bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Cancer-Associated Venous Thrombosis: A Nationwide Survey among Danish Oncologists
Authors: Højen Anette Arbjerg , Overvad Thure Filskov , Nybo Mads , Kümler Thomas , Rasmussen Morten Schnack , Christensen Thomas Decker , Larsen Torben Bjerregaard
Published: June 2021

Background Treatment patterns for cancer-associated venous thrombosis (CAT) has been shown to be nonconsistent with contemporary guideline recommendations, resulting in poor patient outcomes.

Objectives The study aimed to describe contemporary CAT management in Danish oncology departments and identify knowledge gaps and inconsistencies between guidelines and clinical practice.

Patients and Methods A survey questionnaire in Danish was developed based on contemporary national guidelines. Using an open recruitment strategy, invitations to participate in the electronic survey were sent to physicians employed at oncology departments in Denmark in winter of 2018/2019. The questionnaire was based on current national guidelines and included 10 items with multiple choices and a free-text option to specify or comment. The questionnaire was pilot-tested by a junior and senior oncologist.

Results A total of 142 physicians completed the survey, representing all Danish geographical regions and various seniority. The majority reported that CAT was treated and followed up in oncology departments. However, 36.6% of the physicians were unaware of the existence of designated cancer thrombosis guidelines. Risk of venous thrombosis was generally assessed without diagnostic scores. Almost all (98.6%) reported low-molecular-weight heparin to be first-line treatment for CAT. Treatment duration seemed wrongly influenced by subtype of venous thrombosis, and 44.5% responded that thromboprophylaxis among hospitalized patients was substantially underused.

Conclusion The variability in the daily clinical management of CAT demonstrated through this survey indicates a potential to increase awareness of available guidelines, standardized use of inpatient thromboprophylaxis, and organized treatment and follow-up in a multidisciplinary setting, which would potentially improve management of CAT in Denmark.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Direct Oral Anticoagulants among Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Risk, Prevention, Management, and Quality of Life
Authors: Zappulla Paolo , Calvi Valeria
Published: June 2021

A significant problem for patients undergoing oral anticoagulation therapy is gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), a problem that has become increasingly urgent following the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Furthermore, in recent years a greater focus has been placed on the quality of life (QOL) of patients on long-term oral anticoagulant therapy, which necessitates changes in lifestyle, as well as posing an increased risk of bleeding without producing objective symptomatic relief. Here, we examine current evidence linked to GIB associated with oral anticoagulants, with a focus on randomized control trials, meta-analyses, and postmarketing observational studies. Rivaroxaban and dabigatran (especially the 150-mg bis-in-die dose) appeared to be linked to an increased risk of GIB. The risk of GIB was also greater when edoxaban was used, although this was dependent on the dose. Apixaban did not pose a higher risk of GIB in comparison with warfarin. We provided a summary of current knowledge regarding GIB risk factors for individual anticoagulants, prevention strategies that lower the risk of GIB and management of DOAC therapy after a GIB episode.
COVID-19 and the academy: opinions and experiences of university-based scientists in the U.S.
Authors: Johnson Timothy P. , Feeney Mary K. , Jung Heyjie , Frandell Ashlee , Caldarulo Mattia , Michalegko Lesley , Islam Shaika , Welch Eric W.
Published: June 2021

Much of the available evidence regarding COVID-19 effects on the scientific community in the U.S. is anecdotal and non-representative. We report findings from a based survey of university-based biologists, biochemists, and civil and environmental engineers regarding negative and positive COVID-19 impacts, respondent contributions to addressing the pandemic, and their opinions regarding COVID-19 research policies. The most common negative impact was university closures, cited by 93% of all scientists. Significant subgroup differences emerged, with higher proportions of women, assistant professors, and scientists at institutions located in COVID-19 “hotspot” counties reporting difficulties concentrating on research. Assistant professors additionally reported facing more unanticipated childcare responsibilities. Approximately half of the sample also reported one or more positive COVID-19 impacts, suggesting the importance of developing a better understanding of the complete range of impacts across all fields of science. Regarding COVID-19 relevant public policy, findings suggest divergence of opinion concerning surveillance technologies and the need to alter federal approval processes for new tests and vaccines.
Electronic and relating behavior of Mn-doped ZnO nanostructures: An x-ray absorption spectroscopy study
Authors: Murphy Michael W. , Bovo Laura , Bottaro Gregorio , Armelao Lidia , Sham Tsun-Kong
Published: June 2021

