bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The moderating effect of the public finances on transport infrastructures in Spain
Authors: Álvarez‐Herránz Agustín , Lagos M. Gabriela , Balsalobre‐Lorente Daniel
Published: August 2021

In recent decades, Spain has witnessed a considerable increase in railway and road transport infrastructure. The driver of this change has been investment from the central government, which has generated speculation regarding the possible distribution of new infrastructure according to partisan political interests. This paper aims to determine whether this political influence impacts the efficiency of the transport infrastructure. This study proposes an empirical model to assess the impact of the central government's investment in roads and railways in the country's 15 mainland autonomous communities. The empirical results reveal that the political factor, as a proxy of public finances, moderates the accessibility process. The empirical model analyses the impact of new infrastructure on structuring and territorial cohesion during 1995–2007, considered the golden decade in Spain. Based on the econometric results, we conclude that state investment in rail, moderated by the consideration of political factors, improves the accessibility of rail transport infrastructure. Finally, this study presents relevant policy implications, suggesting a new line of regulations to increase local transport infrastructure projects' quality regarding “network efficiency.”
Craniopharyngioma presenting with psychiatric symptoms: a case report
Authors: Bowers Alexis R , Hughes Lewis
Published: August 2021

Craniopharyngiomas are rare, slow‐growing tumours located in the sellar region of the brain with a worldwide incidence rate of 1.34 per million. Here, a case is discussed that adds to the literature on this rare tumour, as the patient presented with psychiatric symptoms as opposed to neurological or endocrine symptoms; successful clinical management of the patient was achieved.
The Two Types of Oxygen Interstitials in Neutron‐Irradiated Corundum Single Crystals: Joint Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Lushchik Aleksandr , Kuzovkov Vladimir N. , Kudryavtseva Irina , Popov Anatoli I. , Seeman Viktor , Shablonin Evgeni , Vasil'chenko Evgeni , Kotomin Eugene A.
Published: August 2021

Corundum (α‐Al2O3) is a technologically important material and, in particular, widely used in optical applications such as luminescent radiation dosimeters, cryogenic scintillators, and is being considered as a promising candidate for windows in future fusion reactors. Its optical and mechanical properties are controlled by the presence of radiation‐induced (in particular, by fast neutrons) defects. Herein, the thermal stability and recombination kinetics of primary anion Frenkel defects—the F and F
+ electronic centers and oxygen interstitials—in fast‐neutron‐irradiated α‐Al2O3 single crystals are analyzed. Theory is developed considering the formation of both neutral and charged oxygen Frenkel defect pairs; defect migration, interaction and recombination. Based on ab initio calculations and new theoretical kinetics analysis, for the first time, a coexistence is demonstrated, in comparable concentrations, of two interstitial types—neutral O atoms and negatively charged O− ions (with attributed optical absorption band maxima at 6.5 eV and 5.6 eV, respectively); and their diffusion parameters, necessary for the prediction of secondary defect‐induced reactions and defect/material thermal stability, are obtained.
Control charts in financial applications: An overview
Authors: Bisiotis Konstantinos , Psarakis Stelios , Yannacopoulos Athanasios N.
Published: August 2021

Statistical process control (SPC) methods have been widely popular not only in industrial applications but also in recent years in several nonindustrial scientific areas. The basic tools of SPC are control charts. SPC methods have been applied to various financial applications such as portfolio surveillance, stock trading, and interest rates. The purpose of this paper is to present the main applications of statistical monitoring process methods, specifically control charts, to the financial area. We focus on applications in stock markets such as technical trading rules, portfolio monitoring problems providing some directions for future research.
Modeling the thermic soil temperature regime boundary of the eastern United States
Authors: D'Avello Tom , Bathgate Jon , Thompson James Alan
Published: August 2021

Within U.S. soil taxonomy,soil temperature regimes (STRs) are recognized and incorporated in the classification and mapping of soils. Although knowledge of STR can inform crop selection, yield estimates, and nutrient management decisions, detailed and current maps of STRs derived from measured data are not available for most of the United States. Soil temperature measurements at the prescribed depth of 50 cm were summarized for 69 Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) stations in the eastern United States. Mean annual soil temperature (MAST) was calculated for the 2005–2015 period from monthly averages calculated from daily soil temperature observations. A prediction equation for MAST was developed using mean annual air temperature (MAAT) from the PRISM (Parameter‐elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) group as a predictor: MAST = 2.49 + (0.91 × MAAT). The adjusted r2 was .96 with a RMSE of 0.74 °C and mean absolute error of 0.59 °C based on 10‐fold cross‐validation. Orographic influence is incorporated in PRISM MAAT, yielding a simple model. The MAST surfaces were calculated by applying the prediction equation to MAAT grids for the 1895–2015 period. The yearly MAST surfaces allow estimation of STR over time and for various summary periods including the 1895–2015 record, 30‐yr normal, and probabilities based on individual years for the 1895–2015 period. Based on this investigation, the mesic–thermic STR boundary occurs north of the presently recognized location, is dynamic, and is supported by existing native plant communities associated with thermic STR.
Improved Open‐Circuit Voltage of Sb2Se3 Thin‐Film Solar Cells Via Interfacial Sulfur Diffusion‐Induced Gradient Bandgap Engineering
Authors: Chen Shuo , Ishaq Muhammad , Xiong Wei , Ali Shah Usman , Farooq Umar , Luo Jingting , Zheng Zhuanghao , Su Zhenghua , Fan Ping , Zhang Xianghua , Liang Guangxing
Published: August 2021

