indicates that a method for automated and simple two pollen taxa monitoring with high spatial density can be developed using the existing pollen network.
White blood cell count profiles in multiple sclerosis during attacks before the initiation of acute and chronic treatments
Authors: Akaishi Tetsuya , Misu Tatsuro , Fujihara Kazuo , Nakaya Naoki , Nakamura Tomohiro , Kogure Mana , Hatanaka Rieko , Itabashi Fumi , Kanno Ikumi , Takahashi Toshiyuki , Kuroda Hiroshi , Fujimori Juichi , Takai Yoshiki , Nishiyama Shuhei , Kaneko Kimihiko , Ishii Tadashi , Aoki Masashi , Nakashima Ichiro , Hozawa Atsushi
Published: November 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major demyelinating disease of the central nervous system; however, its exact mechanism is unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the profile of white blood cells (WBCs) in the acute phase of an MS attack. Sixty-four patients with MS at the time of diagnosis and 2492 age- and sex-adjusted healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Data regarding the blood cell counts were compared between the groups. The total WBC (p < 0.0001), monocyte (p < 0.0001), basophil (p = 0.0027), and neutrophil (p < 0.0001) counts were higher in the MS group than in the HC group, whereas the lymphocyte and eosinophil counts did not differ. Adjustments for the smoking status and body mass index yielded the same results. The total and differential WBC counts of the patients with MS did not correlate with the counts of T2 hyperintense brain lesions or the levels of neurological disturbance. In summary, patients with MS showed elevated counts of total WBCs, monocytes, basophils, and neutrophils at the time of diagnosis. However, the clinical relevance of these biomarkers in the context of the development and progression of MS remains unclear.
Effect of diluent on the extraction of europium(iii) and americium(iii) with N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA)
Authors: Kajan Ivan , Florianová Markéta , Ekberg Christian , Matyskin Artem V.
Published: November 2021

Solvent extraction of Eu3+ and Am3+via N,N,N′,N'-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) dissolved in different molecular diluents was studied.
A Survey of Speech-Language Pathologists' Experience With Clinical Cough Assessment
Authors: Mir Michela Jean , Hegland Karen Wheeler
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to determine if students (clinicians-in-training) and clinicians of speech-language pathology assess cough during clinical swallow evaluations. We also sought to determine if participants received background education and training regarding implementation of clinical cough assessment. Finally, we aimed to identify participant interest in a cough assessment training program.

Method:

A clinician-researcher panel developed a 20-question survey to address specific aims. The final survey was distributed via social media and a clinical dysphagia website after two phases of revision.

Results:

A percentage (84.6%) of the survey participants reported that they assess cough in clinical swallow evaluations, mainly using subjective measures. The majority of clinicians reported no background education or skilled training to implement cough assessment. Background education and training was higher for participants outside the United States, although the total sample size of that group was small. Almost all participants (97.8%) were interested in a cough training program.

Conclusions:

Many practicing clinicians in this survey reported that they complete cough assessments, despite limited education and training to do so. However, they also reported high interest in participating in a clinical cough assessment training program, which would support the field of speech-language pathology and patients at risk of airway protective dysfunction.
Thermal behaviour analysis of a high voltage inverted‐type current transformer
Authors: Liao Caibo , Qiu Zhibin , Tang Zhijian , Li Jiansheng , Ma Yong , Zhang Louxing , Hou Huasheng
Published: November 2021

