bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Report of The Auditing Committee
Authors: Weight E. H. , Weill Felix , Blankenagel John C.
Published: December 2020

The Auditing Committee met in the office of the Treasurer at New York University on the afternoon of Friday, December 27th, 1935. The accounts and reports of the Treasurer were examined by the Committee and were found correct and so certified. We take pleasure in adding that the work of the Committee was facilitated by the thorough and capable manner in which the accounts of the Treasurer have been kept and presented.
Childhood trauma moderates morphometric associations between orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala: implications for pathological personality traits
Authors: Bounoua Nadia , Miglin Rickie , Spielberg Jeffrey M. , Johnson Curtis L. , Sadeh Naomi
Published: December 2020

Background

Research has demonstrated that chronic stress exposure early in development can lead to detrimental alterations in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)–amygdala circuit. However, the majority of this research uses functional neuroimaging methods, and thus the extent to which childhood trauma corresponds to morphometric alterations in this limbic-cortical network has not yet been investigated. This study had two primary objectives: (i) to test whether anatomical associations between OFC–amygdala differed between adults as a function of exposure to chronic childhood assaultive trauma and (ii) to test how these environment-by-neurobiological effects relate to pathological personality traits.

Methods

Participants were 137 ethnically diverse adults (48.1% female) recruited from the community who completed a clinical diagnostic interview, a self-report measure of pathological personality traits, and anatomical MRI scans.

Results

Findings revealed that childhood trauma moderated bilateral OFC–amygdala volumetric associations. Specifically, adults with childhood trauma exposure showed a positive association between medial OFC volume and amygdalar volume, whereas adults with no childhood exposure showed the negative OFC–amygdala structural association observed in prior research with healthy samples. Examination of the translational relevance of trauma-related alterations in OFC–amygdala volumetric associations for disordered personality traits revealed that trauma exposure moderated the association of OFC volume with antagonistic and disinhibited phenotypes, traits characteristic of Cluster B personality disorders.

Conclusions

The OFC–amygdala circuit is a potential anatomical pathway through which early traumatic experiences perpetuate emotional dysregulation into adulthood and confer risk for personality pathology. Results provide novel evidence of divergent neuroanatomical pathways to similar personality phenotypes depending on early trauma exposure.
Thrombocytopaenia in cyanotic CHD
Authors: Danioth Simona , Schanz Urs , Greutmann Matthias
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

Thrombocytopaenia is common in adults with cyanotic heart disease. Our aim was to explore potential mechanisms for thrombocytopaenia in these vulnerable patients.

Methods:

Adults with cyanotic heart defects were identified from our clinical database. Haemoglobin levels, platelet counts, and resting oxygen saturations were determined at baseline and during follow-up. Associations between patient characteristics and cardiac physiology with these parameters at baseline and during follow-up were analysed using regression models. Survival estimates were determined by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results:

We included 79 patients (mean age 32.2 ± 12.4, 48 (61%) Eisenmenger syndrome, 20 (25%) Down syndrome). Mean oxygen saturation was 84.1 ± 5.9%; 38 (48%) had thrombocytopaenia. There was a strong inverse correlation between platelet count and haemoglobin level (R = −0.655, R2 = 0.429, p < 0.0001) and a weaker but significant positive correlation between platelet count and oxygen saturation (R = 0.345, R2 = 0.119, p = 0.002). There was a significant inverse correlation between decrease in platelet count and increase in haemoglobin level during follow-up (R = −0.401, R2 = 0.161, p = 0.001) but not to changes in oxygen saturation (R = 0.043, R2 = 0.002, p = 0.726). Survival estimates were lower for patients with thrombocytopaenia at baseline (log-rank test p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest a direct inverse correlation between platelet counts and haemoglobin levels in adults with cyanotic heart disease. Further studies are required to explore the mechanisms of thrombocytopaenia in cyanotic heart disease and its potential role as an independent marker of risk.
Implementation of Universal Infant Free School Meals: a pilot study in NE England exploring the impact on Key Stage 1 pupil’s dietary intake
Authors: Spence Suzanne , Matthews John NS , McSweeney Lorraine , Rowland Maisie K , Orango Phoebe , Adamson Ashley J
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To consider the principal effect of an interaction between year (pre- and post-Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM)) and school on pupil’s dietary intakes.

Design:

A repeated cross-sectional survey using dietary data from 2008 to 2009 (pre-) and 2017 to 2018 (post-UIFSM)

Setting:

Two primary schools, NE England.

Participants:

Pupils aged 4–7 years (2008–2009 n 121; 2017–2018 n 87).

Results:

At lunchtime, there was a statistically significant decrease in pupils non-milk extrinsic sugars intake (%E NMEs) pre- to post-UIFSM (mean change –4·6 %; 95 % CI –6·3, –2·9); this was reflected in total diet (–3·8 %; –5·2, –2·7 %). A year and school interaction was found for mean Ca intakes: post-UIFSM pupils in School 2 had a similar mean intake as pre; in School 1 intakes had increased (difference of difference: –120 mg; 95 % CI –179, –62); no reflection in total diet. Post-UIFSM mean portions of yogurt decreased in School 2 and remained similar in School 1 (–0·25; –0·46, –0·04); this was similar for ‘cake/pudding’ and fruit.

