bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Similarities and differences between IL11 and IL11RA1 knockout mice for lung fibro-inflammation, fertility and craniosynostosis
Authors: Ng Benjamin , Widjaja Anissa A. , Viswanathan Sivakumar , Dong Jinrui , Chothani Sonia P. , Lim Stella , Shekeran Shamini G. , Tan Jessie , McGregor Narelle E. , Walker Emma C. , Sims Natalie A. , Schafer Sebastian , Cook Stuart A.
Published: July 2021

Loss of function (LOF) in IL11RA infers IL11 signaling as important for fertility, fibrosis, inflammation and incompletely penetrant craniosynostosis. The impact of LOF in IL11 has not been characterized. We generated IL11 knockout (Il11−/−) mice that are born in expected ratios and have normal hematological profiles. Lung fibroblasts from Il11−/− mice are resistant to pro-fibrotic stimulation with TGFβ1. Following bleomycin-induced lung injury, Il11−/− mice are protected from pulmonary fibrosis and exhibit lesser ERK, STAT3 and NF-kB activation, reduced Il1b, Timp1, Ccl2 and diminished IL6 expression, both at baseline and after injury: placing Il11 activity upstream of IL6 in this model. Il11−/− female mice are infertile. Unlike Il11ra1−/− mice, Il11−/− mice do not have craniosynostosis, have normal long bone mass and reduced body weights. These data further establish the role of IL11 signaling in lung fibrosis while suggesting that bone development abnormalities can be associated with mutation of IL11RA but not IL11, which may have implications for therapeutic targeting of IL11 signaling.
FHL-1 interacts with human RPE cells through the α5β1 integrin and confers protection against oxidative stress
Authors: Choudhury Rawshan , Bayatti Nadhim , Scharff Richard , Szula Ewa , Tilakaratna Viranga , Udsen Maja Søberg , McHarg Selina , Askari Janet A. , Humphries Martin J. , Bishop Paul N. , Clark Simon J.
Published: July 2021

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that underlie the neurosensory retina are essential for the maintenance of photoreceptor cells and hence vision. Interactions between the RPE and their basement membrane, i.e. the inner layer of Bruch’s membrane, are essential for RPE cell health and function, but the signals induced by Bruch’s membrane engagement, and their contributions to RPE cell fate determination remain poorly defined. Here, we studied the functional role of the soluble complement regulator and component of Bruch’s membrane, Factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1). Human primary RPE cells adhered to FHL-1 in a manner that was eliminated by either mutagenesis of the integrin-binding RGD motif in FHL-1 or by using competing antibodies directed against the α5 and β1 integrin subunits. These short-term experiments reveal an immediate protein-integrin interaction that were obtained from primary RPE cells and replicated using the hTERT-RPE1 cell line. Separate, longer term experiments utilising RNAseq analysis of hTERT-RPE1 cells bound to FHL-1, showed an increased expression of the heat-shock protein genesHSPA6,CRYAB,HSPA1AandHSPA1Bwhen compared to cells bound to fibronectin (FN) or laminin (LA). Pathway analysis implicated changes in EIF2 signalling, the unfolded protein response, and mineralocorticoid receptor signalling as putative pathways. Subsequent cell survival assays using H2O2to induce oxidative stress-induced cell death suggest hTERT-RPE1 cells had significantly greater protection when bound to FHL-1 or LA compared to plastic or FN. These data show a non-canonical role of FHL-1 in protecting RPE cells against oxidative stress and identifies a novel interaction that has implications for ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
A retrospective analysis of malaria epidemiological characteristics in Yingjiang County on the China–Myanmar border
Authors: Huang Fang , Li Shi-Gang , Tian Peng , Guo Xiang-Rui , Xia Zhi-Gui , Zhou Shui-Sen , Zhou Hong-Ning , Zhou Xiao-Nong
Published: July 2021

Yingjiang County, which is on the China–Myanmar border, is the main focus for malaria elimination in China. The epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Yingjiang County were analysed in a retrospective analysis. A total of 895 malaria cases were reported in Yingjiang County between 2013 and 2019. The majority of cases occurred in males (70.7%) and individuals aged 19–59 years (77.3%). Plasmodium vivax was the predominant species (96.6%). The number of indigenous cases decreased gradually and since 2017, no indigenous cases have been reported. Malaria cases were mainly distributed in the southern and southwestern areas of the county; 55.6% of the indigenous cases were reported in Nabang Township, which also had the highest risk of imported malaria. The “1–3–7” approach has been implemented effectively, with 100% of cases reported within 24 h, 88.9% cases investigated and confirmed within 3 days and 98.5% of foci responded to within 7 days. Although malaria elimination has been achieved in Yingjiang County, sustaining elimination and preventing the re-establishment of malaria require the continued strengthening of case detection, surveillance and response systems targeting the migrant population in border areas.
Identification and characterization of a novel ELN mutation in congenital heart disease with pulmonary artery stenosis
Authors: Hou Cuilan , Zheng Junmin , liu Wei , Xie Lijian , Sun Xiaomin , Zhang Yongwei , Xu Meng , Li Yun , Xiao Tingting
Published: July 2021

