bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review on Structural Health Monitoring of Offshore Platform
Authors: Zhu Jin
Published: September 2021

The structural health monitoring (SHM) and damage detection of offshore platforms, one of the most common marine structures operating in a hostile environment, have gained global attention in recent years. This paper presents a review of vibration-based damage identification methods used for SHM of offshore platforms. The application and progress of these methods are discussed and some case studies are analyzed. The challenges and future work for vibration-based damage identification are summarized.
Decision Purchasing Malaysian Rice at Border Region
Authors: Nia K. S , Sekar I. M
Published: September 2021

Sebatik region was border region which located near by Malaysia. The study objectives to identify characteristics and perceptions in purchasing rice in border areas from 42 respondent out of 757 population. Statistically, the questionnaire data were analyzed using classic assumption test analysis and multiple regression. The results show that consumers’ perceptions in purchasing rice in border areas were effected by cheap price (71.4%), brand (66,7%), and the quality (92,9%). Based on the first multiple regressions in R Square test variable X mostly affected by variable Y with amount of 0.635. The t-test results show the variables were effected by gender with significanceof 0.008, education with sig of 0.026, family income with sig of 0.049, price with sig of 0.019, and quality with sig of 0.003.
Performance level of Kampung Cerdas concept using Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) methods in Kampung Genteng Candirejo, Surabaya
Authors: Mitzalina A , Rahmawati D
Published: September 2021

Indonesian government is committed to manifest a sustainable city and compatible with the new agenda, which is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as stated in SDGs Goal 11. One of the strategies to complete sustainability in a city is implement smart city concept into the community level or known as Kampung Cerdas. Aligned with realisation of Surabaya Smart City program, supports from urban settlements area, especially kampung in Surabaya that represent locality and community characteristics of Surabaya city are very essential. Kampung Genteng Candirejo as an example that has focusing to develop smart people/community. This article aims to describe the factors that affect the development of smart city implementations in urban settlements and community of Kampung Genteng Candirejo Surabaya through several stages: (1) identify the characteristic of Kampung Cerdas in Kampung Genteng Candirejo urban settlements through observation and interviews (2) factor analysis and performance level in Kampung Genteng using Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) methods. The instrument that is essentially needed for this step is community assessment about performance and priority about their living environment that were collected by conducting the likert scale-questionnaires. The result represented through four quadrants of performance based on smart city dimension of Kampung Cerdas.
Towards a sustainable urban policy: between the Island City and the New Town
Authors: Sutriadi R
Published: September 2021

By the end of 2019, the Government is working to finalize the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), where one of the agendas is a discussion of Indonesia’s urban policies for the next five years. Such urban policies transform the previous themes on liveable cities, green cities, and smart cities into more resilient and sustainable urban policies. Author raises two main issues that need to be highlighted in the next five years, given Indonesia’s position as an archipelagic country along with the regional resilience’s and climate change phenomenon, other thing is the desire to equalize development throughout Indonesia by relocating the country’s capital off Java. The challenge of urban policies in Indonesia for the next five years is in addition to creating a resilient and sustainable city, as well as how to build an island-based city as a manifestation of Indonesia’s geographical conditions which include large and small islands in a more integrated planning and development as well as emphasizing development with relocating the nation’s capital outside Java Island.
Influence of the initial thermal pulse’s temperature on the processes of cloud formation based on the results of mathematical modeling
Authors: Sozaeva L T , Sherieva M A
Published: September 2021

The evolution of a convective cloud at different values of the initial thermal pulse at the earth’s surface is considered. The research is based on a three-dimensional non-stationary cloud model developed in the HMGI. Numerical calculations are carried out for three variants of the initial overheating of l, 2 and 3 °C. Vertical sections were obtained at the 20th, 30th, and 40th minutes of cloud development and the corresponding characteristics (water content, ice content, total water content and ice content). It is shown that an increase in overheating leads to an increase in the intensity of cloud development at the initial stage and the stage of growth. At an overheat of 3 °C, the ice content grows much faster than at lower values, due to the removal of droplets to the higher layers of the atmosphere with a below-freezing temperature, where they freeze faster.
Verification of numerical modeling of atmospheric dynamics using the measurements of radar reflectivity
Authors: Svechnikova E , Ilin N , Mareev E , Hovakimyan S
Published: September 2021

Numerical modeling is one of the main research tools in modern atmospheric physics. The complexity of the verification of modeling is related to the probabilistic nature of the atmospheric processes under study. We define the quality of modeling as the accuracy of describing the general dynamics, and not as the equality of measured and modeled physical quantities at any specific time moment. The paper proposes a verification method based on comparing the measured and modeled spatial distribution of radar reflectivity. The method is applied to compare the quality of modeling with different microphysical schemes for the mountainous region.
Simulation of the electrification process of a cloud due to the interaction of hailstones with cloud crystals
Authors: Kashleva L V , Dougoli V , Mikhailovsky Yu P
Published: September 2021

