bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydraulic optimization of the physical parameters of a drinking water distribution system
Authors: Bonilla-Granados C A , Cely-Calixto N J , Carrillo Soto G A
Published: December 2021

Drinking-water distribution systems are generally designed with methodologies based on trial-and-error tests, which generate feasible results. However, these trials are not the most economical and reliable solution since they do not consider the optimization of the network. For the present work, the hydraulic model of the drinking water distribution network of San José de Cúcuta, Colombia, was optimized by applying the concept of resilience rate and minimum cost. The development of the work consisted of the hydraulic modeling of the physical components of the network in EPANET software, as well as the application of calculations of the connectivity coefficient and the unitary power of each section. With the data obtained from the modeling and calculations, the physical parameters were optimized, and the cost-benefit ratio was estimated. It was found that the current drinking water distribution system does not have a power surplus to overcome a system failure. The optimization increased the total energy surplus of the network (261%) and the resilience rate (585%). Also, the connectivity coefficient was improved with an average value of 0.95. The hydraulic optimization methodology applied resulted in a network resilient to system failures.
Age-old transformation of oil hydrocarbons in polluted Grey-Brown Soil in the Absheron Peninsula
Authors: Wei X , Bocharnikova E A , Matichenkov V V , Demin D V
Published: December 2021

Oil production, transportation and refining are a source of the extensive environmental pollution. The study of oil pollutants allows the identification of their behavior pattern necessary in order to elaborate efficient decontamination technologies. The Absheron oil field is one of the most long-term exploited deposit in the world. Today this area is a unique place to investigate the long-lasting natural oil transformation processes. Grey-Brown Soils contaminated with crude oil 100 and 40 years ago and currently were investigated. Hexane-extractable fraction of oil compounds was examined by chemical methods, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. In the process of natural degradation, molecular weight of oil hydrocarbons and degree of oxidation significantly increased, while the contents of carbon and hydrogen slightly decreased with time. The results obtained have shown the accumulation of high-molecular weight aromatic molecules with high degree of unsaturation in the upper layer of the soil contaminated 100 years ago. These aromatic structures exhibit the great resistance to decomposition and may be carcinogenic, thus posing a risk to human health. The contamination with oil resulted in altering soil properties. More pronounced change was observed in the soil carbon, including the soil contaminated 100 years ago. Over time after contamination, the soil alkalinity enhanced, whereas soil pH did not change. Our study evidences that oil pollutants continue to be present and the soil properties have not recovered even 100 years after pollution. Reclamation of these areas requires the application of special technologies.
Distribution of the Initial Fluid Composition in an Oil-Gas-Condensate Reservoir with Incomplete Gravity Segregation
Authors: Kusochkova E V , Indrupskiy I M , Kuryakov V N
Published: December 2021

It is known that initial composition of the hydrocarbon fluid in a petroleum reservoir changes significantly with depth due to the influence of gravity and geothermal gradient. Classical models of these phenomena are based on the assumption of equilibrium (quasiequilibrium) distribution of component concentrations in the gravity field with the presence of stationary thermodiffusional flux. However, there are typical situations in gas condensate reservoirs when the quasi-equilibrium conditions are not met. For example, this is true if immobile residual oil exists in the reservoir or for deep tight formations where gravity segregation is not completed. For such cases, modified models are required. They are proposed in this paper to take into account the non-equilibrium conditions of the initial fluid composition distribution in gas condensate (or oil-gas-condensate) reservoirs.
Silicon substances for restoration of oil-contaminated areas
Authors: Zhang P , Matichenkov V V , Bocharnikova E A , Sevostianov S M
Published: December 2021

Numerous investigations demonstrate that active forms of silicon (Si) enhance the plant tolerance against abiotic stresses by several mechanisms, including increasing the antioxidant activities and minimizing oxidative damage. Soil contamination with oil and oil products relates to abiotic stress that detrimentally affects soil microbial population and plant growth. Considering the crucial role of microorganisms and plants in bioremediation of oil-polluted areas, Si substances can be beneficial to acceleration of soil reclamation. In greenhouse experiment, wheat was grown in Grey Forest Soil contaminated with used motor oil. The effect of fumed silica and monosilicic acid on soil enzymatic activity and plant growth was studied. Both Si substances provided increasing the plant biomass and the activities of catalase and dehydrogenase. As regards the plant growth, the effect of Si was more pronounced in polluted soil, while the enzyme activity was higher affected in unpolluted soil. The activities of catalase and dehydrogenase were closely correlated to the water-soluble Si in soil (R=0.91-0.92). Silicon substances with high content of, plant-and microorganism-available Si might be promising for involvement in bioremediation technology for oil-contaminated soil.
Attenuation of long period multiple using F-k filter and surface-related multiple elimination methods on 2D broadband seismic data from Morowali Waters, Sulawesi
Authors: Situmeang G L , Manik H M , Nainggolan T B , Susilohadi
Published: December 2021

