bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Transition to a Coresidential Partnership: Who Moves and Who Has the Partner Move In?
Authors: Krapf Sandra , Mulder Clara H. , Wagner Michael
Published: July 2021

Moving into a joint household is an important step in the process of union formation. While a growing body of literature investigates differences between those couples who start coresidence and those who do not, we know little about the likelihood of moving upon the start of coresidence. The aim of this paper is to investigate how individual and couple-level characteristics are associated with moving, or having a partner move in, at the start of coresidence. We use data from 10 waves of the German Family Panel pairfam for those who started coresidence (n = 983) and estimate logistic regression models of moving versus having a partner move in. The respondents in the sample are quite young with a mean age of 27. For long-distance relationships, those with a higher level of education than their partner and women who were living in close proximity to their parents were less likely to move. In short-distance relationships, respondents living in the parental home or in crowded housing were more likely to move than those living in uncrowded housing. In contrast with previous research, we did not find that women were more likely to move than men. Our results highlight that factors like educational resources, housing demands, and local family ties have differential effects on moving decisions at the start of coresidence depending on the distance moved.
Making legacy Fortran code type safe through automated program transformation
Authors: Vanderbauwhede Wim
Published: July 2021

Fortran is still widely used in scientific computing, and a very large corpus of legacy as well as new code is written in FORTRAN 77. In general this code is not type safe, so that incorrect programs can compile without errors. In this paper, we present a formal approach to ensure type safety of legacy Fortran code through automated program transformation. The objective of this work is to reduce programming errors by guaranteeing type safety. We present the first rigorous analysis of the type safety of FORTRAN 77 and the novel program transformation and type checking algorithms required to convert FORTRAN 77 subroutines and functions into pure, side-effect free subroutines and functions in Fortran 90. We have implemented these algorithms in a source-to-source compiler which type checks and automatically transforms the legacy code. We show that the resulting code is type safe and that the pure, side-effect free and referentially transparent subroutines can readily be offloaded to accelerators.
The impact of the acute surgical assessment unit on the management of acute appendicitis: a single-centre review
Authors: Hannan Enda , El-Masry Sherif
Published: July 2021

Background

Acute surgical assessment units (ASAUs) aim to optimise management of surgical patients compared to the traditional ‘on-call’ emergency department (ED) system. Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common acute surgical condition requiring emergency surgery.

Aim

We set out to assess if the ASAU improved care provided to patients with AA compared to those managed through the ED.

Methods

Patients admitted via the ED with AA in the 6 months prior to opening the ASAU were compared to those admitted via the ASAU in the first six months following its implementation. Relevant data was collected on key performance indicators from their charts.

Results

In the ASAU cohort, the mean time to be seen was one hour less than the ED cohort (21 min vs 74 min). The mean time to surgery was also 8.8 h shorter. Most patients in the ASAU group (78.6%) underwent surgery during the day, compared to 40.3% of ED patients. The ASAU patients also had a lower postoperative complication rate (0.9% vs 3.9%), as well as a lower negative appendicectomy rate (14.2% vs 18.6%) and lower conversion-to-open surgery rate. Greater consultant supervision and presence was observed.

Conclusions

The ASAU has resulted in better outcomes for patients with AA than those admitted via ED. More operations were performed in safer daytime hours with greater consultant presence, allowing for improved senior support for trainee surgeons. Our study supports the role of the ASAU in improving the quality and efficiency of emergency general surgery.
Can Autonomous Agents Without Phenomenal Consciousness Be Morally Responsible?
Authors: Bernáth László
Published: July 2021

It is an increasingly popular view among philosophers that moral responsibility can, in principle, be attributed to unconscious autonomous agents. This trend is already remarkable in itself, but it is even more interesting that most proponents of this view provide more or less the same argument to support their position. I argue that as it stands, the Extension Argument, as I call it, is not sufficient to establish the thesis that unconscious autonomous agents can be morally responsible. I attempt to show that the Extension Argument should overcome especially strong ethical considerations; moreover, its epistemological grounds are not too solid, partly because the justifications of its premises are in conflict.
Answers to burning questions for clinical allergologists related to the new COVID-19 vaccines
Authors: Altrichter Sabine , Wöhrl Stefan , Horak Fritz , Idzko Marco , Jordakieva Galateja , Untersmayr Eva , Szepfalusi Zsolt , Zieglmayer Petra , Jensen-Jarolim Erika , Wiedermann Ursula , Rosenkranz Alexander , Hötzenecker Wolfram
Published: July 2021

Background

Along with the newly approved vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first reports of allergic or intolerance reactions were published. Subsequently, questions arose whether these vaccines pose an increased risk for intolerance reactions and whether allergic patients may be at higher risk for this.

