bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiation dosimetry effect evaluation of a carbon fiber couch on novel uRT-linac 506c accelerator
Authors: Jiang Dazhen , Cao Zhen , Wei Yongchang , Cao Tingting , Shen Jiuling , Xie Conghua , Zhou Yunfeng , Liu Hui , Zhang Jun
Published: June 2021

Recently, a diagnostic helical CT is integrated into a linear accelerator, called uRT-linac 506c, whose CT scanning dataset can be directly used to do simulation. This novel structure provides a possibility for online adaptive radiotherapy. For adaptive radiotherapy, the carbon fiber couch is an essential external device for supporting and positioning patients. And the effect on dose attenuation and distribution caused by a couch is inevitable and vital for precise treatment. In this research, the couch equipped with uRT-linac 506c was evaluated on the radiation dosimetry effect. The treatment couch equipped on the uRT-linac 506c accelerator was evaluated, and its effect on the attenuation, surface dose and dose buildup were measured for different phantom positions (offset = 0 cm, offset =  + 10 cm and offset =  − 10 cm, respectively) and different gantry angles. Since uRT-linac 506c is exclusively capable to provide diagnostic CT scanning data with real relative electron density (RED), this CT scanning data of the couch can be used directly in uRT-TPS to design plans. This scanned couch dataset was designated as the model A. The model B was a dummy structure of a treatment couch inserted with artificially preset RED. The dose calculation accuracy of these two models was compared using PB, CC, and MC on uRT-TPS. With the effect of carbon fiber couch, the surface dose was increased at least 97.94% for 25 × 25 cm2 field and 188.83% for 10 × 10 cm2 field, compared with those without. At different phantom positions (offset = 0, + 10, − 10 cm), the attenuation for 6 MV photon beam at gantry angle 180° were 4.4%, 4.4%, and 4.3%, respectively, and varied with changes of gantry angle. There do exists dose deviation between measurement and TPS calculation with the involvement of treatment couch, among the three algorithms, MC presented the least deviation, and the model A made less and steadier deviation than the model B, showing promising superiority. The attenuation, surface dose, and buildup effects of the carbon fiber couch in this study were measured similarly to most counterparts. The dose deviation calculated based on the couch dataset scanned by the diagnostic helical CT was smaller than those based on a dummy couch. This result suggests that an accelerator equipped with a diagnostic CT, which can help reduce the dose deviation of the carbon fiber couch, is a promising platform for online adaptive radiotherapy.
Extended embryo culture is effective for patients of an advanced maternal age
Authors: Sainte-Rose R. , Petit C. , Dijols L. , Frapsauce C. , Guerif F.
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of extended embryo culture in advanced maternal age (AMA) patients (37–43 years). In this retrospective analysis, 21,301 normally fertilized zygotes from 4952 couples were cultured until the blastocyst stage. Blastocyst development, including kinetics and morphology, transfer rate, implantation and live birth rates, were measured. In AMA patients, the blastocyst rate was significantly decreased as compared to that in younger women. On day 5, blastocysts underwent growth retardation in AMA patients, which was highlighted by a decreased rate of full/expanded blastocysts. Organization of the cells (trophectoderm and inner cell mass) was unaffected by age. However, in AMA patients, a ‘good’ morphology blastocyst had a decreased probability to implant compared with an ‘average’ morphology blastocyst in younger women. While the rates of blastocyst transfer and useful blastocysts were similar to younger patients, in AMA patients, both implantation and live birth rates were significantly reduced. Our results support the idea that extended embryo culture is not harmful for AMA patients. However, embryo selection allowed by such culture is not powerful enough to avoid chromosomal abnormalities in the developed blastocysts and therefore cannot compensate for the effect of a woman’s age.
NOD: a web server to predict New use of Old Drugs to facilitate drug repurposing
Authors: Narwani Tarun Jairaj , Srinivasan Narayanaswamy , Chakraborti Sohini
Published: June 2021

Computational methods accelerate the drug repurposing pipelines that are a quicker and cost-effective alternative to discovering new molecules. However, there is a paucity of web servers to conduct fast, focussed, and customized investigations for identifying new uses of old drugs. We present the NOD web server, which has the mentioned characteristics. NOD uses a sensitive sequence-guided approach to identify close and distant homologs of a protein of interest. NOD then exploits this evolutionary information to suggest potential compounds from the DrugBank database that can be repurposed against the input protein. NOD also allows expansion of the chemical space of the potential candidates through similarity searches. We have validated the performance of NOD against available experimental and/or clinical reports. In 65.6% of the investigated cases in a control study, NOD is able to identify drugs more effectively than the searches made in DrugBank. NOD is freely-available at http://pauling.mbu.iisc.ac.in/NOD/NOD/.
A literature review and meta-analysis of safety profiles of SGLT2 inhibitors in Japanese patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Mukai Junichi , Kanno Shinya , Kubota Rie
Published: June 2021

