bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low Inter-rater Reliability of a High Stakes Assessment of Teacher Candidates
Authors: Lyness Scott , Peterson Kent , Yates Kenneth
Published: August 2021

The Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT) is a high stakes summative assessment that was designed to measure pre-service teacher readiness. We examined the inter-rater reliability (IRR) of trained PACT evaluators who rated 19 candidates. As measured by Cohen’s weighted kappa, the overall IRR estimate was .17 (poor strength of agreement). IRR estimates ranged from -.29 (worse than expected by chance) to .54 (moderate strength of agreement); all were below the standard of .70 for consensus agreement. Follow up interviews of 10 evaluators revealed possible reasons we observed low IRR, such as departures from established PACT scoring protocol, and lack of, or inconsistent, use of a scoring aid document. Evaluators reported difficulties scoring the materials that candidates submitted, particularly the use of Academic Language. Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) is suggested as a method to improve IRR in the PACT and other teacher performance assessments such as the edTPA.
Smart Power Management in OIC Countries: A Critical Overview using SWOT-AHP and Hybrid MCDM Analysis
Authors: Kabir K. Habibul , Aurko Shafquat Yasar , Rahman Md. Saifur
Published: August 2021

A conventional electrical grid mostly depends on the electrical power generated from fossil fuels. However, the pollutants from fossil fuels are the key factors for adverse climate change. Most of the developed countries of the world have already recognized the fact that the energy mix requires to be diversified by incorporating renewable energy. This is especially relevant for many of the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), consisting of 57 countries, whose abundance of fossil fuel reserve indicates that much of their electric power is still generated from fossil fuels. In order to integrate renewable energy sources into the hybrid energy mix, an existing conventional grid needs to undergo drastic changes. Alongside this, the population boom in the OIC member countries has caused higher demand for a steady supply of electricity that the conventional grids have long been struggling to cope with. With a view to solving this multifaceted problem, incorporation of the smart power management schemes is indispensable using a smart electrical grid, where information and communications technology is integrated into its major building blocks. This allows advanced applications of a grid, such as the formation of micro-grids, demand-side management, energy storage, high-tech power electronic converters, etc. As the smart grids are being adopted by many developed countries, it is high time for the OIC member countries to pay due attention to this development, if they have not already done so. This paper explains, with special focus on the OIC member countries, the various smart power management technologies, their operations and applications, and the benefits and challenges. Then it goes on to carry out the Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat with Analytical-Heuristic-Procedure (SWOT-AHP) analysis to evaluate its feasibility of incorporation and the underlying strategies appropriate for its implementation. Furthermore, a Hybrid Multi-Criteria-Decision-Making (MCDM) analysis is performed to evaluate the sequence of the emphasis that should be given on each of the technologies from those available for the smart power management initiative. Finally, the study reinforces the stance by drawing parallels from the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and highlights the importance of the smart grid in line with the global vision of SDG. This paper aims at assisting the decision-makers in implementing smart power management schemes in the OIC member countries, in particular, and other countries of the world, in general.
Influence of Speed, Ground Surface and Shoeing Condition on Hoof Breakover Duration in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses
Authors: Horan Kate , Coburn James , Kourdache Kieran , Day Peter , Harborne Dan , Brinkley Liam , Carnall Henry , Hammond Lucy , Peterson Michael , Millard Sean , Pfau Thilo
Published: August 2021

Understanding the effect of horseshoe-surface combinations on hoof kinematics at gallop is relevant for optimising performance and minimising injury in racehorse-jockey dyads. This intervention study assessed hoof breakover duration in Thoroughbred ex-racehorses from the British Racing School galloping on turf and artificial tracks in four shoeing conditions: barefoot, aluminium-rubber composite (GluShu), aluminium and steel. Shoe-surface combinations were tested in a randomized order and horse-rider pairings (n=14) remained constant. High-speed video cameras (Sony DSC-RX100M5) filmed the hoof-ground interactions at 1000 frames per second. The time taken for a hoof marker wand fixed to the lateral hoof wall to rotate through an angle of 90 degrees during 384 breakover events was quantified using Tracker software. Data were collected for leading and non-leading front and hind limbs, at gallop speeds ranging from 23–56 km h-1. Linear mixed-models assessed whether speed, surface, shoeing condition or any interaction between these parameters (fixed factors) significantly affected breakover duration. Day and horse-rider pair were included as random factors and speed was included as a covariate. The significance threshold was set at p<0.05. For all limbs, breakover times decreased as gallop speed increased (p<0.0005), although a greater relative reduction in breakover duration for hindlimbs was apparent beyond approximately 45 km h-1. Breakover duration was longer on turf compared to the artificial surface (p≤0.04). In the non-leading hindlimb only, breakover duration was affected by shoeing condition (p=0.025) and an interaction between shoeing condition and speed (p=0.023). Future work seeks to relate these results to hoof accelerometer data.
Underwater Communication Using UAV to Realize High-speed AUV Deployment
Authors: Yokota Yusuke , Matsuda Takumi
Published: August 2021

