bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Vancouver to Vladivostok: Crossroads of Security Common Space
Authors: Danilov D.
Published: June 2021

For more than 20 years the idea of building a common security space from Vancouver to Vladivostok remains to be admitted by the former Cold War adversaries as the main political guideline. However, there is still no unanimity concerning even a general possibility to form a community of Euro-Atlantic security, not to mention the road maps of the multilateral movement from Vancouver to Vladivostok. The article analyzes the nature of the ongoing changes in the modern security system, as well as the transformation processes taking place in the world that affect the system of its security.
Regional Features of Modern Serbia
Authors: Martynov V.
Published: June 2021

The article deals with the changes in the regional division of modern Serbia in the first decade of the 2000s. The author analyzes demographic problems of the country, the dynamics of population according to the census of 2002 and 2011. Particular attention is paid to the issue of relations between Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo.
Radical Right Parties and Immigration in Scandinavian Countries
Authors: Badaeva A.
Published: June 2021

In recent decades, radicalism has become an integral part of the political scene in Europe. Many countries, including Scandinavia, see an electoral success of nationalist parties. This trend is due to decrease in extent of the “party identification” and disillusionment of the electorate in the earlier dominant parties. The achievements of ultra-right forces do not accidentally coincided with an unprecedented influx of immigrants in the Scandinavian countries. Radical forces stand for preservation of national values and are ready to respond to the pressing social challenges of integrating world. According to the author, these forces are likely to reach the greatest success and to exert a significant impact on government policies.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Influenced the Age Onset of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Török Nóra , Maszlag-Török Rita , Molnár Kinga , Szolnoki Zoltán , Somogyvári Ferenc , Boda Krisztina , Tanaka Masaru , Klivényi Péter , Vécsei László
Published: June 2021

Aims Earlier studies reported alterations of the kynurenine (KYN) pathway of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The first rate-limiting enzymes indoleamine 2,3- dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan dioxygenase were observed upregulated, resulting elevated KYN/TRP ratios in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples of patients with PD. An increasing number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has been identified in a population of PD. However, little is known if genetic variations of the IDO contribute to disturbance of the KYN metabolism in and the pathogenesis of PD. Main methods SNP analysis of IDO1 was performed by allelic discrimination assay with fluorescently labelled TaqMan probes and a subgroup analysis was conducted according to the age of PD onset. The frame shifts variant rs34155785, intronic variant rs7820268, and promotor region variant rs9657182 SNPs of 105 PD patients without comorbidity were analyzed and compared to 129 healthy controls. Key findings No significant correlation was found in three SNPs between PD patients and healthy controls. However, the subgroup analysis revealed that A alleles of rs7820268 SNP or rs9657182 SNP carriers contribute to later onset of PD than non-carriers. Significance The study suggested that SNPs of IDO1 influenced the age onset of PD and genotyping of SNPs in certain alleles potentially serves as a risk biomarker of PD.
Bioactive Compounds With Antiglioma Activity From Marine Species
Authors: Khotimchenko Rodion , Bryukhovetskiy Igor , Khotimchenko Maksim , Khotimchenko Yuri
Published: June 2021

The search for new chemical compounds with antitumor pharmacological activity is a necessary process for creating more effective drugs for each specific malignancy type. This review presents the outcomes of screening studies of natural compounds with high anti-glioma activity. Despite significant advances in cancer therapy, there are still some tumors currently considered completely incurable including brain gliomas. This review covers the main problems of the glioma chemotherapy including drug resistance, side effects of common anti-glioma drugs, and genetic diversity of brain tumors. The main emphasis is made on the characterization of natural compounds isolated from marine organisms because taxonomic diversity of organisms in seawaters significantly exceeds that of terrestrial species. Thus, we should expect greater chemical diversity of marine compounds and greater likelihood of finding effective molecules with antiglioma activity. The review covers at least 15 classes of organic compounds with their chemical formulas provided as well as semi-inhibitory concentrations, mechanisms of action, and pharmacokinetic profiles. In conclusion, the analysis of the taxonomic diversity of marine species containing bioactives with antiglioma activity is performed noting cytotoxicity indicators and to the tumor cells in comparison with similar indicators of antitumor agents approved for clinical use as antiglioblastoma chemotherapeutics.
Deformation and Phase Transformation of Disorder α Phase at (α+γ) two Phase Region in high Nb Containing TiAl alloy
Authors: Zhou Haitao , Kong Fantao , Wang Yanbo , Hou Xiangwu , Cui Ning , Sun Jingli
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the deformation and phase transformation of disorder α phase at (α + γ) two phase region in as-forged Ti-44Al-8Nb-(W, B, Y) alloy are investigated by hot compression and hot packed rolling. Detailed microstructural evolution demonstrates that the as-deformed microstructure is significantly affected by deformation conditions. The mircrostructure differences are mainly due to temperature drop and strain rate. The evolution of α lamelae into α grains is detailed descripted. Moreover, the disorder α lamellae can also be decomposed into some new α grains by the assisted decomposition mechanism of γ grains. Microstructure evolution model of current TiAl alloy at 1250 °C during hot rolling is built.
FluB-RAM and FluB-RANS: Genome re-arrangement as safe and efficacious live attenuated influenza B virus vaccines.
Authors: Cardenas-Garcia Stivalis , Cáceres C. Joaquín , Jain Aarti , Geiger Ginger , Mo Jong-Suk , Jasinskas Alguimantas , Nakajima Rie , Rajao Daniela S. , Davies D. Huw , Perez Daniel R
Published: June 2021

