bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia After Inactivated Virus COVID-19 Vaccination: A Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Insiripong Somchai , Anantasetagoon Tanakorn , Sanglutong Likhasit
Published: September 2022

Very few cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) have been reported after mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations. But herein we found 2 cases of AIHA after inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccination. Case 1: a 47-year-old Thai woman suffered from malaise, fatigue, and feverish feeling since the evening of the day of the first dose of inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccination (Sinopharm). She did not have any serious health problem prior this illness. Physical examination revealed marked pallor and body temperature was 38.1°C. Blood tests showed hemoglobin (Hb) 55 g/L, white blood cell (WBC) 12.2 × 109/L, platelet 310 × 109/L, nucleated red blood cell (RBC) 8/100 WBC, reticulocyte count 25.0%, direct antiglobulin test-4+ positive, indirect antiglobulin test-2+ positive. She was diagnosed with severe AIHA and well responsive to steroid therapy. Case 2: a 78-year-old Thai woman felt fatigue without fever 3 days after the second dose of inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine (Sinopharm). Her underlying disease was anemia of the elderly with alpha thalassemia-1 heterozygosity. Her averaged Hb concentration before transfusion was 85 ± 3 g/L and she always needed transfusion every 2 months. Physical examination revealed only pallor. Blood test showed Hb 79 g/L, WBC 3.7 ×109/L, platelet 104 × 109/L, direct antiglobulin test-4+ positive, indirect antiglobulin test-4+ positive. She was diagnosed with AIHA and treated with cyclophosphamide and blood transfusion. Although the association between the inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccination and AIHA could not be simply concluded and the mix-and-match combination of different COVID-19 vaccines is promoted by Thai government, both of our patients chose to postpone the next dose of any kind of COVID-19 vaccine.
Knowledge and Attitude Towards Contraceptive Methods Among First-Year Nursing Students in Da Nang, Vietnam
Authors: Anh Ngoc Tran , Thi Ngoc Sen Hoang
Published: September 2022

Background: Contraceptive methods have still been the sensitive topic in some Asia countries, including Vietnam. Improvement knowledge and attitude towards contraceptive methods would lead to better prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease as well as contributes to advance quality of life of young people even nursing students.
Objectives: To investigate knowledge and attitudes towards contraceptive methods, and identified the association between social demographic characteristics, attitudes, and knowledge towards contraception among first-year nursing students.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 first-year nursing students, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Vietnam. Participants were selected according to the convenient sampling method. Data were collected from March to April 2021 through the questionnaire that consists of 2 parts including the sociodemographic characteristics and the set of questionnaires that assessed the participants’ knowledge and attitudes about contraceptive methods. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlation test.
Results: Of 170 first-year nursing students, mean (SD) of contraceptive methods knowledge was 45.2 (8.5) (range, 25 - 62), illustrating a medium level. Attitude regarding contraceptive methods among first-year nursing students was negative (mean, 82.6; range, 49 - 95). The finding demonstrated a weakly positive correlation between attitude and knowledge (P < .05). There was no significant association between social demographics and knowledge (P > .05).
Conclusions: Knowledge and attitude towards contraceptive methods of first-year nursing students should be improved. Improvement knowledge and attitude contraception through education should be necessary for students.
Technology of Miscanthus giant growing for energy purposes in the conditions of drained peatlands of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine
Authors: Virovka V. , Opanasenko O. , Perets S.
Published: September 2022

The paper highlights the peculiarities of growing miscanthus for energy purposes in the conditions of drained peat bogs at the Panfl Experimental Station of the NSC "Institute of Agriculture of the NAAS". The economic and ecological advantages of growing energy plantations on reclaimed organogenic soils in comparison with rainfed lands in the zone of the LeftBank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine are argued. The study substantiates the technology and the inﬂuence of its individual elements on the productivity of miscanthus giant growing for energy purposes on old-sown hayfelds of carbonate peatlands of the Forest-Steppe. The optimal biometric parameters of the planting material, as well as the planting density, the depth of the rhizomes embedding, the inﬂuence of the planting time on the growth and development indicators of the studied culture were determined. Developed and patented agrotechnical, together with a biological method of combating wireworms, which provides effective protection of miscanthus plants at the beginning of the establishment of energy plantations. An environmentally friendly weed control technology has been applied, which excludes the use of chemicals, the introduction of herbicides, which, in turn, does not allow contaminating soil and river waters with harmful elements. The peculiarities of the nutrient regime of the soil and its biological activity in the experimental plots of Miscanthus giant on the drained carbonate peatlands of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine have been investigated. The effect of potash fertilization, as a key element in plant nutrition on organogenic soils, on the productivity of bioenergetic plantations of Miscanthus is studied. The energy output of bioenergy plantations per unit area has been determined depending on the elements of the cultivation technology. Calculations of economic and energy efciency have been carried out. The developed technology for 3 years of miscanthus cultivation ensures the yield of dry biomass at the level of 23.7–26.1 t/ha or 403–444 GJ/ha of energy. The best economic indicators were obtained on the option with a planting scheme (0.7 X 1.4 m) 10 thousand/ha, where the level of proftability made – 56 %, the cost of dry biomass made 529.6 UAH/t and the conditional net proft – 13157 g/ha. Further directions of scientifc research on the creation of bioenergetic plantations from Miscanthus Giganteus on drained carbonate peatlands of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine have been substantiated.
Key words: miscanthus, mass of rhizomes, planting density, fertilizers, productivity, proftability.
Species and quantitative composition of the mycoﬂora of gray forest soil in intensive horticulture and crop production
Authors: Razanov S. , Melnyk V.
Published: September 2022