This paper is based on the simulation of the electrification process of a hail cloud resulting from the interactions (collisions) between hailstones (graupels) with cloud crystals. A thundercloud cell at the maturity stage was simulated. The process of cloud electrification due to the interactions (collisions) of hailstones with cloud crystals is considered. The thermohydrometric structure of the cloud is also taken into account. It is shown that the negative or positive charge acquired by hailstones, is dependent on the effective liquid water content and temperature of the cloud. The cloud charging current was also estimated. It is shown that the thermohydrometric parameters of the cloud determines the resulting polarization of the cloud.
Investigation of the processes of heat and mass transfer during cooling and crystallization of droplet nuclei of hail
Authors: Balkarova S B , Tashilova A A
Published: September 2021

The regularities of crystallization of water droplets in an air stream and the processes of heat and mass transfer have been investigated. Theoretical calculations for determining the time of complete solidification of a drop are presented. Calculation formulas are given for determining the Reynolds number and wind coefficient, as well as comparative curves of theoretical and experimental studies of the average time of complete freezing of drops. It is shown that the theoretical calculations are in agreement with the experimental data. It was found that with intense blowing, the droplet crystallizes in a regime in which its surface is maintained at a constant temperature. An ice crust forms in the form of a dendrite when supercooled droplets crystallize. On the basis of numerous experiments, it has been established that the character of droplet crystallization substantially depends on the external conditions under which the crystallization process takes place.
Observation of precursors of large seismic events according to monitoring of the electric field of the surface layer of the atmosphere
Authors: Grunskaya L , Zolotov A , Nazarov S , Lavrova M
Published: September 2021

The work is based on 40 years of research by the authors of the project of electromagnetic fields of the infra-low-frequency range (ILF) and meteorological data at the physical experimental range of VlSU. The creation of a system for monitoring the electric and geomagnetic fields of the surface layer of the atmosphere in a network of stations spaced apart in space with a reliable assessment of the impact of global geophysical processes opens on this basis the possibility of predicting natural and man-made processes, analyzing seismic activity and the relationship of atmospheric electricity with the dynamics of meteorological processes. Long-term observations of electric and geomagnetic fields in the HF range have convinced the authors of the unique properties of EMPZ, bearing signs of many geophysical processes, including the processes of preparation of large seismic events. The catalogs of detected types of precursor anomalies in the electric field of the surface layer of the atmosphere are presented. Observed mainly anomaly types: seismogravitational oscillations; a sharp decrease in the field level up to a change in its sign; an increase in the level of the electric field. These anomalies (precursors) are observed both a few hours before the onset of an earthquake and a day, and seismic gravity fluctuations persist even after the moment of the earthquake. The developed catalogs of the precursors of strong earthquakes make it possible to analyze the pattern of changes in the character of the electric field in the surface layer of the atmosphere during the periods of preparation of seismic events.
Scattering of fogs and clouds of the lower tier
Authors: Kalov Kh M , Kh Kalov R
Published: September 2021

The paper presents the results of numerical modeling of active effects on warm fogs and clouds of the lower tier, as well as the results of field experiments on the creation of illumination zones in these fogs and clouds (increasing the meteorological visibility range (MVR)). A cylindrical volume filled with a combustible composition of high calorific value with a highly dispersed powder of calcium carbide was used as a heat source (exposure model). When the heat source is triggered, 104 kcal kg-1 of the fuel composition is released. Numerical modeling has shown that after 5–6 seconds after the thermal source is triggered, the MVR increases to 2 km (from the initial 50 m). Field experiments have shown an increase in the MVR by 5–50 or more times at different values of the meteorological parameters of fogs and clouds of the lower tier.
Development of an indicator of the effectiveness of cloud scattering in ensuring favorable weather conditions for conducting socially significant events involving aviation
Authors: Borisov A A , Makov A B , Shchukin G G
Published: September 2021

A new approach to evaluating the effectiveness of active impacts on layered cloud cover using aircraft is proposed. As an indicator of efficiency, it is proposed to use the probability of achieving the goal of active impacts on the clouds. The use of the proposed indicator will make it possible to predict the effectiveness of impacts up to the moment of their implementation.
Long-term dynamics of the climatic factors of the natural hazards formation in the Northern Caucasus
Authors: Korchagina E A
Published: September 2021

