bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research into influence of drilling-and-blasting operations on the stability of the Kusmuryn open-pit sides in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Authors: Hussan Bolatkhan , Takhanov Daulet , Kuzmin Sergey , Abdibaitov Sharabidin
Published: September 2021

Purpose. Research into influence of drilling-and-blasting operations on the nature of deformation in near-side masses of the design open-pit contours and assessing the seismic impact of blasting operations, which are the basis for development of recommendations on the rational parameters of drilling-and-blasting operations. Methods. The influence of drilling-and-blasting operations at the limiting contour of the Kusmuryn field is studied using the analysis of the mining-and-geological conditions and tectonics of the rocks constituing the field, in-situ surveying the state of the open-pit sides, analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of the host rocks, analytical studies and instrumental measurements of the blasting effect. Findings. Based on the analytical methods, the calculation and analysis of the seismic stability of the rocks at the field have been performed. By means of instrumental measurement of the blasting effect in open pit, data have been obtained on the seismic impact of blasting operations on the near-side masses. According to the results of these works, rational parameters of drilling-and-blasting operations at the limiting contour of the open pit have been determined. In addition, the main provisions for the organization of drilling-and-blasting operations at the limiting contour of the open pit have been developed. Originality. In this work, for the first time, a joint research method is applied, which includes an analytical calculation of the shock wave seismic impact on a rock mass, based on the results of which the dependency graphs have been obtained of the seismicity coefficient on the rock hardness coefficient at the Kusmuryn field according to the Protodyakonov scale for various explosives, as well as using the method of instrumental measurements, which serves to determine the seismic impact of an explosion on a rock mass. This makes it possible to substantiate the technology of conducting the drilling-and-blasting operations at the contour, providing a long-term stable position of the permanent side of the open pit. Practical implications. The results of the work will be used to calculate the safe parameters of conducting the blasting operations when placing the side in the final position at the Kusmuryn field. This research method can be applied at any mining enterprise conducting open-cut mining of minerals.
COVID-19: Effects on Eye in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Md Sharfuddin , Kabir Md Showkat , Bhuiyan Mazharul Hoque
Published: September 2021

COVID-19 is a contagious disease which can spread person to person mainly by respiratory droplet from infected person and contact by contaminated objects or body limbs through the routes nose, mouth, and eyes. To find out the ocular manifestations that are found in Bangladesh during COVID-19 pandemic this descriptive type of cross-sectional study was conducted to detect the ocular infection and its manifestation among patients admitted at different COVID-19 dedicated hospitals. Total 26 doctor’s (Eye Specialists, ICU Consultants, ICU Residents/ Medical Officers, Consultants of other Specialities, Medical Officers/ Residents) observational and examination findings were recorded in this study who have already completed one or more roster [07 days] duties in Corona Dedicated hospitals to treat the COVID-19 affected patients directly. Total 3,678 patients information from different hospitals were collected and interviews were taken directly or over telephone from the participants. Data collected from the participants based on the observations of physicians during COVID roster duties in different corona dedicated hospitals. Age sex and ocular signs and symptoms found in patients during hospitalization were recorded. Total 08 (eight) Corona dedicated hospitals; one Medical University, five tertiary level Govt. hospitals, one private Medical College hospital and one largest Isolation center of South-Asia were included as study place. Among the cases 66.2% were male and 33.8% female. Maximum patients were in age group 40-60 years [40%] and minimum of them were above 70 years [10%]. Ocular manifestations found in 48 cases and.30 in suspected, total 78 cases found with ocular manifestations. Total 2.121% patients hade ocular manifestations in confirmed and suspected cases. In COVID confirmed cases 1.316% patients hade ocular manifestations. In conclusion, we found several ocular manifestations in patients who are hospitalized as COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the ocular involvement could be the presenting finding of disease. Further studies are required in Bangladesh and this information may be valuable for future studies.
Bangladesh Med J. 2020 May; 49(2) : 14-18
Obituary News May-2020, V. 49(2)
Authors: Halim Kazi Shafiqul
Published: September 2021

Abstract not available
Bangladesh Med J. 2020 May; 49(2) : 48
Filtration, concentration and detection of salmonid alphavirus in seawater during a post-smolt salmon (Salmo salar) cohabitant challenge
Authors: Bernhardt LV , Myrmel M , Lillehaug A , Qviller L , Chioma Weli S
Published: September 2021