Controlled synthesis of Mn-doped ZnO nanostructures with Mn concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 10% at. has been carried out using sol–gel methods and temperature treatments at 400, 600, and 800 °C. It is found that Mn is successfully introduced into the hcp oxide lattice of ZnO nanoparticles of a range of sizes from a few nm to 102 nm, depending on temperature conditions. It is also found that a secondary phase appears as the Mn concentration and processing temperature increase, most probably in the form appropriately described as MnOx clusters on the surface, although the dominant component remains hcp ZnO. The x-ray absorption near edge structure at all edges of interest reveals that the Mn2+ ion substitutes Zn2+ at the tetrahedral site and that the secondary phase exhibits a clear signature of the octahedral local environment at the Mn L3,2 and O K-edge. X-ray excited optical luminescence excited at 1085 eV (just above the Zn L3,2 edge) shows that the characteristic bandgap emission is slightly blue shifted and the luminescence from both the bandgap and defect emission is quenched somewhat with the latter significantly shifted to longer wavelengths in the region observed for surface and near surface defects. The Mn-doped samples processed at low temperature are poor light emitters due to the high degree of disorder and improve markedly with annealing at higher temperature. The magnetic properties of these systems were also investigated. The results suggest that Mn doping impedes radiative recombination, which is in favor of improved photocatalytic behavior. The implication of these findings is discussed.
Approaches to increase the load bearing capacity of bored injection piles
Authors: Sokolov N S
Published: June 2021

The issue of strengthening weak or overloaded bases is an important task for the development of underground space. This is especially true in the presence of alternating weak layers at the base. The paper considers a case from the geotechnical practice of strengthening the overloaded base of a reinforced concrete foundation plate of a 25-storey residential building under construction.

Combined ground piles consisting of Get (type 1) ground concrete piles reinforced along the longitudinal axis with made drill-injection piles using electric discharge technology (EDT piles) are used as buried structures. This method of arrangement of a combined buried reinforced concrete structure is due to the need to increase the load-bearing capacity of the pile on the ground by two times or more
Interaction of screw piles with the base
Authors: Glushkov Alexey , Glushkov Vyacheslav , Glushkov Ilya
Published: June 2021

The article presents the results of the practical applications of screw piles foundations for block quick-assembly buildings and buildings made of a metal frame. The results of experimental and theoretical studies of foundations in various ground conditions are presented. A method for estimating the stress-strain state of screw pile foundations using nonlinear calculation methods is proposed. The influence of pile length and blade diameter on the change in displacements and load-bearing capacity in cohesive and non-cohesive soils on the effect of pushing and anchor loads is revealed. The nature of the distribution of stresses and deformations at the base of foundations made of screw piles is revealed. The article is useful for engineers, specialists and researchers in the field of soil mechanics, foundation engineering and geotechnics.
Geotechnical monitoring results of 22-storey buildings on combined strip pile foundations with prestressed soil bases
Authors: Stepanov M A , Volosyuk D V , Bartolomey L A
Published: June 2021

The article describes the concept of combined strip pile foundations with prestressed soil bases by pressing them with the cement mortar. The soil base pressing makes it possible to regulate and control the soil stress-strain state by creating prestresses that allow increasing the rigidity of the soil base and reduce the level of the base settlement and deformations of the above-ground part, the values of which determine the operational suitability of structures and their technical and economic indicators. The authors present the results of the applied combined strip pile foundation implementation in Tyumen (Russia) during the construction of two 22-storey high monolithic-frame apartment buildings as an alternative to pile-raft foundations based on composite driven piles, which helps to reduce the estimated cost and timing of the foundation constructions. Also the article describes the construction operations and contains the geotechnical monitoring results, which confirmed the operational reliability of the implemented solutions.
Design and construction features on weak clay soils with high seismic hazard. The case of Olympic facilities in Sochi
Authors: Shulyatev O , Mozgacheva O , Stavnitser L
Published: June 2021

The article describes the experience of designing and construction the Olympic facilities in Sochi-2014 in difficult engineering and geological conditions, including on weak clay soils, with a seismicity of 9 points. Specific examples of design solutions and their implementation are given, as well as geotechnical monitoring data.
Modeling a reverse taper pile for frost heave conditions
Authors: Tretiakova O V
Published: June 2021

The research addresses the issue mathematical modeling of effective pile for construction in cold regions on the base of existing experimental studies. The problem of piles uplift by frost heave is critical and results in damage to overlying structures. Previous research and practice has shown that the existing methods of frost heave protection involving pile length extension lead to piles cost increase. It is assumed that a novel approach to the piles design is needed. The paper proposes directional reducing the influence of heaving soil on the reverse taper pile due to pile design features without its length extension. Positive effects which arise in this connection have been studied. The devised approach was based on mathematical modeling techniques. Heaving soil-pile interaction model has been developed. The study conducts an investigation of the pile frost heaving phenomenon that occurs in the annular space surrounding the pile. Particular attention has been given to working out pile geometry equations. It is concluded that the pile geometrical features developed by the devised mathematical modeling techniques allow to effectively reducing the frost heave influence. We can foresee that the research findings and the approach implementation will entail the reduction of construction costs in cold environments.
Monitoring of changes in the thermal regime in the road structure
Authors: Burgonutdinov A M , Kleveko V I
Published: June 2021

