bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Repetitive Late Pleistocene soft‐sediment deformation by seismicity‐induced liquefaction in north‐western Lithuania
Authors: Belzyt Szymon , Pisarska‐Jamroży Małgorzata , Bitinas Albertas , Woronko Barbara , Phillips Emrys R. , Piotrowski Jan A. , Jusienė Asta 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLiquefaction can cause deformation of unconsolidated sediment, but specific processes involved and the trigger mechanisms often remain obscured. This study describes multiple deformed sediment layers in a succession of lacustrine sand, silt and clay deposited during the Marine Isotope Stage 5d in north‐western Lithuania. The deformation structures (load casts, pseudonodules, ball‐and‐pillow structures, broken‐up laminae and injections) are embedded in ten separate layers of fine‐grained, laterally continuous sediments. Detailed mesoscale sedimentological analyses suggest that each deformation event consisted of numerous successive stages of sediment advection facilitated by liquefaction. Low‐permeability fine‐grained laminae contributed to localized pore‐water pressure build‐up and lowering of sediment strength. Erosional top surfaces that truncate layers with soft‐sediment deformation structures suggest that at least seven deformation events were separated by successive periods of initial erosion and then uninterrupted deposition in the lake. The most likely trigger of the deformation was recurrent palaeoseismic activity possibly linked to a late glacial isostatic adjustment following the Scandinavian Ice Sheet melting after the Saalian glaciation. This study emphasizes the potential role of seismic processes in shaping the sedimentary record of the intraplate region of north‐eastern Europe and contributes to constraining the depth of liquefaction, regardless of the actual trigger mechanism.
Interactive Grounding and Inference in Learning by Instruction
Authors: Salvucci Dario D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLearning by instruction is one of the most common forms of learning, and a number of research efforts have modeled the cognitive process of instruction following, with many successes. However, most computational models remain brittle with respect to the given instructions, and they lack the ability to adapt dynamically to variants of the instructions. This paper aims to illustrate modeling constructs designed to make instruction following more robust, including (1) more flexible grounding of language to execution, (2) processing of instructions that allows for inference of implicit instruction knowledge, and (3) dynamic, interactive clarification of instructions during both the learning and execution stages. Examples in the context of a paired‐associates task and a visual‐search task are discussed.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF MUDFLOW WITH A TWO-DIMENSIONAL DEPTH-AVERAGED MODEL
Authors: How Tion Puay , Jia Jun Lim , Zakaria Nor Azazi 
Published: April 2021

This study is motivated by the need to mitigate damages caused by mudflow disaster, which is occurring frequently due to intensive forest clearing and uncontrolled land use at highland. Numerical modelling of mudflow is challenging as the propagation speed and rheological behavior of the flow relies on the accuracy of the numerical scheme and choice of rheological model. In this study, a two-dimensional depth-averaged model was developed to simulate a simplified mudflow event. In order to capture shock in mudflow, the finite volume method (FVM) with third order accurate Monotonic Upstream-centered Scheme of Conservation Laws (MUSCL) scheme was adopted in the numerical model and the model was verified against a benchmark partial dam-break problem. By assuming that the mudflow has high amount of fine mud suspension. the rheological model was represented by a simplified Herschel-Bulkley model. Numerical results showed that the Herschel-Bulkley model could reproduce the viscoplastic behavior of mudflow well, especially in the estimation of final longitudinal flow spreading (2% difference compared to experimental value) and depth of peak wave (8.8% maximum difference). The robustness and stability of the model was demonstrated by simulating a simplified mudflow event with obstacles.
IN-SILICO ALANINE SCANNING ANALYSIS ON THE CATALYTIC RESIDUES OF A NOVEL Β-GLUCOSIDASE FROM TRICHODERMA ASPERELLUM UC1
Authors: Mohamad Yunus Aimi Aliah , Abdul Wahab Roswanira , Bahaman Aina Hazimah , Adekilekun Oyewusi Habeebat , Syed Yaacob Syariffah Nuratiqah 
Published: April 2021