The performance of thermally deposited Sb2Se3 solar cells are severely limited by various bulk and interfacial recombination, instigating a large open‐circuit voltage (VOC) deficit. Ternary Sb2(S,Se)3 is considered as a remedy, however, it is also subjected to a dilemma that improvement in VOC will be escorted by JSC loss due to the shrinkage of light harvest. Thus, a gradient of S/Se across the film is a prerequisite to avoid this detrimental compromise. Herein, the incorporation of S in the Sb2Se3 absorber layer evaporated from a CdS buffer layer during vapor transport deposition (VTD) process, and its further self‐activated diffusion at the interface upon ambient storage is explored. For the gradient indium tin oxide (ITO)/CdS/Sb2(S,Se)3/Sb2Se3/Au solar cell, the large bandgap Sb2(S,Se)3 at the heterojunction side contributes to high VOC, while the narrow bandgap Sb2Se3 at the top side confirms high JSC. Sulfur diffusion at the CdS/Sb2Se3 interface also improves the junction quality with an enlarged Vbi, reduced interfacial defects and recombination loss, thus improving VOC from 393 to 430 mV. Such VOC represents the highest value for that of thermally deposited Sb2Se3 solar cells. The champion device also delivers an interesting efficiency of 7.49%. This research provides substantial guidance in exploring efficient approaches to improve the performance of Sb2Se3 solar cells.
Spatial thinking in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics: Elementary teachers' beliefs, perceptions, and self‐efficacy
Authors: Gagnier Kristin Michod , Holochwost Steven J. , Fisher Kelly R.
Published: August 2021

Fostering students' spatial thinking skills holds great promise for improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Recent efforts have focused on the development of classroom interventions to build students' spatial skills, yet these interventions will be implemented by teachers, and their beliefs and perceptions about spatial thinking influence the effectiveness of such interventions. However, our understanding of elementary school teachers' beliefs and perceptions around spatial thinking and STEM is in its infancy. Thus, we created novel measures to survey elementary teachers' anxiety in solving spatial problems, beliefs in the importance of spatial thinking skills for students' academic success, and self‐efficacy in cultivating students' spatial skills during science instruction. All measures exhibited high internal consistency and showed that elementary teachers experience low anxiety when solving spatial problems and feel strongly that their skills can improve with practice. Teachers were able to identify educational problems that rely on spatial problem‐solving and believed that spatial skills are more important for older compared to younger students. Despite reporting high efficacy in their general teaching and science teaching, teachers reported significantly lower efficacy in their capacities to cultivate students' spatial skills during science instruction. Results were fairly consistent across teacher characteristics (e.g., years of experience and teaching role as generalist or specialist) with the exception that only years of teaching science was related to teachers' efficacy in cultivating students' spatial thinking skills during science instruction. Results are discussed within the broader context of teacher beliefs, self‐efficacy, and implications for professional development research.
Unleashing the power of NK cells in anticancer immunotherapy
Authors: Vogler Meike , Shanmugalingam Senthan , Särchen Vinzenz , Reindl Lisa Marie , Grèze Victoria , Buchinger Leon , Kühn Michael , Ullrich Evelyn
Published: August 2021

Due to their physiological role in removing damaged cells, natural killer (NK) cells represent ideal candidates for cellular immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer. Thereby, the cytotoxicity of NK cells is regulated by signals on both, the NK cells as well as the targeted tumor cells, and the interplay and balance of these signals determine the killing capacity of NK cells. One promising avenue in cancer treatment is therefore the combination of NK cell therapy with agents that either help to increase the killing capacity of NK cells or sensitize tumor cells to an NK cell-mediated attack. In this mini-review, we present different strategies that can be explored to unleash the potential of NK cell immunotherapy. In particular, we summarize how modulation of apoptosis signaling within tumor cells can be exploited to sensitize tumor cells to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
The diarrhetic shellfish-poisoning toxin, okadaic acid, provokes gastropathy, dysbiosis and susceptibility to bacterial infection in a non-rodent bioassay, Galleria mellonella
Authors: Emery Helena , Traves William , Rowley Andrew F. , Coates Christopher J.
Published: August 2021