Wide range frequency bandwidth on seismic data is a necessity due to its close relation to resolution and depth of target. High-frequency seismic waves provide high-resolution imaging that defines thin bed layers in shallow sediment, while low-frequency seismic waves can penetrate into deeper target depth. As a result of broadband seismic technology, its wide range of frequency bandwidth is a suitable geophysical exploration method in the oil and gas industry. A major obstacle that is frequently found in marine seismic data acquisition is the existence of multiples. Short period multiple and reverberation are commonly attenuated by the predictive deconvolution method on prestack data. Advanced methods are needed to suppress long period multiple in marine seismic data. The 2D broadband marine seismic data from deep Morowali Waters, Sulawesi, contains both short and long period multiples. The predictive deconvolution, which is applied to the processing sequences, successfully eliminates short period multiple on prestack data. The combination of F-k filter and Surface Related Multiple Elimination (SRME) methods are successful in attenuating long period multiple of the 2D broadband marine seismic data. The Prestack Time Migration section shows fine resolution of seismic images.
Algorithm design for wind prediction in Berakit Bay, Bintan Island using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) method
Authors: Pratama D R , Jaya I , Iqbal M
Published: December 2021

Wind speed is a crucial parameter alongside coastal areas, especially Indonesia. Above average wind speed can cause harmful effects on human activities. This study uses wind speed data from Berakit Bay, Bintan Island is a potential location for coastal community settlement, fisheries, and tourist activities. The wind parameter then predicted using the Long Short-Term Memory or LSTM algorithm. This algorithm is able to study long-term dependencies by converting simple nervous system designs into specialized blocks containing cells. It is suitable to be applied to long-term wind predictions where the wind speed at this time is very influential with the wind speed in the future. In preparing the LSTM, the data preprocessing and the architecture used will determine the prediction results. In this study, four different architectures were made in order to determine the most optimal architecture. The results show that the LSTM architecture is able to obtain a relatively good RMSE value of 1.87 and an accuracy of 39.40% with the use of two LSTM layers, 256 units in the first layer and 128 in the second layer. The LSTM algorithm in predicting wind can also be applied to other areas in Indonesia.
Prediction and classification of suspended sediment and zooplankton signals from acoustic Doppler current profiler backscatter data using artificial neural networks
Authors: Dwinovantyo A , Solikin S , Manik H M , Prartono T , Susilohadi
Published: December 2021

Characterization of each underwater object has its challenges, especially for small objects. The process of quantifying acoustic signals for these small objects can be done using high-frequency hydroacoustic instruments such as an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) combined with the artificial intelligence (AI) technique. This paper presents an artificial neural network (ANN) methodology for classifying an object from acoustic and environmental data in the water column. In particular, the methodology was tuned for the recognition of suspended sediments and zooplankton. Suspended sediment concentration and zooplankton abundance, which extracted from ADCP acoustic data, were used as input in the backpropagation method along with other environmental data such as effects of tides, currents, and vertical velocity. The classifier used an optimal number of neurons in the hidden layer and a feature selection based on a genetic algorithm. The ANN method was also used to estimate the suspended sediment concentration in the future. This study provided new implications for predicting and classifying suspended sediment and zooplankton using the ADCP instrument. The proposed methodology allowed us to identify the objects with an accuracy of more than 95%.
Exploring bioactive pigments from marine bacterial isolate from the Indonesian seas
Authors: Brotosudarmo T H P
Published: December 2021

Marine microbes offer a significant source for biodiscovery due to their rich biodiversity and genetic capacity. Particularly, microbial pigments of marine origin are getting more attention in current research due to their widely perceived application as natural food colorants, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and many more. In the past five years, our research group has successfully characterised various bioactive pigments isolated from marine bacteria, including Erythrobacter flavus strain KJ5 that produces unique sulphur-containing carotenoids, Pseudoalteromonas rubra strain PS1 and SB14 that contain antimicrobial prodiginine, and Seonamhaeicola algicola strain CCI for high content of zeaxanthin. This paper describes the challenges we encountered in conducting research in exploring bioactive pigments especially with focus on carotenoid research, reviewed critically on strategy we developed for isolation of isolate as well as identification and elucidation of the pigments, and consideration for future research.
The coral reef health at surrounding blue swimming crab fishery sites in Mandangin Island, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Ardiansah I , Hidayat S A , Mutmainah D F D , Siahaan M C B , Firdaus M R , Subhan B , Madduppa H
Published: December 2021

Blue swimming crab fishery activities very often do not put into account the environmental condition. Coral reef, as one of the blue swimming crab habitats, can be affected by these activities. This study aims to determine the effect of blue swimming crab fisheries on coral health in Mandangin Island, East Java, Indonesia. Data collection points are determined based on the results of interviews by participatory mapping. Water quality data includes visibility, temperature, salinity, pH, DO, current velocity. Collecting coral reef data were using Line Intercept Transect (LIT), while for reef fish Underwater Visual Census (UVC) were used. The coral health index was determined based on the relevance between benthic components and fish components. The average of Mandangin Island’s water quality is in accordance with the quality standards of the Indonesian Minister of Environment Decree No.51 of 2004. Hard coral cover and fish biomass are classified as low, but the value of resilience is high. The coral reef health index value on Mandangin Island is 3.
Harmful algal blooms and their impact on fish mortalities in Lampung Bay: an overview
Authors: Sidabutar T , Cappenberg H , Srimariana E S , Muawanah A , Wouthuyzen S
Published: December 2021

