bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of heat supply with maintaining a safe mine water level during operation of open geothermal systems in post-coalmining areas
Authors: Rudakov Dmytro , Inkin Oleksandr
Published: March 2022

Purpose. Evaluation of the efficiency of open geothermal systems in flooded and drained mines of the Donetsk basin for heat supply of buildings with maintaining a safe mine water level. Methods. Both circulation and non-return geothermal systems for the mine water heat recovery are analyzed. We proposed the energy and cost criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of open geothermal systems based on a comparison of the produced thermal energy with the energy costs for its production. The criteria use the relationships of thermodynamics, hydraulics, analytical formulas for calculation of ground water flow and methods to calculate the heat demand of indoor spaces. Findings. The estimated ranges of thermal capacity from a few tens kW to a few MW and a coefficient of performance (COP) conversion factor of 3.5-6.8 achievable by geothermal systems for the studied closed mines of Donbas correlate well with the values of these indicators at open geothermal systems operated in different countries, which shows the technical and economic feasibility of the installation to cover local heat demands. The possibility to fully cover the needs for thermal energy is shown on the example of buildings with office spaces for staying of a few hundred people. We demonstrate how to preliminary calculate the parameters of mine water circulation with maintaining the safe level in terms of keeping the ground water quality in the areas adjacent to the mine. Originality. The developed criteria and calculation methodology allow to realistically evaluate the parameters of the efficiency of operation for open non-return and circulation geothermal systems, taking into account mining, geological and technology conditions, to prioritize the exploration of geothermal resources in mines and to evaluate the parameters of mine water circulation with maintaining the safe mine water level. Practical implications. The study showed the feasibility of installation and effective operation of open geothermal systems at the mines of the Donetsk basin for heat supply of buildings located in the adjacent areas with maintaining a safe mine water level.
Increasing hydrocarbon recovery of Hadiach field by means of CO2 injection as a part of the decarbonization process of the energy sector in Ukraine
Authors: Matkivskyi Serhii
Published: March 2022

Purpose is studying the efficiency of a carbon dioxide injection technology to control a water flooding process of the reservoir of the horizon V-16 of Hadiach oil and gas condensate field and displace the residual gas reserves trapped by the formation water involving numerical modelling. Methods. A technology of carbon dioxide injection into the reservoir of the horizon V-16 of Hadiach oil and gas condensate field was tested in terms of numerical reservoir model with the use of basic modelling instruments. Findings. The modelling results makes it possible to calculate the main technological indices of the development of the reservoir of the horizon V-16 of Hadiach oil and gas condensate field in terms of carbon dioxide injection and while developing for depletion. According to the results of the performed calculations, it is identified that there is considerable influence of the number of injection wells on the efficiency of the analyzed technology as for control of a water flooding process in the productive formation. It should be noted that while increasing the number of injection wells, more complete coverage of the gas-bearing area with carbon dioxide is provided; owing to that, the efficiency of blocking the formation water inflow into the production wells turns to be much higher. The implementation of the technology under study makes it possible to increase the final hydrocarbon recovery factors. In case of using wells ## 52, 101, 201, 202 for carbon dioxide injection, the highest final hydrocarbon recovery factors are provided. The predictive gas recovery factor grows by 2.95% and the condensate recovery factor increases by 1.24% comparing to the field development for depletion. Originality. Basing on the research results, technological efficiency of the implementation of a carbon dioxide injection technology in terms of the reservoir of the horizon V-16of Hadiach oil and gas condensate field is determined; that is aimed at increasing the hydrocarbon recovery within the field by controlling a water flooding process in the productive formations and production wells. Practical implications. Application of the research results helps improve the current system of the development of productive formations of Hadiach oil and gas condensate field in terms of water drive. Implementation of such technologies stipulates the increase in final hydrocarbon recovery of the depleted fields and allows developing optimal ways of utilization of technogenic carbon dioxide in terms of the whole decarbonization process of the energy sector in Ukraine.
Study on occurrence of myiasis in different species of animals at Babuganj Upazilla of Barishal district in Bangladesh
Authors: Nini Lamyea Farzana , Matubber Bidyut , Arif Md Atikuzzaman , Talukder Milton
Published: March 2022