Results

Allergic reactions following COVID-19 vaccinations have been reported, but mostly of mild severity and at normal (Moderna®) or only slightly increased frequency (BioNTech/Pfizer®) compared to established conventional vaccines. The risk of allergic reaction to the newly licensed vector vaccines (AstraZeneca®, Johnson&Johnson®) cannot be conclusively assessed yet, but also appears to be low. There is currently no evidence that patients with allergic diseases (atopic patients) react more frequently or more severely to these vaccines. It is currently assumed that intolerance reactions of the immediate-type are either type I allergic (IgE-mediated) reactions or occur via complement activation (CARPA, “complement activation-related pseudoallergy”). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate, which are present as stabilizers in the vaccines, are suspected as triggers for this.

Conclusion

The data available so far do not show a significantly increased risk of immediate-type allergic reactions in atopic persons. In almost all cases, atopic patients can be vaccinated without problems. Standardized follow-up tests after suspected allergic reactions or CARPA-mediated reactions are currently limited.
Wrong place, wrong time: Children’s sensitivity to present tense spelling conventions
Authors: de Bree Elise , van den Boer Madelon
Published: July 2021

Spelling has been found to be influenced by the frequency with which certain orthographic patterns occur. We examined whether Grades 2–5 children were already sensitive to orthographic frequency in spelling present tense verb inflections that sound the same but are spelled differently. Children were asked to spell present tenses in two homophonous forms; both inflections are pronounced with final /t/ but are spelled with final -d (“ik vind,” I find) or -dt (“hij/zij vindt,” he/she finds). Previous research has shown that adolescents and adults make inflection errors based on the relative frequency within a pair; as “vind’ is more frequent than “vindt,” “vind” is often used incorrectly. The children showed low correct scores for third person singular spellings, and overall better performance for -d dominant verbs. Surprisingly, they did make errors related to homophone inflection but in the wrong place, marking the wrong time: homophone-based errors occurred in present tense non-homophone verbs and in past tenses. We take our findings to mean that the children were not sensitive to homophone dominance. Furthermore, the findings illustrate the importance of specific graphotactic patterns in literacy development and call for attention to these patterns in models and teaching of spelling.
Global Uptake of Atmospheric Methane by Soil From 1900 to 2100
Authors: Murguia‐Flores Fabiola , Ganesan Anita L. , Arndt Sandra , Hornibrook Edward R. C.
Published: July 2021

Soil methanotrophy is the only biological process that removes methane (CH4) from the atmosphere. There is good agreement about the size of the global sink but great uncertainty about its interannual variability and regional responses to changes in key environmental drivers. We used the process‐based methanotrophy model Methanotrophy Model (MeMo) v1.0 and output from global climate models to simulate regional and global changes in soil uptake of atmospheric CH4 from 1900 to 2100. The annual global uptake doubled from 17.1 ± 2.4 to 37.2 ± 3.3 Tg yr−1 from 1900‐2015 and could increase further to 82.7 ± 4.4 Tg yr−1 by 2100 (RCP8.5), primarily due to enhanced diffusion of CH4 into soil as a result of increases in atmospheric CH4 mole fraction. We show that during the period 1980–2015 temperature became an important influence on the increasing rates of soil methanotrophy, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. In RCP‐forced simulations the relative influence of temperature on changes in the uptake continues to increase, enhancing the soil sink through higher rates of methanotrophic metabolic activity, increases in the global area of active soil methanotrophy and length of active season. During the late 21st century under RCP6.0, temperature is predicted to become the dominant driver of changes in global mean soil uptake rates for the first time. Regionally, in Europe and Asia, nitrogen inputs dominate changes in soil methanotrophy, while soil moisture is the most important influence in tropical South America. These findings highlight that the soil sink could change in response to drivers other than atmospheric CH4 mole fraction.
A Remarkably Constant History of Meteorite Strikes
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: July 2021

Researchers dissolve chunks of the ancient seafloor to trace Earth’s impact history and find that colossal clashes between asteroids don’t often trigger an uptick in meteorite strikes.
cGAS-like receptors sense RNA and control 3′2′-cGAMP signalling in Drosophila
Authors: Slavik Kailey M. , Morehouse Benjamin R. , Ragucci Adelyn E. , Zhou Wen , Ai Xianlong , Chen Yuqiang , Li Lihua , Wei Ziming , Bähre Heike , König Martin , Seifert Roland , Lee Amy S. Y. , Cai Hua , Imler Jean-Luc , Kranzusch Philip J.
Published: July 2021

Cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS) is a cytosolic DNA sensor that produces the second messenger cG[2′–5′]pA[3′–5′]p (2′3′-cGAMP) and controls activation of innate immunity in mammalian cells1–5. Animal genomes typically encode multiple proteins with predicted homology to cGAS6–10, but the function of these uncharacterized enzymes is unknown. Here we show that cGAS-like receptors (cGLRs) are innate immune sensors that are capable of recognizing divergent molecular patterns and catalysing synthesis of distinct nucleotide second messenger signals. Crystal structures of human and insect cGLRs reveal a nucleotidyltransferase signalling core shared with cGAS and a diversified primary ligand-binding surface modified with notable insertions and deletions. We demonstrate that surface remodelling of cGLRs enables altered ligand specificity and used a forward biochemical screen to identify cGLR1 as a double-stranded RNA sensor in the model organismDrosophila melanogaster. We show that RNA recognition activatesDrosophilacGLR1 to synthesize the novel product cG[3′–5′]pA[2′–5′]p (3′2′-cGAMP). A crystal structure ofDrosophilastimulator of interferon genes (dSTING) in complex with 3′2′-cGAMP explains selective isomer recognition, and 3′2′-cGAMP induces an enhanced antiviral state in vivo that protects from viral infection. Similar to radiation of Toll-like receptors in pathogen immunity, our results establish cGLRs as a diverse family of metazoan pattern recognition receptors.
CKD-506: A novel HDAC6-selective inhibitor that exerts therapeutic effects in a rodent model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bae Daekwon , Lee Ji-Young , Ha Nina , Park Jinsol , Baek Jiyeon , Suh Donghyeon , Lim Hee Seon , Ko Soo Min , Kim Taehee , Som Jeong Da , Son Woo-chan
Published: July 2021

Despite advances in therapeutic strategies for multiple sclerosis (MS), the therapy options remain limited with various adverse effects. Here, the therapeutic potential of CKD-506, a novel HDAC6-selective inhibitor, against MS was evaluated in mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35–55(MOG35–55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) under various treatment regimens. CKD-506 exerted prophylactic and therapeutic effects by regulating peripheral immune responses and maintaining blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity. In MOG35–55-re-stimulated splenocytes, CKD-506 decreased proliferation and downregulated the expression of IFN-γ and IL-17A. CKD-506 downregulated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood of EAE mice. Additionally, CKD-506 decreased the leakage of intravenously administered Evans blue into the spinal cord; CD4+T cells and CD4−CD11b+CD45+macrophage/microglia in the spinal cord was also decreased. Moreover, CKD-506 exhibited therapeutic efficacy against MS, even when drug administration was discontinued from day 15 post-EAE induction. Disease exacerbation was not observed when fingolimod was changed to CKD-506 from day 15 post-EAE induction. CKD-506 alleviated depression-like behavior at the pre-symptomatic stage of EAE. In conclusion, CKD-506 exerts therapeutic effects by regulating T cell- and macrophage-mediated peripheral immune responses and strengthening BBB integrity. Our results suggest that CKD-506 is a potential therapeutic agent for MS.
Electric-field-recoverable large shape memory in BNT-based lead-free ceramics
Authors: Qi He , Chen Liang , Luo Huajie , Liu Hui , Deng Shiqing , Xing Xianran , Chen Jun
Published: July 2021

A BNT-based lead-free ceramic with a large recoverable strain SM of ∼0.25% driven by a low electric field of ∼2.3 kV mm−1 is reported.
Identification of hub genes in colorectal cancer based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas
Authors: Zhang Yu , Luo Jia , Liu Zhe , Liu Xudong , Ma Ying , Zhang Bohang , Chen Yuxuan , Li Xiaofeng , Feng Zhiguo , Yang Ningning , Feng Dayun , Wang Lei , Song Xinqiang
Published: July 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide and is associated with high mortality. Here we performed bioinformatics analysis, which we validated using immunohistochemistry in order to search for hub genes that might serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in CRC. Based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we identified 4832 genes differentially expressed between CRC and normal samples (1562 up-regulated and 3270 down-regulated in CRC). Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that up-regulated genes were enriched mainly in organelle fission, cell cycle regulation, and DNA replication; down-regulated genes were enriched primarily in the regulation of ion transmembrane transport and ion homeostasis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified eight gene modules that were associated with clinical characteristics of CRC patients, including brown and blue modules that were associated with cancer onset. Analysis of the latter two hub modules revealed the following six hub genes: adhesion G protein-coupled receptor B3 (BAI3, also known as ADGRB3), cyclin F (CCNF), cytoskeleton-associated protein 2 like (CKAP2L), diaphanous-related formin 3 (DIAPH3), oxysterol binding protein-like 3 (OSBPL3), and RERG-like protein (RERGL). Expression levels of these hub genes were associated with prognosis, based on Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of data from the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database. Immunohistochemistry of CRC tumor tissues confirmed that OSBPL3 is up-regulated in CRC. Our findings suggest that CCNF, DIAPH3, OSBPL3, and RERGL may be useful as therapeutic targets against CRC. BAI3 and CKAP2L may be novel biomarkers of the disease.
Special Aspects of Using the Wind Power Plants In the Power Supply System
Authors: Sheryazov Saken Koyshybaevich , Issenov Sultanbek Sansyzbaevich , Iskakov Ruslan Maratbekovich , Kaidar Argyn Bauyrzhanuly
Published: July 2021

