bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
M. M. Prishvin and N. A. Semashko: literary image of the “gymnasium friend” in works of the writer
Authors: Podoksenov Aleksandr Modestovich , Telkova Valentina Alekseevna
Published: January 2021

The subject of this article is the analysis of the history of relations between M. M. Prishvin and N. A. Semashko since gymnasium childhood until the last days of life. It is demonstrated that if the biographical material on enduring friendship between Prishvin and Semashko, contained in reminiscences of their contemporaries and works of the writer himself, is given considerable attention, then his diary notes, which significantly transform the representations on true nature of their relations, have not yet become the subject of research. The article employs the method of historical reconstruction of ideological-political context of life of the Soviet society, which gives a better perspective on the peculiarities of artistic interpretation by M. M. Prishvin of the party and state activity of N. A. Semashko. The novelty of this article consists in introduction into the scientific discourse of the new facts from Prishvin’s Diary that consisted of 18 volumes and was published only in post-Soviet time  (1991-2017), which is a testimony that his relations with the People's Commissar of Public Health N, A, Semashko were often tainted with irreconcilable ideological and worldview discrepancies. It is no coincidence that in his autobiographical novel “The Chain of Kashchei”, Prishvin portrayed Semashko not only as an ideological supporter of Leninism, but also a nihilist-Nietzschean Yefim Nesgovorov. Morveover, the history of relations with Semashko sheds light on the reasons of Prishvin's disappointment with the revolutionary ideology of Bolshevism.
Lingwistyka kulturowa i kulturoznawcza. Od Humboldta do dyskursu
Authors: Kusse Holger
Published: January 2021

The combination of linguistics and cultural analysis leads back to Wilhelm von Humboldt’s concept of linguistic worldview. In it, a direct connection between thinking and speaking (in a particular ethnic or national language) is presupposed, thus implying the influence of languages on cultures. In contrast to this postulate of the unity of languages and cultures, discourse-sensitive linguistics shows the diversity of varieties within ethno- or national-language-demarcated cultures. Linguistics in cultural studies thus escapes the danger of hypostasis of languages and cultures and methodologically becomes an integrative linguistics in which systemic, pragma- and sociolinguistic methods can be incorporated. Discourse-sensitive cultural linguistics analyzes cultures according to thematic and, above all, institutional discourses (of politics, religion, law, economics, science, etc.) and examines language use down to the level of individual utterances and their linguistic microstructures within the framework of these discursive macro levels. Another type is perlocutionary discourses which almost exclusively aim at the effect of communicative actions: advertising, propaganda, scandalous discourses etc. Discourse types are shown by Russian examples, especially the Russian national hymn, the provocative performances of the group Pussy Riot as an example of scandalous discourses, and state patriotic education as an example of propaganda discourses.
Growth of 4H-SiC recombination-enhancing buffer layer with Ti and N co-doping and improvement of forward voltage stability of PiN diodes
Authors: Li Chuan-Gang , Ju Tao , Zhang Li-Guo , Li Yang , Zhang Xuan , Qin Juan , Zhang Bao-Shun , Zhang Ze-Hong ,   School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China,   Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
Published: January 2021

“Bipolar degradation” phenomenon has severely impeded the development of 4H-SiC bipolar devices. Their defect mechanism is the expansion of Shockley-type stacking faults from basal plane dislocations under the condition of electron-hole recombination. To suppress the “bipolar degradation” phenomenon, not only do the basal plane dislocations in the 4H-SiC drift layer need eliminating, but also a recombination-enhancing buffer layer is required to prevent the minority carriers of holes from reaching the epilayer/substrate interface where high-density basal plane dislocation segments exist. In this paper, Ti and N co-doped 4H-SiC buffer layers are grown to further shorten the minority carrier lifetime. Firstly, the dependence of Ti doping concentration on TiCl4 flow rate in 4H-SiC epilayers is determined by using single-dilution gas line and double-dilution gas line. Then the p+ layer and p++ layer in PiN diode are obtained by aluminum ion implantation at room temperature and 500 ℃ followed by high temperature activation annealing. Finally, 4H-SiC PiN diodes with a Ti, N co-doped buffer layer are fabricated and tested with a forward current density of 100 A/cm2 for 10 min. Comparing with the PiN diodes without a buffer layer and with a buffer layer only doped with high concentration of nitrogen, the forward voltage drop stability of those diodes with a 2 μm-thick Ti, N co-doped buffer layer (Ti: 3.70 × 1015 cm–3 and N: 1.01 × 1019 cm–3) is greatly improved.
Epigenetic regulation of Wnt7b expression by the cis-acting long noncoding RNA Lnc-Rewind in muscle stem cells
Authors: Cipriano Andrea , Macino Martina , Buonaiuto Giulia , Santini Tiziana , Biferali Beatrice , Peruzzi Giovanna , Colantoni Alessio , Mozzetta Chiara , Ballarino Monica
Published: January 2021

