bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seismic Velocity Variations over Four Years (2013–2016) along the Longmenshan Faults in Sichuan, China
Authors: Zhu Huiyu , Sun Mengyao , Zhang Jie 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Seismic velocity is a critical geophysical property that reflects the state of the Earth’s interior. Tectonic movements and seismic activities may affect variations in seismic velocity. Here, we report on the spatial and temporal seismic velocity changes along the Longmenshan faults in Sichuan, China, which were inferred from ambient seismic noise from 2013 to 2016, during which the Ms 7.0 Lushan earthquake occurred and introduced clear velocity changes along the southern segments of the Longmenshan faults. The Longmenshan fault zone consists of complex geological structures that were formed by the compression of the Bayan Har block and South China block. The spatial–temporal seismic velocity changes define three segments on the Longmenshan faults, which are consistent with the distributions of the three subblocks of the Bayan Har block. We also calculate the displacement field and analyze the seismicity in the same area to further understand the seismic velocity changes. The strong compression effect of the Bayan Har block and South China block caused the Lushan earthquake, and the relative movements of the blocks changed the seismic velocities and seismicity. Combined with the seismic velocity changes, seismicity, and displacement field results, the evidence suggests that the seismic velocity changes may reflect the interactions among the blocks, and earthquakes may be prone to occur on the edges of the blocks, which are the areas between the positive and negative seismic velocity changes.
Machine-Learning-Based Surface Ground-Motion Prediction Models for South Korea with Low-to-Moderate Seismicity
Authors: Seo Hwanwoo , Kim Jisong , Kim Byungmin 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Ground-motion prediction models (GMPMs) have been developed to estimate seismic intensity considering earthquake magnitude, source-to-site distance, site condition, and so on. This study proposes GMPMs to predict 5% damped pseudospectral acceleration (PSA) for 27 periods ranging from 0.01 to 10 s in Korea, based on three machine-learning techniques (i.e., artificial neural network [ANN], random forest [RF], and gradient boosting [GB]). We use 1189 ground motions recorded at 50 surface stations during the 77 earthquakes with a local magnitude (ML) greater than 3.0, including the Gyeongju and Pohang earthquakes with ML of 5.8 and 5.4, respectively. We compare the performances of the three machine-learning-based models and the classical regression-based model in terms of the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), standard deviation of residuals, and between-event and within-event residuals. The GB-based model shows the best performance. In addition, we analyze the working process of the GB-based model using variable importance and partial dependence (PD) plots. Among the five independent variables (ML, epicentral distance [Repi], average shear-wave velocity of the upper 30 m [VS30], focal depth, and slope angle) used in this study, ML and Repi are the most influential variables and show strong correlations with PSAs. We apply the GB-based model to three recent earthquakes larger than ML 3.0, and the model accurately predicts the PSAs at various stations. We also generate maps of estimated PSA (PSAest) values for the four periods (T = 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 3 s) for the scenario earthquake with an ML of 5.0. We provide a method for training the GB-based model using the Python library, which can enhance the ground-motion prediction not only in Korea but also worldwide, and an executable version of the validated GB-based model.
Uso das Técnicas de Espectroscopia Raman e Difratometria de Raios X para o Entendimento do Processo de Ordenamento Estrutural do Dióxido de Titânio
Authors: Amarante da Cruz Natali , Da Silva Garcia Ana Karoline , Miranda Saracho Maria Conceição , Cavalheiro Alberto Adriano 
Published: February 2022

ResumoO semicondutor dióxido de titânio é usado como fotocatalisador de oxidação avançada para descontaminação de água. Vários processos de síntese do material são usados, mas o controle de fases e a cristalinidade desempenham papeis fundamentais na eficiência. A fase tetragonal de baixa simetria denominada anatase é mais eficiente quando apresenta reduzida quantidade de feitos estruturais, o que pode conseguir promovendo o ordenamento estrutural do material. Entretanto, no limite deste ordenamento, que ocorre geralmente logo acima de 600 °C, também começa a ocorrer uma transição de fases irreversível, formando uma nova fase tetragonal de maior simetria, denominada rutilo, com reduzida eficiência fotônica para aplicações em fotocatálise. Neste trabalho, buscou-se demonstrar como as técnicas de Espectroscopia Raman e Difratometria de Raios X são utilizadas para entender o ordenamento estrutural deste material obtido pelo Método Sol-Gel e submetido a tratamento térmico em várias temperaturas. Como suporte para este entendimento, foram também utilizadas as técnicas de Análise Térmica e de Espectroscopia de Refletância Difusa no UV-Vis.