Influenza B virus (IBV) is considered a major respiratory pathogen responsible for seasonal respiratory disease in humans, particularly severe in children and the elderly. Seasonal influenza vaccination is considered the most efficient strategy to prevent and control IBV infections. Live attenuated influenza virus vaccines (LAIVs) are thought to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses by mimicking a natural infection, but their effectiveness have recently come into question. Thus, the opportunity exists to find alternative approaches to improve overall influenza vaccine effectiveness. Two alternative IBV backbones were developed with re-arranged genomes, re-arranged M (FluB-RAM) and a re-arranged NS (FluB-RANS). Both re-arranged viruses showed temperature sensitivity in vitro compared to the WT type B/Bris strain, were genetically stable over multiple passages in embryonated chicken eggs and were attenuated in vivo in mice. In a prime-boost regime in naïve mice, both re-arranged viruses induced antibodies against HA with hemagglutination inhibition titers considered of protective value. In addition, antibodies against NA and NP were readily detected with potential protective value. Upon lethal IBV challenge, mice previously vaccinated with either FluB-RAM or FluB-RANS were completely protected against clinical disease and mortality. In conclusion, genome re-arrangement renders efficacious LAIV candidates to protect mice against IBV.
COVID-19: Unmasking Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants, Vaccines and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Raman Renuka , Patel Krishna J. , Ranjan Kishu
Published: June 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic which has been a topic of major concern to global human health. The challenge to restrain the COVID-19 pandemic is further compounded by the emergence of several SARS-CoV-2 variants viz. B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P1 and, B.1.617., which show in-creased transmissibility and resistance towards vaccines and therapies. Importantly, the likelihood of susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection among individuals with dysregulated immune response or comorbidities needs greater attention. Herein, we provide a comprehensive perspective regarding ongoing vaccine (mRNA, protein-based, viral vector based etc.) and therapeutic (mono-clonal antibodies, small molecules, plasma therapy, etc.) modalities designed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss in detail the challenges posed by different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) identified across the globe and their effects on therapeutic and prophylactic interventions.
Towards Mapping Chemical Bonds in Nanostructured Materials
Authors: Nakashima Philip N. H. , Peng Ding , Tan Xiaofen , Mortazavi Anna N. , Liu Tianyu , Etheridge Joanne , Bourgeois Laure , Clarke David R.
Published: June 2021

We introduce a number of techniques in quantitative convergent-beam electron diffraction under development by our group and discuss the basis for measuring interatomic electrostatic potentials (and therefore also electron densities), localised at sub-nanometre scales, with sufficient accuracy and precision to map chemical bonds in and around nanostructures in nanostructured materials. This has never before been possible as experimental measurements of bonding in quantum crystallography have hitherto always been restricted to homogeneous single-phased crystals.
Matroid And Its Relations
Authors: Garrett Henry
Published: June 2021

In this article, the connections amid matroid and other notions have been studied. The structure of matroid could be a reflection of some other structure in lattice theory, group theory, other algebraic structure, graph theory, combinatorics and enumeration theory.
A Review of Coffee Variets, Value Chain and Growing Regions in Kenya
Authors: Ngare Innocent
Published: June 2021

Kenyan coffee is ranked among the best in the world and 99% is exported mainly to Germany, Sweden and Belgium, the USA and Saudi Arabia. Kenya produces quality Arabica beans which are generally recognized and upgraded with other relatively lower brands. In 1937, the Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) was formed to represent small farmers' interests. In 1944, in the Coffee Board of Kenya (CBA) the law required smallholders to join local growing cooperatives run by government to reduce the power of large estates to control the board. Many reforms in the coffee industry have been initiated. This review explores evolution and existing coffee varieties in Kenya, the coffee value chain and the regions that grow coffee in Kenya.
A Review of Coffee Varieties, Value Chain and Growing Regions in Kenya
Authors: Ngare Innocent
Published: June 2021