The first disaster caused by harmful algal blooms in Lampung Bay was reported in 1991, where mass mortality of cultivated shrimp occurred in the brackish water ponds due to aTrichodesmiumbloom. After this incident, the phenomenon reoccured in the following years continuously. Around nine species bloom makers in this bay are namelyPyrodiniumsp.,Noctilucasp.,Phaeocystissp.,Dinophysissp.,Trichodesmiumsp.,Ceratiumsp.,Prorocentrumsp.,Pseudonitzhiasp., andCochlodiniumsp. The most frequent causative species, such as greenNoctilucaandTrichodesmium, co-occurring during blooms and causing fish mortalities in the fish farming floating nets (KJA). Two species are known as the most potentially harmful species, namelyPyrodiniumsp. andCochlodiniumsp.Cochlodiniumblooms happened at the end of 2012, and since then, this species has continuously reappeared in the following years. The outbreak ofCochlodiniumsp. still appeared in 2017 and 2018, but no fish-killing occurred. Phytoplankton bloom events occur at specific locations, mainly at fish farming floating nets on the west side of the bay, next to Hurun Cove. This paper discusses the occurrence of algal blooms in Lampung Bay and the triggering factors for increasing phytoplankton populations that cause harmful algal blooms.
Enhancing reef fish diversity using artificial reef-building: A case study of coral reef rehabilitation on Nyamuk Island, Anambas Islands
Authors: Prabowo B , Rikardi N , Setiawan M A , Santoso P , Yonvitner  , Arafat D , Subhan B , Afandy A
Published: December 2021

CCMRS-IPB conducted coral reef rehabilitation at damaged coral reefs around Nyamuk Island. Those artificial reef buildings for rehabilitation gave shelter spaces for reef fish. This research aims to calculate the effect of coral reef-building, which enhances rugosity to the reef fish diversity around the rehabilitation sites. The study was conducted on Nyamuk Island in the Anambas Islands. Reef fish were sampled annually from 2014 to 2019 using the underwater visual census. The Diversity index and non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling were built to discover reef fish diversity, and reef fish species were affected the most. Yearly data shows an escalation number of reef fish abundance and richness at the end of 2019. The major reef fish group is found to have constant diversity throughout the year compared to other functional groups. The target reef fish group came to this rehabilitation ecosystem primarily attracted by nourishment availability. There is a shift in the reef fish diversity from the early year to the project end. Generally, major reef fish groups will be refuged first around the rehabilitation sites, especially territorial types. Target fish groups from herbivorous and carnivorous types will mostly come along after their food availability and location to get around.
Morphometric and genetic identification of a newly record pygmy seahorse Hippocampus denise in the Kepulauan Seribu reefs, Indonesia
Authors: Sunuddin A , von Juterzenka K , Sani L M I , Madduppa H
Published: December 2021

The study was conducted to describe the seahorse species based on morphological and molecular characters. The pygmy seahorse in Panggang Island in Kepualuan Seribu was discovered in October 2011. The species was allegedly identified as Hippocampus denise (Family: Syngnathidae) described by Lourie and Randall which published in 2003. The high similarity is based on small morphometric, orange-like color and its association with sea fan Annella sp. Their habitat is fairly shallow at a depth between 13-24 meters compared with their sister species observed in Bali, Nusa Tenggara, and Sulawesi. The phylogenetic analysis constructed with several sequence data of Hippocampus spp. from Genbank shows that sample collected from Panggang Island is in the same clade with Hippocampus denise with 100% bootstrap value. BLAST analysis result also showed a high maximum similar identity (>99%) with the species Hippocampus denise. The seahorse specimen described in this study has a common typology of habitat with Hippocampus denise. This study shows that genetic analysis to determine the Hippocampus denise can be carried out to support species recognition, especially for cryptic species such as Hippocampus spp. There are variations in morphometric and habitat depth levels, indicating local adaptation of pygmy seahorses to the Kepulauan Seribu reefs.
Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) laying eggs habitat mapping in Penimbangan Beach, Bali Island
Authors: Natih N M N , Pasaribu R A , Hakim M A G Al , Budi P S , Tasirileleu G F
Published: December 2021

Penimbangan beach is one of the tourist destinations located in Buleleng Regency, Bali Province, Indonesia. This beach is also a nesting place for one of the sea turtle species in Indonesia, which is olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). The problem that exists on the island of Bali today is most of the land in coastal areas were experienced land degradation. This land degradation occurs due to human activities or natural factors, it harms the turtle nesting habitat around the coastal area of Bali Island. Conservation of nesting turtle habitat is needed through spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This study uses the parameters of sand particle, beach slope, width beach, humidity, and temperature parameter to determine the suitability of the turtle nesting habitat. Penimbangan beach area which is very suitable for turtle nesting locations has an area of 163,45 m2, suitable for laying eggs 4.886,44 m2, and not suitable for laying eggs 10.201,64 m2. The map of the suitability for laying turtle eggs is dominated by areas that are not suitable because the width of the beach is not too long and the humidity is still relatively high.
Carbon stock estimation and mapping of mangrove forest using ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 in Benoa Bay Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Mahasani I G A I , Osawa T , Adnyana I W S , Suardana A A M A P , Chonnaniyah
Published: December 2021

