bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of smoothing cubic spline in non-parametric identification technical systems’ algorithm
Authors: Voskoboinikov Y , Boeva V
Published: November 2020

Many technical systems are described by mathematical models in the form of an integral Voltaire equation of the first kind with a difference kernel. The nonparametric identification problem for such systems will be reduced to constructing an estimate of the impulse transition function of the identified system based on the measured (with noise) the input and output signals’ values. A rectangular signal of constant amplitude is applied to the input of the identified system at some point in time in some identification schemes that are widely used in practice. For such an input signal, the pulse transition function is defined as the first derivative of the system output signal. However, the derivative calculation belongs to the class of incorrectly posed problems, and an essential feature of this problem is the calculated derivative instability to the errors in recording the output signal. For stable computation, various algorithms for smoothing experimental data are used. The most effective of them are smoothing cubic splines. Boundary conditions are specified to uniquely determine the coefficients of these splines. Unfortunately, traditional natural boundary conditions (zero second derivatives of the spline) do not allow taking into account the features of the identification problem. Therefore, we propose a smoothing algorithm, based on smoothing cubic splines, which allows one taking into account information about the identifiable impulse transition function in sufficient (to increase the accuracy of identification) in this research paper. The studies show the effectiveness of the proposed smoothing algorithm and the entire identification procedure as a whole.
Comparison of Methods for Processing of X-ray images of Defects in Reinforced Concrete Product
Authors: Abashin R , Likhachev A , Zerkal S , Likhachev N
Published: November 2020

The problem of automatic determination of the location of defect projections on radiographs of metal and reinforced concrete products is considered. The main research method is a computational experiment. A three-dimensional phantom has been developed that simulates a fragment of a concrete slab reinforced with iron bars with defects inside. Its X-ray image is modeled on the basis of the Bouguer law. Distortion represents uncorrelated noise with a normal distribution in each pixel. A binary Bayesian classifier is used to search for defects. It has been shown to be quite effective as long as the noise SDV does not exceed 1.5% of the average image brightness. At a higher noise level, the classifier does not give stable results. The use of simple low-frequency filtering methods (averaging and median in a sliding window) for noise suppression did not lead to improvement. However, the use of the entropy filter has shown that it can improve the quality of classification. Special image point detectors, in particular the Harris-Stephans detector, were also used to search for defects. The results obtained suggest that this approach may be promising.
Improvement of Methodology for the Analysis of Construction Indicators
Authors: Fedorovich T
Published: November 2020

The development of market relations in the construction complex of Russia requires the solution of problematic issues not only of a regional nature, but also of a federal level. This is due to the improvement of the methodology for the analysis of economic indicators in construction. Based on the study of modern theoretical and conceptual approaches and methodological developments in construction practice for the analysis of production, business and financial activities of construction corporations, an author’s concept of a prognostic analysis of the development of the region’s building complex with detailed indicators and analytical procedures for their step-by-step solution is proposed. The achievement of the research goal has led to the use of methods of induction, deduction, and general scientific knowledge. The article also uses correlation and regression analysis, analysis of variance and coefficient analysis as the basis of the author’s, system-process approach within the framework of the research problem under consideration. The real advantage of modern information and communication technologies used in the forecast analysis, which provides an opportunity for a more objective formalized assessment of the modern development directions of the construction complex of a separate region and Russia as a whole, has been proved.
Modeling an Increase in the Cement Activity Using Dispersed Mineral Additives
Authors: Storozhenko G , Syromyasov V , Simonov P
Published: November 2020

The researches’ results show that it is possible to obtain a ceramic crock, which water absorption meets the requirements of facade ceramic tiles at a charge firing temperature of 1150 ° C, consisting of 60% low-melting and 40% refractory clay raw materials from deposits in the Novosibirsk Region. Additives influence nature of directed action was studied: wollastonite and cullet by the mathematical planning method of the experiment. It was found that the introduction of additives helps to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the ceramic crock. The introduction of 10% cullet allows increasing the tensile strength by 10.3% compression and reducing water 27.1% absorption. The amount of 15% wollastonite contributes to a greater increase in mechanical strength and a decrease in water absorption, compared with the control composition. The joint introduction of mineral additives leads to a decrease in tensile strength A method for producing high-quality facade and building ceramics from low-grade, poor in clay minerals raw materials with carbonate inclusions, which consists in mechanically activating these raw materials and purposefully creating a hierarchical structure of semi-dry pressed products, is proposed in the research work. The developed technology of preparing a press-mass that is uniform in humidity and dispersion by rolling mechanically activated powders based on aggregate grains (micro level), firmly coated with clay mineral nanoparticles, to the state of spherical granules (macro level). This approach to mass preparation significantly improves the subsequent stages course of pressing and firing products. Its effect is the possibility of obtaining various types of building and facade ceramics with high performance characteristics.
Studying the causes of the open type overland car parking collapse in Nur-Sultan
Authors: Nuguzhinov Z , Tokanov D , Tazhenova G , Rakhimov A , Kurokhtina I
Published: November 2020