The article examines the mycoﬂora of the soil in diﬀerent areas of agricultural land use for intensive cultivation of crops. The aim of the article is too study the number of soil mycoﬂora in diﬀerent areas of agricultural land use with intensive cultivation of crops (horticulture and feld crop rotations). In the conditions of Vinnytsia region the quantitative and species composition of fungal groups of gray forest soil under intensive horticulture and crop production was studied. Research on microbiological diversity of soils were carried out in the Tivriv district of Vinnytsia region on the example of agricultural land of the LLC «Agro-Etalon». Soil microorganisms are convenient object of observation. Based on the analysis of literature sources, the determining role of microorganisms in maintaining homeostasis, restoring soil fertility and crop formation has been established. The study of the qualitative and quantitative state of the soil microbiota allows to improve the conditions and methods of agriculture in order to improve the state of the soil microbiota, and hence soil fertility. As the result the most common types of soil micromycetes characteristic of both studied objects were identifed. Among them are Penicillium rubrum, P. variabile, P. canescens, Arthrinium phaeospermum, Mortierella alpina, Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride and Fusarium graminear. The structure of the microbial coenosis and the ratio of the number of ecological and trophic groups of microorganisms diﬀer depending on the direction of use of agricultural land. The soils of the apple orchard under intensive horticulture contained a smaller total number of thousands of colony-forming units per gram of soil, saprotrophic fungal species and are represented by a much smaller list of fungal genera compared to the soil under intensive vegetation. At the same time, it should be noted that soils under orchards were characterized by a higher share of pathogenic, potential toxin-forming fungi and antagonist fungi than the total number of isolated fungi compared to soils used under crops.
Key words: soil, fungi, mycoﬂora, micromycetes, intensive gardening, intensive crop production.
Breeding and genetic features of the manifestation of the number of grains per main ear manifestation in hybrids with 1BL.1RS and 1AL.1RS wheatrye translocations in the Forest Steppe of Ukraine
Authors: Dubovyk N. , Sabadyn V.  , Kyrylenko V. , Humeniuk Yu. , Lobachov V.
Published: September 2022

The study examines the level of manifestation of the heterosis effect in hybrid populations, which increases the efciency of the selection process of winter wheat based on the number of grains in the main ear. 30 hybrid combinations were created using a complete diallel crossings scheme for six varieties of soft winter wheat with wheat-rye translocations (WRT): 1AL.1RS – Ekspromt, Zolotokolosa, Kolumbiia and 1BL.1RS – Kalynova, Svitanok Myronivskyi, Lehenda Myronivska. The Svitanok Myronivskyi variety used in crossbreeding gave the hybrids inheriting the studied trait mainly by additive effect, while with the use of Ekspromt, Zolotokolosa, Lehenda Myronivska, Kalynova, Kolumbiia varieties the hybrids inherited the trait by non-additive effect. The best in terms of the number of cases with high effects of total combining ability (TCA) on the number of grains per main ear were the WRT-carriers varieties: 1BL.1RS – Lehenda Myronivska, 1AL.1RS – Zolotokolosa and Kolumbiia. Regardless of the weather conditions of the year, a heterosis effect was found in the 1BL.1RS / 1BL.1RS crossing group and transgressive forms were selected in the following generations. The highest value of the trait was found in the following populations: F2 – Zolotokolosa / Kolumbiia, Svitanok Myronivskyi / Ekspromt (32.1 % each), Kalynova / Zolotokolosa (31.7 %); F3 – Kolumbiia / Zolotokolosa (41.5 %), Kolumbiia / Ekspromt (36.5 %) and others. In most of them, the translocation 1AL.1RS carrier varieties were the parent components.
Key words: soft winter wheat, wheat-rye translocations, number of grains per main ear, general combining ability, specifc combining ability, heterosis, transgressions.
القائم بالاتصال في الصحافة الجامعية والعوامل المؤثرة في عمله
Authors: ثامر علياء قاسم
Published: September 2022

تكمن مشكلة البحث في عدم وجود تصور علمي دقيق بشأن واقع القائم بالاتصال في الصحافة الجامعية والعوامل المؤثرة في عمله، ويرمي البحث إلى التعريف بالقائم بالاتصال في الصحافة الجامعية، وتوضيح العوامل التي تؤثر في عمله، والمعوقات التي تواجهه، فضلاً عن بيان مستوى الرضا الوظيفي لديه، ورؤيته لتطوير عمله.واستعانت الباحثة بالمنهج المسحي في جمع البيانات وتحليلها وتفسيرها، باعتماد أداة الاستبانة.وخلص البحث إلى جملة من النتائج والاستنتاجات أهمها:

