bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting the size of the dairy market in anylogic environment
Authors: Konkina Vera , Martynushkin Alexey
Published: July 2021

The current situation at the market for food and agricultural raw materials is difficult, and critical for some industries. The processes of import substitution, that is, shaking-out imported products from the markets and the growth of domestic production, have significant differences for segments of the food market. There was a significant differentiation of food markets in the following main indicators: the growth rate of domestic production, the share of imports in resources, the share of exports in production, and the amount of state support. However, 2020 showed that the course taken by the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation for import substitution was not fully implemented, and a large share of products is imported from third countries that were not included in the sanctions list. Economic and mathematical modeling can partially solve this problem. Analysis of scientific literature on modeling the equilibrium at agri-food markets showed the absence of any actual domestic development. The most famous foreign conceptual models dated back to 1990-2000. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank have developed such general and private equilibrium models as RUNS (Rural-Urban North South), MRT (Regional Trade MRT, Harrison), AGLINK COSIMO, etc. These recursive-dynamic models make it possible to determine the equilibrium parameters for the main types of products for almost all countries of the world, including the Russian Federation and all agricultural markets. However, the introduction of sanctions has stopped work in this direction.
Improving antitrust instruments for food security
Authors: Anisimova Marina , Yurchenko Nadezhda , Kopytets Nataliia
Published: July 2021

The study aims to substantiate the fact that the development of agro-industrial complex imposes new requirements for the formation of anti-monopoly regulation tools. The authors point out the threat of cartelization of the industry to food security. It is shown that the cartel violations are systemic in the markets of agroindustrial complex. New features typical of cartel behavior of companies have been identified. It was found that the emergence of new software algorithms greatly facilitates collusion on the market, opens up the possibility of changing the nature of competition, which imposes new requirements for the formation of antitrust regulation tools. It has been marked that it is difficult to suppress anticompetitive practices to develop a complex of measures in order to counteract the cartels: modern technologies of data analysis, application of mathematical modeling methods, economic analysis and also prohibition for development and distribution of price algorithms, their use for establishing of price control.
Interaction of economically useful traits in cows of different breeds
Authors: Rebezov M.B. , Gorelik А.S. , Pavlova Y.S. , Khorobrykh E.V. , Sharavyev P.V.
Published: July 2021

A related Holstein breed has recently been used to improve domestic dairy cattle and create highly productive herds by purchasing semen from breeding bulls, as well as a large number of heifers and calves of foreign breeding. The purpose of the work is a comparative assessment of the productive qualities of Black Pied and Holstein cows of foreign breeding. Purebred Holstein cows differ from animals of Black Pied breed in milk yield per lactation. Cows of both breeds have fairly high suitability for machine milking. The priority remains with the animals of the Holstein breed of foreign selection. In terms of milking intensity and udder volume, they reliably surpass Black Pied cows at P≤0.05 - P≤0.01, respectively, in terms of indicators. Holstein cows were also the best in the udder index. Correlation coefficients between the productive qualities, as well as between the quantitative indicator of productivity and the qualitative indicators of the suitability of cows for machine milking, were the same or did not differ significantly. A positive correlation was established between milk yield and the duration of the service period from 0.1 to 0.05, depending on the breed.
Pathomorphogenesis in goats with Coccidiosis
Authors: Usevich V.M. , Zhenikhova N.I. , Drozd M.N. , Banda L.
Published: July 2021

The problem of the spread of coccidiosis (eimeriosis) in animals is still an urgent problem for veterinary specialists around the world. In this regard, the aim of the study was to study the most complete pathomorphological picture of this disease in goats. The research material was the fallen kids of the Alpine breed. The research was carried out on the basis of one of the goat breeding farms in the Sverdlovsk region. Diagnostics was performed according to clinical, laboratory and pathomorphological studies. Research results. The article describes the morphological picture of pathological changes in the parenchymal and target organs. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that a morphological assessment of changes in target organs, parenchymal organs that provide detoxification function in the body, in the organs of the immune system and in parenchymal organs that perform vital functions in the body of blood circulation and gas exchange has been carried out.
Rearing gilts breeding with the introduction of “Elevit” feed additive into their diet
Authors: Pokhodnya G.S. , Breslavets Yu.P. , Breslavets V.M. , Kosov A.V. , Perevozchikov N.V.
Published: July 2021

