bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depositional Sedimentary Facies, Stratigraphic Control, Paleoecological Constraints, and Paleogeographic Reconstruction of Late Permian Chhidru Formation (Western Salt Range, Pakistan)
Authors: Ali Syed Kamran , Janjuhah Hammad Tariq , Shahzad Syed Muzyan , Kontakiotis George , Saleem Muhammad Hussain , Khan Usman , Zarkogiannis Stergios D. , Makri Panayota , Antonarakou Assimina
Published: December 2021

The Upper Indus Basin, in Pakistan’s western Salt Range, is home to the Zaluch Gorge. The sedimentary rocks found in this Gorge, belonging to the Chhidru Formation, were studied in terms of sedimentology and stratigraphy, and provide new insights into the basin paleogeographic evolution from the Precambrian to the Jurassic period. Facies analysis in the Chhidru Formation deposits allowed the recognition of three lithofacies (the limestone facies—CF1, the limestone with clay interbeds facies—CF2, and the sandy limestone facies—CF3) with five microfacies types (mudstone biomicrite—MF-1, wackestone-biomicrite—MF-2, wackestone-biosparite—MF-3, pack-stone-biomicrite—MF-4, and packstone-biosparite—MF-5), as well as their depositional characteristics. The identified carbonate and siliciclastic formations display various facies in a shallow marine environment, with different lithologies, sedimentary features, and energy conditions. It is thought that the depositional characteristics of these microfacies are closer to those of the middle to outer shelf. Because of the progressively coarsening outcrop sequence, this formation seems to be at the very top of the high stand system tract (HST). A modified dynamic depositional model of the Chhidru Formation is further built using outcrop data, facies information, and stratigraphy. According to this concept, the formation was deposited in the middle to inner shelf area of the shallow marine environment, during the Late-Permian period. The Permo-Triassic Boundary (PTB), which is the end of the type-1 series, is marked by this formation’s top.
Experimental Study of Local Scour around Tripod Foundation in Combined Collinear Waves-Current Conditions
Authors: Hu Ruigeng , Wang Xiuhai , Liu Hongjun , Lu Yao
Published: December 2021

A series of laboratory experiments were conducted in a wave-current flume to investigate the scour evolution and scour morphology around tripod in combined waves and current. The tripod model was made using the 3D printing technology, and it was installed in seabed with three installation angles α = 0°, 90°and 180° respectively. In the present study, the scour evolution and scour characteristic were first analyzed. Then, the equilibrium scour depth Seq was investigated. Furthermore, a parametric study was carried out to study the effects of Froude number Fr and Euler number Eu on equilibrium scour depth Seq respectively. Finally, the effects of tripod’s structural elements on Seq were discussed. The results indicate that the maximum scour hole appeared underneath the main column for installation angle α = 0°, 90° and 180°. The Seq for α = 90° was greater than the case of α = 0° and α = 180°, implying the tripod suffered from more severe scour for α = 90°. When KC was fixed, the dimensionless time scale T* for α = 90° was slightly larger than the case of α = 0° and α = 180° and the T* was linearly correlated with Ucw in the range of 0.347 < Ucw < 0.739. The higher Fr and Eu both resulted in the greater scour depth for tripod in combined waves and current. The logarithmic formula can depict the general trend of Seq and Fr (Eu) for tripod in combined waves and current.
TALEN-Mediated Gene Editing of slc24a5 (Solute Carrier Family 24, Member 5) in Kawakawa, Euthynnus affinis
Authors: Pandey Dipak , Matsubara Takahiro , Saito Taiju , Kazeto Yukinori , Gen Koichiro , Sakuma Tetsushi , Yamamoto Takashi , Mekuchi Miyuki , Goto Rie
Published: December 2021

Transcription activator-like effector (TALE) nucleases (TALENs) mediated gene editing methods are becoming popular and have revealed the staggering complexity of genome control during development. Here, we present a simple and efficient gene knockout using TALENs in kawakawa, Euthynnus affinis, using slc24a5. We examined slc24a5 gene expression and functional differences between two TALENs that hold the TALE scaffolds, +153/+47 and +136/+63 and target slc24a5. Developmental changes in slc24a5 transcripts were seen in early-stage embryos by real-time PCR; slc24a5 expression was first detected 48 h post fertilization (hpf), which increased dramatically at 72 hpf. Four TALENs, 47- and 63-type of two different target loci (A and B), respectively, were constructed using Platinum TALEN and evaluated in vitro by a single-strand annealing (SSA) assay. TALEN activities were further evaluated in vivo by injecting TALEN mRNAs in the two-cell stage of the zygote. Most of the TALEN-induced mutants showed mosaic patterns in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and fewer melanin pigments on the body at 72 hpf and later when compared to the control, implying the gene’s association with melanin pigment formation. A heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) and the genome sequence further confirmed the TALEN-induced mutations of substitution, insertion, and deletion at an endogenous locus.
Fish Teeth Sr Isotope Stratigraphy and Nd Isotope Variations: New Insights on REY Enrichments in Deep-Sea Sediments in the Pacific
Authors: Wang Fenlian , He Gaowen , Deng Xiguang , Yang Yong , Ren Jiangbo
Published: December 2021

Rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) are widely recognized as strategic materials for advanced technological applications. Deep-sea sediments from the eastern South Pacific and central North Pacific were first reported as potential resources containing significant amounts of REY that are comparable to, or greater than, those of land-based deposits. Despite nearly a decade of research, quantitative abundances and spatial distributions of these deposits remain insufficient. Age controls are generally absent due to the lack of biostratigraphic constraints. Thus, the factors controlling the formation of REY-rich sediments are still controversial. In this study, the REY contents of surface sediments (<2 m depth) in 14 piston cores from the Central and Western Pacific were investigated. The results show that deep-sea sediments with high REY contents (>1000 μg/g) were mainly concentrated around seamounts (e.g., the Marshall Islands). The REY contents of surface sediments generally decreased with distance from the seamounts. Biostratigraphic and fish teeth debris (apatite) Sr isotopic stratigraphy of one piston core (P10) from the Central Pacific indicates that deep-sea sediments with high REY contents were aged from early Oligocene to early Miocene. Since the opening of the Drake Passage during the early Oligocene, the northward-flowing Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) would have led to an upwelling of nutrients around seamounts with topographic barriers, and at the same time, AABW would delay the rate of sediment burial to try for enough time for REY entering and enriching in the apatite (fish teeth debris). Understanding the spatial distribution of fertile regions for REY-rich sediments provides guidance for searching for other REY resources in the Pacific and in other oceans.
A Systematic Study on Berthing Capacity Assessment of Sanya Yazhou Fishing Port by Typhoon Prediction Model
Authors: Ge Hongli , Wang Zhenlu , Liang Bingchen , Zhang Zhaozi , Yan Zhiduo , Li Ziwang
Published: December 2021

This paper sheds light on the effect of combination modes on the evaluation of berthing capacity for Sanya Yazhou Fishing Port (SYFP) under hypothetical typhoon conditions. By statistically analysing the maximum probability of moving speeds and directions of historical typhoons passing through the fishing port, the representative typhoon path was determined with the nonparametric regression method. The designed typhoon wind fields of levels 12–17 were generated based on Holland’s parametric wind model. Then, the MIKE 21 BW model was used to obtain the high-precision wave distribution in the fishing port. The boundary conditions (significant wave height and peak period) of the MIKE 21 BW model were calculated by combining the MIKE 21 SW model with the designed typhoon wind fields. In SYFP, ships usually adopt the modes of multi-ship side-by-side and single anchor mooring during typhoons. In fair weather, approximately 158 vessels can be berthed if they are all large ones, while approximately 735 vessels can be moored if they are all small ones. However, with an increase in typhoon levels, the anchoring area for small vessels decreases. From the perspective of wave distribution in the fishing port, the number of large vessels moored was hardly affected by typhoons. This can be attributed to the breakwater, which significantly decreases the large wave height in the fishing port. Finally, a study on the framework of a method for hazard assessment of berthing capacity in the coming typhoon-driven storm waves was set up.
Depth Profiles of Microplastics in Sediment Cores from Two Mangrove Forests in Northern Vietnam
Authors: Viet Dung Luu , Huu Duc Truong , Thi Khanh Linh Le , Thi Dieu Ly Trinh , Anh Duong Hoang , Thi My Hao Nguyen
Published: December 2021

Plastics are essential materials that play critical roles in people’s lives in the modern world. However, plastic pollution in the ocean has become a critical environmental problem due to the fact of its durability and long life span. In the present study, we analyze the contamination of microplastics in sediment cores from mangrove forests of the Red River Delta and Tien Yen Bay in Northern Vietnam. The results showed that the concentration of microplastics in sediment cores ranged from 0 to 4941 particles/kg, with four types of microplastics: microfiber, microfragment, microfoam, and microfilm. Microplastics were not observed in sediment samples lower than 65 and 70 cm core depth in sediment cores from the Tien Yen Bay and Red River Delta. The microplastic concentration in sediment cores from the Red River Delta was significantly higher than those of Tien Yen Bay, reflecting the influence of anthropogenic activities on microplastics pollution. The present results highlight that the accumulation of microplastics may have occurred a long time ago and tends to increase in the future. Further investigation on microplastic accumulation rates, sources of microplastics, and reducing plastic pollution is necessary to minimize the impacts of microplastic pollution on aquatic life and the environment.
Observations of Suspended Particulate Matter Concentrations and Particle Size Distributions within a Macrotidal Estuary (Port Curtis Estuary, Australia)
Authors: Dunn Ryan J. K. , Glen Jordan , Lin Hsin-Hui , Zigic Sasha
Published: December 2021

