bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biologization of growing grain crops technology
Authors: Kotlyarov V V , Kotlyarov D V , Novikov D A
Published: November 2021

The use of biologics and preparations based on amino acids (Krokus universal) for protection against diseases, as well as entomopathogenic microorganisms against pests is one of the main directions in the biologization of technology for growing cereal crops. The research was carried out in 2018-2020 on the basis of the Kuban State Agrarian University. The object of the study was the wheat and barley varieties, as well as oats. As microbiological agents, cultures of microorganisms from the collection were used: Trichoderma viride and T. lignorum, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megatherium, Bacillus thuringiensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens. To suppress the pathogens of bacteriosis and stimulate the growth processes of plants, the preparation based on the essential amino acids Crocus universal was used. The results of research have shown that this method is not inferior in biological effectiveness to chemical protection and even have advantages. The systematic use of biologics on cereal crops turned out to be appropriate. It provided the increase in the suppressiveness and fertility of the soil, the suppression of various pathogens and pests on winter wheat crops, the reduction in the amount of pesticides introduced, as well as high economic efficiency.
The study of indices of the relative and absolute protein percentage in the winter bread wheat grain
Authors: Nekrasova O A , Kravchenko N S , Nekrasov E I
Published: November 2021

The aim of the research was to evaluate the relative and absolute protein content in winter wheat grains, to determine the samples that have the maximum values of the studied traits, and to use the selected genotypes in breeding programs. The trials of the winter bread wheat varieties, sown after maize for grain were carried out in 2018-2020. The objects of the study were 13 winter bread wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum L.) developed in the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”. The current research established that when selecting parental varieties for crossing to improve grain quality of winter bread wheat varieties, there should be chosen the forms with the highest relative and absolute protein percentage in grain. These genotypes include Don 107, Ermak and Lidiya, whose relative protein percentage in grain was 12.96%, 13.01% and 13.06% respectively. The varieties Don 107, Ermak, Lidiya, Volnitsa and Zhavoronok were characterized by the maximum absolute protein percentage in grain with 5.43 g, 5.62 g, 5.57 g, 5.56 g and 5.54 g respectively. The 1000 grain weight of these varieties averaged 42.1 g (Don 107), 43.6 g (Ermak), 43.1 g (Lidiya), 43.5 g (Volnitsa) and 44.5 g (Zhavoronok).
New methods of cleaning soil from heavy metals
Authors: Baibekov R F , Belopukhov S L , Savich V I , Razin A S
Published: November 2021

The purpose of the work was to study new methods of cleaning soil from heavy metals. In this work, it was proposed to extract heavy metals Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Pb from soils using the method of biological purification. For this, we recommended to carry out preliminary treatment of soils with complexones and to carry out additional introduction of biophilic elements into complex compounds. The possibility of using electromechanical treatment for removing heavy metals from soils after a preliminary increase in the mobility of ions by acidification and the use of complexation reactions is shown. The experiments were carried out on the plants of sowing oat Avena sativa L. variety Yakov when grown in laboratory conditions on sod-podzolic soil with the introduction of soluble salts of heavy metals into the soil. It was noted that the largest amount of heavy metals is concentrated in the root system of plants. When growing oats in the field, the concentration of metals in the grain was assessed: Mn - 30-35 ppm, Fe - 55-65 ppm, Cu - 4-5 ppm, Zn - 30-35 ppm, Cd, Pb < 3 ppm.
Public safety conditions under radiological emergencies monitoring comprehensive system mobile facilities application
Authors: Voronov S I , Popov E V , Sednev V A , Voronov O S
Published: November 2021

The article presents examples of radiological emergencies with ionizing radiation sources used in radioisotope devices. A number of measures aimed at emergency response in relation to such emergencies, including in relation to the control of the radiation situation (CRS) and its assessment, are considered. A variant of building a complex of mobile CRS tools for a comprehensive monitoring system for the state of the population protection is presented. Special attention is paid to the justification and optimization of the CRS use in situations of control loss over IRS, including technical, organizational and scientific approaches to the use of these mobile tools. In order to optimize the group integrated use of mobile CRS tools, typical radiological situations are studied in advance and rational options for the mobile CRS tools using are selected, taking into account different environmental conditions, including natural-geographical, climatic and man-made factors. The considered approaches to optimization in the use of mobile means of comprehensive systems of the public protection conditions monitoring in radiological emergencies allow, first of all, to increase the efficiency of their use and ensure the successful implementation of tasks for the prevention and elimination of such emergencies consequences.
Algorithm for computer modeling of combined irrigation systems hydraulic parameters
Authors: Borodychev V V , Lytov M N , Razin A S
Published: November 2021

