bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HOBI ЗАСОБИ ПІДІЙМАННЯ ЗАТОНУЛИХ ОБ’ЄКТІВ ТА КОНСТРУКЦІЙ ІЗ ВИКОРИСТАННЯМ РІДКОГО АЗОТУ
Authors: Terlych S.V.
Published: April 2021

Представлені інженерні рішення використання рідкого азоту для заморожу- вання води у відсіках і цистернах затонулих об’єктів, а також інженерних спо- руд, які були штучно затоплені для їх підйому на поверхню. Технологія може бути частково застосована для докування великих суден або повністю використана для підйому і докування середньотонажних і малотоннажних плавучих споруд. Представлені конструктивні схеми пропонованих установок, а так само функці- ональні і графічні залежності параметрів льоду в затоплених відсіках від харак- теристик зовнішнього середовища і потужності холодильної установки. Для підігріву рідкого азоту при переході його в газоподібний стан розроблені рекомендації розрахунку криогенного газифікатора, який частково використовує внутрішню енергію переходу води з рідкого до твердого фазового стану. Під час комп’ютерного моделювання доведена можливість використання до 47% тепло- ти фазового перетворення води за відсутності обмерзання тепло передавальних елементів газифікатора. У процесі дослідження розроблено комп’ютерну модель прогнозування маси льоду при безпосередній подачі рідкого азоту морської води і з’ясовано, що рідкий азот можна подавати у воду об’єкта, який продувається, і якщо виконувати від- повідні технічні умови, лід на елементах газифікатора не створюватиме. Рідкий азот є ефективним, нешкідливим, інертним легко газифікується і одним із найдешевших засобів створення позитивної плавучості для затонулих об’єктів. Можуть бути різні типи установок використання рідкого азоту для суднопідіймальних робіт залежно від конкретних поставлених завдань. Лід, яка утворюється на трубопроводі-газифікаторі, загалом не впливає на хід суднопід- німального операції. Як ефективний засіб підігріву рідкого азоту в кріогенному газифікаторі можна використовувати забортну воду, використовуючи для цих цілей до 47% теплоти фазового переходу води з рідкого у твердий стан. У відповідних умовах можна безпосередньо подавати рідкий азот у воду об’єкта, який продувається, нехтуючи замерзанням води і створенням на виході трубопроводу пробок із льоду.
Penerapan Metode Digital Watermarking dan Privilege pada Dokumen Skripsi
Authors: Nursan Hidayani
Published: April 2021

Dengan perkembangan perangkat komputer dan internet yang semakin pesat menjadikan pertukaran data dan informasi secara digital semakin banyak digunakan. Namun sebagian dari data tersebut harusnya tidak dapat didistribusi atau dimodifikasi secara bebas (tanpa izin), karena mengandung hak kekayaan intelektual penciptanya. Secara garis besar sistem ini memiliki dua inputan yaitu dokumen dan gambar yang mana gambar dijadikan sebagai watermark pada dokumen, kemudian dilanjutkan dengan melakukan proses privilege/disable copy print. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah sistem berhasil menerapkan layanan watermarking dan disable copy print terhadap file dokumen skripsi di semua flatfoam, kecuali disable copy print belum berhasil di terapkan pada priview di sistem operasi linux.
Upper Bound of Difference Operator on Some Matrix Domains
Authors: KARİMİ Lotfollah , SİNAEİ Maryam
Published: April 2021

In this study, we investigate the norm of difference operator on some sequence spaces such as Hilbert and Cesaro matrix domains. Therefore the present study is a complement for those results obtained in [1].
Transmission of Time and Position Variable Cryptology in Fibonacci and Lucas Number Series with Music
Authors: KARAÇAM Cemil , ALGÜL Firdevs Nur , TAVİT Daniel
Published: April 2021

Since people existed, they have prioritized confidentiality in information sharing and communication. Although there are independent studies on encryption and music in literature, no study is seen on encryption methods that are created by using the properties of mathematical number strings and can be expressed with musical instruments. The purpose in this research is to develop ideas for an effective encryption method and to create a time and location variable encryption method considering this deficiency in the literature by getting advantage of the additive feature in Fibonacci and Lucas number sequences and moving from here to develop new perspectives on encryption science. In the research letters in alphabet, numbers and 10 of the most used symbols were selected and ASCII codes were determined. The objects to be encrypted are divided into 6 main groups (uppercase vowel, uppercase consonant, lowercase vowel, lowercase consonant letters, numbers, and symbols). ASCII codes are written with the additive property of the Fibonacci and Lucas numbers (Zeckendorf's Theorem) and matched with the corresponding notes. In addition to the first method in the study, the encryption system is encrypted by shifting depending on time. In addition to this method, the encryption system was encrypted by shifting depending on the location. In the last method, the text to be encrypted was encrypted by shifting depending on both location and time. The software of the first stage of the encryption system has been created. The encryption method we have created can be transmitted in both audio and text. Since encryption can be applied with various instruments, it offers variety in terms of data privacy. In the encryption system, people who have a musical ear can audibly decipher the password regardless of the written source. In the research, the same text differs as time and location change. This method allows multiple transformations of a character in a text. With these features, it differs from the encryption methods made until now.
Особливості росту та стану потомств плюсових і кращих дерев Quercus robur L. тростянецького походження
Authors: Los S. A. , Samoday V. P. , Godovany A. N. , Grigorieva V. G. , Plotnikova O. M. , Gubin E. A.
Published: April 2021

