bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The foundations and prerequisites of imagology
Authors:   Moscow Pedagogical State University, Trykov Valerii P.
Published: February 2021

The article examines the conceptual foundations and scientific, sociocultural and philosophical prerequisites of imagology, the field of interdisciplinary research in humanitaristics, the subject of which is the image of the “Other” (foreign country, people, culture, etc.). It is shown that the imagology appeared as a response to the crisis of comparatives of the mid-20th century, with a special role in the formation of its methodology played by the German comparatist scientist H. Dyserinck and his Aachen School. The article analyzes the influence on the formation of the imagology of post-structuralist and constructivist ideological-thematic complex (auto-reference of language, discursive history, construction of social reality, etc.), linguistic and cultural turn in the West in the 1960s. Shown is that, extrapolated to national issues, this set of ideas and approaches has led to a transition from the essentialist concept of the nation to the concept of a nation as an “imaginary community” or an intellectual construct. A fundamental difference in approaches to the study of an image of the “Other” in traditional comparativism and imagology, which arises from a different understanding of the nation, has been distinguished. It is concluded that the imagology studies the image of the “Other” primarily in its manipulative, socio-ideological function, i.e., as an important tool for the formation and transformation of national and cultural identity. The article identifies ideological, socio-political factors that prepared the birth of the imagology and ensured its development in western Humanities (fear of possible recurrences of extreme nationalism and fascism in post-war Europe, the EU project, which set the task of forming a pan-European identity). It is concluded that the imagology, on the one hand, has actualized an important field of scientific research — the study of the image of the “Other”, but, on the other hand, in the broader cultural and historical perspective, marked a departure not only from the traditions of comparativism and historical poetics, but also from the humanist tradition of the European culture, becoming part of a manipulative dominant strategy in the West. To the culture of “incorporation” into a “foreign word” in order to understand it, preserve it and to ensure a genuine dialogue of cultures, the imagology has contrasted the social engineering and the technology of active “designing” a new identity.
“I reduce the history to a man”: “Zinc boys” by Svetlana Aleksievich
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Nichiporov Ilya B.
Published: February 2021

The article is devoted to “Zinc boys” by Svetlana Aleksievich as a phenomenon of documentary fiction. The problems of the work, the image of the narrator, and the organization of the character world are considered. We are talking about the positions of the “witnesses” of history, their views on the war in Afghanistan and the present of the 1980s, as well as the reception of this text by the public consciousness of the 90s.
The plot structure in the Gothic text (the case of E.G. Swain’s “The Indian lampshade”)
Authors:   Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Burtseva Marina A. , Burtsev Anatoly A.
Published: February 2021

The article studies the plot of the story of E.G. Swain “Indian Lampshade” in accordance with the four-phase model of the plot development of the literary text. Consistently distinguished four phases. Phase of isolation including a detailed description of the hero — priest Batchel in accordance with his value orientation and lifestyle. The partnership phase — the priest’s meeting with the evening guest and ghosts, which alternately appear in the mirror image as well as the situation of trying a new life behavior, which turns into a series of mystical trials for the hero. The phase of the encounter with death including the spectacle of death, the detection of objects that are evidence of a fatal crime as well as the behavior of the priest in the light of unraveling the secrets of the crime, which is very important for revealing the image of the protagonist and anticipating the final phase of the transformation of the hero in a new quality of life that takes place, first of all, psychologically. Analysis of the work of the English writer E.G. Swain on the basis of classic plot schemes allows us to confirm the thesis that the genre of the Gothic story arises on the basis of already mastered material and represents “the condensation of large forms”, in this case the Gothic novel.
From the history of relationships between A.K. Voronsky and S.A. Yesenin
Authors:   Gorky Institute of World Literature  of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Malygina Nina M.
Published: February 2021

The article proves it that A.K. Voronsky’s role in the fate of S.A. Yesenin was determined by the fact that the latter was an author of “Krasnaya Nov’” journal. It was clear to Voronsky that the popularity of the journal depended on that it carried Yesenin’s works as well as materials relating to them. Those circumstances predetermined the intensity of the communication between Voronsky and Yesenin in 1923–1925. The nature of the critic’s attitude to Yesenin is evidenced by the high assessment of Esenin’s works in a number of Voronsky’s monographic reviews about the poet. Voronsky also contributed to that the collected works of S.A. Yesenin be published. Voronsky’s participation in Yesenin’s fate deepened the conflict between the editor of “Krasnaya Nov’” and the ‘napostovtsy’, which ended in Voronsky’s defeat. The analysis of the creative relationships between Voronsky and Yesenin makes it possible to update the biographies of the poet and his leading critic of the 1920s.
The space of “the eternal house” in the creative history of M.A. Bulgakov’s novel “Master and Margarita”
Authors:   Moscow City Pedagogical University, Kolysheva Elena Yu.
Published: February 2021

