bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative method of strip-till 3-D spraying in chemical treatment of crops to implement resource-saving approaches in strip-till technology
Authors: Meznikova M V , Borisenko I B , Chamurliev O G , Ulybina E I , Romenskaya O N
Published: October 2021

A new approach to the technology of chemical treatment of crops based on the technological process of volumetric 3-D spraying, which differs favorably from the classical technology of continuous spraying, is developed. The development makes it possible to competently and efficiently apply working chemical solutions depending on the phase of growth and development of the cultivated plant on the object of treatment. When designing the technological process of volumetric 3-D spraying, the architectural features of the cultural plant were taken into account. The applied approach to the application of the working solution to the plant allows combining the methods of solid and strip spraying. For this purpose, a technical solution is offered to retrofit a serial boom sprayer with special bodies for separation of liquid flows and directing the liquid to the object of treatment. In this case a new, more stable flow in width and height is formed. The paper considers the results of studies of the technological process of chemical treatment with the use of strip technology in terms of quality indicators. The technical solution makes it possible to perform fast equipment adjustment in the field without using special tools. At the same time, it is possible to switch from solid spraying to strip spraying and vice versa. When switching to strip spraying, the spray solution is sprayed strictly along the strips of the crop and covers the entire surface of the stem and leaves. This allows you to reduce the cost of applying liquid chemicals and accurately redistribute the spray solution. As a result of the technology the goals of reducing costs, improving the quality of chemical treatment and increasing the environmental friendliness of the chemicalization process are achieved.
Physical-chemical method for desalting organic waste for agricultural cycles
Authors: Trifonov S V , Murygin A V , Tikhomirov A A
Published: October 2021

The problem of developing a technology for the removal or drastic reduction of NaCl from organic waste, including human exometabolites and plant waste and intended for disposal in closed agricultural cycles, is very relevant, especially for Northern regions with risky agriculture. Without its solution, it becomes almost impossible to create a long-term functioning ecosystem due to the danger of accumulation of NaCl in irrigation solutions and soil with subsequent poisoning of plants. It is obvious that the development of the technology for extracting NaCl is most rational to perform in combination with the technology for processing human exometabolites, since they are the main source of NaCl.
Analysis of water softening methods and an algorithm of choosing the best method for using in production cycle
Authors: Abramova A A , Gainanova A I , Belyaeva D V , Dyagelev M Yu , Grakhova E V
Published: October 2021

This article presents advantages and disadvantages of the most widespread water softening methods, such as reagent method, cation exchange softening, thermal method, reverse osmosis and electromagnetic softening. According to the application features and characteristics of each method, there was developed an algorithm that helps to choose water softening method in case of given specified parameters (turbidity, color, hardness) and the desired level of water hardness after treatment.
Synthesis of modified amino-aldehyde oligo (poly) mers and study of their thermal stability
Authors: Ramazanov Bakhrom , Juraeva Laylo , Sharipova Nasiba
Published: October 2021

In the article are discussed the relevance of obtaining amino aldehyde oligomers and the study of their basic physicochemical properties and determines that the synthesis conditions and the ratio of the starting components play an important role on the properties and structure of the synthesized amino aldehyde oligomers. Using the Differential thermal analysis (DTA) method, it was proved that the modification of the urea-formaldehyde oligomer with acrylic acid helps to increase the thermal oxidative degradation of the resulting products. In this case, the modifier - acrylic acid strongly chemically binds with amino aldehyde oligomers, which leads to an increase in the heat resistance of the samples.
Hydrothermal synthesis of zeolite HSZ-30 based on kaolin
Authors: Temirov F N , Khamroyev J Kh , Fayzullayev N I , Haydarov G Sh , Jalilov M Kh
Published: October 2021

We were the first to study natural kaolin and, on its basis, obtained a zeolite of the HSZ-30 type. As samples of selected Pakhtachinsky kaolin containing of 68.8% mordenite (Ca2,2Na2,1K2,9Al9,3Si42,2O98·36H2O) and 31.2% quartz (SiO2). The sample was thoroughly washed with distilled water and dried at 120 ° C for 6 days. Hydrothermal synthesis was carried out in Mori type autoclaves with a volume of 20 cm3. Optimal conditions for obtaining zeolite of the HSZ-30 type: temperature 120 ° C, concentration of thermal solution 2 N, processing time 6 days. IR spectroscopic studies were carried out on a Nicolete IS-10 IR spectrometer (Thermo Scientific, USA) in the frequency range 400…5000 cm−1. The phase and chemical composition of the initial and final products was determined by X-ray (2D PHASER «Bruker» (CuKa – radiation, 2Θ = 20-80°) and elemental (Launch of Trition XL ditution refrigerator – Oxford instrument) methods of analysis. The article presents the results of a study of the influence of the conditions of hydrothermal synthesis (H2O/Si ratios in precursor mixtures and synthesis of temperatures) HSZ-30 for crystal size and morphology.
The study of the phenotype of Viburnum vulgaris growing in the Krasnoyarsk Territory
Authors: Evtukhova O M , Ivanova G V , Kolman O Ya , Glotova M V , Nikulina E O
Published: October 2021