Проаналізовано результати порівняння інтенсивності росту, якості та стану 62-річних потомств плюсових і кращих дерев дуба звичайного тростянецького походження в умовах Харківської та Сумської областей. Більша кількість опадів і, відповідно, кращі умови зволоження Сумської області позитивно вплинули на ріст потомств плюсових дерев у ДП «Тростянецьке ЛГ». Показники висот були більшими в середньому на 22,9 %, а діаметрів – на 36,1 %. За попередніми розрахунками у разі зменшення кількості опадів за вегетаційний період на 10 мм середня висота дуба зменшилася на 2,6 %, середній діаметр – на 4,1 %, а об’єм середнього дерева – на 15,7 %. За результатами комплексного оцінювання у випробних культурах на території ДП «Харківська ЛНДС» виділено чотири перспективні варіанти (Тр-2, Тр-6, Тр-13, Тр-18), а в ДП «Тростянецьке ЛГ» – п’ять (Тр-2, Тр-3, Тр-6, Тр-11, Тр-13). Материнські дерева кращих варіантів рекомендовані для вегетативного розмноження та створення клонових насінних плантацій ІІ рівня у відповідних областях.

Ключові слова: дуб звичайний, випробні культури, селекційна категорія, комплексне оцінювання.
Таксаційні показники та продуктивність дубових насаджень Лівобережного Лісостепу України
Authors: Rumіantsev M. Н. , Kobets O. V.
Published: April 2021

Досліджено динаміку таксаційних показників дубових насаджень у межах Лівобережного Лісостепу з метою розроблення ефективних лісогосподарських заходів, спрямованих на підвищення продуктивності та посилення екологічних функцій дубових лісів. Розраховано показники використання лісорослинного потенціалу дубовими насадженнями різного походження за відношенням їхньої фактичної продуктивності до потенційної. Розроблено таблиці динаміки продуктивності дубових насаджень з урахуванням їхнього походження та категорій лісів. Ці таблиці доцільно застосовувати для прогнозування росту модальних дубових насаджень, а також для визначення обсягів лісогосподарських заходів і черговості їхнього проведення.

Ключові слова: дуб звичайний (Quercus robur L.), категорії лісів, походження насаджень, модальні насадження.
Coefficient of local loss of mechanical energy of the flow for a ­mixture of charge materials
Authors: Selegej A , Ivaschenko V , Golovko V , Kiriya R , Kvasova L
Published: April 2021

Purpose. To determine the dependence of the coefficient of local losses of mechanical energy of flow of a two-component mixture of charge material on its depth, content of components, and average equivalent diameter of particles in the case of their free-dispersed motion. Methodology. The value of the coefficient of local losses of mechanical energy was determined by the value of the hydraulic resistance of the fluid during its movement in open channels and pipes. In this paper, methods were used of comparative analysis, mathematical modeling and forecasting of dynamic processes in the flow of granular material. Findings. Based on the results of theoretical studies, a mathematical model was obtained, the use of which allows calculating the coefficient of local losses of mechanical energy for the flow of a two-component mixture of charge materials with agglomerate particle sizes from 15 to 50 mm, pellets from 6 to 12 mm, coke from 10 to 60 mm. The developed model with satisfactory accuracy makes it possible to evaluate the movement of the charge from the indicated materials along the paths of the charging devices of blast furnaces at a speed in the range from 1.5 to 20 m/s and to determine the trajectories of the mixture of charge materials on the top with an accuracy of 0.2 m. It is noted that the calculation of the above coefficient by the known techniques is not accurate enough, which is associated with the uncertainty in the choice of a single average equivalent diameter of the particles of the two-component charge. Comparative analysis of the developed model with the known models and experimental data indicates that the accuracy of calculating the dynamic parameters of a two-component flow of charge materials using the developed model increases by 510% in comparison with calculations using the previously known models. Originality. For the first time, regularities of changes in the coefficient of internal mechanical losses of a two-component flow of charge materials from its depth, content of components, average equivalent particle diameters when moving along the paths of charging devices of blast furnaces have been established. Practical value. Mathematical dependencies have been developed and can be used to determine the technological parameters of the charge of a modern blast furnace with different characteristics of the granulometry of the charge and the ratios of its components. This will increase the accuracy of predicting the course of the process under consideration, the degree of automation of the control systems for the technological process of the charge supply of blast furnaces, will make it possible to use expensive charge materials more efficiently, reduce energy consumption and reduce the harmful impact on the environment.
Technology of goal setting as a method of formation of creative lifestyle of the future teacher
Authors: Oleksyuk Oksana
Published: April 2021