Conclusions:

Within the limitations, these findings highlight positives and limitations following UIFSM implementation and demonstrate the role of school-level food practices on pupil’s choices. To facilitate maximum potential of UIFSM, national levers, such as discussions on updating school food standards, including sugars, could consider removing the daily ‘pudding’ option and advocate ‘fruit only’ options 1 d/week, as some schools do currently. Small school-level changes could maximise positive health impacts by decreasing NMEs intake. A more robust evaluation is imperative to consider dietary impacts, equitability and wider effects on schools and families.
Demographic variations and temporal trends in prenatal use of multiple micronutrient supplements in Beijing, 2013–2017
Authors: Bian Haiyang , Tang Youchi , Zhou Yubo , Li Hongtian , Liu Jianmeng
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To provide updated information about demographic variations and temporal trends in the prenatal use of multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplements in the metropolitan areas of China.

Design:

Descriptive analysis of routine prenatal healthcare data between 2013 and 2017.

Setting:

Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.

Participants:

A total of 197 346 pregnant women who attended their first prenatal care visit and provided information about MMN supplementation during the periconceptional period.

Results:

Of these pregnant women, 60·6 % reported consuming prenatal MMN supplements. In multivariate-adjusted models, there were significant gradients of age, education and parity in prenatal MMN supplementation, with the highest likelihood of MMN use among the oldest, the most highly educated and nulliparous women (Pfor trend< 0·001). Compared with that among unemployed women, prenatal MMN supplementation was more common among the employed, especially those engaged in business (adjusted relative risks (95 % CI): 1·08 (1·06, 1·10)) and management (1·10 (1·08, 1·12)). The proportion of prenatal MMN supplementation was 57·0 % in 2013, which increased to 63·5 % in 2017 (Pfor trend< 0·001). The trends varied by age, education and parity (Pfor heterogeneity< 0·001), whereas no significant difference was observed in trends across subgroups of ethnicity or occupation. The greatest magnitude increase in MMN supplement use occurred in women of age < 25 years (annual percent change: 5·7 %), less than high school education (9·6 %), parity ≥ 2 (6·8 %) or unemployment (6·1 %).

Conclusion:

Approximately two-thirds of women consumed prenatal MMN supplements during the periconceptional period in the central area of Beijing and the proportion increased over time, indicating a need to evaluate the effectiveness and safety and to develop a guideline for relatively well-nourished women.
Pharmacological considerations of antibiotic failures in bovine respiratory disease cases
Authors: Lubbers Brian V.
Published: December 2020

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most common indications for antimicrobial therapy in beef cattle production and research trials demonstrate that antibiotic therapy greatly improves clinical outcome for BRD. These trials also show that BRD treatment success rates are less than 100% and that there are opportunities to optimize antimicrobial prescribing and improve clinical outcomes if the underlying cause(s) of BRD treatment failures can be identified and addressed. As the etiology of BRD in an individual animal is frequently multi-factorial in nature; it is likely that BRD treatment failures also result from complex interactions between the drug, drug administrator, animal host, pathogens, and the environment. This review will focus specifically on the pharmacological aspects, specifically the interactions between the host and the drug and the drug and the drug administrator, of BRD treatment failures and the actions that veterinary practitioners can take to investigate and mitigate therapeutic failures in future cases.
The use of mechanical restraint in Pacific Rim countries: an international epidemiological study
Authors: Newton-Howes G. , Savage M. K. , Arnold R. , Hasegawa T. , Staggs V. , Kisely S.
Published: December 2020

Aims

The use of mechanical restraint is a challenging area for psychiatry. Although mechanical restraint remains accepted as standard practice in some regions, there are ethical, legal and medical reasons to minimise or abolish its use. These concerns have intensified following the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Despite national policies to reduce use, the reporting of mechanical restraint has been poor, hampering a reasonable understanding of the epidemiology of restraint. This paper aims to develop a consistent measure of mechanical restraint and compare the measure within and across countries in the Pacific Rim.

Methods

We used the publicly available data from four Pacific Rim countries (Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States) to compare and contrast the reported rates of mechanical restraint. Summary measures were computed so as to enable international comparisons. Variation within each jurisdiction was also analysed.

Results

International rates of mechanical restraint in 2017 varied from 0.03 (New Zealand) to 98.8 (Japan) restraint events per million population per day, a variation greater than 3000-fold. Restraint in Australia (0.17 events per million) and the United States (0.37 events per million) fell between these two extremes. Variation as measured by restraint events per 1000 bed-days was less extreme but still substantial. Within all four countries there was also significant variation in restraint across districts. Variation across time did not show a steady reduction in restraint in any country during the period for which data were available (starting from 2003 at the earliest).

