bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modos de organização e desafios da participação dos Agricultores Familiares no Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar
Authors: Carmo Ana Paula Cantarino Frasão do , Villar Betzabeth Slater , Bicalho Daniela , Miguel Flavia da Silva , Schwartzman Flavia , Nogueira Rosana Maria
Published: April 2021

Introdução: A venda dos produtos da agricultura familiar para o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) representa uma experiência que favorece a sustentabilidade alimentar. Objetivo: Descrever os alimentos fornecidos ao PNAE e caracterizar a venda do agricultor familiar segundo organização produtiva, considerando estabelecimento familiar e apoio institucional e técnico, nos municípios do estado de São Paulo. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado entre 2012 e 2013 com 110 agricultores que forneceram alimentos para 16 municípios do PNAE no Estado de São Paulo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários estruturados e para a análise foram utilizadas estatística descritiva e teste de McNemar. Resultados: Houve prevalência no fornecimento de alimentos in natura pelos agricultores familiares; e aumento das vendas para mercados institucionais, após a vigência da Lei no 11.947/2009. A falta de apoio institucional e de assistência técnica foram as dificuldades mais prevalentes para os agricultores. Conclusão: A agricultura familiar é uma fonte de acesso a alimentos in natura para o PNAE contribuindo para um cardápio escolar saudável, com alimentos frescos e locais. Os fatores que mais dificultam a venda da agricultura familiar para o PNAE são a necessidade de apoio técnico e institucional.
Quimiometria na classificação de leite cru refrigerado
Authors: Melo Calionara Waleska Barbosa de , Costa Igor Henrique de Lima , Macedo Gessica da Silva , Meneses Roberta Barbosa de
Published: April 2021

Objetivou-se avaliar as correlações entre os parâmetros de qualidade do leite cru refrigerado produzido em diferentes unidades produtoras através da análise de componentes principais (PCA). Foram consideradas as seguintes variáveis: acidez, crioscopia, densidade, teor de gordura, extrato seco total (EST), extrato seco desengordurado (ESD), pH, contagem de células somáticas (CCS), contagem de bactérias totais (CBT) e teste de redução do azul de metileno (TRAM). Foi observado que as amostras se agruparam em cinco diferentes grupos: (I) não teve influência de nenhum vetor, (II) correlacionados com os parâmetros de CCS e CBT, possivelmente por apresentarem maiores contagens, sinalizando que possuem padrão de qualidade inferior em comparação com as demais amostras, o grupo (III) sofreu maior influência dos parâmetros de ESD, acidez, densidade e TRAM, enquanto o grupo (IV) foi discriminado majoritariamente pelos vetores de EST e gordura, indicando que as amostras exibem maior teor desses parâmetros e são oriundas de leite de boa qualidade, o grupo (V) foi caracterizado por uma correlação negativa com os vetores de EST, gordura, crioscopia e pH, evidenciando que essas amostras possuem um padrão de qualidade inferior. A partir da análise de PCA, as amostras foram agrupadas de acordo com a similaridade, permitindo constatar que os vetores que mais contribuíram para a discriminação das diferentes amostras de leite foram os valores de CCS e CBT.
Impacto de la población migrante venezolana en lima norte en la demanda de nuevos productos de consumo masivo
Authors:   , Barzola Velásquez Yajayra Lesly , Urquizo Gómez Arturo Hamilton
Published: April 2021

La tesis se ha elaborado con el fin de dar a conocer cómo impacta la migración venezolana en el canal tradicional de ventas para Lima Norte con la inserción de nuevos productos y la demanda interna. Este estudio usa el método explicativo y correlacional. A través del análisis se identificaron diferentes causas que originaron la migración hacia el Perú, siendo las principales la falta de alimentos y medicina. Los datos obtenidos demuestran que los migrantes venezolanos se adaptaron rápidamente a los productos ofrecidos en el mercado nacional, tales como el consumo de arroz, pollo, vegetales, entre otros, pero destaca la harina de maíz cuya marca más preferida es P.A.N. Se demuestra que el crecimiento de importaciones de ese producto se da a partir del mes de marzo del año 2018 y que está relacionado directamente con el flujo migratorio. Mencionado producto ya se encuentra dentro de la cartera de ventas en el mercado tradicional de Lima Norte, los datos obtenidos indican que actualmente los migrantes prefieren realizar sus compras en mercados y bodegas. También se obtuvo información valiosa del potencial para el ingreso de productos como Maltín Polar y Diablitos. Permitió concluir que la migración venezolana (860 mil aproximadamente, equivalente al 2.7% de la población peruana) puede beneficiar al Perú al dinamizar la economía local, incrementar el consumo interno e impactar dejando ingresos fiscales tal como los 561 millones de soles para el 2020, el cual fue estimado en la presente tesis.
Estrategia didáctica para desarrollar la producción oral del idioma Portugués en estudiantes del primer ciclo de una universidad particular de Lima
Authors:   , Bernal Sánchez Giulliana Lizbeth
Published: April 2021

