bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Actual problems of the full-scale digital twins technology for the complex engineering object life cycle management
Authors: Zhabitskii M , Melnikov V , Boyko O
Published: July 2021

This article discusses the problems that arise with the widespread digital twin technology introduction for complex engineering objects. Based on the nuclear power experience, various classes of problems are considered. They are related to the different information models and data demand structures and for life-cycle at different stages. As part of the industrial technologies transformation during the Fourth Industrial Revolution, information model & digital twin concepts have fundamental importance. Target effects and actual problems of the technology are analyzed. The enlarged stages of the life cycle, such as design, construction, operation, and decommissioning are considered. The focus of the technology analysis is selected large objects of the Rosatom Corporation. Possible trends in the full life cycle digital twins technology are considered development. The problems of preserving large volumes of structured digital data for long periods at many decades are discussed. The problem of changing the competencies of engineering and management personnel in connection with the digital transformation of the economy and industry during the Fourth Industrial Revolution is considered. It is predicted that it is necessary to increase the costs of implementing digital technologies to achieve the target effects of the digital transformation of the industry and economy.
Pollutant emission from fires at open-pit coal mines
Authors: Murzin M A , Gorlenko N V
Published: July 2021

Existing coal mining technologies are associated with significant pollution of the natural environment, especially atmospheric air. On top of this, in the event of an emergency related to the spontaneous combustion of coal, this negative impact significantly increases. Based on the analysis of statistical data, this work presents a retrospective analysis of the pollutant emission from fires at open-pit coal mines in Eastern Siberia. One such example is the exogenous spontaneous combustion of coal at the Kharanor Open-Pit Coal Mine in 2018. In order to assess the impact of combustion products on the participants in the fire containment, we carried out the calculation of areas exposed to toxic damage by sulfur dioxide. As a result, it was found that an adverse impact on the area of toxic damage caused by the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere from the fire at the Kharanor Open-Pit Coal Mine will be observed in case of inversion and isothermy, since these coefficients of the degree of the atmosphere vertical stability contribute to prolonged stagnation on the ground, prevent dispersion in height, and can lead to acute poisoning of the mine personnel.
Impact of digital transformation and innovation on the development of the fuel and energy complex
Authors: Puzyrny Nicolay , Petrova Zhanna , Povorina Alena , Volkova Elena , Shirokova Victoria
Published: July 2021

As part of the presented work, analysis of the conditions for the transition of the fuel and energy complex to digital and innovative technologies. The work evaluates the energy complex taking into account modern changes and the transition of enterprises to new technologies. At the end of the study, measures are proposed for an effective transition to new technologies.
Outlook of C-substituted benzotriazoles application as corrosive inhibitors
Authors: Vorobyev S V , Barkovskii A A , Koshelev V N
Published: July 2021

In this work the method of the synthesis of C-substituted benzotriazoles is reported. Several target compounds were synthesized from unsubstituted benzotriazole by the diazotation reaction. Quantum-chemical calculations of basic electronic properties of the studied molecules were performed. It was shown, that introducing of halogen atom or thiocyano-group decreases the energies of frontier orbitals.
Multiple regression model for gas consumption in Germany
Authors: Rusev V N , Abramkin G V , Muravyova E K
Published: July 2021

In this paper a mathematical regression model was constructed based on statistical data on natural gas consumption in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Two factors that can influence gas consumption were studied: the country’s population and the average annual temperature. On the basis of the calculations, the importance of these indicators for gas consumption is shown, with the conclusion that the climatic factor is normally distributed. The reliability of the model is high (99.98%).
Reservoir energy management based on the method of multi-tank material balance
Authors: Sidelnikov K A , Tsepelev V P , Ya Kolida A , Faizullin R V
Published: July 2021

To minimize risks according to the current state of reservoir pressure while planning well intervention operations, authors propose the multi-tank material balance method to determine the dynamics of reservoir pressure in the well drainage area. The method is based on using well test results and information on historical production and injection rates. The method is applicable under conditions where number and frequency of well tests are limited.
The influence of heavy metal salts on the electrogenic activity of sludge in biofuel cells
Authors: Zhdanova G O
Published: July 2021

The influence of heavy metal salts (mercury and cadmium chlorides, copper sulfate) on the dynamics of electricity generation by activated sludge of treatment facilities in biofuel cells (BFC) has been studied. It was shown that the compounds under study reduced the electrogenic activity of the sludge when the content in the waste water was from 0.05 g / l. At the indicated concentrations, they significantly reduced the dehydrogenase activity of sludge microorganisms and their total microbial number. With a sequential increase in the concentration of toxicants in wastewater, a sequential decrease in the electrical parameters of the studied BFCs was noted, i.e. the concentration dependence of the studied parameters was observed. This allows us to propose a biofuel cell based on activated sludge as a tool for the primary non-specific assessment of wastewater pollution with heavy metal salts. In addition, on the basis of the obtained ranges of concentrations of metals capable of reducing electrogenesis in BFC, recommendations can be formulated for the parameters of the effluents entering the treatment.
Bioelectrochemical processes of oxidation of dicarboxylic amino acids by strain Micrococcus luteus 1-I in a biofuel cell
Authors: Kuznetsov A V , Khorina N N , Konovalova E Yu , Amsheev D Yu , Ponamoreva O N , Stom D I
Published: July 2021

