bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Bonebridge Implantation on Tinnitus in Patients With Asymmetric Hearing Loss or Single-Sided Deafness
Authors: Kim Yeonji , Han Jae Sang , Chua Celeste Ann , Seo Jae-Hyun , Park So Young , Park Shi Nae
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of an active transcutaneous bone conduction implant (BCI) of Bonebridge (MED-EL) on tinnitus patients with asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) or single-sided deafness (SSD).Subjects and Method Medical records and tinnitus questionnaires were reviewed retrospectively of patients with AHL or SSD, who received Bonebridge by a single surgeon at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital from 2017 to 2021. Audiologic evaluation and tinnitus questionnaires were conducted before and after surgery.Results Of the 17 patients, 8 patients had SSD and 9 patients had AHL, and 13 patients (76.47%) had tinnitus before surgery while 4 patients did not. No patient showed newly developed tinnitus after surgery. After implantation, three patients (23.08%) showed a complete resolution of tinnitus. All patients showed significant improvement in hearing level after surgery. The mean tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score for effect on life showed a significant decrease after surgery, from 43.1±28.2 to 29.7±25.7 (p<0.05), and 4.7±2.9 to 3.2±3.3 (p<0.05), respectively. The mean THI scores of seven AHL patients and seven patients with tinnitus on the implanted ear were significantly decreased after implantation from 50.9±24.7 to 34.6±27.5 (p<0.05) and from 53.1±23.4 to 37.4±15.0 (p<0.05), respectively.Conclusion BCI seems to be effective in suppressing tinnitus in the patients with AHL but not with SSD. Along with directive counseling, sound therapy with Bonebridge can decrease tinnitus in some patients with AHL.
Research on Language Maintenance in China: A CNKI-based Analysis of Mapping Knowledge
Authors: Zhang Yijia
Published: September 2022

Based on the studies retrieved from CNKI, the paper explores the development, research status and focus of language maintenance in China with the help of Citespace 5.7. The result shows that (1) despite the late start, the research on language maintenance in China is growing at a stable rate each year, but the number of influential papers is very limited when compared to the total number of papers published; (2) the publications are diversified and the research on language maintenance has drawn attention from and at the same time has gone beyond the minorities language studies circle, but a majority of the papers studied from a macro perspective; (3) the researchers and institutes are widely dispersed, but the most influential ones are very limited, and most work is done independently and teamwork or collaboration is in urgent need; (4) important topics cover endangered language, language protection, minority people and its language, language resource, language diversity, ecology, etc., among which endangered language and language protection have become the research focus with the highest frequency and centrality in recent years.
Mobile Learning Model for Children with Special Learning Needs
Authors: Ping Tan Ping , Dennis Presella Sherrilyn , Julaihi Azlina Ahmadi , Ling Maybelline Goh Boon
Published: September 2022

The mobile learning developed for children with special learning needs have limited users even within the same learning disability because severity in learning disability varies greatly even within a specific learning disability.  Mobile learning developed for these children currently uses the same model used by any mobile application development where it caters for the masses rather than focusing on personalisation.  The objective of this paper is to propose a mobile learning model for children with special learning needs, named APIE.  ADDIE model is a generic instructional system design model that consists of processes: Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate.  APIE is a modification from the ADDIE model, which makes APIE a mobile learning application development model. APIE iterates the design and develop processes under the Personalisation stage to explore the most suitable way for customisation for individual learning.  APIE is applied to the development of a mobile learning for Dyslexic Children to assist the children to read and spell.  Through APIE, a mobile learning application, DysleRead is produced.  DysleRead integrates two classroom approaches: sight word and phonic where teachers can set and monitor individual learning needs of the children.  The teachers find DysleRead helpful to teach the children.  This shows that the mobile learning application produced using APIE meets the objective to cater for personalisation within a specific learning need without undermining the role of the teachers. Hypothetically, APIE model is applicable to other special learning needs too.
Biomechanical analysis of quadruped movement in patients with spinal cord injury: A case series
Authors: Sato Hiroki , Yamamoto Sumiko , Seki Kosuke , Onodera Kazuya , Mizukami Masafumi
Published: September 2022

Background: In the rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injury, we often use developmental movement patterns of infants and Activity-Based Therapy. They include quadruped movement, but no reports of movement analysis on quadruped movement in patients with spinal cord injury. Objective: This study aimed to analyze quadruped movement in patients with paraplegia, and to summarize its characteristics. Methods: The quadruped movement of 3 patients with complete paraplegia were measured using a three-dimensional motion analyzer, and their characteristics were summarized. Results: All cases showed an ipsilateral rotation of the pelvis when moving the lower limbs. Case A rose the contralateral upper and lower limbs simultaneously. Cases B and C moved one limb at a time. Conclusions: Our results suggested that patients with spinal cord injury have an ipsilateral rotation of the pelvis when moving the lower limbs in quadruped movement. Also, it seems that, depending on the degree of disability, some cases were able to move the contralateral upper and lower limbs simultaneously, while others moved one limb at a time
PkM MESIN PENGIRIS KERIPIK TEMPE BAGI PENGRAJIN OLAHAN TEMPE DI DUSUN CUNGFO
Authors: Yudo Eko , Ariyanto Ariyanto
Published: September 2022