Mangrove forests in tropics coastlines area play an essential role in carbon fixation and carbon storage. Mangrove forests in coastal areas are very effective and efficient in reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere because mangroves can absorb CO2through photosynthesis by diffusion through stomata and then store carbon in the form of biomass. With the lack of efforts to manage mangrove forests, it needs to be developed so that forest functions can be utilized sustainably. This paper describes examining the use of remote sensing data, particularly dual-polarization ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 data, with the primary objective to estimate the carbon stock of mangrove forests in Benoa Bay, Bali. The carbon stock was estimated by analyzing HV Polarization, Above Ground Biomass (AGB), and ground biomass (BGB). The total carbon stock was obtained by multiplying the total biomass with the organic carbon value of 0.47. The potential carbon stock in the mangrove Benoa Bay area is 209,027.28 ton C to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) of 767,130.11 ton CO2Sequestration same with 3.87X1011bottles in 2015 and 204.422,59 ton C to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) of 750.230,93 ton CO2Sequestration same with 3.79x1011bottles in 2020.
Coastal vulnerability mapping due to tsunami using Geographic Information System in Buleleng Regency, Bali Province
Authors: Suhita N P A R , Siregar V P , Lumban-Gaol J
Published: December 2021

Bali is one of the areas vulnerable to disasters because of its geographical position, which is flanked by two earthquake sources in the form of a subduction zone and back-arc thrust zone, which can cause a tsunami in Bali region. This research aims to identify and map the level of coastal vulnerability to the tsunami in Buleleng Regency, Bali Province. The mapping was carried out using Geographic Information System (GIS). This study used secondary data and field data. The parameters used in analyzing the level of tsunami vulnerability were land elevation, slope, landuse, distance from the beach, and distance from the river. The level of vulnerability was grouped into five classes, namely very safe (35,466.9 ha), safe (70,485.0 ha), moderately vulnerable (17,645.0 ha), vulnerable (6,903.3 ha), and very vulnerable (438.9 ha) located in the Districts of Gerokgak, Seririt, Buleleng, and Sawan which are close to the river.
Light propagation, coefficient attenuation, and the depth of one optical depth in different water types
Authors: Nababan B , Ulfah D , Panjaitan J P
Published: December 2021

The ocean color satellite can only sense a water column up to one optical depth. However, literatur regarding the depth of one optical depth is very limited to none. This study aimed to determine light propagation, attenuation coefficient (Kd), and the depth of one optical depth in different water types. We used in situ data of downwelling irradiance (Ed) with depths taken using the instrument of submersible marine environmental radiometer (MER) in the northeastern gulf of mexico (NEGOM) in April 2000. We also used SeaWiFS data such as water leaving radience (Lw), remote sensing refectance (Rrs), and chlorophyll-a concentration (Chla). The results showed that the light propagation pattern generally decreased with increasing depth. The reduction in light intensity with depth was very strong in the red wavelengths, lower in the green wavelengths, and the lowest in the blue wavelengths. In contrast,Kdvalues were generally found the lowest at the blue wavelengths, slightly increase at the purple and green wavelengths, and the highest at the red wavelengths. The depth of one optical depth in the case-1 waters was found as deep as 39.79 m (λ=475 nm), followed by intermediate water of 31.79 m (λ=475 nm), and in the case-2 waters of 16.08 m (λ=490 nm). BothKd(490) in situ and modelled results showed a good correlation (r=0.83-0.84) and R2values of 0.68-0.71.
Mapping of shallow water bathymetry and reef geomorphology using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery in Genteng Besar and Genteng Kecil Island, Kepulauan Seribu
Authors: Agus S B , Siregar V P , Susilo S B , Sangadji M S , Tasirileleu G F , Budi P S
Published: December 2021

Information on seafloor characteristics is one of the essential variables in coastal management and marine ecosystems. Application methods in remote sensing technology to study about characteristics of shallow waters have continuously been done. This research consists of two parts: an estimation of depth using Sentinel 2B satellite imagery with the Lyzenga algorithm and geomorphological classification of the benthic area using the Benthic Terrain Modeler (BTM) approach. BTM is a method to analyze benthic habitat and shallow water geomorphology. Integrated Depth data were analyzed using BTM to obtain bathymetric position index (BPI), slope, and classification of reef geomorphological structures. The resulting BPI value range is directly proportional to the given spatial area (scale factor). The slope is ranged between 0.01° – 19.24°, while optimum depth estimation is applicable until 10-meter. The values of BPI and slope were used as variables to classify the geomorphology of shallow water benthic areas based on the previous classification dictionary. Six geomorphological classes resulting from this study are Back Reef, Deep Depression, Depression, Lower Bank Shelf, Mid-Slope Ridges, and Reef Crest.
Heavy metals level in the surficial sediment from Perai River of Penang, Malaysia
Authors: Foo YZ , Ecklyn F F M , Tan Y F , Khoo X Y , Lee H Y , Yong J C , Ong M C
Published: December 2021

