bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of Academic Integrity Definitions among BA Romanian Students’. The Impact of Rising Enrolments
Authors: ȘERCAN Emilia , VOICU Bogdan
Published: September 2022

In light of the increasing interest in academic integrity, this paper investigates how students from three major Romanian universities conceive academic integrity. We build up an argument of dependency of such definitions on existing academic culture, and on how fast universities, faculties, or fields of study grow with respect to number of enrolled students. The findings reveal that definitions of academic integrity offered by BA students were largely confused, with some of the students being completely unable to focus on the topic. The variation in definitions depends on the size and recent history of the department and university. The universities that experienced recent growths were found have students less likely to focus on academic integrity. The department size plays a buffering role through the inertia of organizational culture and increase in department size leads to better knowledge of academic integrity. Notably, no or very little impact was found across the fields of study in the patterns of defining academic integrity. Policy makers and academic leaders should therefore be aware that in fast-growing universities, academic integrity needs careful instillment among students, and promoting it in terms of knowledge might be rewarding for the health of the organization.
Историография советской повседневности 1941–1945 гг.: обзор научных тем, проблем и концепций
THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF SOVIET EVERYDAY LIFE 1941–1945: AN OVERVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC TOPICS, PROBLEMS AND CONCEPTS
Authors: Tsekhanskaya K. V.
Published: September 2022

Историография повседневности Великой Отечественной войны — одна из наиболее неосвященных тем современной гуманитарной науки. Целью статьи является аналитический обзор исследований, раскрывающих различные стороны повседневной жизни воюющей страны. Практическая научная значимость работы состоит в систематизации и критическом разборе основных проблем и направлений по указанной тематике. Особое внимание в статье уделено рассмотрению самобытных черт ментальности советского человека. Методология исследования состоит из сравнительно‑аналитических подходов к разноплановым позициям авторов. Ценность статьи — в попытке представить критический обзор различных научных концепций и идей, лежащих в основе изучения советской повседневности 1941–1945 гг.
The historiography of everyday life during the Great Patriotic War is one of the most poorly covered topics of modern humanities. The article provides an analytical review of the studies revealing various aspects of daily life in a country involved in the war. The practical and scientific significance of the work consists in the systematization and critical analysis of the topic. Special attention is paid to considering the mentality of a Soviet person. The methodology of the study consists of comparative and analytical approaches to the diverse positions of the authors. The article attempts to provide a critical overview of various scientific concepts and ideas underlying the study of the Soviet everyday life in 1941–1945.
Induction of food-specific IgG by Gene Gun-delivered DNA vaccines
Authors: Smeekens Johanna M. , Kesselring Janelle R. , Frizzell Hannah , Bagley Kenneth C. , Kulis Michael D.
Published: September 2022

Background

Shellfish and tree nut allergies are among the most prevalent food allergies, now affecting 2%–3% and 1% of the US population, respectively. Currently, there are no approved therapies for shellfish or tree nut allergies, with strict avoidance being the standard of care. However, oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy and subcutaneous immunotherapy for environmental allergens are efficacious and lead to the production of allergen-specific IgG, which causes suppression of allergen effector cell degranulation. Since allergen-specific IgG is a desired response to alleviate IgE-mediated allergies, we tested transcutaneously-delivered DNA vaccines targeting shellfish and tree nut allergens for their ability to induce antigen-specific IgG, which would have therapeutic potential for food allergies.

Methods

We assessed Gene Gun-delivered DNA vaccines targeting either crustacean shellfish or walnut/pecan allergens, with or without IL-12, in naïve mice. Three strains of mice, BALB/cJ, C3H/HeJ and CC027/GeniUnc, were evaluated for IgG production following vaccination. Vaccines were administered twiceviaGene Gun, three weeks apart and then blood was collected three weeks following the final vaccination.

Results

Vaccination with shellfish allergen DNA led to increased shrimp-specific IgG in all three strains, with the highest production in C3H/HeJ from the vaccine alone, whereas the vaccine with IL-12 led to the highest IgG production in BALB/cJ and CC027/GeniUnc mice. Similar IgG production was also induced against lobster and crab allergens. For walnut/pecan vaccines, BALB/cJ and C3H/HeJ mice produced significantly higher walnut- and pecan-specific IgG with the vaccine alone compared to the vaccine with IL-12, while the CC027 mice made significantly higher IgG with the addition of IL-12. Notably, intramuscular administration of the vaccines did not lead to increased antigen-specific IgG production, indicating that Gene Gun administration is a superior delivery modality.