Skeletal muscle possesses an outstanding capacity to regenerate upon injury due to the adult muscle stem cell (MuSC) activity. This ability requires the proper balance between MuSC expansion and differentiation, which is critical for muscle homeostasis and contributes, if deregulated, to muscle diseases. Here, we functionally characterize a novel chromatin-associated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), Lnc-Rewind, which is expressed in murine MuSCs and conserved in human. We find that, in mouse, Lnc-Rewind acts as an epigenetic regulator of MuSC proliferation and expansion by influencing the expression of skeletal muscle genes and several components of the WNT (Wingless-INT) signalling pathway. Among them, we identified the nearby Wnt7b gene as a direct Lnc-Rewind target. We show that Lnc-Rewind interacts with the G9a histone lysine methyltransferase and mediates the in cis repression of Wnt7b by H3K9me2 deposition. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the epigenetic regulation of adult muscle stem cells fate by lncRNAs.
Ablation of STAT3 in Purkinje cells reorganizes cerebellar synaptic plasticity in long-term fear memory network
Authors: Han Jeong-Kyu , Kwon Sun-Ho , Kim Yong Gyu , Choi Jaeyong , Kim Jong-Il , Lee Yong-Seok , Ye Sang-Kyu , Kim Sang Jeong
Published: January 2021

Emotional memory processing engages a large neuronal network of brain regions including the cerebellum. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the cerebellar cortex modulating the fear memory network are unclear. Here, we illustrate that synaptic signaling in cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) via STAT3 regulates long-term fear memory. Transcriptome analyses revealed that PC-specific STAT3 knockout (STAT3PKO) results in transcriptional changes that lead to an increase in the expression of glutamate receptors. The amplitude of AMPA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents at parallel fiber (PF) to PC synapses was larger in STAT3PKO mice than in wild-type (WT) littermates. Fear conditioning induced long-term depression of PF–PC synapses in STAT3PKO mice while the same manipulation induced long-term potentiation in WT littermates. STAT3PKO mice showed an aberrantly enhanced long-term fear memory. Neuronal activity in fear-related regions increased in fear-conditioned STAT3PKO mice. Our data suggest that STAT3-dependent molecular regulation in PCs is indispensable for proper expression of fear memory.
From Bion to Delany
Authors: Gramantieri Riccardo
Published: January 2021

Literature furnishes a particular vertex to see reality through narrative fiction. In particular, science fiction literature, which creates a fantastic situation starting from realistic data (history, science, cultures), may be considered a kind of creative process. It uses heterogeneous things and “integrates” them into a homogeneous, new and comprehensible product. Science fiction writing allows the objects of the real to be reprocessed in terms which are thinkable at the current moment. Using the terminology established in psychoanalysis by Wilfred Bion this reprocessing work is a transformation. According to Bion we can hypothesise that the writer of the science fiction literary work serves as a “container” and the science fiction novel, considered a different way to represent reality and not just a simple editorial product, serves as a alpha-function to make concepts that were not previously thinkable or understandable. Between the 70s and the 80s the writer Samuel Delany theorized and put into practice the use of a literary model called “modular calculus”. This model allows the literary work of making something unthinkable into thinkable. The purpose of this paper is to highlight how modular calculus is a particular type of Bionian transformation, and how the science fiction novel can play the role of alpha-function, transforming unthinkable concepts into thinkable ones.
Coding potential of circRNAs: new discoveries and challenges
Authors: Miao Qingqing , Ni Bing , Tang Jun
Published: January 2021