Studying the causes of accidents allows avoiding mistakes in the design, construction and operation of the building. According to the results of a continuous visual and detailed instrumental examination, the materials are collected and analyzed in the article that characterize the causes of the accidental collapse of the overlapping section of the metal frame. The calculation of steel beams of the overlapping section in the “2-3/B-V” axes at the + 4,500 mark of the overland parking building was performed in the LIR-STC design system of the LIRA-CAD 2013 program both for design combinations of efforts and for design combination of loads. Design errors that led to the accident are identified. Both the results of the calculation of the bolted connection, and the calculation of steel profiled flooring are presented. In addition, technical decisions are made on the further safe operation of the facility. This accident draws attention to the problem of ensuring safety of buildings and structures and the need for an integrated approach in the framework of industrial safety expertise.
Social and legal prerequisites for hoarding by condo residents in Russia
Authors: Litvintsev D
Published: November 2020

Consumerism is an inherent feature of a modern consumer-minded society which enhances in some people both a hunger for collecting and a more serious desire developing into oniomania (shopping mania, shopaholism), kleptomania or pathological hoarding (syllogomania, Diogenes syndrome, Plyushkin’s syndrome). The paper proposes an interdisciplinary approach to the problem of pathological hoarding of unnecessary things and domestic animals by tenants of condominiums in Russian cities. Socio-legal prerequisites for this psychosocial disease still insufficiently studied in the country are also analyzed in the paper. The data of the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation and various legal acts were examined. In the course of the study, methods of quality content analysis and visual sociology were used to analyze cases of pathological hoarding highlighted in Russian digital media in recent years. The Clutter-Hoarding Scale and Clutter Image Rating Scale were used to interpret photos of cluttered Russian flats in condos. In conclusion, recommendations are given on improving state policy and the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Technology for Strengthening Earth Mound’s Foundations, Reinforced with Geosynthetic Materials
Authors: Korobova O , Loshchev V
Published: November 2020

Technology of strengthening subgrade foundations, using geosynthetic material at a specific object is described in the article. The use of the proposed geosynthetic material as a reinforcing element is effective, creating load-bearing layers of the earth mound’s foundations, slopes or other types of support structures. Soil base reinforcement of the earth mound with geosynthetic woven material “Stabilenka®” allows increasing the bearing capacity of weak silty clay soils of soft plastic and fluid consistencies to fluid from 1.5 to 5 times, depending on the strength of the material, reduce deformability by 20% and can be considered as the most optimal. We can consider, that the use of a new progressive material allows increasing bearing capacity of the subgrade and reducing the cost and labor intensity of its construction in comparison with traditional methods and the duration of the mound preparation on weak areas is reduced by up to 5 times, using such technology.
Numerical solution the Volterra dual integral equation of the first kind based on a method of Runge-Kutta type
Authors: Antipina E
Published: November 2020

The paper focuses on the non-classical Volterra dual equation of the first kind, to which the problem of identifying non-symmetric Volterra kernels is reduced. For this equation, we obtained difference analogs based on the application of the Runge-Kutta type method. Such equations arise in the problem of modeling nonlinear dynamical systems of black-box type, which employ the Volterra integro-power series, when the input perturbation is a vector function of time.
Analysis of radio activity and thermal decomposition of fly ash for application in light concrete production
Authors: Takibai S , Sakanov K , Sungidmaa D
Published: November 2020

The article deals with the environmental pollution from ash waste, the analysis of radioactivity and thermal decomposition of fly ash at thermal power plants used in the production of light concrete. It shows the research and analysis of fly ash of thermal power plants in Ekibastuz, Republic of Kazakhstan. In these studies, more attention is paid to the comparison of the radioactivity analysis of fly ash of a thermal power plant, for compliance with international standards and requirements for use in light concretes. There is the study of the thermal decomposition of fly ash. the process of thermal decomposition of fly ash of Ekibastuz TPP, The objective of the research is to determine radioactivity and thermal decomposition of fly ash at Ekibastuz TPP and establish the possibility of its potential use in the production of light concrete. Tthe process of decomposition of ash structure began at the temperature of 1100 ° C, with heat absorption effects (endothermic) at 240-380° C and heat release effect (exothermic) at 680° C, and a corresponding change in ash mass loss temperature of 1.2%.
Evaluation of ehe Geoecological Factors Influence on the Foundations’ Precipitation, Located on Anisotropic Soil Bases
Authors: Korobova O , Maksimenko L
Published: November 2020