A feature of combined irrigation systems is the integration of various technologies and methods of irrigation with the implementation of such a possibility on the basis of a single technical system. The hydraulic calculation of such systems is more complicated, since it is assumed that it is possible to implement various modes of operation, which differ by the combination of hydraulic parameters. The operating modes are determined by the combination of the involved irrigation technologies carried out simultaneously. The research has proposed an algorithm for the computer simulation of combined irrigation systems hydraulic parameters. The algorithm implements the principle of step-by-step calculation and formation of statistical screenshots of the hydraulic parameters of the system based on the basic calculated dependencies of classical hydraulics. Static screens can be performed at any time interval, which allows to assess the dynamics of the process under changing external conditions, as well as study the system under different operating modes. The algorithm has built an ingenious system of objects identification, making it possible not only to verify the uniquely defined knots of stems section, but also to organize serial search nodal points in accordance with the architecture of the construction of hydro-reclamation systems.
Application of a dynamic model for regulating the hydrothermal regime in early potato cultivation in the Volgograd region
Authors: Buber A A , Menshikova S A , Ivantsova E A
Published: November 2021

The article presents the results of research on the dynamics of development and water consumption of early potatoes, obtained from field observations in a multi-factor experiment, which formed the basis of the initial database of water adaptive regulation, temperature and food regimes based on simulation. The dynamic simulation model “POTATO” developed on this basis is aimed at displaying the processes of phenological development of potatoes and predicting crop yields during irrigation and fertigation. The model provides a forecast of the timing of the early potato development phenological phases, its yield depending on specific soil and weather conditions, as well as irrigation modes (sprinkling, drip and combined ones) and the level of mineral nutrition. The forecast of the dynamics of the culture phenological development allows to adjust the schedule of reclamation measures to regulate water and temperature regimes, taking into account current and forecast meteorological information. The simulation model allows to perform operational management of the hydrothermal and food regime of the agrocoenosis in order to obtain the planned yields. The developed method of regulating the hydrothermal regime based on the “POTATO” simulation model makes it possible to implement operational irrigation management and choose the optimal and cost-effective irrigation strategy.
The combined irrigation of sweet pepper
Authors: Kurbanov S A , Magomedova D S
Published: November 2021

The advantages of drip irrigation of many agricultural crops are well known, but it does not allow to regulate the phytoclimate in the “environment-plant” system, which is especially important for the conditions of the hot and dry climate of the Republic of Dagestan. Currently, the efficiency of fine sprinkling on the background of drip irrigation was insufficiently studied, as questions remain the combined effect of irrigation on crop productivity in real climatic conditions on the effectiveness of combination with other agronomic techniques, etc. Experimental studies were conducted on the experimental field of the Department of Agriculture, Soil Science and Land Reclamation in the educational and experimental farm of the Dagestan State Agrarian University. The main purpose of the research was to determine the parameters of the combined irrigation technology, its effect on the microclimate of the irrigated field and the phytoclimate of plants, as well as the productivity of sweet pepper. As the result of experimental studies, it was found that the use of a combined irrigation system (drip irrigation + fine sprinkling) when cultivating sweet pepper allows to obtain an additional 9.4 t/ha of marketable products by optimizing the growing conditions.
Design, simulation and optimization of multi-layered MoS2 based FET devices
Authors: Khare Agraj , Dwivedi Priyanka
Published: November 2021

Transition-metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs) materials are getting attention in the emerging trends of electronic devices development for a variety of applications. One of such materials is MoS2 which is best suited for developing deeply scaled field effect transistors (FETs). With the plethora of TMDs available, MoS2 is the most widely studied and used material because of its tunable properties like band gap, morphology, optical, structural, electrical, flexible etc. This paper represents the design and simulation aspect of the multi-layered MoS2 Based FET devices. Evidence of change in comparative electrical characteristics of MoS2 based FET devices due to variation of thickness and doping of the gate layer are also presented. In this contribution, we have simulated a full-wave model using the COMSOL Multiphysics module for two different thicknesses 0.7 nm and 1 nm. The FET device with 1 nm MoS2 offers a better dynamic range of operation and has a broader spectrum of threshold potential. The characteristic plots of the 1 nm device showed very less deviation from ideal trends than in the 0.7 nm device. The optimized FET structure offers better performance and efficiency in terms of electrical properties.
Investigation of the role of defects on channel density profiles and their effect on the output characteristics of a nanowire FET
Authors: Cariappa K S , Sarkar Niladri
Published: November 2021

This work investigates the effect of defects on the electron density profiles of nanowire FETs with a rectangular cross-section. It also presents a framework for the discretization of the nanowire channels with defects. A self-consistent procedure using Schrodinger-Poisson solver with density matrix formalism calculates the local electron density profiles. The local electron density decreases due to defect-induced scattering potentials. The electron density profiles vary according to the nature of the intrinsic defects. The effect of defect-induced potentials on the output characteristics of the nanowire FET device is studied using the non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) methodology. An increase in scattering potential in the nanowire channel causes a considerable decrease in the saturation voltage and current. This results in a faster saturation which changes the overall device performance. Hence, defect-controlled channels can be utilized to fabricate FETs with desired characteristics.
Meeting Mary
Authors: Leith Mary Joan Winn
Published: November 2021