The paper describes special aspects of using the wind power plants (wind turbines) in the power grid. The paper provides the classification and schematic presentation of AC wind turbines, analyzes the role, place and performance of wind power plants in Smart Grid systems with a large share of renewable energy sources. The authors also reviews a detailed analysis of existing AC wind turbines in this paper. Recommendations are given for how to enhance the wind power plants in smart grids in terms of reliability, and introduce the hardware used in the generation, conversion and interface systems into the existing power grid. After the wind power plants had been put online, the relevance of the Smart Grid concept for existing power grids was obvious. The execution of such projects is assumed to be financially costly, requires careful study, and development of flexible algorithms, but in some cases this may be the only approach. The analysis of using wind turbines shows that the structural configuration of wind power plants can be based on the principles known in the power engineering. The approaches may differ, not fundamentally, but in engineering considerations. it is necessary to point out that the method of controlling dual-power machines is quite comprehensive so that their wide use will face operational problems caused by the lack of highly professional specialists in electric drives. Therefore, it seems advisable to use square-cage asynchronous generators in wide applications. The paper shows that as the renewable energy sources are largely used in power grids, there is an issue of maintaining the power generation at a required level considering the variability of incoming wind energy. This results in the malfunctions in the operation of relay protection devices and emergency control automatics (RP and ECA), and the complicated control. Also, the standards of the CIS countries and regulatory documents miss the requirements for the wind turbine protections, taking into account their specialty causing the inefficient standard protective logic, which does not work correctly in a number of abnormal and emergency operating modes, and especially Smart Grid in power grids.
Investigation of ferroresonanse phenomena and its possibilities of occurrence in the operation of 6-220 kV electromagnetic transformer
Authors: Tychkin Andrew , Yablokov Andrew , Lebedev Vladimir , Rodin Nikita , Batmanov Maksim
Published: July 2021

Ferroresonance phenomena lead to damage to electromagnetic measuring voltage transformers and nearby equipment. Damping devices and antiresonance transformers, which are used for preventing the occurrence of ferroresonance phenomena, are effective in a certain area of influencing factors. The article presents methods for studying the possibility of occurrence of ferroresonance phenomena in the operation of 6-220 kV voltage transformers based on physical and mathematical modeling. The results of the tests according to the developed method are the area of the existence of a dangerous ferroresonance for the voltage transformer under test or the confirmation of its antiresonance properties in a certain range of influencing factors under study. The article also describes an experimental setup based on RTDS for conducting experimental studies. The developed methods were tested in the studies of one of the types of antiresonance transformers.
Increase the reliability of power supply by using mechanical energy storage devices for low-power consumers
Authors: Sadullaev Nasullo , Nematov Shukhrat , Gafurova Mukhiba
Published: July 2021

The article analyzes the possibilities of using wind energy in Uzbekistan and studies the possibility of using energy storage devices to build a reliable electricity supply in the regions. In areas with weak winds, a device that first stores wind energy and then generates alternating electricity has been proposed. Energy storage systems have been analyzed, and it is recommended to use mechanical energy storage systems in the energy system consisting of renewable energy sources in the Republic of Uzbekistan. It has been noted that the use of such devices is particularly effective in areas far from centralized power supply, where power supply is not available or where reliability is low. An experimental model of a mechanical energy storage device using an elastic cord braid in a storage system and some equations for its design are given. The possibility and necessity of using this storage system is highly valued in our country. Despite the low power of the original model of the device, it is possible to achieve high results in the future by conducting research in this area and changing the type and composition of the elastic cord. This article presents the results of preliminary research on the development of a new design of mechanical energy storage devices using mechanical elastic cord.
Theoretical Study on the Mechanisms of Catalytic Hydration of Diiodine Trioxide in Marine Regions
Authors: Liang Yan , Zhang Xiuhui , Xu Wenguo
Published: July 2021

Diiodine trioxide (I2O3) is one of the most common iodine oxides in the marine boundary layer (MBL). Both theoretical and experimental studies have confirmed that they can be quickly formed and are relatively stable under dry conditions. However, there is no report on the field observation of I2O3, which means that I2O3 is likely to be lost in the actual marine atmosphere. But the specific loss pathways and mechanisms are still unclear. Considering that the humidity in the marine regions is generally high and the loss of I2O3 will be affected by some substances in the marine atmosphere, water (H2O, W) and iodic acid (HIO3, IA) were selected as a catalyst to investigate the catalytic hydration mechanisms of I2O3 at DLPNOCCSD(T)//ωB97X-D/aug-cc-pVTZ + aug-cc-pVTZ -PP (for iodine) level of theory. The results show that hydration of I2O3 presents a high energy barrier, but IA can reduce it to 3.76 kcal/mol. Therefore, in the marine atmosphere, I2O3 can be hydrolyzed under the catalysis of IA, and cannot directly participate in the new particle formation process.
Study of the diffusion of metals and metals-EDTA complexes in water by capillary method
Authors: Geng Zilong , Chen Hui , Yang Chenyu , Shen Qiang , Wu Tao
Published: July 2021