To monitor the detail information in the sea and on the seafloor, sensors are generally installed on Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). AUV cannot accurately grasp the absolute position and needs to communicate with the sea-surface vehicle. However, the sea-surface vehicle cannot perform observation operations at high speed and with high efficiency due to low mobility and high human and financial costs. From this perspective, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has possibilities as the next-generation platform. In this study, we conducted a demonstration experiment to use UAV as a sea-surface base for AUV’s underwater communication. We additionally verified the capability of UAV, which can land on and separate from the sea surface, as a drifting buoy to monitor underwater data. Experiment results and obtained data suggest that UAV is suitable for a research operation near the coastal region in terms of position keeping ability, performance against sway, and operation speed as a communication base. To carry out more complicated work (transportation of AUV, etc.) with UAV, new research and development such as weight reduction of AUV will be required.
Feline Calicivirus Virulent Systemic Disease: Clinical Epidemiology, Analysis of Viral Isolates and in vitro Efficacy of Novel Antivirals in Australian Outbreaks
Authors: Bordicchia Matteo , Fumian Tulio Machado , Van Brussel Kate , Russo Alice G. , Carrai Maura , Le Shi-jia , Pesavento Patricia A. , Holmes Edward C. , Martella Vito , White Peter , Beatty Julia A. , Shi Mang , Barrs Vanessa R.
Published: August 2021

Feline calicivirus (FCV) causes upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) and sporadic outbreaks of virulent systemic disease (FCV-VSD). The basis for the increased pathogenicity of FCV-VSD viruses is incompletely understood, and antivirals for FCV have yet to be developed. We investigated the clinicoepidemiology and viral features of three FCV-VSD outbreaks in Australia and evaluated the in vitro efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ), 2’-C-methylcytidine (2CMC) and NITD-008 against FCV-VSD viruses. Overall mortality among 23 cases of FCV-VSD was 39%. Metagenomic sequencing identified five genetically distinct FCV lineages within the three outbreaks, all seemingly evolving in situ in Australia. Notably, no mutations that clearly distinguished FCV-URTD from FCV-VSD phenotypes were identified. One FCV-URTD strain likely originated from a recombination event. Analysis of seven amino acid residues from the hypervariable E region of the capsid in the cultured viruses provided no support for the contention that properties of these residues can reliably differentiate between the two pathotypes. On plaque reduction assays, dose-response inhibition of FCV-VSD was obtained with all antivirals at low micromolar concentrations; NTZ EC50, 0.4-0.6 µM, TI 21; 2CMC EC50, 2.7-5.3 µM, TI >18; NITD-008, 0.5 to 0.9 µM, TI >111. Investigation of these antivirals for treatment of FCV-VSD is warranted.
The Effect of Silica Dissolution on Reservoir Properties during Alkaline-Surfactant-Polymer (ASP) Flooding
Authors: Fatah Ahmed
Published: August 2021

Chemical flooding is one of the effective methods to recover large volumes of oil from sandstone formations after primary depletion. However, silica dissolution often occurs during Alkaline-Surfactant-Polymer (ASP) flooding, affecting the petro-physical properties of the formation. To address this issue, samples from Berea sandstone formations were treated with various brine solutions, through static tube tests and core flooding experiments. Analytical tests such as DR/2800 spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscope were used to evaluate the silica solubility and the alteration in mineral content. The results indicated that the silicate contents decreased after the saturation due to silica solubility in the solution. Increasing brine salinity to 40,000ppm and introducing Magnesium and Calcium ions to the solution, reduces the silicate contents by 5.03 % and 7.32 %. Moreover, saturating the samples with ASP solution, further reduced the silicate contents by 14.86 %. This reduction is associated with a relative increase in silica solubility and pH of the solution. Silica dissolution affects the pore microstructure, which resulted in increasing the porosity and pore volume after the core flooding. The injection of the ASP solution increased the porosity by 5.83%, thus the pore volume increased from 17.72 to 18.76cc. This is associated with the high silica solubility and the increase of solution pH in the ASP solution. The permeability of the samples generally reduced after the core flooding, due to the silica solubility. However, injecting the ASP solution, resulted in a major reduction of the permeability by more than 75%. These changes in the petro-physical properties can lead to severe formation damage, and affect hydrocarbon production. This study assists in understanding the impact of silica dissolution during ASP treatment and addresses the factors involved. Efficient utilization of chemical flooding can help mitigating silicate scaling within the formation, and extend field productivity.
Virulence factors of Enteric Pathogenic Escherichia coli: A Review
Authors: Pakbin Babak , Bruck Wolfram Manuel , Rossen John W. A.
Published: August 2021