The research work considers the problems associated with Geoecological factors, related to the soil mechanics and foundation engineering. The scientific relevance is revealed, taking under consideration the fact, that special attention is paid to its role and the possibility of using genecology in solving environmental problems in modern conditions in soil mechanics development, analyzing and assessing the changes, taking place under the influence of natural and man-made impact, in the rational use of water, land, mineral and energy resources; in ensuring the safe living of people and reducing harmful effects on the environment as a result of natural and man-made disasters and various disasters, as well. In addition, the influence of Geoecological factors on the precipitation of foundations, calculated, concerning deformation anisotropy of base soils, is considered. The main types of Geoecological factors and the negative consequences of all these factors influence are given. The analysis of raising and lowering groundwater level effect on the carrying capacity of anisotropic soil foundations and precipitation of foundations was carried out. The role and necessity of using environmental impact assessment, as well as a comprehensive method of research and forecasting development of geological risk factors, are noted.
Prospects for using hydrogen on railway transport
Authors: Asabin V V , Garanin M A , Kurmanova L S , Mishkin A A , Svechnikov A A
Published: November 2020

The paper presents the results of a study on the prospects of using hydrogen in railway transport. Factors influencing the development of the hydrogen energy market in the world are considered. According to experts, the share of the Russian Federation may amount to 10-15 % of the world market. At the same time, South-East Asia is an important focus area for Russia. This is due to the availability of available raw materials (Sakhalin) and the short delivery time of hydrogen to the main consumers (China, Japan). Three key areas are identified as prospective research and development of the “Research & Development” program: 1 – generation, 2 – storage and transportation, 3 – consumption (use). The paper considers the main ways of using hydrogen fuel on autonomous traction rolling stock. In accordance with the energy strategy of the Russian Railways holding for the future until 2030, the main energy-saving technical solutions and technologies are the creation of a new generation of energy-efficient rolling stock. This also includes partial substitution of diesel fuel with the development of hydrogen fuel cells and the use of advances in the field of hydrogen energy. Currently, the company is working on the creation of serial two-diesel, hybrid locomotives, as well as gas-turbine and gas-thermal locomotives powered by liquefied natural gas. However, in terms of energy and environmental characteristics, the most promising type of fuel is hydrogen. Engineering solutions for generating hydrogen on board of locomotive are presented, and experimental results are presented. The developed hydrogen-aluminum generator makes it possible to organize a new approach in the working process of transport power plants by automatically feeding the initial components (aluminum) to the chemical reaction zone, depending on the locomotive engine’s demand for hydrogen in various operating modes.
Transport security: analysis and comparison of existing approaches
Authors: Shvetsov A , Kokieva G
Published: November 2020

All countries are involved in ensuring transport security of transport infrastructure facilities and vehicles. Specialized transport security services are being created by type of transport. Each country develops its own methodologies that are acceptable in the specific conditions of the transport system functioning. However, there are general provisions. In this study, the specifics of the Russian Federation were examined and compared with the approaches used in the EU and the United States of America. Using a number of well-known methods, including the theory of qualimetry, the theory of networks, the method of expert assessments, an analysis and systematization of the existing structure and approaches in the field of transport security was carried out, on the basis of which the matrix of the existing situation in the relevant field, as well as an algorithm for ensuring security of transport infrastructure facilities and vehicles. The results obtained may be of interest to decision-makers in the field of transport security. Also, the presented results can be used for the training of specialists in the field of ensuring transport security and in the development of state programs aimed at ensuring security in the transport sector.
Development of hydrophobic textile materials with organosilicon impregnation
Authors: Yuryevna L , Adikovna A
Published: November 2020

In recent years, special attention has been paid to studying the properties of hydrophobic surfaces of textile materials. The authors provide an overview of the applied textile-processing chemicals and of the methods for imparting hydrophobic properties to textile materials. According to the analysis, it was found that water- and splash-proofing treatment occupies an important place in the finishing processes of textile materials, contributing to a change in their characteristics. The purpose of the research is the development of hydrophobic textile materials for the work clothes production. The aqueous solution based on organosilicon compounds was used for textiles hydrophobization with retention of their performance and hygienic characteristics. The research results of the effect of aqueous solutions based on silane (A-1100 and A-187 trademarks) on the hydrophobic characteristics of textile materials is presented in the article.
Outlook for using modern rotary screw systems in industry
Authors: Sekisov A , Ovchinnikova S , Kalinichenko M , Kalinichenko A , Schneider E
Published: November 2020

The use of rotary screw systems began in the 30s of the XX century as they were part of the emerging military industrial complex. Currently, rotary screw systems are used in a number of sectors of the national economy (in mechanical engineering, in the food industry, in gas and oil production, applicable in such industries as oil refining, chemical industry, agriculture, building industry, construction, etc.). However, the scale of their application is not commensurate with the benefits they provide compared to other types of systems, the functioning of which is based on different technological principles. The paper presents an outlook on the introduction and use of technology and equipment in industry, which will use the original designs of rotary screw bodies with a horizontal arrangement of the rotation axis as working bodies, which will reduce energy costs, improve technical and economic indicators, simplify maintenance and increase productivity. The paper presents the perspective of the use of rotary screw systems in the industry using the example of the cement industry on the example of a design of a furnace with a grate cooler for the clinker production. The proposed design has great scientific and practical significance, which is confirmed by the obtained patents. The presented technology for manufacturing screw bodies and optimizing their design parameters allows outlining and implementing an innovative way to develop cement production. As the results of our research, we not only developed the technology of assembling screw bodies for single and serial production, but also performed work on optimizing their design parameters.
Monitoring the behavior of a high-rise building under wind loads
Authors: Lapin V A , Yerzhanov S Y , Makish N K
Published: November 2020

