bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE USING OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH METHODS TO OPTIMIZE FREIGHT ROAD TRANSPORTATION IN THE AGROINDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Authors: Moroz Mykola , Zahorianskyi Volodymyr , Haikova Tetyana , Kuzev Igor
Published: July 2022

An optimization model has been developed using linear programming and network analysis methods to determine the route of trucks for the transportation of homogeneous mass cargo. The study was carried out by means of economic and mathematical modelling of flows of a homogeneous mass cargo between a supplier and several consumers (using the example of transporting solid organic fertilizers from a storage facility to crop rotation fields and between them). It has been established that the volume of road transport of organic fertilizers for delivery from storage sites to crop rotation fields in agricultural regions of the country is very large. In agricultural production, the process of determining the optimal transportation route, including large volumes of fertilizers, is very laborious and complex in terms of organization, material, financial, and labour costs. The costs associated with transporting such a quantity of fertilizers is very high, which necessitates the optimization of this process. The study of generalized flow problems in a network setting was carried out on the example of road transport of solid organic fertilizers to crop rotation fields using the methods of operations research. It is possible to optimize the parameters of this transport process by developing its model using the methods of linear programming and network analysis and performing calculations on it. The route of transportation, in which the total costs of road transportation will be minimal, will be optimal for the considered transport process. The criterion for the effectiveness of the choice (the objective function of the mathematical model) is the total costs of transporting a given volume of cargo from the supplier to several consumers, subject to their minimization. The factors that determine these costs are highlighted and calculated dependencies are developed to determine them. A comprehensive method for optimizing the technology of transporting organic fertilizers by road on farms has been further developed. The developed model can be used by enterprises-suppliers of road transport services, farms, to increase the volume and improve the efficiency of road transport of fertilizers and other bulk cargo. It seems promising to develop an algorithm and a program for this model to determine the optimal route of movement of vehicles for the distribution of a given volume of cargo
New stratigraphic and genetic model for the dolomitic Cretaceous Pinda reservoirs in Angola. Part II - Compelling arguments against early dolomitization and early leaching
Authors: Granier Bruno R.C.
Published: July 2022

This is the second contribution to the stratigraphic and genetic model of the Pinda Group. The mid-Cretaceous Pinda Group of the Congo basin in the northern Angolan offshore is a transgressive supersequence. Its lower part is made of Bufalo and Pacassa facies that correspond respectively to mixed and calcareous-dolomitic grain-dominated fabrics. Both facies were strongly diagenetically altered, mostly by dolomitic replacement and leaching. Contrary to opinions expressed by other authors that both styles of alteration are early diagenetic phenomena, there is substantial evidence for a burial origin with dolomitic replacement and leaching of calcite having started at depths not less than 150 m and 400 m, respectively.
A rare ammonite assemblage in the Romaniceras ornatissimum Zone (Middle Turonian) from the Uchaux Massif, Vaucluse, France
Authors: Amédro Francis , Baudouin Cyril , Delanoy Gérard , Devalque Christian , Robaszynski Francis
Published: July 2022

The Uchaux Massif (Vaucluse, SE France) is one of the rare places in Europe where ammonites collecting can be led from a high middle Turonian through Late Turonian. That incited Alcide d'Orbigny in 1852 to quote Uchaux as "the French type of the Turonian stage" to complement the Saumur, Tourtenay, Montrichard and Tours localities mentionned in 1842 when the stage was created. In 2014, the monograph by Robaszynski et al. synthetized and actualized the informations available on the litho- and biostratigraphy of the Turonian from the Uchaux Massif. More recently, a new outcrop at Mondragon, in a place named Prés Morel, exposes the whole carbonate siltstones with Spongia of the Peyras Member (UL3). Were collected : Lewesiceras peramplum (Mantell, 1822), Romaniceras (Romaniceras) marigniacum Amédro & Châtelier, 2020, R. (Yubariceras) ornatissimum (Stoliczka, 1864), R. (Y.) kanei Jones, 1938, Collignoniceras woollgari regulare (Haas, 1946), C. carolinum (Orbigny, 1841), C. papale (Orbigny, 1841), C. turoniense (Orbigny, 1841) and a new species of Collignoniceras : C. rhodanicum Amédro, Baudouin & Delanoy sp. nov. This assemblage, unprecedented in the studied area, is characteristic of the Romaniceras ornatissimum Zone which is the third of the four ammonite zones of the middle Turonian (Tm 3). At the top of this third zone, the surprise was to find the Romaniceras marigniacum bio-horizon defined in 2020 in the southern part of the Paris Basin at the top of the Tuffeau de Bourré and at the base of the Tuffeau Jaune de Touraine. Moreover, we now think that the Peyras Member has to be fully assigned to the Romaniceras ornatissimum Zone. Lastly, the assemblage includes a rich population of Collignoniceras carolinum (24 specimens), the most important known to-day over the world. All these ammonites allow to know the spectrum of their morphological variations and show a dimorphism through the existence of micro- and macroconchs.
Dielectric Spectroscopy of Slightly Saline Sands
Authors: Bobrov P.P. , Belyaeva T.A. , Kroshka E.S. , Rodionova O.V.
Published: July 2022