The circular (circ)RNAs are a newly recognized group of noncoding (nc)RNAs. Research to characterize the functional features of circRNAs has uncovered distinctive profiles of conservation, stability, specificity and complexity. However, a new line of evidence has indicated that although circRNAs can function as ncRNAs, such as in the role of miRNA sponges, they are also capable of coding proteins. This discovery is no accident. In the last century, scientist detected the ability of translate in some virus and artificial circRNAs. Artificial circRNA translation products are usually nonfunctional, whereas natural circRNA translation products are completely different. Those new proteins have various functions, which greatly broadens the new ideas and research direction for our research. These series findings also raise questions about whether circRNA is still classified as non-coding RNA. Here, we summarize the evidence concerning translation potential of circRNAs, including synthetic and endogenous circRNA translation ability, and discuss the mechanisms of circRNA translation.
Correlation of CAT, CCQ and mMRC Scores in Patients of COPD with Exacerbation and after Treatment
Authors: Daga Mradul Kumar , Mawari Govind , Singh Shashank , Walad Shrusthi , Khubiyal Suraj , Bharal Deepu , Kumar Naresh , Hira HS
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a globally prevalent disease holds a huge stake among all pulmonary patients being admitted throughout the year. Various disease specific and health related quality of life questionnaires such as the Constructed Response Question (CRQ) and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) are readily available, although, attributing to their complex structure, they can’t be used in a widespread manner. Some new scores like COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) were developed to ease-off this dilemma. However, there is a need to justify usage of these patient-friendly simplified scores by objectifying their inter-score reliability and correlation with disease severity and progression using statistical analysis. Aim: To analyse efficacious use of CAT, CCQ score and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale in assessing health status of COPD with exacerbation. Additionally, it was also targeted to assess the inter-score correlation and reliability. Materials and Methods: A total of 180 confirmed cases of COPD with exacerbation were included in this study and subjected to requisite biochemical parameters, assessment scores at their admission, after 1 week and then after 4-6 week (at stabilisation) and spirometry. 136 patients were followed-up to 4-6 weeks and studied. Quantitative and qualitative variables thus obtained were compared statistically to find out correlation, if any. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean difference between CAT score at exacerbation and at 1 week and CAT score at exacerbation and at 4-6 weeks were statistically significant. The changes in CCQ scores from exacerbation to 1 week and 6 weeks were also found to be statistically significant. Similar pattern was also observed in assessing timescale variability of mMRC score. There was good correlation between CAT, CCQ and mMRC scores at exacerbation, 1 week and it continually intensified as patients progressed towards a more stable state (4-6 weeks). Similar pattern was also observed with significant progressive positive correlation between change in CAT, CCQ and mMRC scores from exacerbation to 1 week and from exacerbation to 4-6 weeks. Conclusion: These score have a high correlative reliability when used to assess health status among various stages of disease from exacerbation towards a stable state. Similarly, correlation between change of individual score from exacerbation towards recovery state was also high.
GeneXpert MTB/RIF Based Detection of Rifampicin Resistance and Common Mutations in rpoB Gene of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Tribal Population of District Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Sharma Poonam , Singh Rambir
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) continues to be one of the most significant causes of death in the developing countries. Development of Multi Drug Resistance (MDR) and Extremely Drug Resistance (XDR) strains of MTB has been recognised as a major threat. Rapid diagnosis along with drug sensitivity analysis is the prerequisite for effective treatment of TB, especially in rural and remote location settings. Aim: The goal of this study was to investigate the Rifampicin Resistance (RR) using GeneXpert MTB/Rifampicin (RIF) in tribal patients suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in District Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: Sputum samples were obtained from 413 patients with symptoms of PTB, who visited District Hospital, Anuppur from April 2017- April 2018. Based on clinical symptoms and chest X-ray, GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay was performed for the confirmation of TB and detection of RR. The data was analysed and expressed in percentage. Results: Out of 413 samples, 104 (25.18%) were diagnosed with PTB. Out of 104 TB positive samples, RR was detected in 7(6.73%) samples. The most common mutations conferring RR were located in the region of Probe B (71.42%), followed by Probe C (14.28%) and Probe E (14.28%), while no mutations were found in the region of Probe A and Probe D. Conclusion: Possibly, this is the first report of RR and probe mutational analysis from this tribal region of India. High rate of mutation at Probe B locus may be the chief reason for RR development. Gene sequencing may be carried for understanding the higher rates of mutations at probe B locus.
The Influence of Non-Linear Frequency Compression on the Perception of Speech and Music in Patients with High Frequency Hearing Loss
Authors: Ahn Jungmin , Choi Ji Eun , Kang Ju Yong , Choi Ik Joon , Lee Myung-Chul , Lee Byeong-Cheol , Hong Sung Hwa , Moon Il Joon
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives: Non-linear frequency compression (NLFC) technology compresses and shifts higher frequencies into a lower frequency area that has better residual hearing. Because consonants are uttered in the high-frequency area, NLFC could provide better speech understanding. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of NLFC technology on the perception of speech and music in patients with high-frequency hearing loss.Subjects and Methods: Twelve participants with high-frequency hearing loss were tested in a counter-balanced order, and had two weeks of daily experience with NLFC set on/off prior to testing. Performance was repeatedly evaluated with consonant tests in quiet and noise environments, speech perception in noise, music perception and acceptableness of sound quality rating tasks. Additionally, two questionnaires (the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit and the Korean version of the International Outcome Inventory-Hearing Aids) were administered.Results: Consonant and speech perception improved with hearing aids (NLFC on/off conditions), but there was no significant difference between NLFC on and off states. Music perception performances revealed no notable difference among unaided and NLFC on and off states. The benefits and satisfaction ratings between NLFC on and off conditions were also not significantly different, based on questionnaires, however great individual variability preferences were noted.Conclusions: Speech perception as well as music perception both in quiet and noise environments was similar between NLFC on and off states, indicating that real world benefits from NLFC technology may be limited in Korean adult hearing aid users.
Two Faces of Regulatory T Cells: From Immune Defense to Tumoral Progression
Authors: Medeiros S. S. D. E. , Souza L. G. De , Souza W. M. , Mayeiro M. G. C. , Degasperi G. R.
Published: January 2021

T cells are the most important cellular element of human immunity defending against virus, bacteria, non-self-tissue and tumor cells. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are the major responsible for self-tolerance maintenance, especially those expressing forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) transcription factor. Tregs suppressive function is established through several mechanisms that are essential to immune system homeostasis, but also related to tumoral microenvironment. Recent studies have provided deeper understanding of Tregs role in cancer as well as promising therapeutic targets for improving prognosis in cancer patients. This review approaches Tregs subtypes, functions and its implication in tumor progression.
Changes in Acid-pH Resistance of Food Spoilage and Pathogens Spore-Forming Bacteria in Cameroonian Indigenous Sorghum-Based Acidic Beers before and after Sublethal Thermal Stresses
Authors: Bayoï James Ronald , Darman Roger Djoulde , Etoa Francois-Xavier
Published: January 2021