To assess the ecological risk parameters, instrumental measurements of the intrinsic characteristics and vibration amplitudes of the 34-storey high-rise building “Transport Tower” in the city of Nur-Sultan were performed under wind loads. The observation interval is two days. The measurements were carried out using a digital instrumentation system. Acceleration values measured at the top of the building over two days of monitoring. An excess of the comfortable level of 8 cm/s2 was detected. When measuring the values of the kinematic characteristics, an acceleration value of 9.23 cm/s2 was recorded. The experimental and theoretical periods of vibration of the building in the first and second modes of vibration are determined. To reduce the level of accelerations under wind loads, it is suggested to use vibration dampers or viscous vibration dampers.
Market research of high-tech products to analyze the possibility of diversification of production (for example, household laser rangefinders)
Authors: Glebanova A Y , Lepeshkin D V , Diesperova N A
Published: November 2020

The article is devoted to the theory and practice of market research of the B2C high-tech products. The authors carried out analytical internal research on the Russian market of household laser rangefinders using alternative aggregated economic and mathematical methods. The rangefinders can be used in many areas including machine-building and construction fields. The article confirms the hypothesis that the number of queries on the Internet about laser rangefinders of firms is proportional to their market share, based on which, according to Yandex statistics, a map of competitors was built. Both a separate analysis of the leading products of the companies and a joint analysis were performed.
Experimental study of the factors affecting the parameters of emergency braking process for vehicles of category M1
Authors: Afanasyev A S , Evtyukov S A , Chudakova N V
Published: November 2020

The paper presents the results of an experimental study of the parameters of emergency braking process for vehicles of category M1, wherein disclosed is the influence of a combination of factors such as: actual loading of a vehicle, the presence of ABS, EBD, BAS systems, a trailer of up to 750 kg, condition of the road surface, and seasonality types of tires. As a result of the study, the actual values of the steady-state deceleration jyз and its rise time tвp, were obtained, and their comparative analysis with the recommended standard values was carried out. The paper also presents reliable mathematical models in terms of their practical application during the reconstruction of road traffic accidents.
Bernoulli-Euler beam theory of single-walled carbon nanotubes based on nonlinear stress-strain relationship
Authors: Huang Kun , Cai Xiping , Wang Mingguang
Published: November 2020

Recent experiments and density functional tight-binding (DFTB) calculations indicated the nonlinear elastic properties of graphene. However, this nonlinear stress-strain relationship has not been applied to the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that can be viewed as graphene sheets that have been rolled tubes. In this paper, using the nonlinear stress-strain relationship of graphene, a new Bernoulli-Euler beam model of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is presented for the first time. The static bending and the first-order mode forced vibrations of SWCNTs are investigated according to the new model. The results indicate that the nonlinear stress-strain relationship has a significant influence on the mechanical properties of SWCNTs.
Core-shell Fe3O4@Ag magnetic nanoparticles detection using spin-valve GMR sensing element in the wheatstone bridge circuit
Authors: Wibowo Nur Aji , Juharni Juharni , Alfansuri Taufikuddin , Handriani Lia Saptini , Sabarman Harsojo , Suharyadi Edi
Published: November 2020

Core–shell Fe3O4@Ag magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) integrated with a Wheatstone bridge-giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor provide access to GMR-based biosensors. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles synthesized using the coprecipitation method demonstrated 77 emu g−1 of magnetization saturation (M
S), 51 Oe of coercivity (H
C), and particle size of 11 nm. Furthermore, core–shell Fe3O4@Ag MNPs prepared by the aqua-solution method possessed 53 emu g−1 of M
S, 145 Oe of H
C, and 17 nm of particle size. This high M
S of nanoparticles not only offer a large induced magnetic field but is sufficient for particle penetration within the biofilms. It was discovered that the sensor can distinguish between the bare Fe3O4 with the Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles through an output voltage increase corresponding to a decrease in M
S. The output signal of the sensor responds linearly to an increase in the core–shell Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticle concentration, owing to an increase in the induced-field. The sensor exhibits better sensitivity when applied in detecting less than 2 g L−1 of nanoparticle concentration, that is, 0.76 mV per unit of concentration (g/L).
Breast tumor parameter estimation and interactive 3D thermal tomography using discrete thermal sensor data
Authors: Antony Linta , Arathy K , Sudarsan Nimmi , Muralidharan M N , Ansari Seema
Published: November 2020

