bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cybersecurity as a response to combating cybercrime
Authors: Mphatheni Mandlenkosi Richard , Maluleke Witness
Published: June 2022

Cybercrime is touted as any harmful behaviour that is in some way related to a computer but does not have a specific legal reference. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore cybersecurity as a response to combating cybercrime, focusing on demystifying the prevailing threats, while offering recommendations to the African regions. Moreover, this qualitative study employed a non-empirical research design: Systematic review methodology to analyse grey literature and primary research studies peer-reviewed and published, restricted from 2010-2022, not following yearly sequential consideration. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Critical Appraisal Skill Programme (CASP) were employed to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings of this study based on reviewed conventional and seminal literature studies on this subject. The main findings of this study rest on a lack of a common universal definition of cybercrime, this has an impact on its prevention and ignores enormous economic value associated with the commission of this crime across the world, African regions included. It was also observed that this criminal act is presently committed with internet usage, consisting of copyright infringements, computer-related fraud, child or adult pornography, and network security violations, amongst others. Equally, addressing this scourge in African regions requires advanced skills and knowledge; exceeding the average computer and internet user.  It is also critical to recognise the importance of implementing efficient cybersecurity methods, as policing this crime remains an important component of the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA), and more innovative strategies are required and a globally coordinated response to this problem is urgently sought.
Corporate governance mechanism and profitability
Authors: Najamuddin Yunan , Laraswati Laraswati , Arifin Johan , Meidawati Neni , Kholid Muamar Nur
Published: June 2022

This study aims to examine the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on the percentage of profits in manufacturing companies. The population in this study is manufacturing companies in the industrial & chemical sector, which are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the 2017-2019 period. The samples were selected using the purposive sampling method and resulted in 34 manufacturing companies in the industrial and chemical sectors. Data were taken from the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2017-2019 period. The independent variable in this study is corporate governance with a focus on the board of commissioners and the audit committee, while the dependent variable is the effect of profit percentage on manufacturing companies. This study used simple linear regression analysis. From the regression analysis in this study, the two corporate governance proxies which include the board of commissioners and the audit committee have a significant positive effect on company profits. These results provide evidence that the existence of a board of commissioners and an audit committee in manufacturing companies in Indonesia has been effectively associated with the company’s profit percentage gain.
Assessing the effect of proactive maintenance scheduling on maintenance costs and airline profitability
Authors: Berkcan Okan , Aksoy Tamer
Published: June 2022

This study mainly aims to examine the perception of Turkish Airlines Technic staff about the effect of proactive maintenance scheduling (PMS) on maintenance costs (MCs) and airline profitability (AP). Another purpose of the study is to reveal if the perception of the staff changes according to the demographic features and experience of the staff. As far as it is known, there is no direct study addressing the effects of PMS on MCs and airline profitability. The study is considered to be a first in this context.  In the study, Turkish Airlines-THY was chosen as the company that was handled. The fact that the company has a separate special maintenance & repair group (Turkish Airlines Technic-THYT) was effective in the selection of this company. Some additional qualifications (very rooted, with corporate governance, Turkey's top largest & full-service carrier, member of IATA and Star Alliance, and a listed company (in BIST) were also among other factors affecting the selection. Methodologically, it was used a quantitative survey with a sample of 133 THYT staff. The staff has been chosen among departments that take place actively/directly in maintenance. Besides questions that aim to measure the perception of THYT staff on the effects of PMS on MCs and AP, some demographic and experience-related questions were asked in order to find out if the perception of the staff changes according to their qualifications. The data were collected by online survey method and analyzed with SPSS version 22. Necessary tests together with Chi-square and Fisher’s tests were carried out to analyze the results. It was concluded that there is a strong correlation between PMS and the MCs. The study proved that PMS has a great decreasing effect on MCs and a great increasing effect on AP. The study also revealed that THYT personnel is like-minded and that PMS reduces MCs and increases AP as well.
Impact of digital transformation on strategy in the insurance sector
Authors: Musaigwa Misheck , Mutula Stephen
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this research which is predicated on a qualitative case study design was to examine digital transformation in an insurance firm in Gauteng Province of South Africa with an extensive footprint throughout the country. The study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the insurance organisation’s response to the implementation of digital transformation and how it affects the organisational strategy. Purposive sampling was adopted to select participants, who are managers and heads of departments. Data was collected through in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The study found that the firm understands the significance of incorporating digital transformation into the strategy. The findings revealed that the firm is taking steps to incorporate digital transformation in the business strategy, however, they are not doing enough to fully address the problem of slow adoption. It was recommended that the company should fully embrace digital transformation and consider undertaking fundamental changes in the business strategy or to redefine the strategy.
Post- Burundi’s armed conflict and trust issues in land redistribution: Towards peacebuilding
Authors: Chigudu Daniel
Published: June 2022