Freezing of wet dispersed soils is accompanied by a number of physical, physicochemical and physicomechanical phenomena and processes. In soils, when water freezes, the properties of the soils themselves change abruptly and abruptly, and the volume of frozen soil increases significantly, and not evenly. It was revealed that during freezing conditions can arise under which an increase in soil volume due to moisture migration to the freezing front and its freezing can reach tens of percent. This process is usually called frost heaving of soils. This phenomenon refers to physical and mechanical processes, as a result of which, under the influence of thermodynamic changes, the freezing soil acquires a stress-strain state. To combat frost heaving, it is necessary to study the patterns of changes in the water-thermal regime of road structures. The article presents various methods for assessing the water-thermal regime of road structures. The developed system of temperature monitoring of the road structure to a depth of up to 3 m and some measurement results are described, which make it possible to assess the temperature change at different depths from the road surface.
Experience in effective changing of the tunneling parameters according to the data of automated hydrostatic levels to minimize the impact on the operating section of the Moscow Metro (from the experience of the organization)
Authors: Medvedev G M , Khoteev E A
Published: June 2021

Due to the intensive development of the underground space of Moscow and the increasing requirements for environmental protection, there is a need for continuous high-precision monitoring of the settlements of existing structures of normal and higher levels of responsibility. Moreover, if points of observation of the structure are located in an open space, then traditional geodetic methods (using optical levels, tacheometers) cannot ensure the continuity of observations (for example, in case of heavy rain, fog, snowfall or smoke). This, in turn, does not allow us to promptly respond to emergencies and take measures to prevent them. The article discusses the experience of automated real-time monitoring using Monitron hydrostatic leveling system to prevent an emergency during the construction of a collector tunnel with a diameter of 4.0 m under one of the Moscow Metro lines.
Development of a method for calculating the ultimate resistance force of a sand pad with a variable reinforcement pitch
Authors: Tatiannikov D A
Published: June 2021

The paper presents the numerical simulation results of reinforced sand pads under load. During the simulation, the parameters of the soil base, the pad material, as well as the reinforcing materials varied. Based on the results of the study, a formula for determining the ultimate resistance force of a reinforced sand pad was set.
Obtaining and study of physicochemical properties of chitin/chitosan-melanin complexes from Hermetia illucens
Authors: Khayrova Adelya , Lopatin Sergei , Varlamov Valery
Published: June 2021

The increase of organic wastes generated worldwide has become a global issue for the past years. Saprophagous insects including black soldier fly or Hermetia illucens have been a topic of interest among researchers due to their ability to recycle organic wastes. Once insect species mature, their biomass can be used to extract valuable biochemicals including chitin and melanin. In this study, the extraction schemes for obtaining chitin- and chitosan-melanin complexes from pupal exuviae and dead imagoes of Hermetia illucens were proposed, and their physicochemical properties were investigated. It was shown that black soldier fly can serve as a unique source of covalently bound chitosan-melanin complex with melanin content greater than 14%. In addition, the antioxidant activity of chitosan-melanin complex against DPPH activity was tested and compared to chitosan and melanin. It was revealed that chitosan-melanin complex possesses an enhanced antioxidant activity. These results suggested that black soldier fly is a promising source of chitosan-melanin complex with a high potential for cosmetic and biomedical applications.
Production of tungsten carbide powder by the reaction of tungsten with ethanol
Authors: Miroshnichenko M N , Kolosov V N
Published: June 2021

The possibility of synthesizing tungsten carbide powders by carburizing mesoporous tungsten powders using ethanol as a carbon source is shown. WC carbide was synthesized at the temperature of 730-900 °C, using argon or helium as a carrier gas in the interaction of tungsten with the products of thermal decomposition of ethanol. Carbide has a hexagonal crystal structure. The specific surface area of carbide powders reaches 13 m2⋅g−1. Their average crystallite size determined by the X-ray method is 17-25 nm.
APPLICATION OF ADHESIVES AND PLASMA MODIFICATION TO INCREASE THE ADHESIVE STRENGTH OF FIBROUS COMPOSITES
Authors: Timoshina Y A , Voznesensky E F , Karimullin I I , Latfullin I I , Kulevtsov G N , Krasina I V
Published: June 2021

It is shown that the use of amino aldehyde oligomers as an adhesive in fibrous composite materials based on synthetic fibers leads to an increase in the adhesive interaction between components. Due to the limited wettability of the synthetic fiber filler with adhesives, it is advisable to carry out preliminary RF plasma treatment of fibers in a plasma-forming air medium. The matrix polymer and the adhesive have good mutual adhesion, and the lack of adhesion between the adhesive and the synthetic fibers is compensated by the formation of functional reactive groups on the surface of the synthetic fibers during RF plasma treatment.
Experimental investigation on the thermal resistance of thermotropic aromatic oligoesters
Authors: Deberdeev T R , Karimova L K , Kochemasova D V , Grishin S V , Shinkarev A A , Akhmetshina A I
Published: June 2021