Palavras-chave: Semicondutor. Ordenamento estrutural. Transição de fase. Fotônica.
AbstractTitanium dioxide semiconductor is used as advanced oxidation photocatalyst for water decontamination. Several synthesis processes are used, but the phase control and crystallinity play fundamental roles in the efficiency. The tetragonal phase with low symmetry called anatase is more efficient when almost absent of structural effects, which it can achieve by structural ordering of the material. However, at the limit of this ordering, which generally occurs just above 600 °C, an irreversible phase transition also begins to occur, forming a new tetragonal phase with high symmetry and reduced photonic efficiency for applications in photocatalysis, called rutile. In this work, we sought to demonstrate how the techniques of Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffractometry are used to understand the structural ordering of this material obtained by Sol-Gel Method and undergone to heat treatment at various temperatures. As support for this understanding, the techniques of Thermal Analysis and UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy were also used.
Keywords: Semiconductor. Structural ordering. Phase transition. Photonic
Segregação de Fases e Rearranjo Morfológico no Sistema de Óxidos TiO2-CeO2-V2O5 Obtido a Partir de um Precursor Gel
Authors: Morais Daniel Branco , Aquino Andriélli Corrêa de , Aquino Nayara Bach Franco de , Barbosa Graciele Vieira , Cruz Natali Amarante da , Cavalheiro Alberto Adriano 
Published: February 2022

ResumoOs sistemas de óxidos cerâmicos são frequentemente investigados para os mais diversos propósitos, sejam como refratários, pigmentos, cerâmicas eletroeletrônica ou semicondutores fotocatalíticos, entre várias outras aplicações. Muitos deles, como a alumina, a sílica, a zircônia e a titânia, acabam por se tornar ótimas matrizes adsorventes e de catalisadores, mas podem ter seus desempenhos significativamente melhorados com a modificação como outros tipos de óxidos não refratários, mas com excelentes propriedades adsortivas, como o cobre, molibdênio, vanádio, cério, entre outros. No entanto, materiais heterofásicos de sistemas ternários ou quaternários de óxidos metálicos são de difícil controle morfológico e estrutural e poucos métodos são mais adequados para a obtenção deste tipo de material do que o Método Sol-Gel. Um destes sistemas é TiO2-CeO2-V2O5, investigado neste trabalho, do ponto de vista das alterações morfológicas e estruturais que ocorrem ao longo do processo de tratamento térmico, sofrendo transições de fases e coalescência de poros.
Palavras-chave: Cerâmica. Morfologia. Cristalização. Refratário. Equilíbrio de fases.
AbstractCeramic oxide systems are frequently investigated for the most diverse purposes, whether as refractories, pigments, electro-electronic ceramics, or photocatalytic semiconductors, among many other applications. Many of them, such as alumina, silica, zirconia and titania, end up becoming excellent adsorbent matrices and catalysts, but their performance can be significantly improved with the addition of non-refractory oxides, but with excellent adsorptive properties, such as molybdenum, copper, molybdenum, vanadium, cerium, among others. However, heterophasic materials from ternary or quaternary systems of metal oxides are difficult to control from a morphological or structural point of view and few methods are more suitable for obtaining this type of material than the Sol-Gel Method. One of these systems is named TiO2-CeO2-V2O5, as investigated in this work, and a sample of this system was investigated from the point of view of the morphological and structural changes that occur throughout the heat treatment process, undergoing phase transitions and significant pore coalescence.
Keywords: Ceramics. Morphology. Crystallization. Refractory. Phase balance.
Effectiveness of chemotherapy of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis using bedaquiline
Authors: Balasaniantc G. S. 