Myiasis is a common insect borne surgical problem of animals in Bangladesh. The present study was conducted to find out the occurrence in relation to various epidemiological factors in various species of animals at Upazilla Veterinary Hospital, Babugonj, Barishal, during the period of study from December 2020 to April 2021. Myiatic cases were identified by clinical examination with presence of maggot larvae in the affected regions. Questionnaire was used to collect data on species, sex, season, affected body region, age of animals. A total of 110 cases were recorded myiasis positive among 500 examined animals during the period of study. The overall occurrence of myiasis in different species of animals was 22%. Female animal of cattle, sheep, goat and buffalo were highly affected (63.63%) than male (36.36%). Goats were highly infected with myiasis followed by cattle, sheep and buffalo (45.45%, 22.72%, 18.18% and 13.63%, respectively). Myiasis frequently occurred in March and April (54.54%).The myiasis infestation rate was higher in local (68.18%) breed of cattle (local: 13; cross: 12), goat (local: 27; cross: 23), sheep (local: 20), buffalo (local: 15) than the cross (31.82%)breed. The <6 months (45.45%) aged animals were mostly affected followed by 6 months to 2 years (31.82%), and >2 years (22.73%) groups. The highly affected body region was navel (20%) followed by leg (18.18%), vulva lips (16.36%), hoof (15.45%), skin (12.73%), ear (9.09%) and neck (8.18%), respectively. This study will provide valuable information for future research on myiasis infestation in animals and impart the idea of maggot wound management.
Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2022, 8 (1), 24-29
A comparative study between ionic liquid and acidic pretreatment of waste cotton textiles with simultaneous saccharification and fermentation
Authors: Arshi SS , Zhao Y , Seyen TT , Vreckem EV , Buelens L
Published: March 2022

Millions of tons of waste cotton textiles are discarded every year while they could have been used for the production of bioethanol as an alternative for fossil fuel. In this study, the potential of cotton as raw material for ethanol production using ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment and acidic pretreatment is examined and compared, along with non-pretreated cotton samples. The study also aims to determine the optimal temperature of ionic liquid pretreatment, for which experiments under three temperatures (95°C, 150°C, and 175°C) were carried out. Subsequently, the pretreated cotton samples were converted to bioethanol via simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Ethanol yields resulting from different pretreatment methods (also non-pretreatment) were compared. Findings suggest that ionic liquid pretreatment under 175°C gives the highest ethanol yield, proving it to be a competitive alternative to traditional acid pretreatment widely applied in industry, as well as demonstrating the prospective usage of waste cotton textiles as biomass for the production of renewable biofuel.
Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 57(1), 41-48, 2022
Sequel of divergent sowing dates on phenological event with yield and quality of Tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) seed
Authors: Debnath MR , Rahman MM , Islam SN , Nandi PN
Published: March 2022

This experiment was conducted at Jute Research Sub Station, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Jashore to determine phenology, yield and quality of Tossa jute seed at different sowing times starting from 15 July to 1 October, 2020. Variety O-9897 was used as plant material. Randomized Complete Block Design was followed with 4x3m plot size. Line sowing was practised. The result revealed that phenology, seed yield and quality varied significantly with different sowing dates. The earliest flowering (at 42 days) was observed from the sowing on 1 October and the most delayed flowering (at 89 days) from the sowing on 15 July. Sowing from 15 August to 1 September gave the highest yield with good quality seed. Sowing on 15 August, 2020 required 150 days and sowing on 1 September, 2020 required 139 days for pod maturation.
Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 57(1), 61-66, 2022
Pengembangan E-Modul Berbasis Pemecahan Masalah Pada Materi Larutan Elektrolit dan Non-Elektrolit (ELNOEL)
Authors: Aisyah Ratna Sari Siti , Solfarina Solfarina , Yuliantika Unita
Published: March 2022

High school students have difficulty in understanding “electrolyte and non-electrolyte” solution materials because they are mostly abstract. Students should study three aspects in electrolyte and non-electrolyte solutions including macroscopic, symbolic and submicroscopic. However, the fact that in school only accentuates macroscopic and symbolic levels. Then the learning resources cannot provide an explanation of the submicroscopic level and the learning model used does not make students active in accordance with the 2013 curriculum. This study aims to produce products in the form of problem solving-based Elnoel E-modules on electrolyte and non-electrolyte solution materials, as well as explaining the feasibility of E-elnoel module and student response to Elnoel E-module. This research is designed with ADDIE model with analyze, design, development, implementation and evaluation stages. This Elnoel e-module is validated by 7 experts (judment) that the results of material validation and media validation are declared valid with a value of 0.85 and 0.81. Then the Elnoel E-module was implemented to 9 students of grade XI science at Al-Qudwah Integrated High School to find out the student's response to the media developed by obtaining a percentage of 89% that belongs to the category very good.It can be seen that the development of media arranged based on problem solving can stimulate students’ thinking skills and get a positive response from students.
Implementasi Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) dalam Meningkatkan Kepuasan Masyarakat di Provinsi Banten
Authors: Effendi Bahtiar
Published: March 2022

This study aims to analyze the factors that influence community satisfaction related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through economic performance, social performance, and environmental performance in Banten Province. This study uses questionnaire data given to respondents in Cilegon City. Data analysis was performed by multiple regression analysis. The findings obtained are that economic performance has a significant positive effect on community satisfaction with a significance level below 5% or 0.05 i.e. = 0.001 and social performance has an insignificant positive effect on community satisfaction with a significance level above 5% or 0, 05, namely = 0.721 and environmental performance has a significant positive effect on community satisfaction with a significance level below 5% or 0.05, namely = 0.009. Furthermore, the implementation of the SDGs program simultaneously through economic performance, social performance and environmental performance has been proven to have a significant positive effect on community satisfaction with a significance level below 5% or 0.05, namely = 0.000. The implication of this research is that the company is expected to further increase community involvement and supervise the implementation of the SDGs program that has been planned by the company.
RECENZIA/REVIEW - ROMŽA, S. a kol.: PRIVATIZÁCIA TRESTNÉHO PRÁVA (vydanie prvé)
Authors: Tomaš Lukáš
Published: March 2022