Diarrhetic shellfish-poisoning (DSP) toxins such as okadaic acid and dinophysistoxins harm the human gastrointestinal tract, and therefore, their levels are regulated to an upper limit of 160 μg per kg tissue to protect consumers. Rodents are used routinely for risk assessment and studies concerning mechanisms of toxicity, but there is a general move toward reducing and replacing vertebrates for these bioassays. We have adopted insect larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella as a surrogate toxicology model. We treated larvae with environmentally relevant doses of okadaic acid (80–400 μg/kg) via intrahaemocoelic injection or gavage to determine marine toxin-related health decline: (1) whether pre-exposure to a sub-lethal dose of toxin (80 μg/kg) enhances susceptibility to bacterial infection, or (2) alters tissue pathology and bacterial community (microbiome) composition of the midgut. A sub-lethal dose of okadaic acid (80 μg/kg) followed 24 h later by bacterial inoculation (2 × 105Escherichia coli) reduced larval survival levels to 47%, when compared to toxin (90%) or microbial challenge (73%) alone. Histological analysis of the midgut depicted varying levels of tissue disruption, including nuclear aberrations associated with cell death (karyorrhexis, pyknosis), loss of organ architecture, and gross epithelial displacement into the lumen. Moreover, okadaic acid presence in the midgut coincided with a shift in the resident bacterial population over time in that substantial reductions in diversity (Shannon) and richness (Chao-1) indices were observed at 240 μg toxin per kg. Okadaic acid-induced deterioration of the insect alimentary canal resembles those changes reported for rodent bioassays.
Toward Inclusive Landscape Governance in Contested Landscapes: Exploring the Contribution of Participatory Tools in the Upper Suriname River Basin
Authors: Best Lisa , Fung-Loy Kimberley , Ilahibaks Nafiesa , Ramirez-Gomez Sara O. I. , Speelman Erika N.
Published: August 2021

Nowadays, tropical forest landscapes are commonly characterized by a multitude of interacting institutions and actors with competing land-use interests. In these settings, indigenous and tribal communities are often marginalized in landscape-level decision making. Inclusive landscape governance inherently integrates diverse knowledge systems, including those of indigenous and tribal communities. Increasingly, geo-information tools are recognized as appropriate tools to integrate diverse interests and legitimize the voices, values, and knowledge of indigenous and tribal communities in landscape governance. In this paper, we present the contribution of the integrated application of three participatory geo-information tools to inclusive landscape governance in the Upper Suriname River Basin in Suriname: (i) Participatory 3-Dimensional Modelling, (ii) the Trade-off! game, and (iii) participatory scenario planning. The participatory 3-dimensional modelling enabled easy participation of community members, documentation of traditional, tacit knowledge and social learning. The Trade-off! game stimulated capacity building and understanding of land-use trade-offs. The participatory scenario planning exercise helped landscape actors to reflect on their own and others’ desired futures while building consensus. Our results emphasize the importance of systematically considering tool attributes and key factors, such as facilitation, for participatory geo-information tools to be optimally used and fit with local contexts. The results also show how combining the tools helped to build momentum and led to diverse yet complementary insights, thereby demonstrating the benefits of integrating multiple tools to address inclusive landscape governance issues.
Pharmacokinetics and safety of niraparib in patients with moderate hepatic impairment
Authors: Akce Mehmet , El-Khoueiry Anthony , Piha-Paul Sarina A. , Bacque Emeline , Pan Peng , Zhang Zhi-Yi , Ewesuedo Reginald , Gupta Divya , Tang Yongqiang , Milton Ashley , Zajic Stefan , Judson Patricia L. , O’Bryant Cindy L.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to characterize niraparib pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety in patients with normal hepatic function (NHF) versus moderate hepatic impairment (MHI).

Methods

Patients with advanced solid tumors were stratified by NHF or MHI (National Cancer Institute-Organ Dysfunction Working Group criteria [bilirubin > 1.5–3 × upper limit of normal and any aspartate aminotransferase elevation]). In the PK phase, all patients received one 300 mg dose of niraparib. In the extension phase, patients with MHI received niraparib 200 mg daily; patients with NHF received 200 or 300 mg based on weight (< 77 kg, ≥ 77 kg)/platelets (< 150,000/µL, ≥ 150,000/µL). PK parameters included maximum concentration (Cmax), area under the curve to last measured concentration (AUClast) and extrapolated to infinity (AUCinf). Safety was assessed in both phases. Exposure–response (E–R) modeling was used to predict MHI effects on exposure and safety of niraparib doses ≤ 200 mg or 300/200 mg or 200/100 mg weight/platelet regimens.

Results

In the PK phase (NHF, n = 9; MHI, n = 8), mean niraparib Cmax was 7% lower in patients with MHI versus NHF. Mean exposure (AUClast, AUCinf) was increased by 45% and 56%, respectively, in patients with MHI without impacting tolerability. In the extension phase (NHF, n = 8; MHI, n = 7), the overall safety profile was consistent with previous trials. In patients with MHI, E–R modeling predicted niraparib 200 mg reduced Grade ≥ 3 thrombocytopenia incidence, whereas a 200/100 mg regimen yielded exposures below efficacy-associated levels in 15% of patients.

Conclusion

These findings support adjusting the 300 mg niraparib starting dose to 200 mg QD in patients with MHI.

