bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social activities and long-term depressive-symptoms trajectories among middle-aged and older adults in China: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Lin Xuhui , Liu Siyue , Hu Zhao , Xu Huilan
Published: August 2023

Background

The association between social activities and depressive symptoms remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between social activities at baseline and the long-term depressive-symptoms trajectories among a cohort of middle-aged and older adults in China.

Methods

This study included 13,258 participants aged 45 years and older from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Depressive symptoms across four waves from 2011 to 2018 were evaluated using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). Four types of social activities were assessed at baseline by self-report: (1) interacting with friends; (2) playing Mahjong, chess, and cards or attending a community club; (3) providing help to family, friends, or neighbors; and (4) attending a sporting or social event or club. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to map depressive-symptoms trajectories during the follow-up period.

Results

Not interacting with friends at baseline was associated with an increased risk of increasing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 1.41) and severe-stable (aOR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.65) depressive-symptoms trajectories. Participants who did not play Mahjong, cards, or chess and did not attend a sporting or social event or club at baseline were more likely to have mild-stable, decreasing, increasing, and severe-stable depressive-symptoms trajectories.

Conclusion

Social activities play an important role in long-term depressive-symptoms trajectories in middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Interacting with friends, attending sports, or social clubs may prevent depressive symptoms.
Quality of life of a healthy polish population due to sociodemographic factors during the COVID-19 pandemic – a cross-sectional study
Authors: Krawczyk-Suszek Marlena , Kleinrok Andrzej
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The quality of life should be studied in every person, both among the sick and healthy. Sociodemographic factors affect the level of the perceived quality of life (QoL), and especially in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the enforcement of certain behaviours in society, such as social distancing, as well as introduced panic and fear for one’s own health and life. The main aim of the study was to assess the quality of life in the group of people without the disease, to assess the impact of sociodemographic factors on QoL during the pandemic.

Material and method

3,511 healthy people were included in the study. The inclusion criteria of the study were: age of respondents over 18 years, no continuously administered medicaments, no diagnosed chronic diseases and no treatment in specialist clinics as well as lack of positive COVID-19 test in 4 weeks before the examination. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. The student’s t-test and intergroup comparisons were used in 7 age groups. Factors such as age, gender, place of residence, education, civil status, employment status, smoking, and physical activity were assessed.

Results

The lowest average QoL level in the studied population was recorded in the Mental Component Summary (MCS) dimension (X = 47.9;Cl:47.6–48.3). A high correlation between age and the SF-36 spheres was noted in the following spheres: physical functioning (PF), role physical (RP), Physical Component Summary (PCS), and ILQ (p < 0.001). The highest chance of a better QoL in the PCS dimension among men was recorded in the 30–39 age group (OR = 3.65;Cl:1.13–11.79). In the group of people over 50 years of age living in the village, there was a greater chance of a better QoL in the PCS dimension in each age group. Practicing physical activity was significantly more often conditioned by a higher chance of developing a better QoL (p < 0.05). In the group of people ≥80 years of age, there was a greater than 4 times higher chance of developing a better quality of life in terms of MCS among physically active people (OR = 4.38;Cl:1.62–11.83).

Conclusion

With age, QoL decreases among people with disabilities. Men are more likely to assess their health better. A better QoL among women occurs at age 80 and later. A higher level of education often determined a significantly higher level of QoL felt. The practising of recreational physical activity and the lack of smoking habit determined a higher level of QoL more often. Smoking provided a greater chance of a better QoL in ILQ in the group of people ≥80 years.
The importance of community health workers as frontline responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia, 2020–2021
Authors: Nyagah Lilly M. , Bangura Sulaiman , Omar Omar Abdulle , Karanja Mary , Mirza Mashrur Ahmed , Shajib Hossain , Njiru Haron , Mengistu Kumlachew , Malik Sk Md Mamunur Rahman
Published: August 2023

Introduction

We examined the contribution of community health workers as frontline responders for the community-based surveillance in Somalia during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic for detection of COVID-19 cases and identification of contacts.

