bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The search for candidate genes associated with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Authors: Серебрякова Е.А. , Кадурина Т.И. , Лонишин Л.Р. , Аббакумова Л.Н. , Барбитов Ю.А. , Полев Д.Е. , Глотов О.С. , Глотов А.С.
Published: December 2020

Представлены результаты молекулярно-генетического исследования пациентов с гипермобильным типом синдрома Элерса-Данло (гСЭД). Предложен возможный алгоритм верификации гСЭД и других наследуемых нарушений соединительной ткани с неуточнённой этиологией.

The results of a molecular genetic study of patients with a hypermobile type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) are presented. A possible algorithm for verifying hEDS and other inherited disorders of connective tissue with unspecified etiology is proposed.
Study of genetic predisposition to osteoarthritis in women with connective tissue dysplasia from the Republic of Bashkortostan
Authors: Шаповалова Д.А. , Тюрин А.В. , Хусаинова Р.И.
Published: December 2020

Остеоартрит (ОА) - наиболее распространенное многофакторное заболевание суставов. Одним из вероятных факторов риска развития ОА является недифференцированная дисплазия соединительной ткани (нДСТ) - генетически детерминированное нарушение структуры соединительной ткани, в том числе и в суставах. Вопрос о коморбидности ОА с нДСТ чрезвычайно актуален, и решение данной задачи будет способствовать разработке подходов ранней диагностики ОА в целях профилактики заболевания.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common multifactorial joint disease. Undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (uCTD) is a genetically determined lesion of the connective tissue structures, including joints, and it can be one of the factors, predisposing to development of OA. Solving the problem of comorbidity OA and uCTD signs will contribute to the early diagnosis and preventive of OA.
The role of collagen protein genes in the development of pelvic floor dysfunction in women
Authors: Вишневский Д.А. , Акуленко Л.В. , Касян Г.Р. , Тупикина Н.В. , Пушкарь Д.Ю.
Published: December 2020

Коллагеновые волокна играют существенную роль в формировании связочного аппарата тазового дна. Однако, проведенные ранее исследования не дают точного ответа о роли полиморфных вариантов генов коллагена в дисфункции тазового дна. Целью настоящего исследования было определить ассоциацию однонуклеотидных полиморфизмов rs1800012 гена COL1A1, rs1800255 и rs1801184 гена COL3A1, rs2236479 гена COL18A1 и их сочетаний c пролапсом тазовых органов (ПТО) и стрессовым недержанием мочи (НМ). Группу исследования составили 150 пациенток с ПТО и/или НМ. В группу контроля вошли 100 пациенток без тазовой дисфункции. Пациентки были сопоставимы по возрасту и внешним факторам риска. Ассоциаций между полиморфизмами rs1800012 гена COL1A1, rs1800255 и rs1801184 гена COL3A1, rs2236479 гена COL18A1 и тазовой дисфункцией выявлено не было.

Collagen fibers play a significant role in the formation of the ligamentous apparatus of the pelvic floor. However, previous studies do not give an exact answer about the role of polymorphic variants of collagen genes on pelvic floor dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1800012 of the COL1A1 gene, rs1800255 and rs1801184 of the COL3A1 gene, rs2236479 of the COL18A1 gene and their combinations with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The study group consisted of 150 patients with POP and/or SUI. The control group included 100 patients without pelvic dysfunction. Patients were comparable in age and external risk factors.All patients received a buccal epithelium for analysis. Sequencing was carried out by the Sanger method. Association between the rs1800012 polymorphisms of the COL1A1 gene, rs1800255 and rs1801184 of the COL3A1 gene, rs2236479 of the COL18A1 gene and pelvic dysfunction were not detected.
Assessment of genotoxic effects in one-and two-cell mouse embryos in vivo and in vitro using comet assay
Authors: Плигина К.Л. , Жанатаев А.К. , Анисина Е.А. , Даугель-Дауге Н.О. , Дурнев А.Д.
Published: December 2020

Разработана методология оценки первичных повреждений ДНК в одно- и двухклеточных зародышах мышей методом ДНК-комет. Применимость разработанной методологии для оценки генотоксичности в зародышевых клетках in vivo и in vitro подтверждена в экспериментах с модельными генотоксикантами метилметансульфонатом, диоксидином, этопозидом и митомицином С.

A methodology for evaluating DNA damage in one - and two-cell mouse embryos using the comet assay has been developed. The applicability of the developed methodology for assessing genotoxicity in vivo and in vitro was confirmed in experiments with model genotoxicants - methyl methanesulfonate, dioxidine, etoposide and mitomycin C.
Deuterium oxide enhances the SOS response of Escherichia coli induced by bactericidal agents
Authors: Смирнова С.В. , Шапиро Т.Н. , Игонина Е.В. , Абилев С.К.
Published: December 2020

Изучали генотоксическое действие бактерицидных средств диоксидина, фурацилина и налидиксовой кислоты на клетки дейтерированной культуры lux-биосенсора E.coli MG1655 (pColD::lux), люминесцирующего в результате активации промотора гена колицина colD в ответ на повреждение ДНК. Впервые показано, что оксид дейтерия (D2O) в концентрации 9% усиливает SOS-ответ, индуцированный исследуемыми лекарственными препаратами, в 1,6-2,8 раза в клетках E. coli.