Tempe chips are processed snacks made from tempeh-based ingredients. Therefore, it can support the development of activities in the snack food home business sector, one of which is the flagship product, "Mbok De Tempe Chips" in the cunfo hamlet, Bukit Layang village, Bakam sub-district. There are problems that occur in the home industry for tempe mbok de chips, namely when the tempe slicing process is still manual using a kitchen knife as a tempe slicer. So it takes a long time and the results of the slices or pieces of tempeh produce thin and thick slices of tempeh. This community service (PkM) aims to overcome the problem of slicing tempeh that still uses a kitchen knife with a tempeh slicing machine to facilitate the slicing process. From the implementation method given in the form of a specific target from the implementation of this PkM, it was achieved well in terms of facilitating the process of slicing tempe chips with uniform slices of thickness and thinness of the tempe chips and increasing production yields so as to expand the results of sellers to increase the results and profits of people's income.
PENINGKATAN KAPASITAS DAN KUALITAS PRODUKSI AMPIANG DI DESA SINAR JAYA KABUPATEN BANGKA
Authors: Yuliyanto Yuliyanto , Somawardi Somawardi
Published: September 2022

Ampiang is an authentic Bangka Belitung food made from tapioca, fish, water, salt and flavorings. Then in a round and thin shape with a diameter of 70 mm. You can find Ampiang bus at a warung or supermarket in Bangka Belitung. The objective of the Community Partnership Program (PKM) for the ampiang-making community groups is to improve the quality and production capacity of ampiang for partners. A survey has been conducted on ampiang making partners in Sinar Baru Sungailiat Village under the name "Ampiang Ikan Ciu Yu Erin". The problem that occurs to these partners is that the production equipment for the ampiang oil dryer at the partner is still manual, namely coating old paper or newspapers in the hope of reducing oil. So that ampiang does not last long and quickly causes mold and unpleasant odors. The method used is to make an Ampiang dryer with a capacity of 15 kg/process, which has a portable form so that it is easy to move around and conducts brief training on how to use and maintain an oil dryer. It is portable so it is easy to move around. As a result, Partners can increase the production of ampiang and this machine is able to produce ampiang which is more durable, more than 5 months. Based on the test results with a capacity of 15 kg Ampiang, 1000 rpm rotation, processing time of 5 minutes produces an average of 14.45 kg of dry Ampiang and 0.52 oil that has been separated. This means that every 1 kg of ampiang produces 0.036 kg of oil. This oil is what makes ampiang not durable and causes an unpleasant odor. This is also evidenced by the evaluation of ampiang's resistance for 5 months that has not shown any fungus attached to the ampiang.
PENGEMBANGAN USAHA KERIPIK SINGKONG “NYAMEN” DI SUNGAILIAT
Authors: Oktriadi Yudi , Sukanto Sukanto , Afriadi Achmad
Published: September 2022

Snacks that are often consumed when gathering, one of which is cassava chips both with family, friends and in community activities. The process of making cassava chips is passed through several stages, namely in the form of slicing cassava into thinness then fried, dried/ drained, stirred together with flavored spices and as well as packing. From the survey that has been carried out on partners, the process of stirring cassava chip seasoning is one of the main problems because the stirring process still uses manual using plastic containers. The stirring process is carried out for 2 minutes with the amount of capacity of the chips stirred only 8 ounces and drains a lot of time. From this problem, it makes a cassava chip seasoning kneading machine that can replace human labor, so that the capacity and time can be increased. The implementation method to solve the problem provides assistance with a cassava chip seasoning mixer with a capacity of 5 kilogram which works for 10 minutes in each process, provides brief training on the operation and maintenance of the machine, and receives complaints and repairs to damage that occurs to the machine. It can be concluded that the help of a cassava chip seasoning machine to partners is very helpful in the development of the cassava chip business with faster and more practical results in the use of the machine.
Rejection of the Use of Thought Experiment in Physics
Authors: Soltani Abolfazl
Published: September 2022

In physics, whenever we cannot do an experiment in the real world for physical, technological, financial or ethical reasons, we use "thought experiment". In this letter, we prove that sometimes a thought experiment may lead us to the wrong results; and to achieve the definitive and reliable results, all experiments must be done in the real world. Here we prove that thought analysis of an experiment before performing in the real world, namely thought experiment, is a wrong work.
The Effect of Work-Life Balance and Work Motivation towards Intention to Work from Home in the Future with Job Satisfaction as a Mediator
Authors: PRANATA Jephthah Alvin , HENDRAWAN Shania , PUTRA RIYANTO Muhammad Raihan , GUNADI Willy
Published: September 2022