Congenital heart defects, one of the most common birth defects, affect approximately 1% of live birth globally and remain the leading cause of infant mortality in developed countries. Utilizing the pathogenicity score and inheritance mode from whole exome sequencing results, a heterozygous mutation (NM_001278939.1: c.1939G>T, p.Gly647Ter) in elastin (ELN) was identified among 6,440 variants in a female proband born with an atrial septal defect accompanied by pulmonary artery stenosis. Results of RT-PCR showed that the mutation (NM_001278939.1: c.1939G>T, p.Gly647Ter) did not affect the expression levels ofELNmRNA but increased protein level. The content ofELNtruncate (functional component) was significantly lower in both the intracellular and extracellular compartments after mutation. These results indicate that theELNmutation (NM_001278939.1: c.1939G>T, p.Gly647Ter) affected the protein truncate, which may be a functional component ofELNand play crucial roles for this pedigree. Here we report of anELNheterozygous variant associated with congenital heart disease accompanied with pulmonary artery stenosis, which is less common. Based on our results, we speculate that this may be the main molecular mechanism underlying the mutation-led functional changes, and propose that the decrease ofELNprotein level may cause this pedigree vascular abnormality, especially pulmonary artery stenosis, and reinforce the view thatELNinsufficiency is the primary cause of these vascular lesions. This may be the main molecular mechanism underlying the mutation-led functional changes. Thus, systematic analysis not only enables us to better understand the etiology of this disease but also contributes to clinical and prenatal diagnosis.
Integrative analysis of key candidate genes and signaling pathways in acute coronary syndrome related to obstructive sleep apnea by bioinformatics
Authors: Shi Yanxi , Jiang Zhengye , Jiang Liqin , Xu Jianjiang
Published: July 2021

Although obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been clinically reported to be associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the pathogenesis between the two is unclear. Herein, we analyzed and screened out the prospective molecular marker. To explore the candidate genes, as well as signaling cascades involved in ACS related to OSA, we extracted the integrated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the intersection of genes from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohorts and text mining, followed by enrichment of the matching cell signal cascade through DAVID analysis. Moreover, the MCODE of Cytoscape software was employed to uncover the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and the matching hub gene. A total of 17 and 56 integrated human DEGs in unstable angina (UA) and myocardial infarction (MI) group associated with OSAs that met the criteria of |log2 fold change (FC)|≥ 1, adjusted P < 0.05, respectively, were uncovered. After PPI network construction, the top five hub genes associated with UA were extracted, including APP, MAPK3, MMP9, CD40 and CD40LG, whereas those associated with MI were PPARG, MAPK1, MMP9, AGT, and TGFB1. The establishment of the aforementioned candidate key genes, as well as the enriched signaling cascades, provides promising molecular marker for OSA-related ACS, which will to provide a certain predictive value for the occurrence of ACS in OSA patients in the future.
Nanoprobes to investigate nonspecific interactions in lipid bilayers: from defect-mediated adhesion to membrane disruption
Authors: Razza Nicolò , Lavino Alessio D. , Fadda Giulia , Lairez Didier , Impagnatiello Andrea , Marchisio Daniele , Sangermano Marco , Rizza Giancarlo
Published: July 2021

When a lipid membrane approaches a material/nanomaterial, nonspecific interaction may occur. The interplay between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions determines the existence of a thermodynamic optimum for the membrane structural integrity.
Leveraging BODIPY nanomaterials for enhanced tumor photothermal therapy
Authors: Ma Chong , Zhang Tao , Xie Zhigang
Published: July 2021

Boron-dipyrromethenes are widely used in tumor phototherapy. The latest development of Boron-dipyrromethene nanomaterials for enhanced photothermal therapy was summarized.
A solution-processed bis-tridentate iridium(iii) complex-cored dendrimer for green OLEDs
Authors: Pandit Vaidehi , Jang Junhyuk , Babazadeh Mohammad , Ranasinghe Chandana Sampath Kumara , Huang David M. , Burn Paul L. , Puttock Emma V.
Published: July 2021

We report a solution-processable dendronised bis-tridentate iridium(iii) complex composed of a bis(imidazolyl)phenyl ligand with a first-generation biphenyl dendron containing t-butyl surface groups and a 2-pyrazolyl-6-phenylpyridine co-ligand.
Anti-ambipolar behavior and photovoltaic effect in p-MoTe2/n-InSe heterojunctions
Authors: Sun Yiming , Gao Wei , Li Xueping , Xia Congxin , Chen Hongyu , Zhang Li , Luo Dongxiang , Fan Weijun , Huo Nengjie , Li Jingbo
Published: July 2021

The MoTe2/InSe heterojunctions exhibit an anti-ambipolar behavior with high peak-to-valley current ratio (>103) and a high self-driven photodetection performance with photoresponsivity of 15.4 mA W−1 and specific detectivity up to ∼3.02 × 1014 Jones.
Liquid-phase hydrogenation of 1-hexene and phenylacetylene over multicomponent nickel skeleton catalysts
Authors: Suimbayeva Saltanat , Kairbekov Zhaksyntay , Jeldybayeva Indira , Ermoldina Elmira
Published: July 2021