La investigación propone el diseño de una estrategia didáctica para mejorar el desarrollo de la producción oral del idioma portugués en estudiantes del primer ciclo del centro de idiomas de una universidad particular de Lima. La metodología se enmarca dentro del paradigma sociocrítico e interpretativo, con un enfoque cualitativo. El tipo de investigación es aplicada educacional y el diseño fue no experimental de corte transversal descriptivo. La muestra de estudio fue no probabilística, conformada por tres docentes y 27 estudiantes del ciclo básico de portugués. Las técnicas aplicadas fueron la entrevista semiestructurada a docentes, encuesta de opinión a los estudiantes y la observación de clases; así mismo, los instrumentos aplicados fueron la guía de entrevista y de observación a los docentes; y el cuestionario y la prueba pedagógica a los estudiantes. El diagnóstico evidenció la poca importancia que los estudiantes dan a la adecuada pronunciación y entonación en portugués, relacionado con la falta de una retroalimentación efectiva e inmediata; el poco uso y conocimiento de herramientas virtuales interactivas dentro y fuera de clase; y la necesidad de crear un buen clima del aula que promueva la participación y producción oral. En conclusión, el aporte científico de esta propuesta de estrategia didáctica permite mejorar la producción oral del portugués en los estudiantes desde los ciclos iniciales, sirviendo de guía a los docentes para mejorar su práctica pedagógica.
Underestimated Resource of Global Governance
Authors: Kalyadin A.
Published: April 2021

The article analyses the UN Security Council‘s leverage to influence military-political processes related to arms control and counter-terrorism, highlighting the need to make fuller use of the UNSC enforcement potential. The author puts forward specific proposals for a more thorough involvement of the UNSC in the global activities to counter WMD proliferation and terrorism in order to improve global governance of international security and to guarantee progress of humanity on the path of sustainable peace and arms reduction. It is argued that Russia, with its traditions in defence of peace and disarmament, is in a position to assume leadership in working out arrangements aimed at efficient functioning of this principal decision-making authority of the international community for managing international security.
Stability and Stabilization of Ecosystem for Epidemic Virus Transmission Under Neumann Boundary Value Via Impulse Control
Authors: Rao Ruofeng
Published: April 2021

In this paper, by using the variational method, a sufficient condition for the unique existence of the stationary solution of the reaction-diffusion ecosystem is obtained, which directly leads to the global asymptotic stability of the unique equilibrium point. Moreover, delayed feedback ecosystem with reaction-diffusion item is considered, and utilizing impulse control results in the globally exponential stability criterion of the delayed ecosystem. It is worth mentioning that the Neumann zero-boundary value that the infected and the susceptible people or animals should be controlled in the epidemic prevention area and not allowed to cross the border, which is a good simulation of the actual situation of epidemic prevention. And numerical examples illuminate the effectiveness of impulse control, which has a certain enlightening effect on the actual epidemic prevention work . That is, in the face of the epidemic situation, taking a certain frequency of positive and effective epidemic prevention measures is conducive to the stability and control of the epidemic situation. Particularly, the newly-obtained theorems quantifies this feasible step. Besides, utilizing Laplacian semigroup derives the $p$th moment stability criterion for the impulsive ecosystem.
Understanding the Current Complexities of Indigenous Land Tenure and Toponymy: The Importance of Historical Indigenous Cartography with Indigenous Contributions to Euro/American/Canadian Cartography
Authors: Cole Daniel G. G , Hart and E. Richard
Published: April 2021

In recent years, many libraries and archives have started digitizing their collections thus making maps by Indigenous peoples more easily available for scholars to study. While a number of these maps were discussed by G. Malcolm Lewis in the History of Cartography series (volume 2, book 3, Chapter 4: 1984), more have since been found and disseminated. These maps are critical in understanding the historic and current land tenure of Indigenous groups. Further, Indigenous claims to land can be seen in their connections via toponymy. European concepts of territory and political boundaries did not coincide with First Nation/American Indian views resulting in the mistaken view that Natives did not have formal concepts of their territories. Further, Tribes/First Nations with cross-border territory have special jurisdictional problems. This paper will illustrate how many Native residents were very spatially cognizant of their own lands, as well as neighboring nations’ lands, overlaps between groups, hunting territories, populations, and trade networks. Currently, the Sinixt First Nation provides a perfect example of how an Aboriginal people are inputting and using a GIS representation of their territory with proper toponymy and use areas.
Immigration Detention in the United States: Identifying Alternatives That Comply With Human Rights and Advance Public Health
Authors: Ly Alison , Sprague Aleta , Pierce Brianna , Post Corina , Heymann Jody
Published: April 2021

Under international law, the United States is obligated to uphold noncitizens’ fundamental rights, including their rights to health. However, current US immigration laws—and their enforcement—not only fail to fulfill migrants’ health rights but actively undermine their realization and worsen the pandemic’s spread.

Specifically, the US immigration system’s reliance on detention, which precludes effective social distancing, increases risks of exposure and infection for detainees, staff, and their broader communities. International agreements clearly state that the prolonged, mandatory, or automatic detention of people solely because of their migration status is a human rights violation on its own. But in the context of COVID-19, the consequences for migrants’ right to health are particularly acute.