The article is devoted to the problem of whole laying as a factor in the formation of the creative lifestyle of the future teacher. Scientific approaches to the study of the phenomenon of whole laying, and its impact on the development of future teachers, the formation of life meanings and style, personality development and the formation of
professional self-awareness are considered. Lifestyle is the most general characteristic of the life of a given social group or individual, which highlights specific to this group or individual activities or life values.
The time perspective of the future is a projection of the motivational sphere of a person and represents to some extent the hopes, plans, projects, aspirations realized by him, which are connected with the near and future. The formation of these plans takes place throughout childhood almost spontaneously, mainly as an internalization of parents'
values, their expectations of a particular child and through the development of motivation. The time perspective of the future formed in this way acquires its own motivating force, which influences the further development of the child's
personality.
A life plan is not only a prediction of a possible future, but also a certain self-attribution, a definition of the tasks that a person sets for himself and which he must fulfill. From this point of view, the life plan is the most important means of self-education: a person creates the desired image of himself, the ideal self-model.
Lifestyle is the most general characteristic of the life activity of a given social group or individual, in which specific for this group or individual activities or life values are highlighted [1, p. 41]. Since the specific features of the activity may be different, the classification of lifestyle may be different. It cannot be assumed that a person always lives life in only one style. There is a mixture of styles, and the transition from one to another. This is due to qualitative changes that occur with a person: the transition of age, social status, change of values. Thus, the development of their own lifestyle for the
future teacher is one of the main creative tasks on the path of self-improvement.
Perbandingan Karakteristik Plastik Biodegradable dari Biji Durian menggunakan Filler Kalsium Silikat dan Kalsium Karbonat
Authors: Udjiana S. Sigit , Hadiantoro Sigit , Azkiya Noor Isnaini
Published: April 2021

In this study, durian seeds were used as a source of starch in making biodegradable plastics. This study aims to determine the effect of the type and amount of filler on biodegradable properties, mechanical properties, and water absorption properties of biodegradable plastics based on durian fruit starch. The plasticizer used in this study was sorbitol 40%, while the filler used was Calcium silicate (Ca2SiO4) and Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with variable concentrations of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%. From the research results, the% yield of durian seed starch was 34.57%. The results of the best biodegradable plastic with the characteristics of transparent, no bubbles, flexible and smooth surface were obtained with the addition of 4% calcium carbonate filler variables. The bio-degradation test results closest to the ASTM D6400 standard were obtained in the 2% calcium carbonate variable. In the water absorption test, the best results were achieved at the 8% calcium silicate variable. The best tensile test results were obtained in the 6% calcium silicate variable.
Struvite Crystallization for Ammonium Removal from Cow Urine with Bulkhead Reactor
Authors: Edahwati Luluk , Sutiyono  , Alvira Fauziah Hilda , Anggriawan Rizqi Rendri
Published: April 2021

The presence of ammonium content in cow urine waste damages the aquatic ecosystem due to its toxicity. Ammonium content can be reduced by removing it through struvite crystallization. In this study, struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) was formed from the reaction of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate compounds using a bulkhead reactor. The rate of air moving the solution in the reactor causes ammonium to react with reactants to form struvite. This research was conducted with M : A : P (magnesium ammonium phosphate) molar ratio solution is 3 : 1 : 1 and 0,4 L/min air flow rate with MAP flow rate variation of 8,8; 11; 14,67; 22; 44 ml/min and a temperature variation of 25, 35, 45, 55, 65 ̊C to decrease ammonium content. The faster the MAP flow rate, thelower the ammonium removal efficiency. The efficiency of ammonium removal will increase with increasing temperature. The best results obtained in this study were ammonium removal in the waste of 77.97%. The result of x-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) is the crystals tested was a struvite with elongated or rod shape. EDAX analysis gave the percentage of components in struvite, namely 14.28% Mg, 10.68% N, and 18.19% P.
Penggunaan Tanah Vertisol Sebagai Bahan Baku Pembuatan Silika
Authors: Fitri Medya Ayunda , Syahriyah Farikha Alfi , Rahkadima Yulia Tri
Published: April 2021

Silica is widely used in industry. The aim of this study was to determine the silica content in vertisol soil in Bringinbendo village. This research was started by soaking the soil in aquadest, then washed 3 times and dried it at 110 ° C for 24 hours. Furthermore, smoothed to 250 mesh size. The second stage is the synthesis of silica using the alkaline extraction method and the treatment of acids. 20 grams of soil powder were extracted in 100 ml NaOH (3, 5, dan 7M) while stirring and heated at 80 ° C. Next, 250 ml of aquadest was added and filtered using Whatman paper. The filtrate was titrated with 5M HCl while stirring until the pH reached 7. The suspension was maintained at room temperature for 24 hours, filtered, and 5 times with aquadest then dried. The results of the mass study were that the greatest silica was found in 7M NaOH concentration at 1 hour, namely 2.59 grams and vertisol soil in Bringinbendo Village had silica content in the medium category with a proportion of 77.7%.
‘It’s not like any survey I’ve ever seen before’: Discrete Choice Experiments as a Valuation Technology
Authors: Macknight Vicki , Medvecky Fabien
Published: April 2021

This paper unpacks what happened when members of the local community were invited to design and test a valuation tool – specifically a discrete choice experiment  – to find a valuation for New Zealand’s Otago Peninsula. We argue that the assumptions that lie within a discrete choice experiment are revealed when we look closely at how community participants react to the discrete choice experiment survey they have helped design. These assumptions, usually unnoticed, include the necessity of making trade-offs; what actions are possible; the ‘reality’ of one’s preference structures; the need for abstraction; and the importance of big picture patterns. We also argue that how these assumptions are negotiated in practice depends on complex power relationships between researchers, participants, and the technology itself. While we might seek to ‘empower’ the community with knowledge of economic processes and valuation practices, this might not be the empowerment they seek. Participants find ways to be active negotiators in the face of valuation technologies.
Encoding Time-Series Ground Motions as Images for Convolutional Neural Networks-Based Seismic Damage Evaluation
Authors: Yuan Xinzhe , Tanksley Dustin , Jiao Pu , Li Liujun , Chen Genda , Wunsch Donald
Published: April 2021