Published: February 2022

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MDR/XDR TB treatment with bedaquiline. Methods. The author analyzed the treatment results of 56 patients in Staint Petersburg in 2017 with MDR/XDR TB whose treatment regimen included bedaquiline. All patients were smear/ culture-positive: 43 (67.8%) cases with XDR MBT; 7 (12.5%) with pre-XDR MBT and only 6 (10.7 %) cases with MDR TB. Results. 35 (62.5%) patients received full bedaquiline course, 16 received the treatment for a few days to 4 months and did not complete the course, 5 patients with XDR tuberculosis who underwent surgery were treated for more than 6 months. The average duration of bedaquiline course was 4.7 ± 0.3 months. Among the 27 (48.2%) patients who completed the treatment effectively, 22 had XDR TB, 3 – pre-XDR TB, and 2 – MDR TB. The median sputum conversion period was 4.00 ± 0.42 months (CI: 3.14 – 4.86). 13 (23.2%) patients interrupted the treatment, but 9 of them had negative cultures for MBT at this time. These patients received bedaquiline for 1 to 14 months. Treatment failure was recorded in 12 (21.4%) patients, and 4 (7.14%) patients died during the intensive treatment phase. In general, 27 patients with a successful outcome had negative cultures at the end of the intensive phase and 9 patients who effectively completed the intensive phase but interrupted the treatment continuation phase. In total, 36 patients (64.3%) had a successful treatment outcome. Conclusion. The analysis showed that routine administration of the drug without consideration for treatment compliance increases the effectiveness of the intensive phase (64.3%) and does not significantly affect general effectiveness of the treatment (48.2%). The high frequency of treatment interruption remains a serious obstacle to improving the treatment effectiveness.
The experience of using additive technologies for three-dimensional reconstruction of the lungs in the clinical practice of a tuberculosis dispensary
Authors: Naumov A. G. , Shprykov A. S. , Kryukov E. R. 
Published: February 2022

The aim was to study the volume of blood loss and the duration of a surgical session in patients with destructive pulmonary tuberculosis using threedimensional anatomical models of the lungs. Methods. The study was conducted in 2020 – 2021 in the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the Nizhniy Novgorod region “Nizhny Novgorod Regional Clinical Tuberculosis Dispensary” as part of an internal grant from the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Privolzhsky Research Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. The prospective clinical study included 80 patients. All patients were divided into two groups. The main group included 40 patients. Preoperative lung reconstruction was performed for these patients. Thoracic surgeons used the three-dimensional anatomical models of the lungs to study the syntopy of healthy and diseased tissue (visual assessment) and prepare for the surgical session (cutting the model with a scalpel). Threedimensional preoperative lung reconstruction was not performed for the other 40 patients in the control group. In this group, the thoracic surgeons did not use 3D anatomical models of the lungs. Comparison of the results in the control and the main group was carried out using the Mann – Whitney U-test and Spearman and Kendall correlation tests. The obtained data are described with absolute and relative values, boxplots reflecting median (Me) and interquartile interval (IQI), scatter plots with trend lines, and probability density plots. The level of statistical significance of differences for testing the hypotheses was chosen at p < 0.05. Results. It was shown that the volume of blood loss (U = 590; p = 0.042) and the duration of surgery (U = 587; p = 0.041) in patients of the main group are smaller than in patients in the control group. A moderate correlation was established between the volume of blood loss and the duration of the surgical session (ρ = 0.54; p < 0.001) in the main group using the Spearman’s test. Kendall’s test also showed a positive correlation (τ = 0.42; p < 0.001). Conclusion. The established differences between the main group and control group in the volume of blood loss and the duration of surgery due to the inclusion of polymer models of the lungs in preoperative preparation of thoracic surgeons confirm our hypothesis about the effect of additive technologies on the above parameters and indicate the significance of the applied reconstruction method.
Efficacy of intermittent inhaled iloprost in inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Gaisin I. R. , Rychkova L. V. , Gazimzyanova A. S. , Maksimov N. I. , Pomosov S. A. , Zaisanova G. M. , Nikolaeva N. B. , Shirobokova E. G. 