—We present results of experimental measurements of complex dielectric permittivity (CDP) of sand and powders of quartz granules with mass-averaged particle sizes from 5 to 250 μm, saturated with distilled water and NaCl solutions with a conductivity of up to 0.77 S/m. The CDP spectra are measured in a frequency range from 1 kHz to 8.5 GHz. Spectra at frequencies above 1 GHz are simulated using a refractive three-component mixture model. The CDP spectra in a frequency range from 10 kHz to 1 GHz were simulated by three relaxation processes using the Debye and Cole–Cole equations. It is shown that the conductivity of the sample at a frequency of ~5 kHz is not proportional to the conductivity of the saturating solution. The strengths of the two low-frequency processes are more closely correlated with the sample conductivity than with the solution proportion. The relaxation times of the low- and high-frequency processes are statistically related to an average particle size, and the relaxation time of the low-frequency process is additionally correlated with the specific surface area of the particles. We estimated the conductivity of the saturating solution at which the correlation is the strongest.
Evolution of Gold in the Oxidation Zone of the Kopto Deposit (the Republic of Tuva, Russia)
Authors: Kalinin Yu.A. , Kuzhuget R.V. , Khusainova A.Sh. , Gaskova O.L. , Butanaev Yu.V.
Published: July 2022

—The Kopto deposit (northeastern Tuva) is assigned to gold ore objects with a combination of the Au–Cu–skarn and superposed quartz–gold–sulfide stockwork types of mineralization. From the surface, the ores underwent intense oxidation, which formed a zone of secondary gold enrichment, containing a supergene paragenesis with gold and silver chalcogenides and newly formed gold. The depth of distribution of oxidized ores from the surface is 80–90 m. The Au content varies from fractions of ppm to 150 ppm (on average, 30.8 ppm). Using computer thermodynamic modeling, it is shown how the ore gold–sulfide–quartz association transformed under oxidizing conditions with a decrease in the pH of solutions. Gold becomes more and more high-grade; acanthite appears and disappears; limonite prevails (pH = 1.65; Eh = 0.69 V). The conditions for the stability of pyrite, iron hydroxides, and gold and silver chalcogenides (petrovskaite (AgAuS) and uytenbogaardtite (Ag3AuS2)) have been estimated. It requires weakly acidic solutions with pH = 5–6 and Eh values close to zero, which ensures the stability of thiosulfate and hydrosulfide complexes of noble metals. The main difference between solutions in equilibrium with petrovskaite and uytenbogaardtite is the Ag/Au ratios, which are maximum in the first case and approximately equal in the second. The paper is concerned with a comparative analysis of the morphologic features of gold from primary and oxidized ores of the Kopto gold deposit. The aim of this work is to identify a set of signs of the supergene nature of gold and to assess the extent of its redistribution.
The Problematic of the Imiaslav Disputes in Russian Religious Philosophy: Towards the Question of the Ecclesiastical and Social Ideal in the Discussions of the 1910s
Authors: Filippov Andrei Yu.
Published: July 2022

The article examines the influence of the imyaslav disputes on Russian religious and philosophical thought at the beginning of the 20th century. The socio-political aspect of Russian religious philosophy and the problems of relations between the Church, the state and society in the context of the “religious Renaissance” of the Silver Age are touched upon. The author dwells on the positions of two well-known philosophers who actively participated in the polemic around the imyaslav movement, namely N.A. Berdyaev and V.F. Ern. The article traces the similarities and differences in the theses of the two thinkers related to the “Athos affair”, and draws conclusions about the connection between the positions they formulated with the common worldview constants of both philosophers and, in particular, their idea of the ecclesiastical and social ideal.
“As if Power did not Exist”: Ontology and Politics of Postanarchism
Authors: Polyakov Dmitry B.
Published: July 2022

The proposal review is devoted to the book by S. Newman “Postanarchism” presented in April 2021 by the “RIPOL Classic” publishing house. The translation into Russian of this text, the original of which was published in 2016, seems significant not only in the context of familiarization the little-known in Russia politico-philosophical concepts of the West, but also from the position of analyzing contemporary practices of political resistance to the state. The radicalism of these practices stimulates philosophical reflection on the ontological, epistemological and ethical contours of this resistance, an example of which is Newman's work reviewed here. At the same time, the book is neither a program document of the modern anarchist movement, nor a guide to political action. It represents a quite original optics, which the author builds with the help of an interpretive assembly of anti-authoritarian motives extracted from the works of thinkers of the past and present.
Limiting Aspects of Automatic History Matching
Authors: Ali S. M. Farouq , Berkowitz Brian S.
Published: July 2022

An intuitive, trial-and-error approach to history-matching can be costly and time-consuming. In an attempt to reduce these factors, considerable efforts have been made to automate history-matching procedure for implementation on high-speed computers; and several methods based on ex post facto techniques have been developed for this purpose.

This study examines presently available automatic history-matching algorithms reported; discusses the viability of each; and explores the fundamental weaknesses of two of the more promising methods. In addition, the existence of alternative approaches to solving the inverse problem for analogous, but less complex, situations is noted. Most published methods address the problem of single phase flow, although many would appear to be satisfactory for multiphase flow.