Abstract: Escherichia coli are remarkably versatile microorganisms and important members of the normal intestinal microbiota of humans and animals. This harmless commensal organism can acquire a mixture of comprehensive mobile genetic elements that contain genes encoding viru-lence factors, becoming an emerging human pathogen capable of causing a broad spectrum of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Nine definite enteric E. coli pathotypes have been well characterized, causing diseases ranging from various gastrointestinal disorders to urinary tract infections. These pathotypes employ many virulence factors and effectors subverting the func-tions of host cells to mediate its virulence and pathogenesis. This review summarizes new de-velopments in our understanding of diverse virulence factors associated encoding genes used by different pathotypes of enteric pathogenic E. coli to cause intestinal and extraintestinal diseases in humans.
Potential Nociceptive Role of the Thoracolumbar Fascia: A Scope Review Involving in Vivo and Ex Vivo Studies
Authors: Sinhorim Larissa , Amorim Mayane dos Santos , Ortiz Maria Eugênia , Bittencourt Edsel Balduino , Bianco Gianluca , da Silva Fabiana Cristina , Horewicz Verônica Vargas , Schleip Robert , Reed William R. , Mazzardo-Martins Leidiane , Martins Daniel F.
Published: August 2021

Nociceptive innervation of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) has been investigated over decades, however these studies have not been compiled or collectively appraised. The purpose of this scoping review was to assess current knowledge regarding nociceptive innervation of the TLF to better inform future mechanistic and clinical TLF research targeting low back pain (LBP) treatment. PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane and Embase databases were searched in January 2021 using relevant descriptors encompassing fascia and pain. Eligible studies were: (a) published in English; (b) preclinical and clinical (in vivo and ex vivo) studies; (c) original data; (d) included quantification of at least one TLF nociceptive component. Two-phase screening procedures were conducted by a pair of independent reviewers, data were extracted and summarized from eligible studies. The search resulted in 257 articles of which 10 met inclusion criteria. Studies showed histological evidence of nociceptive nerve fibers terminating in low back fascia, suggesting a TLF contribution to LBP. Noxious chemical injection or electrical stimulation into fascia resulted in longer pain duration and higher pain intensities than injections into subcutaneous tissue or muscle. Pre-clinical and clinical research provides histological and functional evidence of nociceptive innervation of TLF. Greater knowledge of fascial neurological components could impact LBP treatment.
Review of Materials and Fabrication Methods for Flexible Nano and Micro-Scale Physical Property Sensors
Authors: Nyabadza Anesu , Vázquez Mercedes , Coyle Shirley , Fitzpatrick Brian , Brabazon Dermot
Published: August 2021

The use of flexible sensors has tripled over the last decade due to the increased demand in various fields including health monitoring, food packaging, electronic skins and soft robotics. Flexible sensors have the ability to be bent and stretched during use and can still maintain their electrical and mechanical properties. This gives them an advantage over rigid sensors that lose their sensitivity when subject to bending. Advancements in 3D printing have enabled the development of tailored flexible sensors. Various additive manufacturing methods are being used to develop these sensors including inkjet printing, aerosol jet printing, fused deposition modelling, direct ink writing, selective laser melting and others. Hydrogels have gained much attention in the literature due to their self-healing and shape transforming. Self-healing enables the sensor to recover from damages such as cracks and cuts incurred during use and this enables the sensor to have a longer operating life and stability. Various polymers are used as substrates on which the sensing conductive material is placed. Polymers including polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), and Kapton are extensively used in flexible sensors. The most widely used nanomaterials in flexible sensors are carbon and silver, however, other nanomaterials such as iron, copper, manganese dioxide and gold are also used to provide controlled levels of conductivity or other functional properties.
Entomotoxic Activity of the Extracts from the Fungus, Alternaria tenuissima and Its Major Metabolite, Tenuazonic Acid
Authors: Salimova Dilara , Dalinova Anna , Dubovik Vsevolod , Sendersky Igor , Stepanycheva Elena , Tomilova Oksana G. , Hu Qiongbo , Berestetskiy Alexander
Published: August 2021

Study of fungal antibiotics in their competitive interactions with arthropods may lead to development novel biorational insecticides. Extracts of Alternaria tenuissima MFP253011 obtained by various methods showed a wide range of biological activity, including entomotoxic properties. Analysis of their composition and bioactivity allowed to reveal several known mycotoxins and unidentified compounds that may be involved in entomotoxic activity of the extracts. Among them, tenuazonic acid (TeA), which was the major component of the A. tenuissima extracts, was found the most likely to have larvicidal activity against Galleria mellonella. In the intrahaemocoel injection bioassay, TeA was toxic to G. mellonella and of Zophobas morio with LT50 6 and 2 days, respectively, at the level of 50 µg/larva. Administered orally, TeA inhibited growth of G. mellonella larvae and caused mortality of Acheta domesticus imagines (LT50 7 days) at a concentration of 250 µg/g of feed. TeA showed weak contact-intestinal activity against the two phytophages, Tetranychus urticae and Schizaphis graminum, causing the 12 and 40% of mortality at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. TeA was cytotoxic to Sf9 cell line (IC50 25 µg/mL). Thus, model insect G. mellonella and cell line Sf9 could be used for a further toxicological characterization of TeA.
Progressive Fatigue Failure Analysis of a Filament Wound Ring Specimen with a Hole
Authors: Hugaas Eivind , Vedvik Nils Petter , Echtermeyer Andreas T.
Published: August 2021