Perai river is one of the important rivers to Penang and Kedah states. Many industries are located along the river that flows to the Strait of Malacca. In order to gather the status of pollution along the river, a total of 47 stations were established to measure the heavy metals content and the sediment characteristics. Findings show that finer sediments had dominated all sampling sites as samples are mostly muddy sediment. The heavy metal concentration in the surficial sediment was analyzed using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer after the Teflon Bomb digestion method. The average concentration for Zn, Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb were 74.7±33.3, 66.0±28.1, 21.8±9.05, 0.42±0.32, and 28.6±6.84 μg/g dry weights, respectively. Generally, the concentration of metals studied seemed to be controlled by natural processes. This is proved by the enrichment factor, categorized as a deficiency to minimal enrichment, and can be concluded to be the main source from the lithogenous in origin. The sources of the heavy metals in some of the stations in the Perai river are speculated from the nearby urban runoff, industry activities along with the river, fishing and shipping activities, and land transportation emission may also accumulate for the pollution in the river.
Locally compact flows on connected manifolds
Authors: Ben Rejeb Khadija
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we completely characterize locally compact flows

G
G

of homeomorphisms of connected manifolds

M
M

by proving that they are either circle groups or real groups. For

M
=

R

m

M = \mathbb R^m

, we prove that every recurrent element in

G
G

is periodic, and we obtain a generalization of the result of Yang [Hilbert’s fifth problem and related problems on transformation groups, American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 1976, pp. 142–146.] by proving that there is no nontrivial locally compact flow on

R

m

\mathbb R^m

in which all elements are recurrent.
7. Chekhov’s heirs
Authors: Kahn Andrew
Published: December 2021

‘Chekhov’s heirs’ highlights Anton Chekhov’s influence on the Anglo-American tradition of the short story. From the 1920s, and especially from the 1950s, a long line of short story writers have virtually self-identified as Chekhovians. Technically, there is no formula for writing a Chekhovian story. However, Chekhov advises against ‘lengthy verbiage’ and favours ‘extreme brevity’ and ‘total objectivity’. Chekhov’s stories are full of unfulfilled dreamers and therefore rich in ironies that usually remain latent, but once perceived show everything in a new light. Three fascinating stories written by Chekhovians include: Raymond Carver’s ‘Errand’ (1987), Grace Paley’s ‘A Conversation with my Father’ (1972), and Frank O’Connor’s ‘A Bachelor’s Story’ (1955).
Serum markers of biological ageing provide long-term prediction of life expectancy—a longitudinal analysis in middle-aged and older German adults
Authors: Srour Bernard , Hynes Lucas Cory , Johnson Theron , Kühn Tilman , Katzke Verena A , Kaaks Rudolf
Published: December 2021

Background

lifestyle behaviours and chronic co-morbidities are leading risk factors for premature mortality and collectively predict wide variability in individual life expectancy (LE). We investigated whether a pre-selected panel of five serum markers of biological ageing could improve predicting the long-term mortality risk and LE in middle-aged and older women and men.

Methods

we conducted a case-cohort study (n = 5,789 among which there were 2,571 deaths) within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Heidelberg cohort, a population cohort of middle-aged and older individuals, followed over a median duration of 18 years. Gompertz models were used to compute multi-adjusted associations of growth differentiation factor-15, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, glycated haemoglobin A1c, C-reactive protein and cystatin-C with mortality risk. Areas under estimated Gompertz survival curves were used to estimate the LE of individuals using a model with lifestyle-related risk factors only (smoking history, body mass index, waist circumference, alcohol, physical inactivity, diabetes and hypertension), or with lifestyle factors plus the ageing-related markers.

Results

a model including only lifestyle-related factors predicted a LE difference of 16.8 [95% confidence interval: 15.9; 19.1] years in men and 9.87 [9.20; 13.1] years in women aged ≥60 years by comparing individuals in the highest versus the lowest quintiles of estimated mortality risk. Including the ageing-related biomarkers in the model increased these differences up to 22.7 [22.3; 26.9] years in men and 14.00 [12.9; 18.2] years in women.

Conclusions

serum markers of ageing are potentially strong predictors for long-term mortality risk in a general population sample of older and middle-aged individuals and may help to identify individuals at higher risk of premature death, who could benefit from interventions to prevent further ageing-related health declines.
Medicine against Suicide: Sustaining Solidarity with Those Diminished by Illness and Debility
Authors: Curlin Farr A , Tollefsen Christopher
Published: December 2021

The medical profession’s increasing acceptance of “physician aid-in-dying” indicates the ascendancy of what we call the provider-of-services model for medicine, in which medical “providers” offer services to help patients maximize their “well-being” according to the wishes of the patient. This model contrasts with and contradicts what we call the Way of Medicine, in which medicine is a moral practice oriented to the patient’s health. A steadfast refusal intentionally to harm or kill is a touchstone of the Way of Medicine, one unambiguously affirmed by Christians through the centuries. Moreover, physician aid-in-dying contradicts one of the distinctive contributions that the Christian era brought to medicine, namely, a taken-for-granted solidarity between medical practitioners and those suffering illness and disability. Insofar as medical practitioners cooperate in aid-in-dying, they contradict this solidarity and undermine the trust that patients need to allow themselves to be cared for by physicians when they are sick and debilitated.
Laminar-specific functional connectivity mapping with multi-slice line-scanning fMRI
Authors: Choi Sangcheon , Zeng Hang , Chen Yi , Sobczak Filip , Qian Chunqi , Yu Xin
Published: December 2021