One of the important questions in bulgakovian studies is connected with the space of “the eternal house”, peace, which the master had deserved. The author of this paper try to understand the writer’s intention based on a textual analysis of the novel. In our work, we rely on the system of editions of the novel that we have established and its main text, reflecting the last creative will of the author to the fullest extent [1]. The line “The Master – Margarita” is outlined in drafts of the 1931 novel and is developed in its second edition (1932–1936). The third (1936) and fourth (1937) editions are incomplete — they don’t have the episodes considered in this paper. Therefore, our study uses the texts of drafts of 1931, the second, fifth (last handwritten, 1937–1938) and the sixth (final, 1938–1940) editions of the novel. The draft texts are conveyed by dynamic transcription, which will make visible the process of writer’s work on the creation and allow us to see the formation of the author’s intention. Graphic conventions are used for this: a piece of text crossed out by the writer — [text]; an insert during the writing process — text; an insert crossed out — [text]; a later insert — {text}; a later insert crossed out — {text}; a conjecture — ; reliability of the transmitted author’s text — ; the end of a page and the transition to the next one are indicated by two straight vertical lines ||.
“… nominated to be torn apart by his environment…”: soviet writers about the Solomon Broyde case
Authors:   State Budgetary Institution of Culture  «M.A. Bulgakov Museum», Nazarov Ivan A.
Published: February 2021

The article focuses on the reaction of Soviet cultural figures to the case of writer Solomon Oskarovich Broyde. In the 1920s and 1930s, several novels and collections with little prose were published for the authorship of Broyde — later it became known that hired writers turned out to be the real authors of his books, and Broyde was certified by the domestic press as “literary Al Capone”. However, despite the convincing accusations against Broyde, several well-known Soviet writers (A.N. Tolstoy, A.N. Tikhonov, V.B. Shklovsky and others) appealed in 1934 to the Deputy Prosecutor General of the USSR A.Ya. Vyshinsky requested a mitigation of the sentence of Broyde and presented their views on the literary scandal.
On the 125th anniversary of S.A. Yesenin’s birth: from Paris to Konstantinovo
Authors:   Gorky Institute of World Literature of Russian Academy of Sciences, Shubnikova-Guseva Natalia I. , Nikolaeva Alla A.
Published: February 2021

The review provides information about the main scientific and cultural events in honor of the 125th anniversary of the birth of Sergei Alexandrovich Yesenin (1895–1925), which took place in 2020. Among them is an evening in Paris as part of the XI Days of Russian Books and Russian-language Literature and Russian Seasons in France; the International scientific symposium “Sergei Yesenin in the XXI century”, held in Moscow, Ryazan and Konstantinovo; the exhibitions “‘Live as the star leads you...’: to the 125th anniversary of the poet’s birth” (State museum of the history of Russian literature named after V.I. Dahl); “I never lie with my heart” (House-museum of F.I. Chalyapin). The main scientific event of the anniversary year was the release of the first issue of the Yesenin Encyclopedia — “Memorable places. Literary geography”, prepared in IWL RAS.
Septorinoplasti Hastalarında Postoperatif Analjezik Ajan Tercihleri: Retrospektif Analiz
Authors: TALİH Gamze , YÜKSEK Ahmet
Published: February 2021

AMAÇ: Bu çalışmada septorinoplasti yapılan hastalarda postoperatif analjezi için kullanılan non- opioid analjeziklerin opioid tüketimine etkisinin karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır.

GEREÇ VE YÖNTEM: Ocak 2019- Aralık 2019 tarihleri arasında septorinoplasti cerrahisi geçiren hastaların postoperatif analjezi kayıtları geriye dönük olarak incelenmiştir. Uygulanan analjezi yöntemi, analjezik ajan seçimi, opioid tüketimleri, visuel analog skorları (VAS), hasta memnuniyet skorları, bulantı-kusma gibi yan etkiler analiz edilmiştir.

BULGULAR: Çalışmaya 129 hasta dahil edilmiştir. Hastalar; parasetamol (n=38, grup 1), deksketoprofen trometamol (n=46, grup 2) ve intravenöz ibuprofen (n=45, grup 3) olmak üzere uygulanan analjezi protokolüne göre 3 gruba ayrılmıştır. Gruplar arasında yaş, cinsiyet anestezi süresi ve cerrahi süre açısından anlamlı bir fark görülmemiştir (p>0.05). Grup 1’in opioid tüketimi (271,97±54,82), grup 2 (197,00±50,60) ve grup 3’e (204,60±53,73) göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı yüksek bulunmuştur (p
A Molecular Interpretation of the Dynamics of Diffusive Mass Transport of Water Within a Glassy Polyetherimide
Authors: Correa Andrea , De Nicola Antonio , Scherillo Giuseppe , Loianno Valerio , Mallamace Domenico , Mallamace Francesco , Ito Hiroshi , Musto Pellegrino , Mensitieri Giuseppe
Published: February 2021