Traditional methods for seismic damage evaluation require manual extractions of intensity measures (IMs) to properly represent the record-to-record variation of ground motions. Contemporary methods such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for time series classification and seismic damage evaluation face a challenge in training due to a huge task of ground-motion image encoding. Presently, no consensus has been reached on the understanding of the most suitable encoding technique and image size (width × height × channel) for CNN-based seismic damage evaluation. In this study, we propose and develop a new image encoding technique based on time-series segmentation (TS) to transform acceleration (A), velocity (V), and displacement (D) ground motion records into a three-channel AVD image of the ground motion event with a pre-defined size of width × height. The proposed TS technique is compared with two time-series image encoding techniques, namely recurrence plot (RP) and wavelet transform (WT). The CNN trained through the TS technique is also compared with the IM-based machine learning approach. The CNN-based feature extraction has comparable classification performance to the IM-based approach. WT 1,000 × 100 results in the highest 79.5% accuracy in classification while TS 100 × 100 with a classification accuracy of 76.8% is most computationally efficient. Both the WT 1,000 × 100 and TS 100 × 100 three-channel AVD image encoding methods are promising for future studies of CNN-based seismic damage evaluation.
The Earliest T-Precursors in the Mouse Embryo Are Susceptible to Leukemic Transformation
Authors: Ding Jixin , Cardoso Angelo A. , Yoshimoto Momoko , Kobayashi Michihiro
Published: April 2021

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in pediatric patients. About 10–15% of pediatric ALL belong to T-cell ALL (T-ALL), which is characterized by aggressive expansion of immature T-lymphoblasts and is categorized as high-risk leukemia. Leukemia initiating cells represent a reservoir that is responsible for the initiation and propagation of leukemia. Its perinatal origin has been suggested in some childhood acute B-lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukemias. Therefore, we hypothesized that child T-ALL initiating cells also exist during the perinatal period. In this study, T-ALL potential of the hematopoietic precursors was found in the para-aortic splanchnopleura (P-Sp) region, but not in the extraembryonic yolk sac (YS) of the mouse embryo at embryonic day 9.5. We overexpressed the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in the P-Sp and YS cells and transplanted them into lethally irradiated mice. NICD-overexpressing P-Sp cells rapidly developed T-ALL while YS cells failed to display leukemia propagation despite successful NICD induction. These results suggest a possible role of fetal-derived T-cell precursors as leukemia-initiating cells.
Keutel Syndrome, a Review of 50 Years of Literature
Authors: Cancela M. Leonor , Laizé Vincent , Conceição Natércia , Kempf Hervé , Murshed Monzur
Published: April 2021

Keutel syndrome (KS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder that was first identified in the beginning of the 1970s and nearly 30 years later attributed to loss-of-function mutations in the gene coding for the matrix Gla protein (MGP). Patients with KS are usually diagnosed during childhood (early onset of the disease), and the major traits include abnormal calcification of cartilaginous tissues resulting in or associated with malformations of skeletal tissues (e.g., midface hypoplasia and brachytelephalangism) and cardiovascular defects (e.g., congenital heart defect, peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis, and, in some cases, arterial calcification), and also hearing loss and mild developmental delay. While studies on Mgp–/– mouse, a faithful model of KS, show that pathologic mineral deposition (ectopic calcification) in cartilaginous and vascular tissues is the primary cause underlying many of these abnormalities, the mechanisms explaining how MGP prevents abnormal calcification remain poorly understood. This has negative implication for the development of a cure for KS. Indeed, at present, only symptomatic treatments are available to treat hypertension and respiratory complications occurring in the KS patients. In this review, we summarize the results published in the last 50 years on Keutel syndrome and present the current status of the knowledge on this rare pathology.
circDENND1B Participates in the Antiatherosclerotic Effect of IL-1β Monoclonal Antibody in Mouse by Promoting Cholesterol Efflux via miR-17-5p/Abca1 Axis
Authors: Xu Fei , Shen Li , Chen Han , Wang Rui , Zang Tongtong , Qian Juying , Ge Junbo
Published: April 2021

Inflammation is a crucial mediator of atherosclerosis, and several therapeutic methods that focus on inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), have proven effective in preventing atherogenesis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a subclass of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that can exert critical functions in the regulation of atherosclerosis. Here, using circRNA sequencing, we revealed that circRNA circDENND1B (mmu_circ_0000081) is a promising novel mediator of atherosclerosis in mouse. The expression of circDENND1B is negatively related to the progression of atherosclerosis and foam cell formation, and the upregulation of circDENND1B significantly alleviates foam cell formation induced by ox-LDL by promoting cholesterol efflux. Moreover, circDENND1B participates in the anti-atherosclerotic effect of IL-1β monoclonal antibody (IL-1β mAb), both in vivo and in vitro. With bioinformatic prediction and RNA pull-down assays, we determined that circDENND1B sponges mmu-miR-17-5p to promote Abca1 expression in cells treated with IL-1β mAb. Our study revealed that circDENND1B, a novel regulator of cholesterol efflux, is a potential therapeutic target in atherosclerosis and provides new insights into the interaction between inflammation and cholesterol transport.
Pathways of Non-enzymatic Lysine Acylation
Authors: Baldensperger Tim , Glomb Marcus A.
Published: April 2021