Conclusions

Overall, these data demonstrate the utility of DNA vaccines against two lifelong food allergies, shellfish and tree nuts, suggesting their potential as a food allergy therapy in the future.
Electrospinning of botanicals for skin wound healing
Authors: Guo Shijie , Wang Pengyu , Song Ping , Li Ning
Published: September 2022

Being the first barrier between the human body and external environments, our skin is highly vulnerable to injuries. As one of the conventional therapies, botanicals prepared in different topical formulations have been applied as medical care for centuries. With the current increase of clinical requirements, applications of botanicals are heading towards nanotechnologies, typically fused with electrospinning that forms nanofibrous membranes suitable for skin wound healing. In this review, we first introduced the main process of wound healing, and then presented botanicals integrated into electrospun matrices as either loaded drugs, or carriers, or membrane coatings. In addition, by addressing functional features of individual botanicals in the healing of injured skin, we further discussed the bioactivity of botanical electrospun membranes in relevant to the medical issues solved in the process of wound healing. As achieved by pioneer studies, due to infrequent adverse effects and the diversity in resources of natural plants, the development of electrospun products based on botanicals is gaining greater attention. However, investigations in this field have mainly focused on different methodologies used in the preparation of nanofibrous membranes containing botanicals, their translation into clinical practices remains unaddressed. Accordingly, we propose that potential clinical applications of botanical electrospun membranes require not only the further expansion and understanding of botanicals, but also an establishment of standard criteria for the evaluation of wound healing and evolutions of technologies to support the large-scale manufacturing industry.
MicroRNA-loaded biomaterials for osteogenesis
Authors: Wang Jingwei , Cui Yutao , Liu He , Li Shaorong , Sun Shouye , Xu Hang , Peng Chuangang , Wang Yanbing , Wu Dankai
Published: September 2022

The large incidence of bone defects in clinical practice increases not only the demand for advanced bone transplantation techniques but also the development of bone substitute materials. A variety of emerging bone tissue engineering materials with osteogenic induction ability are promising strategies for the design of bone substitutes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that regulate intracellular protein expression by targeting the non-coding region of mRNA3′-UTR to play an important role in osteogenic differentiation. Several miRNA preparations have been used to promote the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. Therefore, multiple functional bone tissue engineering materials using miRNA as an osteogenic factor have been developed and confirmed to have critical efficacy in promoting bone repair. In this review, osteogenic intracellular signaling pathways mediated by miRNAs are introduced in detail to provide a clear understanding for future clinical treatment. We summarized the biomaterials loaded with exogenous cells engineered by miRNAs and biomaterials directly carrying miRNAs acting on endogenous stem cells and discussed their advantages and disadvantages, providing a feasible method for promoting bone regeneration. Finally, we summarized the current research deficiencies and future research directions of the miRNA-functionalized scaffold. This review provides a summary of a variety of advanced miRNA delivery system design strategies that enhance bone regeneration.
XMU-MP-1 attenuates osteoarthritis via inhibiting cartilage degradation and chondrocyte apoptosis
Authors: Hao Xue , Zhao Jing , Jia Liyuan , He Ting , Wang Huanbo , Fan Jing , Yang Yating , Su Fei , Lu Qingda , Zheng Chao , Yang Liu , Jie Qiang
Published: September 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent type of degenerative joint disease; it is reported to be associated with inflammatory responses, chondrocyte apoptosis, and cartilage degeneration. XMU-MP-1 is a selective MST1/2 inhibitor which activates the downstream effector YAP and promotes cell growth. It has displayed excellent benefits in mouse intestinal repair, as well as liver repair and regeneration. However, the effects of XMU-MP-1 on OA remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic role of XMU-MP-1 on interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced inflammation in mice chondrocytes and the destabilization of the medial meniscus surgery (DMM)-induced OA model. In chondrocytes, treatment with XMU-MP-1 elevated the matrix metalloproteinases (Mmp3, Mmp13) and decreased the extracellular matrix (Col2, Acan) induced by IL-1β. Moreover, XMU-MP-1 strongly inhibited IL-1β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis and significantly promoted chondrocyte proliferation. Furthermore, XMU-MP-1 demonstrated a protective and therapeutic influence on the mouse OA model. These findings indicate that XMU-MP-1 may have a protective effect on cartilage degradation and may be a new potential therapeutic option for OA.
Biological growth as an alternative approach to on and off-Earth construction
Authors: Brandić Lipińska Monika , Maurer Chris , Cadogan Dave , Head James , Dade-Robertson Martyn , Paulino-Lima Ivan Glaucio , Liu Chen , Morrow Ruth , Senesky Debbie G. , Theodoridou Magdalini , Rheinstädter Maikel C. , Zhang Meng , Rothschild Lynn J.
Published: September 2022