A progressive FEA fatigue degradation model for composites was developed and implemented using a UMAT user material subroutine in Abaqus. Numerical results were compared to experimental strain field data from high frequency Digital Image Correlation (DIC) of split disk fatigue testing of pressure vessel cut outs with holes. The model correctly predicted the onset and evolution of damage in the matrix as well as the onset of fiber failure. The model use progressive failure analysis based on the maximum strain failure criterion, the cycle jump method and Miner sum damage accumulation rule. A parameter study on matrix properties was needed to capture the scatter in strain fields observed experimentally by DIC. S-N curve for the matrix material had to be lowered by 0% to 60% to capture the experimental scatter. The onset of local fiber failure had to be described by local S-N curves measured by DIC having 2.5 times greater strain than that of S-N curves found from standard coupon testing.
Planejamento urbano e adaptação climática: entre possibilidades e desafios em duas grandes cidades brasileiras
Authors: Leonardo Pontes Teixeira Rylanneive , Souza Pessoa Zoraide
Published: August 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar como as cidades de Natal e Curitiba têm incorporado a questão climática, com enfoque especial para a adaptação, em suas agendas urbanas, compreendendo como o planejamento urbano pode contribuir para a inserção da capacidade adaptativa climática local. Para isso, a metodologia apresenta uma abordagem de natureza qualitativa, utilizando as pesquisas bibliográfica, documental e de campo, com aplicação de entrevistas semiestruturadas, para o alcance dos resultados. Os dados coletados são analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo. A partir dos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a incorporação da questão climática, sobretudo da adaptação, no planejamento e na gestão de Natal e de Curitiba ainda se apresenta como um grande e complexo desafio.
Identifikasi Miskonsepsi Terhadap Konsep Larutan Penyangga Dengan Menggunakan Instrumen Tes Diagnostic Four-Tier Multiple Choice
Authors: Afifah Intan Muthiah , Irwandi Dedi , Murniati Dewi
Published: August 2021

Miskonsepsi siswa merupakan salah satu perhatian penting dalam penelitian pendidikan karena bersifat mengganggu siswa untuk memahami konsep ilmiah dalam pembelajaran. Miskonsepsi sering terjadi pada pembelajaran Kimia, salah satunya pada konsep Larutan Penyangga. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi miskonsepsi siswa pada konsep Larutan Penyangga menggunakan instrumen tes four-tier multiple-choice (4TMC) di SMA Negeri Se-Tangerang Selatan. Metode penelitian yang dilakukan adalah deskriptif kuantitatif. Waktu penelitian dilaksanakan pada 07 Agustus sampai dengan 05 September 2019. Subjek penelitian ini adalah kelas XII MIPA SMA Negeri Se-Tangerang Selatan tahun ajaran 2019/2020 dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 134 siswa yang diambil dari empat kelas menggunakan teknik Cluster Random Sampling. Data penelitian diperoleh dari jawaban siswa pada soal tes 4TMC. Data tersebut diolah berdasarkan pola jawaban siswa yang kemudian dikelompokkan ke dalam kategori pemahaman siswa yaitu miskonsepsi, kurang paham konsep, kesalahan, dan paham konsep. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terjadi miskonsepsi sebesar (48,51%), dan miskonsepsi signifikan yang teridentifikasi pada 2 dari 5 subkonsep Larutan Penyangga yang diteliti yaitu subkonsep Perhitungan Larutan Penyangga (14,92%) dan Peran Larutan Penyangga dalam Tubuh Makhluk Hidup (15,67%). Hasil penelitian identifikasi miskonsepsi siswa ini diharapkan dapat mengidentifikasi miskonsepsi yang terjadi pada siswa untuk dapat ditangani lebih cepat agar tidak menghambat siswa dalam pembelajaran.

Kata kunci: Miskonsepsi, Larutan Penyangga, Four-Tier Multiple-Choice Test
Bilateral Knee Arthroplasty Infections in the Setting of Infected Spinal Hardware
Authors: Sciulli Anthony
Published: August 2021

Joint arthroplasty remains one of the most common elective surgeries in the United States. Orthopaedic hardware can contribute either as the primary source or as a secondary seeding site in hematogenously spread infections. Arthroplasty status should remain a focal point of history taking in both surgical and medical settings. This case details a 76-year-old woman who experienced bilateral knee arthroplasty infections after presenting with both a lumbar epidural abscess and vertebral osteomyelitis secondary to infected lumbar hardware.
Remote Assessment of Swamp and Bottomland Hardwood Habitat Condition in the Maurepas Diversion Project Area
Authors: Suir Glenn , Saltus Christina , Jackson Sam
Published: August 2021

This study used high spatial resolution satellite imagery to identify and map Bottomland Hardwood (BLH) BLH and swamp within the Maurepas Diversion Project area and use Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) elevation data, vegetation indices, and established stand-level thresholds to evaluate the condition of forested habitat. The Forest Condition methods and data developed as part of this study provide a remote sensing-based supplement to the field-based methods used in previous studies. Furthermore, several advantages are realized over traditional methods including higher resolution products, repeatability, improved coverage, and reduced effort and cost. This study advances previous methods and provides products useful for informing ecosystem decision making related to environmental assessments.
Lithofacies, Succession, and Their Genetic Interpretation of Lacustrine Gravel Beach-Bars
Authors: Peng Biao , Liu Siqi , Wang Huanyuan , Wei Yulu , Zhang Lulu , Ye Shenglan , Li Jianfeng
Published: August 2021