Posttranslational protein modification by lysine acylation is an emerging mechanism of cellular regulation and fine-tunes metabolic processes to environmental changes. In this review we focus on recently discovered pathways of non-enzymatic lysine acylation by reactive acyl-CoA species, acyl phosphates, and α-dicarbonyls. We summarize the metabolic sources of these highly reactive intermediates, demonstrate their reaction mechanisms, give an overview of the resulting acyl lysine modifications, and evaluate the consequences for cellular regulatory processes. Finally, we discuss interferences between lysine acylation and lysine ubiquitylation as a potential molecular mechanism of dysregulated protein homeostasis in aging and related diseases.
Applications of Virtual Screening in Bioprospecting: Facts, Shifts, and Perspectives to Explore the Chemo-Structural Diversity of Natural Products
Authors: Santana Kauê , do Nascimento Lidiane Diniz , Lima e Lima Anderson , Damasceno Vinícius , Nahum Claudio , Braga Rodolpho C. , Lameira Jerônimo
Published: April 2021

Natural products are continually explored in the development of new bioactive compounds with industrial applications, attracting the attention of scientific research efforts due to their pharmacophore-like structures, pharmacokinetic properties, and unique chemical space. The systematic search for natural sources to obtain valuable molecules to develop products with commercial value and industrial purposes remains the most challenging task in bioprospecting. Virtual screening strategies have innovated the discovery of novel bioactive molecules assessing in silico large compound libraries, favoring the analysis of their chemical space, pharmacodynamics, and their pharmacokinetic properties, thus leading to the reduction of financial efforts, infrastructure, and time involved in the process of discovering new chemical entities. Herein, we discuss the computational approaches and methods developed to explore the chemo-structural diversity of natural products, focusing on the main paradigms involved in the discovery and screening of bioactive compounds from natural sources, placing particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, cheminformatics methods, and big data analyses.
Isocyanides: Promising Functionalities in Bioorthogonal Labeling of Biomolecules
Authors: Zhu Yuchen , Liao Jia-Yu , Qian Linghui
Published: April 2021

Isocyanides have drawn increasing attention in biological applications due to their attractive properties and unique reactivities, which can undergo various reactions, such as multicomponent reactions, α-addition reactions, [4 + 1] cycloaddition reactions, and the reaction scope keeps expanding. In addition to acting as reactants for the preparation of structurally interesting and diverse N-heterocycles or peptidomimetics, this type of functionality may be a good choice in the labeling and modulation of biomolecules due to the high biocompatibility and small size to minimize modifications on the parent molecule. It has been demonstrated that isocyanides can participate in biomolecule labeling through three strategies, including the two-component bioorthogonal reaction, multicomponent reaction, and metal chelation. Among them, the isocyanide-tetrazine reaction has been better studied recently, augmenting the potency of isocyanide as a bioorthogonal handle. This review will focus on the recent progress in isocyanide chemistry for labeling of biomolecules. Meanwhile, methods to introduce isocyano groups into biomacromolecules are also described to facilitate wider applications of this unique functionality.
Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard and Risk Analysis: A Review of Research Gaps
Authors: Behrens Jörn , Løvholt Finn , Jalayer Fatemeh , Lorito Stefano , Salgado-Gálvez Mario A. , Sørensen Mathilde , Abadie Stephane , Aguirre-Ayerbe Ignacio , Aniel-Quiroga Iñigo , Babeyko Andrey , Baiguera Marco , Basili Roberto , Belliazzi Stefano , Grezio Anita , Johnson Kendra , Murphy Shane , Paris Raphaël , Rafliana Irina , De Risi Raffaele , Rossetto Tiziana , Selva Jacopo , Taroni Matteo , Del Zoppo Marta , Armigliato Alberto , Bureš Vladimír , Cech Pavel , Cecioni Claudia , Christodoulides Paul , Davies Gareth , Dias Frédéric , Bayraktar Hafize Başak , González Mauricio , Gritsevich Maria , Guillas Serge , Harbitz Carl Bonnevie , Kânoǧlu Utku , Macías Jorge , Papadopoulos Gerassimos A. , Polet Jascha , Romano Fabrizio , Salamon Amos , Scala Antonio , Stepinac Mislav , Tappin David R. , Thio Hong Kie , Tonini Roberto , Triantafyllou Ioanna , Ulrich Thomas , Varini Elisa , Volpe Manuela , Vyhmeister Eduardo
Published: April 2021

Tsunamis are unpredictable and infrequent but potentially large impact natural disasters. To prepare, mitigate and prevent losses from tsunamis, probabilistic hazard and risk analysis methods have been developed and have proved useful. However, large gaps and uncertainties still exist and many steps in the assessment methods lack information, theoretical foundation, or commonly accepted methods. Moreover, applied methods have very different levels of maturity, from already advanced probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis for earthquake sources, to less mature probabilistic risk analysis. In this review we give an overview of the current state of probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk analysis. Identifying research gaps, we offer suggestions for future research directions. An extensive literature list allows for branching into diverse aspects of this scientific approach.
Effects of Erosion and Deposition on Constraining Vertical Slip Rates of Thrust Faults: A Case Study of the Minle–Damaying Fault in the North Qilian Shan, NE Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Liu Qingri , Zhang Huiping , Li Youli , Huang Feipeng , Zhao Xudong , Lei Jinghao , Xin Weilin , Xiong Jianguo , Zhang Peizhen
Published: April 2021