Currently, the catalytic residue of the highly prolific fungal β-glucosidase (BGL) of Trichoderma asperellum UC1 remains unvalidated. The study used the alanine scanning method to confirm the catalytic residues of the BGL as Glu165, Asp226, and Glu423. This method cancels out all intermolecular hydrogen bonds with substrates, lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose. Results revealed an overall decline in the stability of the energy-minimized mutant enzymes' compared to the wild-type BGL. The mutant enzyme registered lower PROCHECK (91.0%), ERRAT (93.09%), and Verify-3D (98.92%) values, in comparison to 90.2%, 92.09%, 98.06%, in the wild-type BGL, respectively. The mutant BGL UC1-substrate complexes were less stable than the wild-type enzyme, in which the mutant exhibited higher binding energies for docked lignin (−7.4% kcal mol-1), cellulose (−7.2 kcal mol-1), and hemicellulose (−7.2 kcal mol-1). Binding energies of the wild-type BGL with the corresponding substrates were lower at −7.9 kcal mol-1, −8.1 kcal mol-1, and −7.8 kcal mol-1. An interesting observation was that the alanine scanning changed the substrate preference order based on the calculated binding energies. The mutant BGL bound preferentially to lignin>cellulose=hemicellulose, while the wild-type BGL was selective to cellulose>lignin>hemicellulose. Hence, the findings convey the high likelihood of Glu165, Asp 256, and Glu423 are the catalytic residues of the BGL of T. asperellum UC1.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Howard Nina 
Published: April 2021

International Journal of English and Cultural Studies (IJECS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJECS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 4, Number 1Gillian Steinberg, SAR High School, USAKeeley Megan Buehler Hunter, Southern New Hampshire University, SwitzerlandAna Costa Lopes, Higher School of Education of Viseu, Viseu Polytechnic Institute, PortugalNicolau Nkiawete Manuel, Agostinho Neto University, AngolaFatma Benelhadj, University of Sfax, TunisiaEllie Boyadzhieva, South-West University, Blagoevgrad, BulgariaEmmanuel Chibuzor Okereke, National Examinations Council, Enugu State Office, Enugu, NigeriaShashi Naidu, Ball State University, United StatesJelena Timotijevic, University of Brighton, United KingdomJânderson Coswosk, Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo, BrazilHerman, University of HKBP Nommensen, Indonesia Nina HowardEditorial AssistantInternational Journal of English and Cultural StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97006-6018, USAWebsite: http://ijecs.redfame.com
Combined NLO EW and QCD corrections to off-shell $$\text {t} \overline{\text {t}}\text {W} $$ production at the LHC
Authors: Denner Ansgar , Pelliccioli Giovanni 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe high luminosity that will be accumulated at the LHC will enable precise differential measurements of the hadronic production of a top–antitop-quark pair in association with a $$\text {W} $$
W
boson. Therefore, an accurate description of this process is needed for realistic final states. In this work we combine for the first time the NLO QCD and electroweak corrections to the full off-shell $$\text {t} \overline{\text {t}}\text {W} ^+$$