Within the framework of the study on the North Caucasus territory exposure to hazardous natural processes, attention is paid to the climatic factor of their formation. This paper presents the results on the study of the main climatic characteristics dynamics in the mountainous regions of the North Caucasus in different phases of river runoff formation. The dynamics of the surface air temperature and precipitation from the middle of the last century to the present has been studied. The possible influence of reliable changes in monthly, seasonal and annual climate characteristics on changes in the frequency of floods and mudflows in the region is analyzed. The largest number of statistically significant positive trends of air temperature and precipitation in the region was found during the season of mudflow and flood activity.
Stokes–Mueller formalism of spectrally-resolved transmitted light in an artificial opal
Authors: Sahani Pratyasha , Vijaya R
Published: September 2021

The response of an artificial opal to different polarization states of incident light is quantitatively analyzed by performing Mueller matrix (MM) polarimetry measurements in the transmission geometry. In addition, the wavelength-resolved polarization effects of the transmitted light from the opal are quantitatively investigated especially for the wavelengths lying inside the stop band, at the band edge, outside the stop band and far-outside the stop band. It is observed that the degree of polarization (DOP) of the transmitted light effectively decreases from unity and the polarized component in the transmitted light evolves from linear to slightly elliptical polarization when the wavelength of the linearly polarized incident light goes from inside to outside the stop band. On the other hand, only a small variation in the DOP is observed for circularly polarized incident light with the polarized component in the transmitted light nearly preserving its right-handed circular character. For comparison, the measurement is also done on a solution sample containing monodispersed colloids of the same size. The optical performance of the opal is characterized by calculating the linear, 45° linear, and circular diattenuation parameters from the measured MM elements. For the sake of completeness, the diattenuation parameters of the opal are calculated from the corresponding MM elements for oblique angles of incidence when the incident wavelength falls within the stop band. The same parameters are also quantified from the polarization- and angle-resolved transmission spectral measurements using a spectrophotometer and the one-to-one comparison between the parameters reveals an excellent agreement between the two measurements.
Human travel follows universal pattern, mobile-phone data reveal
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: September 2021

Patterns describing how far and how frequently people travel to different locations within cities are surprisingly universal across the world
Tomography could help in the fight against terrorism
Authors: Dumé Isabelle
Published: September 2021

Physicists at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, have developed a new technique to rapidly detect and characterize materials like plutonium and enriched uranium.
Hot topic
Authors: Ball Philip
Published: September 2021

Philip Ball reviews Einstein’s Fridge: the Science of Fire, Ice and the Universe by Paul Sen
MOAI: a multi-outcome interaction identification approach reveals an interaction between vaspin and carcinoembryonic antigen on colorectal cancer prognosis
Authors: Lin Yu-Da , Lee Yi-Chen , Chiang Chih-Po , Moi Sin-Hua , Kan Jung-Yu
Published: September 2021

Identifying and characterizing the interaction between risk factors for multiple outcomes (multi-outcome interaction) has been one of the greatest challenges faced by complex multifactorial diseases. However, the existing approaches have several limitations in identifying the multi-outcome interaction. To address this issue, we proposed a multi-outcome interaction identification approach called MOAI. MOAI was motivated by the limitations of estimating the interaction simultaneously occurring in multi-outcomes and by the success of Pareto set filter operator for identifying multi-outcome interaction. MOAI permits the identification for the interaction of multiple outcomes and is applicable in population-based study designs. Our experimental results exhibited that the existing approaches are not effectively used to identify the multi-outcome interaction, whereas MOAI obviously exhibited superior performance in identifying multi-outcome interaction. We applied MOAI to identify the interaction between risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC) in both metastases and mortality prognostic outcomes. An interaction between vaspin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was found, and the interaction indicated that patients with CRC characterized by higher vaspin (≥30%) and CEA (≥5) levels could simultaneously increase both metastases and mortality risk. The immunostaining evidence revealed that determined multi-outcome interaction could effectively identify the difference between non-metastases/survived and metastases/deceased patients, which offers multi-prognostic outcome risk estimation for CRC. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a multi-outcome interaction associated with a complex multifactorial disease. MOAI is freely available at https://sites.google.com/view/moaitool/home.
Integration of pairwise neighbor topologies and miRNA family and cluster attributes for miRNA–disease association prediction
Authors: Xuan Ping , Wang Dong , Cui Hui , Zhang Tiangang , Nakaguchi Toshiya
Published: September 2021