Conclusions

Policies to reduce or abolish mechanical restraint do not appear to be effecting change. It is improbable that the variation in restraint within the four examined Pacific Rim countries is accountable for by psychopathology. Greater efforts at reporting, monitoring and carrying out interventions to achieve the stated aim of reducing restraint are urgently needed.
Unearthing insights for climate change response in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hochachka Gail
Published: December 2020

Non-technical summary

The COVID-19 pandemic can be considered an experiment forced upon the world community and, as such, responses to the pandemic can provide lessons about socio-ecological systems as well as processes of transformative change. What enabled responses to COVID-19 to be as effective as they were, right at a time when climate action is notably lagging behind what intergovernmental panels have called for? This paper examines key differences in the COVID-19 response compared to that of climate change, examining the ‘deeper’ human dimensions of these global issues. Unearthing insights into the responses to both issues provides important lessons for climate change engagement.
Measuring Particle Current Density J on NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS)
Authors: Scudder J. D.
Published: December 2020

A theorem is proved that the minimum Nyquist compatible cadence Δτ for subsequent model free determinations of current density J by magnetospheric multiscale (MMS) instrumentation is the cadence of the ion plasma subsystem DIS of the fast plasma investigation (FPI). A sample of published discoveries and signatures of magnetic dissipation associated with collisionless magnetic reconnection at the noon magnetopause are reviewed that utilize observations of the variable Jplasma(t) reported at the electron DES subsystem cadence which is always Δτ/5. Nyquist's theorem precludes a unique interpolation of DIS observations to the DES cadence, casting a serious shadow on rumored interpolation strategies said to allow measurement of Jplasma at the DES cadence. The theorems and corollary are properties only of the FPI flight hardware and do not depend on peculiar plasma conditions for their conclusions. Determinations of J with measured scale lengths require a still slower cadence, twice that of the DIS subsystem. A rationale is still missing for the present MMS approach for determining Jplasma at the DES cadence.
Ambient Noise Surface Wave Reverse Time Migration for Fault Imaging
Authors: Li Haipeng , Li Junlun , Gu Ning , Gao Ji , Zhang Haijiang
Published: December 2020

Ambient noise tomography (ANT) has become a routine method to image shear‐wave velocity variations at different scales. However, ANT can only resolve smooth velocity variations and cannot give high‐resolution images of the subsurface discontinuities. Here we propose a novel Transmitted Surface Wave Reverse Time Migration (TSW‐RTM) method to directly image fault planes using the empirical surface wave Green's functions retrieved from ambient noise. Our proposed method can directly utilize the reconstructed surface wave waveforms from seismic noise cross‐correlations to image the sharp fault discontinuities with the seismic imaging principle. Compared to the conventional ambient noise tomograms, the migrated images from our proposed method delineate fault planes with much higher resolution and certainty for interpretations. The synthetic tests with different fault zone models demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of our novel fault imaging method. The proposed TSW‐RTM method is also applied to image two different segments of the Tanlu fault zone (TFZ) in eastern China, using the surface waves retrieved from the ambient noise data recorded by dense seismic linear arrays deployed across the TFZ. Our ambient noise imaging results are consistent with previous studies in the same areas regarding the fault plane positions and dips. Both synthetic tests and real data applications demonstrate that our method is very useful for fault characterizations in areas where active and passive seismic data are not available. Our proposed TSW‐RTM method opens up new ways to utilize the seismic ambient noise for imaging subsurface fault zone structures.
Fluorescence lifetime imaging with a megapixel SPAD camera and neural network lifetime estimation
Authors: Zickus Vytautas , Wu Ming-Lo , Morimoto Kazuhiro , Kapitany Valentin , Fatima Areeba , Turpin Alex , Insall Robert , Whitelaw Jamie , Machesky Laura , Bruschini Claudio , Faccio Daniele , Charbon Edoardo
Published: December 2020

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a key technology that provides direct insight into cell metabolism, cell dynamics and protein activity. However, determining the lifetimes of different fluorescent proteins requires the detection of a relatively large number of photons, hence slowing down total acquisition times. Moreover, there are many cases, for example in studies of cell collectives, where wide-field imaging is desired. We report scan-less wide-field FLIM based on a 0.5 MP resolution, time-gated Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) camera, with acquisition rates up to 1 Hz. Fluorescence lifetime estimation is performed via a pre-trained artificial neural network with 1000-fold improvement in processing times compared to standard least squares fitting techniques. We utilised our system to image HT1080—human fibrosarcoma cell line as well as Convallaria. The results show promise for real-time FLIM and a viable route towards multi-megapixel fluorescence lifetime images, with a proof-of-principle mosaic image shown with 3.6 MP.
An improved deep learning model for predicting daily PM2.5 concentration
Authors: Xiao Fei , Yang Mei , Fan Hong , Fan Guanghui , Al-qaness Mohammed A. A.
Published: December 2020

