bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PROSPECTS FOR ARTIFICIAL UNDERGROUND WATER RECOVERY IN DAGESTAN
Authors:   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS, Kurbanova L.M. , Kurbanov A.M. ,   Institute for Geothermal and Renewable Energy Problems, JIHT RAS
Published: January 2021

В статье рассмотрены возможности применения методов искусственного восполнения подземных вод в Дагестане как способа сохранения их от истощения и загрязнения.
PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN BY CONVERSION OF PASSED METHANE WITH GEOTHERMAL WATER IN THE WELLS OF THE EASTERN CAUCASUS AND PRECAUCASIA
Authors:   Institute for Geothermal and Renewable Energy Problems, JIHT RAS, Akhmedov G.Ya. , Kurbanismailova A.S. ,   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS
Published: January 2021

В статье рассматривается вопрос целесообразности получения водорода из попутных с геотермальной водой углеводородов на территории Восточного Кавказа и Предкавказья. Поисково-разведочные данные говорят о наличии больших запасов водорастворенного метана в этих водах, где выход метана на одной скважине с дебитом от 2000 до 3000 м3/сут составляет, в среднем, от 1000 до 4000 м3/сут. Показано, что это создает как экономически, так и экологически более выгодные условия для производства водорода на скважине наряду с использованием тепловой энергии подземных термоминеральных вод. Представлена схема установки по утилизации тепловой энергии геотермальной воды и попутных с ней горючих газов с возможностью получения водорода конверсией метана непосредственно на скважине.
SEARCHING FOR POSSIBLE NON-TRADITIONAL HC TRAPS IN THE PERMO-TRIASIAN SEDIMENTS OF THE DAGESTAN SECTOR OF EASTERN PRECASKAZIA
Authors:   Institute of Geology, Dagestan Federal Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Melikov M.M. , Gadzhieva T.R. ,   Institute of Geology, Dagestan Federal Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: January 2021

В работе рассматривается геологическое строение пермотриасовых отложений, часть которых характеризуются высокими фильтрационно-емкостными свойствами и рассматривать их как возможные потенциальные нетрадиционные ловушки для скоплений УВ.
GEOMORPHOLOGICAL AND HYDROGEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH-EASTERN AREA OF THE CITY OF MAKHACHKALA IN RELATION TO ROOFING
Authors:   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS, Kondakov V.M. , Mamaev S.A. ,   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS, Musaev M.A. ,   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS
Published: January 2021

Показаны природные условия г. Махачкалы. Проведено гидрогеологическое районирование территории с учетом дренированности и водопроводимости грунтовых толщ. Показаны барражные участки. Отмечается наличие соленых грунтовых вод, связанное с их застоем, отсутствием дренированности территории и малой водопроводимости водоносных толщ. В связи с застройкой города многоэтажными жилыми домами подтопление будет прогрессировать.
THE DEGREE OF STUDY OF NON-TRADITIONAL NATURAL RESERVOIRS AND THEIR UNIFICATION IN THE SEDIMENTARY ROCK BASINS OF THE EASTERN CASCASUS
Authors:   Institute of Geology, Dagestan Federal Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Melikov M.M. , Gadzhieva T.R. ,   Institute of Geology, Dagestan Federal Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: January 2021

В работе рассматриваются перспективы поисков нетрадиционных ловушек УВ в Восточном Предкавказье на основе анализа мировой и отечественной литературы, а также приводятся различные схемы классификации ловушек.
ARTIFICIAL REFILLING OF GROUNDWATER RESERVES – AS A METHOD OF PROTECTION FROM EXHAUST
Authors:   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS, Suleimanov V.K. , Kurbanismailova A.S. ,   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS
Published: January 2021

В данной статье рассматривают пресные подземные воды, как специфическое полезное ископаемое и как важнейший природный компонент жизни деятельности человека. Отличительная и главная особенность запасов подземных вод по сравнению с запасами других полезных ископаемых – их возобновляемость. Необходимо бережное отношение с пресными подземными водами, так как является стратегическим полезным ископаемым для будущего нашего поколения.
MAP "WATER BODIES OF DAGESTAN for the atlas "CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE OF DAGESTAN"
Authors:   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS, Idrisov I.A. , Guseinova A.Sh. ,   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS
Published: January 2021

В рамках исследования природных объектов Дагестана и выполнения работ над атласом «Культурноеи природное наследие Дагестана» нами проводится работа по созданию серии тематических слоев в рамках единой геоинформационной системы. Многообразие созданных слоев отражает различные особенности природы Дагестана. Визуализация получаемых данных служит мощным механизмом для распространения данных для широкого круга исследователей и заинтересованных лиц. Наглядным примером практических результатов фундаментальных исследований природы Дагестана во всем ее разнообразии является карта «Водные объекты Дагестана».
DEVELOPMENT OF ENGINEERING SEISMOLOGY AS A SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS
Authors:   Geophysical Institute, Vladikavkaz Scientific Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Melkov D.A. , Kanukov A.S. ,   Geophysical Institute, Vladikavkaz Scientific Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: January 2021