This paper presents the results of a study of the process of hydrogenation of 1-hexene in ethanol and phenylacetylene in a hexanewater suspension over multicomponent nickel skeleton catalysts It was demonstrated that the activity of multicomponent skeleton nickel catalysts is substantially dependent on the nature of the additives introduced into the bearing alloy. Introduction of Cu, Pb and Ta leads to an increase in activity (W=196-295cm3/min-gNi). The major mechanism of the effect of emulsion composition on the rate and selectivity of hydrogenation of phenylacetylene involves a change in the coefficient of distribution of substances between the solution and the surface of the skeleton nickel catalyst. It was also shown that the presence of water, which competes with unsaturated hydrocarbons during adsorption, adversely affects the process of purification from acetylenic hydrocarbons, as well as the stereo-regular polymerization of monomer. The research results of the kinetics and direction of the processes of hydrogenation of phenylacetylene suggest significant effect of the adsorption factor, including the ratio of free energies, concentrations and spatial orientation of the molecules of the mixture components, as well as the interaction of reacting substances and hydrogen with thecatalyst surface.
Catalytic decomposition of methane on Ni-containing catalysts prepared by heterophase sol-gel method
Authors: Popov Maxim , Maximov Vladimir , Kogan Viktor
Published: July 2021

The most promising catalysts for the catalytic decomposition of methane are nickel-containing systems, since nickel has high activity, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, and relatively low cost. In this work, catalysts were prepared by the heterophase sol-gel method and investigated using catalytic equipment. The catalysts showed high stability and lifetime during the catalytic decomposition of methane at temperatures ranging from 535 to 675°C.
Influence of the nature of the alkanethiol terminal group on the electrochemical stability and blocking ability of self-assembled nanofilms on Au electrode
Authors: Ovchinnikova Svetlana , Aleksandrova Tatyana
Published: July 2021

We studied the effect of the nature of the terminal group of thiols with the same chain length HS (CH2)8 – R (R: -CH3, -CH2OH, -NH2) on the electrodesorption behaviour of well-formed SAMs (the self-assembled monolayers), their stability and blocking ability using voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The nature of the terminal functional group determines the surface properties of SAM and provides the basis for subsequent interactions (for example, with peptides, proteins, DNA) in order to create sensors and bioagents. For the studied thiols, the hydrophilicity of the end groups increases in the series -CH3<< -NH2 ≤ -CH2OH; they also differ in polarity and the possibility of protonation of the amino group. For thiols with -CH3 and -CH2OH groups, an increase in the hydrophilicity of the terminal group leads to the formation of less stable and less ordered films. The replacement of carbon by nitrogen with approximately the same hydrophilicity of the groups (-CH2OH and -NH2) leads to the formation of a more stable film consisting of molecules in the same energy state, butwith poorer insulatingproperties.
Carbonylation of olefins by carbon monoxide and alcohols in the presence of Pd-complex catalytic system
Authors: Shalmagambetov Kairzhan , Kudaibergenov Nurbolat , Zhaksylykova Gulbanu , Almatkyzy Perizat , Mamyrkhan Diana , Bulybayev Marat , Esenov Arkhat
Published: July 2021

In order to develop new, efficient and environmentally friendly methods for the preparation of practically valuable esters of carboxylic acids, studies of the hydroalkoxycarbonylation reaction of a number of terminal olefins of normal structure (hexene-1, heptene-1, octene-1, nonene-1) with carbon monoxide and alcohols in presence of metal complex catalysts based on palladium phosphine complexes at low carbon monoxide pressures (≤ 20 atm).Two-and three-component systems based on PdCl2 and Pd(Acac)2, PdCl2(PPh3)2, Pd(PPh3)4 complexes containing a free ligand (PPh3) as a stabilizer and Bronsted acid (TsOH) as a promoter were studied as catalysts. It was shown that only the three-component systems PdCl2-PPh3-TsOH, PdCl2(PPh3)2-PPh3-TsOH, Pd(Acac)2-PPh3-TsOH, and Pd(PPh3)2-PPh3-TsOH have the highest catalytic activity in the studied reactions. It was found that the reaction of hydroalkoxycarbonylation of α-olefins proceeds with the formation of a mixture of linear and branched products. The influence of various conditions of the reaction (the ratio of the initial reagents and the components of the catalytic systems, temperature, CO pressure, duration) on the course of the process and on the yield of the target products was investigated. The optimal parameters of the studied reactions have been found.
Sequential leaching of copper from mill tailings with aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid and sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Syzdykova Leilya , Nurtazina Nargiza , Erdenbekova Aidana
Published: July 2021

This work presents an investigation of kinetics of copper leaching from mill tailings with hydrochloric acid and sodium hypochlorite at room temperature in filtration mode. The concentration of hydrochloric acid and sodium hypochlorite varied from 0.05 to 0.5 M and 0.025 to 0.1 M respectively. When the samples were leached in the sequence of five-hour leaching with solutions of hydrochloric acid, and then six-hour with sodium hypochlorite, the maximum degree of copper extraction into the solution was 32.62 %. And in case of leaching samples in the inverse direction, with a solution of sodium hypochlorite for two hours, and then with hydrochloric acid for seven hours, 87.10 % of copper was extracted, which is 2.67 times more than in the previous case. It has been shown that the sequence of using reagents in leaching has a significant impact on the efficiency of copper extraction from the tailings.
Hydrolytic method for processing bismuth to obtain compounds
Authors: Daminov Artem S. , Koledova Ekaterina S. , Mishchenko Kseniya V. , Yukhin Yuri M.
Published: July 2021

