bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High stretch induces endothelial dysfunction accompanied by oxidative stress and actin remodeling in human saphenous vein endothelial cells
Authors: Girão-Silva T. , Fonseca-Alaniz M. H. , Ribeiro-Silva J. C. , Lee J. , Patil N. P. , Dallan L. A. , Baker A. B. , Harmsen M. C. , Krieger J. E. , Miyakawa A. A.
Published: June 2021

The rate of the remodeling of the arterialized saphenous vein conduit limits the outcomes of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), which may be influenced by endothelial dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that high stretch (HS) induces human saphenous vein endothelial cell (hSVEC) dysfunction and examined candidate underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that in vitro HS reduces NO bioavailability, increases inflammatory adhesion molecule expression (E-selectin and VCAM1) and THP-1 cell adhesion. HS decreases F-actin in hSVECs, but not in human arterial endothelial cells, and is accompanied by G-actin and cofilin’s nuclear shuttling and increased reactive oxidative species (ROS). Pre-treatment with the broad-acting antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supported this observation and diminished stretch-induced actin remodeling and inflammatory adhesive molecule expression. Altogether, we provide evidence that increased oxidative stress and actin cytoskeleton remodeling play a role in HS-induced saphenous vein endothelial cell dysfunction, which may contribute to predisposing saphenous vein graft to failure.
Phylogenomics illuminates the evolution of bobtail and bottletail squid (order Sepiolida)
Authors: Sanchez Gustavo , Fernández-Álvarez Fernando Á. , Taite Morag , Sugimoto Chikatoshi , Jolly Jeffrey , Simakov Oleg , Marlétaz Ferdinand , Allcock Louise , Rokhsar Daniel S.
Published: June 2021

Bobtail and bottletail squid are small cephalopods with striking anti-predatory defensive mechanisms, bioluminescence, and complex morphology; that inhabit nektobenthic and pelagic environments around the world’s oceans. Yet, the evolution and diversification of these animals remain unclear. Here, we used shallow genome sequencing of thirty-two bobtail and bottletail squids to estimate their evolutionary relationships and divergence time. Our phylogenetic analyses show that each of Sepiadariidae, Sepiolidae, and the three subfamilies of the Sepiolidae are monophyletic. We found that the ancestor of the Sepiolinae very likely possessed a bilobed light organ with bacteriogenic luminescence. Sepiolinae forms a sister group to Rossinae and Heteroteuthinae, and split into Indo-Pacific and Atlantic-Mediterranean lineages. The origin of these lineages coincides with the end of the Tethys Sea and the separation of these regions during the Eocene and the beginning of the Oligocene. We demonstrated that sepiolids radiated after the Late Cretaceous and that major biogeographic events might have shaped their distribution and speciation.
Accounting for tropical cyclones more than doubles the global population exposed to low-probability coastal flooding
Authors: Dullaart Job C. M. , Muis Sanne , Bloemendaal Nadia , Chertova Maria V. , Couasnon Anaïs , Aerts Jeroen C. J. H.
Published: June 2021

Storm surges that occur along low-lying, densely populated coastlines can leave devastating societal, economical, and ecological impacts. To protect coastal communities from flooding, return periods of storm tides, defined as the combination of the surge and tide, must be accurately evaluated. Here we present storm tide return periods using a novel integration of two modelling techniques. For surges induced by extratropical cyclones, we use a 38-year time series based on the ERA5 climate reanalysis. For surges induced by tropical cyclones, we use synthetic tropical cyclones from the STORM dataset representing 10,000 years under current climate conditions. Tropical and extratropical cyclone surge levels are probabilistically combined with tidal levels, and return periods are computed empirically. We estimate that 78 million people are exposed to a 1 in 1000-year flood caused by extratropical cyclones, which more than doubles to 192 M people when taking tropical cyclones into account. Our results show that previous studies have underestimated the global exposure to low-probability coastal flooding by 31%.
Phycocyanin-functionalized black phosphorus quantum dots enhance PDT/PTT therapy by inducing ROS and irreparable DNA damage
Authors: Zhang Wanheng , Yu Liting , Jiang Yin , Guo Changying
Published: June 2021

The novel phycocyanin (PC)-functionalized black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) achieve synergistic photodynamic and photothermic activity by inducing massive ROS and irreparable DNA damage, resulting in increased apoptosisin vitroand tumor eradicationin vivo.
Functional label-free assessment of fibroblast differentiation in 3D collagen-I-matrices using particle image velocimetry
Authors: Riedl Philipp , Pompe Tilo
Published: June 2021

We report a new label-free approach to functionally determine the myofibroblast status of live fibroblasts by analysing their ability to contract the extracellular matrix around them using particle image velocimetry and random forest classification.
A NO/ROS/RNS cascaded-releasing nano-platform for gas/PDT/PTT/immunotherapy of tumors
Authors: Ding Mengchao , Shao Kai , Wu Lijuan , Jiang Yuping , Cheng Bing , Wang Lili , Shi Jinsheng , Kong Xiaoying
Published: June 2021

