bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclearity and Host Effects of Carbon‐Supported Platinum Catalysts for Dibromomethane Hydrodebromination
Authors: Saadun Ali J. , Kaiser Selina K. , Ruiz‐Ferrando Andrea , Pablo‐García Sergio , Büchele Simon , Fako Edvin , López Núria , Pérez‐Ramírez Javier
Published: January 2021

The identification of the active sites and the derivation of structure‐performance relationships are central for the development of high‐performance heterogeneous catalysts. Here, a platform of platinum nanostructures, ranging from single atoms to nanoparticles of ≈4 nm supported on activated‐ and N‐doped carbon (AC and NC), is employed to systematically assess nuclearity and host effects on the activity, selectivity, and stability in dibromomethane hydrodebromination, a key step in bromine‐mediated methane functionalization processes. For this purpose, catalytic evaluation is coupled to in‐depth characterization, kinetic analysis, and mechanistic studies based on density functional theory. Remarkably, the single atom catalysts achieve exceptional selectivity toward CH3Br (up to 98%) when compared to nanoparticles and any previously reported system. Furthermore, the results reveal unparalleled specific activity over 1.3–2.3 nm‐sized platinum nanoparticles, which also exhibit the highest stability. Additionally, host effects are found to markedly affect the catalytic performance. Specifically, on NC, the activity and CH3Br selectivity are enhanced, but significant fouling occurs. On the other hand, AC‐supported platinum nanostructures deactivate due to sintering and bromination. Simulations and kinetic fingerprints demonstrate that the observed reactivity patterns are governed by the H2 dissociation abilities of the catalysts and the availability of surface H‐atoms.
Availability modeling in redundant OpenStack private clouds
Authors: Faraji Shoyari Mahsa , Ataie Ehsan , Entezari‐Maleki Reza , Movaghar Ali
Published: January 2021

In cloud computing services, high availability is one of the quality of service requirements which is necessary to maintain customer confidence. High availability systems can be built by applying redundant nodes and multiple clusters in order to cope with software and hardware failures. Due to cloud computing complexity, dependability analysis of the cloud may require combining state‐based and nonstate‐based modeling techniques. This article proposes a hierarchical model combining reliability block diagrams and continuous time Markov chains to evaluate the availability of OpenStack private clouds, by considering different scenarios. The steady‐state availability, downtime, and cost are used as measures to compare different scenarios studied in the article. The heterogeneous workloads are considered in the proposed models by varying the number of CPUs requested by each customer. Both hardware and software failure rates of OpenStack components used in the model are collected via setting up a real OpenStack environment applying redundancy techniques. Results obtained from the proposed models emphasize the positive impact of redundancy on availability and downtime. Considering the tradeoff between availability and cost, system providers can choose an appropriate scenario for a specific purpose.
Structural rearrangements in wheat (1BS)–rye (1RS) recombinant chromosomes affect gene dosage and root length
Authors: Gabay Gilad , Zhang Junli , Burguener German Federico , Howell Tyson , Wang Hanchao , Fahima Tzion , Lukaszewski Adam , Moriconi Jorge Ignacio , Santa Maria Guillermo Esteban , Dubcovsky Jorge
Published: January 2021

Good understanding of the genes controlling root development is required to engineer root systems better adapted to different soil types. In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the 1RS.1BL wheat–rye (Secale cereale L.) translocation has been associated with improved drought tolerance and a large root system. However, an isogenic line carrying an interstitial segment from wheat chromosome arm 1BS in the distal region of the 1RS arm (1RSRW) showed reduced grain yield and shorter roots both in the field and in hydroponic cultures relative to isogenic lines with the complete 1RS arm. In this study, we used exome capture to characterize 1RSRW and its parental lines T‐9 and 1B+40. We show that 1RSRW has a 7.0 Mb duplicated 1RS region and a 4.8 Mb 1BS insertion colinear with the 1RS duplication, resulting in triplicated genes. Lines homozygous for 1RSRW have short seminal roots, while lines heterozygous for this chromosome have roots of intermediate length. By contrast, near‐isogenic lines carrying only the 1BS distal region or the 1RS‐1BS duplication have long seminal roots similar to 1RS, suggesting a limited effect of the 1BS genes. These results suggest that the dosage of duplicated 1RS genes is critical for seminal root length. An induced deletion encompassing 38 orthologous wheat and rye duplicated genes restored root length and confirmed the importance of gene dosage in the short‐root phenotype. We explored the expression profiles and functional annotation of these genes and discuss their potential as candidate genes for the regulation of seminal root length in wheat.
Competing‐risks model for prediction of small‐for‐gestational‐age neonate from estimated fetal weight at 19–24 weeks' gestation
Authors: Papastefanou I. , Nowacka U. , Syngelaki A. , Dragoi V. , Karamanis G. , Wright D. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To develop further a new competing‐risks model for the prediction of a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonate, by including second‐trimester ultrasonographic estimated fetal weight (EFW).