The safety profiles of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may depend on races/ethnicities. We aimed to assess the safety profiles of SGLT2 inhibitors in Japanese patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The electronic databases MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Ichushi-web were searched for studies with no language restriction from their inception to August 2019. Trials were included in the analysis if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors with a placebo in Japanese patients with DM > 18 years and reporting HbA1c and at least 1 adverse event. We calculated risk ratios with 95% CIs and used a random-effects model. Of the 22 RCTs included in our review, only 1 included patients with type 1 DM. The durations of RCTs ranged between 4 and 24 weeks. In comparison with a placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with similar risks of hypoglycemia, urinary tract infection, genital infection, hypovolemia, and fracture. The outcomes of treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors among Japanese patients with DM suggest favorable safety profiles. However, further evidence from studies with a longer duration, involving more diverse populations, such as patients with different types of DM, or including individual SGLT2 inhibitors is needed to resolve the limitations of the present study.
Monitoring urinary collagen metabolite changes following collagen peptide ingestion and physical activity using ELISA with anti active collagen oligopeptide antibody
Authors: Osawa Yoshihiro , Nomura Kaho , Kimira Yoshifumi , Kushibe Seiji , Takeyama Ken-ichi , Nagao Masashi , Kataoka-Matsushita Aya , Koizumi Seiko , Mano Hiroshi
Published: June 2021

Active collagen oligopeptides (ACOP) are bioactive collagen-derived peptides detected by a recently-established ELISA. To facilitate studies of the function and metabolism of these products, this study aims to determine which of these peptides is recognized by a novel anti-ACOP antibody used in this ELISA. We then investigate the effect of collagen peptide (CP) ingestion and exercise on urinary ACOP concentrations in a cohort of university student athletes using colorimetric, LC–MS/MS, and ELISA. We observed that the antibody showed strong cross-reactivity to Pro-Hyp and Gly-Pro-Hyp and weak cross-reactivity to commercial CP. CP ingestion increased the urinary level of ACOP over time, which correlated highly with urinary levels of peptide forms of Hyp and Pro-Hyp. Physical activity significantly decreased the urinary ACOP level. This study demonstrates changes in urinary ACOP following oral CP intake and physical activity using ELISA with the novel anti-ACOP antibody. Thus, ACOP may be useful as a new biomarker for collagen metabolism.
Bevacizumab improves tumor infiltration of mature dendritic cells and effector T-cells in triple-negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Boucher Yves , Kumar Ashwin S. , Posada Jessica M. , Gjini Evisa , Pfaff Kathleen , Lipschitz Mikel , Lako Ana , Duda Dan G. , Rodig Scott J. , Hodi F. Stephen , Jain Rakesh K.
Published: June 2021

A single dose of bevacizumab reduced the density of angiopoietin-2-positive vessels while improving the infiltration of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells, and mature dendritic cells in patients with primary triple-negative breast cancer. Our findings provide a rationale for including bevacizumab during neoadjuvant treatment to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockers in this disease.
A Bayesian semi-parametric model for thermal proteome profiling
Authors: Fang Siqi , Kirk Paul D. W. , Bantscheff Marcus , Lilley Kathryn S. , Crook Oliver M.
Published: June 2021

The thermal stability of proteins can be altered when they interact with small molecules, other biomolecules or are subject to post-translation modifications. Thus monitoring the thermal stability of proteins under various cellular perturbations can provide insights into protein function, as well as potentially determine drug targets and off-targets. Thermal proteome profiling is a highly multiplexed mass-spectrommetry method for monitoring the melting behaviour of thousands of proteins in a single experiment. In essence, thermal proteome profiling assumes that proteins denature upon heating and hence become insoluble. Thus, by tracking the relative solubility of proteins at sequentially increasing temperatures, one can report on the thermal stability of a protein. Standard thermodynamics predicts a sigmoidal relationship between temperature and relative solubility and this is the basis of current robust statistical procedures. However, current methods do not model deviations from this behaviour and they do not quantify uncertainty in the melting profiles. To overcome these challenges, we propose the application of Bayesian functional data analysis tools which allow complex temperature-solubility behaviours. Our methods have improved sensitivity over the state-of-the art, identify new drug-protein associations and have less restrictive assumptions than current approaches. Our methods allows for comprehensive analysis of proteins that deviate from the predicted sigmoid behaviour and we uncover potentially biphasic phenomena with a series of published datasets.
Insights into rumen microbial biosynthetic gene cluster diversity through genome-resolved metagenomics
Authors: Anderson Christopher L. , Fernando Samodha C.
Published: June 2021