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline polymers based on 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, aromatic dibasic acids, and aromatic diols via a high-temperature polycondensation are described. FT-IR spectroscopy was employed to evaluate a molecular weight of the samples that can be considered as oligoesters. The mesophase existence ranges of the samples were estimated by means of DSC and optical polarizing microscopy. Liquid crystalline oligoesters offer excellent thermal (T0 = 250-373 °C) properties. The macromolecules obtained contain reactive terminal groups and retain the ability to grow at elevated temperatures.
Functional properties of nanopowder nickel materials with trimodal porosity consolidated by sintering-dissolution method
Authors: Shustov V S , Zelensky V A , Ankudinov A B , Gnedovets A G , Alymov M I , Ustyukhin A S , Sudin V V
Published: June 2021

Nanopowder nickel materials with trimodal porosity were consolidated in the sintering-dissolution process using bidispersed NaCl porogen powders. The dependence of the permeability of the fabricated porous nickel materials on the ratio of coarse and fine components of bidisperse porogen was investigated. The studies were carried out on samples made using 80 and 85 vol.% of porogen. It is shown that porous samples synthesized using a bidisperse porogen have lower permeability compared to those with a monodisperse porogen.
Hybrid approach to computer design “self-healing” ferritic steels: quantum mechanical calculations, statistical and physico-empirical models, thermodynamic optimization and forecasting
Authors: Udovsky A L
Published: June 2021

The analysis of experimental data on neutron-structural studies of the sigma-phase of the alloys of the Fe-Cr system, obtained by Yakel, was carried out, which made it possible to introduce the concept of coordination spheres with an average radius around atoms located on all five sublattices of the crystal structure of sigma-phase. This analysis made it possible to develop a simplified statistical three-sub-lattice model for the sigma-phase in order to calculate the structural and thermodynamic properties taking into account its homogeneity region in Fe-(Cr, V, Mo) systems. The functional of the free mixing energy of the sigma-phase is written down as a function of the pair energies of the atoms of the components located on different sublattices of the sigma-phase, as well as the configurational entropy in the Gorsky-Bragg-Williams approximation. A system of equations of state is obtained by minimizing the free energy functional over different configurations. The independent energy parameters of the model are calculated by “linking” to the results of quantum mechanical calculations of the total energy and mixing energy of the sigma-phase of stoichiometric compositions for the ground state relative to sigma-phases of pure components. The solution of the system of equations of state allows one to calculate the distribution of atoms of both components over all sublattices of the sigma-phase, thermodynamic properties depending on the composition and temperature. In order to take into account the effect of temperature on the magnetic component of the free energy of mixing for the sigma phase, within the framework of the Inden-Hillert-Jarl model, estimates of the mean magnetic moment and Curie temperature are made for both the sigma phase of the Fe and the concentration dependences in the Fe-V system.
Laser ablation synthesis and characteristics of Tm-doped Gd2O3 nanoparticles
Authors: Osipov V V , Vasin D A , Tikhonov E V , Maksimov R N , Shitov V A
Published: June 2021

Synthesis of nano-sized particles of thulium-doped gadolinium sesquioxide is reported. The nanopowder was obtained by laser ablation of solid target composed of a mixture of Tm2O3 and Gd2O3 powders using radiation of pulse-periodical CO2 laser. Morphological features, structural characteristics of nanoparticles and their densification behavior were investigated. It was shown that the as-synthesized nanopowder consists of loosely agglomerated particles with spherical shape and a diameter from 10 to 40 nm. It was revealed that the obtained sample is in the form of solid solution of Tm2O3 in Gd2O3 with monoclinic crystalline phase exhibiting the following lattice parameters: a = 14.095 Å; b = 3.571 Å c = 8.758 Å β = 100.182 °. Using X-ray diffraction analysis it was determined that, as opposed to other rare-earth sesquioxides (for instance, Y2O3 and Lu2O3), the phase transformation of monoclinic modification into cubic modification was not observed under thermal treatment at a temperature up to 1200 °C. This was also confirmed by an absence of stepwise variation in density of Tm:Gd2O3 compact which was evident for Gd2O3 sample prepared from powder with cubic phase and micro-sized particles.
Effect of fullerite powder size on the properties of composite materials synthesized at high pressure from iron-C60/70 mixtures
Authors: Lukina I N , Apostolova M O , Drozdova E I , Chernogorova O P
Published: June 2021

Fullerite C60/70 particles of > 315, 315 – 125, 125–60, and < 60 μm in size were used for synthesis of composite materials (CM) from their mixtures with iron powder by heating to temperatures of 1200 – 1400 K at a pressure of 5 GPa. The effect of fullerite particle size in iron matrix on the formation of superelastic hard carbon phase after fullerene molecule collapse has been studied by the methods of high-resolution Raman spectroscopy, light microscopy, and microindentation. The coarsest particles prepared at 1200 K retain polymerized fullerites, while the finest particles prepared at 1400 K exhibit partial graphitization. Tribological tests showed that the wear resistance of the CM is determined by the degree of transformation completion, and the reinforcement effect increases with sand-paper grain refinement. Graphitization of the reinforcing particles leads to a decrease in wear resistance (by a factor of ∼3) at a retention of a relatively low friction coefficient. The most stable results (high wear resistance and friction coefficient of 0.18–0.3) are characteristic of the CM reinforced with carbon particles prepared from fullerites of medium size.
Sintering mechanism and activation energy of MgAl2O4 synthesized by preceramic organomagnesiumoxanealumoxan
Authors: Gumennikova E A , Titov D D , Shcherbakova G I , Pokhorenko A S , Lysenkov A S , Konovalov A A , Danilin K D , Kargin Yu F , Senina M O
Published: June 2021

