bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raising funds for the development of distributed generation in the Far East and the Arctic
Authors: Gubanov M M , Potemkin V V , Shmanev S V , Morkovkin D E
Published: December 2020

The article discusses the issues of state support for the technological re-equipment of local energy facilities in the Far East and the Arctic. A study of the current system of state management of the industry in the macro-region was carried out, significant shortcomings were identified, possible ways to improve the management model were analyzed and proposals were formulated for further implementation.
The specificity of forming requirements for the quality of information support of a high-tech enterprise
Authors: Porsev K. I. , Bulatov M. F. , Abramov P. I.
Published: December 2020

The level of the current state in the field of information support (IS) of the activities of high-tech enterprises is considered in this paper. The main problems are shown on the way to achieving the required level of IS quality in high-tech enterprises of the country. The need for the formation of a number of standardized requirements for the IS quality of a high-tech enterprise to improve its level is determined. A typical list of requirements for the IS quality is determined and a model of a system for accounting for requirements for the IS quality is developed using the example of Scientific and technological center of unique instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Properties of modifying additives for materials based on water polymer dispersions
Authors: Tereshko A. E. , Indeykin E. A. , Golikov I. V.
Published: December 2020

The properties of aqueous dispersions of petroleum paraffin and ceresin, which are developed as modifying additives for water-dispersion paints and varnishes, are investigated. It has been found that such dispersions have a narrow particle size distribution. The relative coagulation rate is calculated and the rheological properties of dispersions of paraffin and ceresin are studied.
Study of the influence of carbide inhomogeneity on operational and technological properties of high-speed tool steels
Authors: Stoyanova T. D. , Ivanova V. A.
Published: December 2020

The level of the current state in the field of information support (IS) of the activities of high-tech enterprises is considered in this paper. The main problems are shown on the way to achieving the required level of IS quality in high-tech enterprises of the country. The need for the formation of a number of standardized requirements for the IS quality of a high-tech enterprise to improve its level is determined. A typical list of requirements for the IS quality is determined and a model of a system for accounting for requirements for the IS quality is developed using the example of Scientific and technological center of unique instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Using material science tools to monitor of the qualitative condition of hull steel of ships and vessels
Authors: Kazanov G T , Nagaeva M V , Romanuk A E
Published: December 2020

The article discusses two methods for monitoring the structural state of steel in ship hulls. The first method is based on the use of fragments extracted from the longitudinal stiffeners of the deck. The second method of monitoring of the technical condition of the ship’s hull involves using overhead sheets as “surveillance specimens” of structural damage to the hull steel, contacting (jointly) working with the hull structures, in which the highest stresses from the transported goods and waves are developed. The total number of surveillance specimens should be so that it is possible to organize systematic monitoring of the structural damage that gradually accumulates in the hull steel throughout the entire operational period of the vessel. During the operation of a ship or a vessel, hull steel is exposed to time-varying wave loads and degrades. This is reflected in the growth of structural damage to the hull steel, the steel gradually looses, and its quality state is changed.
IT security in special purpose networks
Authors: Kireeva N.V. , Filippova T.V. , Karaulova O.A. , Aleshin M.V.
Published: December 2020

The article highlights the problem of ensuring secure communications in special purpose networks, in particular, the insufficient status of domestic telecommunication services market development. To ensure secure communication the measures must be sufficient for the strict functionality and information security requirements and they must have the respective certificates. Certificating is a time taking process and the issue of using foreign made items remains the issue of the day. The article covers burning issues of cyberattack countermeasures, the ways of solving IT security issues on essential IT segments of a special purpose network.
The role of automation in improving the quality of enterprise business processes
Authors: Bataev A V , Davydov I S
Published: December 2020

The enterprise has to determine and manage numerous and interrelated activities for successful work and to maximize profits. According to the international standard ISO 9001-2011, the activity using resources and managed in order to transform inputs to outputs can be considered as a business process. Using a process system in an organization along with their identification and interaction, as well as process management aimed at obtaining the desired result, can be defined as a “process approach”. The object of this study is a business process that is one of the key concepts of the international standard ISO 9001-2011. This standard establishes the requirements for quality management systems and describes the principles of applying the process approach, the essence of which is continuous process management. The article deals with the individual business processes in the enterprise and their subsequent task automation with using information technology. An automated application was proposed within the study that provides automatic search for part sizes that do not correspond to the tolerance field, automatic construction of control charts of average values and ranges, as well as calculation of process reproducibility indices.
Neural network modelling for determining the priority areas of regional development
Authors: Moskalev A K , Petrunina A E , Tsygankov N S
Published: December 2020