Over the past few decades, air pollution has caused serious damage to public health. Therefore, making accurate predictions of PM2.5 is a crucial task. Due to the transportation of air pollutants among areas, the PM2.5 concentration is strongly spatiotemporal correlated. However, the distribution of air pollution monitoring sites is not even making the spatiotemporal correlation between the central site and surrounding sites vary with different density of sites, and this was neglected by previous methods. To this end, this study proposes a weighted long short-term memory neural network extended model (WLSTME), which addressed the issue that how to consider the effect of the density of sites and wind conditions on the spatiotemporal correlation of air pollution concentration. First, a number of nearest surrounding sites were chosen as the neighbor sites to the central site, and their distance, as well as their air pollution concentration and wind condition, were input to multilayer perception (MLP) to generate weighted historical PM2.5 time series data. Second, historical PM2.5 concentration of the central site and weighted PM2.5 series data of neighbor sites were input into a long short-term memory (LSTM) to address spatiotemporal dependency simultaneously and extract spatiotemporal features. Finally, another MLP was utilized to integrate spatiotemporal features extracted above with the meteorological data of the central site to generate the forecasts future PM2.5 concentration of the central site. Daily PM2.5 concentration and meteorological data on Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei from 2015 to 2017 were collected to train models and to evaluate its performance. Experimental results with three existing methods showed that the proposed WLSTME model has the lowest RMSE (40.67) and MAE (26.10) and the highest p (0.59). Further experiments showed that in all seasons and regions, WLSTME performed the best. This finding confirms that WLSTME can significantly improve PM2.5 prediction accuracy.
Small angle X-ray scattering analysis of ligand-bound forms of tetrameric apolipoprotein-D
Authors: Kielkopf Claudia S. , Whitten Andrew E. , Garner Brett , Brown Simon H.J.
Published: December 2020

Human apolipoprotein-D (apoD) is a glycosylated lipocalin that plays a protective role in Alzheimer’s disease due to its antioxidant function. Native apoD from human body fluids forms oligomers, predominantly a stable tetramer. As a lipocalin, apoD binds and transports small hydrophobic molecules such as progesterone, palmitic acid and sphingomyelin. Oligomerisation is a common trait in the lipocalin family and is affected by ligand binding in other lipocalins. The crystal structure of monomeric apoD shows no major changes upon progesterone binding. Here, we used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate the influence of ligand binding and oxidation on apoD oligomerisation and conformation. As a solution-based technique, SAXS is well suited to detect changes in oligomeric state and conformation in response to ligand binding. Our results show no change in oligomeric state of apoD and no major conformational changes or subunit rearrangements in response to binding of ligands or protein oxidation. This highlights the highly stable structure of the native apoD tetramer under various physiologically relevant experimental conditions.
Hybrid beamforming designs for 5G new radio with fronthaul compression and functional splits
Authors: Li Jing , Yue Dianwu , Nguyen Ha H.
Published: December 2020

In this study, the authors investigate the intra‐physical functional splits of 5G new radio protocol stack proposed by different groups. Based on the location of the digital beamforming block, the radio units (RUs) are divided into two categories: Category A and Category B. Two implementation modes of hybrid beamforming at the physical layer are considered, in which digital beamforming is performed either at the distributed unit (DU), as in the Category A RU based hybrid beamforming (HBF‐A) scheme, or at the RUs, as in the Category B RU based hybrid beamforming (HBF‐B) scheme. To maximise the weighted sum rate, the authors formulate the problems of jointly designing hybrid beamforming, analogue combining and fronthaul compression strategies for both HBF‐A and HBF‐B. The formulated problems are simplified by adopting the codebook‐based design, and further tackled by leveraging the majorisation–minimisation algorithm. Finally, numerical results confirm that the HBF‐A scheme outperforms the HBF‐B scheme in the large power regime. Compared with the HBF‐A method, the HBF‐B method is more sensitive to changes in system parameters, such as the compression noise and the number of receive antennas, in the large power regime, while it is less sensitive in the small power regime.
Converting video classification problem to image classification with global descriptors and pre‐trained network
Authors: Zebhi Saeedeh , Al‐Modarresi SMT , Abootalebi Vahid
Published: December 2020

Motion history image (MHI) is a spatio‐temporal template that temporal motion information is collapsed into a single image where intensity is a function of recency of motion. Also, it consists of spatial information. Energy image (EI) based on the magnitude of optical flow is a temporal template that shows only temporal information of motion. Each video can be described in these templates. So, four new methods are introduced in this study. The first three methods are called basic methods. In method 1, each video splits into N groups of consecutive frames and MHI is calculated for each group. Transfer learning with fine‐tuning technique has been used for classifying these templates. EIs are used for classifying in method 2 similar to method 1. Fusing two streams of these templates is introduced as method 3. Finally, spatial information is added in method 4. Among these methods, method 4 outperforms others and it is called the proposed method. It achieves the recognition accuracy of 92.30 and 94.50% for UCF Sport and UCF‐11 action data sets, respectively. Also, the proposed method is compared with the state‐of‐the‐art approaches and the results show that it has the best performance.
Anti‐cancer combination therapy by co‐delivery of hydrophilic and hydrophobic using dual temperature and pH‐responsive liposomes
Authors: Nezhadali Azizollah , Shapouri Mahmoud Reza , Amoli‐Diva Mitra
Published: December 2020