CMH-OBN nano-platform was designed for the ROS/GSH dual-responsive release of nitric oxide at tumor site realizing multi-modal tumor therapy.
Measuring ROS and redox markers in plant cells
Authors: Akter Salma , Khan Mohammad Shahneawz , Smith Edward N. , Flashman Emily
Published: June 2021

Reactive oxygen species and redox markers in plants are measured using a range of chemical probes and biosensors.
Robust, site-specifically immobilized phenylalanine ammonia-lyases for the enantioselective ammonia addition of cinnamic acids
Authors: Boros Krisztina , Moisă Mădălina Elena , Nagy Csaba Levente , Paizs Csaba , Toşa Monica Ioana , Bencze László Csaba
Published: June 2021

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyases (PALs), site-specifically immobilized on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), provide robust biocatalysts for the synthetically important ammonia additions onto cinnamic acids, yieldingl-phenylalanines.
Modification of ultra-micropore dominated carbon by O/N-containing functional groups grafted for enhanced supercapacitor performances
Authors: Ma Yan-Dong , Gao Jian-Fei , He Zheng-Hua , Kong Ling-Bin
Published: June 2021

The synergy of improved surface wettability and additional redox active sites leads to an excellent electrochemical behavior, which originates from the grafting of functional groups on the carbon surface.
Distributions of water-soluble ions in size-aggregated aerosols over the Southern Ocean and coastal Antarctica
Authors: Xu Guojie , Chen Liqi , Xu Tianyi , He Shichang , Gao Yuan
Published: June 2021

To investigate mass size distributions of ionic species in marine aerosols, size-segregated (0.056–18 μm in aerodynamic diameter) aerosols were collected over the Southern Ocean during the 28th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition cruise.
One-step prepared nano-in-micro microcapsule delivery vehicle with sequential burst–sustained drug release for the targeted treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Jiang Jingjing , Xiao Jingcheng , Zhao Zexu , Yuan Mao-Sen , Wang Jinyi
Published: June 2021

A smart microcapsule for targeted therapy of IBD is prepared through droplet microfluidics. It can achieve sequential burst–sustained drug release, which is appropriate for the treatment of IBD from the point of view of pharmacology and pathology.
Facile and practical hydrodehalogenations of organic halides enabled by calcium hydride and palladium chloride
Authors: Gui Jingjing , Cai Xin , Chen Lingyun , Zhou Yuxin , Zhu Wenjing , Jiang Yuanrui , Hu Min , Chen Xiaobei , Hu Yanwei , Zhang Shilei
Published: June 2021

For the first time, calcium hydride and palladium chloride were used to reduce a wide range of organic halides including aromatic bromides, aromatic chlorides, aromatic triflates, aliphatic bromides, aliphatic chlorides and trihalomethyl compounds.
Synthesis and characterization of a novel magnetic porous carbon coated with poly(p-phenylenediamine) and its application for furfural preconcentration and determination in baby food and dry milk powder samples
Authors: Davari Seyedeh Dorsa , Rabbani Mohammad , Basti Afshin Akhondzadeh , Koohi Mohammad Kazem
Published: June 2021

In this research, a novel magnetic porous carbon composite coated with poly(p-phenylenediamine) was fabricated, characterized, and then applied to the preconcentration/extraction of furfurals from baby food and dry milk powder samples.
Mechanistic effects of blending formic acid with ethanol on Pd activity towards formic acid oxidation in acidic media
Authors: Al Najjar Taher , Ahmed Nashaat , El Sawy Ehab N.
Published: June 2021

Ethanol changes the Pd selectivity towards the different pathways of formic acid oxidation by eliminating the indirect pathway and slowly decreasing the direct pathway activity, owing to ethanol potential depdant adsorption orientations.
Clean water generation through a multifunctional activated carbon-TiO2 interfacial solar distillation system
Authors: Chen Kuan-Yu , Lai Webber Wei-Po , Wang Hui-Ju , Lin Cheng-Chieh , Chen Chun-Wei , Lin Angela Yu-Chen
Published: June 2021

The fabricated AC-P25/foam interfacial system possesses high water productivity, prevention of phenol enrichment and desalination ability in the solar distillation process.
Unimodal sized silica nanocapsules produced through water-in-oil emulsions prepared by sequential irradiation of kilo- and submega-hertz ultrasounds
Authors: Nemoto Takahiro , Sakai Toshio , Okada Tomohiko
Published: June 2021

Silica nanocapsules were prepared using water droplets dispersed in soybean oil via sequential ultrasound irradiation (28 kHz → 200 kHz → 950 kHz).
Pencil graphite rods decorated with nickel and nickel–iron as low-cost oxygen evolution reaction electrodes
Authors: Arcas Ramón , Koshino Yuuki , Mas-Marzá Elena , Tsuji Ryuki , Masutani Hideaki , Miura-Fujiwara Eri , Haruyama Yuichi , Nakashima Seiji , Ito Seigo , Fabregat-Santiago Francisco
Published: June 2021