Published: February 2022

PH (pulmonary hypertension) targeted therapy may play an essential role in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients considered inoperable. Given the limited number of PH-targeted drugs approved for CTEPH, reliable long-term data are necessary on the effects of PH-targeted drugs in patients with inoperable CTEPH. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intermittent inhaled iloprost in inoperable CTEPH. Methods. The open randomized controlled trial included 22 inoperable CTEPH patients (aged (Me (25%; 75%)) 48,3 (38,4; 59,5) years; 63.6% females; 9.1% with WHO functional class (FC) IV, 72.7% with WHO-FC III, 18.2% with WHO-FC II; 6-minute walking test (6-MWT) distance of 348 (145; 443) m; mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of 41.8 (29.3; 52.8) mmHg; tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) of 16.3 (14.5; 18.2) mm; plasma NT-proBNP of 853.8 (562.2; 1124.2) pg/mL). The patients were enrolled 3 – 6 months after acute pulmonary embolism and were randomized 1:1 to receive either standard therapy with vitamin K antagonists and, if indicated, oxygen and diuretics or inhaled iloprost 5.0 µg / inhalation 4 times a day for 2 weeks every 3 months for 2 years in addition to the standard of care. Efficacy endpoints included changes from baseline in 6-MWT, WHO-FC, echo-parameters, inflammatory markers, time to clinical worsening, and all-cause mortality. Results. At baseline (prior to therapy), there were no significant differences between iloprost and control groups. Levels of C-reactive protein and the interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-8, γ-IF, and TNF-α cytokines were increased. At month 24, a mean 6-MWT distance increased by 215 m (p < 0.001) in the patients receiving inhaled iloprost and by 137 m in the control patients (p < 0.01). The control-adjusted difference was +78 m (p = 0.03). WHO-FC improved by two classes in 63.6% in iloprost group vs 0% in the control group (p = 0.028), by one class in 36.4% vs 30% (p = 0.091), and remained the same in 0% vs 70 % (p = 0.018), respectively. Inhaled iloprost delayed the time to clinical worsening (p = 0.0064). Improvements were noted in control-adjusted changes in ePASP (–18.6 mmHg; p = 0.0065), TAPSE (+2.4 mm; p = 0.028), and plasma NT-proBNP (–256.9 pg/mL; p < 0.01). The levels of inflammation decreased significantly in the iloprost group, while remained unchanged in the control group. Combination therapy with inhaled iloprost was tolerated well. One patient died in the control group (p = 0.093). Conclusion. Long-term intermittent inhaled iloprost for patients with inoperable CTEPH may improve their clinical status, hemodynamics, and anti-inflammatory status.
Peripheral blood eosinophil count in COPD: literature data and new findings
Authors: Vizel I. Yu. , Salakhova I. N. , Vizel A. A. , Shakirova G. R. , Kudryavtseva E. Z. , Vafina A. R. 
Published: February 2022

Eosinophils play a protective role and are involved in the pathogenesis of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study of the role of eosinophils in pathogenesis of COPD, especially during exacerbations, is relevant to selecting the optimal therapy. The aim was to analyze literature data and compare them with the results of our study in real clinical practice. Methods. We analyzed the publications on eosinophil count in COPD in electronic libraries eLIBRARY and National Library of Medicine. In our study, we examined 330 patients, collected their history, and conducted physical examination, spirometry, and laboratory tests. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS-18 software.Results. Analysis of publications showed that percent of patients with COPD with a stable eosinophil count of more than 300 cells/μL varies from 12.3% to 17%. This percentage is variable and can reach 37.5% in patients with exacerbations. As many studies show, eosinophilia is one of the indications for inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and is associated with better outcomes than eosinopenia. In our study, 18.58% of patients were eligible for ICSs because of their eosinophil count, 53.3% because of > 2 exacerbations, 82.1% because of exacerbations or hospitalizations, and 62.1% because their FEV1 was < 50% of the reference value. Among patients with FEV1 < 50%, 61% had > 2 exacerbations, 87.8% had hospitalizations, and 12.7% had eosinophilia. Only 7.57% of patients with COPD met all three criteria for prescribing ICS. 16.2% of patients had eosinophilia and 2 and more exacerbations within a year. 10.3% of patients had eosinophilia combined with FEV1 less than 50%. 6.7% of patients had eosinophilia, 2 or more exacerbations within a year, and FEV1 < 50%. Conclusion. Analysis of literature data and our findings have shown that the eosinophil blood count is one of the important prognostic indicators in COPD. It facilitates selection of the optimal therapy, including triple inhalation therapy.