EDTA can complex with radionuclides (RNs) to form negatively charged complexes, making it difficult for clay minerals to retard the diffusion of RNs waste. The diffusion coefficient of RNs in water (Dw) is an important parameter for the safety assessment of the repository. In this study, the effectsof EDTA on the diffusion of metal ions (Cu2+, Sm3+, Nd3+, Lu3+ and Zn2+) were investigated by a capillary method. The experimental results showed that [Cu-EDTA]2-, [Sm-EDTA]-and [La-EDTA]-have higher Dw thanthe Mn+. Whereas, [Nd-EDTA]-and [Zn-EDTA]2- have lower Dw than Nd3+ and Zn2+ cations. The Dw is consistent with the literatures, indicating the validity of the capillary method to determine the diffusion coefficients. According to Stokes-Einstein relation, the ionic radius and ionic potential of the ion are in disproportional to the Dw value. Cu-, Sm-and La-EDTA complexes have smaller molecular size than the uncomplexed metal ions, indicating that the Mn+ ions might be associated with many water molecules to form hydrated ions with larger ionic radius. Whereas the [Nd-EDTA]-and [Zn-EDTA]2- have larger molecular size than Nd3+ and Zn2+ cations.
Effect of Fineness on Mechanical Properties of Cementitious Material Made from Magnesia Slag
Authors: Cheng Dan , Ma Jianxun , Zhang Yilei , Chen Xuhui , Li Wenxiao
Published: July 2021

Magnesium slag is a kind of solid waste discharged by magnesium alloy related industries in the process of producing magnesium products or their alloys. Its composition is similar to Portland cement clinker, so it has great potential to be used as a new cementing material. In this paper, magnesium slag cementitious material specimens with different fineness were made by imitating the actual production environment. The flexural strength and compressive strength of specimens with different curing ages were tested, and the influence of fineness on them was analyzed. The results show that the fineness has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of pure magnesium slag cementitious materials. Its effect on the early strength is greater than that on the later strength. But the flexural strength and compressive strength will not always increase with the increase of fineness. There is a reasonable range of fineness.
Determination of Isoniazid by Fe(II)-2,2’-Bipyridine Spectrophotometry
Authors: Tu Changqing , Wen Xinrong
Published: July 2021

In acidic media, Fe(Ш) could be reduced to Fe(Ⅱ) by isoniazid, Fe(Ⅱ) reacts with 2,2'-bipyridine to form an orange complex with a maximum absorption wavelength of 522 nm. According to this principle, the content of isoniazid can be measured indirectly by measuring the amount of Fe(Ⅱ). A new method for the determination of isoniazid by Fe(Ⅱ)-2,2'-bipyridine spectrophotometry has been established. At the optimum conditions, the linear relationship is good between the mass concentration of isoniazid and absorbance of Fe(Ⅱ)-2,2'-bipyridine complex in the range of 0.0004000-0.002800 mg/mL. The linear regression equation is A=0.0251+138.04C(mg/mL), and the linear correlation coefficient is 0.9995. This method is used to determine the content of isoniazid in isoniazid tablets, and the results are similar to those obtained by pharmacopoeia method.
Experimental Study on the Catalytic Reduction of NOX by Fe and Ce During the Coke Combustion Process
Authors: Wang Qi , Yang Song , Liu Shoujun , Chen Lili , Jiao Tingting , Shangguan Ju
Published: July 2021

NOX emissions during the combustion of coal would cause serious pollution to the atmosphere. It is particularly important to reduce NOX pollution during the combustion process by replacing loose coal with clean coke. The use of clean coke for civil is one of the main ways to reduce NOX emissions, which is mainly formed by the mixed dry distillation of metal additives and coal. The coke samples with different proportions of metal additives were prepared by physical mixing method, and the NOX emission law of clean coke at different temperatures was studied in a high-temperature tube furnace reactor. The results show that the addition of Fe alone has a significant effect on the control of NOX emissions, and the co-doping with Ce can further promote the reduction of NOX, so as to achieve the final low emission of NOX. While the reaction temperature is 1000 ℃ and the addition ratio is 2:1, the NOX reduction rate is 73%. It has important practical value and scientific significance for the clean utilization of coal and the treatment of NOX in the atmosphere.
The optimization of standard test method for chemical composition of ceramic materials by spectrophotometry
Authors: Cai Jinzhang
Published: July 2021

Chemical composition of ceramic materials is one of the key properties and its determination is complex and time-consuming. The melting of silicon dioxide is the most important and difficult step for its determination. This paper is about optimizing the pretreatment method from the test standard, QB/T 2578-2002 . It is not convenient to use mixed flux (lithium hydroxide and boric acid) for melting ceramic materials. We replaced it by lithium metaborate and inspected the influence. After optimization, ceramic materials can be melted more completely. The test steps don’t change much except CaOandthe test result is the same as before.
A New Method for Estimating Elastic Parameters of Clay Rock Host Rock in Geological Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste in China
Authors: Rao Geng Wei , Liu Xiao Dong , Liang Hai An , Liu Ping Hui
Published: July 2021