The height of a thrust-fault scarp on a fluvial terrace would be modified due to erosion and deposition, and these surface processes can also influence the dating of terraces. Under such circumstances, the vertical slip rate of a fault can be misestimated due to the inaccurate displacement and/or abandonment age of the terrace. In this contribution, considering the effect of erosion and deposition on fault scarps, we re-constrained the vertical slip rate of the west end of the Minle–Damaying Fault (MDF), one of the thrusts in the north margin of the Qilian Shan that marks the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. In addition, we tried to explore a more reliable method for obtaining the vertical fault displacement and the abandonment age of terraces with AMS 14C dating. The heights of the surface scarps and the displacements of the fluvial gravel layers exposed on the Yudai River terraces were precisely measured with the Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and the real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS. The Monte Carlo simulation method was used to estimate the uncertainties of fault displacements and vertical slip rates. Based on comparative analysis, the dating sample from the fluvial sand layer underlying the thickest loess in the footwall was suggested to best represent the abandonment age of the terrace, and the fluvial gravel layer could better preserve the original vertical fault displacement compared with the surface layer. Using the most reliable ages and vertical offsets, the vertical slip rate of the MDF was estimated to be 0.25–0.28 mm/a since 42.3 ± 0.5 ka (T10) and 0.14–0.24 mm/a since 16.1 ± 0.2 ka (T7). The difference between the wrong vertical slip rate and the right one can even reach an order of magnitude. We also suggest that if the built measuring profile is long enough, the uncertainties in the height of a surface scarp would be better constrained and the result can also be taken as the vertical fault displacement. Furthermore, the consistency of chronology with stratigraphic sequence or with terrace sequence are also key to constraining the abandonment ages of terraces. The fault activity at the study site is weaker than that in the middle and east segments of the MDF, which is likely due to its end position.
MODIS Does Not Capture the Spatial Heterogeneity of Snow Cover Induced by Solar Radiation
Authors: Bouamri Hafsa , Kinnard Christophe , Boudhar Abdelghani , Gascoin Simon , Hanich Lahoucine , Chehbouni Abdelghani
Published: April 2021

Estimating snowmelt in semi-arid mountain ranges is an important but challenging task, due to the large spatial variability of the snow cover and scarcity of field observations. Adding solar radiation as snowmelt predictor within empirical snow models is often done to account for topographically induced variations in melt rates. This study examines the added value of including different treatments of solar radiation within empirical snowmelt models and benchmarks their performance against MODIS snow cover area (SCA) maps over the 2003-2016 period. Three spatially distributed, enhanced temperature index models that, respectively, include the potential clear-sky direct radiation, the incoming solar radiation and net solar radiation were compared with a classical temperature-index (TI) model to simulate snowmelt, SWE and SCA within the Rheraya basin in the Moroccan High Atlas Range. Enhanced models, particularly that which includes net solar radiation, were found to better explain the observed SCA variability compared to the TI model. However, differences in model performance in simulating basin wide SWE and SCA were small. This occurs because topographically induced variations in melt rates simulated by the enhanced models tend to average out, a situation favored by the rather uniform distribution of slope aspects in the basin. While the enhanced models simulated more heterogeneous snow cover conditions, aggregating the simulated SCA from the 100 m model resolution towards the MODIS resolution (500 m) suppresses key spatial variability related to solar radiation, which attenuates the differences between the TI and the radiative models. Our findings call for caution when using MODIS for calibration and validation of spatially distributed snow models.
Size Distribution of Ambient Particulate Matter and Its Constituent Chemical Species Involving Saccharides During Early Summer in a Chinese Megacity
Authors: Khan Jahan Zeb , Sun Long , Tian Yingze , Dai Qili , Hu Tongxin , Feng Yinchang
Published: April 2021

The ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution adversely influences the human health and natural environment. The size distribution of ambient PM determines the physiochemical and optical properties of ambient aerosol, whereas it reflects the variability in local and regional PM emission sources and formation mechanisms. In the present work, the size distribution and characteristics of the carbonaceous, ionic, elemental, and saccharide species were categorically investigated for the fraction-wise PM in Tianjin during 2018 early summer. The average concentrations were 32.4, 20.9, and 49.3 μg/m3 for the PM1, PM1–2.5, and PM2.5–10, respectively. The coarse PM2.5–10 accounted for most of the PM10 mass (47%), followed by the fine PM1 (33%) and intermodal PM1–2.5 (20%). The carbonaceous and ionic species exhibited bimodal distribution and were distributed mostly to the fine size fraction and then to the coarse size fraction. The elemental species exhibited unimodal distribution and were distributed mostly to the coarse size fraction. The specific saccharide species indicated the significant contribution of biomass burning and primary biogenic emissions. The bimodal mass size distribution of levoglucosan indicated the significant biomass burning contributions to the fine and coarse size fractions. The unimodal glucose, fructose, and arabitol distribution and the bimodal mannitol distribution indicated the dominant primary biogenic contributions to the coarse size fraction. The PM1/PM10, PM1–2.5/PM10, PM2.5–10/PM10, OC/EC, SOC/OC, AE/CE, NO3–/SO42–, K+/EC, and levoglucosan/K+ ratios were used to investigate the characteristics of the ambient size-fractionated PM. The anthropogenic sources (combustion processes, traffic emissions, and secondary particles, etc.) contributed mostly to the fine PM1 and intermodal PM1–2.5 fractions, whereas the natural sources (primary biogenic, marine salt, and mineral dust, etc.) contributed mostly to the coarse PM2.5–10 fraction. This work is a significant addition to the multi-size ambient PM’s size distribution and characterization studies.
Mapping and Evaluating Marine Protected Areas and Ecosystem Services: A Transdisciplinary Delphi Forecasting Process Framework
Authors: Belgrano Andrea , Novaglio Camilla , Svedäng Henrik , Villasante Sebastián , Melián Carlos J. , Blenckner Thorsten , Bergström Ulf , Bryhn Andreas , Bergström Lena , Bartolino Valerio , Sköld Mattias , Tomczak Maciej , Wikström Sofia A. , Hansen Andreas Skriver , Linke Sebastian , Emmerson Richard , Morf Andrea , Tönnesson Kajsa
Published: April 2021