Ni and NiFe decorated pencil graphite rods have good performance for the oxygen evolution reaction. Capacitance data describe the redox processes of nickel and show OER activation after Ni4+ formation.
Recent advances in graphene nanoribbons for biosensing and biomedicine
Authors: Luo Siyu , Chen Xi , He Yihan , Gu Yingqiu , Zhu Chengzhou , Yang Guo-Hai , Qu Lu-Lu
Published: June 2021

A focus review on the recent advances in graphene nanoribbon-based nanomaterials for biosensors and biomedicine is presented.
Educational Challenges During the Pandemic for Students Who Have Hearing Loss
Authors: Schafer Erin C. , Dunn Andrea , Lavi Alexandra
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new educational challenges for students, teachers, and caregivers due to the changed and varied learning environments, use of face masks, and social distancing requirements. These challenges are particularly pronounced for students with hearing loss who often require specific accommodations to allow for equal access to the curriculum. The purpose of this study was to document the potential difficulties that students with hearing loss faced during the pandemic and to generate recommendations to promote learning and engagement based on findings.

Method

A qualitative survey was designed to document the frequency of various learning situations (i.e., in person, remote virtual, and blended), examine the accessibility of technology and course content, and quantify hearing issues associated with safety measures and technology use in school-age students with hearing loss. Survey questions were informed from key educational issues reported in published articles and guidelines. The survey was completed by 416 educational personnel who work with students with hearing loss.

Results

Respondents indicated that most of their schools were providing remote or blended (in-person and remote) learning consisting of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Common accommodations for students with hearing loss were only provided some of the time with the exception of sign language interpreters, which were provided for almost all students who required them. According to the respondents, both students and caregivers reported issues or discomfort with the technology required for remote learning.

Conclusion

To ensure that students with hearing loss are provided equal access to the curriculum, additional accommodations should be considered to address issues arising from pandemic-related changes to school and learning practices including closed captioning, transcripts/notes, recordings of lectures, sign language interpreters, student check-ins, and family-directed resources to assist with technology issues.
Observation and calibration strategies for large-scale multi-beam velocity-resolved mapping of the [CII] emission in the Orion molecular cloud
Authors: Higgins R. , Kabanovic S. , Pabst C. , Teyssier D. , Goicoechea J. R. , Berne O. , Chambers E. , Wolfire M. , Suri S. T. , Buchbender C. , Okada Y. , Mertens M. , Parikka A. , Aladro R. , Richter H. , Güsten R. , Stutzki J. , Tielens A. G. G. M.
Published: June 2021

Context.The [CII] 158 μm far-infrared fine-structure line is one of the dominant cooling lines of the star-forming interstellar medium. Hence [CII] emission originates in and thus can be used to trace a range of ISM processes. Velocity-resolved large-scale mapping of [CII] in star-forming regions provides a unique perspective of the kinematics of these regions and their interactions with the exciting source of radiation.

Aims.We explore the scientific applications of large-scale mapping of velocity-resolved [CII] observations. With the [CII] observations, we investigate the effect of stellar feedback on the ISM. We present the details of observation, calibration, and data reduction using a heterodyne array receiver mounted on an airborne observatory.

Methods.A 1.15 square degree velocity-resolved map of the Orion molecular cloud centred on the bar region was observed using the German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies (upGREAT) heterodyne receiver flying on board the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. The data were acquired using the 14 pixels of the German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies that were observed in an on-the-fly mapping mode. 2.4 million spectra were taken in total. These spectra were gridded into a three-dimensional cube with a spatial resolution of 14.1 arcseconds and a spectral resolution of 0.3 km s−1.

Results.A square-degree [CII] map with a spectral resolution of 0.3 km s−1is presented. The scientific potential of this data is summarized with discussion of mechanical and radiative stellar feedback, filament tracing using [CII], [CII] opacity effects, [CII] and carbon recombination lines, and [CII] interaction with the large molecular cloud. The data quality and calibration is discussed in detail, and new techniques are presented to mitigate the effects of unavoidable instrument deficiencies (e.g. baseline stability) and thus to improve the data quality. A comparison with a smaller [CII] map taken with theHerschel/Heterodyne Instrument for the Far-Infrared spectrometer is presented.

Conclusions.Large-scale [CII] mapping provides new insight into the kinematics of the ISM. The interaction between massive stars and the ISM is probed through [CII] observations. Spectrally resolving the [CII] emission is necessary to probe the microphysics induced by the feedback of massive stars. We show that certain heterodyne instrument data quality issues can be resolved using a spline-based technique, and better data correction routines allow for more efficient observing strategies.
eROSITA detection of flares from the Be/X-ray binary A0538-66
Authors: Ducci L. , Mereghetti S. , Santangelo A. , Ji L. , Carpano S. , Covino S. , Doroshenko V. , Haberl F. , Maitra C. , Kreykenbohm I. , Udalski A.
Published: June 2021