Currently, the prevalence of salmonid alphavirus (SAV) in Norwegian Atlantic salmon farms is largely surveyed via sacrificing fish and sampling of organ tissue on a monthly basis. However, a more cost-efficient, straightforward, rapid, reliable, reproducible and animal welfare friendly method based on the detection of SAV in water could be considered as an alternative method. In the present study, such a method was developed and optimized through a 6 wk cohabitant challenge trial, using post-smolt Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L challenged with high or low doses of SAV subtype 3 (SAV3). Tank water and tissue samples from cohabitant fish were collected at 16 time points. SAV3 was concentrated from the water by filtration, using either electronegative or electropositive membrane filters, which were subsequently rinsed with one of 4 different buffer solutions. SAV3 was detected first in tank water (7 d post-challenge, DPC), and later in cohabitant fish organ tissue samples (12 DPC). The electronegative filter (MF-Millipore™) and rinsing with NucliSENS® easyMAG® Lysis Buffer presented the best SAV3 recovery. A significant positive correlation was found between SAV3 in the tank water concentrates and the mid-kidney samples. Based on these results, detection of SAV3 in filtrated seawater is believed to have the potential to serve as an alternative method for surveillance of SAV in Atlantic salmon farms.
Elizabeth Bishop at the End of the Rainbow
Authors: Burt Stephanie
Published: September 2021

‘Bishop’s poetry is a concern of the present and the recent past, rather than of the future.’ That’s not actually anything anyone has said, verbatim, about Bishop; it is T. Eliot on John Donne, in 1931, but it articulates a suspicion that many critics have had about Bishop. This chapter explains, first, how that suspicion arose, and then why Bishop is still a concern, indeed an available influence, for the English language poetry of the near future.
Queer Aesthetics
Authors: Stevens Hugh
Published: September 2021

Arguing against critical views of Lawrence, which regard him as a sexual conservative, this chapter suggests that his questioning of the coherence of sexual identity anticipates contemporary queer theory. It considers recurrent tensions in Lawrence’s writing between a desire to affirm the supremacy of sexual relationships between men and women and his persistent fascination with same-sex desire and same-sex love. The chapter argues that despite Lawrence’s tendency to disparage lesbianism, his 1923 short novel The Fox contains a tender portrayal of love between women. It closes with a discussion of a range of works in which Lawrence aestheticises love between men, while respecting the taboo against homosexuality. The persistent queer aesthetics in Lawrence’s work are seen as undermining his metaphysical championing of ‘true phallic marriage’.
Writing Black Scotland
Authors: Jackson Joseph H.
Published: September 2021

Writing Black Scotland: Race, Nation and the Devolution of Black Britain examines Blackness in devolutionary Scottish writing, bringing together two established contemporary literary-critical fields – Black British and Scottish literature – with significant implications for both. The book focuses on key literary works from the 1970s to the early 2000s, which emerge from and shape a period of history defined by post-imperial adjustment: a new British state politics of race centred on multiculturalism, the changing status of the Union, and the expanding racial diversity of Scotland itself. The book suggests that the larger world context of Black politics shaped the priorities of Scottish writers in the 1980s and 1990s, at the same time that Black writers were rising to prominence in Scottish letters. Following the referendum on devolved government in 1997, race and racism became even more important negotiations in the national space, evidenced by case studies of three texts directly addressing Blackness in Scotland. This ‘devolving’ of Black Britain parallels the shifting constitutional arrangements in contemporary Britain, implicating not only Scotland but Black British literary studies, which have largely left the integrity of the Union undisturbed. Writing Black Scotland critiques that unifying Britishness, recognisable in a confident state multiculturalism, with reference to the constitutional challenge from Scotland.
The Network and the Demos: Big Data and the Epistemic Justifications of Democracy
Authors: Kinkead Dave , Douglas David M.
Published: September 2021

In this chapter, Kinkead and Douglas draw on the history of democracies to see how big data and its use with social media sites introduces new challenges to the contemporary marketplace of ideas. They note that traditionally one could narrowcast a tailored message with some impunity, but limited effect, while broadcasts (with larger impact) were open to examination by the public. Microtargeted political advertising now allows for the narrowcast message to be tweaked and directed on a scale never before seen.
Artivism, Politics and Islam–An Empirical-Theoretical Approach to Artistic Strategies and Aesthetic Counter-Narratives that Defy Collective Stigmatisation
Authors: Salzbrunn Monika
Published: September 2021

What are the interrelations between art and activism, activism in art and the use of art in activism in a context of growing stigmatization of Muslims? To what extend have the arts been political until today and how does political activism resort to art (poetry, performance, painting, photography, music, video etc.)? Starting from the Situationists’ movement and following Rancière’s “Politiques du sensible”, we reflect on the link between the aesthetic and the political. After a conceptual overview about artivism and political engagement as a research topic and related methodological challenges, we provide concrete examples for artistic strategies, namely how Muslims engage in various media in order to reverse stigmata and collective representations. We give insights from three research projects, “Undocumented Mobility (Tunisia-Switzerland) and Digital-Cultural Resources after the ‘Arab Spring’”, “(In)visible Islam in the City – Material and Immaterial Expressions of Muslim Practices in Urban Spaces” (both funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation) and the ERC project “ARTIVISM. Art and Activism. Creativity and Performance as Subversive Forms of Political Expression in Super-Diverse Cities”. In each case, Muslims (mostly from North Africa and from Senegal) develop music- and performance-based artivistic strategies in order to counter stigmatization and suspicion of terrorism.
Muriel Spark's Early Fiction
Authors: Bailey James
Published: September 2021

