InSAR Constrained Downdip and Updip Afterslip Following the 2015 Nepal Earthquake: New Insights into Moment Budget of the Main Himalayan Thrust

We use ALOS-2 and Sentinel-1 data spanning 2015-2020 to obtain the post-seismic deformation of the 2015 Mw 7.8 Nepal earthquake. ALOS-2 observations reveal that the post-seismic deformation was mainly distributed in four areas. A large-scale uplift deformation occurred in the northern subsidence area of the co-seismic deformation field, with a maximum uplift of ~80mm within 4.5 yr after the mainshock. While in the southern coseismic uplift area, the direction of the post-seismic deformation is generally opposite to the co-seismic deformation. Additionally, two notable deformation areas are located in the region around 29°N, and near the MFT, respectively. Sentinel-1 observations reveal post-seismic uplift deformation on the north side of the co-seismic deformation field with an average rate of ~20 mm/yr in line-of-stght. The kinematic afterslip constrained by InSAR data shows that the frictional slip is distributed in both updip and downdip areas. The maximum cumulative afterslip is 0.35 m in downdip areas, and 0.2 m in the updip areas, constrained by the ALOS measurements. The stress-driven afterslip model shows that the afterslip is distributed in the downdip area with a maximum slip of 0.3m during the first year after the earthquake. Within the 4.5 years after the mainshock, the estimated moment released by afterslip is ~1.5174 × 1020 Nm,about 21.2% of that released by the main earthquake.

Microcirculation disorders in patients with severe COVID-19 and development of bacterial sepsis

It is believed that microcirculation dysfunction in sepsis primarily caused by damage of the endothelium by infectious agents and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Mechanisms of impaired microcirculation in the severe course of COVID-19 and sepsis likely to be similar. However, there are few reports studied microcirculation disorders in patients with COVID-19, and their results are sometimes contradictory. Objective. To assess the microcirculation of patients with severe Covid-19 and the development of bacterial sepsis using nail bed microscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry. Materials and methods. 16 intensive care unit COVID-19 patients subsequently diagnosed with bacterial sepsis were examined. Patients underwent vital capillaroscopy and an occlusive test using laser Doppler flowmetry. The average rate of capillary blood flow, the size of the perivascular zone, the density of capillaries, the presence of intravascular aggregates, the increase in the amplitude of the maximum post-occlusive blood flow and the average value of postocclusive blood flow relative to the initial one were valuated. Additionally, the level of serum proadrenomedullin was evaluated. Studies were performed on the day of admission and in dynamics. Results. By the capillaroscopy analysis, microcirculation disorders were detected in the form of a decrease in the linear speed of capillary blood flow (<400 μm/s), an extention of the perivascular zone (>100 μm), the circulation of microaggregates; the absence of postocclusive hyperemia was determined by an occlusive test. Secondary bacterial infection led to an even greater aggravation of microcirculation disorders: an increase of the perivascular zone, the progression of intravascular aggregation resulting in microthrombosis with a decrease of the density of the capillary network (according to capillaroscopy), as well as a sharp decrease of amplitude maximal increment of blood flow of post-осclusive circulation at the time of an occlusive sample. We also revealed a trend of negative correlation between the level of serum proadrenomedullin and the maximum increase in blood flow during the occlusive test. Conclusion. The secondary bacterial infection in patients with COVID-19 leads to a significant aggravation of microcirculation disorders with the development of perfusion deficiency and interstitial edema. The increased plasma proadrenomedullin level supports the concept of the significant role of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-10 and bacterial sepsis.

Evaluating radiation interception pattern and RUE of green gram grown in Lower Gangetic Plains and assessing future yield based on RUE

An experiment was conducted in the Lower Gangetic Plains of West Bengal during 2017 and 2018 with three popular green gram varieties of the region (viz. Samrat, PM05 and Meha). Along with studying the variation of PAR components, a radiation use efficiency (RUE) based equation irrespective of varieties was developed and used to estimate the green gram yield for 2040-2090 period under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. Field experimental results showed that almost 33.33 to 52.12% higher yield was recorded in 2017 in comparison to 2018. As observed through pooled experimental data of two years, PM05 produced 3 to 4% higher pod and 4 to 15% more biomass than Samrat and Meha with the highest radiation use efficiency (1.786 g MJ-1). Results also depicted that enhanced thermal condition would cause 9 to 15 days of advancement in maturity. Biomass and yield would also decrease gradually from 2040 to 2090 with an average rate of 7.60-11.70% and 10.19-14.17% respectively. The supporting literature confirms that future yield prediction under projected climate based on “radiation to biomass” conversion efficiency can be used successfully as a method to evaluate climate change impact on crop performance.

