bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HATALOM, NYELV ÉS POLITIKAI KOMMUNIKÁCIÓ
Authors: TAKÁCS Izabella
Published: April 2021

A tanulmány a nyelv hatalmi és politikai funkcióit ismerteti. Két fő területet vizsgál: a politika és a kommunikáció kapcsolatát, valamint a propagandát. A munka fókuszában a politikai kommunikáció legfontosabb eszközei, a meggyőzés és manipuláció állnak. A köznapi diskurzusok célja is a beszédpartner befolyásolása, miközben szükség esetén használjuk a meggyőzés és manipuláció eszköztárát. A meggyőzés során a logika és az észérvek kerülnek előtérbe, ahol a meggyőzés sikerességéhez a célszemély aktív közreműködése is szükséges. Parret (1994) szerint – Árvaival (2003) ellentétben, aki a manipulációt és a meggyőzést a befolyásolás kategóriájába sorolja – a manipuláció szándékos és tudatos manipulációs cselekedet, ami a felbujtás szándékát is magában foglalja. A propaganda könnyebb értelmezhetősége céljából a tanulmány ismerteti Chomsky és Herman (1988) politikaipropaganda-modelljét, a propaganda történetéről, valamint a hatalmi propaganda eszközeiről és hatásairól is szól. A tanulmány arra is keresi a választ, hogy mi teszi a kommunikációt politikaivá, és hogy milyen megközelítései vannak a politikai kommunikációnak.
The coexistence of hemophagocytic syndrome and DRESS syndrome that develops in the course of sepsis in an elderly patient in intensive care unit
Authors: TÜNBEKİCİ Salih , KILINÇER BOZGÜL Şükriye Miray , BOZKURT Devrim
Published: April 2021

Sepsis is one of the leading causes of mortality in intensive care units. Its mortality increases,

especially with the high number of comorbidities and immunosuppression. Hemophagocytic syndrome

is an uncontrolled cytokine storm that develops in the course of increased inflammatory conditions

such as sepsis. The clinical picture is very wide; because of nonspecific symptoms. For this reason; to

diagnose hemophagocytic syndrome, it must be kept in mind. Mortality in hemophagocytic syndrome

is especially high in intensive care patients. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms

syndrome is a rare, infrequent drug reaction. The clinical picture is heterogeneous and symptoms may

be prolonged despite discontinuation of the drug. Overlap of different diagnoses in elderly patients; In

the presence of multiple drug use and chronic diseases, clinical management is difficult and early

initiation of effective treatment can be delayed. In this case report; a 66-year-old male patient who

underwent nephrostomy due to bilateral hydronephrosis and who developed sepsis and HPS in the

follow-up after hospitalization with high fever and complicated with drug reaction with eosinophilia and

systemic symptoms syndrome during treatment is presented.
Global Energy Markets Outlook up to 2040
Authors: Makarov A. , Galkina A. , Grushevenko E. , Grushevenko D. , Kulagin V. , Mitrova T. , Sorokin S.
Published: April 2021

The article presents methodology and main results of the second Global and Russian Energy Outlook Up To 2040, shows the possible transformations of the major energy markets and identifies potential threats to the Russian energy sector and economic growth due to these changes.
Status and Prospects of Economic Development in East Asia
Authors: Potapov M.
Published: April 2021

The East Asia region had survived the global economic crisis of 2008–2009. However, the general slowdown in the region indicates many structural problems. The Chinese economy actively switches to the domestic market, giving priority to domestic investment and consumer demand in the maintenance of the economic growth. The development of integration processes in East Asia leaves open the question of the formation of a region-wide free trade area. East Asia is capable to retain the role of economic growth locomotive, moving towards the level of post-industrial development.
A Novel Degradation Feature Extraction Technique Based on Improved Base-Scale Entropy
Authors: Chen Zhenyi , Shao Changzhuan , Hu Xiong , Wang Bing , Zhang Daobing , Tao Xiaomei
Published: April 2021

In order to track the performance degradation trend accurately, a novel degradation feature extraction technique is proposed based on improved base-scale entropy. A unified base scale is proposed and a new symbol standard is defined to overcome the disadvantages of the base-scale entropy method, so as to symbolize signal amplitude to characterize information amount under different degradation conditions quantitatively. A lifetime dataset of rolling bearing from the IMS Bearing Experiment Center is introduced. For instance, analysis and some entropy-based techniques including fuzzy entropy, approximate entropy and sample entropy are imported for comparison. The results show that the improved basic-scale technique is able to characterize information amount of the signal amplitude distribution, so that the characterizing performance degradation degree of bearing shows a proportional relationship. When comparing the entropy-based techniques, the improved base-scale entropy technique has a faster calculation speed and better algorithm stability.
Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of Hydrodynamic Bearings Applied to a Jeffcott Test Bench
Authors: Medeiros Everton C. , Nabarrete Airton , Cruchaga Marcela A. , Mendonca Willy R. P. , Mathias Mauro H.
Published: April 2021