A facultative anaerobic strain was isolated and studied from the activated sludge of the treatment facilities of a petrochemical enterprise. Its morphological and cultural, physiological and biochemical, tinctorial, molecular genetic characteristics have been investigated. Based on the data obtained, strain 1-I was assigned to the species Micrococcus luteus. The electrogenic activity of this bacterium in BFC was shown using dicarboxylic amino acids - glutamic and aspartic. The open-circuit voltage indices in the BFC with M. luteus 1-I increased in 6 days to 511.5 mV with the addition of aspartic acid, and 419 ± 38.5 mV with the addition of glutamic acid. In this case, the short-circuit current increased to 3.17 ± 0.12 and 1.6 ± 0.14 mA, respectively. The specific power of BFCs based on M. luteus 1-I was the highest with the addition of aspartic acid (40-50 mW / m2 at a current density of 0.15 to 0.4 A / m2). The indicated indicator in a similar BFC with glutamic acid was 26-32 mW / m2 (at a current density of 0.08 to 0.28 A / m2). The oxidation of these compounds by the studied bacterial strain was also confirmed by the methods of cyclic voltammetry.
Two-phase mixture formation in transport diesel engine: the control algorithm and the devise for its implementation
Authors: Ryblov M V , Dubin M D , Ukhanov A P
Published: July 2021

The article reviews the issues dedicated to improving of energy and environmental indicators of automotive machinery by means of two-phase mixture formation in diesel engine. With this method, the 1st phase of mixture formation proceeds at intake stroke by the supply of the certain dose of fuel activator (gasoline, alcohol, biodiesel, etc.) into engine intake manifold, where a mixture of air and activator is formed. The 2nd phase proceeds at compression stroke by the supply of the major dose of diesel oil with the standard fuel supply system into combustion chamber. For the practical implementation of the described method, the diesel engine needs to be equipped with an automatic system for fumigation of air charge. The system contains electronic control unit (ECU), electromagnetic injectors, electric pump and sensors of engine speed and load mode. An algorithm of ECU operation for program control of injectors, supplying activator at the intake stroke, was developed. The sequence of actuation of injectors, coincident with the engine firing order, was substantiated. A formula for calculation of the duration of control pulse supplied to the injectors was derived. The proposed automatic system performs the activator injection, corresponding to the engine firing order, and the exact activator dosage, depending on engine speed and load mode, at the 1st phase of two-phase mixture formation.
Prospects for microwave sintering of the composition from waste of the fuel and energy complex
Authors: Zhenzhurist I A
Published: July 2021

The article considers an option for solving environmental problems associated with high-temperature waste from enterprises of the fuel and energy complex and the metallurgical industry. A technology is proposed for obtaining material from the ash of a thermal power plant, slag waste from metallurgy and a binder from liquid glass by sintering in a microwave field.. Differences in the phase composition, external characteristics and properties of materials obtained by traditional convective firing and sintering in a microwave field are noted. The phase compositions of the fired materials are determined, and the effect of the amount of the amorphous phase on the final properties of the material is noted. The article shows the structures of fractures of materials, shows the difference in the fineness of the structure of the sample based on ash, obtained by convective firing and sintering in the microwave field. Shown amorphous phase between crystalline formations in the structure of the material, marked by X-ray phase analysis. The prospect of microwave sintering of refractory multicomponent compositions in the microwave field to obtain materials is shown.
Modification of the friction surface as a way to increase antifriction
Authors: Roshchin M N , Yu Krivosheev A
Published: July 2021

The paper considers high-temperature tribological tests of carbon-containing materials during friction in a pair with steel 40X13 in the temperature range from +20 to +800 °C in atmospheric conditions. The research results showed that modification of the friction surface of the “Hardcarb-T” material in selenium and polytetrafluoroethylene vapors during friction against steel 40X13 improves the antifriction properties of the friction surface. The spread of values of the coefficient of friction of the material “Hardcarb-T”, treated in vapors of selenium and polytetrafluoroethylene, at a load of 0.5 MPa and a temperature of +500 °C in the speed range 0.05-0.25 m / s is 0.25 … 0.30 thirty. The coefficient of friction of the modified surface at a sliding speed of 0.05 m / s is 21% less than that of the untreated one.
Radiological monitoring of land
Authors: Orekhovskaya A A , Klyosov D N
Published: July 2021