The most serious problem encountered in automatic history-matching is the tendency to construct ill-conditioned systems of equations Ax=b. By the very nature of the history-matching problem, inherent uncertainties exist in both A and b, because they are based on a measured performance history. This history-matching problem can therefore be treated only by incorporating some a priori information about the solution vector x. But due to the scarcity of physical data, even this requirement cannot be adequately satisfied.

It would seem that the current automatic history-matching methods are less than satisfactory. Such methods are simply not competitive with manual techniques which an experienced reservoir engineer might employ. It would appear, then, that the determination of effective and reliable solutions to the inverse problem requires development of improved methods of geological parameters, and adaptation of mathematical techniques to allow for a more theoretical treatment.
A Practical Approach to Correctly Executing Hydraulic Fracture Treatments
Authors: Smith Bruce S. , Moreland Brian T. , Hagel Marvin W.
Published: July 2022

Creation of a fracture in a reservoir of design length and conductivity requires that the assumptions supporting the design be valid a ted in the field and the fracture redesigned if necessary. The tools and methods available to undertake this validation are simple and effective, minimizing risk of premature sandoff or inadequate fracture length and conductivity. A recommended practice for use in the effective execution of hydraulic fracture treatments is presented.
Agriculture and land use implications of early climate change mitigation efforts without reliance on net-negative emissions
Authors: Hasegawa Tomoko , Fujimori Shinichiro , Frank Stefan , Humpenöder Florian , Bertram Christoph , Després Jacques , Drouet Laurent , Emmerling Johannes , Gusti Mykola , Harmsen Mathijs , Keramidas Kimon , Oshiro Ken , Rochedo Pedro , Ruijven Bastiaan van , Cabardos Anique-Marie , Deppermann Andre , Fosse Florian , Havlík Petr , Krey Volker , Popp Alexander , Schaeffer Roberto , Vuuren Detlef van , Riahi Keywan
Published: July 2022

Allowing delayed climate mitigation actions and overshoot of temperature targets requires large scale negative carbon emissions that may induce adverse side-effects on land, food and ecosystems in the second half of this century. Meanwhile, meeting climate goals without net negative emissions inevitably needs the implementation of early and quick emissions reduction measures, which also brings challenges in the near-term. Here we identify the implications of scenarios without a dependence on net-negative carbon emissions on land-use and food systems. We find that early climate actions without the reliance on net-negative carbon emissions have multiple benefits and trade-offs in land-use and food systems, and avoid the need for drastic (mitigation-induced) shifts in land-use in the long term. Further long-term benefits are lower food prices, a reduced risk of hunger and lower water scarcity. At the same time, however, near-term mitigation pressure in the AFOLU sectors and the required land area for energy crops increases, resulting in additional agricultural intensification.
Identification of a cuproptosis related chromatin regulators signature for lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wei Lu , Wu Yueyue , Xie Yi , Yang Yichen , Yan Xinghu , Wei Zhihao , Huang Liqun
Published: July 2022

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, displaying dismal prognosis. Growing evidence now links cuproptosis related genes (CRGs) and chromatin regulators (CRs) to cancer progression. However, the relationship between CRGs and CRs is not yet fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the connection and prognostic value of these two factors in LUAD patients. Methods: Cuproptosis related genes (CRGs) and chromatin regulators (CRs) were retrieved from previous top studies. For TCGA analysis, mRNA expression andclinical information for LUAD were downloaded via R package. Functional enrichment was analyzed through the ClusterProfler package. Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis were utilized to train models for predicting outcome in LUAD. The Kaplan-Meier curve analyses was used to assess the prognosis for cases categorized as High-risk and Low-risk groups. DsigDB dataset was performed to screen the potential drugs for LUAD treatment. Results: We visualized an protein-protein interaction (PPI) network between CRGs and CRs. Functional analysis suggested that CRs were mainly enriched in chromatin modification and cell cycle pathways. The prognosis prediction model was successfully constructed and validated for the patients with LUAD. Moreover, we also showed 11-CRs-based model was an independent prognostic factor for LUAD patients. This CR-based model was associated with immune cells infiltration as well as immune checkpoint. Seven prospective drugs was detected for the treatment of LUAD patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings provide unique information not available in previous studies, casting novel insights about the correlation between CRGs and CRs in LUAD. We also identified several prognostic biomarkers for the survival of patients with LUAD.
Seed bank dynamics of the annual halophyte Salicornia ramosissima: towards a sustainable exploitation of its wild populations
Authors: Polo Alejandro , Fragoso Alba , Infante-Izquierdo María D. , Nieva Francisco J.J. , Muñoz-Rodríguez Adolfo F. , Castillo Jesús M.
Published: July 2022