Trial registration

NCT03359850; registered December 2, 2017
The association of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and the response to different stressors in healthy males
Authors: Kuhn Leandra , Noack Hannes , Skoluda Nadine , Wagels Lisa , Röhr Ann-Kristin , Schulte Christina , Eisenkolb Sana , Nieratschker Vanessa , Derntl Birgit , Habel Ute
Published: August 2021

The experience of stress is related to individual wellbeing and vulnerability to psychopathology. Therefore, understanding the determinants of individual differences in stress reactivity is of great concern from a clinical perspective. The functional promotor polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR/rs25531) is such a factor, which has been linked to the acute stress response as well as the adverse effect of life stressors. In the present study, we compared the impact of two different stress induction protocols (Maastricht Acute Stress Test and ScanSTRESS) and the respective control conditions on affective ratings, salivary cortisol levels and cognitive performance. To this end, 156 healthy young males were tested and genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphism. While combined physiological and psychological stress in the MAST led to a greater cortisol increase compared to control conditions as well as the psychosocial ScanSTRESS, subjective stress ratings were highest in the ScanSTRESS condition. Stress induction in general affected working memory capacity but not response inhibition. Subjective stress was also influenced by 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 genotype with the high expression group showing lower stress ratings than lower expression groups. In line with previous research, we identified the low expression variant of the serotonin transporter gene as a risk factor for increased stress reactivity. While some dimensions of the human stress response may be stressor specific, cognitive outcomes such as working memory performance are influenced by stress in general. Different pathways of stress processing and possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.
Global drought monitoring with drought severity index (DSI) using Google Earth Engine
Authors: Khan Ramla , Gilani Hammad
Published: August 2021

Unlike most disasters, drought does not appear abruptly. It slowly builds over time due to the changes in different environmental and climatological factors. It is one of the deadly disasters that has plagued almost every region of the globe since early civilization. Droughts are scientifically being studied with the help of either simple or composite indices. At 500-m spatial resolution, this study presents global scale drought severity index (DSI), a composite index using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), 8-day temporal resolution evapotranspiration (ET), potential evapotranspiration (PET), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). This index is mainly used to identify meteorological droughts and also has proven reliable for studying agriculture droughts. In this study, Google Earth Engine (GEE), a cloud-based geospatial data computational platform, is used for drought mapping and monitoring from 2001 to 2019. For annual DSI spatial maps, the statistical median is computed ranging from − 1 to + 1, which means drought struck or dry regions have values closer to negative, and wet zones have values near to positive. For the validity of DSI results, the findings are compared with available records of droughts struck in previous years. This study declares that continent-wise, Australia, Africa, and Asia have the most extreme and frequent drought events while South America and North America come a close second. Europe is the least affected by this particular weather event when compared to other continents.
A phase II study of FOLFIRINOX with primary prophylactic pegfilgrastim for chemotherapy-naïve Japanese patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer
Authors: Sasaki Mitsuhito , Ueno Hideki , Mitsunaga Shuichi , Ohba Akihiro , Hosoi Hiroko , Kobayashi Satoshi , Ueno Makoto , Terazawa Tetsuji , Goto Masahiro , Inoue Dai , Namiki Shin , Sakamoto Yasunari , Kondo Shunsuke , Morizane Chigusa , Ikeda Masafumi , Okusaka Takuji
Published: August 2021

Background

Although FOLFIRINOX is currently one of the standard therapies for chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC), the high rate of febrile neutropenia (FN) presents a clinical problem. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of primary prophylactic pegfilgrastim with FOLFIRINOX in Japanese MPC patients.

Methods

FOLFIRINOX (intravenous oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, irinotecan 180 mg/m2, levofolinate 200 mg/m2, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) bolus 400 mg/m2and 5-FU 46 h infusion 2400 mg/m2) and pegfilgrastim 3.6 mg on day 4 or 5, every 2 weeks was administered to previously untreated MPC patients. The primary endpoint was the incidence of FN during the first 3 cycles. The planned sample size was 35 patients, but the trial was predefined to discontinue enrollment for safety if 4 patients developed FN.

Results

At the enrollment of 22 patients, 4 patients developed FN in the first cycle, resulting in an incidence of FN of 18% {95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5–40.3%}, and enrollment was discontinued early. The incidence of grade 3 or higher neutropenia was 36.4%. Median relative dose intensities during the initial 3 cycles of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, bolus 5-FU, infusional 5-FU, and levofolinate maintained high (100%, 89.0%, 100%, 66.0%, and 100%, respectively). Response rate and median overall survival were 54.5% (95% CI 32.7–74.9) and 15.7 months (95% CI 7.9–18.8), respectively.

Conclusions

This phase II study could not demonstrate any reduction in the incidence of FN, nevertheless some patients experience benefits for efficacy by maintaining dose intensity using prophylactic pegfilgrastim.