Methods

This was a prospective observational study in 96 678 women with singleton pregnancy undergoing routine ultrasound examination at 19–24 weeks' gestation. All pregnancies had ultrasound biometry assessment, and EFW was calculated according to the Hadlock formula. We refitted in this large dataset a previously described competing‐risks model for the joint distribution of gestational age (GA) at delivery and birth‐weight Z‐score, according to maternal demographic characteristics and medical history, to obtain the prior distribution. The continuous likelihood of the EFW was fitted conditionally to GA at delivery and birth‐weight Z‐score and modified the prior distribution, according to Bayes' theorem, to obtain individualized distributions for GA at delivery and birth‐weight Z‐score and therefore patient‐specific risks for any cut‐offs for GA at delivery and birth‐weight Z‐score. We assessed the discriminative ability of the model for predicting SGA with, without or independently of pre‐eclampsia occurrence. A calibration study was carried out. Performance of screening was evaluated for SGA defined according to the Fetal Medicine Foundation birth‐weight charts.

Results

The distribution of EFW, conditional to both GA at delivery and birth‐weight Z‐score, was best described by a regression model. For earlier gestations, the association between EFW and birth weight was steeper. The prediction of SGA by maternal factors and EFW improved for increasing degree of prematurity and greater severity of smallness but not for coexistence of pre‐eclampsia. Screening by maternal factors predicted 31%, 34% and 39% of SGA neonates with birth weight < 10th percentile delivered at ≥ 37, < 37 and < 30 weeks' gestation, respectively, at a 10% false‐positive rate, and, after addition of EFW, these rates increased to 38%, 43% and 59%, respectively; the respective rates for birth weight < 3rd percentile were 43%, 50% and 64%. The addition of EFW improved the calibration of the model.

Conclusion

In the competing‐risks model for prediction of SGA, the performance of screening by maternal characteristics and medical history is improved by the addition of second‐trimester EFW. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Co-production: Learning from Contexts
Authors: Vincent Katharine , Steynor Anna , McClure Alice , Visman Emma , Waagsaether Katinka Lund , Carter Suzanne , Mittal Neha
Published: January 2021

Given that climate change is a complex, systemic risk, addressing it requires new knowledge. One way of generating such new knowledge is through co-production, or collaborative development by a range of stakeholders with diverse backgrounds embedded in trans-disciplinary processes. This chapter reflects on emerging experiences of co-producing decision-relevant climate information to enable climate-resilient planning and adaptation to climate change in Africa. It outlines principles that have emerged and evolved through experiential learning from a wide range of co-production processes in Africa. It also uses case study experience from various contexts to highlight some of the more contextual challenges to co-production such as trust, power and knowledge systems and institutional factors (mandates, roles and incentives) and illustrates ways that trans-disciplinary co-production has addressed these challenges to mainstream a response to the climate challenge.
High Stakes Decisions Under Uncertainty: Dams, Development and Climate Change in the Rufiji River Basin
Authors: Siderius Christian , Geressu Robel , Todd Martin C. , Kolusu Seshagiri Rao , Harou Julien J. , Kashaigili Japhet J. , Conway Declan
Published: January 2021

The need to stress test designs and decisions about major infrastructure under climate change conditions is increasingly being recognised. This chapter explores new ways to understand and—if possible—reduce the uncertainty in climate information to enable its use in assessing decisions that have consequences across the water, energy, food and environment sectors. It outlines an approach, applied in the Rufiji River Basin in Tanzania, that addresses uncertainty in climate model projections by weighting them according to different skill metrics; how well the models simulate important climate features. The impact of different weighting approaches on two river basin performance indicators (hydropower generation and environmental flows) is assessed, providing an indication of the reliability of infrastructure investments, including a major proposed dam under different climate model projections. The chapter ends with a reflection on the operational context for applying such approaches and some of the steps taken to address challenges and to engage stakeholders.
Integrating Climate Risks into Strategic Urban Planning in Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Taylor Anna , Siame Gilbert , Mwalukanga Brenda
Published: January 2021

This chapter explores opportunities provided by strategic urban planning to mainstream climate risk considerations into the development decisions of city governments. It does so by describing the ways in which the climate-related information co-produced within the Future Resilience of African Cities and Lands (FRACTAL) project was integrated into the preparation of the Lusaka City Council Strategic Plan 2017–21. The chapter concludes by presenting four lessons emerging from the efforts at integrating climate information into the strategic planning process in Lusaka, Zambia: Lesson (1) Trust and relationships are key to sharing data and information needed to build a compelling case for managing climate risks; Lesson (2) Enable a variety of stakeholders to engage with climate information; Lesson (3) There needs to be an enabling legal, policy and financing framework; Lesson (4) Prepare to meet resistance; skilled intermediaries and city exchange visits help.
Supporting Climate-Resilient Planning at National and District Levels: A Pathway to Multi-stakeholder Decision-Making in Uganda
Authors: Cornforth Rosalind J. , Petty Celia , Walker Grady
Published: January 2021