Ruminants are critical to global food security as they transform lignocellulosic biomass into high-quality protein products. The rumen microbes ferment feed to provide necessary energy and nutrients for the ruminant host. However, we still lack insight into the metabolic processes encoded by most rumen microbial populations. In this study, we implemented metagenomic binning approaches to recover 2,809 microbial genomes from cattle, sheep, moose, deer, and bison. By clustering genomes based on average nucleotide identity, we demonstrate approximately one-third of the metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) to represent species not present in current reference databases and rumen microbial genome collections. Combining these MAGs with other rumen genomic datasets permitted a phylogenomic characterization of the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) from 8,160 rumen microbial genomes, including the identification of 195 lanthipeptides and 5,346 diverse gene clusters for nonribosomal peptide biosynthesis. A subset of Prevotella and Selenomonas BGCs had higher expression in steers with lower feed efficiency. Moreover, the microdiversity of BGCs was fairly constant across types of BGCs and cattle breeds. The reconstructed genomes expand the genomic representation of rumen microbial lineages, improve the annotation of multi-omics data, and link microbial populations to the production of secondary metabolites that may constitute a source of natural products for manipulating rumen fermentation.
Reaction-diffusion hydrogels from urease enzyme particles for patterned coatings
Authors: Mai Anthony Q. , Bánsági Tamás , Taylor Annette F. , Pojman John A.
Published: June 2021

The reaction and diffusion of small molecules is used to initiate the formation of protective polymeric layers, or biofilms, that attach cells to surfaces. Here, inspired by biofilm formation, we present a general method for the growth of hydrogels from urease enzyme-particles by combining production of ammonia with a pH-regulated polymerization reaction in solution. We show through experiments and simulations how the propagating basic front and thiol-acrylate polymerization were continuously maintained by the localized urease reaction in the presence of urea, resulting in hydrogel layers around the enzyme particles at surfaces, interfaces or in motion. The hydrogels adhere the enzyme-particles to surfaces and have a tunable growth rate of the order of 10 µm min−1 that depends on the size and spatial distribution of particles. This approach can be exploited to create enzyme-hydrogels or chemically patterned coatings for applications in biocatalytic flow reactors.
Subglacial erosion has the potential to sustain microbial processes in Subglacial Lake Whillans, Antarctica
Authors: Gill-Olivas Beatriz , Telling Jon , Tranter Martyn , Skidmore Mark , Christner Brent , O’Doherty Simon , Priscu John
Published: June 2021

Subglacial Lake Whillans lies below around 800 m of Antarctic ice and is isolated from fresh sources of photosynthetic organic matter to sustain life. The diverse microbial ecosystems within the lake and underlying sediments are therefore dependent on a combination of relict, overridden, marine-derived organic matter and mineral-derived energy. Here, we conduct experiments to replicate subglacial erosion involving both gentle and high-energy crushing of Subglacial Lake Whillans sediments and the subsequent addition of anoxic water. We find that substantial quantities of reduced species, including hydrogen, methane, acetate and ammonium and oxidised species such as hydrogen peroxide, sulfate and carbon dioxide are released. We propose that the concomitant presence of both hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide, alongside high concentrations of mineral surface radicals, suggests that the splitting of water on freshly abraded mineral surfaces increases the concentrations of redox pairs from rock-water reactions and could provide a mechanism to augment the energy available to microbial ecosystems.
In situ self-foaming preparation of hydrophobic polyurethane foams for oil/water separation
Authors: Fan Leiyi , Wang Rui , Zhang Qian , Liu Shuaizhuo , He Ruijie , Zhang Ruiyang , Shen Min , Xiang Xin , Zhou Ying
Published: June 2021

Polyurethane foams with excellent oil–water separation performance were prepared using hydrophobic raw materials with the assistance of a physical cooling agent.
Electrochemiluminescence properties and luminescence sensing of four novel polymers derived from 3-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylic acid
Authors: Hua Feng-Zhen , Feng Chao , Zhang Ling-Mei , Yang Yu-Meng , Zhang Guo-Ning , Wang Yu-Cheng , Zhao Hong
Published: June 2021

Four novel pyrazolate polymers with high efficiency electrochemiluminescence properties and potential cationic fluorescence sensoring property.
Facile construction of an Ag0-doped Ag(i)-based coordination polymer via a self-photoreduction strategy for enhanced visible light driven photocatalysis
Authors: Jiang Wei , Lv Mengying , Gao Baihui , Liu Bo , Yan Guosong , Zhou Shi , Liu Chunbo , Xie Wei , Che Guangbo
Published: June 2021

A series of Ag0-doped Ag(i)-based coordination polymers have been prepared via a facile self-photoreduction strategy, and can be utilized as efficient photocatalysts for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue.
Growth and piezoelectric properties of large sized Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 crystals
Authors: Xiong Kainan , Wang Sheng , Tu Xiaoniu , Man Zhenyong , Zheng Yanqing , Karaki Tomoaki , Shi Erwei
Published: June 2021

Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 (CTGS) crystals are excellent high temperature piezoelectric materials.
Microscopic shear flow simulations of a biaxial smectic A liquid crystal based on the soft ellipsoid string-fluid
Authors: Sarman Sten , Laaksonen Aatto
Published: June 2021

We have studied the behaviour of a biaxial smectic A liquid crystal based on the soft ellipsoid string-fluid in shear flow by molecular dynamics simulation using the SLLOD equation of motion.
Dendritic nanoparticle self-assembly from drying a sessile nanofluid droplet
Authors: Ren Junheng , Crivoi Alexandru , Duan Fei
Published: June 2021