This book presents a detailed critical analysis of a period of significant formal and thematic innovation in Muriel Spark’s literary career. Spanning the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, it identifies formative instances of literary experimentation in texts including The Comforters, The Driver’s Seat and The Public Image, with an emphasis on metafiction and the influence of the nouveau roman. As the first critical study to draw extensively on Spark’s vast archives of correspondence, manuscripts and research, it provides a unique insight into the social contexts and personal concerns that dictated her fiction. Offering a distinctive reappraisal of Spark’s fiction, the book challenges the rigid critical framework that has long been applied to her writing. In doing so, it interrogates how Spark’s literary innovations work to facilitate moments of subversive satire and gendered social critique. As well as presenting nuanced re-readings major works like The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, it draws unprecedented attention to lesser-discussed texts such as her only stage play, Doctors of Philosophy, and early short stories.
Federalism Practice in Nepal Prospects and Upshots
Authors: Acharya Keshav Kumar , Chandrika Anil
Published: September 2021

This paper examines the core attributes and characteristics of federalism such as state restructuring, power-sharing, ensuring fundamental rights, and intergovernmental relationships. These are underpinned by constitutional provisions of 2015. Both primary and secondary information were used as a data sources. However, the constitution 2015 and citizens' responses were used as major sources of information. Seventy-two key informant interviews were administered purposely to triangulate the results. Findings indicate that the state was reformed into 7 provinces, and 753 local government units. However, much debate and discussions could not take place adequately on behalf of the state regarding the state restructuring process, nor had any established principles and criteria been used. As a result, there are many doubts have been emerged to implement federalism at the grassroots level. Although the government saying was that few indicators were designed to restructure the local governments, the political parties mainly Madheshi and identity-based sub-regional groups differed to the government decision. In addition, the constitution gives legislative, executive, and judiciary functions to all levels of governments, while capacity restraints, and lack of adequate legal procedures; federation have been extending its dominant role. Latterly, the inter-government relationship was adversely affected due for various reasons. For instance, firstly, imbalances of vertical and horizontal relationships; Secondly, provincial, and local governments' fiscal dependency on the federal government; and thirdly, power-seeking attitude of the bureaucracy. In the end, an applicable mechanism of service delivery and governance integrity is recommended for to effective federalization.
SUBMISSION OF LEVELS OF SERVICE AT GENERAL ROAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Authors:   National Transport University, Kanin Alexander P. , Kharchenko Anna N. , Sokolova Natalia M. ,   National Transport University,   National Transport University
Published: September 2021

The article deals with the problems of substantiation of service levels in long-term maintenance contracts of public roads. It has been established that the requirements for the operating condition of road elements in existing regulatory documents are rather complete, but they are unsystematized, which complicates the process of their processing in order to conclude a long-term contract for maintenance of roads. It has been determined that according to the world experience, the problem of substantiation of service levels should be considered with detail at the level of the individual defect. The research object is a long-term contract based on end-of-life performance (service levels) of public roads. The subject of research - levels of service - requirements for the operational state of general roads. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the levels of service in long-term contracts for the maintenance of public roads. Research methods - analysis and theoretical generalization of the world experience in substantiating service levels when implementing long-term maintenance contracts of roads. The conducted studies have shown that simulation modeling, in particular, the Monte Carlo method, should be used to solve the problem of substantiation of service levels. In this case, the indicators of the level of maintenance of the elements of roads should be set better than the maximum permissible in terms of ensuring safety, speed and comfort of motion and the requirements for the preservation of elements of roads.
Diagnostic Tools in Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Testera-Montes Almudena , Jurado Raquel , Salas Maria , Eguiluz-Gracia Ibon , Mayorga Cristobalina
Published: September 2021

Allergic mechanisms account for most cases of chronic rhinitis. This condition is associated with significant impairment of quality of life and high indirect costs. The identification of the allergic triggers of rhinitis has been historically based on the performance of atopy test [skin prick test (SPT) and serum allergen-specific (s)IgE]. Nevertheless, these tests only denote sensitization, and atopy and allergy represent two different phenomena. It is now clear that allergic phenotypes of rhinitis can exist in both atopic (allergic rhinitis, AR) and non-atopic (local allergic rhinitis, LAR) individuals. Moreover, both allergic phenotypes can coexist in the same rhinitis patient (dual allergic rhinitis, DAR). Therefore, a diagnostic approach merely based on atopy tests is associated with a significant rate of misdiagnosis. The confirmation of the allergic etiology of rhinitis requires the performance of in vivo test like the nasal allergen challenge (NAC). NAC is mandatory for the diagnosis of LAR and DAR, and helps decide the best management approach in difficult cases of AR. Nevertheless, NAC is a laborious technique requiring human and technical resources. The basophil activation test (BAT) is a patient-friendly technique that has shown promising results for LAR and DAR diagnosis. In this review, the diagnostic usefulness for chronic rhinitis of SPT, NAC, olfactory tests, serum sIgE, BAT and the quantification of inflammatory mediators in nasal samples will be discussed. The accurate performance of an etiologic diagnosis of rhinitis patients will favor the prescription of specific therapies with disease-modifying potential like allergen immunotherapy.
The Natural History of Medial Meniscal Root Tears: A Biomechanical and Clinical Case Perspective
Authors: Floyd Edward R. , Rodriguez Ariel N. , Falaas Kari L. , Carlson Gregory B. , Chahla Jorge , Geeslin Andrew G. , LaPrade Robert F.
Published: September 2021