Identifying disease-related microRNAs (miRNAs) assists the understanding of disease pathogenesis. Existing research methods integrate multiple kinds of data related to miRNAs and diseases to infer candidate disease-related miRNAs. The attributes of miRNA nodes including their family and cluster belonging information, however, have not been deeply integrated. Besides, the learning of neighbor topology representation of a pair of miRNA and disease is a challenging issue. We present a disease-related miRNA prediction method by encoding and integrating multiple representations of miRNA and disease nodes learnt from the generative and adversarial perspective. We firstly construct a bilayer heterogeneous network of miRNA and disease nodes, and it contains multiple types of connections among these nodes, which reflect neighbor topology of miRNA–disease pairs, and the attributes of miRNA nodes, especially miRNA-related families and clusters. To learn enhanced pairwise neighbor topology, we propose a generative and adversarial model with a convolutional autoencoder-based generator to encode the low-dimensional topological representation of the miRNA–disease pair and multi-layer convolutional neural network-based discriminator to discriminate between the true and false neighbor topology embeddings. Besides, we design a novel feature category-level attention mechanism to learn the various importance of different features for final adaptive fusion and prediction. Comparison results with five miRNA–disease association methods demonstrated the superior performance of our model and technical contributions in terms of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the precision-recall curve. The results of recall rates confirmed that our model can find more actual miRNA–disease associations among top-ranked candidates. Case studies on three cancers further proved the ability to detect potential candidate miRNAs.
The systems biology simulation core library
Authors: Panchiwala Hemil , Shah Shalin , Planatscher Hannes , Zakharchuk Mykola , König Matthias , Dräger Andreas
Published: September 2021

Studying biological systems generally relies on computational modeling and simulation, e.g., model-driven discovery and hypothesis testing. Progress in standardization efforts led to the development of interrelated file formats to exchange and reuse models in systems biology, such as SBML, the Simulation Experiment Description Markup Language (SED-ML) or the Open Modeling EXchange format. Conducting simulation experiments based on these formats requires efficient and reusable implementations to make them accessible to the broader scientific community and to ensure the reproducibility of the results. The Systems Biology Simulation Core Library (SBSCL) provides interpreters and solvers for these standards as a versatile open-source API in JavaTM. The library simulates even complex bio-models and supports deterministic Ordinary Differential Equations; Stochastic Differential Equations; constraint-based analyses; recent SBML and SED-ML versions; exchange of results, and visualization of in silico experiments; open modeling exchange formats (COMBINE archives); hierarchically structured models; and compatibility with standard testing systems, including the Systems Biology Test Suite and published models from the BioModels and BiGG databases.

Availability and implementation

SBSCL is freely available at https://draeger-lab.github.io/SBSCL/ and via Maven Central.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Information-Theoretic Channel for Multi-exposure Image Fusion
Authors: Hao Qiaohong , Zhao Qi , Sbert Mateu , Feng Qinghe , Ancuti Cosmin , Feixas Miquel , Vila Marius , Zhang Jiawan
Published: September 2021

Multi-exposure image fusion has emerged as an increasingly important and interesting research topic in information fusion. It aims at producing an image with high quality by fusing a set of differently exposed images. In this article, we present a pixel-level method for multi-exposure image fusion based on an information-theoretic approach. In our scheme, an information channel between two source images is used to compute the Rényi entropy associated with each pixel in one image with respect to the other image and hence to produce the weight maps for the source images. Since direct weight-averaging of the source images introduce unpleasing artifacts, we employ Laplacian multi-scale fusion. Based on this pyramid scheme, images at every scale are fused by weight maps, and a final fused image is inversely reconstructed. Multi-exposure image fusion with the proposed method is easy to construct and implement and can deliver, in less than a second for a set of three input images of size 512$\times $340, competitive and compelling results versus state-of-art methods through visual comparison and objective evaluation.
Three-dimensional Movement and Distribution of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) Adults in Stored Wheat Under Constant Temperatures and Moisture Contents
Authors: Bharathi Vimala S K , Jian Fuji , Jayas Digvir S , Morrison Jason
Published: September 2021

Understanding the movement and distribution of insects inside a grain bin is crucial to develop an effective stored grain management protocol. The three-dimensional movement and distribution of adult Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) at 20 and 30°C were determined in a 0.7 × 0.7 × 0.7 m3 (internal dimensions) wooden box filled with wheat of uniform moisture contents (12.5 ± 0.1%, 14.5 ± 0.1%, and 16.5 ± 0.1% wet basis). The wheat at a constant moisture content was filled into 343 mesh cubes (0.1 × 0.1 × 0.1 m3) and placed inside the wooden box. The center mesh cube in the box had one hundred adult insects introduced at the beginning of the movement. After 24 h, the 343 mesh cubes were removed from the wooden box in less than 45 min. Finally, the contents of each mesh cube were sieved, and the insects counted. Each experiment was replicated three times. A maximum of 17% of insects stayed at the introduced cube (center of the wooden box). About 50–88% of the introduced adults moved downward from the introduction location at the studied temperatures and moisture contents. This 24 h study showed that C. ferrugineus movements in three dimensions follow a diffusion pattern in the horizontal direction and move downward due to the ‘drift’ effect and geotaxis in the vertical direction.
Interactions Betweensyn- andanti-2,3-Hexanediol Lures on Trap Catches of Woodboring Beetles and Associates in Southeastern United States
Authors: Miller D R , Crowe C M , Mayo P D , Silk P J , Sweeney J D
Published: September 2021