تعدد المهمات التي يقوم بها القائم بالاتصال في صحيفته ما بين الكتابة، والتحرير، ومصدر للمعلومات على الرغم من وجود توصيف وظيفي له في صحيفته، مما يعني تعدد الأدوار المنسوبة إليه، مما ينعكس على إنتاجيته، لاسيما في ظل تكليفه بمهمات خارج عمله الاعلامي إلى جانب عمله الأكاديمي لاسيما حملة الشهادات العليا.
لا يمتلك القائم بالاتصال الحرية التي تمكنه من تصميم شكل صحيفته ومضمونها، وذلك لوجود عوامل تؤثر فيه، أبرزها (الإدارة العليا للمؤسسة) و(الجمهور المستهدف)، و(تكاليف إنتاج الصحيفة).
ان الدعم الإداري المتواصل هو الذي يسهم في إنجاح عمل القائم بالاتصال على حساب مهاراته الاتصالية التي تعكس قدراته الاقناعية، وان المصداقية هي التي تجعله مؤثراً في جمهوره، وهذا يتأتى من خبرته وثقته بنفسه.
ان ضعف اهتمام الإدارة العليا للمؤسسة بالمطبوع، وقلة الحوافز المادية والمعنوية، هي أبرز العوامل التي تؤثر سلباً في عمل القائم بالاتصال والمهمات المنوطة به، في ظل وجود معوقات، يتقدمها عدم توافر الملاك المتخصص، وقلة التدريب والتطوير لاسيما خارج العراق.
انخفاض مستوى الشعور بالرضا الوظيفي والرضا عن المطبوع، ويعود ذلك إلى عدم تلبية حاجات القائم بالاتصال في عمله، فضلاً عن قلة الحوافز المادية والمعنوية التي من شأنها ان تقلل من مستوى الرضا لديهم.
إستخدام الإعلانات الضمنية في الأفلام السينمائية الأجنبية
Authors: سلمان إيمان عباس , شبيب هدى مالك
Published: September 2022

يشكل الإعلان الضمني نوعاً خاصاً من الاتصال, إذ يقوم بالعديد من الأدوار المهمةمثل إعطاء المعلومات وإبراز قيمة المنتج وحث المستهلك المستهدف على شرائهعن طريق التأثير في سلوكياته باستخدام أسلوب جذاب للعقل والوجدان, وتعدُّ السينماوالتلفزيون من أبرز الوسائل الإعلانية وأقواها والتي تحظى باهتمام فئات الجماهيرجميعها وتستحوذ على معظم الإنفاق الإعلاني, فقد انتبه المعلنون إلى أهمية إدراجمنتجاتهم بشكل غير مباشر في مضامين يحبها الجمهور ويحرص على متابعتها, لأنالتأثير الحقيقي يكمن في إدراج المنتج في داخل مضمون يستهويه الجمهور ومن ثمالتأثير فيه بطريقة غير مباشرة, وهذا هو ما يعرف بالإعلان الضمني, ويمكن تحديدمشكلة بحثنا بالتساؤل الرئيس )ما الإعلانات الضمنية التي ظهرت في الأفلام السينمائيةالأجنبية الحائزة على جائزة الأوسكار؟(, وبناء على ذلك يرمي هذا البحث إلى معرفةالإعلانات الضمنية والكشف عن كيفية توظيف التقنيات الفنية أو عناصر الفيلم السينمائيفي صناعة الإعلان الضمني داخل الأفلام, وتنطلق أهمية البحث من دراسة الإعلاناتالضمنية في الأفلام, وكيفية تمرير المنتجات ضمنياً داخل الأفلام, وقد استخدمت الباحثةالمنهج المسحي, واستعانت بأداة تحليل المضمون لمعرفة الإعلانات الضمنية المدرجةفي الأفلام السينمائية الأجنبية الحائزة على جائزة الأوسكار, وتوصلت الباحثة إلى نتائجعدة منها )إن الإعلانات الضمنية التي ظهرت في الأفلام اعتمدت في أساليب عرضالإعلان الضمني على الأسلوب الملفوظ والمرئي والمكتوب, وذلك لضمان وصول الرسالةالإعلانية إلى المتلقي بشكل واضح وإعطاء صورة واضحة عن المنتج المعلن عنه, فضلاًعن عنصر الإبهار الموجود في الأفلام محل الدراسة من صوت وصورة وحركة وقصة... هذه العوامل كلها توفر مناخاً جذاباً ولافتاً للانتباه للمنتج الذي يتم إدراجه في داخلأحداث الفيلم(.
سمات التغطية الإخبارية للأزمات لدى المواقع الإخبارية في أثناء أزمة "كورونا
Authors: بن سعيدان هدى بنت عبدالله , الحزامي نوف عبداللطيف
Published: September 2022

ترمي هذه الدراسة إلى تحليل الرّسائل الاتصاليّة لعددٍ من المَواقع الإخبارية العالميّة على شبكة تويتر وذلك عن طريق تحليلِ شكل ومضمون عيّنة من تغريدات تويتر، لتقديم نتائجَ وصفيّة توضِّحُ طُرق تعامل تلك المؤسسات الإعلامية في أثناء الأزمة المتعلقة بانتشار فايروس كورونا.  تمَّ اختيار عيّنة الدراسة بطريقة عمديّة، فقد وقع في الاختيار ثلاثُ وسائل إخبارية: وسيلتانِ من الوسائل العالميّة الأكثر متابعة والأكثر احترافية وشهرة على مستوى العالم، فكانت النيويورك تايمز وسيلة من الولايات المتحدة، والجارديان وسيلة من المملكة المتحدة، ووسيلة عربية واحدة هي قناة العربيّة بوصفها احدى أكثر القنوات الرسميّة شهرة (von Nordheim, Boczek, & Koppers, 2018, p. 13)، وذلك لمتابعة الأساليب التي يتم استخدامها في تغطية الأخبار في أثناء الأزمة.