Posterior medial meniscus root tears (PMMRTs) make up a relatively notable proportion of all meniscus pathology and have been definitively linked to the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). While known risk factors for development of OA in the knee include abnormal tibial coronal alignment, obesity and female gender, PMMRTs have emerged in recent years as another significant driver of degenerative disease. These injuries lead to an increase in average contact pressure in the medial compartment, along with increases in peak contact pressure and a decrease in contact area relative to the intact state. Loss of the root attachment impairs the function of the entire meniscus and leads to meniscal extrusion, thus impairing the force-dissipating role of the meniscus. Anatomic meniscus root repairs with a transtibial pullout technique have been shown biomechanically to restore mean and peak contact pressures in the medial compartment. However, nonanatomic root repairs have been reported to be ineffective at restoring joint pressures back to normal. Meniscal extrusion is often a consequence of nonanatomic repair and is correlated with progression of OA. In this study, the authors will describe the biomechanical basis of the natural history of medial meniscal root tears and will support the biomechanical studies with a case series including patients that either underwent non-operative treatment (5 patients) or non-anatomic repair of their medial meniscal root tears (6 patients). Using measurements derived from axial MRI, the authors will detail the distance from native root attachment center of the non-anatomic tunnels and discuss the ongoing symptoms of those patients. Imaging and OA progression among patients who were treated nonoperatively before presentation to the authors will be discussed as well. The case series thus presented will illustrate the natural history of meniscal root tears, the consequences of non-anatomic repair, and the findings of symptomatic meniscal extrusion associated with a non-anatomic repair position of the meniscus.
Differences in Experiences With the Development of Mixed-Use Projects From 2004 and 2017
Authors: Metzinger Jamie
Published: September 2021

Mixed-use developments, having three or more uses within one development, have several benefits for communities, however due to the complexity of these developments, several challenges arise in the planning and development phases. The main challenges are local regulations, neighborhood opposition, financing, and insufficient market interest. A 2004 survey of these challenges was repeated in 2017 and the differences between the two are compared in this paper. Significant differences were found in the frequencies of the challenges, mainly that the proportion has dropped in 2017. However, local regulations remained the most significant challenge encountered. The decrease in frequencies is conceivably a sign that regulators, financers, and members of the community are becoming more familiar with mixed-use developments.
X-Chromosome Inactivation and Autosomal Random Monoallelic Expression as “Faux Amis”
Authors: Barreto Vasco M. , Kubasova Nadiya , Alves-Pereira Clara F. , Gendrel Anne-Valerie
Published: September 2021

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) and random monoallelic expression of autosomal genes (RMAE) are two paradigms of gene expression regulation where, at the single cell level, genes can be expressed from either the maternal or paternal alleles. X-chromosome inactivation takes place in female marsupial and placental mammals, while RMAE has been described in mammals and also other species. Although the outcome of both processes results in random monoallelic expression and mosaicism at the cellular level, there are many important differences. We provide here a brief sketch of the history behind the discovery of XCI and RMAE. Moreover, we review some of the distinctive features of these two phenomena, with respect to when in development they are established, their roles in dosage compensation and cellular phenotypic diversity, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their initiation and stability.
Discovering Key Topics From Short, Real-World Medical Inquiries via Natural Language Processing
Authors: Ziletti A. , Berns C. , Treichel O. , Weber T. , Liang J. , Kammerath S. , Schwaerzler M. , Virayah J. , Ruau D. , Ma X. , Mattern A.
Published: September 2021

Millions of unsolicited medical inquiries are received by pharmaceutical companies every year. It has been hypothesized that these inquiries represent a treasure trove of information, potentially giving insight into matters regarding medicinal products and the associated medical treatments. However, due to the large volume and specialized nature of the inquiries, it is difficult to perform timely, recurrent, and comprehensive analyses. Here, we combine biomedical word embeddings, non-linear dimensionality reduction, and hierarchical clustering to automatically discover key topics in real-world medical inquiries from customers. This approach does not require ontologies nor annotations. The discovered topics are meaningful and medically relevant, as judged by medical information specialists, thus demonstrating that unsolicited medical inquiries are a source of valuable customer insights. Our work paves the way for the machine-learning-driven analysis of medical inquiries in the pharmaceutical industry, which ultimately aims at improving patient care.
Development and Validation of a Diagnostic Model to Predict the Risk of Ischemic Liver Injury After Stanford A Aortic Dissection Surgery
Authors: Liu Maomao , Tan Wen , Yuan Wen , Wang Tengke , Lu Xuran , Liu Nan
Published: September 2021

Objective: To define the risk factors of ischemic liver injury (ILI) following Stanford A aortic dissection surgery and to propose a diagnostic model for individual risk prediction.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical parameters of ILI patients who underwent cardiac surgery from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University between January 1, 2015 and October 30, 2020. The data was analyzed by the use of univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. A risk prediction model was established and validated, which showed a favorable discriminating ability and might contribute to clinical decision-making for ILI after Stanford A aortic dissection (AAD) surgery. The discriminative ability and calibration of the diagnostic model to predict ILI were tested using C statistics, calibration plots, and clinical usefulness.