Fermented alcoholic beverages play a major role in the socio-cultural lives of people of Northern Cameroon. However, reports of shelf-life and health problems associated with indigenous sorghum-based alcoholic beverages are a major call for concern. This study aimed to highlight the additional effects of sublethal temperatures (no thermal treatment and 10, 45, 50 and 60°C for 45, 90, 180 min) and acidic pH of beers (2.79 and 2.63 for 45, 90, 180 min) on fate of four food spoilage and pathogens spore-forming bacteria. The experiments were carried out on real food products formed by two indigenous sorghum-based alcoholic beverages. Pasteurized traditional beers were significantly efficient on all unstressed bacterial spores after 180 minutes of treatment. In addition, spores of B. megapterium and G. stearothermophilus were more sensitive in white beer pH 2.79 and red beer pH 2.63 respectively. Previous thermal treatments of spores at certain sublethal temperatures have significantly (P=0.05) decreased the effect of both acidic beers on stressed spores. It was noticed that the spores of B. subtilis  stressed at 10°C, G. stearothermophilus (former Bacillus stearothermophilus) spores submitted at 45°C and the spores of B. cereus thermally stressed at 50°C and 60°C for 45, 90, 180 minutes were significantly (P=0.05)  less affected by the white beer at pH 2.79. Whereas, in the red beer at pH 2.63, the spores of B. subtilis sublethally stressed at 10°C and the spores of B. cereus stressed at 45°C, 50°C and 60°C were more acid resistant and very weakly affected by acid pH of the alcoholic beverages. The study delivered some overview on the potential microbial (stability and safety) consequences of the current tendency towards milder cold and heat treatments which are greatly used in the food-grade industry.
The vulnerability of fish and macroinvertebrate species with bioactive potential in a Mediterranean marine protected area
Authors: Carreño Arnau , Lloret Josep
Published: January 2021

A high percentage of marine animals produce bioactive compounds that may play a leading role in the discovery of future compounds and drugs of marine origin. However, commercial fishing and other human activities leading to sea warming and pollution may affect these marine animals, even putting them in danger of extinction.

To date, no comprehensive studies have evaluated the conservation status of Mediterranean species with bioactive potential, which is crucial to better understanding of how these species cope with the impacts of human activity.

The study reviewed the bioactive potential and vulnerability of 833 fish and macro‐invertebrate species inhabiting the marine protected area of Cap de Creus and surrounding areas. The most active taxa found were Porifera (49 out of 59 species; 83.0%) and Tunicata (17 out of 27 species; 63.0%). The most vulnerable species were Chondrichthyes (eight out of nine species) and Porifera (nine out of 12 species), which together account for over 75% of species classified as such.

Results emphasize the need to introduce specific management measures that protect vulnerable species with bioactive potential as this is a valuable component of marine ecosystems, as well as a potential source of molecules with pharmacological properties beneficial for human health.

Marine protected areas can contribute to preserving marine species of medical interest and achieving their sustainable use in the marine biotechnology industry.
Isopenicillin N Synthase: Crystallographic Studies
Authors: Chapman Nicole C. , Rutledge Peter J.
Published: January 2021

Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) is a non‐heme iron oxidase (NHIO) that catalyses the cyclisation of tripeptide δ‐(l‐α‐aminoadipoyl)‐l‐cysteinyl‐d‐valine (ACV) to bicyclic isopenicillin N (IPN). Over the last 25 years, crystallography has shed considerable light on the mechanism of IPNS catalysis. The first crystal structure, for apo‐IPNS with Mn bound in place of Fe at the active site, reported in 1995, was also the first structure for a member of the wider NHIO family. This was followed by the anaerobic enzyme‐substrate complex IPNS−Fe−ACV (1997), this complex plus nitric oxide as a surrogate for co‐substrate dioxygen (1997), and an enzyme product complex (1999). Since then, crystallography has been used to probe many aspects of the IPNS reaction mechanism, by crystallising the protein with a diversity of substrate analogues and triggering the oxidative reaction by using elevated oxygen pressures to force the gaseous co‐substrate throughout protein crystals and maximise synchronicity of turnover in crystallo. In this way, X‐ray structures have been elucidated for a range of complexes closely related to and/or directly derived from key intermediates in the catalytic cycle, thereby answering numerous mechanistic questions that had arisen from solution‐phase experiments, and posing many new ones. The results of these crystallographic studies have, in turn, informed computational experiments that have brought further insight. These combined crystallographic and computational investigations augment and extend the results of earlier spectroscopic analyses and solution phase studies of IPNS turnover, to enrich our understanding of this important protein and the wider NHIO enzyme family.
Impacts of growth form and phylogenetic relatedness on seed germination: A large‐scale analysis of a subtropical regional flora
Authors: Wang JuHong , Xu GeXi , Chen Wen , Ma YanBo , Qi Wei , Zhang ChunHui , Cui XianLiang
Published: January 2021