‘Meeting Mary’ introduces Mary, the mother of Jesus who has a place in the religious consciousness of the 3.8 billion Christians and Muslims. Muslims and Christians agree that by the power of God a Jewish virgin named Mary miraculously became pregnant and gave birth to Jesus the prophet, miracle-worker, and Messiah. The Virgin Mary is one of the most famous women in history but she has also been subject to misunderstandings, unquestioned presuppositions, and misinformation. The Virgin Mary continues to be a religiously divisive figure. The Marian traditions spans through the sculptures Mary of the Miraculous Medal from 1830 France and Virgin Mother by the contemporary artist Damien Hirst.
Mary after the Gospels
Authors: Leith Mary Joan Winn
Published: November 2021

‘Mary after the Gospels’ explains how beliefs about the Virgin Mary developed over time. It took centuries for Christians to arrive at Marian doctrines that are part of Christianity today. There was a time when Christianity seemed like a religious free-for-all, with Mary featuring in varied ways. By the middle of the 5th century when body-renouncing ideals of asceticism came to the fore within Christianity, the Virgin Mary’s lasting place in Christian piety was also ensured. However, scholars also acknowledge that a lot remains mysterious about how different communities expressed their devotion to Jesus and how Christians’ ideas about Mary coalesced around key Marian doctrines.
Testing Black-White Disparities in Biological Aging Among Older Adults in the United States: Analysis of DNA-Methylation and Blood-Chemistry Methods
Authors: Graf Gloria H , Crowe Christopher L , Kothari Meeraj , Kwon Dayoon , Manly Jennifer J , Turney Indira C , Valeri Linda , Belsky Daniel W
Published: November 2021

Biological aging is a proposed mechanism through which social determinants drive health disparities. We conducted proof-of-concept testing of 8 DNA-methylation (DNAm) and blood-chemistry quantifications of biological aging as mediators of disparities in healthspan between Black and White participants in the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (n = 9,005). We quantified biological aging from 4 DNAm “clocks” (Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, and GrimAge clock), a DNAm pace-of-aging measure (DunedinPoAm), and 3 blood-chemistry measures (PhenoAge, Klemera-Doubal method biological age, and homeostatic dysregulation). We quantified Black-White disparities in healthspan from cross-sectional and longitudinal data on physical performance tests, self-reported limitations in activities of daily living, and physician-diagnosed chronic diseases, self-rated health, and survival. DNAm and blood-chemistry quantifications of biological aging were moderately correlated (Pearson’s r = 0.1–0.4). The GrimAge clock, DunedinPoAm, and all 3 blood-chemistry measures were associated with healthspan characteristics (e.g., mortality effect-size hazard ratios were 1.71–2.32 per standard deviation of biological aging) and showed evidence of more advanced/faster biological aging in Black participants than in White participants (Cohen’s d = 0.4–0.5). These measures accounted for 13%–95% of Black-White differences in healthspan-related characteristics. Findings suggest that reducing disparities in biological aging can contribute to building health equity.
(Almost) all evidence is higher-order evidence
Authors: Hedden Brian , Dorst Kevin
Published: November 2021

Higher-order evidence is evidence about what is rational to think in light of your evidence. Many have argued that it is special – falling into its own evidential category, or leading to deviations from standard rational norms. But it is not. Given standard assumptions, almost all evidence is (in part) higher-order evidence.
I—The Presidential Address
Authors: Stern Robert
Published: November 2021

This paper deals with the issue of self-determination and agency in moral action. On the one hand, it seems that where possible, the moral agent should use their practical reason to identify what it is right for them to do, and act accordingly; on the other hand, this seems to leave little room for the agent to decide for themselves how to act, where this is often said to be a marker of freedom and how the will is exercised. In response to this difficulty, Ruth Chang has argued recently that at least some reasons themselves need to be seen as being created through an act of will. Looking at the work of Iris Murdoch, it is argued that this response is problematic. At the same time, it is also argued that Murdoch can provide a fruitful way of dealing with this problem through her account of the imagination. This gives a role to the will of the agent, not in creating reasons, but in attuning us to those reasons, thereby locating the will within practical reasoning itself and showing how the authority of the good can be made compatible with human freedom.
Detection of minor variants in Mycobacterium tuberculosis whole genome sequencing data
Authors: Goossens Sander N , Heupink Tim H , De Vos Elise , Dippenaar Anzaan , De Vos Margaretha , Warren Rob , Van Rie Annelies
Published: November 2021