The article presents the results of studies of individual and ecological-geographical variability of morphological characters and nutrient composition of the Viburnum vulgaris fruits growing on the Krasnoyarsk Territory. As a result of the assessment of the individual variability of traits of Viburnum vulgaris fruits from different natural populations, it was revealed that in all populations the morphological traits are characterized by average individual variability (Cav = 13.9-18.35%); for the nutrient composition - high (Cav = 27.42-36.63%). Three main groups of traits are distinguished: with a low, medium and very high level of variability in each populations of the species, depending on the level of variability There is a decrease in the variability of morphological characters and an increase in nutrients from south to north. A direct relationship was revealed between the variability of morphological traits and the nutrient composition: an increase in the variability of the former is associated with a decrease in the variability of the latter.
Method of estimation of dynamic properties of transmissions of forestry units
Authors: Orlovsky S N , Kokieva G E , Voinash S A , Sokolova V A , Alekseeva S V , Taraban M V , Andronov A V
Published: October 2021

When performing energy-intensive work in forestry related to the processing of stumpy soil, it is necessary to substantiate new requirements for forestry tractors in terms of weight, energy and dynamic parameters. Their change will cause a change in the disturbing forces acting on the transmission shafts of the unit, which can excite torsional vibrations in its dynamic system. When the natural frequencies of the oscillations coincide with the disturbing ones, unwanted resonant oscillations may occur. The most common models for studying dynamic properties are models in the form of complex multi-mass torsional dynamical systems. To calculate the vibrations of torsional systems, an algorithm and a program for solving a system of differential equations were drawn up. Their solution made it possible to calculate the amplitude-frequency characteristics (AFC) of the dynamic systems of tractor units. The allocation of zones of forced oscillations in transmissions from the working bodies on the frequency response, as well as the coordination of the parameters of the working bodies with the parameters of the transmissions is a necessary condition for ensuring the effective operation of forestry units. When changing the moments of inertia of rotating masses, it is necessary to analyze the vibrations that occur in branched transmissions with active working bodies with significant moments of inertia. To determine their optimal parameters, the presented mathematical models can be used.
Development of the model of automatic control of energy intensity of technological processes and its application
Authors: Saidova Mukhabbat , Urinov Nodir , Schwarzburg Leonid
Published: October 2021

The article covers the model for automatic compensation of reactive component of consumed current of asynchronous motors operating at powers lower than the nominal values. Automated control system for individual compensation of reactive component of power consumption have been designed, which is connected directly to asynchronous electric motors of machine tools.
Measures to improve the performance of concrete of reinforced concrete supports of technological overpasses
Authors: Nikolenko S D , Sazonova S A , Akamsina N V , Rylev S S , Rogov N Yu
Published: October 2021

The paper presents the process of assessing the technical condition of reinforced concrete supports of existing technological overpasses, gives their characteristics, shows the defects found in the process of assessing the technical condition. The article describes the monitoring of concrete strength by the non-destructive method of elastic rebound using the Digi Shmidt 2000 device and the determination of the thickness of the concrete cover and the location of reinforcement by the magnetic method using the Profometer-5S device. We determined the layout of the working reinforcement in the reinforced concrete supports of the overpasses’ sections. We present the results of verification calculations of the structures of the technological overpasses, taking into account the revealed defects and damages, the strength of materials and the specified actual loads. We give recommendations for improving the performance of the concrete of the reinforced concrete supports of the overpasses.
Technological effectiveness of formation of planting furrow by working body of passive type of orchard planting machine
Authors: Rogovskii I L , Titova L L , Gumenyuk Yu O , Nadtochiy O V
Published: October 2021

The article presents the results of experimental studies of technological effectiveness of formation of planting furrow by working body of passive type of orchard planting machine. The authors adhered to working hypothesis that to reduce energy consumption and increase the reliability of orchard planting machine in various operating conditions, possibly due to passive type of working body, which provides undercutting the soil layer and raises it to formation of planting furrow, and after placing the seedling in it, it encloses it as before area without additional significant movement or rotation. The article presents the results of study of number of roots hooks of two-year-old apple seedlings when trying to place their root system in interval between the opener model extensions. The authors presented the models of schemes of interaction between plant stems and blade of main blade and optimized the parameters of working surface of barrel blade. The authors established the dependence of additional averaged soil resistance coefficient on planting depth. The article investigates the dependence of resistance force of working body of orchard planting machine on planting depth and soil type. The authors presented the results of technological effectiveness of prototype of working body of orchard planting machine during experimental research and production tests.
Experimental studies of the thermal characteristics of electro-thermal storage
Authors: Khimenko A V , Tikhomirov D A , Kuzmichev A V
Published: October 2021