Dendritic particle self-assembly is found in drying a sessile nanofluid droplet experimentally and modelled with the three-dimensional kinetic Monte Carlo approach.
Nitratoethyl-5H-tetrazoles: improving the oxygen balance through application of organic nitrates in energetic coordination compounds
Authors: Gruhne Michael S. , Lenz Tobias , Rösch Markus , Lommel Marcus , Wurzenberger Maximilian H. H. , Klapötke Thomas M. , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: June 2021

The two isomers of nitratoethyl-5H-tetrazole were prepared and combined with different d-block transition metals and anions. The isomers and 20 energetic coordination compounds (ECCs) were analyzed and the energetic properties were determined.
Visible-light-induced surfactant-promoted sulfonylation of alkenes and alkynes with sulfonyl chloride by the formation of an EDA-complex with NaI in water at room temperature
Authors: Lin Li , Yang Zhonglie , Liu Jianchen , Wang Jingxia , Zheng Jiale , Li Jun-Long , Zhang Xiaobin , Liu Xiang-Wei , Jiang Hezhong , Li Jiahong
Published: June 2021

We report an efficient visible-light-induced iodosulfonyl reaction of alkenes in water using an EDA complex strategy at room temperature. The addition of a cationic surfactant allows for the easy formation of colored EDA complexes in water.
Synthesis, C–H bond functionalisation and cycloadditions of 6-styryl-1,2-oxathiine 2,2-dioxides
Authors: Gabbutt Christopher D. , Heron B. Mark , Lilly Thomas , Ogwang Ochola W. , Zonidis Dimitrios
Published: June 2021

1,2-Oxathiine 2,2-dioxides readily undergo C–H activated coupling at C-3. The 6-styryl derivatives participate in cycloadditions with PTAD to afford 1H-[1,2]oxathiino[5,6-c][1,2,4]triazolo[1,2-a]pyridazine-1,3(2H)-dione 8,8-dioxides.
Regulation of double luminescence centers based on the evolution of disordered local structure for ratiometric temperature sensing applications
Authors: Yu Ting , Liu Bochen , Ma Zhe , Jiang Yingyi , Zeng Qingguang , Wen Dawei , Guo Yue
Published: June 2021

A “single site but two local environments” phenomenon in Sr2.99−xEu0.01La1+xP3−xSixO12 phosphors yields an applicable Sr of ≥1% K−1 in 303–530 K and a repeatability capability of over 99% for ratiometric temperature sensing applications.
The “Sound of Silence”: Sensitivity to Silent Letters in Children With and Without Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: Godin Marie-Pier , Berthiaume Rachel , Daigle Daniel
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) demonstrate general spelling difficulties. This study investigated accuracy on and sensitivity to silent letters in spelling in children with and without DLD. Investigating silent-letter production provides a window into orthographic and morphological knowledge and enhances understanding of children's spelling skills.

Method

A group of children with DLD (
M
age
= 9;11 [years;months]) and two control groups of typically developing children (
n
= 30 in each group) were given a dictated spelling task of 44 words that each contained a derivational or a nonderivational silent letter. We coded the silent letter in each word and counted 1 point for each correctly spelled letter in order to examine accuracy on silent letters. Two error patterns were distinguished to analyze sensitivity to silent letters: silent-letter substitutions and silent-letter omissions.

Results

Repeated-measures ANOVA showed that children with DLD produced significantly more errors on silent letters than did both control groups. Both control groups showed a greater sensitivity to silent-letter endings, as they tended to substitute incorrect silent letters where they made errors. In contrast, children with DLD tended to omit silent letters in their spelling attempts.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that silent-letter production is a major source of difficulty for spellers, especially for those with DLD, who appear to lack sensitivity to silent letters. These results highlight the importance of promoting spelling instruction to enhance orthographic knowledge in children with DLD.
X-ray supernova remnants in the starburst region of M 82
Authors: Iwasawa K.
Published: June 2021

We searched for X-ray supernova remnants (SNRs) in the starburst region of M 82, using archival data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory with a total effective exposure time of 620 ks with an X-ray spectroscopic selection. Strong line emission from Fe XXV at 6.7 keV is a characteristic spectral feature of hot, shocked gas of young SNRs and is distinctive among the discrete sources in the region populated by X-ray binaries. We selected candidates using narrow-band imaging aimed at the line excess and identified six (and possibly a seventh) X-ray SNRs. Two previously known examples were recovered by our selection. Five of them have radio counterparts, including the radio supernova SN2008iz, which was discovered as a radio transient in 2008. It shows a hard X-ray spectrum with a blueshifted Fe K feature with v ≈ −2700 km s−1, both of which suggest its youth. The 4–8 keV luminosities of the selected SNRs are in the range of (0.3–2.5)×1038 erg s−1. We made a crude estimate of the supernova rate, assuming that more luminous SNRs are younger, and found νSN = 0.06 (0.03–0.13) yr−1, in agreement with the supernova rates estimated by radio observations and the generally believed star formation rate of M 82, although the validity of the assumption is questionable. A sum of the Fe XXV luminosity originating from the selected X-ray SNRs consists of half of the total Fe XXV luminosity observed in the central region of M 82. We briefly discuss its implications for starburst winds and the Fe XXV emission in more luminous starburst galaxies.
Blind restoration of solar images via the Channel Sharing Spatio-temporal Network
Authors: Wang Shuai , Chen Qingqing , He Chunyuan , Zhang Chi , Zhong Libo , Bao Hua , Rao Changhui
Published: June 2021