The study of genetic minority variants is fundamental to the understanding of complex processes such as evolution, fitness, transmission, virulence, heteroresistance and drug tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We evaluated the performance of the variant calling tool LoFreq to detect de novo as well as drug resistance conferring minor variants in both in silico and clinical Mtb next generation sequencing (NGS) data. The in silico simulations demonstrated that LoFreq is a conservative variant caller with very high precision (≥96.7%) over the entire range of depth of coverage tested (30x to1000x), independent of the type and frequency of the minor variant. Sensitivity increased with increasing depth of coverage and increasing frequency of the variant, and was higher for calling insertion and deletion (indel) variants than for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The variant frequency limit of detection was 0.5% and 3% for indel and SNP minor variants, respectively. For serial isolates from a patient with DR-TB; LoFreq successfully identified all minor Mtb variants in the Rv0678 gene (allele frequency as low as 3.22% according to targeted deep sequencing) in whole genome sequencing data (median coverage of 62X). In conclusion, LoFreq can successfully detect minor variant populations in Mtb NGS data, thus limiting the need for filtering of possible false positive variants due to sequencing error. The observed performance statistics can be used to determine the limit of detection in existing whole genome sequencing Mtb data and guide the required depth of future studies that aim to investigate the presence of minor variants.
Uncovering complementary sets of variants for predicting quantitative phenotypes
Authors: Yilmaz Serhan , Fakhouri Mohamad , Koyutürk Mehmet , Çiçek A Ercüment , Tastan Oznur
Published: November 2021

Motivation

Genome-wide association studies show that variants in individual genomic loci alone are not sufficient to explain the heritability of complex, quantitative phenotypes. Many computational methods have been developed to address this issue by considering subsets of loci that can collectively predict the phenotype. This problem can be considered a challenging instance of feature selection in which the number of dimensions (loci that are screened) is much larger than the number of samples. While currently available methods can achieve decent phenotype prediction performance, they either do not scale to large datasets or have parameters that require extensive tuning.

Results

We propose a fast and simple algorithm, Macarons, to select a small, complementary subset of variants by avoiding redundant pairs that are likely to be in linkage disequilibrium. Our method features two interpretable parameters that control the time/performance trade-off without requiring parameter tuning. In our computational experiments, we show that Macarons consistently achieves similar or better prediction performance than state-of-the-art selection methods while having a simpler premise and being at least two orders of magnitude faster. Overall, Macarons can seamlessly scale to the human genome with ∼107 variants in a matter of minutes while taking the dependencies between the variants into account.

Availabilityand implementation

Macarons is available in Matlab and Python at https://github.com/serhan-yilmaz/macarons.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Culturally competent social work in Arab–Palestinian locality welfare bureaus in Israel: Is it possible?
Authors: Ibrahim Mahajne , Allassad Alhuzail Nuzha
Published: November 2021

Ethnic groups exist almost everywhere. Generally, each group is related to uniformly, although it may comprise several subgroups. An example is Israel’s Palestinian-Israeli population, which consists of three ethnic–religious subgroups: Muslims, Christians and Druze. They coexist in nearly all domains of life, but maintain separate schools and family law courts. Most of the professional literature on Palestinian-Israelis, especially in Israel, ignores their differences. This qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews conducted in 2018, highlights this lacuna in the context of the demand for multicultural social work. Participants were forty-two male and female social workers—roughly one-third each Muslims, Christians and Druze—in welfare bureaus in ethnically–religiously mixed Palestinian-Israeli localities. The findings reveal that the ethnic–religious composition of the social workers in a locality does not reflect the ethnic–religious balance of the population. Despite the interviewees’ lack of formal ethnic–religious-sensitive knowledge, they displayed informal knowledge. Nevertheless, the different needs of the three ethnic–religious groups met with undifferentiated responses. The welfare bureaus prefer a uniform policy rather than recognising differences, impeding the advancement of inter-ethnic cultural competence. This article contributes to world knowledge regarding cultural competence and highlights the need for culturally competent skills that are sensitive also to ethnic–religious subgroups.
Same action, different meaning: neural substrates of action semantic meaning
Authors: Aberbach-Goodman Shahar , Buaron Batel , Mudrik Liad , Mukamel Roy
Published: November 2021

Voluntary actions are shaped by desired goals and internal intentions. Multiple factors, including the planning of subsequent actions and the expectation of sensory outcome, were shown to modulate kinetics and neural activity patterns associated with similar goal-directed actions. Notably, in many real-world tasks, actions can also vary across the semantic meaning they convey, although little is known about how semantic meaning modulates associated neurobehavioral measures. Here, we examined how behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging measures are modulated when subjects execute similar actions (button presses) for two different semantic meanings—to answer “yes” or “no” to a binary question. Our findings reveal that, when subjects answer using their right hand, the two semantic meanings are differentiated based on voxel patterns in the frontoparietal cortex and lateral-occipital complex bilaterally. When using their left hand, similar regions were found, albeit only with a more liberal threshold. Although subjects were faster to answer “yes” versus “no” when using their right hand, the neural differences cannot be explained by these kinetic differences. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence showing that semantic meaning is embedded in the neural representation of actions, independent of alternative modulating factors such as kinetic and sensory features.
Incidence of inpatient cases with mental disorders due to use of cannabinoids in Germany: a nationwide evaluation
Authors: Gahr Maximilian , Ziller Julia , Keller Ferdinand , Muche Rainer , Preuss Ulrich W , Schönfeldt-Lecuona Carlos
Published: November 2021

Background

Quantitative (e.g. increasing recreational cannabinoid use) and qualitative (e.g. increasing availability and use of synthetic cannabinoids and cannabis preparations with increased tetrahydrocannabinol content) changes in cannabinoid use may be associated with changes in the prevalence of cannabinoid-related mental and behavioural disorders and, accordingly, changes in the need for medical care. We aimed to investigate if there are changes in the number of inpatient cases (ICs) due to cannabinoid-related disorders in Germany.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis) and comprised type and number of hospital main diagnoses (according to ICD-10) of all ICs in Germany in the period 2000–18. Linear trend analysis of absolute and relative annual frequencies (AFs) of ICs with diagnoses related to the use of cannabinoids (DRUCs), and, as controls, alcohol-related psychiatric disorders and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders was performed.