A high voltage current transformer of the inverted type is a commonly used measurement equipment in power grids. The thermal behaviour of the current transformer has a significant impact on its operating conditions and is directly related to its service life. The study presents a three‐dimensional simulation model of a 220 kV inverted‐type oil‐immersed current transformer, and the fluid and temperature field are analysed by the finite volume method. The simulation results show that the hot‐spot temperature under the rated load of the calculation model introduced in the study is 61.5°C, and located at the upper part of the core and the secondary winding. An experiment setup was designed to measure the temperature distribution inside a LVB‐220W3‐type current transformer. The temperature data measured under the rated load indicate that the simulation results agree well with the experimental results.
HD 207897 b: A dense sub-Neptune transiting a nearby and bright K-type star
Authors: Heidari N. , Boisse I. , Orell-Miquel J. , Hébrard G. , Acuña L. , Hara N. C. , Lillo-Box J. , Eastman J. D. , Arnold L. , Astudillo-Defru N. , Adibekyan V. , Bieryla A. , Bonfils X. , Bouchy F. , Barclay T. , Brasseur C. E. , Borgniet S. , Bourrier V. , Buchhave L. , Behmard A. , Beard C. , Batalha N. M. , Courcol B. , Cortés-Zuleta P. , Collins K. , Carmona A. , Crossfield I. J. M. , Chontos A. , Delfosse X. , Dalal S. , Deleuil M. , Demangeon O. D. S. , Díaz R. F. , Dumusque X. , Daylan T. , Dragomir D. , Delgado Mena E. , Dressing C. , Dai F. , Dalba P. A. , Ehrenreich D. , Forveille T. , Fulton B. , Fetherolf T. , Gaisné G. , Giacalone S. , Riazi N. , Hoyer S. , Hobson M. J. , Howard A. W. , Huber D. , Hill M. L. , Hirsch L. A. , Isaacson H. , Jenkins J. , Kane S. R. , Kiefer F. , Luque R. , Latham D. W. , Lubin J. , Lopez T. , Mousis O. , Moutou C. , Montagnier G. , Mignon L. , Mayo A. , Močnik T. , Murphy J. M. A. , Palle E. , Pepe F. , Petigura E. A. , Rey J. , Ricker G. , Robertson P. , Roy A. , Rubenzahl R. A. , Rosenthal L. J. , Santerne A. , Santos N. C. , Sousa S. G. , Stassun K. G. , Stalport M. , Scarsdale N. , Strøm P. A. , Seager S. , Segransan D. , Tenenbaum P. , Tronsgaard R. , Udry S. , Vanderspek R. , Vakili F. , Winn J. , Weiss L. M.
Published: November 2021

We present the discovery and characterization of a transiting sub-Neptune that orbits the nearby (28 pc) and bright (V = 8.37) K0V star HD 207897 (TOI-1611) with a 16.20-day period. This discovery is based on photometric measurements from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite mission and radial velocity (RV) observations from the SOPHIE, Automated Planet Finder, and HIRES high-precision spectrographs. We used EXOFASTv2 to model the parameters of the planet and its host star simultaneously, combining photometric and RV data to determine the planetary system parameters. We show that the planet has a radius of 2.50 ± 0.08 RE and a mass of either 14.4 ± 1.6 ME or 15.9 ± 1.6 ME with nearly equal probability. The two solutions correspond to two possibilities for the stellar activity period. The density accordingly is either 5.1 ± 0.7 g cm−3 or 5.5−0.7+0.8 g cm−3, making it one of the relatively rare dense sub-Neptunes. The existence of this dense planet at only 0.12 AU from its host star is unusual in the currently observed sub-Neptune (2 < RE < 4) population. The most likely scenario is that this planet has migrated to its current position.
Voltammetric Study for Determination of Non-essential Metal Cd(II) in water samples (River and Sea) using Eriochrome Blue Black R as Complexing
Authors: Pardi Hilfi , Silitonga Friska S , Ramdhani Eka P , Fitriyah Dina
Published: November 2021

The research on the determination of Cd(II) metal in river and seawater samples using the Adsortive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (AdCSV) method has been done. In order to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of Cd(II) measurement, it is necessary to determine the optimum condition for the variation of potential ligand accumulation, accumulation time, pH and optimum ligand concentration. It is also determined the accuracy and precision of the method used by determining the value of the relative standard deviation (SDR), as well as the recovery value. The result obtained is chalcone as the optimum ligand, the optimum accumulation potential is -0.1 V, the optimum accumulation time is 60 seconds, the optimum solution pH is 6, and the optimum chalcone concentration is 0.5 mM. The relative standard deviation value is 4.27%, the recovery value is 98.31%. The application of the VSAd method to water sample results the concentration of Cu(II) metal in the sample of Bangek river, Indonesia is 4.778 g/L and seawater in Teluk Kabung, Indonesia is 5.189 g/L.
Analysis of Water Quality in Historical Shipwreck Sites to Support the Development of Marine Ecotourism in the Thousand Islands
Authors: Rustam Agustin , Dillenia Ira , Troa Rainer A , Triarso Eko , Johan Ofri , Setyawidati Nur Azmi Ratna , Kusuma LPA Savitri CH , Adhityatama Shinatria
Published: November 2021