The hydrolytic processing of metallic bismuth to obtain compounds was investigated by methods of chemical, X-ray diffraction analyses, thermogravimetric analyzes, as well as electron microscopy. The conditions for obtaining bismuth nitrate pentahydrate composition Bi(NO3)3∙5H2O, oxide, citrate of bismuth of composition BiС6Н5O7, bismuth-potassium-ammonium citrate and oxohydroxotribromophenolate of bismuth of the pharmacopoeial composition [Bi6O6(OH)2](C6H2Br3O)4 Xeroform are presented.
Obtaining coke of improved quality by hydro-gentrification of coal tar
Authors: Smagulova Nazym , Kairbekov Zhaxyntay , Yermekbayeva Gulsezim
Published: July 2021

The catalytic properties of non-applied nickel-sulfide catalysts in the reactions of hydrogenation and hydrodesulphurization of coal tar from the coal semi-coking of the Shubarkul field (Republic of Kazakhstan) were studied to obtain data necessary for the intensification of the resin processing technology, increasing the yield and improving the quality of the resulting needle coke. As a feedstock, the resin was used without preliminary dehydration (water content 3.4 %) and distillation in a mixture with the prepared catalyst and the residue of distillation with boiling point above 320°C of oil from the Kumkol field (Republic of Kazakhstan), taken in a mass ratio of 1:1.
Features of the formation of conductive films during thermal and laser sintering of silver nanoparticles stabilized by an ethoxylated carboxylic acid
Authors: Titkov Alexander I. , Malbakhova Inna A. , Borisenko Tatyana A. , Vorobyev Alexander M. , Logutenko Olga A. , Baev Sergey G. , Bessmeltsev Viktor P.
Published: July 2021

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) of ~ 6 nm in size were synthesized by the reduction of silver 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetate by benzyl alcohol acting both as the solvent and as the reducer. The as-synthesized Ag NPs were dispersed in a mixture of nontoxic solvents with different boiling temperatures (butanol and propylene glycol ethers) to prepare ink. The ink was spin-coated on polyimide films and processed with thermal and laser sintering. After thermal sintering, the silver films have a non-uniform structure and contain many voids, causing their resistivity to be quite high (28 µΩ×cm). Laser sintering of the Ag NPs inks spin-coated on a polyimide film using a fiber laser operating at a wavelength of 1.064 µm in a pulse-periodic mode results in a uniform film structure, almost without voids, with a lower resistivity of 2.3 µΩ×cm. Laser sintering in this case is a promising method to fabricate conductive patterns on various substrates, including polymer flexible ones.
Gas-phase computational study of tetra-n-butylammonium ion conformational mobility
Authors: Tyapkin Pavel , Rychkov Denis
Published: July 2021

The energy profiles of various configurations of the tetra-n-butylammonium ion (Bu4N+) arising by changing the angle between a pair of butyl ligands, as well as by rotating of various alkyl fragments in gas phase, were calculated using DFT methods. A hypothesis about the most probable way of changing the conformations of tetra-n-butylammonium ions during the phase transitions in highly conductive solid electrolytes was proposed.
Synthesis of porous ceramics for ceramic biosensors
Authors: Khusnutdinov Vyacheslav , Ulihin Artem
Published: July 2021

Highly porous ceramic materials with open porosity are perspective for manufacture of the biosensors. Those materials are used as a framework and open porosity allows to inject a necessary functional components into internal volume. Electroconductive highly porous ceramics on a base of La1-xCaxMnO3 with variable composition have acceptable hardness and relatively low sintering temperature (about 1450°C). In recent work samples of highly porous ceramic with the composition of La1-xCaxMnO3 (x=0.3, 0.5 and 0.7) were obtained by impregnating a carbon nonwoven material with a slip containing pre-synthesized compounds of the desired composition, followed by annealing at 1415-1450îÑ. Obtained materials according to the scanning electron microscopy data have a pore size of up to 100 µm. The conductivity is 0.5-2.5 S/cm.
Influence of light intensity and photoperiod on energy efficiency of biomass and pigment production of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis)
Authors: Niangoran N’goran Urbain Florent , Buso David , Zissis Georges , Prudhomme Thomas
Published: July 2021

Biomass and photosynthetic pigments production of cyanobacteria, in particular Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), depend on light intensity. Production cost of Spirulina cultivation in photobioreactor illuminated with LED is strongly related to light cost. This work is aimed to evaluate the effects of light intensity and photoperiod on the energy efficiency of biomass and pigment production of Spirulina platensis UTEX 1926. Cultures illuminated with white light-emitting diodes (LED) were carried out in batch mode cultivation. Three lighting scenarios with different light intensities were tested: two with a constant light intensity at 80 and 160 μmol · m−2 · s−1 and one with modulated light intensity. Concerning photoperiod, three cycles of light:dark (h:h) (24:00, 20:04 and 16:08) were studied under light intensity at 160 μmol · m−2 · s−1. Concerning Spirulina biomass and pigment production (phycocyanin, chlorophyll and carotenoids), it is found that the lower intensity tested allows a substantial increase of the process energy efficiency. Concerning the influence of the photoperiod, it has been found that the longer the off time is (up to 08 h 00 a day), the higher is the energy efficiency for Spirulina biomass as well as for pigmentary production.
Le nucléaire : un facteur d’attractivité pour les industries électro-intensives
Authors: Le Gros Gaïc
Published: July 2021