t

t
¯

W
+

production at the LHC in the three-charged-lepton channel, including all spin correlations, non-resonant effects, and interferences. To this end, we have computed the NLO electroweak radiative corrections to the leading QCD order as well as the NLO QCD corrections to both the QCD and the electroweak leading orders.
Discreteness of space from anisotropic spin–orbit interaction
Authors: Ali Ahmed Farag , Majumder Barun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractVarious approaches to Quantum Gravity suggest an existence of a minimal measurable length. The cost to have such minimal length could be modified uncertainty principle, modified dispersion relation, non-commutative geometry or breaking of continuous Lorentz symmetry. In this paper, we propose that minimal length can be obtained naturally through spin–orbit interaction. We consider Dresselhaus anisotropic spin–orbit interaction as the perturbative Hamiltonian. When applied to a particle, it implies that the space, which seizes this particle, should be quantized in terms of units that depend on particle’s mass. This suggests that all measurable lengths in the space are quantized in units depending on existent mass and the Dresselhaus coupling constant. On one side, this indicates a breakdown of the space continuum picture near the scale of tabletop experiments, and on the other side, it proposes that spin–orbit interaction is a possible quantum gravity effect at low energy scale that leads naturally to space quantization.
Inversion of force lines in fiber-reinforced jammed granular material
Authors: Iliev Pavel S. , Wittel Falk K. , Herrmann Hans J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFreestanding columns, built out of nothing but loose gravel and continuous strings can be stable even at several meters in height and withstand vertical loads high enough to severely fragment grains of the column core. We explain this counter-intuitive behavior through dynamic simulations with polyhedral rigid particles and elastic wire chains. We evaluate the fine structure of the particle contact networks, as well as confining forces and reveal fundamental intrinsic differences to the well-studied case of confining silos.Graphic abstract
Shape-driven optofluidic rotational actuation
Authors: Lucchetta D. E. , Simoni F. , Sheremet N. , Reshetnyak V. , Castagna R. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn the present work, we report light-induced rotation of millimeter-sized objects driven by their non-symmetric shape. The light-induced torque is originated by the thermal gradient on different sides of the teeth of star-shaped objects floating on liquid surfaces that leads to unbalanced surface tension due to the Marangoni effect. The dependence of the angular rotation on the number of teeth is demonstrated. The angular velocity is linearly dependent on the light intensity and follows a simple time behavior typical of objects moving under fluid friction.
Graphic abstract
The etymology of Korean ssal ‘uncooked grain’ and pap ‘cooked grain’
Authors: JOO Ian 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, I will provide etymological explanations for the two Korean words for ‘grain’: ssal ‘uncooked grain’ and pap ‘cooked grain.’ The word ssal ‘uncooked grain’ is a loanword from Middle Chinese bu-sat ‘Bodhisattva,’ linking the Buddhist holy figure to the type of food that has a sacred status in Korean culture. The support for this claim comes from the fact that (i) grains were sometimes associated with the Buddha’s body in Korea, and (ii) certain dialects of Japanese have also referred to rice—undoubtedly the most favored type of grain—as bosatsu ‘Bodhisattva’ or buppō-sama ‘Lord Buddha Dharma.’ Moreover, pap ‘cooked grain’ is most likely derived from the baby-talk term for ‘food,’ because cross-linguistically, baby-talk terms for ‘food’ or ‘to eat’ tend to be similar to /papa/ or /mama/, some of which shifted into the adult-talk term for food or a common type of food.
Ancient Chinese sentence final particle ěr 爾
Authors: ZÁDRAPA Lukáš 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The article amounts to a fully comprehensive study on the sentence final particle ěr 爾 in Classical Chinese. After an overview of the explanations of the functions of the particle in reference books, all relevant occurrences in the pre-Qín texts are analysed, and the results are compared with its usage in the documents of the Western Hàn era. The possible interpretations of its meaning(s) proposed by the author are subsequently put in relation to hypothetical etymological links based on the theory of Old Chinese morphology in Sagart’s vein.
Is a tailored strategy using proton beam radiotherapy for reirradiation advantageous for elderly women? A case report
Authors: Barcellini Amelia , Ditto Antonino , Mirandola Alfredo , Roccio Marianna , Imparato Sara , Raspagliesi Francesco , Orlandi Ester 
Published: April 2021

Background: The management of primary or recurrent vaginal tumours in an aging population is challenging for gynecologic and radiation oncologists. In patients unsuited for surgery and already irradiated on the pelvis, proton beam radiotherapy may be worthwhile due to its ballistic advantages. Case report: We report the case of an 80-year-old woman with a squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina after a history of pelvic radiation and vaginal brachytherapy delivered for a previous endometrial adenocarcinoma. She received proton beam radiotherapy with a complete response after 12 months and mild toxicity. Conclusions: The complexity of reirradiation management in the frail and elderly population requires attention. Efforts should be focused on maintaining autonomy and quality of life in order to improve adherence and clinical compliance to the treatment. In the era of the tailored approach, hadrontherapy can play an important role to minimize toxicity, obtain good local control, and reduce the overall treatment time.
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections in Intensive Care
Authors: Ogica Alexandru , Burdelski Christoph , Rohde Holger , Kluge Stefan , de Heer Geraldine 
Published: April 2021