Neural network modeling based on self-organizing Kohonen maps was carried out in order to cluster the economy of one of the administrative districts of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The research is based on statistical data on the economy of about one hundred enterprises of various spheres operating in the region. It is shown that in the process of clustering four groups of enterprises can be clearly distinguished according to the types of economic activity. Having applied the neural network modelling method, we identified three enterprises within the framework of this cluster, which can be considered as “growth areas” of the district economy. Self-organizing maps that is trained using unsupervised learning make it possible to get an idea not only of promising areas of development, but also to identify key parameters that ensure the leadership and competitiveness of the region.
Virtual proving ground for aircraft structures
Authors: Gorskii Yu A , Gavrilov P A , Borovkov A I
Published: December 2020

This paper presents an approach to development of complexes and programs of virtual experimental investigation in order to reduce full-scale testing in the design process of new products via state-of-the-art computer simulation techniques. Generally Virtual Proving Ground (VPG) is to be understood as integrating system for modeling strategies, solver settings, modules of automatic post-processing and load cases that match typical airplane tests and operating conditions. In the VPG environment has been developed a set Virtual Test Beds corresponding to tasks from various technical areas: ● VTB «Static structural strength» for virtual static strength tests to determine the stress-strain state of the structure and identify potentially critical places; ● VTB «Fatigue» for estimating fatigue life under the influence of a multi-cycle load; ● VTB «Durability» for simulating crack growth in the most critical places based on VTB «Fatigue» and «Static structural strength» data; ● VTB «Birdstrike» for simulating tests of bird collisions with aircraft panels; ● VTB «Hailstrike» for simulating tests of hailstones collisions with aircraft panels; ● VTB «Aerodynamics» for determining the aerodynamic characteristics of an aircraft. Preliminary estimation of structure is possible due to automatic post-processing module: visualization of virtual testing, documentation of results (graphs, pictures, key values) and union of all experimental data into a presentation. The application of presented approach is described on example of stringer panel of a real airplane.
Impact of digital innovation on company performance
Authors: Kurilova A , Antipov D
Published: December 2020

Companies are concerned about the need to increase competitiveness and strengthen their positions in the market, based on innovation and the introduction of digital production. Digital innovations affect the performance and results of companies, changing business models, expanding markets and attracting new customers. At the same time, an active role is played by the impact on the modernization of operations at all stages of the life cycle of goods and the emergence of new business lines. At the same time, internal effects are associated with the improvement of various aspects of the company’s life and its economic performance. External effects affect the relationship with customers, competitiveness and position of the company in the market.
Information support of a quality management system in the context of digitalization of business processes
Authors: Antipov D , Smagina A , Klassen N
Published: December 2020

In conditions of improving production processes, the organization and implementation of a quality management system is one of the most important issues in the management system of individual business processes and the organization as a whole. The formation and implementation of control over the organization of production, product quality, labor protection and other business processes and management objects is carried out in accordance with the accumulated theoretical, methodological and practical experience. However, at present, in the conditions of intensive development of technologies that allow us to move to a qualitatively new level of production, traditionally established approaches to managing business processes are losing their relevance and require additions, including in terms of enhancing the automation of information support for the quality management system. Therefore, as part of this study, it is proposed to pay attention to the development of tools of intelligent quality management systems in terms of performing control and analytical tasks.
Tests of paint and varnish ice-resistant protective coatings of ice class vessels
Authors: Veselov V A , Kitaev M V , Pastukhov P O , Surov O E
Published: December 2020

The study examines the regularities of the outer coatings deterioration of ice class vessels and icebreakers, as well as the effect of ice-resistant protective coatings on deterioration rates. As the initial data, the results of measurements of residual thicknesses from the DEFHULL computer database were used. A comparison of the normative values of the outer coatings deterioration rates for ice class vessels presented in the current version of the RMRS Rules and the values obtained as a result of processing the DEFHULL database data was carried out. The results and conclusions were used in developing the proposals for amending and supplementing the RMRS Rules regarding the purpose of corrosion and abrasion surcharges when determining the thickness of the outer coatings of ice class vessels.
A Simplified Yield Criterion of the Orthotropic Material Considering the Crystallographic Texture
Authors: Erisov Y , Grechnikov F , Surudin S , Razhivin V
Published: December 2020

The proposed linearized yield function considers the crystal lattice constants and the parameters of crystallographic orientation of material and has simplified form, which makes it suitable for technological calculations of sheet metal forming processes. It is shown that the Lode coefficient is determined not only by the stress state, as in the case of an isotropic material, but also depends on anisotropy parameters, which reflects the elastic constants of the crystal lattice and the crystallographic orientation of the structure.
Improving the printing process stability and the geometrical accuracy of the parts manufactured by the additive techniques
Authors: Borovkov A I , Maslov L B , Ivanov K S , Kovaleva E N , Tarasenko F D , Zhmaylo M A
Published: December 2020