Kenyan coffee is ranked among the best in the world and 99% is exported mainly to Germany, Sweden and Belgium, the USA and Saudi Arabia. Kenya produces quality Arabica beans which are generally recognized and upgraded with other relatively lower brands. In 1937, the Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) was formed to represent small farmers' interests. In 1944, in the Coffee Board of Kenya (CBA) the law required smallholders to join local growing cooperatives run by government to reduce the power of large estates to control the board. Many reforms in the coffee industry have been initiated. This review explores evolution and existing coffee varieties in Kenya, the coffee value chain and the regions that grow coffee in Kenya. Additionally, the variety agronomics and appearance that encompass; quality potential at different altitudes, yield potential and nematodes susceptibility.
Climate Change and Rural Female Farmers in Ghana: A Study of the Wenchi Municipality
Authors: Yarney Lily , Sakyi Emmanuel Kojo , Mba Jonathan Chuks , Achamwie Peter K.
Published: June 2021

Climate change poses a major threat to development in most low and middle-income countries, especially the sub – Saharan Africa. Wurompo is a small farming community in the Wenchi Municipality of the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana that depends on rain-fed agriculture activities for livelihood. In recent years, droughts, unpredictable rainfall pattern and crop failure have become common in the area. The study assessed knowledge and awareness, effects of climate change on female farmers, and their adaptation strategies. A case study in design, qualitative methods were used to collect data from 50 purposefully selected participants. Data were analyzed using themes and sub-themes generated from the research questions. Findings showed lack of adequate information and knowledge on climate change and its effects. Climate change has impacted negatively on these farmers stemming from decline in crop production and unavailability of adequate water supply in due season. Challenges to climate change adaptation are poverty, poor basic infrastructure, and modern farming practices. Farmers must be educated on climate change and its effects, with training on the necessary adaptation strategies to build their resilience. Policies that target rural farmers to adapt to climate change, and device modern agricultural techniques and practices are also necessary.
The First 30 Days of COVID 19 Vaccination in Cameroon: Achievements, Challenges and Lessons Learned
Authors: Amani Adidja , Dove Djossaya , Bita André
Published: June 2021

Cameroon's national vaccination campaign was launched on April 12, 2021, amid a nationwide outbreak of COVID-19 with two types of vaccines. This study provides preliminary evidence of the level of coverage of the population and gives an early overview of the challenges, the achievements and the lessons learned. COVID-19 vaccine administration data were obtained from data of the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. Thirty days after the introduction of COVID 19 vaccines, five percent of the target population was vaccinated. Women represented one third of the people vaccinated regardless of age and health conditions. Although AEFI reported were minor and scanty with both vaccines, the majority of the vaccinated did not come back for their second dose. There is a need to build confidence among eligible beneficiaries in order to expand the benefits of vaccination to control the current pandemic. The country is still far below the target which could be worrisome given that the uptake is slow and, the 391 200 doses of the AstraZeneca are going to expire in August 2021. This study offers insights into those early efforts as a contribution to significant discussions about upcoming approach to improve service delivery and uptake.
Economic Dispatch in Power System Networks Including Renewable Energy Resources using Various Optimization Techniques
Authors: Jibril Mustefa , Tadesse Mesay , Hassen Nurye
Published: June 2021

Economic dispatch (ED) is an essential part of any power system network. ED is how to schedule the real power outputs from the available generators to get the minimum cost with satisfying all constraints of the network. Also it can be explained as allocating generation among the committed units with the most effective minimum way in accordance with all constraints of the system. There are many traditional methods for solving ED as the Newton-Raphson Method, Lambda-Iterative technique, Gaussian-Seidel Method, etc. All these traditional methods need the generators’ incremental fuel cost curves to be increasing linearly. But practically the input-output characteristics of a generator are highly non-linear. This causes a challenging non-convex optimization problem. Recent techniques like genetic algorithms, artificial intelligence, dynamic programming and particle swarm optimization solve nonconvex optimization problems in a powerful way and obtain a rapid and near global optimum solution. In addition, renewable energy resources as wind and photovoltaic have been a promising option due to the environmental concerns as the fossil fuels reserves are being consumed and fuel price increases rapidly and emissions are getting higher. Therefore, the world tends to replace the old power stations into renewable ones or hybrid stations. In this paper, we attempt to enhance the operation of electrical power system networks via economic dispatch. An ED problem has been solved using various techniques as particle swarm optimization and a sine-cosine algorithm and the results have been compared. Moreover, case studies have been executed using a photovoltaic-based distributed generator with constant penetration level on the IEEE 14 bus system and results are observed. All the analyses have been made on MATLAB software.
Strategies for Re-opening Physiotherapy OPDs Post COVID-19 Lockdown – A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Gill Amarjot Singh , Chawla Nistara Singh , Saini Sandeep Singh
Published: June 2021