Results

Absolute AFs of ICs with DRUCs increased statistically significantly (P<0.0001, trend analysis) in Germany between 2000 and 2018 and corresponding relative AFs increased considerably (4.8-fold increase when comparing 2000 and 2018). Specifically, absolute AFs of ICs with cannabinoid intoxications (P<0.0001), harmful use (P=0.0005), dependence syndrome (P< 0.0001), withdrawal state (P<0.0001), psychotic disorders (P< 0.0001) and residual and late-onset psychotic disorder (P<0.0001) statistically significantly increased. Absolute AFs of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders slightly, but statistically significantly decreased (P=0.008), and alcohol dependence did not statistically significantly change (P=0.844).

Conclusions

Our evaluation demonstrates increasing numbers of ICs with mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids in Germany and emphasizes the need for adequate prevention of such disorders.
Watershed and fire severity are stronger determinants of soil chemistry and microbiomes than within-watershed woody encroachment in a tallgrass prairie system
Authors: Mino Laura , Kolp Matthew R , Fox Sam , Reazin Chris , Zeglin Lydia , Jumpponen Ari
Published: November 2021

Fire can impact terrestrial ecosystems by changing abiotic and biotic conditions. Short fire intervals maintain grasslands and communities adapted to frequent, low-severity fires. Shrub encroachment that follows longer fire intervals accumulates fuel and can increase fire severity. This patchily distributed biomass creates mosaics of burn severities in the landscape—pyrodiversity. Afforded by a scheduled burn of a watershed protected from fires for 27 years, we investigated effects of woody encroachment and burn severity on soil chemistry and soil-inhabiting bacteria and fungi. We compared soils before and after fire within the fire-protected, shrub-encroached watershed and soils in an adjacent, annually burned and non-encroached watershed. Organic matter and nutrients accumulated in the fire-protected watershed but responded less to woody encroachment within the encroached watershed. Bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus and fungal and bacterial communities responded to high-severity burn regardless of encroachment. Low-severity fire effects on soil nutrients differed, increased bacterial but decreased fungal diversity and effects of woody encroachment within the encroached watershed were minimal. High-severity burns in the fire-protected watershed led to a novel soil system state distinct from non-encroached and encroached soil systems. We conclude that severe fires may open grassland restoration opportunities to manipulate soil chemistry and microbial communities in shrub-encroached habitats.
CNVpytor: a tool for copy number variation detection and analysis from read depth and allele imbalance in whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Suvakov Milovan , Panda Arijit , Diesh Colin , Holmes Ian , Abyzov Alexej
Published: November 2021

Background

Detecting copy number variations (CNVs) and copy number alterations (CNAs) based on whole-genome sequencing data is important for personalized genomics and treatment. CNVnator is one of the most popular tools for CNV/CNA discovery and analysis based on read depth.

Findings

Herein, we present an extension of CNVnator developed in Python—CNVpytor. CNVpytor inherits the reimplemented core engine of its predecessor and extends visualization, modularization, performance, and functionality. Additionally, CNVpytor uses B-allele frequency likelihood information from single-nucleotide polymorphisms and small indels data as additional evidence for CNVs/CNAs and as primary information for copy number–neutral losses of heterozygosity.

Conclusions

CNVpytor is significantly faster than CNVnator—particularly for parsing alignment files (2–20 times faster)—and has (20–50 times) smaller intermediate files. CNV calls can be filtered using several criteria, annotated, and merged over multiple samples. Modular architecture allows it to be used in shared and cloud environments such as Google Colab and Jupyter notebook. Data can be exported into JBrowse, while a lightweight plugin version of CNVpytor for JBrowse enables nearly instant and GUI-assisted analysis of CNVs by any user. CNVpytor release and the source code are available on GitHub at https://github.com/abyzovlab/CNVpytor under the MIT license.
A new approach for stabilization of Heat-ODE cascaded systems with boundary delayed control
Authors: Zhang Li , Xu Gen Qi , Mastorakis Nikos E
Published: November 2021

The uniform stabilization problem is addressed for a Heat-ODE cascaded system with boundary delayed control. A simple, direct and easily calculated controller is proposed, in which the known control law is sufficiently applied. With the controller the cascaded system with delayed control is exponentially stabilized. In particular, in the proof of stability, a resolvent for a more complicated integral equation is given. As an application, an equivalent transformation between the closed loop system and a stable system is constructed. The effectiveness of the control-predictor is shown by simulation in the presence of control delay.
Classification of Irreducible (𝔤, 𝔨)-Modules Associated to the Ideals of Minimal Nilpotent Orbits for Simple Lie Groups of TypeA
Authors: Tamori Hiroyoshi
Published: November 2021