Taking the clay rock from the Tamusu pre-selected area of China’s high-level radioactive waste geological repository as the research background. Using the methods of triaxial compression testing, X-ray diffraction and microscopic analysis, the main mineral composition, structure and mechanical properties of clay rock under different confining pressures were systematically obtained. Combined with the classical elastic parameter estimation methods at home and abroad, the elastic modulus of the clay rock in the Tamusu pre-selected area is estimated. It finds that the classical elastic parameter estimation method has a large error with the actual test value when calculating the elastic modulus of Tamusu clay rock. The maximum error can reach 788%, and the error decreases with the increase of confining pressure, however, the minimum error is still also 46%. In order to establish the deformation evaluation index suitable for the clay rock in the Tamusu pre-selected area of high-level radioactive waste, considering the influence of the mineral properties and structure of the clay rock on the macro-mechanics properties, a new method for estimating the elastic parameters of the clay rock was established. Compared with the classic elastic parameter estimation method, the maximum error is reduced to 33% and the minimum error is only 2%. Therefore, we suggest that the new elastic parameter estimation method proposed here may be used to evaluate and predict the elastic modulus parameters of the clay rock in the Tamusu pre-selected area for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste in China.
Numerical Analysis of Wave Characteristic In the Freak Wave-- “New Year Wave” Formation
Authors: Xiang-jun Yu , Qing-hong Li , Mao-lin Li
Published: July 2021

Freak waves are both extremely large waves and highly transient time. Such a wave may lead to damage of ships to deaths. In this paper, to describe the connection between freak wave and wave essential factor, we use WAVEWATCH III model simulating “New Year Wave” in the North Sea to explore freak wave, with the importing of ECMWF re-analysis wind field. By this way, we successfully simulate the formation of freak wave in the random wave. Analysis shows large wave steepness and small directional spread angle are necessary conditions for freak waves to easily occur. By analyzing the wave spectrum, it is found that the wave energy is distributed in a small range, and the propagation direction is relatively concentrated.
Study on the impact of calculation radius on IDW gravity modelling
Authors: Meng Yangtao , Yu Ruihang , Cao Juliang , Cai Shaokun , Pan Guowei
Published: July 2021

Gravity modelling is a necessary process of applying gravity data to practice, and a vital research area in resource exploring and geodesy. Inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation is a widely used algorithm in gravity modelling and many other griding procedures. Based on the gravity anomaly data acquired from the airborne gravimetry over a region in the Northwest of China, IDW method is analysed and implemented with varying calculation radius in gravity modelling. The results show that over the study area, with a proper calculation radius, the IDW can give a more precise prediction than quadric surfaces fitting (QSF) method. The distances between sampled points and unsampled points are the only information taken into consideration in the IDW interpolation, so the analysis of the influence by changing the calculation radius of the unsampled points in this test provides a new research direction of error eliminating when using IDW.
Study on the Spatial Distribution of Gansu Longshen Cult in Qing Dynasty Based on ArcGIS
Authors: keze Zhang
Published: July 2021

Influenced by the limitations of the times, the agricultural belief and sacrificial system are developed and widely used in the traditional society of China, and the Longshen cult is a typical one. Taking the Gansu Longshen cult in Qing Dynasty as a case, this paper considered that the Longshen temple throughout Gansu are mainly the result of the correspondence between the rain function of Longshen and the characteristics of climate drought. Based on the statistics of the number of Longshen temple, the spatial distribution map of Gansu Longshen cult in Qing Dynasty was drawn by ArcGIS software.
Effect of cadmium and arsenic contamination on element content and effectiveness in rhizosphere soils of different forages
Authors: Jiang Na , Yang Jingmin , Huang Zhihong , Li Yuan , Zu Yanqun
Published: July 2021

To explore the effects of Cd and As composite contaminated soils on the element contents and effectiveness in rhizosphere soils of different forages, the root morphology, rhizosphere soil elements and their availability of 21 forages were studied and analyzed. The results showed: The 21 cultivars showed significant differences in root morphological characteristics. Root length is an index of root morphology that has the highest correlation with other elements and availability. And the correlation between the availability of each element and root morphology was higher than that of element content. Among them, Fe availability was significantly correlated with root morphological characteristics (P<0.05). The contents of different elements and availability varied greatly among the different cultivars. Among the six rhizosphere soil elements, the difference of toxic metal Cd was the largest, while the difference of Al availability was the largest. According to the correlation analysis between the elements and availability of each cultivar, the interaction of the availability of each element is higher than that of the soil element under the composite contaminated of Cd and As. Toxic metals Cd and As affected each other, and there was a very significant positive correlation between the content and availability. Fe, Mn and P had higher correlation with Cd and As.
Reliability of the Slovak Legislative Categorization in Comparison with the Selected Prediction Models - Application in Companies from the Creative Industry – Architecture in Slovakia
Authors: Uhliar Miroslav , Kovalev Andrej
Published: July 2021