Results: In total, 1,343 patients who underwent AAD surgery were included in the study. After univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, the following variables were incorporated in the prediction of ILI: pre-operative serum creatinine, pre-operative RBC count <3.31 T/L, aortic cross-clamp time >140 min, intraoperative lactic acid level, the transfusion of WRBC, atrial fibrillation within post-operative 24 h. The risk model was validated by internal sets. The model showed a robust discrimination, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.718. The calibration plots for the probability of perioperative ischemic liver injury showed coherence between the predictive probability and the actual probability (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, P = 0.637). In the validation cohort, the nomogram still revealed good discrimination (C statistic = 0.727) and good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, P = 0.872). The 10-fold cross-validation of the nomogram showed that the average misdiagnosis rate was 9.95% and the lowest misdiagnosis rate was 9.81%.

Conclusion: Our risk model can be used to predict the probability of ILI after AAD surgery and have the potential to assist clinicians in making treatment recommendations.
Relationship Between First 24-h Mean Body Temperature and Clinical Outcomes of Post-cardiac Surgery Patients
Authors: Xu Fei , Zhang Cheng , Liu Chao , Bi Siwei , Gu Jun
Published: September 2021

Background:This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between first 24-h mean body temperature and clinical outcomes of post cardiac surgery patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in a large public clinical database.

Methods:This is a retrospectively observational research of MIMIC III dataset, a total of 6,122 patients included. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the distribution of body temperature. Multivariate cox analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the association between abnormal temperature, and clinical outcomes.

Results:Hypothermia (<36°C) significantly associated with increasing in-hospital mortality (HR 1.665, 95%CI 1.218–2.276;p= 0.001), 1-year mortality (HR 1.537, 95% CI 1.205–1.961;p= 0.001), 28-day mortality (HR 1.518, 95% CI 1.14–2.021;p= 0.004), and 90-day mortality (HR 1.491, 95% CI 1.144–1.943;p= 0.003). No statistical differences were observed between short-term or long-term mortality and hyperthermia (>38°C). Hyperthermia was related to the extended length of ICU stay (p< 0.001), and hospital stay (p< 0.001).

Conclusion:Hypothermia within 24h after ICU admission was associated with the increased mortality of post cardiac surgery patients. Enhanced monitoring of body temperature within 24h after cardiac surgery should be taken into account for improving clinical outcomes.
The Development of a Sustainable Bioinformatics Training Environment Within the H3Africa Bioinformatics Network (H3ABioNet)
Authors: Aron Shaun , Chauke Paballo Abel , Ras Verena , Panji Sumir , Johnston Katherine , Mulder Nicola
Published: September 2021

Bioinformatics training programs have been developed independently around the world based on the perceived needs of the local and global academic communities. The field of bioinformatics is complicated by the need to train audiences from diverse backgrounds in a variety of topics to various levels of competencies. While there have been several attempts to develop standardised approaches to provide bioinformatics training globally, the challenges encountered in resource limited settings hinder the adaptation of these global approaches. H3ABioNet, a Pan-African Bioinformatics Network with 27 nodes in 16 African countries, has realised that there is no single simple solution to this challenge and has rather, over the years, evolved and adapted training approaches to create a sustainable training environment, with several components that allow for the successful dissemination of bioinformatics knowledge to diverse audiences. This has been achieved through the implementation of a combination of training modalities and sharing of high quality training material and experiences. The results highlight the success of implementing this multi-pronged approach to training, to reach audiences from different backgrounds and provide training in a variety of different areas of expertise. While face-to-face training was initially required and successful, the mixed-model teaching approach allowed for an increased reach, providing training in advanced analysis topics to reach large audiences across the continent with minimal teaching resources. The transition to hackathons provided an environment to allow the progression of skills, once basic skills had been developed, together with the development of real-world solutions to bioinformatics problems. Ensuring our training materials are FAIR, and through synergistic collaborations with global training partners, the reach of our training materials extends beyond H3ABioNet. Coupled with the opportunity to develop additional career building soft skills, such as scientific communication, H3ABioNet has created a flexible, sustainable and high quality bioinformatics training environment that has successfully been implemented to train several highly skilled African bioinformaticians on the continent.
Control Characteristic Analysis and Coordinated Strategy Design for Hybrid HVDC With Multi-Infeed MMC Inverters
Authors: Zhao Jingbo , Tao Yan
Published: September 2021