We classify completely prime primitive ideals whose associated varieties are the closure of the minimal nilpotent coadjoint orbit for $\mathfrak {g}=\mathfrak {s}\mathfrak {l}(n,\mathbb {C})$ and classify irreducible $(\mathfrak {g},\mathfrak {k})$-modules, which have those ideals as annihilators. Moreover, we irreducibly decompose them as $\mathfrak {k}$-modules.
Navigating the way to onchocerciasis elimination: the feasibility and affordability of Onchocerciasis Elimination Mapping
Authors: Hamill Louise , Trotignon Guillaume , MacKenzie Charles , Hill Becks , Pavluck Alex , Yumba Dyesse , Isiyaku Sunday , William Adamani , Nyior Audrey , Igbe Michael , Anyaike Chukwuma , Akilah Joel , Agyemang David , Marfo Benjamin , Downs Philip , Jones Iain
Published: November 2021

Background

Onchocerciasis is targeted for elimination of transmission by 2030 in at least 21 countries. To achieve this, recent and accurate data on the extent and intensity of onchocerciasis transmission are required. This will include mapping areas previously unassessed, or remapping of areas that were last visited as part surveys aiming to prevent blindness, not assess transmission in totality. There is near universal acceptance of the need to carry out these mapping reassessments, to achieve equitable and lasting elimination of onchocerciasis transmission. However, there is no consensus on how to conduct onchocerciasis elimination mapping (OEM), and little published data to inform policymakers and programme managers, including on cost.

Methods

Here, we summarise the methods and cost implications of conducting pilot OEM surveys in Ghana and Nigeria in 2018. We have included a breakdown of costs incurred overall, per person and per implementation unit in each country, as well as detailed analysis of the cost categories and the main cost drivers.

Results

The procurement and logistics of diagnostics accounted for more than one-third of the total cost, a significant cost driver.

Conclusions

This information will be valuable to policymakers and donors as they seek to prioritise onchocerciasis elimination and plan to complete OEM.
Absence, loss-of-function, or inhibition of Escherichia coli AcrB does not increase expression of other efflux pump genes supporting the discovery of AcrB inhibitors as antibiotic adjuvants
Authors: Ciusa Maria Laura , Marshall Robert L , Ricci Vito , Stone Jack W , Piddock Laura J V
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To determine whether expression of efflux pumps and antibiotic susceptibility are altered in Escherichia coli in response to efflux inhibition.

Methods

The promoter regions of nine efflux pump genes (acrAB, acrD, acrEF, emrAB, macAB, cusCFBA, mdtK, mdtABC, mdfA) were fused to gfp in pMW82 and fluorescence from each reporter construct was used as a measure of the transcriptional response to conditions in which AcrB was inhibited, absent or made non-functional. Expression was also determined by RT-qPCR. Drug susceptibility of efflux pump mutants with missense mutations known or predicted to cause loss of function of the encoded efflux pump was investigated.

Results

Data from the GFP reporter constructs revealed that no increased expression of the tested efflux pump genes was observed when AcrB was absent, made non-functional, or inhibited by an efflux pump inhibitor/competitive substrate, such as PAβN or chlorpromazine. This was confirmed by RT-qPCR for PAβN and chlorpromazine; however, a small but significant increase in macB gene expression was seen when acrB is deleted. Efflux inhibitors only synergized with antibiotics in the presence of a functional AcrB. When AcrB was absent or non-functional, there was no impact on MICs when other efflux pumps were also made non-functional.

Conclusions

Absence, loss-of-function, or inhibition of E. coli AcrB did not significantly increase expression of other efflux pump genes, which suggests there is no compensatory mechanism to overcome efflux inhibition and supports the discovery of inhibitors of AcrB as antibiotic adjuvants.
Deliberating Dharma in Premodern South Asian Narrative
Authors: Sharma Vishal
Published: November 2021

How do we orient our conduct in relation to dharma, and what role does narrative play in this process of constituting the ethical self? These are the central questions of this special issue. The papers in this collection draw from a wide variety of stories from the itihāsas and purāṇas, in various languages, from the classical to the early modern period.
Late development of giant hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm following abdominal trauma due to tire blast: case report and literature review
Authors: Mahmood Ismail , Kasim Mohammad , El-Menyar Ayman , Nabir Syed , Afifi Ibrahim , Abdelrahman Husham , Rizoli Sandro , Al-Thani Hassan
Published: November 2021

