bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The value of high-density blended OBN seismic for drilling and reservoir description at the Tangguh gas fields, Eastern Indonesia
Authors: Birt Christopher , Priyambodo Danang , Wolfarth Simon , Stone Johnathan , Manning Ted
Published: August 2020

The Tangguh gas fields in Eastern Indonesia are overlain by a complex overburden, including a thick, heavily faulted, and intensely karstified carbonate interval that tends to scatter and attenuate seismic energy. Development drilling is challenging, with the potential for pack-offs and stuck pipe when drilling into unstable, partially collapsed caves or karstified fault planes while on total losses. Ideally, these karst features are to be avoided when planning and drilling wells, but avoiding them depends on having a well-resolved seismic image. Historical towed-streamer and sparse ocean-bottom cable seismic is low fold and does not give a satisfactory image for well planning. Advances in ocean-bottom node technology, computer processing, and capacity coupled with efficient survey design and blended acquisition utilizing multiple source vessels allowed a step change in data density. This provided a new high-quality seismic image to support future development activities. The advantages of densely sampled, full-azimuth data include rapid delivery of fast-track products (because high-quality images can be constructed with relatively simple processing flows), greatly improved overburden imaging, and a corresponding uplift in deeper imaging leading to enhanced reservoir characterization.
Seismic acquisition and imaging strategies for unlocking subsurface complexities in Malaysian basins
Authors: Chandola Sandeep K. , Muhamad Abdul Aziz , Hoong Tang Wai , Ghazali Faizan Akasyah , Khalil Ashraf
Published: August 2020

Seismic data acquisition and imaging technologies have made important contributions to hydrocarbon discoveries and enhancing recovery from existing reservoirs in Malaysian basins. PETRONAS has been leveraging these technologies to address the exploration and development challenges encountered in Malaysian basins and other parts of the world and to support its play-based exploration. Some of the key technology applications include imaging below shallow gas and carbonates, imaging of complex geology for exploring deep water and deep plays, and high-resolution imaging of shallow clastic plays. Dual and multimeasurement streamers, multiazimuth and full-azimuth seismic, triple- and penta-source blended acquisition, and two- and four-component seabed seismic technologies have been integrated with high-end processing and imaging technologies such as advanced demultiple techniques, deblending, full-waveform inversion, reverse time migration, and PS-converted wave imaging to address complex subsurface challenges. In this article, we present an overview of the evolution and application of innovative seismic acquisition and imaging technologies in Malaysian basins. Selected case histories demonstrate how these technologies have enabled explorers to unlock subsurface complexities, adding value to exploration and development activities. We share the advancements in 3D seismic survey design, marine streamer acquisition, seabed seismic acquisition, and seismic imaging technologies, and how an integrated approach helped PETRONAS address geologic challenges to enhance its exploration success.
Adopting multispectral dip components for coherence and curvature attribute computations
Authors: Chopra Satinder , Marfurt Kurt J.
Published: August 2020

Although volumetric coherence is the most widely used geometric attribute, accurate estimates of volumetric dip are in some ways more important. Coherence, amplitude gradients, and gray-level co-occurrence matrix textures should be computed along structural dip. Curvature and aberrancy are computed from volumetric estimates of structural dip. Because of both differences in resolution and sensitivity to coherent noise, different frequency components may exhibit different dip. In recent years, improvements in coherence have been noticed where covariance matrices of individual spectral components are summed rather than summing the original broadband data. We extend the same concepts to compute multispectral dip estimates by using a gradient structure tensor algorithm. The results are sharper, less smeared images on the dip components. The higher-resolution dip estimates result in higher-resolution curvature and aberrancy estimates. Availability of sharper estimates of dip to guide coherence attribute results in more continuous, less noisy discontinuities.
Stigma toward mental and physical illness: attitudes of healthcare professionals, healthcare students and the general public in Pakistan
Authors: Husain Muhammad Omair , Zehra Syeda S. , Umer Madeha , Kiran Tayyaba , Husain Mina , Soomro Mustafa , Dunne Ross , Sultan Sarwat , Chaudhry Imran B. , Naeem Farooq , Chaudhry Nasim , Husain Nusrat
Published: August 2020

Background

The evidence base for stigma in mental health largely originates from high-income countries.

Aims

This study from Pakistan aimed to address the gap in literature on stigma from low- and middle-income countries.

Method

This cross-sectional study surveyed 1470 adults from Karachi, Pakistan. Participants from three groups (healthcare professionals, healthcare students and the general public) completed the adapted Bogardus Social Distance Scale (SDS) as a measure of stigma.

Results

All three groups reported higher scores of stigma toward mental disorders compared with physical disorders. SDS scores for mental illness in the general public were significantly higher than in healthcare students (mean difference (MD) 6.93, 95% CI 5.45–8.45, P < 0.001) and healthcare professionals (MD 6.93, 95% CI 5.48–8.38, P < 0.001). However, SDS scores between healthcare students and healthcare professionals were not significantly different (MD 0.003, 95% CI −1.14–1.14, P > 0.99). Being female was associated with lower stigma scores and being over the age of 30 years was associated with higher stigma scores.