The article considers the results of the radiological monitoring of the land plot of the territory allocated for the construction of the tailings storage facility. In particular, the dose rate of gamma radiation and the flux density of 222Rn were determined. The average dose rate of gamma radiation was 0.11±0.02 mSv/h. The average value of the flow density of 222Rn, in turn, is 43.7±13.1 MBq/m2*s. According to the results of the radiological monitoring, it was found that the values of the studied indicators do not exceed the maximum permissible level – 80 MBq/m2*s and meets the requirements of SanRiN 2.6.1.2523-09 “Radiation safety standards”.
Specifics of application of economic mechanisms to ensure environmental safety in the oil and gas industry
Authors: Chernova I I , Balashova E A , Dolotin A I , Senatorov D V , Kolina A M
Published: July 2021

This article assesses the oil and gas sector in Russia in terms of environmental aspects. This industry has an important meaning for national economy and is one of the most nature-exploiting and “ecologically polluting” industries. Based on the analysis of domestic and foreign scientific works in the field of environmental protection, the lack of a unified approach to solving problems related to the formation and development of new directions in the policy on environmental conservation in terms of the economic component was revealed. The paper shows the peculiarities of application and impact of economic levers in ensuring environmental security in this industry in order to make sound management decisions.
Environmental and economic assessment of damage to atmospheric air from oil and gas production enterprises using the example of the Lena-Tunguska oil and gas province
Authors: Gorlenko N V , Murzin M A
Published: July 2021

The existing global dependence on oil and gas raw materials gives rise to the constant development of new and improvement of existing technologies for the extraction and development of oil and gas fields. The extracted hydrocarbon raw materials are used to meet the needs of industrial production as well as domestic needs, still continuing to negatively affect the environment, forcing to modernize the methods of protection against anthropogenic impact. Today, the extraction of energy resources, especially oil and gas, is the source of about 90% of all types of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere. Due to the low utilization rate of the extracted raw materials, a significant part of them is irretrievably lost and enters the environment as pollutants. According to rough estimates, about 70% of all pollutants are in the atmosphere, with the main sources of air pollution located in the northern hemisphere. The aim of this work is to assess the environmental risk of oil and gas production. It is considered using the example of atmospheric pollution from enterprises in the Lena-Tunguska oil and gas province. We have established that the preparation of facilities at the Yarakta field causes a record damage to the air. The total economic damage to the atmospheric surface layer during construction work on the territories of the surveyed companies amounts to 33.1 thousand rubles.
Environmental sustainability in management: existing conditions and guidance for action
Authors: Abanina E N , Makhonko N I , Levitanus B A , Tarasova E A , Sukhova E A , Plotnikova Yu A
Published: July 2021

In this study, the authors substantiate the need for introducing environmentally sustainable management (as a measure of sustainable development) into the public administration system of a separate state using the example of Russia. For this, the authors analyzed the primary sources that establish the legal framework for sustainable development and sustainable management. The indicators of environmental pollution in dynamics were also studied, the results obtained were critically assessed from the standpoint of determining the causes of the ecological state. Identified internal threats to the formation of environmental sustainability, which generally hinder the achievement of the planned goals of sustainable development. In conclusion, measures are proposed to introduce environmental friendliness into the structure of public administration.
Modern trends in international scientific and technical interaction of the EAEU member states in the process of effective use of natural resources, ecology and environmental protection in the fuel and energy sector
Authors: Diakonova A , Efimtseva T , Mikhailova E , Rakhmatullina O , Salieva R
Published: July 2021

The issues of ensuring sustainable development of the fuel and energy complex are a major task, including within the framework of international cooperation. One of the main problems that must be solved is environmental problems, environmental protection, and protection of natural biodiversity from the functioning of the fuel and energy complex. The solution to these problems is possible through the creation of international scientific and technical cooperation between states. The work analyzed a unified scientific, technical and innovation policy and monitoring its implementation, as well as proposed mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of this policy.
Environmental safety of the territory in the gas station zone
Authors: Sarapulova G I
Published: July 2021

The article deals with the problem of ecological safety and ecological diagnostics of soils in the gas station zone located in the center of the city of Irkutsk. The factors of disruption of natural properties when polluted with oil products have been investigated. The physicochemical parameters of soils, integral indicators of the state have been analyzed, the violation of their natural properties has been revealed, the composition of the surface runoff from the object has been studied. Technogenic halos of oil products spreading outside the source of supply on the basis of GIS were obtained, the accumulation of oil products in the soil up to a distance of 250 m from the filling station was revealed. The results of the dynamic behavior of petroleum products, the methods of ecodiagnostics used can be the basis for determining the direction of the soil distribution of pollutants outside the hazardous facility. The sampling system around fuel stations will make it possible to build GIS maps of technogenic oil pollution fields and develop preventive environmental protection measures. The results obtained are of practical importance for the environmental management of the city, for the cadastral valuation of land, for adjusting the placement of transport routes and the network of gas stations.
Concerning the balance of Nature and production: the local climate evolution in Siberia
Authors: Kolokolov Yu V , Monovskaya A V
Published: July 2021

