bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Our Untapped Wealth: Toward Modern Management of Public Assets
Authors: García Mejía Mauricio , Pareja Alejandro , Farias Pedro
Published: November 2021

Historically, governments in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have accumulated extensive assets. In recent decades, austerity and cost-cutting needs, sustainability agendas, the changing role of the State, information and communication technologies, public management reforms, and increasing knowledge sharing, have significantly changed the management practices of public buildings, movable property, land, forests, cultural heritage, and other nonfinancial public assets. Unfortunately, LAC societies have not reaped the many potential benefits that nonfinancial public assets could generate. Outdated regulatory frameworks and lack of adequate management instruments and technological tools, limit the economic and social uses of these assets. These affects their ability to contribute to the emergence from crises. The first chapter discusses the many benefits of efficient asset management. It evaluates the situation of public asset management in LAC and presents a model with the core components of an efficient public asset management system (governance, information, financing, risk management, measurement and control, and strategic asset planning). The second chapter presents an example of asset management transformation at the national level, describing the background and scope of the reforms undertaken by New Zealand three decades ago. The third chapter analyzes the implications of efficient asset management for local governments, concluding with a proposal for the creation of urban wealth funds.
ANALYSIS OF PRECISION PROBLEMS OF PRECISION INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS
Authors:   Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Vantsov S. V. , Sokolov V. A. , Khomutskaya O. V.
Published: November 2021

The article highlights the issues of compliance of the mechanics of manipulators of precision industrial robots (PIRs) with the highest accuracy standards specified in the normative technical documentation and practically achieved in the fields of machine-building, instrument-making and electronic industries. In the spotlight there are the possibilities of systems of multi - connected control of complex spatial mechanisms with excessive degrees of freedom (including manipulators of PIRs), the possibilities of systems of multi-circuit control of PIR drives with precision sensors of linear and angular displacements, velocities, accelerations, acceleration gradients (in the future), the issues of matching these parameters with the parameters of the computational part of control systems — the bit depth of digital sensors (more than 20 digits) with an resolution of less than an arc second. PIR manipulators are used in systems of multi-connected and multi-circuit regulation and control with elements of artificial intelligence, such as automatic adjustment systems (AASs), automatic control systems (ACSs) and artificial intelligence systems (AISs). These problems are considered in a wide range, including the transition to the fields of nanotechnologies, specifically: for linear (nanometers) and angular (hundredths of arc seconds) measurements, as well as the measurements of velocities, accelerations, and acceleration gradients (in the future — for systems with a human operator in the loop, i.e. human-machine systems (HMSs)).
ESTIMATION OF SPACE CHARGE INFLUENCE ON RESOLUTION OF ION-MOBILITY SPECTROMETER
Authors:   Institute for Analytical Instrumentation of RAS, Saint Petersburg, Russia, Kurnin I. V.
Published: November 2021

The paper presents an analytical model describing the dynamics of ion cloud, taking into account the action of space charge during a motion in ion mobility spectrometer — starting from the reaction region, where the shutter forms an ion pulse, and the further drift of the formed ion pulse towards the collector. The presented model lets to estimate the degree of influence of the space charge on possible ion losses and the resolution of ion mobility spectrometer. The effect of the space charge becomes noticeable, starting with the ion density of 106 cm–3. Comparison of the results obtained using the analytical model with the results of numerical solution of the initial equations shows that they practically coincide.
THE EQUIPMENT FOR DEFINITION OF PHYSICOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MATERIALS BY PRESS-IN METHOD (review)
Authors:   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Oreshko E.I. , Erasov V.S. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Utkin D.A. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Avtayeva Ya.V. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute»
Published: November 2021

The article considers the main methods for determining the hardness of materials. The basic formulas for calculating the mechanical characteristics of materials by hardness values are presented. The analysis of methods for calculating tensile diagrams of materials by indentation diagrams is carried out. The paper considers the approaches to building a finite element model of material indentation The need to improve existing standards and develop computational methods is shown with a detailed description of techniques for recalculating indentation diagrams into mechanical characteristics of materials.
STUDY OF THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING THE IMPACT RESISTANCE OF THIN-SHEETED CARBON FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICS DUE TO CLADING WITH ARAMID ORGANOPLASTICS
Authors:   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Zhelezina G.F. , Solovieva N.A. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Kulagina G.S. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Shuldeshova P.M. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute»
Published: November 2021

The article provides the analysis of the scientific and technical literature and the effectiveness of the use of organoplastics in aircraft structures as screens and coatings that provide protection of carbon parts from damage caused by shock and erosion. The paper examined the mechanical properties and the nature of impact fracture of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics samples without a cladding layer. It is shown that it is possible to increase the specific impact strength in bending by 22 % due to cladding of CFRP, and to reduce the area of damage by 30 % upon impact with a kinetic energy of 30 J.
EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF AGGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORROSION DAMAGE ON SAMPLES OF LAMINATED GLASS-REINFORCED PLASTIC OF SIAL CLASS
Authors:   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Duyunova V.A. , Kutyrev A.E. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Serebrennikova N.Yu. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Vdovin A.I. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Somov A.V. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute»
Published: November 2021