Инженерная сейсмология – раздел сейсмологии, изучающий сейсмические данные, необходимые для проектирования сейсмоустойчивых зданий и сооружений. Очевидно, что истоки данной направления имеют глубокие исторические корни и имеют географическую локализацию, обусловленные практической необходимостью строительства в сейсмических районах. В России к таким районам относятся Северный Кавказ, Сибирь и Дальний Восток. Каждый из них характеризуется разной сейсмичностью и так или иначе сложившейся научно-исследовательской инфраструктурой, обеспечивающей выполнение работ по оценке сейсмической опасности. Цель данной работы показать развитие инженерной сейсмологии на Северном Кавказе, и определить пути дальнейшего развития научных направлений и соответствующей инфраструктуры данного направления в России на Северном Кавказе, как преемнике советской школы инженерной сейсмологии.
RESULTS OF STUDIES OF ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS OF ROCKS IN THE AREA OF THE CHIRKEYSKAYA HPP DAM THAT CHARACTERIZE THE UNSTABLE STATE OF THE MASSIF
Authors:   Institute of Geology a separate enterprise of the Dagestan Federal research center of the Russian Academy of Sciences,, Idarmachev I. Sh. , Marchenko M. N. ,   Moscow State University. Lomonosov, Magomedov A. G. ,   Institute of Geology a separate enterprise of the Dagestan Federal research center of the Russian Academy of Sciences,, Idarmachev A. Sh. ,   Institute of Geology a separate enterprise of the Dagestan Federal research center of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
Published: January 2021

Рассмотрены результаты наблюдений за электрическими параметрами горных пород в скважине, расположенной в районе обходной фильтрации плотины Чиркейской ГЭС. Обнаружены скачкообразные изменения электрических параметров, связанные с возникновением анизотропии в объеме горных пород, расположенных между питающими электродами измерительной установки. Методика и аппаратура непрерывного электрического зондирования в скважине могут быть предложены для контроля опасных геологических процессов, например, для определения зон подверженных неупругой деформации в стволе скважины, приводя-щих к сдвигам по имеющимся макротрещинам.
GEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS OF THE NATURE OF LOW DAGESTAN
Authors:   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS, Yusupov A.R. , Mamaev S.A. ,   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS, Alkhulaev K.G. ,   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS, Mamaev A.S. ,   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS, Yusupov Z.A. ,   Institute of Geology, DPRC RAS
Published: January 2021

В данной работе дается общая характеристика памятников природы низменного Дагестана. Выделены несколько типов памятников и дана их научно-познавательная значимость. Указывается на необходимость принятия мер по учету и охране многих природных памятников на территории республики Дагестан [1].
Social Cohesion and Community Displacement in Armed Conflict: Evidence from Palestinian Villages in the 1948 War
Authors: Arnon Daniel , McAlexander Richard , Rubin Michael
Published: January 2021

Why do some communities flee their homes during armed conflict, while others remain and risk exposure to further violence? This article investigates whether and how whole communities flee home territory, which we refer to as evacuation, in the context of strategic displacement campaigns. We explain variation in the process of forced displacement. Specifically, we differentiate between preemptive (prior to displacement violence) and violent (in response to displacement violence) evacuation. We theorize that social cohesion enhances communities’ ability to preemptively evacuate by facilitating collective action to evade imminent violence exposure. We test the theory in the context of Arab Palestinian communities’ displacement during the 1948 war in Mandate Palestine. We measure village evacuation drawing upon historical accounts of forced displacement during the war and social cohesion using an original dataset based on new archival material from a survey of Arab Palestinian villages conducted during the early 1940s.
Virtual Capacity Building for International Research Collaborations in Times of COVID-19 and #Flygskam
Authors: Richter Isabel , Gabe-Thomas Elizabeth , Maharja Carya , Nguyen Thu Ha , Van Nguyen Quyen , Praptiwi Radisti , Pahl Sabine
Published: January 2021

In the wake of the current global pandemic, international travel is restricted. This poses substantial challenges for research relationships aiming to build capacity and foster co-creation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, where global collaboration and communication is paramount. This is especially challenging when it comes to interactive dialogues that go beyond the typical one-way structure of online learning. Considerations on structural, technical and behavioral levels are needed to not only deal with these challenges but rather to take advantage of the new situation. This commentary outlines the lessons learned from an internationally operating project, co-developed to cope with travel restrictions. We discuss implications for future reduction of international travel to reduce carbon in the context of climate change.
Case Report: Are You One of Us and Can We Trust You?: Taking a Communication Perspective in Participatory Research
Authors: Fisher-Yoshida Beth
Published: January 2021

This article focuses on the necessity to build relationships with people across cultures, while doing participatory action research (PAR). There are many assumptions attached to the term “participation” and it is not only worth exploring how these assumptions are formed and how they manifest during participatory action research projects, but is necessary to build trusting relationships. Taking a communication perspective through the lens of Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM), provides the framework to see which voices are heard and privileged, and how researchers with more formal experience blend in partnership with those possessing local knowledge and practices. These many influences shape the dynamics of the relationships, create the episodes of which these experiences are a part, and impact the efficacy of the work. These layers of complexity need to be considered and addressed. CMM Models and concepts aid us in becoming aware of the moral or “logical” forces that are attached to the contexts we prioritize and was applicable to the case study we did in Medellín, Colombia, which was key to developing self-awareness. These contextual influences are culturally bound and in order to have equitable participatory processes across cultures, becoming more aware of the origin of these tendencies is critical. In addition, the more self-aware all the researchers become, the more it leads to developing better partnerships in these PAR processes.
Pauses for Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Yuan Jiahong , Cai Xingyu , Bian Yuchen , Ye Zheng , Church Kenneth
Published: January 2021