Based on the elaborate dissection of profile sections parallel and vertical with the shoreline and the forming beach-bars, the unique sedimentary succession of gravel beach-bars, “ABC” sequence, has been found, and their lithofacies and origin have been explained. The A interval is composed of poorly sorted sand and gravel, formed in the wave asymmetric zone. The B interval is composed of well-sorted gravel, formed in the breaker zone. The C interval is composed of normally graded sand, formed in the surfing zone. In the actual gravel beach-bars, three intervals are often presented in a variety of combinations, such as “ABCABC,” “BCBCBC,” “ABABAB,” and others. These findings provide an important basis for the identification and distribution prediction of beach-bar reservoirs in the ancient continental lake basins.
Geomechanical and Fracture Network Interpretation of a Devonian Outcrop
Authors: McKean S. , Poirier S. , Galvis-Portilla H. , Venieri M. , Priest J. A. , Dettmer J. , Pedersen P. , Eaton D.
Published: August 2021

The Duvernay Formation is an unconventional reservoir characterized by induced seismicity and fluid migration, with natural fractures likely contributing to both cases. An alpine outcrop of the Perdrix and Flume formations, correlative with the subsurface Duvernay and Waterways formations, was investigated to characterize natural fracture networks. A semiautomated image-segmentation and fracture analysis was applied to orthomosaics generated from a photogrammetric survey to assess small- and large-scale fracture intensity and rock mass heterogeneity. The study also included manual scanlines, fracture windows, and Schmidt hammer measurements. The Perdrix section transitions from brittle fractures to en echelon fractures and shear-damage zones. Multiple scales of fractures were observed, including unconfined, bedbound fractures, and fold-related bed-parallel partings (BPPs). Variograms indicate a significant nugget effect along with fracture anisotropy. Schmidt hammer results lack correlation with fracture intensity. The Flume pavements exhibit a regionally extensive perpendicular joint set, tectonically driven fracturing, and multiple fault-damage zones with subvertical fractures dominating. Similar to the Perdrix, variograms show a significant nugget effect, highlighting fracture anisotropy. The results from this study suggest that small-scale fractures are inherently stochastic and that fractures observed at core scale should not be extrapolated to represent large-scale fracture systems; instead, the effects of small-scale fractures are best represented using an effective continuum approach. In contrast, large-scale fractures are more predictable according to structural setting and should be characterized robustly using geological principles. This study is especially applicable for operators and regulators in the Duvernay and similar formations where unconventional reservoir units abut carbonate formations.
A Non-Ergodic Ground-Motion Model of Fourier Amplitude Spectra for France
Authors: Sung Chih-Hsuan , Abrahamson Norman , Kuehn Nicolas M. , Traversa Paola , Zentner Irmela
Published: August 2021

We used an ergodic ground-motion model (GMM) of California of Bayless and Abrahamson (Bull Seismol Soc Am 109(5):2088–2105, 2019) as a backbone model and incorporated the varying-coefficient model (VCM), with a modification for anisotropic path effects, to develop a new non-ergodic GMM for France based on the French RESIF data set (1996-2016). Most of the earthquakes in this database have small-to-moderate magnitudes (M2.0 – M5.2). We developed the GMM for the smoothed effective amplitude spectrum (EAS) rather than for elastic spectral acceleration because it allows the use of small magnitude data to constrain linear effects of the path and site without the complication of the scaling being affected by differences in the response spectral shape. For the VCM, the coefficients of GMM can vary by geographical location and they are estimated using Gaussian-process regression. There is a separate set of coefficients for each source and site coordinate, including both the mean coefficients and the epistemic uncertainty in the coefficients. We further modify the anelastic attenuation term of a GMM by the cell-specific approach of Kuehn et al. (Bull Seismol Soc Am 109 (2): 575–585, 2019) to allow for azimuth-dependent attenuation for each source which reduces the standard deviation of the residuals at long distances. As an example, we compute the 5Hz seismic hazard for two sites using the non-ergodic EAS GMM. At the 1 10-4 annual frequency of exceedance hazard level, there can be a large difference between the ergodic hazard and the non-ergodic hazard if the site is close to the available data. The combination of the non-ergodic median ground motion and the reduced aleatory variability can have large implications for seismic-hazard estimation for long return periods. For some sites, the estimated hazard will increase and for other sites the estimated hazard will decrease compared to the traditional ergodic GMM approach. Due to the skewed distribution of the epistemic uncertainty of the hazard, more of the sites will see a decrease in the mean hazard mean hazard at the 1 10-4 hazard level than will see an increase as a result of using the non-ergodic GMM.
Identification of Groundwater Potential Zones using Geospatial Techniques in Palar River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: NARAYANAN MANJUNATHAN , VENUGOPAL THIRUKUMARAN
Published: August 2021