An understanding of suspended particulate matter (SPM) dynamics is of great importance to design awareness and management strategies of estuaries. Using a Laser In Situ Scattering and Transmissiometry (LISST) instrument, variations in suspended particle size volumetric concentrations (VC) and particle size distributions (PSD) were measured at six sites within Port Curtis estuary (Australia). The port is a macrotidal estuary with significant economic and environmental importance. Observed VC and SPM sizes demonstrated spatial and temporal trends strongly controlled by the variable energy conditions operating on the neap and spring cycle timescale, with a clear trend towards increasing concentrations and decreasing SPM sizes with increasing tidal ranges. Mid-estuary sites were characterized by the greatest depth-averaged VC under transitional and spring conditions. Estuary-wide mean spring tide total water profile concentrations revealed a near 300% increase in comparison to neap tide condition concentrations. In the upper-estuary sites the mean contribution of the combined 2.5–35 µm size classes to the total profile PSDs was greatest during all tidal conditions, whilst within the lower-estuary site the combined 35–130 µm size classes were greatest. Mean contributions of the largest size class (300–500 µm) dominated surface-waters throughout the estuary during the neap tide period, which when compared with the transitional and spring tide conditions, demonstrated changes of −82% to −48% and −82% to −40%, respectively. Overall, the results from this case study provides further evidence of the important influence of neap and spring tidal regimes on SPM dynamics within estuarine settings and the need to observe parameter dynamics on such timescales.
Managing of Unassigned Mass Spectrometric Data by Neural Network for Cancer Phenotypes Classification
Authors: Petrovsky Denis V. , Kopylov Arthur T. , Rudnev Vladimir R. , Stepanov Alexander A. , Kulikova Liudmila I. , Malsagova Kristina A. , Kaysheva Anna L.
Published: December 2021

Mass spectrometric profiling provides information on the protein and metabolic composition of biological samples. However, the weak efficiency of computational algorithms in correlating tandem spectra to molecular components (proteins and metabolites) dramatically limits the use of “omics” profiling for the classification of nosologies. The development of machine learning methods for the intelligent analysis of raw mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS/MS) measurements without involving the stages of preprocessing and data identification seems promising. In our study, we tested the application of neural networks of two types, a 1D residual convolutional neural network (CNN) and a 3D CNN, for the classification of three cancers by analyzing metabolomic-proteomic HPLC-MS/MS data. In this work, we showed that both neural networks could classify the phenotypes of gender-mixed oncology, kidney cancer, gender-specific oncology, ovarian cancer, and the phenotype of a healthy person by analyzing ‘omics’ data in ‘mgf’ data format. The created models effectively recognized oncopathologies with a model accuracy of 0.95. Information was obtained on the remoteness of the studied phenotypes. The closest in the experiment were ovarian cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer/kidney cancer. In contrast, the healthy phenotype was the most distant from cancer phenotypes and ovarian and prostate cancers. The neural network makes it possible to not only classify the studied phenotypes, but also to determine their similarity (distance matrix), thus overcoming algorithmic barriers in identifying HPLC-MS/MS spectra. Neural networks are versatile and can be applied to standard experimental data formats obtained using different analytical platforms.
Towards Personalized Therapy of Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Mazur Piotr , Kopytek Magdalena , Ząbczyk Michał , Undas Anetta , Natorska Joanna
Published: December 2021

Calcific aortic stenosis (CAS) is the most common cause of acquired valvular heart disease in adults with no available pharmacological treatment to inhibit the disease progression to date. This review provides an up-to-date overview of current knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying CAS pathobiology and the related treatment pathways. Particular attention is paid to current randomized trials investigating medical treatment of CAS, including strategies based on lipid-lowering and antihypertensive therapies, phosphate and calcium metabolism, and novel therapeutic targets such as valvular oxidative stress, coagulation proteins, matrix metalloproteinases, and accumulation of advanced glycation end products.
A Patient Stratification Approach to Identifying the Likelihood of Continued Chronic Depression and Relapse Following Treatment for Depression
Authors: Saunders Rob , Cohen Zachary D. , Ambler Gareth , DeRubeis Robert J. , Wiles Nicola , Kessler David , Gilbody Simon , Hollon Steve D. , Kendrick Tony , Watkins Ed , Richards David , Brabyn Sally , Littlewood Elizabeth , Sharp Debbie , Lewis Glyn , Pilling Steve , Buckman Joshua E. J.
Published: December 2021

Background: Subgrouping methods have the potential to support treatment decision making for patients with depression. Such approaches have not been used to study the continued course of depression or likelihood of relapse following treatment. Method: Data from individual participants of seven randomised controlled trials were analysed. Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups based on baseline characteristics. Associations between profiles and odds of both continued chronic depression and relapse up to one year post-treatment were explored. Differences in outcomes were investigated within profiles for those treated with antidepressants, psychological therapy, and usual care. Results: Seven profiles were identified; profiles with higher symptom severity and long durations of both anxiety and depression at baseline were at higher risk of relapse and of chronic depression. Members of profile five (likely long durations of depression and anxiety, moderately-severe symptoms, and past antidepressant use) appeared to have better outcomes with psychological therapies: antidepressants vs. psychological therapies (OR (95% CI) for relapse = 2.92 (1.24–6.87), chronic course = 2.27 (1.27–4.06)) and usual care vs. psychological therapies (relapse = 2.51 (1.16–5.40), chronic course = 1.98 (1.16–3.37)). Conclusions: Profiles at greater risk of poor outcomes could benefit from more intensive treatment and frequent monitoring. Patients in profile five may benefit more from psychological therapies than other treatments.
Personalized Approach for Obese Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Authors: Matteo Maria Valeria , D’Oria Marika , Bove Vincenzo , Carlino Giorgio , Pontecorvi Valerio , Raffaelli Marco , Chieffo Daniela , Cesario Alfredo , Scambia Giovanni , Costamagna Guido , Boškoski Ivo
Published: December 2021