Merging analytical and numerical models with experimental results improve the behaviour predictions of mechanical elements applied to rotor machinery, such as the bearings. This work aims to present the design of a hydrodynamic bearing prototype, a comparison and validation between the numerical and experimental results of critical speeds, and the differences of behaviour when the bush geometries and lubrication are changed. The bush geometries and the fluid film properties are analysed by measuring the dynamic behaviour of a rotor supported by these bearings. The experimental evaluation is based on measuring the Jeffcott test bench supported in a pair of bearings, showing the anisotropic behaviour caused by the stiffness difference in horizontal and vertical directions. It also presents an optimization of bushings for isotropic conditions when they were changed for different geometries (elliptical, offset halves) and different materials with boundary lubrication. This detailed study shows how the dynamic behaviour of rotating machinery can be predicted using numerical models and its validation by a test rig. Results also show how the vibration occurs if the bushes geometries are modified or its lubrication condition is changed.
Future of Construction Industry: COVID-19 and Its Implications on Construction Projects and Risk Management – A Review
Authors: Adhikari Kushal , Poudyal Lochana
Published: April 2021

The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a whole new set of risks in construction industries generating unprecedented delays, disruptions, and uncertainty on construction projects, and has forced the industries in adopting more sophisticated technologies while combating the reduced workforce on job sites. Further, the post-pandemic era of construction is expected to be a lot different as the industries will embrace the technology as the augmentation and collaboration strategy. Thus, it will be extremely hard to sustain for construction industries in the absence of effective risk management. The existing risk plans need to be inspected for their capability of handling new risks arising from COVID-19 and the project managers will need to make the necessary revisions as needed. This paper discusses on past (NORM), present (NEW NORM), and future (Post COVID-19 NORM) of the construction industry and highlights key strategies for managing projects and construction risks during and post COVID-19 pandemic.
The Great Political and Economic Changes in the World After the Drastic Changes in Eastern Europe: Why Did China Stand Out in the Turbulent World?
Authors: Yu Haoxuan
Published: April 2021

This paper analyzes the political and economic changes in the world after the drastic changes in eastern Europe, starting with Chinese President Xi Jinping's viewpoint "the biggest change in a century". Also, the new international situation and new development in the post-epidemic as well as the development path and direction of China in the post-epidemicera are expected.
Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Resident Physicians and Fellows in New York City During the First COVID-19 Wave
Authors: Pawloski Kate R , Kolod Betty , Khan Rabeea F , Midya Vishal , Chen Tania , Oduwole Adeyemi , Camins Bernard , Colicino Elena , Leitman I. Michael , Nabeel Ismail , Oliver Kristin , Valvi Damaskini
Published: April 2021

Risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are not well-defined in resident physicians and fellows (trainees). We aimed to identify sociodemographic, occupational and community factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among trainees during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in New York City (NYC). In this retrospective cohort study, we administered an electronic survey between June 26 and August 31, 2020 to trainees at the Mount Sinai Health System in NYC to assess risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection between February 1 and June 30, 2020. We used Bayesian generalized linear mixed effect regression and structural equation models to examine associations. SAR-CoV-2 infection was determined by self-reported IgG antibody and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction results and confirmed with laboratory results. Among 2354 trainees invited to participate, 328 (14%) completed the survey and reported test results. The cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 20.1%. Assignment to medical-surgical units (odds ratio [OR], 2.51; 95% CI, 1.18-5.34), and training in emergency medicine, critical care and anesthesiology (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.24-6.92) were independently associated with infection. Deployment to care for unfamiliar patient populations was protective against infection (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03-0.73). Community factors were not significantly associated with infection after adjustment for occupational factors. Our findings may inform tailored infection prevention strategies for trainees responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
M Segment-Based Minigenome System of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus as a Tool for Antiviral Drug Screening
Authors: Yamada Hiroshi , Taniguchi Satoshi , Shimojima Masayuki , Tan Long , Kimura Miyuki , Morinaga Yoshitomo , Fukuhara Takasuke , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Komeno Takashi , Furuta Yousuke , Saijo Masayuki , Tani Hideki
Published: April 2021

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne bunyavirus that causes severe disease in humans with case fatality rates of approximately 30%. There are few treatment options for SFTSV infection. SFTSV RNA synthesis is conducted using a virus-encoded complex with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity that is required for viral propagation. This complex and its activities are, therefore, potential antiviral targets. A library of small molecule compounds was screened using a high-throughput screening (HTS) based on an SFTSV minigenome assay (MGA) in a 96-well microplate format to identify potential lead inhibitors of SFTSV RNA synthesis. The assay confirmed inhibitory activities of previously reported SFTSV inhibitors, favipiravir, and ribavirin. A small-scale screening using MGA identified four candidate inhibitors that inhibited SFTSV minigenome activity by more than 80% while exhibiting less than 20% cell cytotoxicity with selectivity index (SI) values of more than 100. These included mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, clofarabine, and bleomycin. Overall, these data demonstrate that the SFTSV MGA is useful for anti-SFTSV drug development research.
Identification of Novel Mutations in Colorectal Cancer Patients using Ampliseq Comprehensive Cancer Panel
Authors: Almuzzaini Bader , Alghamdi Jahad , Alomani Alhanouf , AlGhamdi Saleh , Alsharm Abdullah Ali , Alshieban Saeed , Sayed Ahood , Ahejaily Abdulmohsen G , Aljasser Fida , Abudawood Manal , AlMajed Faisal , samman Abdulhadi , Al Balwi Mohamed , Aziz Mohammad Azhar
Published: April 2021