The hybrid HVDC with cascaded multi-infeed MMC inverters is proposed in recent years and it will be put into reality in near future. But the control characteristic of this hybrid HVDC have not been discussed in details. This paper investigates the control strategy characteristic of the hybrid HVDC using cascaded multi-infeed MMC inverters. By combining the UI curves (the DC voltage and DC current curves) of LCC rectifiers, LCC inverter and MMC inverters, the complete UI curves of the hybrid HVDC are obtained in different control modes. Through the complete UI curve, the characteristic of the control strategy is investigated in different operation situations. It is found that the MMC inverter in DC voltage control could shift to the rectifying mode if the fault occurs or active power orders are intensively changed. To solve such problem, the coordinated control strategy based on the dynamic limiter, diodes and LCC-MMC active orders is proposed in this paper, which can not only prevent the MMC inverter from becoming a rectifier at DC side but also can improve the AC side voltage stability. Nevertheless, the proposed strategy can further endow the MMC with fault ride through abilities. The simulations in PSCAD software verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Acacia auriculiformis–Derived Bimodal Porous Nanocarbons via Self-Activation for High-Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Bhat Vinay S. , Jayeoye Titilope John , Rujiralai Thitima , Sirimahachai Uraiwan , Chong Kwok Feng , Hegde Gurumurthy
Published: September 2021

Carbon nanomaterials derived from Acacia auriculiformis pods as electrodes for the electrochemical double-layer capacitors were explored. Four pyrolysis temperatures were set (400, 600, 800, and 1,000°C) to understand the role of temperature in biomass pyrolysis via a possible “self-activation” mechanism for the synthesis of carbon materials. The carbon materials synthesized at 800°C (AAC800) were found to exhibit a well-organized hierarchical porous structure, quantified further from N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms with a maximum specific surface area of 736.6 m2/g. Micropores were found to be contributing toward enhancing the specific surface area. AAC800 exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 176.7 F/g at 0.5 A/g in 6.0 M KOH electrolyte in a three-electrode setup. A symmetric supercapacitor was fabricated using AAC800 as an active material in an organic electrolyte composed of 1.0 M tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEABF4) as a conducting salt in the acetonitrile (ACN) solvent. The self-discharge of the cell/device was analyzed from fitting two different mathematical models; the cell also exhibited a remarkable coulombic efficiency of 100% over 10,000 charge/discharge cycles, retaining ∼93% capacitance at 2.3 V.
Soil Macropores Affect the Plant Biomass of Alpine Grassland on the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zheng Ying , Chen Ning , Zhang Can-kun , Dong Xiao-xue , Zhao Chang-ming
Published: September 2021

Macropores are an important part of soil structure. However, in alpine regions, the effects of soil macropores on soil properties and vegetation growth are not clear. We used the X-ray computed tomography (CT) method to obtain 3D images and visualize the distribution and morphology of soil macropores. By combining principal component analysis (PCA) and stepwise regression methods, we studied the relationships between soil macropores and both soil properties and vegetation growth in three types of grassland [alpine degraded steppe (ADS), alpine typical steppe (ATS), and alpine meadow steppe (AMS)] on the Tibetan Plateau. More tubular and continuous macropores occurred in the soil profiles of the AMS and ATS than in that of the ADS. In addition, the AMS soil had the highest macropore number (925 ± 189), while the ADS soil had the lowest macropore number (537 ± 137). PCA and correlation analysis suggested that macroporosity (MP) has significant positive correlations with the contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP) and total phosphorus (TP) (p< 0.05). The two parameters with the greatest influence on aboveground and belowground biomass were the shape factor (p< 0.05) and MP (p< 0.05), respectively. However, there was no significant correlation between plant diversity and soil macropores. We conclude that the irregularity of soil macropores restricts the growth space of roots and causes plants to sacrifice the accumulation of aboveground biomass for that of roots to find suitable sites for nutrient and water absorption.
Examination of the Trexler-DeAngelis Model of Maternal Provisioning Reveals That Matrotrophy Is Costly
Authors: Saleh-Subaie Nabila , Ramírez-Cruz Gonzalo A. , Zúñiga-Vega J. Jaime
Published: September 2021