One of the important changes in the world economies is the increasing significance of the human capital and high emphasis on the Creative Industry. Many companies have been founded within this sector, and like the classic industrial companies, these also need to use models to analyze their financial health and predict their future development. Thus, the Authors decided to verify whether the categorization of the financial situation of the companies based on the Slovak legislative corelate with renowned models like the Altman Z-Score, the IN05 and Creditworthiness Indexes, the Quick Test and the Taffler model. Within the Creative Industry, the Authors targeted the sector of Slovak Architecture and focused on the legislative categorization based on the Acts No. 513/1991 Coll. and 7/2005 of the Commercial Code, as amended. According to the statistical testing results, it was the Quick Test which showed the highest rate of correlation to the legislative Acts. However, the current design of the Quick Test is not sufficient enough to assess the companies in architecture which, based on their results, fall into the so-called grey zone. Therefore, the Authors declare that it might be necessary to form a new predictive model for the assessment of a company’s financial health for the Creative Industry.
Verbessern das Patientenschulungsprogramm und Folgetelefonate der Pflegekräfte die Behandlungsadhärenz bei Hämodialysepatienten?
Authors: Haag Stefanie
Published: July 2021

Für eine erfolgreiche Hämodialyse sowie eine Minimierung der Begleiterkrankungen und zur Vermeidung von Krankenhausaufenthalten ist eine hohe Therapieadhärenz nötig. Durch eine eingeschränkte Gesundheitskompetenz haben die Patienten wenig Kontrolle über ihre chronische Erkrankung. Das Ziel der aktuellen Studie war, die Effekte eines Patientenschulungsprogramms und der Folgetelefonate durch die Pflegekräfte auf die Therapieadhärenz von Hämodialysepatienten zu ermitteln bzw. diese zu steigern.
Hemostasis and Fibrinolysis following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review on Additional Knowledge from Dynamic Assays and Potential Treatment Targets
Authors: Hvas Christine Lodberg , Hvas Anne-Mette
Published: July 2021

Mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is augmented by rebleeding and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). A range of assays evaluating the dynamic process of blood coagulation, from activation of clotting factors to fibrinolysis, has emerged and a comprehensive review of hemostasis and fibrinolysis following aSAH may reveal targets of treatment. We conducted a systematic review of existing literature assessing coagulation and fibrinolysis following aSAH, but prior to treatment. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched on November 18, 2020, without time boundaries. In total, 45 original studies were eventually incorporated into this systematic review, divided into studies presenting data only from conventional or quantitative assays (n = 22) and studies employing dynamic assays (n = 23). Data from conventional or quantitative assays indicated increased platelet activation, whereas dynamic assays detected platelet dysfunction possibly related to an increased risk of rebleeding. Secondary hemostasis was activated in conventional, quantitative, and dynamic assays and this was related to poor neurological outcome and mortality. Studies systematically investigating fibrinolysis were sparse. Measurements from conventional or quantitative assays, as well as dynamic fibrinolysis assays, revealed conflicting results with normal or increased lysis and changes were not associated with outcome. In conclusion, dynamic assays were able to detect reduced platelet function, not revealed by conventional or quantitative assays. Activation of secondary hemostasis was found in both dynamic and nondynamic assays, while changes in fibrinolysis were not convincingly demonstrable in either dynamic or conventional or quantitative assays. Hence, from a mechanistic point of view, desmopressin to prevent rebleeding and heparin to prevent DCI may hold potential as therapeutic options. As changes in fibrinolysis were not convincingly demonstrated and not related to outcome, the use of tranexamic acid prior to aneurysm closure is not supported by this review.
Do temperature and water depth influence microcrustacean hatching responses from floodplain wetland sediments?
Authors: Chaki Nipa , Reid Michael , Nielsen Daryl L.
Published: July 2021

Microcrustacea in ephemeral wetlands produce dormant eggs to escape prolonged dry conditions. These eggs can hatch on inundation, although in most cases not all eggs hatch during a single wetting event. Incomplete hatching can reflect bet-hedging strategies, but also the presence or absence of environmental cues that stimulate hatching. This study examines the effects of environmental cues likely to change for wetlands in the future, namely, temperature and water depth. Surface sediments collected from dry anabranches of the Macintyre River floodplain (eastern Australia) were inundated under two temperature regimes (warm and cool) in microcosms of two depths (shallow and deep). Hatched microcrustacea were sampled for 6 weeks. The abundance and assemblage composition of microcrustacea varied by temperature but not by depth. Although the total abundance was greater under warm conditions, the effect of temperature diminished over time. Temperature also had a greater effect on non-ostracods, with 144% more non-ostracods being hatched under warm than under cool conditions. Thus, changes to temperature during inundation periods arising from global climate change or river regulation are likely to influence the abundance and composition of microcrustacean assemblages, especially among non-ostracods, which will influence food availability for larval and juvenile native fish and, hence, recruitment.
Sensitivity of movement features to fatigue during an exhaustive treadmill run
Authors: Chalitsios Christos , Nikodelis Thomas , Konstantakos Vasileios , Kollias Iraklis
Published: July 2021