Background: The practices of various health-care professionals have been improvised to accommodate the on-going covid-19 pandemic situation. Different guidelines have been set in place to ease the process of re-opening of non-elective healthcare services like out-patient physiotherapy clinics. Although the measures taken should be guided by evidence based information, major consensus amongst practicing therapists needs to guide the India physiotherapy clinics. Objective: To identify and present the opinions of different physiotherapists about the various strategies for re-opening the out-patient physiotherapy clinics. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted. Over 169 participants were selected to participate in the survey according to the pre-decided inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data was collected and saved via google forms. Result and conclusion: A majority of respondents had a consensus over different strategies for re-opening the physiotherapy OPDs. These were regarding different measures to be adapted including modifications in the clinic infrastructure and the practice pattern. This would help in smoothly re-instating the physiotherapy services post the covid-19 lockdown.
Co-Players in Chronic Pain: Neuroinflammation and the Tryptophan-Kynurenine Metabolic Pathway
Authors: Tanaka Masaru , Török Nóra , Tóth Fanni , Vécsei László
Published: June 2021

Chronic pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that persists or recurs more than three months and may extend beyond the expected time of healing. Recently nociplastic pain has been introduced as a descriptor of mechanism of pain, which is due to disturbance of neural processing without actual or potential tissue damage, appearing to replace a concept of psychogenic pain. An interdisciplinary task force of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) compiled a systematic classification of clinical conditions associated with chronic pain, which was published in 2018 and will officially come into effect in 2022 in the 11th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) by the World Health Organization. ICD-11 offers the option for recording the presence of psychological or social factors in chronic pain; however, cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions in the pathogenesis of chronic pain are missing. Earlier pain disorder was defined as a condition with chronic pain associated with psychological factors, but it was replaced with somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) in 2013. Recently clinical nosology is trending toward highlighting neurological pathology of chronic pain, discounting psychological or social factors in the pathogenesis of pain. This review article discusses components of the pain pathway, the component-based mechanisms of pain, central and peripheral sensitization, roles of chronic inflammation, and the involvement of tryptophan-kynurenine pathway metabolites, exploring participations of psychosocial and behavioral factors in central sensitization of diseases progressing into development of chronic pain, comorbid diseases that commonly present a symptom of chronic pain, and psychiatric disorders that manifest chronic pain without obvious actual or potential tissue damage.
The Effect of Ramadan on the Indonesian Sharia Stock Index
Authors: Husen Ulfiya , Nasarudin Indo Yama , Mubarok Faizul
Published: June 2021

As the most prominent Muslim majority country globally, Ramadan is a viral religious celebration in Indonesia. This study aims to determine the effect of the month of Ramadan on the performance of Islamic stocks in food and beverage companies. This study uses the event study method with a paired sample t-test as a test instrument. Sharia stock performance uses variable returns, abnormal returns, trading volume activity, and variability of securities returns from 2013-2020 during Shaban, Ramadan, and Syawal. This study indicates that the return variable and trading volume activity have a significant difference at the moment and after the month of Ramadan. In contrast, the other tests have no difference. Directly, during the month of Ramadan, the level of public consumption increases along with increasing needs. Indirectly, the traditions of the month of Ramadan also affect performance in the capital market. This phenomenon will affect sentiment in stock transactions based on the festive atmosphere brought by the month of Ramadan.
Quantitative Bone Marrow MRI in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Tereshchenko Galina , Kriventsova Nataliia , Kupriyanov Dmitry , Menshchikov Peter , Litvinov Dmitry , Novichkova Galina
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate, using MRI, the changes in bone marrow fat fraction (BMFF) of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in comparison with children without hematological disorders. Methods and Results: The cohort of the study subjects included 20 patients aged between 5 and 17 years (mean age of 11.2±3.6 years; 10 boys and 10 girls) with clinically and morphologically confirmed diagnosis of ALL All patients underwent MRI scanning in the acute phase of the disease before the start of specific therapy. Then, the study was repeated in 10 patients (mean age of 12.2±2.3 years; 8 boys and 2 girls) during treatment, according to the ALL-MB 2015 protocol for patients with primary ALL and according to the ALL-REZ-MB 2016 protocol for patients with relapsed ALL. The control group consisted of 24 healthy controls of the same age group (mean age of 12±2.8; 17 boys and 7 girls) with no prior hematologic diseases. MRI scanning was carried out using a Philips Achieva dStream 3T scanner with a 32-channel FlexCoverage abdominal receiving coil. The MRI protocol included images obtained with the mDIXON Quant technique in the coronal plane, completely covering the pelvic bones and lumbar spine. Fat fraction (FF) maps were generated automatically on the MRI console using the 7-peak fat model and were corrected for T2* effects. Regions of interest (ROI) measuring 150 mm2 were placed in the bodies of the left and right iliac bones (Ilium L, Ilium R) as well as in the L4 and L5 vertebral bodies, taking care to avoid blood vessels, cortical bones and areas that could potentially contain artifacts. In the group of healthy controls, BMFF value was 51%±11% in the bodies of the iliac bones and 32%±10% in the lumbar vertebrae. In the group of patients with the acute phase of the disease, BMFF was as low as 3.1%±2.6% in all the bone structures. In patients who had undergone chemotherapy, the mean BMFF increased up to 77%±7% in the iliac bones and up to 65%±13% in the vertebrae. Student's t-test for dependent samples revealed a statistically significant increase in the mean BMFF values in all the bone structures after chemotherapy (P<0.01). After specific therapy, BMFF was also significantly higher than under normal conditions (P<0.01). Conclusion: This study provides important diagnostic information for various phases of ALL treatment, especially in suspected cases of resistant or recurrent disease.
Molecular Diagnosis of Human Metapneumovirus in Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections using RT-LAMP: A Population-Based Prospective Study
Authors: Attar Ahmed Osman Gasim , Enan Khalid , Abdelghani Sara , Eltayeb Lienda Bashier
Published: June 2021

Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a major novel cause of acute respiratory infections ranging from wheezing to bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children worldwide. The aim of this study was to detect hMPV in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) by using reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay. Methods and Results: A total of 68 children with ARTIs who were clinically suspected of acquiring hMPV were included in the study in the period between January 2019 and February 2020. Posterior-pharyngeal (throat) swabs were obtained from each patient. hMPV RNA was revealed in 18(26.5%) cases. The age range was from <1 year to 10 years (mean age of 5.25±2.62). Sixteen (23.5%) of the participants were in the age group of <1 year, where the majority of hMPV-positive subjects (n=11) were found (16.2% of the total number of infected children) (P=0.0025). The majority of hMPV-negative subjects (n=15) were found in the age group of 5-10 years (22% of the total number of infected children) (P=0.0025). Cough, fever, and shortness of breath were common symptoms in hMPV-positive children: 15(83.3%), 13(72.2%), and 12(66.7%), respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between common clinical symptoms and the age group of hMPV-positive children: symptoms were common in the age group of <1 year. Conclusion: Our study represents the first report in Khartoum, Sudan, on the detection of hMPV using RT-LAMP. RT-LAMP is a valuable, quick diagnostic technique for hMPV detection.
A New Perspective on a Morphological Confirmation of the Tissue Repair Process in the Experimental Simulation of a Surgical Dental Extraction in Rats
Authors: Antonyan Arpine , Kharitonov Dmitriy , Podoprigora Anna , Stepanov Iliya , Shalaev Оleg , Belenova Irina , Lecsheva Elena , Petrosyan Alik
Published: June 2021

All stages of a surgical dental extraction are accompanied by risks of various complications. Many ways and methods have been created in order to prevent the development of complications of different genesis. However, this issue still remains relevant since dental surgeons face the challenge of inflammation problems during the post-extraction period. The use of male Wistar rats as a model organism for a surgical extraction of a lower incisor allows us to conduct visual, histological and immunohistochemical evaluations of the wound healing process. The main objective of this study was to compare the effect of ionic silver solution and hydrogen water in high concentration when irrigating the operational field of a surgical dental extraction on the lower jaw. The results obtained showed that the use of water with an increased content of molecular hydrogen during the treatment is able to stimulate the recovery of the EM of the connective periodontal tissue to a greater extent than the ionic silver solution, connected to the participation of MCs and their secretome.
Bone Marrow Adipocytes and Hematology: A Literature Review
Authors: Kriventsova Nataliia , Shestopalov Alexander , Tereshchenko Galina
Published: June 2021

This review focuses on the impact of bone marrow adipocytes on hematopoiesis and the development of hematological diseases. Bone marrow fat is a metabolically active organ capable of accumulating energy required for active hematopoiesis as well as of performing endocrine functions and participating in bone formation. Adipocytes can interact with the surrounding cells both directly and indirectly via cytokines and chemokines. Apart from their active involvement in the normal hematopoiesis, BMA have also been shown to play an important role in such diseases as leukemia, multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia. The role of fat cells in hematopoiesis is still unclear and not well studied, yet it is undoubtedly important, as demonstrated by the ever increasing number of publications supporting this conclusion.
Development of Energy-Efficient Modes of Installations for Heat Treatment of Concrete Products Using Numerical Calculation Methods
Authors: Romaniuk V. N. , Niyakovskii A. M. , Chichko A. N. , Yatskevich Yu. V.
Published: June 2021