This study aims to find Indonesian workers' decision whether to continue Working from Home (WFH) in the future by measuring how well their job satisfaction is fulfilled by the fulfillment of work-life balance and work motivation. The data from this study was collected from 208 office workers respondents who underwent WFH for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing an online questionnaire in Indonesia. The study results indicate that office workers feel that work-life balance and work motivation directly affect their job satisfaction. In conclusion, Indonesian workers choose to continue their WFH in the future due to the increase in their job satisfaction during WFH.
99mTc-labeled iRGD for single-positron emission computed tomography imaging of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Yu Buhui , Su Hongxing , Zhao Lingzhou , Yang Jiqin , Zhu Meilin , Zhao Jinhua
Published: September 2022

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, with a high mortality rate. One of the main reasons for this poor prognosis is the failure of a specific diagnosis. As a tumor-homing and penetrating peptide, iRGD has not only the properties of binding to neuropilin-1 and integrin αvβ3 but also internalizing into TNBC cells. In this study, we designed and prepared 99mTc-labeled iRGD (99mTc-HYNIC-iRGD) as a single-positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging probe and investigated its feasibility for the targeted diagnosis of TNBC. The results showed that the iRGD peptide had acceptable biocompatibility within the studied concentration range and could specifically bind to TNBC cells in vitro. The 99mTc-HYNIC-iRGD was readily prepared with high radiochemical purity and stability. SPECT imaging of 99mTc-HYNIC-iRGD in a TNBC tumor-bearing mouse model showed obvious tumor accumulation with rapid blood clearance and favorable biodistribution. Our findings indicate that this active-targeted strategy has great potential to be developed as a novel tool for TNBC imaging.
Enhancing electron transfer of a semiconducting polymer for type I photodynamic and photothermal synergistic therapy
Authors: Cui Cao , Su Xuehua , Guo Yongchun , Zhu Jun , Chen Zimeng , Qin Wei , Guo Yihang , Tao Wenming
Published: September 2022

Tumor hypoxia is responsible for the reduced therapeutic efficacy of type II photodynamic therapy (PDT) because of the dependence of cellular oxygen during 1O2 generation. Type I PDT may be a better strategy to overcome the disadvantages of hypoxia for enhanced theranostics. Herein, a new semiconducting polymer PDPP was synthesized and encapsulated with hydrophilic PEG-PDPA to enhance the electron transfer for type I PDT. PDPP NPs show a high superoxide radical generation ability with DHR123 as a probe. In vitro MTT assay indicates PDPP NPs with considerably high phototoxicity on human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) with a low half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 6.1 μg/ml. Furthermore, an in vivo study demonstrates that PDPP NPs can lead to complete tumor suppression with the help of laser, compared with the control and dark groups. The biosafety is confirmed by the H&E analysis of the normal tissues (the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidney). The results provide a strategy to design nanosystems for type I PDT and PTT synergistic therapy.
Emerging roles of purinergic signaling in anti-cancer therapy resistance
Authors: Zanoni Michele , Pegoraro Anna , Adinolfi Elena , De Marchi Elena
Published: September 2022

Cancer is a complex disease with a rapid growing incidence and often characterized by a poor prognosis. Although impressive advances have been made in cancer treatments, resistance to therapy remains a critical obstacle for the improvement of patients outcome. Current treatment approaches as chemo-, radio-, and immuno-therapy deeply affect the tumor microenvironment (TME), inducing an extensive selective pressure on cancer cells through the activation of the immune system, the induction of cell death and the release of inflammatory and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS), including nucleosides (adenosine) and nucleotides (ATP and ADP). To survive in this hostile environment, resistant cells engage a variety of mitigation pathways related to metabolism, DNA repair, stemness, inflammation and resistance to apoptosis. In this context, purinergic signaling exerts a pivotal role being involved in mitochondrial function, stemness, inflammation and cancer development. The activity of ATP and adenosine released in the TME depend upon the repertoire of purinergic P2 and adenosine receptors engaged, as well as, by the expression of ectonucleotidases (CD39 and CD73) on tumor, immune and stromal cells. Besides its well established role in the pathogenesis of several tumors and in host–tumor interaction, purinergic signaling has been recently shown to be profoundly involved in the development of therapy resistance. In this review we summarize the current advances on the role of purinergic signaling in response and resistance to anti-cancer therapies, also describing the translational applications of combining conventional anticancer interventions with therapies targeting purinergic signaling.
Ectopic insert-dependent neuronal expression of GFAP promoter-driven AAV constructs in adult mouse retina
Authors: Le Nguyet , Appel Haley , Pannullo Nicole , Hoang Thanh , Blackshaw Seth
Published: September 2022