The diffusion process of water molecules within a polyetherimide (PEI) glassy matrix has been analyzed by combining the experimental analysis of water sorption kinetics performed by FTIR spectroscopy with theoretical information gathered from Molecular Dynamics simulations and with the expression of water chemical potential provided by a non-equilibrium lattice fluid model able to describe the thermodynamics of glassy polymers. This approach allowed to construct a convincing description of the diffusion mechanism of water in PEI providing molecular details of the process related to the effects of the cross- and self-hydrogen bondings established in the system on the dynamics of water mass transport.
Lifestyle Habits and Mental Health in Light of the Two COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Sweden, 2020
Authors: Blom Victoria , Lonn Amanda , Ekblom Björn , Kallings Lena.V. , Väisänen Daniel , Hemmingsson Erik , Andersson Gunnar , Wallin Peter , Stenling Andreas , Ekblom Örjan , Lindwall Magnus , Salier Eriksson Jane , Holmlund Tobias , Ekblom-Bak Elin
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a public health emergency of international concern, which may affect lifestyle habits and mental health. Based on national health profile assessments, this study investigates perceived changes of lifestyle habits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associations between perceived lifestyle changes and mental health in Swedish working adults. Among 5,599 individuals (50% women, 46.3 years), the majority reported no change (sitting 77%, daily physical activity 71%, exercise 69%, diet 87%, alcohol 90%, and smoking 97%) due to the pandemic. Changes were more pronounced during the first wave (April-June) compared to the second (October-December). Women, individuals <60 years, having a university degree, being white-collar workers and having unhealthy lifestyle habits at baseline had higher odds of changing lifestyle habits compared to their counterparts. Negative changes in lifestyle habits as well as more time in mentally passive sitting at home was associated with higher odds of mental ill-health (including health anxiety regarding one’s own and relatives’ health, generalized anxiety and depression symptoms, and concerns regarding employment and economy). The results em-phasize the need to support healthy lifestyle habits to strengthen the resilience in vulnerable groups of individuals to future viral pandemics, and prevent health inequalities in society.
Long-Term Iron and Vitamin B12 Deficiency are Present After Bariatric Surgery, Despite the Widespread Use of Supplements.
Authors: Lombardo Mauro , Franchi Arianna , Biolcati Rinaldi Roberto , Rizzo Giancluca , D'Adamo Monica , Guglielmi Valeria , Bellia Alfonso , Padua Elvira , Caprio Massimiliano , Sbraccia Paolo
Published: February 2021

Long-term nutritional studies in subjects undergoing bariatric surgery that have assessed weight regain and nutritional deficiencies are few. In this study, we report data 8 years after surgery on weight loss, use of dietary supplements and deficit of micronutrients in a cohort of patients from five centres in central and northern Italy. The study group consisted of 52 subjects (age: 38.1±10.6 yrs, 42 females): 16 patients had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), 25 patients sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and 11 subjects adjustable gastric banding (AGB). All three bariatric procedures led to sustained weight loss: average percentage excess weight loss, defined as weight loss divided by excess weight based on ideal body weight was 60.6%±32.3. 80.7% of subjects (72.7%, AGB; 76%, SG; 93.7%, RYGB) reported at least one nutritional deficiency: iron (F 64.3% vs. M 30%), vitamin B12 (F 16.6% vs. M 10%), calcium (F 33.3% vs. M 0%) and vitamin D (F 38.1% vs. M 60%). Average weight loss was constant in RYGB and SG subjects from the third year after surgery. Long-term nutritional deficiencies were greater than the general population among men for iron and among women for vitamin B12.
Autonomous Learning of New Environments With a Robotic Team Employing Hyper-Spectral Remote Sensing, Comprehensive In-Situ Sensing and Machine Learning
Authors: Lary David J. , Schaefer David , Waczak John , Aker Adam , Barbosa Aaron , Wijeratne Lakitha O.H. , Talebi Shawhin , Fernando Bharana , Sadler John , Lary Tatiana , Lary Matthew D.
Published: February 2021

This paper describes and demonstrates an autonomous robotic team that can rapidly learn the characteristics of environments that it has never seen before. The flexible paradigm is easily scalable to multi-robot, multi-sensor autonomous teams, and is relevant to satellite calibration/validation and the creation of new remote sensing data products. A case study is described for the rapid characterisation of the aquatic environment, over a period of just a few minutes we acquired thousands of training data points. This training data allowed our machine learning algorithms to rapidly learn by example and provide wide area maps of the composition of the environment. Along side these larger autonomous robots two smaller robots that can be deployed by a single individual were also deployed (a walking robot and a robotic hover-board), observing significant small scale spatial variability.
Houston Ship Channel Expansion Channel Improvement Project (ECIP) Numerical Modeling Report : Increased Channel Width Analysis
Authors: McAlpin Jennifer N. , Ross Cassandra G.
Published: February 2021