The paper considers local climate dynamics described by factual observations of local daily temperature and involves both bifurcation analysis and control theory to estimate evolutionary changes. Thus, latent regularities of the local climate changes become visual and it becomes possible to query whether it is possible to restore the balance of Nature and production. The research follows the hypothesis, where the local climate dynamics is associated with the dynamics of the solar energy converter under the astronomically forced competition between hysteresis restrictions and double synchronization (the so-called HDS-control).
Automation of forecasting the number of personnel as the basis of environmental management, on the example of calculations by environmental controllers of enterprises of the fuel and energy complex of Russia
Authors: Stepus A F
Published: July 2021

The study of the methodological basis of environmental management made it possible to identify and identify shortcomings in the current audit system, in terms of the necessary and sufficient number of environmental controllers. It was also not clear how to plan the qualifications of such workers with the same high precision as the number. As a result, after analyzing the various developments of scientists in the field of environmental management, the practical foundations for such planning were identified, namely, the production plan, a breakdown by divisions, taking into account their specific activities (production) and percentages for control by type of work, taking into account the qualification coefficients of labor complexity. Based on the research carried out, a program was developed that allows predicting the number of controllers necessary and sufficient to create an environmental management system and continuous audit. In principle, from the conclusions of the authors, this system can be applied at other enterprises to predict the number of any category and profession of auxiliary workers.
Effects of Active Food Media on Properties of Materials Usedin Local Food Processing Machine
Authors: Olojede M.A. , Ogunkunle O. , Ahmed N. A.
Published: July 2021

Food contains edible biochemical compounds, which serves as sources of nutrients to human being. However, their contamination through processing can bring about adverse effects on humans when consumed. Food blending is one of the major processing done in preparing edible meals. The effect of active food media on the material used in fabricating the grinding shaft of the blending machine cannot be ignored taking into consideration the resultant subsequent effects on blended food. Some of the effects of active food media on metallic parts of food blending machines are protein adhesion, abrasive effect, reduction in mechanical properties and conditions favouring corrosion. Three types of food materials, onion, pepper, and tomato, were chosen to be the focus of this study owing to the prevalence index of their processing amongst the local communities. They were processed using a selected blending machine while the ultimate analyses and determination of elemental compositions were carried out on the processed samples. The mean values of ascorbic acid from four runs of onion, pepper, and tomato samples through a blending machine were found to be 5.94 mg/100ml, 13.13 mg/100ml, and 16.99 mg/100ml, respectively. Some other mineral elements, such as iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium, were found in varied compositions as the number of blending runs increased. The results obtained showed that these food items contain active ingredients and complex compounds which have gross effect on the mild steel used in fabricating the grinding shaft of the blending machine.
Adaptive perturbation method in quantum mechanics
Authors: Ma Chen-Te
Published: July 2021

The adaptive perturbation chooses a non-standard decomposition. The Hamiltonian becomes a sum of solvable and perturbation parts. We calculate the spectrum using the adaptive perturbation method at the leading-order to compare to numerical solutions. The maximum deviation is around 5% for different coupling regions. A perturbation study relies on whether a choice of leading-order is suitable. Our result with different parameters should show that the adaptive perturbation method provides appropriate saddle points to all coupling regions. In the end, we show that the perturbation parameters should not be a coupling constant.
Histologic Findings and Tissue B-Cell Depletion in Endoscopic Mucosal Biopsy Specimens of the Gastrointestinal Tract After Treatment With Rituximab
Authors: Kmeid Michel , Aldyab Mahmoud , Brar Rupinder , Lee Hwajeong
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Rituximab (RTX) is associated with variable adverse gastrointestinal (GI) events. However, the histologic correlate in affected patients is not well defined.

Methods

Patients (n = 93) who had received RTX and undergone endoscopic biopsies were identified. CD20 and PAX5 immunostains were performed on biopsy specimens showing inflammatory pathology (group A, 36 patients) and 35 of 57 noninflammatory biopsies (group B) that were taken within 1 year from the last RTX infusion. Histologic findings were correlated with tissue B-cell depletion (CD20/PAX5–/–).

Results

B cells were depleted in 12 (33%) of 36 group A biopsy specimens. After excluding biopsies taken more than 1 year from the last RTX infusion, the frequencies of tissue B-cell depletion were similar between group A (12/26; 46.2%) and group B (17/35; 48.6%) (P > .05). Also, the frequencies of inflammatory pathology were not statistically different whether B cells were depleted or not (P > .05). In group A with tissue B-cell depletion (n = 12), causality was indicated in two (17%) cases showing lymphocytic colitis pattern of injury (LCPI).

Conclusions

In RTX-treated patients, tissue B-cell depletion does not appear to be the main cause of inflammatory pathology in the GI tract. A minor subset, however, develops histologic evidence of potential RTX-induced effect, notably in the form of LCPI.
CUT&RUNTools 2.0: a pipeline for single-cell and bulk-level CUT&RUN and CUT&Tag data analysis
Authors: Yu Fulong , Sankaran Vijay G , Yuan Guo-Cheng
Published: July 2021

Motivation

Genome-wide profiling of transcription factor binding and chromatin states is a widely-used approach for mechanistic understanding of gene regulation. Recent technology development has enabled such profiling at single-cell resolution. However, an end-to-end computational pipeline for analyzing such data is still lacking.