In 2018, XMM-Newton observed the awakening in X-rays of the Be/X-ray binary (Be/XRB) A0538-66. It showed bright and fast flares close to periastron with properties that had never been observed in other Be/XRBs before. We report the results from the observations of A0538-66 collected during the first all-sky survey of eROSITA, an X-ray telescope (0.2-10 keV) on board the Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma satellite. eROSITA caught two flares within one orbital cycle at orbital phases φ = 0.29 and φ = 0.93 (where φ = 0 corresponds to periastron), with peak luminosities of ~2-4 × 1036 erg s-1 (0.2-10 keV) and durations of 42 ≤ Δtfl ≤ 5.7 × 104 s. The flare observed at φ ≈ 0.29 shows that the neutron star can accrete considerably far from periastron, although it is expected to be outside of the circumstellar disk, thus providing important new information about the plasma environment surrounding the binary system. We also report the results from the photometric monitoring of A0538-66 carried out with the REM, OGLE, and MACHO telescopes from January 1993 until March 2020. We found that the two sharp peaks that characterize the orbital modulation in the optical occur asymmetrically in the orbit, relative to the position of the donor star.
Peat Storage Losses Investigation
Authors: Stolbikova Galina , Chertkova Elena
Published: June 2021

The paper investigates the effect of self-heating, wetting and freezing of different milled peat types on field storage losses. It has been found that the loss of organic matter in peat due to self-heating depends on peat decay degree, type of product obtained, heating temperature (storage duration), preventive measures taken and the technological scheme of peat extraction. When such preventive measures as moving stacks, internal sealing and compaction of peat are taken, a decrease in self-heating and spontaneous combustion losses is observed. In two-stage harvesting, these losses are lower because of peat compaction in stacking operations. It has been established that there is a dependence of peat losses on its wetting and freezing, storage duration, and the total amount of precipitation accumulated over a certain period. With an increase in peat decay degree, the maximum wetting and freezing losses are several times lower than self-heating losses. These losses are 20% higher for upland peat than for lowland peat.
Mining Engineering Education Pre and Post the COVID Pandemic and Some Ideas for the Future
Authors: Spearing A.J.S. (Sam) , Zhang Jixiong , Hall Steve , Ma Liqiang
Published: June 2021

The pandemic forced all businesses globally to rethink operations. Higher education institutions experienced similar disruptions, especially those with large cohorts of foreign students. The technology employed in the mining industries, it is evolving rapidly and requires novel and more specialized expertise in the face of an impending skilled labour shortage. This paper strategizes how mining education could improve and align with the needs of the mining industry and students, post-pandemic.
Automation of Work Distribution in the Management of Mining Enterprises
Authors: Abou-Abed Fares Nadim
Published: June 2021

Currently, mining industry enterprises are becoming leaders in labor automation. This process affects both extraction of minerals and management. As a result, the scientific organization of automation of management plays a special role of increasing labor productivity, in which the distribution of work tasks occupies a special place. The article discusses one of the stages of the production program of industrial enterprises, distribution of work on the existing departments and contractors. The article presents the basic criteria of the assignment of jobs. It proposed a software system that allows you to automate and optimize the process. As a criterion for optimization relies total cost of doing all the work.
Directions for the Rational Use of Additional Organic and Mineral Resources of Peat Deposits
Authors: Misnicow Oleh , Iablonev Alexandr
Published: June 2021

The article discusses the issues of insufficient use of organic and mineral resources of peat deposits (substandard peat, mineralised sapropel, wood inclusions of peat deposit, organomineral deposits, etc.). The authors propose a structural scheme of directions of processing and use of organic and organomineral biogenic resources. It includes obtaining various types of composite formed materials for their application in four main directions: energy, agricultural production, environmental protection, and construction industry. Mineral clay components improve the ability of composite materials to be shaped by extrusion and pelletising methods. Some of them also have catalytic activity, which is the basis for their use in thermochemical processing. In peat raw materials, subjected to the process of self-heating during the storage, there is a change of the group chemical composition with the formation of hydrophobic compounds (termobitums). This opens up additional perspectives of their extraction and usage for hydrophobic modification of mineral disperse materials. The classification of industrial wastes and organomineral resources of peat deposits according to the required qualitative characteristics with the indication of possible directions of additional processing is presented in the paper.
Rare earth elements in deposited hard coal fly ash in Poland
Authors: Woźniak Justyna , Gurdziel Marcel
Published: June 2021

Rare Earth Elements (REEs), due to their unique properties, are nowadays a desirable raw material, especially in the development of modern technologies. This paper describes a 4-step research methodology for the task of identifying the potential for REE recovery in landfilled fly ash. A literature analysis was performed on their significance, occurrence in both primary and secondary deposits. Opportunities for REE recovery from coal fly ash in conventional power plants were identified and selected technologies were described. Poland, as a country whose energy sector is to a large extent based on coal, has a potential in this respect. Taking into account studies of the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS) and forecasts of the Polish energy policy, the article determines the approximate value of REE in the waste stream from coal-fired power plants burning hard coal.
Study of Peat Fillers for their Potential Use in Electric Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Misnikov Oleg
Published: June 2021

