bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ichthyoplankton DNA metabarcoding: Challenges and perspectives
Authors: Carvalho Daniel Cardoso
Published: February 2022

DNA metabarcoding has been widely used to access and monitor species. However, several challenges remain open for its mainstream application in ecological studies, particularly when dealing with a quantitative approach. In a From the Cover article in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Mariac et al. (2021) report species‐level ichthyoplankton dynamics for 97 fish species from two Amazon river basins using a clever quantitative metabarcoding approach employing a probe capture method. They clearly show that most species spawned during the floods, although ~20% also spawned mainly during the receding period and some other year‐round, but interestingly, species from the same genus reproduced in distinct periods (i.e., inverse phenology). Opportunistically, Mariac et al. (2021) reported that during an intense hydrological anomaly, several species had a sharp reduction in spawning activity, demonstrating a quick response to environmental cues. This is an interesting result since the speed at which fish species can react to environmental changes, during the spawning period, is largely unknown. Thus, this study brings remarkable insights into basic life history information that is imperative for proposing strategies that could lead to a realistic framework for sustainable fisheries management practices and conservation, fundamental for an understudied and threatened realm, such as the Amazon River basin.
Mark‐release‐recapture of ticks: A case study of estimating the abundance of Ixodes persulcatus (Acari, Ixodidae)
Authors: Bugmyrin Sergey V. , Gorbach Vyacheslav V.
Published: February 2022

In this study, we tested the applicability of three common methods of absolute abundance estimation—Peterson, Bailey and Jolly‐Seber—to Ixodes persulcatus ticks based on mark‐release‐recapture data. The ticks were collected by flagging during the seasonal activity peak of the ticks in the mid‐taiga zone of Karelia (62.0697°N, 33.9614°E). In total, 108 females and 92 males of I. persulcatus were marked. The marked individuals were captured 161 times before the end of the study period with their proportion in the samples reaching 50%. Females were recaptured more often than males, 105 versus 56 times. Estimates of adult tick abundance ranged from 0.4 to 2 specimens per m2 depending on the calculation method. The obtained estimates of absolute abundance varied unpredictably depending on the length of the intervals between capture sessions and showed no significant correlations with the number of ticks collected by flagging. The choice of the method of tick abundance estimation mainly depends on the study aims. The Petersen method may be useful for quick estimates of local tick abundance, whereas the Jolly‐Seber method allows an estimation of the absolute abundance during the entire period of the tick activity. Individual marking of ticks may improve the accuracy of the estimates.
Retrograde upper esophageal sphincter function… and dysfunction
Authors: Kahrilas Peter J.
Published: February 2022

Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) function has been extensively studied in the context of swallowing and antegrade bolus transit, but relatively little attention has been paid to its retrograde function to facilitate belching. Indeed, prior to 2019, there were only three case reports in the world literature of individuals with a physiologically demonstrated inability to belch due to failure of the UES to relax after gas venting from the stomach and ensuing low‐pressure esophageal distention. In this minireview, that disorder is termed retrograde UES dysfunction (R‐UESD). The associated symptom complex includes some combination of chest pain, gurgling noises in the chest, bloating, nausea, hiccups, and flatulence. The obscurity of R‐UESD has recently been challenged by two large series published in the ENT literature of circumstantially demonstrated R‐UESD that was resolved by botulinum toxin (BT) injection to the cricopharyngeus. The field has now further advanced with the publication in this issue of the Journal by Oude Nijhuis et al. of 8 cases of R‐UESD demonstrated by high‐resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) with a provocative challenge of carbonated water. These individuals were also treated with BT and at 3‐month follow‐up had both an encouraging symptomatic response and HRIM demonstrated resolution of R‐UESD.
The SINGLE FLOWER (SFL) gene encodes a MYB transcription factor that regulates the number of flowers produced by the inflorescence of chickpea
Authors: Caballo Cristina , Berbel Ana , Ortega Raúl , Gil Juan , Millán Teresa , Rubio Josefa , Madueño Francisco
Published: February 2022

Legumes usually have compound inflorescences, where flowers/pods develop from secondary inflorescences (I2), formed laterally at the primary inflorescence (I1). Number of flowers per I2, characteristic of each legume species, has important ecological and evolutionary relevance as it determines diversity in inflorescence architecture; moreover, it is also agronomically important for its potential impact on yield. Nevertheless, the genetic network controlling the number of flowers per I2 is virtually unknown.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) typically produces one flower per I2 but single flower (sfl) mutants produce two (double‐pod phenotype). We isolated the SFL gene by mapping the sfl‐d mutation and identifying and characterising a second mutant allele. We analysed the effect of sfl on chickpea inflorescence ontogeny with scanning electron microscopy and studied the expression of SFL and meristem identity genes by RNA in situ hybridisation.

We show that SFL corresponds to CaRAX1/2a, which codes a MYB transcription factor specifically expressed in the I2 meristem.