Conclusions

Stigma campaigns in Pakistan need to target the general population. However, evidence of negative attitudes toward mental illness in healthcare students and healthcare professionals supports the need for stronger emphasis on psychiatric education within undergraduate and postgraduate training in Pakistan.
Vardenafil increases intracellular accumulation of the most prevalent mutant CFTR in human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Dhooghe Barbara , Bouzin Caroline , Mottais Angélique , Hermans Emmanuel , Delion Martial , Panin Nadtha , Noel Sabrina , Leal Teresinha
Published: August 2020

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease characterized by progressive lung and chronic digestive manifestations. We have shown that therapeutic doses of vardenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, corrects CF Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR)-dependent chloride transport in respiratory and intestinal tissues of F508del homozygous mice. Here, we studied the effect of vardenafil on CFTR in 16HBE14o− and CFBE41o− cell lines. First, the expression levels of PDE5 mRNA in these cell lines were monitored. The two cell lines were exposed to different drugs (dimethyl sulfoxide, 8-Br-cGMP, forskolin, or vardenafil). The cAMP and cGMP intracellular concentrations were measured. Finally, we localized the CFTR by immunolabelling. PDE5 was similarly expressed in both wild-type and in CF cells. A fast and transient rise in cGMP intracellular contents followed treatment with vardenafil, confirming its PDE5 inhibitory effect. We showed that vardenafil promoted both the early steps of the cellular processing and the trafficking of F508del without fully addressing the protein to the plasma membrane. The effect was not reproduced by the brominated cGMP analogue and it was not prevented by the combination of a protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor and vardenafil. These findings support the view that vardenafil partially rescues F508del through cGMP/PKG-independent mechanisms.
Vps54 regulates Drosophila neuromuscular junction development and interacts genetically with Rab7 to control composition of the postsynaptic density
Authors: Patel Prajal H. , Wilkinson Emily C. , Starke Emily L. , McGimsey Malea R. , Blankenship J. Todd , Barbee Scott A.
Published: August 2020

Vps54 is a subunit of the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex, which is involved in tethering endosome-derived vesicles to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). In the wobbler mouse, a model for human motor neuron (MN) disease, reduction in the levels of Vps54 causes neurodegeneration. However, it is unclear how disruption of the GARP complex leads to MN dysfunction. To better understand the role of Vps54 in MNs, we have disrupted expression of the Vps54 ortholog in Drosophila and examined the impact on the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Surprisingly, we show that both null mutants and MN-specific knockdown of Vps54 leads to NMJ overgrowth. Reduction of Vps54 partially disrupts localization of the t-SNARE, Syntaxin-16, to the TGN but has no visible impact on endosomal pools. MN-specific knockdown of Vps54 in MNs combined with overexpression of the small GTPases Rab5, Rab7, or Rab11 suppresses the Vps54 NMJ phenotype. Conversely, knockdown of Vps54 combined with overexpression of dominant negative Rab7 causes NMJ and behavioral abnormalities including a decrease in postysynaptic Dlg and GluRIIB levels without any effect on GluRIIA. Taken together, these data suggest that Vps54 controls larval MN axon development and postsynaptic density composition through a mechanism that requires Rab7.
ERK/MAPK signaling is essential for intestinal development through Wnt pathway modulation
Authors: Wei Gaigai , Gao Na , Chen Jiwei , Fan Lingling , Zeng Zhiyang , Gao Ganglong , Li Liang , Fang Guojiu , Hu Kewen , Pang Xiufeng , Fan Heng-Yu , Clevers Hans , Liu Mingyao , Zhang Xueli , Li Dali
Published: August 2020

Homeostasis of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) is maintained by the orchestration of niche factors and intrinsic signaling networks. Here we found that deletion of Erk1/2 in intestinal epithelial cells at embryonic stages resulted in an unexpected increase in cell proliferation and migration, expansion of ISCs and formation of polyp-like structures, leading to postnatal death. Deficiency of epithelial Erk1/2 results in defects in secretory cell differentiation as well as impaired mesenchymal cell proliferation and maturation. Deletion of Erk1/2 strongly activated Wnt signaling through both cell-autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms. In epithelial cells, Erk1/2 depletion resulted in loss of the feedback regulation leading to Ras/Raf cascade activation which transactivated Akt activity to stimulate the mTor and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Moreover, Erk1/2 deficiency reduced the Indian hedgehog level and the expression of downstream pathway components including mesenchymal Bmp4, a Wnt suppressor in intestines. Inhibition of mTor signaling by rapamycin partially rescued Erk1/2 depletion-induced intestinal defects and significantly prolonged mutant mice life span. These data demonstrate that Erk/Mapk signaling functions as a key modulator of Wnt signaling through coordination of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during intestinal development.
Temporal-specific roles of Fragile X mental retardation protein in the development of hindbrain auditory circuit
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Kohl Ayelet , Yu Xiaoyan , Zorio Diego A. R. , Klar Avihu , Sela-Donenfeld Dalit , Wang Yuan
Published: August 2020

Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an RNA-binding protein abundant in the nervous system. Functional loss of FMRP leads to sensory dysfunction and severe intellectual disabilities. In the auditory system, FMRP deficiency alters neuronal function and synaptic connectivity and results in perturbed processing of sound information. Nevertheless, roles of FMRP in embryonic development of the auditory hindbrain have not been identified. Here, we developed high-specificity approaches to genetically track and manipulate throughout development the Atho1+ neuronal cell type, which is highly conserved in vertebrates, in the cochlear nucleus of chicken embryos. We identified distinct FMRP-containing granules in the growing axons of Atho1+ neurons and post-migrating NM cells. FMRP downregulation via Crispr/Cas9 and shRNA techniques resulted in perturbed axonal pathfinding, delay in midline crossing, excess branching of neurites, and axonal targeting errors during the period of circuit development. Together, these results provide the first in vivo identification of FMRP localization and actions in developing axons of auditory neurons, and demonstrate the importance of investigating early embryonic alterations toward understanding the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders.
A coordinate-system-independent method for comparing joint rotational mobilities
Authors: Manafzadeh Armita R. , Gatesy Stephen M.
Published: August 2020

Three-dimensional studies of range of motion currently plot joint poses in an “Euler space” whose axes are angles measured in the joint's three rotational degrees of freedom. Researchers then compute the volume of a pose cloud to measure rotational mobility. However, pairs of poses that are equally different from one another in orientation are not always plotted equally far apart in Euler space. This distortion causes a single joint's mobility to change when measured based on different joint coordinate systems and precludes fair comparisons among joints. Here we present two alternative spaces inspired by a 16th century map projection – cosine-corrected and sine-corrected Euler spaces – that allow coordinate-system-independent comparisons of joint rotational mobilities. When tested with data from a bird hip joint, cosine-corrected Euler space demonstrated a ten-fold reduction in variation among mobilities measured from three joint coordinate systems. This new quantitative framework enables previously intractable, comparative studies of articular function.
Control of insensible evaporate water loss by two species of mesic parrot suggests a thermoregulatory role
Authors: Cooper Christine Elizabeth , Withers Philip Carew , Körtner Gerhard , Geiser Fritz
Published: August 2020

Insensible evaporative water loss at or below thermoneutrality is generally assumed to be a passive physical process. However, some arid zone mammals and a single arid-zone bird can control their insensible water loss, so we tested the hypothesis that the same is the case for two parrot species from a mesic habitat. We investigated red-rumped parrots (Psephotus haematonotus) and eastern rosellas (Platycercus eximius), measuring their evaporative water loss, and other physiological variables, at a range of relative humidities at ambient temperatures of 20 and 30°C (below and at thermoneutrality). We found that, despite a decrease in evaporative water loss with increasing relative humidity, rates of evaporative water loss were not fully accounted for by the water vapour deficit between the animal and its environment, indicating that the insensible evaporative water loss of both parrots was controlled. It is unlikely that this deviation from physical expectations was regulation with a primary role for water conservation because our mesic-habitat parrots had equivalent regulatory ability as the arid-habitat budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). This, together with our observations of body temperature and metabolic rate, instead support the hypothesis that acute physiological control of insensible water loss serves a thermoregulatory purpose for endotherms. Modification of both cutaneous and respiratory avenues of evaporative may be involved, possibly via modification of expired air temperature and humidity, and surface resistance.
αβDCA method identifies unspecific binding but specific disruption of the group I intron by the StpA chaperone
Authors: Reinharz Vladimir , Tlusty Tsvi
Published: August 2020

Chaperone proteins—the most disordered among all protein groups—help RNAs fold into their functional structure by destabilizing misfolded configurations or stabilizing the functional ones. But disentangling the mechanism underlying RNA chaperoning is challenging, mostly because of inherent disorder of the chaperones and the transient nature of their interactions with RNA. In particular, it is unclear how specific the interactions are and what role is played by amino acid charge and polarity patterns. Here, we address these questions in the RNA chaperone StpA. We adapted direct coupling analysis (DCA) into the αβDCA method that can treat in tandem sequences written in two alphabets, nucleotides and amino acids. With αβDCA, we could analyze StpA–RNA interactions and show consistency with a previously proposed two-pronged mechanism: StpA disrupts specific positions in the group I intron while globally and loosely binding to the entire structure. Moreover, the interactions are strongly associated with the charge pattern: Negatively charged regions in the destabilizing StpA amino-terminal affect a few specific positions in the RNA, located in stems and in the pseudoknot. In contrast, positive regions in the carboxy-terminal contain strongly coupled amino acids that promote nonspecific or weakly specific binding to the RNA. The present study opens new avenues to examine the functions of disordered proteins and to design disruptive proteins based on their charge patterns.
Integrated genomic view of SARS-CoV-2 in India
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Pandey Rajesh , Sharma Pooja , Dhar Mahesh S. , A. Vivekanand , Uppili Bharathram , Vashisht Himanshu , Wadhwa Saruchi , Tyagi Nishu , Fatihi Saman , Sharma Uma , Singh Priyanka , Lall Hemlata , Datta Meena , Gupta Poonam , Saini Nidhi , Tewari Aarti , Nandi Bibhash , Kumar Dhirendra , Bag Satyabrata , Gahlot Deepanshi , Rathore Surabhi , Jatana Nidhi , Jaiswal Varun , Gogia Hema , Madan Preeti , Singh Simrita , Singh Prateek , Dash Debasis , Bala Manju , Kabra Sandhya , Singh Sujeet , Mukerji Mitali , Thukral Lipi , Faruq Mohammed , Agrawal Anurag , Rakshit Partha
Published: August 2020