L’énergie nucléaire bénéficie de plusieurs atouts essentiels pour faciliter et développer l’activité industrielle dans les territoires. L’industrie et, de surcroît, les entreprises dont les activités sont électro-intensives, ont besoin d’une électricité abondante, disponible, bas carbone et compétitive. Direction les Hauts-de-France pour une illustration in situ.
Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression with Minimal Nerve Root Retraction for Impending Neurologic Deficit in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Diseases
Authors: Kim Hyeun Sung , Raorane Harshavardhan Dilip , Choi Il , Wu Pang Hung , Yang Kyung Hoon , Yi Yeon Jin , Jang Il Tae
Published: July 2021

Objectives The aim of this retrospective case study was to analyze the outcomes of minimal nerve root retraction in patients with impending neurologic deficit in degenerative lumbar spine disease using the full-endoscopic spine surgery.

Materials and Methods Thirty-seven consecutive patients with impending neurologic deficit underwent endoscopic spine surgery through either the transforaminal or the interlaminar approach. Their clinical outcomes were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS) leg pain score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and MacNab's criteria. The outcome of motor deficitis was evaluated with the Medical Research Council (MRC) grade. Completeness of decompression was documented with a postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scan.

Results A total of 40 lumbar levels of 37 patients were operated, VAS score of the leg improved from 7.7 ± 1 to 1.9 ± 0.6 (p < 0.0001). ODI score improved from 74.7 ± 6.5 to 25.4 ± 3.49 (p < 0.0001). Motor weakness improved significantly immediately after surgery. The mean MRC grade increased to 1.97, 3.65, 4.41, and 4.76 preoperatively, at 1 week, at 3 months, and at the final follow-up, respectively, and all the patients with foot drop and cauda equina syndrome symptom recovered completely. One patient with great toe drop recovered partially to MRC grade 3. Mean follow-up of the study was 13.3 ± 6.1 months. According to MacNab's criteria, 30 patients (80.1%) had good and 7 patients (18.9%) had excellent results. Three patients required revision surgery.

Conclusions Minimal nerve root retraction during full-endoscopic spine surgery is safe and effective for treatment of the impending neurologic deficit. We could achieve a thorough decompression of the affected nerve root with acceptable clinical outcome and minimal postoperative morbidity.
Probing the small-scale protein motions with a laboratory X-ray
Authors: Lim Alane
Published: July 2021

An ordinary laboratory X-ray could be used to characterize the molecular motions of a wide variety of biological molecules.
Parametric X-ray methods use 2D heterostructures to generate compact, tunable X-ray sources
Authors: Rodriguez Jaimee-Ian
Published: July 2021

Previously unknown capabilities of parametric X-ray radiation via van der Waals materials enable control over intense, ultrashort X-ray pulses.
New international formulation developed for determining the viscosity of heavy water
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: July 2021

The International Association for the Properties of Water & Steam adopted the formulation as an international standard.
Real-time interfacial electron dynamics revealed through temporal correlations in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Brausse Felix , Borgwardt Mario , Mahl Johannes , Fraund Matthew , Roth Friedrich , Blum Monika , Eberhardt Wolfgang , Gessner Oliver
Published: July 2021

We present a novel technique to monitor dynamics in interfacial systems through temporal correlations in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) signals. To date, the vast majority of time-resolved x-ray spectroscopy techniques rely on pump–probe schemes, in which the sample is excited out of equilibrium by a pump pulse, and the subsequent dynamics are monitored by probe pulses arriving at a series of well-defined delays relative to the excitation. By definition, this approach is restricted to processes that can either directly or indirectly be initiated by light. It cannot access spontaneous dynamics or the microscopic fluctuations of ensembles in chemical or thermal equilibrium. Enabling this capability requires measurements to be performed in real (laboratory) time with high temporal resolution and, ultimately, without the need for a well-defined trigger event. The time-correlation XPS technique presented here is a first step toward this goal. The correlation-based technique is implemented by extending an existing optical-laser pump/multiple x-ray probe setup by the capability to record the kinetic energy and absolute time of arrival of every detected photoelectron. The method is benchmarked by monitoring energy-dependent, periodic signal modulations in a prototypical time-resolved XPS experiment on photoinduced surface-photovoltage dynamics in silicon, using both conventional pump–probe data acquisition, and the new technique based on laboratory time. The two measurements lead to the same result. The findings provide a critical milestone toward the overarching goal of studying equilibrium dynamics at surfaces and interfaces through time correlation-based XPS measurements.
Temporal and spatial design of x-ray pulses based on free-electron–crystal interaction
Authors: Balanov Amnon , Gorlach Alexey , Kaminer Ido
Published: July 2021