Our findings reveal SFL as a central factor controlling chickpea inflorescence architecture, acting in the I2 meristem to regulate the length of the period for which it remains active, and therefore determining the number of floral meristems that it can produce.
Group decision making under uncertain preferences: powered by AI, empowered by AI
Authors: Xia Lirong
Published: February 2022

Group decision making is an important, long‐standing, and ubiquitous problem in all societies, where collective decisions must be made by a group of agents despite individual conflicting preferences. This has been a classical and active topic for research in many disciplines, including economics, political science, cognitive and behavioral sciences, statistics, mathematics, and computer science. In this article, I survey some recent progress in theoretical, algorithmic, and engineering work toward building AI‐powered intelligent systems to help agents make group decisions based on uncertain preferences; these systems leverage principles, ideas, and methodologies from multiple disciplines. Empowered by AI, group decision making can handle a broader range of situations at relatively large scales.
Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate in mitochondrial function and metabolic diseases
Authors: Duan Meng , Gao Pan , Chen Sheng‐xi , Novák Petr , Yin Kai , Zhu Xiao
Published: February 2022

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid metabolite. The past decade has witnessed exponential growth in the field of S1P research, partly attributed to drugs targeting its receptors or kinases. Accumulating evidence indicates that changes in the S1P axis (i.e., S1P production, transport, and receptors) may modify metabolism and eventually mediate metabolic diseases. Dysfunction of the mitochondria on a master monitor of cellular metabolism is considered the leading cause of metabolic diseases, with aberrations typically induced by abnormal biogenesis, respiratory chain complex disorders, reactive oxygen species overproduction, calcium deposition, and mitophagy impairment. Accordingly, we discuss decades of investigation into changes in the S1P axis and how it controls mitochondrial function. Furthermore, we summarize recent scientific advances in disorders associated with the S1P axis and their involvement in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases in humans, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, from the perspective of mitochondrial function. Finally, we review potential challenges and prospects for S1P axis application to the regulation of mitochondrial function and metabolic diseases; these data may provide theoretical guidance for the treatment of metabolic diseases.
Interconnection between cryptocurrencies and energy markets: an analysis of volatility spillover
Authors: Afjal Mohd , Clanganthuruthil Sajeev Kavya
Published: February 2022

The annual energy consumption of cryptocurrencies has been increasing in recent years. This paper studies the cryptocurrencies return volatility spillover and the underlying dynamics of five cryptocurrencies, namely Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Ripple XRP and Litecoin's impact on four energy markets, namely Nifty Energy Index, S&P 500 Energy Index, S&P/TSX Canadian Energy Index and Shanghai Stock Exchange Energy Index for the period 2016–2021. We employed the Granger Causality Test and DCC MGARCH model to investigate the integration between cryptocurrencies and the energy markets. From the empirical analyses, we find that the overall time‐varying correlation between cryptocurrencies and the energy markets is low and weak. This study may be helpful for investors, academia and policymakers.
Does overseas eco‐friendly innovation collaboration matter for environmental quality sustainability in India?
Authors: Villanthenkodath Muhammed Ashiq , Mahalik Mantu Kumar
Published: February 2022

The nexus between technological innovations and environmental quality has been much discussed in the field of energy economics and policy. However, the role of overseas eco‐friendly innovation collaboration on environmental quality in India remains unaddressed. In such a line, our study raises the question of whether overseas eco‐friendly innovation collaboration and total technological innovations collaboration are important towards health protection of the natural environment in India. This motivates us to study their effects on India’s carbon dioxide emissions function in the presence of energy consumption and economic growth as important control variables. The usage of annual data from 1985 to 2016 permits us to use traditional and structural break unit root tests before the application of ARDL model to evaluate the long‐run relationship between the variables. Besides confirming the long‐run relationship among the variables, we find that eco‐friendly innovation and total innovation collaborations drive health of the natural environment while energy consumption impedes it. The adverse effect of economic growth on environmental quality becomes ineffective. These findings are robust to the usage of alternative techniques, urging climate policymakers in India to house greater overseas eco‐friendly innovation collaboration with other advanced and emerging economies to drive environmental quality sustainability in the long run.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in infants is associated with significant morbidity and mortality
Authors: Oikonomopoulou Christina , Paisiou Anna , Ioannidou Eleni‐Dikaia , Komitopoulou Anna , Kaisari Aikaterini , Zisaki Kalliopi , Kastamoulas Michalis , Stavroulaki Georgia , Giannakopoulou Aikaterini , Vessalas George , Kitra‐Roussou Vassiliki , Goussetis Evgenios , Peristeri Ioulia
Published: February 2022

Background

Infants are subjected to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) due to malignant and non‐malignant diseases. However, specific data concerning the outcome and transplantation‐related complications in infants, as a separate age group, are limited. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of infancy on the outcome, toxicity, and complications after HSCT.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data of 55 infants that underwent HSCT in our unit from May 1997 until February 2020, emphasizing on the probability of overall survival (OS) and the cumulative incidence (CI) of transplantation‐related mortality (TRM) and complications.

Results

We report a probability of OS of 61%, a CI of TRM at day 100 and 365 post transplantation of 22% and 30%, respectively, and additionally a CI of graft failure, acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD), and infectious complications, 18%, 44%, and 39%, respectively. No statistically significant association was detected between the above mentioned parameters and diagnosis, the use of myeloablative or non‐myeloablative/reduced toxicity conditioning regimens or the type of donor.