Our studies have shown that additional introduction of feed additive “Elevit” into the rearing gilts’ diet at a dosage of 1.0; 1.5; 2.0% during their breeding from 4 to 8 months allows to increase the gilts’ live weight by 3.9; 7.0; 9.5%, respectively, with average daily gains also increasing in comparison to the control group by 6.4; 11.6; 15.7%. Also, when reaching 8 months, gilts of experimental groups exceeded their peers from the control group in heart mass by 3.2; 4.1; 6.3%; lungs - by 3.7; 4.0; 4.2%; liver - by 5.1; 5.8; 6.2%, respectively. When rearing gilts reached the age of 8 months, a study of their reproductive function was carried out. So, we have established that gilts receiving “Elevit” feed additive together with the diet at a dosage of 1.0; 1.5; 2.0% exceeded their peers from the control group in fertilization indicator by 4.5; 5.4; 5.4%, and multifertility - by 4.3; 6.2; 7.5% respectively. The increase in these indicators led to an increase in the total number of experimental piglets received from rearing sows by 36, 3; 47.1; 48.7% compared to control.
Study of the human infectious safety model under the influence of SARS-CoV-2 on the example of the Perm Krai of the Russian Federation
Authors: Kostarev Sergey , Kochetova Oksana , Tatarnikova Natalya , Sereda Tatyana
Published: July 2021

In the new millennium, humanity is faced with infectious diseases that no one previously knew about. In the end of 2019, an outbreak of a new coronavirus infection occurred in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with an epicenter in the city of Wuhan (Hubei Province). On February 11, 2020, the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses assigned an official name to the infectious agent - SARS-CoV-2. According to the results of serological and phylogenetic analysis, coronaviruses are divided into four genera: Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus. Currently, four seasonal coronaviruses (HCoV-229E, - OC43, -NL63 and -HKU1) are circulating among the world’s population, which are present year-round in the structure of ARI, and, as a rule, cause damage to the upper respiratory tract of mild and moderate severity, as well as two highly pathogenic coronaviruses-Middle East respiratory syndrome virus (MERS) and new coronavirus infection COVID-19. To develop a model of human resistance to the disease caused by the coronavirus family, the elements, links and ways of protecting the Human-Virus-Environment system were identified. The destructive functions of sixteen proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 strain are considered. Deterministic and statistical models of cells infection risk development have been developed. A parameterized system of human protection against coronavirus infection is proposed.
Features of cathode-anion composition of water in the reservoir subject to anthropogenic contamination
Authors: Derkho M.A. , Mukhamedyarova L.G. , Nokhrin D.Yu. , Zhivetina A.V. , Meshcheryakova G.V.
Published: July 2021

The assessment of the ionic composition and water quality in the Troitsky reservoir of Chelyabinsk region (Russia) was given. Water samples were taken from headstream (station 1), central (station 2) and dam (station 3) parts of the reservoir from the average level in spring (May), summer (July), autumn (September) in the period of 2019-2020. It was established that the mineral composition of water and its ecological safety depends on the season of the year and the movement of the water mass from the headstream to the dam. The highest level of ions is found in spring water samples due to flood water ingress, the smallest - in summer and autumn due to their inclusion in biota life processes. Maximum ion levels are present in water samples from the headwaters and decreases during the water movement towards the dam. In terms of metals' index for chromium (VI), manganese (excluding the year of 2019), iron and nickel, water corresponds to the “slightly polluted” category; cadmium and lead — “clean”; aluminum, copper, and zinc - “clean”. By the WPI magnitude regardless of the season of the year and the sampling point, the water belongs to the 3rd quality class “moderately polluted”. Being ampholytes, lead, aluminum, and zinc in water with a weakly alkaline medium reaction increase their reactivity and due to this directly affect not only the concentration of each other, but also the level of iron, nickel, and copper. The variability formation of cathode-anion composition of water in the reservoir based on PCA results is by 86.2% due to the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. Priority water pollutants (chromium (VI), nickel, manganese) enter the reservoir from specific anthropogenic sources, as evidenced by the ranking of indicators by residual unexplained variance value.
Opportunities for agricultural industry in Russia
Authors: Iovlev G.A. , Pobedinsky V.V. , Zorkov V.S. , Popova T.B. , Goldina I.I
Published: July 2021

The principal global manufacturers of agricultural products are: on the American continent: the USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico; on the European continent: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium; in Asia and Australia: China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, and Australia. Due to its large areas of farmland and arable land, Russia also occupies a leading position in the manufacture of the main types of agricultural products, both in crop and in animal husbandry. Russia is second only to China, India and the United States in terms of wheat performance. It makes 3.8% of the world's milk production, and it is second only to the United States and China in terms of meat production.
Main methodology provisions of forecasting socio-economic results of agriculture’s innovative development
Authors: Sayfetdinov Aleksandr
Published: July 2021

The monographic analysis of the subject area under consideration was performed and the peculiarities of innovative development forecasting organization of the economy in Russia and abroad were defined, including the list of approaches and methods that have become most practically common in different countries. The peculiarities of innovative development of agriculture in Russia, its main directions and groups of applied innovations were revealed. It was established that at present agricultural producers are poorly involved in innovations’ creation and mainly act only as their consumers at high prices set by high-tech companies. Conceptual methodology scheme for forecasting socio-economic results of agriculture’s innovative development was proposed including a system of principles, approaches, methods, and expected results and allowing it to justify individual forecasts for separate enterprises with different organizational and economic characteristics and level of technical and technological development.
Application of correlation and regression analysis in the selection of black-and-white cows
Authors: Donnik I.M. , Chechenikhina O.S.
Published: July 2021