Background: India first detected SARS-CoV-2, causal agent of COVID-19 in late January 2020, imported from Wuhan, China. From March 2020 onwards, the importation of cases from countries in the rest of the world followed by seeding of local transmission triggered further outbreaks in India.

Methods: We used ARTIC protocol-based tiling amplicon sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 (n=104) from different states of India using a combination of MinION and MinIT sequencing from Oxford Nanopore Technology to understand how introduction and local transmission occurred.

Results: The analyses revealed multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 genomes, including the A2a cluster from Europe and the USA, A3 cluster from Middle East and A4 cluster (haplotype redefined) from Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia) and Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan). The local transmission and persistence of genomes A4, A2a and A3 was also observed in the studied locations. The most prevalent genomes with patterns of variance (confined in a cluster) remain unclassified, and are here proposed as A4-clade based on its divergence within the A cluster.

Conclusions: The viral haplotypes may link their persistence to geo-climatic conditions and host response. Multipronged strategies including molecular surveillance based on real-time viral genomic data is of paramount importance for a timely management of the pandemic.
Comparative Study of Speaker Recognition Techniques in IoT Devices for Text Independent Negative Recognition
Authors: Jain Pooja , Kasture Neha R , Kumar Tapan
Published: August 2020

Speaker recognition (SR) or identification is the subset of broad area of Pattern recognition. Given the features of the voice print, the recognition system identifies the speaker from the knowledge of the speaker models stored in the database. In today’s world when many of our works are done through voice, recognition of the speaker is necessary.Recently, SR has also gained importance in Internet of Things (IoT) like setting up of smart environments for home, industries or educational and commercial applications. The race for high accuracy needs making the devices used in these smart environments as close to human hearing capacity as possible. Speaker identification is mostly used to establish negative recognition. Negative recognition is when thesystem decides whether a person is who he disagrees to be thus preventing a person from exploiting multiple identities. Only biometrics will be suitable to establish such identification. The feature extraction of voice sample along with comparative analysis of its methods is of fundamental interest in this paper. We try to compare the performance of features which are used in state of art speaker recognition models and analyse variants of Mel frequency cepstrum coefficients (MFCC) predominantly used in feature extraction which can be further incorporated and used in various smart devices.
Security Challenges in Fog and IoT, Blockchain Technology and Cell Tree Solutions: A Review
Authors: Khan Neelam Saleem , Chishti Mohammad Ahsan
Published: August 2020

As the IoT is moving out of its early stages, it is emerging as an area of future internet. The evolving communication paradigm among cloud servers, Fog nodes and IoT devices are establishing a multilevel communication infrastructure. Fog provides a platform for IoT along with other services like networking, storage and computing. With the tremendous expansion of IoT, security threats also arise. These security hazards cannot be addressed by mere dependence on cloud model. In this paper we present an overview of security landscape of Fog computing, challenges, and, existing solutions. We outline major authentication issues in IoT, map their existing solutions and further tabulate Fog and IoT security loopholes. Furthermore this paper presents Blockchain, a decentralized distributed technology as one of the solutions for authentication issues in IoT. We tried to discuss the strength of Blockchain technology, work done in this field, its adoption in COVID-19 fight and tabulate various challenges in Blockchain technology. At last we present the Cell Tree architecture as another solution to address some of the security issues in IoT, outlined its advantages over Blockchain technology and tabulated some future course to stir some attempts in this area.
A Machine Translation System from Hindi to Sanskrit Language using Rule based Approach
Authors: Bhadwal Neha , Agrawal Prateek , Madaan Vishu
Published: August 2020

Machine Translation is an area of Natural Language Processing which can replace the laborious task of manual translation. Sanskrit language is among the ancient Indo-Aryan languages. There are numerous works of art and literature in Sanskrit. It has also been a medium for creating treatise of philosophical work as well as works on logic, astronomy and mathematics. On the other hand, Hindi is the most prominent language of India. Moreover,it is among the most widely spoken languages across the world. This paper is an effort to bridge the language barrier between Hindi and Sanskrit language such that any text in Hindi can be translated to Sanskrit. The technique used for achieving the aforesaid objective is rule-based machine translation. The salient linguistic features of the two languages are used to perform the translation. The results are produced in the form of two confusion matrices wherein a total of 50 random sentences and 100 tokens (Hindi words or phrases) were taken for system evaluation. The semantic evaluation of 100 tokens produce an accuracy of 94% while the pragmatic analysis of 50 sentences produce an accuracy of around 86%. Hence, the proposed system can be used to understand the whole translation process and can further be employed as a tool for learning as well as teaching. Further, this application can be embedded in local communication based assisting Internet of Things (IoT) devices like Alexa or Google Assistant.
The Stochastic Multipath Traveling Salesman Problem with Dependent Random Travel Costs
Authors: Fadda Edoardo , Tiotsop Lohic Fotio , Manerba Daniele , Tadei Roberto
Published: August 2020