The Houston Ship Channel is one of the busiest deep -draft navigation channels in the United States and must be able to accommodate larger vessel dimensions over time. The U.S. Army Engineer District, Galveston (SWG) requested the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory perform hydrodynamic and sediment modeling of proposed modifications along the Houston Ship Channel. The modeling results are necessary to provide data for salinity and sediment transport analysis a s well as ship simulation studies. SWG provided a project alternative that includes channel widening, deepening, and bend easing. After initial analysis, two additional channel widths in the bay portion of the Houston Ship Channel were requested for testing. The results of these additional channel widths are presented in this report. The model shows that the salinity does not vary significantly due to the channel modifications being considered for this project. Changes in salinity are 2 parts per thousand or less. The tidal prism increases by less than 2% when the project is included, and the tidal amplitudes increase by no more than 0.01 meter. The residual velocity vectors do vary in and around areas where project modifications are made.
Service Providers’ Perceptions of Support Needs for Indigenous Cancer Patients in Saskatchewan: A Needs Assessment
Authors: Sedgewick Jennifer R. , Ali Anum , Badea Andreea , Carr Tracey , Groot Gary
Published: February 2021

Background: In Saskatchewan, Canada, Indigenous cancer care services at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels are intended to improve quality care but can result in a complex, fragmented, and multi-jurisdictional health care system. A multi-phase needs assessment project was initiated to document Indigenous cancer care needs. Guided by Indigenous patient partners, clinicians, academics, and policy makers, the present study reflects a needs assessment of Indigenous cancer supports from the perspectives of cancer care service providers.Methods: Qualitative data were collected through three group interviews with 20 service providers for cancer patients and their families at three Saskatchewan cities. Participants included chemotherapy and radiation nurses, social workers, a patient navigator, dieticians, and practicum students. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct the sessions to allow for freedom of responses. Data were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Service providers’ perspectives were categorized into five themes: 1) addressing travel-related issues, 2) logistical challenges, 3) improvements to Indigenous-specific health care supports, 4) cultural sensitivity in health care, and 5) consistency in care. Supports differed for the two Indigenous groups, First Nations and Métis. Service providers made recommendations regarding how needs could be met. They saw language translation providers and Elder supports as important. Travel recommendations included medical taxis accommodating for more breaks to alleviate the uncomfortable side effects of cancer treatment and Indigenous-specific accommodations be provided. These recommendations aligned with supports that are available in four other Canadian provinces.Conclusions: These results identified gaps in supports and outlined recommendations to address barriers to cancer care from the perspectives of service providers. These recommendations may inform evidence-based health system interventions for Indigenous cancer patients and ultimately aim to improve cancer care services, quality of life, and health outcomes of Indigenous patients throughout their cancer journey.
Obesity measures, metabolic health and their association with 15-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the SAMINOR 1 Survey: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Michalsen Vilde Lehne , Wild Sarah H. , Kvaløy Kirsti , Svartberg Johan , Melhus Marita , Broderstad Ann Ragnhild
Published: February 2021

Background: The mortality of metabolic―obesity phenotypes has been thoroughly studied, but it is not known how the association between continuous measures of body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference differ in strata of cardiometabolic health status. Methods: We linked data on 12,815 men and women aged 36―79 years from the SAMINOR 1 Survey with mortality data from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. We defined metabolically healthy and unhealthy as having zero and ≥1, respectively, of the following: MetS, pre-existing diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD), or prescribed drugs for high blood pressure, hyperglycaemia or dyslipidaemia. We defined general and abdominal obesity as BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and waist circumference ≥88 cm (women) or 102 cm (men), respectively, and cross-classified these categories with metabolic status to create metabolically healthy non-obese and obese (MHNO and MHO) and metabolically unhealthy non-obese and obese (MUNO and MUO) phenotypes. We used Cox regression to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause and CVD mortality for 1) the four phenotypes and 2) continuous measures of BMI and waist circumference fitted with restricted cubic splines. We adjusted for age, leisure-time physical activity, education, smoking and alcohol consumption, and tested for interactions with sex and metabolic status (only continuous measures). Results: The MHO phenotype was present in 7.8% of women and 5.8% of men. During a median follow-up of 15.3/15.2 years, 596/938 women/men had died, respectively. The MUNO and MUO group had higher mortality than the MHNO group. Sex and phenotypes interacted with respect to CVD mortality (p=0.05 for general and p=0.02 for abdominal obesity): relative to the MHNO group, the MHO group had an adjusted HR (95% confidence interval) for CVD mortality of 1.05 (0.38–2.88) in women and 2.92 (1.71–5.01) in men. We found curvilinear associations between BMI/waist circumference and all-cause mortality irrespective of metabolic status. Corresponding relationships with CVD mortality were linear and the slope differed by sex and metabolic status.Conclusion: The relationships between continuous measures of BMI/waist circumference and mortality differed by sex, metabolic status and cause of death. Poor metabolic health substantially increases mortality regardless of obesity status.
Dosimetric and biological comparison of treatment plans between LINAC and robot systems in stereotactic body radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer
Authors: Dai Zhitao , Zhu Lian , Cao Tingting , Wang Aihua , Guo Xueling , Liu Yongming , Zhuang Yayun , Yang Peiying , Li Ning , Zhang Huojun , Xiang Zuolin
Published: February 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to make a quantitative comparison of plan quality between MLC-based EDGE system and the cone-based CyberKnife system in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients with localized prostate cancer.
Materials and methods