Pauses, disfluencies and language problems in Alzheimer’s disease can be naturally modeled by fine-tuning Transformer-based pre-trained language models such as BERT and ERNIE. Using this method with pause-encoded transcripts, we achieved 89.6% accuracy on the test set of the ADReSS (Alzheimer’sDementiaRecognition throughSpontaneousSpeech) Challenge. The best accuracy was obtained with ERNIE, plus an encoding of pauses. Robustness is a challenge for large models and small training sets. Ensemble over many runs of BERT/ERNIE fine-tuning reduced variance and improved accuracy. We found thatumwas used much less frequently in Alzheimer’s speech, compared touh. We discussed this interesting finding from linguistic and cognitive perspectives.
Measurement of T1 Mapping in Patients With Cardiac Devices: Off-Resonance Error Extends Beyond Visual Artifact but Can Be Quantified and Corrected
Authors: Bhuva Anish N. , Treibel Thomas A. , Seraphim Andreas , Scully Paul , Knott Kristopher D. , Augusto João B. , Torlasco Camilla , Menacho Katia , Lau Clement , Patel Kush , Moon James C. , Kellman Peter , Manisty Charlotte H.
Published: January 2021

Background: Measurement of myocardial T1 is increasingly incorporated into standard cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) protocols, however accuracy may be reduced in patients with metallic cardiovascular implants. Measurement is feasible in segments free from visual artifact, but there may still be off-resonance induced error.

Aim: To quantify off-resonance induced T1 error in patients with metallic cardiovascular implants, and validate a method for error correction for a conventional MOLLI pulse sequence.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs: 46% permanent pacemakers, PPMs; 33% implantable loop recorders, ILRs; and 21% implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, ICDs); and 31 patients with aortic valve replacement (AVR) (45% metallic) were studied. Paired mid-myocardial short-axis MOLLI and single breath-hold off-resonance field maps were acquired at 1.5 T. T1 values were measured by AHA segment, and segments with visual artifact were excluded. T1 correction was applied using a published relationship between off-resonance and T1. The accuracy of the correction was assessed in 10 healthy volunteers by measuring T1 before and after external placement of an ICD generator next to the chest to generate off-resonance.

Results: T1 values in healthy volunteers with an ICD were underestimated compared to without (967 ± 52 vs. 997 ± 26 ms respectively, p = 0.0001), but were similar after correction (p = 0.57, residual difference 2 ± 27 ms). Artifact was visible in 4 ± 12, 42 ± 31, and 53 ± 27% of AHA segments in patients with ILRs, PPMs, and ICDs, respectively. In segments without artifact, T1 was underestimated by 63 ms (interquartile range: 7–143) per patient. The greatest error for patients with ILRs, PPMs and ICDs were 79, 146, and 191 ms, respectively. The presence of an AVR did not generate T1 error.

Conclusion: Even when there is no visual artifact, there is error in T1 in patients with CIEDs, but not AVRs. Off-resonance field map acquisition can detect error in measured T1, and a correction can be applied to quantify T1 MOLLI accurately.
Postadychute-AG, Detection, and Prevention of the Risk of Falling Among Elderly People in Nursing Homes: Protocol of a Multicentre and Prospective Intervention Study
Authors: Quijoux Flavien , Bertin-Hugault François , Zawieja Philippe , Lefèvre Marie , Vidal Pierre-Paul , Ricard Damien
Published: January 2021

Introduction: While falls among the elderly is a public health issue, because of the social, medical, and economic burden they represent, the tools to predict falls are limited. Posturography has been developed to distinguish fallers from non-fallers, however, there is too little data to show how predictions change as older adults' physical abilities improve. The Postadychute-AG clinical trial aims to evaluate the evolution of posturographic parameters in relation to the improvement of balance through adapted physical activity (APA) programs.

Methods: In this prospective, multicentre clinical trial, institutionalized seniors over 65 years of age will be followed for a period of 6 months through computer-assisted posturography and automatic gait analysis. During the entire duration of the follow-up, they will benefit from a monthly measurement of their postural and locomotion capacities through a recording of their static balance and gait thanks to a software developed for this purpose. The data gathered will be correlated with the daily record of falls in the institution. Static and dynamic balance measurements aim to extract biomechanical markers and compare them with functional assessments of motor skills (Berg Balance Scale and Mini Motor Test), expecting their superiority in predicting the number of falls. Participants will be followed for 3 months without APA and 3 months with APA in homogeneous group exercises. An analysis of variance will evaluate the variability of monthly measures of balance in order to record the minimum clinically detectable change (MDC) as participants improve their physical condition through APA.