Methods

We retrieved COVID-19 surveillance data from 16 March 2020 to 31 March 2021 from the health ministry’s central database. These data were collected through community health workers, health facilities or at the points of entry. We compared the number of suspected COVID-19 cases detected by the three surveillance systems and the proportion that tested positive using the chi-squared test. We used logistic regression analysis to assess association between COVID-19 infection and selected variables.

Results

During the study period, 154,004 suspected cases of COVID-19 were detected and tested, of which 10,182 (6.6%) were positive. Of the notified cases, 32.7% were identified through the community-based surveillance system, 54.0% through the facility-based surveillance system, and 13.2% at points of entry. The positivity rate of cases detected by the community health workers was higher than that among those detected at health facilities (8.6% versus 6.4%; p < 0.001). The community health workers also identified more contacts than those identified through the facility-based surveillance (13,279 versus 1,937; p < 0.001). The odds of COVID-19 detection generally increased by age. Community-based surveillance and health facility-based surveillance had similar odds of detecting COVID-19 cases compared with the points-of-entry surveillance (aOR: 7.0 (95% CI: 6.4, 7.8) and aOR: 7.5 (95% CI: 6.8, 8.3), respectively).

Conclusion

The community health workers proved their value as first responders to COVID-19. They can be effective in countries with weak health systems for targeted community surveillance in rural and remote areas which are not covered by the facility-based surveillance system.
The effects of an adapted mental health literacy curriculum for secondary school students in Germany on mental health knowledge and help-seeking efficacy: results of a quasi-experimental pre-post evaluation study
Authors: Freţian Alexandra Maria , Kirchhoff Sandra , Bauer Ullrich , Okan Orkan
Published: August 2023

Background

Because the majority of mental illnesses develop early in life, effective preventative public mental health interventions are needed. Interventions fostering mental health literacy can be used to enhance personal resources and capacities to facilitate mental health care and thus, address help-seeking barriers. A Canadian mental health literacy school curriculum was adapted, piloted, and evaluated for the use in German schools. The study presents the intervention’s effects on mental health knowledge and help-seeking efficacy among 10thgrade students in Germany.

Methods

10thgrade students (aged 14–17 years old) from one secondary school participated in a pre- and post-intervention control group study. Both groups completed a questionnaire at two time points assessing mental health knowledge and help-seeking efficacy. Repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to evaluate the intervention’s effects.

Results

Data from 188 students was eligible for analysis. The analysis of the baseline data reveals a high comparability of the two groups in terms of demographics, and initial mental health knowledge and help-seeking efficacy scores. ANOVA results showed significant improvements for the intervention group having a large effect size for mental health knowledge (f = 0.574,p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.25) and a medium effect size for help-seeking efficacy (f = 0.311,p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.09).

Conclusion

The first-time application and evaluation of an adapted mental health literacy school curriculum shows significant increases in mental health knowledge and help-seeking efficacy, two core dimensions of mental health literacy, among 10thgrade students in Germany. Further studies are needed to confirm these results as well as have a more in-depth analysis on the interrelations of the different dimensions of mental health knowledge and help-seeking practices.
Surveying physical therapists' understanding of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Harrell Regan G. , Hart Rebecca , Jen Joanna C. , Whitney Susan L.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common condition with disabling symptoms that is diagnosed and effectively treated at the bedside. Our encounter with patients experiencing prolonged BPPV who may not have received appropriate physical therapy prompted us to explore barriers to the diagnosis and treatment for BPPV among physical therapists, which has not been extensively investigated. We hypothesize that a potential barrier may be a lack of understanding of subtle symptoms of BPPV that deviate from the classical presentation. The gold standard for diagnosing definite BPPV is subjective dizziness or vertigo with nystagmus in response to positional testing. There are variants of BPPV including subjective BPPV (subjective dizziness or vertigo without nystagmus) and vestibular agnosia (nystagmus without subjective dizziness or vertigo) that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for definite BPPV but are equally responsive to the same repositioning maneuvers. The purpose of this project was to survey physical therapists for their understanding of BPPV including subjective BPPV and vestibular agnosia.