Results

Here, we have developed a flexible pipeline for analysis and visualization of single-cell CUT&Tag and CUT&RUN data, which provides functions for sequence alignment, quality control, dimensionality reduction, cell clustering, data aggregation and visualization. Furthermore, it is also seamlessly integrated with the functions in original CUT&RUNTools for population-level analyses. As such, this provides a valuable toolbox for the community.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/fl-yu/CUT-RUNTools-2.0.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Small vs. large eggs: comparative population connectivity and demographic history along a depth gradient in deep-sea crangonid Argis shrimps
Authors: Fujita Junta , Drumm David T , Iguchi Akira , Tominaga Osamu , Kai Yoshiaki , Yamashita Yoh
Published: July 2021

The crangonid shrimps Argis hozawai, A. lar and A. toyamaensis, co-distributed in the Sea of Japan, exhibit intriguing differences in geographical and bathymetric distributions and in reproductive biology. Argis hozawai (150–250 m depth) and A. lar (200–300 m) are broadly distributed in the north-western Pacific Ocean and spawn relatively large numbers of small eggs, whereas A. toyamaensis (250–2000 m) is distributed in the Sea of Japan and spawns a small number of large eggs. We examined the relationship between egg size and dispersal patterns in the deep sea by comparing genetic population structures using mitochondrial DNA sequence variation. We found little or no genetic divergence within the Sea of Japan for A. hozawai and A. lar, whereas there was a slight but significantly higher genetic differentiation in A. toyamaensis. This suggests that A. toyamaensis has lower dispersal ability than A. hozawai and A. lar, and therefore might maximize larval survival through larger size at hatching, with either direct or abbreviated larval development, to adapt to the deep-sea environment in the Sea of Japan. We also detected the effects of drastic environmental changes during the Pleistocene glacial periods on their demographic processes in the Sea of Japan.
Comparison of risk prediction models in infarct-related cardiogenic shock
Authors: Freund Anne , Pöss Janine , de Waha-Thiele Suzanne , Meyer-Saraei Roza , Fuernau Georg , Eitel Ingo , Feistritzer Hans-Josef , Rubini Maria , Huber Kurt , Windecker Stephan , Montalescot Gilles , Oldroyd Keith , Noc Marko , Zeymer Uwe , Ouarrak Taoufik , Schneider Steffen , Baran David A , Desch Steffen , Thiele Holger
Published: July 2021

Aims

Several prediction models have been developed to allow accurate risk assessment and provide better treatment guidance in patients with infarct-related cardiogenic shock (CS). However, comparative data between these models are still scarce. The objective of the study is to externally validate different risk prediction models in infarct-related CS and compare their predictive value in the early clinical course.

Methods and results

The Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II Score, the CardShock score, the IABP-SHOCK II score, and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI) classification were each externally validated in a total of 1055 patients with infarct-related CS enrolled into the randomized CULPRIT-SHOCK trial or the corresponding registry. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. Discriminative power was assessed by comparing the area under the curves (AUC) in case of continuous scores. In direct comparison of the continuous scores in a total of 161 patients, the IABP-SHOCK II score revealed best discrimination [area under the curve (AUC = 0.74)], followed by the CardShock score (AUC = 0.69) and the SAPS II score, giving only moderate discrimination (AUC = 0.63). All of the three scores revealed acceptable calibration by Hosmer–Lemeshow test. The SCAI classification as a categorical predictive model displayed good prognostic assessment for the highest risk group (Stage E) but showed poor discrimination between Stages C and D with respect to short-term-mortality.

Conclusion

Based on the present findings, the IABP-SHOCK II score appears to be the most suitable of the examined models for immediate risk prediction in infarct-related CS. Prospective evaluation of the models, further modification, or even development of new scores might be necessary to reach higher levels of discrimination.
Left atrial appendage thrombus and cerebrovascular events post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: van Wiechen Maarten P , Faure Marguerite E , Hokken Thijmen W , Ooms Joris F , de Ronde-Tillmans Marjo J , Hirsch Alexander , Daemen Joost , de Jaegere Peter P , Budde Ricardo P J , Van Mieghem Nicolas M
Published: July 2021

Aims

To elucidate the frequency and clinical impact of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) in patients set for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods and results

All patients undergoing TAVI between January 2014 and June 2020 with analysable multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for LAAT were included. Baseline and procedural characteristics were collected, pre-procedural MSCT’s were retrospectively analysed for LAAT presence. The primary endpoint was defined as the cumulative incidence of any cerebrovascular event (stroke or transient ischaemic attack) within the first year after TAVI. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors.