Tunable x-ray radiation sources are of wide importance for imaging and spectroscopy in fundamental science, medicine, and industry. The growing demand for highly tunable, high-brightness lab-scale x-ray sources motivates research of new mechanisms of x-ray generation. Parametric x-ray radiation (PXR) is a mechanism for tunable x-ray radiation from free electrons traversing crystalline materials. Although PXR has been investigated over decades, it remained limited in usages due to the low flux and strict dependence on fixed crystal properties. Here, we find new effects hiding in the PXR mechanisms, which provide control over the radiation polarization and spatial and temporal distribution. The radiation can form ultrashort pulses and delta-pulse trains, which makes the new effects fundamentally different from all conventional mechanisms of x-ray generation. We show how these new effects can be created from free-electron interactions with van der Waals materials. Furthermore, we consider free electrons traversing near material edges, which provides an additional degree of tunability in angular distribution and polarization of PXR. Our findings enable us to utilize recent breakthroughs in the atomic-scale design of 2D material heterostructures to provide platforms for creating tunable x-ray pulses.
An integrative taxonomic approach resolves the
Authors: Conn Barry J. , Henwood Murray J. , Proft Kirstin M. , Scott Judith A. , Wilson Trevor C. , Howes Rod S.
Published: July 2021

The diagnostic characteristics and distinctiveness of plant taxa have traditionally been based on a combination of geographic and morphological discontinuity. Implicit within these concepts is the notion that morphological variation is fixed and that gene flow among taxa is limited. However, species complexes that comprise a range of more-or-less continuous morphotypes often confound such assumptions and resist formal taxonomic treatment. A range of independent data sources, namely, nucleotide sequences, volatile oils and traditional morphology, were used in an integrative approach to resolve the taxonomic structure within the geographically widespread species complex of Prostanthera lasianthos Labill. We concluded that no dataset has primacy in defining segregate taxa, and that a combination of morphological and molecular data was required to determine the taxa within. As a result, we amended the description of P. lasianthos sens. strict. and recognise the following five new segregate species: Prostanthera largiflorens B.J.Conn & K.Proft, P. lasiangustata J.Carrick ex B.J.Conn & K.Proft, P. rupicola B.J.Conn & K.Proft, P. subalpina B.J.Conn & K.Proft, and P. williamsii B.J.Conn & K.Proft.
III International scientific and practical conference “Actual problems of the energy complex: mining, production, transmission, processing and environmental protection” (APEC 2021)
Authors: Gibadullin Arthur
Published: July 2021

Within the framework of the presented material, the results of the conducted III International scientific and practical conference «Actual problems of the energy complex: mining, production, transmission, processing and environmental protection» (APEC 2021).
The use of PWM in parametric models of induction heaters
Authors: Kinev E S , Tyapin A A , Panteleev V I , Efimov S N , Molokov V V
Published: July 2021

The article investigates the possibility of using pulse-width control of parametric models of induction heaters, shows the models of pulse-controlled resistive elements and the results of simulation of their transient modes. A feature of the proposed circuit solutions is the use in macromodels of ideal keys controlled by the mode parameters of the circuit. In the environment of a circuit simulator, virtual PWM models are constructed that are suitable for use, both in the transient and in the steady state. The non-reactive nature of the modules ensures the accuracy and speed of the device in a wide frequency range, while observing the conflict-free behavior of the computing core with a variable iteration step. The modes of the device models are investigated in the time domain, the characteristics of the dynamics of control and controlled parameters are shown. The advantages and disadvantages of PWM control of parametric models are noted.
Influence of deposits on rotor impellers of a centrifugal blower of a gas-pumping unit on static imbalance
Authors: Velichko E I , Stepanov M S , Bunyakin A V
Published: July 2021

Compressor station equipment undergoes a sensitive adjustment process before commissioning. One of its most important tasks is balancing the blower rotor, as a result of which the forces acting in the system are balanced. Unbalance is the imbalance of the rotor, leading to the occurrence of forces and moments that cause vibration, both of the rotor itself and of the entire machine as a whole. Currently, there is no absolutely effective method for gas purification, which negatively affects the flow path of the equipment. This is especially true for gas pumping units that compress associated petroleum gas, as well as for GPUs operating in underground gas storage facilities and used in cases where the pressure of the sampled gas is lower than the pressure in the pipeline and must be raised. All this contributes to the emergence of an imbalance in the system. The work mathematically simulates the effect of deposits on the static balance of the rotor of a centrifugal blower.
The Analysis of Network Models for the Design of Industrial and Fire Safety Systems for Oil Refineries
Authors: Petrov A E , Fedorov A V , Kochegarov A V , Lomaev E N , Preobrazhenskiy A P
Published: July 2021

Tensor network models represent the processes and structure of complex systems, including dangerous technological objects of oil refineries. Complex systems tensor method research based on duality invariance. It is the sum constancy of the metric tensors dual networks whenever there is a change in structure. Dual subspaces closed and unclosed paths are responses to external and internal influences, which do not depend on each other. As an example of a network model is considered the atmospheric column oil-refining plant, which is used to organize the work of training stand. Thermal energy flows are presented in a mesh network, and massive flows of mechanical energy - in a junction network. The amount of mechanical and thermal energy flows allows you to determine the load on the nodes of the unit. The results are applied to predict dangerous situations on refining facilities to assess changes in restructuring processes and the risk of accidents. Calculations, such as heat and mass flow change if you change the control actions, disable installation elements and assess change critical settings.
Influence of technological parameters of the Volga oil shale on the efficiency of heat release during combustion
Authors: Eskin A A , Korolev E A , Barieva E R , Korolev A E , Khuzin I A
Published: July 2021