If rural adaptation is to be effective, then it cannot take the form of prescriptive actions determined by outsiders and subsequently imposed upon rural communities. Our focus in this chapter is to reflect on the effectiveness of rural adaptation in the context of food security and agriculture in Uganda and provide insight into a way forward using learning from the HyCRISTAL project rural pilot. We critically explore the boundaries of ‘adaptation’ and ‘resilience’ as policy responses to climate change in poor rural communities through the interdisciplinary use of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including innovative visual methods and action research. We identify some of the limits to building adaptive communities and explore potential solutions for enabling informed decision-making for rural adaptation that are linked to investment in sustainable development. We highlight the importance of multi-stakeholder approaches and the generation of a ‘knowledge ecosystem’ that combines physical and social science methods and data to generate context-specific information to inform decision-making.
Perioperative Kardioprotektion – „From bench to bedside“
Authors: Torregroza Carolin , Roth Sebastian , Feige Katharina , Lurati Buse Giovanna , Hollmann Markus W. , Huhn Ragnar
Published: January 2021

Hintergrund

Ziel der perioperativen Kardioprotektion ist es, die Auswirkungen eines Ischämie- und Reperfusionsschadens zu minimieren. Aus anästhesiologischer Sicht spielt dieser Aspekt insbesondere in der Herzchirurgie bei Patienten mit Einsatz der Herz-Lungen-Maschine, aber auch allgemein bei längerfristigen hypotensiven Phasen oder perioperativen ischämischen Ereignissen im nichtkardiochirurgischen Setting eine wichtige Rolle. Im Laufe der letzten Jahre konnten diverse pharmakologische sowie nichtpharmakologische Strategien der Kardioprotektion identifiziert werden. Die Ergebnisse von Studien an isoliertem Gewebe sowie von tierexperimentellen In-vivo-Studien sind vielversprechend. Eine Translation dieser kardioprotektiven Strategien in die klinische Praxis ist bislang jedoch nicht gelungen. Große klinische Studien konnten keine signifikante Verbesserung des Outcome der Patienten zeigen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Dieser Übersichtsartikel gibt einen Überblick über die aktuelle experimentelle Evidenz pharmakologischer und nichtpharmakologischer Kardioprotektion. Außerdem sollen mögliche Gründe für die limitierte Translation diskutiert werden. Schließlich werden Möglichkeiten aufgezeigt, wie der Schritt „from bench to bedside“ in Zukunft doch noch gelingen könnte.

Material und Methoden

Narrative Übersichtsarbeit.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Trotz der vielversprechenden präklinischen experimentellen Ansätze zum Thema Kardioprotektion besteht nach wie vor eine große Diskrepanz zu den Ergebnissen aus großen klinischen Studien in der perioperativen Phase. Mögliche Gründe für die limitierte Translation könnten insbesondere Komorbiditäten und Komedikationen, die Wahl des Anästhesieverfahrens, aber auch die Wahl des Studiendesigns sein. Eine sorgfältige Studienplanung mit Berücksichtigung der genannten Probleme sowie ein simultaner Einsatz mehrerer kardioprotektiver Strategien mit dem Ziel eines additiven bzw. synergistischen Effekts stellen mögliche Ansätze für die Zukunft dar.
Clinical Outcomes and Effectiveness of Laser Treatment for Hemorrhoids: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lakmal Kasun , Basnayake Oshan , Jayarajah Umesh , Samarasekera Dharmabandhu N.
Published: January 2021

Background

Laser treatment is increasingly used in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids, and several studies have attempted to describe its clinical outcomes. In this systematic review, we aimed to comprehensively analyze the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of laser treatment.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of currently available data on laser treatment for hemorrhoids. We searched MEDLINE and Google Scholar between January 2009 and May 2020. Studies that described the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of laser treatment were selected based on pre‐specified inclusion criteria with a minimum follow‐up period of 3 months. Qualitative synthesis of the clinical outcomes, effectiveness and complications was performed.

Results

Nineteen studies including 1937 patients were analyzed. The majority were males (n = 1239) and included grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids. In the majority (n = 1750, 90.34%), the 980 nm wave length diode laser was used as the energy source. Doppler‐guided localization was performed in six studies (n = 579, 29.89%). All studies (n = 1937) reported low postoperative pain scores and nine studies (n = 1131) showed significantly lower pain compared to open technique. Furthermore, six studies (n = 1023) showed significantly less intra‐ and postoperative bleeding compared to open technique. Seven studies (n = 1052) reported long‐term follow‐up results and were found to be satisfactory in terms of symptom relief and recurrence. This study was limited by heterogeneity of outcomes precluding a meta‐analysis.