A total of 1050 cases had analysable MSCT. Median age was 80 [interquartile range (IQR) 74–84], median Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ Predicted Risk Of Mortality (STS-PROM) was 3.4% (IQR 2.3–5.5). Thirty-six percent were on oral anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). LAAT was present in 48 (4.6%) of cases. Patients with LAAT were at higher operative risk [STS-PROM: 4.9% (2.9–7.1) vs. 3.4% (2.3–5.5), P = 0.01], had worse systolic left ventricular function [EF 52% (35–60) vs. 55% (45–65), P = 0.01] and more permanent pacemakers at baseline (35% vs. 10%, P < 0.01). All patients with LAAT had a history of AF and patients with LAAT were more often on vitamin K antagonist-treatment than patients without LAAT [43/47 (91%) vs. 232/329 (71%), P < 0.01]. LAAT [hazard ratio (HR) 2.94 (1.39–6.22), P < 0.01] and the implantation of more than one valve [HR 4.52 (1.79–11.25), P < 0.01] were independent predictors for cerebrovascular events.

Conclusion

Patients with MSCT-identified LAAT were at higher risk for cerebrovascular events during the first year after TAVI.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) antigen-induced upregulation of interleukin-35 expression in patients with MTB infection: In vitro blockade of the effects of interleukin-35 on T lymphocyte subsets
Authors: Jiang Hongbin , Cui Beinian , Zhang Jun
Published: July 2021

Immunosuppressive interleukin-35 (IL-35) serum concentrations were analyzed in patients with active pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infections (PTB), PTB patients after two months treatment (stable PTB) and healthy controls. IL-35 concentrations were highest in active PTB followed by stable PTB cases and lowest in healthy control participants (all P < 0.01). The same trents were found for supernatants of isolated blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), with additional enhancements after MTB antigen stimulation only for PBMCs of active and stable PTB patients (P < 0.001), for EBI3 and IL-12a transcriptions in PBMCs (P < 0.001) and percentages of EBI3 expressing (CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3+) regulatory T cells (Treg) (P < 0.001). IL-35 antibody applications significantly reversed MTB antigen stimulated IL-35 and IL-10 expression in PBMCs of active and stable PTB patients, and reduced Foxp3 expression in CD4 + CD25 + cells and EBI3 expression in Treg cells, but had no effects on healthy control cells. The percentages of Th1 and Th17 cells in CD4 + cells were enhanced after MTB antigen stimulation of cells taken from active and stable PTB patients, which were partly increased only for Th1 cells after IL-35 antibody exposure. MTB antigen-driven upregulation of IL-35 may lead to reduced immune surveillance in PTB patients.
Structure of the northwestern North Anatolian Fault Zone imaged via teleseismic scattering tomography
Authors: Rost S , Houseman G A , Frederiksen A W , Cornwell D G , Kahraman M , Altuncu Poyraz S , Teoman U M , Thompson D A , Türkelli N , Gülen L , Utkucu M , Wright T J
Published: July 2021

Information on fault zone structure is essential for our understanding of earthquake mechanics, continental deformation and seismic hazard. We use the scattered seismic wavefield to study the subsurface structure of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) in the region of the 1999 İzmit and Düzce ruptures using data from an 18-month dense deployment of seismometers with a nominal station spacing of 7 km. Using the forward- and back-scattered energy that follows the direct P-wave arrival from teleseismic earthquakes, we apply a scattered wave inversion approach and are able to resolve changes in lithospheric structure on a scale of 10 km or less in an area of about 130 km by 100 km across the NAFZ. We find several crustal interfaces that are laterally incoherent beneath the surface strands of the NAFZ and evidence for contrasting crustal structures either side of the NAFZ, consistent with the presence of juxtaposed crustal blocks and ancient suture zones. Although the two strands of the NAFZ in the study region strike roughly east–west, we detect strong variations in structure both north–south, across boundaries of the major blocks, and east–west, parallel to the strike of the NAFZ. The surface expression of the two strands of the NAFZ is coincident with changes on main interfaces and interface terminations throughout the crust and into the upper mantle in the tomographic sections. We show that a dense passive network of seismometers is able to capture information from the scattered seismic wavefield and, using a tomographic approach, to resolve the fine scale structure of crust and lithospheric mantle even in geologically complex regions. Our results show that major shear zones exist beneath the NAFZ throughout the crust and into the lithospheric mantle, suggesting a strong coupling of strain at these depths.
The assessment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecA binding characteristics of divalent galactosides using multiple techniques
Authors: Zaree Pouya , Sastre Torano Javier , de Haan Cornelis A M , Scheltema Richard A , Barendregt Arjan , Thijssen Vito , Yu Guangyun , Flesch Frits , Pieters Roland J
Published: July 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a widespread opportunistic pathogen that is capable of colonizing various human tissues and is resistant to many antibiotics. LecA is a galactose binding tetrameric lectin involved in adhesion, infection and biofilm formation. This study reports on the binding characteristics of mono- and divalent (chelating) ligands to LecA using different techniques. These techniques include affinity capillary electrophoresis, bio-layer interferometry, native mass spectrometry and a thermal shift assay. Aspects of focus include: affinity, selectivity, binding kinetics and residence time. The affinity of a divalent ligand was determined to be in the low-nanomolar range for all of the used techniques and with a ligand residence time of approximately 7 h, while no strong binding was seen to related lectin tetramers. Each of the used techniques provides a unique and complementary insight into the chelation based binding mode of the divalent ligand to the LecA tetramer.
Finding Fault in the Law of Unfair Dismissal: The Insubstantiality of Reasons for Dismissal
Authors: Collins Philippa M
Published: July 2021