تم تحليل مجموع 18,085 تغريدة للحسابات الثلاث في أثناء المدة من (1/3/2020) إلى (8/ 4/ 2020) من عام 2020. تم استخدام استمارة تحليل مضمون لتحليل محتوى التغطيات الإخبارية.  وأشارت النتائج إلى وجود ارتفاع في نسبة الأخبار السلبيّة المُتعلقة بالأزمة في التغطيات الإخبارية، واهتمامٍ أقل بالجوانب الصحيّة، في حين حظيت باهتمامٍ بالغ الأخبار المتعلقة بالجوانب السياسيّة للأزمة.
استخدام المحامين للموقع الالكتروني لمجلس القضاء الأعلى والاشباعات المتحققة منه (بحث مقدم لدراسة الدبلوم العالي المهني)
Authors: عبد علي عباس هاشم , عبد الرحمن زينة عبد الخالق
Published: September 2022

تركزت الد ا رسة الميدانية للبحث على دوافع استخدام المحامين للموقع الالكترونيلمجلس القضاء الاعلى، والاشباعات المتحققة من ج ا رء الاستخدام، وسعى البحث لتحقيق عددمن الاهداف نذكر منها:1. رصد انماط استخدام المحامين للموقع الالكتروني لمجلس القضاء الاعلى.2. تحديد الاشكال التي يستخدمها المحامون للتفاعل في الموقع الالكتروني لمجلس القضاء الاعلى.ويعد هذا البحث وصفياً من حيث النوع، إذ اعتمد الباحث على )المنهج المسحي( فيد ا رسته الجمهور الخارجي )المحامون( مُستعيناً بأداة الاستبانة والمقياس، وتم توزيعها بين عينةأُختيرت بطريقة عمدية، وقوامها) 16 0 ( محامياً من كلا الجنسين، من الذين استخدموا الموقعالالكتروني لمجلس القضاء الاعلى وقد خلُص البحث الى مجموعة من النتائج، نذكر اهمها:أ. أتضح: إن استخدام المحامين الموقع الالكتروني لمجلس القضاء الاعلى تمثل بالأتي:حلت بالمرتبة الاولى )معدل مرتين في الاسبوع(، وتلتها في المرتبة الثانية )ثاث م ا رت فيالاسبوع(، وحلت ثالثاً )مرة في الاسبوع(.ب. بينت النتائج ان: الدوافع المنفعية في استخدام المحامين الموقع الالكتروني تمثلت بالاتي:حلت بالمرتبة الاولى ) يجعلني مواكباً للتطور في مجال تخصصي القانوني( ، في حين حلتبالمرتبة الاخيرة )يمنحني الفرصة للتعبير عن أ ريي في القضايا القانونية المختلفة(، اما الدوافعالطقوسية فجاءت بالمرتبة الاولى)يُسهم في نشر النصوص القانونية المفيدة للأخرين(، في حينحصلت فئة )يساعد في التخلص من المشاكل الشخصية ونسيانها والرغبة في اللهو( بالمرتبةالاخيرة.
Trophic position of dolphins tracks recent changes in the pelagic ecosystem of the Macaronesian region (NE Atlantic)
Authors: Bode A , Saavedra C , Álvarez-González M , Arregui M , Arbelo M , Fernández A , Freitas L , Silva MA , Prieto R , Azevedo JMN , Giménez J , Pierce GJ , Santos MB
Published: September 2022

Dolphins play a key role in marine food webs as predators of mid-trophic-level consumers. Because of their mobility and relatively long life span, they can be used as indicators of large-scale changes in the ecosystem. In this study, we calculated the trophic position (TP) of 5 dolphin species from the Canary, Madeira and Azores Islands using bulk and compound-specific stable isotope ratios from muscle tissue to assess trophic adaptations to recent changes in the availability of feeding resources. Dolphin TP values were then compared with those of 7 other species of cetaceans from this region. Analysis of stable nitrogen isotopes in amino acids of the common dolphin indicated non-significant effects of changes in the basal resources of the food web and thus supported the use of bulk samples for TP estimations. Dolphins occupied an intermediate TP (mean: 3.91 to 4.20) between fin (3.25) and sperm whales (4.95). Species-specific TP were equivalent among islands. However, TP increased for the common dolphin and decreased for the bottlenose dolphin (the latter also becoming more oceanic) between 2000 and 2018 in the Canary Islands. These results suggest different impacts of recent changes in the oceanography and in the pelagic food web of the Macaronesian region on the trophic ecology of dolphin species.
Alleged Lessepsian foraminifera prove native and suggest Pleistocene range expansions into the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Albano PG , Sabbatini A , Lattanzio J , Päßler JF , Steger J , Hua Q , Kaufman DS , Szidat S , Zuschin M , Negri A
Published: September 2022

Biogeographical patterns are increasingly modified by the human-driven translocation of species, a process that accelerated several centuries ago. Observational datasets, however, rarely range back more than a few decades, implying that a large part of invasion histories went unobserved. Small-sized organisms, like benthic foraminifera, are more likely to have been reported only recently due to their lower detectability compared to larger-sized organisms. Recently detected native species of tropical affinity may have thus been mistaken for non-indigenous species due to the lack of evidence of their occurrence in pre-invasion records. To uncover the unobserved past of the Lessepsian invasion—the entrance of tropical species into the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal—we collected sediment cores on the southern Israeli shelf. We deployed state-of-the-art radiocarbon techniques to date 7 individual foraminiferal tests belonging to 5 alleged non-indigenous species and show that they are centuries to millennia old, thus native. Two additional species previously considered non-indigenous occurred in centennial to millennia-old sediments, suggesting their native status. The evidence of multiple tropical foraminiferal species supposed to be non-indigenous but proved native in the eastern Mediterranean suggests either survival in refugia during the Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.96-5.33 million years) or, more likely, dispersal from the tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific during the Pleistocene. In the interglacials of this epoch, higher sea levels may have allowed biological connectivity between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea for shallow-water species, showing that the Isthmus of Suez was possibly a more biologically porous barrier than previously considered.
Biomarker-driven feedback control of synthetic biology systems for next-generation personalized medicine
Authors: Stefanov Bozhidar-Adrian , Fussenegger Martin
Published: September 2022