Effective alternatives exist: other countries demonstrate the feasibility of adopting and implementing immigration laws that establish far less restrictive, social services–based approaches to enforcement that respect human rights. To protect public health and realize its global commitments, the United States must shift away from detaining migrants as standard practice and adopt effective, humane alternatives—both amid COVID-19 and permanently.
Remediación de suelos contaminados: fundamentos y casos de estudio
Authors: Martínez Sepúlveda José Alejandro , Sánchez Yáñez Juan Manuel , Volke Sepúlveda Tania , Vallejo Quintero Victoria Eugenia , Pérez Junco Lina María , Duarte Bautista Paola Andrea , Umbacía Merly , Márquez-Benavides Liliana , Villaseñor Camacho José , Castañeda García Luis Felipe , Reinaldo Casallas Miguel
Published: April 2021

Esta obra compila una detallada revisión de las principales tecnologías de remediación fisicoquímicas y biológicas utilizadas para el tratamiento de suelos contaminados por diferentes tipos de contaminantes. Aunque actualmente existen varias publicaciones en el tema de la remediación de suelos, la mayoría se encuentra disponible solamente en inglés. Este escrito ofrece una actualización de las cuestiones fundamentales y nuevas aplicaciones de las tecnologías de remediación; contribuye además a la comprensión de tecnologías tanto tradicionales como de reciente desarrollo, presentando sus principios básicos y revisando algunos casos de estudio. Los capítulos de este libro están escritos en un nivel accesible, de manera que puedan ser consultados fácilmente como una guía, tanto por estudiantes como por expertos en la materia.
Stroboscopic operando spectroscopy of the dynamics in heterogeneous catalysis by event-averaging
Authors: Knudsen Jan , Gallo Tamires , Boix Virgínia , Strømsheim Marie , D'Acunto Giulio , Goodwin Christopher , Wallander Harald , Zhu Suyun , Soldemo Markus , Lömker Patrick , Cavalca Filippo , Scardamaglia Mattia , Degerman David , Nilsson Anders , Amann Peter , Shavorskiy Andrey , Schnadt Joachim
Published: April 2021

Heterogeneous catalyst surfaces are highly dynamic entities that respond rapidly to changes in their local gas environment, and the dynamics of the response is a decisive factor for the catalysts’ action and activity. Few probes are able to map catalyst structure and local gas environment simultaneously under reaction conditions at the time scales of the dynamic changes. Here we use the CO oxidation reaction over a Pd(100) surface exposed to pressures of 3 and 100 mbar of a CO + O2 gas mixture to demonstrate how such studies can be performed by time-resolved ambient pressure photoelectron spectroscopy. Central elements of the method are cyclic gas pulsing and software-based event-averaging by image recognition of spectral features. For the CO oxidation reaction over Pd(100) our main finding is that that all surface phases – the CO-covered Pd surface, a surface oxide and a thick PdOx phase – catalyse the CO oxidation reaction, in dependence on the supply of gas phase reactants.
Expressway Traffic Accidents Involving Human Injuries and Fatalities in Ethiopia: Negative Binomial Regression Model
Authors: Mustefa Yesuf Abdela , Belayhun Addis
Published: April 2021

Background: Road traffic accident is a major public health as well as economic challenge that rated the eighth leading cause of death. The severity became higher in developing countries. Ethiopian is among the most confronted countries in the world. We utilized the Ethiopian Toll Roads Enterprise data to provide insights and model significant determinants of accidents involving injuries and fatalities. Besides utilizing recent dataset, we applied the most appropriate but forwent statistical model. Moreover, we examined the significance of the effects of drivers’ age and gender that have not been the cases in the literatures.Methods: We made descriptive insights available on the basis of graphs from integrated traffic accident and flow datasets. We tested for the presence of over-dispersion in a total of 1824 observations of accident data recorded from September, 2014 to December, 2019 for inferential analysis. Finally, we modeled the effects of significant variables on the number of injuries using the negative binomial regression model. Results: we found that the number of injuries in accidents were significantly determined by type of vehicles, ownership status of vehicles, accident time weather condition, driver-vehicle relationship, drivers’ level of education, and drivers’ age.Conclusions: Heavy trucks were more likely to cause more number of injuries than medium or small vehicles. Hot and windy weather conditions were associated with higher probability of the number of injuries. The likelihood of the number of injuries were lower when drivers are owner of the vehicle; drivers level of education is above secondary school; and the age of the driver is between 18 and 23 years old. Moreover, due concern needs to be given for traffic road rules.
Automated slice sensitivity profile measurement of the CT image of the AAPM CT performance phantom: Which stair object should be used?
Authors: Lasiyah Nani , Anam Choirul , Hidayanto Eko , Dougherty Geoff
Published: April 2021