The present research work is aimed to identify the groundwater potential zones in the Palar River Basin (PRB). The Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, and geospatial techniques were used to determine the Groundwater Potential Zone (GPZ). Time series analysis is commonly used in a broad range of scientific applications including hydrology, metrology, geo-statistics, engineering and environmental management fields. The geospatial historical data of rainfall and water level recorded at yearly intervals for 14 years (2005 to 2018) was used to identify the fluctuation of water level with respect to rainfall with lower and upper confidence levels and eventually leads to identify the spatial variation of the groundwater potential zones. The ARIMA model evolved from analysis was further classified into Four types of goodness of fits namely excellent fit, good fit, poor fit, and no fit. The spatial variation of groundwater potential occurrence and behaviour of the region is controlled by geology, lineament, geomorphology and drainage. These layers have been integrated with the ArcGIS platform for generating Groundwater Potential Zone (GPZ) maps. The validation of the result shows that Excellent fits 40 wells (12.82%), good fits 108 wells (34.62%), poor fits 58 wells (16.66%), and no fits 106 wells (33.97%), the study area good groundwater potential zones approximately 47.44%. This research suggests that a good groundwater potential zone occurs in patches of the southern and eastern parts of the study area.
Genomic and RNA-Seq Profiling of Patients with Heart Failure Identified Alterations in Phosphorylation and Immune Signaling Pathways
Authors: Zhang Shikuan , Li Xin , Xu Xiang , Wei Qingxia , Li Hanlu , Liu Tong , Liu Chunlei L.
Published: August 2021

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a complex pathophysiological state in which the delivery of blood and nutrients to the tissues is inadequate. It is rarely curable and often associated with poor prognosis. The current study aimed to analyze the exomic and RNA-Seq data of patients with HF to identify the key altered pathways. Methods: Heart failure participants were recruited, and whole blood samples were collected. The samples were used for whole exome sequencing and RNA-Seq analysis. Gene expression and RNA-Seq results were verified by Gene chips and RT-PCRResults: We report a dysregulation of phosphorylation and immune signaling in patients with HF both by exomic and RNA-Seq data. We identified mutations in TITIN,OBSCURIN, NOD2, CDH2, MAP3K5, and SLC17A4 to be associated with HF by exomic analysis. And certain genes, S100A12, S100A8, S100A9, PFDN5, and TMCC2, were found upregulated in patients with HF by RNA-Seq. Conlcusion: Our results demonstrated the overall disruption of key phosphorylation and immune signaling pathways in patients with HF.
Applications of CRISPR/Cas Gene-Editing Technology in Fungi
Authors: Liao Binyou , Cheng Lei , Zhou Yujie , Shi Yangyang , Ye Xingchen , Liao Min , Zhou Ziyi , Zhou Xuedong , Ren Biao
Published: August 2021

Genome editing technology develop fast in recent years. The traditional gene-editing methods, including homologous recombination, zinc finger endonuclease, and transcription activator-like effector nuclease and so on, which have greatly promoted the research of genetics and molecular biology, have gradually showed their limitations such as low efficiency, high error rate, and complex design. In 2012,a new gene-editing technology, the CRISPR/Cas9 system, was setup based on the research of the immune responses to viruses from archaea and bacteria. Due to its advantages of high target efficiency, simple primer design, and wide application, CRISPR/Cas9 system, whose developers are awared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry this year, has become the dominant genomic editing technology in global academia and some pharmaceuticals. Here we briefly introduce the CRISPR/Cas system and its main applications in yeast, filamentous fungi and macrofungi, including single nucleotide, polygene and polyploid editing, yeast chromosome construction, yeast genome and yeast library construction, CRISPRa/CRISPRi-mediated, CRISPR platform of non-traditional yeast and regulation of metabolic pathway, to highlight the possible applications on fungal infection treatment and to promote the transformation and application of the CRISPR/Cas system in fungi.
Photocatalytic Removal of Toluene with CdIn2S4/CNFs as Catalyst: Effect of Ozone Addition
Authors: Liu Run Yu , Trinh Minh Man , Chang Moo-Been
Published: August 2021

CdIn2S4 (CIS) has attracted much attention in the photocatalysis research field due to its structural stability and photoelectric properties. However, it's difficult to recycle when after usage, so application of CIS photocatalysis in removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is still limited and the literature on applying carbon nanofibers (CNFs) as electron acceptor is scarce. In this study, a novel CIS/CNFs composite was synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were applied to characterize the structure, microtopography and composition of CIS/CNFs photocatalyst prepared. The results showed that CNFs with the size of about 300 nm were favorable connected with CIS to form 3D conductive network and CIS particles with the average size of 100 nm grew onto the surface of CNFs uniformly. Results of photocatalytic degradation tests indicate that under visible light irradiation, degradation of toluene reached the optimal level of 86% as the CIS doped with 3% CNFs. It proved that the composite material prepared had an excellent photocatalytic recycle efficiency via repeated experiments. Furthermore, 95% removal efficiency was achieved as 200 ppm ozone was added into the system and mineralization rate are also improved. Derived from the intermediates detected, possible pathways of toluene degradation were proposed. Hence, this study presents a new method to synthesize photocatalyst with visible-light driven ozone-enhanced photocatalysis process toward indoor air pollutants removal VOCs.
Wind Energy And CO2 Emissions: AMG Estimations For Selected Countries
Authors: Güney Taner , Üstündağ Emrah
Published: August 2021