Plant regeneration strategy plays a critical role in species survival and can be used as a proxy for the evolutionary response of species to climate change. However, information on the effects of key plant traits and phylogenetic relatedness on seed germination is limited at large regional scales that vary in climate. To test the hypotheses that phylogenetic niche conservatism plays a critical force in shaping seed ecophysiological traits across species, and also drives their response to climatic fluctuation, we conducted a controlled experiment on seed germination and determined the percentage and rate of germination for 249 species in subtropical China under two temperature regimes (i.e., daily 25°C; daily alternating 25/15°C for each 12 hr). Germination was low with a skewed distribution (mean = 38.9% at 25°C, and 43.3% at 25/15°C). One fifth of the species had low (<10%) and slow (4–30 days) germination, and only a few (8%) species had a high (>80%) and rapid (1.2–6.6 days) germination. All studied plant traits (including germination responses) showed a significant phylogenetic signal, with an exception of seed germination percentage under the alternating temperature scenario. Generalized linear models (GLMs) and phylogenetic generalized estimation equations (GEEs) demonstrated that growth form and seed dispersal mode were strong drivers of germination. Our experimental study highlights that integrating plant key traits and phylogeny is critical to predicting seed germination response to future climate change.
Prognostic value of lymph node ratio versus American Joint Committee on Cancer N classification for surgically resected human papillomavirus‐associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Nocon Cheryl C. , Kuchta Kristine , Bhayani Mihir K.
Published: January 2021

Background

We compared prognostic values of lymph node ratio (LNR) and AJCC 8 N classification in surgically resected human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Methods

Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients with HPV‐associated OPSCC from 2010 to 2016 who underwent definitive surgical resection. Patients were analyzed by nodal grouping (LNR, N stage) and adjuvant radiation therapy(RT). Primary endpoint was overall survival.

Results

We identified 4166 patients. Survival analysis showed significant improvement for LNR≤6% versus >6% (5 year OS% 92.7% vs. 83.7%, p < 0.001). N classification demonstrated good prognostic ability (5 year OS% for pN0, pN1, pN2 were 91.3%, 90.1%, 78.8%, p < 0.001), but poor separation among stages (compared to pN0: pN1 HR 1.40 [95% CI 0.63, 3.09], p = 0.41; pN2 HR 2.50 [95% CI 1.08, 5.81], p = 0.033). RT improved survival in the LNR > 6% group (5 year OS% 85.4% vs. 74.9%, p < 0.001; HR 0.41 [95% CI 0.28, 0.58], p < 0.001).

Conclusions

LNR should be considered an adjunct category in future staging systems for HPV‐associated OPSCC.
Global double hybrids do not work for charge transfer: A comment on “Double hybrids and time‐dependent density functional theory: An implementation and benchmark on charge transfer excited states”
Authors: Casanova‐Páez Marcos , Goerigk Lars
Published: January 2021

We comment on the results published by Ottochian et al. in J. Comput Chem. 2020, 41, 1242. Therein, the authors claim that the second‐order, perturbative correlation correction applied to the time‐dependent version of the PBE‐QIDH global double‐hybrid functional approximation (DHDFA) enables the description of charge‐transfer (CT) excitations. Herein, we point out some inadvertent oversights related to what had already been previously known and achieved in the field of time‐dependent DHDFAs. Exemplified for the same four systems that Ottochian et al. have used to analyze intermolecular CT excitations, we show how a systematic and unacceptably large redshift in global DHDFAs is rectified when using the latest long‐range corrected DHDFAs published earlier in J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2019, 15, 4735.
Climate Variability on Fishing Activities in Inland Waters: Case of Owena River in Ondo and Osun States, Nigeria
Authors: Lydia Adeleke Mosunmola , Jerry Jacob Victor , Ayal Desalegn Yayeh , Oluwatobi Akinola Joshua , Sunday Ayodele Idowu , Amos Ajibefun Igbekele
Published: January 2021