Current research is devoted to the computer-aided engineering application for direct modeling of the additive manufacturing process and detailed analysis of the resulting shape of the formed part. The utilized approach is based on the idea that it is possible and efficient to perform a numerical simulation of the process of a layer-by-layer building of the analyzed part, considering all the required mechanical and thermal effects. The results of such simulation should allow obtaining the detailed information about the deformed shape of the printed part before running the printing process itself. Such approach allows avoiding the unsuccessful printing attempts, improve the integral stability of the production process and reduce its cost. The paper presents the methodology of preparing a “digital twin” of the additive manufacturing process performed with AlSi10Mg alloy using one of metal machines and running a simulation of the manufacturing process for a representative structural component. The study has shown that implementation of modeling of the manufacturing process before the printing process leads to significant shape improvements of the parts printed, especially in case of performing additional optimization of the support structures. The research outcomes can be well applied for improving the production processes in the companies working with additive manufacturing in order to increase the stability of the processes and accuracy of the printed parts.
Analyzing Causes of Damage to the Plunger Stem and Cylinder of a Sucker Rod Pump
Authors: Strekalovskaya D A , Davydov A D , Al’khimenko A A , Lyashenko D V
Published: December 2020

This paper presents the results of analyzing the reasons for damage to the plunger stem and cylinder of sucker rod pumps, which were operated in an environment with hydrogen sulfide. The chemical composition, mechanical properties, and hardness of the products were studied in order to assess how the material of the parts conforms to the technical documentation. Likewise, the reasons for damage were analyzed using an optical electron microscope. It was established that damage to the plunger stem happened along the first thread of the threaded connection of the rod inside the body of the adapter, while destruction to the cylinder was observed in the area of the threaded connection to the body of the pump’s suction valve. Results showed that the main reason for damage was the combination of a corrosive H2S environment and mechanical stress, which led to sulfide corroded cracking under stress. Suggestions were put forward about extending the service period of the SRP parts and reducing the likelihood of their destruction.
Composite tube damage evaluation in aggressive oil-gas field
Authors: Alekseeva E L , Kurakin M K , Kovalev M A , Lapechenkov A A , Shishkova M L , Devyaterikova N A
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this article is to lead a research program to assess the damaging of liners of a composite tube for operation in oil-gas fields containing carbon dioxide, including those with minor amounts of hydrogen sulfide at standard conditions and under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. To assess the level of corrosion resistance of the composite tube liner, stress corrosion cracking tests were carried out, autoclave tests for general corrosion at elevated temperatures and pressures were also carried out, and electrochemical studies were carried out to assess the equilibrium corrosion potential and calculate corrosion rates analyzing Tafel curves.
Methods of improving service quality and increasing the reliability of locomotives registered in operational locomotive depot Agryz in the locomotive service depot Agryz-South
Authors: Kozlova A T
Published: December 2020

The method for managing the technological processes of repairing diesel locomotives registered at the Agryz operational locomotive depot in the Agryz-Yuzhny service locomotive depot using network planning has been developed to monitor and adjust the performance of technological operations, taking indicators of technological preparation of repair into consideration. Using improved non-standard equipment in technological processes of current repairs of diesel locomotives with motor-axial rolling bearings allows mechanization of technological operations during the assembly of a wheel-motor unit to improve the quality of the technological process and reduces the time spent in repair. Assembly operations have a special place in mechanical engineering. It is at this stage that various connections of individual parts and assemblies arise and indicators of the reliability of a technical object are formed.
Numerical and experimental investigation of the main parameters of a small gas turbine engine
Authors: Tikhonov A S , Borovkov A I , Tamm A Yu
Published: December 2020

A numerical and experimental study of the main parameters of a small gas turbine engine is conducted in this paper. An experimental bench was developed for determining both the integral parameters (thrust and fuel consumption) of the gas turbine engine and the local parameters (temperatures and pressures) of its gas-air path. Besides, full-scale gas-turbine engine tests Jetcat P200-RX were done with and without gas-air path equipment. The existing small gas turbine engine sample was digitized and the gas flow in its gas-air path was simulated using the CFD method in a three-dimensional setting in ANSYS CFX. A comparative analysis of the results of full-scale tests and CFD modeling was carried out.
Numerical simulation of solid data carrier grinding process
Authors: Monakhovskiy G V , Kharaldin N A , Aleshin M V , Klyavin O I
Published: December 2020

In this article we consider a general approach and method to assess the solid data carrier destruction in a shredder using grinding rotors with teeth. Numerical simulation of the grinding process was carried out in the LS-DYNA by discrete element method and finite element method (FEM-DEM). Evaluation and comparison with a real grinding process was based on a phenomenological approach.
BIW structure development in accordance with passive safety requirements using several optimization methods
Authors: Fedotova O , Korostelkin A , Zatylkin K , Gorunov V , Efimov A
Published: December 2020

The article is focused on the BIW characteristics and behavior optimization in terms of EURONCAP rules. Variable parameters: part’s shape, material, thickness. With multi-disciplinary, topological and topography optimization the most acceptable BIW behavior during virtual crash-tests has been achieved. All design improvements were implemented in accordance with stamping and assembly capabilities, restrictions on the use of each type of material. These requirements are especially important because updated design has been developed for the final stage and supposed to be frozen.
The method of RTM process modeling using porous medium
Authors: Efimov-Soini N , Kiauka M , Borovkov A
Published: December 2020