Discussion: Previous studies have stated the MDC through repeated measurements of balance but, to our knowledge, none appear to have implemented monthly measurements of balance and gait. Combined with a reliable measure of the number of falls per person, motor capacities and other precipitating factors, this study aims to provide biomechanical markers predictive of fall risk with their sensitivity to improvement in clinical status over the medium term. This trial could provide the basis for posturographic and gait variable values for these elderly people and provide a solution to distinguish those most at risk to be implemented in current practice in nursing homes.

Trial Registration: ID-RCB 2017-A02545-48.

Protocol Version: Version 4.2 dated January 8, 2020.
The Van Microplate: A New Microcontinent at the Junction of Iran, Turkey, and Armenia
Authors: Azizi Hossein , Tsuboi Motohiro
Published: January 2021

In northwestern Iran, magmatic activity occurred during three main intervals: The Cretaceous, Eocene, and Miocene-Quaternary. The first two phases of magmatic activity are more consistent with arc-type magmatism on an active continental margin; whereas the last phase, which has calc-alkaline and alkaline affinities, shows more similarity to postcollisional magmatism. Magmatic belts are mostly situated in the northern and eastern parts of the Oshnavieh–Salmas–Khoy ophiolite belt (OSK-Ophiolite) in northwestern Iran. The OSK-Ophiolite is known as the Neotethys, an ocean remnant in northwestern Iran, and extends to eastern Turkey and surrounds the Van area. This configuration shows that the Van microplate and surrounding ocean have played an important role in the evolution of magmatic activity in northwestern Iran, eastern Turkey, and the Caucasus since the Cretaceous. The Van microplate is situated among the Arabian plate to the south, northwestern Iran to the east, and Armenia to the north. The subduction of the northern branch of the Neotethys oceanic lithosphere beneath southern Eurasia has been critical in flare-up magmatism in the southern Caucasus since the Late Cretaceous. Considering the Van area as a new microplate makes understanding the geodynamic evolution of this area easier than in the many tectonic models that have been suggested before. When regarding the Van microplate, the main suture zone, which is known as the Bitlis–Zagros zone, should be changed to the Zagros–Khoy–Sevan–Akera suture zone, which extends to the eastern and northern Van microplate and western Iran.
MushPEC: Correcting Post-entrapment Processes Affecting Melt Inclusions Hosted in Olivine Antecrysts
Authors: Brahm Raimundo , Zellmer Georg F. , Kuritani Takeshi , Coulthard Daniel , Nakagawa Mitsuhiro , Sakamoto Naoya , Yurimoto Hisayoshi , Sato Eiichi
Published: January 2021

Olivine-hosted melt inclusions (MIs) are widely used as a tool to study the early stages of magmatic evolution. There are a series of processes that affect MI compositions after trapping, including post-entrapment crystallization (PEC) of the host mineral at the MI boundaries, exsolution of volatile phases into a “shrinkage bubble” and diffusive exchange between a MI and its host. Classical correction schemes applied to olivine-hosted MIs include PEC correction through addition of olivine back to the melt until it reaches equilibrium with the host composition and “Fe-loss” correction due to Fe-Mg diffusive exchange. These corrections rely on the assumption that the original host composition is preserved. However, for many volcanic samples the crystal cargo is thought to be antecrystic, and the olivine composition may thus have been completely re-equilibrated during long crystal storage times. Here, we develop a novel MI correction scheme that is applicable when the original host crystal composition has not been preserved and the initial MI composition variability can be represented by simple fractional crystallization (FC). The new scheme allows correction of MI compositions in antecrystic hosts with long and varied temperature histories. The correction fits a set of MI compositions to modelled liquid lines of descent generated by FC. A MATLAB®script (called MushPEC) iterates FC simulations using the rhyolite-MELTS algorithm. In addition to obtaining the corrected MI compositions, the application of this methodology provides estimations of magmatic conditions during MI entrapment. A set of MIs hosted in olivine crystals of homogeneous composition (Fo77–78) from a basaltic tephra of Akita-Komagatake volcano was used to test the methodology. The tephra sample shows evidence of re-equilibration of the MIs to a narrow Mg# range equivalent to the carrier melt composition. The correction shows that olivine hosts were stored in the upper crust (c.125 – 150 MPa) at undersaturated H2O contents ofc. 1 – 2 wt% H2O).
Evaluation of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Susceptibility Using Multi-Criteria Assessment Framework in Mahalangur Himalaya
Authors: Khadka Nitesh , Chen Xiaoqing , Nie Yong , Thakuri Sudeep , Zheng Guoxiong , Zhang Guoqing
Published: January 2021