We studied the genotoxic effect of bactericidal agents: dioxine, furaciline and nalidixic acid on cells of the deuterated culture lux-biosensor E. coli MG1655 (pColD::lux), which luminesces as a result of activation of the colicin gene promoter colD in response to DNA damage. For the first time, it was shown that deuterium oxide (D2O) at a concentration of 9% increases the SOS response by 1.6-2.8 times in E. coli cells induced by the studied drugs.
Antimutagenic activity and hepatoprotective effect of anti-radiation drugs
Authors: Сычева Л.П. , Рождественский Л.М. , Лисина Н.И. , Шлякова Т.Г. , Зорин В.В.
Published: December 2020

Изучена антимутагенная активность противолучевых препаратов разного механизма действия: беталейкина, флагеллина, индралина и рибоксина в краткосрочных и хроническом экспериментах на мышах in vivo. Все препараты проявили антимутагенные свойства в клетках костного мозга, а также гепатопротекторное действие. Наибольший эффект при используемых условиях эксперимента отмечен для беталейкина и нового противолучевого препарата флагеллина.

The antimutagenic activity of anti-radiation drugs betaleukin, flagellin, indraline and riboxin with different mechanisms of action was studied in short-term and chronic experiments in mice in vivo. All drugs showed antimutagenic properties in bone marrow cells, as well as hepatoprotective effect. The greatest effect under the used experimental conditions was noted for betaleukin and the new anti-radiation drug flagellin.
Bifunctional Pt-IrO2 Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution and Oxygen Reduction Reactions: Alloy Nanoparticles vs. Nanocomposite Catalysts
Authors: Du Jia , Quinson Jonathan , Zhang Daming , Bizzotto Francesco , Zana Alessandro , Arenz Matthias
Published: December 2020

In the present study different concepts for the development of bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction / oxygen evolution reaction (ORR / OER) electrocatalysts are explored and compared. Bifunctional ORR / OER catalysts are often suggested to improve the stability during startup and shutdown of fuel cells. Furthermore, they are proposed for so-called unitized regenerative fuel cells (URFCs) that would allow a closed loop system to use and produce hydrogen on demand. We compare the electrocatalytic performance of conventional PtxIry alloy nanoparticles (NPs) with Pt – IrO2 NP composites (nanocomposites), both immobilized onto a commercial carbon support. The Pt – IrO2 nanocomposites thereby consist of a mixture of Pt NPs and IrO2 NPs. By probing the electrocatalytic performance before and after exposing the electrocatalysts to accelerated degradation tests (ADTs) it is shown that the Pt – IrO2 nanocomposite concept offers advantages but also some disadvantages over the conventional alloy concept. In particular it is shown that while the nanocomposites are initially less active for the ORR due to an interparticle effect, their performance is less affected by the ADTs. However, all tested catalysts experience a decline of the Ir / Pt ratio upon the ADTs treatment, highlighting the challenging stability requirements for URFCs.
Advances in Automated Transition State Theory Calculations: Improvements on the AutoTST Framework
Authors: Harms Nathan , Underkoffler Carl , West Richard
Published: December 2020

Kinetic modeling of combustion chemistry has made substantial progress in recent years with the development of increasingly detailed models. However, many of the chemical kinetic parameters utilized in detailed models are estimated, often inaccurately. To help replace rate estimates with more accurate calculations, we have developed AutoTST, an automated Transition State Theory rate calculator. This work describes improvements to AutoTST, including: a systematic conformer search to find an ensemble of low energy conformers, vibrational analysis to validate transition state geometries, more accurate symmetry number calculations, and a hindered rotor treatment when deriving kinetics. These improvements resulted in location of transition state geometry for 93% of cases and generation of kinetic parameters for 74% of cases. Newly calculated parameters agree well with benchmark calculations and perform well when used to replace estimated parameters in a detailed kinetic model of methanol combustion.
TArget-Responsive Subcellular Catabolism Analysis for Early-stage Antibody-Drug Conjugates Screening and Assessment
Authors: Sang Hua , Liu Jiali , Zhou Fang , Zhang Xiaofang , Zhang Jingwei , Liu Yazhong , Wang Guangji , Ye Hui
Published: December 2020

Key events including antibody-antigen affinity, ADC internalization, trafficking and lysosomal proteolysis-mediated payload release combinatorially determine the therapeutic efficacy and safety for ADCs. Nevertheless, a universal technology that efficiently and conveniently evaluates the involvement of these above elements to ADC payload release and hence the final therapeutic outcomes for mechanistic studies and quality assessment is lacking. Considering the plethora of ADC candidates under development owing to the ever-evolving linker and drug chemistry, we developed a TArget-Responsive Subcellular Catabolism (TARSC) approach that measures catabolites kinetics for given ADCs and elaborates how each individual step ranging from antigen binding to lysosomal proteolysis affects ADC catabolism by targeted interferences. Using a commercial and a biosimilar ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) as model ADCs, we recorded unequivocal catabolites kinetics for the two T-DM1s in the presence and absence of the targeted interferences. Their negligible differences in TARSC profiles fitting with their undifferentiated therapeutic outcomes suggested by in vitro viability assays and in vivo tumor growth assays, highlighting TARSC analysis as a good indicator of ADC efficacy and bioequivalency. Lastly, we demonstrated the use of TARSC in assessing payload release efficiency for a new Trastuzumab-toxin conjugate. Collectively, we demonstrated the use of TARSC in characterizing ADC catabolism at (sub)cellular level, and in systematically depicting whether given target proteins affect ADC payload release and hence therapeutic efficacy. We anticipate its future use in high-throughput screening, quality assessment and mechanistic understanding of ADCs for drug R&D before proceeding to costly in vivo experiments.
Non-Target Screening of Organic Compounds in Offshore Produced Water by GC×GC-MS
Authors: Bergfors Sofie Nitsche , Khoa Huynh Ho Anh , Jensen Annette Eva , Sundberg Jonas
Published: December 2020