The use of the method of correlation-regression analysis as the most widespread method of statistical processing of experimental data makes it possible to organize the selection of animals according to the leading characteristics of productivity. A positive and high correlation was established between milk yield and milk yield in all groups of studied animals (r = from 0.64 to 0.90), and between milk yield in 305 days of lactation and the highest daily milk yield - only in groups of Reflection Sovering and Montvik Chieftain cows. (r = 0.65 to 0.92). Cows of the Vis Back Aydial line have higher correlation coefficients between indicators of milk composition (r = from 0.72 to 0.91, depending on the trait). The calculation of the regression coefficients showed that in the studied groups of animals with an increase in the coefficient of constancy of lactation, the coefficient of milk production and the indicator of the highest daily milk yield per unit, the amount of milk for 305 days of lactation increased by an average of 1.63 - 221.04 kg.
Increasing the life of plunger and barrel assembly of high pressure fuel pumps
Authors: Salikhova M.N. , Aleksandrov V.A. , Kukhar V.S. , Galchak I.P. , Chudinov A.M.
Published: July 2021

In order to identify the regularities of further increasing the efficiency of transport and technological machines, it is of interest to consider the issues of determining the impact of their design and technological parameters on the quality of running-in and the operability of fuel pumps. The article analyzes the influence of the initial operating modes and the lubricating medium on the quality of running-in and subsequent performance of high-pressure fuel pumps. On the basis of theoretical studies, equations were obtained to determine the unbalanced radial force acting on the plunger and fuel leaks in the plunger pair. These expressions make it possible to establish the dependence of the specific pressure in the plunger and barrel assembly both on the design and technological parameters of the pump.
Education Is an Important Factor of Human Capital Development in Rural Territories
Authors: Golovina Svetlana , Smirnova Lidia , Ruchkin Aleksey
Published: July 2021

The article presents conceptual ideas concerning the state of the lifelong learning system of direct relevance to domestic (Russian) rural areas. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and summarizing the various points of view of scientists and practitioners on this issue, first, it reveals some reasons for the current disproportions in the labor market (unemployment on the one hand, and the lack of specialists on the other hand) and not quite effective operation of institutional structures of all types of education (general, vocational, additional), second, it specifies the main directions of educational reforms, the implementation of which will provide rural areas with highly qualified specialists. The conclusion is made that the current conditions, the structure of the education system, supplying qualified personnel for the domestic rural space, do not adequately provide the rural economy with the human capital of the quality demanded.
Psychologische Herausforderungen bei Erwachsenen mit Typ-1-Diabetes
Authors: Clever Susan Norah , Baulig Susanne , Benecke Andrea
Published: July 2021

Menschen mit Typ-1-Diabetes müssen immer wieder verschiedene Anpassungsleistungen erbringen, um ihre Erkrankung und deren Therapie in den Alltag integrieren zu können. Gelingt dies nicht, können daraus Probleme beim Selbstmanagement der Krankheit resultieren. Doch trotz strukturierter Schulungsprogramme und leitliniengerechter, individuell zugeschnittener Therapieempfehlungen leben einige Menschen mit Typ-1-Diabetes mit chronisch erhöhten Blutzuckerwerten. Dabei scheint der Diabetes-Distress als Reaktion auf die erlebten Herausforderungen eine wichtige Rolle zu spielen und im Zusammenhang mit Problemen bei der glykämischen Kontrolle wie auch einer Therapievermeidung zu stehen. Um eine Chronifizierung des Diabetes-Distress zu verhindern, empfiehlt es sich daher, ein Screening auf diabetesbezogene Belastungen in der Versorgung von Menschen mit Typ-1-Diabetes zu etablieren. Dies kann mittels Fragebogen oder der Thematisierung im persönlichen Gespräch geschehen. Diabetesspezifische psychologische Interventionen können sowohl die diabetesbezogene emotionale Belastung als auch die glykämische Kontrolle verbessern, sind jedoch in Deutschland noch nicht in der Regelversorgung verfügbar.
Forceps mit integriertem Dynamometer von Samuel Kristeller
(1820–1900)
Authors: David Matthias , Ebert Andreas D
Published: July 2021

Die Zangenentbindung ist heute ein „aussterbender Geburtsmodus“.
Sie war allerdings bis zur Etablierung der Sectio caesarea als sicherer
Operation über Jahrhunderte hinweg die einzige und bis in die
1980er-Jahre hinein noch die bevorzugte vaginal-operative
Entbindungsmethode.
Comparison of Endoscopic Endonasal Approach and Lateral Microsurgical Infratemporal Fossa Approach to the Jugular Foramen: An Anatomical Study
Authors: Liu Jianfeng , Pinheiro-Neto Carlos D. , Yang Dazhang , Wang Eric , Gardner Paul A. , Hirsch Barry E. , Snyderman Carl H. , Fernandez-Miranda Juan C.
Published: July 2021

Objective The jugular foramen is one of the most challenging surgical regions in skull base surgery. With the development of endoscopic techniques, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been undertaken to treat some lesions in this area independently or combined with open approaches. The purpose of the current study is to describe the anatomical steps and landmarks for the EEA to the jugular foramen and to compare it with the degree of exposure obtained with the lateral infratemporal fossa approach.