Production of concrete and reinforced concrete products in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus and in the countries with similar climatic conditions requires heat treatment in heat-technological installations in order to achieve the desired strength of the products at the appointed time, which consumes a great amount of thermal energy.  In this case, the purpose of equipment operating  modes is associated with a number of difficulties when it comes to new products of complex spatial configuration and structure. The optimality criteria of such modes are, as a rule, the duration and temperature limits of processing, providing the required strength with minimal energy consumption. In the conditions of serial production in the case of structurally simple objects, the assignment of heat treatment modes is carried out empirically. As the analysis shows, the modes obtained in this way do not meet the above criteria, especially from the standpoint of energy saving. The paper, using a mathematical model previously developed by the authors, proposes dependencies for calculating the optimal modes of heat treatment of concrete products that are distinguished by a complex spatial shape and multi-component structure. The method is based on three-dimensional transfer equations, taking into account internal sources of heat release due to the ongoing hydration reaction of the active components of the cement clinker, and the boundary conditions corresponding to the structure of the processed product, as well as the type of heat technology device for accelerated hydration. Equations are proposed for calculating the amount of heat energy supplied to the processed product providing a given strength at a specified time. On the example of a manufactured industrial concrete product and for the conditions of an actually used device for accelerated hydration, a comparison has been made between two limiting modes of heat treatment: with isothermal exposure and in its absence. As a result of the performed calculations, the dependences of energy consumption, temperature fields and the degree of hydration in the product for both modes have been obtained and an energy-saving mode of heat treatment corresponding to the case under consideration has been developed. It is shown that the used numerical method allows to solve problems of this type and to achieve thermal energy savings.
Assessment of Thermally Stressed State of Concrete Massif
Authors: Kovshar S. N. , Ryabchikov P. V. , Gushchin S. V.
Published: June 2021

The paper describes a technique for assessing the thermally stressed state of a concrete massif of a foundation slab made of a self-compacting concrete mixture. The proposed method consists in a preliminary calculation of temperature fields in hardening concrete. The objects of research have been self-compacting concrete mix and structural concrete in the structure 

mass. The choice of materials for the preparation of a concrete mixture is given and substantiated. The composition of self-compacting concrete has been used to assess the thermally stressed state. A binder with a reduced exotherm has been used in order to reduce the self-heating of concrete. Studies have been carried out to assess the specific heat release of the recommended cement depending on the initial water-cement ratio. The effect of a chemical additive on the rate and magnitude of the specific heat release of cement has been studied.  The paper presents the main theoretical provisions and an algorithm for calculating the thermal stress state of a concrete massif. The finite difference method has been used to calculate the expected temperatures and their distribution in the structure mass, and the temperature stresses in the sections of the concrete mass have been calculated to assess the thermally stressed state. The performed calculations of the temperature fields have made it possible to estimate the maximum possible temperatures and temperature differences over the sections of the concrete massif depending on the initial temperature of the concrete mixture and the average daily temperature of the outside air. Analysis of the temperature distribution has revealed the most dangerous sections of the concrete mass. An assessment of the thermal stress state of the concrete mass has been made on the basis of the results pertaining to calculation of temperature fields. The calculation of temperature stresses in the most dangerous sections of the concrete massif has been performed. It is shown that the calculated value of the temperature stress can serve as a characteristic of the thermally stressed state of the concrete mass. The formation of temperature cracks in a concrete mass is possible when the calculated value of the temperature stress exceeds the actual tensile strength of concrete. Comparison of the calculated and actual values of temperatures in the sections of the foundation slab has made it possible to conclude that the calculations of the temperature fields and, as a consequence, possible temperature deformations are correct.
Predicting the Evenness of Road Surfaces
Authors: Burtyl Yu. V. , Salodkaya M. G. , Kovalev Ya. N.
Published: June 2021

The design of road surfaces involves application of  a sophisticated algorithm system based on mathematical calculations and engineering solutions, with the calculation of evaluation criteria.  It is precisely the observance of the standardized requirements in terms of design criteria that makes it possible to consider the design of the pavement as reliable, and the road as safe and convenient for traffic during the specified service life. When calculating the strength, based on the predicted traffic intensity and the composition of the traffic flow, calculations are carried out according to the main criteria: admissible elastic deflection, shear in layers of non-reinforced materials and in asphalt concrete, as well as the ultimate tensile stresses 

in cast-in-situ materials with the specified reliability level.  However, in the accepted concepts for  calculating the strength and reliability of road pavements,  only the force effect is directly taken into account. To take into account environmental factors, it is necessary to develop a comprehensive indicator of the resulting impact of all factors. The paper presents a complex of factors influencing on traffic safety, road deformations and irregularities the height of unevenness, in particular, an increase in the dynamic impact on the road and the amplitude of vibration of a car wheel on a road with an uneven surface (when detached from the road surface), the coincidence of the vibration frequency of the car with the natural frequencies of vibration of the road surface, and as a consequence, on the behavioral features of driving. The arguments have been substantiated that the predictive models do not take into account a number of factors that have a significant impact on the formation of irreversible deformation in the layers of materials of road structures.
Sedimentary Facies Analysis of the Fluvial Environment in the Siwalik Group of Eastern Nepal: Deciphering its Relation to Contemporary Himalayan Tectonics, Climate and Sea-Level Change.
Authors: Rai Lalit Kumar , Yoshida Kohki
Published: June 2021