The question of whether an Employment Tribunal should accept the employer’s reason for a dismissal has received little attention in studies of the law of unfair dismissal. This shortage of analysis continues even though this stage holds the potential to decide the outcome of the case. The current approach to the interpretation of the five potentially fair reasons for a dismissal is to leave them undefined, allowing employers broad scope to rely upon almost any reason to justify their decision to dismiss an employee. This piece demonstrates how the established view of this stage of the fairness process is a missed opportunity and fails to deliver the full potential of the law of unfair dismissal as it was drafted. In order to protect the fundamental right not to be unjustifiably dismissed, a threshold of substantiality should run throughout the reasons for dismissal—assessed objectively by the Tribunal judge. The assertion of such a threshold is particularly necessary under the open-ended ‘some other substantial reason’ category. The piece turns then to disciplinary dismissals, arguing that the current approach results in fair dismissals, first, for minor misconduct and, second, because of conduct with no connection to the employment relationship. Two solutions to these particular problems will be put forward: a tailored legislative amendment and a contractual reading of the existing section. Both approaches would introduce an element of substantive fairness that is currently absent and place some confines on the scope of the employer’s managerial prerogative by restraining the reasons for which they may fairly dismiss.
SARS-CoV-2 coinfection with additional respiratory virus does not predict severe disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chekuri Sweta , Szymczak Wendy A , Goldstein D Yitzchak , Nori Priya , Marrero Rolon Rebecca , Spund Brian , Singh-Tan Sumeet , Mohrmann Laurel , Assa Andrei , Southern William N , Baron Sarah W
Published: July 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) claimed over 4 million lives by July 2021 and continues to pose a serious public health threat.

Objectives

Our retrospective study utilized respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) results in patients with SARS-CoV-2 to determine if coinfection (i.e. SARS-CoV-2 positivity with an additional respiratory virus) was associated with more severe presentation and outcomes.

Methods

All patients with negative influenza/respiratory syncytial virus testing who underwent RPP testing within 7 days of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test at a large, academic medical centre in New York were examined. Patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 with a negative RPP were compared with patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 and positive for a virus by RPP in terms of biomarkers, oxygen requirements and severe COVID-19 outcome, as defined by mechanical ventilation or death within 30 days.

Results

Of the 306 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with RPP testing, 14 (4.6%) were positive for a non-influenza virus (coinfected). Compared with the coinfected group, patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 with a negative RPP had higher inflammatory markers and were significantly more likely to be admitted (P = 0.01). Severe COVID-19 outcome occurred in 111 (36.3%) patients in the SARS-CoV-2-only group and 3 (21.4%) patients in the coinfected group (P = 0.24).

Conclusions

Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 along with a non-influenza respiratory virus had less severe disease on presentation and were more likely to be admitted—but did not have more severe outcomes—than those infected with SARS-CoV-2 alone.
Procalcitonin in Pediatric Sepsis: What Is It Good for?
Authors: Downes Kevin J
Published: July 2021

Procalcitonin has several advantages over traditional biomarkers in the management of pediatric sepsis. In combination with other clinical/laboratory data or measured over time, procalcitonin can support earlier antibiotic discontinuations and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
Kinematics of the western filament of W50
Authors: Rosado M , Sánchez-Cruces M , Ambrocio-Cruz P , Trejo D
Published: July 2021

We study the kinematics of the western optical filament of the radio shell W50 with imaging Fabry–Perot spectroscopy using the [S ii] (λ6717 Å and λ6731 Å) line doublet. The high [S ii]/H α line ratio of this filament, as well as the complexity of the radial velocity profiles obtained in this work ensure that this filament and diffuse regions are the optical counterpart of W50 hosting the peculiar object SS 433. We derive a kinematical distance of 4.7 ± 0.5 kpc, validating a previously derived distance based on the assumption that H i or CO gas is associated with W50. Our distance estimate is in agreement with the distance to SS 433 derived from proper motions. Shock velocities of up to 120 km s−1 are estimated for the [S ii] emitting regions. We derive an age between 1.0 and 1.9 × 105 yr considering that W50 is a remnant of a supernova explosion or a bubble blown by the action of the jets of the central SS 433 source, respectively. Age values are compatible with the age of SS 433. We also estimate the energy deposited by the supernova in the interstellar medium and alternatively, the luminosity of a wind-blown bubble fed by the relativistic jets of SS 433, obtaining reasonable values. We examine the different scenarios for the formation of W50. We conclude that a supernova remnant scenario rejuvenated by the interaction of SS 433 jets, acting as a piston, evolving in a three-phase medium with photo-evaporation, describes better the different observations and theoretical models of this system.
Remote sensing of cometary bow shocks: modelled asymmetric outgassing and pickup ion observations
Authors: Alho Markku , Jarvinen Riku , Simon Wedlund Cyril , Nilsson Hans , Kallio Esa , Pulkkinen Tuija I
Published: July 2021