Brucellosis morbidity in Russia and Primorsky region

Objective: Epidemiological data analysis concerning the spread of brucellosis in Russia and Primorsky Region, study of the manifestations of the epidemic process and the current state of brucellosis issue.Methods: Descriptive epidemiological analysis of materials on infectious morbidity based on state statistical reporting forms No. 1, No. 2 “Information on infectious and parasitic morbidity”.Results: Brucellosis affects workers in the main occupational groups of livestock breeders, workers involved in the processing of livestock, who contact sick animals and other sources of brucellosis infection. Primorsky Region is a territory with an unstable epidemiological situation on brucellosis. A different morbidity rates were registered over the years. However usually it does not exceed the national average rate. In 2009, the morbidity rate counted 27.5% less than in Russian Federation (0.21 and 0.29 per 100,000 respectively), compared to previous years, the average long-term morbidity rate in the region increased by 3.5 times. The disease rate for the period from 2009 to 2019 ranged from 0.05 to 0.21%. In 2012, it exceeded the index in the Far Eastern Federal District (0.1 per 100,000 population). Brucellosis cases were detected among livestock breeders during an extraordinary medical examination due to the bad situation on brucellosis among animals.Conclusions: In recent decades, the epizootic and epidemiological situation on brucellosis remains tense due to the decrease in the number of serological and bacteriological studies among animals and humans, the weakening of veterinary-sanitary control and the formation of new private farms.

A comparative study on effect of platelet rich plasma Vs conventional dressing in healing rate of chronic diabetic ulcers

Introduction and Aim: This study has been undertaken to evaluate efficacy of platelet rich plasma (PRP) dressing that is recently introduced with conventional dressing. We have tried to compare PRP dressing with conventional normal dressing in healing the wound. Materials and Methods: We conducted this study in 120 patients of chronic non healing diabetic foot ulcers who were treated over the period of three years. Number of cases (60 each) were studied for efficacy of applying autologous platelet rich plasma versus normal dressing for chronic non healing diabetic foot ulcers. At every week follow up, the ulcer was examined for granulation tissue, area and volume which was calculated using Vernier calipers and marked on a graph paper and photographs were taken. Wound healing was compared between PRP and normal dressing. Results: The incidence of male susceptibility was more (70%) than females (30%) in diabetic foot. Average rate of healing per week was found to be significantly better among the PRP group than normal dressing group. The ulcer showed significant reduction in size among the PRP group in comparison to the normal dressing group with a significant P value (0.001). Conclusion: In this study application of platelet rich plasma into chronic non-healing diabetic foot ulcers in comparison with conventional dressing has shown a significant reduction in the size of the ulcer, hospital stay and cost for the patient.

Determinants of resource use efficiencies among lowland rice farmers of Enugu State, Nigeria

The gap in supply and demand of rice could be due to observable differentials in the allocative efficiency of the rice farmers in Nigeria. Therefore, the study focused on the determinants of resource-use efficiencies and profitability of lowland rice farmers of Enugu State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to collect cross-sectional data from 300 smallholder rice farmers across the six agricultural zones of the State. The gross margin (GM) analysis was used to estimate the profitability while the marginal value productmarginal factor cost (MVP-MFC) was used to evaluate the efficiency of rice farming. The Stochastic Frontier Cost Function was also used to estimate the determinants of resource use efficiency among lowland rice farmers in Enugu state. The results from the GM showed that rice production is profitable with an average rate of returns on investment (ROI) of 2.80. The MVP-MFC analysis showed that all the input factors hypothesized were over-utilised indicating the existence of large-scale resource-use inefficiency among lowland rice farmers of the state. Education and age were the only socio-economic variables that affected the allocative efficiency of the rice farmers. The study recommends a farm-level policy directed towards the encouragement of younger adults since they are more likely to adopt innovation and boost efficiency and investment in extension education for advisory services to facilitate resource-use efficiencies.

Late-Holocene relative sea-level changes and palaeoenvironment of the Pre-Viking Age ship burials in Salme, Saaremaa Island, eastern Baltic Sea

Two unique Pre-Viking Age ship burials were found from Salme village, Saaremaa Island, eastern Baltic Sea, containing remains of seven men in the smaller and 34 men in the larger ship. According to the archaeological interpretations, these ships belonged to a viking crew possibly from the Stockholm-Mälaren region, eastern Sweden. Geoarchaeological research was conducted in the area to reconstruct Late-Holocene relative sea-level (RSL) changes and shoreline displacement to provide environmental context to these burials. In this paper we present a Late-Holocene shore displacement curve for the Saaremaa Island and GIS-based palaeogeographic reconstructions for the Salme area. The curve shows an almost linear RSL fall from 5.5 to 0.8 m a.s.l. between 1000 BC and 1300 AD with an average rate of 2 mm/year. A slowdown in regression may be attributed to accelerated sea-level rise after the Little Ice Age and during the industrial period, being consistent with the tide-gauge measurements from the 20th century. Palaeogeographic reconstructions indicate the existence of a strait in the Salme area during the burial of the ships. The eastern part of the strait with water depth up to 2.8 m was about 80–100 m wide. The relatively steep and wind-protected shores in that part of the strait were probably the best places in the area for landing the viking ships. According to sedimentological evidence and diatom data, the narrowing of Salme palaeostrait occurred between 1270 and 1300 AD. Salme I and II ships were buried at 650–770 AD into the sandy-gravelly coastal deposits which had accumulated there in the open coastal zone about 710–450 years earlier. Reconstructions show that the ships were located about 2–2.5 m above coeval sea level and more than 100 m from the coastline. Thus, both ships were probably moved from the shore to the higher ground for burial.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN EMPIRICAL MODEL OF pH LONG-TERM CHANGES IN THE SURFACE WATERS OF THE DEEP-WATER PART OF THE BLACK SEA