A novel combination chemotherapic strategy by co‐delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and mitomycin C (MC) anti‐cancers was reported using dual pH and temperature‐responsive copolymer‐modified liposomes to achieve superior therapeutic efficacy. The copolymer was prepared using temperature‐responsive N‐isopropylacrylamide and pH‐responsive poly‐acrylic acid monomers through reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerisation and revealed dual pH/temperature‐dependent phase transitions proved by differential scanning colorimetric and cloud point measurements. With relatively high encapsulation efficiency of 81.2% for DOX and 77.3% for MC, the prepared polymer‐modified responsive liposomes (PMRLs) have shown enhanced and controlled temperature/pH‐dependent release profiles and significantly lower thermal dose thresholds with up to a 250‐fold decrease at pH 7.4 and 1000‐fold decrease at pH 5.5 compared to the traditional formulations. The temperature/pH‐dependent release profile of the drugs was investigated in vitro and cytotoxicity of the carriers was evaluated using both normal and cancerous cell lines. It was found that the two drugs co‐loaded PMRLs were revealed synergistic effects on cytotoxicity of the carriers against Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 breast cancer cells. The results revealed that by this combinational regimen, the prepared liposomes have the potential to dramatically decrease the risk of damage to healthy tissues normally caused by liposomal cancer therapy.
Influence of high hydrostatic pressure on the optical properties of minced fish proteins
Authors: Drobotko Valeriy , Bukin Gennadiy , Sokolov Sergey , Yashonkov Alexander , Falko Alexander
Published: December 2020

In the functioning of various biological systems, an extremely important role is played by the dynamic properties of optically anisotropic protein macromolecules, such as translational movements, temporal correlations, and transfer processes, which are determined by the surface charge, molecular weight, molecular shape, and the nature of intermolecular interactions.
Dependence of the sample estimates on the sample size
Authors: Kozlov Grigorii , Pushkarev Mikhail , Belyaev Daniil
Published: December 2020

The paper provides data on the dependence of the sample indicators of the arithmetic mean, variance, asymmetry and excess of the length of the needles of European spruce (Picea rubra) and European larch (Larix decidua), the average length of a pair of needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia). The sizes of samples have been determined, which make it possible to obtain the values of the estimates of sample indicators that have stabilized around their general values. The data on the difference between the law of distribution of the length of the needles of coniferous plants from the normal one are confirmed. The possibility of using graphs of the dependence of sample indicators on sample sizes for the examination of scientific data is discussed.
Biotechnological bases of the global ecological crisis
Authors: Galynkin Valery , Gabidova Alfiya
Published: December 2020

Anthropogenic impacts on nature endangered the normal implementation of its inherent biotic processes, upset the balance of the state of the biosphere. The most important function of any biocenosis, biogeocenosis and biosphere is the regular recreation of living matter and the energy accumulated in it. Meanwhile, it is the soil cover that ultimately takes on the pressure of the flow of industrial and municipal emissions and waste, performing the most important role of a buffer and detoxifier. The soil accumulates heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons, detergents and other chemical pollutants, thereby preventing their entry into natural waters and purifying the atmospheric air from them. On the other hand, the same substances or their derivatives, as well as heavy metals, fluorine, nitrogen and sulfur oxides in their original or transformed form, are intensively bound by mineral and organic substances of the soil, which sharply reduces their availability to plants and, accordingly, the general level of toxicity. Zinc content in soil ranges from 10 to 800 mg / kg, although most often it is 30-50 mg / kg. The greatest buffer capacity and the ability to reduce the negative impact of pollutants on plant and animal organisms are found in soils with a high humus content, with a heavy particle size distribution, high absorption capacity, enriched with lime materials (carbonates).
Potash regime for restoration of disturbed lands in the Far North
Authors: Iglovikov Anatoly
Published: December 2020

Disturbed soils of the Far North, underlain by permafrost, have extremely low fertility and were formed according to natural and climatic conditions. These soils and the vegetation cover formed on them are very vulnerable to destructive anthropogenic impacts associated with the industrial development of the North. To restore vegetation cover, agrotechnical techniques are used, including the use of various fertilizers. This article will address issues related to changes in the content of potassium in various agricultural techniques at the biological stage of recultivation in the Far North. Agromeliorative techniques increased the accumulation of potassium in the herbage, therefore, perennial grasses consume a large amount of potassium, strengthening their ecological plasticity. It is established that agromeliorative techniques play a crucial role in providing long-term grasses with available potassium. Potassium is consumed by perennial herbs throughout life. This fact should be taken into account when determining the rates of potash fertilization to maintain a stable herbage at the biological stage of reclamation and accelerate the restoration of natural cover.
Environmental problems of the oil and gas industry in Kazakhstan
Authors: Alimbaev Turgai , Yermagambetova Kuralay , Kabyltayeva Samal , Issayev Abilkhan , Kairat Zhadyra , Mazhitova Zhanna
Published: December 2020