Conclusions

We conclude that HSCT in infancy is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. This is possibly attributed to endogenous, age‐related factors. More specifically, infants may be at a higher risk of toxicities due to the immaturity of developing vital organs and the deficiency of the newly adopted immune system that predisposes them to infectious complications. The development of GvHD further augments the danger of infections, in a potential vice‐versa relationship. Moreover, there are few data on pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy agents, making safe and efficacious drug administration hard.
Treatment of BK virus with a stepwise immunosuppression reduction and intravenous immunoglobulin in pediatric kidney transplant
Authors: Mohammad Dunya , Kim Dean Y. , Baracco Rossana , Kapur Gaurav , Jain Amrish
Published: February 2022

Background

BKV and BKVN are common in pediatric kidney transplant, but there is limited data on treatment approaches. Our objective was to study the prevalence of BKV and BKVN utilizing only plasma qPCR and report treatment outcomes with stepwise IR and IVIG.

Methods

A retrospective study of all pediatric kidney transplants from 2013 to 2020. Excluded patients >21 years at transplant and immediate graft failure. Surveillance was conducted using only plasma BK qPCR at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months and annually. BKV defined as ≥250 copies/ml and resolution as <250 copies/ml. Presumed BKVN as >10 000 copies/ml despite IR; and BKVN if confirmed on histology.

Results

Fifty‐six patients were included in the study; 20 (35.7%) had BKV. BKV was associated with longer duration of stent, 40 vs. 33.5 days (p = .004). Two patients (3.5%) had confirmed, and 2(3.5%) had presumed BKVN. The first‐line treatment was IR in 100% of patients. BKVN confirmed and presumed received IVIG every month for six doses. Viral resolution was achieved in 70%, and no difference was noted in estimated glomerular filtration rate between BKV and non‐BKV group (p = .438). There were no rejection episodes, and graft survival was 100% over median follow‐up of 3 years.

Conclusions

Plasma qPCR alone is adequate for screening and monitoring treatment of BKV and BKVN. A stepwise IR and IVIG resulted in BKV resolution in the majority of patients. Larger studies are required to study the role of IVIG in the treatment of BKVN.
Wittgenstein's Account of Music and its Comparison to Language: Understanding, Experience and Rules
Authors: Marchesin Marco
Published: February 2022

In this article, I discuss Wittgenstein’s conception of music, musical understanding and the sense of comparing music to language. I argue that for Wittgenstein, musical understanding is describable as a specific kind of experience that is public and sharable. I then reject any formalist view, which asserts that musical understanding is exclusively an ability to follow a set of established rules. Second, I illustrate the scope of Wittgenstein’s comparison between languages and posit that music is useful for clarifying the concept of linguistic understanding in the case of certain specific language‐games, such as making jokes or puns. I will finally show that no thesis on the nature of language parallels and follows such a comparison.
Evaluating the Preemptive Analgesic Effect of Photo‐biomodulation Therapy on Pain Perception During Local Anesthesia Injection in Children: A Split‐mouth Triple‐blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Shekarchi Fatemeh , Nokhbatolfoghahaei Hanieh , Chiniforush Nasim , Mohaghegh Sadra , Haeri Boroojeni Helia Sadat , Amini Soroush , Biria Mina
Published: February 2022

To evaluate the impact of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on injection pain perception and compare it with a topical oral anesthetic gel. A total of 30 patients of 6 to 9 years‐old seeking pulpotomy treatment of maxillary secondary primary molars of both sides were considered for this split‐mouth triple‐blind randomized clinical trial. On one side of the maxilla, the low‐level laser (diode laser, 808 nm, 250 mW; 16.25 J; 32.5 J cm−2) was irradiated upon the buccal gingiva of the tooth, while a Benzocaine 20% topical anesthetic gel was applied on the other side. A gel with the same taste (strawberry) was applied for the placebo. The Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale was used to evaluate the injection pain and postoperation pain at two timestamps, 1 h and 24 h after treatment. Patients’ heart rate was also evaluated. Paired t, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, McNemar and Friedman tests were used for statistical analyses. Results demonstrated that PBMT could significantly decrease the injection pain perception and heart rate alternations compared to the topical anesthetic gels (P = 0.000). However, no significant differences were documented between the two methods concerning the 1‐h (P = 0.26) and 24‐h (P = 1.00) postoperation pain. PBMT can be an effective nonpharmacological technique for controlling injection pain.
Effects of contrasting N supplies on leaf photosynthetic induction under fluctuating light in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Xiong Zhuang , Xiong Dongliang , Yang Desheng , Cui Kehui , Peng Shaobing , Huang Jianliang
Published: February 2022