Direct reprogramming of retinal Müller glia is a promising avenue for replacing photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells lost to retinal dystrophies. However, questions have recently been raised about the accuracy of studies claiming efficient glia-to-neuron reprogramming in retina that were conducted using GFAP mini promoter-driven adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. In this study, we have addressed these questions using GFAP mini promoter-driven AAV constructs to simultaneously overexpress the mCherry reporter and candidate transcription factors predicted to induce glia-to-neuron conversion, in combination with prospective genetic labeling of retinal Müller glia using inducible Cre-dependent GFP reporters. We find that, while control GFAP-mCherry constructs express faithfully in Müller glia, 5 out of 7 transcription factor overexpression constructs tested are predominantly expressed in amacrine and retinal ganglion cells. These findings demonstrate strong insert-dependent effects on AAV-based GFAP mini promoter specificity that preclude its use in inferring cell lineage relationships when studying glia-to-neuron conversion in retina.
Expression of vimentin alters cell mechanics, cell-cell adhesion, and gene expression profiles suggesting the induction of a hybrid EMT in human mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Sivagurunathan Suganya , Vahabikashi Amir , Yang Haiqian , Zhang Jun , Vazquez Kelly , Rajasundaram Dhivyaa , Politanska Yuliya , Abdala-Valencia Hiam , Notbohm Jacob , Guo Ming , Adam Stephen A. , Goldman Robert D.
Published: September 2022

Vimentin is a Type III intermediate filament (VIF) cytoskeletal protein that regulates the mechanical and migratory behavior of cells. Its expression is considered to be a marker for the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) that takes place in tumor metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms regulated by the expression of vimentin in the EMT remain largely unexplored. We created MCF7 epithelial cell lines expressing vimentin from a cumate-inducible promoter to address this question. When vimentin expression was induced in these cells, extensive cytoplasmic VIF networks were assembled accompanied by changes in the organization of the endogenous keratin intermediate filament networks and disruption of desmosomes. Significant reductions in intercellular forces by the cells expressing VIFs were measured by quantitative monolayer traction force and stress microscopy. In contrast, laser trapping micro-rheology revealed that the cytoplasm of MCF7 cells expressing VIFs was stiffer than the uninduced cells. Vimentin expression activated transcription of genes involved in pathways responsible for cell migration and locomotion. Importantly, the EMT related transcription factor TWIST1 was upregulated only in wild type vimentin expressing cells and not in cells expressing a mutant non-polymerized form of vimentin, which only formed unit length filaments (ULF). Taken together, our results suggest that vimentin expression induces a hybrid EMT correlated with the upregulation of genes involved in cell migration.
Grandiflolines A–F, new anti-inflammatory diterpenoid alkaloids isolated from Delphinium grandiflorum
Authors: Yan Yuanfeng , Jiang Hongjun , Yang Xiaoyan , Ding Zongbao , Yin Tianpeng
Published: September 2022

Delphinium grandiflorum L. (family Ranunculaceae), one of the most important and widely distributed Delphinium species, has received considerable interest due to its extremely high medicinal value. The discovery of novel metabolites from D. grandiflorum supported and broadened its application as an herbal medicine. In this study, the whole herb of D. grandiflorum was phytochemically investigated to obtain fourteen C19-lycaconitine-type diterpenoid alkaloids (1–14), including six undescribed alkaloids, grandiflolines A–F (1–6). The structural elucidation of them was accomplished by detailed spectroscopic analyses, mainly including HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR (1H–1H COSY, NOESY, HMBC and HSQC), and IR spectra. New alkaloids 1–3 and 5 possess a characteristic △2,3 functional group in the A ring, while compounds 5 and 6 feature a rare OH-16 substituent. In addition, known compounds 7–12 were isolated from D. grandiflorum for the first time. Moreover, according to its medicinal use, new alkaloids 1–6 were estimated for their potential in vitro anti-inflammatory effects, and some of them exhibited inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Our work enriched the chemical diversity of D. grandiflorum and the genus Delphinium and presented beneficial information for further investigations.
4-Chloro-1,2-phenylenediamine induced structural perturbation and genotoxic aggregation in human serum albumin
Authors: Warsi Mohd Sharib , Habib Safia , Talha Mohd , Khan Shifa , Singh Priyam , Mir Abdul Rouf , Abidi Minhal , Ali Asif , Moinuddin
Published: September 2022

4-Chloro-1,2-phenylenediamine (4-Cl-OPD) is a halogenated aromatic diamine used as a precursor in permanent hair color production. Despite its well-documented mutagenic and carcinogenic effects in various in vitro and in vivo models, its role in fibrillar aggregate formation and their genotoxic effect in therapeutic proteins has received less attention. The significance of human serum albumin (HSA) arises from its involvement in bio-regulatory and transport processes. HSA misfolding and aggregation are responsible for some of the most frequent neurodegenerative disorders. We used various complementary approaches to track the formation of amyloid fibrils and their genotoxic effect. Molecular dynamics study demonstrated the complex stability. The impact of 4-Cl-OPD on the structural dynamics of HSA was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, HPLC and SDS-PAGE. Fibrilllar aggregates were investigated using Congo red assay, DLS, and SEM. The genotoxic nature of 4-Cl-OPD was confirmed using plasmid nicking assay and DAPI staining, which revealed DNA damage and cell apoptosis. 4-Cl-OPD provides a model system for studying fibrillar aggregation and their genotoxic potential in the current investigation. Future studies should investigate the inhibition of the aggregation/fibrillation process, which may yield valuable clinical insights.
Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of acetate-bridged lanthanide complexes based on a tripodal oxygen ligand
Authors: Sheng Yu , Jiang Yu-Jing , Cheng Zi-Hang , Liu Ru-Chan , Ge Jing-Yuan , Gao Feng
Published: September 2022