Materials and Methods A total of 15 osseous structures related to the jugular foramen were measured in 33 adult dry skulls. Three silicone-injected adult cadaveric heads (six sides) were dissected for EEA and three heads (six sides) were used for a lateral infratemporal fossa approach (Fisch type A). The jugular foramen was exposed, relevant landmarks were demonstrated, and the distances between relevant landmarks and the jugular foramen were obtained. High-quality pictures were obtained.

Results The jugular foramen was accessed in all dissections by using either approach. Important anatomical landmarks for EEA include internal carotid artery (ICA), petroclival fissure, inferior petrosal sinus, jugular tubercle, and hypoglossal canal. The EEA exposed the anterior and medial parts of the jugular foramen, while the lateral infratemporal fossa approach (Fisch type A) exposed the lateral and posterior parts of the jugular foramen. With EEA, dissection and transposition of the facial nerve was avoided, but the upper parapharyngeal and paraclival ICA may need to be mobilized to adequately expose the jugular foramen.

Conclusion The EEA to the jugular foramen is anatomically feasible but requires mobilization of the ICA to provide access to the anterior and medial aspects of the jugular foramen. The lateral infratemporal approach requires facial nerve transposition to provide access to the lateral and posterior parts of the jugular foramen. A deep understanding of the complex anatomy of this region is paramount for safe and effective surgery of the jugular foramen. Both techniques may be complementary considering the different regions of the jugular foramen accessed with each approach.
MAGICPL: A Generic Process Description Language for Distributed Pseudonymization Scenarios
Authors: Tremper Galina , Brenner Torben , Stampe Florian , Borg Andreas , Bialke Martin , Croft David , Schmidt Esther , Lablans Martin
Published: July 2021

Objectives Pseudonymization is an important aspect of projects dealing with sensitive patient data. Most projects build their own specialized, hard-coded, solutions. However, these overlap in many aspects of their functionality. As any re-implementation binds resources, we would like to propose a solution that facilitates and encourages the reuse of existing components.

Methods We analyzed already-established data protection concepts to gain an insight into their common features and the ways in which their components were linked together. We found that we could represent these pseudonymization processes with a simple descriptive language, which we have called MAGICPL, plus a relatively small set of components. We designed MAGICPL as an XML-based language, to make it human-readable and accessible to nonprogrammers. Additionally, a prototype implementation of the components was written in Java. MAGICPL makes it possible to reference the components using their class names, making it easy to extend or exchange the component set. Furthermore, there is a simple HTTP application programming interface (API) that runs the tasks and allows other systems to communicate with the pseudonymization process.

Results MAGICPL has been used in at least three projects, including the re-implementation of the pseudonymization process of the German Cancer Consortium, clinical data flows in a large-scale translational research network (National Network Genomic Medicine), and for our own institute's pseudonymization service.

Conclusions Putting our solution into productive use at both our own institute and at our partner sites facilitated a reduction in the time and effort required to build pseudonymization pipelines in medical research.
The Impact of Water on the Lateral Nanostructure of a Deep Eutectic Solvent–Solid Interface
Authors: Elbourne Aaron , Besford Quinn A. , Meftahi Nastaran , Crawford Russell J. , Daeneke Torben , Greaves Tamar L. , McConville Christopher F. , Bryant Gary , Bryant Saffron J. , Christofferson Andrew J.
Published: July 2021

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are tuneable solvents with attractive properties for numerous applications. Their structure–property relationships are still under investigation, especially at the solid–liquid interface. Moreover, the influence of water on interfacial nanostructure must be understood for process optimization. Here, we employ a combination of atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to determine the lateral and surface-normal nanostructure of the DES choline chloride:glycerol at the mica interface with different concentrations of water. For the neat DES system, the lateral nanostructure is driven by polar interactions. The surface adsorbed layer forms a distinct rhomboidal symmetry, with a repeat spacing of ~0.9 nm, comprising all DES species. The adsorbed nanostructure remains largely unchanged in 75 mol-% DES compared with pure DES, but at 50 mol-%, the structure is broken and there is a compromise between the native DES and pure water structure. By 25 mol-% DES, the water species dominates the adsorbed liquid layer, leaving very few DES species aggregates at the interface. In contrast, the near-surface surface-normal nanostructure, over a depth of ~3 nm from the surface, remains relatively unchanged down to 25 mol-% DES where the liquid arrangement changed. These results demonstrate not only the significant influence that water has on liquid nanostructure, but also show that there is an asymmetric effect whereby water disrupts the nanostructure to a greater degree closer to the surface. This work provides insight into the complex interactions between DES and water and may enhance their optimization for surface-based applications.
Response of potential grassland vegetation to historical and future climate change in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Liu Xiaoni , Li Qiang , Wang Hongxia , Ren Zhengcao , He Guoxing , Zhang Degang , Han Tianhu , Sun Bin , Pan Dongrong , Ji Tong
Published: July 2021