The Siwalik Group, ranging from the Early Miocene to Pleistocene, is believed to be controlled by contemporary Himalayan tectonics and climate. In this study, we established the fluvial system responsible for the deposition of the Siwalik succession along the Muksar Khola section and its controlling factors. Five sedimentary facies associations are identified which are interpreted as the deposits of flood plain dominated fine-grained meandering river (FA1), flood dominated overbank environment (FA2), sandy meandering river (FA3), anastomosing river (FA4), and debris flow dominated gravelly braided river (FA5). These change in fluvial style occurred around 10.5 Ma, 10.0 Ma, 5.9 Ma and 3.5 Ma due to the effects of hinterland tectonics, climate and sea-level change. The thick succession of intraformational conglomerate reveals the intensification of monsoon started around 10.5 Ma in the eastern Nepal Himalaya. The present study show asynchronous exhumation of the Himalaya east to west brought significant difference on the fluvial environment of the Neogene foreland basin. Moreover, this study also reveals continuous drifting of the foreland basin towards the hinterland concerning depositional age.
M2M Energy Saving Strategy in 5G Millimeter Wave System
Authors: Shen Aiguo , Ye Qiubo , Yang Guangsong , Hao Xinyu
Published: June 2021

M2M (Machine to Machine) technology has a broad application prospect in 5G network, but one of the bottlenecks is the energy consumption of intelligent devices powered by battery. In this paper, we study the energy saving strategy in 5G millimeter wave system. Firstly, a Discontinuous Reception scheme based on Beam Measurement (BM-DRX) is proposed to avoid the unnecessary beamforming. Secondly, by modifying the frame structure and optimizing the beamforming, the time of beamforming is further shortened and the power consumption is also saved. Finally, based on the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) data model, the beam misalignment events are regarded as Poisson distribution, and the semi-Markov process is used to analyze the BM-DRX. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can not only meets the delay performance, but also saves the energy consumption of the system.
A Bibliometric Analysis of publications in Ambio in the Last Four Decades
Authors: Ho Yuh-Shan , Gatto Andrea
Published: June 2021

Ambio is a leading journal in environmental science and policy, sustainable development and human-environment interactions. The paper at hand aims to run a bibliometric analysis to inspect the main publications features of Ambio in Science Citation Index Expanded SCI-EXPANDED. For this scope, a bibliometric survey has been carried out to investigate the journal’s historic characteristics in the Web of Science (WoS) categories of environmental sciences and environmental engineering for Ambio from 1980 to 2019. These are the categories for which the journal has been indexed throughout the indexed time frame. The paper proposes technical and methodological innovations, including improvements in the methods and original characteristics analyzed. Documents published in Ambio were searched out from SCI-EXPANDED. Six publication indicators were applied to evaluate the publication performance of countries, institutes and authors. Three citation indicators were used to compare publications. As a parameter, the journals’ impact factor contributor was applied to compare the most frequently cited publications. The journals’ impact factor contributing publications were also discussed. Results show that Sweden ranked top in six publication indicators and that the top three productive institutes were located in Sweden. A low percentage of productive authors emerged as a journal’s impact factor contributor. Similarly, a low relationship between the IF contributing publications and the highly cited publications were also found. Less than half of the top 100 highly cited publications in Ambio did not lie within the high impact in most the recent year of 2019. Three members of the advisory board in Ambio were the main productive authors. T.V. Callaghan contributed to most of the publications while papers published by J. Rockstrom as first and corresponding author contributed the most to the journal’s impact factor. An article authored by Steffen et al. (2007) scored the highest total citations in 2019.
Quantitative Proteomics by iTRAQ-PRM based Reveals the New Characterization for Gout.
Authors: Chen Guangqi , Cheng Jiafen , Yu Hanjie , Huang Xiao , Bao Hui , Qin Ling , Wang Ling , Song Yaxiang , Liu Xinying , Peng Ai
Published: June 2021

BackgroundGout is a common and complex form of immunoreactive arthritis based on hyperuricemia, while the symptoms would turn to remission or even got worse. So, it is hard to early identify whether an asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AHU) patient will be susceptible to get acute gout attack and it is also hard to predict the process of gout remission to flare. Here, we report that the plasma proteins profile can distinguish among acute gout (AG), remission of gout (RG), AHU patients, and healthy controls.MethodsWe established an isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) based method to measure the plasma proteins for AG group (n=8), RG group(n=7), AHU group(n=7) and healthy controls(n=8).Resultseleven differentially expressed proteins such as Histone H2A, Histone H2B, Thrombospondin-1 (THBS1), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Complement C2, Complement component C8 beta chain (C8B), Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (ORM1), Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4), Carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1), Serum albumin (ALB) and Multimerin-1 (MMRN1) were identified. Histone H2A, Histone H2B and THBS1 might be the strongest influential regulator to maintain the balance and stability of the gout process. The complement and coagulation cascades is one of the main functional pathways in the mechanism of gout process.ConclusionsHistone H2A, Histone H2B and THBS1 may be novel biomarkers in discriminating gout attack from AHU or RG, providing new theoretical insights for the prognosis, treatment, and management of gout process.Trial registrationThis study is not a clinical trial.
Long-Term Electrically Stable Silver Nanowire Composite Transparent Electrode Under High Current Density
Authors: Wang Kaiqing , Jin Yunxia , Xiao Fei
Published: June 2021