Conclusion

Laser treatment had acceptable clinical outcomes for grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids with lower rates of postoperative pain and bleeding with satisfactory long‐term outcomes.
Memory-Based Reduced Modelling and Data-Based Estimation of Opinion Spreading
Authors: Wulkow Niklas , Koltai Péter , Schütte Christof
Published: January 2021

We investigate opinion dynamics based on an agent-based model and are interested in predicting the evolution of the percentages of the entire agent population that share an opinion. Since these opinion percentages can be seen as an aggregated observation of the full system state, the individual opinions of each agent, we view this in the framework of the Mori–Zwanzig projection formalism. More specifically, we show how to estimate a nonlinear autoregressive model (NAR) with memory from data given by a time series of opinion percentages, and discuss its prediction capacities for various specific topologies of the agent interaction network. We demonstrate that the inclusion of memory terms significantly improves the prediction quality on examples with different network topologies.
Anaesthetics and plants: from sensory systems to cognition-based adaptive behaviour
Authors: Baluška František , Yokawa Ken
Published: January 2021

Plants are not only sensitive to exogenous anaesthetics, but they also produce multitudes of endogenous substances, especially when stressed, that often have anaesthetic and anelgesic properties when applied to both humans and animals. Moreover, plants rely on neurotransmitters and their receptors for cell-cell communication and integration in a similar fashion to the use of neural systems in animals and humans. Plants also use their plant-specific sensory systems and neurotransmitter-based communication, including long-distance action potentials, to manage stress via cognition-like plant-specific behaviour and adaptation.
Das neuartige Virus trifft auf die alten Verteilungsmechanismen: Warum die COVID-19-Pandemie zu mehr sozialer Ungleichheit führt
Authors: Butterwegge Christoph
Published: January 2021

Zusammenfassung und Schlussfolgerungen

Stößt das neuartige Coronavirus auf Menschen, deren ökonomische Lage und/oder sozialer Status sich deutlich unterscheiden, weichen die gesundheitlichen Auswirkungen für die Betroffenen häufig stark voneinander ab. Infektions-, Morbiditäts- und Mortalitätsrisiken der einzelnen Bevölkerungsschichten differieren zum Teil ganz erheblich, sind mit Abstand am höchsten bei armen und am niedrigsten bei reichen Personen. Die wirtschaftlichen Kollateralschäden der Pandemie und der Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen des Staates (zweimaliger bundesweiter Lockdown) verteilen sich ebenfalls nicht gleichmäßig über alle Bewohner:innen der Bundesrepublik. Vielmehr gibt es Gewinner:innen und Verlierer:innen, sowohl in der Wirtschaft (Differenzierung zwischen einzelnen Branchen) als auch in der Gesamtgesellschaft (Polarisierung zwischen verschiedenen Klassen und Schichten). Schließlich weisen die bisherigen Hilfsmaßnahmen, Finanzspritzen und Rettungsschirme des Staates eine verteilungspolitische Schieflage auf, wodurch die sozioökonomische Ungleichheit wächst, statt abgemildert zu werden.

Angesichts der bevorstehenden Konflikte um die Rückführung der hohen Staatsverschuldung, die Deutschland in den nächsten Jahren vor eine politische Zerreißprobe stellen dürften, sollte Verteilungsgerechtigkeit bei der Subventionsvergabe oberste Priorität haben. Wenn der Sozialstaat nicht in dem Sinne als „systemrelevant“ gelten will, dass er nur die bestehenden Herrschaftsverhältnisse, Machtstrukturen und Verteilungsmechanismen stabilisiert, muss er die Fehlkonstruktion der staatlichen Finanzhilfen zügig revidieren und künftig diejenigen Personengruppen stärker unterstützen, die auf den Märkten, insbesondere dem Arbeits- und dem Mietwohnungsmarkt, die geringsten Durchsetzungschancen haben.
Is Reading Comprehension Taken for Granted? An Analysis of Austrian Textbooks in Fourth and Sixth Grade
Authors: Seifert Susanne
Published: January 2021

The range of teaching materials now available is becoming increasingly diverse. Despite this, however, the use and influence of textbooks in teaching still remains very high. When instructing reading comprehension, teachers often use textbooks as the basis for teaching in language lessons. Establishing a good match between textbooks and the skills to be acquired is therefore essential. In this paper, I investigate whether textbooks used in Austrian schools can adequately support the teaching of reading comprehension skills. Since reading comprehension is the basis for acquiring knowledge in all subjects, science textbooks are examined in addition to (German) language lesson textbooks. Thus, the content pages of four language textbooks and four science textbooks for fourth and sixth grade were analysed in terms of five different categories, i.e. general structural setup, learning goals, text types, text structures, and activities. The results reveal clear variations with respect to learning goals in language textbooks. For example, the extent to which reading comprehension is addressed ranges from 13.64 to 69.70%, depending on the book used. Although not addressed as a learning goal in the science textbooks, reading comprehension is often presupposed, especially in sixth grade. While the instruction of reading comprehension ought to entail coverage of reading strategies, this is often neglected, or only dealt with indirectly. Given the diversity of textbooks analysed, it seems all the more important to stress that teachers should: 1) clarify the goals and teaching strategies of a book before using it, 2) become aware of strategies that support the development of students' reading comprehension, and 3) use textbooks as a complementary (and not sole) tool to support reading comprehension in all subjects.
Spintronic devices: a promising alternative to CMOS devices
Authors: Barla Prashanth , Joshi Vinod Kumar , Bhat Somashekara
Published: January 2021