Praha: Leges, 2021, ISBN: 978-80-7502-528-9, s. 370
RECENZIA/REVIEW - TEKELI, J. – TOMAŠ, L. – HOFFMANN, M.: ZÁKON O SAMOSPRÁVNYCH KRAJOCH. KOMENTÁR (vydanie prvé)
Authors: Vernarský Martin
Published: March 2022

Praha: Wolters Kluwer, 2021, ISBN: 978-80-7676-206-0, s. 575
Effects of Mechanical Ventilation Versus Apnea on Bi-Ventricular Pressure-Volume Loop Recording
Authors: DAM LYHNE M , SCHMIDT MORTENSEN C , VALENTIN HANSEN J , JUEL DRAGSBAEK S , NIELSEN-KUDSK J , ANDERSEN A
Published: March 2022

Respiration changes intrathoracic pressure and lung volumes in a cyclic manner, which affect cardiac function. Invasive ventricular pressure-volume (PV) loops can be recorded during ongoing mechanical ventilation or in transient apnea. No consensus exists considering ventilatory mode during PV loop recording. The objective of this study was to investigate the magnitude of any systematic difference of bi-ventricular PV loop variables recorded during mechanical ventilation versus apnea. PV loops were recorded simultaneously from the right ventricle and left ventricle in a closed chest porcine model during mechanical ventilation and in transient apnea (n=72). Variables were compared by regression analyses. Mechanical ventilation versus apnea affected regression coefficients for important PV variables including right ventricular stroke volume (1.22, 95% CI [1.08-1.36], p=0.003), right ventricular ejection fraction (0.90, 95% CI [0.81-1.00], p=0.043) and right ventricular arterial elastance (0.61, 95%CI [0.55-0.68], p<0.0001). Right ventricular pressures and volumes were parallelly shifted with Y-intercepts different from 0. Few left ventricular variables were affected, mainly first derivatives of pressure (dP/dt(max): 0.96, 95% CI [0.92-0.99], p=0.016, and dP/dt(min): 0.92, 95% CI [0.86-0.99], p=0.026), which might be due to decreased heart rate in apnea (Y-intercept -6.88, 95% CI [-12.22; -1.54], p=0.012). We conclude, that right ventricular stroke volume, ejection fraction and arterial elastance were mostly affected by apnea compared to mechanical ventilation. The results motivate future standardization of respiratory modality when measuring PV relationships.
A Study on Ceramic Heater Devices Based on Si3N4 with a MoO3 Protective Layer
Authors: Jeon Yong Min , Ryu Si Hong , Kim Seon Ho , Lee Seong Eui
Published: March 2022

Currently, the need for high performance heaters for industrial application is increasing, and repeated wear, rapid temperature change, and uneven temperature can cause deteriorating quality and reduced productivity. The ceramic heater in this study consists of a substrate, an electrode layer, and a protective layer, and low-melting temperature glass frit was used for all layers to allow low-temperature processing. As a substrate for the ceramic heater, Si3N4, which is twice as strong as AlN and has excellent wear resistance, was used. As the electrode material, Ag-Pd, which provides good adhesion to the Si3N4 substrate and high electrical conductivity was used, and MoO3 powder was mixed 8 : 2 to make a paste. The MoO3 adjusts the resistance of the Ag-Pd electrode, thereby supplementing the heater performance. Si3N4 powder and glass frit were used for the protective film layer that protects the electrode, and MoO3 was added to unify the materials between the layers.
Ecological assessment of phytomass stocks in the zone of alienation and stock of radionuclids
Authors: Furdychko O. , Kuchma M. , Drebot O. , Yaremko O.
Published: March 2022

It has been established that the main factor causing damage to forests in a large area of the Exclusion Zone is forest fires. Loss of litter stock during combustion is up to 20–30%. 63.0–71.1% of 137Сs stock is stored in litter residues and upper soil horizons. The fires showed a significant increase in the share of the mobile fraction 90Sr in the mineral part of the soil to 39.6–60.8%. In the natural course of migration processes, a significant redistribution of activity in the upper soil horizons could occur in 15–20 years. Therefore, fire-fighting measures are of paramount importance, as fires can significantly change the nature of migration processes of radionuclides. The generalized assessment of phytomass stocks and the stock of radionuclides in the Exclusion Zone testified to the leading role of forest ecosystems in the deposition of radionuclides and prevention of their removal outside the contaminated areas. To date, 47.5 TBq 90Sr has been recorded in wood of forest plantations, which is almost 4% of the total pollution of the Exclusion Zone and this share will continue to grow. A system of ecological and forestry care for forest plantations in the conditions of the Exclusion Zone has been developed. It provides for three levels of intervention — normal, limited, protected (in the future). Its implementation took place during forest management works in 1996 and 2006, which provided control over the radioecological and forestry situation.
Políticas lingüísticas en el Estado español: del bilingüismo hegemónico al plurilingüismo armónico
Authors: Moreno Cabrera Juan Carlos
Published: March 2022