A critical aspect of human space exploration and eventual settlement is the ability to construct habitats while minimizing payload mass launched from Earth. To respond to this challenge, we have proposed the use of fungal bio-composites for growing extra-terrestrial structures, directly at the destination, significantly lowering the mass of structural materials transported from Earth and minimizing the need for high mass robotic operations and infrastructure preparations. Throughout human history, the construction of habitats has used biologically produced materials, from bone and skins to wood and limestone. Traditionally, the materials are used only post-mortem. Currently, the idea of working with living biological organisms, and the phenomenon of growth itself, is of increasing interest in architecture and space applications. Here, we describe the use of mycelium-based composites as an alternative, biological approach for constructing regenerative and adaptive buildings in extrem environments and extraterrestrial habitats. It is a continuation of our research program initiated under the auspices of the “Myco-architecture Off Planet” NASA NIAC Team. These composites, which are fire-resistant, and insulating, do not consist of volatile organic compounds from petrochemical products and can be used independently or in conjunction with regolith, could employ the living biological growth in a controlled environment, for the process of material fabrication, assembly, maintenance, and repair, providing structures resilient to extra-terrestrial hazards. Here we outline the potential and challenges of using bio-composites for Earth and space applications. We describe how these might be addressed to make this biological approach feasible, providing new, growing materials for designing and building sustainable habitats, both on Earth and for long-duration space missions.
An in vitro assay for enzymatic studies on human ALG13/14 heterodimeric UDP-N-acetylglucosamine transferase
Authors: Wang Chun-Di , Xu Si , Chen Shuai , Chen Zheng-Hui , Dean Neta , Wang Ning , Gao Xiao-Dong
Published: September 2022

The second step of eukaryotic lipid-linked oligosaccharide (LLO) biosynthesis is catalyzed by the conserved ALG13/ALG14 heterodimeric UDP-N-acetylglucosamine transferase (GnTase). In humans, mutations in ALG13 or ALG14 lead to severe neurological disorders with a multisystem phenotype, known as ALG13/14-CDG (congenital disorders of glycosylation). How these mutations relate to disease is unknown because to date, a reliable GnTase assay for studying the ALG13/14 complex is lacking. Here we describe the development of a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based quantitative GnTase assay using chemically synthesized GlcNAc-pyrophosphate-dolichol as the acceptor and purified human ALG13/14 dimeric enzyme. This assay enabled us to demonstrate that in contrast to the literature, only the shorter human ALG13 isoform 2, but not the longer isoform 1 forms a functional complex with ALG14 that participates in LLO synthesis. The longer ALG13 isoform 1 does not form a complex with ALG14 and therefore lacks GnTase activity. Importantly, we further established a quantitative assay for GnTase activities of ALG13- and ALG14-CDG variant alleles, demonstrating that GnTase deficiency is the cause of ALG13/14-CDG phenotypes.
Glycolysis in tumor microenvironment as a target to improve cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Xiao Chu , Tian He , Zheng Yujia , Yang Zhenlin , Li Shuofeng , Fan Tao , Xu Jiachen , Bai Guangyu , Liu Jingjing , Deng Ziqin , Li Chunxiang , He Jie
Published: September 2022

Cancer cells and immune cells all undergo remarkably metabolic reprogramming during the oncogenesis and tumor immunogenic killing processes. The increased dependency on glycolysis is the most typical trait, profoundly involved in the tumor immune microenvironment and cancer immunity regulation. However, how to best utilize glycolytic targets to boost anti-tumor immunity and improve immunotherapies are not fully illustrated. In this review, we describe the glycolytic remodeling of various immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the deleterious effects of limited nutrients and acidification derived from enhanced tumor glycolysis on immunological anti-tumor capacity. Moreover, we elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms of glycolytic reprogramming, including the crosstalk between metabolic pathways and immune checkpoint signaling. Importantly, we summarize the potential glycolysis-related targets that are expected to improve immunotherapy benefits. Our understanding of metabolic effects on anti-tumor immunity will be instrumental for future therapeutic regimen development.
Microtubule motor driven interactions of lipid droplets: Specificities and opportunities
Authors: Singh Jagjeet , Sanghavi Paulomi , Mallik Roop
Published: September 2022

Lipid Droplets (LDs) are evolutionarily conserved cellular organelles that store neutral lipids such as triacylglycerol and cholesterol-esters. Neutral lipids are enclosed within the limiting membrane of the LD, which is a monolayer of phospholipids and is therefore fundamentally different from the bilayer membrane enclosing most other organelles. LDs have long been viewed as a storehouse of lipids needed on demand for generating energy and membranes inside cells. Outside this classical view, we are now realizing that LDs have significant roles in protein sequestration, supply of signalling lipids, viral replication, lipoprotein production and many other functions of important physiological consequence. To execute such functions, LDs must often exchange lipids and proteins with other organelles (e.g., the ER, lysosomes, mitochondria) via physical contacts. But before such exchanges can occur, how does a micron-sized LD with limited ability to diffuse around find its cognate organelle? There is growing evidence that motor protein driven motion of LDs along microtubules may facilitate such LD-organelle interactions. We will summarize some aspects of LD motion leading to LD-organelle contacts, how these change with metabolic state and pathogen infections, and also ask how these pathways could perhaps be targeted selectively in the context of disease and drug delivery. Such a possibility arises because the binding of motor proteins to the monolayer membrane on LDs could be different from motor binding to the membrane on other cellular organelles.
Muscle fibro-adipogenic progenitors from a single-cell perspective: Focus on their “virtual” secretome
Authors: Negroni Elisa , Kondili Maria , Muraine Laura , Bensalah Mona , Butler-Browne Gillian Sandra , Mouly Vincent , Bigot Anne , Trollet Capucine
Published: September 2022

Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic tissue composed of a number of heterogeneous cell populations that, by interacting and communicating with each other, participate to the muscle homeostasis, and orchestrate regeneration and repair in healthy and diseased conditions. Although muscle regeneration relies on the activity of muscle stem cells (MuSCs), many other cellular players such as inflammatory, vascular and tissue-resident mesenchymal cells participate and communicate with MuSCs to sustain the regenerative process. Among them, Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitors (FAPs), a muscle interstitial stromal population, are crucial actors during muscle homeostasis and regeneration, interacting with MuSCs and other cellular players and dynamically producing and remodelling the extra-cellular matrix. Recent emerging single-cell omics technologies have resulted in the dissection of the heterogeneity of each cell populations within skeletal muscle. In this perspective we have reviewed the recent single-cell omics studies with a specific focus on FAPs in mouse and human muscle. More precisely, using the OutCyte prediction tool, we analysed the “virtual” secretome of FAPs, in resting and regenerating conditions, to highlight the potential of RNAseq data for the study of cellular communication.
The resealing factor S100A11 interacts with annexins and extended synaptotagmin-1 in the course of plasma membrane wound repair
Authors: Ashraf Arsila P. K. , Gerke Volker
Published: September 2022

After damage, cells repair their plasma membrane in an active process that is driven by Ca2+ entering through the wound. This triggers a range of Ca2+-regulated events such as the translocation of different Ca2+-binding proteins to the wound site which likely function in the repair process. The translocated proteins include Ca2+/phospholipid binding proteins of the annexin (ANX) family and S100A11, an EF hand-type Ca2+-binding protein which can interact with ANX. The molecular mechanism by which S100A11 mediates PM wound repair remains poorly understood although it likely involves interactions with ANX. Here, using S100A11 knockout endothelial cells and expression of S100A11 mutants, we show that endothelial S100A11 is essential for efficient plasma membrane wound repair and engages in Ca2+-dependent interactions with ANXA1 and ANXA2 through its C-terminal extension (residues 93–105). ANXA2 but not ANXA1 translocation to the wound is substantially inhibited in the absence of S100A11; however, the repair defect in S100A11 knockout cells is rescued by ectopic expression of an ANX interaction-defective S100A11 mutant, suggesting an ANX-independent role of S100A11 in membrane wound repair. In search for other interaction partners that could mediate this action of S100A11 we identify extended synaptotagmin 1 (E-Syt1), a protein tether that regulates endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane contact sites. E-Syt1 binds to S100A11 in the presence of Ca2+ and depletion of E-Syt1 interferes with wound site recruitment of S100A11 and proper membrane resealing. Thus, the role of S100A11 in membrane wound repair does not exclusively dependent on ANX interactions and a Ca2+-regulated S100A11-E-Syt1 complex acts as a yet unrecognized component of the membrane resealing machinery.
A feasible path-based branch and bound algorithm for strongly nonconvex MINLP problems
Authors: Liu Chao , Ma Yingjie , Zhang Dongda , Li Jie
Published: September 2022

In this paper, a feasible path-based branch and bound (B&B) algorithm is proposed to solve mixed-integer nonlinear programming problems with highly nonconvex nature through integration of the previously proposed hybrid feasible-path optimisation algorithm and the branch and bound method. The main advantage of this novel algorithm is that our previously proposed hybrid steady-state and time-relaxation-based optimisation algorithm is employed to solve a nonlinear programming (NLP) subproblem at each node during B&B. The solution from a parent node in B&B is used to initialize the NLP subproblems at the child nodes to improve computational efficiency. This approach allows circumventing complex initialisation procedure and overcoming difficulties in convergence of process simulation. The capability of the proposed algorithm is illustrated by several process synthesis and intensification problems using rigorous models.
Silk peptide-hyaluronic acid based nanogels for the enhancement of the topical administration of curcumin
Authors: Niu Jiangxiu , Yuan Ming , Liu Yao , Wang Liye , Tang Zigui , Wang Yihan , Qi Yueheng , Zhang Yansong , Ya Huiyuan , Fan Yanli
Published: September 2022

The present study focused on the development of Cur-loaded SOHA nanogels (Cur-SHNGs) to enhance the topical administration of Cur. The physiochemical properties of Cur-SHNGs were characterized. Results showed that the morphology of the Cur-SHNGs was spherical, the average size was 171.37 nm with a zeta potential of −13.23 mV. Skin permeation experiments were carried out using the diffusion cell systems. It was found that the skin retention of Cur-SHNGs was significantly improved since it showed the best retention value (0.66 ± 0.17 μg/cm2). In addition, the hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that the Cur-SHNGs improved transdermal drug delivery by altering the skin microstructure. Fluorescence imaging indicated that Cur-SHNGs could effectively deliver the drug to the deeper layers of the skin. Additionally, Cur-SHNGs showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity with no skin irritation. Taken together, Cur-SHNGs could be effectively used for the topical delivery of therapeutic drugs.
An artificial self-assembling peptide with carboxylesterase activity and substrate specificity restricted to short-chain acid p-nitrophenyl esters
Authors: Liu Yanfei , Gan Lili , Feng Peili , Huang Lei , Chen Luoying , Li Shuhua , Chen Hui
Published: September 2022