Purpose: We used an improved algorithm to automatically measure the slice sensitivity profile (SSP) and its full-width at half maximum (FWHM) from all three stair objects within an image of the AAPM CT performance phantom.Methods: The phantom was scanned with a Philips Ingenuity 128-slice CT scanner using slice thicknesses of 1 mm and 5 mm. The three stair objects were named top #1, middle #2, and bottom #3. The software was able to measure the SSP and its FWHM form object #1, #2, #3, and all objects. The SSPs and FWHMs from each stair object were compared with manual measurements. Results: The FWHM values for a slice thickness of 1 mm were 1.3 ± 0.1 mm for all the stair objects. The FWHM values for a slice thickness of 5 mm were 5.2 ± 0.1 mm, 5.1 ± 0.3 mm, 5.2 ± 0.1 mm for the top, bottom, and middle stair objects, respectively. The results of manual measurements had the same trend as those of the automated measurements.Conclusion: The improved algorithm for measuring SSP and its FWHM from any stair object within the AAPM performance phantom was successfully developed. The SSPs and their FWHM values measured from every stair object were similar (p > 0.05).
Artificial Intelligence helps triage and monitoring of COVID-19 Intensive Care patients
Authors: Boussen Salah , Cordier Pierre-Yves , Malet Arthur , Simeone Pierre , Cataldi Sophie , Vaisse Camille , Roche Xavier , Castelli Alexandre , Assal Mehdi , Pépin Guillaume , Cot Kevin , Denis Jean-Baptiste , Morales Timothée , Velly Lionel , Bruder Nicolas
Published: April 2021

BackgroundThe rapid spread of coronavirus disease COVID 19 calls for early screening and monitoring of these patients to distinguish those that are likely to worsen from stable patients that may be directed to intermediate care facilities. We designed a score for COVID-19 patients severity assessment, dynamic intubation and prolonged stay prediction using the Breathing Frequency (BF) and oxygen saturation (SPO2) signals.MethodsWe recorded BF, and SPO2 signals of confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted during the first and second outbreak of the pandemic in France (March to May 2020 and September 2020 to February 2021) in an ICU of a teaching hospital. We extracted four features from the signals that represent the four last hours before intubation for intubated patients and the mean of the four hours before the median intubation time for non-intubated patients. These data were used to train AI algorithms for intubation recognition. Algorithm robustness was checked on a validation set of patients. We selected the best algorithm that was applied every hour to predict intubation, thus a severity evaluation. We performed a 24h moving average of these predictions giving a S24 severity score that represent the patient's severity during the last 24 h. MS24, the maximum of S24 was confronted with the risk of intubation and prolonged ICU stay (>5 days).ResultsWe included 177 patients. Among the tested algorithms, the Logistic regression classifier had the best performance. The model had an accuracy of 88.9 % for intubation recognition (AUC=0.92). The accuracy on the validation set was 92.6 %. The S24 score of intubated patients was significantly higher than non-intubated patients 48h before intubation and increased 24 hours before intubation. MS24 score allows distinguishing three severity situations with an increased risk of intubation: green (3%), orange (30%) and red (76%). A MS24 score superior to 20 was highly predictive of an ICU stay greater than 5 day with an accuracy of 88.8% (AUC=0.95).ConclusionsThe score we designed uses simple signals and seems to be efficient to visualize the patient's respiratory situation and may help in decision-making. Real-time computation is easy to implement.
Structural emission reduction of China's industrial system and energy system: An input-output analysis
Authors: Yang Jun , Dong Hanghang , Jiang Tangyang
Published: April 2021

The global greenhouse effect caused by excessive energy CO 2 emissions has seriously affected the sustainable development of the society, and energy consumption and production mainly come from industrial system and energy system. This paper used the structural decomposition analysis (SDA) and the input-output analysis to study the structural emission reduction of China's industrial and energy systems in 2007-2015. The results showed that: (1) From the analysis of structural factors, the final demand effect was the main factor to promote the growth of energy CO 2 emissions, and the energy intensity effect played a weak role in promoting the growth of energy CO 2 emissions. (2) From the perspective of energy systems, the emission reduction effect of blast furnace gas, raw coal, refinery dry gas and natural gas is obvious, while that of crude oil, gasoline, fuel oil and kerosene is not obvious. (3) From the perspective of China's industrial systems, the tertiary industry played a major role in the final demand effect, followed by secondary industries and the primary industry in turn. Finally, this paper provided a theoretical basis and realistic guiding route for the accurate and efficient emissions reduction of energy system and China's industrial system.
Temporal trends, tumor characteristics and stage-specific survival in penile non-squamous cell carcinoma vs. squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wenzel Mike , Siron Nicolas , Ruvolo Claudia Collà , Nocera Luigi , Würnschimmel Christoph , Tian Zhe , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Saad Fred , Briganti Alberto , Tilki Derya , Banek Severine , Kluth Luis A. , Roos Frederik C. , Chun Felix K.H. , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: April 2021