The objective of the stochastic multipath traveling salesman problem is to determine the expected minimum-cost Hamiltonian tour in a network characterized by the presence of different paths between each pair of nodes, given that a random travel cost with an unknown probability distribution is associated with each of these paths. Previous works have proved that this problem can be deterministically approximated when the path travel costs are independent and identically distributed. Such an approximation has been demonstrated to be of acceptable quality in terms of the estimation of an optimal solution compared with consolidated approaches such as stochastic programming with recourse, completely overcoming the computational burden of solving enormous programs exacerbated by the number of scenarios considered. Nevertheless, the hypothesis regarding the independence among the path travel costs does not hold when considering real settings. It is well known, in fact, that traffic congestion influences travel costs and creates dependence among them. In this paper, we demonstrate that the independence assumption can be relaxed and a deterministic approximation of the stochastic multipath traveling salesman problem can be derived by assuming just asymptotically independent travel costs. We also demonstrate that this deterministic approximation has strong operational implications because it allows the consideration of realistic traffic models. Computational tests on extensive sets of random and realistic instances indicate the excellent efficiency and accuracy of the deterministic approximation.
Comparison of the effects of Kinesio tape and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hand extensors in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Acıkbas Ece , Tarakcı Devrim , Budak Miray
Published: August 2020

Background/aims

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition resulting in weakness in the muscles, difficulty moving and excessive tension in the muscles of the arms and legs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding Kinesio taping and neuromuscular electrical stimulation to neurodevelopmental treatment on joint range of motion, muscle tone and functional ability in children with cerebral palsy.

Methods

A total of 30 children were included in the study. They were allocated to one of two groups: Kinesio taping (n=15) or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (n=15). The children in both groups received 20 sessions of twice-weekly neurodevelopmental treatment. Range of motion, Modified Ashworth Scale, Duruoz Hand Index, Manual Ability Classification System, Gross Motor Function Classification System, Minnesota Hand Skill Test and Jebsen Hand Function Test were assessed before and after the treatment programme.

Results

Statistically significant improvements (P<0.05) were found in all measures except Gross Motor Function Classification System in both groups. Significant between-group differences in left shoulder flexion, left shoulder abduction and unilateral Minnesota Hand Skill Test were found in favour of neuromuscular electrical stimulation; whereas significant improvement in left elbow flexion was found in favour of Kinesio taping.

Conclusions

The addition of Kinesio taping and neuromuscular electrical stimulation to neurodevelopmental treatment improved the joint range of motion and functional ability of children with cerebral palsy.
Results of a UK-wide vignette study with occupational therapists to explore cognitive screening post stroke
Authors: Geraghty Jennifer , Ablewhite Joanne , das Nair Roshan , Lincoln Nadina , Kontou Eirini , Roffe Jack , Lannin Natasha , Drummond Avril
Published: August 2020

Background/Aims

There is a paucity of evidence in the UK regarding cognitive screening performed by occupational therapists and whether, and how, cognitive impairments are identified and assessed. The aim of this study was to identify current occupational therapy practice for the assessment of cognitive problems in patients following stroke.

Methods

Occupational therapists were invited to complete an online vignette study. Participants were asked to: identify any presenting cognitive problems; decide whether to complete cognitive assessments; and list any assessments they would use. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis.

Results

A total of 53 occupational therapists from across the UK participated. Participants identified key cognitive issues, but some problems, such as apraxia and attention, were overlooked. A large number of potential assessments were suggested, the most common being the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Oxford Cognitive Screen.

Conclusions

The variation found in occupational therapists' recognition and assessment of cognitive problems has the potential to impact on management and rehabilitation in stroke services, survivor outcomes, education and research.
The growth plate: a physiologic overview
Authors: Ağırdil Yücel
Published: August 2020

The growth plate is the cartilaginous portion of long bones where the longitudinal growth of the bone takes place. Its structure comprises chondrocytes suspended in a collagen matrix that go through several stages of maturation until they finally die, and are replaced by osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and lamellar bone. The process of endochondral ossification is coordinated by chondrocytes and a variety of humoral factors including growth hormone, parathyroid hormone, oestrogen, growth factors, cytokines, and various signalling pathways. Chondrocytes progress from a resting state to enter the phases of proliferation and hypertrophy. Under the influence of oestrogen, the proliferation of chondrocytes decreases as the resting chondrocytes are consumed. During the terminal phase of differentiation, cartilage is replaced by blood vessels and organized bone tissue, and once chondrocytes have died, the longitudinal growth of the bone ceases and the growth plate closes. The highly complex regulatory signals involved in this process are genetically determined, and genetic perturbations in any of the associated genes can result in abnormalities of bone growth. Hundreds of chondrodysplasias have been described, pointing to the complexity of the humoral control systems involved in endochondral ossification. While our knowledge of the mechanisms behind the various bone growth control systems is improving, a deeper understanding of the underlying processes could aid clinicians to better understand bone health and bone growth abnormalities. This review describes the current clinical research into the physiology of the growth plate.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:498-507. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190088
Lesions of the abductors in the hip
Authors: Kenanidis Eustathios , Kyriakopoulos George , Kaila Rajiv , Christofilopoulos Panayiotis
Published: August 2020