Methods

A panel of experts created a 16-question survey, designed for physical therapists, with three categories: (1), inquiring if they treat persons with BPPV, (2) three clinical vignettes for definite BPPV, subjective BPPV, and BPPV with vestibular agnosia, and (3) demographic information. Data collection occurred at two large physical therapy meetings, one of which was a national professional meeting and the other was a professional continuing medical education course geared towards advancing vestibular rehabilitation skills.

Results

There were 426 people who completed the survey, 364 of whom treat BPPV in their practice. In the first clinical vignette created to assess the respondents' understanding of definite BPPV, 229 (62%) of respondents would always assess a patient for BPPV based on complaints of a “room spinning” vertigo from head movement. When asked if the complaint was lingering “lightheadedness or feelings of imbalance” from head movement, only 158 (43%) reported they would perform positional testing to reassess. In the BPPV variant vignettes, 187 (51%) identified the patient with subjective BPPV as having BPPV and 305 (85%) identified the patient with vestibular agnosia as having BPPV.

Discussion

The results of this survey demonstrate gaps in knowledge regarding BPPV across practice settings and experience, with opportunities to bridge these gaps to improve treatment for BPPV.
Inactivation of Salmonella enterica and shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli on desiccated shredded coconut by high voltage atmospheric cold plasma
Authors: Durand Tonia S. , Mendonca Aubrey , Fortes-Da-Silva Paulo , Brehm-Stecher Byron , Boylston Terri , Thomas-Popo Emalie , Wan Zifan , White Shecoya
Published: August 2023

The main objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) high voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP) at 70 kV for inactivating Salmonella enterica and shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) on desiccated shredded coconut. Additional objectives were to evaluate sub-lethal injury in pathogen survivors, and selected quality characteristics of the coconut as affected by HVACP. Shredded coconut inoculated with ∼7.74 log10 CFU/g S. enterica or STEC, was exposed to HVACP (70 kV) for 3–15 min (S. enterica) and up to 5 min (E. coli). Non-HVACP-treated, inoculated coconut served as control. Samples were held at 23 ± 1°C for 24 h after HVACP treatment, and analyzed for survivors via the plate count method using thin agar layer (TAL) media and selective (SEL) agar. For each pathogen, differences in numbers of survivors on TAL medium and selective agar were used to evaluate sub-lethal injury. Color and texture of the coconut were determined using a ColorFlex EZ Spectrophotometer and a TA. XT Plus C Texture Analyzer, respectively. HVACP treatments significantly decreased the initial numbers of viable S. enterica and STEC (p < 0.05) with more survivors consistently recovered on TAL media compared to selective agar. Reductions (log10 CFU/g) of STEC and S. enterica after 3 min of HVACP treatment were 1.97 and 1.56, respectively (p < 0.05) based on survivors on TAL medium. A greater extent of sub-lethal injury was observed in STEC survivors compared to S. enterica (p < 0.05). The TAL method allowed detection of sub-lethally injured pathogens in HVACP-treated coconut that would have otherwise remained undetected if only selective agar media were used. There were minimal changes in color and texture of the coconut after HVACP (70 kV) treatment for 12 min. Based on these results, HVACP (70 kV) has good potential for inactivating enteric pathogens in desiccated shredded coconut to improve the microbial safety of this popular food ingredient with minimal effect on product color and texture.
Brown-out of policy ideas? A bibliometric review and computational text analysis of research on energy access
Authors: Goyal Nihit , Howlett Michael
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The target of universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services—key for individual, social, and economic well-being—is unlikely to be achieved by 2030 based on the current trend. Public policy will likely need to play a key role in accelerating progress in this regard. Although perspectives from the field of policy studies can support this effort, to what extent they have been employed in the literature on energy access remains unclear.