In 2016, we conducted three experiments to clarify the effects of 2,3-hexanediols isomers on trap catches of Neoclytus acuminatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). We also noted the effects of the isomers on trap catches of other cerambycids and associated species of predators and competitors. Catches of N. acuminatus in traps baited with ethanol + syn-2,3-hexanediol + racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one were reduced with the addition of anti-2,3-hexanediol, an attractant for Curius dentatus Newman (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). A fourth experiment conducted in 2017 verified that racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one increases catches of N. acuminatus in traps baited with ethanol + syn-2,3-hexanediol. The addition of anti-2,3-hexanediol increased catches of Knulliana cincta (Drury) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in traps baited with ethanol + racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one, whereas attraction of Neoclytus scutellaris (Olivier) to traps baited with ethanol + racemic 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one was reduced by syn-2,3-hexanediol. Trap catches of the beetle predators Chariessa pilosa (Forster), Enoclerus ichneumonus (F.), and Madoniella dislocata (Say) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) were affected by 2,3-hexanediol isomers, whereas other common predators were unaffected by the isomers. Attraction of the bostrichid Xylobiops basilaris (Say) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) was increased by the 2,3-hexanediols; the relative effect of the two isomeric blends was dependent on trap co-baits of 3-hydroxy-2-ketones. The two enantiomeric blends of 2,3-hexanediol had minimal effects on catches of most species of ambrosia beetles, whereas the 3-hydroxy-2-ketones affected trap catches of some species.
Impact of concomitant replacement of the ascending aorta in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement on operative morbidity and mortality
Authors: Winkler Andreas , Puiu Paul , Krombholz-Reindl Philipp , Vötsch Andreas , Steindl Johannes , Neuner Matthias , Kirnbauer Michael , Seitelberger Rainald , Gottardi Roman
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of concomitant ascending aortic replacement on operative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR).

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed our institutional database for all patients undergoing elective isolated AVR and AVR with concomitant replacement of the ascending aorta between January 2009 and May 2020. Patients undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis or requiring hypothermic circulatory arrest were excluded. A 3:1 propensity matching was performed for 688 patients to compare isolated AVR (120 patients) with AVR + ascending aortic replacement (40 patients).

RESULTS

There were significant differences in median cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time [92.5 (75–114) vs 118.5 (104–131) min; P < 0.001], median aortic cross-clamp time [65.0 (51.5–78.5) vs 84.5 (77–94) min; P < 0.001] and median intensive care unit stay [1 (1–3) vs 2 (1–6) days; P < 0.01]. There was no significant difference in the use of intraoperative and postoperative blood products, re-exploration for bleeding, postoperative atrial fibrillation, acute renal failure, incidence of stroke, perioperative myocardial infarction and 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant replacement of the ascending aorta significantly prolongs CPB and aortic clamp times but does not increase operative morbidity and mortality. Therefore, replacement of a dilated ascending aorta appears to be the most durable and safest treatment option in patients undergoing AVR with an aneurysmatic ascending aorta.
Computational analysis of human host binding partners of chikungunya and dengue viruses during coinfection
Authors: Ghildiyal Ritu , Gabrani Reema
Published: September 2021

Mosquito-borne viral diseases like chikungunya and dengue infections can cause severe illness and have become major public health concerns. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) infections share similar primary clinical manifestations and are transmitted by the same vector. Thus, the probability of their coinfection gets increased with more severe clinical complications in the patients. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the common human interacting partners of CHIKV and DENV proteins during coinfection. The viral–host protein–protein interactome was constructed using Cytoscape. Subsequently, significant host interactors were identified during coinfection. The network analysis elucidated 57 human proteins interacting with both CHIKV and DENV, represented as hub-bottlenecks. The functional and biological analyses of the 40 hub-bottlenecks revealed that they are associated with phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/AKT, p53 signaling pathways, regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis during coinfection. Moreover, the molecular docking analysis uncovered the tight and robust binding of selected hub-bottlenecks with CHIKV/DENV proteins. Additionally, 23 hub-bottlenecks were predicted as druggable candidates that could be targeted to eradicate the host–viral interactions. The elucidated common host binding partners during DENV and CHIKV coinfection as well as indicated approved drugs can support the therapeutics development.
Identifying Site-Specific Superoxide and Hydrogen Peroxide Production Rates From the Mitochondrial Electron Transport System Using a Computational Strategy
Authors: Duong Quynh V , Levitsky Yan , Dessinger Maria J , Strubbe-Rivera Jasiel O , Bazil Jason N
Published: September 2021