Trial registration

http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index-j.htm, UMIN000017538. Date of registration: May/13/2015
How Does the Choice of the Lower Boundary Conditions in Large-Eddy Simulations Affect the Development of Dispersive Fluxes Near the Surface?
Authors: Wanner Luise , De Roo Frederik , Sühring Matthias , Mauder Matthias
Published: August 2021

Large-eddy simulations (LES) are an important tool for investigating the longstanding energy-balance-closure problem, as they provide continuous, spatially-distributed information about turbulent flow at a high temporal resolution. Former LES studies reproduced an energy-balance gap similar to the observations in the field typically amounting to 10–30% for heights on the order of 100 m in convective boundary layers even above homogeneous surfaces. The underestimation is caused by dispersive fluxes associated with large-scale turbulent organized structures that are not captured by single-tower measurements. However, the gap typically vanishes near the surface, i.e. at typical eddy-covariance measurement heights below 20 m, contrary to the findings from field measurements. In this study, we aim to find a LES set-up that can represent the correct magnitude of the energy-balance gap close to the surface. Therefore, we use a nested two-way coupled LES, with a fine grid that allows us to resolve fluxes and atmospheric structures at typical eddy-covariance measurement heights of 20 m. Under different stability regimes we compare three different options for lower boundary conditions featuring grassland and forest surfaces, i.e. (1) prescribed surface fluxes, (2) a land-surface model, and (3) a land-surface model in combination with a resolved canopy. We show that the use of prescribed surface fluxes and a land-surface model yields similar dispersive heat fluxes that are very small near the vegetation top for both grassland and forest surfaces. However, with the resolved forest canopy, dispersive heat fluxes are clearly larger, which we explain by a clear impact of the resolved canopy on the relationship between variance and flux–variance similarity functions.
Climate and monetary policy: do temperature shocks lead to inflationary pressures?
Authors: Mukherjee K. , Ouattara B.
Published: August 2021

In the race towards economic growth, increased pollutant emissions have spurred the rise in global surface temperatures, intensifying the process of climate change. While the existing literature on the economic impact of climate-related variables has looked at outcomes such as growth, income, fiscal response, and poverty, the effect of temperature shocks on inflation has largely been neglected. This paper is an attempt to fill this lacuna. Indeed, we analyze the dynamic impact of temperature shocks on inflation, a key policy variable of most central banks. We use a panel-VAR method with fixed-effects and a sample of developed and developing countries over the period 1961–2014. Our results suggest that temperature shocks lead to inflationary pressures. Worryingly, and for developing countries in particular, we find that these effects persist several years after the initial shock. Our finding remained unaltered by various robustness checks. We show that these effects pose a threat to monetary policy making. We argue that central banks should pay more attention to temperature shocks.
Social media as author-audience games
Authors: Ribeiro Andre F.
Published: August 2021

We present an approach for the prediction of user authorship and feedback behavior with shared content. We consider that users use models of other users and their feedback to choose what to publish next. We look at the problem as a game between authors and audiences and relate it to current content-based user modeling solutions with no prior strategic models. As applications, we consider the large-scale authorship of Wikipedia pages, movies and food recipes. We demonstrate analytic properties, authorship and feedback prediction results, and an overall framework to study content authorship regularities in social media.
Active biological mechanisms: transforming energy into motion in molecular motors
Authors: Bechtel William , Bollhagen Andrew
Published: August 2021

Unless one embraces activities as foundational, understanding activities in mechanisms requires an account of the means by which entities in biological mechanisms engage in their activities—an account that does not merely explain activities in terms of more basic entities and activities. Recent biological research on molecular motors (myosin and kinesin) exemplifies such an account, one that explains activities in terms of free energy and constraints. After describing the characteristic “stepping” activities of these molecules and mapping the stages of those steps onto the stages of the motors’ hydrolytic cycles, researchers pieced together from images of the molecules in different hydrolyzation states accounts of how the chemical energy in ATP is transformed in the constrained environments of the motors into the characteristic activities of the motors. We argue that New Mechanism’s standard set of analytic categories—entities (parts), activities (operations), and organization—should be expanded to include constraints and energetics. Not only is such an expansion required descriptively to capture research on molecular motors but, more importantly from a philosophical point of view, it enables a non-regressive account of activities in mechanisms. In other words, this expansion enables a philosophical account of mechanistic explanation that avoids a regress of entities and activities “all the way down.” Rather, mechanistic explanation bottoms out in constraints and energetics.
3D mechanical earth model for optimized wellbore stability, a case study from South of Iraq
Authors: Abdulaziz Abdulaziz M. , Abdulridha Hayder L. , Dahab Abdel Sattar A. , Alhussainy Shaban , Abbas Ahmed K.
Published: August 2021