Four homodinuclear lanthanide complexes, Dy2 (LOEt)2(OAc)4 (1), Tb2 (LOEt)2(OAc)4 (2), Ho2(LOEt)2(OAc)4 (3), and Gd2 (LOEt)2(OAc)4 (4), have been synthesized and characterized based on a tripodal oxygen ligand Na [(η5-C5H5)Co(P(O)(OC2H5)2)3] (NaLOEt). Structural analyses show that the acetate anions bridge two symmetry-related Ln3+ ions in the μ2:η1:η1 and μ2:η1:η2 coordination patterns, and each lanthanide (III) ion owns a twisted square antiprism (SAPR) conformation. Static magnetic measurements reveal the weak intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction between dysprosium (III) ions in 1 and antiferromagnetic Ln3+···Ln3+ couplings in the other three complexes. Through the analysis of the ligand-field effect and magnetic anisotropy axis orientation, the reasons for the lack of dynamic magnetic behavior in 1 were identified.
Recent advances in photothermal therapy-based multifunctional nanoplatforms for breast cancer
Authors: Sun Jingjun , Zhao Haiyan , Xu Weixuan , Jiang Guo-Qin
Published: September 2022

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide; however, the successful treatment of BC, especially triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), remains a significant clinical challenge. Recently, photothermal therapy (PTT), which involves the generation of heat under irradiation to achieve photothermal ablation of BC with minimal invasiveness and outstanding spatial–temporal selectivity, has been demonstrated as a novel therapy that can overcome the drawbacks of chemotherapy or surgery. Significantly, when combining PTT with chemotherapy and/or photodynamic therapy, an enhanced synergistic therapeutic effect can be achieved in both primary and metastatic BC tumors. Thus, this review discusses the recent developments in nanotechnology-based photothermal therapy for the treatment of BC and its metastasis to provide potential strategies for future BC treatment.
Springtime sea fog penetration in Qingdao: Anomalous moistening and diurnal cooling
Authors: Song Shu-Tong , Shi Xiao-Meng , Zhang Su-Ping , Chen Xian-Yao , Xue Yun-Chuan , Zhao Wei , Yang Chao , Huang Bin , Yi Li
Published: September 2022

Sea fog often penetrates adjacent coastal areas, a process called sea fog penetration (SFP). SFP can cause traffic accidents and other economic losses. Qingdao, an international port city with a dense population, suffers from SFP originating over the Yellow Sea in the boreal spring (March–May); the process, however, is not well-studied. Based on hourly observations from buoys and automatic weather stations distributed in Qingdao and its adjacent islands, we composite SFP events to reveal their spatiotemporal features and to investigate the mechanisms involved. Results show that these SFP events often penetrate inland areas from southeast to northwest and last 5–8 h at night. We further use reanalysis data to reveal that during the daytime before SFP, strong moisture advection at 925–975 hPa brings sufficient water vapor from the Yellow Sea to Qingdao; the water vapor then transfers downward to the surface via background descending motion and turbulent mixing. The daytime anomalous moistening, together with the following diurnal cooling at night, saturates the surface atmosphere and, hence, facilitates SFP. The strength of SFP depends on the strength of daytime anomalous moistening. Considering that moistening leads SFP by about a day, we use this relationship to predict the intensity of SFP. The accuracy of predicting SFP events could reach 50–80%, which highlights the predictability of intensity of SFP in Qingdao.
Analysis on “three-box” model of stress-strain in frozen soil porous media based on representative macroscopic Volume
Authors: Han Qiang , Wang Zhiguo , Teng Zhenchao , Zhang Yunfeng , Cao Jing
Published: September 2022

In cold regions, the pore space’s composition and phase state can affect the elastic modulus of the media. During the winter, the freezing conditions in the soil results in the release of water from the pore space, which results in significant changes in the media’s distribution and composition. There are a few weaknesses in the current research with respect to the elastic modulus change example of frozen soil. This paper presents that the Representative Macroscopic Volume (RMV) choice strategy is provided for frozen soil with porosity as a typical condition variable. Under the state of freezing, a “three-box” analytical model for stress-strain calculation of frozen soil porous media is established, namely, the black-box model, the gray-box model, and the white-box model. The relevant equations for calculating elastic modulus are presented based on the proposed “three-box” model and the analysis of the stress conduction process. Results show that the discrepancy between the computed and experimental values of the white-box model is slight, and the elastic modulus of frozen soil calculated by the model established in this paper is consistent with the actual state. It can be deduced that the model established in this paper has practicality and the conclusions of the study are of guiding significance for the application of frozen soil.
Fault geometry and kinematics of the 2021 Mw 7.3 Maduo earthquake from aftershocks and InSAR observations
Authors: Fan Xiaoran , Zhang Guohong , Zhao Dezheng , Xie Chaodi , Huang Chuanchao , Shan Xinjian
Published: September 2022