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in cellular signaling; however, certain pathological conditions such as ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury disrupt ROS homeostasis and contribute to cell death. A major impediment to developing therapeutic measures against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage is the lack of a quantitative framework to identify the specific sources and regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial ROS production. We developed a thermodynamically consistent, mass-and-charge balanced, kinetic model of mitochondrial ROS homeostasis focused on redox sites of electron transport chain complexes I, II, and III. The model was calibrated and corroborated using comprehensive data sets relevant to ROS homeostasis. The model predicts that complex I ROS production dominates other sources under conditions favoring a high membrane potential with elevated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and ubiquinol (QH2) levels. In general, complex I contributes to significant levels of ROS production under pathological conditions, while complexes II and III are responsible for basal levels of ROS production, especially when QH2 levels are elevated. The model also reveals that hydrogen peroxide production by complex I underlies the non-linear relationship between ROS emission and O2 at low O2 concentrations. Lastly, the model highlights the need to quantify scavenging system activity under different conditions to establish a complete picture of mitochondrial ROS homeostasis. In summary, we describe the individual contributions of the electron transport system complex redox sites to total ROS emission in mitochondria respiring under various combinations of NADH- and Q-linked respiratory fuels under varying workloads.
The Association Between Epigenetic Clocks and Physical Functioning in Older Women: A 3-Year Follow-up
Authors: Föhr Tiina , Törmäkangas Timo , Lankila Hannamari , Viljanen Anne , Rantanen Taina , Ollikainen Miina , Kaprio Jaakko , Sillanpää Elina
Published: September 2021

Background

Epigenetic clocks are composite markers developed to predict chronological age or mortality risk from DNA methylation (DNAm) data. The present study investigated the associations between 4 epigenetic clocks (Horvath’s and Hannum’s DNAmAge and DNAm GrimAge and PhenoAge) and physical functioning during a 3-year follow-up.

Method

We studied 63- to 76-year-old women (N = 413) from the Finnish Twin Study on Aging. DNAm was measured from blood samples at baseline. Age acceleration (AgeAccel), that is, discrepancy between chronological age and DNAm age, was determined as residuals from linear model. Physical functioning was assessed under standardized laboratory conditions at baseline and at follow-up. A cross-sectional analysis was performed with path models, and a longitudinal analysis was conducted with repeated measures linear models. A nonrandom missing data analysis was performed.

Results

In comparison to the other clocks, GrimAgeAccel was more strongly associated with physical functioning. At baseline, GrimAgeAccel was associated with lower performance in the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the 6-minute walk test. At follow-up, significant associations were observed between GrimAgeAccel and lowered performance in the TUG, 6-minute and 10-m walk tests, and knee extension and ankle plantar flexion strength tests.

Conclusions

The DNAm GrimAge, a novel estimate of biological aging, associated with decline in physical functioning over the 3-year follow-up in older women. However, associations between chronological age and physical function phenotypes followed similar pattern. Current epigenetic clocks do not provide strong benefits in predicting the decline of physical functioning at least during a rather short follow-up period and restricted age range.
A National Study of Racial–Ethnic Differences in COVID-19 Concerns Among Older Americans: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Lin Zhiyong , Liu Hui
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Concerns about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are an important emotional reaction to the pandemic and represent a key pandemic-related mental health outcome. We provide the first population-based evidence of racial–ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns among older Americans during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods

We analyzed data from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study COVID-19 project. The sample included 2,879 respondents (aged 50 and older) who were interviewed from June to September 2020 and had completed measures on COVID-19 concerns and other key covariates. Ordinary least squares regression models were estimated to assess racial–ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns. Formal mediation analysis was conducted to test potential mediating roles of exposures to COVID-19 risks, preexisting health status, and socioeconomic resources in accounting for racial–ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns.

Results

Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Americans showed significantly greater concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic than non-Hispanic White Americans. Racial–ethnic minority older adults also had higher proportions of knowing someone who had contracted or died from COVID-19 than White older adults. Unequal exposures to COVID-19 risks by race–ethnicity and, to a lesser degree, preexisting health inequalities accounted for only part of the racial–ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns.

Discussion

Our findings call for more research and policy interventions to lessen the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 experienced by older adults of racial–ethnic minority groups.
Enhanced glycolysis and GSK3 inactivation promote brain metabolic adaptations following neuronal mitochondrial stress
Authors: Garcia Sofia , Saldana-Caboverde Amy , Anwar Mir , Raval Ami Pravinkant , Nissanka Nadee , Pinto Milena , Moraes Carlos Torres , Diaz Francisca
Published: September 2021