En este artículo analizo la ideología supremacista que dirige la política lingüística implícita de las instituciones básicas del Estado español y la contrapongo con una política lingüística en favor de un plurilingüismo armónico en el que las diversas lenguas que conviven en el Estado español sean conocidas y usadas de forma natural y generalizada en todos los ámbitos del Estado.
Evaluation of Anemia and Related Factors in Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yalcin Ebru Esra , Doganer Yusuf Cetin , Aydogan Umit , Karasahin Kazim Emre , Demirkose Hacer
Published: March 2022

Aim: Anemia is a public health problem in developing countries. In our study, it is aimed to evaluate the relationship between the presence of anemia in pregnancy and the factors which influence anemia.

Methods: Our study was conducted with 567 voluntary pregnant contributors who attended as outpatients to Gulhane Education and Research Hospital Obstetrics Polyclinics between December 2018 and February 2019. The assessment questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic information, obstetric history and medication adherence, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

Results: Mean age of 567 voluntary pregnants was 28.1±5.0 (18-43) years and mean hemoglobin values were 12.4±1.3 (6.1-15.6) g/dL. Of the contributors, 12.3% had hemoglobin values

Conclusion: Anemia was more frequent in pregnant women who experienced anemia in their previous pregnancy, and women having chronic disease and becoming pregnant were less likely to have anemia. Early diagnosis and treatment of anemia, which significantly affects maternal and infant health, can be possible during pregnancy, since it should be evaluated in all women planning and conceiving a pregnancy.

Keywords: anemia, depression, pregnancy, family medicine
Maximizing Energy Content and CO2 Bio-fixation Efficiency of an Indigenous Isolated Microalga Parachlorella kessleri HY-6 Through Nutrient Optimization and Water Recycling During Cultivation
Authors: Farooq Wasif
Published: March 2022

An alternative source of energy and materials with low negative environmental impacts is essential for a sustainable future. Microalgae is a promising candidate in this aspect. The focus of this study is to optimize the supply of nitrogen and carbon dioxide during the cultivation of locally isolated strain Parachlorella kessleri HY-6. This study focuses on optimizing nitrogen and CO2 supply based on total biomass and biomass per unit amount of nitrogen and CO2. Total biomass increased from 1.23 to 2.30 g/L with an increase in nitrogen concentration from 15.8 to 47.4 mg/L. However, biomass per unit amount of nitrogen supplied was higher at low nitrogen content. Biomass and CO2 fixation rate increased at higher CO2 concentrations in bubbling air, but CO2 fixation efficiency decreased drastically. Finally, the energy content of biomass increased with increases in both nitrogen and CO2 supply. This work thoroughly analyzed the biomass composition via ultimate, proximate, and biochemical analysis. Water is recycled three times for cultivation at three different nitrogen levels. Microalgae biomass increased during the second recycling and then decreased drastically during the third. Activated carbon helped remove the organics after the third recycling to improve the water recyclability. This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate variables for optimization by considering net energy investment in terms of nutrients (as nitrogen) and CO2 fixation efficiency and effective water recycling.
Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Small Molecule Drugs for Cutaneous Melanoma Using Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis
Authors: Liu Yong , Sun Jiayi , Han Dongran , Cui Shengnan , Yan Xiaoning
Published: March 2022

Background: Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a type of skin cancer with a high fatality rate, and its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated.

Methods: We obtained the gene expression datasets of CM through the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Subsequently, robust rank aggregation (RRA) method was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CM cases and normal skin controls. Gene functional annotation was performed to explore the potential function of the DEGs. We built the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network by the Interactive Gene database retrieval tool (STRING) and selected hub modules by Molecular Complexity Detection (MCODE). We furthered and validated our results using the TCGA-GTEX dataset. Finally, potential small molecule drugs were predicted by CMap database and verified by molecular docking method.

Results: A total of 135 DEGs were obtained by RRA synthesis analysis. GMPR, EMP3, SLC45A2, PDZD2, NPY1R, DLG5 and ADH1B were screened as potential targets for CM. Furazolidone was screened as a potential small molecule drug for the treatment of CM, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CM cell proliferation by acting on GMPR.