Discovery of novel variants from data derived from local population provides confident targets for developing biomarkers for personalized medicine. Biomarker discovery would be an important tool in advancing and utilizing the concept of precision and personalized medicine in the clinic. We identified the need to generate high quality sequencing data from local population and understand the pattern of occurrence of variants in colorectal cancer patients. In this report, we used archived samples from Saudi Arabia and used Ampliseq Comprehensive Cancer panel to identify novel somatic variants. We report a comprehensive analysis of next generation sequencing results with a coverage of >300X. We identified 466 novel variants which were previously unreported in COSMIC and ICGC databases. We analyzed the genes associated with these variants in terms of their frequency of occurrence, probable pathogenicity and clinicopathological features. Among pathogenic somatic variants, 174 were identified for the first time in large intestine. APC, RET and EGFR genes were most frequently mutated. Higher number of variants were identified in left colon. Occurrence of variants in ERBB2 was significantly correlated with those of EGFR and ATR genes. Network analyses of the identified genes provide functional perspective of the identified genes and suggest affected pathways and probable biomarker candidates. This report lays the ground work for biomarker discovery and identification of driver gene mutations in local population.
Kurumsal İtibar ile Finansal Performans Arasındaki İlişkide İnovasyon Kapasitesinin Aracılık Etkisi
Authors: SİS ATABAY Elif , ŞAHİN Kader
Published: April 2021

Bu araştırmanın amacı kaynak temelli yaklaşım kapsamında Türkiye’de faaliyet gösteren firmaların kurumsal itibarlarının, finansal performansları üzerindeki direkt etkisinin yanı sıra, inovasyon kapasitesi üzerinden ortaya çıkabilecek endirekt etkisini ortaya koymaktır. Çalışmada aracılık (mediation) analiz modeli kullanılmıştır. Çalışma 2014-2018 yılları arasında Brand Finance tarafından yayınlanan Turkey 100 (Türkiyenin en İtibarlı Markalar Raporu) listesinde yer alan ve Borsa İstanbul’da işlem gören 35 firmaya ait 175 adet gözlemden oluşmaktadır. Panel EKK “Havuzlanmış Regresyon Modeli” kullanılarak yapılan analiz bulguları, kurumsal itibarın finansal performans üzerinde anlamlı ve pozitif yönlü bir etkisinin olduğunu ve inovasyon kapasitesinin ise bu ilişkide önleyici (supression) bir etkiye sahip olduğunu ortaya koymuştur.
E-Cigarette Use Among Youths and Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: United States, 2020
Authors: Kreslake Jennifer M. , Simard Bethany J. , O’Connor Katie M. , Patel Minal , Vallone Donna M. , Hair Elizabeth C.
Published: April 2021

Objectives. To determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected e-cigarette use among young people in the United States.

Methods. Data came from a weekly cross-sectional online survey of youths and young adults (aged 15–24 years). Logistic regression analyses measured odds of past-30-day e-cigarette use (n = 5752) following widespread stay-at-home directives (March 14–June 29, 2020), compared with the pre‒COVID-19 period (January 1–March 13, 2020). Logistic regression among a subsample of current e-cigarette users (n = 779) examined factors associated with reduced use following stay-at-home orders.

Results. Odds of current e-cigarette use were significantly lower during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the pre‒COVID-19 period among youths aged 15 to 17 years (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54, 0.96) and young adults aged 18 to 20 years (OR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.52, 0.81). E-cigarette users with reduced access to retail environments had higher odds of reporting reduced e-cigarette use (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.14).

Conclusions. COVID-19 stay-at-home directives present barriers to e-cigarette access and are associated with a decline in e-cigarette use among young people.

Public Health Implications. Findings support the urgent implementation of interventions that reduce underage access to e-cigarettes to accelerate a downward trajectory of youth and young adult e-cigarette use.
The Challenges of Conducting Intrastate Policy Surveillance: A Methods Note on County and City Laws in Indiana
Authors: Sanner Lindsey , Grant Sean , Walter-McCabe Heather , Silverman Ross D.
Published: April 2021

Policy surveillance is critical in examining the ways law functions as a structural and social determinant of health. To date, little policy surveillance research has focused on examining intrastate variations in the structure and health impact of laws. Intrastate policy surveillance poses unique methodological challenges because of the complex legal architecture within states and inefficient curation of local laws.

We discuss our experience with these intrastate policy surveillance challenges in Indiana, a state with 92 counties and several populous cities, a complicated history of home rule, systemically underfunded local governments, and variations in demography, geography, and technology adoption. In our case study, we expended significant time and resources to obtain county and city ordinances through online code libraries, jurisdiction Web sites, and (most notably) visits to offices to scan documents ourselves.