It is a daunting task to restore dispossessed land after armed conflicts. Burundi is stuck in this quagmire following years of violent conflicts. Although land restitution is meant to pacify nationals, this depends on the prevailing political, economic, and social circumstances. This study explores these circumstances focused on the armed conflict legacies in Burundi and the disparities between those people who stayed put when violent conflict erupted and displaced people who got back home. The study reveals that in post-Burundi conflict, redressing land issues could flop if governance challenges, trust, and shifting dynamics of politics are inadequately dealt with.
Assessment of factors influencing natural rubber production among smallholder farmers in Liberia using Fuzzy AHP
Authors: Sumo Peter Davis , Himbye Kollie Samuel , Sanoe Alieu A. , Gono Mercy , Sumo Dorris Z.
Published: June 2022

Natural Rubber (NR) is an important agricultural product utilized in various sectors. NR is one of the world's biggest industries and a critical component in many industries such as automotive, manufacturing, and medicine. Liberia is a top producer of NR with over 127 years of production history. However, since 2014, Liberia's NR net production has decreased by 0.7% year on year and has fallen behind Sri Lanka. NR production in Liberia has experienced scant performance due to many factors. In this project, we employ mixed-method research to examine the factors influencing the decline of the Liberian NR supply chain and propose solutions that will further stimulate the industry's growth. We conduct an MCDM study among 34 smallholder rubber farmers from Grand Bassa, Margibi and Bong counties. Their grading of ten policy objectives and recommendations are programmed using Fuzzy AHP.
Effect of carbon fibers on the mechanical properties of steam-cured concrete
Authors: Canbaz Mehmet , Bensaoud Mouad , Erol Hakan , Şengel H. Selim
Published: June 2022

While the use of the steam-curing method in the precast concrete can result in an early high compressive strength and thus can increase the production rate of structural elements, it should be noted that the steam-curing method has some negative effects on the mechanical properties of concrete due to the fact that the high-temperature steam causes micro-cracks. On the other hand, the inclusion of carbon fibers enhanced the overall mechanical properties in terms of high tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. This paper aimed to investigate the effect of adding carbon fibers to steam-cured concrete. Twenty-seven cube specimens of 15 cm dimensions were used to investigate the unit weights, the ultrasonic pulse velocity, the compressive strength, and the split tensile strength of the concrete. Three different mixes were made by adding carbon fibers (0%, 0.12% and 0.24%) by weight to the concrete. Three of each were kept in a standard curing environment for 3, 7 and 28 days. Three specimens of each mix were steam-cured for 4 hours, and three specimens were steam-cured for 8 hours. The result showed a significant increase in the rate of gaining compressive strength under steam-curing with an enhancement in the tensile strength due to the presence of fibers, all without compromising the integrity of the concrete and without increasing the amount of voids.
Modification of Schmertmann-Hartman-Brown method to estimate immediate (elastic) settlement of shallow foundations
Authors: Aytekin Mustafa
Published: June 2022

One of the methods intensively employed in many practical projects to estimate the immediate (elastic) settlement of shallow foundations is the Schmertmann-Hartman-Brown method (1978). In the method, two approaches are given as a function of type of the shallow foundation either a square/circular (axisymmetric condition) or a strip (plain strain condition) foundation. Thus, two sets of equations are provided to estimate the settlements for these types of shallow foundations. If a shallow foundation has a shape of rectangular, some approximations are suggested in the technical literature to estimate the elastic settlement of rectangular based shallow foundations. These approximations are tedious and time consuming. In this study, the Schmertmann – Hartman – Brown method (1978) is modified and only one set of equations used for any type (square, circular, rectangular, and strip) of shallow foundations is introduced. The modified method estimates the immediate settlement as precise as the original form of the method that is more complicated. Also, some hypothetical cases are considered to figure out the effect of width and length/width ratios of foundations on elastic settlement.
A four-gene signature-derived risk score for glioblastoma: prospects for prognostic and response predictive analyses
Authors: Cao Mianfu , Cai Juan , Yuan Ye , Shi Yu , Wu Hong , Liu Qing , Yao Yueliang , Chen Lu , Dang Weiqi , Zhang Xiang , Xiao Jingfang , Yang Kaidi , He Zhicheng , Yao Xiaohong , Cui Yonghong , Zhang Xia , Bian Xiuwu
Published: June 2022