Thousand Islands has become the main focus of the marine tourism development in Special Capitol Region of Jakarta (DKI Jakarta). In this regard, one of the marine tourism objects proposed to be further developed is historical shipwreck diving as a new marine ecotourism attraction in the Thousand Islands. The historical sites of shipwrecks that are widely scattered underwater are expected to give added value to the beauty of underwater panorama because most of the sites have been covered with coral reefs adding to the uniqueness to the underwater diving attractions. However, the high activity on the North Coast of Java area and surrounding islands tends to affect the water quality and the presence of shipwrecks assuming it will be used for the development of diving tourism. This study aims to determine the carrying capacity of water quality on shipwrecks based on in situ water quality measurement and image analysis. The method of data collection and analysis carried out is a combination of in situ measurements at the location; analysis of water samples with laboratory testing and analysis of Landsat 8 satellite imagery. The result showed that nutrient and orthophosphate values of nitrate, which supported the life of marine biota and micro-algae that helped the biota’s biofouling process, increased the site’s attractiveness from 0.094 – 0.101 mg/L and 0.005 – 0.008 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, other water quality values measured are still in accordance with quality standards for marine life survival on shipwrecks and ecotourism, especially dive spots with clear water visibility.
Modeling of Sustainable Marine Resources: Case Study Sampan Tribe in Riau Island, Indonesia
Authors: Andesta Indah , Jocom Hary , Karuniawati Emilia Ayu Dewi
Published: November 2021

Currently, massive practice in fisheries caught and lack of marine ecosystem is not the only news in Indonesia but also in most other countries. Those practices are based on compliance with the growing food needs due to the growth of the world’s population. The Riau Island, known as the Sampan Tribe, has been practicing methods and maintaining a sustainable marine ecosystem from generation to generation for decades. The focus of this research is on the Sampan tribe and the practice of sustainable marine resources. To understand the interactions and activities, culture, values by the Sampan tribe to maintain harmony with the sea and marine ecosystems. It shapes modeling of sustainable marine resources. To gain the best of modeling the Sampan tribe using qualitative method. The researchers did the deep interview with the key of informant from sampan tribe in the land, observation the three areas which was Berakit Bintan, Kampung Tua Batam, and Belakang Padang Batam. To support the data, the researcher did a literature study related to the sea, sampan tribe, and coastal ecosystem. The Sampan tribe consists of three practices, namely the practice of fishing gear, marine ecosystem sustainability practice, and the practice of prohibiting the catching marine animals. They believe that maintaining the sustainability of the marine ecosystem will have an impact on fish survival. It followed by a ban on catching several types of marine animals such as dugongs, turtles, dolphins, and whales. In fishing, the Sampan tribe protects the spawning fish, and the size of the fish is not caught. Their practices are in line with the government policies regarding the catching of fish, fishing gear, and protected marine animals. To conclude, the Sampan tribe is one of the drivers for supporting sustainable marine resources with practices and it is believed to be able to save the sea and existence as a Sampan tribe.
Potential of Ornamental Stony Corals in Kendari Waters, Southeast Sulawesi
Authors: Siringoringo Rikoh Manogar , Purnama Sari Ni Wayan , Abrar Muhammad , Putra Risandi Dwirama , Johan Ofri
Published: November 2021

The utilization of ornamental corals in Indonesia is quite high because Indonesia is the biggest coral exporting country in the world. The high level of ornamental coral uptake in the wild so far has been big attention to the government as the contribution at reducing coral population, worsen the status of coral that is already in 35% poor condition. The research to determine the status of wild ornamental corals in the waters of Kendari carried out at nine locations. It aimed at determining the existence of ornamental corals in nature along with habitat conditions through the composition and diversity of ornamental coral parameters. The results showed the potential use of ornamental corals grouped by genera, namely as many as two genera (Porites and Fungia) included in the common group, as many as eight genera in uncommon, 18 genera in rare, and 31 genera in very rare. The location of habitat has live coral cover from 8.67% - 55.17% including very poor to the good condition because some locations found high rubble and sand. Based on calculations, corals that can be utilized are grouped in the common category (genera Fungia and Porites), while the genera Acropora, Montipora, Pavona, Pectinia, Euphyllia, Favia, Galaxea, Seriatopora belong to the uncommon group, which means limited use. Rare groups are very limited in their use and very rare are prohibited from being used.