This chapter examined the effects of climate variability on fishing activities in inland waters: the case of Owena River in Ondo and Osun States, Nigeria. The particular inland water body (Owena) was selected purposively because the Owena River crosses across the two States (Ondo and Osun States). A total of 100 respondents/fisher folks were selected randomly. Primary data was used to get information from the respondents with the aid of the structured questionnaire. Secondary data was used to get information on the climate variability existing in the locations in order to achieve the set objectives. Specifically, the effects of climatic variables such as temperature, rainfall, and wind were determined on fisher folk, fishing duration, fish catch, fishing techniques, and fishing equipment/gears. Descriptive survey design was used to examine the demographic characteristics of respondents. The result revealed that most of the respondents (96%) were male. This chapter established that climate variability particularly strong wind, rainfall, and temperature has adverse effects on fishing activities such as reduction in fish catch, long duration of fishing, loss of fishing gear, change in fishing techniques, and effect on health; hence, the livelihoods of the residence are adversely affected on the long run. In addition to the adverse effect of poverty and loss of life for the fisher folks. Although, the fisher folks livelihoods depend mainly on fisheries resources and optimum fishing depends on favorable climate/weather conditions. Therefore, proper preventive coping strategies against the adverse effect of climate variables should be paramount in both States (Ondo and Ekiti) to improve livelihoods and food security.
Comparative studies of 2HDMs under the Higgs boson precision measurements
Authors: Han Tao , Li Shuailong , Su Shufang , Su Wei , Wu Yongcheng
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We perform comparative studies for four types of the two Higgs Doublet Models (2HDMs) under the precision measurements of the Standard Model (SM) Higgs observables at the proposed Higgs factories. We explore the discovery potential based on the hypothetical deviations in the precision data for the 2HDMs up to one-loop level. We find 5σ observability from the χ2 fitting in a significant theory parameter space at future Higgs factories. For the Type-I 2HDM, regions with cos(β − α) ≲ −0.1 or cos(β − α) ≳ 0.08 are discoverable at more than 5σ level. For the other three types of 2HDMs, the 5σ region is even bigger: | cos(β − α)| ≳ 0.02 for tan β ∼ 1. At small and large values of tan β, the region in cos(β − α) is further tightened. We examine the extent to which the different 2HDM theories may be distinguishable from one to the other at the 95% Confidence Level with four benchmark points as case studies. We show that a large part of the parameter space of the other types of 2HDMs can be distinguished from the benchmark points of the target model. The impacts of loop corrections are found to be significant in certain parameter regions.
The generalized equivalence of regularization and min–max robustification in linear mixed models
Authors: Burgard Jan Pablo , Krause Joscha , Kreber Dennis , Morales Domingo
Published: January 2021

The connection between regularization and min–max robustification in the presence of unobservable covariate measurement errors in linear mixed models is addressed. We prove that regularized model parameter estimation is equivalent to robust loss minimization under a min–max approach. On the example of the LASSO, Ridge regression, and the Elastic Net, we derive uncertainty sets that characterize the feasible noise that can be added to a given estimation problem. These sets allow us to determine measurement error bounds without distribution assumptions. A conservative Jackknife estimator of the mean squared error in this setting is proposed. We further derive conditions under which min-max robust estimation of model parameters is consistent. The theoretical findings are supported by a Monte Carlo simulation study under multiple measurement error scenarios.
Modelling Mediterranean heavy precipitation events at climate scale: an object-oriented evaluation of the CNRM-AROME convection-permitting regional climate model
Authors: Caillaud Cécile , Somot Samuel , Alias Antoinette , Bernard-Bouissières Isabelle , Fumière Quentin , Laurantin Olivier , Seity Yann , Ducrocq Véronique
Published: January 2021

Modelling the rare but high-impact Mediterranean Heavy Precipitation Events (HPEs) at climate scale remains a largely open scientific challenge. The issue is adressed here by running a 38-year-long continuous simulation of the CNRM-AROME Convection-Permitting Regional Climate Model (CP-RCM) at a 2.5 km horizontal resolution and over a large pan-Alpine domain. First, the simulation is evaluated through a basic Eulerian statistical approach via a comparison with selected high spatial and temporal resolution observational datasets. Northwestern Mediterranean fall extreme precipitation is correctly represented by CNRM-AROME at a daily scale and even better at an hourly scale, in terms of location, intensity, frequency and interannual variability, despite an underestimation of daily and hourly highest intensities above 200 mm/day and 40 mm/h, respectively. A comparison of the CP-RCM with its forcing convection-parameterised 12.5 km Regional Climate Model (RCM) demonstrates a clear added value for the CP-RCM, confirming previous studies. Secondly, an object-oriented Lagrangian approach is proposed with the implementation of a precipitating system detection and tracking algorithm, applied to the model and the reference COMEPHORE precipitation dataset for twenty fall seasons. Using French Mediterranean HPEs as objects, CNRM-AROME’s ability to represent the main characteristics of fall convective systems and tracks is highlighted in terms of number, intensity, area, duration, velocity and severity. Further, the model is able to simulate long-lasting and severe extreme fall events similar to observations. However, it fails to reproduce the precipitating systems and tracks with the highest intensities (maximum intensities above 40 mm/h) well, and the model’s tendency to overestimate the cell size increases with intensity.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 reduces cardiac fibrosis and promotes M2 macrophage polarization in inflammatory cardiomyopathy
Authors: Baumeier Christian , Escher Felicitas , Aleshcheva Ganna , Pietsch Heiko , Schultheiss Heinz-Peter
Published: January 2021