Natural enzymes possess remarkable catalytic activity and high substrate specificity. Many efforts have been dedicated to construct artificial enzymes with high catalytic activity. However, how to mimic the exquisite substrate specificity of a natural enzyme remains challenging because of the complexity of the enzyme structure. Here, we report artificial carboxylesterases that are specific for short chain fatty acids and were constructed via peptide self-assembly. These artificial systems have esterase-like activity rather than lipase-like activity towards p-nitrophenyl esters. The designer peptides self-assembled into nanofibers with strong β-sheet character. The extending histidine units and the hydrophobic edge of the fibrillar structure collectively form the active center of the artificial esterase. These artificial esterases show substrate specificity for short-chain acids esters. Moreover, 1-isopropoxy-4-nitrobenzene could function as a competitive inhibitor of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate for an artificial esterase.
Smallholder farmers’ behavioral preferences under the impact of climate change: A comparative analysis of two agricultural areas in China
Authors: Peng Yufang , Xu Zhengzhong , Wei Pengbang , Cheng Linyi
Published: September 2022

Farmers’ behaviors to deal with climate change can be divided into two categories: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation behaviors can reduce the rate of climate change, while adaptation behaviors can reduce the vulnerability to climate change. In this study, we focused on the factors influencing farmers’ behavioral preferences and explored the differences in their behaviors in response to climate change in different types of regions. A structural equation model was constructed to describe the relationship between trust, risk perception, psychological distance and risk severity, and farmer behaviors. The results indicate that the factors affecting climate adaptation vary greatly in different regions. In agricultural areas, risk salience, psychological distance and mitigation behaviors had an important influence on farmer adaptation behavior, while risk perception only affects farmers’ mitigation behaviors. Trust can not only predict farmers’ adaptability, but also explain farmers’ choice of mitigation behaviors. For farmers in farming and pastoral areas, belief, risk severity level and trust have positive driving effects on both adaptation and mitigation behaviors. The findings provide suggestions for the development of public policy and risk management approaches to deal with climate change, which could encourage active behavior among farmers.
Assessment of probability of failure on rainfall-induced shallow landslides at slope scale using a physical-based model and fuzzy point estimate method
Authors: Yang Ya-Sin , Yeh Hsin-Fu , Ke Chien-Chung , Chen Nai-Chin , Chang Kuo-Chin
Published: September 2022

Shallow hillslope failure caused by rainfall is characterized by complex soil hydrology and mechanical behavior. It is important to understand the hydraulic behavior of hillslopes and quantify the effect of the uncertainty of mechanical parameters on hillslope stability for forewarning and hillslope management. Intra-hole deformation and displacement were record for the hillslope of the Babaoliao collapse site in the Chiayi County, as a case study. The fuzzy point estimation method and physical-based model were combined with the local factor of safety (LFS) theory to calculate the internal local factor of safety of the hillslope. A reliability analysis was then performed to determine the failure probability at different depths. Historical rainfall events were used to validate the model and predict the development of the failure probability for different rainfall patterns with the same warning rainfall. The results revealed that the failure probability model could effectively predict the area of hillslope instability and its changes over time and space. Different rainfall patterns affected the infiltration flux, leading to the difference in hillslope failure time. The delayed rainfall pattern had a significant impact on the time of slope instability, and shallow collapse was most likely to occur earlier. This study can be used as a reference for developing future hillslope warnings.
Towards innovation resilience through urban networks of co-invention: A case study of cities in China
Authors: Ma Haitao , Xu Xuanfang , Li Xiaozhen , Liu Jingyu
Published: September 2022

The intensified competition for innovation among countries and the various risks that come with it have made innovation resilience a central concern of the international community in recent years. The concepts of resilience and innovation are inextricably intertwined; however, both theoretical discussions and case studies on innovation resilience are in the “embryonic” stage. This article attempts to integrate the system and nodes of network resilience, the potential and connectivity of city resilience, and the hierarchy and assortativity of urban network resilience to construct a theoretical analysis framework of intercity innovation network resilience and conduct a case study on the resilience of a patent cooperation network among 338 prefecture-level cities in China during 2017–2019. The results show that the systemic resilience of Chinese urban innovation networks exhibits relatively low hierarchical and yearly decreasing disassortative characteristics, and the node resilience shows a spatial pattern of being high in the southeast and low in the northwest, as well as higher innovation resilience in cities with higher administrative levels. The results provide insights into the overall systemic and internal structural characteristics of innovation resilience in Chinese urban networks and also expand the application of resilience concepts in the field of innovation research from the perspective of urban networks.
The viability of implementing hydrogen in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Authors: Hammerstrom Brian , Niezrecki Christopher , Hellman Kelly , Jin Xinfang , Ross Michael B. , Mack J. Hunter , Agar Ertan , Trelles Juan Pablo , Liu Fuqiang , Che Fanglin , Ryan David , Narasimhadevara Madhava S. , Usovicz Mary
Published: September 2022