Objective: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor regulated by numerous genes, with poor survival outcomes and unsatisfactory response to therapy. Therefore, a robust, multi-gene signature-derived model is required to predict the prognosis and treatment response in GBM. Methods: Gene expression data of GBM from TCGA and GEO datasets were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through DESeq2 or LIMMA methods. The DEGs were then overlapped and used for survival analysis by univariate and multivariate COX regression. Based on the gene signature of multiple survival-associated DEGs, a risk score model was established, and its prognostic and predictive role was estimated through KaplanMeier analysis and log-rank test. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to explore high-risk score-associated pathways. Western blot was used for protein detection. Results: Four survival-associated DEGs of GBM were identified: OSMR, HOXC10, SCARA3, and SLC39A10. The four-gene signature-derived risk score was higher in GBM than in normal brain tissues. GBM patients with a high-risk score had poor survival outcomes. The high-risk group treated with temozolomide chemotherapy or radiotherapy survived for a shorter duration than the low-risk group. GSEA showed that the high-risk score was enriched with pathways such as vasculature development and cell adhesion. Western blot confirmed that the proteins of these four genes were differentially expressed in GBM cells. Conclusions: The four-gene signature-derived risk score functions well in predicting the prognosis and treatment response in GBM and will be useful for guiding therapeutic strategies for GBM patients.
Prevalence and clinical significance of pathogenic germline BRCA1/2 mutations in Chinese non-small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Hu Xingsheng , Yang Dongyong , Li Yalun , Li Li , Wang Yan , Chen Peng , Xu Song , Pu Xingxiang , Zhu Wei , Deng Pengbo , Ye Junyi , Zhang Hanhan , Lizaso Analyn , Liu Hao , Mao Xinru , Huang Hai , Chu Qian , Hu Chengping
Published: June 2022

Objective: Germline alterations in the breast cancer susceptibility genes type 1 and 2, BRCA1 and BRCA2, predispose individuals to hereditary cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. Accumulating evidence suggests inherited genetic susceptibility to lung cancer. The present study aimed to survey the prevalence of pathogenic germline BRCA mutations (gBRCAm) and explore the potential association between gBRCAm and disease onset in Chinese advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: A total of 6,220 NSCLC patients were screened using capture-based ultra-deep targeted sequencing to identify patients harboring germline BRCA1/2 mutations. Results: Out of the 6,220 patients screened, 1.03% (64/6,220) of the patients harbored the pathogenic gBRCAm, with BRCA2 mutations being the most predominant mutations (49/64, 76.5%). Patients who developed NSCLC before 50 years of age were more likely to carry gBRCAm (P = 0.036). Among the patients harboring classic lung cancer driver mutations, those with concurrent gBRCAm were significantly younger than those harboring the wild-type gBRCA (P = 0.029). By contrast, the age of patients with or without concurrent gBRCAm was comparable to those of patients without the driver mutations (P = 0.972). In addition, we identified EGFR-mutant patients with concurrent gBRCAm who showed comparable progression-free survival but significantly longer overall survival (P = 0.002) compared to EGFR-mutant patients with wild-type germline BRCA. Conclusions: Overall, our study is the largest survey of the prevalence of pathogenic gBRCAm in advanced Chinese NSCLC patients. Results suggested a lack of association between germline BRCA status and treatment outcome of EGFR-TKI. In addition, results showed a positive correlation between pathogenic gBRCAm and an early onset of NSCLC.
Lerp-feeding behaviour of the flower-visiting Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna
Authors: Sazima Ivan , Sazima Marlies
Published: June 2022

Besides the primary diet of nectar, pollen, and fruits, the flower-visiting Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna feeds on lerps. However, a description of its behaviour while foraging on this latter source seems to be lacking. We describe and illustrate the feeding behaviour of the Musk Lorikeet on Spondylaspidinae psylloid lerps. The lerps were within young deformed eucalypt leaves, and the Lorikeet had to open a deformed leaf and remove the starchy lerps to feed on them. The Lorikeet took c. 1 minute to process each leaf, which suggests that these lerps are an important or satisfying food.
Estudos do despovoamento rural no Chile: abordagens para um quadro analítico da ecologia política latino-americana
Authors: Uribe-Sierra Sergio Elías , Mansilla-Quiñones Pablo
Published: June 2022

Se propone hacer una revisión documental sobre el despoblamiento rural para ubicar sus principales antecedentes, corrientes y visiones de estudio en Latinoamérica y otros espacios geográficos, con énfasis en Chile para exponer la forma en que la relación entre extractivismo y despoblamiento rural ha sido tratada con la intención de contrastar los resultados con los insumos teóricos de la ecología política latinoamericana y de plantear un análisis integral de este fenómeno. Los resultados muestran que en Chile los factores que han impulsado históricamente el despoblamiento de zonas rurales fueron la dictadura militar, los planes de ordenamiento territorial, industrialización y urbanización, la transformación de la estructura agraria, el cambio climático y el extractivismo. Se constató que los estudios sobre este último factor han omitido la forma en que se produce el despoblamiento, en general en contextos de estructuras de poder desigual y de tensiones territoriales entre distintos modelos de desarrollo y de formas de habitar el espacio. Se propone el campo de la ecología política latinoamericana para abordar los procesos de despoblamiento rural vinculados al extractivismo, cuyos insumos teóricos pueden contribuir a la comprensión más amplia del problema y a la construcción de respuestas con y desde los propios territorios.
The current legislation on land protection in Slovakia with particular regard to the decision of the Slovak Constitutional Court on unconstitutional provisions of the Act on land acquisition
Authors: Szinek Csütörtöki Hajnalka
Published: June 2022