Ongoing recession of glaciers in the Himalaya in response to global climate change has far-reaching impacts on the formation and expansion of glacial lakes. The subsequent glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are a significant threat to lives and livelihoods as they can cause catastrophic damage up to hundreds of kilometres downstream. Previous studies have reported the rapid expansion of glacial lakes and several notable destructive past GLOF events in the Mahalangur Himalaya, suggesting a necessity of timely and updated GLOF susceptibility assessment. Here, an updated inventory of glacial lakes across the Mahalangur Himalaya is developed based on 10-m Sentinel-2 satellite data from 2018. Additionally, the GLOF susceptibilities of glacial lakes (≥0.045 km2) are evaluated using a multi-criteria-based assessment framework where six key factors are selected and analyzed. Weight for each factor was assigned from the analytical hierarchy process. Glacial lakes are classified into very low, low, medium, high, and very high GLOF susceptibility classes depending upon their susceptibility index based on analysis of three historical GLOF events in the study area. The result shows the existence of 345 glacial lakes (>0.001 km2) with a total area of 18.80 ± 1.35 km2 across the region in 2018. Furthermore, out of the 64 glacial lakes (≥0.045 km2) assessed, seven were identified with very high GLOF susceptibility. We underline that pronounced glacier-lake interaction will likely increase the GLOF susceptibility. Regular monitoring and more detailed fieldworks for these highly susceptible glacial lakes are necessary. This will benefit in early warning and disaster risk reduction of downstream communities.
Meteorological Conditions and Cloud Effects on Surface Radiation Balance Near Helheim Glacier and Jakobshavn Isbræ (Greenland) Using Ground-Based Observations
Authors: Djoumna G. , Mernild S. H. , Holland D. M.
Published: January 2021

The surface radiation budget is an essential component of the total energy exchange between the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface. Measurements of radiative fluxes near/on ice surfaces are sparse in the polar regions, including on the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS), and the effects of cloud on radiative fluxes are still poorly studied. In this work, we assess the impacts of cloud on radiative fluxes using two metrics: the longwave-equivalent cloudiness, derived from long-wave radiation measurements, and the cloud transmittance factor, obtained from short-wave radiation data. The metrics are applied to radiation data from two automatic weather stations located over the bare ground near the ice front of Helheim (HG, 66.3290°N, 38.1460°W) and Jakobshavn Isbræ(JI, 69.2220°N, 49.8150°W) on the GrIS. Comparisons of meteorological parameters, surface radiation fluxes, and cloud metrics show significant differences between the two sites. The cloud transmittance factor is higher at HG than at JI, and the incoming short-wave radiation in the summer at HG is about 50.0 W m−2 larger than at JI. Cloud metrics derived at the two sites reveal partly cloudy conditions were frequent (42 and 65% of the period at HG and JI) with a high dependency on the wind direction. The total cloud radiative effect (CREnet) generally increases during melt season at the two stations due to long-wave CRE enhancement by cloud fraction. CREnet decreases from May to June and increases afterward, due to the strengthened short-wave CRE. The annually averaged CREnet were 3.0 ± 7.4 W m−2 and 1.9±15.1 W m−2 at JI and HG. CREnet estimated from AWS indicates that clouds cool the JI and HG during melt season at different rates.
A Systematic Literature Review of Analytics for Adaptivity Within Educational Video Games
Authors: Ninaus Manuel , Nebel Steve
Published: January 2021

Research has shown that serious games, digital game-based learning, and educational video games can be powerful learning instruments. However, experimental and meta-research have revealed that several moderators and variables influence the resulting learning outcomes. Advances in the areas of learning and game analytics potentially allow for controlling and improving the underlying learning processes of games by adapting their mechanics to the individual needs of the learner, to properties of the learning material, and/or to environmental factors. However, the field is young and no clear-cut guidelines are yet available. To shed more light on this topic and to identify common ground for further research, we conducted a systematic and pre-registered analysis of the literature. Particular attention was paid to different modes of adaptivity, different adaptive mechanisms in various learning domains and populations, differing theoretical frameworks, research methods, and measured concepts, as well as divergent underlying measures and analytics. Only 10 relevant papers were identified through the systematic literature search, which confirms that the field is still in its very early phases. The studies on which these papers were based, however, show promise in terms of the efficacy of adaptive educational games. Moreover, we identified an increased interest in the field of adaptive educational games and in the use of analytics. Nevertheless, we also identified a clear lack of common theoretical foundations as well as the application of rather heterogenous methods for investigating the effects of adaptivity. Most problematic was the lack of sufficient information (e.g., descriptions of used games, adaptive mechanisms), which often made it difficult to draw clear conclusions. Future studies should therefore focus on strong theory building and adhere to reporting standards across disciplines. Researchers from different disciplines must act in concert to advance the current state of the field in order to maximize its potential.
Study on Measure Approach of Void Fraction in Narrow Channel Based on Fully Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Chu Wenjun , Liu Yang , Pan Liqiang , Zhu Hongye , Yang Xingtuan
Published: January 2021

Void fraction is one of the key parameters for gas-liquid study and detection of nuclear power system state. Based on fully convolutional neural network (FCN) and high-speed photography, an indirect void fraction measure approach for flow boiling condition in narrow channels is developed in this paper. Deep learning technique is applied to extract image features and can better realize the identification of gas and liquid phase in channels of complicated flow pattern and high void fraction, and can obtain the instantaneous value of void fraction for analyzing and monitoring. This paper verified the FCN method with visual boiling experiment data. Compared with the time-averaged experimental results calculated by the energy conservation method and the empirical formula, the relative deviations are within 11%, which verifies the reliability of this method. Moreover, the recognition results show that the FCN method has promising improvement in the scope of application compared with the traditional morphological method, and meanwhile saves the design cost. In the future, it can be applied to void fraction measurement and flow state monitoring of narrow channels under complex working conditions.
Mapping and Validation of Major Quantitative Trait Loci for Resistance to Northern Corn Leaf Blight Along With the Determination of the Relationship Between Resistances to Multiple Foliar Pathogens of Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Ranganatha Hosahally Muddrangappa , Lohithaswa Hirenallur Chandappa , Pandravada Anand
Published: January 2021