The field of spintronics has attracted tremendous attention recently owing to its ability to offer a solution for the present-day problem of increased power dissipation in electronic circuits while scaling down the technology. Spintronic-based structures utilize electron’s spin degree of freedom, which makes it unique with zero standby leakage, low power consumption, infinite endurance, a good read and write performance, nonvolatile nature, and easy 3D integration capability with the present-day electronic circuits based on CMOS technology. All these advantages have catapulted the aggressive research activities to employ spintronic devices in memory units and also revamped the concept of processing-in-memory architecture for the future. This review article explores the essential milestones in the evolutionary field of spintronics. It includes various physical phenomena such as the giant magnetoresistance effect, tunnel magnetoresistance effect, spin-transfer torque, spin Hall effect, voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy effect, and current-induced domain wall/skyrmions motion. Further, various spintronic devices such as spin valves, magnetic tunnel junctions, domain wall-based race track memory, all spin logic devices, and recently buzzing skyrmions and hybrid magnetic/silicon-based devices are discussed. A detailed description of various switching mechanisms to write the information in these spintronic devices is also reviewed. An overview of hybrid magnetic /silicon-based devices that have the capability to be used for processing-in-memory (logic-in-memory) architecture in the immediate future is described in the end. In this article, we have attempted to introduce a brief history, current status, and future prospectus of the spintronics field for a novice.
Graph Theory Applied to Plasma Chemical Reaction Engineering
Authors: Holmes Thomas D. , Rothman Rachael H. , Zimmerman William B.
Published: January 2021

This work explores the following applications of graph theory to plasma chemical reaction engineering: assembly of a weighted directional graph with the key addition of reaction nodes, from a published set of reaction data for air; graph visualisation for probing the reaction network for potentially useful or problematic reaction pathways; running Dijkstra’s algorithm between all species nodes; further analysis of the graph for useful engineering information such as which conditions, reactions, or species could be enhanced or supressed to favour particular outcomes, e.g. targeted chemical formation. The use of reaction-nodes combined with derived parameters allowed large amounts of key information regarding the plasma chemical reaction network to be assessed simultaneously using a leading open source graph visualisation software (Gephi). A connectivity matrix of Dijkstra’s algorithm between each two species gave a measure of the relative potential of species to be created and destroyed under specific conditions. Further investigation into using the graph for key reaction engineering information led to the development of a graph analysis algorithm to quantify demand for conditions for targeted chemical formation: Optimal Condition Approaching via Reaction-In-Network Analysis (OCARINA). Predictions given by running OCARINA display significant similarities to a well-known electric field strength regime for optimal ozone production in air. Time dependent 0D simulations also showed preferential formation for O· and O3using the respective conditions generated by the algorithm. These applications of graph theory to plasma chemical reaction engineering show potential in identifying promising simulations and experiments to devote resources.
Prospects on the Potential In Vitro Regenerative Features of Mechanically Treated-Adipose Tissue for Osteoarthritis Care
Authors: Desando G. , Bartolotti I. , Cattini L. , Tschon M. , Martini L. , Fini M. , Schiavinato A. , Soranzo C. , Grigolo B.
Published: January 2021

Gathering a better grasp on the adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is demanding among clinicians for osteoarthritis (OA) care because of its promising but multifaceted clinical outcomes. The aim of this preclinical in vitro study was to test whether the mechanical approach with Hy-Tissue SVF system, a class IIa CE marked device of adipose tissue micro-fragmentation, influences the biological features and functions of SVF. We compared mechanical generated-SVF (mSVF) with the enzymatic generated-SVF (eSVF) by testing cell survival, phenotype, differentiation, and paracrine properties using ELISA assays. Both adipose SVF showed 80% viable cells and enrichment for CD-44 marker. The mSVF product preserved the functions of cell populations within the adipose tissue; however, it displayed lowered nucleated cell recovery and CFU-F than eSVF. As for multipotency, mSVF and eSVF showed similar differentiation commitment for osteochondral lineages. Both adipose SVF exhibited an increased release of VEGF, HGF, IGF-1 and PDGF-bb, involved in pathways mediating osteochondral repair and cell migration. Both mSVF and eSVF also displayed high release for the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. After in vitro culture, supernatants from both mSVF and eSVF groups showed a low release of cytokines except for IL-10, thereby giving evidence of functional changes after culture expansion. In this study, mSVF showed active cell populations in the adipose tissue comparable to eSVF with excellent survival, differentiation and paracrine properties under a new mechanical adipose tissue micro-fragmentation system; thereby suggesting its potential use as a minimally invasive technique for OA treatment.

Graphical abstract
Application of Artificial Neural Network in seismic reservoir characterization: a case study from Offshore Nile Delta
Authors: Othman Adel , Fathy Mohamed , Mohamed Islam A.
Published: January 2021