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in hydrogen energy due to a desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing hydrogen for numerous applications. Some countries (e.g., Japan, Iceland, and parts of Europe) have made great strides in the advancement of hydrogen generation and utilization. However, in the United States, there remains significant reservation and public uncertainty on the use and integration of hydrogen into the energy ecosystem. Massachusetts, similar to many other states and small countries, faces technical, infrastructure, policy, safety, and acceptance challenges with regards to hydrogen production and utilization. A hydrogen economy has the potential to provide economic benefits, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and sector coupling to provide a resilient energy grid. In this paper, the issues associated with integrating hydrogen into Massachusetts and other similar states or regions are studied to determine which hydrogen applications have the most potential, understand the technical and integration challenges, and identify how a hydrogen energy economy may be beneficial. Additionally, hydrogen’s safety concerns and possible contribution to greenhouse gas emissions are also reviewed. Ultimately, a set of eight recommendations is made to guide the Commonwealth’s consideration of hydrogen as a key component of its policies on carbon emissions and energy.
Health condition assessment of transformers based on cross message passing graph neural networks
Authors: Luo DianSheng , Xi RuiYao , Che LiXuan , He HongYing
Published: September 2022

A method is proposed to assess the health condition of transformers based on cross message passing graph neural networks (CMPGNNs) in this paper. In order to improve the accuracy of transformer health condition assessment, multiple indicators and their strong correlation are taken into account. The evaluation indicators are divided into four comprehensive state categories, and each category has several indicators. First, the correlation between indicators of a state category is extracted by the health index method and the importance of criteria is analyzed through the inter-criteria correlation (CRITIC) method, and the health index of comprehensive indicators is obtained. Then, a diagram of comprehensive indicators is constructed, and the correlation between indicators of different state categories is extracted. Finally, CMPGNN is constructed to achieve the health assessment. The experimental results show that the proposed method can improve the accuracy of transformer health condition assessment.
Oil-gas two-phase seepage model in fractured carbonate reservoirs
Authors: Xia Boyi
Published: September 2022

Fractures are developed in fractured carbonate reservoirs. Traditional fracture characterization methods and seepage mathematical models cannot accurately describe the complex spatial distribution of large-scale fractures and their stress sensitivity, and do not consider the two-phase seepage of oil and gas, resulting in the dynamic analysis results have large errors. Aiming at this problem, a two-phase seepage model of oil and gas in fractured carbonate reservoirs considering stress sensitivity is established in this paper, and the semi-analytical solution of the model is obtained by using three-dimensional source function theory and finite difference method. The accuracy of the model is verified by comparison with commercial numerical simulation software, the production performance curve of oil and gas two-phase is drawn, and the influence of key seepage parameters of reservoirs and fractures on production performance is analyzed. The results show that the hybrid solution method of 3D source function and finite difference can realize the accurate and efficient solution of 3D discrete fracture oil and gas two-phase seepage model. The stress sensitivity effect leads to serious loss of fracture permeability and increase of fluid seepage resistance, which seriously affects the production of oil wells. The greater the fracture permeability, the higher the initial value of production, and the higher the position of the production curve. The longer fracture length, the higher the production curve in the early and middle production stages, and the slower the production decline.
Cadmium fractionation in soils affected by organic matter application: Transfer of cadmium to cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) tissues
Authors: Gutiérrez Eduardo , Chávez Eduardo , Gamage Kasuni H. H. , Argüello David , Galkaduwa Madhubhashini B. , Hettiarachchi Ganga M.
Published: September 2022