Among various foliar diseases affecting maize yields worldwide, northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) is economically important. The genetics of resistance was worked out to be quantitative in nature thereby suggesting the need for the detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) to initiate effective marker-aided breeding strategies. From the cross CML153 (susceptible) × SKV50 (resistant), 344 F2:3progenies were derived and screened for their reaction to NCLB during the rainy season of 2013 and 2014. The identification of QTL affecting resistance to NCLB was carried out using the genetic linkage map constructed with 194 polymorphic SNPs and the disease data recorded on F2:3progeny families. Three QTL for NCLB resistance were detected on chromosomes 2, 5, and 8 with the QTLqNCLB-8-2explaining the highest phenotypic variation of 16.34% followed byqNCLB-5with 10.24%. QTL for resistance to sorghum downy mildew (SDM) and southern corn rust (SCR) were also identified from one season phenotypic data, and the co-location of QTL for resistance to three foliar diseases was investigated. QTL present in chromosome bins 8.03, 5.03, 5.04, and 3.04 for resistance to NCLB, SDM, and SCR were co-localized, indicating their usefulness for the pyramiding of quantitative resistance to multiple foliar pathogens. Marker-assisted selection was practiced in the crosses CM212 × SKV50, HKI162 × SKV50, and CML153 × SKV50 employing markers linked to major QTL on chromosomes 8, 2, and 10 for NCLB, SDM, and SCR resistance, respectively. The populations were advanced to F6stage to derive multiple disease-resistant inbred lines. Out of the 125 lines developed, 77 lines were tested for their combining ability and 39 inbred lines exhibited high general combining ability with an acceptable level of resistance to major diseases.
Novel GJA1/Cx43 Variant Associated With Oculo-Dento-Digital Dysplasia Syndrome: Clinical Phenotype and Cellular Mechanisms
Authors: Sargiannidou Irene , Christophidou-Anastasiadou Violetta , Hadjisavvas Andreas , Tanteles George A. , Kleopa Kleopas A.
Published: January 2021

Oculodentodigital dysplasia syndrome is associated with numerous pathogenic variants in GJA1, the gene encoding connexin43 gap junction protein. A novel in-frame deletion (p.Lys134del) was found in our clinic. The patient showed all the typical dysmorphic features of the syndrome. The functional consequences of this variant were also studied in an in vitro system. Cells expressed significantly less number of gap junction plaques with a great number of them retained intracellularly.
Genomic Correlations Between the Gaits of Young Horses Measured by Accelerometry and Functional Longevity in Jumping Competition
Authors: Dugué Manon , Dumont Saint Priest Bernard , Crichan Harmony , Danvy Sophie , Ricard Anne
Published: January 2021

Functional longevity is essential for the well-being of horses and the satisfaction of riders. Conventional selection using longevity breeding values calculated from competition results is not efficient because it takes too long to obtain reliable information. Therefore, the objective was to identify early criteria for selection. We assessed two types of early criteria: gait traits of young horses and QTLs. Thus, our aim was to estimate the genetic correlation between gait traits and longevity and to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for longevity. Measurements of gaits by accelerometry were recorded on 1,477 show jumping horses that were 4 to 5 years old. Gait analysis provided 9 principal components describing trot, canter, and walk. Longevity estimated breeding values (EBVs) for stallions were calculated using a survival analysis of more than 900,000 years of performances by 179,448 show jumping horses born from 1981 onwards. Longevity was measured as the number of years spent in competition. Model included region and month of birth, age at first competition, year, and performance level. Longevity EBVs were deregressed to obtain weighted pseudo-performances for 1,968 stallions. Genomic data were available for 3,658 jumping horses. Seventy-eight percent of the horses measured for gaits and twenty-five percent of those measured for longevity were genotyped. A GWAS of longevity revealed no significant QTLs. Genetic parameters between each of the 9 principal components of the gait variables and longevity were evaluated with a bi-trait animal linear mixed model using single-step GBLUP analysis with the relationship matrix constructed from genomic data and genealogy (24,448 ancestors over four generations). The heritability of the gait traits varied from 0.11 to 0.44. The third principal component for trot (high lateral activity) and the first principal component for canter (high dorsoventral activity and low stride frequency) were moderately genetically correlated with higher longevity: rg = 0.38 (0.15) and 0.28 (0.13), respectively. Our study revealed that functional longevity is a polygenic trait with no major genes. We found new correlations between longevity and gait traits. Before using gait characteristics in a selection plan, these correlations need to be understood better at the biomechanical level.
Expansion of Monocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Patients Under Hemodialysis Might Lead to Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events
Authors: Xing Yan-Fang , Cai Jia-Rong , Qin Jun-Jian , Zhou Wen-Ying , Li Can-Ming , Li Xing
Published: January 2021

Background

The specific mechanism of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular vasculopathy in the context of end-stage renal disease has not been elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the clinical impact of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) on hemodialysis patients and their mechanism of action.