Based on the results of the performed experimental studies of thermal operation conditions and dynamic characteristics of electro-thermal storages (ETS), data on the behavior of the following thermal parameters of heat storage units made of magnesite and chamotte has been obtained: temperature change of heated air in channels of heat storage units and that in the outlet from ETS, temperature change in the bulk of thermal insulation and that on the surface of housing, for one cycle of heat charging and heat emission of ETS. Information obtained in the course of experiments has been analyzed. The suggestion has been made to compensate relatively low heating rate of chamotte storage units by application of metal plates installed between adjacent storage units which made it possible to improve the dynamics of ETS heat charging. Growth of wall temperature of air channels of chamotte heat storage units, in the end of ETS charging cycle, amounted to, approx. 10 % (50 °C) compared to the design option without metal plates. It has to be noted that, in the heat emission mode of ETS, cooling rate of chamotte heat storage units is substantially higher than that of magnesite units.
Advanced process control of boiler installation
Authors: Kadyrov R R , Kondratyuk A G
Published: October 2021

In production processes, it is important find solutions to improve economic performance. This is especially topical for energy facilities, such as boiler plants. These problems are complex in nature and require solutions in the field of technology, apparatus designs, modes and algorithms of equipment operation. If it is required to improve the performance of an operating object without significant changes in the design of the apparatus, then often the solutions lie in the plane of the work algorithms. Thus, modernization of the object’s automatic control system using a programmable logic controller and a control program will optimize processes without significant investments. In this regard, one of the rational and effective solutions for modernizing the automatic control system can be the use of predictive models. Predictive model control has excellent adaptability, although it uses a relatively simple control scheme. Such a system is a superstructure over an existing automatic control system. This paper proposes a method for implementing control with predictive models by using a virtual analyzer interfaced with a controller. This makes it possible to take into account and correct many disturbances in the control system of the boiler plant, which favourably affects the stability of the process and economic indicators.
Psychosocial Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Among White, Black, and Hispanic Adults in the US
Authors: Bleakley Amy , Hennessy Michael , Maloney Erin , Young Dannagal G , Crowley John , Silk Kami , Langbaum Jessica B
Published: October 2021

Background

COVID-19 vaccine uptake is an urgent public health priority.

Purpose

To identify psychosocial determinants (attitudes, normative pressure, and perceived behavioral control) of COVID-19 vaccination intentions for U.S. White, Black, and Hispanic adults, and how COVID-19 misperceptions, beliefs about the value of science, and perceived media bias relate to these determinants.

Methods

Longitudinal online survey using two national samples (18–49 years old/50 years and older), each stratified by racial/ethnic group (n = 3,190). Data were collected in October/November 2020 and were weighted by race group to be representative.

Results

Path analyses showed that more positive attitudes about getting vaccinated predict intention across age and racial/ethnic groups, but normative pressure is relevant among older adults only. Belief in the value of science was positively associated with most determinants across all groups, however the association of COVID-19 misperceptions and perceived media bias with the determinants varied by age group.

Conclusions

Messages that emphasize attitudes toward vaccination can be targeted to all age and racial/ethnic groups, and positive attitudes are universally related to a belief in the value of science. The varying role of normative pressure poses messages design challenges to increase vaccination acceptance.
Histological Atlas of the Internal Anatomy of Female Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) Mites in Relation to Feeding and Reproduction
Authors: Sonenshine Daniel E , Posada-Florez Francisco , Laudier Damien , Gulbronson Connor J , Ramsey Samuel , Cook Steven C
Published: October 2021

Histochemical staining of histological sections of Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman, 2000) mites reveal the internal body plan and are used to contrast the internal organs associated with feeding and reproduction of starved versus recently fed female mites. The gnathosoma is comprised of a powerful sucking pharynx, which employs 11 alternating dilator and constrictor muscles, the chelicerae, the salivary ducts, and the salivarium. Coronally, the esophagus is visible through the synganglion between its supraesophageal and subesophageal regions and connects posteriorly to the midgut. The midgut is devoid of food particles in starved mites, but in fed mites, the midgut epithelial cells are filled with innumerable globular spheroids replete with lipoproteins, including polyunsaturated lipids, whereas the lumen is filled with saturated lipids or other unidentified nutrients. In the opisthosomal body region of the fed female, the bilobed lyrate organ lies adjacent to the midgut on one side and the ovary on the opposite side, with very close cell to cell linkages that appear to form a syncytium. The fed female ovary contains an enormously enlarged ovum, and numerous elongated nurse cells extending from the lyrate organ. Dyes staining selectively for lipoproteins suggests rapid incorporation of neutral and polyunsaturated lipids and lipoproteins. Also evident near the ovary in fed females is the spermatheca filled with elongated, fully capacitated spermatozoa. The histological and histochemical findings reported in this study provide a fresh insight into the body structure, nutrition, and reproductive activity of the female of this harmful honey bee parasite and disease vector.
Efficacy of standard- vs reduced-dose insulin for treatment of hyperkalemia: A quasi-experiment
Authors: Pearson Sara Catherine , O’Connor Kristin , Keller Kimberly , Hodge T J , Nesbit Ross
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Hyperkalemia more commonly affects patients with a glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 mL/min. Using intravenous (IV) insulin to shift potassium intracellularly may cause hypoglycemia, requiring additional treatment or longer hospitalization. Literature on insulin dosing in this context is limited, with one previous study indicating that 5 units of IV insulin might be as effective and result in less hypoglycemia than the standard dose of 10 units of IV insulin. The hyperkalemia treatment pathway at our institution was revised in May 2018 to include a reduced-dose option (5 units of insulin) for patients with end-stage renal disease. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of hypoglycemia between patients who received standard-dose vs reduced-dose IV insulin.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective, quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of revision of the hyperkalemia treatment pathway by assessing rates of hypoglycemia during the 6 months before and after implementation of the revised pathway. The primary endpoint was prevalence of hypoglycemia, defined as a blood glucose level of less than or equal to 70 mg/dL.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of hypoglycemia when comparing the pre- and postimplementation groups (36 [17.7%] patients vs 34 [18.7%] patients; P = 0.7924). The postimplementation group had a statistically significant lower reduction in potassium levels after treatment than the preimplementation group (mean [interquartile range], –0.9 [–1.3, –0.5] mEq/L vs –0.6 [–1.2, –0.2] mEq/L; P = 0.0095). Baseline potassium levels were similar between the groups.