Purpose:To test the effect of variant histology (non-SCC) cancer-specific mortality (CSM), relative to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in penile cancer patients. Methods:Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database (2004–2016), penile cancer patients of all stages were identified. Temporal trend analyses, cumulative incidence and Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable competing-risks regression analyses tested for CSM differences between non-SCC vs. SCC penile cancer patients.Results:Of 4,120 eligible penile cancer patients, 123 (3%) harbored non-SCC vs. 4,027 (97%) SCC. Of all non-SCC patients, 51 (41%) harbored melanomas vs. 42 (34%) basal cell carcinomas vs. 10 (8%) adenocarcinomas vs. eight (6.5%) skin appendage malignancies vs. six (5%) epithelial cell neoplasms vs. two (1.5%) neuroendocrine tumors vs. two (1.5%) lymphomas, vs. two (1.5%) sarcomas. In temporal trend analyses, non-SCC diagnoses neither decreased nor increased over time (p>0.05). After stratification according to localized, locally advanced, and metastatic stage, no CSM differences were observed between non-SCC vs. SCC, with 5-year survival rates of 11 vs 11% (p=0.9) for localized, 33 vs 37% (p=0.4) for locally advanced, and 1-year survival rates of 37 vs 53% (p=0.9) for metastatic penile cancer, respectively. After propensity score matching for patient and tumor characteristics and additional multivariable adjustment, no CSM differences between non-SCC vs. SCC were observed. Conclusion:Non-SCC penile cancer is rare. Although exceptions exist, on average, non-SCC penile cancer has comparable CSM as SCC penile cancer patients, after stratification for localized, locally invasive, and metastatic disease.
Importance of Regional Rainfall Data in Homogeneous Clustering of Data Sparse Areas: A Study in the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Region
Authors: Hazarika Jayshree , Sarma Arup Kumar
Published: April 2021

Delineation of homogeneous regions has found its way into many hydrological applications as it helps in addressing the challenges in understanding the behavior of rainfall distribution and its variability at a local scale. In the present study, rainfall data recoded by 83 tea gardens in the upper Brahmaputra valley region of Assam have been used to identify homogeneous rainfall regions by using fuzzy clustering analysis. Further, seven different cluster validity indices (CVs) were utilized to find out the optimum clustering in the fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm. The clusters thus formed were assessed for statistical homogeneity by performing homogeneity tests based on L-moment. Three different combinations of feature vectors were employed in FCM algorithm and the outputs were compared for attaining best solutions to regionalization. The results were further compared with previous regionalization studies. The analysis and comparison conclude that if regionalization needs to be done at a local scale, further sub-clustering of a larger clustered region to smaller regions may be required. Local rainfall data can be used for the purpose provided a good dataset with large number of station points are available within the region. Along with rainfall data, geographical location parameters (latitude, longitude and elevation) need to be taken into account for getting a definite conclusion.
Selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia to nitric oxide via chemical looping
Authors: Ruan Chongyan , Wang Xijun , Wang Chaojie , Li Lin , Lin Jian , Liu Xiao Yan , Li Fanxing , Wang Xiaodong
Published: April 2021

Selective oxidation of ammonia to nitric oxide (NO) over platinum-group metal alloy gauzes is the crucial step for nitric acid production, a century-old yet greenhouse gas and capital intensive process in chemical industry. Therefore, developing alternative ammonia oxidation technologies with low environmental impacts and reduced catalyst cost are of significant importance. Herein, we proposed and demonstrated, for the first time, a novel chemical looping ammonia oxidation (CLAO) catalyst and process to replace the costly noble metal catalysts and to reduce greenhouse gas emission. The proposed CLAO process exhibited near complete NH3 conversion and exceptional NO selectivity (99.8%) with negligible N2O production, using nonprecious V2O5 redox catalyst at a temperature up to 300 °C lower than the existing approach. Operando spectroscopy techniques complemented with density functional theory calculations point towards a modified, temporally separated Mars-van Krevelen mechanism featuring a reversible V5+/V4+ redox cycle. The V=O sites are suggested to be the catalytically active center leading to the formation of the oxidation products. Meanwhile, both V=O and doubly coordinated oxygen (V-OII-V) participate in the hydrogen transfer process. The outstanding performance is attributed to the low activation energies for the successive hydrogen abstraction (1.06 eV), facile NO formation (0.03 eV) as well as the easy regeneration of V=O species. Our results highlight a transformational CLAO process in extending the chemical looping strategy to producing base chemicals in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.
Prognostic Value of Serum Soluble ST2 in Stable Coronary Artery Disease: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Kim Hack-Lyoung , Lee Jung Pyo , Wong Nathan , Lim Woo-Hyun , Seo Jae-Bin , Zo Joo-Hee , Kim Myung-A , Kim Sang-Hyun
Published: April 2021

The role of ST2 in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has not yet been well defined. This study was performed to investigate baseline serum soluble ST2 (sST2) level can predict clinical outcomes in patients with stable CAD. A total of 388 consecutive patients with suspected CAD (65 years and 63.7% male) in stable condition referred for elective invasive coronary angiography (ICA) was prospectively recruited. Major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), coronary revascularization (90 days after ICA), and ischemic stroke during clinical follow-up was assessed. Most of the patients (88.0%) had significant CAD (stenosis ≥50%). During median follow-up of 834 days, there was 29 case of MACE (7.5%). The serum sST2 level was significantly higher in patients with MACE than those without (47.3 versus 30.6 ng/ml, P <0.001). In multiple Cox regression model, higher sST2 level (≥26.8 ng/ml) was an independent predictor of MACE even after controlling potential confounders (hazard ratio, 12.5; 95% confidence interval 1.64-95.0; P = 0.015). The elevated level of baseline sST2 is associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical events in stable CAD patients. Studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm our findings.
Study on Failure Characteristics and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Sandstone Under Variable Angle Shear
Authors: Luo Feng , Xu Peidong , Guo Yijun , Diao Yanglong , Li Meng
Published: April 2021