Context. Due to the presence of atmospheric turbulence, the quality of solar images tends to be significantly degraded when observed by ground-based telescopes. The adaptive optics (AO) system can achieve partial correction but stops short of reaching the diffraction limit. In order to further improve the imaging quality, post-processing for AO closed-loop images is still necessary. Methods based on deep learning (DL) have been proposed for AO image reconstruction, but the most of them are based on the assumption that the point spread function is spatially invariant.

Aims. Our goal is to construct clear solar images by using a sophisticated spatially variant end-to-end blind restoration network.

Methods. The proposed channel sharing spatio-temporal network (CSSTN) consists of three sub-networks: a feature extraction network, channel sharing spatio-temporal filter adaptive network (CSSTFAN), and a reconstruction network (RN). First, CSSTFAN generates two filters adaptively according to features generated from three inputs. Then these filters are delivered to the proposed channel sharing filter adaptive convolutional layer in CSSTFAN to convolve with the previous or current step features. Finally, the convolved features are concatenated as input of RN to restore a clear image. Ultimately, CSSTN and the other three supervised DL methods are trained on the binding real 705 nm photospheric and 656 nm chromospheric AO correction images as well as the corresponding speckle reconstructed images.

Results. The results of CSSTN, the three DL methods, and one classic blind deconvolution method evaluated on four test sets are shown. The imaging condition of the first photospheric and second chromospheric set is the same as training set, except for the different time given in the same hour. The imaging condition of the third chromospheric and fourth photospheric set is the same as the first and second, except for the Sun region and time. Our method restores clearer images and performs best in both the peak signal-to-noise ratio and contrast among these methods.
Statistical analysis of solar radio fiber bursts and relations with flares
Authors: Wan Junlin , Tang Jianfei , Tan Baolin , Shen Jinhua , Tan Chengming
Published: June 2021

Fiber bursts are a type of fine structure that frequently occurs in solar flares. Although observations and theory of fiber bursts have been studied for decades, their microphysical process, emission mechanism, and especially the physical links with the flaring process still remain unclear. We performed a detailed statistical study of fiber bursts observed by the Chinese Solar Broadband Radio Spectrometers in Huairou with high spectral-temporal resolutions in the frequency ranges of 1.10−2.06 GHz and 2.60−3.80 GHz during 2000−2006. We identify more than 900 individual fiber bursts in 82 fiber events associated with 48 solar flares. From the soft X-ray observations of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, we found that more than 40% of fiber events occurred in the preflare and rising phases of the associated solar flares. Most fiber events are temporally associated with hard X-ray bursts observed by RHESSI or microwave bursts observed by the Nobeyama Radio Polarimaters, which implies that they are closely related to the nonthermal energetic electrons. The results indicate that most fiber bursts have a close temporal relation with energetic electrons. Most fiber bursts are strongly polarized, and their average duration, relative bandwidth, and relative frequency-drift rate are about 1.22 s, 6.31%, and −0.069 s−1. The average duration and relative bandwidth of fiber bursts increase with solar flare class. The fiber bursts associated with X-class flares have a significantly lower mean relative frequency-drift rate. The average durations in the postflare phase are clearly longer than the duration in the preflare and rising phases. The relative drift rate in the rising phase is clearly higher than that in preflare and postflare phases. The hyperbola correlation of the average duration and the relative drift rate of the fiber bursts is very interesting. These characteristics are very important for understanding the formation of solar radio fiber bursts and for revealing the nonthermal processes of the related solar flares.
Transient obscuration event captured in NGC 3227
Authors: Mehdipour M. , Kriss G. A. , Kaastra J. S. , Wang Y. , Mao J. , Costantini E. , Arav N. , Behar E. , Bianchi S. , Branduardi-Raymont G. , Brotherton M. , Cappi M. , De Marco B. , Di Gesu L. , Ebrero J. , Grafton-Waters S. , Kaspi S. , Matt G. , Paltani S. , Petrucci P.-O. , Pinto C. , Ponti G. , Ursini F. , Walton D. J.
Published: June 2021