We analyzed early brain metabolic adaptations in response to mitochondrial dysfunction in a mouse model of mitochondrial encephalopathy with complex IV deficiency [neuron-specific COX10 knockout (KO)]. In this mouse model, the onset of the mitochondrial defect did not coincide with immediate cell death, suggesting early adaptive metabolic responses to compensate for the energetic deficit. Metabolomic analysis in the KO mice revealed increased levels of glycolytic and pentose phosphate pathway intermediates, amino acids and lysolipids. Glycolysis was modulated by enhanced activity of glycolytic enzymes, and not by their overexpression, suggesting the importance of post-translational modifications in the adaptive response. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 inactivation was the most upstream regulation identified, implying that it is a key event in this adaptive mechanism. Because neurons are thought not to rely on glycolysis for adenosine triphosphate production in normal conditions, our results indicate that neurons still maintain their ability to upregulate this pathway when under mitochondrial respiration stress.
Impending disaster: rise of the epsilon variant in Pakistan and the way forward
Authors: Moin Alina , Usmani Shajie Ur Rehman , Khan Hashim
Published: September 2021

The constantly mutating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) does not appear to be slowing down any time soon. All countries, particularly developing countries, must adapt and strategically plan their way of life around the pandemic, while doing everything possible to keep the mortality rate and spread of the newly emerging variants as low as possible, in order to avoid a further blow to the economy and way of life. Pakistan is one such developing country that is currently battling the dangerous delta strain of SARS-COV-2 with limited resources and has recently seen the emergence of an equally transmissible and highly infectious epsilon strain. This is a concerning situation considering that Pakistan's already overburdened health system and faltering economy cannot withstand another dangerous SARS-COV-2 variant attack. This article highlights some strategies for the country to fortify its defences to prevent the epsilon variant from spreading before it is too late, and emphasises that while identifying potential immune evasion mechanisms in SARS-COV-2 variants is critical in the fight against COVID-19, it is also critical to develop methods of efficient and cost-effective detection to identify an early outbreak and then vigilantly and systematically plan area lockdowns before any hope of conquering this pandemic is lost.
Taxonomic Diversity of the Quill Mites of the Family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) Associated With Old World Parrots (Psittaciformes: Psittaculidae)
Authors: Marciniak–Musial Natalia , Hromada Martin , Sikora Bozena
Published: September 2021

The quill mite fauna of the family Syringophilidae Lavoipierre, 1953 (Acariformes: Prostigmata) associated with parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes) are reviewed. Seven new species are described: Pipicobia cyclopsitta Marciniak-Musial, Hromada & Sikora sp. nov. from the Double-Eyed Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma in Papua New Guinea; P. fuscata Marciniak-Musial, Hromada & Sikora sp. nov. from the Dusky Lory Pseudeos fuscata in Papua New Guinea; P. tahitiana Marciniak-Musial, Hromada & Sikora sp. nov. from the Blue Lorikeet Vini peruviana in Tahiti (French Polynesia); P. malherbi Marciniak-Musial, Hromada & Sikora sp. nov. from the Malherbe’s Parakeet Cyanoramphus malherbi in New Zealand; Lawrencipicobia eclectus Marciniak-Musial, Hromada & Sikora sp. nov. from the Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus in Papua New Guinea; Neoaulobia pseudeos Marciniak-Musial, Hromada & Sikora sp. nov. from the Dusky Lory Pseudeos fuscata in Papua New Guinea; and N. Skorackii Marciniak-Musial, Hromada & Sikora sp. nov. from the Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius in Australia.
Aspects of the Ventive-Energic in Official Aramaic
Authors: Sjörs Ambjörn
Published: September 2021

The use of a linking element -n- between the verb stem of the imper- fective and an object pronoun suffix is a well-known feature of Western Aramaic languages and dialects. This linking element is traditionally thought to be formally related to the so-called energic suffixes in West Semitic, which in turn are assumed to be cognate with the ven- tive morpheme in Akkadian. It is argued that the formal identification of the energic with the ventive can explain the morphophonological distribution of the linking element -n- in Biblical Aramaic and that the functional identification of the energic with the ventive can explain the use of -n without an object pronoun suffix in the A$$hiqar proverbs as a reflexive-benefactive marker.1
Treatise on International Criminal Law
Authors: Ambos Kai
Published: September 2021

This second edition of Volume I of the three-volume Treatise on International Criminal Law addresses the foundations of international criminal law and the emerging general principles. It examines the history of the discipline and the concepts behind it. Starting with the development of international criminal justice, the book proceeds as follows: it attends to the sources of international criminal law, then moves to investigate the general structure of crime in international criminal law, and addresses in detail the concept and forms of individual criminal responsibility; it then turns to the subjective requirements of criminal responsibility, and defences that exclude such responsibility. International criminal justice is a flourishing field, with the birth of new international criminal tribunals and both accountability and investigative mechanisms. Case law increases rapidly, so does the ensuing substantive scholarship. This is also true for international criminal law’s foundations and general principles, treated in this volume. Thus, the previous edition has been completely revised, updated, and rewritten in some parts. The author strived to include both relevant case law and scholarly work up to March 2021.
International Criminal Justice Institutions: From the First Ad Hoc Tribunals and Their Precedents to the ICC and Beyond
Authors: Ambos Kai
Published: September 2021