This study aims to analyze the relationship between wind energy consumption, coal energy consumption, globalization, economic growth and carbon emissions in a selected country group. This analysis was made with the data of 37 countries for the period 2000-2019. In order to examine the long-term relationship between the variables, the AMG method, which makes an estimation by considering the cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity, was used in the study. According to the long-term coefficient estimates of the cointegrated variables, wind energy consumption has a statistically significant and negative effect on carbon emissions in the long run. A 1% increase in wind energy consumption reduces carbon emissions by 0.018%. On the other hand, the globalization variable has a statistically significant and positive effect on carbon emissions in the long run. A 1% increase in globalization increases carbon emissions by 0.107%. These findings show the importance of wind energy consumption in reducing carbon emissions. For this reason, policies should be produced to increase wind energy consumption globally and necessary incentives should be provided.
How Effective Is Traffic and Production Restriction for Air Pollution? Evidence From a Quasi-natural Experiment in China
Authors: Chen Yiqing , Wang Deyun , Elamraoui Adnen , Guo Haixiang
Published: August 2021

Air pollution seriously affects human health. The traffic and production restriction is widely used for controlling heavy air pollution. However, the effectiveness of these two policies has not been scientifically verified through a city-level study. COVID-19 pandemic caused lockdowns in many cities, which makes it possible to verify the effectiveness of these two policies. Taken Wuhan as the study area, this study firstly verifies the existence of lockdown effect on air pollution and analyzes the evolution rule of six air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO and O3) using statistical methods. Then the structural break points in six air pollutants are detected with the regression discontinuity design model. Because Spring Festival overlapping COVID-19 may also affect the air pollution, in order to avoid the disturbance of Spring Festival on the results, the Spring Festival effect is also validated. The results illustrate that the effects of traffic and production restriction on six air pollutants are obviously different, in which the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 decrease significantly, while traffic and production restriction has no apparent effects on SO2, CO and O3. Moreover, the structural break points are verified in the four air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and CO), and the structural break points are caused by lockdown instead of Spring Festival. This study revealed how the traffic and production restriction affected the air pollution at a city level, and provided strong implementation basis to the air pollution control policy.
Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Medicine Jiangniaosuan Formula for Treatment of Hyperuricemia: Study Protocol For A Double-Blinded Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Guo Yafang , Lu Hong , Gan Jing , Li Dongdong , Gao Jiandong , Zhang Changming
Published: August 2021

Background: Jiangniaosuan formula (JNSF) is commonly used in China for treating hyperuricemia, but there is little research-based evidence to support its use. This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of JNSF.Methods: A total of 72 patients with hyperuricemia will be selected and randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:2 to receive either Western medicine i.e., febuxostat 40 mg (WG group; n = 24) or Chinese herbal medicine group, i.e., Jiangniaosuan formula + febuxostat 20 mg (WJNSG; n = 48). After 12 weeks, the WJNSG will be randomly divided into two groups of 24 patients each; one group (WJNSG; n = 24)still will receive febuxostat 20 mg + Jiangniaosuan formula and the other group(JNSG; n = 24) will continue to receive Jiangniaosuan formula+Placebo. Participants will be followed up at 4-week intervals. The primary outcome will be the change in serum uric acid level, and the secondary outcome will be the change in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores. Serum creatinine, blood glucose, and insulin levels will also be measured.Discussion: We hypothesize that patients with hyperuricemia will benefit from JNSF. This study will provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians.Dissemination: The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated by academic conferences.Trial registration : This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number ChiCTR2000041083. 22 Registered on 3 May 2021.
Prediction of BRCA Gene Mutation Status in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer by Radiomics Models based on 2D and 3D CT Images
Authors: liu mingzhu , ge yaqiong , li mengru , wei wei
Published: August 2021

Background The objective of this study is to explore the value of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) radiomics models based on enhanced computed tomography(CT) images in predicting BRCA gene mutations in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical and imaging data of 122 patients with ovarian cancer confirmed by surgery and pathology and on which genetic testing was performed. Radiomics features were extracted from the 2D and 3D regions of interest of the patients’ primary tumor lesions, and features were selected in the training set using the maximum correlation and minimum redundancy method. Then, the best features were selected through Lasso 10-fold cross-validation. Feature subsets were used to establish a radiomics model. We used area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to evaluate the model’s performance and then used the model’s decision curve to evaluate its clinical validity. Results On the validation set, the area under the curve values of the 2D, 3D, and 2D+3D combined models was 0.78 (0.61–0.96), 0.75 (0.55–0.92), and 0.82 (0.61–0.96), respectively. However, the DeLong test P values between the three pairs of models were all >0.05. The decision curve analysis showed that the radiomics model had a high net benefit across all high-risk threshold probabilities. Conclusions The three radiomics models can predict the BRCA gene mutation in ovarian cancer, and there were no statistically significant differences between the three models’ prediction performance.
Factors Associated With Relief Overdemanding in The Disaster Response Phase: A Qualitative Content Analysis
Authors: Bathaei Seyed Ahmad , Khankeh Hamid Reza
Published: August 2021