This paper proposes a method to simulate the Resin Transfer Molding process by using Ansys Fluent software. The offered approach permits to calculate impregnation time, to predict dry zones after impregnation and proposes a method to calculate porosity of the final product to predict the mechanical properties. The method is illustrated in the plate resin impregnation case.
Review of the current state of research of microturbine units
Authors: Myakishev N , Laptev M , Pekarskii A , Barskov V , Rassokhin V , Chernikov V , Semakina E , Yadikin V , Matveev Y , Smetankin A
Published: December 2020

The article provides an overview of the current state of micro-turbine units with an external supply of heat. In particular, there have been described various approaches of companies to the creation of this type of units, priority directions of micro-turbines design have been identified, too.
A wide-angle and ultra-wideband metamaterial absorber based on a cascaded graphite involute windmill blade structure
Authors: Hu CaiXing , Tian XingLiang , Zhou ZiWei , Zhang Dan , Zhang HaiFeng
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a wide-angle and ultra-wideband (UWB) metamaterial absorber (MA) consisting of cascaded graphite involute windmill blade (IWB) structures operating at the terahertz domain is proposed. The operating bandwidth of such an MA can be tuned by the incident angle and structural parameters of IWB. Via simulations of electric field distributions and power flow, the UWB absorption mechanism can be attributed to the strong interaction between multiple electric resonances. Simulation results report that the proposed MA can sustain a UWB absorption whose relative bandwidth reaches over 100% as the incident angle varies from 0° to 60° for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes, which provides a great potential value in the high-performance absorber.
Experimental investigation of phase equilibria in the Mg-rich corner of Mg-Nd-Sc system
Authors: Xia Zhixiang , Xu Guanglong , Tao Xiaoma , Wang Jiang , Cui Yuwen
Published: December 2020

Phase equilibria in the Mg-rich corner of Mg–Nd–Sc ternary system was studied by using the equilibrated alloys method. The partial isothermal sections at 500 °C, 530 °C, and 550 °C were constructed by analyzing the phase constitution and the chemical compositions of the present phases in 19 alloy samples. The Mg3(Mg, Nd, Sc) phase exhibited noticeable ternary solubility introduced by the solid solution of Mg and Sc in the Mg3Nd lattice. (Mg_hcp) showed a narrow homogeneity range paralleling to Mg–Sc binary boundary, whereas Mg41Nd5 showed negligible ternary solubility at all three temperatures. The three-phase equilibrium region of (Mg_hcp) + Mg41Nd5 + Mg3(Mg, Nd, Sc) dominated the Mg-rich corner and was surrounded by three two-phase equilibrium regions constituted by any two of above three phases. The primary crystals and the solidification pathways of alloys in the Mg-rich corner were analyzed via the as-cast microstructure. The matrix phases of (MgSc_bcc) and/or (Mg_hcp) together with the precipitations of Mg3(Mg, Nd, Sc) and other ordering structures could provide additional space to optimize microstructure and properties of Sc-alloyed Mg–Nd alloys.
Fabrication and tribological behavior of Fe-Cu-Ni-Sn-Graphite porous oil-bearing self-lubricating composite layer for maintenance-free sliding components
Authors: Guo Junde , Du Hang , Zhang Geng , Cao Yan , Shi Junwen , Cao Wei
Published: December 2020

Fe-Cu-Ni-Sn-Graphite oil-bearing self-lubricating composite was prepared using powder metallurgy method through multiple sintering-rolling processes and oil impregnation vacuum-assisted method. The tribological property of the composite were characterized by a UMT-2 tribometer. And the micro-structure and worn surface of composite were investigated by an optical microscope, SEM (scanning electron microscopy), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and EDS (energy disperse spectroscopy). The results show that the porous oil-bearing self-lubricating composite exhibit an excellent long-term low-friction and antiwear properties. Especially, the friction coefficient of the composite after secondary rolling and sintering decreased by 38% compared to that of the sample without sintering-rolling. After sliding for 21 h, the friction coefficient of the composite still keep relatively stable at a low value. In addition, the wear resistance of the composite has greatly improved after secondary rolling and sintering. And the wear loss of the 40Cr counterpart is almost wear-free and presents oil-graphite mixture around the wear track, which reveals that solid-liquid synergetic lubrication is the potential lubrication mechanism during the sliding process.
Alignment of Dietary Patterns With the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study
Authors: George Stephanie M , Reedy Jill , Cespedes Feliciano Elizabeth M , Aragaki Aaron , Caan Bette J , Kahle Lisa , Manson JoAnn E , Rohan Thomas E , Snetselaar Linda G , Tinker Lesley F , Van Horn Linda , Neuhouser Marian L
Published: December 2020