This article examines the environmental problems of the oil and gas sector in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The authors emphasize that for many decades the oil fields of Kazakhstan have developed mainly a raw material management system with extremely high technogenic loads on the environment. It is noted that for Kazakstani economy, oil and gas production and especially their export play a key role in generating income and growth within the gross product. At the same time, the authors point out that the impact of the oil and gas field on the environment in recent years has been characterized by its intensity, diversity and significant scale. The issue of developing new hydrocarbon raw materials deposits is considered, which is accompanied by geological exploration, drilling and construction works, laying of pipelines and roads. The authors come to the conclusion that a strong anthropogenic impact on all components of the environment causes an active change in the chemical and physicochemical properties of the soil, disrupts the hydrological regime of territories, leads to impoverishment and changes in the species composition, structure and productivity of phytocenoses, a reduction in the spatial distribution and number of animal populations. In conclusion, the authors put forward a number of fundamental tasks for solving environmental problems of the industry.
Assessment of the impact of technogenic air pollution on the social processes of large urbanized regions
Authors: Yeprintsev Sergey , Kurolap Semen , Klepikov Oleg , Shekoyan Syuzanna
Published: December 2020

According to the Federal Information Fund for Social and Hygienic Monitoring FCFHE of Rospotrebnadzor air pollution in urbanized cities of Central Russia was studied. The most toxic anthropogenic pollutants and regions with the highest excesses of the maximum one-time and daily average maximum permissible concentrations of anthropogenic pollutants in the urban environment were identified. To assess the impact of technogenic air pollution on the medical and demographic processes of large urban areas in the GIS environment in the studied territories of Central Russia, we studied the dynamics of the general mortality of the population from malignant neoplasms of various organs, as well as the dynamics of mortality from leukemia. Studies have shown that a number of medical demographic processes directly correlate with atmospheric pollution by anthropogenic pollutants.
Study of corrosion-active microorganisms of the coastal zone of the Baltic and Barents seas
Authors: Nianikova Galina , Bryukhanov Andrey , Vlasov Dmitry , Mayorova Margarita , Nurmagomedov Magomed , Akhaev Dmitry , Tsarovtseva Inga
Published: December 2020

The composition of microbial communities in coastal zones in the area of Kislogubskaya tidal power plant (the Barents Sea) and near Saint Petersburg Flood Prevention Facility Complex in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea) was studied. The enrichment and pure cultures of microorganisms of various groups (sulfate-reducing, sulfur-oxidizing, nitrifying, ammonifying and iron-oxidizing bacteria) have been isolated, their cultural and physiological-biochemical properties, as well as their ability to induce corrosion of different materials used in the construction of hydraulic structures, have been studied.
Modern concepts of the fibrinolytic system
Authors: Sorokin Sergei , Shamtsyan Mark , Petrishchev Nicolai
Published: December 2020

Among all medical pathologies, cardiovascular diseases are the most dangerous and deadly. On the one hand, thrombosis is a natural reaction of a person to damage to blood vessels, on the other hand, thrombosis is often the cause of death in the event of cardiovascular disease. There is a natural process called fibrinolysis to dissolve a blood clot after the bleeding has stopped and preventing vascular occlusion. This article examines current understanding of the human fibrinolytic system, main elements of fibrinolytic system and also addresses the topic of thrombolytic therapy.
Antiradical and antidiabetic activity of Pleurotus ostreatus extracts
Authors: Shamtsyan Mark , Pogačnik Lea
Published: December 2020

Mushrooms have been an important part of the diet for centuries. There are more than 2,000 different species of mushrooms found in the nature, but only 25 species are generally used in the human diet, and even fewer are grown commercially. One of the more popular mushrooms for cultivation and culinary use are mushrooms of the genus Pleurotus. The objectives of this study were: (i) preparation of isolates from the basidiomycetes Pleurotus ostreatus by sequential extraction with cold and hot water, extraction with hot water and extraction with hot alkali solution for determination of antiradical activity and (ii) preparation of water and 70% ethanol extracts for determination of antidiabetic activity. The antiradical activity of the extracts was determined using spectrophotometric method based on inhibition of free radical 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Antidiabetic activity was determined using α- amylase inhibition assay with DNSA reagent and spectrophotometric determination. As a result of the work carried out, it was found that the preparations obtained by extraction exhibit antiradical activity. Regarding antidiabetic activity, all tested extracts showed considerable antidiabetic activity. Moreover, water extracts were inhibiting α-amylase significantly more than ethanol extracts at higher concentrations of dry extract (50 and 100 mg/mL), whereas at lower concentrations (1 and 10 mg/mL) of ethanol extracts were more efficient than water ones.
Hyperbolic models for the spread of epidemics on networks: kinetic description and numerical methods
Authors: Bertaglia Giulia , Pareschi Lorenzo
Published: December 2020