The accession of the Slovak Republic to the European Union opened a whole new chapter in the country's history and brought dynamic changes to its land transfer legislation. In the Slovak Republic, the moratorium forbidding the purchase of agricultural land by foreigners expired in 2014. Following this period, the European Commission launched a comprehensive examination of the legal status of land acquisitions in the new Member States. The investigation revealed that certain provisions of the Slovak land regulation restricted the EU’s fundamental economic freedoms. Even before this revelation, Act no. 140/2014 Coll. on the acquisition of ownership of agricultural land had been the subject of numerous public debates. Consequently, the Slovak Constitutional Court annulled a significant part of the Act on land acquisition in its decision of November 14, 2018. This article introduces the current legislation on land protection in Slovakia and describes the aforementioned decision of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic in detail.
The constitutional aspect of regulations limiting agricultural land transactions in Poland
Authors: Blajer Paweł A.
Published: June 2022

The article aims to analyse the constitutional aspects of the regulation on land transactions in Poland. After the general introduction, it scrutinises the notion of agricultural real estate and the self-farming obligation. In the end, it concludes by shedding light on the constitutional law problems arising from the regulation in force. Moreover, the article gives an in-depth analysis on the current Polish land transaction regime.
The Value of 2 Orthopaedic Learning Platforms from the Learners' and Educators' Point of View
Authors: Volaski Harrison , Sharfman Zachary T. , Levy I. Martin
Published: June 2022

Background:

Online learning platforms are a staple of orthopaedic resident education. These platforms typically address a user's knowledge base, aiming to improve OITE and AAOS Board Examination scores. Orthopaedic residents often use these platforms as their primary educational resource. However, an orthopaedic surgeon is more than an orthopaedic knowledge base; acquisition of clinical acumen is integral as well. We sought to investigate the following: From a learner's and educator's perspective, do Orthobullets (OB) and Clinical Classroom (CC) contribute to both knowledge base and clinical acumen?

Methods:

Thirty residents and 16 attending surgeons at a single institution were assigned to review topics and complete questions on either the OB and CC platform. Participants then filled out surveys regarding the platform they were assigned, switched platforms, and completed a final survey. Independent-samples Student t tests and χ2 tests were used to analyze differences in continuous and categorical data.

Results:

Residents and attendings reported a preference for OB for fact acquisition, relevance to the OITE, and explanation of answers. Senior residents (PGY5) and attending surgeons reported that CC had a greater impact on their clinical acumen. Junior residents (PGY1, PGY2, and PGY3) reported the opposite. Participants responded that both platforms expand a learner's knowledge base and clinical acumen.

Conclusions:

Learners and educators felt both platforms addressed knowledge base and clinical acumen. Junior residents reported a preference for OB to CC to advance their knowledge base and clinical acumen, but senior residents and attendings felt the opposite was true. Based on survey responses, these platforms were found to be additive, complementary, and that their value to the learner changes during the course of residency education.

Level of Evidence:

III.
From Moscow to the Ocean: Artistic and Philosophical Comprehension of the Capital Sample in L.M. Leonov’s Works
Authors:   Moscow Pedagogical State University, Vorobyev Andrey A.
Published: June 2022

The article undertakes an attempt to show transformation of Moscow image as the capital of the USSR in the works written by the Russian and Soviet writer L.M. Leonov. Sources of this work are based on the writer’s journalist articles as well as on his philosophical novel – “The Road to the Ocean” (1935). The author displays that L.M. Leonov was focused not really on development of the “capital mythology”, transforming with his word a city geographic space by his right of the prominent author, but he also tried to conceptualize and to present the idea of renovated Moscow itself, as a centre of actual and perspec­tive communist world in artistic and philosophical mode. The writer attempted to develop generally convincing optimistic eschatology of communism, which was expressed in the super-city idea, the global capital named Ocean with its headstream originated in Moscow, the capital of the USSR. This optimistic es­chato­logy was considered, among other, as a didactic message for the writer’s contemporaries; the new future required the new brand of Soviet people, who should be trained using distinctly formulated aim (despite it was an utopic one). It is concluded that urban educational practices should not be focused only on “external” city space, but also take into account its complicated “internal” ideological background which has direct or indirect influence on education of the new generations.
The Taima Mandala Legend, Taima man­dara engi, Trans. by Maria V. Toropygina
Authors:   Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Toropygina Maria V.
Published: June 2022