Wellbore instability issues represent the most critical problems in Iraq Southern fields. These problems, such as hole collapse, tight hole and stuck pipe result in tremendous increasing in the nonproductive time (NPT) and well costs. The present study introduced a calibrated three-dimensional mechanical earth model (3DMEM) for the X-field in the South of Iraq. This post-drill model can be used to conduct a comprehensive geomechanical analysis of the trouble zones from Sadi Formation to Zubair Reservoir. A one-dimensional mechanical earth model (1DMEM) was constructed using Well logs, mechanical core tests, pressure measurements, drilling reports, and mud logs. Mohr–Coulomb and Mogi–Coulomb failure criteria determined the possibility of wellbore deformation. Then, the 1DMEMs were interpolated to construct a three-dimensional mechanical earth model (3DMEM). 3DMEM indicated relative heterogeneity in rock properties and field stresses between the southern and northern of the studied field. The shale intervals revealed prone to failure more than others, with a relatively high Poisson's ratio, low Young's modulus, low friction angle, and low rock strength. The best orientation for directional Wells is 140° clockwise from the North. Vertical and slightly inclined Wells (less than 40°) are more stable than the high angle directional Wells. This integration between 1 and 3DMEM enables anticipating the subsurface conditions for the proactive design and drilling of new Wells. However, the geomechanics investigations still have uncertainty due to unavailability of enough calibrating data, especially which related with maximum horizontal stresses magnitudes.
Obesity as a Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19: Summary of the Best Evidence and Implications for Health Care
Authors: Sattar Naveed , Valabhji Jonathan
Published: August 2021

Purpose of Review

To collate the best evidence from several strands—epidemiological, genetic, comparison with historical data and mechanistic information—and ask whether obesity is an important causal and potentially modifiable risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Recent Findings

Several hundred studies provide powerful evidence that body mass index (BMI) is a strong linear risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes, with recent studies suggesting ~5-10% higher risk for COVID-19 hospitalisation per every kg/m2 higher BMI. Genetic data concur with hazard ratios increasing by 14% per every kg/m2 higher BMI. BMI to COVID-19 links differ markedly from prior BMI-infection associations and are further supported as likely causal by multiple biologically plausible pathways.

Excess adiposity appears to be an important, modifiable risk factor for adverse COVID-19 outcomes across all ethnicities. The pandemic is also worsening obesity levels. It is imperative that medical systems worldwide meet this challenge by upscaling investments in obesity prevention and treatments.
Vision-based positioning system for auto-docking of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)
Authors: Volden Øystein , Stahl Annette , Fossen Thor I.
Published: August 2021

This paper presents an independent stereo-vision based positioning system for docking operations. The low-cost system consists of an object detector and different 3D reconstruction techniques. To address the challenge of robust detections in an unstructured and complex outdoor environment, a learning-based object detection model is proposed. The system employs a complementary modular approach that uses data-driven methods, utilizing data wherever required and traditional computer vision methods when the scope and complexity of the environment are reduced. Both, monocular and stereo-vision based methods are investigated for comparison. Furthermore, easily identifiable markers are utilized to obtain reference points, thus simplifying the localization task. A small unmanned surface vehicle (USV) with a LiDAR-based positioning system was exploited to verify that the proposed vision-based positioning system produces accurate measurements under various docking scenarios. Field experiments have proven that the developed system performs well and can supplement the traditional navigation system for safety-critical docking operations.
Estimating the degree of market power in the vegetable market in Japan
Authors: Sano Yuki , Sato Takeshi , Kawasaki Kentaro , Suzuki Nobuhiro , Kaiser Harry M.
Published: August 2021

To adequately capture the market structure of vegetables in Japan, it is necessary to develop an oligopolistic model due to the potential market power of producers vs. retailers. We first estimate the market power between producers and retailers by extending the bilateral oligopoly model. Next, we evaluate the role of the wholesale market and its effect on economic welfare. Our results indicate that the wholesale market benefits both producers and consumers through a reduction in retail margins. This study contributes to the industrial organization literature by developing a bilateral oligopoly model and empirically measuring the wholesale market system in Japan.
Depression, anxiety, psychotropic drugs, and acute myocardial infarction: large prospective study of United Kingdom women
Authors: Parkin Lianne , Balkwill Angela , Green Jane , Reeves Gillian K. , Beral Valerie , Floud Sarah ,   for the Million Women Study Collaborators
Published: August 2021

Background

Reported associations between depression and myocardial infarction in some studies might be explained by use of psychotropic drugs, residual confounding, and/or reverse causation (whereby heart disease precedes depression). We investigated these hypotheses in a large prospective study of UK women with no previous vascular disease.

Methods

At baseline in median year 2001 (IQR 2001–2003), Million Women Study participants reported whether or not they were currently being treated for depression or anxiety, their self-rated health, and medication use during the previous 4 weeks. Follow-up was through linkage to national hospital admission and mortality databases. Cox regression yielded adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the first myocardial infarction event in those reporting treatment for depression or anxiety (subdivided by whether or not the treatment was with psychotropic drugs) v. not, and stratified by self-reported health and length of follow-up.

Results

During mean follow-up of 13.9 years of 690 335 women (mean age 59.8 years) with no prior heart disease, stroke, transient ischaemic attack, or cancer, 12 819 had a first hospital admission or death from myocardial infarction. The aHRs for those reporting treatment for depression or anxiety with, and without, regular use of psychotropic drugs were 0.96 (95% CI 0.89–1.03) and 0.99 (0.89–1.11), respectively. No associations were found separately in women who reported being in good/excellent or poor/fair health or by length of follow-up.