The 2021 Mw 7.3 Maduo earthquake revealed the significant seismic hazard of faults developed within the Bayan Har Block of eastern Tibet, China (e.g., the Kunlun Pass–Jiangcuo Fault). Relocated aftershock data are in good agreement with the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) coseismic displacement field and field investigations. In this study, we used aftershock point cloud fitting to model the relocated aftershocks of the Maduo earthquake, and obtained the detailed geometry and characteristics of the seismogenic fault. Based on InSAR coseismic deformation, the geometric model of the seismogenic fault and its slip distribution were retrieved. The results show that this event was shallow (0–10 km) and characterized by sinistral strike-slip motion. We identified four asperities along the fault strike; the maximum slip of 4.84 m occurred on the eastern segment of the fault, in an area where the strike changed. The results suggest that the central segment of the main seismogenic fault is mature and smooth, while western and eastern segments are complex and immature.
A Novel model for simulating the integration process of hydraulic fracturing, shut-in period, and well production
Authors: Li Yongming , Luo Ang , Chen Xi , Cheng Leiming , Chang Cheng , Xie Weiyang
Published: September 2022

Distributions of pore pressure and water saturation in matrix around fractures after hydraulic fracturing and shut-in period will impact the shale gas well production significantly. However, the influences of hydraulic fracturing and shut-in period on pore pressure and water saturation are not considered in the classical reservoir simulations. In this work, the embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM), which is convenient to be coupled with an existing reservoir simulator with high computational efficiency, was employed to simulate the hydraulic fracture propagation coupled with matrix flow. Then, we developed a model for simulating the integration process of hydraulic fracturing, shut-in period, and well production based on the dual media theory. Distributions of pore pressure and water saturation varying in different periods and the production decline of shale gas well were obtained through the integrated simulation model. The calculation result was validated by the field bottom hole pressure data of a shale gas well in Sichuan Province, China. Simulation results show that the variation of bottom hole pressure is not smooth during the fracture propagation process because the initiations of different fractures are not simultaneous. The fracturing fluid flow-back rate of shale gas well is much lower than that of conventional reservoirs. There is still a large amount of fracturing fluid retained in micro-fracture systems and matrix of shale after production. It is also found that the permeability of the micro-fracture system determines the drop rate of bottom hole pressure and the size of stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) determines the decrease amplitude of bottom hole pressure.
Tracking chlorinated contaminants in the subsurface using analytical, numerical and geophysical methods
Authors: Lin Fei , Ren Honglei , Yang Jie , Li Yucheng , Kang Bo , Tao Yuezan
Published: September 2022

In recent years, many research methods have been developed for the traceability of groundwater contamination source, in which the numerical simulation and analytical methods are the most common methods to study on groundwater flow and solute transport. However, the establishment and solution of an optimization model is a very complex inverse problem. Given that many decision variables are needed to be identified, two relatively simple analytical and numerical methods are applied for the prediction of chloride migration range and duration process in source area, then the geophysical prospecting and drilling sampling analysis are also used for the verification, moreover, the source center is determined based on the difference between predicted results and measured results. In addition, the influence of the observation points layout, hydrodynamic dispersion parameters and groundwater flow rate on the traceability effect are also analyzed. The results show that located observation points can reflect the chloride distribution accurately, hydrodynamic dispersion parameters and groundwater flow rate have more significant impacts on the traceability effect compared with other factors. Lastly, the proposed model application process is also discussed in the limited scale site, and it provides the reference for source traceability and subsequent remediation design under the similar hydrogeological conditions.
Optimized flood control for the Three Gorges Reservoir considering evolving flood propagation trends in the Jingjiang Reach of the Yangtze River
Authors: Lan Lan , Xu Yinshan , Mei Yadong , Ren Yufeng , Tian Yifei , Zhang Xiao
Published: September 2022

The main objective for the Three Gorges Reservoir is to help control floods and to protect the Jingjiang and Chenglingji regions in the middle reach of the Yangtze River. Hydrological measurements have demonstrated that the character of flood propagation in the Jingjiang Reach has changed significantly since the Three Gorges Reservoir became operational, meaning that flood control management must be modified accordingly. To explore the effective flood control management, a hydraulic model was developed to simulate the potential causes and impacts. For a natural flood with gradually varying discharge propagated as a diffusive wave, the celerity downside the dam fasted due to the change of the dominant property of the flood wave. For a flood event controlled by a reservoir, the wave was propagated more quickly as a surge with rapidly varying discharge. The rating curve changed for flooding processes associated with a diffusive wave versus a surge event at a particular cross-section, which changed the flow capacity in the river channel. Observed flood events in 2016 and 2017 were also simulated in the hydraulic model using different management schemes, and the modified flood propagation trends along the lower river reach were analyzed. Lastly, from these simulations, we provide suggestions on how to optimize the operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir to control flood damage and protect the Jiangjiang Reach and Chenglingji areas more effectively.
Role of zinc-coated urea fertilizers in improving nitrogen use efficiency, soil nutritional status, and nutrient use efficiency of test crops
Authors: Abdullah Bilal , Niazi Muhammad Bilal Khan , Jahan Zaib , Khan Obaid , Shahid Ameen , Shah Ghulam Abbas , Azeem Babar , Iqbal Zahid , Mahmood Abid
Published: September 2022