Methods

This study analyzed nearly 7,500 publications on energy access through a combination of bibliometric review and computational text analysis of their titles and abstracts to examine whether and how they have engaged with public policy perspectives, specifically, policy process research, policy design studies, and the literature on policy evaluation.

Results

We discovered 27 themes in the literature on energy access, but public policy was not among them. Subsequently, we identified 23 themes in a new analysis of the 1,751 publications in our original dataset, mentioning “policy” in their title or abstract. However, few of them engaged with public policy, and even those that did comprised a rather small share of the literature. Finally, we extracted phrases pertaining to public policy in this reduced dataset, but found limited mention of terms related to the policy process, policy design, or policy evaluation.

Discussion

While to some extent this might reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the research on energy access, a manual review of the abstracts of select publications corroborated this finding. Also, it shed light on how the literature has engaged with public policy and helped identify opportunities for broadening and deepening policy relevant research on energy access. We conclude that, despite their relevance to energy access, public policy perspectives have infrequently and unevenly informed existing research on the topic, and call on scholars in both communities to address this gap in the future.
Can rural cooperatives reduce poverty vulnerability of smallholder households? Evidence from rural Western China
Authors: Liu Jianzhong , Yang Mingwei , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Poverty eradication is one of the global challenges, and rural cooperatives provide an effective path to address smallholder households’ poverty. However, the effect of poverty reduction can show heterogeneity depending on the economic capital, human capital, and social capital of households.

Methods

Based on comprehensive research data on the poverty status of 1,622 smallholder households in four provinces in the less developed regions of western China, using OLS and PSM models, this paper empirically analyzes the impact and heterogeneous characteristics of rural cooperatives on the poverty vulnerability of smallholder households.

Results/Discussion

The results show that rural cooperatives have a significant dampening effect on the poverty vulnerability of smallholder farmers, and the findings hold true after robustness tests using multiple methods. The impact of rural cooperatives on the poverty vulnerability of farming households differed significantly across smallholder households with different characteristics. Specifically, participation in cooperatives had a more pronounced effect on reducing poverty vulnerability among non-poor, higher human capital and higher income farm households compared to poor, lower human capital and lower income farm households. The results of the study can provide a useful reference for policy-making on rural mutual assistance and poverty reduction among farmers.
Asthma, Airflow Obstruction, and Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation Prevalence in Western Kenya: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Navuluri Neelima , Lagat David , Egger Joseph R. , Birgen Elcy , Diero Lameck , Murdoch David M. , Thielman Nathan , Kussin Peter S. , Que Loretta G. , Paul Devon
Published: August 2023

Objectives: Determine the prevalence of airway disease (e.g., asthma, airflow obstruction, and eosinophilic airway inflammation) in Kenya, as well as related correlates of airway disease and health-related quality of life.

Methods: A three-stage, cluster-randomized cross-sectional study in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya was conducted. Individuals 12 years and older completed questionnaires (including St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD, SGRQ-C), spirometry, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing. Prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Multivariable models were used to assess correlates of airflow obstruction and high FeNO.

Results: Three hundred ninety-two participants completed questionnaires, 369 completed FeNO testing, and 305 completed spirometry. Mean age was 37.5 years; 64% were women. The prevalence of asthma, airflow obstruction on spirometry, and eosinophilic airway inflammation was 21.7%, 12.3% and 15.7% respectively in the population. Women had significantly higher SGRQ-C scores compared to men (15.0 vs. 7.7). Wheezing or whistling in the last year and SGRQ-C scores were strongly associated with FeNO levels >50 ppb after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and tobacco use.