Many current clinical therapies for chronic diseases involve administration of drugs using dosage and bioavailability parameters estimated for a generalized population. This standard approach carries the risk of under dosing, which may result in ineffective treatment, or overdosing, which may cause undesirable side effects. Consequently, maintaining a drug concentration in the therapeutic window often requires frequent monitoring, adversely affecting the patient’s quality of life. In contrast, endogenous biosystems have evolved finely tuned feedback control loops that govern the physiological functions of the body based on multiple input parameters. To provide personalized treatment for chronic diseases, therefore, we require synthetic systems that can similarly generate a calibrated therapeutic response. Such engineered autonomous closed-loop devices should incorporate a sensor that actively tracks and evaluates the disease severity based on one or more biomarkers, as well as components that utilize these molecular inputs to bio compute and deliver the appropriate level of therapeutic output. Here, we review recent advances in applications of the closed-loop design principle in biomedical implants for treating severe and chronic diseases, highlighting translational studies of cellular therapies. We describe the engineering principles and components of closed-loop therapeutic devices, and discuss their potential to become a key pillar of personalized medicine.
Site response and liquefaction hazard analysis of Hawassa town, Main Ethiopian Rift
Authors: Ayele Alemayehu , Meten Matebie , Woldearegay Kifle
Published: September 2022

The study area is located in one of the most earthquake prone regions in southern Ethiopia, which is characterized by small-to-intermediate earthquake occurrences causing damage to buildings. Predicting liquefaction hazard potential and local site effects are imperative to manage earthquake hazard and reduce the damage to buildings and loss of lives. The objectives of this work were to perform the equivalent linear response analysis (ELA) and shear wave velocity (Vs.)-based liquefaction hazard analysis and classify the site into different seismic site classes based on the European and American codes. The SPT-N and Vs.30 values showed the site falls in the C and D classes based on the NEHRP (2015) code but falls in the B and C classes based on the EC8 (2003) code. The susceptibility of liquefaction was evaluated using grain size analysis curves. Moreover, peak ground acceleration (PGA), spectral acceleration (SA), and maximum strain (%), which are very critical to understanding the local site effects, were estimated by the DeepsoilV.7 program. The cyclic stress ratio and cyclic resistance ratio were used to calculate the factor of safety (FS). A liquefaction potential index (LPI), probability of liquefaction (PL), and probability of liquefaction induced ground failure (PG) were used to assess the probability of liquefaction. The peak ground acceleration (g) values ranged from 0.166 to 0.281 g, whereas spectral acceleration (g) was found to be high at 0.1–1s. The liquefaction susceptibility screening criteria revealed that the study area is highly susceptible to liquefaction. FS is < 1 for a liquefied site, but FS is > 1 for non-liquefied sites. In comparison to non-liquefied sites, the liquefaction forecast site has a liquefaction potential index value of 0–54.16, very likely high PL, and high PG. The findings will be helpful in the design of structures and in solving practical challenges in earthquake engineering.
A numerical study of the impacts of outdoor air intake and air changes per hour on the trichloramine concentrations in a swimming pool enclosure
Authors: Proulx H. , Hallé S.
Published: September 2022

Trichloramine (NCl3) is a disinfection by-product commonly found in the water and air in indoor swimming pools. The gas is associated with chronic diseases such as asthma and often causes eye and skin irritation. Due to its higher density than air, NCl3 tends to accumulate close to the water surface and above the deck. Mixing ventilation is the main ventilation strategy used in aquatic centers to maintain the NCl3 concentrations at an acceptable level. However, swimming pool halls are known to be significantly energy-intensive, mostly because of water evaporation from the basin. Consequently, building codes recommend maintaining a low airspeed above the pool and deck to minimize evaporation and to ensure swimmers’ thermal comfort. If trichloramine levels are suspected to be too high, pool managers will favor increasing the number of air changes per hour (ACH) while limiting the outdoor air (OA) intake. However, mechanical filtration systems are not designed to remove NCl3 from the airflow. Since its concentration cannot be measured directly, ventilation system parameters are often based on minimum recommendations set out in building codes and may vary in operation according to the CO2 levels in the extracted air, irrespective of the NCl3 level and its accumulation behavior. It remains unknown how the OA intake ratio affects NCl3 levels in breathing zones. This study carries out a numerical investigation of the impacts of the OA and the ACH on NCl3 concentrations in a swimming pool hall in Montreal (Canada). Results show that the minimum recommendations (OA intake and ACH) by ASHRAE are not sufficient to eliminate NCl3 accumulation and stratification in the lower breathing zones. Moreover, air recirculation mostly affects the breathing zones of standing occupants on decks and of lifeguards but has a smaller impact on the breathing zones of swimmers or people sitting on the deck. Eliminating air recirculation does not guarantee better air quality in terms of NCl3 in these breathing zones. The findings for the complex under study may be used to guide similar research in other aquatic centers and for the continuous development of building codes and air quality standards.
Resetting the epigenome: Methylation dynamics in cancer stem cells
Authors: Roy Aiendrila , Padhi Swati Shree , Khyriem Ibakordor , Nikose Saket , Sankar S. H Harsha , Bharathavikru Ruthrotha Selvi
Published: September 2022