The paper analyzes the interannual variability of the pH value in the surface layer of the deep-water part of the Black Sea for the period from 1957 to 1996. For the period from 1977 to 1996, an empirical mod-el of the time series is developed and a retrospective forecast is calculated with an assessment of its quali-ty using data from field studies performed from 2019 to 2021. In the interannual course of pH, two sig-nificant quasi-cyclic components of variability with periods of about 6, 7 years and 2.5 years are distin-guished. The highlighted trend (climate trend) indicates a decrease in the pH value for the period from 1977 to 2021. with an average rate of about 0.01 pH units/10 years. The data of field studies in 2019-2021 confirm the calculations obtained.

Dental status of geriatric patients with disorder of cognitive functions and their medical and social characteristics

Aim: analysis of medical and social characteristics and assessment of the dental status of geriatric patients with cognitive impairment.Materials and methods. The study was carried out at the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry. We analyzed the responses and laboratory results of 43 patients aged 60–92 years. The main methods used in the study were: questioning (Fox test), sialometry, saliva pH determination, microbiological analysis (of the upper respiratory tract) for fungal microflora.Results obtained showed that an objective study of the secretory function of the salivary glands according to the method of M.M. Pozharitskaya found that the average rate was 0.2 ± 0.004 ml/min, and the average saliva pH was 5.7 ± 0.04. The medical and social portrait of a geriatric patient indicates that mainly patients with impaired cognitive functions seeking dental treatment and prophylaxis were women, whose average age was 76.03 ± 2.8 years, as a rule, they were representatives of the humanitarian and natural-scientific professions, 75% are married. According to the results of the Fox test, it was found that 60% of patients complained of dry mouth of a different nature. The perception of dry mouth was statistically significantly dependent on gender (P = 0.025) and the presence of chronic diseases (P = 0.004). Women (OR = 1.17, P = 0.026) with chronic diseases (OR = 2.97, P = 0.002) were more likely to suffer from dry mouth.

High Recombination Rate of Hepatitis C Virus Revealed by a Green Fluorescent Protein Reconstitution Cell System

Genetic recombination is an important evolutionary mechanism for RNA viruses and can facilitate escape from immune and drug pressure. Recombinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) variants have rarely been detected in patients, suggesting that HCV has intrinsic low recombination rate. Recombination of HCV has been demonstrated in vitro between non-functional genomes, but its frequency and relevance for viral evolution and life cycle has not been clarified. We developed a cell-based assay to detect and quantify recombination between fully viable HCV genomes, using the reconstitution of green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a surrogate marker for recombination. Here, two GFP-expressing HCV genomes carrying different inactivating GFP mutations can produce a virus carrying a functional GFP by recombining within the GFP region. Generated constructs allowed quantification of recombination rates between markers spaced 603 and 553 nucleotides apart by flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Viral constructs showed comparable spread kinetics and reached similar infectivity titers in Huh7.5 cells, allowing their use in co-transfections and co-infections. Single cycle co-transfection experiments, performed in CD81-deficient S29 cells, showed GFP expression in double-infected cells, demonstrating genome mixing and occurrence of recombination. Quantification of recombinant genomes by NGS revealed an average rate of 6.1%, corresponding to 49% of maximum detectable recombination (MDR). Experiments examining recombination during the full replication cycle of HCV, performed in Huh7.5 cells, demonstrated average recombination rates of 5.0 % (40.0% MDR) and 3.6% (28.8% MDR) for markers spaced by 603 and 553 nucleotides, respectively, supporting a linear relationship between marker distance and recombination rates. First passage infections using recombinant virus supernatant resulted in comparable recombination rates of 5.9% (47.2% MDR) and 3.5% (28.0% MDR), respectively, for markers spaced by 603 and 553 nucleotides. We developed a functional cell-based assay that, to our knowledge, allows for the first-time detailed quantification of recombination rates using fully viable HCV constructs. Our data indicate that HCV recombines at high frequency between highly similar genomes, and that the frequency of recombination increases with the distance between marker sites. These results have implication for our understanding of HCV evolution and emphasize the importance of recombination in the reassortment of mutations in the HCV genome.