Background: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are typically characterized by extensive soft tissue destruction with systemic signs of toxicity, ranging from sepsis to septic shock. Our aim was to analyze the clinical characteristics, microbiological results, laboratory data, therapies, and outcome of patients with NSTIs admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A monocentric observational study of patients admitted to the ICU of a university hospital between January 2009 and December 2017. The demographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical features, microbiology and laboratory results, organ dysfunctions, therapies, and outcome were retrospectively analyzed. Results: There were 59 patients and 70% males. The mean age (± SD) was 55 ± 18; type II (monomicrobial) NSTI was present in 36 patients (61%); the most common isolated pathogen was Streptococcus pyogenes in 28 patients (48%). Septic shock was diagnosed in 41 patients (70%). The most common organ dysfunctions were circulatory and renal in 42 (71%) and 38 patients (64%). The mean value (± SD) of serum lactate at admission to the ICU was 4.22 ± 5.42 mmol/l, the median SOFA score and SAPS II were 7 (IQR 4 - 10) and 46 (IQR 30.5 - 53). ICU mortality rate was 25%. Both SOFA score and serum lactate demonstrated a good prognostic value regarding ICU outcome (OR 1.29, 95%CI 1.07-1.57, P < 0.007 and OR 1.53, 95%CI 1.19-1.98, P < 0.001). A cut-off value for serum lactate of 6.55 mmol/L positively predicted mortality with 67% sensitivity and 97% specificity. Conclusion: NSTIs carry a high risk of septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and thus are still associated with high mortality. In our study, the value of serum lactate at admission to the ICU correlated well with mortality. This easy-to-measure parameter could play a role in the decision-making process regarding prognosis and continuation of care.
The value of routine blood-borne virus testing in the intensive care unit
Authors: Yang Tan Yu , Booth Malcolm G 
Published: April 2021