Produced water is the largest by-product of oil and gas production. At off-shore installations, the produced water is typically reinjected or discharged into the sea. The water contains a complex mixture of dispersed and dissolved oil, solids and inorganic ions. A better understanding of its composition is fundamental to 1) improve environmental impact assessment tools and 2) develop more efficient water treatment technologies. The objective of the study was to screen produced water sampled from a producing field in the Danish region of the North Sea to identify any containing organic compounds. The samples were taken at a test separator and represent an unfiltered picture of the composition before cleaning procedures. The analytes were isolated by liquid-liquid extraction and derivatized using a silylation reagent to increase the volatility of oxygenated compounds. The final extracts were analyzed by comprehensive multi-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to a high-resolution mass spectrometer. A non-target processing workflow was implemented to extract features and quantify the confidence of library matches by correlation to retention indices and the presence of molecular ions. Approximately 120 unique compounds were identified across nine samples. Of those, 15 were present in all samples. The main types of compounds are aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids with a small fraction of hydrocarbons. The findings have implications for developing improved environmental impact assessment tools and water remediation technologies.
Catalytic Synthesis of Cyclic Guanidines via Hydrogen Atom Transfer and Radical-Polar Crossover
Authors: Ohuchi Shunya , Koyama Hiroki , Shigehisa Hiroki
Published: December 2020

Cyclic guanidines are found in many biologically active compounds and natural products. Further, the for-mation of the atypical 7-membered ring of cyclic guanidine remains challenging due to a lack of efficient preparation strategies and low yield. Herein, a catalytic synthetic method for cyclic guanidines was developed via transition-metal hydrogen atom transfer and radical-polar crossover. This mild and functional-group tolerant process enabled the cycliza-tion of an alkenyl guanidines bearing common protective groups, such as Cbz and Boc groups. This powerful method not only provided typical 5- and 6-membered rings but also the atypical 7-membered ring. The derivatization of the products afforded various heterocycles. We also investigated the selective cyclization of mono-protected or hetero-protected (TFA and Boc) alkenyl guanidines and their further derivatizations.
Dynamic Self-organization in an Open Reaction Network as a Fundamental Mechanism for the Emergence of Life
Authors: Mukouyama, Yoshiharu , Nakato Yoshihiro
Published: December 2020

The emergence of life on the earth has attracted intense attention but the mechanism of it still remains an unsolved question. A key problem is that it has been left unclear why a living organism, which is regarded as an open reaction system, can demonstrate dynamic self-organization leading to highly-ordered structures and adaptive and evolutionary behavior. This paper shows by computer simulation that (1) an open reaction network is a network of irreversible processes and for this reason spontaneously reaches a stationary state and (2) a stationary state thus formed is stable against a fluctuation, namely it has self-organizing ability. Strikingly, self-organizing ability can emerge in a prebiotic chemical system with no special mechanism for overcoming disturbances by the second law of thermodynamics. The above self-organizing ability leads to adaptive and evolutionary behavior and has large potential for producing highly organized chemical structures, and is expected to have played a fundamental role in the emergence of life on the primitive earth.
Identifying the Trade-off between Intramolecular Singlet Fission Requirements in Donor-Acceptor Copolymers
Authors: Blaskovits Jacob Terence , Fumanal Maria , Vela Sergi , Fabregat Raimon , Corminboeuf Clemence
Published: December 2020

Intramolecular singlet fission (iSF) has shown potential to improve the power conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices by promoting the splitting of a photon-absorbing singlet exciton into two triplet excitons within a single molecule. Among different possibilities, the donor-acceptor modular strategy of copolymers has shown great promise in its ability to undergo iSF under certain conditions. However, the number of iSF donor-acceptor copolymers reported in the literature remains remarkably narrow and clear trends for the molecular design of better candidates have not yet been established. In this work, we identify the trade-off between the main iSF requirements of the donor-acceptor strategy and formulate design rules that allow them to be tuned simultaneously in a fragment-based approach. Based on a library of 2944 donor-acceptor copolymers, we establish simple guidelines to build promising novel materials for iSF. These consist in (1st) selecting an acceptor core with high intrinsic singlet-triplet splitting, (2nd) locating a donor with a larger monomer frontier molecular orbital (FMO) gap than that of the acceptor, and (3rd) tuning the relative energy of donor and/or acceptor FMOs through functionalization to promote photoinduced charge transfer in the resulting polymer. Remarkably, systems containing benzothiadiazole and thiophehe-1,1-dioxide acceptors, which have been shown to undergo iSF, fulfill all criteria simultaneously when paired with appropriate donors. This is due to their particular electronic features, which make them highly promising candidates in the quest for iSF materials.
A Simple and Soft Chemical Deaggregation Method Producing Single-Digit Detonation Nanodiamonds
Authors: Terada Daiki , So Frederick T.-K. , Hattendorf Bodo , Ōsawa Eiji , Shirakawa Masahiro , Igarashi Ryuji , Segawa Takuya
Published: December 2020

Detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) are a class of very small and spherical diamond nanocrystals. Used in polymer reinforcement materials, as drug delivery systems or as fluorescent biomarkers, only the final deaggregation step down to the single-digit nanometer size unfolds their full potential. All existing deaggregation methods rely on mechanical forces, such as high-power sonication or beads milling. We report a purely chemical deaggregation method by combining oxidation in air followed by a boiling acid treatment. Our DNDs are surface functionalized with carboxyl groups, the final boiling acid treatment removes primary metal contaminants and the nanoparticles remain dispersed over a wide pH range. Experiments can be easily carried out in a standard chemistry laboratory. This is a key step for many DND-based applications, ranging from material science to biological or medical applications and opens a way for inexpensive mass production on industrial scale.
Ultra-Large-Scale Ab Initio Quantum Chemical Computation of Bio-Molecular Systems: The Case of Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Virus
Authors: Ching Wai-Yim , Adhikari Puja , Jawad Bahaa , Podgornik Rudolf
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a severe threat to human health with an unprecedented social and economic disruption. Spike (S) glycoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is pivotal in understanding the virus anatomy, since it initiates the first contact with the ACE2 receptor in the human cell. We report results of ab initio computation of the spike protein, the largest ab initio quantum chemical computation to date on any bio-molecular system, using a divide and conquer strategy by focusing on individual structural domains. In this approach we divided the S-protein into seven structural domains: N-terminal domain (NTD), receptor binding domain (RBD), subdomain 1 (SD1), subdomain 2 (SD2), fusion peptide (FP), heptad repeat 1 with central helix (HR1-CH) and connector domain (CD). The entire Chain A has 14,488 atoms including the hydrogen atoms but excluding the amino acids with missing coordinates based on the PDB data (ID: 6VSB). The results include structural refinement, ab initio calculation of intra-molecular bonding mechanism, 3- dimensional non-local inter-amino acid interaction with implications for the inter-domain interaction. Details of the electronic structure, interatomic bonding, partial charge distribution and the role played by hydrogen bond network are discussed. Extension of such calculation to the interface between the S-protein binding domain and ACE2 receptor can provide a pathway for computational understanding of mutations and the design of therapeutic drugs to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Efficient and Flexible Synthesis of New Photoactivatable Propofol Analogs
Authors: Skinner Kenneth , Wzorek Joseph , Kahne Daniel , Gaudet Rachelle
Published: December 2020

Propofol is a widely used general anesthetic, which acts by binding to and modulating several neuronal ion channels. We describe the synthesis of photoactivatable propofol analogs functionalized with an alkyne handle for bioorthogonal chemistry. Such tools are useful for detecting and isolating photolabeled proteins. We designed expedient and flexible synthetic routes to three new diazirine-based crosslinkable propofol derivatives, two of which have alkyne handles. As a proof of principle, we show that these compounds activate heterologously expressed Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), a key ion channel of the pain pathway, with a similar potency as propofol in fluorescence-based functional assays. This work demonstrates that installation of the crosslinkable and clickable group on a short nonpolar spacer at the para position of propofol does not affect TRPA1 activation, supporting the utility of these chemical tools in identifying and characterizing potentially druggable binding sites in propofolinteracting proteins.
Prospects of Sunlight Driven Air-to-Methanol Synthesis via CO2 Electrolysis
Authors: Adnan muflih , Khan Mohd Adnan , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Rahman M.M. , Hu Jinhuang , Kibria Md
Published: December 2020

The race to save planet earth has led to significant advancement in technologies for harvesting renewable energy, carbon capture and conversion. Futures scenarios are being envisioned where CO2 is captured from air and converted to valuable fuels and chemicals, with methanol (MeOH) being the most coveted product. Here we assess two potential air-to-MeOH pathways that harvest solar power via concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cells for direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 and subsequent conversion to MeOH by exploiting CO2 electrolysis. Specifically, we perform techno-economic and life-cycle analysis on single-step (direct CO2-to-MeOH electrolysis) and three-step (integration of H2O electrolysis, CO2-to-CO electrolysis, and hydrogenation reactor) air-to-MeOH routes. Our results indicate that in current scenario, the envisioned air-to-MeOH routes are not economically and environmentally compelling with high levelized costs of MeOH ~1180–1730 $/tonMeOH and CO2 emissions of ~2.29–2.69 /tonMeOH. Using sensitivity analysis, we reveal targets for CPV capital cost ($290/kW), DAC capital cost ($375/(ton-CO2/year)), and electricity emission intensity (<275 kg-CO2/MWh) which will make the three-step route commercially and environmentally viable as a near-term technology. In contrast, direct CO2-to-MeOH electrolysis will need drastic performance improvement to be economically competitive, with required current densities >300 mA/cm2, energy efficiency >45% and stack stability >2 years. We hope this study will garner the key stakeholders to advance discussions about the cost and potential of this envisioned air-to-fuel technology.
Chemoselective Copper-Mediated Radical Modification of Selenocysteines in Peptides and Proteins
Authors: Zhao Zhenguang , Metanis Norman
Published: December 2020