This work uses a simple low-cost wearable device embedded with discrete thermal sensors to map the breast skin surface temperature. A methodology has been developed to estimate diameter, blood perfusion, metabolic heat generation and location in X, Y, Z coordinate of tumor from this discrete set of data. An interactive 3D thermal tomography was developed which provides a detailed 3D thermal view of the breast anatomy. Using this system, the user can interactively rotate and slice the 3D thermal image of the breast for a detailed study of the tumor. Finite element method (FEM) and an evolution-based inverse method were used for the parameter estimation. The method was first validated using phantom experiments and the results obtained were within an error of 10% (0.005 W cm−3) for heat generation and 15% (0.3 cm) for heater location. Further validation was carried out through clinical trials on 60 human subjects. Estimated blood perfusion rate and metabolic heat generation rate exhibit distinguishable difference between cancerous and non-cancerous breast. Estimated diameter and location of tumor in cancerous breast shows good agreement with the actual clinical reports. We have obtained a sensitivity of 82.78% and specificity of 87.09%. Proposed breast tumor parameter estimation methodology with interactive 3D thermal tomography is a good screening tool for breast cancer detection and also useful for clinicians to find out location including depth.
Hydrogen from wastewater by photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical treatment
Authors: Rioja-Cabanillas Adriana , Valdesueiro David , Fernández-Ibáñez Pilar , Byrne John Anthony
Published: November 2020

In recent years, the intensification of human activities has led to an increase in waste production and energy demand. The treatment of pollutants contained in wastewater coupled to energy recovery is an attractive solution to simultaneously reduce environmental pollution and provide alternative energy sources. Hydrogen represents a clean energy carrier for the transition to a decarbonized society. Hydrogen can be generated by photosynthetic water splitting where oxygen and hydrogen are produced, and the process is driven by the light energy absorbed by the photocatalyst. Alternatively, hydrogen may be generated from hydrogenated pollutants in water through photocatalysis, and the overall reaction is thermodynamically more favourable than water splitting for hydrogen. This review is focused on recent developments in research surrounding photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical hydrogen production from pollutants that may be found in wastewater. The fundamentals of photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical cells are discussed, along with materials, and efficiency determination. Then the review focuses on hydrogen production linked to the oxidation of compounds found in wastewater. Some research has investigated hydrogen production from wastewater mixtures such as olive mill wastewater, juice production wastewater and waste activated sludge. This is an exciting area for research in photocatalysis and semiconductor photoelectrochemistry with real potential for scale up in niche applications.
Refugia within refugium ofGeranium yesoense(Geraniaceae) in Japan were driven by recolonization into the southern interglacial refugium
Authors: Kurata Seikan , Sakaguchi Shota , Hirota Shun K , Kurashima Osamu , Suyama Yoshihisa , Nishida Sachiko , Ito Motomi
Published: November 2020

Recent studies have found that geographical fragmentation and recurrent colonization result in complex genetic structures in refugial areas. This phenomenon, known as ‘refugia within refugium’, has been identified from many geographical locations. In Japan, the high-elevation mountains of central Honshu provided an interglacial refugium for alpine plants. Here we focused on the Geranium yesoense complex, which exhibits increased morphological variation in the refugial area, to determine whether this variation was shaped by recurrent colonization, range fragmentation or phenotypic changes independent of population history. We analysed single nucleotide polymorphism data and chloroplast genome sequences. Diversification in the G. yesoense species complex occurred in the mid-Pleistocene. The varieties are distinct entities and suggest the presence of a genetic cluster with highly disjunct distributions, occurring both in northern Japan and in southern refugial areas in central Honshu. Demographic analysis suggests that a single ancestral variety (var. nipponicum) evolved in the alpine region of central Honshu, and that subsequent migration from one of the two diverged northern varieties (var. pseudopratense) led to secondary contact with var. nipponicum during the last glacial period. Recolonization into refugial populations in central Honshu and hybridization between diverged populations have resulted in complex genetic structures among refugial populations.
Genome composition and taxonomic revision ofElymus purpuraristatusandRoegneria calcicola(Poaceae: Triticeae) based on cytogenetic and phylogenetic analyses
Authors: Tan Lu , Zhang Hai-Qin , Chen Wei-Huan , Deng Meng-Qiu , Sha Li-Na , Fan Xing , Kang Hou-Yang , Wang Yi , Wu Dan-Dan , Zhou Yong-Hong
Published: November 2020