Assessing current and potential future grassland vegetation types and distribution has important practical implications in grassland management. In this study, historical and projected climate data from Inner Mongolia were used to classify grassland classes for two historical (1960–1986 and 1986–2011) and two future periods (2021–2024 and 2041–2060) using the Comprehensive and Sequential Classification System (CSCS). Changes of grassland classes in these time periods were investigated. The results indicated that (1) using the CSCS provided an efficient approach to investigate the impact of historical and future climate on grassland classes and their distribution in Inner Mongolia over time and space; (2) since 1986, the precipitation in Inner Mongolia has declined, decreasing the semi-humid zone area and expanding that of arid and semi-arid areas. The area of Tundra and alpine steppe, Temperate zonal humid grassland and Temperate zonal forest steppe decreased, and that of Frigid desert, Semi-desert, and Steppe group increased; and (3) under the projected increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation in large areas in Inner Mongolia by 2060, the area of arid grassland classes will likely expand (Frigid desert, Semi-desert, and Steppe), and the grassland classes of Tundra and alpine steppe may gradually disappear. Government investment in infrastructure and grassland management measures such as introducing drought tolerant grass species and improved precipitation utilisation through irrigation are needed to adapt to the changing climate. Inner Mongolia should take advantage of the benefits of the increase in temperature in the eastern semi-humid region that would permit reduced grazing pressure in the western arid region.
“The people watching at home”
Authors: Underwood Tom W. , Angouri Jo
Published: July 2021

This paper explores disagreement practice in political discourse, specifically in the under explored public inquiry communicative event and more specifically in the select-committee hearing. We revisit earlier work on theorising disagreement to expand our understanding of its contextual nature, particularly in relation to the making of ideology.

Public inquiries combine the characteristics of professional meetings with characteristics of political discourse. They are typified by hybridised and ambiguous role expectations which participants negotiate in and through (potentially competing) practices in doing the ideological work demanded by the policy process. In this context, disagreement emerges as key to the performance of the interactants’ situated and explicit/semi-permanent roles as professional politicians.

By applying Critical Interactional Sociolinguistic analysis within a wider frame of audience design, we demonstrate the importance of the ideological role of disagreement to the policy process. We argue that further attention needs to be given to the policy talk in meso-level political events, such as the public inquiry, which connect the ideological (macro) political domains of human activity with the (micro) here and now of talk. We close the paper with directions for further research.
Radio program hosts’ self-identity mobilization in Chinese radio-mediated medical consultations
Authors: Yuan Zhou-min , Shen Xingchen
Published: July 2021

While previous studies highlight the dynamic nature of identity co-construction, how and especially why speakers
construct and shift their own multiple identities still remains understudied. The present study argues that identity is part of
speaker communicative resources as evidenced by radio program hosts’ strategic employment and shift among their different
identities to facilitate their interactional purposes. Based on data drawn from radio medical consultations, this article attempts
to reveal the dynamic adaptability of hosts’ identity construction. It is found that (1) in general, hosts of medical consultation
programs construct three identities for themselves, namely an authoritative expert identity, a caring friend identity and a sales
representative identity; (2) the three identities constructed are respectively adaptable to power relationships, solidarity and
role relationships between hosts and callers in conversation; (3) the three identities shift in conversations to facilitate
callers’ purchasing acts.
“Good translating is very hard work”
Authors: Hawkins Spencer
Published: July 2021