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are an important tool for management and conservation and play an increasingly recognised role in societal and human well-being. However, the assessment of MPAs often lacks a simultaneous consideration of ecological and socio-economic outcomes, and this can lead to misconceptions on the effectiveness of MPAs. In this perspective, we present a transdisciplinary approach based on the Delphi method for mapping and evaluating Marine Protected Areas for their ability to protect biodiversity while providing Ecosystem Services (ES) and related human well-being benefits – i.e., the ecosystem outputs from which people benefit. We highlight the need to include the human dimensions of marine protection in such assessments, given that the effectiveness of MPAs over time is conditional on the social, cultural and institutional contexts in which MPAs evolve. Our approach supports Ecosystem-Based Management and highlights the importance of MPAs in achieving restoration, conservation, and sustainable development objectives in relation to EU Directives such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD), and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Elevated Serum FGG Levels Prognosticate and Promote the Disease Progression in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Peng H. H. , Wang J. N. , Xiao L. F. , Yan M. , Chen S. P. , Wang L. , Yang K.
Published: April 2021

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) threatens the health of men in general and no effective therapeutics currently exists for the treatment of CRPC. It is therefore of great importance to find a novel molecule that can be a biomarker and a therapeutic target for CRPC. First, we found that the serum fibrinogen gamma (FGG) levels in patients with CRPC were significantly higher than those with localized prostate cancer (PCa) through iTRAQ proteomics and ELISA experiments. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot also showed an increase of FGG expression in CRPC tissues and cells. Then we proved the proliferation, invasion and migration ability of CRPC cells were significantly reduced after FGG knockdown. The number of apoptotic cells increased at least sixfold after FGG silencing, and was observed in conjunction with an upregulation of p53, caspase 3, clea-caspase 3, and Bax, and a downregulation of Bcl2 and survivin. FGG knockdown in DU145 cells resulted in smaller xenografts than control cells in a mouse model. and we established that FGG is modulated by IL-6 which was increased in CRPC patients via phosphorylation of STAT3. The data suggests that FGG may be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for CRPC.
Harnessing Current Knowledge of DNA N6-Methyladenosine From Model Plants for Non-model Crops
Authors: Chachar Sadaruddin , Liu Jingrong , Zhang Pingxian , Riaz Adeel , Guan Changfei , Liu Shuyuan
Published: April 2021

Epigenetic modifications alter the gene activity and function by causing change in the chromosomal architecture through DNA methylation/demethylation, or histone modifications without causing any change in DNA sequence. In plants, DNA cytosine methylation (5mC) is vital for various pathways such as, gene regulation, transposon suppression, DNA repair, replication, transcription, and recombination. Thanks to recent advances in high throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies for epigenomic “Big Data” generation, accumulated studies have revealed the occurrence of another novel DNA methylation mark, N6-methyladenosine (6mA), which is highly present on gene bodies mainly activates gene expression in model plants such as eudicot Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and monocot rice (Oryza sativa). However, in non-model crops, the occurrence and importance of 6mA remains largely less known, with only limited reports in few species, such as Rosaceae (wild strawberry), and soybean (Glycine max). Given the aforementioned vital roles of 6mA in plants, hereinafter, we summarize the latest advances of DNA 6mA modification, and investigate the historical, known and vital functions of 6mA in plants. We also consider advanced artificial-intelligence biotechnologies that improve extraction and prediction of 6mA concepts. In this Review, we discuss the potential challenges that may hinder exploitation of 6mA, and give future goals of 6mA from model plants to non-model crops.
Multiple Ecological Parameters Affect Living Benthic Foraminifera in the River-Influenced West-Central Bay of Bengal
Authors: Suokhrie Thejasino , Saraswat Rajeev , Nigam Rajiv
Published: April 2021