The Prediction of the reservoir characteristics from seismic amplitude data is a main challenge. Especially in the Nile Delta Basin, where the subsurface geology is complex and the reservoirs are highly heterogeneous. Modern seismic reservoir characterization methodologies are spanning around attributes analysis, deterministic and stochastic inversion methods, Amplitude Variation with Offset (AVO) interpretations, and stack rotations. These methodologies proved good outcomes in detecting the gas sand reservoirs and quantifying the reservoir properties. However, when the pre-stack seismic data is not available, most of the AVO-related inversion methods cannot be implemented. Moreover, there is no direct link between the seismic amplitude data and most of the reservoir properties, such as hydrocarbon saturation, many assumptions are imbedded and the results are questionable. Application of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithms to predict the reservoir characteristics is a new emerging trend. The main advantage of the ANN algorithm over the other seismic reservoir characterization methodologies is the ability to build nonlinear relationships between the petrophysical logs and seismic data. Hence, it can be used to predict various reservoir properties in a 3D space with a reasonable amount of accuracy. We implemented the ANN method on the Sequoia gas field, Offshore Nile Delta, to predict the reservoir petrophysical properties from the seismic amplitude data. The chosen algorithm was the Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN). One well was kept apart from the analysis and used later as blind quality control to test the results.
Gating by Functionally Indivisible Cerebellar Circuits: a Hypothesis
Authors: Gilbert Mike , Miall Chris
Published: January 2021

The attempt to understand the cerebellum has been dominated for years by supervised learning models. The central idea is that a learning algorithm modifies transmission strength at repeatedly co-active synapses, creating memories stored as finely calibrated synaptic weights. As a result, Purkinje cells, usually the de facto output cells of these models, acquire a modified response to input in a remembered pattern. This paper proposes an alternative model of pattern memory in which the function of a match is permissive, allowing but not driving output, and accordingly controlling the timing of output but not the rate of firing by Purkinje cells. Learning does not result in graded synaptic weights. There is no supervised learning algorithm or memory of individual patterns, which, like graded weights, are unnecessary to explain the evidence. Instead, patterns are classed as simply either known or not, at the level of input to a functional population of 100s of Purkinje cells (a microzone). The standard is strict. If only a handful of Purkinje cells receive a mismatch output of the whole circuit is blocked. Only if there is a full and accurate match are projection neurons in deep nuclei, which carry the output of most circuits, released from default inhibitory restraint. Purkinje cell firing at those times is a linear function of input rates. There is no effect of modification of synaptic transmission except to either allow or block output.
Health and Mental Health Disparities Between National Identity Groups in Wales
Authors: Saville Christopher W. N.
Published: January 2021

Despite close links with ethnic identity and other health-relevant identities, there is surprisingly little work on national identity in the context of population health. National identity is particularly important in multi-national states, where national identity is contested and where different nationalities often reflect both distinct ethnic groups and competing civic visions of national boundaries. The present study examines health disparities between national identity groups in Wales, a constituent nation of the UK. Using data from the National Survey for Wales (n = 23,303), latent class analysis was used to identify national identity groups in Wales. Generalised linear mixed-effects models were then fitted to the data to identity disparities between groups in terms of self-reported general and mental health, both unconditionally and conditionally on several socio-demographic and geographic variables. Analyses identified five groups: Anglophone Welsh, British, Cymry Cymraeg (Welsh-speaking Welsh), English and Ethnically Diverse. Striking health disparities were found, with the Cymry Cymraeg and Ethnically Diverse groups reporting better health than the other groups, especially the Anglophone Welsh and the English. These disparities could not be accounted for by differences in demographic, socio-economic or geographic factors.
Numerical simulation with hardening soil model parameters of marine clay obtained from conventional tests
Authors: Saleh Samaila , Mohd Yunus Nor Zurairahetty , Ahmad Kamarudin , Mat Said Khairun Nissa
Published: January 2021

Over the last decades, numerical modelling has gained practical importance in geotechnical engineering as a valuable tool for predicting geotechnical problems. An accurate prediction of ground deformation is achieved if models that account for the pre-failure behaviour of soil are used. In this paper, laboratory results of the consolidated drain (CD) triaxial compression tests and one-dimensional consolidation tests of marine clay were used to determine the hardening soil model (HSM) parameter for use in Plaxis 3D analyses. The parameters investigated for the HSM were stiffness, strength and advanced parameters. The stiffness parameters were secant stiffness in CD triaxial compression test ($$E_{50}^{\text{ref}}$$

E

50

ref

), tangent stiffness for primary oedometer loading test $$(E_{\text{oed}}^{\text{ref}} )$$

(

E

oed

ref

)

, unloading/reloading stiffness $$(E_{\text{ur}}^{\text{ref}}$$

(

E

ur

ref

) and power for the stress-level dependency of stiffness (m). The strength parameters were effective cohesion ($$c_{\text{ref}}^{\text{'}}$$

c

ref

'

), effective angle of internal friction ($$\phi^{\text{'}}$$

ϕ
'

) and angle of dilatancy ($$\psi^{\text{'}}$$

ψ
'

). The advanced parameters were Poisson’s ratio for unloading–reloading (ν) and K0-value for normal consolidation $$\left( {K_{\circ}^{\text{nc}} } \right)$$

K

∘

nc

. Furthermore, Plaxis 3D was used to simulate the laboratory results to verify the effectiveness of this study. The results revealed that the stiffness parameters $$E_{50}^{\text{ref}} , E_{\text{oed}}^{\text{ref}} , E_{\text{ur}}^{\text{ref}}$$