Poor diet quality is a leading risk factor for death in the United States. We examined the association between Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) scores and death from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, Alzheimer disease, and dementia not otherwise specified (NOS) among postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study (1993–2017). This analysis included 59,388 participants who completed a food frequency questionnaire and were free of cancer, CVD, and diabetes at enrollment. Stratified Cox proportional hazards models were fit using person-years from enrollment as the underlying time metric. We estimated multivariable adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for risk of death associated with HEI-2015 quintiles, with higher scores reflecting more optimal diet quality. Over a median of 18.2 years, 9,679 total deaths 3,303 cancer deaths, 2,362 CVD deaths, and 488 deaths from Alzheimer disease and dementia NOS occurred. Compared with those with lower scores, women with higher HEI-2015 scores had an 18% lower risk of all-cause death and 21% lower risk of cancer death. HEI-2015 scores were not associated with death due to CVD, Alzheimer disease, and dementia NOS. Consuming a diet aligned with 2015–2020 US dietary guidelines may have beneficial impacts for preventing overall causes of death and death from cancer.
The Effect of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on Physical Health Outcomes: A 2-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Leppert Beate , Riglin Lucy , Wootton Robyn E , Dardani Christina , Thapar Ajay , Staley James R , Tilling Kate , Davey Smith George , Thapar Anita , Stergiakouli Evie
Published: December 2020

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with a broad range of physical health problems. Using different research designs to test whether ADHD has a causal role in these associations is important because comorbid health problems increase the serious social and economic impacts of ADHD. We used 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to infer causal relationships between ADHD and previously implicated physical health conditions. Different MR methods were used to test the robustness and plausibility of our findings. Consistent findings underwent bidirectional and multivariable MR. We found evidence of ADHD having a causal effect on childhood obesity (odds ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 1.63) and coronary artery disease (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.19) with consistent results across MR approaches. There was additional MR evidence for a bidirectional relationship between ADHD and childhood obesity. The relationship with coronary artery disease attenuated when controlling for childhood obesity. There was little evidence for inferring a causal effect on other cardiometabolic, autoimmune, allergic, and neurological diseases. Our findings strengthen the argument for effective treatment of children with ADHD, and suggest that clinicians who manage ADHD need to be aware of the risk of childhood obesity to reduce future risks of coronary artery disease.
Goals and approaches for each processing step for single-cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: Zhang Zilong , Cui Feifei , Wang Chunyu , Zhao Lingling , Zou Quan
Published: December 2020

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has enabled researchers to study gene expression at the cellular level. However, due to the extremely low levels of transcripts in a single cell and technical losses during reverse transcription, gene expression at a single-cell resolution is usually noisy and highly dimensional; thus, statistical analyses of single-cell data are a challenge. Although many scRNA-seq data analysis tools are currently available, a gold standard pipeline is not available for all datasets. Therefore, a general understanding of bioinformatics and associated computational issues would facilitate the selection of appropriate tools for a given set of data. In this review, we provide an overview of the goals and most popular computational analysis tools for the quality control, normalization, imputation, feature selection and dimension reduction of scRNA-seq data.
Evolutionary and codon usage preference insights into spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Malik Yashpal Singh , Ansari Mohd Ikram , Kattoor Jobin Jose , Kaushik Rahul , Sircar Shubhankar , Subbaiyan Anbazhagan , Tiwari Ruchi , Dhama Kuldeep , Ghosh Souvik , Tomar Shailly , Zhang Kam Y J
Published: December 2020

Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein with the ACE2 cell receptor is very crucial for virus attachment to human cells. Selected mutations in SARS-CoV-2 S-protein are reported to strengthen its binding affinity to mammalian ACE2. The N501T mutation in SARS-CoV-2-CTD furnishes better support to hotspot 353 in comparison with SARS-CoV and shows higher affinity for receptor binding. Recombination analysis exhibited higher recombination events in SARS-CoV-2 strains, irrespective of their geographical origin or hosts. Investigation further supports a common origin among SARS-CoV-2 and its predecessors, SARS-CoV and bat-SARS-like-CoV. The recombination events suggest a constant exchange of genetic material among the co-infecting viruses in possible reservoirs and human hosts before SARS-CoV-2 emerged. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of codon usage bias (CUB) in SARS-CoV-2 revealed significant CUB among the S-genes of different beta-coronaviruses governed majorly by natural selection and mutation pressure. Various indices of codon usage of S-genes helped in quantifying its adaptability in other animal hosts. These findings might help in identifying potential experimental animal models for investigating pathogenicity for drugs and vaccine development experiments.
Computational methods for the prediction of chromatin interaction and organization using sequence and epigenomic profiles
Authors: Tao Huan , Li Hao , Xu Kang , Hong Hao , Jiang Shuai , Du Guifang , Wang Junting , Sun Yu , Huang Xin , Ding Yang , Li Fei , Zheng Xiaofei , Chen Hebing , Bo Xiaochen
Published: December 2020