From Swift monitoring of a sample of active galactic nuclei (AGN) we found a transient X-ray obscuration event in Seyfert-1 galaxy NGC 3227, and thus triggered our joint XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations to study this event. Here in the first paper of our series we present the broadband continuum modelling of the spectral energy distribution for NGC 3227, extending from near infrared (NIR) to hard X-rays. We use our new spectra taken with XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, and the HST Cosmic Origins Spectrograph in 2019, together with archival unobscured XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, and HST Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph data, in order to disentangle various spectral components of NGC 3227 and recover the underlying continuum. We find the observed NIR-optical-UV continuum is explained well by an accretion disk blackbody component (Tmax = 10 eV), which is internally reddened by E(B − V) = 0.45 with a Small Magellanic Cloud extinction law. We derive the inner radius (12 Rg) and the accretion rate (0.1 M⊙ yr−1) of the disk by modelling the thermal disk emission. The internal reddening in NGC 3227 is most likely associated with outflows from the dusty AGN torus. In addition, an unreddened continuum component is also evident, which likely arises from scattered radiation, associated with the extended narrow-line region of NGC 3227. The extreme ultraviolet continuum, and the ‘soft X-ray excess’, can be explained with a ‘warm Comptonisation’ component. The hard X-rays are consistent with a power-law and a neutral reflection component. The intrinsic bolometric luminosity of the AGN in NGC 3227 is about 2.2 × 1043 erg s−1 in 2019, corresponding to 3% Eddington luminosity. Our continuum modelling of the new triggered data of NGC 3227 requires the presence of a new obscuring gas with column density NH = 5 × 1022 cm−2, partially covering the X-ray source (Cf = 0.6).
Development of Three-Dimensional Models of Mining Industry Objects
Authors: Abu-Abed Fares
Published: June 2021

Visualization of objects using computer programs can greatly facilitate the external presentation of projects of coal industry enterprises. Modern computer graphics make it possible to embody very realistic models, and since the creation of 3D objects takes less time than their implementation. 3D technologies allow you to present the model from all angles and eliminate the shortcomings identified in the process of its creation. Successfully implemented tasks in this work include: creation of a 3D model of the selected RoadHeader; importing the developed model into the Unity 3D game engine; create and customize animations for the above harvester model inside Unity. The 3D model created in this work for visual display of the equipment used in the development of coal deposits in the mining industry contributes to the improvement of the process of training specialists and work planning when training personnel to work with drilling equipment at the training stage. The presented development can serve as a visual representation in the study of the principles of mining machines, as well as in the creation of 3D objects and scenes for the tutorial “Virtual mine”.
Inclined Rope Reeving Systems
Authors: Vöth Stefan
Published: June 2021

Main part of crane systems in general and hoisting systems especially are rope-reeving systems. They are used to reduce the loading on the rope itself and on the following parts in the hoist drive. In order to transfer the performance required the reduced loading has to be compensated by higher speeds. General standard are reeving systems with just vertical rope orientation. They have advantages, as they are not difficult to plan, to build and to operate. On the other hand, they comprise disadvantages as well. One main disadvantage of vertical rope orientation is the tendency to load sway.
Digital Transformation of Mining Enterprises
Authors: Kalenov Oleg , Kukushkin Sergey
Published: June 2021

The level of competitiveness of the mining industry is determined primarily by productivity and operational excellence. Digitalization is becoming a determining factor that will enable companies in this field to remain competitive in the future. In the mining industry, the transition to new, more advanced working methods is usually slower due to the scale and complexity of production processes, as well as due to the significant volumes of technological modernization costs. Therefore, some enterprises in this area are not actively using digital technologies. Nevertheless, the world's leading mining companies are investing heavily in the development of modern energy and automation technologies in order to increase production and environmental efficiency, reduce the use of manual labor and energy expences. It is becoming clear that digital technology is opening up new opportunities to dramatically increase productivity and profit margins. The article examines the main directions of digital transformation of mining enterprises, reveals the main opportunities and threats.
Simulation Tools for Transport Monitoring Systems in the Mining Industry
Authors: Abu-Abed Fares
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a computer modeling approach for monitoring a fleet of mining machines based on a software solution for traffic modeling. Computer simulations can help reduce prototyping costs and reduce the risk of initial launch failure by analyzing and tuning a prototype to test the most appropriate options. Using a computer modeling approach, we show in the first part of the article that the resulting vehicle monitoring metrics can be tested during the modeling process, instead of adding equipment to vehicles during the prototyping phase. Using real equipment in the prototype phase increases fleet downtime and decreases productivity. Using modern solutions for storing time series, we show how easy it is to analyze the data obtained as a result of modeling. In the second part of the article, we propose a workflow for integrating SUMO with a time series data warehouse through a software interface (API) called TraCI, which allows you to aggregate and visualize vehicle fleet data over time. At the end of this work, we discuss the measurement methodology and propose a potential solution for efficient data transmission.
Improving the Reliability of the Scraper-Bunker Peat Harvester
Authors: Yablonev Alexander , Misnicow Oleh , Nekrasova Alena , Goryachev Valentin
Published: June 2021