Volga oil shale in the Middle Volga region is a promising energy raw material for regional factories. Their heat of combustion varies from 1.6 to 9.0 MJ/kg, averaging 4.2-4.5 MJ/kg. The low calorific value of the fuel can be compensated by the proximity of the consumption sources and the cheapness of supplies. Oil shale is a high-ash energy feedstock with high sulfur content. The share of the organic component (kerogen) is 15-25%. During the combustion of oil shale, kerogen undergoes a multistage transformation due to the reactions of organic molecules hydrogenization. Experimental modeling has shown that the heat of combustion of the Volga oil shale is determined not only by their composition, but also by the organization of the combustion process. When burning lump shale, the heat release from rocks is 15-20% less than similar fuel in the form of fine dust. When using the technology of coal-water combustion (in the form of suspensions), the heat release of rocks is reduced in comparison with the combustion of dry finely dispersed oil shale by 10%. Although it remains higher, compared to the heat release during combustion of lump oil shale using boiling bed technology.
Algorithm for estimating the flow rate of an oil producing well based on dynamometer data
Authors: Tagirova K F , Vulfin A M
Published: July 2021

The paper proposes an algorithm for determining the flow rate of an oil producing well based on dynamometer data. The dynamogram is presented as a two-dimensional image processed using a convolutional neural network that solves the problem of nonlinear regression between the dynamogram image and the flow rate value. The structure of the dynamometer data collection and processing system is presented, the main steps of the data analysis algorithm are described. The resulting model makes it possible to estimate the production rate with an error in the range of 15-20%.
Improving the efficiency of pumping equipment at the gold mining companies of the Far North
Authors: Ovchinnikov N P , Yu Krasnoshtanov S
Published: July 2021

Practice shows that in the conditions of gold mining enterprises in Yakutia, the MTBF of double-acting pumps is relatively small and can be no more than 100 motor hours. Emergency downtime caused by the repair of pumping equipment is highly undesirable, since they negatively affect the safety of mining operations, as well as the technical and economic performance of the gold mining enterprise. The purpose of this research work is to establish the reasons for the low operational reliability of double-acting pumps during open development of gold-bearing deposits in Yakutia, as well as to establish the most optimal technical solution to improve the efficiency of pumping equipment under specified operating conditions.
Calculation of damage caused to agricultural areas as a result of placement of oil production facilities
Authors: Zhichkin K A , Nosov V V , Zhichkina L N , Sterlikov F F , Abramov Y V
Published: July 2021

The article deals with the problem of inappropriate use of agricultural land and the determination of the amount of damage. The purpose of the study is to improve the methodology for calculating the amount of damage from improper use of agricultural land. Objectives: - to determine the amount of misuse of land in 2015-2019 in the conditions of the Samara region; - to analyze the dependence of the amount of damage on the territorial location; - to formulate the features of the methodology for calculating losses at the levels of “enterprise” and “municipal district-region”. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the size of the non-target occupation is constantly increasing. The objects location on the region territory does not depend on the agricultural land profitability, since agricultural production is less competitive in comparison with the extractive industries. When determining the losses size, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of their formation in time, which directly depends on the type of damage sources. The damage amount was constantly growing, which is associated with the expansion of the mining enterprises activities. If in 2015 - 50 wells for various purposes were built, then in 2019 - 236.
Digital subsurface - use as an important factor in the development of the region
Authors: Ermakova A M
Published: July 2021

The article describes the role and significance of digitalization in the modern world. The author claims that the transition to digital subsurface use will open up new opportunities for the regional development of the fuel and energy complex, will avoid some existing environmental problems and bring the region’s economy to a more favorable level.
CO2 corrosion behavior of high-strength martensitic steel for marine riser exposed to CO2-saturated salt solution
Authors: Zhang Dazheng , Gao Xiuhua , Li Weijuan , Li Boyong , Guo Jing , Zhang Junkai , Pang Qihang , Xu Zhen
Published: July 2021

CO2 corrosion is an inevitable problem of marine riser steel for oil and gas transportation. In the following work, the corrosion behavior was revealed in terms of microstructure characterization, corrosion kinetic curves, morphology and phase composition analysis of corrosion products, distribution characteristics of elements in corrosion products and electrochemical corrosion behavior. The results showed that FeCO3 crystals gradually evolved from dispersed clusters to complete FeCO3 layers with the extension of exposure time, which improved the protection ability of the corrosion product layer to the substrate. With the prolongation of corrosion time, the protective effect of the corrosion product layer on the substrate was gradually enhanced. The self-corrosion potential moved to the positive direction and the self-corrosion current density decreased. As a result, the corrosion rate gradually decreased and tended to be stable. The increase of corrosion-resistant elements content made the self-corrosion current density significantly decreased. The high content of corrosion-resistant elements effectively hindered the contact of corrosive ions with the substrate and inhibited the electrochemical corrosion reaction.
Effects of hot extrusion deformation on microstructure and mechanical properties of the spray-deposition 17 vol.% SiCp/7055Al composite
Authors: Tang Binbin , Jiang Xianquan , Jin Peipeng , Wang Haitao , Peng He
Published: July 2021