The article presents the results of examination of the influence of aggressive environmental factors during tests in a salt fog chamber and moisture saturation on the strength characteristics and low-cycle fatigue of riveted joints of laminated glass-reinforced plastic with and without an integrated protection system. It is shown that the multilayer structure of SIAL prevents the development of corrosion damage in layers along the depth of the material. The mechanical properties of samples made of SIAL material with three-layer and five-layer structure after moisture saturation practically do not change. It was found that the lack of corrosion protection of the laminated material leads to a decrease in the fatigue life of riveted joints.
Radiotheranostics of neuroendocrine neoplasms: quo vadis
Authors: Rumyantsev P. O.
Published: November 2021

Neuroendocrine neoplasms are grouped based on their neuroendocrine origin and represented by a heterogeneous tumor cluster with various malignancy potentials and types of biological behavior. These tumors can localize anywhere, but most commonly within the gastrointestinal tract. The ability of tumor cells to express specific receptors and particulars of their metabolism make it possible to successfully use molecular visualization (single-photon emission computed tomography / positron emission tomography) and radiotargeted therapy for diagnosis and treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumors. In clinical practice, somatostatin receptor (receptors type 2) radiotheranostics has been used most widely. Improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics of new radioligands, discovery of new receptor and metabolic targets, widening of the medical isotope spectrum and development of new theranostic pairs open wide horizons for radiotheranostics as an integral field in modern biomedicine. The paper summarizes the worldwide experience, highlights the state-of-the-art and future development of radiotheranostics of neuroendocrine tumors.
ОСОБЕННОСТИ ВЫРАБОТКИ ТРУДНОИЗВЛЕКАЕМЫХ ЗАПАСОВ НЕФТИ НЕОДНОРОДНЫХ КОЛЛЕКТОРОВ ТЮМЕНСКОЙ СВИТЫ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ МЕСТОРОЖДЕНИЙ ООО «ЛУКОЙЛ-ЗАПАДНАЯ СИБИРЬ»)
Authors: Grachev Sergey I. , Юдчиц Vitaly V. , Druchin Vitaly S. , Yunusov Radmir R.
Published: November 2021

Ссылка для цитирования:  Особенности выработки трудноизвлекаемых запасов нефти неоднородных коллекторов тюменской свиты (на примере месторождений ООО «ЛУКОЙЛ-Западная Сибирь») / С.И. Грачев, В.В. Юдчиц, В.С. Дручин, Р.Р.  Юнусов // Известия Томского политехнического университета. Инжиниринг георесурсов. – 2021. – Т. 332. – № 10. – С. 192–201.

Актуальность. Из 26 промышленно-разрабатываемых месторождений ООО «ЛУКОЙЛ-Западная Сибирь» в Шаимском нефтегазоносном районе пласты средней юры продуктивны на 21 месторождении. В них сосредоточено 56 % извлекаемых запасов нефти. Залежи отложений средней юры имеют сложное геологическое строение и характеризуются неоднородностью по разрезу, не выдержаны по простиранию, имеют в целом низкие фильтрационно-емкостные свойства. Запасы нефти в отложениях пластов тюменской свиты отнесены к трудноизвлекаемым по стратиграфической принадлежности. Отбор нефти в них от начальных извлекаемых запасов по состоянию на 01.01.2021 г. составляет всего 8,6 %. Темп отбора от НИЗ 0,4 % в год. Исследование особенностей выработки коллекторов тюменской свиты является актуальной задачей. Цель: выявить ключевые геолого-физические особенности разработки коллекторов тюменской свиты для поиска методов и технологий повышения эффективности их разработки. Объекты: коллекторы тюменской свиты Шаимского района. Методы: контент-анализ, анализ и обобщение имеющегося опыта разработки коллекторов тюменской свиты на примере трех месторождений ООО «ЛУКОЙЛ-Западная Сибирь». Результаты. Обобщены особенности геологического строения, выработки запасов пластов тюменской свиты и основные направления совершенствования технологии разработки. По результатам проведенного анализа выработки коллекторов тюменской свиты выявлены существенные различия в эффективности выработки запасов нефти. По результатам интерпретации гидродинамических исследований, проведенных на рассматриваемых месторождениях, на двух выявлены коллекторы с двойной средой, что может оказывать существенное влияние на достижение различной эффективности разработки указанных месторождений. Во многом низкая эффективность разработки объектов тюменской свиты обусловлена применяемыми системами разработки, запроектированными на недостаточно геологически изученных залежах. Важной прикладной задачей эксплуатации порово-трещиноватого коллектора является определение величины дренируемых запасов и возможность прогнозирования их выработки с применением характеристик вытеснения, соответствующих типу продуктивного пласта.
ИЗМЕНЕНИЕ МИГРАЦИИ ХИМИЧЕСКИХ ЭЛЕМЕНТОВ В РАЙОНЕ РАЗМЕЩЕНИЯ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЯ НЕФТЕПЕРЕРАБОТКИ
Authors: Boev Vladislav V. , Baranovskaya Natalya V. , Boev Viktor A.
Published: November 2021