Conclusion

Administration of reduced-dose IV insulin for treatment of hyperkalemia was significantly less effective in lowering serum potassium levels and did not decrease prevalence of hypoglycemia. When accounting for potential confounders, the only variable that was associated with hypoglycemia was pretreatment glucose level.
A similarity-based deep learning approach for determining the frequencies of drug side effects
Authors: Zhao Haochen , Wang Shaokai , Zheng Kai , Zhao Qichang , Zhu Feng , Wang Jianxin
Published: October 2021

The side effects of drugs present growing concern attention in the healthcare system. Accurately identifying the side effects of drugs is very important for drug development and risk assessment. Some computational models have been developed to predict the potential side effects of drugs and provided satisfactory performance. However, most existing methods can only predict whether side effects will occur and cannot determine the frequency of side effects. Although a few existing methods can predict the frequency of drug side effects, they strongly depend on the known drug-side effect relationships. Therefore, they cannot be applied to new drugs without known side effect frequency information. In this paper, we develop a novel similarity-based deep learning method, named SDPred, for determining the frequencies of drug side effects. Compared with the existing state-of-the-art models, SDPred integrates rich features and can be applied to predict the side effect frequencies of new drugs without any known drug-side effect association or frequency information. To our knowledge, this is the first work that can predict the side effect frequencies of new drugs in the population. The comparison results indicate that SDPred is much superior to all previously reported models. In addition, some case studies also demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method in practical applications. The SDPred software and data are freely available at https://github.com/zhc940702/SDPred, https://zenodo.org/record/5112573 and https://hub.docker.com/r/zhc940702/sdpred.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of colorectal cancer in Denmark
Authors: Smith Henry G , Jensen Kristian K , Jørgensen Lars N , Krarup Peter-Martin
Published: October 2021

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a global impact on cancer care but the extent to which this has affected the management of colorectal cancer (CRC) in different countries is unknown. CRC management in Denmark was thought to have been relatively less impacted than in other nations during the first wave of the pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the pandemic’s impact on CRC in Denmark.

Methods

The Danish national cancer registry identified patients with newly diagnosed with CRC from 1 March 2020 to 1 August 2020 (pandemic interval) and corresponding dates in 2019 (prepandemic interval). Data regarding clinicopathological demographics and perioperative outcomes were retrieved and compared between the two cohorts.

Results

Total CRC diagnoses (201 versus 359 per month, P = 0.008) and screening diagnoses (38 versus 80 per month, P = 0.016) were both lower in the pandemic interval. The proportions of patients presenting acutely and the stage at presentation were, however, unaffected. For those patients having surgery, both colonic and rectal cancer operations fell to about half the prepandemic levels: colon (187 (i.q.r. 183–188) to 96 (i.q.r. 94–112) per month, P = 0.032) and rectal cancers (63 (i.q.r. 59–75) to 32 (i.q.r. 28–42) per month, P = 0.008). No difference was seen in surgical practice or postoperative 30-day mortality rate (colon 2.2 versus 2.2 per cent, P = 0.983; rectal 1.0 versus 2.9 per cent, P = 0.118) between the cohorts. Treatment during the pandemic interval was not independently associated with death at 30 or 90 days.