In this study, the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties under hot extrusion of 17 vol.% SiCp/7055Al composite fabricated through the spray-deposition was investigated by employing the Microscope (SEM), the x-ray diffraction (XRD) and the electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD) under a range of deformation conditions. The extrusion temperature reached 400 °C, 450 °C, 500 °C, and the extrusion ratio was at 9, 13, 20 respectively. As revealed from the results the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the composite were affected by the extrusion and the precipitated phase. As indicated from the Optical microscope (OM) and the EBSD analysis, the structure variation of the hot extrusion deformation at 450 °C was mainly the dynamic recovery (DRV). However, the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) was dominating at the extrusion temperature of 500 °C and a ratio of 20. In the DRX process, the dislocation substructures appeared within the grains, to reduce low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) progressively. The textures with {110} 〈111〉 paralleling to TD and the recrystallization textures {001} 〈100〉 and {124} 〈211〉 were characterized. As indicated from the tensile tests, the extrusion eliminated the preparation defects and accommodated the thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the matrix and the SiC particles, thereby improving the performance of the composite.
MiR-200c-based metabolic modulation in glioblastoma cells as a strategy to overcome tumor chemoresistance
Authors: Cardoso Ana M , Morais Catarina M , Sousa Madalena , Rebelo Olinda , Tão Hermínio , Barbosa Marcos , Pedroso de Lima Maria C , Jurado Amália S
Published: July 2021

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most aggressive and common form of primary brain tumor characterized by fast proliferation, high invasion and resistance to current standard treatment. The average survival rate post-diagnosis is 14.6 months, despite the aggressive standard post-surgery radiotherapy concomitant with chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ). Currently, efforts are being endowed to develop new and more efficient therapeutic approaches capable to overcome chemoresistance, inhibit tumor progression and improve overall patient survival rate. Abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression has been correlated with chemoresistance, proliferation and resistance to apoptosis, which result from their master regulatory role of gene expression. Altered cell metabolism, favoring glycolysis, was identified as an emerging cancer hallmark and has been described in GB, thus offering a new target for innovative GB therapies. In this work, we hypothesized that a gene therapy-based strategy consisting of the overexpression of a miRNA downregulated in GB and predicted to target crucial metabolic enzymes might promote a shift of GB cell metabolism, decreasing the glycolytic dependence of tumor cells and contributing to their sensitization to chemotherapy with TMZ. The increase of miR-200c levels in DBTRG cells resulted in downregulation of messenger RNA of enzymes involved in bioenergetics pathways and impaired cell metabolism and mobility. In addition, miR-200c overexpression prior to DBTRG cell exposure to TMZ resulted in cell cycle arrest. Overall, our results show that miR-200c overexpression could offer a way to overcome chemoresistance developed by GB cells in response to current standard chemotherapy, providing an improvement to current GB standard treatment, with benefit for patient outcome.
Secondary Market Transparency and Corporate Bond Issuing Costs
Authors: Brugler James , Comerton-Forde Carole , Martin J Spencer
Published: July 2021

Mandated post-trade transparency in secondary markets lowers the cost of issuing corporate bonds. We show that costs are lower due to the mitigation of information asymmetry in the issuing process. Three pieces of evidence support this finding. First, new issues with higher information asymmetry experience relatively larger reductions in issuing costs. These bonds also experience lower reductions in trading activity than lower information asymmetry bonds, so liquidity cannot explain these results. Second, when a larger fraction of trades in comparable bonds are made post-trade transparent, new issue pricing improves. This holds when conditioning on expected bond liquidity. Third, transparency raises prices in the secondary market, but not by as much as it does for newly issued bonds.
Using host genetics to infer the global spread and evolutionary history of HCV subtype 3a
Authors: Lin Shang-Kuan , De Maio Nicola , Pedergnana Vincent , Wu Chieh-Hsi , Thézé Julien , Wilson Daniel J , Barnes Eleanor , Ansari M Azim
Published: July 2021

Studies have shown that hepatitis C virus subtype 3a (HCV-3a) is likely to have been circulating in South Asia before its global spread. However, the time and route of this dissemination remain unclear. For the first time, we generated host and virus genome-wide data for more than 500 patients infected with HCV-3a from the UK, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. We used the host genomic data to infer the ancestry of the patients and used this information to investigate the epidemic history of HCV-3a. We observed that viruses from hosts of South Asian ancestry clustered together near the root of the tree, irrespective of the sampling country, and that they were more diverse than viruses from other host ancestries. We hypothesized that South Asian hosts are more likely to have been infected in South Asia and used the inferred host ancestries to distinguish between the location where the infection was acquired and where the sample was taken. Next, we inferred that three independent transmission events resulted in the spread of the virus from South Asia to the UK, North America, and Oceania. This initial spread happened during or soon after the end of World War II. This was subsequently followed by many independent transmissions between the UK, North America, and Oceania. Using both host and virus genomic information can be highly informative in studying the virus epidemic history, especially in the context of chronic infections where migration histories need to be accounted for.