Despite extensive studies detecting laminar functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals to illustrate the canonical microcircuit, the spatiotemporal characteristics of laminar-specific information flow across cortical regions remain to be fully investigated in both evoked and resting conditions at different brain states. Here, we developed a multislice line-scanning fMRI (MS-LS) method to detect laminar fMRI signals in adjacent cortical regions with high spatial (50 μm) and temporal resolution (100 ms) in anesthetized rats. Across different trials, we detected either laminar-specific positive or negative blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) responses in the surrounding cortical region adjacent to the most activated cortex under the evoked condition. Specifically, in contrast to typical Layer (L) 4 correlation across different regions due to the thalamocortical projections for trials with positive BOLD, a strong correlation pattern specific in L2/3 was detected for trials with negative BOLD in adjacent regions, which indicated brain state-dependent laminar-fMRI responses based on corticocortical interaction. Also, in resting-state (rs-) fMRI study, robust lag time differences in L2/3, 4, and 5 across multiple cortices represented the low-frequency rs-fMRI signal propagation from caudal to rostral slices. In summary, our study provided a unique laminar fMRI mapping scheme to better characterize trial-specific intra- and inter-laminar functional connectivity in evoked and resting-state MS-LS.
Immunogenicity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection and Ad26.CoV2.S Vaccination in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Authors: Khan Khadija , Lustig Gila , Bernstein Mallory , Archary Derseree , Cele Sandile , Karim Farina , Smith Muneerah , Ganga Yashica , Jule Zesuliwe , Reedoy Kajal , Miya Yoliswa , Mthabela Ntombifuthi , Magula Nombulelo P , Lessells Richard , de Oliveira Tulio , Gosnell Bernadett I , Abdool Karim Salim , Garrett Nigel , Hanekom Willem , Bekker Linda-Gail , Gray Glenda , Blackburn Jonathan M , Moosa Mahomed-Yunus S , Sigal Alex ,   COMMIT-KZN Team, Steyn Adrie , Leslie Alasdair , Ramjit Dirhona , Wong Emily , Harling Guy , Kloverpris Henrik , Marakalala Jackson , Seeley Janet , Giandhari Jennifer , Dullabh Kaylesh , Nyamande Kennedy , Herbst Kobus , Naidoo Kogie , Mazibuko Matilda , Archary Moherndran , Moshabela Mosa , Padayatchi Nesri , Klein Nigel , Mbatha Nikiwe , Ngcobo Nokuthula , Gumede Nokwanda , Ngcobo Nokwanda , Goulder Philip , Jeena Prakash , Madansein Rajhmun , Gupta Ravindra K. , Harrichandparsad Rohen , Singh Samita , Khoza Thandeka , Smit Theresa , Ndung'u Thumbi , Patel Vinod , Ndhlovu Zaza
Published: December 2021

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) have been reported to have a higher risk of more severe COVID-19 disease and death. We assessed the ability of the Ad26.CoV2.S vaccine to elicit neutralizing activity against the Delta variant in PLWH relative to HIV-negative individuals. We also examined effects of HIV status and suppression on Delta neutralization response in SARS-CoV-2—infected unvaccinated participants.

Methods

We enrolled participants who were vaccinated through the SISONKE South African clinical trial of the Ad26.CoV2.S vaccine in healthcare workers (HCWs). PLWH in this group had well-controlled HIV infection. We also enrolled unvaccinated participants previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Neutralization capacity was assessed by a live virus neutralization assay of the Delta variant.

Results

Most Ad26.CoV2.S vaccinated HCWs were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. In this group, Delta variant neutralization was 9-fold higher compared with the infected-only group and 26-fold higher relative to the vaccinated-only group. No decrease in Delta variant neutralization was observed in PLWH relative to HIV-negative participants. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2—infected, unvaccinated PLWH showed 7-fold lower neutralization and a higher frequency of nonresponders, with the highest frequency of nonresponders in people with HIV viremia. Vaccinated-only participants showed low neutralization capacity.

Conclusions

The neutralization response of the Delta variant following Ad26.CoV2.S vaccination in PLWH with well-controlled HIV was not inferior to HIV-negative participants, irrespective of past SARS-CoV-2 infection. In SARS-CoV-2—infected and nonvaccinated participants, HIV infection reduced the neutralization response to SARS-CoV-2, with the strongest reduction in HIV viremic individuals.
Incidence and Duration of Pharyngeal Chlamydia Among a Cohort of Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Khosropour Christine M , Soge Olusegun O , Golden Matthew R , Hughes James P , Barbee Lindley A
Published: December 2021

Background

The prevalence of pharyngeal chlamydia is low, but its incidence and duration are unknown. A high incidence or duration may support the role of pharyngeal chlamydia in sustaining chlamydia transmission.