E

50

ref

,

E

oed

ref

,

E

ur

ref

and m are equal to 3.4 MPa, 3.6 MPa, 12 MPa and 0.7, respectively, and that the strength parameters $$c_{\text{ref}}^{\text{'}}$$

c

ref

'

, $$\phi^{\text{'}}$$

ϕ
'

, $$\psi^{\text{'}}$$

ψ
'

and $$K_{\circ}^{\text{nc}}$$

K

∘

nc

are equal to 33 kPa, 17.51°, 1.6° and 0.7, respectively. A final comparison of the laboratory results with the numerical results revealed that they were in accordance, which proved the efficacy of the study.
Ginsenoside from ginseng: a promising treatment for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Kang Zengping , Zhonga Youbao , Wu Tiantian , Huang Jiaqi , Zhao Haimei , Liu Duanyong
Published: January 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disease mediated by immune disorder and termed as one of the most refractory diseases by the Word Health Organization. Its morbidity has increased steadily over the past half century worldwide. Environmental, genetic, infectious, and immune factors are integral to the pathogenesis of IBD. Commonly known as the king of herbs, ginseng has been consumed in many countries for the past 2000 years. Its active ingredient ginsenosides, as the most prominent saponins of ginseng, have a wide range of pharmacological effects. Recent studies have confirmed that the active components of Panax ginseng have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects on IBD, including regulating the balance of immune cells, inhibiting the expression of cytokines, as well as activating Toll-like receptor 4, Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLRP), mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, and so on. Accumulated evidence indicates that ginsenosides may serve as a potential novel therapeutic drug or health product additive in IBD prevention and treatment in the future.
Scoping review of cochlear implantation in Susac's syndrome
Authors: Pérez Philip L. , McCall Andrew A. , Hirsch Barry E.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Scoping review of published literature to establish clinical characteristics and audiologic outcomes in patients diagnosed with Susac's Syndrome(SS) who have undergone cochlear implantation (CI).

Data sources

All published studies of CI in SS and contribution of two of our own patients who have not been reported previously.

Methods

A comprehensive search of MEDLINE (via PubMed) was carried out in March 2020 using the following keywords and related entry terms: Susac's Syndrome, Cochlear Implantation.

Results

Our search identified a total of five case reports of CI in SS. With the addition of our two patients reported here, we analyzed characteristics and outcomes in seven patients. Mean age at implantation was 30 years old (range 19–46), with six women and one man implanted. Mean time from onset of hearing loss to implantation was 17 months (range three months to four years). Best reported postoperative speech understanding was reported via different metrics, with six of seven patients achieving open set speech scores of 90% or better, and one subject performing at 68%. Vestibular symptoms were present preoperatively in four of seven patients (57%), with vestibular testing reported in two patients, and showing vestibulopathy in one patient. No complications were reported following cochlear implantation.

Conclusion

Cochlear implantation is a viable option for hearing rehabilitation in patients with SS, with levels of attainment of open set speech comparable to other populations of CI candidates.
Sharing
Authors: Aigrain Philippe
Published: January 2021

In the past fifteen years, file sharing of digital cultural works between individuals has been at the center of a number of debates on the future of culture itself. To some, sharing constitutes piracy, to be fought against and eradicated. Others see it as unavoidable, and table proposals to compensate for its harmful effects. Meanwhile, little progress has been made towards addressing the real challenges facing culture in a digital world.
The Thought Remolding Campaign of the Chinese Communist Party-State
Authors: Ping Hu
Published: January 2021

This authoritative work on the Chinese Communist party's practices of reeducation and indoctrination, supersedes all previous works by bringing into account recent events. Hu Ping has provided a rich and rigorous study based not only in historical research and numerous compelling case studies of Chinese intellectuals, but also in a first person account of his own experience of Maoist thought remolding. 'The Thought Remolding Campaign of the Chinese Communist Party-State' is an important history not only of the reeducation programs, but of the interrogation processes of the Party, and the strategies of either evasion or rebellion that released prisoners adopted.
Arguments Against the Christian Religion in Amsterdam by Saul Levi Morteira, Spinoza's Rabbi
Authors: Kaplan Gregory
Published: January 2021

This is the first book to offer a translation into English-as well as a critical study-of a Spanish treatise written around 1650 by Rabbi Saul Levi Morteira, whose most renowned congregant was Baruch Spinoza. Aimed at encouraging the practice of halachic Judaism among the Amsterdam-based descendants of conversos, Spanish and Portuguese Sephardic Jews who had been forced to convert to Christianity, the book stages a dialogue between two conversos that ultimately leads to a vision of a Jewish homeland-an outcome that Morteira thought was only possible through his program for rejudaisation.
DOMINATION AND REGULARITY
Authors: PILLAY ANAND
Published: January 2021

We discuss the close relationship between structural theorems in (generalized) stability theory, and graph regularity theorems.
Verum in Gitksan
Authors: Matthewson Lisa
Published: January 2021