Ten patients with prostate volumes ranging from 34.65 to 82.16 cc were used for prostate SBRT. Treatment plans were created for both EDGE and CyberKnife G4 systems using the same dose-volume constraints. Dosimetric indices including Planning Tumor Volume (PTV) coverage, conformity index (CI), new conformity index (nCI), homogeneity index (HI), gradient index (GI) were applied for target, while the sparing of critical organs, including bladder, rectum, femoral heads, urethra, penile bulk and normal tissue outside PTV), were evaluated interms of various dose-volume metrics and integral dose (ID). Meanwhile, the required delivery time and number of monitor units (MUs) during irradiation were measured to estimate the treatment efficiency. The radiobiological indices such as equivalent uniform dose (EUD), tumor control probability (TCP) and the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) were also analyzed.
Results

All dose constraints were achieved by both systems. It showed that the DEGE plans results were closest to the CK plans results in terms of PTV coverage, HI and GI. For EDGE, more conformal dose distribution in the target as well as reduced exposure of critical organs were obtained together with reduction of 91% delivery time and 72% monitor units. EDGE plans also got lower EUD for bladder, rectum, urethra and penile bulk, which associated with reduction of NTCPs. However, higher values of EUD and TCP for tumor were obtained with CK plans.
Conclusions

Our study indicated that both systems were capable of producing almost equivalent plan quality and can meet clinical requirements. CyberKnife G4 system has higher target dose while EDGE system has more advantages based on the considerations of normal tissue sparing and delivery efficiency. With abundant clinical experience, CK provides accurate SBRT treatment with high quality. EDGE system also can be considered to be an option for SBRT treatment for localized prostate cancer treatment.
Successful Treatment of Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Upper Extremity Caused by Vibrio vulnificus: Two case reports and literature review
Authors: Li Nan , Guo Pengchao , Zhao Guangfeng , Hu Xueqing
Published: February 2021

BackgroundHuman body infection with V. vulnificus, especially for patients with some chronic diseases, can cause severe wound infections, septic shock and necrotizing fasciitis of skin and muscle, which in turn can lead to multiple organ failure. Vibrio vulnificus infection patients are more common in our country coastal areas and military activities, but there have been very rare reports successful treatment and limb salvage patients.Case presentation:A 46-year-old male with no disease history was admitted to our emergency department with a diagnosis of severe fever caused by an accidental stab wound. The results of infection was V. vulnificus. Physical examination revealed that his right upper limb was severely inflamed with ecchymosis and several blisters. We would have an emergency operation on his right forearm incision. A 60-year-old female with a history of gout and rheumatic heart disease was admitted to our emergency department with a diagnosis of severe fever with bacteraemia. The initial diagnosis was severe septic shock and right forearm compartment syndrome. The results of high-throughput sequencing indicated V. vulnificus. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit for treatment after the operation. They recovered without limb salvage. We review the pathogenetic mechanism, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment of this infection.ConclusionsWhen Vibrio vulnificus patients develop bacteraemia and necrotizing fasciitis symptoms,emergency surgical debridement combined with anti-infection therapy should be considered.
Magnitude of Depression and Associated Factors Among High and Preparatory Public School Teachers in Gondar Town, Northwest, Ethiopia 2020 .
Authors: Asmamaw Amare , Wondie Mesele , Birkie Mengesha , Getinet Wondale
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Depression is a significant preventable public health problem; which is highly prevalent and disabling worldwide. Despite depression is highly prevalent worldwide, it is limited in evidence that illustrates the prevalence of depression and factors associated with it among teachers in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess the magnitude and associated factors of depression among high and preparatory public-school teachers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 423 high and preparatory public-school teachers from February to March 2020 in Gondar town. A simple random sampling technique was applied to data collection. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Depression was declared at teachers with scores of 5 and above in
Process Design, Development and Mechanical Analysis of Cu-Zn Alloy Produced by Sand Casting Process
Authors: Daniyan Ilesanmi Afolabi , Adeodu Adefemi , Alo Oluwaseun , Oladapo Bankole
Published: February 2021

In this study, the process design, development and mechanical analysis of Cu-Zn alloy produced by sand casting process were carried out. The process parameter optimization was carried out using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with the process conditions in the following range: temperature (300-500oC) and zinc content (5-25%) having the hardness and ultimate tensile strength as the response of the designed experiment. The raw materials were scraps of copper wire and zinc battery casing and 13 different compositions of the alloy were prepared having the total mass for each weight percentage weighing 1.5 kg. The results obtained indicated that the hardness and ultimate tensile strength increases with an increases in the zinc content but decreases with an increase in the temperature. The elongation was however found to increase with an in increase in temperature but with a decrease in the zinc content. It is envisaged that the findings of this work will assist the brass material developers and the end users in the development of products with excellent mechanical properties.
Modeling the Effects of Coordinated Multi-Beam Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Evans Rachel , Gockel Joy
Published: February 2021