Upon immigrating to New Zealand in 1937, Austrian-born philosopher of science Karl Raimund Popper lived and worked in the English-speaking world, where he published his major works in English. Life events forced him to engage in various forms of self-translation around the same time that he began earnestly working on translating Presocratic philosophical fragments into English. While he rejected language wholesale as an object of philosophical reflection, translation became an exception, a privileged occasion for philosophical reflection on language. This article reads Popper’s thoughts on translation in the context of previously unpublished correspondence between Popper and potential translators ofConjectures and Refutations(1963, third edition 1968) from English to German. The article thereby mediates the tension between Popper’s outspokenly perfectionistic demands on potential translators and his general thesis that scientific or philosophical language need only be as precise as the problem at hand requires.
Tissue biomolecular and microstructure profiles in optical colorectal cancer delineation
Authors: Nogueira Marcelo Saito , Raju Michael , Gunther Jacqueline , Maryam Siddra , Amissah Michael , Lu Huihui , Killeen Shane , O’Riordain Micheal , Andersson-Engels Stefan
Published: July 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common and the 2nd most deadly type of cancer worldwide. Understanding the biochemical and microstructural aspects of carcinogenesis is a critical step towards developing new technologies for accurate CRC detection. To date, optical detection through analyzing tissue chromophore concentrations and scattering parameters has been mostly limited to chromophores in the visible region and analytical light diffusion models. In this study, tissue parameters were extracted by fitting diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) within the range 350–1900 nm based on reflectance values from a look-up table built using Monte Carlo simulations of light propagation in tissues. This analysis was combined with machine learning models to estimate parameter thresholds leading to best differentiation between mucosa and tumor tissues based on almost 3000 DRS recorded from fresh ex vivo tissue samples from 47 subjects. DRS spectra were measured with a probe for superficial tissue and another for slightly deeper tissue layers. By using the classification and regression tree algorithm, the most important parameters for CRC detection were the total lipid content (f
lipid), the reduced scattering amplitude (α′), and the Mie scattering power (b
Mie). Successful classification with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve higher than 90% was achieved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the potential tissue biomolecule concentrations and scattering properties in superficial and deeper tissue layers for CRC detection in the luminal wall. This may have important clinical applications for the rapid diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia.
Theoretical framework for two-microswimmer hydrodynamic interactions
Authors: Ziegler Sebastian , Scheel Thomas , Hubert Maxime , Harting Jens , Smith Ana-Sunčana
Published: July 2021

Hydrodynamic interactions are crucial for determining the cooperative behavior of microswimmers at low Reynolds numbers. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of the scaling laws and the strength of the interactions in the case of a pair of three-sphere swimmers. Both stroke-based and force-based elastic microswimmers are analyzed using an analytic perturbative approach, focusing on passive and active interactions. The former are governed by the cycle-averaged flow field of a single swimmer, which is dipolar at long range. However, at intermediate distances, with a cross-over at the order of 102 swimmer lengths, the quadrupolar field dominates which, notably, yields an increase of the swimming velocity compared to individual swimmers, even when the swimmers are one behind another. Furthermore, we find that active rotations resulting from the interplay of the time-resolved swimming stroke and the ambient flow fields and, even more prominently, active translations are model-dependent. A mapping between the stroke-based and force-based swimmers is only possible for the low driving frequency regime where the characteristic time scale is smaller than the viscous one. Finally, we find that the long-term behavior of the swimmers, while sensitive to the initial relative positioning, does not depend on the pusher or puller nature of the swimmer. These results clearly indicate that the behavior of swarms will depend on the swimmer model, which was hitherto not well appreciated.
Crude Oil Fly Ash Waste for Road Pavement Application
Authors: Dahim Mohammed
Published: July 2021

This paper investigates the use of crude oil waste fly ash generated from electrical and desalination power plants in Saudi Arabia to improve the performance of asphalt flexible pavement. Several asphalt pavement materials were prepared to contain fly ash by-product waste of desalination and electrical power plants in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the paper proposed a new simple surface capacitance sensor for the assessment of asphalt pavement material. The proposed device is a low cost, simple fast and portable which makes it easy to adapt for field investigation. The results obtained from testing several asphalt pavement materials indicate the usefulness of this sensor in evaluating several critical parameters to control pavement quality conditions. These parameters include asphalt moisture condition, the effect of waste fly ash filler additives, pavement thickness, and detection of pavement cracks. The electromagnetic properties of asphalt pavement were measured using the proposed sensor in the frequency range between 100 kHz to 1000 kHz at various moisture conditions. The results show the applicability of the sensor to determine moisture and waste content in the pavement material. In addition, the sensor could be a useful tool to detect cracks of pavement and the thickness and crack orientation in asphalt pavement. The results also indicate that the waste fly ash could improve pavement properties and contribute to solve a major environmental problem in Saudi Arabia.
Discoid decorations function to shield juvenile Argiope spiders from avian predator attacks
Authors: Wang Bingjun , Yu Long , Ma Nina , Zhang Zengtao , Liu Qian , Fan Wenrui , Rong Yu , Zhang Shichang , Li Daiqin
Published: July 2021

Decorating behavior is common in various animal taxa and serves a variety of functions from camouflage to communication. One predominant function cited for decoration is to avoid predators. Conspicuous, disc-like (discoid) silk decorations spun by orb-web Argiope juvenile spiders are hypothesized, among others, to defend spiders against visual predators by concealing spider outlines on the web, deflecting attacks, shielding them from view, or masquerading as bird-droppings. However, the direct evidence is limited for a specific mechanism by which discoid decorations may deter predators. Here we evaluate the mechanisms by which discoid decorations may defend Argiope juveniles against naïve chicks. Using visual modeling, we show that avian predators are able to distinguish spiders from discoid decorations. Using chick predation experiments, we found that the naïve chicks readily pecked any objects, ruling out the possibility of their neophobia. Significantly more chicks attacked spiders when they were exposed to chicks, regardless of whether their webs had discoid decorations, but few chicks attacked spiders when they were behind the decorations. We also found that significantly few chicks attacked decorations when spiders were absent or behind the decorations. We thus conclude that discoid decorations function to deter avian predators by shielding the spider from view or distracting, not by deflecting attacks, concealing the spider’s outline, or masquerading as bird-droppings. This study sheds light on the study of other similar anti-predator strategies, in a wide range of spider species and other animals that use decorating strategies.
Indexing Burdens and Benefits of Treatment to Age: Revisiting Paul Ramsey’s “Medical Indications” Policy
Authors: Anderson Matthew Lee
Published: July 2021