Highly valuable bioconjugated molecules must be synthesized through efficient, chemoselective chemical modifications of peptides and proteins. Herein we report the chemoselective modification of peptides and proteins via a reaction between selenocysteine residues and aryl/alkyl radicals. In situ radical generation from hydrazine substrates and copper ions proceeds rapidly in neat aqueous buffer at near neutral pH (5-8), providing a variety of Se-modified linear and cyclic peptides and proteins conjugated to aryl and alkyl molecules, as well as to affinity label tag (biotin). This chemistry opens a new avenue for chemical protein modifications.
Biosynthesis of Triangular-Shape ZnO Nanoparticles Using Tecoma Stans and Its Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Rokhum Samuel Lalthazuala , Biswas Aayushi , Changmai Bishwajit , Chhangte Vanlalveni , Lalfakzuala R. , Nath Soumitra
Published: December 2020

The present work reports the first green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Tecoma stans leaf extract. The ZnO-NPs have been investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Ultra Violet-Visible (UV-Vis), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FT-IR) analysis. XRD investigation confirms the crystalline structure of ZnO. The TEM images show triangular shape ZnO-NPs with sizes running from 15-20 nm. The XPS spectrum revealed the presence of Zn and O in the sample. Photoluminescence studies of ZnO-NPs displayed a sharp emission of blue band at 447 nm which is attributed to the defect structures in ZnO crystal. The presence of alcoholic, phenolic amide groups in the plant extracts is responsible for the formation of ZnO-NPs. The synthesized ZnO-NPs showed a very high antibacterial property against five bacterial strains such as Bacillus cereus,Acinetobacter johnsonii, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Achromobacter spanius and Chromobacterium pseudoviolaceum, with the highest zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 24 mm being shown against Achromobacter spanius strain. Further, the synthesized nanoparticles displayed excellent activities against four fungal strains, where a highest ZOI of 30 mm was observed against Penicillium citirinum, hence proving its high efficacy as antimicrobial agents.
Amphiphilic Biaryl Monophosphine Ligands by Regioselective Sulfonation
Authors: Rodriguez Jacob , Dhanjee Heemal , Buchwald Stephen L.
Published: December 2020

Amphiphilic ligands are valued for their ability to facilitate organometallic reactions in the presence of water. The regioselective sulfonation of a series of commercially available biaryl monophosphines to generate amphiphilic ligands is presented. In this one-step protocol, the temperature and addition of fuming sulfuric acid were carefully controlled to arrive at sulfonated biaryl monophosphine ligands in high yields with >95% regioselectivity without the need for chromatographic purification.
ASSESSMENT AND MAPPING OF SOIL SENSITIVITY TO EROSION USING GIS IN MELLEGUE CATCHMENT, NORTHEAST OF ALGERIA
Authors: Khanchoul Kamel , Tourki Mahmoud
Published: December 2020

In Algeria, there is an urgent need for cartographic zones touched by erosion and also to target priority risk areas to improve the consistency of erosion prevention actions. Such a mapping must be able to display the areas at sensitivity to erosion and must take into account the developments to be undertaken. It is in this perspective that this study is carried out for (a) to map the sensitivity to erosion in the Mellegue catchment by relying on three factors of erosion namely topography, lithology and land use; and (b) to propose a management plan for vulnerable areas. This study is conducted using a Geographic Information System, which has allowed to characterize different areas of the study catchment and its sub-basins by producing a synthetic map of degrees of susceptibility to erosion.The results has shown that the basin has dominant areas of medium to high sensitivity to erosion, despite the existence of a considerable low sensitive area, corresponding to 47% of the basin area and observed mainly at the Meskiana sub-basin. The integration of the results into three levels of sub-basins has allowed identifying the most susceptible areas to erosion. This study provides sufficient data for a prioritization of the study basin according to their degree of erosion, making possible to the different actors, the management of the territory.
WEATHER PERTURBATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSIT OF TROPICAL CYCLONES IN THE COAST OF BANGLADESH
Authors: Das Razat Suvra , Chowdhury Sayedur Rahman , Shiuli Milan Kumar , Sarker Shubha
Published: December 2020