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has a cardioprotective function in mice by repressing cardiac fibrosis through TGF-β and plasminogen-mediated pathways. In addition it is known to be involved in the recruitment and polarization of monocytes/macrophages towards a M2 phenotype in cancer. Here, we investigated the expression of PAI-1 in human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi) and its effect on cardiac fibrosis and macrophage polarization. We retrospectively analyzed endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) of patients with DCM or DCMi for PAI-1 expression by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, EMBs were evaluated for the content of fibrotic tissue, number of activated myofibroblasts, TGF-β expression, as well as for M1 and M2 macrophages. Patients with high-grade DCMi (DCMi-high, CD3+ lymphocytes > 30 cells/mm2) had significantly increased PAI-1 levels compared to DCM and low-grade DCMi patients (DCMi-low, CD3+ lymphocytes = 14–30 cells/mm2) (15.5 ± 0.4% vs. 1.0 ± 0.1% and 4.0 ± 0.1%, p ≤ 0.001). Elevated PAI-1 expression in DCMi-high subjects was associated with a diminished degree of cardiac fibrosis, decreased levels of TGF-β and reduced number of myofibroblasts. In addition, DCMi-high patients revealed an increased proportion of non-classical M2 macrophages towards classical M1 macrophages, indicating M2 macrophage-favoring properties of PAI-1 in inflammatory cardiomyopathies. Our findings give evidence that elevated expression of cardiac PAI-1 in subjects with high-grade DCMi suppresses fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β and myofibroblast activation. Moreover, our data indicate that PAI-1 is involved in the polarization of M2 macrophages in the heart. Thus, PAI-1 could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and as a possible therapeutic target in inflammatory cardiomyopathies.
A retrospective cohort study of how alveolar ridge preservation affects the need of alveolar ridge augmentation at posterior tooth implant sites
Authors: Hu Kai-Fang , Lin Ying-Chu , Huang Yu-Ting , Chou Yu-Hsiang
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess whether alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) can reduce the need of ridge augmentation at posterior tooth sites.

Material and methods

This study enrolled patients who received dental implants at posterior tooth sites during 2013–2019. Demographic data and dental treatment histories were collected. Based on healing patterns after tooth extraction, patients were divided into ARP and spontaneous healing (SH) groups. Three surgical treatment plans were devised according to the alveolar bone volume on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The three treatment plans were to perform implant alone, simultaneous guided bone regeneration (GBR) and implantation, and staged GBR before implantation. Statistical analyses were performed to determine relationships.

Results

There were 92 implant records in the ARP group and 249 implant records in the SH group. A significant intergroup difference was observed regarding the frequency distribution of the treatment modality of staged GBR before implant (χ2 = 15.07, p = 0.0005). Based on the implant alone treatment modality and simple logistic regression, the SH pattern was related to staged GBR before implant (SH vs. ARP: crude odds ratio (OR) = 4.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.15–11.61, p = 0.0003). After adjusting confounding factors, the risk was still significant (adjusted OR = 5.02, 95% CI = 2.26–12.85, p = 0.0002).

Conclusions

The study results suggested that ARP is more likely to lead to the treatment modality of implant alone and reduce the need for staged GBR before implantation.

Clinical relevance

This study describes ARP capable of minimizing the need for staged GBR before implantation and shortening the treatment duration.
Changes in peer and sibling victimization in early adolescence: longitudinal associations with multiple indices of mental health in a prospective birth cohort study
Authors: Sharpe Helen , Fink Elian , Duffy Fiona , Patalay Praveetha
Published: January 2021

Victimization by peers and siblings is associated with poorer mental health outcomes in adolescence. What is less clear is whether mental health outcomes improve if victimization experiences cease (e.g., being victimized in primary school but not secondary school). This study aims to explore how changes in victimization experiences are associated with changes in mental health outcomes in early adolescence. Data are from 13,912 participants in the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), a nationally representative cohort of individuals born in the UK. Self-reported victimization by peers and siblings, as well as mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and body image), were collected at age 11 and age 14. Victimization at either time point was associated with poorer mental health across the range of outcomes, with effects largest for those who were consistently victimized. Those who reported increasing victimization had greater deterioration in their mental health compared with their peers who were never victimized. Conversely, children whose victimization decreased showed similar mental health development over this period as those who were never victimized. There was a cumulative effect of victimization by peers and siblings, with effect sizes generally larger for experiences with peers. Victimization in adolescence is associated with enduring reductions in mental health. Nonetheless, the promising outcomes associated with reductions in victimization suggest the potential for bullying interventions in schools to limit the deterioration in mental health in victimized groups.
Clinical outcomes following preimplantation genetic testing and microdissecting junction region in couples with balanced chromosome rearrangement
Authors: Cheng Dehua , Hu Liang , Gong Fei , Yuan Shimin , Luo Keli , Wu Xianhong , Xie Pingyuan , Lu Changfu , Lu Guangxiu , Tan Yue-Qiu , Lin Ge
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to summarize the clinical outcomes of apparently balanced chromosome rearrangement (ABCR) carriers in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles by next-generation sequencing following microdissecting junction region (MicroSeq) to distinguish non-carrier embryos from balanced carriers.

Methods

A retrospective study of 762 ABCR carrier couples who requested PGT for structural rearrangements combined with MicroSeq at the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya was conducted between October 2014 and October 2019.