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important nutrients for crop growth and yield formation, as it is an important constituent in a large amount of proteins, cell walls, and membranes related to photosynthesis. Recently, increasing studies have suggested the important roles of photosynthetic induction and stomatal movement under fluctuating light in regulating plant carbon assimilation and water use efficiency. How leaf N content affects photosynthetic induction remains uncertain. Here, we observed a significantly faster photosynthetic induction with the increasing supply of N under fluctuating light conditions. Photosynthetic induction was mainly limited by biochemical processes but not stomatal opening after a stepwise increase in irradiance across different N supplies. Higher N supply enhanced photosynthetic efficiency under constant and fluctuating light conditions but reduced leaf intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi). This study is mainly focused on clarifying the crucial limitation of photosynthetic induction under different N treatments, which may facilitate the improvement of photosynthetic efficiency under complicated environments in the future.
Folate receptor‐1 is vital for developmental competence of goat embryos
Authors: Saini Sikander , Ansari Shama , Sharma Vishal , Saugandhika Shrabani , Kumar Sandeep , Malakar Dhruba
Published: February 2022

Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and methylation via one‐carbon (C1) metabolism during embryonic development. It is transported into the developing oocytes via folate receptors (FOLR1 and FOLR2) and transporters (RFC1) for utilization during embryo development. However, the role of folate receptors during pre‐implantation stages of embryos is not well known. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the expression of folate transport genes and proteins in mature oocytes and pre‐implantation embryos and the effect of FOLR1 knockdown in zygotes on blastocyst outcome. For this, immature goat oocytes were matured in maturation medium followed by in vitro fertilization and culture at standard conditions. A group of zygotes was transfected with esiRNA against FOLR1 and in vitro cultured for blastocyst outcome assessment. The transcripts and proteins for FOLR1, FOLR2 and RFC1 were present in oocytes as well as all the stages of pre‐implantation embryos. Immunofluorescence revealed the presence of FOLR1 in the nuclei of embryos but not in the metaphase (matured) oocytes. The knockdown of FOLR1 in embryos was effective and significantly reduced the blastocyst production rate. The present study demonstrates the existence of active folate transport in oocytes and pre‐implantation goat embryos. FOLR1 is vital for pre‐implantation embryo development and may aid in the progression by functioning as a transcription factor.
Social norms and child labor
Authors: Katav Herz Shirit , Epstein Gil S.
Published: February 2022

Child labor is a widespread phenomenon and therefore is of interest to both researchers and policy‐makers. Various reasons for the existence of child labor have been proposed with the goal of designing appropriate solutions. While household poverty is viewed as the main reason for child labor, we choose to focus on the phenomenon that parents who worked during their own childhood are more likely to send their children to work. We also look at the effect of social norms on the parents’ child labor decision and analyze both these effects on the supply of labor and equilibrium in the labor market. Finally, we suggest an explanation for the phenomenon of poor societies with similar income levels that differ significantly in literacy rates, and we propose policy improvements.
Access to dental care for patients with inherited bleeding and hemoglobin disorders
Authors: Frusca do Monte Carolina Mendes , da Silva Leandro Tavares , da Silva Victor Cordeiro , Almeida Gabriela Silva , Lorenzato Claudia Santos , Menezes José Vitor Nogara Borges , Fraiz Fabian Calixto , Torres‐Pereira Cassius Carvalho
Published: February 2022

Aim

To identify the main barriers to dental care access for patients with inherited bleeding (IBD) and hemoglobin disorders (HbD).

Methods

Patients with IBD and HbD were invited to participate in this study between August 2019 and March 2020. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of socioeconomic and demographic items and questions about access to dental services and history of dental treatment. Univariate and multiple Poisson regression model was used to determine associations between professional refusal of dental care and other co‐variables (p < .05).

Results

The participants (29.1%) have already had professional refusal of dental care and participants with IBD (53.2%) did not feel confident with their local dentist due to their bleeding tendency. Most (64.6%) felt apprehensive about visiting the local dentist and high prevalence of refusal to provide dental care was associated with age (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.021; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.010–1.032). Individuals with low bleeding risk were less likely to be denied dental care by a professional compared to those with high bleeding risk (PR = 0.536; 95%CI = 0.291–0.990).

Conclusion

Professional refusal of dental care was high among patients with IBD, particularly older adults and with an increased risk of bleeding.
Gene prediction for leaf margin phenotype and fruit flesh color in pineapple (Ananas comosus) using haplotype‐resolved genome sequencing
Authors: Nashima Kenji , Shirasawa Kenta , Isobe Sachiko , Urasaki Naoya , Tarora Kazuhiko , Irei Ayaka , Shoda Moriyuki , Takeuchi Makoto , Omine Yuta , Nishiba Yoichi , Sugawara Terumi , Kunihisa Miyuki , Nishitani Chikako , Yamamoto Toshiya
Published: February 2022

Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) is one of the most economically important tropical fruit species. The major aim of the breeding programs in several countries, including Japan, is quality improvement, mainly for the fresh market. ‘Yugafu’, a Japanese cultivar with distinctive pipe‐type leaf margin phenotype and white flesh color, is popular for fresh consumption. Therefore, genome sequencing of ‘Yugafu’ is expected to assist pineapple breeding. Here, we developed a haplotype‐resolved assembly for the heterozygous genome of ‘Yugafu’ using long‐read sequencing technology and obtained a pair of 25 pseudomolecule sequences inherited from the parental accessions ‘Cream pineapple’ and ‘HI101’. The causative genes for leaf margin and fruit flesh color were identified. Fine mapping revealed a 162‐kb region on CLG23 for the leaf margin phenotype. In this region, 20 kb of inverted repeat was specifically observed in the ‘Cream pineapple’ derived allele, and the WUSCHEL‐related homeobox 3 (AcWOX3) gene was predicted as the key gene for leaf margin morphogenesis. Dominantly repressed AcWOX3 via RNAi was suggested to be the cause of the pipe‐type leaf margin phenotype. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis revealed that the terminal region of CLG08 contributed to white flesh and low carotenoid content. Carotenoid cleaved dioxygenase 4 (AcCCD4), a key gene for carotenoid degradation underlying this QTL, was predicted as the key gene for white flesh color through expression analysis. These findings could assist in modern pineapple breeding and facilitate marker‐assisted selection for important traits.
Considerations for University Pedagogy: Distance Learning One Year After the Covid-19 Pandemic Outbreak
Authors: Kedraka Katerina , Kaltsidis Christos , Raikou Natassa , Karalis Thanassis
Published: February 2022

Due to the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the institutions of higher education had to transform their educational function from face-to-face to e-learning. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of e-learning and the consequent disruption of the traditional educational function in higher education in Greece with special reference to the views of undergraduates compared to those of their peers collected via the same method and tool one year earlier in two regional Greek Universities, the University of Patras and the Democritus University of Thrace. The present research was conducted in May 2021 in order to explore students’ views and feelings one year after the sudden and total transition to online teaching during the pandemic. The results suggest that students seem to prefer face-to-face courses, but they provide interesting aspects regarding e-teaching and learning -thus valuable guidelines for higher educational institutions in developing didactic approaches, to motivate students on their academic pathway, emphasizing the necessity of University Pedagogy.
A multisynaptic pathway from the ventral midbrain toward spinal motoneurons in monkeys
Authors: Suzuki Michiaki , Inoue Ken‐ichi , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Ishida Hiroaki , Kobayashi Kenta , Isa Tadashi , Takada Masahiko , Nishimura Yukio
Published: February 2022

Motivation boosts motor performance. Activity of the ventral midbrain (VM), consisting of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the retrorubral field (RRF), plays an important role in processing motivation. However, little is known about the neural substrate bridging the VM and the spinal motor output. We hypothesized that the VM might exert a modulatory influence over the descending motor pathways. By retrograde transneuronal labelling with rabies virus, we demonstrated the existence of multisynaptic projections from the VM to the cervical enlargement in monkeys. The distribution pattern of spinal projection neurons in the VM exhibited a caudorostral gradient, in that the RRF and the caudal part of the SNc contained more retrogradely labelled neurons than the VTA and the rostral part of the SNc. Electrical stimulation of the VM induced muscle responses in the contralateral forelimb with a delay of a few milliseconds following the responses of the ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1). The magnitude and number of evoked muscle responses were associated with the stimulus intensity and number of pulses. The muscle responses were diminished during M1 inactivation. Thus, the present study has identified a multisynaptic VM–spinal pathway that is mediated, at least in part, by the M1 and might play a pivotal role in modulatory control of the spinal motor output.

Key points

Motivation to obtain reward is thought to boost motor performance, and activity in the ventral midbrain is important to the motivational process.

Little is known about a neural substrate bridging the ventral midbrain and the spinal motor output.

Retrograde trans‐synaptic experiments revealed that the ventral midbrain projects multisynaptically to the spinal cord in macaque monkeys.

Ventral midbrain activation by electrical stimulation generated cortical activity in the motor cortex and forelimb muscle activity.

A multisynaptic ventral midbrain–spinal pathway most probably plays a pivotal role in modulatory control of the spinal motor output.
Quantitative mapping of dolomitization using close-range hyperspectral imaging: Kimmeridgian carbonate ramp, Alacón, NE Spain
Authors: Kurz Tobias H. , Miguel Galo San , Dubucq Dominique , Kenter Jeroen , Miegebielle Veronique , Buckley Simon J.
Published: February 2022