Cases of failures of peat scraper-bunker harvesting machines are analyzed. It has been proven, that the main cause of failures is the stumpiness of the peat deposit. When interacting with the stump, there is a sharp increase in the load on all elements of the transmission of the machine, which leads to their temporary exit from the working state. The first element, that the stump encounters is the machine's elevator bucket. As a result of interaction, the bucket gets damaged in the form of ruptures, incipient and developed cracks. Proposals are formulated to increase the reliability of the scraperbunker peat harvester by installing a simple tracking device at work of the bucket elevator and improving the design of the elevator bucket itself. It is noted, that due to the initiation and development of cracks in the zone of welded seams, buckets must be subjected to flaw detection at least once a year, during pre-season maintenance.
Economic Assessment of Low Humidity Peat Production Practice
Authors: Chertkova Elena , Sizova Victoria
Published: June 2021

The article presents a milled peat production practice based on deep bed drying up to a harvesting moisture content of 35%. The task of the developed technology is to minimize and stabilize the harvesting humidity in the field drying of peat, thereby reducing the time and thermal impact on the peat organic matter during a forced finish drying. The applied method of peat extraction provides for variable milling depth and differentiation of cycle harvesting to increase the number of cycles and the harvester seasonal output. An economic feasibility study has been carried out by the method of determining the operating costs per ton of a marketable product for each technological operation. It consists in a comparative assessment of two technological processes: the production practice based on intensification of milled peat drying up to a harvesting moisture content of 35% and the conventional harvesting of milled peat with moisture content of 45%. The developed technology of milled peat extraction makes it possible to ensure the required quality parameters in terms of humidity (≤ 35%) and to preserve natural bituminous components. Based on the economic assessment results, it has been found that there is a slight increase in operating costs per ton of a marketable product in comparison with the conventional practice.
Chemical Analysis of the Composition of Ores as the Basis for Improving the Quality of Ore Preparation
Authors: Kholmurodov Bakhtiyor , Dzhuraeva Makhbuba , Sharafutdinov Ulugbek , Kuznecov Ewgeni
Published: June 2021

An assessment of the existing methods of controlling the quality of mineral raw materials during mining and possible ways of increasing their efficiency is presented. Criteria for evaluating the ore massif are given, depending on the mineral and chemical composition, structural and other features. As a result of the studies, the problem of increasing the efficiency of ore preparation was solved based on the use of chemical analysis of the granulometric composition of the processed ore (charge), which provided an increase in the extraction of the useful component, which makes the model of the charge of ores from various deposits more accurate.
Modernization of Mining Scheme in Developing Peat Deposit
Authors: Puhova Olga , Lebedev Vladimir
Published: June 2021

The article presents the results of the study of a peat deposit development scheme with improved spread parameters. The parameters are improved by forming the spread as moulded particles of a certain shape and size determined by the size of moulding machine grooves and the degree of peat relaxation. To obtain such particles a milling cutter is proposed to be replaced by a moulding mill at the stage of peat deposit milling. When excavated, the peat mass is loosened and fed into a roller moulding machine where the rollers, rotating in opposite directions, capture it and the peat is compressed. The loose structure changes into dense particle-particle packing. The circumferential speeds of roller rotations are equal. A trapezoidal groove profile is chosen for the moulded particles to leave it. The groove depth is 10 mm. The uniformity of the moulded enlarged particle distribution over a drying field is characterized by a spread variation coefficient, which allows the spread quality to be evaluated. The enlarged particle spread is normalized by some cumulative actions characterizing the spread by parameters (the thickness, the average particle size, the size uniformity, the number of layers). Therefore, the drying of enlarged particles is intensified and peat yield per unit area is increased.
Medicine as a Driver for the Development of the Regional Economy in the Coal-Mining Region
Authors: Kharlampenkov Evgeniy , Kudryashova Irina , Sokolovsky Mikhail , Zaharova Nataly
Published: June 2021

Recently, there has been a reassessment of the impulses and drivers of economic development of such mono raw material subjects of the Russian Federation as Kuzbass. Their resource orientation is replaced by the need to search for new forms and content, including not only “monetization”, but also “socialization” of the effects obtained. Taking into account the global trend towards the “servicization” of the economy, the development of IT-technologies, the relevance of this problem in relation to the medicine in Kuzbass is extremely increasing. The article examines the state of medicine in the Kemerovo region, identifies trends in its development, positive and negative factors that promote or hinder sustainable growth. Based on the analysis of foreign approaches to modernizing the sphere of medicine, innovative tools for reforming this industry at the municipal and regional levels are proposed in order to create new jobs, improve the quality of life in Kuzbass. The authors proved the thesis that medicine in Kuzbass can become a driver of the municipal and regional economy development.
Environmental Monitoring of the Coal Cluster in Transition to Sustainable Development
Authors: Scherbenko Eva , Gasanov Eyvaz , Tyulenev Maxim , Kovalevsky Sergey , Rybár Radim , Lopukhinsky Leonid
Published: June 2021