Conclusion

The null findings in this large prospective study are consistent with depression not being an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction.
An anarchical society (of fascist states): Theorising illiberal solidarism
Authors: Allen Kye J.
Published: August 2021

While scholars within the English School have increasingly approached the traditionally liberal concept of solidarism in a normatively agnostic fashion, the idea of an ‘illiberal solidarism’ and historical manifestations thereof remain underexplored. One notable case in point surrounds the peculiar body of Italian interwar international thought, herein referred to as ‘international Fascism’. By discerning a synchronic outline of international Fascism, alongside the manner by which this project mutated and ultimately failed as it transformed from a vision theorised in the abstract to a practical initiative under the auspices of the Fascist regime, this article offers historical and theoretical insights into the realisability of illiberal forms of solidarism. Combining this historical account with theoretical insights derived from Reus-Smit's study on international order under conditions of cultural diversity, this article argues that the realisation of some form of solidarism necessitates the acceptance of a substantive pluralist component. Yet messianic illiberal visions that endeavour to retain the states-system, while simultaneously asserting the superiority of one community or a highly exclusionary vision of the ‘good life’, ostensibly lack the capacity to reconcile the contradictions inherent in efforts to universalise such projects.
Adenovirus pneumonia should not be overlooked in immunocompetent youths and adults
Authors: Zhao Bo , Yang TengFei , Zheng Rui
Published: August 2021

Adenovirus pneumonia can occur in immunocompetent youths and adults. We conducted a retrospective analysis on five immunocompetent patients (aged ⩾14 years) with adenovirus pneumonia who visited our fever clinic between 1 February 2020 and 29 February 2020. The symptoms at clinical onset were fever, with cough and phlegm production either absent or appearing several days after disease onset. One patient with severe disease exhibited dyspnoea and a rapid development of respiratory failure. A subset of patients had concurrent gastrointestinal symptoms. The results of blood tests revealed normal leukocyte counts, decreased lymphocyte counts and increased C-reactive protein levels. The imaging findings resembled those of bacterial pneumonia, and pleural effusions were present in some cases. Most patients had a good prognosis with symptomatic treatment and supportive care. However, one patient with severe disease and a MuLBSTA score of >12 had a poor prognosis and ultimately died. Immunocompetent youths and adults may develop adenovirus pneumonia, and severe cases are at the risk of death. Since no effective treatments for adenovirus pneumonia are currently known, the early diagnosis and provision of symptomatic treatment and supportive care should be adopted to prevent the development and progression of severe disease.
Toxigenic Clostridium difficile-mediated diarrhoea in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in-patients: rapid diagnosis and efficient treatment
Authors: Khodaparast Sepideh , Mohabati Mobarez Ashraf , Khoramabadi Nima , Vasei Mohammad , Saberifiroozi Mehdi
Published: August 2021

Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are susceptible to any kind of infectious agents including Clostridium difficile. We studied 86 allogenic-HSCT patients who faced diarrhoea while receiving antibiotics. DNA from stool samples were explored for the presence of C. difficile toxin genes (tcdA; tcdB) by multiplex real-time PCR. Results showed nine toxigenic C. difficile amongst which seven were positive for both toxins and two were positive for tcdB. Six of toxigenic C. difficile organisms harbouring both toxin genes were also isolated by toxigenic culture. Clostridium difficile infection was controlled successfully with oral Metronidazole and Vancomycin in the confirmed infected patients.
Vitamin D levels in children with COVID-19: a report from Turkey
Authors: Alpcan Aysegul , Tursun Serkan , Kandur Yaşar
Published: August 2021

Several studies have demonstrated that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with better prognosis and outcomes in infectious diseases. We aimed to compare the vitamin D levels of paediatric patients with mild/moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease and a healthy control group. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were hospitalised at our university hospital with the diagnosis of COVID-19 during the period between 25 May 2020 and 24 December 2020. The mean age of the COVID-19 patients was 10.7 ± 5.5 years (range 1–18 years); 43 (57.3%) COVID-19 patients were male. The mean serum vitamin D level was significantly lower in the COVID-19 group than the control group (21.5 ± 10.0vs. 28.0 ± 11.0 IU,P< 0.001). The proportion of patients with vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than the control group (44%vs.17.5%,P< 0.001). Patients with low vitamin D levels were older than the patients with normal vitamin D levels (11.6 ± 4.9vs.6.2 ± 1.8 years,P= 0.016). There was a significant male preponderance in the normal vitamin D group compared with the low vitamin D group (91.7%vs.50.8%,P= 0.03). C-reactive protein level was higher in the low vitamin D group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (9.6 ± 2.2vs.4.5 ± 1.6 mg/l,P= 0.074). Our study provides an insight into the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 for future studies. Empiric intervention with vitamin D can be justified by low serum vitamin D levels.
Examining the Intricacies of Ozone Removal by Deciduous Forests
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: August 2021

A new study looks into how air movement in the atmospheric boundary layer affects ozone removal by deciduous forests, which are a significant ozone sink.
Crustal Groundwater Volumes Greater Than Previously Thought
Authors: Ferguson Grant , McIntosh Jennifer C. , Warr Oliver , Sherwood Lollar Barbara , Ballentine Christopher J. , Famiglietti James S. , Kim Ji‐Hyun , Michalski Joseph R. , Mustard John F. , Tarnas Jesse , McDonnell Jeffrey J.
Published: August 2021