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease representing a major global health problem in the 21st century. Several etiologic factors are involved in its pathogenesis, including a Western hypercaloric diet, sedentariness, metabolic imbalances, genetics, and gut microbiota modification. Lifestyle modifications and drugs often fail to obtain an adequate and sustained weight loss. To date, bariatric surgery (BS) is the most effective treatment, but only about 1% of eligible patients undergo BS, partly because of its negligible morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive, endoscopic, bariatric procedure, which proved to be safe and effective. In this review, we aim to examine evidence supporting the role of a personalized and multidisciplinary approach, guided by a multidisciplinary team (MDT), for obese patients undergoing ESG, from patient selection to long-term follow-up. The cooperation of different health professionals, including an endocrinologist and/or obesity medicine physician, a bariatric surgeon, an endoscopist experienced in bariatrics, a registered dietitian, an exercise specialist, a behaviour coach, a psychologist, and a nurse or physician extender, aims to induce radical and sustained lifestyle changes. We also discussed the relationship between gut microbiota and outcomes after bariatric procedures, speculating that the characterization of gut microbiota before and after ESG may help develop new tools, including probiotics, to optimize weight loss outcomes.
Defining the Critical Components of Informed Consent for Genetic Testing
Authors: Ormond Kelly E. , Borensztein Maia J. , Hallquist Miranda L. G. , Buchanan Adam H. , Faucett William Andrew , Peay Holly L. , Smith Maureen E. , Tricou Eric P. , Uhlmann Wendy R. , Wain Karen E. , Coughlin Curtis R. ,   On behalf of the Clinical Genome CADRe Workgroup
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Informed consent for genetic testing has historically been acquired during pretest genetic counseling, without specific guidance defining which core concepts are required. Methods: The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) Consent and Disclosure Recommendations Workgroup (CADRe) used an expert consensus process to identify the core concepts essential to consent for clinical genetic testing. A literature review identified 77 concepts that are included in informed consent for genetic tests. Twenty-five experts (9 medical geneticists, 8 genetic counselors, and 9 bioethicists) completed two rounds of surveys ranking concepts’ importance to informed consent. Results: The most highly ranked concepts included: (1) genetic testing is voluntary; (2) why is the test recommended and what does it test for?; (3) what results will be returned and to whom?; (4) are there other types of potential results, and what choices exist?; (5) how will the prognosis and management be impacted by results?; (6) what is the potential family impact?; (7) what are the test limitations and next steps?; and (8) potential risk of genetic discrimination and legal protections. Conclusion: Defining the core concepts necessary for informed consent for genetic testing provides a foundation for quality patient care across a variety of healthcare providers and clinical indications.
Mental Time Travel and Retirement Savings
Authors: Blake David , Pickles John
Published: December 2021

We portray the valuation of retirement savings in terms of a mental time travel journey in which a proposed contribution to a pension plan is projected forward to the plan member’s retirement date and this projected value is then discounted back to today, thereby giving a present or personal value. We set this within a broader framework of pension planning, which seeks to smooth consumption over the lifecycle. We explain how two psychological biases—exponential growth bias and present bias—can lead to a difference between the initial value of a pension contribution and its present value, such a difference reflecting an asymmetry between projection and discounting, and how such a difference might lead to inadequate retirement savings and hence to a lower than desired standard of living in retirement. We consider how the two biases might be mitigated.
Influence of Personality Traits on Choice of Retail Purchasing Channel: Literature Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Hermes Anna , Riedl René
Published: December 2021

Consumers can choose to buy products through various retail channels (e.g., online or in-store), resulting in a need for retailers to provide a well-integrated shopping experience. However, individual factors, such as a customer’s personality, can influence how a channel is perceived and, as such, can alter their subsequent behavior. Thus, it is critical for retailers to better understand personality-related influences and how these can affect a customer’s purchase channel decision. Against this background, the purpose of this structured review is to analyze the extant literature on the influences of personality traits on purchasing channel decisions. After extensive initial screening, 24 papers published in 2003–2021 were included in the analysis and synthesis phase of this literature review. The results show how personality traits (including Big Five factors and more fine-grained factors like playfulness) influence the choice of retail purchasing channels. Among other results, we find that online shopping intentions have been studied most as an outcome variable and that, in contrast to people high in openness to experience, people high in agreeableness are less likely to shop online. While we synthesize findings in the domains of mobile commerce, social commerce, mall shopping, and augmented and virtual reality as well, little research has compared the effects of personality traits on multiple channels. Based on our findings, we discuss managerial implications as well as directions for future research which are described in the form of a research agenda.
Research on Tourism, Indigenous Peoples and Economic Development: A Missing Component
Authors: Butler Richard
Published: December 2021