Giant hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is rare but could have a significant implication. A 35-year-old male was severely injured by a truck tire explosion and presented with hypotension and positive focused assessment with sonography in trauma scan. After resuscitation, abdomen computed tomography (CT) scan showed a Grade 4 liver injury. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit, and the liver injury was treated conservatively. Seventeen days later, he developed abdominal pain with deep epigastric tenderness. Repeated abdomen CT scan detected a giant hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm. Embolization was achieved using gel foam with the placement of six microcoils. The patient had an uneventful recovery. Late development of giant hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of hepatic trauma and could be life-threatening. Timely identification and treatment with endovascular intervention are crucial. We recommend, especially when dealing with trauma related to blast injury, follow-up images for patients who develop symptoms suggestive of hepatic injury.
Imported occult loiasis: diagnostic algorithm proposal for a difficult diagnosis
Authors: Gerber Victor , Greigert Valentin , Pfaff Alexander , Jaennel Juliette , Marteau Anthony , Argy Nicolas , Candolfi Ermanno , Abou-Bacar Ahmed , Brunet Julie
Published: November 2021

In endemic areas, one-third of Loa loa-infected subjects do not present microfilaremia, defining ‘occult loiasis’. Here, we report the diagnostic difficulties we faced in such a case and review the literature to propose a diagnostic algorithm based, particularly, on the use of molecular tools for confirmation of loiasis.
Measles initially misdiagnosed as an arboviral disease in a returning traveler
Authors: Chamorro-Tojeiro Sandra , Navas Enrique , Liébana Mónica , de la Roz Sandra , Rodríguez-Domínguez Mario , Norman Francesca F
Published: November 2021

Vaccine-preventable diseases should be considered in returning travellers presenting with a rash. A patient with measles, probably acquired during an evacuation flight from Afghanistan to the USA, was diagnosed on return from Brazil. Misdiagnosis of highly contagious viral infections such as measles may have significant public health repercussions.
The galaxy population of the core of the Coma cluster
Authors: Poloji Nagamani , Hasan Priya , Hasan S N
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we present the structural properties and morphology of galaxies in the central region of the Coma Cluster brighter than 19.5 mag in the F814W band from the HST/ACS Coma Cluster Treasury Survey. Using mainly spectroscopic redshifts, we find 132 members from our sample of 219 galaxies. In our sample of 132 members, we find 51 non-dwarfs and 81 dwarfs, and amongst our 32 non-members, we find 4 dwarfs and 28 non-dwarfs. We do not have redshifts for the remaining 55 galaxies. We present bulge–disc decomposition of the sample using galfit and obtain parameters for our sample. Using visual inspection of residuals, we do a morphological classification of the galaxies. We studied the relation of morphological types with Bulge to Total Light Ratio (B/T), colour–magnitude relation (CMR), Sérsic index (n), Kormendy relation, and cross-correlations between these parameters for the bulges and galaxies. This work helps us understand important relations between various parameters like B/T, colour, and n as well as insights into the merger history of these galaxies in terms of their positions in the Kormendy Diagram and their Sérsic indices. We find that there are significantly more E/SO, SOs galaxies in the member population compared to non-members.
All along the line of sight: a closer look at opening angles and absorption regions in the atmospheres of transiting exoplanets
Authors: Wardenier Joost P , Parmentier Vivien , Lee Elspeth K H
Published: November 2021

Transmission spectra contain a wealth of information about the atmospheres of transiting exoplanets. However, large thermal and chemical gradients along the line of sight can lead to biased inferences in atmospheric retrievals. In order to determine how far from the limb plane the atmosphere still impacts the transmission spectrum, we derive a new formula to estimate the opening angle of a planet. This is the angle subtended by the atmospheric region that contributes to the observation along the line of sight, as seen from the planet centre. We benchmark our formula with a 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer code and we define an opening angle suitable for the interpretation of JWST observations, assuming a 10-ppm noise floor. We find that the opening angle is only a few degrees for planets cooler than ca. 500 Kelvins, while it can be as large as 25 degrees for (ultra-)hot Jupiters and 50 degrees for hot Neptunes. Compared to previous works, our more robust approach leads to smaller estimates for the opening angle across a wide range scale heights and planetary radii. Finally, we show that ultra-hot Jupiters have an opening angle that is smaller than the angle over which the planet rotates during the transit. This allows for time-resolved transmission spectroscopy observations that probe independent parts of the planetary limb during the first and second half of the transit.
Timing and spectral analysis of HMXB OAO 1657-415 with NuSTAR
Authors: Sharma Prince , Sharma Rahul , Jain Chetana , Dutta Anjan
Published: November 2021

This work presents a comprehensive timing and spectral analysis of high-mass X-ray binary pulsar, OAO 1657-415 by using the observation made with Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array on 2019 June. During this observation, OAO 1657-415 exhibited X-ray variability by a factor of about 3. X-ray pulsations at 37.03322(14) s were observed up to 70 keV. OAO 1657-415 was undergoing a spin-down phase with $\dot{P} = 9(1) \times 10^{-8}$ s s−1. This is an order of about 100 larger than the long-term spin-up rate. The pulse profile evolved marginally during the observation. We have discussed the long-term pulse period history of the source spanning a time-base of 43 yr, including the latest Fermi/GBM data. The 3–70 keV source spectrum is described by a partially covered cut-off power law, an Fe Kα line at 6.4 keV and a Compton shoulder at 6.3 keV. We report the presence of a cyclotron absorption feature around 40 keV, which is indicative of a surface magnetic field strength of 3.59 ± 0.06 (1 + $z$) × 1012 and $3.29_{-0.22}^{+0.23} \ (1 + z) \times 10^{12}$ G. This work shows the first robust presence of cyclotron absorption feature in the source.
Making use of sub-resolution haloes in N-body simulations
Authors: Armijo Joaquin , Baugh Carlton M , Padilla Nelson D , Norberg Peder , Arnold Christian
Published: November 2021