Conclusion: We identified seven prognostic therapeutic targets associated with CM and furazolidone could be used as a potential drug for CM treatment, providing new prognostic markers, potential therapeutic targets and small molecule drugs for the treatment and prevention of CM.
Controllable Degradable Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Coated Mg Alloy for Biomedical Application
Authors: Lu Xiaopeng , Blawert Carsten , Luthringer Bérengère J.C. , Zheludkevich Mikhail L.
Published: March 2022

A controllable degradable coating on Mg alloy based on plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process is reported for the first time. The reported results show that introduction of silica nanoparticles into PEO electrolytes leads to their reactive incorporation in coatings and thus influencing the degradation behavior. Dissolution of amorphous phases facilitates chemical reaction with components of simulated body fluid, resulting in self-healing effect via redeposition of insoluble conversion products. The dynamic balance between dissolution of the original coating and reconstruction of corrosion layer is mainly determined by the phase composition of the coating as well as the surrounding corrosive medium.
The Gut Microbial Signature of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and the Association With Diet Intervention
Authors: Wu Na , Zhou Jingwei , Mo Heng , Mu Qing , Su Huiting , Li Mei , Yu Yimeng , Liu Aiyu , Zhang Qi , Xu Jun , Yu Weidong , Liu Peng , Liu Guoli
Published: March 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a high-risk pregnancy complication that is associated with metabolic disorder phenotypes, such as abnormal blood glucose and obesity. The link between microbiota and diet management contributes to metabolic homeostasis in GDM. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the structure of the gut microbiota in GDM and to explore the effect of dietary management on the microbiota structure. In this study, we analyzed the composition of the gut microbiota between 27 GDM and 30 healthy subjects at two time points using Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. The taxonomy analyses suggested that the overall bacteria clustered by diabetes status, rather than diet intervention. Of particular interest, the phylum Acidobacteria in GDM was significantly increased, and positively correlated with blood glucose levels. Moreover, Partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed that certain genera in the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Lentisphaerae characterized the GDM gut microbiota. Correlation analysis indicated that blood glucose levels and BMI index were correlated with the relative abundance of SCFAS-producing genera. Through the comparison between the GDM and healthy samples with or without diet intervention, we discovered that the role of short-term diet management in GDM processes is associated with the change in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and some specific taxa, rather than an alternative gut microbial pattern. Our study have important implications for understanding the beneficial effects of diet intervention on the specific gut microbiota and thus possibly their metabolism in pregnant women with GDM.
Oral Microbiota-Host Interaction Mediated by Taste Receptors
Authors: Dong Hao , Liu Jiaxin , Zhu Jianhui , Zhou Zhiyan , Tizzano Marco , Peng Xian , Zhou Xuedong , Xu Xin , Zheng Xin
Published: March 2022

Taste receptors, originally identified in taste buds, function as the periphery receptors for taste stimuli and play an important role in food choice. Cohort studies have revealed that single nucleotide polymorphisms of taste receptors such as T1R1, T1R2, T2R38 are associated with susceptibility to oral diseases like dental caries. Recent studies have demonstrated the wide expression of taste receptors in various tissues, including intestinal epithelia, respiratory tract, and gingiva, with an emerging role of participating in the interaction between mucosa surface and microorganisms via monitoring a wide range of metabolites. On the one hand, individuals with different oral microbiomes exhibited varied taste sensitivity, suggesting a potential impact of the oral microbiota composition on taste receptor function. On the other hand, animal studies and in vitro studies have uncovered that a variety of oral cells expressing taste receptors such as gingival solitary chemosensory cells, gingival epithelial cells (GECs), and gingival fibroblasts can detect bacterial signals through bitter taste receptors to trigger host innate immune responses, thus regulating oral microbial homeostasis. This review focuses on how taste receptors, particularly bitter and sweet taste receptors, mediate the oral microbiota-host interaction as well as impact the occurrence and development of oral diseases. Further studies delineating the role of taste receptors in mediating oral microbiota-host interaction will advance our knowledge in oral ecological homeostasis establishment, providing a novel paradigm and treatment target for the better management of dental infectious diseases.
Contextual Constraints in Terminological Definitions
Authors: San Martín Antonio
Published: March 2022

The purpose of a terminological definition is to represent in natural language the most relevant knowledge associated with a term. However, the knowledge activated by a term (i.e., its meaning) varies according to the usage context. Since context is indispensable in meaning construction, it should guide terminological definition writing. Nonetheless, the recommendation is still that a terminological definition should represent a concept's necessary and sufficient characteristics, which are regarded as context-independent. This paper proposes a parametrization of the contextual constraints applicable to terminological definitions so that context can be accounted for in them. To this end, the notions of premeaning and precontext are introduced, and different types of contextual constraints (linguistic, thematic, cultural, etc.) are discussed. We argue that the conscious application of contextual constraints by the terminologist helps to produce more useful definitions and to avoid inconsistencies and biases.
Population Genetic Analysis of the Threatened Plant Leavenworthia exigua var. laciniata (Brassicaceae) Reveals Virtually No Genetic Diversity and a Unique Mating System
Authors: Edwards Christine E. , Bassüner Burgund , Williams Brigette R.
Published: March 2022