Indigenous tourism is a term commonly used to describe tourism that involves indigenous peoples or first nations in tourism. In recent years, research attention on this topic has broadened and expanded greatly, reflecting both increased involvement of indigenous peoples and their more active participation in controlling and utilising a widening range of tourism and economic development. This more active participation has taken tourism beyond its traditional role as a limited source of employment and economic development to a stage at which tourism is being utilised as an agent to improve the indigenous political position with respect to controlling a wider range of development and strengthening regional and national identities. The paper briefly reviews research on indigenous tourism over the past half-century, noting the increase in volume and the changing nature and role of research on tourism involving indigenous peoples, but also longstanding neglect of some elements of economic development, which are discussed in more detail It also explores current and likely future issues needing research attention in the light of changing motivations for participation in indigenous tourism, and the spread of indigenous tourism beyond traditional areas into activities more associated with metropolitan and mass tourist markets.
Beaver-Driven Peatland Ecotone Dynamics: Impoundment Detection Using Lidar and Geomorphon Analysis
Authors: Swift Troy P. , Kennedy Lisa M.
Published: December 2021

This investigation focused on remotely detecting beaver impoundments and dams along the boreal-like peatland ecotones enmeshing Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, a National Natural Landmark in mountainous West Virginia, USA. Beaver (Castor spp.) are renowned for their role as ecosystem engineers. They can alter local hydrology, change the ratios of meadow to woodland, act as buffers against drought and wildfire, and influence important climate parameters such as carbon retention and methanogenesis. The Cranberry Glades (~1000 m a.s.l.) occupy ~300 ha, including ~40 ha of regionally rare, open peatlands. Given the likely historical role of beaver activity in the formation and maintenance of peatland conditions at Cranberry Glades, monitoring of recent activity may be useful in predicting future changes. We analyzed remotely sensed data to identify and reconstruct shifting patterns of surface hydrology associated with beaver ponds and dams and developed a novel application of geomorphons to detect them, aided by exploitation of absences and errors in Lidar data. We also quantified decadal-timescale dynamics of beaver activity by tallying detectable active impoundments between 1990–2020, revealing active/fallow cycles and changing numbers of impoundments per unit area of suitable riparian habitat. This research presents both a practical approach to monitoring beaver activity through analysis of publicly available data and a spatiotemporal reconstruction of three decades of beaver activity at this rare and imperiled “Arctic Island” of the southern High Alleghenies.
Spatially Explicit Reconstruction of Cropland Using the Random Forest: A Case Study of the Tuojiang River Basin, China from 1911 to 2010
Authors: Wang Qi , Xiong Min , Li Qiquan , Li Hao , Lan Ting , Deng Ouping , Huang Rong , Zeng Min , Gao Xuesong
Published: December 2021

A long-term, high-resolution cropland dataset plays an essential part in accurately and systematically understanding the mechanisms that drive cropland change and its effect on biogeochemical processes. However, current widely used spatially explicit cropland databases are developed according to a simple downscaling model and are associated with low resolution. By combining historical county-level cropland archive data with natural and anthropogenic variables, we developed a random forest model to spatialize the cropland distribution in the Tuojiang River Basin (TRB) during 1911–2010, using a resolution of 30 m. The reconstruction results showed that the cropland in the TRB increased from 1.13 × 104 km2 in 1911 to 1.81 × 104 km2. In comparison with satellite-based data for 1980, the reconstructed dataset approximated the remotely sensed cropland distribution. Our cropland map could capture cropland distribution details better than three widely used public cropland datasets, due to its high spatial heterogeneity and improved spatial resolution. The most critical factors driving the distribution of TRB cropland include nearby-cropland, elevation, and climatic conditions. This newly reconstructed cropland dataset can be used for long-term, accurate regional ecological simulation, and future policymaking. This novel reconstruction approach has the potential to be applied to other land use and cover types via its flexible framework and modifiable parameters.
Mapping Abandoned Cropland Changes in the Hilly and Gully Region of the Loess Plateau in China
Authors: Wang Yanwei , Song Wei
Published: December 2021