A concerted effort is needed to ensure that local laws of all kinds are stored online in organized, searchable, and open access systems. Such an effort is vital to achieve the aspirational goals of policy surveillance at the intrastate level.
Internalisasi Nilai-nilai Keislaman dan Kebangsaan pada Perguruan Tinggi Keagamaan Islam Negeri
Authors: Bukhari Ahmad
Published: April 2021

Today, the Islamic campus is being hit by complex problems. The complicated problem is the threat of radicalism and terrorism in the name of religion (Islam), whether carried out by individuals or groups and networks affiliated with certain radical organizations such as ISIS, JI, JAT, and NII. Not only Islamic revival movements but also the tarbawi propaganda movement (PKS), Tahriri (HTI), and Salafi (Wahabi) also pose a serious threat to the integrity of the nation and state. For this reason, it is necessary to internalize Islamic values and nationality as Islam rahmatanlilaminalamin. The purpose of this research is to know and understand the internalization of Islamic values and nationalities in IAIN Samarinda, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, and UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. This research is a qualitative research with the type of educational research that is the development of Islamic educational thought. This research is a field research and the data sources in this study are primary data sources in the field, specifically: the actors of Islamic universities, chancellors, lecturers, and students. In this study, the methods used in collecting data were observation, interviews, focus group discussions, and documentation. The results of the study in preventing and counteracting various forms of religious radicalization in PTKI with strategic steps: (1) strengthening Islamic insights and nationality through the campus boarding program; (2) deradicalization through strengthening student organizations; (3) selective in accepting students and lecturers; (4) providing moderate, inclusive and humanist Islamic literature, and (5) establish the millennial peace ambassadors on social media.
Microcredential learners need quality careers and employability support
Authors: Healy Michael
Published: April 2021

Providers, industry, and governments have embraced microcredentialing as a solution to the volatility and velocity of changes in labour markets, workplace competencies, and the needs of the 21st century lifelong learner (Oliver, 2019). However, microcredentials do not, in and of themselves, guarantee career or employment success. Seeking a microcredential is one adaptive career behaviour that people might enact in pursuit of their career goals (Lent & Brown, 2013). Similarly, holding a microcredential is one form of employability capital that people might highlight when seeking employment (Tomlinson & Anderson, 2020).
Quantifying the Effect of Multiphase Flow on Matrix Acidizing in Oil-Bearing Carbonate Formations
Authors: Elsafih Mohamed , Fahes Mashhad
Published: April 2021

It is common to inject acidic stimulation fluids into oil-bearing carbonate formations to enhance well productivity. This process of matrix acidizing is designed to maximize the propagation of wormholes into the formation by optimizing the injection parameters, including acid-injection rate and volume. Previous studies have suggested that saturation conditions, permeability, heterogeneity, temperature, and pressure can significantly affect the design of matrix-acidizing treatments. However, laboratory studies’ results are inconsistent in their conclusions and are mostly limited to water-saturated cores. In this work, we designed a systematic experimental study to evaluate the impact of multiphase flow on the acidizing process when injecting 15 wt% hydrochloric acid (HCl) into crude-oil-saturated Indiana Limestone cores. The results reveal the following: Contrary to published literature for water-saturated cores, acidizing in partially oil-saturated high-permeability cores at high pressure requires less acid volume than in low-permeability cores; lower-pressure acid injection results in more efficient wormhole propagation in low-permeability cores compared to high-pressure acid injection; acidizing in low- and high-permeability cores at low pressure leads to similar efficiency; and wormholing is more effective in partially oil-saturated cores, resulting in multiple parallel branches as compared to inefficient leakoff in water-saturated cores.
AI-Based Estimation of Hydraulic Fracturing Effect
Authors: Erofeev A. S. , Orlov D. M. , Perets D. S. , Koroteev D. A.
Published: April 2021

We studied the applicability of a gradient-boosting machine-learning (ML) algorithm for forecasting of oil and total liquid production after hydraulic fracturing (HF). A thorough raw data study with data preprocessing algorithms was provided. The data set included 10 oil fields with more than 2,000 HF events. Each event has been characterized by well coordinates, geology, transport and storage properties, depths, and oil/liquid rates before fracturing for target and neighboring wells. Each ML model has been trained to predict monthly production rates right after fracturing and when the flows are stabilized. The gradient-boosting method justified its choice with R2 being approximately 0.7 to 0.8 on the test set for oil/total liquid production after HF. The developed ML prediction model does not require preliminary numerical simulations of a future HF design. The applied algorithm could be used as a new approach for HF candidate selection based on the real-time state of the field.
Fixation of microorganisms with paraformaldehyde for TLR stimulation.
Authors: Neves-Costa Ana
Published: April 2021

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are part of the family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that evolved to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). A variety of PAMPs have been identified, from various microbial components to viral molecules. E.coli (Escherichia coli) has been widely used as a prototype Gram-negative bacteria with the capacity to stimulate TLRs, in particular to elicit TLR4-dependent immune responses. This receptor mainly recognizes an essential component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria: lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In vitro stimulation of immune cells for cytokine production can be achieved with the use of commercially-available purified TLR agonists, including LPS. Here we show how to prepare an alternative stimulator of TLR4 in a very fast an inexpensive way, paraformaldehyde-fixed preparations of E. coli. This reagent is a powerful tool for the in vitro activation of TLR4 that can be quantified and therefore used in defined amounts. Moreover, it is a safe reagent (the E.coli cells are fixed) and it is easy to prepare in large quantities and to store. Other microorganisms such as yeasts can also be fixed in this way.
Effects of Low-Dose Naltrexone on Quality of Life in High-Grade Glioma Patients: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Randomized Trial
Authors: Peters Katherine B , Affronti Mary L , Woodring Sarah , Lipp Eric , Healy Patrick , Herndon James E , Miller Elizabeth S , Freeman Maria W , Randazzo Dina M , Desjardins Annick , Friedman Henry S
Published: April 2021