Demand for relief increases after disasters. Some research suggests that the number of relief supplies required to satisfy the relief demanding after disasters is significantly higher than preliminary estimates, especially in low and lower-middle-income countries. So, this study was aimed to explore the reasons for relief overdemanding in the disaster response phase. In this qualitative content analysis study the managers of the National Disaster Management Organization (NDMO), the Iranian Medical Emergency and Accident Management Center, Tehran Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization (TDMMO) and the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) were purposively sampled and invited to interview. The unstructured face-to-face interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using "constant comparison" and "microanalysis" methods. 21 agreed to participate and were interviewed. The interviews uncovered affected people-level factors such as the react to fear and anxiety and the unsatisfied demand due to improper distribution of facilities and crisis managers-level issues (e.g. facing people's dissatisfaction, incorrect or insufficient information and considering disaster as the opportunity to raise resources) as well as officials-level determinants (e.g. advertising and excitement, the partisanship of officials and low confidence on accident managers). Several factors influencing the relief overdemanding exist in disaster management in Iran. Strengthening local management when responding to disasters and conducting efficient disaster need assessment can reduce relief overdemanding and vastly prevent wasting surplus resources in the affected area.
Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used To Treat Livestock Ailments In Ensaro District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Asfaw Asaye , Lulekal Ermias , Bekele Tamrat , Debella Asfaw , Debebe Eyob , Ssisay Bihonegn
Published: August 2021

Introduction: In Ethiopia, the majority of animal owners throughout the country depend on traditional healthcare practices to manage their animals’ health. Ethnoveterinary practices play significantly greater roles in livestock health care as an alternative or integral part of modern veterinary practices. This is because traditional medicines have remained the most economically affordable and easily available form of therapies for resource-poor communities. Even although, ethnoveterinary medicine is the most important and has higher acceptance and trust by the community in Ethiopia, ethnoveterinary medicinal plants and associated indigenous practices are not adequately documented. This study aimed to identify and document ethnoveterinary medicinal plants with their associated indigenous practices along with the habitats of these plants in Ensaro district.Methods: This ethnobotanical survey included 389 informants (283 males and 106 females) from all 14 kebeles of Ensaro district, which is the smallest administrative unit in Amhara Regional State's North Shewa Zone. Systematic random and intentional sampling techniques have been used to obtain representative informants. Ethnobotanical data were collected during the 13th of February 2019 and the 26th of October 2020 through Semi-structured interviews, field observation, a guided field walk, and focus group discussions.Results: We identified and recorded 44 medicinal plants belonging to 43 genera and 28 families that are used in Ensaro district to manage livestock diseases. The analysis of collected information from informants showed that shrubs constituted the highest number of species, leaves were the most highly harvested parts for the preparation of remedies and oral administration was the main route to apply medicines to treat internal diseases of livestock. Conclusion: In general, the findings of this study revealed diverse ethnoveterinary medicinal plants and associated indigenous practices about their use in the Ensaro District. The majority of farmers trust traditional ethnoveterinary medicines due to their higher efficacy, lower price, and easy availability. Data from this study can be used to preserve important medicinal plants for sustainable utilization and drug formulation.
Factors Associated With The Relapse In Ponseti Treated Congenital Club Foot
Authors: Hu Wei , Ke Baoyi , Xiao Niansu , Li Sen , Li Cheng , Lai Xingming , Huang Xinyu
Published: August 2021

Objectives. We retrospectively investigated the clinical materials to seek the factors that lead to relapse after using the Ponseti method.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed all children with congenital club foot treated with the Ponseti method in our hospital from June 2008 to June 2013. The data included the following factors: age, gender, initial Pinari score, number of casts, number of feet (unilateral or bilateral), age at the first casting, age of mother, tenotomy, walking age, and compliance with using bracing. All investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical standards. This study was approved by Guilin Peoples’ Hospital Ethics Committee.Results. In this study, there were 148 cases with 164 feet in total that underwent the Ponseti method. Of them, 64 children presented with left side, 58 with right side, and 26 with bilateral cases. This study included 75 males and 73 females; sex did not affect the outcomes. The mean age of the first casting was 2.50±2.15 months. The average initial Pirani score was 4.98±1.33, 2 and the average number of casts was 5.71±2.28 times. The mean age of mothers at birth was 25.81±2.38 years old. The walking age of children was at a mean of 14.83±1.18 months. Forty-nine cases could not tolerate using braces, namely the rate of noncompliance in this study was 33.1%. Tenotomy was performed on 113 feet (76.4%). The average follow–up period was 7.27±1.29 years (from 5 to 10 years). The rate of relapse was 21.6% (32 cases) at the end of the follow-up. The rate of relapse in the noncompliance with using bracing group was significantly higher compared to the compliance group.Conclusion. The initial Pirani score, compliance with the foot abduction brace and the age at the first casting are three independent factors for relapse in clubfoot.