A detailed study of the new method’s ceramic spinel powder was carried out in the paper. A thorough analysis of the oligomer pyrolysis temperature effect on the kinetics and sintering mechanism was carried out in this work. The dependence of the change in the shrinkage and the shrinkage rate of spinel samples during non-isothermal sintering at three heating rates-5, 10, 20 °C/min were obtained. Analyzing the obtained dependencies can be concluded that an increase in the pyrolysis temperature leads to a shift in the spinel shrinkage curves towards higher values of the sintering start temperature. The data obtained were used to determine the sintering parameter of spinel powder, which corresponds to the change in the dominant sintering mechanism from viscous flow to bulk diffusion, increasing the pyrolysis temperature.
Breeding of winter wheat for resistance to leaf rust in the foothill zone of the Central Caucasus
Authors: Kozyrev S G , Manukyan I R , Basieva M A , Miroshnikova E S , Dogusova N N
Published: June 2021

The decrease in the efficiency of most Lr-genes is associated with microevolutionary processes within the population and the emergence of new virulent races of the phytopathogen, which are capable of overcoming previously effective resistance genes. The article presents the results of a phytopathological test and marker analysis of the selection material of winter wheat for resistance to the causative agent of brown rust (Puccinia recondita Robex Desm f. sp. tritici.). The object of research was 20 varieties of different ecological and geographical origin. DNA was isolated from the leaves of 10-day-old wheat seedlings. Molecular markers were used for the following genes: Lr9 (SCS5), Lr10 (Fi.2245 / Lr10-6 / r2), Lr19/Sr25 (SCS265), Lr20 / Sr15 (STS638), Lr24 / Sr24 (Sr24 # 12), Lr34 / Sr57 (csLV34), Lr37 / Sr38 / Yr17 / Pch2 / Cre5 (Ventriup / LN2), Lr41 (GDM35), Lr47 (PS10). As a result of molecular screening, it was established that the Lr37 genes were identified in the List 25 cultivar; for the Myth variety-Lr10; for the Eltan variety-Lr10; Markola variety-Lr34; for the Malvina variety-Lr26; the variety Creator-Lr10; for variety DB 1/05-Lr10; the Evklid cultivar has the Lr10 gene; the variety Sumai aut-Lr34; in the Lebidka odes’ka variety-Lr34; Solara variety-Lr34; the variety Zhiva-Lr10, Lr34. When comparing the results of marker analysis with field resistance to leaf rust, a resistant type of reaction to infection (R) reaction (S) was observed in the Markola and Mallyska cultivars; medium susceptible type of reaction (MS)-in cultivars Lebidka odes’ka and Tvorets.
On the possibility of using the BactoSCREEN time-of-flight mass spectrometer to determine the resistance of microorganisms in agriculture
Authors: Semigonov A V , Glinushkin A P
Published: June 2021

This article discusses the possibilities of using the BactoSCREEN mass spectrometer to determine the resistance of microorganisms in phytopathology. Examples and possibilities of using this mass spectrometer are considered. The scientific novelty of the work lies in considering the possibility of using the BastoSCREEN time-of-flight mass spectrometer in resistanceology, identifying the main features of this device- the speed of operation and the possibility of updating the database, as well as economic efficiency. As a result, this device is seen as a good alternative to traditional research methods.
LEAF-SPOTTING DISEASES AS A MATTER OF DAMAGE OF ALFALFA BREEDING POPULATIONS IN AN EVIDENT MULTIFOLIATE PHASE IN DIFFERENT CYCLES OF PHENOTYPIC RECURRENT SELECTION
Authors: Cherniavskih V I , Dumacheva E V , Borodaeva Zh A , Markova E I
Published: June 2021