The objective of the present study was to examine the sensitivity of several movement variables during running to exhaustion adopting a cross‐sectional design. Thirteen recreational runners, that systematically trained and competed, performed an exhaustive running protocol on an instrumented treadmill. Respiratory data were collected to establish the ventilatory threshold in order to obtain a reference point regarding the gradual accumulation of fatigue. A machine learning approach was adopted to analyse a set of 29,650 data points (individual steps) of kinetic and kinematic data, using a random forest classifier for the region pre and post the ventilatory threshold. The overall accuracy of the model was 0.914 (95% CI: 0.907–0.919). The four most important variables, and more sensitive in predictive ability, as it was concluded from the variable importance procedure and the partial dependence (PD), were the angular range in AP axis of upper trunk C7, the maximum loading rate, the angular range in LT axis of the C7 and the maximum value of the ground reaction force. Two‐dimensional PD revealed considerable interactions for certain areas of the joint distributions between kinetic and kinematic data. These results provide a direction towards understanding the interconnections of kinetics and kinematics of the torso to maintain the coordinated running pattern under fatigue conditions.

Highlights

Trunk frontal plane kinematics is the most sensitive parameter to fatigue. Practitioners should consider this finding during endurance training.

Kinetics exhibit a stable linear increase in mean values but a non‐linear increase in variance during an exhaustive incremental treadmill run. This may affect training at a submaximal fatigued state.

Specific areas in the joint distributions of kinetics and kinematics during treadmill running exhibit increased sensitivity in predicting fatigue state.
The road to the Second Karabakh War: the role of ethno-centric narratives in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Authors: Gamaghelyan Philip , Rumyantsev Sergey
Published: July 2021

On September 27, 2020, the three-decades-long Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted into war. During 44 days of organized violence that claimed thousands of lives, the political leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan along with public intellectuals, journalists, artists and ordinary citizens, continually and publicly expressed pro-war sentiments and confidence in their victory. This article examines the strategies of Azerbaijani and Armenian political and intellectual elites and the formation of myths and conflict narratives that steadily led the two societies towards the Second Karabakh War. It further examines the post-war discursive developments that are working to set Armenia and Azerbaijan on the path to a new round of destructive confrontation.
Management Decisions in Crohn’s Disease Are Changed by Knowledge of Proactive and Reactive Testing of Antitumor Necrosis Factor Drug Levels
Authors: Wu Yang , Wen Amy , Selvanderan Shane P , Xuan Wei , Andrews Jane M , Koo Jenn H , Williams Astrid-Jane , Ng Watson , Connor Susan
Published: July 2021

Background

There is controversy about the proactive clinical application of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of biologic drugs in Crohn’s disease (CD). One way to practically assess this is to examine how TDM influences management decisions. We examined how knowledge of proactive and reactive antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drug levels changes management in a variety of clinical scenarios.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, all adults with CD having trough level infliximab or adalimumab measurements at Liverpool Hospital between June 2013 and July 2016 were included. Demographics, indications for testing, anti-TNF drug levels, and treatment details were collected along with subsequent management decisions. The decision made by the treating clinician after receiving the drug level was compared to a consensus decision from a panel of 3 gastroenterologists based on the clinical, laboratory, imaging, and/or endoscopic results without the drug level. When these 2 decisions were discrepant, the anti-TNF drug level was deemed to have changed management.

Results

One hundred and eighty-seven trough levels of infliximab or adalimumab from 108 patients were analyzed. Overall, assessment of anti-TNF levels affected management in 46.9% of the instances. Knowledge of the drug level was also more likely to result in management change when the test was performed for reactive TDM compared to proactive TDM (63% vs 36%, P = .001).

Conclusions

The addition of TDM of anti-TNF agents to routine investigations alters management decisions in adult CD patients on anti-TNF therapy in both proactive and reactive settings.
Cyclic GMP modulating drugs in cardiovascular diseases: mechanism-based network pharmacology
Authors: Petraina Alexandra , Nogales Cristian , Krahn Thomas , Mucke Hermann , Lüscher Thomas F , Fischmeister Rodolphe , Kass David A , Burnett John C , Hobbs Adrian J , Schmidt Harald H H W
Published: July 2021

Mechanism-based therapy centred on the molecular understanding of disease-causing pathways in a given patient is still the exception rather than the rule in medicine, even in cardiology. However, recent successful drug developments centred around the second messenger cyclic guanosine-3′-5′-monophosphate (cGMP), which is regulating a number of cardiovascular disease modulating pathways, are about to provide novel targets for such a personalized cardiovascular therapy. Whether cGMP breakdown is inhibited or cGMP synthesis is stimulated via guanylyl cyclases or their upstream regulators in different cardiovascular disease phenotypes, the outcomes seem to be so far uniformly protective. Thus, a network of cGMP-modulating drugs has evolved that act in a mechanism-based, possibly causal manner in a number of cardiac conditions. What remains a challenge is the detection of cGMPopathy endotypes amongst cardiovascular disease phenotypes. Here, we review the growing clinical relevance of cGMP and provide a glimpse into the future on how drugs interfering with this pathway may change how we treat and diagnose cardiovascular diseases altogether.