During the transition of tropical cyclone in the coast of Bangladesh, it is normally observed that there is a noticeable perturbation of weather parameters around the cyclone landfall zone. Through this research the extent of perturbation is assessed. To make the inventory 4 recent cyclones were selected that had made landfall in Bangladesh coast. They are cyclone MORA, cyclone ROANU, cyclone KOMEN and cyclone MAHASEN. Weather parameters selected to check their perturbation are wind speed, temperature, dew point temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity and precipitation. The dispersion of these parameters from their normal state was measured also in accordance of their distance from the landfall area. To perform the task a time scale of 15 days was selected for each cyclone. Middle 3 days window were considered as most affected weather, 6 days prior and after the event were considered as normal (prevailing) weather. The Synop (observed) data was downloaded from the Ogimet.com. The data was then processed and decoded by Synop decoder and then further analyzed in MS Excel. In case of atmospheric pressure perturbation the highest perturbation was found 5.8 mb low on average than prevailing pressure up to 50 km from cyclone landfall. Wind speed perturbation was highest in 50 to 100 km area. Perturbation of temperature was highest in 0 to 50 km (about 2.1 °C low on average). Perturbation of dew point temperature was found negligible and humidity perturbation was found highest 6.63% high on average up to 50 km of landfall. In case of precipitation perturbation highest was found in 0 to 50 km area of landfall (38.76 mm high on average than prevailing weather), however precipitation perturbation was irregular beyond 100 km of landfall. The most perturbed weather parameter was found atmospheric pressure and the least affected was dew point temperature.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF AGRICULTURE WASTE TO ATTAIN SOIL STABILIZATION FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN PUNJAB PAKISTAN
Authors: Ahmed Awais Masood , Ali Muhammad , Murtaza Ghulam , Ramzani Muhammad Ajmal , Qureshi Muhammad Siddique , . Ahmad , Ullah Ahsan Saif , Zehra Malahat
Published: December 2020

The soil underneath any type of structure e.g. Building, road, highways etc. should be able to resist loadings, if not so it is subjected to failure. Usually the soil at the site is not ideal from viewpoint of engineering. An approach to this problem, is to improve the soils or to adopt soil stabilization. Various methods of soil stabilization have been developed and in practice across the world. In this research an attempt was made to use the agricultural waste to improve the soil stability, as in Punjab agricultural waste is available in excess. In Punjab, major crops are wheat and rice. So wheat straw is available in excess in Punjab. In Punjab, mostly we have clayey soil. We select the representative samples from different areas of Punjab namely Kasur, Lahore and Sheikhupura and performed certain tests on these samples. The wheat straw totally failed in enhancing compaction, but compressive stress increased up to some extent. So it can be utilized in slopes of embankments of highways, railways etc. but can’t be used in construction of structures. So it is recommended that the future students should very fine wheat straw to make the project better and having a more in depth analysis.
MICROFACIES ANALYSIS OF LATE JURASSIC SAMANA SUK FORMATION, HAZARA BASIN LESSER HIMALAYA NORTH PAKISTAN
Authors: Rahim Yasin , Li Qiugen , Jadoon Umar Farooq , Lutfi Wasiq , Khan Junaid , Akhtar Shamim
Published: December 2020

The detailed petrological investigation of Samana Suk Formation from Hazara Basin, Pakistan was carried out to elaborate its microfacies. The Samana Suk Formation is mostly composed of fine to coarse-grained, limestone with dolomite in parts developed as a secondary diagenetic fabric. Twenty-five samples were studied from Thandiani Section, and five microfacies with seven sub microfacies were identified. The identified microfacies include Peloidal Foraminiferal Mudstone, Ooidal Peloidal Mudstone, Bioclastic Planktonic Mudstone as Submicrofacies, Peloidal Wackstone, Ooidal Wackstone, Intraclastic Wackstone as Sub Microfacies, Peloidal-Packstone Microfacies, Ooidal Mud-Wack Microfacies and Peloidal-Ooidal Wack-Pack Submicrofacies. Diagenetic features, such as Stylolites, Calcite Veins, Fractures, Dolomitization, Cementation, Compaction and Micritization have been observed in the petrographic study of the samples. The environment of deposition as depicted from the microfacies is Outer ramp for Mudstone, Peloidal Foraminiferal Mudstone, Ooidal to Peloidal Mudstone and Bioclastic Mudstone; Middle ramp for Peloidal Wackstone; Inner ramp for Ooidal Wackstone, Intraclastic Wackstone Peloidal Packstone and Peloidal-Ooidal Wack-Packstone; Inner-Middle ramp for Ooidal-Mud-Wackstone. Based on the microfacies analysis the Samana Suk Formation was interpreted to be deposited in a shallow shelf environment.
DARCY-AND PORE-SCALE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH MULTI-PHASE FLUID FLOW THROUGH A PETROLEUM RESERVOIR
Authors: Govindarajan Suresh Kumar , Mishra Avanish , Kumar Abhishek
Published: December 2020

This manuscript primarily focuses on the constraints associated with the extended version of Darcy’s law that is used to describe the multiphase flow through a porous media; and in particular, a petroleum reservoir. This manuscript clearly brings out the basics associated with the usage of Darcy’s law, and reasons out the inapplicability of the Navier-Stokes Equation in order to describe the momentum conservation in a typical petroleum reservoir. Further, this work highlights the essence of continuum-based Darcy’s macroscopic-scale equation with that of Navier-Stokes’s microscopic-scale equation. Further, the absence of capillary forces in original Darcy’s equation and extending the same by considering the concept of ‘capillary pressure’ in order to accommodate the multi-phase flow has several critical constraints associated with it. In this manuscript, all these constraints or limitations have been posed in the form of a list of basic queries that need to be addressed or at least to be understood with clarity, when applying the multi-phase fluid flow equations associated with a petroleum reservoir. This study is limited to an oil-water two-phase system.
ASSESSING THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE USING SEISMIC REFRACTION METHOD
Authors: Aka Mfoniso U. , E. Agbasi Okechukwu , C. Ibuot Johnson , D. Dick Mboutidem
Published: December 2020