Halophytes are able to survive in the high salted areas of the world, and have been recognized as sources of bioactive metabolites. There is a need to design sustainable strategies for the use of wild populations of halophytic species in order to avoid irrational gathering. Seed banks are essential for resilience and regeneration in salty ecosystems. We sampled annual seed production, aerial and soil seed banks and seed dynamics for a year in four wild populations of the annual halophyte Salicornia ramosissima growing in saltpans, in order to develop sustainable management practices for the use of its populations. The seed production of S. ramosissima depended mainly on plant density rather than on the number of seeds produced by each individual plant. In three of the four study populations, most of the annual seed production was exported out of the saltpans (> 79%) and only between 14–20% was accumulated in the initial aerial and soil seed banks. These initial seed banks were highly depleted during the year until the next fruiting period, when they accumulated less than 1% of the annual seed production (from 19 to 15302 seed m− 2). Salicornia ramosissima established a persistent soil seed bank in two of the four locations. Annual seed production would be key for the preservation of those S. ramosissima populations that do not establish persistent soil seed banks. In view of our results, each population of S. ramosissima should be studied independently to design population-specific management plans.
Assessing preventability of postmenopausal breast cancer by lifestyle risk factors: influence by method, data source, and timing of exposure measurement
Authors: Wu You , Kim Hanseul , Wang Kai , Song Mingyang , Wang Molin , Tamimi Rulla , Eliassen Heather , Smith-Warner Stephanie , Willett Walter , Giovannucci Edward
Published: July 2022

Background
Population attributable risk (PAR%) reflects the preventable fraction of disease. However, PAR% estimates of cancer have shown large variation across populations, methods, and data sources.
Methods
We evaluated variations in PAR% of postmenopausal breast cancer by obesity, alcohol, fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS). For the low-risk method, the age-standardized incidence rate in the low-risk group was compared with the overall rate. The partial PAR% method estimated the PAR% by the risk factors while adjusting for other covariates. The conventional method estimated the PAR% based on the exposure distribution and relative risks in the NHS, or from US national surveys and meta-analyses. For each model, we compared the results obtained using baseline or repeated measurements.
Results
When considering the risk factors simultaneously, within the NHS, the low-risk method yielded overall PAR% for the baseline, simple update, and cumulative average models of 17.4%, 25.2%, 29.3%; the partial PAR% method yielded estimates at 13.7%, 28.0%, 31.2%. When considering each risk factor individually and then combined, the estimates by the partial PAR% were 12.5%, 20.7%, 18.9%; while the conventional method gave corresponding PAR% of 13.8%, 21.1%, 18.6%. The estimated PAR% based on meta-analyses and US national surveys was 25.6%.
Conclusions
The three methods provided similar PAR% based on the same data source, timing of measurements, and target populations. However, sizable increases in the PAR% were observed for repeated measures over a single measure and for calculations based on achieving all recommendations jointly rather than individually.
Drivers and coping mechanisms to floods: experiences of residents in urban Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Antwi-Agyei Philip , Baffour-Ata Frank , Koomson Sarah , Kyeretwie Nana Kwame , Nti Nana Barimah , Owusu Afia Oforiwaa , Abdul Fukaiha Razak
Published: July 2022

Over the last few years, the recurrence and severity of floods in urban Kumasi have increased considerably with devastating consequences for both lives and properties. Yet, the perspectives of residents who have experienced these floods have often been ignored in policy developments. This study used a mixed-methods approach including household surveys and key informant interviews to determine the drivers and coping mechanisms to floods in three selected communities in urban Kumasi, Ghana. Results showed that the study respondents perceived changes in rainfall and floods through increasing amounts of rainfall, increasing duration of rainy season and increased incidences of floods. A multiplicity of causes were reported by the study respondents including poor design of drains, choked drains and inadequate drain infrastructure. Destruction of properties, decreased economic productivity and soil erosion were reported as the major effects of floods. The respondents implemented various coping mechanisms including temporary migration and relying on family and friends to manage the adverse effects of floods. Findings indicated that access to weather and climate information, access to household communication gadgets, age of respondents and period of staying in the community were significant coping mechanisms employed by the respondents. Barriers impeding the implementation of these coping mechanisms reported by study respondents included financial constraints, inadequate support from government and non-governmental institutions and lack of understanding on early warning systems. Accessibility to timely weather and climate information should be prioritized to help people improve their information sharing and decision-making processes in managing floods in urban Kumasi.
Identifying and profiling structural similarities between Spike of SARS-CoV-2 and other viral or host proteins with Machaon
Authors: Kakoulidis Panos , Vlachos Ioannis , Thanos Dimitris , Emiris Ioannis , Anastasiadou Ema
Published: July 2022

Using protein structure to predict function, interactions, and evolutionary history is still an open challenge, with existing approaches relying extensively on protein homology and families. Here, we present Machaon, a new data-driven method combining orientation invariant metrics on phi-psi angles, inter-residue contacts and surface complexity. It can be readily applied on whole structures or segments—such as domains and binding sites. Machaon was applied on SARS-CoV-2 Spike monomers of native, Delta and Omicron variants and identified correlations with a wide range of viral proteins from close to distant taxonomy ranks, as well as host receptors, such as ACE2. The associated whole structures have: 32.7% and 38.5% sequence identities on protein secondary structure and gene coding region, 86% chemical and 22.1% protein tertiary structure similarities (median values, native Spike). Machaon’s meta-analysis revealed Spike’s relationships with biological processes such as ubiquitination and angiogenesis and highlighted different patterns in virus attachment among the studied variants. Available at: https://github.com/anastasiadoulab/machaon .
Pre-research on enhanced heat transfer method for special vehicles at high altitude based on machine learning
Authors: Li Chunming , Sun Xiaoxia , Gao Hongyang , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2022