Global groundwater volumes in the upper 2 km of the Earth's continental crust—critical for water security—are well estimated. Beyond these depths, a vast body of largely saline and non‐potable groundwater exists down to at least 10 km—a volume that has not yet been quantified reliably at the global scale. Here, we estimate the amount of groundwater present in the upper 10 km of the Earth's continental crust by examining the distribution of sedimentary and crystalline rocks with depth and applying porosity‐depth relationships. We demonstrate that groundwater in the 2–10 km zone (what we call “deep groundwater”) has a volume comparable to that of groundwater in the upper 2 km of the Earth's crust. These new estimates make groundwater the largest continental reservoir of water, ahead of ice sheets, provide a basis to quantify geochemical cycles, and constrain the potential for large‐scale isolation of waste fluids.
North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) Climate Index Hidden in Ocean Generated Secondary Microseisms
Authors: Le Pape Florian , Bean Christopher J.
Published: August 2021

With the role of surface winds in the generation of ocean waves, secondary microseisms induced by ocean wave‐wave interactions represent a unique interconnection between the solid Earth, the ocean and global atmospheric circulation patterns. In this study, temporal changes in the ocean generated seismic wavefield in Northeast Atlantic are monitored offshore West of Ireland using ocean bottom seismometers located on top of a thick sedimentary basin. Comparisons with numerical seismic simulations and ocean wave model hindcast data suggest those variations are correlated with changing patterns in ocean wave‐wave interactions closely linked to secondary microseism generation areas. Here we show how those changes, accentuated by the specific structure of the Irish offshore margin, reveal the signature of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in the Earth’s background seismic wavefield. In the North Atlantic, secondary microseism sources likely fluctuate with the changing storm track in response to variations in the NAO.
Do Sudden Stratospheric Warmings Boost Convective Activity in the Tropics?
Authors: Yoshida Kohei , Mizuta Ryo
Published: August 2021

The impact of sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) on the tropical troposphere is investigated using 5000‐years scale ensemble simulations with a 60‐km global atmospheric model to detect signals from large natural variability of convection. Stratospheric temperature and static stability decrease in the tropics, and convective activity peaks simultaneously with the tropical upwelling. Tropical cyclone intensity and accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) show a weak but statistically robust enhancement of 5% and 9%, respectively, relative to the December–March climatology. However, the relative probability of the largest 10% of ACE anomalies increases by about 30%. Extratropical waves toward the tropical troposphere, which can alter convective activity, do not show a strong systematic variation during SSWs, and no significant association with convective activity is found if the sample size is large enough.
Convection Initiation Associated With Ambient Winds and Local Circulations Over a Tropical Island in South China
Authors: Zhu Lei , Bai Lanqiang , Chen Guixing , Sun Y. Qiang , Meng Zhiyong
Published: August 2021

Convection is highly active on tropical islands. Based on a 3‐year radar climatology over Hainan Island, a mountainous tropical island in South China, we identified a distinct spatial dependence of convection initiation (CI) on the speed of the large‐scale low‐level flow. Convection initiates most prominently over the lee‐side plains in high‐wind conditions while over mountains in low‐wind conditions. Quasi‐idealized numerical simulations suggest that mountain ridges stimulate the formation and growth of horizontal convective rolls (HCRs) over the lee‐side plains in high‐wind conditions. These HCRs subsequently intersect with sea‐breeze fronts, which enhances the low‐level convergence favoring CI on the lee‐side plains of the island. During low‐wind conditions, thermally driven circulations control and favor CI over the mountains during the day. The findings highlight that the response of local circulations to the lower‐troposphere ambient flow and diurnal thermal heating is an important aspect of convection initiation on the island.
Oceanic Supply of Ice‐Nucleating Particles and Its Effect on Ice Cloud Formation: A Case Study in the Arctic Ocean During a Cold‐Air Outbreak in Early Winter
Authors: Inoue Jun , Tobo Yutaka , Taketani Fumikazu , Sato Kazutoshi
Published: August 2021

The relationship between cloud phase, ice‐nucleating particles (INPs), and ocean state is vital in climate system modeling. High wave conditions induced by the Arctic sea‐ice decline and intensified atmospheric forcing over the ice‐free ocean increase dynamical geochemical oceanic mixing and sea spray supply containing organic substances, which could act as INPs promoting formation of lower tropospheric ice‐containing clouds. Here, we show that the surface ocean state regulates INP concentration and ice cloud presence in the boundary layer. Arctic research cruise data from the marginal ice zone in the Chukchi Sea in November 2018 revealed high number concentrations of INPs active greater than °C and ice‐containing clouds under high wave conditions. Chemical analysis revealed high contents of organic carbon and sea salt that coincided with the increased oceanic turbidity. The findings suggest that elevated levels of marine organics will contribute to modification of cloud phase from liquid droplets to ice crystals.