Methods

MDSCs were tested among 104 patients undergoing hemodialysis and their association with overall survival (OS) and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events was determined.

Results

Hemodialysis patients presented a significantly higher level of monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) compared to healthy controls. M-MDSC were tested 3 months after first testing among 103 hemodialysis patients, with one patient not retested due to early death. The repeated results of M-MDSC levels were consistent with the initial results. Patients with persistent high level of M-MDSCs presented decreased OS, as well as increased stroke and acute heart failure events. As illustrated by multivariate Cox regression, M-MDSC was an independent predictor for OS and stroke events of hemodialysis patients. T cell proliferations were significantly abrogated by hemodialysis-related M-MDSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, M-MDSCs presented higher levels of CXCR4 and VLA-4 compared to monocytes, which indicated their enhanced capability to be recruited to atherosclerotic lesions. The expression of arginase I and activity of arginase was also significantly raised in hemodialysis-related M-MDSCs. Human coronary arterial endothelial cells (HCAECs) presented increased capability to migration by coculture with M-MDSCs, compared with monocyte group. Arginase inhibitor and L-arginine abrogated the immune suppressive function and induction of HCAECs migration of hemodialysis related M-MDSC. Plasma IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6 were elevated in hemodialysis patients compared with healthy control. M-MDSC level was positively related to IL-6 level among hemodialysis patients. The plasma of hemodialysis patients induced M-MDSCs significantly compared with plasma from health donors. Besides, IL-6 neutralizing antibody significantly abrogated the induction. Neutralizing antibody of IFN-γ and TNF-α partially decreased the generation of arginase of the induced M-MDSC.

Conclusions

M-MDSCs were elevated in ESRD patients under hemodialysis, and they exhibited a strong association with the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Hemodialysis related M-MDSC presented enhanced recruitment to atherosclerotic lesions, promoted the migration of endothelial cells through exhaustion of local L-arginine.
Current Developments of Clinical Sequencing and the Clinical Utility of Polygenic Risk Scores in Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Hübenthal Matthias , Löscher Britt-Sabina , Erdmann Jeanette , Franke Andre , Gola Damian , König Inke R. , Emmert Hila
Published: January 2021

In this mini-review, we highlight selected research by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Cluster of Excellence “Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation” focusing on clinical sequencing and the clinical utility of polygenic risk scores as well as its implication on precision medicine in the field of the inflammatory diseases inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis and coronary artery disease. Additionally, we highlight current developments and discuss challenges to be faced in the future. Exemplary, we point to residual challenges in detecting disease-relevant variants resulting from difficulties in the interpretation of candidate variants and their potential interactions. While polygenic risk scores represent promising tools for the stratification of patient groups, currently, polygenic risk scores are not accurate enough for clinical setting. Precision medicine, incorporating additional data from genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics experiments, may enable the identification of distinct disease pathogeneses. In the future, data-intensive biomedical innovation will hopefully lead to improved patient stratification for personalized medicine.
Immune Responses to Gram-Negative Bacteria in Hemolymph of the Chinese Horseshoe Crab, Tachypleus tridentatus
Authors: Wang Wei-Feng , Xie Xiao-Yong , Chen Kang , Chen Xiu-Li , Zhu Wei-Lin , Wang Huan-Ling
Published: January 2021

Chinese horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, is an ancient marine arthropod with a long evolutionary history. As a kind of living fossil species, the pathogen defenses of horseshoe crabs entirely depend on the innate immune system. Although, there are abundant immune molecules found in the horseshoe crab hemolymph, the biological mechanisms underlying their abilities of distinguishing and defending against invading microbes are still unclear. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing at mRNA and protein levels and bioinformatics analysis methods to systematically analyze the innate immune response to Gram-negative bacteria in hemolymph of Chinese horseshoe crab. These results showed that many genes in the complement and coagulation cascades, Toll, NF-κB, C-type lectin receptor, JAK-STAT, and MAPK signaling pathways, and antimicrobial substances were activated at 12 and 24 h post-infection, suggesting that Gram-negative bacteria could activate the hemolymph coagulation cascade and antibacterial substances release via the above pathways. In addition, we conjectured that Toll and NF-κB signaling pathway were most likely to participate in the immune response to Gram-negative bacteria in hemolymph of horseshoe crab through an integral signal cascade. These findings will provide a useful reference for exploring the ancient original innate immune mechanism.
HLA Class I Knockout Converts Allogeneic Primary NK Cells Into Suitable Effectors for “Off-the-Shelf” Immunotherapy
Authors: Hoerster Keven , Uhrberg Markus , Wiek Constanze , Horn Peter A. , Hanenberg Helmut , Heinrichs Stefan
Published: January 2021