Seismic refractive survey is a very important geophysical technique used to investigate the characteristics of the subsurface. The rate of building collapse has demanded the acquaintance about the structure of the subsurface especially in area where lands are recovered from water bodies for the aim of building. This paper presents the technique used in determining the thickness of the overburden for quarry prospecting using a geophysical method called as seismic refraction method. Seismic refraction method was used to delineated two distinct layers with the first layer having a weak and incompetent parameter values. The result revealed that the first layer is composed of unconsolidated formation of soft geomaterials and peaty clay that depict the lower values of parameters. This layer is underlain directly by clay, wet sand and sandy clay of soft and weak incompetent consistencies to a depth of 7 m in the subsurface. The second layer was found to have higher parameters than the first layer. The second layer revealed that the geologic formation composed of dry sand and sandy clay of fair to good competent. The geologic formation in the second layer was found to be more competent than the first layer with high allowable capacity and low ultimate failure potential. Geologically, the composition of the first layer is more recent in age of deposition than the second layer, characterized by unconsolidated geologic formation.
SELF-POTENTIAL METHOD FOR DETECTION OF WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH DAMS
Authors: Thanh Luong Duy , Thai Nguyen Canh , Hung Nguyen Manh , Thang Nguyen Cong , Thanh Huong Luong Thi
Published: December 2020

The self-potential (SP) method is a passive, non-invasive and cost-effective geophysical method based on the measurement of electrical potential naturally occurring on the earth’s surface. One of the main causes for the electrical potential at the earth’s surface is water seepage under the ground. In this work, we perform the SP measurement on a small artificial earthen dam built at Thuyloi University. Our result shows that the selection of electrode types is crucial in the SP measurements. Namely, Cu/CuSO4 porous pots are much better than copper stake electrodes for the SP measurement. Additionally, it is shown that the SP measurement using suitable electrodes can be applied to detect underground water leakage and flow direction in the dam based on an anomaly and variation of electric potential with position on the survey area.
PETROGRAPHY AND MICROTEXTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GRANODIORITE FROM WASIMI, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
Authors: Oziegbe E. J. , Ocan O. O. , Adebisi A. P.
Published: December 2020

Rock samples of granodiorite from Wasimi were studied in detail to determine the minerals, mineral associations and the different micro-texture present in order to unravel the processes that were involved during the cooling of the magma. The following minerals were observed; plagioclase feldspars, K-feldspars, biotite, pyroxene, amphiboles, with zircon and sphene as accessory minerals. The pyroxene are engulfed in amphiboles and have reaction rims. Pyroxene occur as inclusions in plagioclase feldspars. Amphiboles are poikilitic with inclusions of quartz. Symplectic texture exits between the following minerals; plagioclase and K-feldspar, biotite and quartz, plagioclase and amphibole. The plagioclase feldspars have fractured and bent twin lamellae. Crystals of plagioclase feldspars are zoned and also exhibit both Carlsbad and albite form of twinning. It can be said that there was an initial slow cooling of the magma which was responsible for the large crystals of feldspars which was later followed by rapid cooling as the magma rises close to the surface which gave rise to zoned plagioclase feldspars and indication of high level intrusive.
Study of the Parameters of Urban Heat Islands on the Irkutsk Region Territory According to Remote Sensing Data
Authors:   Irkutsk State University, Sutyrina E. N.
Published: December 2020

The investigation is aimed to determine the boundaries and intensity of urban heat islands in the Irkutsk region and assess the change in these parameters over a long-term period. The formation of an urban heat island is an example of anthropogenic influence on the urban climate. Land surface temperature and its spatial and temporal variations can be used to study urban heat islands, since the difference between the land surface temperature within the city and its surroundings is the result of the transformation of the underlying surface, heat capacity and three-dimensional structure of urban buildings in the process of urbanization. In order to study the phenomenon of urban heat islands of cities of the Irkutsk region, the land surface temperature data reconstructed from AVHRR-based thermal infrared imagery for 1998-2019 was used. As a result of the study, multi-temporal maps showing the urban heat islands of the agglomeration of Irkutsk-Angarsk-Shelekhov and the city of Bratsk were obtained. The investigated heat islands are characterized by a significant diurnal dynamic, so the difference in temperature values between the city and the suburbs in summer daytime reached 8-10 °C, in the evening and at night in summer this parameter decreases to 3-5 °C. The dimensions of the urban heat islands of the cities under investigation in the daytime exceed the dimensions of these heat anomalies in the evening and at night. Interannual variability in the intensity of urban heat islands did not show statistically significant trends from 1998 to 2019, the areas of urban heat islands increased significantly over the study period. The observed increase in area was probably associated with the development of the cities under study, with the transformation of landscapes and a decrease in the density of vegetation in the suburbs. In order to assess the contribution of the lack of vegetation to the formation of the urban heat islands in summer daytime, the values of the land surface temperature were compared with the values of the vegetation index NDVI. An analysis of the relationships between these parameters found that daytime land surface temperature was in close inverse relationship with the NDVI value, while this relationship was less pronounced at night and in the evening.
Spatial Distribution of Structural and Hydrographic Characteristics of River Systems in the Lake Baikal Basin
Authors:   V. B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS, Amosova I. Y. , Ilicheva E. A. ,   V. B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS,   Irkutsk State University
Published: December 2020