Conclusion

The initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of new diagnoses made and number of operations but had limited impact on technique or outcomes of CRC care in Denmark.
Predicting unknown directed links of conserved networks from flow data
Authors: Pappu Satya Jayadev , Pasumarthy Ramkrishna , Bhatt Nirav
Published: October 2021

Link prediction between nodes is an important problem in the study of complex networks. In this work, we investigate determining directed links in conserved flow networks from data. A novel approach to predict the unknown links of an underlying conserved network, and the directions of flows associated with them are proposed. The directed link prediction is achieved by finding the missing values in the incidence matrix of the network by combining singular value decomposition, principal component analysis and tools from graph theory using steady-state flow data. In contrast to traditional integer optimization-based approaches, the proposed approach accomplishes the task of directed link prediction in cubic time. The methodology is corroborated via synthetic studies for flow data generated from networks based on Erdős–Rényi, Watts–Strogatz and Barabási–Albert network models at different signal-to-noise ratios. It is empirically shown that all unknown directed links can be correctly predicted with large enough noisy data, in an asymptotic sense, to correctly estimate the missing values in the incidence matrix.
Tetralogy of Fallot: T-shaped infundibulotomy for pulmonary valve-sparing procedure
Authors: Leobon Bertrand , Cousin Grégoire , Hadeed Khaled , Breinig Sophie , Alacoque Xavier , Berthomieu Lionel , Karsenty Clément
Published: October 2021

This new and easily reproducible pulmonary valve-sparing technique for the correction of Tetralogy of Fallot is based on a conservative management of the native pulmonary valve to preserve its growth potential. From July 2015 to December 2019, 67 children presenting with a Tetralogy of Fallot were operated consecutively in a single centre using this technique in all cases. A T-shaped infundibulotomy is used to release the anterior pulmonary annulus from any muscular attachment. After myocardial resection and ventricular septal defect closure, an extensive commissurotomy is achieved. Finally, the right ventricular outflow tract remodelling is completed by a shield-shaped bovine patch with an oversized square superior edge, attached directly on the pulmonary valve annulus, with an effect of systolic traction. Sixty patients (89.5%) had a Tetralogy of Fallot repair with preservation of the pulmonary valve. To date, with a median follow-up of 38.2 [14–64] months, no patient has needed a surgical or interventional procedure for pulmonary valve stenosis or regurgitation, with low residual gradients. This procedure could provide a significant increase in native pulmonary valve preservation. Long-term studies are needed to assess pulmonary valve growth and the consequent reduction in surgical or interventional reoperations.
Effect of divergence in residual methane emissions on feed intake and efficiency, growth and carcass performance, and indices of rumen fermentation and methane emissions in finishing beef cattle
Authors: Smith Paul E , Waters Sinead M , Kenny David A , Kirwan Stuart F , Conroy Stephen , Kelly Alan K
Published: October 2021

Residual expressions of enteric emissions favor a more equitable identification of an animal’s methanogenic potential compared with traditional measures of enteric emissions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of divergently ranking beef cattle for residual methane emissions (RME) on animal productivity, enteric emissions, and rumen fermentation. Dry matter intake (DMI), growth, feed efficiency, carcass output, and enteric emissions (GreenFeed emissions monitoring system) were recorded on 294 crossbred beef cattle (steers = 135 and heifers = 159; mean age 441 d (SD = 49); initial body weight (BW) of 476 kg (SD = 67)) at the Irish national beef cattle performance test center. Animals were offered a total mixed ration (77% concentrate and 23% forage; 12.6 MJ ME/kg of DM and 12% CP) ad libitum with emissions estimated for 21 d over a mean feed intake measurement period of 91 d. Animals had a mean daily methane emissions (DME) of 229.18 g/d (SD = 45.96), methane yield (MY) of 22.07 g/kg of DMI (SD = 4.06), methane intensity (MI) 0.70 g/kg of carcass weight (SD = 0.15), and RME 0.00 g/d (SD = 0.34). RME was computed as the residuals from a multiple regression model regressing DME on DMI and BW (R2 = 0.45). Animals were ranked into three groups namely high RME (>0.5 SD above the mean), medium RME (±0.5 SD above/below the mean), and low RME (>0.5 SD below the mean). Low RME animals produced 17.6% and 30.4% less (P < 0.05) DME compared with medium and high RME animals, respectively. A ~30% reduction in MY and MI was detected in low versus high RME animals. Positive correlations were apparent among all methane traits with RME most highly associated with (r = 0.86) DME. MY and MI were correlated (P < 0.05) with DMI, growth, feed efficiency, and carcass output. High RME had lower (P < 0.05) ruminal propionate compared with low RME animals and increased (P < 0.05) butyrate compared with medium and low RME animals. Propionate was negatively associated (P < 0.05) with all methane traits. Greater acetate:propionate ratio was associated with higher RME (r = 0.18; P < 0.05). Under the ad libitum feeding regime deployed here, RME was the best predictor of DME and only methane trait independent of animal productivity. Ranking animals on RME presents the opportunity to exploit interanimal variation in enteric emissions as well as providing a more equitable index of the methanogenic potential of an animal on which to investigate the underlying biological regulatory mechanisms.
Queen Egg Laying and Egg Hatching Abilities are Hindered in Subterranean Termite Colonies When Exposed to a Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor Bait Formulation
Authors: Chouvenc Thomas , Lee Sang-Bin
Published: October 2021