The publication contains translation with the commentary of the text of Taima mandara engi (History of the origin of the mandala of the Taima temple), which is placed on two illustrated scrolls stored in the Komyōji temple in Kamakura. The creation of the scrolls dates back to the 13th century. The text contains the legend about the emergence of the mandala, which depicts the Pure Land of Buddha Amida (Amitabha, Amitayus), kept in the Taima temple. The mandala illustrates one of the “three principal Pure Land sutras” – The Sutra on Contem­plation of Amitaus. According to the legend, the mandala was created in re­sponse to the passionate desire of the daughter of Minister Yokohagi, who
The A.V. Smirnov’s Concept of Logic of Sense and Philosophy of Consciousness (Proceedings of the “Round Table”)
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pruzhinin Boris I. , Lektorsky Vladislav A. ,   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Boroday Sergey Yu. ,   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kasavina Natalia A. ,   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Konev Vladimir A. ,   Samara National Research University, Mikhailov Igor F. ,   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pavlov-Pinus Konstantin A. ,   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Paribok Andrey V. ,   Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Pskhu Ruzana V. ,   Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Ryskeldiyeva Lora T. ,   Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Smirnov Andrey V. ,   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Solondaev Vladimir K. ,   P.G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University
Published: June 2022

In February 2022, a “round table” was held to discuss the concept of the “logic of sense”, elaborated by A.V. Smirnov in a number of monographs and articles. The participants focused their attention on the following questions: • What are the implications of the thesis about the possibility of initially vari­able ways of sense-positing?• What philosophical conclusions are implied by non-universality of Euro­pean reason and non-universality of philosophy in its European version? • What are the epistemological perspectives of logic of substance and logic of process? • Do we recognize the variability of the ability of judgment, i.e. variability of methods of subject-predicate linking, modifying Kant’s thesis postulat­ing its invariance? • Is P-logic possible as an organon of probative thinking? • If all the big cultures are based on specific logics of sense-positing, will then the philosophical culturology and typology of big cultures be a study of consciousness in its variability and typological completeness? • Is a philosophical study of non-Western cultures indispensable to philoso­phy of consciousness? The discussion opened up prospects for further research on this issue. The round table proceedings are published below.
The Meaning of the Boundary Phenomenon and Its Social Transformation during the First Wave of COVID-19 and Lockdown in Russia
Authors:   Russian University of Transport, Klepikova Liubov V. , Murmantsev Vladimir S. ,   Russian University of Transport
Published: June 2022

The Russian lockdown 2020 introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic pro­duced a number of changes not only in the public health, economic and justice system, but also in the sphere of understanding by society of its own place in so­cial reality. The article deals with the question of transformations in social under­standing of physical space. The authors primarily emphasize the changes of boundary phenomenon in the public perception. During the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, in the conditions of information deficit and physical clo­sure of borders, Russia found itself in the situation, when the lack of precise knowledges about the events, associated with the global pandemic led to the degradation of established ideas about the surrounding space. The purpose of this article is to highlight the key factors, which led to the qualitative changes in the boundary understanding on the level of the social existence. For the achieve­ment of this goal the authors consecutively solve the following problems: to ana­lyze the types of the boundaries, that have been existing in the public discourse before the lockdown; to follow the process of the new boundaries-understanding genesis and to highlight the main media-factors, that led to the transformations of the boundary-phenomenon in the modern society. The methodical system of this research bases on the analyses of the narrations, existing in the Russian soci­ety short before the lockdown (spring 2020). The special attention was paid to the media background, that had constructed world view of an individual at the pan­demic’s beginning. The authors conclude, that the lockdown not only restricted the physical space for a human, but also influenced in the qualitative way on the human’s spiritual and emotional space perception. From the line, dividing two political entities, the boundary turned into the special bastion, whose func­tion consisted in, first, separation from the unknown space, where there was the danger of COVID-19, second, physic protection from this danger.
Practical Bayesian Inversions for Rock Composition and Petrophysical Endpoints in Multimineral Analysis
Authors: Cheng Liwei , Jin Ge , Michelena Reinaldo , Tura Ali
Published: June 2022

Rock composition can be related to conventional well logs through theoretical equations and petrophysical endpoints. Multimineral analysis is a formation evaluation tool that uses inversions to quantify rock composition from well logs. However, because of data errors and the multivariate selection of petrophysical endpoints, solutions from the multimineral analysis are nonunique. Many plausible realizations exhibit comparable data misfits. Therefore, the uncertainties in rock composition and petrophysical endpoints must be quantified but cannot be fulfilled by deterministic solvers. Stochastic Bayesian methods have been applied to assess the uncertainties, but the high run time, tedious parameter tuning, and need for specific prior information hinder their practical use. We implement Markov chain Monte Carlo with ensemble samplers (MCMCES) to assess the uncertainties of rock composition or petrophysical endpoints in the Bayesian framework. The resultant posterior probability density functions (PDFs) quantify the uncertainties. Our method has fewer tuning parameters and is more efficient in convergence than the conventional random walk Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods in high-dimensional problems. We present two independent applications of MCMCES in multimineral analysis. We first apply MCMCES to assess the uncertainties in volume fractions with a suite of well logs and petrophysical endpoints. However, defining the petrophysical endpoints can be challenging in complex geological settings because the values of standard endpoints may not be optimal. Next, we use MCMCES to estimate petrophysical endpoints’ posterior PDFs when the endpoints are uncertain. Our methods provide posterior volume-fraction or petrophysical-endpoint realizations for interpreters to evaluate multimineral solutions. We demonstrate our approach with synthetic and field examples. Reproducible results are supplemented with the paper.
Optimum design of 3D reinforced concrete frames using IPGO algorithm
Authors: Kaveh Ali , Ardebili Shaylin Rezazadeh
Published: June 2022