Ссылка для цитирования:  Боев В.В., Барановская Н.В., Боев  В.А. Изменение миграции химических элементов в районе размещения предприятия нефтепереработки // Известия Томского политехнического университета. Инжиниринг георесурсов. – 2021. – Т. 332. – № 10. – С. 150–159.

Актуальность исследования обусловлена отсутствием данных по воздействию многих нефтеперерабатывающих заводов на прилегающие почвы для конкретных регионов, определяемому конструктивными и технологическими особенностями, при изученности общей геохимической специфики нефтеперерабатывающей отрасли. Цель исследования состоит в выявлении особенностей накопления в почвах и распределения по профилю некоторых специфических для нефтеперерабатывающей промышленности химических элементов на территории деятельности относительно нового нефтеперерабатывающего завода путем сопоставления с данными для фоновой территории с аналогичными природными условиями и кларком. Объекты: почвы Тюменского федерального заказника и территории расположения Антипинского нефтеперерабатывающего завода. Методы: выбор и подготовка пробных площадок, отбор и подготовка почв, определение элементного состава инструментальным нейтронно-активационным методом, интерпретация результатов. Результаты. Изучено содержание Br, Sb, Zn, As, Co в почвах восточной части Тюменского федерального заказника и района размещения Антипинского нефтеперерабатывающего завода, их распределение по профилю. Путем сравнения полученных результатов выявлено повышенное содержание данных химических элементов в горизонте A1 почв территории расположения Антипинского нефтеперерабатывающего завода относительно Тюменского федерального заказника и изменение закономерностей их распределения по профилю. В почве района вблизи техногенного объекта книзу сокращается повышенное содержание рассмотренных химических элементов, что наблюдается и по абсолютным значениям, и по коэффициентам концентрации относительно условно-фоновых данных для почв Тюменского федерального заказника. Это свидетельствует о поступлении их с поверхности. При этом на обеих территориях содержание химических элементов ниже кларка, что отражает относительно невысокую техногенную нагрузку в данных районах.
Evaluating the use of narrative pedagogy in person-centred care and human factors in perioperative practice education
Authors:   University of Brighton, East Sussex, Holland Joanna , Muir Nita ,   University of Chichester, Chichester, West Sussex
Published: November 2021

Background: There is an international effort to develop understanding from human factors theory and implement this in healthcare to improve person-centred care and patient safety. Aim: This project aimed to evaluate the use of narrative pedagogy to teach human factors to perioperative personnel in the workplace. Methods: Using the action research model, an interactive learning session based on lessons from serious incidents was developed and delivered to perioperative staff in an NHS Trust within a practice development programme. Data were collected in the form of questionnaires and peer reviews to evaluate the learning session, and thematically analysed. Findings: The use of narrative pedagogy to explore human factors theory empowered participants to speak up, and this influenced the workplace safety culture. Conclusion: Narrative pedagogy reconnects healthcare employees with compassionate approaches to person-centred care, and this provides powerful motivation to improve the safety culture. Further studies should focus on different applications of narrative pedagogy in workplace learning, and creative approaches to teaching human factors. Implications for practice: • Narrative pedagogy can be a conduit to develop person-centred practice • Engaging staff through interactive practice development sessions can encourage expansive learning about human factors and their application in practice • Narrative pedagogy motivates healthcare staff to improve the safety culture in practice
PLATO: a practice development approach to reconsidering student learning partnerships
Authors:   Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK, Hamshire Claire , Jack Kirsten ,   Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
Published: November 2021

Background: This article explores the use of a practice development approach to support nursing students’ engagement in learning partnerships in clinical practice settings. Aim: To reflect, using the model proposed by Rolfe and colleagues (2001), on the development of ‘PLATO’ – an educational tool to help nursing students explore their role in building learning partnerships in clinical settings. Conclusion: A practice development approach to clinical learning partnerships can support an effective learning culture. As a result, nursing students can gain greater empowerment and take increased responsibility for their learning. Implications for practice: • Facilitating learning partnerships with students is important for achieving person-centred care • Partnership working provides opportunities for true collaboration and for learning with and from our students • Developing collaborative spaces can facilitate nursing students to reflect in and on their practice
EFFECTIVENESS OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS AS FOOD AND BEVERAGE MARKETING MEDIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Hidayah Ira Nur , Rohmah Nur Fadhilatur , Saifuddin Muchammad
Published: November 2021