Purpose: At diagnosis and throughout the disease course, patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) experience a diminished quality of life (QOL) and increased fatigue. Naltrexone, an orally semisynthetic opiate antagonist, is FDA-approved for the treatment of heroin/alcohol addiction, and low dose naltrexone (LDN) has been observed to improve QOL and lower fatigue in other neurological illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis. LDN is believed to function as a partial agonist and can lead to shifts in neurochemicals that reduce fatigue. Based on this, we sought to study whether LDN has an impact on QOL and fatigue in patients with HGG. Methods: In a placebo-controlled, double-blind study, we randomized 110 HGG patients to receive placebo (N=56) or LDN 4.5 mg orally at night (N=54). Subjects received LDN or placebo at day 1 of concurrent radiation and temozolomide therapy and continued for 16 weeks. Change from baseline in patient-reported outcomes of QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain) and fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue) was assessed. Results: Demographics were WHO grade IV (85%), male (56%), KPS 90-100 (51%), grossly resected (55%), and mean age of 56 years. QOL and fatigue changes between baseline and post concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy were not significantly different between patients receiving LDN or placebo. The adverse event profile for LDN and placebo were similar and attributed to concomitant use of temozolomide. Conclusions: While safe to administer, LDN has no effect on QOL and fatigue in HGG patients during concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. United States National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials.gov NCT01303835, Date 2/25/2011
Assessment and Prediction of Groundwater using Geospatial and ANN modeling
Authors: Dadhich Ankita Pran , Goyal Rohit , Dadhich Pran Nath
Published: April 2021

In semi-arid regions the deterioration in groundwater quality and drop in water level upshots the importance of spatio-temporal mapping with geospatial and advanced modeling techniques. In present study, changes in water level, water quality trend patterns and future scenarios of groundwater in 171 villages of Phagi tehsil, Jaipur district was assessed using eight years (2012-2019) groundwater data. Spatial interpolation maps were drawn using kriging method for pre-monsoon season and integrated with three different time series forecasting models (Simple Exponential Smoothing, Holt's Trend Method, ARIMA) and Artificial Neural Network models to ascertain the optimal prediction for groundwater level and quality parameters. Results reveal that the use of ANN model can describe the behavior of groundwater level and quality parameters more accurately than time series forecasting models. In addition, different ANN algorithms were tested to select the best-performing algorithm and ANN15 is found the most accurate one in simulating the magnitude and patterns of pre-monsoon water level data for year 2019 with R2 = 0.98, and NSE = 0.81. The change in groundwater table was observed with more than 4.0m rise in 81 villages during 2012-2013 whereas ANNpredicted results of 2023-2024 infer no rise in water table (>4.0m). Water level drop of more than 6.0m was observed in 16 villages of Phagi tehsil based on predicted results of 2024. Assessment of groundwater quality parameters like Total dissolved solids, chloride, fluoride and nitrate indicate chemically unsuitable groundwater for drinking purpose in most part of the Phagi. ANNpredictions point out excess nitrate content in 58% villages however, Water quality Index reveals unfit groundwater in 74% villages for human consumption in 2024. This time series and projected outcome of groundwater at village level can assist the planners and decision-makers for proper management of groundwater risk areas.
Physical Layer Security for Cooperative NOMA Networks via Nakagami-m Fading Channels
Authors: Alouane Wided Hadj
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we investigate the physical layer security in cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) networks over Nakagamim fading channels. Both amplify-and-forward (AF) and decode-and-forward (DF) protocols are studied. More particularly, closed-form exact and asymptotic expressions for strictly positive secrecy capacity are provided considering NOMA-AF and NOMA-DF relaying systems. Numerical results are presented to justify the accuracy of the obtained theoretical analysis. These results show that NOMA-AF and NOMA-DF relaying networks have a similar secrecy performance.
Jiaotai Wan exerts antidepressant effects through regulating gut microbiota in rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress
Authors: Wang Yueer , Li Zhu , Feng Man , Li Yue , Ni Tongyao , Xu Yilan , Gao Shuming , Li Lin , Gao Shan , Yu Chunquan
Published: April 2021