This essay reconsiders Paul Ramsey’s “medical indications” policy and argues that his reconstruction of the case of Joseph Saikewicz demonstrates that there is more room for caretakers to decline treatments for “voiceless dependents” than his interlocutors have sometimes thought. It furthermore draws on Ramsey’s earlier work to propose ways that Ramsey might have improved his policy, and argues that the shortcomings of Ramsey’s view arise from his bracketing of age in making determinations about what form of medical care is owed. The reading of Ramsey set forth here suggests Cathleen Kaveny’s depiction of the ‘medical indications’ policy in Ethics at the Edges of Law is too rigid and inflexible, even while it affirms other aspects of her critique.
Is Pregnancy Really a Good Samaritan Act?
Authors: Blackshaw Bruce P
Published: July 2021

One of the most influential philosophical arguments in favor of the permissibility of abortion is Judith Jarvis Thomson’s violinist analogy, presented in “A Defense of Abortion.” Its appeal for prochoice advocates lies in Thomson’s granting that the fetus is a person with equivalent moral status to any other human being, and yet demonstrating—to those who accept her reasoning—that abortion is still permissible. In her argument, Thomson draws heavily on the parable of the Good Samaritan, arguing that gestating a fetus in some circumstances is what she calls a Good Samaritan act, and claiming that we are not morally required to be Good Samaritans. Here, I argue that Thomson has subverted the parable to justify an action that is the antithesis of its meaning. I contend that Christians are required to be Good Samaritans, and explain that for Christians, this entails that abortion is impermissible in all circumstances. Furthermore, I argue that the parable shows that the fetus is our neighbor in need of our mercy and assistance, and consequently, Christians should be actively involved in helping to ensure the unborn are protected, whether they are fetuses in danger of induced abortion or miscarriage, or surplus frozen embryos.
Islet1 Precursors Contribute to Mature Interneuron Subtypes in Mouse Neocortex
Authors: Siddiqi Faez , Trakimas Alexandria L , Joseph Donald J , Lippincott Margaret L , Marsh Eric D , Wolfe John H
Published: July 2021

Cortical interneurons (GABAergic cells) arise during embryogenesis primarily from the medial and caudal ganglionic eminences (MGE and CGE, respectively) with a small population generated from the preoptic area (POA). Progenitors from the lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) are thought to only generate GABAergic medium spiny neurons that populate the striatum and project to the globus pallidus. Here, we report evidence that neuronal precursors that express the LGE-specific transcription factor Islet1 (Isl1) can give rise to a small population of cortical interneurons. Lineage tracing and homozygous deletion of Nkx2.1 in Isl1 fate-mapped mice showed that neighboring MGE/POA-specific Nkx2.1 cells and LGE-specific Isl1 cells make both common and distinct lineal contributions towards cortical interneuron fate. Although the majority of cells had overlapping transcriptional domains between Nkx2.1 and Isl1, a population of Isl1-only derived cells also contributed to the adult cerebral cortex. The data indicate that Isl1-derived cells may originate from both the LGE and the adjacent LGE/MGE boundary regions to generate diverse neuronal progeny. Thus, a small population of neocortical interneurons appear to originate from Isl-1-positive precursors.
Afferent Connections of Cytoarchitectural Area 6M and Surrounding Cortex in the Marmoset: Putative Homologues of the Supplementary and Pre-supplementary Motor Areas
Authors: Bakola Sophia , Burman Kathleen J , Bednarek Sylwia , Chan Jonathan M , Jermakow Natalia , Worthy Katrina H , Majka Piotr , Rosa Marcello G P
Published: July 2021

Cortical projections to the caudomedial frontal cortex were studied using retrograde tracers in marmosets. We tested the hypothesis that cytoarchitectural area 6M includes homologues of the supplementary and pre-supplementary motor areas (SMA and pre-SMA) of other primates. We found that, irrespective of the injection sites’ location within 6M, over half of the labeled neurons were located in motor and premotor areas. Other connections originated in prefrontal area 8b, ventral anterior and posterior cingulate areas, somatosensory areas (3a and 1–2), and areas on the rostral aspect of the dorsal posterior parietal cortex. Although the origin of afferents was similar, injections in rostral 6M received higher percentages of prefrontal afferents, and fewer somatosensory afferents, compared to caudal injections, compatible with differentiation into SMA and pre-SMA. Injections rostral to 6M (area 8b) revealed a very different set of connections, with increased emphasis on prefrontal and posterior cingulate afferents, and fewer parietal afferents. The connections of 6M were also quantitatively different from those of the primary motor cortex, dorsal premotor areas, and cingulate motor area 24d. These results show that the cortical motor control circuit is conserved in simian primates, indicating that marmosets can be valuable models for studying movement planning and control.
Identification of a Brain Network Underlying the Execution of Freely Chosen Movements
Authors: Welniarz Quentin , Roze Emmanuel , Béranger Benoît , Méneret Aurélie , Vidailhet Marie , Lehéricy Stéphane , Pouget Pierre , Hallett Mark , Meunier Sabine , Galléa Cécile
Published: July 2021