Elevated cadmium (Cd) concentrations in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) beans have concerned chocolate consumers worldwide because of the potential detrimental human health effects. Compost application on the soil surface could modify the labile Cd in soils and yet it could enhance Cd bound to humic and fulvic acids, forming an organo-metallic complex that could reduce the availability of Cd to plants. This study investigated the effect of surface compost applications at two rates, the chemistry and fractionation of Cd at two soil depths, and the relationship of these soil Cd pools with plant uptake. The research was carried out on four Ecuadorian cacao farms. The compost was applied at 6.25 Mg·ha−1 (low) and 12.5 Mg·ha−1 (high) per annum. There was also a control treatment with no compost application. Soil samples were collected at two depths, surface (0–5 cm) and below surface (5–20 cm). Leaf samples and cacao pots were collected from each treatment. Soil Cd was fractionated into five operational pools. Additionally, the Cd-bound to fulvic acids and humic acids in soils were extracted separately. The EDTA-extractable fraction showed the highest concentration of Cd at both depths. Cadmium bound to fulvic acids was higher in compost-applied soils than in the control (p < 0.05) in all farms. Leaf and bean-Cd were negative and significantly correlated with the Cd extracted by EDTA, NaOH, HNO3, and FA-Cd pools. The mobility of Cd in soils cultivated with cacao, based on plant uptake, was strongly associated with the soils’ chemical characteristics, especially pH and SOC. The surface application of organic matter facilitates the redistribution of Cd in soil fractions, mainly in EDTA-, NaOH-, and HNO3-extractable fractions, suggesting a reduction in Cd soil–plant transfer via adsorption or complexation processes. Apparently, the application of high-quality compost, i.e., high FA content, could aid in mitigating Cd contamination in cacao orchards. Experiments on perennial crops merit a longer evaluation time to better assess the changes in plant-Cd.
A symmetric and asymmetric nexus between environmental sustainability and tourism development in BRIC nations: What is the role of good governance and globalization?
Authors: Guan Changchun , Qamruzzaman Md
Published: September 2022

The motivation of the study was to gauge the impact of environmental quality (EQ), good governance (GG), and globalization (GLO) on tourism development in BRIC nations for the period 1990–2021. The study implements linear and nonlinear frameworks for evaluating the elasticity of explanatory variables on tourism and the directional association by using the non-granger causality test. Combined cointegration test statistics show a long-run association between EQ, GG, and GLO and tourism development in BRIC nations. Furthermore, the long-run association in the empirical estimation is established in both linear and nonlinear framework assessments. Referring to linear assessment, the study documents the positive, statistically significant linkage between good governance, globalization, and tourism development, implying that political stability, governmental effectiveness, and accountability foster tourism development. Furthermore, global economic and financial integration opens a window for tourism development by inducing the economy’s international tourism. On the other hand, environmental degradation reveals adverse statistically significant influences on tourism development, suggesting that the environmental stability in the form of healthy and amicable ambiance positively triggers tourism development, especially in the long run. According to the test statistics of the standard Wald test, it is obvious that there is an asymmetric association between explanatory variables such as EQ, GG, and GLO and tourism development in the long-run and short-run assessment. The directional causality test documented bidirectional causality in explaining the causality between environmental quality and tourism development in Brazil, India, and China, good governance and tourism development in India, and globalization and tourism development in China. On a policy note, the study advocated that BRIC has to ensure environmental protection and governmental effectiveness to promote sustainable development in the tourism sector.
Environmental governance investment and Air Quality: Based on China’s provincial panel data
Authors: Wu Zhendong , Zhang Chengmeng , Li Yang , Xu Chen , Wang Yang , Chen Gong
Published: September 2022

Ambient air pollution is an important environmental problem that impacts the health and sustainable development of human beings. Many measures have been taken by governments to decrease air pollution. This paper focuses on whether government investment has a positive effect on air quality. Based on China’s environmental statistics from 2003 to 2020, the Spatiotemporal Weighted Regression Model is used to observe the spatiotemporal correlation between environmental governance investment and air quality in different provinces in China, finding that there is a negative time-space correlation between environmental governance investment and air quality. In addition, environmental governance investment will not immediately improve air quality, and air pollution has the characteristics of spatial overflow that the pollution between regions affect each other. Then, to further research governments how to deal with environmental protection, configuration analysis has been used, and finds out four high-performance paths for environmental governance of China’s provinces. At the end of this research, we put forward four suggestions for air protection. Firstly, government should formulate long-term air governance policies. Secondly, government environmental governance of air pollution should pay attention to the cooperativity of environmental governance between regions. Thirdly, the third sectors, companies and the public should be encouraged in air protection. Fourthly, government should build a whole-process air governance strategy.
Study on the effective way to convert waste into resources—game analysis of reverse logistics implementation based on value chain
Authors: Zhang Fengxuan , He Yixiong
Published: September 2022

The environmental problems caused by excessive waste discharge are becoming more and more prominent, and how to deal with waste has become a problem that has to be done but is extremely costly. On the other hand, from a value chain perspective, waste has been focused on because of its potential value for conversion. Reverse logistics is an important means of turning waste into resources, solving environmental problems and promoting high-quality development, as well as an important reliance on enriching and improving the value chain system and further exploiting the value of products. However, the implementation of reverse logistics is a long-term, complex and dynamic process. Many factors need to be considered by the stakeholders when making decisions. With the help of the evolutionary game approach, this paper establishes a model based on the relationship between the government, enterprises (manufacturing enterprises) and logistics companies, and conducts simulation analysis to provide references for how the three parties implement or participate in reverse logistics. The results of the study show that: 1) The total amount of waste affects the evolutionary direction of enterprises’ decision choices, while the conversion rate of waste has a significant impact on the evolutionary trajectory (speed) of enterprises’ decision choices. 2) When the government’s regulation and punishment of the implementation of reverse logistics is greater, enterprises can choose to implement outsourcing reverse logistics to transfer the risk. 3) Logistics companies give certain discounts to attract enterprises to cooperate with them, but excessive discounts have different degrees of negative impact on the normal operation of both enterprises and logistics companies.
The role of distinct electricity sources on pollution abatement: Evidence from a wide global panel
Authors: Horobet Alexandra , Tudor Cristiana Doina , Belascu Lucian , Dumitrescu Dan Gabriel
Published: September 2022