Abductor tendon lesions and insertional tendinopathy are the most common causes of lateral thigh pain. Gluteal tendon pathology is more prevalent in women and frequency increases with age. Chronic atraumatic tears result in altered lower limb biomechanics. The chief complaint is lateral thigh pain. Clinical examination should include evaluation of muscle strength, lumbar spine, hip and fascia lata pathology. The hip lag sign and 30-second single leg stance tests are useful in diagnosing abductor insufficiency. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold-standard investigation to identify abductor tendon tears and evaluate the extent of muscle fatty infiltration that has predictive value on the outcome of abductor repair. Abductor tendinosis treatment is mainly conservative, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, local corticosteroid injections, plasma-rich protein, physical and radial shockwave therapy. The limited number of available high-quality studies on treatment outcomes and limited evidence between tendinosis and partial ruptures make it difficult to provide definite conclusions regarding the best management of gluteal tendinopathy. Surgical management is indicated in complete and partial gluteal tendon tears that are unresponsive to conservative treatment. There are various open and arthroscopic surgical procedures for direct repair of abductor tendon tears. There is limited evidence concerning surgical management outcomes. Prerequisites for effective tendon suturing are neurologic integrity and limited muscle fatty infiltration. Chronic irreparable tears with limited muscle atrophy and limited fatty infiltration can be augmented with grafts. Gluteus maximus or/vastus lateralis muscle transfers are salvage reconstruction procedures for the management of chronic end-stage abductor tears with significant tendon insufficiency or gluteal atrophy.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:464-476. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190094
Self-frequency-doubling Yb:CNGS lasers operating in the femtosecond regime
Authors: Kowalczyk Maciej , Zhang Xuzhao , Petrov Valentin , Loiko Pavel , Mateos Xavier , Guo Shiyi , Wang Zhengping , Xu Xinguang , Sotor Jarosław
Published: August 2020

We study

Y
b

:

C
a

3

N
b
G
a

3

S
i

2

O

14

(Yb:CNGS) lasers in the mode-locked regime, focusing on their self-frequency-doubling potential. We characterize the laser performance in configurations without and with phase-matching for second-harmonic generation. In the former case, the laser generates 47 fs pulses at a central wavelength of 1052 nm with an average output power of 45 mW at 78.4 MHz. These pulses are further compressed extracavity down to 40 fs, which indicates that the employed crystal is one of the most promising novel gain media regarding ultrafast laser operation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in a configuration close to phase-matching, the laser emits 40 mW of fundamental radiation at 1046 nm with 100 fs pulse duration simultaneously producing 66 mW of second-harmonic centered at 525 nm. In order to better describe the self-frequency-doubling phenomenon, we compare our experimental observations obtained in both configurations with results of numerical modeling.
Direct patterning of periodic semiconductor nanostructures using single-pulse nanosecond laser interference
Authors: Wang Yun-Ran , Olaizola Santiago M. , Han Im Sik , Jin Chao-Yuan , Hopkinson Mark
Published: August 2020

We demonstrate an effective method for fabricating large area periodic two-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures by means of single-pulse laser interference. Utilizing a pulsed nanosecond laser with a wavelength of 355 nm, precisely ordered square arrays of nanoholes with a periodicity of 300 nm were successfully obtained on UV photoresist and also directly via a resist-free process onto semiconductor wafers. We show improved uniformity using a beam-shaping system consisting of cylindrical lenses with which we can demonstrate highly regular arrays over hundreds of square micrometers. We propose that our novel observation of direct pattern transfer to GaAs is due to local congruent evaporation and subsequent droplet etching of the surface. The results show that single-pulse interference can provide a rapid and highly efficient route for the realization of wide-area periodic nanostructures on semiconductors and potentially on other engineering materials.
Infrared properties of high-purity silicon
Authors: Wollack Edward J. , Cataldo Giuseppe , Miller Kevin H. , Quijada Manuel A.
Published: August 2020

High-purity silicon is a readily available material of utility in realizing a variety of long-wavelength optical and guided wave components. The transmittance of uncompensated for silicon is measured in the far- and mid-infrared regimes at room and cryogenic temperatures. The experimental and analysis techniques used to extract the refractive index from

100

−

1000

c
m

−
1

(100–10 µm) are presented, and the results are compared to the literature. An average refractive index below