Conclusion: Airway disease is a significant health problem in Kenya affecting a young population who lack a significant tobacco use history.
Ozonated Sunflower Oil Exerted Potent Anti-Inflammatory Activities with Enhanced Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration Abilities against Acute Toxicity of Carboxymethyllysine in Zebrafish with Improved Blood Lipid Profile
Authors: Cho Kyung-Hyun , Kim Ji-Eun , Bahuguna Ashutosh , Kang Dae-Jin
Published: August 2023

Ozonated sunflower oil (OSO) is an established therapeutic agent and nutraceutical harboring various therapeutic values, including antiallergic, derma-protective, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Conversely, the medicinal aspects of OSO for wound healing, tissue regeneration, and treatment of inflammation in dyslipidemia have yet to be fully elucidated. Herein, a comparative effect of OSO and sunflower oil (SO) was investigated to heal cutaneous wound and tissue regeneration of zebrafish impediment by carboxymethyllysine (CML) toxicity, following impact on hepatic inflammation and blood lipid profile. After OSO (final 2%, 1 μL) and SO’s (final 2%, 1 μL) treatment, substantial healing was elicited by OSO in the cutaneous wound of zebrafish impaired by CML (final 25 μg). As an important event of wound healing, OSO scavenges the reactive oxygen species (ROS), rescues the wound from oxidative injury, and triggers the essential molecular events for the wound closer. Furthermore, the intraperitoneal injection of OSO was noted to counter the CML-induced adversity and prompt tissue regeneration in the amputated tail fin of zebrafish. Additionally, OSO counters the CML-induced neurotoxicity and rescues the zebrafish from acute mortality and paralysis, along with meticulous recovery of hepatic inflammation, fatty liver changes, and diminished ROS and proinflammatory interleukin (IL)-6 production. Moreover, OSO efficiently ameliorated CML-induced dyslipidemia by alleviating the total blood cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and increasing high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C). The outcome of multivariate assessment employing principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis supports a superior therapeutic potential of OSO over SO against the clinical manifestation of CML. Conclusively, OSO owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, counters CML-induced toxicity and promotes wound healing, tissue regeneration, hepatoprotection, improved blood lipid profile, and survivability of zebrafish.
Melatonin as a Therapy for Preterm Brain Injury: What Is the Evidence?
Authors: Häusler Silke , Robertson Nicola J. , Golhen Klervi , van den Anker John , Tucker Katie , Felder Thomas K.
Published: August 2023

Despite significant improvements in survival following preterm birth in recent years, the neurodevelopmental burden of prematurity, with its long-term cognitive and behavioral consequences, remains a significant challenge in neonatology. Neuroprotective treatment options to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants are therefore urgently needed. Alleviating inflammatory and oxidative stress (OS), melatonin might modify important triggers of preterm brain injury, a complex combination of destructive and developmental abnormalities termed encephalopathy of prematurity (EoP). Preliminary data also suggests that melatonin has a direct neurotrophic impact, emphasizing its therapeutic potential with a favorable safety profile in the preterm setting. The current review outlines the most important pathomechanisms underlying preterm brain injury and correlates them with melatonin’s neuroprotective potential, while underlining significant pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic uncertainties that need to be addressed in future studies.
Boosting the Capacitance of Aqueous Zinc-Ion Hybrid Capacitors by Engineering Hierarchical Porous Carbon Architecture
Authors: Li Yanzhen , Zhang Xin , Lu Tong , Zhang Ying , Li Xue , Yu Dengfeng , Zhao Gongyuan
Published: August 2023