The exploration of three-dimensional chromatin interaction and organization provides insight into mechanisms underlying gene regulation, cell differentiation and disease development. Advances in chromosome conformation capture technologies, such as high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and chromatin interaction analysis by paired-end tag (ChIA-PET), have enabled the exploration of chromatin interaction and organization. However, high-resolution Hi-C and ChIA-PET data are only available for a limited number of cell lines, and their acquisition is costly, time consuming, laborious and affected by theoretical limitations. Increasing evidence shows that DNA sequence and epigenomic features are informative predictors of regulatory interaction and chromatin architecture. Based on these features, numerous computational methods have been developed for the prediction of chromatin interaction and organization, whereas they are not extensively applied in biomedical study. A systematical study to summarize and evaluate such methods is still needed to facilitate their application. Here, we summarize 48 computational methods for the prediction of chromatin interaction and organization using sequence and epigenomic profiles, categorize them and compare their performance. Besides, we provide a comprehensive guideline for the selection of suitable methods to predict chromatin interaction and organization based on available data and biological question of interest.
Anticipatory Futures: Framing the Socio-technical Visions of Online Ratings and Reviews inWired
Authors: Chan Ngai Keung
Published: December 2020

Drawing insights from the sociology of expectations and recent studies on future visions in communication studies, this article traces and analyzes how Wired—a technology news provider and socio-technical vanguard whose vision is to uncover technological innovations—anticipated socio-technical visions of online ratings and reviews over two decades (1998–2018). The qualitative textual analysis of Wired’s coverage revealed two socio-technical visions, namely, promissory futures and problematic futures. The former embraced neoliberal discourses of consumer empowerment and accountability, whereas the latter entailed a pessimistic evaluation of the manipulation of online ratings and the potential of adopting online ratings beyond e-commerce platforms. The visions represented in Wired largely followed the logic of “technological solutionism.” This study affords opportunities for thinking about the role of popular media discourses and temporalities in shaping imagined futures of emerging technologies.
Treatment with compounded fluticasone suspension improves the clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features of eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Ketchem Corey J , Reed Craig C , Stefanadis Zoe , Dellon Evan S
Published: December 2020

No approved medication exists for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in the United States, which forces patients to utilize off-label drugs and/or create their own formulations. We assessed the efficacy of a standardized compounded fluticasone suspension. To do this, we performed a retrospective cohort study identifying all EoE patients treated with compounded fluticasone. Compounded fluticasone was prescribed during routine clinical care and dispensed by a specialty compounding pharmacy. Clinical data were extracted from medical records. Outcomes (symptomatic, endoscopic, and histologic) were assessed after the initial and last compounded fluticasone treatment in our system. There were 27 included patients (mean age 34.2; 67% male; 96% white) treated for a mean length of 5.4 ± 4.4 months. The majority (89%) previously utilized dietary elimination or topical corticosteroids, and many (75%) had primary non-response or secondary loss of response to these treatments. After starting compounded fluticasone, symptoms and endoscopic findings improved [dysphagia (89 vs. 56%, P = 0.005), food impaction (59 vs. 4%, P = 0.003), heartburn (26 vs. 4%, P = 0.01), chest pain (26 vs. 8%, P = 0.05), white plaques (63 vs. 32%; P = 0.005), furrows (81 vs. 60%; P = 0.06), and edema (15 vs. 4%; P = 0.16)]. The median of the peak eosinophil counts decreased from 52 to 37 eos/hpf (P = 0.10) and 35% of patients achieved <15 eos/hpf. In conclusion, compounded fluticasone provided a significant improvement in symptoms and endoscopic findings, with more than a third achieving histologic response in a treatment refractory EoE population. Compounded fluticasone should be considered as an EoE management option.
Association of preoperative sarcopenia with postoperative dysphagia in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer
Authors: Mayanagi Shuhei , Ishikawa Aiko , Matsui Kazuaki , Matsuda Satoru , Irino Tomoyuki , Nakamura Rieko , Fukuda Kazumasa , Wada Norihito , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Hijikata Nanako , Ando Makiko , Tsuji Tetsuya , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: December 2020

Background

The purpose of the current study was to clarify the relationship between clinical features of dysphagia after esophagectomy and preoperative sarcopenia.

Methods

A total of 187 cases were included in the current study. The psoas cross-sectional area on pre-treatment computed tomography was measured in thoracic esophageal cancer patients who underwent curative resection. The psoas muscle index (PMI) cut-off levels for sarcopenia were 6.36 cm2/m2 for men and 3.92 cm2/m2 for women. Swallowing function was evaluated using videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) at postoperative days 7–15, and classified according to the food intake level scale (FILS). Perioperative swallowing rehabilitation was performed in all cases.