300

c
m

−
1

,

n
^

(

300

K

)
=
3.417
+
i

8.9
×

10

−
5

, which transitions in cooling to

n
^

(

10

K

)
=
3.389
+
i

4.9
×

10

−
6

, is observed.
THE INFLUENCE OF HUMIC ACIDS IN THE PRESENCE OF OIL-DEGRADING MICROORGANISMS OF THE GE-NUS RHODOCOCCUS ON THE SOWING QUALITIES OF COCKWEED IN OIL POLLUTION
Authors: Gertsen Mariya Mikhaylovna , Dmitrieva Elena Dmitrievna
Published: August 2020

By the method of biotesting, it has been established that the addition of oil-degrading microorganisms of the genus Rhodococcus to the soil contaminated with hydrocarbonshas a positive effect on morphogenesis and sowing qualities of the cockweed test culture, which is associated with the microbiological oxidation of oil by bacteria of the studied strains. It was revealed that a positive effect was observed in 5 of 8 variants of the experiment on the medium with hexadecane with the joint introduction of humic acids and microorganisms. Under the conditions of oil pollution, the introduction of Rh. erythropolis X5 and Rh. erythropolis S67 microorganisms into the substrate with the addition of humic acids as a whole has a stimulating effect on the morphogenesis and sowing qualities of cockweed. It should be noted that it was in the “oil + humic acids + microorganism” variant that the indicators were obtained that maximally exceeded the values of the contaminated control. Reducing the toxicity of oil and hexadecane, and in some cases, the complete removal of the negative effects of toxicants in the relation to the test culture are apparently connected with the intensification of the process of oil biodegradation due to the stimulating effect of humic acids on the microorganisms. It is proved that the introduced humic acids act as adaptogens in the relation to the microorganisms Rh. erythropolis X5 and Rh. erythropolis S67, increasing their resistance to stress loads under conditions of oil stress. Thus, the results show that the introduction of humic acids can contribute to more effective biodegradation of oil pollution of soils. At the same time, in order to increase the efficiency of humic acids, the use of humic acids of sphagnum transitional peat + Rh.erythropolis X5, humic acids of sphagnum high-moor peat + Rh. erythropolis X5, humic acids of reed fen peat + Rh. erythropolis S67 in the conditions of oil pollution seems more promising. On a substrate with hexadecane, it is advisable to consider the use of humic acids of sphagnum high-moor peat, because in this variant, the parameters that maximally exceed the contaminated control were noted.
THE COMPONENT COMPOSITION OF THE PHYTOSTEROLS OF THE AERIAL PART OF THE HORSETAIL VAR-IEGATED ЕQUISÉTUM VARIEGATUM SCHLEICH. EX. WEB. GROWING IN NORTH-EAST YAKUTIA
Authors: Dudareva Lyubov' Vissarionovna , Semenova Natal'ya Viktorovna , Nochsorov Vasiliy Vasil'yevich , Rudikovskaya Elena Georgievna , Petrov Klim Alekseyevich
Published: August 2020

It is known that phytosterols have high immunomodulating, hypocholesterolemic and oncoprotective activity and are widely used in medicine. In addition, the plants containing them are used in feed of farm animals as dietary supplements that stimulate growth and the immune system. Promising, but poorly studied, sources of these biologically active compounds may be plants of the class Horsetails (Equisetopsida), grown under extreme conditions of sharply continental climate of Yakutia. The steric composition of the aerial part of the variegated horsetail (Equisétum variegatum) was studied for the first time during the summer and autumn vegetation. It is shown that the composition of the main free sterols includes β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, isofucosterol, as well as a small amount of cholesterol. The total amount of free and bound sterols in the tissues of the aerial part of this species is about 0.5 mg/g dry weight or 2% of the total content of all lipid components. Moreover, the content of free sterols in the aerial part of variegated horsetail is an order of magnitude higher than the content of sterol esters in these tissues. Peculiarities of the seasonal (autumn-summer) dynamics of changes in the relative contents of stigmasterol, campesterol and isofucosterol and the absolute total content of sterols in the aerial part of variegated horsetail are revealed.
CELLULOSE MATERIALS MODIFIED BY SILVER NANOPARTICLES AND THE STUDY OF THEIR ANTIBACTE-RIAL PROPERTIES
Authors: Tausarova Bijamal Raimovna , Rakhimova Saule Maratovna
Published: August 2020

The article discusses a method for producing silver nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous solutions by reducing sodium borohydride in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol; selected optimal conditions for the synthesis. The resulting silver NPs have a spherical shape, with a diameter of from 30 to 130 nm. NPs are stable, do not precipitate and do not change color for 3–4 weeks. Electron microscopic images confirm the formation of a thin polymer film on the surface of cellulose fiber and show a change in the morphological surface of the treated samples compared to untreated ones. The energy dispersive microanalysis data showed that the raw cotton fabric contains C – 57.02%, O – 42.98%. After processing, nanoscale particles of silver are encapsulated on the surface of the fabric – 0.18–0.28%, which are distributed rather unevenly. Modification of cellulosic textile materials of silver NPs imparts a stable antimicrobial effect , as well as improves their physico-mechanical and hygienic properties. The air permeability indicators for cotton original fabric 180 dm3/m2×sec., For the treated composition based on polyvinyl alcohol, NaBH4, and silver nitrate – 175 dm3/m2×sec. The breaking load of the fabric is: for the initial – 311 N, for treated – within 320–360 N. The indicators of air permeability and strength characteristics of cotton fabric treated with the proposed composition comply with the regulatory requirements for this group of fabrics.
FATTY ACIDS AND OXYLIPINS ACCUMULATION IN ZEA MAIZE L. SEEDLINGS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD OF THE SUPER HIGH-FREQUENCY RANGE
Authors: Pushkina Nadezhda Viktorovna
Published: August 2020