Elymus purpuraristatus and Roegneria calcicola are perennial species of wheatgrass in Triticeae (Poaceae), treated as members of different genera on the basis of morphological characteristics. However, their genomic constitution is still unknown and their taxonomic status remains disputed. To identify their genomic constitution, we performed chromosome pairing analysis, genomic in situ hybridization and phylogenetic analyses on E. purpuraristatus and R. calcicola. The meiotic pairing results for the artificial hybrids of E. wawawaiensis (StH) × E. purpuraristatus, E. purpuraristatus × Campeiostachys dahurica var. tangutorum (StYH) and R. calcicola × C. kamoji (StYH) suggested that E. purpuraristatus and R. calcicola are allohexaploid with the St, Y and H genomes. The genomic in situ hybridization results of E. purpuraristatus and R. calcicola confirmed that they possess two sets of the H genome and two sets of the StY genome. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that Acc1 and DMC1 sequences from E. purpuraristatus and R. calcicola grouped with the St genome clade, Y genome clade and H genome clade, respectively. In summary, cytological and phylogenetic results indicated that the genome formula of E. purpuraristatus and R. calcicola is StStYYHH. According to the genomic system of classification in Triticeae, E. purpuraristatus and R. calcicola should be classified in Campeiostachys as C. purpuraristata and C. calcicola, respectively.
Ipsilesionalversuscontralesional postural deficits induced by unilateral brain trauma: a side reversal by opioid mechanism
Authors: Watanabe Hiroyuki , Nosova Olga , Sarkisyan Daniil , Andersen Marlene Storm , Zhang Mengliang , Rorick-Kehn Linda , Clausen Fredrik , Gawel Kinga , Kehr Jan , Hallberg Mathias , Schouenborg Jens , Marklund Niklas , Bakalkin Georgy
Published: November 2020

Unilateral traumatic brain injury and stroke result in asymmetric postural and motor deficits including contralateral hemiplegia and hemiparesis. In animals, a localized unilateral brain injury recapitulates the human upper motor neuron syndrome in the formation of hindlimb postural asymmetry with contralesional limb flexion and the asymmetry of hindlimb nociceptive withdrawal reflexes. The current view is that these effects are developed due to aberrant activity of motor pathways that descend from the brain into the spinal cord. These pathways and their target spinal circuits may be regulated by local neurohormonal systems that may also mediate effects of brain injury. Here, we evaluate if a unilateral traumatic brain injury induces hindlimb postural asymmetry, a model of postural deficits, and if this asymmetry is spinally encoded and mediated by the endogenous opioid system in rats. A unilateral right-sided controlled cortical impact, a model of clinical focal traumatic brain injury was centred over the sensorimotor cortex and was observed to induce hindlimb postural asymmetry with contralateral limb flexion. The asymmetry persisted after complete spinal cord transection, implicating local neurocircuitry in the development of the deficits. Administration of the general opioid antagonist naloxone and μ-antagonist β-funaltrexamine blocked the formation of postural asymmetry. Surprisingly, κ-antagonists nor-binaltorphimine and LY2444296 did not affect the asymmetry magnitude but reversed the flexion side; instead of contralesional (left) hindlimb flexion the ipsilesional (right) limb was flexed. The postural effects of the right-side cortical injury were mimicked in animals with intact brain via intrathecal administration of the opioid κ-agonist (2)-(trans)-3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidiny)-cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide that induced hindlimb postural asymmetry with left limb flexion. The δ-antagonist naltrindole produced no effect on the contralesional (left) flexion but inhibited the formation of the ipsilesional (right) limb flexion in brain-injured rats that were treated with κ-antagonist. The effects of the antagonists were evident before and after spinal cord transection. We concluded that the focal traumatic brain injury-induced postural asymmetry was encoded at the spinal level, and was blocked or its side was reversed by administration of opioid antagonists. The findings suggest that the balance in activity of the mirror symmetric spinal neural circuits regulating contraction of the left and right hindlimb muscles is controlled by different subtypes of opioid receptors; and that this equilibrium is impaired after unilateral brain trauma through side-specific opioid mechanism.
Reversibility of oxalate nephropathy in a kidney transplant recipient with prior gastric bypass surgery
Authors: Sørensen Christian Goul , Hvas Christian Lodberg , Thomsen Ingrid Møller , Jespersen Bente
Published: November 2020

Bariatric surgery is an acknowledged treatment for obesity and related comorbidities with beneficial effects on kidney function. However, bariatric surgery can also lead to secondary hyperoxaluria and oxalate nephropathy, resulting in end-stage kidney disease in both native and transplanted kidneys. We present a 66-year-old man who was in need of dialysis 3 months after kidney transplantation due to recurrent oxalate nephropathy. Intensified haemodialysis together with increased liquid intake, dietary restrictions of oxalate and fat and supplementation with calcium citrate and a bile acid binder were applied. Graft function improved and the patient did not require dialysis during the following 8 months.
Tubular decoy receptor 2 as a predictor of prognosis in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy
Authors: Dai Huanzi , Hu Wei , Lin Lirong , Wang Liming , Chen Jia , He Yani
Published: November 2020

Background

Accelerated senescence of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) might contribute to immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) progression. This study aimed to determine whether the RTEC senescence marker, decoy receptor 2 (DcR2), could predict prognosis in IgAN.