In this paper, optimum design of three-dimensional (3D) multi-story reinforced concrete (RC) structures is obtained using an improved version of the plasma generation optimization (IPGO) algorithm. The reinforcing bars and geometry of the cross-sections are considered as discrete variables that are chosen from a prearranged section database. The objective function is obtained from the cost of the framework, steel and concrete. The moment and shear frames are selected to design according to the American Concrete Institute’s Building Code (ACI 318-8) requirements. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is investigated in the optimum design of 3D RC frames subjected to lateral seismic forces according to ASCE 7 requirements. Also, moment frames and their shear frame counterparts are considered and compared for optimal design. The results indicate a good performance of the proposed algorithm to find an optimal solution for 3D RC frames.
Spatiotemporal trends in pine wilt disease in China and the impact of climatic factors
Authors: Du Jingjing , Wu Zongren , Zhang Chao , Yu Ailin , Li Ping , Luo Youqing , Shi Juan
Published: June 2022

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is number one invasive alien species in China's forestry. Since it invaded China in 1982, it has spread to 18 provinces (cities) in 2020. In order to clarify its expansion law and the impact of climate factors, we collected the the census data of pine wilt disease (PWD) from 2010 to 2020, as well as the meteorological data. The "centroid model" was used to analyze the movement of the centroid of the epidemic area in China, and the results showed that the center of PWD occurrence was basically located in Jiangxi Province. Compared with the centroid position of North America (The native production), the centroid position where PWD occurs in China is southward, and the difference between the two is 10.5195°. By comparing the distribution of south boundary, north boundary and centroid of PWD in the native area of North America, it shows that Bursaphelenchus xylophilus can flourish in all regions of China, and the PWD epidemic in China will spread to the North in the future. In addition, the relationship between PWD epidemic and temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and relative humidity in Jiangxi Province was quantitatively analyzed using redundancy analysis (RDA). It shows that the relationship between PWD and temperature is the most closely, which is positive correlation, followed by precipitation, which is negative correlation. Meanwhile, the effect of wind speed on PWD is second only to precipitation and temperature. These analysis results have certain significance for the prevention and control of PWD.
Isorhamnetin improves cognitive impairment of Alzheimer’s disease through Sirt1/AKT/ERK/CREB signaling pathway
Authors: Ying Li , Rong-Wei Zhang , Sha Sha
Published: June 2022

Isorhamnetin (IH) is one of a flavonoid with extensive pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation and antioxidation. Although IH has a protective effect in neurological diseases, its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not very clear. In order to explore the effect and mechanism of IH in AD, 4-month-old APP/PS1mice treated with IH in 50 mg/kg/d for 3 months and Morris water maze and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect whether IH could improve AD pathology. The mechanisms of IH improving AD pathology were detected by Western blot. The results showed that after IH treatment, the time of escape latency was significantly reduced and the number of crossing the platform was significantly increased, suggesting that IH can improve the cognitive impairment of mice. Moreover, IH significantly decreased senile plaques deposition in the brain and increased the expression of ADAM10 in APP/PS1 mice through activating Sirt1/AKT/ERK/CREB pathway. Furthermore, IH reduced ROS formation, GP91 expression, upregulated the expression of SOD1 and Nrf2. Moreover, IH inhibited astrocytes activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and TNF-α release. In conclusion, IH improved cognitive function, inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation response in AD. Therefore, we suggest that IH may be considered as a potential drug for AD treatment.
Evaluation of Optimum Thickness of Insulation Materials and Their Carbon Mitigation Potential in Indian Climatic Zone
Authors: Mahapatra Debasish , Madav Vasudeva , Setty Ashok Babu Talanki Puttaranga
Published: June 2022