In additive manufacturing (AM), it is necessary to know the influence of processing parameters in order to have better control over the microstructure and mechanical performance of the part. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) AM is beneficial for many reasons; however, it is limited by the thermal solidification conditions achievable in the available processing parameter ranges for single-beam processing methods. Therefore, this work investigates the effect of multiple, coordinated heat sources, which are used to strategically modify the melting and solidifying in the AM process. To model this, existing thermal models of the LPBF process have been modified to include the effects of multiple, coordinated laser beams. These computational models are used to calculate melt pool dimensions and thermal conditions (thermal gradient and cooling rate). Furthermore, the results of the simulations are used to determine the influence of the distance between the coordinated laser beams in different configurations. The multi-beam scanning strategies modeled in the present study are shown to alter both melt pool shape and size, and the thermal conditions at the onset of solidification. However, these variations are not shown to result in alterations in the grain morphology of Ti-6Al-4V components. This predictive method used in this research provides insight into the effects of using multiple coordinated beams in LPBF, which is a necessary step in increasing the capabilities of the AM process.
Impact of internal variability on recent opposite trends in wintertime temperature over the Barents–Kara Seas and central Eurasia
Authors: Wang Sai , Chen Wen
Published: February 2021

The large ensembles of the IPSL-CM6A-LR model output for the historical forcing experiment were employed to investigate the role of internal variability in the formation of the recent “warm Arctic–cold Eurasia” trend pattern in winter surface air temperature (SAT). In the simulations, the winter SAT trends during 1991–2014 display remarkable inter-member diversity over the Barents–Kara Seas region and central Eurasia, suggesting an important role played by internal variability. It is indicated that internally generated SAT trends over the Barents–Kara Seas are induced mainly by the change in local sea surface temperature (SST) trends. Furthermore, we find that the warming trend over the Barents–Kara Seas can induce an anomalous anticyclone over northern Eurasia, which in turn can contribute positively to the warming anomalies over the Barens–Kara Seas, but cannot account for the cooling trend over central Eurasia. The cooling trend over central Eurasia can be attributed to the negative Arctic Oscillation (AO)-like atmospheric circulation pattern, which is independent of the climate change over the Arctic. Therefore, the observed opposite winter SAT trends over the Barents–Kara Seas and central Eurasia arise partly from the linear combination of high SST trends over the Barents–Kara Seas and decline in the winter AO index.
Correlation Between Disability Measure and Black Hole (T1 Hypointense Lesion) Lesion Load in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Protocol for a Systematic Review
Authors: Valizadeh Amir , Sahraian Mohammad Ali , Fattahi Mohammad Reza , Moassefi Mana
Published: February 2021

Not applicable (It's in the protocol phase)
Correlation Between Disability Measure and Black Hole (T1 Hypointense Lesion) Lesion Load in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Valizadeh Amir , Barati Elham , Sahraian Mohammad Ali , Fattahi Mohammad Reza , Moassefi Mana
Published: February 2021

Introduction: As the role of neurodegeneration in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) has become more prominent, the formation and evolution of chronic or persistent T1-hypointense lesions (Black Holes) have been used as markers of axonal loss and neuronal destruction to measure disease activity. However, findings regarding this subject are controversial. In this study we aim to clarify the level of importance of T1 hypointense lesions for estimating the prognosis of patients.Methods: We will search MEDLINE (through PubMed), Embase and Web of Science for relevant studies. We will extract the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (SRCC) between the T1 hypointense lesion volume and Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in participants. All included studies will be evaluated for the risk of bias. We will also perform a meta-analysis on the data. The risk of publication bias will be evaluated using Funnel plots. Finally, we will assess the confidence in cumulative evidence using an adapted version of GRADE.
Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telephone Support Intervention During Early Postnatal Period Among Teenage Mothers in Western Kenya: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Kirop Elijah K. , Campbell Malcolm , Smyth Rebecca , Lavender Tina
Published: February 2021

Background: Teenage pregnancy, birth and the transition to motherhood present potentially stressful life events that may significantly affect maternal physical, social and mental wellbeing. For many young/teenage mothers, this transition may be a daunting task both in caring for themselves and their babies. Consequently, these mothers, and their babies, may experience considerable health risks, if unsupported. Innovative interventions such as telephone support have been considered promising in improving maternal and newborn care. The aim of this study was to pilot a postnatal telephone support intervention (TSI), informed through identification and prioritisation of the health needs and/or concerns of young/teenage mothers. Methods: In this mixed-methods pilot trial, young/teenage mothers, in Kenya, were randomly assigned 1:1 to TSI or usual care/control groups and followed up for 10 weeks postpartum. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, and attrition and retention rates. Outcome measures on maternal self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem scale), postnatal depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), maternity social support (Maternity Social Support scale), postpartum bonding (Postpartum Bonding Instrument), and general maternal-infant health outcomes were assessed at 10 weeks postpartum. Interviews were used to assess feasibility and acceptability of TSI. Results: Over three months, 91 young/teenage mothers were assessed for eligibility (recruitment rate=30/month), and 52 (57.1%) were randomised: 26 to TSI and 26 to usual care/control. Nine were lost to follow-up, with 43 (82.7%) retained for analysis. The overall attrition rate was high (17.3%) with differential attrition between groups (15.4% vs 19.2% for intervention and control groups respectively). Lack of personal mobile phones, network connectivity and insufficient electricity power were notable feasibility challenges. The impact of the TSI on maternal self-esteem and infant-focussed anxiety was promising, but a further adequately powered trial would be necessary to confirm this. The teenage mothers in the intervention group, however, valued the TSI. Conclusions: The findings suggest that it is feasible to recruit young mothers for a similar definitive trial in the future. The study highlighted the potential areas in which TSI could provide meaningful, supportive in maternal and infant care. Overall, the findings are informative for a future definitive trial in low-and-middle-income settings.Trial registration: Registered with Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN15017499, 17/07/2017).
Unveiling the Roles of Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 6 in Intestinal Homeostasis, Regeneration and Oncogenesis
Authors: Raisch Jennifer , Côté-Biron Anthony , Langlois Marie-Josée , Leblanc Caroline , Rivard Nathalie
Published: February 2021