Methods

We included a retrospective cohort of 105 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN. Tubular DcR2 expression was assessed at renal biopsy and the Oxford histological MEST-C score [mesangial hypercellularity (M), endocapillary proliferation (E), segmental sclerosis (S), interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (T) and crescents (C)] defined disease severity. IgAN progression was defined as a composite of end-stage renal disease or a 30% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), analyzed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses.

Results

Tubular DcR2 was overexpressed in IgAN. Numbers of DcR2 and p16 double-positive RTECs increased with increasing severity of tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (T lesion). Patients with ≥25% tubular DcR2 expression experienced worse proteinuria, T lesions and a lower eGFR. Cumulative renal survival was significantly lower in patients with ≥25% DcR2 positivity. Multivariate regression analyses showed that ≥25% tubular DcR2 expression was significantly associated with worse eGFR slopes (the rate of renal function decline; P = 0.003) and the incidence of the composite outcome (P = 0.001) in IgAN. The addition of tubular DcR2 to a model with clinical data at biopsy (mean arterial pressure, proteinuria and eGFR) or MEST-C score significantly improved the 5-year risk prediction of IgAN progression, as confirmed by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.

Conclusions

Tubular DcR2 expression detected at biopsy was a strong independent predictor for IgAN progression and might have prognostic value in addition to established risk markers.
Knowledge extraction for assisted curation of summaries of bacterial transcription factor properties
Authors: Méndez-Cruz Carlos-Francisco , Blanchet Antonio , Godínez Alan , Arroyo-Fernández Ignacio , Gama-Castro Socorro , Martínez-Luna Sara Berenice , González-Colín Cristian , Collado-Vides Julio
Published: November 2020

Transcription factors (TFs) play a main role in transcriptional regulation of bacteria, as they regulate transcription of the genetic information encoded in DNA. Thus, the curation of the properties of these regulatory proteins is essential for a better understanding of transcriptional regulation. However, traditional manual curation of article collections to compile descriptions of TF properties takes significant time and effort due to the overwhelming amount of biomedical literature, which increases every day. The development of automatic approaches for knowledge extraction to assist curation is therefore critical. Here, we show an effective approach for knowledge extraction to assist curation of summaries describing bacterial TF properties based on an automatic text summarization strategy. We were able to recover automatically a median 77% of the knowledge contained in manual summaries describing properties of 177 TFs of Escherichia coli K-12 by processing 5961 scientific articles. For 71% of the TFs, our approach extracted new knowledge that can be used to expand manual descriptions. Furthermore, as we trained our predictive model with manual summaries of E. coli, we also generated summaries for 185 TFs of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium from 3498 articles. According to the manual curation of 10 of these Salmonella typhimurium summaries, 96% of their sentences contained relevant knowledge. Our results demonstrate the feasibility to assist manual curation to expand manual summaries with new knowledge automatically extracted and to create new summaries of bacteria for which these curation efforts do not exist.

Database URL: The automatic summaries of the TFs of E. coli and Salmonella and the automatic summarizer are available in GitHub (https://github.com/laigen-unam/tf-properties-summarizer.git).
A Phenology Model for Simulating Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) Seasonal Voltinism and Synchrony With Emerald Ash Borer Oviposition
Authors: Petrice Toby R , Bauer Leah S , Miller Deborah L , Poland Therese M , Ravlin F William
Published: November 2020

In North America, the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), continues to spread, and its egg parasitoid, Oobius agrili Zhang and Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), is being released for emerald ash borer biocontrol well beyond their endemic climatic ranges in China. We developed a multiple cohort rate summation model to simulate O. agrili F0, F1, and F2 generations, and emerald ash borer oviposition for examining host–parasitoid synchrony across a north–south gradient from Duluth, MN (latitude 46.8369, longitude −92.1833) to Shreveport, LA (latitude 32.4469, longitude −93.8242). Temporal occurrences of critical day length for O. agrili diapause induction were integrated into the model. We used O. agrili and emerald ash borer trapping data from south central and northwestern Lower Michigan for model validation. Simulations demonstrated that 1) F0 adult emergence consistently occurred 2–5 d before emerald ash borer oviposition began; 2) F1 adult emergence was most synchronized with peak emerald ash borer oviposition compared with other generations; and 3) emerald ash borer oviposition was complete, or near so, when F2 adult emergence was predicted across the north–south gradient. Comparison of O. agrili trap captures with model simulations demonstrated that primarily two adult O. agrili generations (F0 and F1) emerged per year in Michigan and almost all F2 larvae entered diapause despite day lengths longer than critical day length in south central Michigan. Critical day length varied temporally across the north–south gradient during emergence of O. agrili generations. Determining day lengths perceived by O. agrili larvae in the field should improve model realism for examining spatiotemporal variation in O. agrili population dynamics.
Renin–angiotensin system blockers, risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcomes from CoViD-19: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Matthew M Y , Docherty Kieran F , Sattar Naveed , Mehta Neil , Kalra Ankur , Nowacki Amy S , Solomon Scott D , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Petrie Mark C , Jhund Pardeep S , McMurray John J V
Published: November 2020

Aims

This meta-analysis provides summary odds ratio (OR) estimates for associations between treatment with (vs. without) renin–angiotensin system blockers and risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (CoViD-19) severity (including case-fatality) in patients with hypertension, and in all patients (irrespective of hypertension).