The molecular mechanisms that regulate stem cell pluripotency and differentiation has shown the crucial role that methylation plays in this process. DNA methylation has been shown to be important in the context of developmental pathways, and the role of histone methylation in establishment of the bivalent state of genes is equally important. Recent studies have shed light on the role of RNA methylation changes in stem cell biology. The dynamicity of these methylation changes not only regulates the effective maintenance of pluripotency or differentiation, but also provides an amenable platform for perturbation by cellular stress pathways that are inherent in immune responses such as inflammation or oncogenic programs involving cancer stem cells. We summarize the recent research on the role of methylation dynamics and how it is reset during differentiation and de-differentiation.
Extracellular cell-free RNA profile in human large follicles and small follicles
Authors: Shi Huajuan , Pan Min , Sheng Yuqi , Jia Erteng , Wang Ying , Dong Juan , Tu Jing , Bai Yunfei , Cai Lingbo , Ge Qinyu
Published: September 2022

Background: Previous studies have shown that a large number of valuable and functional cell-free RNAs (cfRNAs) were found in follicular fluid. However, the species and characteristics of follicular fluid cfRNAs have not been reported. Furthermore, their implications are still barely understood in the evaluation of follicular fluid from follicles of different sizes, which warrants further studies.

Objective: This study investigated the landscape and characteristics of follicular fluid cfRNAs, the source of organization, and the potential for distinguishing between follicles of different sizes.

Methods: Twenty-four follicular fluid samples were collected from 20 patients who received in vitro fertilization (n = 9) or ICSI (n = 11), including 16 large follicular fluid and 8 small follicular fluid samples. Also, the cfRNA profile of follicular fluid samples was analyzed by RNA sequencing.

Results: This result indicated that the concentration of follicular fluid cfRNAs ranged from 0.78 to 8.76 ng/ml, and fragment length was 20–200 nucleotides. The concentration and fragment length of large follicular fluid and small follicular fluid samples were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The technical replica correlation of follicular fluid samples ranged from 0.3 to 0.9, and the correlation of small follicular fluid samples was remarkably (p < 0.001) lower than that of large follicular fluid samples. Moreover, this study found that cfRNAs of the follicular fluid could be divided into 37 Ensembl RNA biotypes, and a large number of mRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs were observed in the follicular fluid. The number of cfRNAs in large follicular fluid was remarkably (p < 0.05) higher than that of small follicular fluid. Furthermore, the follicular fluid contained a large amount of intact mRNA and splice junctions and a large number of tissue-derived RNAs, which are at a balanced state of supply and elimination in the follicular fluid. KEGG pathway analysis showed that differentially expressed cfRNAs were enriched in several pathways, including thyroid hormone synthesis, the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels. In addition, we further showed that four cfRNAs (TK2, AHDC1, PHF21A, and TTYH1) serve as a potential indicator to distinguish the follicles of different sizes. The ROC curve shows great potential to predict follicular fluid from follicles of different sizes [area under the curve (AUC) > 0.88].

Conclusion: Overall, our study revealed that a large number of cfRNAs could be detected in follicular fluid and could serve as a potential non-invasive biomarker in distinguishing between follicles of different sizes. These results may inform the study of the utility and implementation of cfRNAs in clinical practice.
A new type of bladeless turbine for compressed gas energy storage system
Authors: Wang Qin , Zhu Zhengyang , Chen Wei , Zhou Yang
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, energy storage engineering is an important means to relieve the problem of energy shortage. In this investigation, we design a kind of vaneless turbine originating from a Tesla turbine with a diameter and an air gap of 250 mm and 0.5 mm, respectively. Importantly, such a vaneless turbine removes the feature of an air outlet in the middle and adopts other ways of entering and leaving on both sides, so as to strengthen the rotor, because there is no need for a large hole in the middle of the rotor. Furthermore, the rotor dynamics characteristics of the vaneless turbine are calculated by six different modes. We also obtain the critical speed in different modes. Moreover, the flow field performances, such as the velocity and pressure of fluid (air), are investigated using the finite element simulation method. In addition, the bench test is built to obtain the output characteristics of a vaneless turbine. The maximum output torque is about 5.56 Nm at 992 rpm, and the maximal rotational speed of the vaneless turbine can reach 3200 rpm. Our work provides new ideas and guidance for the design and research of the new generation of the vaneless turbine.
Design, synthesis and application of two-dimensional metal tellurides as high-performance electrode materials
Authors: Guo Meng , Gu Shaonan , Xu Shuzheng , Lu Jiani , Wang Yinan , Zhou Guowei
Published: September 2022

Multifunctional electrode materials with inherent conductivity have attracted extensive attention in recent years. Two-dimensional (2D) metal telluride nanomaterials are more promising owing to their strong metallic properties and unique physical/chemical merits. In this review, recent advancements in the preparation of 2D metal tellurides and their application in electrode materials are presented. First, the most available preparation methods, such as hydro/solvent thermal, chemical vapor deposition, and electrodeposition, are summarized. Then, the unique performance of metal telluride electrodes in capacitors, anode materials of Li/Na ion batteries, electrocatalysis, and lithium-sulfur batteries are discussed. Finally, significant challenges and opportunities in the preparation and application of 2D metal tellurides are proposed.
Is Raman the best strategy towards the development of non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring devices for diabetes management?
Authors: Todaro Biagio , Begarani Filippo , Sartori Federica , Luin Stefano
Published: September 2022