The rise in global population, urbanization, and desertification pushes the farming community toward intensive cropping to meet the augmented food demands with consequent exhaustion of soil’s nutritional status and fertility. In recent times, environmental pollution and cost of crop production have been enhanced due to excessive and inefficient use of nitrogenous fertilizers. As an abatement strategy, seven different coated urea fertilizers, namely, gelatin-coated (G), zinc oxide with gelatin-coated (ZnOG), zinc oxide-coated (ZnO), sonicated zinc oxide-coated (ZnO-Son), zinc oxide with molasses-coated (ZnOM), zinc sulfate with molasses-coated (ZnSM), and zinc sulfate-coated (ZnS) were prepared in a fluidized bed coater. The coated samples were characterized through XRD, SEM, and FTIR techniques, while a crushing strength test was carried out to assess the impact of inventory operations on physical integrity of coated prills. Pot tests with ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as a test crop were carried out to evaluate the effect of coated urea fertilizers on yield and nitrogen (N) and zinc uptake in order to enhance nitrogen use efficiency and reduce pollution. Our results suggest that the affinity between urea surface and coating materials was of physical nature. All zinc oxide- or gelatin-coated treatments significantly increased the dry matter yield, nitrogen uptake, apparent nitrogen recovery (ANR), zinc uptake, and apparent zinc recovery (AZnR). ZnOG was proved to be the best sample in terms of balancing soil chemical properties with improved soil nutrition and producing best with plant yield (94% higher than UC), N uptake (75% higher than UC), Zn uptake (450% higher than UC), and nitrogen use efficiency (48 vs. 23% for UC). Our results suggest that the use of such coated fertilizers can lead to improve yields, nutritional values of crops, and overall agro-ecological scenario.
Geochemical cycling in aquifers contributes to the transport, storage and transfer of anthropogenically-derived phosphorus to surface waters
Authors: Mouchos Evangelos M. , Johnes Penny J. , Buss Heather L. , Bingham Sam T. , Matthews Dianne , Bagnall John P. , Gooddy Daren C.
Published: September 2022

Phosphorus (P) is a key element which can contribute to the eutrophication of waters draining intensively farmed or populated catchments, driving adverse impacts on ecosystem and human health. An often overlooked source of P in permeable catchments is weathering of P-bearing minerals in bedrock. P release from primary minerals, present when the rock formed, controls background P concentrations in groundwater, but secondary P-bearing minerals may form in aquifers in the presence of anthropogenic P fluxes from agriculture and septic tanks. Using cores from the Upper Greensand (UGS) aquifer, United Kingdom, we show the relative contributions of P from primary and secondary minerals. Bulk rock chemical analysis indicates solid P concentrations of 0–0.8 wt%, while porewater analyses from the same samples indicate phosphate-P concentrations of <5 μg/L - 1 mg/L and dissolved organic P concentrations of <5 μg/L - 0.7 mg/L. These data, coupled with core stratigraphy, reveal the presence of multiple primary and secondary P-bearing minerals in the UGS, and suggest that secondary P-bearing minerals are largely of anthropogenic origin. The weathering of primary P nodules produces a very low background P flux to surface waters, while the anthropogenic P-bearing minerals undergo rapid dissolution, re-precipitation and re-dissolution cycles, controlled by porewater pH and P concentrations, in turn controlling dissolved P flux to groundwater. We show that secondary P-bearing minerals are a dynamic component of the P transfer system linking anthropogenic activities on the land surface to P in groundwater and surface waters and contributing to the eutrophication of surface waters.
Development of a water resource allocation model based on the dynamic exploitable amount of groundwater and its application in the Jinghe County, Xinjiang
Authors: Lu Yao , Ma Zhenzhen , Wang Ting , Xie Xinmin , Gu Yanling
Published: September 2022

An exploitable amount of groundwater in arid regions is related to changes in water resource utilization patterns, and the traditional water resource allocation model assumes a constant exploitable amount of groundwater. In this study, a water resource allocation model consisting of a water resource optimal allocation module, an exploitable amount analysis module, and a mutual feedback iterative module connecting the abovementioned two modules is established based on the dynamic exploitable amount of groundwater. The proposed model is applied to Jinghe County, Xinjiang, which is one of the most arid regions in the world. The results show that the actual exploitable amount of groundwater in 2035 will be 181.54 million m³ when changes in the exploitable amount of groundwater in response to changes in the water resources utilization patterns are considered, which is 43.99 million m³ lower than the current amount, and the groundwater supply will be 167.82 million m³. However, the groundwater supply based on the current exploitable amount of groundwater (225.53 million m3) will be 188.29 million m3, which is 6.75 million m3 higher than the actual exploitable amount of groundwater and thus may lead to groundwater overdraft. This is mainly attributed to the reduction in the exploitable amount of groundwater with the reduction in farmland, and it is estimated that the exploitable amount of groundwater would be decreased by about 110,000 m3 with the reduction of 1 km2 farmland. The results of this study underline the need to consider changes in the exploitable amount of groundwater in the allocation and management of water resources in arid regions, and the model developed in this study can provide an effective tool for rational allocation of water resources in arid regions.
Plants play a crucial role in the development of soil fungal communities in the remediated substrate after EDTA washing of metal-contaminated soils
Authors: Maček Irena , Pintarič Sara , Šibanc Nataša , Rajniš Tatjana , Kastelec Damijana , Leštan Domen , Suhadolc Marjetka
Published: September 2022