The article discusses the pros and cons of modern devices for power accumulating and its storage (supercapacitors). The author analyses porous carbon materials traditionally used as fillers in such devices. The presented main physical and chemical properties of peat allow the author to propose a working hypothesis about the possibility of using peat sorbents in supercapacitors. This is possible due to the high specific surface area of peat and by the presence of particles with a double electric layer (micelles) in it. For the first time ever, it was experimentally established that the use of a bog peat sorbent instead of activated carbon as a porous material makes it possible to multiply the voltage during self-discharge of an experimental model of a supercapacitor. The size of the peat sorbent fractions does not significantly affect the self-discharge process. However, there is a slight improvement in the performance of the device when using the fractions under 1.25 mm. The use of peat raw materials with a high degree of decomposition significantly improves the characteristics of the experimental model at a charging voltage of 10 V.
Estimation of Rational Modes and Regimes of Production of Sod Peat with Milling-Forming Machine by Quality Indicators
Authors: Guseva Anna
Published: June 2021

Modern trends in designing mining machines dictate that their power consumption should be reduced. However, the end product quality is often not taken into account. The objective of the research is to improve the operation of a screw press of the milling and moulding machine used for producing sod peat in order to ensure the necessary quality of domestic fuel. To that end, the authors conducted an experiment simulating the sod peat production and determined the density and strength of the sod obtained during the improved machine operation. The experiments were carried out for the three pressure coefficients, further, the coefficient influence on the sod density and strength was evaluated. The sod peat density was assessed with modern electronic devices having a low error rate. The novelty of the research is to reconcile the issues of ensuring the minimum power consumption for producing domestic sod biofuel with its qualitative characteristics. The obtained indicators of the sod peat quality in terms of density and strength prove its improved moulding along with the minimum power consumption at a pressure coefficient of 2.22. Thus, the improved production of sod peat requires minimum power consumption, provides the required quality of the end sod and reduces the loss of feedstock due to crumbling.
The analysis of the currently used systems related to the monitoring of the mining production process
Authors: Trzop Konrad
Published: June 2021

In the Polish mining industry the currently used monitoring systems for production processes and safety have been analyzed. The main aim of the analysis was to demonstrate the usefulness of the monitoring systems which are being used. The scope of the analysis in question also took into account the economic aspects together with natural hazards or failures of machines and devices. The performed analysis allowed to determine the usefulness of the monitoring systems used in the Polish mining industry. This article presents a questionnaire study that determined the area of application, the level of use and the suitability of monitoring systems in the mining environment. Well-selected systems for monitoring the production process are necessary to ensure safety and comfort of work. On the basis of the conducted analyzes the operation of monitoring systems was illustrated in relation to the development of modern technologies.
Finding and Testing Ant Assemblages as Indicators of Recovery Successions in Coal-Affected Areas
Authors: Blinova Svetlana , Luzyanin Sergey , Dobrydina Tatiana
Published: June 2021

We studied the species richness of ants and types of nests on dumps of different ages formed by waste from the coal mining industry in the taiga and forest-steppe zones of Kemerovo Region, the Russian Federation. It was revealed that only underground nests of L. niger, the prevalence of species with a wide ecological valence, which belong to the ubiquist group, and groups of species with an adaptive type of response to anthropogenic pressure, act as indicators of initial successions. It was revealed that the following indicators act as indicators of the initial successions: the presence of only underground nests of L. niger, the predominance of species with a wide ecological valence (ubiquist) and species with an adaptive type of response to anthropogenic pressure.
Problems of quality of life of the population of coal-mining regions
Authors: Kazantseva Elena , Chistyakova Galina , Kleshchevskiy Yury
Published: June 2021

Active research on the quality of life of the population began in the second half of the XX century in the United States. Such international organisations as the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and others have been studying the problems of quality of life. The paper deals with the problems of the quality of life of the population of coal-mining regions. The main challenges include income inequality, low life expectancy, low employment, staff outflow, environmental problems, etc. The analysis of ways to solve the problems of improving the quality of life of the population of coal-mining regions is carried out.
Development Tools for Mining Regions of the Country
Authors: Artamonova Larisa
Published: June 2021

The article is devoted to the main tools for the development of mining regions of Russia, and it is noted that the lack of real implementation of the principle of consistency of the plan and strategy for the development of a mining region can lead to an irrational and uncontrolled use of resources and space potential in the subsequent development of the economy. The article presents analytical data on the restructuring of budgetary debts in some mining regions of the Russian Federation. The author concludes that there is a need to create a policy that takes into account the following guidelines for zoning: strengthening partnerships between urban and rural areas, promoting the development of all types of transport and communications, development and preservation of cultural heritage through competent management of the region.
International Mining Students’ Perceptions of Online and Classroom Interaction (A Case Study of Kuzbass University)
Authors: Saveleva Irina , Kolomiets Svetlana , Medvedeva Elena , Saveleva Anna
Published: June 2021

Distance education, which opens up a new era of digitalization and sustainable development of the society, is gaining momentum today. However, a vast array of challenges comes up when online interaction in which student and teacher are engaged fully replaces communication in traditional classroom. This paper seeks to contribute to the advantages of face-to-face learning, as perceived by the international mining students. The data have been collected from the open format questionnaires fulfilled by the overseas students who came to study mining engineering at the university of Kuzbass. The qualitative content analysis and, subsequently, the researchers’ interpretation of the data reveals that students observe various features related to student teacher interaction in online and offline settings. Notably, these features correlate to the variables constituting the core of pedagogical interaction: performance, motivation, communication, cognition, emotions, physical state, and temporal dimension.
Challenges of Interaction in Multicultural Class of Future Mining Engineers within Computer Supported Collaborative Learning
Authors: Kolomiets Svetlana , Saveleva Irina , Medvedeva Elena
Published: June 2021