This study used 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing to determine the effects of Jiaotai Wan on gut microflora of rats experiencing chronic unpredictable mild stress. We randomly divided 135 healthy male rats into nine groups. All groups except the control received chronic unpredictable mild stress. Rats were weighed before being subjected to sucrose preference and open field tests. Rat fecal samples were used for 16s rDNA high-throughput sequencing; the results allowed us to determine gut microfloral structure and changes. The stress treatment decreased body weight, sucrose preference, and performance in open field tests from control levels. Beta diversity of gut microflora differed across rat groups. Jiaotai Wan increased Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroides, and Akkermansia abundance, while decreasing Ruminococcaceae abundance. Therefore, Jiaotai Wan may exert antidepressant effects through regulating microbial abundance in the gut.
Sustainable 2G Ethanol Production From Switchgrass Biomass via Co-Fermentation of Pentoses and Hexoses Using Novel Wild Yeasts
Authors: Antunes Felipe A. F. , Rajan Kalavathy , Djioleu Angele , Rocha Thiago M. , Brumano Larissa P. , Melo Yasmin. C. S. , Santos Julio C. , Rosa Carlos A. , Carrier Danielle Julie , Silva Silvio S. da
Published: April 2021

The production of second generation (2G) ethanol remains an interesting proposition for the implementation of sustainable and net carbon-neutral energy systems. 2G makes use of renewable lignocellulosic feedstocks, generating fermentable sugars that are converted to ethanol or other bio-based products. To be economically viable, 2G biorefineries must make use of all processing streams, including the less desirable C5 sugar stream. In this work, a strategy of sequential acid and alkaline pretreatment of the lignocellulosic feedstock switchgrass for improvement of fermentable sugar yield, and the subsequent utilization of wild yeasts for co-fermentation of its C5-C6 sugar streams are presented. Hemicellulose-enriched hydrolysates, obtained by dilute acid pretreatment of switchgrass, were fermented by a newly-isolated wild Scheffersomyces parashehatae strain–UFMG-HM-60.1b; corresponding ethanol yield (YPS) and volumetric productivity (QP) were 0.19 g/g and 0.16 g/L h, respectively. Afterwards, the remaining switchgrass cellulignin fraction was subjected to optimized alkaline delignification at 152 ºC for 30 min. The delignified solid fraction was subjected to contiguous enzymatic saccharification and fermentation, releasing a C6 sugar stream in which Saccharomyces cerevisiae 174 strain displayed a productivity of 0.46 g/g (YPS) and 0.70 g/L h (QP), whereas the S. parashehatae UFMG-HM-60.1b presented YPS and QP of 0.29 g/g and 0.38 g/L h, respectively. Upon combining the conversion of hemicellulose (37%) and cellulose-derived sugars (57%), the S. parashehatae strain provided higher yield (94%) than the generic S. cerevisiae (90%). Henceforth, our integrated pretreatment and co-fermentation process provides a pathway for maximum utilization of the switchgrass carbohydrates for 2G ethanol production.
Study the Fuel characteristics of Ethanol and Waste Engine Oil Pyrolytic oil blends
Authors: Patel Nivedita , Shadangi Krushna Prasad
Published: April 2021

This study shows the application of pyrolytic oil derived from Waste Engine oil (WEOPO) as an alternative fuel by blending with Ethanol. For this, the effect of blending of ethanol at 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 %, 25 %, and 30 % on the compositions and fuel properties were analyzed. The utmost blending was established based on the higher heating value. The pyrolytic oil used for this study was produced at 550 °C which was the optimum pyrolytic temperature. A comparison study of the blended oil was done with commercially available gasoline to observe the similarities in their fuel properties and composition. The study confirmed that ethanol can be blended with WEOPO at 20% by volume to obtain a fuel of a higher heating value of about 44.24 MJ/kg that can be used as fuel. Since, WEOPO contains 65.80% of C4-C12 (gasoline range) hydrocarbon compounds and the rest 31.48 % C11–C15, 11.84 % C15-C19, and 6.94 % >C19 compounds it can be used as a future fuel.
Rethinking water and crops management in the irrigated district of Diyar-Al-Hujjej (Tunisia)
Authors: Daghari Issam , Abouaziza Fatma Bader , Daghari Hedi
Published: April 2021

In Diyar-Al-Hujjej irrigated area, aquifer’s over-exploitation, sea intrusion and abandonment of irrigated areas and wells were took place. A yield decrease for all crops was observed. Average aquifer water electrical conductivity (EC) jumps from 4 dS/m to 6.6 dS/m between 1969 and 2017. A fresh surface water transfer over more than 100 km was launched in 1998 to safeguard this irrigated area but this fresh water supply is not stable, it varies from one year to another (about 1,900,000 m3 in 2015 and only 60,000 m3 in 2018) while annual cops water requirements of the perimeter is about 2,500,000 m3. An adaptation by farmers to this new situation of saline and water stress was observed. The follow-up surveys of the farmer’s practices showed that: (i) new crops with high added-value grown during the rainy season were introduced in association with dry season crops (strawberry-pepper association), (ii) rainfed crops, fallow and water blending are common practices, and (iii) growing of rainy season crops in the aim to reduce water supply. The instability of fresh surface water volume transferred constitutes the main threat for this perimeter. The use of aquifer salt water must be stopped; it is the cause of the large quantities of salts supplied (over 13,000 kg / ha) and also of the low annual net income achieved. Net revenue was less than 2,000 US $/ha under salt water and reached even 8,000 US $/ha when sufficient surface water is available. An agrarian reform policy must be applied for this perimeter; only crops whose water requirements are partially met by rain should be grown. Introduction of another more sustainable water source should be initiated (as desalination) even at private farm level.
The host phenotype and microbiome varies with infection status, parasite origin and parasite microbiome composition
Authors: Hahn Megan , Piecyk Agnes , Jorge Fatima , Cerrato Robert , Kalbe Martin , Dheilly Nolwenn M.
Published: April 2021