Methods

From March 2016 to December 2018, we enrolled men who have sex with men (MSM) in a 48-week cohort study in Seattle, Washington. Participants self-collected pharyngeal specimens weekly. We tested specimens using nucleic acid amplification testing at the conclusion of the study. In primary analyses, we defined incident pharyngeal chlamydia as >2 consecutive weeks of a positive pharyngeal specimen. In sensitivity analyses, we defined incident chlamydia as >1 week of a positive specimen. We estimated duration of pharyngeal chlamydia, censoring at loss to follow-up, receipt of antibiotics, or end of study.

Results

A total of 140 participants contributed 70.5 person-years (PY); 1.4% had pharyngeal chlamydia at enrollment. In primary analyses, there were 8 pharyngeal chlamydia cases among 6 MSM (incidence = 11.4 per 100 PY; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.0–21.9). In sensitivity analysis, there were 19 cases among 16 MSM (incidence = 27.1 per 100 PY; 95% CI: 18.5–39.8). The median duration was 6.0 weeks (95% CI: 2.0–undefined) in primary analysis and 2.0 weeks (95% CI: 1.1–6.0) in sensitivity analysis. Duration was shorter for those with a history of chlamydia compared with those without (3.6 vs 8.7 weeks; P = .02).

Conclusions

Pharyngeal chlamydia has a low incidence and duration relative to other extragenital sexually transmitted infections. Its contribution to population-level transmission remains unclear.
Hyperinflammatory Syndromes After Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Messenger RNA vaccination in Individuals With Underlying Immune Dysregulation
Authors: Rocco Joseph M , Mallarino-Haeger Christina , Randolph Attiya H , Ray Susan M , Schechter Marcos C , Zerbe Christa S , Holland Steven M , Sereti Irini
Published: December 2021

The development of effective severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines has been a significant accomplishment. Adverse events are extremely rare, but continued surveillance is important, especially in at-risk populations. In 5 patients with preexisting immune dysregulation, hyperinflammatory syndromes, including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, developed after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Early recognition of this rare condition is essential.
‘Your Muse Remains Forever’: memory and monumentality in Elizabethan manuscript partbooks
Authors: Gibbs Daisy M
Published: December 2021

The presence within Elizabethan music collections of antiphons and motets with explicitly Catholic themes has long been a source of interest and historiographical argument. The old theory that the inclusion of such pieces reveals covert Catholic beliefs among early modern collectors has been undermined by recent historical research, and it is now more frequently taken as evidence of their education and discerning musical taste. This article argues that the most important shared characteristic of this musical corpus is not its Catholic origins, but the status of its composers as (nearly always) both British and already dead. By interrogating late Elizabethan and early Jacobean discourse surrounding the British past, and the ways that the past was investigated and evidenced—particularly the study of funerary monuments and other material culture—I reveal that Tudor copyists explicitly invoked tropes of memory and memorialization in their copies of contemporary and earlier music, which link their collections to broader notions of developing national identity. In so doing, they shifted the emphasis of their collections, allowing problematic Latin motet texts to acquire new meaning within mainstream Protestant thought.
480 Catheter pulmonary vein ablation vs. medical therapy or atrioventricular node ablation and resynchronization in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liccardo Gaetano , Cannata Francesco , Chiarito Mauro , Bombace Sara , Maccallini Marta , Villaschi Alessandro , Pinto Giuseppe , Fazzari Fabio , Pini Daniela , Bragato Renato Maria , Condorelli Gianluigi , Cappato Riccardo , Stefanini Giulio G
Published: December 2021

Aims

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are increasing in prevalence worldwide and, when present altogether, are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Several and recent randomized clinical trials have reported an improvement of clinical outcomes in patients with HF and AF with catheter ablation. To provide a comprehensive and updated synthesis of effect estimates of the available randomized and observational clinical trials comparing pulmonary vein isolation with optimal medical therapy (rate or rhythm) or atrioventricular node ablation and resynchronization.

Methods and results

MEDLINE database was searched from inception to 4 March 2021 by two reviewers (F.C. and M.C.) for relevant studies. The following key words were used: ‘atrial fibrillation’, ‘heart failure’, ‘ablation’, ‘medical’, ‘drug’, ‘rate’, ‘rhythm’, ‘resynchronization’, and ‘atrial flutter’. The co-primary outcomes were all-cause death and hospitalization for HF. A total of 16 studies enrolling 42 908 patients were included; of these, 9 were randomized controlled trials, 3 unadjusted observational studies, and 4 adjusted observational trials. Patients treated with catheter ablation had a statistically significant reduction for the risk of all-cause death {Figure on the left: odds ratio [OR]: 0.51, [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.31–0.84], P = 0.008, NNT 33} and hospitalization for HF [Figure on the right: OR: 0.52, (95% CI: 0.31–0.87), P 0.014, NNT 24]. Subgroup analysis confirmed these results only in HF with reduced ejection fraction subgroup. Meta-regression analyses showed a direct correlation between a higher burden of persistent/long-standing persistent AF and the positive impact of catheter ablation of AF. Moreover, the age of 70 years emerged as the cut-off age for a greater impact of catheter ablation.