The inclusion of computer mediation and distance education has influenced the training of future mining engineers in Kuzbass universities. This study investigates the issues of students’ interaction in multicultural groups within Computer Supported Collaborative Learning. CSCL served as a conceptual framework to guide the presented study. Forty-eight Russian and Indian students participated in the experiment. To assess the peer interaction in multicultural groups four questionnaires were designed. The authors used comparative analysis to analyze the interviews of the participants. To process the data, the Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed. In the result of comparative analysis of the participants’ interviews some conclusions on students’ interaction in multicultural class were done. Foreign students demonstrate positive attitude towards collaborative learning activities while one in two Russian students displays reluctance and frustration in relation to cross-cultural collaborative learning environment. The results suggest that the main challenges for implementation of CSCL in higher education institutions of Kuzbass are insufficient cross-cultural skills of students and even teachers and the lowquality digital infrastructure of universities.
Green Economy Investment Program as a Way to Improve the Ecology of the Country's Mining Regions
Authors: Shpilkina Tatiana , Zhidkova Margarita , Filimonova Nadezhda
Published: June 2021

The article outlines the problems of the "green" economy, notes the importance of environmental issues for sustainable socio-economic development and national security of Russia. The authors note the need for the formation in the Russian Federation of an effective policy for the sustainable use of natural resources jointly by the leading countries of the world. The role of the national project "Ecology" and the direction "Clean Air" is shown, measures are proposed to solve environmental problems. The areas of coverage of emissions of industrial gases into the atmosphere are highlighted on the example of oil and gas companies; the ways to reduce them using a number of methods for each area of coverage separately are shown. The importance of decarbonization is substantiated, not only as a mean to solve environmental and climatic problems, but also as a way to ensure the differentiation of mineral goods and competitiveness on a global scale.
National Technology Initiative as a Platform for the Diffusion of Convergent Technologies in the Russian Mining Industry
Authors: Dotsenko Elena , Ezdina Natalia , Galiuta Oksana , Cehlar Michal
Published: June 2021

In recent decades, the global processes of technological development of industry, due to innovative modernization, have become comprehensive, affecting both manufacturing and raw materials industries. One of the components of global technological modernization is technological convergence – the combination of technologies from different industries, resulting in a inter-industry genesis of new production methods. Despite the fact that technological convergence is transforming, first of all, the industries associated with the deep processing of raw materials and highly intelligent intangible production, mining industry is in the greatest need for modernization. This is due to turbulent demand and volatile prices for mineral resources in the global market, with the widespread introduction of energy and resource saving technologies. Therefore, the mining sector of the Russian economy is looking for a "fulcrum" in initiating the diffusion of convergent technologies in mining and management processes of industrial enterprises. This "fulcrum" is intended to be the National Technology Initiative, the key target markets of which are fully consistent with the technological requirements of the Russian mining complex.
Financial and Analytical Tools for Sustainable Business Development in Mining Region
Authors: Seklecova Olga , Komarcheva Oxana , Karpova Olga
Published: June 2021

The stability of economic entities is the ground for sustainable development of the region. It is customary to group indicators of sustainable development of economic entities in economic, social and environmental terms. The analysis of the economic activity of a typical business unit in an extractive region was carried out based on financial and public non-financial data using the methodology of financial analysis. The authors identified the main development trends and risks of the economic entity.
Ecological Convergence in the System of Sustainable Development of the Russian Economy
Authors: Zhironkin Sergey , Zhironkina Olga , Szurgacz Dawid
Published: June 2021

Currently, studies of the problems of convergence of leading countries in terms of the lean use of natural resources, the reduction of harmful emissions and the transition to using new types of energy carriers are highly relevant, with regard to sustainable development mainstream. At the same time, the majority of authors consider convergent processes from an economic or socio-political point of view. In this regard, the article examines the issues of ecological convergence, as a special structural shift in the economy, leading to radical positive changes in the environmental management system and a decrease in anthropogenic impact on the environment.
Characterizing the physicochemical and mechanical properties of ZrN thin films deposited on Zr substrates by pulsed laser technique
Authors: Ghemras Ismail , Abdelli-Messaci Samira , Alili Baya , González-Elipe Agustín R. , Rico Víctor J. , Izerrouken Mahmoud , Khereddine Abdel Yazid , Hadj-Larbi Fayçal
Published: June 2021

Due to their outstanding physical and mechanical features, ZrN thin films are increasingly used as coatings to protect materials intended for nuclear applications such as Zirconium. To our knowledge, there is no report of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of ZrN thin films on a Zr substrate. In this work, we have successfully prepared ZrN thin films on Zr substrates using the PLD technique with a KrF excimer laser, in a N2 environment at 2 Pa pressure and a fixed substrate temperature of 500 °C. The deposited 200 nm ZrN thin films exhibited a homogeneous surface and showed a face-centered cubic polycrystalline structure. The surface roughness was 3.69 nm. X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirmed the presence of ZrN. The coated sample's mean value of hardness (11.6 GP) doubled that of the uncoated sample.
Vasopressoren: Physiologie, Pharmakologie und klinischer Einsatz
Authors: Keller Marius , Magunia Harry
Published: June 2021