Results

In the 187 included patients, the median PMI was 5.42 cm2/m2 for men and 3.43 cm2/m2 for women, and 133 cases (71%) met the sarcopenia criteria. The FILS <4 (no oral intake) was 15% in the non-sarcopenia group, and 38% in the sarcopenia group (P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications, including pneumonia and re-admission due to pneumonia, between the two groups. Preoperative sarcopenia and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy were be independent risk factors for postoperative dysphagia.

Conclusions

Sarcopenic patients with esophageal cancer develop postoperative dysphagia more often than non-sarcopenic patients. Prehabilitation and nutritional support for patients with preoperative sarcopenia could play an important role to mitigate postoperative dysphagia.
The ‘English’ cadence: reading an early modern musical trope
Authors: Chan Eleanor
Published: December 2020

Twisting through a dissonant flattened 7th now more commonly recognized as the Jazz ‘blue’ 7th, the ‘English’ cadence is a distinctive feature of early modern English music. Typically embedded within the texture of a piece in an inner part, this distinctive voice-leading pattern works by pulling against its own regularity: it highlights its predictability, the regularity of the cadence, by spiralling, just briefly, into the unpredictable. Nevertheless, ever since Thomas Morley dubbed it a thing ‘naught and stale’ the ‘English’ cadence has had a dubious reception, both in terms of its Englishness and its role within early modern musical textures. Much of this doubt derives from the status of the cadence as ‘ornament’ or ‘decoration’. As such the ‘English’ cadence is often viewed as superfluous to the tonality of the music as a whole. However, these interpretations do not take into account contemporary thinking about ornament and decoration in early modern England. This article seeks to demonstrate that by looking beyond the scant contemporary accounts of the ‘English’ cadence in musical theoretical treatises towards the visual culture of the period, it is possible to move towards a more nuanced understanding of the way the cadence communicates.
Too much of a good thing
Authors: Thomas Misty D , Ewunkem Akamu J , Boyd Sada , Williams Danielle K , Moore Adiya , Rhinehardt Kristen L , Van Beveren Emma , Yang Bobi , Tapia Anna , Han Jian , Harrison Scott H , Graves Joseph L
Published: December 2020

Background

There has been an increased usage of metallic antimicrobial materials to control pathogenic and multi-drug resistant bacteria. Yet, there is a corresponding need to know if this usage leads to genetic adaptations that could produce more harmful strains.

Methodology

Experimental evolution was used to adapt Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 to excess iron (II) with subsequent genomic analysis. Phenotypic assays and gene expression studies were conducted to demonstrate pleiotropic effects associated with this adaptation and to elucidate potential cellular responses.

Results

After 200 days of adaptation, populations cultured in excess iron (II), showed a significant increase in 24-h optical densities compared to controls. Furthermore, these populations showed increased resistance toward other metals [iron (III) and gallium (III)] and to traditional antibiotics (bacitracin, rifampin, chloramphenicol and sulfanilamide). Genomic analysis identified selective sweeps in three genes; fecA, ptsP and ilvG unique to the iron (II) resistant populations, and gene expression studies demonstrated that their cellular response may be to downregulate genes involved in iron transport (cirA and fecA) while increasing the oxidative stress response (oxyR, soxS and soxR) prior to FeSO4 exposure.

Conclusions and implications

Together, this indicates that the selected populations can quickly adapt to stressful levels of iron (II). This study is unique in that it demonstrates that E. coli can adapt to environments that contain excess levels of an essential micronutrient while also demonstrating the genomic foundations of the response and the pleiotropic consequences. The fact that adaptation to excess iron also causes increases in general antibiotic resistance is a serious concern.

Lay summary: The evolution of iron resistance in E. coli leads to multi-drug and general metal resistance through the acquisition of mutations in three genes (fecA, ptsP and ilvG) while also initiating cellular defenses as part of their normal growth process.
The View from here – The Challenges of Teaching Gender Issues in Drama at An-Najah National University
Authors: Hamamra Bilal Tawfiq
Published: December 2020

Drawing on the challenges I have faced in my feminist analysis of Renaissance drama, this article sheds light on traditional approaches to teaching Othello in Palestine and the responses generated by my counter discussions of this domestic tragedy. My approach aims to reveal the destructive discourse of gossip, the objectification of women, and male refusal to listen to the female voice. While education is a means of emancipation and liberation within the Israeli-Palestinian context, I explore how the traditional way of teaching the play can advertently and inadvertently align with colonial strategies that stifle students’ critical thinking and their potential to emancipate themselves from the network of oppressive traditions and in extension perpetuate the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Predicted benefit of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: the MADIT-ICD benefit score
Authors: Younis Arwa , Goldberger Jeffrey J , Kutyifa Valentina , Zareba Wojciech , Polonsky Bronislava , Klein Helmut , Aktas Mehmet K , Huang David , Daubert James , Estes Mark , Cannom David , McNitt Scott , Stein Kenneth , Goldenberg Ilan
Published: December 2020

Aims

The benefit of prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is not uniform due to differences in the risk of life-threatening ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) and non-arrhythmic mortality. We aimed to develop an ICD benefit prediction score that integrates the competing risks.