To study the shear damage and failure characteristics of red sandstone under different normal stress conditions, the failure process of sandstone under three different shear angles (50°, 55°, 60°) were studied by using variable angle shear test device. The shear stress-deformation curves and failure characteristics of sandstone were obtained, and the relationships between shear cracks and acoustic emission impact times, amplitude, peak frequency were established. With the increase of shear angle, the normal stress, shear stress and peak shear stress decrease gradually. The development of micro-cracks in the shear plane appear more earlier. The high frequency signal decreases significantly, which may have a significant corresponding relationship with the rock friction and shear effect. The failure mode of rock changes from plasticity to brittleness. The amplitude changes are concave, and more acoustic emission energy is released at compaction stage and plastic(failure) stage. The rock spalling mainly occur in the penetrating area of main and secondary cracks surrounding the two ends of specimen. The spalling degree was obviously weakened with the increase of shear angle. The results have important guiding value for judging and predicting the instability mechanism of rock engineering.
Spare half, share the rest: A revised planetary boundary for biodiversity intactness and integrity
Authors: DeClerck Fabrice , Jones Sarah , Estrada-Carmona Natalia , Fremier Alexander
Published: April 2021

Setting clear biodiversity targets is a pervasive challenge1 due to the context-dependent nature of biodiversity that has evaded concise science-based objectives such as the 1.5°C for climate2. Considering the major risk of continued inaction, and further biodiversity loss, it is imperative that the biodiversity community identify similarly operational science-based boundaries supporting the development of targets to safeguard biodiversity and its contributions to human well-being. Confounding goal setting are the two distinct but not mutually exclusive conservation objectives: (1) halting the rampant loss of intact ecosystems, species extinction and population declines, and (2) maintaining biosphere integrity and ecosystem function. We propose a revised planetary boundary for biodiversity: retaining at least half of the area of each terrestrial ecoregion biologically intact to halt the extinction crisis, and maintaining ecosystem integrity across all lands to preserve and regenerate biosphere, ecosystem functions and their contributions to human well-being. We combine four intactness datasets to provide a global assessment and find that 49.6% of the Earth’s land ice-free surface remains intact. While this is promising globally, 69% of 798 unique ecoregions are less than half intact. For ecosystem integrity, we find 18.1% of working lands have ecosystem integrity deficits precluding the provisioning of biosphere and ecosystem functions. Ninety percent of ecoregions have an ecosystem integrity deficit. Globally, intactness and integrity are at boundary limits with degradation of nature critically jeopardizing biosphere capacity to support a safe and just space for humanity. Combined efforts are needed to halt loss of and restore intactness, while regenerating integrity in working lands.
First-year mortality in incident dialysis patients: results of the Peridialysis study
Authors: Heaf James , Heiro Maija , Petersons Aivars , Vernere Baiba , Povlsen Johan V , Sørensen Anette Bagger , Clyne Naomi , Bumblyte Inga , Zilinskiene Alanta , Randers Else , Løkkegaard Niels , Rosenberg Mai , Kjellevold Stig , Kampmann Jan Dominik , Rogland Björn , Lagreid Inger , Heimburger Olof , Lindholm Bengt
Published: April 2021

Background: Controversy surrounds which factors are important for predicting early mortality after dialysis initiation (DI). We investigated associations of predialysis course and circumstances affecting planning and execution of DI with mortality following DI. Methods: Among 1580 patients participating in the Peridialysis study, a prospective study of causes and timing of DI, features of predialysis course, clinical and biochemical data at DI, incidence of unplanned suboptimal DI, contraindications to peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD), and modality preference, actual choice, and cause of modality choice were registered. Patients were followed for 12 months or until transplantation.Results: First-year mortality was 20.2%. In addition to age and comorbid factors, independent factors predicting death were: clinical contraindications to PD or HD, a rapidly falling eGFR before DI, suboptimal DI, acidosis, high C-reactive protein, signs of overhydration (pulmonary stasis) and cerebral symptoms at DI while eGFR at DI was not. Among 1061 (67.2%) patients who could select dialysis modality based on personal choice, 654 (61.6%) chose PD, 368 (34.7%) center HD and 39 (3.7%) home HD. The 12-months survival did not differ significantly between patients receiving PD and in-center HD.Conclusions: First-year mortality in incident dialysis patients was associated with high age, comorbidity, worsening of kidney failure and clinical symptoms, acidosis, inflammation, and suboptimal DI while eGFR at DI and dialysis modality did not appear as predictors. These findings support the view that choice of dialysis modality among patients who are able to make an informed decision can be based on patient preference.
Aerial View of the Association between m6A-Related LncRNAs and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Huang Bowen , Lu Jun , Liu Dong , Gao Wenyan , Zhou Li , Tian Feng , Wang Yizhi , Jiang Bolun , Luo Mingjie , Liu Chengxi , Liu Jianzhou , Xun Ziyu , Xie Congyong , Guo Junchao
Published: April 2021