In this study, we investigated the importance of plant cover for secondary succession and soil fungal community development in remediated substrates after EDTA washing of metal-contaminated soils. The abundance of the total fungal community, determined by ITS fungal marker genes (Internal Transcribed Spacer region), and root colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were monitored in two types of soil material (calcareous and acidic) sown with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and without plant cover (bulk soil). Four months after the start of the experiment, the abundance of ITS genes in the soil clearly showed that the presence of plants was the main factor affecting the total fungal community, which increased in the rhizosphere soil in most treatments, while it remained at a low level in the bulk soil (without plants). Interestingly, the addition of environmental inoculum, i.e., rhizosphere soil from a semi-natural meadow, did not have a positive effect on the abundance of the total fungal community. While fungal ITS genes were detected in soils at the end of the first growing season, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) structures were scarce in Lolium roots in all treatments throughout the first season. However, in the second season, more than a year after the start of the experiment, AM fungal colonisation was detected in Lolium roots in virtually all treatments, with the frequency of colonised root length ranging from 30% to >75% in some treatments, the latter also in remediated soil. This study demonstrates the importance of plants and rhizosphere in the development and secondary succession of fungal communities in soil, which has important implications for the revitalisation of remediated soils and regenerative agriculture.
Resource efficiency and environmental impact of juglone in Pericarpium Juglandis: A review
Authors: Liu Shuoguo , Cheng Sijing , Jia Jinping , Cui Jiahua
Published: September 2022

Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is considered one of the most valuable plants, with a global production of 3.5 million tons of dried fruit yearly. Throughout the past two millennia, its allelopathic effects have been widely recognized. Black walnuts produce a natural naphthoquinone called juglone, which occurs naturally in all parts of the tree, particularly the green husk, and contributes significantly to the allelopathic effects of black walnut. Except for the fruit’s edible nature, the walnut green husk (Pericarpium Juglandis) has been used for centuries to make wine, natural dyes, and traditional medicines to cure certain diseases. Within the extracts of walnut green husk, 1,4-naphthoquinones, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and quercitrin were separated and characterized. Among these compounds, the major active ingredient with a good application prospect is juglone, which has proven to be a natural chemical compound with anticancer, antitumor, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, especially the strong anticancer activity. Juglone is also an environmentally friendly biological pesticide and herbicide. Certainly, the environmental impact of juglone also needs to be considered. Significant quantities of walnut green husk are currently produced as a byproduct of walnut production; however, its value has not been fully utilized and explored, which raises environmental concerns. This review attempts to: 1) summarize the origin and historical use of walnut and walnut green husk; 2) introduce the structure, biosynthesis pathway, extraction method, biological activity, and potential applications of juglone, as well as its environmental impact assessment.
An enigma: A meta-analysis reveals the effect of ubiquitous microplastics on different taxa in aquatic systems
Authors: Moyo Sydney
Published: September 2022

Microplastics are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems globally, with tropical freshwater systems underrepresented in the literature. The ubiquity of microplastics may affect the feeding, growth, reproduction, and survival of organisms in aquatic systems; however, the data on the potential effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms is tentative. In the current study, I conducted a meta-analysis using published data to examine the impacts of microplastic exposure on functional traits (i.e., feeding, growth, reproduction, survival) of fish and aquatic invertebrates. The data revealed that while there were within-taxa negative effects on traits such as reproduction and growth some effect sizes were low, suggesting that the exposure to microplastics may vary across taxa. Globally, negative effects on growth, reproduction, and even survival were evident in some taxa (e.g., bivalves, crustaceans). Considering feeding habits, negative effects of microplastic were more pronounced in bacterivores, omnivores, predators, and filter feeders compared to shredders. In tropical freshwater systems, microplastics had no significant effects on the feeding, growth, reproduction, and survival of aquatic organisms. It is worth noting that organisms that are passive feeders (e.g., bivalves) may be particularly susceptible to microplastic pollution, which in turn may have long-lasting effects on the stability of lacustrine and lotic food webs. Because microplastics may impart more chronic effects than acute effects, future works must include understudied regions of the world (e.g., freshwater systems) and must emphasize the subtle role that microplastics may play on the physiology and behavior of organisms in the long term.