Leavenworthia (Brassicaceae) has served as a model group for investigating the evolution of mating systems in plants, yet several Leavenworthia species remain understudied. One such taxon is Leavenworthia exigua var. laciniata, one of three varieties of L. exigua, a winter-annual plant endemic to the central United States. Because L. exigua var. laciniata occupies a narrow geographic range and is experiencing major habitat loss, it was recently listed as threatened; however, little is known about its genetic diversity and implications for conservation. We conducted a range-wide population genetic study of L. exigua var. laciniata and L. exigua var. exigua to understand: (1) levels of genetic diversity within and among populations, (2) whether L. exigua var. laciniata is genetically distinct from L. exigua var. exigua, and (3) implications for conservation. L. exigua var. laciniata showed identical genotypes at all 16 microsatellite loci across most of its range, fixed heterozygosity at some loci, and significant heterozygote excesses, consistent with a lack of recombination associated with an asexual mating system, which has not been documented previously in Leavenworthia. Because L. exigua var. laciniata is an annual and the same genotype occurs across multiple populations, asexuality may be caused by apomixis, asexual reproduction via seed. In contrast, most populations of L. exigua var. exigua demonstrated population genetic patterns consistent with a self-compatible mating system. Because L. exigua var. laciniata is morphologically, geographically, and genetically distinct, it should be recognized as an evolutionarily significant unit for conservation. We recommend maintaining large population sizes to conserve evolutionary potential in L. exigua var. laciniata, as the likelihood that facultative sexual reproduction may occur may be greater in larger populations. Additional research in L. exigua var. laciniata is needed to confirm the occurrence of asexuality and apomixis, clarify its reproductive isolation from other taxa, and to understand whether it exhibits residual sexual reproduction, epigenetic variation, or phenotypic plasticity to help it persist in response to environmental variation. In the future, L. exigua var. laciniata may serve as an important model in which to investigate the conservation of threatened plant species with little genetic variation in a changing climate.
AutoLoc: Autonomous Sensor Location Configuration via Cross Modal Sensing
Authors: Rohal Shubham , Zhang Yue , Ruiz Carlos , Pan Shijia
Published: March 2022

Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems have become pervasive for smart homes. In recent years, many of these IoT sensing systems are developed to enable in-home long-term monitoring applications, such as personalized services in smart homes, elderly/patient monitoring, etc. However, these systems often require complicated and expensive installation processes, which are some of the main concerns affecting users' adoption of smart home systems. In this work, we focus on floor vibration-based occupant monitoring systems, which enables non-intrusive in-home continuous occupant monitoring, such as patient step tracking and gait analysis. However, to enable these applications, the system would require known locations of vibration sensors placed in the environment. Current practice relies on manually input of location, which makes the installation labor-intensive, time consuming, and expensive. On the other hand, without known location of vibration sensors, the output of the system does not have intuitive physical meaning and is incomprehensive to users, which limits the systems' usability. We presentAutoLoc, a scheme to estimate the location of the vibration sensors in a two-dimensional space in the view of a nearby camera, which has spatial physical meaning.AutoLocutilizes occupants' walking events captured by both vibration sensors and the co-located camera to estimate the vibration sensors' location in the camera view. First,AutoLocdetects and localizes the occupant's footsteps in the vision data. Then, it associates the time and location of the event to the floor vibration data. Next, the extracted vibration data of the given event from multiple vibration sensors are used to estimate the sensors' locations in the camera view coordinates. We conducted real-world experiments and achieved up to 0.07 meters localization accuracy.
Mechanisms for the Generation of Complex Fracture Networks: Observations From Slant Core, Analog Models, and Outcrop
Authors: Rysak Bethany , Gale Julia F. W. , Laubach Stephen E. , Ferrill David A.
Published: March 2022

We use observations of hydraulic fractures in core, outcrop attributes of natural hydraulic fractures, and analogue models, to address how hydraulic fracture networks evolve. A slant core from the Wolfcamp Formation—an unconventional shale hydrocarbon reservoir in the Permian Basin of West Texas—collected within 18 m and 30 m of two hydraulically stimulated horizontal wells, provided an opportunity to examine hydraulic fractures directly. In approximately 183 m of core, 309 calcite-sealed natural opening-mode fractures and 375 hydraulic fractures were identified. Many hydraulic fractures in the core show complex morphology, including twist-hackle segmentation, diversion, and bifurcation; these structures most commonly develop at lithological bed boundaries and mechanical heterogeneities such as natural fractures and concretions. An outcrop of bed-parallel pavements in the Cretaceous Boquillas Formation in West Texas contains opening-mode fractures that likely formed by natural hydraulic fracturing. Fracture traces provide evidence of twist-hackle segmentation, and are typically associated with bed boundaries and preexisting bed-parallel stylolites. A laboratory study of hydraulic fracturing of 33 synthetic blocks of gypsum and hydrostone revealed fracture steps, diversions, twist hackles, and multiple overlapping fractures together with information on fracture growth directions. These complexities in the fracture network were dominantly nucleated at inclusions used to simulate pre-existing fractures, and as a result of mechanical heterogeneity introduced by the wellbore and perforations. Collectively, our results show that complex fracture networks are produced in hydraulic fracturing of self-sourced reservoir strata. Mechanical stratigraphic boundaries and other heterogeneities are likely to enhance fracture network complexity through the processes of segmentation, diversion, and bifurcation. These processes create multiple fracture strands, resulting in an increased number of hydraulic fractures over those initiated, thereby increasing total fracture surface area. Our study provides insight into hydraulic fracture network propagation, and has applications for evaluation, completion, production, and fracture modeling of unconventional reservoirs.
Prediction of the Height of Fractured Water-Conducting Zone Based on the Improved Cuckoo Search Algorithm–Extreme Learning Machine Model
Authors: Zhu Zhijie , Guan Songsong
Published: March 2022