This article provides an analysis of verum marking in the Tsimshianic language Gitksan. Original fieldwork data are provided to show that Gitksan verum is very similar in its distribution and discourse effects to English verum, but displays two interesting differences. First, Gitksan verum is not marked by focal stress, but by a dedicated particle (k'ap). Second, Gitksan verum does not require givenness of the core propositional material. I argue that when applied to a propositionp,k'apis (a) disallowed discourse-initially or in answer to awh-question; (b) felicitous when responding to a prior assertion or implication of ¬p;and (c) felicitous in other contexts only if there is prior controversy in the discourse about the truth ofp.I show that the semantic contribution of the Gitksan verum particle can be captured by a discourse management analysis:verum(p) is licensed only when the speaker believes that some interlocutor is committed to ¬p.
Integration of patient and clinician narratives into systematic reviews: An applied proof of concept
Authors: Christensen Vivian , Clark Khaya , Tallett Stephanie , Kenyon Emily A. , Dobscha Steven K.
Published: January 2021

Health systems currently underutilize systematic reviews. Here, we describe a proof of concept project designed to augment the standard systematic review process by presenting qualitative information as a companion to a review on deprescribing interventions. We conducted a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with Veterans Health Administration clinicians and Veterans to describe first-hand experiences of engaging in the deprescribing process. Qualitative findings were incorporated into an interactive, web-based product designed to supplement the systematic review report. Preliminary evaluation suggests that integration of narratives as a companion to systematic reviews is of interest to frontline clinicians, researchers, and health system administrators.
Reflecting petawatt lasers off relativistic plasma mirrors: a realistic path to the Schwinger limit
Authors: Quéré Fabien , Vincenti Henri
Published: January 2021

The quantum vacuum plays a central role in physics. Quantum electrodynamics (QED) predicts that the properties of the fermionic quantum vacuum can be probed by extremely large electromagnetic fields. The typical field amplitudes required correspond to the onset of the ‘optical breakdown’ of this vacuum, expected at light intensities >4.7×1029 W/cm2. Approaching this ‘Schwinger limit’ would enable testing of major but still unverified predictions of QED. Yet, the Schwinger limit is seven orders of magnitude above the present record in light intensity achieved by high-power lasers. To close this considerable gap, a promising paradigm consists of reflecting these laser beams off a mirror in relativistic motion, to induce a Doppler effect that compresses the light pulse in time down to the attosecond range and converts it to shorter wavelengths, which can then be focused much more tightly than the initial laser light. However, this faces a major experimental hurdle: how to generate such relativistic mirrors? In this article, we explain how this challenge could nowadays be tackled by using so-called ‘relativistic plasma mirrors’. We argue that approaching the Schwinger limit in the coming years by applying this scheme to the latest generation of petawatt-class lasers is a challenging but realistic objective.
A New Wave of Research on Civilizational Politics
Authors: Hale Henry E. , Laruelle Marlene
Published: January 2021

A new wave of scholarship has made major advances in how we understand the politics of civilizational identity by drawing powerfully from conceptual tools developed over the years to study other forms of identity. What unites this wave is treating civilizations not as distinctive “things” that might “clash” but as meaningful social imaginings. This growing body of work is far from monolithic, generating alternative theories that should structure scholarly debate going forward. Central issues include whether civilizational identity is primarily elite led or mass driven, whether it inherently involves conflictual human impulses, what the role of religion and values are in driving it, what its relationship is to nationalism, and how similarly we can expect the countries and people who share civilizational identity to behave. We also find emerging debates on what this newly conceptualized civilizational identity explains in contemporary world politics. Social scientists are now only beginning to apply important tools of social science to this question, with even public opinion research in its infancy. Early findings suggest civilizational identity may be shaping not only elite foreign policy making but also patterns of domestic politics, including the recent rise of populism and levels of democracy and authoritarianism more generally.
Ecomorphology and ecology of the grassland specialist,Rusingoryx atopocranion(Artiodactyla: Bovidae), from the late Pleistocene of western Kenya
Authors: Kovarovic Kris , Faith J. Tyler , Jenkins Kirsten E. , Tryon Christian A. , Peppe Daniel J.
Published: January 2021

Rusingoryx atopocranionis an extinct alcelaphin bovid from the late Pleistocene of Kenya, known for its distinctive hollow nasal crest. A bonebed ofR.atopocranionfrom the Lake Victoria Basin provides a unique opportunity to examine the nearly complete postcranial ecomorphology of an extinct species, and yields data that are important to studying paleoenvironments and human-environment interaction. With a comparative sample of extant African bovids, we used discriminant function analyses to develop statistical ecomorphological models for 18 skeletal elements and element portions. Forelimb and hindlimb element models overwhelmingly predict thatR.atopocranionwas an open-adapted taxon. However, the phalanges ofRusingoryxare remarkably short relative to their breadth, a morphology outside the range of extant African bovids, which we interpret as an extreme open-habitat adaptation. It follows that even recently extinct fossil bovids can differ in important morphological ways relative to their extant counterparts, particularly if they have novel adaptations for past environments. This unusual phalanx morphology (in combination with other skeletal indications), mesowear, and dental enamel stable isotopes, demonstrate thatRusingoryxwas a grassland specialist. Together, these data are consistent with independent geological and paleontological evidence for increased aridity and expanded grassland habitats across the Lake Victoria Basin.