Conclusions

Catheter ablation of AF is associated with a lower risk of all-cause death and HF hospitalizations in patients with AF and HF, as compared to medical therapy or atrioventricular node ablation and resynchronization. These results are mainly applicable for HF with reduced ejection fraction.
Controls on the spatio-temporal patterns of induced seismicity in Groningen constrained by physics-based modelling with Ensemble-Smoother data assimilation
Authors: Candela Thibault , Pluymaekers Maarten , Ampuero Jean-Paul , van Wees Jan-Diederik , Buijze Loes , Wassing Brecht , Osinga Sander , Grobbe Niels , Muntendam-Bos Annemarie G
Published: December 2021

The induced seismicity in the Groningen gas field, The Netherlands, presents contrasted spatio-temporal patterns between the central area and the south west area. Understanding the origin of this contrast requires a thorough assessment of two factors: (1) the stress development on the Groningen faults and (2) the frictional response of the faults to induced stresses. Both factors have large uncertainties that must be honoured and then reduced with the observational constraints. Ensembles of induced stress realizations are built by varying the Poisson's ratio in a poro-elastic model incorporating the 3-D complexities of the geometries of the Groningen gas reservoir and its faults, and the historical pore pressure distribution. The a priori uncertainties in the frictional response are mapped by varying the parameters of a seismicity model based on rate-and-state friction. The uncertainties of each component of this complex physics-based model are honoured through an efficient data assimilation algorithm. By assimilating the seismicity data with an Ensemble-Smoother, the prior uncertainties of each model parameter are effectively reduced, and the posterior seismicity rate predictions are consistent with the observations. Our integrated workflow allows us to disentangle the contributions of the main two factors controlling the induced seismicity at Groningen, induced stress development and fault frictional response. Posterior distributions of the model parameters of each modelling component are contrasted between the central and south west area at Groningen. We find that, even after honouring the spatial heterogeneity in stress development across the Groningen gas field, the spatial variability of the observed induced seismicity rate still requires spatial heterogeneity in the fault frictional response. This work is enabled by the unprecedented deployment of an Ensemble-Smoother combined with physics-based modelling over a complex case of reservoir induced seismicity.
Earlier and Higher Rate of Hepatitis B Virus Relapse After Discontinuing Tenofovir Versus Entecavir in Hepatitis B e Antigen–Positive Patients
Authors: Chen Chien-Hung , Peng Cheng-Yuan , Kuo Yuan-Hung , Hu Tsung-Hui , Hung Chao-Hung , Wang Jing-Houng , Lu Sheng-Nan
Published: December 2021

Background

This study investigated the incidence and predictors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) relapse in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)–positive chronic hepatitis B who discontinued entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

Methods

A total of 205 and 111 HBeAg-positive patients without cirrhosis who had stopped ETV or TDF treatment, respectively, for at least 6 months were recruited.

Results

In the entire cohort, patients with HBeAg seroconversion during treatment, and propensity score–matched patients, those who discontinued TDF had significantly higher rates of virological and clinical relapse than patients who discontinued ETV therapy. Multivariate analysis identified that TDF was independently associated with virological and clinical relapse in the entire cohort and subgroup analysis. Patients with HBeAg loss without anti-HBe antibody formation during treatment had significantly higher rates of off-therapy HBV relapse and HBeAg seroreversion than patients with HBeAg seroconversion during treatment. The hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) level at end of treatment (EOT) was independently associated with HBV relapse and HBeAg seroreversion in all patients and patients with HBeAg seroconversion during treatment.

Conclusions

TDF therapy, HBeAg loss without seroconversion during treatment, and higher HBcrAg levels at EOT are significant predictors of HBV relapse in HBeAg-positive patients who discontinued ETV or TDF.
Acclimation to wind loads and/or contact stimuli? A biomechanical study of peltate leaves of Pilea peperomioides
Authors: Langer Max , Hegge Elena , Speck Thomas , Speck Olga
Published: December 2021

Plants are exposed to various environmental stresses. Leaves immediately respond to mechano-stimulation, such as wind and touch, by bending and twisting or acclimate over a longer time period by thigmomorphogenetic changes of mechanical and geometrical properties. We selected the peltate leaves of Pilea peperomioides for a comparative analysis of mechano-induced effects on morphology, anatomy, and biomechanics of petiole and transition zone. The plants were cultivated for 6 weeks in a phytochamber divided into four treatment groups: control (no stimulus), touch stimulus (brushing every 30 s), wind stimulus (constant air flow of 4.6 m s−1), and a combination of touch and wind stimuli. Comparing the four treatment groups, neither the petiole nor the transition zone showed significant thigmomorphogenetic acclimations. However, comparing the petiole and the transition zone, the elastic modulus (E), the torsional modulus (G), the E/G ratio, and the axial rigidity (EA) differed significantly, whereas no significant difference was found for the torsional rigidity (GK). The twist-to-bend ratios (EI/GK) of all petioles ranged between 4.33 and 5.99, and of all transition zones between 0.67 and 0.78. Based on the twist-to-bend ratios, we hypothesize that bending loads are accommodated by the petiole, while torsional loads are shared between the transition zone and petiole.