Geological models from outcrop analogues are often utilized as a guide, or soft constraint, for distributing reservoir properties in subsurface models. In carbonate outcrops, combined sequence stratigraphic, sedimentological, and petrographic studies constrain the heterogeneity of geobodies and diagenetic processes, including dolomitization, at multiple scales. High-resolution digital outcrop modeling further aids geometric mapping, geobody definition, and statistical analysis, though its usefulness for detailed mineralogical and lithological mapping is limited. Hyperspectral imaging offers enhanced spectral resolution for mapping subtle mineralogical differences. In both outcrops and subsurface, differences in carbonate composition can provide key information for distributing porosity and permeability, yet this mapping is highly challenging in field studies due to access difficulties, visible material differences, and sampling resolution. Spectral analysis of limestone–dolomite ratios conducted in laboratory studies indicates theoretical measures for quantitative identification and mapping of dolomite degrees within carbonate rocks. In this study, close-range hyperspectral imaging is applied to outcrops of the Alacón Member, Barranco del Mortero, northeastern Spain, to identify exposed limestone–dolomite geobodies and to quantify the degree of dolomitization across outcrop faces. Hyperspectral imaging is supplemented with photogrammetric outcrop modeling, field spectroscopy, and laboratory sample analysis for empirical validation and uncertainty analysis. Hyperspectral mapping shows that earlier fieldwork utilizing visual inspection of difficult to access outcrop surfaces had overestimated the amount of dolomite in the outcrop. Results indicate that hyperspectral imaging identified dolomite bodies more accurately and reliably than conventional field methods and facilitates the mapping of dolomite contribution in areas modified by dedolomitization, where dolomite content changes by more than ~20%.
Differences between soil and air temperatures: Implications for geological reconstructions of past climate
Authors: Molnar Peter
Published: February 2022

Among quantities of interest in paleoclimate, the mean annual air temperature, Ta, directly over the surface looms prominently. Most geologic estimates of past temperatures from continental regions, however, quantify temperatures of the soil or other material below the surface, Ts, and in general Ta < Ts. Both theory and data from the FLUXNET2015 data set of surface energy balance indicate systematic dependences of temperature differences ΔT = Ts − Ta and also of Bowen ratios—ratios of sensible to latent heat fluxes from surface to the atmosphere—on the nature of the land-surface cover. In cold regions, with mean annual temperatures ≲5 °C, latent heat flux tends to be small, and values of ΔT can be large, 3–5 °C or larger. Over wet surfaces, latent heat fluxes dominate sensible heat fluxes, and values of both ΔT and Bowen ratios commonly are small. By contrast, over arid surfaces that provide only limited moisture to the overlying atmosphere, the opposite holds. Both theory and observation suggest the following, albeit approximate, mean annual values of ΔT: for wetlands, 1 °C; forests, 1 ± 1 °C; shrublands, 3–4 °C; savannas, 3.5 °C < ΔT < 5.5 °C; grasslands, 1 °C where wet to 3 °C where arid; and deserts, 4–6 °C. As geological tools for inferring past land-surface conditions improve, these approximate values of ΔT will allow geologic estimates of past mean annual surface temperatures, Ts, to be translated into estimates of past mean annual air temperatures, Ta.
Strong lensing systems and galaxy cluster observations as probe to the cosmic distance duality relation
Authors: Holanda R. F. L. , Lima F. S. , Rana Akshay , Jain Deepak
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we use large scale structure observations to test the redshift dependence of cosmic distance duality relation (CDDR),$$D_\mathrm{L}(1+z)^{-2}/D_\mathrm{A}=\eta (z)$$DL(1+z)-2/DA=η(z), with$$D_\mathrm{L}$$DLand$$D_\mathrm{A}$$DA, being the luminosity and angular diameter distances, respectively. In order to perform the test, the following data set are considered: strong lensing systems and galaxy cluster measurements (gas mass fractions). No specific cosmological model is adopted, only a flat universe is assumed. By considering two$$\eta (z)$$η(z)parametrizations, It is observed that the CDDR remain redshift independent within$$1.5\sigma $$1.5σwhich is in full agreement with other recent tests involving cosmological data. It is worth to comment that our results are independent of the baryon budget of galaxy clusters.
THE EFFECTS OF NEWLY INTRODUCED COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY REPORTING ON AGGRESSIVE TAX AVOIDANCE: EVIDENCE FROM EUROPEAN BANKS
Authors: SABLJIĆ SVETLANA , MÖREC BARBARA , VASIĆ VLADIMIR
Published: February 2022

This study investigates the effects of enhanced tax transparency on aggressive tax avoidance using Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR) as the main instrument of tax transparency for deterring and preventing tax avoidance by multinational companies. We find strong empirical evidence on decreased aggressive tax avoidance by European Union multinational banks in the post-implementation period (2014–2018). We also document that banks with full CbCR implementation are less engaged in aggressive tax avoidance. Our empirical results make a significant contribution to the science, policy makers, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and European Commission in terms of CbCR efficacy and future development of tax avoidance instruments.
TOURISM DEMAND AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN VIETNAM: FRESH INSIGHTS BASED ON THE PARTIAL AND MULTIVARIATE WAVELET APPROACHES
Authors: HUNG NGO THAI , HIEU HA MINH
Published: February 2022

This study aims to examine the interaction among tourism revenue (TOV), the real exchange rate (REX), and economic development in Vietnam throughout 1995–2019. Using the bivariate and multivariate wavelet frameworks, we examine the lead–lag connectedness, co-movement and dynamic associations between these indicators across various time and frequency domains. By doing so, we employ wavelet transform coherence (WTC), cross-wavelet transform (XWT), partial wavelet coherence (PWC) and multiple wavelet coherence (MWC) frameworks. The findings indicate low covariance but a positive and robust nexus between tourism demand (TOV), economic growth (gross domestic product (GDP)), and the REX in the time–frequency space. In the long run, interdependence between variables is primarily negative and weak. The outcomes of PWC and MWC reveal that REX and GDP determinants affect the TOV–GDP and TOV–REX relationships under different frequencies, respectively. These results are of interest and significance to the Vietnamese government and policymakers as the outcomes have important implications for informing their decision-making.
Workings of science
Authors: Yaffe Phil
Published: February 2022