Background: A growing literature demonstrates the impact of helminths on their host gut microbiome. However, there is now a need to investigate helminth associated microbes and the complex tripartite interactions between parasite, microbes, and hosts. Methods: We investigated whether the stickleback host microbiome depends on eco-evolutionary variables by testing the impact of exposure to the parasite Schistocephalus solidus, infection success, host genotype, parasite genotype, and parasite microbiome composition. Results: We observed constitutive differences in the microbiome of stickleback of different origin that increased when sticklebacks exposed to the parasite resisted infection. In contrast, the microbiome of successfully infected sticklebacks varies with parasite genotype. More specifically, we reveal that the association between microbiome and immune gene expression increases in infected individuals, and varies with parasite genotype. In addition, we showed that S. solidus hosts a complex endo-microbiome and that the abundance and prevalence of an unknown Chloroflexi in the parasite correlate with expression of host immune genes including foxp3, tnfr1, cd97, stat6 and marco. Conclusions: Within this first comprehensive analysis of a cestode’s interaction with bacteria, we demonstrate that (i) regardless of infection success, parasites contribute to modulating the host microbiome, (ii). when infection is successful, the host microbiome varies with parasite genotype due to genotype-dependent variation in parasite immunomodulation, and (iii) the parasite-associated microbiome is distinct from its host’s and contribute to the host immune response to infection. While a growing number of studies focus on determining the genetic and environmental factors contributing to host microbiome composition, this study reveals that parasites, parasite genetic factors, and parasite microbiomes can contribute regardless of whether the infection was successful.
The Etiologies of Isolated Fourth Cranial Nerve Palsy: A 10-Year Review of 158 Cases
Authors: Lekskul Apatsa , Wuthisiri Wadakarn , Tangtammaruk Phantaraporn
Published: April 2021

MethodsPatients diagnosed with isolated fourth nerve palsy from January 1, 2009, through July 31, 2020 in Ramathibodi Hospital, were included in this retrospective, observational case series. The demographic data of patients, age at presentation, the etiologies of isolated fourth nerve palsy and neuroimaging results (if indicated) were recorded.ResultsWe identified 153 unilateral and 5 bilateral cases of isolated fourth nerve palsy. Mean age at presentation was 38.89 ± 25.71 years old. Most of the unilateral cases were congenital (58.17%), with vasculopathy (27.45%), intracranial neoplasm (8.5%) and other etiologies. Trauma with closed head injury was the most common etiology of bilateral cases (60%), followed by ruptured arterovenous malformation (20%) and vasculopathy (20%). Twenty-one of the 43 (48.84%) patients with vasculopathy-associated fourth nerve palsy underwent neuroimaging, with normal findings, and all patients’ symptoms resolved within 6 months of symptom onset.ConclusionsIn our series, most of the isolated fourth nerve palsy cases were congenital, followed in frequency by vasculopathy and intracranial tumor, as in many studies. In cases of vasculopathy, the clinical signs and symptoms resolved within 6 months in all cases: observation was sufficient, with no necessity for neuroimaging. However, neuroimaging should be considered in cases with atypical presentations, such as headache, periorbital pain, ataxia with positive cerebellar signs, or if there is rapid progression or no recovery.
Northward migration of the boreal forest confirmed by satellite record
Authors: Feng Min , Sexton Joseph , Wang Panshi , Montesano Paul , Calle Leonardo , Carvalhais Nuno , Poulter Benjamin , Wooten Margaret , Wagner William , Elders Akiko , Channan Saurabh , Neigh Christopher
Published: April 2021

The boreal forest is one of Earth’s most climatologically sensitive regions, and changes in the cover and structure of its vegetation pose a positive carbon-climate feedback on atmospheric greenhouse warming. The region has also experienced more than three times climatological warming of any forested biome in recent decades. While ecological models predict a northward shift of boreal tree cover in response to climate change, comprehensive data have not been available to test the hypothesis. Here we report a test of the magnitude, direction, and significance of changes in the boreal canopy based on the longest and highest-resolution record of calibrated satellite maps to date. The boreal canopy increased in density and shifted northward from 1984 to 2020, with the largest and most significant gains in its northern latitudes. Net forest gains occurred despite stable rates of disturbance across all but the region’s southernmost latitudes, implicating widespread release of climatological limitation on growth over changing distribution of fire, harvest, insect, and other disturbances. These new forests will sequester carbon as they mature, increasing its residence time in woody biomass, and will play a key role in how the terrestrial biosphere attenuates atmospheric CO2 increases.
The Effect of the Educational Brochure Versus the Video on Disease Knowledge in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sunthornsup Waraporn , Soponkanaporn Sirisucha , Vilaiyuk Soamarat
Published: April 2021