Alfalfa (Medicago varia Mart.) is the most important forage crop for considerable amount of regions of the Russian Federation and throughout the entire world. Assessment of the stability and resistance of alfalfa varieties to a complex of leaf-spotting diseases under various environmental conditions is important for breeding programs as a tool for selecting the best varieties and breeding samples. In the course of a three-year experiment (2016-2018) there were tested the productivity and resistance to a complex of leaf spotting diseases of a commercial variety Krasnoyaruzhskaya 1 and breeding populations with high multifoliate expression (evident multi-leaf phase – mf-multi-leaf mutations) obtained on its basis in several cycles (I-III) of periodic (recurrent) selection. Six alfalfa-breeding populations were tested in two ecotopes on two soil differences: plot 1-ecotope of field crop rotation; plot 2-ecotope of a plowed meadow in the floodplain of the river Oskol in Chernyansky district, Belgorod region (meadow ecotope). The data obtained were analyzed by the method of two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) according to a 2x4 scheme with the calculation of LSD 0.05. There were evaluated organized factors: factor A — selection feature: A1 (G) – high multifoliate expression (mf-mutation) without the manifestation of anthocyanin color of the stem (green color of the stem); A2 (AN) – high multifoliate expression (mf-mutation) with an evident anthocyanin color of the stem (purple color of the stem); factor B – a recurrence selection cycle: C-0, C-1, C-2, C-3. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to identify the close relationships between the studied indicators. It has been established that three cycles of recurrent selection are effective for increasing multifoliate expression in alfalfa breeding populations without increasing inbreeding depression based on seed productivity. Multifoliate forms are resistant to the development of leaf-spotting diseases and their prevalence. The most stable are the forms in which selection for the expression of the mf-mutation was carried out simultaneously with the increase in the index of the anthocyanin color of the stem. For a more effective assessment of the resistance of alfalfa breeding populations to leaf-spotting in Central Russia, comparative testing must be carried out simultaneously under conditions of favorable ecotopes of field crop rotation with fertile black soil rich in humus (chernozem) and in adverse conditions of meadow ecotopes.
Determination of underground voids in the surface of the earth section
Authors: Pchelkin G A , Grevtseva A S , Diuldin M V
Published: June 2021

One of the negative factors that affects the performance of various works on the Earth’s surface are voids in the surface part of the earth’s section. They are formed for various reasons. In most cases, these reasons are associated with irresponsible human activities. This can be excavation through adits, groundwater abstraction, or a breakthrough of underground utilities. In some cases, a disturbance in the ecological balance leads to the fact that the rivers go underground. Large areas of earth and sandstone are washed away. There is a danger of a collapse of the territory. Heavy rains are exacerbating this situation. These formed voids must be identified in a timely manner. Therefore, in places of their possible formation, it is necessary to constantly monitor the territory. The paper proposes an easy-to-use method for detecting these voids by imaging using refracted waves. For this, the collected data was processed using two different techniques. In the first case, the correlation of the first peaks on all seismograms is performed. This made it possible to obtain a depth-velocity section. The second method consists in reducing the travel time curves of the first refracted wave and obtaining a summarized seismic section. In this case, voids are distinguished by the loss of correlation of the axes of in-phase of the reduced time. This allows you to identify even small voids that form under the soil. With the deterioration of the ecological state, more and more voids are formed. To eliminate them, it is necessary to take prompt measures.
Development of an optical method for determining the glassiness of brewing wheat for the production of environmentally friendly beer
Authors: Cheremisin A V , Logunov S E , Davydov M N , Makeev S S
Published: June 2021

A method has been developed for the objective assessment of the vitreousness of barley using computer vision technologies. An algorithm has been developed for determining the total glassiness of a barley sample based on the analysis of its digital images. The influence of the orientation of objects on the results of the algorithm is evaluated. The repeatability of the results for the same orientation of objects is estimated. For the first time, the function of evaluating the evenness of samples by the indicator “glassiness” has been implemented.
Damage Assessment Methods for Emergencies in rural areas and suburban zones
Authors: Sviatkina V I , Mozhayko A A , Duldin M V
Published: June 2021

The article considers the use of Pareto distribution as one of the ways to assess the possible damage from rare and unique emergencies in rural and suburban areas. An approximation is made with the generalized emergency scale distribution function. The use of indicative and power distribution functions makes it possible to carry out an integral assessment of the probability of rare and unique emergencies, to assess the possible annual damage from them.
Productivity of a promising forage species Poterium polygamum Waldst. & Kit. in the conditions of North Ossetia-Alania
Authors: Tsugkiev B G , Gagieva L Ch , Cherniavskih V I , Dumacheva E V
Published: June 2021

The article presents the results of a long-term study of Poterium polygamum Waldst. & Kit. when introduced into culture in the collection nursery of plants of the Research Institute of Biotechnology in the Botanical Garden of the Gorsk State Agrarian University (Republic of North Ossetia-Alania) with the participation of the staff of the Botanical Garden of the Belgorod State University. The morphological features of P. polygamum are described: the structure of vegetative and generative organs. An assessment of the dynamics of the formation of aboveground phytomass, indicators of photosynthetic activity, productivity of the aboveground mass and seed productivity during the cultivation of P. polygamum under the conditions of culture is given. It has been established that the species P. polygamum, which is promising for fodder production, has a high bioresource potential under the conditions of North Ossetia-Alania and in culture can ensure the maintenance of the stability of cenopopulations throughout all the years of cultivation. The leaf area on average over four years of research was 48.5 thousand m2 (ha−1), photosynthetic potential-1.3 million m2 (ha−1), net productivity of photosynthesis-4.7 g (m−2) per day, yield of aboveground phytomass-321 q (ha−1) (r = 0.39-0.91). On average, when cultivated in culture, individuals of P. polygamum formed generative shoots-843.9 pcs. (m−2) per day; heads on 1 shoot-3.7 pcs.; seeds in 1 head-10.1 pcs.; seeds from 1 shoot-1.0 g; have a mass of 1000 seeds-8.6 g; seed yield-862.6 kg (ha−1). Seed productivity of P. polygamum varied from 773.3 to 947.8 pcs. per 1 m2. At the same time, the coefficient of seed productivity varied from 19.5 to 40.9%. Such stable productivity allows individuals of P. polygamum in natural conditions to withstand competition with other plants, and in culture makes the species promising for cultivation as a forage species.
Comparative Analysis of Nanostructure and Phase omposition of Amorphous and Polycrystalline Al85Ni7Fe4La4 Alloys after Complex Impacts of Deformation and Flash Lamp Annealing
Authors: Bakhteeva N D , Todorova E V
Published: June 2021