Covid-19 pandemic disrupted business practices worldwide, especially in food and everage sector. Not a few business actors in this sector closed their business due to declining sales during pandemic. In responding to this global effect, business actors are not only encouraged to adapt. Still, they must also think of practical steps to stabilize sales as before through creative and innovative digital marketing strategies. Data collected by interviews and literature study to provide an in-depth analysis of condition of food and beverage during Covid-19 pandemic and provide education about digital marketing strategies that business actors can apply to increase food and beverage sales during Covid-19 pandemic. The results showed that social media such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Whatsapps were effective in marketing food and beverage products. In addition, Shopeefood e-commerce platform and food delivery applications such as GrabFood and GoFood also play a significant role in success of food and beverage marketing and sales and can support government regulations to stay at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
INFORMATION SYSTEM DESIGN AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT ON PHARMACY BUSINESS WITHIN ABC-XYZ ANALYSIS METHOD
Authors: Herlambang Christopher Amadeus , Parung Joniarto
Published: November 2021

Inventory will difficult to be controlled when there is an increase on product item number. It needs product grouping analysis to determine product priorities. So that, an inventory management information system that supports inventory planning process becomes important to discuss. The same problem is also experienced by Kutisari pharmacy which has nearly 1500 product items that controlled by conventional-based stock and inventory recording system. Based on observations pharmacy planning is currently done based on the owner subjectivity. The expired goods is often became problem because control system is still conventional and number of product items is quite large. Researchers classify products in various stages with final result being a combination of ABC and XYZ classifications. The demand data for priority products is forecasted according to the model that gives best MAPE/MSD results and researcher improves inventory management system flow by implementing an inventory management information system at Kutisari Pharmacy. After that, an analysis is carried out to find out benefits of application system. Based on data analysis, losses from expired drugs and goods that are not recorded in warehouse resulted in lost sales of Rp. 3,312,000 in a year. In future this losses could be prevented and minimized, so that it can be benefits for pharmacy business.
RESPON PERTUMBUHAN TANAMAN JATI PLUS PERHUTANI UMUR 11 TAHUN TERHADAP INTENSITAS PENJARANGAN DAN TUMPANG SARI (STUDI KASUS DI BKPH BEGAL KPH NGAWI, PERHUTANI JAWA TIMUR)
Authors:   Universitas Palangka Raya, Fadhil Amiruddin Sudomo Muhammad , Hadiwinoto Suryo ,   Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indrioko Sapto , Budiadi Budiadi ,   Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan Perum Perhutani
Published: November 2021

Thinning is one of silvicultural management actions in maintaining and increasing growth and quality of standing stands. This study aims to determine growth response of selected teak clone to several intensities of thinning and intercropping. The method was a factorial completely randomized block design (RCBD) with thinning intensity (4 levels): 0% (control = A1), 25% (A2), 50% (A3) and 75% (A4) as the main plot, whileintercropping (2 levels), as the sub plot. The results showed that the Current Annual Increment (CAI) of diameter at breast height (CAI DBH), volume/tree (CAI vol/tree) and volume/hectare (CAI vol/ha) of stands gave a significant positive response to thinning intensity treatment. CAI DBH one year after thinning were 0.79 cm, 1.47 cm, and 2.46 cm; increased by 32%, 145% and 310% at the thinning intensity of 25%, 50% and 75% when they compared with the control (0.59 cm). CAI vol/ha of stand in the first year, namely 11.88 m3/ha, 14.04 m3/ha, and 16.78 m3/ha or with an increase of 9%, 29% and 54% respectively at an intensity of 25 %, 50% and 75% compared to the control.
Exploring Factors Associated with Patients Who Prefer Clinician-Sampling to HPV Self-Sampling: A Study Conducted in a Low-Resource Setting
Authors: Sormani Jessica , Kenfack Bruno , Wisniak Ania , Moukam Datchoua Alida , Lemoupa Makajio Sophie , Schmidt Nicole C , Vassilakos Pierre , Petignat Patrick
Published: November 2021

Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling (Self-HPV) is a promising strategy to improve cervical cancer screening coverage in low-income countries. However, issues associated with women who prefer conventional HPV clinical-sampling over HPV self-sampling may affect screening participation. To address this issue, our study assessed factors associated with women’s preferences related to Self-HPV. This study was embedded in a large clinical trial recruiting women aged 30–49 years in a primary HPV-based study termed “3T-Approach” (for Test-Triage-Treatment), launched in 2018 at Dschang District Hospital, West Cameroon. Participants were invited to perform a Self-HPV. After the sampling and before receiving the results, participants completed a questionnaire about cervical cancer screening and their preferences and perceptions around Self-HPV. The median age of the 2201 participants was 40.6 (IQR 35–45) years. Most (1693 (76.9%)) preferred HPV self-sampling or had no preference for either method and 508 (23.1%) preferred clinician-sampling. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of reporting a clinician-sampling preference were tertiary educational level (14.4% CI: 12.8–16.1 vs 29.5% CI: 25.6–33.6) and being an employee with higher grade professional or managerial occupations (5.5% CI: 3.8–7.9 vs 2.6% CI: 2.3–2.8). The main reported reason for women preferring clinician-sampling was a lack of “self-expertise”. Most women (>99%) would agree to repeat HPV self-sampling and would recommend it to their relatives. HPV self-sampling in the cultural context of central Africa was well accepted by participants, but some participants would prefer to undergo clinician sampling. Health systems should support well-educated women to increase self-confidence in using HPV self-sampling.
The Male Reproductive Organs in African Swine Fever–Implications for Transmission
Authors: Roszyk Hanna , Franzke Kati , Breithaupt Angele , Deutschmann Paul , Pikalo Jutta , Carrau Tessa , Blome Sandra , Sehl-Ewert Julia
Published: November 2021

African swine fever (ASF) has evolved from an exotic animal disease to a threat to global pig production. An important avenue for wide-spread transmission of animal diseases is the dissemination of viruses through boar semen used for artificial insemination (AI). In this context, we investigated the role of male reproductive organs in ASF. Mature domestic boars and adolescent wild boar inoculated with different ASF virus strains were investigated by means of virological and pathological methods. Additionally, electron microscopy was employed to investigate in vitro inoculated sperm. Viral genome, antigen and infectious virus could be found in all gonadal tissues and accessory sex glands. The viral antigen and viral mRNAs were mainly found in mononuclear cells of the respective tissues. However, some other cell types, including Leydig, endothelial and stromal cells were also found positive. Using RNAScope, p72 mRNA could be found in scattered halo cells of the epididymal duct epithelium which could point to disruption of the barrier. No direct infection of spermatozoa was observed by immunohistochemistry or electron microscopy. Taken together, our results strengthen the assumption that ASFV can be transmitted via boar semen. Future studies are needed to explore excretion dynamics and transmission efficiency.
Vibration Compensation for a Vehicle-mounted Atom Gravimeter
Authors: Guo Jie , Ma Siqian , Zhou Chao , Liu Jixun , Wang Bin , Pan Debin , Mao and Haicen
Published: November 2021

The performance of the absolute atom gravimeters used on moving platforms, such as vehicles, ships and aircrafts, is strongly affected by the vibration noise. To suppress its influence, we summarize a vibration compensation method utilizing data measured by a classical accelerometer. The measurements with the accelerometer show that the vibration noise in the vehicle can be 2 order of magnitude greater than that in the lab during daytime, and can induce an interferometric phase fluctuation with a standard deviation of 16.70π. With the compensation method, our vehicle-mounted atom gravimeter can work normally in these harsh conditions. Comparing the Allan standard deviations before and after the vibration noise correction, we find a suppression factor of 22.74 can be achieved in static condition with an interrogation time of T = 20 ms, resulting a sensitivity of 1.35 mGal/Hz1/2, and a standard deviation of 0.5 mGal with an average time of 10 s. We also demonstrate the first test of an atom gravimeter in a moving vehicle, in which a suppression factor of 50.85 and a sensitivity of 60.88 mGal/Hz1/2 were realized with T = 5 ms.
Implementation and Effectiveness of Novel Therapeutic Substances for Advanced Malignant Melanoma in Saxony, Germany, 2010–2020 - Cohort Study Based on Administrative Data
Authors: Datzmann Thomas , Schmitt Jochen , Fuhrmann Saskia , Roessler Martin , Meier Friedegund , Schoffer Olaf
Published: November 2021

(1) Background: Targeted (TT) and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies have become available in the routine care of metastatic melanoma in recent years. (2) Objective: We compared mortality in patients with metastatic melanoma and different systemic therapies. (3) Methods: A retrospective cohort study, based on pseudonymized health insurance data of about 2 million individuals from Saxony, Germany, was conducted for the years 2010 to 2020. Only patients with an advanced stage, i.e. distant metastases were considered for the main analysis. Relative survival since metastasis and predicted survivor curves derived from a Cox model were used to assess potential differences in mortality. (4) Results: Relative survival was highest in the subgroup with sequential use of ICI and TT. All treatments except interferon had significant hazard ratios (HR) in the Cox model with time-dependent effects indicating a protective effect after treatment initiation (HR 0.01-0.146) but decreasing over time (HR 1.351-2.310). The predicted survivor curves revealed best survival under ICI-TT treatment and worst survival under TT treatment alone. (5) Conclusions: We found real-world evidence for survival benefits of patients with metastatic melanoma who received sequential ICI and TT treatment. It is conceivable that the observed high survival differences were overestimated due to bias, such as confounding by indication.
Primary Evaluation of a New Green Synthesized Anionic Surfactant, Micellar Behavior Analysis, and Flooding in Sandstone Reservoirs: Application in Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Nafisifar Aref , Manshad Abbas Khaksar , Shadizadeh Seyed Reza
Published: November 2021