Methods and results

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, medRxiv, and SSRN were searched (2 May 2020 to 12 August 2020) for non-randomized observational CoViD-19 studies. Event/patient numbers were extracted, comparing angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor/angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) treatment (and each separately), to treatment with neither drug, for the outcomes: (i) likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection; (ii) CoViD-19 severity [including hospitalization, intensive therapy unit (ITU), ventilation]; (iii) case-fatality. The risk of bias was assessed (ROBINS-I). Random-effects meta-analysis estimates were pooled. Eighty-six studies including 459 755 patients (103 317 with hypertension), were analysed. In patients with hypertension, ACE inhibitor or ARB treatment was not associated with a greater likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection in 60 141 patients (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.99–1.14), hospitalization in 5925 patients (OR 0.90, 0.62–1.31), ITU in 7218 patients (OR 1.06, 0.73–1.56), ventilation (or ITU/ventilation/death) in 13 163 patients (OR 0.91, 0.72–1.15) or case-fatality in 18 735 patients with 2893 deaths (OR 0.75, 0.61–0.92).

Conclusion

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and ARBs appear safe in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be discontinued.

PROSPERO registration number CRD42020186996.
Higher Fatigue Prospectively Increases the Risk of Falls in Older Men
Authors: Renner Sharon W , Cauley Jane A , Brown Patrick J , Boudreau Robert M , Bear Todd M , Blackwell Terri , Lane Nancy E , Glynn Nancy W
Published: November 2020

Background and Objectives

Fatigue is a common complaint and shares many risk factors with falls, yet the independent contribution of fatigue on fall risk is unclear. This study’s primary aim was to assess the association between fatigue and prospective fall risk in 5642 men aged 64–100 enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (MrOS). The secondary aim was to examine the association between fatigue and recurrent fall risk.

Research Design and Methods

Fatigue was measured at baseline using the Medical Outcomes Study (short form) single-item question “During the past four weeks, how much of the time did you feel energetic?” Responses were then classified: higher fatigue = “none,” “a little,” or “some” of the time and lower fatigue = “a good bit,” “most,” or “all” of the time. We assessed falls using triannual questionnaires. Fall risk was examined prospectively over 3 years; recurrent falling was defined as at least 2 falls within the first year. Generalized estimating equations and multinomial logistic regression modeled prospective and recurrent fall risk as a function of baseline fatigue status, adjusted for demographics, medications, physical activity, and gait speed.

Results

Men with higher (26%) versus lower baseline fatigue were older (75.1 ± 6.2 vs 73.2 ± 5.7 years), 24% less active, and had worse physical function (gait speed = 1.09 ± 0.24 vs 1.24 ± 0.21 m/s), all p < .0001. Within 1 year, 25.4% (n = 1409) had fallen at least once, of which 47.4% (n = 668) were recurrent fallers. Men with higher versus lower fatigue had 25% increased fall risk (relative risk = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.14–1.36) over 3 years follow-up, but had 50% increased odds of recurrent falling (odds ratio = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.22–1.85) within the first year.

Discussion and Implications

Fatigue is an important risk factor of falling independent of established risk factors. Reductions in fatigue (ie, increased energy) may lessen the burden of falls in older men and provide a novel avenue for fall risk intervention.
Online videos promote brain health literacy
Authors: Brennan Sabina , Geary Una , Gallagher Silvia Elena
Published: November 2020

Misinformation and lack of understanding of memory loss, dementia and brain health are barriers to dementia risk reduction and timely health seeking behaviour. Online video technology for health promotion has been popularised with the increase in online networks, improved access to technology, and the rise of online health seeking behaviour. However, an understanding of the efficacy of this technology in the context of brain health awareness in older adults is lacking. This research explored whether three short brain health animations could reduce worry, impart new knowledge, and promote behavioural change in older adults. Methods: Participants (8,179) completed an online survey pre- and post-engagement with three animated films. Results: Level of worry significantly decreased, and over half of the participants indicated that they intended to change their behaviour after watching the videos. The majority of participants indicated they had learned something new from the videos, and found the videos enjoyable. Regression analysis described how participants who reported learning from the videos were more likely to report behavioural change. In addition, enjoyment significantly predicated outcomes of learning and behaviour change. Conclusions: our research suggests that short animated brain health films are effective in educating the public about memory, attention and brain health, may motivate people to make changes in lifestyle, and possibly reduce stigma towards dementia.