Conservative mass limits are often imposed on the dark matter halo catalogues extracted from N-body simulations. By comparing simulations with different mass resolutions, at z = 0 we find that even for haloes resolved by 100 particles, the lower resolution simulation predicts a cumulative halo abundance that is 5 per cent lower than in the higher resolution simulation. We propose a simple weighting scheme to utilize the haloes that are usually regarded as being ‘sub-resolution’. With the scheme, we are able to use haloes which contain only 11 particles to reproduce the clustering measured in the higher resolution simulation to within 5 per cent on scales down to 2 h−1 Mpc, thereby extending the useful halo resolution by a factor of 10 below the mass at which the mass functions in the two simulations first start to deviate. The performance of the method is slightly worse at higher redshift. Our method allows a simulation to be used to probe a wider parameter space in clustering studies, for example, in a halo occupation distribution analysis. This reduces the cost of generating many simulations to estimate the covariance matrix on measurements or using a larger volume simulation to make large-scale clustering predictions.
Klotho in kidney diseases: a crosstalk between the renin–angiotensin system and endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Kale Ajinath , Sankrityayan Himanshu , Anders Hans-Joachim , Gaikwad Anil Bhanudas
Published: November 2021

Klotho is a transmembrane anti-ageing protein that exists in three forms, i.e. α-Klotho, β-Klotho and γ-Klotho, with distinct organ-specific expression and functions in the body. Here we focus on α-Klotho (hereafter Klotho), abundantly expressed by the distal and proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney. A significant decline in systemic and renal Klotho levels is a new hallmark for kidney disease progression. Emerging research portrays Klotho as a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target for diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease. Even so, the underlying mechanisms of Klotho regulation and the strategies to restore its systemic and renal levels are still lacking.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers are the current standard of care for kidney diseases, but the molecular mechanisms for their nephroprotective action are still ambiguous. Moreover, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress also plays a crucial role in kidney disease progression. Few studies have claimed that the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) has a direct relation with ER stress generation and vice versa in kidney disease. Interestingly, RAAS and ER stress modulation are associated with Klotho regulation in kidney disease. Here we focus on how the RAAS and ER stress connect with Klotho regulation in kidney disease. We also discuss Klotho and ER stress in an alliance with the concept of haemodynamic and metabolic overload in kidney disease. In addition, we highlight novel approaches to implement Klotho as a therapeutic target via RAAS and ER stress modulation for the treatment of diabetic and non-diabetic kidney diseases.
Fructooligosaccharides on inflammation, immunomodulation, oxidative stress, and gut immune response: a systematic review
Authors: Costa Graciana T , Vasconcelos Quezia D J S , Aragão Gislei F
Published: November 2021

Context

Evidence shows that fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) can modulate inflammatory, oxidative, and immune activity in the gut, possibly leading to a systemic response, improving human health.

Objective

To assess the present knowledge of the effects of FOSs on inflammation, immunomodulation, oxidative stress, and gut immune response.

Data Sources

Studies published between December 2000 and January 2020 were systematically searched in four databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science, and Scopus. After the screening of 1316 articles, 8 human studies and 20 animal models were included.

Data Extraction

Data were extracted separately by 2 reviewers. For each study, the design, population, exposures, main results, and conclusion were extracted. The research questions and the risk-of-bias information were also extracted. Additionally, the risk-of-bias were analyzed to guarantee the reliability of this review.

Data Analysis

A qualitative analysis revealed that FOSs can increase bifidobacteria counts and short-chain fatty acids in the gut, stimulate IgA secretion in the colon, and decrease proinflammatory cytokines, thus influencing metabolic diseases.

Conclusion

Studies suggest that FOS supplementation is positively associated with an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, thus enhancing the gut immune system, which may be beneficial for the host’s health.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration nos 42020209865 and 42020220369.
Can Corporate Debt Foster Innovation and Growth?
Authors: Geelen Thomas , Hajda Jakub , Morellec Erwan
Published: November 2021

Recent empirical studies have shown that innovative firms heavily rely on debt financing. Debt overhang implies that debt hampers innovation by incumbents. A second effect of debt is that it stimulates innovation by entrants. Using a Schumpeterian growth model with endogenous R&D and financing choices, we demonstrate that this second effect always dominates, so that debt fosters innovation and growth at the aggregate level. Our analysis suggests that the relation between debt and investment is more complex than previously acknowledged and highlights potential limitations of empirical work that solely focuses on incumbents when measuring the effects of debt on investment.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.