The transition to sustainable development implies the spread of new environmental management standards in all industrial sectors – extractive, processing, high-tech, and infrastructure branches. This means that the industries traditionally engaged in the extraction of minerals (coal, ore, oil and gas, etc.) should take a direct part in the process of reducing land use, restoring disturbed landscapes and water bodies, reducing harmful emissions. At the same time, the mining complex is faced with the task of meeting the constantly growing needs of humanity for modern goods and services, the production of which, one way or another, requires an increase in the extraction of natural resources. In this regard, the article considers the monitoring of natural resources as a starting point for the transition of regional production systems to sustainable development. The study was based on the largest Russian coal cluster Kuzbass. The system for monitoring natural resources at the regional cluster level is considered.
Specificity of Exemption from Punishment in the Field of Safety Rules Violation in Mining Operations
Authors: Terentieva Valeriya , Naumov Alexander
Published: June 2021

The article examines the problem of the courts’ application of exemption from punishment for criminal violations of the safety rules in mining operations. The application practice of exemption from punishment by courts in this category of cases is analyzed. On the basis of the data the authors drew the conclusions about the frequency and chosen measures of application of exemption from punishment. The general features of cases in which exemption from punishment was applied are described, and the personality characteristic of a criminal accused of criminal violations of safety rules in mining operations are considered.
Prospects for Renewable Energy at the Regional Level (in the Example of the Kemerovo Region) in the Context of Decarbonization and Decentralized Generation
Authors: Shavina Evgeniya , Prokofev Viktor , Šimková Zuzana
Published: June 2021

The Kemerovo region is one of the largest regions for coal mining. The region’s economy is growing every year, but residents of remote communities still use diesel generators (which negatively affects the environment and essentially means poor use of it) or do not have access to centralize electricity. The Advanced Development Programme for Electricity Systems in the region has a limited budget and does not cover all regions. Most of the existing infrastructure has been in use for more than 25 years, which increases the relevance of decentralized generation. Renewable energy not only reduces emissions significantly, but also addresses the challenge of providing energy to rural people. The authors studied the feasibility of installations of solar panels, wind and hydro installations of low capacity in the Kemerovo region. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the use of hydropower plants will provide 6% of rural Residents of Tisul and Tashtagol municipal districts with electricity. Solar panels and collectors can be used in almost any area, but it is economically justified to link their installation with tourism development programs in the region. As far as wind farms are concerned, they are under-powered for objective reasons, and decisions about their use require further research.
Economic Institutions of the Converged Technological Platform for Sustainable Development
Authors: Politkovskaya Irina , Khvichiya Daniil , Artamonova Larisa
Published: June 2021

The study of the economic institutions of the diffusion of convergent technologies in the modern economy has a direct connection with sustainable development. The expansion of ultra-modern industries in the course of the "tertialization" of the economy (the growth of the sector of high-tech material and non-material production) makes it possible to significantly reduce resource consumption and the burden on the environment, while maintaining and increasing traditional economic values (income, well-being, employment, quality of life). The expansion of convergent technologies in technologically advanced countries is taking place in parallel with the formation of a "green" economy, which forms an independent technological platform for sustainable development, and may become the main one in the coming decades. The innovative upgrade of the extractive industries up to the Industry 4.0 level, based on this platform, requires special support from the state, primarily in the extractive countries. A special role in this process is assigned to the institutional support for the diffusion of convergent technologies, which is especially in demand in the Russian economy.
The Digital Culture of Industry in the Transition to Sustainable Development
Authors: Levitskaya Irina , Straka Martin
Published: June 2021

The digital transformation of economic and social sectors is conditioned by the need for a critical reflection of the cultural processes taking place in modern society under the influence of transition to sustainable development. The latter is accompanied with decreasing of waste and pollution, expanding of lean production, settling the new nonmaterial industries. Therefore, it is critically important to form special cultural conditions for industry digitalization – not for increasing use of natural resources, but for decreasing harmful influence on environment. The purpose of this article is an analytical review of the theory and methodology of the analysis of digital culture in the historical and sociocultural perspective. The analysis of modern theories of digital culture and approaches to the analysis of its formation, historical and cultural reconstruction of the formation of digital culture, the definition of the conceptual apparatus of digital culture research and information processes is carried out from a methodological position, according to which cultural research is based on the principles of historicism and functionality, priority of sustainable development values.
Foresight as a Tool for Managing the Socio-Economic Development of Mining Regions
Authors: Shestakovska Tetiana , Mykhailovska Olena , Tkalenko Nataliia , Mashnenkov Kostyantyn
Published: June 2021

At the present stage of development in the conditions of constant changes, the socio-economic development of mining areas is an extremely important issue for managers who make decisions, as the effectiveness of management tools depends on the further trajectory. In this aspect, mining regions need the introduction of modern management tools, taking into account the specifics of their functioning. However, the process of implementing such tools in practice can be a daunting task for the public management system. The article aims to explain the concept of using foresight technology in the management of socio-economic development of mining regions as a modern tool and to identify the main directions of its practical use. Based on the in-depth review of the scientific literature, a conceptual framework for improving the management of socio-economic development of mining regions in Ukraine is presented. It includes the gradual development of foresight-center of mining regions and foresightnetwork, which will improve public management of socio-economic development of mining regions.