The performance of the thermal management system has a great influence on the stability of the special purpose vehicles, and it is of great significance to enhance heat transfer of the radiator. Common research methods for radiators include fluid mechanics numerical simulation and experimental measurements, both of which are time-consuming and expensive. Applying the surrogate model to the analysis of flow and heat transfer in louver fin can effectively reduce the computational cost and obtain more data. A simplified louver fin heat transfer unit is established, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations is used to obtain the flow and heat transfer characteristics of this geometry structure. A three-factor and six-level orthogonal design is carried out with three structural parameters, the angle θ, the length a and the spacing Lp of the louver fins. The results of the orthogonal design are subjected to range analysis, and the effects of the three parameters θ, a and Lp on the j, f and JF factors are obtained. On this basis, a proxy model of the heat transfer performance for louver fins was established based on the artificial neural network algorithm, and the model was trained with the data obtained by the orthogonal design, and finally the fin structure with the largest JF factor was found. Compared with the original model, the optimized model improves the heat transfer factor j by 2.87%, the friction factor f decreases by 30.4% and the comprehensive factor JF increases by 15.7%.
Minor microbial alterations after faecal diversion do not affect the healing process of anus-near pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury - results of a matched case-control study.
Authors: Brechmann Thorsten , Lichtenthäler Luisa , Pussin Andreas , Aach Mirko , Grasmücke Dennis , Schildhauer Thomas , Schmiegel Wolff
Published: July 2022

Background: Pressure ulcers are a common complication in patients with spinal cord injury. The role of faecal diversion to support anus-near ulcer healing is under debate and its impact on the microbial colonisation pattern is unclear. The aim was to evaluate the primary microbial colonisation and secondary infection depending on the presence of a pre-existing diverting stoma and investigate the effect on the wound healing.

Methods: A total of 120 spinal cord injured patients who had undergone surgery of an anus-near decubitus stage 3 or 4 were included in a retrospective matched-pair cohort study. Matching was realised according to age, gender, body mass index and general condition.

Results: The most common species in both groups was Staphylococcus aureus (45.0 %). The only significantly different primary colonisation affected Escherichia coli, that was found in the stoma patients less often (18.3 and 43.3 %, p < 0.01). A secondary microbial colonisation occurred in 15.8 % and was equally distributed, except for Enterococcus spp. that was present only in the stoma group (6.7 %, p < 0.05). The time to complete cure took longer in the stoma group (78.5 versus 57.0 days, p < 0.05) and was associated with a larger ulcer size (25 versus 16 cm2, p < 0.01). After correction for the ulcers’ size, there was no association to outcome parameters such as overall success, healing time or adverse events.

Conclusion: The presence of a diverting stoma alters the microbial flora of an anus-near decubitus slightly without impact on the healing process.
Nylon Cable-Tie Assisted Forearm Fasciotomy Wound Closure
Authors: Hsieh Chiung Hui , Ho Chun Yee , Chang Che Wei
Published: July 2022

Background: Closure of forearm fasciotomy wounds is challenging. Traditional methods for reconstruction are skin grafts or flaps. A skin graft or flap leaves an unpleasant appearance and requires a donor site. Initially, there is no skin defect or only limited defect. Presented here is a method utilizing looped cable ties for delayed primary closure of forearm fasciotomy wounds.Methods:Patients who underwent fasciotomy of forearms for compartment syndrome and cable tie assisted closure from 2017 to 2020 in Far Eastern memorial Hospital were included. Follow-up observations of all patients were conducted until December 2020. We retrospectively reviewed the cause of forearm compartment syndrome, the initial maximum width of the fasciotomy wounds, and the time for primary closure of the wounds.Results: There were seven patients eligible for inclusion. Four patients suffered from compartment syndrome of the forearm caused by iatrogenic vascular rupture after the procedures. The other reasons for the compartment syndrome included open-type fracture and fasciitis. Emergency fasciotomy was arranged for all the patients, and cable ties were applied for delayed primary wound closure. Six of them, with the median initial maximum width of a wound of 5.15 cm [3.8 - 6.3cm], achieved successful wound closure by cable ties without skin grafts or flaps on median day 12 [ day 6 - 19]. One patient who had distal and proximal radius fracture received skin graft reconstruction after the application of cable ties for 14 days.Conclusion: Cable ties--inexpensive and readily available materials--can be adjusted according to the different tension along the wound edges. They provide a simple, effective, and safe way to close difficult forearm fasciotomy wounds.
A Study of Individualized Diagnosis and Treatment for Depression with Atypical Features (iDoT-AFD): study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Zhou Rubai , Zhang Huifeng , He Shen , Li Yi , Xu Guiyun , Huang Jinsong , Wang Huaning , Wang Qian , Li Biao , Wang Xuemei , Chen Ningning , Li Fang , Li Xiaosa , Liu Mengjun , Peng Daihui
Published: July 2022