Intestinal epithelial self-renewal is tightly regulated by signaling pathways controlling stem cell proliferation, determination and differentiation. In particular, Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls crypt cell division and survival and is required for maintenance of the intestinal stem cell niche. Most colorectal cancers are also initiated by mutations activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Wnt signals are transduced through Frizzled receptors and LRP5/LRP6 coreceptors to downregulate GSK3β activity, resulting in increased nuclear β-catenin. Herein, we explored if LRP6 expression is required for maintenance of intestinal homeostasis, regeneration and oncogenesis. Mice with an intestinal epithelial cell-specific deletion of Lrp6 (Lrp6IEC-KO) were generated and their phenotype analyzed. No difference in intestinal architecture or in proliferative and stem cell numbers was found in Lrp6IEC-KO mice in comparison to controls. Nevertheless, using ex vivo intestinal organoid cultures, we found that LRP6 expression was critical for crypt cell proliferation and stem cell maintenance. When exposed to dextran sodium sulfate, Lrp6IEC-KO mice developed more severe colitis than control mice. However, loss of LRP6 did not affect tumorigenesis in Apc Min/+ mice nor growth of human colorectal cancer cells. By contrast, Lrp6 silencing diminished anchorage-independent growth of BRafV600E-transformed IEC. Thus, LRP6 controls intestinal stem cell functionality and is necessary for BRAF-induced IEC oncogenesis.
Effects of Grazing Intensity on Soil Nematode Community Structure and Function in Different Soil Layers in a Meadow Steppe
Authors: Pan Fengjuan , Yan Ruirui , Zhao Jinling , Li Linghao , Hu Yanfeng , Jiang Ye , Shen Jie , McLaughlin Neil B. , Zhao Dan , Xin Xiaoping
Published: February 2021

Aims Grazing is a key driver of plant communities and soil functions in grassland ecosystems. Soil nematodes play a vital role in soil ecological functions. however, few studies have explored how grazing shapes soil nematode community in different soil layers.Methods we investigated the composition, abundance, diversity, metabolic footprint, and food web metrics of soil nematodes over a gradient of grazing in the 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layers in a meadow steppe. The relationships between nematode community structure and biotic and abiotic factors were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and structural equation model (SEM) analysis. Results Light grazing tended to increase the abundance of soil nematodes. Intensive grazing decreased the biomass carbon and metabolic footprints of plant parasites, fungivores, and total soil nematodes in 0-10 cm soils. There was no difference in the biomass carbon and metabolic footprints of soil nematodes among different grazing intensities in the 10-20 cm soil layer. Soil moisture, aboveground biomass, belowground biomass and Shannon diversity of grass contributed more to changes in soil nematode composition in both soil layers. In the 0-10 cm soil layer, grazing directly and indirectly affected soil nematode diversity via soil moisture and aboveground biomass, while grazing directly affected soil nematode diversity in 10-20 cm soil layer. Conclusions Our results indicate that soil depth can weaken the effect of grazing intensities on soil nematode fauna. Grazing affected the soil nematode community structure via different paths in different soil layers.
Rapid Excavating a FLOWERING LOCUS T-Regulator NF-YA Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing
Authors: Li Shichen , Su Tong , Wang Lingshuang , Kou Kun , Kong Lingping , Kong Fanjiang , Lu Sijia , Liu Baohui , Fang Chao
Published: February 2021

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is one of the most important crop plants in the world as an important source of protein for both human consumption and livestock fodder. Soybean flowering time is beneficial to the improvement of soybean yield. Therefore, finding new QTLs and further identifying candidate genes associated with various flowering time are fundamental approaches in enhancing the yield of soybean. In this study, a set of 120 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) which developed from a cross of two soybean cultivars, Suinong4 (SN4) and ZK168, were genotyped by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach and phenotyped to expand the cognitive of flowering time (R1) by Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis. Eventually, we detected three stable QTLs related to R1 separately located on chromosome 14, 18, and 19 under long-day conditions. The candidate genes of the three QTLs were predicted, and association analysis of the candidate genes related to flowering time was carried out. Moreover, a transient transfection assay was performed and showed that a candidate gene of the QTL on chromosome 19, GmNF-YA21 (Nuclear factor YA21), might affect flowering by suppressing the expression of GmFTs. QTLs detected in this study will provide fundamental resources for finding candidate genes and clarify the mechanisms of flowering which would be helpful for breeding novel high-yield soybean cultivars.
Sequential expression of neutrophil chemoattractants in cerebrospinal fluid after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Osuka Koji , Watanabe Yasuo , Suzuki Chiharu , Iwami Kenichiro , Miyachi Shigeru
Published: February 2021