This symposium contribution is a reworking of a blog published by Ubiquity in July 2016. It laments the pitiful lack of scientific literacy among great portions of the population not directly engaged in recognized scientific disciplines. In the wake of the now two-year COVID-19 pandemic, the poignancy of the title of this blog is reinforced. At the beginning of December 2021, the number of deaths worldwide from COVID-19 stood at more than 5 million; and the virus continues to rage. How many of these deaths should be attributed to mistaken opposition to basic safety protocols and vaccination stemming from fundamental scientific illiteracy cannot be measured. But if it could, whatever the number the figure might be, it certainly wouldn't be insignificant.
The Role of Electrochemical Power Sources in Modern Health Care
Authors: Holmes Curtis F.
Published: February 2022

It has been more than 40 years since the first implantable pacemaker was implanted into an animal. Two years later, in 1960, the first successful pacemaker was implanted into a human. This event ushered in an era of battery powered biomedical devices that have played an increasingly important role in health care.
Forced Response Vibration Analysis of the Turbine Blade with Coupling between the Normal and Tangential Direction
Authors: Mahmoodi Aram , Ahmadian Hamid
Published: February 2022

This paper is about the nonlinear dynamic of turbine blades due to the friction between blades. This paper investigates the coupling effect in an experimental turbine blade model. In this contact model, coupling between friction in tangential and normal directions and energy dissipation in the lateral direction are considered simultaneously, which has not been considered elsewhere in the contact model of the turbine blade. The mathematical model of the blade under-platform damper model is derived, and to solve nonlinear equations, the multi-harmonic balance method is used. The contact force is calculated by the alternative frequency time-domain method in this solution method. To solve nonlinear derived algebraic equations, a continuation algorithm is applied. It is shown that considering the coupling phenomenon causes the results to be different from the situation in which this physical phenomenon is ignored. To validate the algorithm of the solution, numerical results of previous references in the turbine-blade field are regenerated. Experimental analysis on the under-platform damper and turbine blade model is done to investigate the coupling effect. It is shown that the contact model with consideration with coupling effect between tangential and normal direction can predict experimental results (amplitude and frequency of resonance) most of the other contact models used in the turbine field. To accurately determine the amplitude and frequency of resonance, it is necessary to consider the coupling effect.
Identification of circRNA Expression Profiles in BMSCs from Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis Model
Authors: Chen Zhipeng , Lin Wei , Zhao Shengli , Mo Xiaoyi , Wen Zhenxing , Cheung Wing Hoi , Fu Dan , Chen Bailing
Published: February 2022

Background. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) contribute to the regulation of many diseases. However, little is known about the role of circRNAs in the development of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). The present study is aimed at systematically characterizing the circRNA expression profiles in GIOP and predict the potential functions of the associated regulatory networks. Methods. A small animal GIOP model was developed in Sprague-Dawley rats given daily intraperitoneal doses of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Micro-CT and bone histomorphometry were performed to characterize the bone loss. Alizarin red S (ARS) staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were assessed to determine the osteogenic differentiation potential of BMSCs. RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed circRNAs in BMSCs between the GIOP and normal groups, which were validated by qRT-PCR. siRNA interference experiments were used to demonstrate their function. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed to predict the functions of differentially expressed circRNAs. The microRNA (miRNA) targets of the circRNAs and circRNA-miRNA interactions were predicted. Results. Micro-CT and bone histomorphometry confirmed the rat GIOP model. Both ARS intensity and ALP activity were decreased in GIOP BMSCs. Seventeen circRNAs were identified by

fold
 
change
=
2.0

,

p
<
0.05

, and

false
 
discovery
 
rate
<
0.05

, of which 7 were upregulated and 10 were downregulated. The qRT-PCR results of the selected circRNAs were consistent with the RNA-seq results and showed that circARSB and circAKT3 were significantly upregulated, while circPTEN and circTRPM7 were downregulated in the GIOP group. Further functional experiments found that downregulation of circARSB and circPTEN expression resulted in a corresponding change in osteogenic differentiation, suggesting that circARSB negatively, while circPTEN positively, regulates BMSC osteogenic differentiation. Analysis of circRNA-targeted miRNAs predicted that miR-135a-5p was associated with circARSB and circAKT3, and miR-881-3p was associated with circPTEN and circTRPM7. Furthermore, the signalling pathways associated with these differentially expressed circRNAs were predicted. Conclusions. The present study identified circARSB, circAKT3, circPTEN, and circTRPM7 as being associated with osteogenic differentiation during GIOP through a circRNA-targeted miRNA-mRNA axis, which might provide insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of GIOP.
The Validation of a Simple, Robust, Stability-Indicating RP-HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Detection of Lamivudine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, and Dolutegravir Sodium in Bulk Material and Pharmaceutical Formulations
Authors: Omoteso Omobolanle Ayoyinka , Milne Marnus , Aucamp Marique
Published: February 2022