The work shows the influence of the electromagnetic field of the microwave range (EMF microwave) on the variability of fatty acids and their derivatives in seedlings of corn of different ages. The object of the study was the corn seeds of the Belarusian selection of the Daria hybrid, which were treated with microwave EMF for 12 minutes with a frequency of 64–66 GHz, exposure power 10 mW. The control was untreated EMF microwave seeds. Fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Analysis of fatty acids and their derivatives, occurring in seedlings of corn of different ages, showed that in the roots and leaves of corn fatty acid metabolism goes in different ways. On the 4th day of growth, the content of the following oxylipins increases in maize seedlings: hydroxymethyl ester of linoleic acid and octadecanoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy propyl ether by 57.8% and 26.8%, respectively. By the 12th and 14th day of growth, the content of α-linolenic acid, which is the starting material for the synthesis of oxylipins, substantially increases in the roots of corn. Also, unsaturated fatty acids predominate in the roots, saturated in the leaves. Under the influence of the electromagnetic field of the microwave range in the roots of corn, a decrease in the content of saturated and, accordingly, the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids increases. In leaves, on the contrary, there was an increase in the amount of saturated and a decrease in unsaturated fatty acids after EMF treatment of corn seeds. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic and linolenic, predominate in the seedlings, roots and leaves of corn. In this regard, it can be assumed that the stimulating effect of pre-sowing treatment of microwave EMF on germination, growth and development of corn occurs through the accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids and oxylipins as a response of the plant to exogenous exposure.
SYNTHESIS AND ANTIRADICAL ACTIVITY OF HINDERED PHENOLIC DERIVATIVES OF FLAX CELLULOSE
Authors: Bukharov Sergey Vladimirovich , Sadykova Yuliya Maskhutovna , Umarov Timur Erkinovich , Burilov Aleksandr Romanovich , Nugumanova Gul'nara Nailovna , Momzyakova Kseniya Sergeyevna , Deberdeev Timur Rustamovich , Deberdeev Rustam Yakubovich
Published: August 2020

The modification of powdered ultradisperse cellulose by hindered phenol fragments was carried out. The modification was carried out by reacting cellulose tosylate with 3-(3',5'-ditert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid hydrazide and 3,5-ditert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl dimethylamine in DMF at 100 ○C for 16–30 hours. Samples of modified cellulose were characterized by spectroscopy IR and 1H NMR. From the of elemental analysis data, the degree of substitution of cellulose derivatives by hindered phenol units was calculated. The antiradical activity of the obtained samples in their reactions with a stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was determined. The reactions of modified cellulose with DPPH were carried out under the pseudo first-order conditions with respect to the radical. From the values of the effective constants, the second-order rate constants were calculated. It was established that the modification of cellulose by hindered phenol fragments leads to a sharp increase in its antiradical activity, which depends on the degree of substitution of the sample and the method of substitution. The difference in the activity of hydrazide and benzyl derivatives of cellulose may indicate their different spatial structure, resulting in different availability of phenol fragments. The antiradical activity of the hydrazide derivative of cellulose exceeds that of the antioxidant Ionol (2,6-ditert-butyl-4-methylphenol).
PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF ORGANO-MINERAL FERTILIZER WITH PROLONGED ACTION, BASED ON THE ABIES BARK
Authors: Veprikova Yevgeniya Vladimirovna , Ivanov Ivan Petrovich , Korol'kova Irina Vladimirovna , Chesnokov Nikolai Vasilevich
Published: August 2020

The method of preparation of organo-mineral fertilizer with increased resistance to mineral components leaching by water, based on the impregnation of support from abies bark by water solution of potassium nitrate, zinc, copper and magnesium sulphates, was proposed. The dates about composition and properties of the porous support from abies bark were provided. The potassium nitrate contents (23.5 mass.%) and concentration of nitric acid solution (0.1 N) providing high water resistance of fertilizer were determined. I t was shown, that application of treatment by 0,1 N nitric acid allows reduce delete from fertilizer by water nitrogen in 2.4 times, and other mineral components – in 1.7–1.9 times. The ability of fertilizer to slow release of mineral components by water during long time was identified, that determined effect of his prolonged action. It was shown, that after treatment fertilizer by water at room temperature during 30 days from him leaching 64.8% potassium, 66.6% nitrogen, 70.3% magnesium, 65.2% copper и 65.3% zinc from their initial contents. The growth-stimulating effect of organo-mineral fertilizer based on the abies bark was shown by experiments on germination of wheat seed variety "Novosibirskaya 15".