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) with atypical features, namely depression with atypical features (AFD), is one of the most common clinical specifiers of MDD, characterized by high risk of converting to bipolar disorder (BD). However, there is still lack of clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of AFD. Our study mainly focuses on three issues about what’s the objective endophenotype of AFD, how to select appropriate personalized treatment for AFD, what’s the predictive biomarkers of conversion to BD.Methods The Study of Individualized Diagnosis and Treatment for Depression with Atypical Features (iDoT-AFD) is a multicenter, prospective study consisting of a 12-week randomized-intervention trial followed by a real-world follow-up until 4 years or reaching the study endpoint. It is enrolling 480 patients with AFD (120 per treatment arm), 100 patients with BD, and 100 healthy controls (HC). Multivariate-dimension information is collected including clinical features, cognitive function, kynurenine pathway metabolomics, and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. The iDoT-AFD study can be classified into three parts including the cross-sectional part and the prospective part. Firstly, multivariate informatics analyzes are performed to recognize patients with AFD from participants including the first-episode and recurrent atypical depression, patients with BD and HC. Secondly, patients with atypical depression are randomly allocated to one of the four treatment groups including ‘single application of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)’, ‘SSRI/SNRI combined with mood stabilizer’, ‘SSRI/SNRI combined with quetiapine (≥ 150mg/d)’, or ‘treatment as usual (TAU)’, and then followed up 12 weeks to find out the optimized treatment strategies. Thirdly, patients with atypical depression are followed up in the real world until 4 years or switching to BD to explore risk factors of conversion from atypical depression to BD and build the conversion risk early-warning model eventually.Discussion First enrolment was in August 2019, and the recruitment is ongoing. The iDoT-AFD study explores clinical and biological markers for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of AFD, and further provide evidence for clinical guidelines of this depressive specifier which has high risk switching to BD.Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT04209166. Registered on December 19, 2019.
Simulation of dam break due to overpass flow and study of its effects on downstream areas (Case study: Shahrchay Dam)
Authors: farahmand ghasem , Golmohammadi Hassan , Ashrafi Mohammad , Samet Komil , Patel Nilanchal
Published: July 2022

Shahrchay Dam is one of the dams that, due to its geological and climatic conditions, there exists a considerable possibility of overflow and consequently its break. The Dam is considered an imminent threat to Urmia city due to its proximity to the downstream residential areas. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the dam break modeling and, finally, the resulting flood zonation in the downstream areas of the Dam. To achieve this goal, we developed two hydraulic models, viz. BREACH-GUI, OpenFOAM of dam break based on (physical parameters of the Dam and downstream geographical features) and then using HEC-RAS, Arc-GIS software vulnerable areas against floods marked by a 100-year return period. The results show that the two hydraulic models in question have yielded similar dam break results. More precisely, the BREACH-GUI model has calculated the maximum output velocity at the bottom of the Dam at a distance of 1 km at about 13 meters per second with a height of 12 meters. In contrast, the OpenFOAM model has calculated the maximum velocity at a distance of 900 meters at an altitude of 11 meters at 20 meters. Flood zoning due to dam break shows about 18% of the area of Urmia city, 73% of Band village, 68% of Noshan Sofla village, and 76% of Noshan Olya village due to rising water flow caused by dam break with a population of 136,000 people directly affected.
A numerical approach for preventing the dispersion of infectious disease in a meeting room
Authors: Ahmadzadeh Mahdi , Shams Mehrzad
Published: July 2022

Airborne transmission of respiratory aerosols carrying infectious viruses has generated many concerns about cross-contamination risks, particularly in indoor environments. The study addresses the emitted viral particles during coughing from the infected person and their transport dynamics inside the safe social distance meeting room. CFD based on coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian techniques is used to explore the characteristics of the airflow field in the domain. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of the number of open and closed windows, exhaust layouts, and location of the air conditioner systems on the dispersion of the particles. The results show that opening adjacent windows of the emission source has a better performance against the exit of particles from the environment than opening the window(s) that is farthest from that. Moreover, the results demonstrated reducing the distance between the ventilation systems installed location and the ceiling can decrease the fraction of the suspended particles by over 35%, and at-risk individuals from 6 to 2 people. As well, changing the location of inputs from the back of the infected person to the front of that can raise the shelf time of the particles and their concentration rises from 4.125 to 5%, respectively.
Structure-based discovery of a non-canonical prototype long-chain monoacylglycerol lipase through an endogenous catalysis intermediate complex
Authors: Pinotsis Nikos , Krüger Anna , Tomas Nicolas , Chatziefthymiou Spyros , Litz Claudia , Mortensen Simon , Daffé Mamadou , Marrakchi Hedia , Antranikian Garabed , Wilmanns Matthias
Published: July 2022