Background:Neutrophils induce inflammation through the exocytosis of cytotoxic granule proteins. Recently, neutrophils have been reported to be an independent parameter associated with unfavorable outcomes after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the mechanism by which neutrophils accumulate within the CSF after SAH remains undetermined.Findings:Concentrations of C5a, epithelial neutrophil activating peptide 78 (ENA-78), interleukin-8 (IL-8), growth-regulated oncogene-α (GRO-α), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured serially until day 14 in the CSF of 10 patients with SAH. CSF samples obtained from patients suffering from unruptured aneurysms were used as controls. The concentrations of C5a and ENA-78 were significantly increased on day 1, while those of IL-8 and GRO-α significantly increased during days 3-7 compared with those of the control samples. The levels of NGAL and MPO, components of neutrophil granules, significantly increased during days 1~5 after SAH and gradually decreased thereafter. The correlations between ENA-78 and C5a on day 1, IL-8 and GRO-α on days 3~7, and NGAL and MPO on days 1~3 were significant.Conclusions:These neutrophil chemoattractants might be serially involved in the infiltration of neutrophils into the CSF after SAH. Migrated neutrophils play an important role in inflammatory reactions in the central nervous system after SAH.
Adaptability Evaluation of Human Settlements in Chengdu Based on 3S Technology
Authors: Chen Wende , zhu kun , WU QUN , CAI Yankun , LU Yutian , Wei jun
Published: February 2021

Taking Chengdu as the research object, the natural eco-environmental factors such as topography, climate, vegetation, land use and vegetation cover were selected, together with human disturbance factors such as traffic and GDP, and the index weights were calculated by AHP. Based on 3S technology, projection transformation, remote sensing interpretation, information extraction and analysis are carried out, and evaluation model of Chengdu's residential environment adaptability is constructed, which reflects the zoning and spatial distribution characteristics of Chengdu's residential environment adaptability. The results show that: 1) The adaptability index of Chengdu's human settlement environment is between 15.98 and 76.75, and the suitability of human settlement environment is gradually decreasing from the middle to the east and west of Chengdu, and most areas are restricted by human production activities and natural conditions. 2) According to the actual situation, the suitability index can be divided into High-grade suitable areas (284.36 km2, 2.01%), relatively High-grade suitable areas (1802.13 km2, 12.71%), moderately suitable areas (3721.49 km2, 26.24%) and low suitable areas (3731.49 km2, 26.31%). 3) The correlation degree between the spatial distribution of Chengdu population and each index factor is as follows: per capita GDP> topographic relief > temperature and humidity > vegetation coverage > traffic network density > land use > hydrological factors. 4) There is a good correlation between Chengdu human settlements suitability index and the current population density grid layer, and its correlation coefficient is 0.7326. 5) The leading impact indicators of human settlements in different regions are different. The results show that the natural environment conditions in Chengdu are superior and the ecological environment quality is relatively stable, but the human settlement suitability index in the southeast and Longmenshan areas of Chengdu is relatively low. Therefore, in the future development planning of Chengdu, it is necessary to combine the actual environmental conditions and resource carrying capacity, and rationally carry out urban optimization and beautiful countryside construction.
Histone Deacetylase Gene SlHDA3 Involves in ABA, Drought and Salt Response in Tomato 
Authors: Guo Jun-E
Published: February 2021

Histone deacetylation, one of vital modifying factors of post-translation modifications, which is catalyzed by histone deacetylase. The genes of histone deacetylase(HDACs) play critical roles in various stress responses. However, detailed functions for most SlHDAC members in tomato still unknown. In this work, we found that a histone deacetylase, SlHDA3, involved in response to NaCl and drought abiotic stresses. The expression of SlHDA3 was also induced significantly by NaCl, drought stress and endogenous hormone treatments. Silencing of SlHDA3 in tomato, the RNAi transgenic plants presented depressed tolerance to drought and salt stresses compared with WT tomato. The results of sensitivity analysis indicated that the length of hypocotyl and roots in RNAi plants were more inhibited by ABA and salt stress than that of WT at post-germination stage. Worse growth status were exhibited in SlHDA3 transgenic plants under salt and drought stress as are evaluated by a series of physiological parameters related to stress responses, such as decreased RWC, survival rate, ABA content, chlorophyll content and CAT activity, and increased MDA content and proline content. Besides, the expressions analysis of transgenic plants showed that the transcripts of genes which associated with responses to abiotic stress were down-regulated under salt-stressed conditions. To sum up, SlHDA3 acts as a stress-responsive gene, plays a role in the positive regulation of abiotic stress tolerance, and may be one of the new members in the engineering breeding of salt- and drought-tolerant tomato.