Subterranean termite control methods using chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs) aim at eliminating colonies that feed upon a bait formulation. Several benzoylurea active ingredient formulations are currently commercially available as alternative termite management strategies to liquid termiticides. Individual workers need to molt on a regular basis and CSIs interfere with such molting process, allowing sufficient time for the acquisition of a colony-wide lethal dose prior to widespread mortality. As workers progressively die, the colony eventually collapses, leaving only soldiers and primary reproductives that starve to death. One common observation is that young workers often die early owing to their relatively short molting cycle. However, the absence of brood in dying colonies raises questions about the potential fate of eggs laid by the queen. This study aims to determine if CSI baits also terminate the ability of a colony to produce a new cohort of workers by disabling the ongoing brood development. Incipient termite colonies were used to test the impact of noviflumuron on the queen’s ability to lay eggs and on the eggs' ability to hatch. Our results showed that queens in colonies exposed to CSI not only initially laid less eggs than the control queens, but eggs also did not develop and were progressively cannibalized, eventually leading to colony establishment failure. This result implies that queens of mature colonies exposed to CSI would lose the ability to lay viable eggs as the colony collapses, leading to an absence of worker replacement, aiding in colony elimination.
Political Capital
Authors: Gratton Gabriele , Holden Richard , Lee Barton E
Published: October 2021

An organization must make a binary choice in each of the two periods. The optimal choice depends on an unknown state of nature. The leader of the organization has a stock of political capital and observes a private signal of the state. The leader faces an intertemporal choice problem. She may choose to spend (some of) her political capital to increase the probability that the choice is not the one that would otherwise be made. Her political capital increases if the decision is correct ex post. We characterize the optimal use of political capital by the leader and how it evolves over time. We identify different leadership styles that depend on the initial stock of capital of the leader, the precision of her information, and the importance of the issue to her. We study how different leadership styles determine the evolution of power within the organization. Finally, we consider issues of optimal organizational design that structures the allocation of power to a leader. (JEL D21, D23, D71, D72).
zeus: a python implementation of ensemble slice sampling for efficient Bayesian parameter inference
Authors: Karamanis Minas , Beutler Florian , Peacock John A
Published: October 2021

We introduce zeus, a well-tested Python implementation of the Ensemble Slice Sampling (ESS) method for Bayesian parameter inference. ESS is a novel Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm specifically designed to tackle the computational challenges posed by modern astronomical and cosmological analyses. In particular, the method requires only minimal hand-tuning of 1−2 hyperparameters that are often trivial to set; its performance is insensitive to linear correlations and it can scale up to 1000s of CPUs without any extra effort. Furthermore, its locally adaptive nature allows to sample efficiently even when strong non-linear correlations are present. Lastly, the method achieves a high performance even in strongly multimodal distributions in high dimensions. Compared to emcee, a popular MCMC sampler, zeus performs 9 and 29 times better in a cosmological and an exoplanet application, respectively.
The Cosmic Ultraviolet Baryon Survey (CUBS) – IV. The complex multiphase circumgalactic medium as revealed by partial Lyman limit systems
Authors: Cooper Thomas J , Rudie Gwen C , Chen Hsiao-Wen , Johnson Sean D , Zahedy Fakhri S , Chen Mandy C , Boettcher Erin , Walth Gregory L , Cantalupo Sebastiano , Cooksey Kathy L , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André , Greene Jenny E , Lopez Sebastian , Mulchaey John S , Penton Steven V , Petitjean Patrick , Putman Mary E , Rafelski Marc , Rauch Michael , Schaye Joop , Simcoe Robert A
Published: October 2021

We present a detailed study of two partial Lyman limit systems (pLLSs) of neutral hydrogen column density $N_\mathrm{H\, I}\approx (1-3)\times 10^{16}\, \mathrm{cm}^{-2}$ discovered at $z$ = 0.5 in the Cosmic Ultraviolet Baryon Survey (CUBS). Available far-ultraviolet spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and optical echelle spectra from MIKE on the Magellan Telescopes enable a comprehensive ionization analysis of diffuse circumgalactic gas based on resolved kinematics and abundance ratios of atomic species spanning five different ionization stages. These data provide unambiguous evidence of kinematically aligned multiphase gas that masquerades as a single-phase structure and can only be resolved by simultaneous accounting of the full range of observed ionic species. Both systems are resolved into multiple components with inferred α-element abundance varying from [α/H] ≈−0.8 to near solar and densities spanning over two decades from log nH/cm−3 ≈ −2.2 to <−4.3. Available deep galaxy survey data from the CUBS program taken with VLT/MUSE, Magellan/LDSS3-C and Magellan/IMACS reveal that the $z$ = 0.47 system is located 55 kpc from a star-forming galaxy with prominent Balmer absorption of stellar mass ${{M_{\rm star}}}\approx 2\times 10^{10}\, {{M_{\odot}}}$, while the $z$ = 0.54 system resides in an overdense environment of 11 galaxies within 750 kpc in projected distance, with the most massive being a luminous red galaxy of ${{M_{\rm star}}}\approx 2\times 10^{11}\, {{M_{\odot}}}$ at 375 kpc. The study of these two pLLSs adds to an emerging picture of the complex, multiphase circumgalactic gas that varies in chemical abundances and density on small spatial scales in diverse galaxy environments. The inhomogeneous nature of metal enrichment and density revealed in observations must be taken into account in theoretical models of diffuse halo gas.
Effect of Usage of the Proton Pump Inhibitor Omeprazole on the Structure of the Kidney of Male Albino Rats
Authors: Hussein Heba Mohammed , El-Nefiawy Nagwa Ebrahim , Abdel Hamid Haidy Farid , El-Fetoh Marwa Abd El Moneim Abo
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Recent clinical observational studies claimed that long term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) might lead to kidney injury that might progress to end-stage renal disease.