The identification and characterization of enzyme function is largely lacking behind the rapidly increasing availability of large numbers of sequences and associated high-resolution structures. This is often hampered by lack of knowledge on in vivo relevant substrates. Here, we present a case study of a high-resolution structure of an unusual orphan lipase in complex with an endogenous C18 monoacyl catalysis intermediate from the expression host, which is insoluble under aqueous conditions and thus not accessible for studies in solution. The data allowed its functional characterization as a prototypic long-chain monacylglycerol lipase, which uses a minimal lid domain to position the substrate through a hydrophobic tunnel directly to the enzyme’s active site. Knowledge about the molecular details of the substrate binding site allowed us to boost the enzymatic activity by adjusting protein/substrate interactions, demonstrating the potential of our findings for future biotechnology applications.
Sustainable Intensification and Large-scale Operation of Cultivated Land Use at the Farmers' Scale: A Case Study of Shandong Province, China
Authors: Li Li , Lyu Xiao , Zhang Anlu , Niu Shandong , Peng Wenlong
Published: July 2022

Sustainable intensification of cultivated land use (SICLU) and large-scale operations (LSO) are widely recognized to improve agricultural performance. However, the current literature is ambiguous in defining sustainable intensification (SI), incomprehensive in structuring SI indicators, and very limited in discussing their impacting mechanism. Self-efficacy is an important psychological factor that affects farmers’ land-use behavior. Based on conceptualizing the connotation and extension of SICLU, we designed an index framework (including subjective and objective indicators) to assess SICLU. Then, by evolving the input and output of agricultural materials, a demonstration was carried out with the example of SICLU and LSO in Shandong Province, China. Logistic, OLS, and BRT models were used to quantify the possible degree and dynamic curve between SICLU indicators (such as policy cognition, labor availability, grain transaction turnover, machinery input, and irrigation input) and LSO.
Variations in the TAS2R38 Gene Among College Students in Hubei
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Wang Lin , Xia Mengwei , Teng Feng , Chen Xuejiao , Huang Rufeng , Zhou Jiahao , Xiao Juan , Zhai Lihong
Published: July 2022

Background: The bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R38 is a member of the human TAS2R gene family. Polymorphisms in TAS2R38 affect the ability to taste the bitterness of phenylthiourea (PTC) compounds, thus affecting an individual’s food preference and health status. Methods: We investigated polymorphisms in the TAS2R38 gene and the sensitivity to PTC bitterness among healthy Chinese college students in Hubei province. The association of TAS2R38 polymorphisms and PTC sensitivity with body mass index (BMI), food preference, and health status was also analyzed. A total of 320 healthy college students were enrolled (male: 133, female: 187; aged 18–23 years). The threshold value method was used to measure the perception of PTC bitterness, and a questionnaire was used to analyze dietary preferences and health status. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyze polymorphisms at three common TAS2R38 loci (rs713598, rs1726866, and rs10246939). Results: In our study population, 65.00% of individuals had medium sensitivity to the bitterness of PTC; in contrast, 20.94% were highly sensitive to PTC bitterness, and 14.06% were not sensitive. For the TAS2R38 gene, the PAV/PAV and PAV/AAI diplotypes were the most common (42.19% and 40.63%, respectively), followed by the homozygous AVI/AVI (8.75%) and PAV/AVI (5.00%) diplotypes. Conclusions: There was a significant correlation between the sensitivity to PTC bitterness and sex, but there was no correlation between the common diplotypes of TAS2R38 and gender. Polymorphisms in the TAS2R38 gene were associated with the preference for tea, but not with one’s native place, BMI, health status, or other dietary preferences. There was no significant correlation between the perception of PTC bitterness and one’s native place, BMI, dietary preference, or health status. We hope to find out the relationship between PTC sensitivity and TAS2R38 gene polymorphisms and dietary preference and health status of Chinese population through this study, providing relevant guidance and suggestions for dietary guidance and prevention of some chronic diseases in Chinese population.
Contraceptive Experiences of Women of Procreation Age Who Attended Two Health Centers in the City of Abidjan (Cote D'ivoire)
Authors: Essis Esme Marie Laure , Koffi Kouassi Benjamin , Manouan N'guetta Mathilde , Coulibaly-Koné Soltié Aminata , Iba Bamba , Kpebo Djoukou Olga Denise , Konan Loukou Leandres , Aka Joseph , Nola Prata
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Maternal mortality, which is estimated at 614 deaths per 100,000 births in Côte d'Ivoire, is associated with a low national contraceptive prevalence rate of 13.9%. In this study, we are interested in the contraceptive experiences of women who attend health centers to estimate their rate of contraceptive use and to assess the factors involved in the use of modern contraceptive methods among women of childbearing age who are exposed to the risk of pregnancy. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 women, who attended two health centers in Abidjan. A bivariate analysis identified factors associated with contraceptive use by these women. A descriptive analysis determined the means for the quantitative variables and the frequencies and percentages of qualitative variables. Interpretation of results was based on significance (α=5%, 95% CI).Results: Contraceptive prevalence was 37%. There was a significant relationship between contraceptive use and the socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics of women (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Women who were aged over 35 years, uneducated, primary school graduates, housewives, unemployed, in the informal sector, Muslims, nulliparous, and lacking information and decision-making power were less likely to use modern contraceptive methods. They are the target population for strategic interventions to improve contraceptive prevalence.
Prenatal diagnosis of an adrenal mature teratoma mimicking a neuroblastoma
Authors: Garcia Camille , Fusi Giulia , Gambart Marion , Sartor Agnès , Gomez-Mascard Anne , Abbo Olivier
Published: July 2022