Vasopressoren kommen besonders in kritischen, nicht selten lebensbedrohlichen Situationen der Anästhesie, Notfall- und Intensivmedizin zum Einsatz. Die Wahl der geeigneten Substanz sowie die Erkennung und Beherrschung möglicher Nebenwirkungen sind von großer Bedeutung. Im folgenden Beitrag sollen daher die klinisch wichtigsten Substanzen vorgestellt und deren pharmakologische Charakteristika beleuchtet werden.
Natürliche und synthetische Katecholamine
Authors: Lehmann Martin , Rossaint Jan
Published: June 2021

Katecholamine sind aus dem anästhesiologischen Alltag nicht mehr wegzudenken. Ob nun während einer Sectio bei gesunden jungen Frauen, im Operationssaal, bei multimorbiden Patienten auf Intensivstation oder im Notfalleinsatz auf der Straße: Das notwendige Basiswissen, um Katecholamine korrekt anzuwenden, ist entscheidend für das Outcome unserer Patienten und steht im Fokus dieses Beitrags.
Individualised Homeopathic Treatment of Acne—An Analysis of 83 Patients
Authors: Nwabudike Lawrence Chukwudi
Published: June 2021

Background Acne is a common disorder of the pilosebaceous follicle. The face, back and chest are usually involved. It leads to significant diminution in quality of life. Numerous treatments are documented in therapeutic guidelines. Naturopathic approaches have been proposed in some, but the role of homeopathy is not examined.

Methods In this study, 83 patients treated for acne with individualised homeopathic medicine alone were reviewed. Most had received conventional acne treatment, with limited success prior to presentation for homeopathy. Each patient was prescribed a single homeopathic medicine and followed up at 6- to 8-week intervals. The individualisation process resulted in 17 different medicines being used in this group. Photographic documentation was obtained per patient, with informed consent. Patients were classified as mild (comedonal acne with no papules or pustules), moderate (inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions) and severe (predominantly inflammatory lesions: pustules, cysts, nodules). Results of treatment were recorded as remission (decrease in new lesion number, duration and intensity), failure to respond, and lost to follow-up (LTF).

Results The average age of patients was 21.5 years (range 11–45 years). The F:M ratio was 55 (66.3%):28 (33.7%). Average pre-treatment duration was 5.5 years (0.25–22 years). Seven (8.4%) patients had mild acne, 37 (44.6%) moderate, and 39 (47%) severe acne. There were 13 (15.7%) LTFs, two (2.4%) failed to respond, and 68 (81.9%) went into remission. Average time to remission was 1.9 months (range 1.5–6 months), with no relapses or side-effects. The most commonly prescribed medicines were Lycopodium (38.6%), Palladium (15.7%) and Platinum (12.1%).

Conclusion Individualised homeopathy may be useful for acne therapy. The most useful medicines appeared to be Lycopodium, Palladium and Platinum, though 17 different medicines were used in this study, underscoring the value of individualisation of therapy, a key characteristic of homeopathy.
Dynamics of artistic style: a computational analysis of the Maker’s motoric qualities in a clay-relief practice
Authors: Dick Nir , Prusak Ayala , Zoran Amit Raphael
Published: June 2021

The artistic style has been extensively discussed within diverse perspectives, usually studying the physical qualities of existing artifacts as the resource for investigation. This paper proposes a novel analysis of the dynamics of artistic style, as represented by a set of motor features, techniques, and their temporal interplay. The researchers hypothesize that unique characteristics of individuals’ styles are represented as transitions between motor activities, which would allow for computational analysis of style. As a case study, the researchers tracked a carving knife used in a clay-relief technique in two studies, one comprising (i) twelve sessions and five novice participants; and the other (ii) twenty-eight sessions with a single skilled artist. The analysis reveals that dynamic style is (i) unique and consistent in novices’ creative processes and that (ii) different subcategories of making can be observed in an experienced participant related to the subject of the work. These offer the possibility of quantitatively studying the making process irrespective of the esthetic qualities of the finished artifact, which allows for diverse computational applications.
Spin wave propagation through the interface between two ferromagnets without/with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction
Authors: Gorobets Yu. , Gorobets O. , Tiukavkina I. , Gerasimenko R.
Published: June 2021

The analytical model is constructed for the description of the spin wave propagation through a system consisting of two ferromagnets without and with the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, separated by a flat interface. The dependences of transmission and reflection coefficients of spin wave are found as a function of Dzyaloshinskii-Moria constant which is known to be strongly temperature dependent, tending to a significant increase at low temperature.
The metal–insulator phase change in vanadium dioxide and its applications
Authors: Lu Haichang , Clark Stewart , Guo Yuzheng , Robertson John
Published: June 2021