Results

Trophectoderm biopsy was performed in 4122 blastocysts derived from 917 PGT-SR cycles and 3781 blastocysts were detected. Among the 3781 blastocysts diagnosed, 1433 (37.9%, 1433/3781) were balanced, of which 739 blastocysts were carriers (51.57%, 739/1433) and 694 blastocysts were normal (48.43%, 694/1433). Approximately 26.39% of cycles had both carrier and normal embryo transfer, and the average number of biopsied blastocysts was 6.7. In the cumulative 223 biopsied cycles with normal embryo transfer, all couples chose to transfer the normal embryos. In the 225 cycles with only carrier embryos, the couples chose to transfer the carrier embryos in 169/225 (75.11%) cycles. A total of 732 frozen embryo transfer cycles were performed, resulting in 502 clinical pregnancies. Cumulatively, 326 babies were born; all of these babies were healthy and free of any developmental issues.

Conclusion

Our study provides the first evaluation of the clinical outcomes of a large sample with ABCR carrier couples undergoing the MicroSeq-PGT technique and reveals its powerful ability to distinguish between carrier and non-carrier balanced embryos.
Machine learning for multi-dimensional optimisation and predictive visualisation of laser machining
Authors: McDonnell Michael D. T. , Arnaldo Daniel , Pelletier Etienne , Grant-Jacob James A. , Praeger Matthew , Karnakis Dimitris , Eason Robert W. , Mills Ben
Published: January 2021

Interactions between light and matter during short-pulse laser materials processing are highly nonlinear, and hence acutely sensitive to laser parameters such as the pulse energy, repetition rate, and number of pulses used. Due to this complexity, simulation approaches based on calculation of the underlying physical principles can often only provide a qualitative understanding of the inter-relationships between these parameters. An alternative approach such as parameter optimisation, often requires a systematic and hence time-consuming experimental exploration over the available parameter space. Here, we apply neural networks for parameter optimisation and for predictive visualisation of expected outcomes in laser surface texturing with blind vias for tribology control applications. Critically, this method greatly reduces the amount of experimental laser machining data that is needed and associated development time, without negatively impacting accuracy or performance. The techniques presented here could be applied in a wide range of fields and have the potential to significantly reduce the time, and the costs associated with laser process optimisation.
On the long-term aging of S-phase in aluminum alloy 2618A
Authors: Rockenhäuser Christian , Rowolt Christian , Milkereit Benjamin , Darvishi Kamachali Reza , Kessler Olaf , Skrotzki Birgit
Published: January 2021

The aluminum alloy 2618A is applied for engine components such as radial compressor wheels which operate for long time at elevated temperatures. This results in coarsening of the hardening precipitates and degradation in mechanical properties during the long-term operation, which is not taken into account in the current lifetime prediction models due to the lack of quantitative microstructural and mechanical data. To address this issue, a quantitative investigation on the evolution of precipitates during long-term aging at 190 °C for up to 25,000 h was conducted. Detailed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was combined with Brinell hardness measurements and thorough differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. The results show that GPB zones and S-phase Al2CuMg grow up to < 1,000 h during which the GPB zones dissolve and S-phase precipitates form. For longer aging times, only S-phase precipitates coarsen, which can be well described using the Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory of ripening. A thorough understanding of the underlying microstructural processes is a prerequisite to enable the integration of aging behavior into the established lifetime models for components manufactured from alloy 2618A.
Implementation of Rock Typing on Waterflooding Process During Secondary Recovery in Oil Reservoirs: A Case Study, El Morgan Oil Field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Radwan Ahmed E. , Nabawy Bassem S. , Kassem Ahmed A. , Hussein Walid S.
Published: January 2021

Waterflooding is one of the most common secondary recovery methods in the oil and gas industry. Globally, this process sometimes suffers a technical failure and inefficiency. Therefore, a better understanding of geology, reservoir characteristics, rock typing and discrimination, hydraulic flow units, and production data is essential to analyze reasons and mechanisms of water injection failure in the injection wells. Water injection failure was reported in the Middle Miocene Hammam Faraun reservoir at El Morgan oil field in the Gulf of Suez, where two wells have been selected as injector’s wells. In the first well (A1), the efficiency of injection was not good, whereas in the other analog A2 well good efficiency was assigned. Therefore, it is required to assess the injection loss in the low efficiency well, where all aspects of the geological, reservoir and production data of the studied wells were integrated to get a complete vision for the reasons of injection failure. The available data include core analysis data (vertical and horizontal permeabilities, helium porosity, bulk density, and water and oil saturations), petrographical studies injection and reservoir water chemistry, reservoir geology, production, and injection history. The quality of the data was examined and a set of reliableX–Yplots between the available data were introduced and the reservoir quality in both wells was estimated using reservoir quality index, normalized porosity index, and flow zone indicator. Integration and processing of the core and reservoir engineering data indicate that heterogeneity of the studied sequence was the main reason for the waterflooding inefficiency at the El Morgan A1 well. The best reservoir quality was assigned to the topmost part of the reservoir, which caused disturbance of the flow regime of reservoir fluids. Therefore, it is clearly indicated that rock typing and inadequate injection perforation strategy that has not been aligned with accurate hydraulic flow units are the key control parameters in the waterflooding efficiency.