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common pediatric rheumatic disease. Patient education plays an important role in the management of such chronic disease. Although JIA educational materials are available, patients may not reach them due to limited health literacy or limited access. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness between a brochure and a video in JIA-related knowledge.Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial study. 100 JIA patients or their caregivers, whose JIA patients were not graduated at least 8thgrade were randomized into two groups with 50 subjects per arms. The intervention groups were reading the brochure (n=50) or watching the content matched video (n=50). Fifteen multiple-choice knowledge questionnaires about JIA were answered before, immediately after intervention and at follow-up 4 weeks later. Demographic data and disease activity were recorded.Results: In this study, age of patients in the brochure and video group were 13.2 ± 4.6 years and 14.3 ± 5.1 years, respectively. Most of them were female (57%), diagnosed systemic JIA (37%) and were in active disease status (48%). There was no difference in all baseline demographic data. About 70% of patients had low average monthly family income per household. More than 50% of JIA graduated below secondary school. The mean correct score rates prior to the intervention were 51% and 56% in the brochure group and video group, respectively (p-value 0.28). Post-test total knowledge scores showed that participants in the video group had better knowledge than participants in the brochure group (p-value 0.003). In four-week post-test, both groups had statistically significantly lower total knowledge scores (the brochure 73%, the video 78%) when compared to the immediate post-test score. Moreover, there was no significant difference in four-week post-test scores between two groups (p-value 0.141).Conclusion: The JIA educational video was more effective than the pictorial brochure in improving immediate JIA related knowledge. However, the long-term retention of JIA related knowledge did not show the significant difference between both educational tools. To maintain JIA disease knowledge, patients should be given the knowledge of JIA disease repeatedly.Trial registration: Thaiclinicaltrials.org 06/03/2020, TCTR20200310004, prospectively registered.
Highly c-axis Oriented ZnO Thin Films by Sol-gel Method
Authors: Kutlu Taner , Erdogan Necdet H. , Sedefoglu Nazmi , Kavak Hamide
Published: April 2021

This study reports the effect of annealing temperature on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of ZnO (Zinc Oxide) thin films deposited on a glass substrate by the sol-gel spin coating method. Those properties of ZnO were examined with UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), before and after annealing. XRD results revealed that all the samples had a highly c-axis oriented wurtzite structure. A 1 (LO) mode in Raman spectra also confirmed the highly oriented ZnO films. Optical measurement indicated that transmittance of the films was above %85, and the optical band gap slightly decreased with the increasing annealing temperature from 350 to 550 °C. Morphological analysis displayed that increasing annealing temperature improved surface morphology and enlarged the grain size from 2-3 nm for as-deposited samples to 150 nm for annealed at 550 °C.
Anisotropic and Age-Dependent Elastic Material Behavior of the Human Costal Cartilage
Authors: Weber Matthias , Rothschild Markus Alexander , Niehoff Anja
Published: April 2021

Compared to articular cartilage, the biomechanical properties of costal cartilage have not yet been extensively explored. The research presented addresses this problem by studying for the first time the anisotropic elastic behavior of human costal cartilage. Samples were taken from 12 male and female cadavers and unconfined compression and indentation tests were performed in mediolateral and dorsoventral direction to determine Young’s Moduli EC for compression and Ei5%, Ei10% and Eimax at 5%, 10% and maximum strain for indentation. Furthermore, the crack direction of the unconfined compression samples was determined and histological samples of the cartilage tissue were examined with the picrosirius-polarization staining method. The tests revealed mean Young’s Moduli of EC = 32.9 ± 17.9 MPa (N = 10), Ei5% = 11.1 ± 5.6 MPa (N = 12), Ei10% = 13.3 ± 6.3 MPa (N = 12) and Eimax = 14.6 ± 6.6 MPa (N = 12). We found that the Young’s Moduli in the indentation test are clearly anisotropic with significant higher results in the mediolateral direction (all P = 0.002). In addition, a dependence of the crack direction of the compressed specimens on the load orientation was observed. Those findings were supported by the orientation of the structure of the collagen fibers determined in the histological examination. Also, a significant age-related elastic behavior of human costal cartilage could be shown with the unconfined compression test (P = 0.009) and the indentation test (P = 0.004), but no gender effect could be detected. Those results are helpful in the field of autologous grafts for rhinoplastic surgery and for the refinement of material parameters in Finite Element models e.g. for accident analyses with traumatic impact on the thorax.
Study the Behaviour of Underground Oil Cavern Under Static Loading Condition
Authors: Lokhande Ritesh D , Vamsi Krishna Chimmani
Published: April 2021

The country population is increasing rapidly and the needs to make lives easier daily. Some of the essential needs for this generation are crude oil and electricity. India unfortunately does not possess any oil reserves to meet the needs of the country’s demands. So, India is importing oil from other countries. Whenever there are situations like war, pandemic (COVID-19) and other emergencies, the natural oil reserved countries cannot export the oil to other countries which will lead to great chaos in the country. To avoid this situation storing the crude oil is necessary. Building surface giant structures for storing the oil is difficult and won’t be economical. So, India is constructing giant underground structures called caverns, which will reserve the oil. The present study is focused on the stability of the underground cavern structure and understanding the importance of water curtaining system. To analyze the stresses and displacement 2D modelling has been done. In this, wet and dry models are prepared and analysed based on the available geological and geo-technical data to determine the stresses around the cavern and the displacement which will reach on surface due to excavation.