Diabetes has no well-established cure; thus, its management is critical for avoiding severe health complications involving multiple organs. This requires frequent glycaemia monitoring, and the gold standards for this are fingerstick tests. During the last decades, several blood-withdrawal-free platforms have been being studied to replace this test and to improve significantly the quality of life of people with diabetes (PWD). Devices estimating glycaemia level targeting blood or biofluids such as tears, saliva, breath and sweat, are gaining attention; however, most are not reliable, user-friendly and/or cheap. Given the complexity of the topic and the rise of diabetes, a careful analysis is essential to track scientific and industrial progresses in developing diabetes management systems. Here, we summarize the emerging blood glucose level (BGL) measurement methods and report some examples of devices which have been under development in the last decades, discussing the reasons for them not reaching the market or not being really non-invasive and continuous. After discussing more in depth the history of Raman spectroscopy-based researches and devices for BGL measurements, we will examine if this technique could have the potential for the development of a user-friendly, miniaturized, non-invasive and continuous blood glucose-monitoring device, which can operate reliably, without inter-patient variability, over sustained periods.
Ani-GIFs: A benchmark dataset for domain generalization of action recognition from GIFs
Authors: Majumdar Shoumik Sovan , Jain Shubhangi , Tourni Isidora Chara , Mustafin Arsenii , Lteif Diala , Sclaroff Stan , Saenko Kate , Bargal Sarah Adel
Published: September 2022

Deep learning models perform remarkably well for the same task under the assumption that data is always coming from the same distribution. However, this is generally violated in practice, mainly due to the differences in data acquisition techniques and the lack of information about the underlying source of new data. Domain generalization targets the ability to generalize to test data of an unseen domain; while this problem is well-studied for images, such studies are significantly lacking in spatiotemporal visual content—videos and GIFs. This is due to (1) the challenging nature of misalignment of temporal features and the varying appearance/motion of actors and actions in different domains, and (2) spatiotemporal datasets being laborious to collect and annotate for multiple domains. We collect and present the first synthetic video dataset of Animated GIFs for domain generalization, Ani-GIFs, that is used to study the domain gap of videos vs. GIFs, and animated vs. real GIFs, for the task of action recognition. We provide a training and testing setting for Ani-GIFs, and extend two domain generalization baseline approaches, based on data augmentation and explainability, to the spatiotemporal domain to catalyze research in this direction.
Thoughts on the usage of audible smiling in speech synthesis applications
Authors: Trouvain Jürgen , Weiss Benjamin
Published: September 2022

In this perspective paper we explore the question how audible smiling can be integrated in speech synthesis applications. In human-human communication, smiling can serve various functions, such as signaling politeness or as a marker of trustworthiness and other aspects that raise and maintain the social likeability of a speaker. However, in human-machine communication, audible smiling is nearly unexplored, but could be an advantage in different applications such as dialog systems. The rather limited knowledge of the details of audible smiling and their exploitation for speech synthesis applications is a great challenge. This is also true for modeling smiling in spoken dialogs and testing it with users. Thus, this paper argues to fill the research gaps in identifying factors that constitute and affect audible smiling in order to incorporate it in speech synthesis applications. The major claim is to focus on the dynamics of audible smiling on various levels.
Study of necrotic apoptosis by pulsed electric field ablation in rabbit left ventricular myocardium
Authors: Zhao Zhihong , Chen Yonggang , Wu Bin , Qiu Gaodong , Hong Liangjie , Chen Xinhua , Zhang Xingwei
Published: September 2022

Objective

We investigate the characteristics of histological damage to myocardial cells in the ablation region and surrounding areas of the left ventricular epicardium in rabbits using our self-developed cardiac pulsed electric field (PEF) ablation instrument and ablation catheter.

Methods

Forty eight New Zealand rabbits underwent ablation on the left ventricular myocardium after open-heart exposure with a cardiac arrhythmia PEF ablation device and ablation catheter developed by the Medical Translation Laboratory of Pulsed Electric Field Technology in Zhejiang Province. The ablation parameters were set as biphasic electrical pulses; voltage, ±800 V; pulse width, 10 μs; interphase delay, 500 us. Six rabbits were included in the sham group and 42 other rabbits were randomly divided into immediately, 6-h, 1-, 3-day, 1-, 2-, and 4-week post-ablation groups, with six rabbits in each group. Creatine kinase- (CK)-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were measured before and at different time points after PEF ablation to analyze their dynamic evolution. Masson staining of tissue block sections of left ventricular myocardial ablation and adjacent tissue heart specimens was performed, and the occurrence of TUNEL apoptosis in myocardium tissue was analyzed.

Results

All rabbits completed the PEF ablation procedure and the follow-up process. After PEF ablation, the levels of cardiac enzymes, including CK-MB, CK, and AST, increased significantly, peaking 1–3 days after the procedure. In particular, those of CK and CK-MB increased by 15–20 times but returned to the preoperative level after 2 weeks. Based on general observation, it was found that the myocardium in the ablation area was swollen immediately after PEF ablation. Masson staining analysis revealed that cardiomyocytes were broken and infiltrated by erythrocytes after 6 h. After 1 day, the cells started to experience atrophy and necrosis; after 3 days, fibrotic replacement of the necrotic area became obvious. Then, by 4 weeks, the myocardial cells were completely replaced by hyperplasia. Apoptosis occurred significantly at 6 h and peaked at 24 h post-ablation, demonstrating a 37.7-fold increase; apoptotic cell counts decreased significantly at 3 days post-ablation, and no significant apoptotic cardiomyocytes were seen after 1 week.