This chapter is both an institutional and historical analysis of International Criminal Justice. Even though the International Military Tribunals in Nuremberg and Tokyo are widely perceived as the birth of International Criminal Justice, the chapter starts with historical precedents of these tribunals: for instance, the Versailles Peace Treaty (VPT) as the first international instrument providing for the prosecution of war criminals. The international Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals are then examined in detail and from several perspectives – except the procedural perspective that is dealt with by Volume III. These tribunals laid the groundwork for subsequent Tribunals and mechanisms. Thus, the chapter proceeds with the establishment of the UN Ad Hoc Tribunals, the International Criminal Court and the more recent mixed or hybrid Tribunals. The focus of the analysis lies on the development of those tribunals, their institutional setting, and main aspects of both their legal regime and developed case law. The practice of the ICC is especially evaluated against the background of criticism regarding its alleged African focus or even bias. The last section on hybrid tribunals also takes a broader look at other investigative and accountability mechanisms.
Omission, in Particular Command Responsibility
Authors: Ambos Kai
Published: September 2021

This chapter continues the effort of this Volume to combine both comparative legal concepts with unique features of International Criminal Law. It is thus a direct result of the foundational work in Chapter II: International Criminal Law’s focus on individual criminal responsibility leads to an expressive purpose of punishments that again requires a criminalization of remote behavior by commanders and State leaders. This criminalization is based on the centuries old debate revolving around liability for omission. The chapter thus starts with a general explanation of the concept of omission vis-á-vis action. The author answers the question of whether a general omission liability exists in International Criminal Law affirmatively, recognizing a general principle of law, albeit with strict requirements. Drawing on the results from Chapter II, the author argues in favor of a criminalization of omission based on the prevention of harm and the protection of important legal goods/interests. The basis for this criminalization/liability is the respective person’s duty to act.
The
Principle of Non-refoulement—Part 2
Authors: Goodwin-Gill Guy S , McAdam Jane , Dunlop Emma
Published: September 2021

This chapter details how, under general principles of international law, State responsibility may arise directly from the acts and omissions of government officials and agents, or indirectly where domestic legal and administrative systems fail to implement the observance of international standards. The fact that the harm caused by State action may be inflicted outside the territory of the actor, or in an area identified by municipal law as an international zone, in no way diminishes the responsibility of the State. While the principle of non-refoulement does not entail a right for refugees to be granted asylum in a particular State, it does require States to ensure that whatever course of action they adopt, refugees are not sent—either directly or indirectly—to a place where their lives or freedom would be in danger on account of one of the five Convention grounds, or contrary to the principle of non-refoulement under human rights law. In order to give effect to those obligations consistently with the general rule, ‘States will be required to grant individuals seeking international protection access to the territory and to fair and efficient asylum procedures’. The chapter then looks at the relationship between the principle of non-refoulement and flight by sea.
International Cooperation, Protection, and
Solutions
Authors: Goodwin-Gill Guy S , McAdam Jane , Dunlop Emma
Published: September 2021

This chapter addresses international cooperation, protection, and solutions. ‘Protection’ is useful shorthand to describe the complex of obligations derived from general international law and from international refugee and human rights law. ‘Protection’ is often an end in itself, but it also has a goal beyond that moment, which is a durable solution in which refugees can live in safety and with dignity, not subject to arbitrary expulsion, discrimination, or alienation. ‘Solutions’, in turn, is the overarching objective of the international refugee regime itself, premised upon international cooperation to solve humanitarian problems, which is among the purposes and guiding principles of the United Nations. The chapter considers the rights background which undergirds the situation of the displaced, and then examines the three traditional durable solutions of voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement, as well as labour mobility and other complementary pathways that may secure refugees admission to, and inclusion in, a State.
Treaty Standards and their Implementation in National
Law
Authors: Goodwin-Gill Guy S , McAdam Jane , Dunlop Emma
Published: September 2021

This chapter describes how the main treaties governing the status and treatment of refugees have attracted wide, if not universal acceptance, although they do not in fact either comprehend every refugee known to the world, or, in many cases, offer any but the most basic guarantees. Indeed, both the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol are widely accepted. For those found to qualify, the benefits for which they call are often improved upon in actual practice, and supplemented substantially or filled out by the provisions of regional and related instruments. The Convention and the Protocol represent a point of departure in considering the appropriate standard of treatment of refugees, often exceeded, but still at base proclaiming the fundamental principles of protection, without which no refugee can hope to attain a satisfactory and lasting solution to his or her plight. The chapter examines the provisions of these and related agreements, with a view to determining the appropriate convention standards of treatment applicable to refugees and asylum seekers, whether lawfully or unlawfully in the territory of contracting States.