Background
There have been few reports on how long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) under the regulation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification influences pancreatic cancer progression. In our study, the association between m6A-related lncRNAs and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) was comprehensively described for the first time based on the construction of a lncRNAs prognostic model.
Methods
The lncRNAs expression level and the prognostic value were investigated in 440 PDAC patients and 171 normal tissues from Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases. We implemented Pearson correlation analysis to explore the m6A-related lncRNAs, univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) methods were performed to screen the critical lncRNAs in PDAC patients. Then we used bioinformatic analysis and statistical analysis to illustrate the association between m6A-related lncRNAs and pancreatic cancer.
Results
Seven prognostic m6A-related lncRNAs were identified as prognostic lncRNAs, and they were inputted in the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox regression to establish an m6A-related lncRNAs prognostic model in the TCGA database. Each patient has calculated a risk score and divided into low-risk and high-risk subgroups by the median value in two cohorts. Moreover, the model showed a robust prognostic ability in the stratification analysis of different risk subgroups, pathological grades, and recurrence events. The Cox regression demonstrated that the risk classification was an independent prognostic predictor. We established a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network based on seven pivotal lncRNAs and twenty-six m6A regulators. Enrichment analysis indicated that malignancy-associated biological function and signaling pathways were enriched in the high-risk subgroup and m6A-related lncRNAs target mRNAs. We have even identified small molecule drugs that may affect the progression of pancreatic cancer.
Conclusions
In conclusion, we provide the first comprehensive aerial view between m6A-related lncRNAs and pancreatic cancer's clinicopathological characteristics.
Influence of Coal Ash on the Concrete Properties and Its Performance Under Sulphate and Chloride Conditions
Authors: Mangi Sajjad Ali , Ibrahim Mohd Haziman Wan , Jamaluddin Norwati , Arshad Mohd Fadzil , Khahro Shabir Hussain , Jaya Ramadhansyah Putra
Published: April 2021

This study investigated the influence of Coal Bottom Ash (CBA) on the concrete properties and evaluate the effects of combined exposure of sulphate and chloride conditions on the concrete containing CBA. During concrete mixing, cement was replaced with CBA by 10% of cement weight. Initially, concrete samples were kept in normal water for 28 days. Next, the specimens were moved to combined solution of 5% Sodium sulphate (Na2SO4) and 5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution for further 28 to 180 days. The experimental findings demonstrated that the concrete containing 10% CBA (M2) gives 12% higher compressive strength than the water cured normal concrete (M1). However, when it was exposed to solution of 5% Na2SO4 and 5% NaCl, gives 0.2% greater compressive strength with reference to M1. The presence of 10% CBA decreases the chloride penetration and drying shrinkage around 33.6% and 29.2% respectively at 180 days. Hence, this study declared 10% CBA as optimum that can be used for future research.
Highly-transmissible Variants of SARS-CoV-2 May Be More Susceptible to Drug Therapy Than Wild Type Strains
Authors: Schöning Verena , Kern Charlotte , Chaccour Carlos , Hammann Felix
Published: April 2021

As of March 2021, no antiviral drug regimen has proved effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection. With the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, and vaccine campaigns only starting to be rolled out, we appear to have few options other than non-pharmacological measures. Emerging Variants of Concern (VOCs), e.g. B1.1.7, B.1.351, and B.1.1.248, however, are characterized by higher transmissibility (R0). Here we model and simulate the effect of altered R0 on viral load profiles, and its impact on antiviral therapy. As a hypothetical case study, we simulated treatment with ivermectin 600µg/kg for 3 days initiated at different time points around the infection. Simulated mutations range from 1.25 to 2-fold greater infectivity, but also include putative co-adapted variants with lower transmissibility (0.75-fold).Antiviral efficacy was correlated with R0, making highly transmissible VOCs more sensitive to antiviral therapy. Viral exposure was reduced by 42% compared to 22% in wild type if treatment was started on inoculation. Less transmissible variants appear less susceptible.Our findings suggest there may be a role for pre- or post-exposure prophylactic antiviral treatment in areas with presence of highly transmissible variants. Furthermore, clinical trials with borderline efficacious results should consider identifying VOCs and examine their impact in post-hoc analysis.
Life on Mars (LoMars): A bibliometric study of current research and future perspectives
Authors: Ali Arshad , Shahid Muhammad , Jabeen Iffat , El-Ghali Mohamed
Published: April 2021

A quest for life on Mars (LoMars) started in the early 1960s when several research articles were published by the most prestigious scientific journals. The rise in annual literature production started in the late 1990s, most likely associated with the launch of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) first Sojourner Rover in 1996. This trend predicts that the articles on Mars would further increase in the future given the fact that the recent launch and landing of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover is of utmost importance to find and understand the present or past life on the planet. So far, USA dominated the citations and collaborations with the rest of the world on Mars research given its facilities equipped with relevant infrastructure and researchers’ capacity to explore the Solar System beyond Earth. Majority of these frequently cited papers report results of observational and theoretical research; however, the highly cited paper (MCKAY D. S. et al. 1996) is based on analytical studies of a unique Martian meteorite (i.e., Allan Hills 84001) found in the Antarctica. It is expected that the sample return mission associated with the Perseverance Rover could possibly increase the LoMars research exponentially in the coming decades if Martian samples are successfully brought back to Earth. Based on the total number of publications on LoMars, highly influential institute, author, and journal represent Caltech, McKay C. P., and Icarus, respectively. Both the institute and the author are directly affiliated with the NASA, suggestive of the leadership offered by the organization in LoMars research.
Three dimensional statistical damage constitutive model of rock based on Griffith strength criterion
Authors: Chen Song , Cao Xiuling , Yang Zhao
Published: April 2021