We consider the development of hyperbolic transport models for the propagation in space of an epidemic phenomenon described by a classical compartmental dynamics. The model is based on a kinetic description at discrete velocities of the spatial movement and interactions of a population of susceptible, infected and recovered individuals. Thanks to this, the unphysical feature of instantaneous diffusive effects, which is typical of parabolic models, is removed. In particular, we formally show how such reaction-diffusion models are recovered in an appropriate diffusive limit. The kinetic transport model is therefore considered within a spatial network, characterizing different places such as villages, cities, countries, etc. The transmission conditions in the nodes are analyzed and defined. Finally, the model is solved numerically on the network through a finite-volume IMEX method able to maintain the consistency with the diffusive limit without restrictions due to the scaling parameters. Several numerical tests for simple epidemic network structures are reported and confirm the ability of the model to correctly describe the spread of an epidemic.
Family counselling and flexibility of social services during Covid-19 emergency: Case study of Latvian municipalities
Authors: Broka Anna , Mihailova Hanna
Published: December 2020

In all the EU countries and Latvia, the health care impact during the Covid-19 outbreak was one of the first priorities. Meanwhile, less attention was paid to the social service burden, especially in social work with families and children, elderly and other social groups in the most vulnerable situations. New social measures were introduced from the very beginning of the emergency situation, and a crisis benefit was initiated for families and children at the local level. Social workers had to adjust their practice to more flexible, remote and transformed social service delivery. It required specific personal protective equipment (PPE) and new forms of communication channels with families in need and new risk groups. The analysis of correlation between the Covid-19 estimated cases and the social crisis benefit provided during the emergency was performed with a regression model by using the SPSS statistical and mathematical program. It is a starting point for the research on how the social measures introduced in the emergency were allocated. The evidence about the communication and inter-disciplinary experiences was obtained via the analysis of open-ended interviews with social workers and experts. The preliminary results demonstrate the importance of the work alleviating impacts from the national to local level with inter-disciplinary professional teamwork solutions and adaptability in social work practice.
Interrelations of paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs and critical thinking disposition among undergraduate medical students of RSU
Authors: Utinans Arturs , Ancane Gunta , Villerusa Anita , Vetra Janis
Published: December 2020

Magical and paranormal beliefs have been found in all cultures and strata of society, including medical university students. Critical thinking skills and dispositions are generally considered desirable outcomes of the educational process. Nevertheless, there is the lack of conceptual clarity about interrelations between the magical and critical thinking. Aim of the study is to explore prevalence of magical, paranormal beliefs and pseudoscientific beliefs among undergraduate medical students, as well as to explore prevalence of critical thinking dispositions among medical students and to assess interrelations and psychodynamics between “noncritical” forms of thinking – magical, paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs, and critical thinking disposition. The results showed statistically significant negative correlation between paranormal beliefs and critical thinking disposition if students are put in optional situation between opposite statements. If statements in assessment scales do not put respondents in optional situation, their results do not show significant correlations.
The importance of social capital in the community to meet the needs of a family with a disabled child
Authors: Banovcinova Andrea
Published: December 2020

The birth, education and care of a disabled child can negatively affect not only the life and functioning of individual members but also the family as a whole. An important role in assisting and supporting families with disabled children can be played by the community and its social capital, including both formal and informal social networks and the sources of support, the relationships that families have built up. The aim of the research was to find out how the parents of a child with disabilities reflect the importance of the community for their family, with an emphasis on meeting the child's needs. A qualitative research strategy has been used to achieve the goal. The method of data collection was a semi-structured interview. The research file was made up of parents of children with disabilities. The results highlight the importance of an informal social network for the family, which includes a wider family, organizations operating in the third sector to help children with disabilities and their families. One of the most significant obstacles perceived by parents is the poor spatial availability of the organization, which is particularly evident in the rural environment, and also poor awareness of the possibilities of helping and supporting the family. From formal resources, parents particularly perceived the importance of doctors and medical staff.
The walk-and-talk methodology – researching place and people
Authors: Pranka Maruta
Published: December 2020

The article focuses on walk-and-talk interviews, which are yet a little-used research method in Latvia. The term is used in the social sciences and humanities and is an appropriate method for gathering data in order to determine the relationship of an individual or a social group with a specific place. The method in a pilot project was used to listen to life experiences in Tūja, a village along the Baltic coast in Latvia. The study focused on social change in Tūja and the influence of the economic and political changes of the 1990s on the living conditions and lifestyle of the local inhabitants. The pilot project was conducted by the researchers from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of University of Latvia.
Management des pulmonalen Abszesses: Diagnostik und Behandlung
Authors: Hillejan Ludger
Published: December 2020

Ein Lungenabszess ist eine lokalisierte, meist bakterielle Einschmelzung des Lungengewebes. Für den Behandlungserfolg essenziell wichtig ist die Einordnung in eine an der Genese orientierte Klassifikation. Dies gelingt durch Anamnese, CT und Bronchoskopie. Grundpfeiler der konservativen Behandlung ist eine breite antibiotische Therapie. Interventionelle Maßnahmen wie transthorakale oder endobronchiale Abszessdrainage und die operative Therapie von der Videothorakoskopie über die VAC-Therapie bis zur anatomischen Resektion haben das Behandlungsspektrum erweitert.
Der digitale Workflow in der
In-Office-Alignertherapie
Authors: Schupp Werner , Funke Julia , Haubrich Julia
Published: December 2020

Die Alignertherapie hat sich im Zuge der Digitalisierung in den vergangenen
20 Jahren zunehmend als nicht mehr wegzudenkende Behandlungsalternative in
der Kieferorthopädie etabliert. Das Indikationsspektrum hat sich mit
steigender Erfahrung und besserem Verständnis der Biomechanik vom
Auflösen geringer Engstände und Schließen von
Lücken zu komplexeren Fällen erweitert. Die
Weiterentwicklung von kieferorthopädischer Computersoftware in Bezug
auf die Verarbeitung von 3D-Daten macht es möglich, dass der
Behandler heute entscheiden kann, ob der Workflow gänzlich in der
Praxis bzw. im Eigenlabor stattfinden soll, oder ob Teile der
Behandlungsplanung und Alignerherstellung an externe Dienstleister
outgesourct werden.