The structure and phase composition of an aluminum-based alloy Al-Ni-Fe-La with two types of initial structure (polycrystalline and amorphous) after complex action of plastic deformation and pulsed photonic processing were studied by metallography, X-ray diffraction analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that in alloys of both types, after intensive plastic deformation (IPD), a multiphase nanostructural state is formed. In a polycrystalline alloy, IPD develops the dispersion of all phase components present in the alloy after quenching. In an amorphous alloy, IPD causes the development of partial multiphase crystallization, which is not completed in the entire range of the studied deformation parameters. The retained amorphous phase and high dispersion of all phase components in the amorphous alloy provide increased values of hardness in comparison with the hardness of a polycrystalline alloy under all investigated deformation modes. It is shown that preliminary deformation increases the stability of the amorphous alloy to temperature. Complex processing, including IPD and FLA, leads to additional hardening of alloys. The optimal mode of complex action on the structure, which ensures their maximum strength characteristics, has been determined. The hardness of the alloy with the initial amorphous structure remains higher in the entire investigated range of complex processing parameters.
Quantifying vegetation response to environmental changes on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)
Authors: Herrera Estrella E , Stoeth A , Krakauer N Y , Devineni N
Published: June 2021

The vegetation of the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) is strongly influenced by climate. El Niño events, seasonality, isolation, volcanism, and increasing human activity define the ecosystems of the archipelago. Given their socio-cultural and economic importance, it is critical to monitor the response of Galapagos vegetation to changes in climate and assess its vulnerability. This study explores the potential to use Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a proxy to describe trends in primary productivity in the Galapagos (2000–2019) and models the relationship between NDVI and climate variables including evaporation and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.

From numerous possible co-variates compiled from reanalysis and satellites, we identify the independent variables that most strongly influence NDVI using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. Significant variables, including carbon dioxide concentration, evaporation, and autocorrelation (1-month and 12-months lagged NDVI) are then used to model NDVI in a generalized linear model (GLM) framework. The model predicts NDVI more effectively where values for NDVI are high (high elevation, lush vegetation), and clearly reflects seasonality. Validation of the model across pixels produces R
2 values ranging from 0.05 to 0.94, and the mean R
2 is 0.57 (0.65 for elevation >20 m). This methodology has the potential to continuously and non-intrusively monitor vegetation changes in sensitive ecological regions, such as the Galapagos.
Ternary organic photodetectors based on pseudo-binaries nonfullerene-based acceptors
Authors: Zhang Tianyi , Moser Maximilian , Scaccabarozzi Alberto D , Bristow Helen , Jacoutot Polina , Wadsworth Andrew , Anthopoulos Thomas D , McCulloch Iain , Gasparini Nicola
Published: June 2021

The addition of a third component to a donor:acceptor blend is a powerful tool to enhance the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells. Featuring a similar operating mechanism, organic photodetectors are also expected to benefit from this approach. Here, we fabricated ternary organic photodetectors, based on a polymer donor and two nonfullerene acceptors, resulting in a low dark current of 0.42 nA cm−2 at −2 V and a broadband specific detectivity of 1012 Jones. We found that exciton recombination in the binary blend is reduced in ternary devices due to the formation of a pseudo-binary microstructure with mixed donor–acceptor phases. With this approach a wide range of intermediate open-circuit voltages is accessible, without sacrificing light-to-current conversion. This results in ternary organic photodetector (TOPD) with improved Responsivity values in the near-infrared. Moreover, morphology analyses reveal that TOPD devices showed improved microstructure ordering and consequentially higher charge carrier mobilities compared to the reference devices.
EPSOL: sequence-based protein solubility prediction using multidimensional embedding
Authors: Wu Xiang , Yu Liang
Published: June 2021

Motivation

The heterologous expression of recombinant protein requires host cells, such as Escherichiacoli, and the solubility of protein greatly affects the protein yield. A novel and highly accurate solubility predictor that concurrently improves the production yield and minimizes production cost, and that forecasts protein solubility in an E.coli expression system before the actual experimental work is highly sought.

Results

In this article, EPSOL, a novel deep learning architecture for the prediction of protein solubility in an E.coli expression system, which automatically obtains comprehensive protein feature representations using multidimensional embedding, is presented. EPSOL outperformed all existing sequence-based solubility predictors and achieved 0.79 in accuracy and 0.58 in Matthew’s correlation coefficient. The higher performance of EPSOL permits large-scale screening for sequence variants with enhanced manufacturability and predicts the solubility of new recombinant proteins in an E.coli expression system with greater reliability.