The evolution of matrotrophy (post-fertilization maternal provisioning to developing embryos) has been explained through several hypotheses. Trexler and DeAngelis proposed in 2003 a theoretical model that defines the ecological conditions under which matrotrophy would be favored over lecithotrophy (pre-fertilization maternal provisioning). According to this model, matrotrophy offers a selective advantage in environments with abundant and constantly available food, whereas environments with limited and fluctuating food resources should instead promote a lecithotrophic mode of maternal provisioning. This model also proposes that matrotrophy entails the consequence of leaner reproductive females and in turn shorter lifespans. In this study, we examined the Trexler-DeAngelis model using data from 45 populations of five viviparous species from the fish genus Poeciliopsis (family Poeciliidae). We used the matrotrophy index (MI) as a measure of post-fertilization maternal provisioning, and the index of stomach fullness and individual body condition (BC) as proxies for food availability. We also estimated the magnitude of fluctuations in food availability by calculating the temporal variances of these two proxies. Neither abundant nor constantly available food were associated with greater degrees of matrotrophy, which fails to support the predictions of the Trexler-DeAngelis model with respect to the ecological drivers of increased post-fertilization provisioning to embryos. Nonetheless, in all five species we observed that females with greater degrees of matrotrophy had poorer BC compared to females that provided less nutrients to embryos after fertilization. This finding is consistent with one of the expected consequences of advanced matrotrophy according to the Trexler-DeAngelis model, namely, a detriment to the nutritional status of females. Our study provides compelling evidence that gestating females experience a trade-off between post-fertilization provisioning to embryos and self-maintenance, revealing in turn that matrotrophy is a costly reproductive strategy.
Snow Buntings Maintain Winter-Level Cold Endurance While Migrating to the High Arctic
Authors: Le Pogam Audrey , O’Connor Ryan S. , Love Oliver P. , Drolet Justine , Régimbald Lyette , Roy Gabrielle , Laplante Marie-Pier , Berteaux Dominique , Tam Andrew , Vézina François
Published: September 2021

Arctic breeding songbirds migrate early in the spring and can face winter environments requiring cold endurance throughout their journey. One such species, the snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), is known for its significant thermogenic capacity. Empirical studies suggest that buntings can indeed maintain winter cold acclimatization into the migratory and breeding phenotypes when kept captive on their wintering grounds. This capacity could be advantageous not only for migrating in a cold environment, but also for facing unpredictable Arctic weather on arrival and during preparation for breeding. However, migration also typically leads to declines in the sizes of several body components linked to metabolic performance. As such, buntings could also experience some loss of cold endurance as they migrate. Here, we aimed to determine whether free-living snow buntings maintain a cold acclimatized phenotype during spring migration. Using a multi-year dataset, we compared body composition (body mass, fat stores, and pectoralis muscle thickness), oxygen carrying capacity (hematocrit) and metabolic performance (thermogenic capacity – Msum and maintenance energy expenditure – BMR) of birds captured on their wintering grounds (January–February, Rimouski, QC, 48°N) and during pre-breeding (April–May) in the Arctic (Alert, NU, 82°). Our results show that body mass, fat stores and Msum were similar between the two stages, while hematocrit and pectoralis muscle thickness were lower in pre-breeding birds than in wintering individuals. These results suggest that although tissue degradation during migration may affect flight muscle size, buntings are able to maintain cold endurance (i.e., Msum) up to their Arctic breeding grounds. However, BMR was higher during pre-breeding than during winter, suggesting higher maintenance costs in the Arctic.
Assessment of Mosaicism and Detection of Cryptic Alleles in CRISPR/Cas9-Engineered Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and TP53 Mutant Porcine Models Reveals Overlooked Challenges in Precision Modeling of Human Diseases
Authors: Rubinstein Clifford Dustin , McLean Dalton T. , Lehman Brent P. , Meudt Jennifer J. , Schomberg Dominic T. , Krentz Kathy J. , Reichert Jamie L. , Meyer Mark B. , Adams Marie , Konsitzke Charles M. , Shanmuganayagam Dhanansayan
Published: September 2021

Genome editing in pigs has been made efficient, practical, and economically viable by the CRISPR/Cas9 platform, representing a promising new era in translational modeling of human disease for research and preclinical development of therapies and devices. Porcine embryo microinjection provides a universally available, efficient option over somatic-cell nuclear transfer, but requires that critical considerations be made in genotypic validation of the models that routinely go unaddressed. Accurate validation of genotypes is especially important when modeling genetic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) that exhibits complex genotype–phenotypic relationships. NF1, an autosomal dominant disorder, is particularly hard to model as it manifests very differently across patients, and even within families, with over 3,000 disease-associated mutations of the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) gene identified. The precise nature of the mutations plays a role in the complex phenotypic presentation of the disorder that includes benign and malignant peripheral and central nervous system tumors, a variety of motor deficits and debilitating cognitive impairments and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal disorders. NF1 can also often involve mutations in passenger genes such as TP53. In this manuscript, we describe the creation of three novel porcine models of NF1 and a model additionally harboring a mutation in TP53 by embryo microinjection of CRISPR/Cas9. We present the challenges encountered in validation of genotypes and the methodological strategies developed to counter the hurdles. We present simple options for quantifying level of mosaicism: a quantitative method (targeted amplicon sequencing) for small edits such as SNPs and indels and a semiquantitative method (competitive PCR) for large edits. Characterization of mosaicism allowed for strategic selection of founder pigs for rapid, economical expansion of genetically defined lines. We also present commonly observed unexpected DNA repair products (i.e., structural variants or cryptic alleles) that are refractory to PCR amplification and thus evade detection. We present the use of copy number variance assays to overcome hurdles in detecting cryptic alleles. The report provides a framework for genotypic validation of porcine models created by embryo microinjection and the expansion of lines in an efficient manner.
Ancient Mitochondrial Genomes Reveal Extensive Genetic Influence of the Steppe Pastoralists in Western Xinjiang
Authors: Ning Chao , Zheng Hong-Xiang , Zhang Fan , Wu Sihao , Li Chunxiang , Zhao Yongbin , Xu Yang , Wei Dong , Wu Yong , Gao Shizhu , Jin Li , Cui Yinqiu
Published: September 2021