Surfactants are among the most common chemical materials injected into reservoirs to improve oil recovery. They can optimize the significant roles of chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) including interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability alteration. However, surfactants are relatively expensive materials. In the last decade, researchers have been attempting to introduce environmentally friendly and affordable surfactant to meet chemical EOR goals; therefore, biosurfactants were developed. This research has tried to introduce and develop an anionic synthesized surfactant [powder extracted from cottonseeds (PECS)] and has characterized it on the basis of the EOR targets. For this purpose, by conducting the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (HNMR) analysis, the existence of the saponin structure on this surfactant has been proved. Thereafter, to ensure the thermal stability, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) has been carried out. Moreover, studying the micellar behavior of PECS through electrical conductivity and surface tension analysis, it was perceived that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) is 1,200 ppm. Other solution properties including pH and density have also been measured. To investigate and ensure the validated potential for EOR parameters, IFT and wettability alteration analyses have been executed, proving the reduction of the IFT from 29.7 to 0.46 mN/m and the reduction of the contact angle value from 126.3° to 57.8°, respectively. Other surfactant properties in EOR application including emulsion stability and foamability have also been studied, representing 12-week emulsion stability and 12-minute foam half-life, respectively. In addition, gas flow rate effect for foamability of surfactant was measured. As an important parameter to investigate the performance of the novel introduced surfactant, the adsorption of surfactant on rock surface has been studied to determine the acceptable range for EOR application. Finally, coreflooding experiments showed a 7.6% increase of recovery factor.
Multi-Locus Genome-Wide Association Studies Reveal Novel Alleles for Flowering Time Under Vernalisation and Extended Photoperiod in a Barley MAGIC Population
Authors: Dang Viet Hoang , Hill Camilla Beate , Zhang Xiao-Qi , Angessa Tefera Tolera , McFawn Lee-Anne , Li Chengdao
Published: November 2021

Optimal flowering time has a major impact on grain yield in crop species, including the globally important temperate cereal crop barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Understanding the genetics of flowering is a key avenue to enhance yield potential. Bi-parental populations were used intensively to map genes controlling flowering. However, the lack of genetic diversity in bi-parental populations can lead to low mapping resolution and low allele richness, rendering the identification of underlying functional alleles difficult. Multiparent mapping populations such as nested association mapping (NAM) and multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) can overcome these limitations. The higher genetic and phenotypic diversity of multiple parents allows high-resolution quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. In this study, we use a MAGIC population from four commercial barley cultivars to identify genes controlling flowering time in different environmental conditions. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed using 5,112 high-quality markers from Diversity Arrays Technology sequencing (DArT-seq) and Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) genotyping. Phenotypic data was collected from 15 trials at different sites, across three consecutive years, various sowing times with/without vernalisation and extended photoperiod. This study detected 14 stable regions associated with flowering time across multiple environments. Minor regions associated with flowering time in certain environmental conditions were also identified. GWAS combined with pangenome data highlighted the role of CEN gene in flowering and enabled the prediction of different CEN alleles from parental lines. These associations provide opportunities to utilise specific genes/alleles to create barley varieties with better grain yield and adaptation to growing conditions.
Novel clinical biomarkers in blood and pleural effusion for diagnosing patients with tuberculosis distinguishing from malignant tumor
Authors: Wang Jian , Feng Zhe-Xiang , Ren Tao , Meng Wei-Yu , Khan Imran , Fan Xing-Xing , Pan Hu-Dan , Liu Liang , Tang Yi-Jun , Yao Xiao-Jun , Li Run-Ze , Wang Mei-Fang , Leung Elaine Lai-Han
Published: November 2021

Background

Pleural effusion (PE) is a common manifestation of tuberculosis and malignant tumors, but it is difficult to distinguish tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and malignant pleural effusion (MPE), especially by non-invasive detection indicators. We aimed to find effective detection indexes in blood and PE for differentiating patients with tuberculosis from a malignant tumor.
Methods

815 patients were collected who diagnosed with tuberculosis or cancer at Taihe hospital from 2014 to 2017. 717 patients were found to have PE by thoracoscopy. The clinical characteristics, patients’ blood parameters, and PE indicators information were summarized for analysis.
Results