Analysis of structural and hydrographic characteristics of the structure of river systems and their interconnections was carried out for the future use in calculating runoff and the conditions of its formation for unexplored rivers. An annual normal and maximum water discharge observed in the 96 gauging sections of the standard observation network are hydrological basis. The research of river systems was carried out on the basis of topographic maps of scales of 1: 500 000 and 1: 200 000 and radar topographic surveys, which became the basis for constructing static and dynamic models of river systems. The static model is a totality of permanent watercourses and reflects the conditions of continuous flow. The system of impermanent and episodic watercourses is filled in the period of extreme flow. Аt this time, earlier element of the channel network without inflow become elements of a higher order. This model is dynamic. The study was conducted for the river systems of the Russian part of the Baikal basin. All parameters of river systems and their basins are divided into simple, structural and expositional classes, characterizing the conditions for the formation of thalwegs and runoff. The seven areas are identified which combine river systems when studying complex of the calculated parameters. The average structural module is a criterion for the distribution of the study territory into homogeneous area for the calculation of water discharge. The average structural module is determined by the local relation of annual normal water discharge on the total entropy of river systems. This relationship allows runoff calculations for watercourses that are not provided with hydrological information. In connection with this, a new stage of studies of the relationships between the characteristics of the structural class of the water-erosion network and the parameters of the river basin as an indicator of maximum aquifer ability arises.
Changes of Taxonomic Diversity of Soils’ Mеasopopulation in the Range of Environmental Conditions of the Northern Macroslope of Khamar-Daban
Authors:   V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS, Bessolitsyna E. P.
Published: December 2020

Landscape-ecological analysis of taxonomic diversity and structure of soil invertebrates’ community in the geosystems of the Hamar-Daban Region was carried out on the main levels: local (biogeocenotic), topological (facies) and regional. The paper considers regularities of transformation of communities’ structure in landscape-zonal range under the influence of natural conditions: phytocenotic (peculiarities of vegetation), edaphical and climatic (hydrothermal regime of the soil) and anthropogenic factors. On the models groups: Сarabidae, Staphylinidae, Elateridae, Formicidae altitudinal changes of community' structure have been traced; in all landscape-high-rise complexes (in species composition and abundance of species) was revealed forest preference. The main trend of changes in taxonomic diversity of invertebrate’s communities is a decrease in the species number in the gradient of an increase of climate aridity, and strengthening of the hypothermal character and anthropogenic pressure. Peculiarities of structures invertebrate’s communities and their changes due to the climate change and anthropogenic impacts can serve as one of diagnostic criteria of soil conditions and can be used for estimation of landscapes’ transformation and monitoring.
Framing 'digital well-being' as a social good
Authors: Beattie Alex , Daubs Michael
Published: December 2020

This contribution argues that companies such as Apple, Facebook, and Google are increasingly incorporating features that supposedly promote “digital well-being” to forestall regulation of their platforms and services. The inclusion of these features, such as Apple’s Screen Time, frames these commercial platforms as providing a social good by promising to encourage more “intentional” or “mindful” use of social media and mobile devices. As a result, oft-critiqued platforms are increasingly adopting the language of their critics in order to frame themselves as a social good. This strategy mimics that used by radio executives in the United States in the early twentieth century, where the medium developed as a predominantly commercial enterprise. To avoid regulation, it became necessary to perpetuate the perception that commercial broadcasters were also a social good that fulfilled a public service function. Platforms today, we assert, are inadvertently or purposefully adopting a similar tactic to position themselves as leaders in a developing digital wellness market in the hopes of avoiding future governmental regulation.
PENGARUH RASIO-RASIO KEUANGAN TERHADAP KINERJA KEUANGAN BANK SYARIAH PERIODE TAHUN 2010-2012 (STUDI KASUS PADA BPRS ARTHA SURYA BAROKAH)
Authors: Arini Nolita Dwi , Sukesti Fatmasari
Published: December 2020

Bank is a financial institution whose main activity is to receive deposits from the public and distribute to third parties to obtain and deliver services in payment traffic. Reality show no economic indicators that can be developed without the help of banking institutions. Therefore, the bank holds a strategic role in the economy. The existence of the banking sector in Indonesia is divided into two types of banks, ie commercial banks and rural banks.The population in this study is the overall financial statement SRB Surya Artha Barokah Semarang. Samples taken in this study is the financial statement SRB Surya Artha Barokah 2010-2012. Analysis tool used is multiple linear regression.The results showed that the hypothesis test using the F test showed that the CAMEL variables simultaneously affect the bank's financial performance. Hypothesis testing using t-test showed that there are significant between the RWA, CAR, CAR, KAP, PPAP, PM, ROA, Cash Ratio, on financial performance. The higher RWA, CAR, CAR, KAP, PPAP, PM, ROA, the higher the financial performance of BPR Syariah Surya Artha Barokah Semarang. Hypothesis testing using t-test showed that there is no influence between the Cash Ratio and LDR on financial performance. Cash Ratio and the higher the LDR then it will not affect the financial performance of BPR Syariah Barokah Arta Surya Semarang.Key word : ATMR, KPMM, CAR, KAP, PPAP, PM, ROA, Cash Ratio and financial performance