The research aims to improve prediction accuracy for heights of fractured water-conducting zones (FWCZs) and effectively prevent and control roof water disasters, to ensure safe coal mining. For this purpose, the method that integrates the improved cuckoo search (ICS) algorithm and extreme learning machine (ELM) is used to predict heights of FWCZs. Based on an analysis of factors influencing FWCZs, the ICS algorithm is employed to optimize two key parameters of the ELM model, the input weight ѡ and the bias b of hidden elements, thus establishing the ICS–ELM model for predicting the height of the FWCZ. The ICS–ELM model is trained using 42 measured samples, and the trained model is employed to predict the remaining six sample data points. The obtained prediction results show a relative error of only 3.97% and are more consistent with the actual situation. To verify the effectiveness of the model, the prediction results are compared with those of the adaptive particle swarm optimization based least squares support vector machine (APSO–LSSVM) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) based backpropagation (PSO–BP) models. The average relative errors of the two models are 8.21 and 9.75%, respectively, which further proves that the ICS–ELM model improves the accuracy of prediction results for heights of FWCZs. The heights of FWCZs predicted using the model are accurate and reliable, and the accuracy meets the requirements of engineering practice.
Association of COVID-19 Lockdown With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: He Zhongrong , Lv Yanyun , Zheng Suijin , Pu Yudong , Lin Qingmei , Zhou He , Dong Moran , Wang Jiaqi , Fan Jingjie , Ye Yufeng , Chen Hanwei , Qian Rui , Jin Juan , Chen Yumeng , Chen Guimin , He Guanhao , Cheng Shouzhen , Hu Jianxiong , Xiao Jianpeng , Ma Wenjun , Su Xi , Liu Tao
Published: March 2022

Importance

The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 is still affecting our life, but the effects of lockdown measures on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women remain unclear.

Aim

To investigate the association between COVID-19 lockdown and GDM.

Subjects and Methods

Medical records of 140844 pregnant women during 2015-2020 were extracted from 5 hospitals in Guangdong Province, China. Pregnant women who underwent the COVID-19 Level I lockdown (1/23 - 2/24/2020) during pregnancy were defined as the exposed group (N=20472) and pregnant women who underwent the same calendar months during 2015-2019 (1/23 - 2/24) were defined as the unexposed group (N=120372). Subgroup analyses were used to explore the potential susceptible exposure window of COVID-19 lockdown on GDM. Cumulative exposure is quantitatively estimated by assigning different weights to response periods with different exposure intensities. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between COVID-19 lockdown exposure and GDM.

Results

The rates of GDM in the exposed and unexposed groups were 15.2% and 12.4%, respectively. The overall analyses showed positive associations (odds ratio, OR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.27) between lockdown exposure and GDM risk in all pregnant women. More pronounced associations were found in women who underwent the COVID-19 lockdown in their first four months of pregnancy, and the adjusted OR values ranged from 1.24 (95%CI: 1.10, 1.39) in women with 5-8 gestational weeks (GWs) to 1.35 (95%CI: 1.20, 1.52) with < 5 GWs. In addition, we found a positive exposure-response association of cumulative lockdown exposure with the risk of GDM.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 lockdown was associated with an increased risk of GDM, and the first four months of pregnancy may be the window for sensitive exposure.
Monocyte Trafficking and Polarization Contribute to Sex Differences in Meta-Inflammation
Authors: Varghese Mita , Clemente Jeremy , Lerner Arianna , Abrishami Simin , Islam Mohammed , Subbaiah Perla , Singer Kanakadurga
Published: March 2022