Aim of the work

Was to verify these claims by an in vivo experimental study in the rat.

Materials &methods

Fourty two adult male albino rats were assigned in four groups Control group (I) in which rats were not administrated any treatment .

In groups IIa, IIb, IIc rats received daily oral omeprazole in dose of 0.75mg per kg. for 2,4,or 6 weeks successively. At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected for serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) measurement. Then animals were sacrificed and kidney specimens were processed into paraffin blocks, sectioned and stained with H&E, Mallory trichrome &PAS.

Stained sections and image analysis were used to count vacuolated cells, pyknotic nuclei, tubular casts and area precent of collagen fiber deposition then data was subjected to statistical analysis.

Results

Histological examination of renal sections from omeprazole treated group showed sectional kidney injury in renal corpuscle, renal tubules and sever vascular congestion with inflammatory cell infiltrate in renal interstitium .

Thickening of basement membrane was seen by PAS, while progressive increase in collagen fiber deposition was detected by Mallory trichrome stain . Morphometry, image analysis statistical analysis confirmed histological findings.

Statistical significant increase in number of vacuolated cells, pyknotic nuclei, hyaline casts and area percent of collagen fiber deposition compared with control group.

Clear deterioration of renal function tests was observed across the 3 time points of the study compared with the control with highly significant rise of serum creatinine in 4 & 6 weeks group compared with the control. Results of the study were time -dependent with the worst damage in the 6 week group (IV).

Conclusion

The present study declared that long term use of omeprazole resulted in structural damage of rat renal tissue with associated deterioration of renal function in a time dependent manner.

Extreme caution should be taken with clinical prescription of omeprazole and close monitoring of renal function is highly recommended.
Comparison between different weaning methods in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with respiratory failure (BIPAP, CPAP and T piece)
Authors: Elsafty Omar Mohamed Taha , Yousef Osama Ramzy , Mowafy Marwa Mostafa Mohamed , Sadek Salama Ahmed Farag Abdelsamie
Published: October 2021

Background

Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated respiratory failure is increasing in Intensive Care Units. The bridging process from IMV to extubation is called weaning in which mechanical ventilation is gradually withdrawn and the patient resumes spontaneous breathing. Many objective parameters have been defined for weaning success. The following review focuses on the different weaning methods in patients chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with respiratory failure.

Objective

To compare among the different methods of weaning in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with respiratory failure weaned with different method ie BIPAP, CPAP and T-Piece.

Patients and Methods

Cross sectional descriptive study. 60 patients diagnosed as COPD with respiratory failure on MV, will be recruited from ICU Department Zefta general hospital. This study included 60 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with age more than18 years old admitted in adult ICU Department in Zefta general hospital that are on mechanical ventilation. These patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study. Patients were classified randomly into 3 groups.

Results

In this study I try to overcome these challenges by studying the effect of using of NIPPV both CPAP or BIPAP immediately after extubation or using T piece for 1 hour followed by extubation and using oxygen therapy that BIPAP improves patient gas exchange, hemodynamics and associated with shortest ICU stay which reflects on utilization of resources.

Conclusion

We suggest that BIPAP improves patient gas exchange specially in hypercapnic patients, hemodynamics and associated with shortest duration of ICU stay and decrease rate of reintuabtion.
Lactate Clearance Versus Base Deficit Correction in Monotoring of Septic Shock
Authors: Fahmy Adel Mikhail , Kamal Ahmed , Mohamed Abdelwahab Wael Abd Elmonem , Ahmed Ameer Shokry
Published: October 2021

Background

Tissue perfusion and oxygenation monitoring is the fundamental of management to immediately identify and properly manage (impending) organ dysfunction in septic shock. This is a study of a prospective randomized trial that aims to comparing the prognostic value of lactate clearance versus base deficit correction as an indicator of tissue perfusion in septic shock, trying to prove the superiority of one over the other.

Objective

To assess the clinical utility of lactate clearance and arterial base deficit correction in predicting mortality in septic shock.