According to the damage mechanics theory and Lemaitre strain equivalence theory, because most rock materials are brittle materials, Griffith strength criterion has good applicability to describe the fracture failure of brittle materials from the perspective of energy. Using a new method to describe the rock micro-element strength based on Griffith strength criterion, and assuming the micro-element strength obeys the Weibull distribution, a true triaxial constitutive model of damage softening reflecting the whole process of rock failure is established. On this basis, the influence of the two parameters in the model on the curve of the constitutive model is analyzed, and the relationship between the two parameters and the intermediate principal stress in the model is established, and the model is revised reasonably. Finally, a true triaxial damage constitutive model of rock is established. The results are in good agreement with the experimental curve, which verifies its validity and rationality. At the same time, the relationship between the damage evolution and the strain and stress is discussed, and the influence of the size of the intermediate principal stress on the relationship is analyzed in detail.
TBX5-AS1, an enhancer RNA, is a potential novel prognostic biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cheng Lin , Han Tong , Chen Bolin , Nie Kechao , Peng Weijun
Published: April 2021

Background: Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are demonstrated to be closely associated with tumourigenesis and cancer progression. However, the role of eRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains largely unclear. Thus, a comprehensive analysis was constructed to identify the key eRNAs, and to explore the clinical utility of the identified eRNAs in LUAD.Methods: First, LUAD expression profile data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and eRNA-relevant information were integrated for Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Spearman’s correlation analysis to filtered the key candidate eRNAs that was associated with survival rate and their target genes in LUAD. Then, the key eRNA was selected for subsequent clinical correlation analysis. KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were undertaken to explore the potential signaling pathways of the key eRNA. Data from the human protein atlas (HPA) database were used to validate the outcomes and the quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was conducted to measure eRNA expression levels in tumour tissues and paired normal adjacent tissues from LUAD patients. Finally, the eRNAs were validated in pan-cancer.Results: As a result, TBX5-AS1 was identified as the key eRNA, which has T-box transcription factor 5 (TBX5) as its regulatory target. KEGG analysis indicated that TBX5-AS1 may exert a vital role via the PI3K/AKT pathway. Additionally, the qRT-PCR results and the HPA database indicated that TBX5-AS1 and TBX5 were significantly downregulated in tumour samples compared to matched-adjacent pairs. The pan-cancer validation results showed that TBX5-AS1 was associated with survival in four tumours, namely, adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), LUAD, lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). Correlations were found between TBX5-AS1 and its target gene, TBX5, in 26 tumour types.Conclusion: Collectively, we supposed that TBX5-AS1 is a tumor suppressor, and could be a new prognostic biomarker for LUAD patients and promote the targeted therapy of LUAD.
Congental Heart Disease: Growth Evaluation and Sport Activity in a Paediatric Population
Authors: Zoller Thomas , Prioli Maria Antonia , Clemente Maria , Pilati Mara , Sandrini Camilla , Luciani Giovanni Battista , Saccomani Marco Deganello , Ficial Benjamim , Gaffuri Marcella , Piacentini Giorgio , Calciano Lucia , Pietrobelli Angelo
Published: April 2021

Objective: To understand the anthropometric changes in paediatric patients with CHD, to evaluate their status and to assess their sport activity frequency.Methods: Of 535 children on follow up, we selected 368 Caucasian children (aged 2-18 years) with CHD, had at least one visit with measured weight and height, with no comorbidities that could influence growth. A total of 1690 complete anthropometric measurements were analyzed. Anthropometric z-scores were computed using formulae based on the LMS method according to Cacciari growth standards.Underweight, overweight and obesity were defined using BMI percentile cut-offs. Sport activity was collected through a phone interview.The CHD severity was classified as mild, moderate, severe, univentricular or unclassified.Results: Significant increase with age was observed for weight z-score [beta (95%CI): 0.03 (0.02,0.05) for one-unit of age] and BMI z-score [0.06 (0.03,0.08)] but not for height z-score. The percentage of underweight increased with disease severity, and the percentages of overweight and obese patients consequently decreased. The percentage of obesity in patients with mild CHD (5.9% [95%CI: 3.4,8.4]) was not significantly different from that in patients with moderate CHD (3.3% [1.5,5.0]), whereas it was lower in patients with severe CHD (0.4% [0.0,0.9]). No obese patients with univentricular heart defect was observed. Days spent in sport activities was equal to 1.9 [95%CI: 1.6,2.2] days/week, 1.9 [1.5,2.2], 1.4 [1.1,1.7] and 0.7 [0.1,1.3] in patients with mild, moderate, severe and univentricular CHD, respectively.Conclusions: Children with mild and moderate CHD present a risk of becoming overweight or obese that could not be underestimated and on the other hand could be prevented or reduced promoting an healthy lifestyle.