Buildings consume an enormous amount of energy and are responsible for emitting massive carbon dioxide. About 33% of total energy is consumed for achieving thermal comfort in buildings. Although building insulation is a sustainable and economical option for passive cooling and guarantees long-term return, its use is still minimal in India. Only 4% of building out of all green-rated buildings are residential In India. In this study, optimum insulation thickness of cellulose, corn-based insulation, polyurethane, and polystyrene when used with different plastered brick materials having different absorptivity of the external surface is evaluated using the life cycle costing method. Four cities of India, such as Delhi, Jodhpur, Mangalore and Pune, are considered for this study to cover all the climatic zones of India. The cost-saving that can be achieved by using optimum insulation thickness is in the range of 15.6$/m2-133.3$/m2, 23.5$/m2-171.2$/m2, 15.9$/m2-147.4$/m2 and 5.7$/m2-106.3$/m2 in Delhi, Jodhpur, Mangalore and Pune, respectively. The carbon mitigation potential of optimum insulations is in the range of 22.9 kg/kWh-136.5 kg/kWh, 32.2 kg/kWh − 173.9 kg/kWh, 23.1 kg/kWh − 150.4 kg/kWh, 10.2 kg/kWh − 109.6 kg/kWh in Delhi, Jodhpur, Mangalore and Pune respectively. This study will help create awareness about the cost-saving potential of insulation, thereby increasing its use, which will help India achieve the vision of creating a 10 billion square feet green built-up area.
Brain network mechanism of working memory impairment in temporal lobe epilepsy: A resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Zhang Xin , Li Yuying , Bao Jie , Guo Dandan , Zhang Lulin , Pan Liping , Yin Jianzhong , Song Yijun
Published: June 2022

Background: Most temporal lobe epilepsy patients accompany with working memory impairment, but the specific brain network mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we used independent component analysis (ICA) to segregate resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evaluated the brain network mechanism of working memory impairment in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Methods: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected from 38 patients with TLE and 20 healthy controls. TLE patients were divided into a disordered working memory group (TLE-DWM) and a non-disordered working memory group (TLE-NWM) according to their performance in a delayed matching-to-sample (DMS) working memory task. We used ICA to extract the default mode network (DMN), left central executive network (LCEN), right central executive network (RCEN), and salience network (SN), and to compare the functional connection changes between the four groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to calculate the correlation between connection strength and working memory performance. Results: intra-network, inter-network, DMS working test, pearson correlation.We found that the connectivity of the right inferior parietal lobe and precuneus lobe in the control and TLE-NWM groups was higher than that in the TLE-DWM group. The connectivity of the posterior cingulate gyrus in the control and TLE-NWM groups was higher than that in the TLE-DWM group. The connection of the putamen in the control and TLE-NWM groups was greater than that in the TLE-DWM group. The Z values of the TLE-DWM, TLE-NWM, and control groups in the posterior cingulate gyrus of the LCEN network were negatively correlated with response time (RT). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the functional connectivity of right inferior lobe, left precuneus lobe, left posterior cingulate gyrus, left putamen, and DMN-LECN network was decreased in TLE-DWM individuals, indicating that these network alternations correlated with the working memory impairment. In addition, we also found the connectivity of the posterior cingulate gyrus in LECN was negatively correlated with RT, which suggested that posterior cingulate gyrus was associated with the performance of working memory.
Compressive strength characteristics and mechanism of tungsten tailings activated by multi concentration alkali
Authors: Li Shanmei , Shou Kai , Wang Lei , Liu Zhikui
Published: June 2022

The 7d unconfined compressive strength tests of alkali-activated tungsten tailings and the microscopic characteristics tests of scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were conducted to investigate the variation law and mechanism of unconfined compressive strength of alkali-activated tungsten tailings under the conditions of seven alkali-solid ratios with the same moisture content. The test results indicate that the unconfined compressive strength of alkali-activated tungsten tailings is increased with the alkali-solid ratio. However, the strength decreases slightly when the alkali-solid ratio is 12%. Alkali activation does not change the crystal type on the micro-scale but forms gels including C-A-S-H and N-A-S-H. The microstructures of the gel are affected by the alkali-solid ratio: The microstructure is honeycomb in low alkali-solid ratio (7%, 8% and 10%), with N-A-S-H as its primary form, and flocculation in high alkali-solid ratio (14% and 15%), mainly in the form of C-A-S-H. When the solid alkali ratio is at the medium level (12%), the microstructure is a small round bead, and the N-A-S-H is equivalent to the C-A-S-H. The generation of C-A-S-H and N-A-S-H gels is the key to increase the strength of alkali activated tungsten tailings. The more C-A-S-H content, the greater the strength. This study can provide a scientific basis and technical reference for the resource utilization of tungsten tailings.
WITHDRAWN: The CO2 emissions and financial development relationship study-based on the environmental pollution background
Authors: Duan Keyi , Cao Mingyao , Malim Nurhafiza Abdul Kader
Published: June 2022