Methods and results

The study population comprised all 4531 patients enrolled in the MADIT trials. Best-subsets Fine and Gray regression analysis was used to develop prognostic models for VT (≥200 b.p.m.)/VF vs. non-arrhythmic mortality (defined as death without prior sustained VT/VF). Eight predictors of VT/VF (male, age < 75 years, prior non-sustained VT, heart rate > 75 b.p.m., systolic blood pressure < 140 mmHg, ejection fraction ≤ 25%, myocardial infarction, and atrialarrhythmia) and 7 predictors of non-arrhythmic mortality (age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, body mass index < 23 kg/m2, ejection fraction ≤ 25%, New York Heart Association ≥II, ICD vs. cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator, and atrial arrhythmia) were identified. The two scores were combined to create three MADIT-ICD benefit groups. In the highest benefit group, the 3-year predicted risk of VT/VF was three-fold higher than the risk of non-arrhythmic mortality (20% vs. 7%, P < 0.001). In the intermediate benefit group, the difference in the corresponding predicted risks was attenuated (15% vs. 9%, P < 0.01). In the lowest benefit group, the 3-year predicted risk of VT/VF was similar to the risk of non-arrhythmic mortality (11% vs. 12%, P = 0.41). A personalized ICD benefit score was developed based on the distribution of the two competing risks scores in the study population (https://is.gd/madit). Internal and external validation confirmed model stability.

Conclusions

We propose the novel MADIT-ICD benefit score that predicts the likelihood of prophylactic ICD benefit through personalized assessment of the risk of VT/VF weighed against the risk of non-arrhythmic mortality.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing Is Associated With Impaired Odor Identification in Older U.S. Adults
Authors: Siegel Jesse K , Yuan Xiandao , Wroblewski Kristen E , McClintock Martha K , Pinto Jayant M
Published: December 2020

Background

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a common, underdiagnosed condition in older adults with major health consequences, including disrupted central nervous system functioning. Whether SDB may affect sensory function is unclear. We sought to address this question by comparing 2 forms of olfactory testing which measure peripheral and central olfactory processing.

Methods

We assessed SDB (survey-reported snoring frequency, nighttime apneic events, or diagnosis of sleep apnea) in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a nationally representative sample of older U.S. adults. Odor sensitivity (peripheral) and odor identification (central) were assessed with validated instruments. Logistic regression was used to test the relationship between SDB and olfaction, accounting for relevant covariates, including demographics, cognition, and comorbidity.

Results

Twenty-nine percent of older U.S. adults reported symptoms of SDB (apneic events or nightly snoring). Of these, only 32% had been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Older adults with SDB (those who reported symptoms or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea) were significantly more likely to have impaired odor identification (odds ratio 2.13, 95% confidence interval 1.19–3.83, p = .012) in analyses that accounted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, cognition, comorbidities (including depression), and body mass index. Presence of SDB was not associated with impaired odor sensitivity (odds ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.75–1.43, p = .84).

Conclusion

SDB is highly prevalent but underdiagnosed in older U.S. adults and is associated with impaired odor identification but not odor sensitivity. These data support the concept that SDB affects pathways in the central nervous system which involve chemosensory processing.
Not Just How Many but Who Is on Shift: The Impact of Workplace Incivility and Bullying on Care Delivery in Nursing Homes
Authors: Cooke Heather A , Baumbusch Jennifer
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives

Much of the literature examining the staffing–care quality link in long-term care (LTC) homes focuses on staffing ratios; that is, how many staff are on shift. Far less attention is devoted to exploring the impact of staff members’ workplace relationships, or who is on shift. As part of our work exploring workplace incivility and bullying among residential care aides (RCAs), we examined how RCAs’ workplace relationships are shaped by peer incivility and bullying and the impact on care delivery.

Research Design and Methods

Using critical ethnography, we conducted 100 hr of participant observation and 33 semistructured interviews with RCAs, licensed practical nurses, support staff, and management in 2 nonprofit LTC homes in British Columbia, Canada.

Results

Three key themes illustrate the power relations underpinning RCAs’ encounters with incivility and bullying that, in turn, shaped care delivery. Requesting Help highlights how exposure to incivility and bullying made RCAs reluctant to seek help from their coworkers. Receiving Help focuses on how power relations and notions of worthiness and reciprocity impacted RCAs’ receipt of help from coworkers. Resisting Help/ing outlines how workplace relationships imbued with power relations led some RCAs to refuse assistance from their coworkers, led longer-tenured RCAs to resist helping newer RCAs, and dictated the extent to which RCAs provided care to residents for whom another RCA was responsible.

Discussion and Implications

Findings highlight “who” is on shift warrants as much attention as “how many” are on shift, offering additional insight into the staffing-care quality link.