The patients with MPE had higher percentages to be bloody and negative of Rivalta test in PE than patients with TPE. Then for clinical indicators, comparing specific parameters in blood, we observed 18 indicators were higher in the TPE group than in the MPE group. On contrast, 12 indicators were higher in the MPE group than in the TPE group (p < 0.01). In addition, in PE tests, we found there were 3 parameters higher in TPE and other 4 parameters higher in MPE patients group (p < 0.01). Then for clinical diagnosing practice, ROC and PCA analysis were applied. Top six relevant indicators with AUC value over 0.70 were screened out: pADA (0.90), pHsCRP (0.79), sMONp (0.75), sHsCRP (0.73), sESR (0.71), and sD-dimer (0.70). Moreover, with the Logistic regression model, a specific combination of 3 biomarkers pADA, sMONp, and sHsCRP could enhance distinguishing tuberculosis from malignant tumor patients with PE (AUC=0.944, 95% CI=0.925-0.964). For the top single marker pADA, we further analyzed its diagnostic function in patients with different group and observed it kept the high specificity and sensitivity.
Conclusions

The six indicators of pADA, pHsCRP, sMONp, sHsCRP, sESR and sD-dimer showed significant diagnostic value for clinicians. Further, the combination of pADA, sMONp, and sHsCRP has high accuracy for differential diagnosis for the first time. Mostly interestingly, pADA single marker maintained high specificity and sensitivity in patients with different status, which has great value for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of suspected cases.
An Investigation Into The Mathematical and Physical Origins of The Fine-Structure Constant
Authors: Williams Lamont
Published: November 2021

The fine-structure constant, α, unites fundamental aspects of electromagnetism, quantum physics, and relativity. As such, it is one of the most important constants in nature. However, why it has the value of approximately 1/137 has been a mystery since it was first identified more than 100 years ago. To date, it is an ad hoc feature of the Standard Model, as it does not appear to be derivable within that body of work — being determined solely by experimentation. This report presents a mathematical formula for α that results in an exact match with the currently accepted value of the constant. The formula requires that a simple corrective term be applied to the value of one of the factors in the suggested equation. Notably, this corrective term, at approximately 0.023, is similar in value to the electron anomalous magnetic moment value, at approximately 0.0023, which is the corrective term that needs to be applied to the g-factor in the equation for the electron spin magnetic moment. In addition, it is shown that the corrective term for the proposed equation for α can be derived from the anomalous magnetic moment values of the electron, muon, and tau particle — values that have been well established through theory and/or experimentation. This supports the notion that the corrective term for the α formula is also a real and natural quantity. The quantum mechanical origins of the lepton anomalous magnetic moment values suggest that there might be a quantum mechanical origin to the corrective term for α as well. This possibility, as well as a broader physical interpretation of the value of α, is explored.
Utilisation of Emergency Contraception Among Final Year University Female Students
Authors: Nachinab Gilbert Ti-enkawol , Asumah Mubarick Nungbaso , Yakong Vida Nyagre , Pwamang Edwina , Awe Cynthia Apawo , Alowri Freda
Published: November 2021

Introduction:

Unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion have become serious public health concerns around the world, particularly among female students in both developed and developing countries. The general objective of this study was to investigate the utilization of emergency contraception among final-year female students of a public university in Ghana.
Methods

A stratified random sample was used to enroll 199 female university students for descriptive cross-sectional research. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data. To compare categorical variables, Chi-square analysis was employed, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results

Majority (88.4%) of the respondents demonstrated sufficient knowledge, and 84.4% had a favorable attitude towards emergency contraceptives (ECs). On the indications for EC; after unprotected sex (65.3%), after a missed period (22.6%), when one is raped (83.4%), unwanted pregnancy (75.9%), and rupture of condoms (88.9%) were identified. The majority (59.3%) of students have used EC, with most of the students (43.7%) using Postinor-2. The overall attitude towards EC and Residence (X2=7.5; p=0.023), Religion (X2=6.2; p=0.042), and marital status (X2=17.1, p=0.001) were statistically significant. There was a significant association between the use of EC and Residence (X2=10.9; p=0.004) and marital status (X2=8.6; p=0.035).
Conclusion

The findings of this study indicated that students had a high degree of awareness, understanding, and attitude about EC, with a significant number of the respondents likely to utilize it in the future. This may aid in the treatment of female students' sexual and reproductive health issues and prevent dropping out of school as a result of unwanted pregnancy. Also, there is the need to engage opinion leaders to address their concerns to allow for the effective utilization of emergency contraceptives.
Chemical Composition, A Ntimicrobial, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities and of Essential Oil from Actinidia Arguta
Authors: Wang Hongling , Quan Hongxin , Sun Tianli , Wang Zhuo , Yang Yuhong
Published: November 2021

Chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties of essential oil from Actinidiatg arguta (AEO) were evaluated. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified 56 chemical compounds, with the most abundant being Squalene (23.08%), γ-sitrostorol (8.10%), and β-Tocopherol (7.01%). Whereas the AEO had significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it showed mild efficacy against Bacillus subtilis and Microsporum canis . On the contrary, the Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were not susceptible to the AEO pressure. On the other hand, the AEO exhibited strong antioxidant activity against DPPH, β-carotene, and hydroxyl radicals, having an IC 50 values of 117.60, 73.60 and 35.15 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, compared to the PC-3 or HT-29 cell lines, the A549 cells were more susceptible to the AEO (IC 50 ; 6.067 mg/mL). Besides, the confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging showed that 16 mg/mL of the AEO induced apoptosis in the A549 cell lines. Our data indicate that the AEO might be useful in the food and pharmaceutical industry.
RDD-Eclat: Approaches to Parallelize Eclat Algorithm on Spark RDD Framework (Extended Version)
Authors: Singh Pankaj , Singh Sudhakar , Mishra P K , Garg Rakhi
Published: November 2021

Frequent itemset mining (FIM) is a highly computational and data intensive algorithm. Therefore, parallel and distributed FIM algorithms have been designed to process large volume of data in a reduced time. Recently, a number of FIM algorithms have been designed on Hadoop MapReduce, a distributed big data processing framework. But, due to heavy disk I/O, MapReduce is found to be inefficient for the highly iterative FIM algorithms. Therefore, Spark, a more efficient distributed data processing framework, has been developed with in-memory computation and resilient distributed dataset (RDD) features to support the iterative algorithms. On this framework, Apriori and FP-Growth based FIM algorithms have been designed on the Spark RDD framework, but Eclat-based algorithm has not been explored yet. In this paper, RDD-Eclat, a parallel Eclat algorithm on the Spark RDD framework is proposed with its five variants. The proposed algorithms are evaluated on the various benchmark datasets, and the experimental results show that RDD-Eclat outperforms the Spark-based Apriori by many times. Also, the experimental results show the scalability of the proposed algorithms on increasing the number of cores and size of the dataset.
Impact of Climate Change on Residential Electricity in Western Cities in China
Authors: Xia Cuihui , Yao Tandong , Hou Haowen , Wang Pengling
Published: November 2021

Extreme weather induced by climate change has triggered large-scale power outages worldwide. More insight into the climate impact (especially precipitation) on residential electricity consumption (REC) is needed. With a particular focus on precipitation, our study aimed to quantify the climate impact on REC and project associated changes under the representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 climate change scenarios in Lanzhou and Lhasa, two western cities in China. The climate impact on REC in both cities is driven by heating-related demand, with Lanzhou being more sensitive to climate than Lhasa during the warm season. There is a stronger precipitation impact during the cold season in both cities, since precipitation (especially snowfall) boosts electricity consumption during the cold season. As the two cities become warmer and wetter, precipitation will offset the impact of warming on REC, with Lanzhou being more affected. Based on Lanzhou projections, the offsetting effect will be more pronounced in the cold season across all scenarios, and will be particularly strong under RCP 2.6. For the remainder of the year, the effects of increased precipitation and warming will have competing importance under the RCP 4.5 scenario, whereas temperature effects will generally dominate the climate impact under the RCP 8.5 scenario. Our results provide new references for future climate–energy studies in western China and can help inform policy-making on regional climate adaptation. We also propose an algorithm model that is readily compatible with potential early-warning projects to protect against extreme weather-induced power outages.
The Manufacturing Sector Impact of Monetary Policy Frameworks: Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Adekunle Oludayo Elijah
Published: November 2021

Monetary policy as macroeconomic tool is germane to maintain economic balances and stimulate sectoral growth. However, the channels through monetary policy influenced manufacturing sector has not been adequately explored in Nigeria. Therefore, this study was carried out to uncover the linkage between monetary policy channels and manufacturing sector output in Nigeria within the period of 1986 to 2018. The unit root result based on Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips-Peron tests showed the data series are integration of level and first difference. Data were analyzed with Autoregressive Distributed Lag-Bound Co-integration dynamic technique. It was discovered from the study that, monetary policy channels determines manufacturing sector output in the long run. It was further established that, manufacturing sector output responded positively and significantly to momentary policy rate, broad money supply and inflation rate while cash reserve ratio and exchange rate had negative and insignificant relationship with manufacturing sector output in the long run coefficients with mixed effects in the short run coefficients. These results suggest that, monetary policy channels are powerful tool for influencing manufacturing sector output and promoting sectroal growth especially in the long run. Thus, it was suggested that the current monetary policy frameworks should be maintained and sustained, while cash reserve ratio of banks should be reviewed to support lending to the manufacturing sector. The growth of money supply should be adequately monitored and controlled in line with the structure of the economy. Finally, appropriate and stable macroeconomic policies should be initiated to ensure macroeconomic stability capable of supporting manufacturing sector activities.