Cellular immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) so far has almost exclusively used autologous peripheral blood-derived T cells as immune effector cells. However, harvesting sufficient numbers of T cells is often challenging in heavily pre-treated patients with malignancies and perturbed hematopoiesis and perturbed hematopoiesis. Also, such a CAR product will always be specific for the individual patient. In contrast, NK cell infusions can be performed in non-HLA-matched settings due to the absence of alloreactivity of these innate immune cells. Still, the infused NK cells are subject to recognition and rejection by the patient’s immune system, thereby limiting their life-span in vivo and undermining the possibility for multiple infusions. Here, we designed genome editing and advanced lentiviral transduction protocols to render primary human NK cells unsusceptible/resistant to an allogeneic response by the recipient’s CD8+ T cells. After knocking-out surface expression of HLA class I molecules by targeting the B2M gene via CRISPR/Cas9, we also co-expressed a single-chain HLA-E molecule, thereby preventing NK cell fratricide of B2M-knockout (KO) cells via “missing self”-induced lysis. Importantly, these genetically engineered NK cells were functionally indistinguishable from their unmodified counterparts with regard to their phenotype and their natural cytotoxicity towards different AML cell lines. In co-culture assays, B2M-KO NK cells neither induced immune responses of allogeneic T cells nor re-activated allogeneic T cells which had been expanded/primed using irradiated PBMNCs of the respective NK cell donor. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of genome editing in primary allogeneic NK cells to diminish their recognition and killing by mismatched T cells and is an important prerequisite for using non-HLA-matched primary human NK cells as readily available, “off-the-shelf” immune effectors for a variety of immunotherapy indications in human cancer.
Myosin Light Chain 9/12 Regulates the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Yokoyama Masaya , Kimura Motoko Y. , Ito Toshihiro , Hayashizaki Koji , Endo Yukihiro , Wang Yangsong , Yagi Ryoji , Nakagawa Tomoo , Kato Naoya , Matsubara Hisahiro , Nakayama Toshinori
Published: January 2021

The numbers of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), have been increasing over time, worldwide; however, the pathogenesis of IBD is multifactorial and has not been fully understood. Myosin light chain 9 and 12a and 12b (Myl9/12) are known as ligands of the CD69 molecule. They create “Myl9 nets” that are often detected in inflamed site, which play a crucial role in regulating the recruitment and retention of CD69-expressing effector cells in inflamed tissues. We demonstrated the strong expression of Myl9/12 in the inflamed gut of IBD patients and mice with DSS-induced colitis. The administration of anti-Myl9/12 Ab to mice with DSS-induced colitis ameliorated the inflammation and prolonged their survival. The plasma Myl9 levels in the patients with active UC and CD were significantly higher than those in patients with disease remission, and may depict the disease severity of IBD patients, especially those with UC. Thus, our results indicate that Myl9/12 are involved in the pathogenesis of IBD, and are likely to be a new therapeutic target for patients suffering from IBD.
COVID-19: Integrating the Complexity of Systemic and Pulmonary Immunopathology to Identify Biomarkers for Different Outcomes
Authors: Fraga-Silva Thais Fernanda de Campos , Maruyama Sandra Regina , Sorgi Carlos Arterio , Russo Elisa Maria de Sousa , Fernandes Ana Paula Morais , de Barros Cardoso Cristina Ribeiro , Faccioli Lucia Helena , Dias-Baruffi Marcelo , Bonato Vânia Luiza Deperon
Published: January 2021

In the last few months, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide and has provoked an exceptional effort from the scientific community to understand the disease. Clinical evidence suggests that severe COVID-19 is associated with both dysregulation of damage tolerance caused by pulmonary immunopathology and high viral load. In this review article, we describe and discuss clinical studies that show advances in the understanding of mild and severe illness and we highlight major points that are critical for improving the comprehension of different clinical outcomes. The understanding of pulmonary immunopathology will contribute to the identification of biomarkers in an attempt to classify mild, moderate, severe and critical COVID-19 illness. The interface of pulmonary immunopathology and the identification of biomarkers are critical for the development of new therapeutic strategies aimed to reduce the systemic and pulmonary hyperinflammation in severe COVID-19.
Indicator Regularized Non-Negative Matrix Factorization Method-Based Drug Repurposing for COVID-19
Authors: Tang Xianfang , Cai Lijun , Meng Yajie , Xu JunLin , Lu Changcheng , Yang Jialiang
Published: January 2021

A novel coronavirus, named COVID-19, has become one of the most prevalent and severe infectious diseases in human history. Currently, there are only very few vaccines and therapeutic drugs against COVID-19, and their efficacies are yet to be tested. Drug repurposing aims to explore new applications of approved drugs, which can significantly reduce time and cost compared with de novo drug discovery. In this study, we built a virus-drug dataset, which included 34 viruses, 210 drugs, and 437 confirmed related virus-drug pairs from existing literature. Besides, we developed an Indicator Regularized non-negative Matrix Factorization (IRNMF) method, which introduced the indicator matrix and Karush-Kuhn-Tucker condition into the non-negative matrix factorization algorithm. According to the 5-fold cross-validation on the virus-drug dataset, the performance of IRNMF was better than other methods, and its Area Under receiver operating characteristic Curve (AUC) value was 0.8127. Additionally, we analyzed the case on COVID-19 infection, and our results suggested that the IRNMF algorithm could prioritize unknown virus-drug associations.