Patients and Methods

This is a Prospective randomized observational study that was conducted to assess the clinical utility of lactate clearance and arterial base deficit in predicting mortality in septic shock. This study included forty patients who were divided into two equal groups; each of twenty patients, group I (non-survivors), and group II (survivors).

Results

In this study, the base deficit values revealed statistically notable difference between the two groups at admission, 18 hours, 24 hours and 2 days of admission. The values revealed no notable difference at the 3rd. 4th, and 5th day of admission. At the 6th and 7th day of admission, the base deficit started to increase again in the non-survivor group with statistically notable increase in the values as compared to the survivor group. The cutoff point of base deficit to differentiate between nonsurvivors from survivors was > 11.43 with 62% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In this study, initial serum lactate levels at admission revealed higher accuracy in prediction of mortality as compared with initial base deficit.

Conclusion

Lactate clearance is a better predictor of mortality and morbidity than base deficit correction.
The Effect of Low Dose Ketamine Infusion versus Low Dose Dexmedetomidine Infusion on Stress Responses in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim A , Taher Walid A. AL , Abd Elhamid Hadil M , Ibrahim Dina E
Published: October 2021

Background

In cardiac surgery, the extent of systemic inflammatory response is closely

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associated with patient’s outcome. A systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) may develop after operations using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Aim of the Work

to evaluate the 01006705713 potential effects of intravenous infusion of ketamine versus dexmedetomidine on attenuation f stress responses during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operation.

Patients and Email

elsayed@hotmail.com

Methods

This randomized controlled interventional study was conducted on 90 patients who dinaunderwent elective CABG procedure at Ain Shams University Hospital over 24 months from Jan 2018 to Jan 2020. The patients were divided into 3 groups, 30 patients for each group. Group D: received dexmedetomidine infusion, Group K: received ketamine infusion and Group N (control group): received normal saline. Then following measurements recorded at following time interval before induction of anesthesia (T1), after weaning from CPB (T2), 24 h(T3) and 48 h(T4) after completion of the anastomoses. Mean arterial blood pressure records, heart rate & Inflammatory and stress markers including CRP, cortisol, WBC count, glucose and lactate levels.

Results

Mean arterial pressure among three groups was not statistically significant. Also serum glucose level was not statistically significant between groups. Serum lactate level didn’t show statistically significant difference between groups. From aspects of inflammatory markers, we got good results which were superior for dexmedetomidine followed by ketamine infusion group suggested by statistically significant, suggesting that dexmedetomidine and ketamine may have a role in attenuation inflammatory response during cardiac surgery but have no role in attenuation stress response to surgery.

Conclusion

Our study that compared Intravenous infusion of ketamine and dexmedetomidine on attenuation of stress responses during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operation suggests that dexmedetomidine was superior to ketamine infusion in attenuation of inflammatory response during cardiac surgery but have no role in attenuation stress response to surgery.
Stress ulcer prophylaxis in the critically ill patients
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Saeed Mohamed , Taha Sameh Salem Hefni , Daniel Samuel Habachi , Salh Emil Noshy Aziz
Published: October 2021

Background

Sfress Ulceration was an important cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Early active treatment reduces the risk of clinically significant bleeding, ulcer prophylaxis therefore became a standard of care in all critically ill patients.

Objective

The overall aims of the Stress ulcer prophylaxis in the critically ill patients is to determine the benefits and risks of stress ulcer prophylaxis stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in intensive care unit

Materials and Methods

We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis according to the recommendations of the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) statement and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. In the our systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Medline via PubMed, CENTRAL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar from March 1977 till August 2019. The search retrieved 2289 unique records. We then obtained 237 final results for full-text screening. At last, 28 recorded studies were involved in our in the present study.

Results

23 included studies reported the rates of clinically important GI bleeding. The overall effect estimates favored SUP over control for decreasing the hazards of clinically significant GI hemorrhage (P value <0.001, OR— 0.55, CI of 95%[0.35 0.86]). The overall effect estimates did not favor SUP over control for reducing the rate of death (P value =0.24, OR 1.21, 95% CI [0.87 — 1.69]). 23 studies reported the rates of pneumonia. The overall effect estimates showed that the SUP was not related to elevated hazards of nosocomial pneumonia over control (P value —0.15, OR —1.5, CI of 95% [0.83 3.02]). The analysis showed that only Cimetidine 900 mg was effective in reducing the incidence of clinically important GI bleeding (OR 0.45 [0.24, 0.82], p *0.009). In contrary, none of the included PPIs (pantoprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole), ranitidine, or sucralfate were effective in reducing the incidence of clinically important GI bleeding.

Conclusion

SUP is associated with lower risk of GI bleeding in critically ill patients; however, the current published literature shows significant inconsistency. Our analysis showed that, no significant difference between H2RA and PPI in term of incidence of clinically important GI bleeding, H2RAs (mainly cimetidine) more effective than other classes of SUP which significantly reduced the risk of overt GI hemorrhage, and none of the drug classes was effective in reducing the mortality rates.