As a form of land marginalization, abandoned cropland has an important impact on food security and the effective supply of agricultural products. With rapid urbanization across the world, large areas of cropland are abandoned in some regions, especially in mountainous and hilly areas with poor terrain. Due to the fine fragmentation and scattered distribution of abandoned cropland, and considering differences in the abandoned and fallow time of cropland, it is difficult to extract information using remote sensing technology. Therefore, this paper proposes a change in the detection method for extracting abandoned cropland information based on identifying the annual land use trajectory. Based on Landsat satellite data, annual land use was mapped from 2011 to 2020 in Gaolan County, which is located in the hilly and gully region of the Loess Plateau of China, using the random forest classification method. Subsequently, abandoned cropland information in Gaolan County was extracted, based on the land use change trajectory and analysis of the influencing factors of abandoned land. The results showed that: (1) The overall accuracy of land use interpretation in Gaolan County ranged from 86.44% to 95.45%, from 2011 to 2020, with a kappa coefficient of up to 0.93, and the classification results were ideal. (2) The recall of extracted abandoned cropland was 81%, the extraction accuracy of which was relatively high. (3) From 2013 to 2020, the cropland abandonment rate in Gaolan County ranged from 8.41% to 19.65%, with an average of 14.55%, which increased and then decreased. The abandonment rate was highest in 2015 but it then decreased year by year. The average period of abandoned cropland was 4.2 years. (4) The influence factors of the plot scale explain the difference in the spatial distribution of cultivated land abandonment. The higher the slope condition, the lower the soil nutrient content and the greater the possibility of abandonment.
Sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 towards Alcohols: Potential for Alcohol-Related Toxicity in Humans
Authors: Basak Debasish , Deb Subrata
Published: December 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative organism that is highly contagious and has been responsible for more than 240 million cases and 5 million deaths worldwide. Using masks, soap-based hand washing, and maintaining social distancing are some of the common methods to prevent the spread of the virus. In the absence of any preventive medications, from the outset of pandemic, alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS) have been one of the first-line measures to control transmission of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this narrative review is to evaluate the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 towards ABHS and understand their potential adverse effects on humans. Ethanol and isopropanol have been the most commonly used alcohols in ABHS (e.g., gel, solution, spray, wipes, or foam) with alcohol in the range of 70–85% v/v in World Health Organization or Food and Drug Administration-approved ABHS. The denaturation of proteins around the envelope of SARS-CoV-2 positive sense single-stranded RNA virus is the major mechanism of action of ABHS. Due to frequent use of high-percentage alcohol-containing ABHS over an extended period of time, the oral, dermal, or pulmonary absorption is a possibility. In addition to the systemic toxicity, topical adverse effects such as contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis are plausible and have been reported during COVID-19. ABHS appear to be effective in controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 with the concern of oral, dermal, or pulmonary absorption.
Computational Analysis of Genetic Code Variations Optimized for the Robustness against Point Mutations with Wobble-like Effects
Authors: Fimmel Elena , Gumbel Markus , Starman Martin , Strüngmann Lutz
Published: December 2021

It is believed that the codon–amino acid assignments of the standard genetic code (SGC) help to minimize the negative effects caused by point mutations. All possible point mutations of the genetic code can be represented as a weighted graph with weights that correspond to the probabilities of these mutations. The robustness of a code against point mutations can be described then by means of the so-called conductance measure. This paper quantifies the wobble effect, which was investigated previously by applying the weighted graph approach, and seeks optimal weights using an evolutionary optimization algorithm to maximize the code’s robustness. One result of our study is that the robustness of the genetic code is least influenced by mutations in the third position—like with the wobble effect. Moreover, the results clearly demonstrate that point mutations in the first, and even more importantly, in the second base of a codon have a very large influence on the robustness of the genetic code. These results were compared to single nucleotide variants (SNV) in coding sequences which support our findings. Additionally, it was analyzed which structure of a genetic code evolves from random code tables when the robustness is maximized. Our calculations show that the resulting code tables are very close to the standard genetic code. In conclusion, the results illustrate that the robustness against point mutations seems to be an important factor in the evolution of the standard genetic code.
Photobiomodulation and Sports: Results of a Narrative Review
Authors: Ailioaie Laura Marinela , Litscher Gerhard
Published: December 2021

Benefits of photobiomodulation (PBM) have been known for several decades. More recently, PBM applied in sports offers a special chance to support the modeling of the performance and recovery. Increasingly complex physical activities and fierce competition in the world of sports generate a state of psycho-emotional and physical stress that can induce chronic fatigue syndrome, failure in physical training, predisposition to muscle damage, physical and emotional exhaustion etc., for which PBM could be an excellent solution. To evaluate and identify all risk factors and the influence of PBM on health and performance in sport and for a better understanding of its effects, we did a search for “Photobiomodulation and Sports” on PubMed, to update the PBM science applied in sports, and we retained for analysis the articles published from 2014 to date. The term “PBM” is recent, and we did not include previous studies with “low level laser therapy” or “LLLT” before 2014. In the present research, PBM has been shown to have valuable protective and ergogenic effects in 25 human studies, being the key to success for high performance and recovery, facts supported also by 22 animal studies. PBM applied creatively and targeted depending on sport and size of the level of physical effort could perfectly modulate the mitochondrial activity and thus lead to remarkable improvements in performance. PBM with no conclusive results or without effects from this review (14 studies from a total of 39 on humans) was analyzed and we found the motivations of the authors from the perspective of multiple causes related to technological limitations, participants, the protocols for physical activity, the devices, techniques and PBM parameters. In the near future, dose–response experiments on physical activity should be designed and correlated with PBM dose–response studies, so that quantification of PBM parameters to allow the energy, metabolic, immune, and neuro-endocrine modulation, perfectly coupled with the level of training. There is an urgent need to continuously improve PBM devices, delivery methods, and protocols in new ingenious future sports trials. Latest innovations and nanotechnologies applied to perform intracellular signaling analysis, while examining extracellular targets, coupled with 3D and 4D sports motion analysis and other high-tech devices, can be a challenge to learn how to maximize PBM efficiency while achieving unprecedented sports performance and thus fulfilling the dream of millions of elite athletes.
Structure, Activity, and Function of SETMAR Protein Lysine Methyltransferase
Authors: Tellier Michael
Published: December 2021