Smart home: opportunities and technology
Authors: Мельник О.Н. 
Published: February 2022

Статья посвящена возможностям системы «умный дом», в частности повышению комфортности жилья благодаря новым технологиям системы, так как комфорт всегда был одним из двигателей прогресса, заставляя человечество серьезно повышать качество жизни, изобретая всё новые инструменты и приспособления, делая ее более благоустроенной.
The article is devoted to the capabilities of the “Smart Home”. It also describes the increase in comfort, thanks to the new technology “Smart Home”. After all, comfort has always been one of the engines, forcing humanity to seriously improve the quality of life, to invent more and more new tools and devices.
Clinical and Paraclinical Characteristics of COVID-19 patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Heydari Keyvan , Lotfi Parisa , Shadmehri Nima , Yousefi Mohammad , Raei Maedeh , Houshmand Pouya , Zahedi Mohammad , Alizadeh-Navaei Reza , Bathaeian Sahar , Rismantab Sahar 
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Recently, a new strain of coronaviruses, which originated from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China has been identified. According to the high prevalence of new coronavirus, further investigation on the clinical and paraclinical features of this disease seems essential. Hence, we carried out this systematic review and meta-analysis to figure out the unknown features.
Methods: This study was performed using databases of Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed. We considered English cross-sectional and case-series papers which reported clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics of patients with COVID-19. We used STATA v.11 and random effect model for data analysis.
Results: In the present meta-analysis, 32 papers including 49504 COVID-19 patients were studied. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (84%), cough (65%) and fatigue (42%), respectively. The most common radiological and paraclinical features were bilateral pneumonia (61%), ground-glass opacity (50%), thrombocytopenia (36%) and lymphocytopenia (34%). The study also showed that the frequency of comorbidities and early symptoms was higher in critically severe patients. Moreover, we found the overall mortality rate of three percent.
Conclusion: According to that there are many cases without Computed Tomography Scan findings or clear clinical symptoms, it is recommended to use other confirming methods such RNA sequencing in order to identification of suspicious undiagnosed patients. Moreover, while there is no access to clinical and paraclinical facilities in in public places such as airports and border crossings, it is recommended to consider factors such as fever, cough, sputum and fatigue.
O papel de Contratos Swap na cobertura de risco cambial na importação de viaturas usadas de Japão para Moçambique, 2010-2020
Authors: Charles Alcinda Rui Francisco Chichava 
Published: February 2022

Contrato Swap negocea-se a troca de rentabilidade entre dois bens (mercadorias ou activos financeiros). Pode-se definir o contrato Swap como um acordo, entre duas partes, que estabelecem a troca de fluxo de caixa tendo como base a comparação da rentabilidade entre dois bens. Por exemplo: Swap de ouro x taxa prefixada. Se no vencimento do contrato, a valorização do ouro for inferior à taxa prefixada negociada entre as partes, receberá a diferença a parte que comprou taxa prefixada e vendeu ouro. Se a rentabilidade do ouro for superior à taxa prefixada, receberá a diferença a parte que comprou ouro e vendeu taxa prefixada. Esta pesquisa teve como objectivo estudar o papel dos contractos SWAP na cobertura de risco de variação cambial na importação de viaturas usadas de Japão. Para a recolha de dados usou-se a técnica do questionário a 65 agentes exportadores de viaturas usadas e exportadoras particulares, nas cidades de Maputo, Matola, Xai-Xai e Beira e foi feita a regressão logística binária onde concluiu se que existe uma relação significativa entre a crise financeira e a variação da taxa de cambio e assim como, a variação da taxa de cambio deveu-se a falta da cobertura por contrato Swap. Assim, todas as hipíteses nulas estão acima de 0.05 de Sig, o que valida às hipóteses alternativas.