Despite the long escort by the ESA Rosetta mission, direct observations of a fully developed bow shock around 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko have not been reported. Expanding on our previous work on indirect observations of a shock, we model the large-scale features in cometary pickup ions, and compare the results with the ESA Rosetta Plasma Consortium Ion Composition Analyser ion spectrometer measurements over the pre-perihelion portion of the escort phase. Using our hybrid plasma simulation, an empirical, asymmetric outgassing model for 67P, and varied interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) clock angles, we model the evolution of the large-scale plasma environment. We find that the subsolar bow shock standoff distance is enhanced by asymmetric outgassing with a factor of 2 to 3, reaching up to $18\,000\, \rm {km}$ approaching perihelion. We find that distinct spectral features in simulated pickup ion distributions are present for simulations with shock-like structures, with the details of the spectral features depending on shock standoff distance, heliocentric distance, and IMF configuration. Asymmetric outgassing along with IMF clock angle is found to have a strong effect on the location of the spectral features, while the IMF clock angle causes no significant effect on the bow shock standoff distance. These dependences further complicate the interpretation of the ion observations made by Rosetta. Our data-model comparison shows that the large-scale cometary plasma environment can be probed by remote sensing the pickup ions, at least when the comet’s activity is comparable to that of 67P, and the solar wind parameters are known.
Differential rotation of the solar transition region from STEREO/EUVI 30.4-nm images
Authors: Sharma Jaidev , Kumar Brajesh , Malik Anil K , Vats Hari Om
Published: July 2021

The solar photosphere, chromosphere, and corona are known to rotate differentially as a function of latitude. To date, it is unclear whether the solar transition region also rotates differentially. In this work, we investigate the differential rotational profile of the solar transition region as a function of latitude, using solar full-disc (SFD) images at 30.4-nm wavelength recorded by the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUVI) on board the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory(STEREO) space mission for the period from 2008–2018 (Solar Cycle 24). Our investigations show that the solar transition region rotates differentially. The sidereal rotation rate obtained in the ${\pm}5{^\circ }$ equatorial band is quite high (∼14.7 deg day−1), dropping to ∼13.6 deg day−1 towards both polar regions. We also find that rotational differentiality is low during the period of high solar activity (the rotation rate varies from 14.86–14.27 deg day−1), while it increases during the ascending and descending phases of the 24th solar cycle (the rotation rate varies from 14.56 to ∼13.56 deg day−1 in 2008 and 14.6–13.1 deg day−1 in 2018). The average sidereal rotation rate (over SFD) follows the trend of solar activity (maximum ∼14.97 deg day−1 during the peak phase of solar activity, slowly decreasing to a minimum ∼13.9 deg day−1 during ascending and descending phases of the 24th solar cycle). We also observe that the solar transition region rotates less differentially than the corona.
uGMRT detection of cluster radio emission in low-mass Planck Sunyaev–Zel’dovich clusters
Authors: Paul Surajit , Gupta Prateek , Salunkhe Sameer , Bhagat Shubham , Sonkamble Satish , Hiray Manish , Dabhade Pratik , Raychaudhury Somak
Published: July 2021

Low-mass (M500 < 5 × 1014 M⊙) galaxy clusters have been largely unexplored in radio observations, because of the inadequate sensitivity of existing telescopes. However, the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) and the Low Frequency ARray (LoFAR), with unprecedented sensitivity at low frequencies, have paved the way to study less massive clusters more closely than before. We have started the first large-scale programme to systematically search for diffuse radio emission from low-mass galaxy clusters, chosen from the Planck Sunyaev–Zel’dovich cluster catalogue. We report here the detection of diffuse radio emission from four of the 12 objects in our sample, shortlisted from the inspection of the LoFAR Two-Meter Sky Survey data release 1 (LoTSS-I), followed up by uGMRT Band 3 deep observations. The clusters PSZ2 G089 (Abell 1904) and PSZ2 G111 (Abell 1697) are detected with relic-like emission, while PSZ2 G106 is found to have an intermediate radio halo and PSZ2 G080 (Abell 2018) seems to be a halo-relic system. PSZ2 G089 and PSZ2 G080 are among the lowest-mass clusters discovered with a radio-relic and a halo-relic system, respectively. A high ($\sim \! 30{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) detection rate, with powerful radio emission (P1.4 GHz ∼ 1023 W Hz−1) found in most of these objects, opens up prospects of studying radio emission in galaxy clusters over a wider mass range, to much lower-mass systems.