Der digitale Workflow für die In-House-Alignertherapie mithilfe der
OnyxCeph³™ Software wird skizziert und an einem Beispiel
verdeutlicht.
Molaren-Inzisiven-Malformation – ein
Fallbericht
Authors: Tack Lisa , Jung Britta A.
Published: December 2020

Der vorliegende Patientenfall thematisiert die kieferorthopädische
Vorgehensweise bei Molaren-Inzisiven-Malformation (MIM) der Zähne
16, 11, 21, 26, 36, 46 und hat das Ziel, einen kurzen Überblick zu
klinischen Aspekten und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten zu geben.
Knöpfologie in der Dopplersonografie
Authors: Jenssen Christian , Kubale Reinhard , Ignee Andre , Bartsch Leonie , Turco Verena , Hocke Michael , Fröhlich Eckhart , Schreiber-Dietrich Dagmar , Dudwiesus Heiko , Dietrich Christoph F.
Published: December 2020

Für eine optimale sonografische Dopplerbildgebung müssen die Geräteeinstellungen an die spezielle Anwendung, patientenindividuelle Gegebenheiten und die Sehgewohnheiten des Untersuchers adaptiert werden. Dieser Beitrag ermöglicht dem Anwender, „sein“ Gerät vom Einschalten über die Dopplerbildoptimierung bis zur Speicherung immer gut handhaben zu können – ohne alle technischen oder physikalischen Details hinter den „Knöpfen“ zu kennen.
Simulation with 3D Neuronavigation for Learning Cortical Bone Trajectory Screw Placement
Authors: Delgado-Fernández Juan , Frade-Porto Natalia , Blasco Guillermo , Gonzalez-Tarno Patricia , Gil-Simoes Ricardo , Pulido Paloma , Sola R.G.
Published: December 2020

Background and Objective Learning a new technique in neurosurgery is a big challenge especially for trainees. In recent years, simulations and simulators got into the focus as a teaching tool. Our objective is to propose a simulator for placement of cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws to improve results and reduce complications.

Methods We have created a platform consisting of a sawbone navigated with a 3D fluoroscope to familiarize our trainees and consultants with CBT technique and later implement it in our department. Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and Physician Performance Diagnostic Inventory Scale (PPDI) were obtained before and after the use of the simulator by the five participants in the study. Patients who were operated on after the implementation of the technique were retrospectively reviewed.

Results During the simulation, there were 4 cases of pedicle breach out of 24 screws inserted (16.6%). After having completed simulation, participants demonstrated an improvement in OSATS and PPDI (p = 0.039 and 0.042, respectively). Analyzing the answers to the different items of the tests, participants mainly improved in the knowledge (p = 0.038), the performance (p = 0.041), and understanding of the procedure (p = 0.034). In our retrospective series, eight patients with L4–L5 instability were operated on using CBT, improving their Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score (preoperative ODI 58.5 [SD 16.7] vs. postoperative ODI 31 [SD 13.4]; p = 0.028). One intraoperative complication due to a dural tear was observed. In the follow-up, we found a case of pseudoarthrosis and a facet joint violation, but no other complications related to misplacement, pedicle fracture, or hardware failure.

Conclusion The simulation we have created is useful for the implementation of CBT. In our study, consultants and trainees have valued very positively the learning obtained using the system. Moreover, simulation facilitated the learning of the technique and the understanding of surgical anatomy. We hope that simulation helps reducing complications in the future.
Failure mechanism analysis and experimental study of lead zirconate titanate actuators in piezoelectric micro jetting valve
Authors: Luo Zhiwei , He Yong , Sun Daoheng , Wang Lingyun
Published: December 2020

Piezoelectric ceramics have recently become one of the most common materials in electromechanical industries, especially in the microelectronic packaging industry. In a jetting dispenser, the presence of imbalanced stress-induced defects in such materials prevents them from providing high stability during the jetting dispensing process. In this work, lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramics (PZT ceramics) were used to actuate the amplifying mechanism of the jetting dispenser. However, during the cyclic dispensing, several ceramics were found to be damaged. In order to figure out what actually caused the damage, analytical and experimental studies were carried out to acquire characteristics of PZT ceramics with damages, and simulation studies of overstress were also performed. Details of the damage characteristics in PZT ceramics are discussed in this paper. This work will improve the stability and life of the piezoelectric dispenser and further promote its wide application in various fields.