Conclusion

After PEF ablation, cardiomyocytes showed apoptotic process and dyed, at least partially, through a secondary necrosis, the ablation boundary was clear, the ablation area was replaced by structurally intact fibroblasts, no island myocardium tissue were seen, and the ablation area vessels and nerves were not affected.
Asymptomatic left circumflex artery stenosis is associated with higher arrhythmia recurrence after persistent atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Garcia Rodrigue , Clouard Mathilde , Plank Fabian , Degand Bruno , Philibert Séverine , Laurent Gabriel , Poupin Pierre , Sakhy Saliman , Gras Matthieu , Stühlinger Markus , Szegedi Nándor , Herczeg Szilvia , Simon Judit , Crijns Harry J. G. M. , Marijon Eloi , Christiaens Luc , Guenancia Charles
Published: September 2022

Background

The pathophysiology of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. While several studies have demonstrated an association between myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation, the role of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is still unknown. As a result, we aimed to assess the association between CAD obstruction and AF recurrence after persistent AF ablation in patients with no history of CAD.

Materials and methods

This observational retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent routine preprocedural cardiac computed tomography (CCT) before persistent AF ablation between September 2015 and June 2018 in 5 European University Hospitals. Exclusion criteria were CAD or coronary revascularization previously known or during follow-up. Obstructive CAD was defined as luminal stenosis ≥ 50%.

Results

All in all, 496 patients (mean age 61.8 ± 10.0 years, 76.2% males) were included. CHA2DS2–VASc score was 0 or 1 in 225 (36.3%) patients. Obstructive CAD was present in 86 (17.4%) patients. During the follow-up (24 ± 19 months), 207 (41.7%) patients had AF recurrence. The recurrence rate was not different between patients with and without obstructive CAD (43.0% vs. 41.5%, respectively; P = 0.79). When considering the location of the stenosis, the recurrence rate was higher in the case of left circumflex obstruction: 56% vs. 32% at 2 years (log-rank P ≤ 0.01). After Cox multivariate analysis, circumflex artery obstruction (HR 2.32; 95% CI 1.36–3.98; P < 0.01) was independently associated with AF recurrence.

Conclusion

Circumflex artery obstruction detected with CCT was independently associated with 2-fold increase in the risk of AF recurrence after persistent AF ablation. Further research is necessary to evaluate this pathophysiological relationship.
Cardiac and vascular effects of low-dose steroids during the early phase of septic shock: An echocardiographic study
Authors: Bagate François , Coppens Alexandre , Masi Paul , de Prost Nicolas , Carteaux Guillaume , Razazi Keyvan , Mekontso Dessap Armand
Published: September 2022

Background

Low-dose steroids are known to increase arterial pressure during septic shock through restoration of vasopressor response to norepinephrine. However, their effects on cardiac performance and ventriculo-arterial coupling (VAC) have never been scrutinized during human septic shock. The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive description of the cardiovascular effects of low-dose steroids using modern echocardiographic tools (including speckle tracking imaging).

Methods

This prospective study was conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital in France. Consecutive adult patients admitted for septic shock and requiring low-dose steroid therapy were prospectively enrolled within 24 h of septic shock onset. We recorded hemodynamic and echocardiographic data to explore left ventricle (LV) contractility, loading conditions and VAC just before the initiation of low-dose steroids (50 mg intravenous hydrocortisone plus 50 μg enteral fludrocortisone) and 2–4 h after.

Results

Fifty patients [65 (55–73) years; 33 men] were enrolled. Arterial pressure, heart rate, almost all LV afterload parameters, and most cardiac contractility parameters significantly improved after steroids. VAC improved with steroid therapy and less patients had uncoupled VAC (> 1.36) after (24%) than before (44%) treatment.

Conclusion

In this comprehensive echocardiographic study, we confirmed an improvement of LV afterload after initiation of low-dose steroids. We also observed an increase in LV contractility with improved cardiovascular efficiency (less uncoupling with decreased VAC).
Review of the action of organic matter on mineral sediment flocculation
Authors: Deng Zhirui , Huang Dong , He Qing , Chassagne Claire
Published: September 2022

Sediment is found throughout the world’s alluvial plain rivers, estuarine coasts and adjacent seas and is thereby a key factor in major ecosystems. Suspended mineral sediment can affect the biological activity of microorganisms and plants, by reducing light penetration in the water column or by binding to organic matter. Biological processes can, in turn, affect the physical and chemical properties of the sediment particles and influence the adhesion between particles. They can facilitate the sediment aggregation (flocculation) through bridging, patching and sweep, while biological decay will mainly help to disintegrate organic matter rich flocs. Biological activity also affects the properties of flocs (structure, density, sedimentation rate and composition). This activity is itself influenced by environmental conditions (like temperature, light and nutrient fluxes). Sediment flocculation thus involves complex relationships between several physical, chemical and biological factors. The role of biology in particular needs to be better integrated in sediment transport models, through the interaction between mineral clay particles, microorganisms and their excreted polymers (Extra Polymeric Substances, i.e., EPS). In this article, a summary of the state-of-the-art research regarding sediment flocculation is given. In particular, the action of organic matter on fine-grained sediment flocculation is discussed. The aim of the article is to provide a more comprehensive understanding of bio-sediment dynamics and give an outlook on remaining research questions.