The huge riverine influx and associated processes decrease the ambient salinity, stratify the water column, modulate the oxygen-deficient zone, and are also responsible for the recent acidification in the Bay of Bengal. Here, we have studied the effect of these riverine influx-dominated ecological parameters on living benthic foraminifera in the west-central Bay of Bengal. We report that the pH below 7.6 in front of the Krishna river, reduces the diversity and the richness of living benthic foraminifera on the adjacent shelf and the slope. A similar decreased diversity and richness is also observed in front of the Godavari River. We delineate three prominent assemblages, representing different depth zones with associated distinct physico-chemical conditions. The shallow water assemblage (∼27–100 m) is represented by Nonionella labradorica, Hanzawaia nipponica, Brizalina dilatata, Ammonia tepida, and Nonionella limbato-striata. These species are adapted to relatively warmer temperatures and more oxygenated waters. The deepwater assemblage (∼1,940–2,494 m) includes Bulimina cf. delreyensis, Bulimina marginata, Hormosinella guttifera, Cassidulina laevigata, and Gyroidinoides subzelandica and can tolerate a relatively colder temperature. The intermediate-depth assemblage (∼145–1,500 m) dominated by Eubuliminella exilis, Bolivinellina earlandi, Fursenkoina spinosa, Bolivinellina lucidopunctata, Globobulimina globosa, Fursenkoina spinosa, Eubuliminella cassandrae, Uvigerina peregrina, Rotaliatinopsis semiinvoluta, and Cassidulina laevigata, represents oxygen-deficient and organic carbon-rich environment. Besides the pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and organic matter, we also report a strong influence of bathymetry, coarse fraction (CF) and the type of organic matter on a few living benthic foraminifera. The ecological preferences of 40 such dominant living benthic foraminifera, each representing a specific environment, have also been reported for site-specific proxy. We conclude that although the huge riverine influx affects living benthic foraminifera on the shelf, the dissolved oxygen and organic carbon mostly control benthic foraminiferal distribution in the deeper west-central Bay of Bengal.
Time-to-Death Longitudinal Characterization of Clinical Variables and Longitudinal Prediction of Mortality in COVID-19 Patients: A Two-Center Study
Authors: Chen Anne , Zhao Zirun , Hou Wei , Singer Adam J. , Li Haifang , Duong Tim Q.
Published: April 2021

Objectives: To characterize the temporal characteristics of clinical variables with time lock to mortality and build a predictive model of mortality associated with COVID-19 using clinical variables.

Design: Retrospective cohort study of the temporal characteristics of clinical variables with time lock to mortality.

Setting: Stony Brook University Hospital (New York) and Tongji Hospital.

Patients: Patients with confirmed positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 using polymerase chain reaction testing. Patients from the Stony Brook University Hospital data were used for training (80%, N = 1,002) and testing (20%, N = 250), and 375 patients from the Tongji Hospital (Wuhan, China) data were used for testing.

Intervention: None.

Measurements and Main Results: Longitudinal clinical variables were analyzed as a function of days from outcome with time-lock-to-day of death (non-survivors) or discharge (survivors). A predictive model using the significant earliest predictors was constructed. Performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (AUC). The predictive model found lactate dehydrogenase, lymphocytes, procalcitonin, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, respiratory rate, and white-blood cells to be early predictors of mortality. The AUC for the zero to 9 days prior to outcome were: 0.99, 0.96, 0.94, 0.90, 0.82, 0.75, 0.73, 0.77, 0.79, and 0.73, respectively (Stony Brook Hospital), and 1.0, 0.86, 0.88, 0.96, 0.91, 0.62, 0.67, 0.50, 0.63, and 0.57, respectively (Tongji Hospital). In comparison, prediction performance using hospital admission data was poor (AUC = 0.59). Temporal fluctuations of most clinical variables, indicative of physiological and biochemical instability, were markedly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study identified several clinical markers that demonstrated a temporal progression associated with mortality. These variables accurately predicted death within a few days prior to outcome, which provides objective indication that closer monitoring and interventions may be needed to prevent deterioration.
ALS3 Expression as an Indicator for Candida albicans Biofilm Formation and Drug Resistance
Authors: Deng Keke , Jiang Wei , Jiang Yanyu , Deng Qi , Cao Jinzhong , Yang Wenjie , Zhao Xuequn
Published: April 2021

Resistance caused by the formation of the Candida albicans (C. albicans) biofilm is one of the main reasons for antifungal therapy failure. Thus, it is important to find indicators that predict C. albicans biofilm formation to provide evidence for the early prevention and treatment of the C. albicans biofilms. In this study, C. albicans samples were selected from C. albicans septicemia that were sensitive to common antifungal agents. It was found that the agglutinin-like sequence 3 (ALS3) gene was differentially expressed in free, antifungal, drug-sensitive C. albicans. The average ALS3 gene expression was higher in the C. albicans strains with biofilm formation than that in the C. albicans strains without biofilm formation. Then, it was further confirmed that the rate of biofilm formation was higher in the high ALS3 gene expression group than that in the low ALS3 gene expression group. It was found that C. albicans with biofilm formation was more resistant to fluconazole, voriconazole, and itraconazole. However, it maintained its sensitivity to caspofungin and micafungin in vitro and in mice. Further experiments regarding the prevention of C. albicans biofilm formation were performed in mice, in which only caspofungin and micafungin prevented C. albicans biofilm formation. These results suggest that the expression level of ALS3 in C. albicans may be used as an indicator to determine whether C. albicans will form biofilms. The results also show that the biofilm formation of C. albicans remained sensitive to caspofungin and micafungin, which may help to guide the selection of clinical antifungal agents for prevention and therapy.