The population prehistory of Xinjiang has been a hot topic among geneticists, linguists, and archaeologists. Current ancient DNA studies in Xinjiang exclusively suggest an admixture model for the populations in Xinjiang since the early Bronze Age. However, almost all of these studies focused on the northern and eastern parts of Xinjiang; the prehistoric demographic processes that occurred in western Xinjiang have been seldomly reported. By analyzing complete mitochondrial sequences from the Xiabandi (XBD) cemetery (3,500–3,300 BP), the up-to-date earliest cemetery excavated in western Xinjiang, we show that all the XBD mitochondrial sequences fall within two different West Eurasian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) pools, indicating that the migrants into western Xinjiang from west Eurasians were a consequence of the early expansion of the middle and late Bronze Age steppe pastoralists (Steppe_MLBA), admixed with the indigenous populations from Central Asia. Our study provides genetic links for an early existence of the Indo-Iranian language in southwestern Xinjiang and suggests that the existence of Andronovo culture in western Xinjiang involved not only the dispersal of ideas but also population movement.
Postpartum Depression Is Associated With Altered Neural Connectivity Between Affective and Mentalizing Regions During Mother-Infant Interactions
Authors: Morgan Judith K. , Santosa Hendrik , Fridley Rachel M. , Conner Kaetlyn K. , Hipwell Alison E. , Forbes Erika E. , Huppert Theodore J.
Published: September 2021

Although there has been growing interest in mood-related neural alterations in women in the initial weeks postpartum, recent work has demonstrated that postpartum depression often lingers for months or years following birth. However, research evaluating the impact of depression on maternal brain function during mother-infant interactions in the late postpartum period is lacking. The current study tested the hypothesis that depressive symptoms at 12-months postpartum are associated with neural alterations in affective and social neural regions, using near-infrared spectroscopy during in vivo mother-infant interactions. Participants were 23 birth mothers of 12-month-old infants (60% boys). While undergoing near-infrared spectroscopy, mothers engaged in an ecologically valid interactive task in which they looked at an age-appropriate book with their infants. Mothers also reported on their depressive symptoms in the past week and were rated on their observed levels of maternal sensitivity during mother-infant play. Greater depressive severity at 12-months postpartum was related to lower connectivity between the right temporoparietal junction and the lateral prefrontal cortex, but greater connectivity between the right temporoparietal junction and anterior medial prefrontal cortex during mother-infant interaction. Given the putative functions of these neural regions within the maternal brain network, our findings suggest that in the context of depression, postpartum mothers' mentalizing about her infants' thoughts and feelings may be related to lower ability to express and regulate her own emotions, but greater ability to engage in emotional bonding with her infant. Future work should explore how connectivity among these regions is associated with longitudinal changes in maternal behavior, especially in the context of changes in mothers' depressive symptoms (e.g., with treatment) over time.
Association of Gut Microbiota and Metabolites With Disease Progression in Children With Biliary Atresia
Authors: Song Wei , Sun Li-Ying , Zhu Zhi-Jun , Wei Lin , Qu Wei , Zeng Zhi-Gui , Liu Ying , Zhang Hai-Ming , Guo Wei
Published: September 2021

Background and Aims

Biliary atresia is the most common cause of liver disease and liver transplantation in children. The accumulation of bile acids in hepatocytes and the stimulation of the intestinal microbiome can aggravate the disease progression. This study investigated changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in biliary atresia and the possible effects of these changes on disease progression.

Methods

Stool samples of biliary atresia at different disease stages and matched control individuals were collected (early stage: 16 patients, 16 controls; later stage: 16 patients, 10 controls). Metagenomic sequencing was performed to evaluate the gut microbiota structure. Untargeted metabolomics was performed to detect and analyze the metabolites and bile acid composition.

Results

A disturbed gut microbiota structure occurred in the early and later stages of biliary atresia. Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Enterococcus have always been dominant. The abundance of V. atypica displayed significant changes between the early and later stages of biliary atresia. Combined with clinical indicators, Spearman’s analysis showed that Klebsiella and Veillonella atypica strongly correlated with liver enzymes. Enterococcus faecium had an enormously positive relationship with lithocholic acid derivatives. Metabolites involved in tryptophan metabolism were changed in the patients with biliary atresia, which had a significant association with stool V. atypica and blood total bilirubin (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The liver damage of biliary atresia was directly or indirectly exacerbated by the interaction of enriched Klebsiella (K. pneumoniae), Veillonella (V. atypica), and Enterococcus (E. faecium) with dysmetabolism of tryptophan and bile acid.