SETMAR is a protein lysine methyltransferase that is involved in several DNA processes, including DNA repair via the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway, regulation of gene expression, illegitimate DNA integration, and DNA decatenation. However, SETMAR is an atypical protein lysine methyltransferase since in anthropoid primates, the SET domain is fused to an inactive DNA transposase. The presence of the DNA transposase domain confers to SETMAR a DNA binding activity towards the remnants of its transposable element, which has resulted in the emergence of a gene regulatory function. Both the SET and the DNA transposase domains are involved in the different cellular roles of SETMAR, indicating the presence of novel and specific functions in anthropoid primates. In addition, SETMAR is dysregulated in different types of cancer, indicating a potential pathological role. While some light has been shed on SETMAR functions, more research and new tools are needed to better understand the cellular activities of SETMAR and to investigate the therapeutic potential of SETMAR.
Risk Factors, Treatment and Prognosis of Patients with Lung Cancer after Heart Transplantation
Authors: Heil Karsten M. , Helmschrott Matthias , Darche Fabrice F. , Bruckner Tom , Ehlermann Philipp , Kreusser Michael M. , Doesch Andreas O. , Sommer Wiebke , Warnecke Gregor , Frey Norbert , Rivinius Rasmus
Published: December 2021

Long-term survival after heart transplantation (HTX) is impacted by adverse effects of immunosuppressive pharmacotherapy, and post-transplant lung cancer is a common occurrence. This study aimed to examine the risk factors, treatment, and prognosis of patients with post-transplant lung cancer. We included 625 adult patients who received HTX at Heidelberg Heart Center between 1989 and 2018. Patients were stratified by diagnosis and staging of lung cancer after HTX. Analysis comprised donor and recipient characteristics, medications including immunosuppressive drugs, and survival after diagnosis of lung cancer. A total of 41 patients (6.6%) were diagnosed with lung cancer after HTX, 13 patients received curative care and 28 patients had palliative care. Mean time from HTX until diagnosis of lung cancer was 8.6 ± 4.0 years and 1.8 ± 2.7 years from diagnosis of lung cancer until last follow-up. Twenty-four patients (58.5%) were switched to an mTOR-inhibitor after diagnosis of lung cancer. Multivariate analysis showed recipient age (HR: 1.05; CI: 1.01–1.10; p = 0.02), COPD (HR: 3.72; CI: 1.88–7.37; p < 0.01), and history of smoking (HR: 20.39; CI: 2.73–152.13; p < 0.01) as risk factors for post-transplant lung cancer. Patients in stages I and II had a significantly better 1-year (100.0% versus 3.6%), 2-year (69.2% versus 0.0%), and 5-year survival (53.8% versus 0.0%) than patients in stages III and IV (p < 0.01). Given the poor prognosis of late-stage post-transplant lung cancer, routine reassessment of current smoking status, providing smoking cessation support, and intensified lung cancer screening in high-risk HTX recipients are advisable.
Influence of Escherichia coli on Expression of Selected Human Drug Addiction Genes
Authors: Kotłowski Roman
Published: December 2021

The impact of enteric microflora on the expression of genes associated with cocaine and amphetamine addiction was described. Human genome-wide experiments on RNA transcripts expressed in response to three selected Escherichia coli strains allowed for significant alteration (p > 0.05) of the linear regression model between HT-29 RNA transcripts associated with the KEGG pathway:hsa05030:Cocaine addiction after 3 h stimulation with intracellular pathogenic E. coli strain UM146 versus non-pathogenic E. coli Nissle 1917. Among the features influenced by the UM146 bacterial strain were visual learning, response to the presence of morphine, response to hypoxia, behavioral fear response and cognitive functions.
The Association between Temperament, Chronotype, Depressive Symptoms, and Disease Activity among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease—A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
Authors: Mokros Łukasz , Domżał-Magrowska Danuta , Pietras Tadeusz , Sipowicz Kasper , Talar-Wojnarowska Renata
Published: December 2021

The psychological aspect may play an important role in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The aims of this study were to explore the differences between patients with UC and CD regarding chronotype, temperament and depression, and to assess the psychological factors mentioned as predictors of disease activity. In total, n = 37 patients with UC and n = 47 patients with CD were included in the study. They underwent a clinical assessment, including the Mayo score or Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and completed questionnaires: a sociodemographic survey, Formal Characteristics of Behavior–Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), Chronotype Questionnaire (CQ), and the Beck Depression Index II (BDI). The Sensory Sensitivity score was higher among patients with CD than UC (p = 0.04). The emotional reactivity and endurance scores were higher among women than men with CD (p = 0.028 and p = 0.012 respectively). CQ Morningness–Eveningness (ME) correlated with Endurance (p = 0.041), Emotional Reactivity (p = 0.016), and Activity (p = 0.004). ME correlated with Rhythmicity among CD patients (p = 0.002). The Mayo score was predicted by Perseverance. The CDAI score was predicted by the BDI score. The pattern of the relationship between chronotype and temperament may differentiate patients with UC and CD. Personal disposition may play a role in the clinical assessment of patients with IBD.
Synthesis and Characterization of Manganese-Modified Black TiO2 Nanoparticles and Their Performance Evaluation for the Photodegradation of Phenolic Compounds from Wastewater
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Nawaz Rab , Khan Javed Akbar , Ullah Habib , Haneef Tahir , Legutko Stanislaw , Rahman Saifur , Józwik Jerzy , Alsaiari Mabkhoot A. , Khan Mohammad Kamal Asif , Mursal Salim Nasar Faraj , AlKahtani Fahad Salem , Alshorman Omar , Ghanim Abdulnour Ali Jazem
Published: December 2021