Action selection refers to the decision regarding which action to perform in order to reach a desired goal, that is, the “what” component of intention. Whether the action is freely chosen or externally instructed involves different brain networks during the selection phase, but it is assumed that the way an action is selected should not influence the subsequent execution phase of the same movement. Here, we aim to test this hypothesis by investigating whether the modality of movement selection influences the brain networks involved during the execution phase of the movement. Twenty healthy volunteers performed a delayed response task in an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging design to compare freely chosen and instructed unimanual or bimanual movements during the execution phase. Using activation analyses, we found that the pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA) and the parietal and cerebellar areas were more activated during the execution phase of freely chosen as compared to instructed movements. Connectivity analysis showed an increase of information flow between the right posterior parietal cortex and the cerebellum for freely chosen compared to instructed movements. We suggest that the parieto-cerebellar network is particularly engaged during freely chosen movement to monitor the congruence between the intentional content of our actions and their outcome.
Development and Validation of Chemometrics-Assisted Green UPLC-MS/MS Bioanalytical Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Capecitabine and Lapatinib in Rat Plasma
Authors: Alrobaian Majed , Panda Sagar Suman , Almalki Waleed H , Afzal Obaid , Kazmi Imran , Alossaimi Manal A , Al-Abbasi Fahad A , Katouah Hanadi A , Rub Rehan A , Kumar B V V Ravi , Rahman Mahfoozur , Beg Sarwar
Published: July 2021

A chemometrics-oriented green ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the first-time simultaneous estimation of capecitabine (CAP) and lapatinib (LPB) along with imatinib (as internal standard (IS)) in rat plasma. Analytes were extracted using ethyl acetate as the liquid–liquid extraction media. In the pre-development phase, principles of analytical eco-scale were used to confirm method greenness. Subsequently, vital method variables, influencing method robustness and performance, were optimized using a chemometrics-based quality-by-design approach. Chromatography was achieved on a BEH C18 (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) using isocratic flow (0.5 mL.min−1) of mobile phase acetonitrile (0.1% formic acid):0.002 M ammonium acetate in water as the mobile phase. The mass spectrometric detections were carried out in multiple reaction monitoring modes with precursor-to-product ion transitions with m/z 360.037 → 244.076 for CAP, m/z 581.431 → 365.047 LPB and m/z 494.526 → 394.141 for IS. The bioanalytical method validation studies were performed, ensuring regulatory compliance. Linearity (r2> 0.99) over analyte concentrations ranging from 5 and 40 ng.mL−1 was observed, while acceptable values were obtained for all other validation parameters. In a nutshell, a robust and green bioanalytical method was developed and applied for the simultaneous estimation of two anticancer agents from rat plasma.
Equitable migrant-friendly perinatal healthcare access and quality in public maternity units in Portugal
Authors: Doetsch Julia , Almendra Ricardo , Carrapatoso Mariana , Teixeira Cristina , Barros Henrique
Published: July 2021

Background

Migrant women are at higher risk to face access barriers to perinatal care services and to experience worse pregnancy outcomes compared to native. Assessing the perception of migrant women and health providers discloses a multifaceted view on migrant-friendly care, a multidimensional concept in itself. This study aims to compare self-perceived assessments of migrant women and directors of obstetrics and gynaecology (GYN/OBS) departments on equitable migrant-friendly perinatal healthcare quality and access during the intrapartum and postpartum period at public maternities in Portugal.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, two indicators on Healthcare access and Quality of care were developed to compare how adult migrant women who gave birth between April 2017 and March 2019 and GYN/OBS department directors assessed offered care. The one-sample Wilcoxon test was used to compare directors’ with migrants’ assessments and the Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance to test for country regional differences. A stratified analysis by sex, spoken language, and country of birth tested for potential effect modifiers.

Results

Migrants rated Healthcare access significantly better (P<0.05), but perceived Quality of care worse (P<0.01) than GYN/OBS department directors. Migrants’ and directors’ perceptions differed significantly according to directors’ gender (P<0.05). Migrants’ and directors’ assessments on Healthcare access (P<0.05) and Quality (P<0.01) changed significantly across regions.

Conclusions

Migrants’ and directors’ self-perceived appraisal of Healthcare access and Quality of care significantly varied. Identifying these discordances allows to deliver insights into existing barriers in access and provision of care and raises awareness to improve quality assurance, essential to inform practice and policies.