Background ICU patients may require renal replacement therapy (RRT). Sharing RRT equipment carries a risk of BBV transmission, which mainly relates to Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV. Since 2012, all Glasgow Royal Infirmary ICU patients undergo routine BBV screening, with RRT machines allocated for patients with specific BBV statuses. Routine BBV testing is beneficial to both the individual and society. This study aims to determine if routine BBV testing in the ICU contributes to the discovery of undiagnosed BBV infections. Methods This single-centre retrospective observational study examined prospectively collected clinical data from 1069 ICU admissions. Proportions were compared using a two-proportion z-test and a logistic regression model was carried out to determine if deprivation quintile was independently associated with the seroprevalence of BBVs. Results The BBV seroprevalence in the cohort studied: 0.45% (HBV), 11.7% (HCV), and 0.91% (HIV). The seroprevalence of HBV in the cohort studied was similar to that of Scotland (p = 0.11), but the seroprevalence of HCV (p < 0.001) and HIV (p = 0.01) were significantly higher than that of Scotland. The relationship between deprivation and BBV seroprevalence was explored for HCV only. The only independent variable associated with a reactive anti-HCV test result was “current or previous illicit drug use” (adjusted odds ratio of 40.2; 95% confidence interval of 21.1–76.4; p < 0.001). Conclusion This study shows that routine BBV testing in the ICU is useful in discovering new BBV infections. This is the first observational study focusing on the value of routine BBV testing in an ICU setting to our knowledge.
Stack Splinting Versus Kirschner Wire Treatment in Acute Closed Mallet Finger Doyle I
Authors: Velez Maria de los Angeles Mendoza , Medina Marco Aurelio Rendon , Lopez Ricardo Pacheco , Morales Hecly Lya Vazquez , Ordoñez Ruben Hernandez 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Mallet injuries are common and usually treated conservatively. Various systematic reviews have found a lack of evidence regarding the best management, and it is still unclear. Objective: To evaluate the treatment efficacy of Stack Splinting compared to a Kirschner wire immobilization of acute closed mallet finger Doyle I. Methods: From March 2019 to February 2020, 41 patients with acute close mallet finger Doyle I were treated; 19 patients were treated with Kirschner wire and 22 with Stack splinting for a mean of 6 weeks. The average patient age at the time of the injury was 43 years. Results: Twenty-eight males and 13 females were in this study. Among them, 17 patients were injured in the little finger, 15 in the middle finger, and 9 in the ring finger. Twenty-seven of injuries suffered an aggression, 11 from falling, and 3 from sports injuries. All the fingers had typical mallet malformation. Seventeen patients treated with Kirschner wire completed the treatment with full recovery, only 7 patients treated with Stack splint completed the treatment and 15 treated with Stack splint had relapse on mallet injury. Conclusion: Kirschner wire treatment is a simple procedure, and proves in this study that has better results in patients with acute closed mallet finger Doyle I compared to Stack splint.
Comparison of clinical efficacy between arthroscopically assisted Tight-Rope technique and clavicular hook plate fixation in treating acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint separations
Authors: Nie Si , Lan Min 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of arthroscopically assisted reduction of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations with the Tight-Rope technique with results of clavicular hook plate fixation. Materials and Methods: The 28 patients with acute high-grade AC joint dislocation were treated with arthroscopic assisted fixation using the Tight-Rope system, the arthroscopic evaluation and treatment of glenohumeral lesions were performed before AC ligament reconstruction. Each Tight-Rope technique group patient was matched with three controls that underwent clavicular hook plate fixation, and preoperation and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional recovery (Constant Score) of the shoulder joint was assessed,. Furthermore, the demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results: All patients had clinical and radiological results available at 2 years or greater (mean: 34; range: 24–72 months), they were statistically significant improvement in the constant score and VAS score at the end of follow-up respectively ( P < 0.001). Compared with the clavicular hook plate group, Tight-Rope system group patients were incurred significant statistically lower skin incision, hospitalization time and estimated blood loss ( P < 0.001), and the constant score and VAS score at the end of follow-up was significantly higher in the Tight-Rope group ( P < 0.001). Patients who underwent clavicular hook plate had a higher incidence of fixation failure [10 cases (11.9%) versus 2 cases (7.1%)] than those of the Tight-Rope system group. Conclusions: The Tight-Rope technique is advantageous for treating these patients because it is a minimally invasive procedure with low complications and superior clinical outcomes.
Resistance-associated substitutions and response to treatment in a chronic hepatitis C virus infected-patient: an unusual virological response case report
Authors: Aldunate Fabián , Echeverría Natalia , Chiodi Daniela , López Pablo , Sánchez-Cicerón Adriana , Soñora Martín , Cristina Juan , Moratorio Gonzalo , Hernández Nelia , Moreno Pilar 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Direct-Acting agents (DAAs) target and inhibit essential viral replication proteins. They have revolutionized the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection reaching high levels of sustained virologic response. However, the detection of basal resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) to DAAs in naïve patients could be important in predicting the treatment outcome in some patients exhibiting failures to DAA-based therapies. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of RASs as minority variants within intra-host viral populations, and assess their relationship to response to therapy on a multiple times relapser patient infected chronically with HCV.

Case presentation
A male HCV infected-patient with a genotype 1a strain was evaluated. He had previously not responded to dual therapy (pegylated interferon-α plus ribavirin) and was going to start a direct-acting agent-based therapy (DAAs). He showed no significant liver fibrosis (F0). Viral RNA was extracted from serum samples taken prior and after therapy with DAAs (sofosbubir/ledipasvir/ribavirin). NS5A and NS5B genomic regions were PCR-amplified and the amplicons were sequenced using Sanger and next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches. RASs were searched in in-silico translated sequences for all DAAs available and their frequencies were determined for those detected by NGS technology. Sanger sequencing did not reveal the presence of RASs in the consensus sequence neither before nor after the DAA treatment. However, several RASs were found at low frequencies, both before as well as after DAA treatment. RASs found as minority variants (particularly substitutions in position 93 within NS5A region) seem to have increased their frequency after DAA pressure. Nevertheless, these RASs did not become dominant and the patient still relapsed, despite perfect adherence to treatment and having no other complications beyond the infection (no significant fibrosis, no drug abuse).

Conclusions
This report shows that some patients might relapse after a DAA-based therapy even when RASs (pre- and post-treatment) are detected in very low frequencies (< 1%) within intra-host viral populations. Increased awareness of this association may improve detection and guide towards a personalized HCV treatment, directly improving the outcome in hard-to-treat patients.