Obesity is associated with systemic inflammation and immune cell recruitment to metabolic tissues. Sex differences have been observed where male mice challenged with high fat diet (HFD) exhibit greater adipose tissue inflammation than females demonstrating a role for sex hormones in differential inflammatory responses. Circulating monocytes that respond to dietary lipids and chemokines and produce cytokines are the primary source of recruited adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs). In this study, we investigated sexual dimorphism in biological pathways in HFD-fed ATMs from male and female mice by RNA-seq. We also conducted chemotaxis assays to investigate sex differences in the migration of monocytes isolated from bone marrow from male and female mice toward a dietary saturated lipid — palmitate (PA), and a chemokine — monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), factors known to stimulate myeloid cells in obesity. ATM RNA-Seq demonstrated sex differences of both metabolic and inflammatory activation, including pathways for chemokine signaling and leukocyte trans-endothelial migration. In vivo monocyte transfer studies demonstrated that male monocytes traffic to female adipose tissue to generate ATMs more readily. In chemotaxis assays, lean male monocytes migrated in greater numbers than females toward PA and MCP1. With short-term HFD, male and female monocytes migrated similarly, but in chronic HFD, male monocytes showed greater migration than females upon PA and MCP1 stimulation. Studies with monocytes from toll-like receptor 4 knockout mice (Tlr4-/-) demonstrated that both males and females showed decreased migration than WT in response to PA and MCP1 implying a role for TLR4 in monocyte influx in response to meta-inflammation. Overall, these data demonstrate the role of sexual dimorphism in monocyte recruitment and response to metabolic stimuli that may influence meta-inflammation in obesity.
Challenges to Improve Bone Healing Under Diabetic Conditions
Authors: Chen Yiling , Zhou Yue , Lin Jie , Zhang Shiwen
Published: March 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) can affect bone metabolism and the bone microenvironment, resulting in impaired bone healing. The mechanisms include oxidative stress, inflammation, the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), etc. Improving bone healing in diabetic patients has important clinical significance in promoting fracture healing and improving bone integration. In this paper, we reviewed the methods of improving bone healing under diabetic conditions, including drug therapy, biochemical cues, hyperbaric oxygen, ultrasound, laser and pulsed electromagnetic fields, although most studies are in preclinical stages. Meanwhile, we also pointed out some shortcomings and challenges, hoping to provide a potential therapeutic strategy for accelerating bone healing in patients with diabetes.
Multivariate Adaptive Step Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm Optimized Generalized Regression Neural Network for Short-Term Power Load Forecasting
Authors: Jiang Feng , Zhang Wenya , Peng Zijun
Published: March 2022

Short-term load forecasting plays a significant role in the management of power plants. In this paper, we propose a multivariate adaptive step fruit fly optimization algorithm (MAFOA) to optimize the smoothing parameter of the generalized regression neural network (GRNN) in the short-term power load forecasting. In addition, due to the substantial impact of some external factors including temperature, weather types, and date types on the short-term power load, we take these factors into account and propose an efficient interval partition technique to handle the unstructured data. To verify the performance of MAFOA-GRNN, the power load data are used for empirical analysis in Wuhan City, China. The empirical results demonstrate that the forecasting accuracy of the MAFOA applied to the GRNN outperforms the benchmark methods.
High Phenotypic Plasticity, but Low Signals of Local Adaptation to Climate in a Large-Scale Transplant Experiment of Picea abies (L.) Karst. in Europe
Authors: Liepe Katharina Julie , van der Maaten Ernst , van der Maaten-Theunissen Marieke , Liesebach Mirko
Published: March 2022

The most common tool to predict future changes in species range are species distribution models. These models do, however, often underestimate potential future habitat, as they do not account for phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation, although being the most important processes in the response of tree populations to rapid climate change. Here, we quantify the difference in the predictions of future range for Norway spruce, by (i) deriving a classic, occurrence-based species distribution model (OccurrenceSDM), and (ii) analysing the variation in juvenile tree height and translating this to species occurrence (TraitSDM). Making use of 32 site locations of the most comprehensive European trial series that includes 1,100 provenances of Norway spruce originating from its natural and further beyond from its largely extended, artificial distribution, we fit a universal response function to quantify growth as a function of site and provenance climate. Both the OccurrenceSDM and TraitSDM show a substantial retreat towards the northern latitudes and higher elevations (−55 and −43%, respectively, by the 2080s). However, thanks to the species’ particularly high phenotypic plasticity in juvenile height growth, the decline is delayed. The TraitSDM identifies increasing summer heat paired with decreasing water availability as the main climatic variable that restricts growth, while a prolonged frost-free period enables a longer period of active growth and therefore increasing growth potential within the restricted, remaining area. Clear signals of local adaptation to climatic clines spanning the entire range are barely detectable, as they are disguised by a latitudinal cline. This cline strongly reflects population differentiation for the Baltic domain, but fails to capture the high phenotypic variation associated to the geographic heterogeneity in the Central European mountain ranges paired with the species history of postglacial migration. Still the model is used to provide recommendations of optimal provenance choice for future climate conditions. In essence, assisted migration may not decrease the predicted range decline of Norway spruce, but may help to capitalize on potential opportunities for increased growth associated with warmer climates.