Availability and implementation

EPSOL’s best model and results can be downloaded from GitHub (https://github.com/LiangYu-Xidian/EPSOL).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Histopathological features for coexistent invasive cancer in large colorectal adenomatous polyps
Authors: Emmanuel A , Haji A , Gulati S , Moorhead J , Papagrigoriadis S , Hayee B , Diaz-Cano S
Published: June 2021

Background

Histopathological features associated with coexistent invasive adenocarcinoma in large colorectal adenomas have not been described. This study aimed to determine the association of histopathological features in areas of low-grade dysplasia with coexistent invasive adenocarcinoma.

Methods

High-grade lesions (containing high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma) from a cohort of large (at least 20 mm) colorectal adenomas removed by endoscopic resection were subjected to detailed histopathological analysis. The histopathological features in low-grade areas with coexistent adenocarcinoma were reviewed and their diagnostic performance was evaluated.

Results

Seventy-four high-grade lesions from 401 endoscopic resections of large adenomas were included. In the low-grade dysplastic areas, a coexistent invasive adenocarcinoma was associated significantly with a cribriform or trabecular growth pattern (P < 0.001), high nuclear grade (P < 0.001), multifocal intraluminal necrosis (P < 0.001), atypical mitotic figures (P = 0.006), infiltrative lesion edges (P < 0.001), a broad fibrous band (P = 0.001), ulceration (P < 0.001), expansile nodules (P < 0.001) and an extensive tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte pattern (P = 0.04). Lesions with coexistent invasive adenocarcinoma harboured at least one of these features. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for coexistent invasive adenocarcinoma, using frequencies of adverse histopathological factors in low-grade areas, was 0.92. The presence of two or more of these adverse histopathological features in low-grade areas had a sensitivity of 86 per cent and a specificity of 84 per cent for coexistent invasive adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion

Several histopathological features in low-grade dysplastic areas of adenomas could be predictive of coexistent adenocarcinoma.
Non-Linearities, State-Dependent Prices and the Transmission Mechanism of Monetary Policy
Authors: Ascari Guido , Haber Timo
Published: June 2021

A sticky price theory of the transmission mechanism of monetary policy shocks based on state-dependent pricing yields two testable implications that do not hold in time-dependent models. First, large monetary policy shocks should yield proportionally larger initial responses of the price level. Second, in a high trend inflation regime, the response of the price level to monetary policy shocks should be larger and real effects smaller. Our analysis provides evidence supporting these non-linear effects in the response of the price level in aggregate US data, indicating state-dependent pricing as an important feature of the transmission mechanism of monetary policy.
Invertebrate decline reduces bacterial diversity associated with leaves and flowers
Authors: Junker Robert R , Eisenhauer Nico , Schmidt Anja , Türke Manfred
Published: June 2021

Defaunation including invertebrate decline is one of the major consequences of anthropogenic alterations of the environment. Despite recent reports of ubiquitous invertebrate decline, the ecosystem consequences have been rarely documented. We exposed standardized plant communities grown in the iDiv Ecotron to different levels of invertebrate numbers and biomass and tracked effects on the diversity and composition of bacterial communities associated with flowers and leaves of Scorzoneroides autumnalis and Trifolium pratense using next-generation 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Our data indicate that invertebrate decline reduces bacterial richness and β-diversity and alters community composition. These effects may result from direct effects of invertebrates that may serve as dispersal agents of bacteria; or from indirect effects where animal-induced changes in the plant's phenotype shape the niches plants provide for bacterial colonizers. Because bacteria are usually not dispersal limited and because species sorting, i.e. niche-based processes, has been shown to be a dominant process in bacterial community assembly, indirect effects may be more likely. Given that a healthy microbiome is of fundamental importance for the well-being of plants, animals (including humans) and ecosystems, a loss of bacterial diversity may be a dramatic yet previously unknown consequence of current invertebrate decline.
Narratives of Democracy and Care in Colm Tóibín’s The Testament of Mary, Naomi Alderman’s The Liars’ Gospel and Sinan Antoon’s The Corpse Washer
Authors: Yebra José M
Published: June 2021

This article aims to explore how narratives can respond to the current crisis of democracy addressed by critics such as Pierre Rosanvallon, Jacques Rancière, Zygmunt Bauman and Carlo Bordoni among others. To do so, I analyse three texts of the last decade, Colm Tóibín’s The Testament of Mary, Naomi Alderman’s The Liars’ Gospel and Sinan Antoon’s The Corpse Washer. Although they do not tackle democracy as a political discourse, they do address its mechanics of representation, the first two being rewritings of the Gospels through the eyes of Christ’s mother (from a Catholic and a British Jewish standpoint respectively), while the third looks at occupied Iraq through Jawad, a Shiite corpse washer. Through the three protagonists’ humility and ethics of care, these texts provide the basis for my exploration of democratic narratives that complement the classic representability of democracy with compromised relationality.