Vanadium dioxide is an unusual material that undergoes a first-order Metal–Insulator Transition (MIT) at 340 K, attracting considerable interest for its intrinsic properties and its potential applications. However, the nature of MIT has not been fully determined. Variants of density functional theory (DFT) have been widely used to study the MIT in pure and doped VO2. A full description of MIT is complicated by several related factors such as V–V dimerization, magnetic properties, and spin correlations. Each of these requires careful attention. In this Perspective, we explain why DFT fails, introduce a spin-pairing model of MIT, and propose a new way to estimate the transition temperature. We then use the method to study the doping and alloying process. Finally, we give an overview of some applications of MIT. This work aims to provide insight into and stimulate more research studies in this promising field.
Waveguide metamaterial rod as mechanical acoustic filter for enhancing nonlinear ultrasonic detection
Authors: S R Sandeep Kumar , V K Krishnadas , Balasubramaniam Krishnan , Rajagopal Prabhu
Published: June 2021

Nonlinear ultrasonic guided waves are among the most promising new tools for early stage damage detection owing to their high sensitivity and long-range propagation features. However, signatures from instrumentation, transducers, and couplant effects create false positives mixing with the material- or defect-induced nonlinearities, leading to inaccurate measurements. Here, we propose a novel technique using a waveguide metamaterial rod, which acts as a mechanical acoustic filter for suppression of higher harmonic components in the measured signal. The proposed waveguide metamaterial consists of an array of flat axisymmetric ridges arranged periodically on the surface of the rod. It is experimentally demonstrated that the higher harmonic components are filtered when the proposed metamaterial rod is placed at the transmission side, thus removing unwanted nonlinearities from the received signal in a pitch-catch configuration. Furthermore, the application of this method is demonstrated by detecting a discontinuity in the workpiece through its nonlinear response enhanced using the metamaterial. This technique is attractive for early stage material diagnosis in engineering, biomedicine, and health monitoring of critical engineering assets.
Data-driven equation for drug–membrane permeability across drugs and membranes
Authors: Dutta Arghya , Vreeken Jilles , Ghiringhelli Luca M. , Bereau Tristan
Published: June 2021

Drug efficacy depends on its capacity to permeate across the cell membrane. We consider the prediction of passive drug–membrane permeability coefficients. Beyond the widely recognized correlation with hydrophobicity, we additionally consider the functional relationship between passive permeation and acidity. To discover easily interpretable equations that explain the data well, we use the recently proposed sure-independence screening and sparsifying operator (SISSO), an artificial-intelligence technique that combines symbolic regression with compressed sensing. Our study is based on a large in silico dataset of 0.4 × 106 small molecules extracted from coarse-grained simulations. We rationalize the equation suggested by SISSO via an analysis of the inhomogeneous solubility–diffusion model in several asymptotic acidity regimes. We further extend our analysis to the dependence on lipid-membrane composition. Lipid-tail unsaturation plays a key role but surprisingly contributes stepwise rather than proportionally. Our results are in line with previously observed changes in permeability, suggesting the distinction between liquid-disordered and liquid-ordered permeation. Together, compressed sensing with analytically derived asymptotes establish and validate an accurate, broadly applicable, and interpretable equation for passive permeability across both drug and lipid-tail chemistry.
Precise equilibrium structure determination of thiophene (c-C4H4S) by rotational spectroscopy—Structure of a five-membered heterocycle containing a third-row atom
Authors: Orr Vanessa L. , Ichikawa Yotaro , Patel Aatmik R. , Kougias Samuel M. , Kobayashi Kaori , Stanton John F. , Esselman Brian J. , Woods R. Claude , McMahon Robert J.
Published: June 2021

The rotational spectrum of thiophene (c-C4H4S) has been collected between 8 and 360 GHz. Samples of varying deuterium-enrichment were synthesized to yield all possible deuterium-substituted isotopologues of thiophene. A total of 26 isotopologues have been measured and least-squares fit using A- and S-reduced distorted-rotor Hamiltonians in the Ir representation. The resultant rotational constants (A0, B0, and C0) from each reduction were converted to determinable constants (A″, B″, and C″) to remove the impact of centrifugal distortion. The computed vibrational and electron mass corrections [CCSD(T)/cc-pCVTZ] were applied to the determinable constants to obtain semi-experimental equilibrium rotational constants (Ae, Be, and Ce) for 24 isotopologues. A precise semi-experimental equilibrium (reSE) structure has been achieved from a least-squares fit of the equilibrium moments of inertia. The combination of the expanded isotopologue rotational data with high-level computational work establishes a precise reSE structure for this sulfur-containing heterocycle. The CCSD(T)/cc-pCV5Z structure has been obtained and corrected for the extrapolation to the complete basis set, electron correlation beyond CCSD(T), relativistic effects, and the diagonal Born–Oppenheimer correction. The precise reSE structure is compared to the resulting “best theoretical estimate” structure. Several of the best theoretical re structural parameters fall within the narrow statistical limits (2σ) of the reSE results. The possible origin of the discrepancies for the computed parameters that fall outside the statistical uncertainties is discussed.