Aim of the study: To present our experience with an adrenal antenatal mass firstly diagnosed as a left adrenal neuroblastoma that turned out to be a mature teratoma after anatomopathology. Case description: We present the case of an infant with an antenatal diagnosis of a left adrenal cystic image on the 22nd week of amenorrhea ultrasound. The fetal MRI showed a 20 x 13 mm non-calcified cystic formation of the left adrenal gland, compatible with a neuroblastoma.At birth, the diagnosis has been confirmed by an ultrasound that showed an anechogenic image of the left adrenal gland of 17 x 12 mm, with thin walls.Besides, in the 9 months interval between birth and the last CT scan, the image had minimally diminished in size. Then it stabilized at about 2 cm. The workup was otherwise normal. The infant was closely monitored during his first year and in the absence of significant regression of the adrenal mass, we decided to perform a left laparoscopical adrenalectomy. Unexpectedly, the anatomopathologist results showed a mature cystic adrenal teratoma. Conclusions: An adrenal mass diagnosed antenatally is generally a haemorrhage or a neuroblastoma. Only two other case of unexpected adrenal teratoma in infants are described in literature. Adrenal teratomas are very rare and those diagnosed antenatally even more. At present, we have no clinical, biological, or radiological evidence to suspect them before surgical removal.
Trans-ancestry meta-analysis improves performance of genetic scores for multiple adiposity-related traits in East Asian populations
Authors: Walters Robin , Fairhurst-Hunter Zammy , Lin Kuang , Millwood Iona , Pozarickij Alfred , Chen Tzu-Ting , Torres Jason M. , Luan Jian'an , Kartsonaki Christiana , Gan Wei , Mahajan Anubha , Du Huaidong , Sohoni Rajani , Guo Yu , Sansome Sam , Yang Ling , Yu Canqing , Chen Yiping , Lv Jun , Hemani Gibran , Koido Masaru , Kamatani Yoichiro , Spracklen Cassandra , Gordon-Larsen Penny , Koprulu Mine , Meng Xiangrui , Kuchenbaecker Karoline , Fatumo Segun , Bhatta Laxmi , Brumpton Ben , Alegre-Diaz Jesus , Kuri-Morales Pablo , Tapia-Conyer Roberto , Graham Sarah , Willer Cristen , Neville Matthew , Karpe Fredrik , Graff Mariaelisa , North Kari , Loos Ruth , Haiman Christopher , Peters Ulrike , Buyske Steven , Gignoux Christopher , Wojcik Genevieve , Lin Yen-Feng , Li Liming , McCarthy Mark , Chen Zhengming , Holmes Michael
Published: July 2022

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in predominately European-ancestry (EUR) populations have identified numerous genetic variants associated with adiposity-related traits. An emerging challenge is the limited transferability of genetic scores constructed based on GWAS results from one ancestry for trait prediction in other ancestries. We performed trans-ancestry meta-analysis (TAMA) for eight adiposity-related traits using genetic data from 96,124 East Asian (EAS) and 443,359 EUR individuals. We identified >1400 genomic regions significantly associated with one or more traits. Despite EAS comprising only ~20% of the study population, genetic scores constructed from the trans-ancestry (TA) results accounted for between 30% and 79% more variation in the adiposity traits in EAS compared with scores derived from the EUR GWAS alone. Furthermore, TA scores also modestly improved variance explained in African/African American, Hispanic and South Asian populations. Our findings highlight the utility of TAMA for increasing variance explained by genetic scores across populations of different ancestries.
Usability and perceptions of a Telementoring Program for young physicians in rural settings of Peru: A mixed method study
Authors: Rojas-Mezarina Leonardo , Escobar-Agreda Stefan , Chahuara-Rojas Max , Silva-Valencia Javier , Herrera Héctor Espinoza , Reátegui-Rivera C. Mahony , Moscoso Miguel G. , Quispe-Gamarra Juan , Ronceros Gerardo
Published: July 2022

Background: Telementoring seems to be a promising strategy to deliver training and counselling to physicians in remote areas. In Peru, early graduated physicians must work for the Rural and Urban-Edge Health Service Program where they face important training needs. The aim of this study was to describe the usage of a Telementoring program for rural physicians and evaluate the aspects related to the perceptions of acceptability and usability.Methods: Mixed methods study on recently graduated physicians who work in rural areas and participate in the Telementoring program. The program used a mobile application to connect these young doctors with specialized mentors to answer queries about real-life problems raised by working in a rural area. We summarize administrative data to assess participant characteristics and their participation in the program. Additionally, we conducted in-depth interviews to explore the perceived usability, ease of use, and reason for non-use of the Telementoring program.Results: Of 74 physicians (mean age 25, 51.4% women) enrolled, 12 (16.2%) actively used the program and performed a total of 27 queries, which received response in an average time of 5.4 ± 6.3 hours. In the interviews, the main reasons for non-use were connectivity issues, feelings of shame, and self-efficacy. For those who used the Telementoring program they referred it was easy to use and solve their inquiries timely. Conclusions:The implementation of a Telementoring program sought to provide guidance to recently graduated physicians working in rural areas. Low use rates show that administrative and process-related deficiencies in the program implementation need to be improved.