The release of phenolic-contaminated treated palm oil mill effluent (TPOME) poses a severe threat to human and environmental health. In this work, manganese-modified black TiO2 (Mn-B-TiO2) was produced for the photodegradation of high concentrations of total phenolic compounds from TPOME. A modified glycerol-assisted technique was used to synthesize visible-light-sensitive black TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), which were then calcined at 300 °C for 60 min for conversion to anatase crystalline phase. The black TiO2 was further modified with manganese by utilizing a wet impregnation technique. Visible light absorption, charge carrier separation, and electron–hole pair recombination suppression were all improved when the band structure of TiO2 was tuned by producing Ti3+ defect states. As a result of the enhanced optical and electrical characteristics of black TiO2 NPs, phenolic compounds were removed from TPOME at a rate of 48.17%, which is 2.6 times higher than P25 (18%). When Mn was added to black TiO2 NPs, the Ti ion in the TiO2 lattice was replaced by Mn, causing a large redshift of the optical absorption edges and enhanced photodegradation of phenolic compounds from TPOME. The photodegradation efficiency of phenolic compounds by Mn-B-TiO2 improved to 60.12% from 48.17% at 0.3 wt% Mn doping concentration. The removal efficiency of phenolic compounds from TPOME diminished when Mn doping exceeded the optimum threshold (0.3 wt%). According to the findings, Mn-modified black TiO2 NPs are the most effective, as they combine the advantages of both black TiO2 and Mn doping.
The Isotropic Material Design of In-Plane Loaded Elasto-Plastic Plates
Authors: Czarnecki Sławomir , Lewiński Tomasz
Published: December 2021

This paper puts forward a new version of the Isotropic Material Design method for the optimum design of structures made of an elasto-plastic material within the Hencky-Nadai-Ilyushin theory. This method provides the optimal layouts of the moduli of isotropy to make the overall compliance minimal. Thus, the bulk and shear moduli are the only design variables, both assumed as non-negative fields. The trace of the Hooke tensor represents the unit cost of the design. The yield condition is assumed to be independent of the design variables, to make the design process as simple as possible. By eliminating the design variables, the optimum design problem is reduced to the pair of the two mutually dual Linear Constrained Problems (LCP). The solution to the LCP stress-based problem directly determines the layout of the optimal moduli. A numerical method has been developed to construct approximate solutions, which paves the way for constructing the final layouts of the elastic moduli. Selected illustrative solutions are reported, corresponding to various data concerning the yield limit and the cost of the design. The yield condition introduced in this paper results in bounding the values of the optimal moduli in the places of possible stress concentration, such as reentrant corners.
The Influence of Silica Nanoparticles on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Crosslinked Hybrid Composites
Authors: Klepka Tomasz , Podkościelna Beata , Czerwiński Dariusz , Samujło Bronisław
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of a new hybrid composite. Its main goals are evaluating the structure and studying the thermal and mechanical properties of the crosslinked polymeric materials based on varying chemical properties of the compounds. As an organic crosslinking monomer, bisphenol A glycerolate diacrylate (BPA.GDA) was used. Trimethoxyvinylsilane (TMVS) and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) were used as comonomers and active diluents. The inorganic fraction was the silica in the form of nanoparticles (NANOSiO2). The hybrid composites were obtained by the bulk polymerization method using the UV initiator Irqacure 651 with a constant weight ratio of the tetrafunctional monomer BPA.GDA to TMVS or NVP (7:3 wt.%) and different wt.% of silica nanoparticles (0, 1, 3%). The proper course of polymerization was confirmed by the ATR/FTIR spectroscopy and SEM EDAX analysis. In the composites spectra the signals correspond to the C=O groups from NVP at 1672–1675 cm−1, and the vibrations of Si–O–C and Si–O–Si groups at 1053–1100 cm−1 from TMVS and NANOSiO2 are visible. Thermal stabilities of the obtained composites were studied by a differential scanning calorimetry DSC. Compared to NVP the samples with TMVS degraded in one stage (422.6–425.3 °C). The NVP-derived materials decomposed in three stages (three endothermic effects on the DSC curves). The addition of NANOSiO2 increases the temperature of composites maximum degradation insignificantly. Additionally, the Shore D hardness test was carried out with original metrological measurements of changes in diameter after indentation in relation to the type of material. The accuracy analysis of the obtained test results was based on a comparative analysis of graphical curves obtained from experimental tests. The values of the changes course of similarity in the examined factors, represented by those of characteristic coefficients were determined based on the Fréchet’s theory.