In recent years, environmental pollution has caused many problems, especially the CO2 emission. The rapid rise of industrialization and urbanization has had a significant detrimental influence on the environment, according to the World Health Organization's 2011 "Global Air Quality Report," around 2 million people die each year as a result of air pollution. People's physical health is adversely harmed by illnesses, the majority of which occur in developing countries. Achieving the coordinated development of financial development and environmental protection has become a social hotspot. Based on panel data including 30 provinces in China from 2000 to 2020, this paper employs the panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model to examine the impact of financial development on carbon dioxide emissions. The results indicate that financial development has a nonlinear effect on carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, the positive effect of financial development on carbon dioxide emissions is through scale effect and structural effect, especially the latter effect is responsible for up to 183.98%, while the negative effect is through technological effect, which has more space. Moreover, the financial added value, financial scale, financial efficiency, and foreign direct investment are adopted to measure financial development, which the first two indicators show a smooth transition, the other two indexes always show a positive influence.
Inclusion of calcium oxide in sugarcane silage with different particle size in diet of F1 Holstein / Zebu dairy cows: nutritional and productive parameters
Authors: Andrade Weudes Rodrigues , Machado Thiara Jacira Vicuna Mendes Oliveira de Paula , DAVID GABRIEL SANTOS , Pires Aureliano José Vieira , de Carvalho Gleidson Giordano Pinto , Martins Susi Cristina dos Santos Guimarães , de Sousa Luiz Carlos Oliveira
Published: June 2022

The aim was to evaluate intake and apparent digestibility, productive performance and nitrogen balance of the F1 Holstein/Zebu dairy cows fed sugarcane silage with different particle sizes containing or not calcium oxide (CaO). Eight F1 Holstein/Zebu cows, with average body weight of 521.5 ± 55.17 kg, and 60 ± 10 days in milk were used, distributed in two simultaneous 4x4 Latin squares. The treatments were composed of sugarcane in two particle sizes (15 and 30 mm) with and without addition of CaO (10 g/kg natural matter basis), being the treatments compared according to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance using the MIXED procedure of SAS (version 9.4). The intakes of the dry matter (13.05 kg/d), crude protein, non-fibrous carbohydrates and neutral detergent fiber were not modified (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of the calcium oxide, nor ot by particles size and interaction among both. However, there was interaction between CaO and particle size on dry matter digestibility (P = 0.002). The yield (13.85 kg/d) and composition of the milk were also not affected by diets (P > 0.05), similarly for nitrogen balance (P > 0,05). The addition of CaO to sugarcane silage with different particle sizes (15 and 30 mm) does not affect the yield and composition of the milk of Holstein/Zebu cows, nor the nitrogen balance. However, when CaO is added to sugarcane silage with reduced particle size, there is a loss in dry matter digestibility.
Ex vivo Expanded Human Regulatory T Cells Modify Neuroinflammation in a Preclinical Model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Faridar Alireza , Vasquez Matthew , Thome Aaron D. , Yin Zheng , Xuan Hui , Wang Jing Hong , Wen Shixiang , Li Xuping , Thonhoff Jason R. , Zhao Weihau , Zhao Hong , Beers David R. , Wong Stephen T.C. , Masdeu Joseph C. , Appel Stanley
Published: June 2022

Background:
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a neuroprotective role by suppressing microglia and macrophage-mediated inflammation and modulating adaptive immune reactions. We previously documented that Treg immunomodulatory mechanisms are compromised in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ex vivo expansion of Tregs restores and amplifies their immunosuppressive functions in vitro. A key question is whether adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded human Tregs can suppress neuroinflammation and amyloid pathology in a preclinical mouse model.
Methods:
An immunodeficient mouse model of AD was generated by backcrossing the 5xFAD onto Rag2 knockout mice (5xFAD-Rag2KO). Human Tregs were expanded ex vivo for 24 days and administered to 5xFAD-Rag2KO. Changes in amyloid burden, microglia characteristics and reactive astrocytes were evaluated using ELISA and confocal microscopy. NanoString Mouse AD multiplex gene expression analysis was applied to explore the impact of ex vivo expanded Tregs on the neuroinflammation transcriptome.
Results:
Elimination of mature B and T lymphocytes and natural killer cells in 5xFAD-Rag2KO mice was associated with upregulation of 95 inflammation genes and amplified number of reactive microglia within the dentate gyrus. Following peripheral administration, ex vivo expanded human Tregs were detectable in the frontal cortex and dentate gyrus of 5xFAD-Rag2KO and reduced amyloid burden and reactive glial cells. Interrogation of inflammation gene expression documented down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1A&B, IL6), complement cascade (C1qa, C1qb, C1qc, C4a/b), toll-like receptors (Tlr3, Tlr4 and Tlr7) and microglial activations markers (CD14, Tyrobp,Trem2).
Conclusions:
Ex vivo expanded human Tregs, with amplified immunomodulatory function, suppressed neuroinflammation and alleviated AD pathology in vivo. Our results provide preclinical evidences for Treg cell therapy as a potential treatment strategy in AD.