In this study, we examine the contribution of nuclear, fossil (coal, oil, and gas), and renewable (hydro, solar, wind, biofuel) electricity sources to pollution in the globalization era, as measured by total greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by electricity per capita. We conduct an empirical investigation in a global panel of 163 countries which assesses both the concurrent and individual effects of alternative energy sources. Additionally, we implement a second model to assess the roles of various electricity sources on the carbon intensity of electricity generation. Robust GMM estimators show that fossil electricity is a major polluter and a driver of carbon intensity. Furthermore, nuclear and renewable energy reduce pollution on a global scale, with wind emerging as the most efficient energy source in the global fight against pollution and climate change. Moreover, globalization as measured by trade openness tends to reduce the carbon intensity of electricity production (CI), whereas biofuels have an increasing impact on CI. The findings have important policy implications, indicating that shifting to nuclear and renewable energy sources could help countries achieve their sustainable development goals more efficiently.
Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis reveals the prognostic value, predictive value, and immunological roles of ANLN in human cancers
Authors: Cui Zhiwei , Mo Jiantao , Song Ping , Wang Lijun , Wang Rongli , Cheng Feiyan , Wang Lihui , Zou Fan , Guan Xin , Zheng Nini , Yang Xinyuan , Wang Wei
Published: September 2022

Anillin (ANLN) is a unique scaffolding, actin-binding protein, which is essential for the integrity and ingression of the cleavage furrow. It is mainly involved in the cytokinesis process, while its role in various tumors has not been fully addressed and remains largely elusive. To provide a thorough perspective of ANLN’s roles among diverse malignancies, we conducted a comprehensive, pan-cancer analysis about ANLN, including but not limited to gene expression levels, prognostic value, biological functions, interacting proteins, immune-related analysis, and predictive value. As a result, when compared to normal tissues, ANLN expression is elevated in most cancers, and its expression also differs in different immune subtypes and molecular subtypes in diverse cancers. In addition, in 17 types of cancer, ANLN expression is increased in early tumor stages, and higher ANLN expression predicts worse survival outcomes in more than ten cancers. Furthermore, ANLN shows close correlations with the infiltration levels of most immune cells, and enrichment analysis using ANLN co-expressed genes reveals that ANLN plays essential roles in cell cycle, mitosis, cellular senescence, and p53 signaling pathways. In the final, ANLN exhibits high accuracy in predicting many cancers, and subsequent multivariate analysis suggests ANLN could be an independent prognostic factor in specific cancer types. Taken together, ANLN is proved to be a novel and promising biomarker for its excellent predictive utility, promising prognostic value, and potential immunological roles in pan-cancer. Targeting ANLN might be an attractive approach to tumor treatment.
Transcriptome profiles of fatty acid metabolism-related genes and immune infiltrates identify hot tumors for immunotherapy in cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Dong Yunxian , Zhao Zirui , Simayi Maijimi , Chen Chufen , Xu Zhongye , Lv Dongming , Tang Bing
Published: September 2022

Background: Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors usually has a low response rate in some cutaneous melanoma (CM) cases due to its cold nature. Hence, identification of hot tumors is important to improve the immunotherapeutic efficacy and prognoses of CMs.

Methods: Fatty acid (FA) metabolism-related genes were extracted from the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and used in the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), copy number variation frequency, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and immune-related analyses, such as immunophenoscore (IPS). We generate a risk model and a nomogram for predicting patient prognoses and predicted the potential drugs for therapies using the Connectivity Map. Moreover, the NMF and the risk model were validated in a cohort of cases in the GSE65904 and GSE54467. At last, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used for further validation.

Results: Based on the NMF of 11 FA metabolism-related DEGs, CM cases were stratified into two clusters. Cluster 2 cases had the characteristics of a hot tumor with higher immune infiltration levels, higher immune checkpoint (IC) molecules expression levels, higher TMB, and more sensitivity to immunotherapy and more potential immunotherapeutic drugs and were identified as hot tumors for immunotherapy. The risk model and nomogram displayed excellent predictor values. In addition, there were more small potential molecule drugs for therapies of CM patients, such as ambroxol. In immunohistochemistry (IHC), we could find that expression of PLA2G2D, ACOXL, and KMO was upregulated in CM tissues, while the expression of IL4I1, BBOX1, and CIDEA was reversed or not detected.

Conclusion: The transcriptome profiles of FA metabolism-related genes were effective for distinguishing CM into hot–cold tumors. Our findings may be valuable for development of effective immunotherapy for CM patients and for proposing new therapy strategies.