Silver nanowire (AgNW) network has been employed to many electronic devices as transparent electrode. However, the poor electrical stability under current has been seriously holding its practical application, and we still lack long-term electrically stable AgNW system to study the underlying fundamental of electrical failure. In this work, the electrical performance and failure mechanism of chitosan-ascorbic acid (Chi-AsA)/AgNW composite under current stress were thoroughly studied. The composite electrode maintained stability above 24000 h under high current density of 100 mA cm-1. The main failure in AgNW composite is found to be a wave break perpendicular to the current rather than traditional uniform degradation across AgNW networks. More interestingly, the AgNWs in failed composite electrode kept their original smooth morphology excepting the crack area, while the AgNWs in pristine networks degraded to nanoparticles or became disconnected everywhere. The patterned AgNW composite in microscale exhibits similar long lifetime in resisting current stress as the bulk composite film. The effect of over-coating position, electrical stress, temperature and over-coating materials on the electrical stability were studied. The over-coating layer of Chi-AsA is proven to suppress the silver atoms from migration, reduce the concentrated Joule heating at junctions, and inhibit the corrosion. The Chi-AsA/AgNW composite enables electrically stable transparent conductor for next-generation optoelectronics, and the mechanism investigation may provide effective means of preparing electrically stable AgNW systems.
Patterns and determinants of effective coverage of routine maternal and newborn health visits in Nepal: Analysis of the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Khatri Resham , Durham Jo , Karkee Rajendra , Assefa Yibeltal
Published: June 2021

Background Antenatal care (ANC) visits, institutional delivery, and postnatal care (PNC) visits are vital for improved health of mothers and newborns. Access of these routine maternal and newborn health (MNH) visits have increased in the last few decades in Nepal; however, little is known on the effective uptake (including timely, skilled, frequent, and adequate care) of essential MNH interventions during those visits. This study examined the patterns of effective coverage (EC) of routine MNH visits and their determinants in Nepal. Methods A secondary analysis was conducted taking data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016. The study included 1,978 women aged 15–49 years who had a live birth in the two years preceding the survey. Three outcome variables were EC of i) at least 4ANC visits, ii) institutional delivery, and iii) first PNC visit for newborns and mothers within 48 hours of childbirth. The independent variables included several structural, intermediary and health system factors. Binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted, and the magnitude of EC was reported as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The statistical significance level was set at p<0.05 (two-tailed).Results The effective coverage of 4ANC visits, institutional delivery, and PNC visit was 52%, 33% and 23%, respectively. Women with advantaged ethnicity were more likely and women living in province six, who speak the Maithili language, who had high birth order (≥4) were less likely to have good EC of MNH visits compared to their reference categories. Women who had access to a bank account, completed at least 4ANC visits or had caesarian-section delivery were more likely to have good EC of MNH visits. Women who perceived problem if not seen by female providers had poor EC of MNH visits compared to their reference counterpart. Conclusions Women with ethnic and social disadvantages and remote areas had poor EC of MNH visits. Continuous monitoring of EC of MNH visits is vital, especially among women with markers of disadvantages. Policies and programs should focus on increasing the uptake of essential MNH interventions, especially among women with social disadvantages and those living in remote areas.
Sparse Channel Estimation for DCO-OFDM VLC Systems in the Presence of Clipping Noise
Authors: Bektas Ekin Basak , Panayirci Erdal
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a new iterative channel estimation algorithm is proposed that exploits channel sparsity in the time domain for DC-biased optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM (DCO-OFDM) systems in indoor visible light communications (VLC) in the presence of a clipping noise. A path-based channel model is used, in which the channel is described by a limited number of paths, each characterized by a delay and channel gain. Making use of the pilot symbols, overall sparse channel tap delays and path gains were initially estimated by the compressed sensing approach, in the form of the Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) and the least-squares (LS) algorithms, respectively. Then a computationally efficient and novel iterative channel estimation algorithm is developed that estimates the clipping noise in the time-domain and compensated for its effect in the frequency-domain. Computer simulation results show that the algorithm converges in maximum two iterations and that yields excellent mean square error (MSE) and bit error rate (BER) performance, outperforming those channel estimation algorithms, which do not have the clipping noise mitigation capability.