An effective analytical method is requisite to ensure the accurate identification and quantification of drug(s), either in bulk material or in complex matrices, which form part of finished pharmaceutical products. For the purpose of a pharmaceutical formulation study, it became necessary to have a simple, yet robust and reproducible reversed-phase HPLC method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of lamivudine (3TC), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and dolutegravir sodium (DTG) in bulk form, complex polymeric matrices, and during drug release studies. A suitable method was developed using a Kinetex® C18, 250 × 4.6 mm column as stationary phase and a mobile phase consisting of 50 : 50 v/v methanol and water with 1 mL orthophosphoric acid, with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and column temperature maintained at 35°C. A detection wavelength of 260 nm and an injection volume of 10 μL were used. The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guideline Q2 (R1), and the parameters of linearity and range, accuracy, precision, specificity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), robustness, and stability were all determined. Acceptable correlation coefficients for linearity (R2) of >0.998 for each of the three drugs were obtained. The LOD was quantified to be 56.31 μg/mL, 40.27 μg/mL, and 7.00 μg/mL for 3TC, TDF, and DTG, respectively, and the LOQ was quantified as 187.69 μg/mL, 134.22 μg/mL, and 22.5 μg/mL for 3TC, TDF, and DTG, respectively. In relation to all the determined validation parameters, this method proves to be suitable for the accurate identification and quantification of the three ARVs, either alone or in combination, as well as when incorporated into polymeric matrices. Furthermore, the method proves to be suitable to detect degradation of the compounds.
Ground Behaviors Analysis of a Stope Covered by the Thin Bedrock and Large-Thick Alluvium: A Case Study
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Zhang Guangchao , Tao Guangzhe , Wang Chao , Cao Huaixuan , Zhao Xipo , Yan Xianyang , Shen Shibao , Zhou Guanglei
Published: February 2022

Support crushing and roof fall accidents frequently occur in the large mining height stope covered by the thin bedrock and large-thick alluvium (TBLA). A comprehensive method including field monitoring, numerical modelling, and theory analysis was performed to investigate the strata movement and its induced ground behaviors of a deep-buried stope under TBLA. The filed measurement results indicated that strong roof periodic weighting phenomenon occurred regularly at an interval of 18–23 m during panel 3301 retreating. During weighting period, dynamic characteristics of hydraulic supports are prominent and characterized by high safety valve opening rate and poor working conditions including tilt down operation and excessive end distance. Additionally, numerical modelling results revealed that the thickness of bedrock affects the movement behaviors of the roof strata and its generated spatial structure significantly. Based on the above results, an integrated control measure was proposed and successfully applied to the test site.
Characteristics and Mechanical Mechanism of In Situ Unloading Damage and Core Discing in Deep Rock Mass of Metal Mine
Authors: Xiang Peng , Ji Hongguang , Geng Jingming , Zhao Yiwei
Published: February 2022

Based on the phenomena of core damage and core discing in deep strata of metal mines in Laizhou area, the physical and mechanical mechanism behind these phenomena and characteristics is discussed. The analysis shows that the damage effect of deep high stress rock is obvious after in-situ unloading, the core discing occurs when the damage reaches a certain degree, and the time effect of damage increases with the increase of buried depth. The characteristics of core discing are closely related to the stress environment and the mesostructure and mineral composition of the rock. Monzogranite with a large particle size and high content of potassium feldspar is easier to occur core discing than granodiorite in this area. The mechanism of core discing in Sanshandao gold mine is as follows: tensile failure occurs in the middle of the core, and composite failure of shear and tension occurs at the edge. The crack extends from the middle of the core to the outer edge, and finally, the tensile crack and shear crack intersect and connect to form a cake crack. Considering the stress condition and strength conditions of core discing, the energy release rate of rock mass in the core discing area is large, which has the conditions for strong rock burst. In addition, the ratio of maximum stress to tensile strength at the starting position of core discing is about 6.5 in this area, which is consistent with the previous analysis, so as to provide a strong basis for calculating in-situ stress based on the core discing phenomenon.
Multitarget Detection in Depth-Perception Traffic Scenarios
Authors: Peng Qiao , Zhang Dengyin
Published: February 2022

Multitarget detection in complex traffic scenarios usually has many problems: missed detection of targets, difficult detection of small targets, etc. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a two-step detection model of depth-perception traffic scenarios to improve detection accuracy, mainly for three categories of frequently occurring targets: vehicles, person, and traffic signs. The first step is to use the optimized convolutional neural network (CNN) model to identify the existence of small targets, positioning them with candidate box. The second step is to obtain classification, location, and pixel-level segmentation of multitarget by using mask R-CNN based on the results of the first step. Without significantly reducing the detection speed, the two-step detection model can effectively improve the detection accuracy of complex traffic scenes containing multiple targets, especially small targets. In the actual testing dataset, compared with mask R-CNN, the mean average detection accuracy of multiple targets increased by 4.01% and the average precision of small targets has increased by 5.8%.