With the merits of having excellent safety, being low cost and being environmentally friendly, zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs) are expected to be widely used in large-scale energy storage and flexible wearable devices. However, limited by their sluggish kinetic process, ZHSCs suffer from low-specific capacity and poor cycling stability at high cathode mass loading. Herein, a novel designed oxygen-rich hierarchical porous carbon (HPOC) is obtained by a one-step strategy of synchronous activation and templated for high-performance ZHSCs. The fabricated ZHSCs with HPOCs show significant improvement in Zn-ion storage capability, with a capacity of 209.4 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and 108.3 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1. Additionally, the cycling stability is excellent, with 92.3% retention after 4000 cycles. Furthermore, an impressive areal capacity of 1.7 mAh cm−2 is achieved, even with a high mass loading of 12.5 mg cm−2. More importantly, the flexible quasi-solid state ZHSCs also show a considerable capability (183.5 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1) and a high energy density of 178.0 Wh kg−1. This promising result suggests a valuable route to produce functional nanocarbon materials for zinc storage applications.
AI-Based Cancer Detection Model for Contrast-Enhanced Mammography
Authors: Jailin Clément , Mohamed Sara , Iordache Razvan , Milioni De Carvalho Pablo , Ahmed Salwa Yehia , Abdel Sattar Engy Abdullah , Moustafa Amr Farouk Ibrahim , Gomaa Mohammed Mohammed , Kamal Rashaa Mohammed , Vancamberg Laurence
Published: August 2023

Background: The recent development of deep neural network models for the analysis of breast images has been a breakthrough in computer-aided diagnostics (CAD). Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is a recent mammography modality providing anatomical and functional imaging of the breast. Despite the clinical benefits it could bring, only a few research studies have been conducted around deep-learning (DL) based CAD for CEM, especially because the access to large databases is still limited. This study presents the development and evaluation of a CEM-CAD for enhancing lesion detection and breast classification. Materials & Methods: A deep learning enhanced cancer detection model based on a YOLO architecture has been optimized and trained on a large CEM dataset of 1673 patients (7443 images) with biopsy-proven lesions from various hospitals and acquisition systems. The evaluation was conducted using metrics derived from the free receiver operating characteristic (FROC) for the lesion detection and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) to evaluate the overall breast classification performance. The performances were evaluated for different types of image input and for each patient background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) level. Results: The optimized model achieved an area under the curve (AUROC) of 0.964 for breast classification. Using both low-energy and recombined image as inputs for the DL model shows greater performance than using only the recombined image. For the lesion detection, the model was able to detect 90% of all cancers with a false positive (non-cancer) rate of 0.128 per image. This study demonstrates a high impact of BPE on classification and detection performance. Conclusion: The developed CEM CAD outperforms previously published papers and its performance is comparable to radiologist-reported classification and detection capability.
Micro- and Macrovascular Effects of Inflammation in Peripheral Artery Disease—Pathophysiology and Translational Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: Poledniczek Michael , Neumayer Christoph , Kopp Christoph W. , Schlager Oliver , Gremmel Thomas , Jozkowicz Alicja , Gschwandtner Michael E. , Koppensteiner Renate , Wadowski Patricia P.
Published: August 2023

Inflammation has a critical role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. On the molecular level, inflammatory pathways negatively impact endothelial barrier properties and thus, tissue homeostasis. Conformational changes and destruction of the glycocalyx further promote pro-inflammatory pathways also contributing to pro-coagulability and a prothrombotic state. In addition, changes in the extracellular matrix composition lead to (peri-)vascular remodelling and alterations of the vessel wall, e.g., aneurysm formation. Moreover, progressive fibrosis leads to reduced tissue perfusion due to loss of functional capillaries. The present review aims at discussing the molecular and clinical effects of inflammatory processes on the micro- and macrovasculature with a focus on peripheral artery disease.
‘Spikeopathy’: COVID-19 Spike Protein Is Pathogenic, from Both Virus and Vaccine mRNA
Authors: Parry Peter I. , Lefringhausen Astrid , Turni Conny , Neil Christopher J. , Cosford Robyn , Hudson Nicholas J. , Gillespie Julian
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic caused much illness, many deaths, and profound disruption to society. The production of ‘safe and effective’ vaccines was a key public health target. Sadly, unprecedented high rates of adverse events have overshadowed the benefits. This two-part narrative review presents evidence for the widespread harms of novel product COVID-19 mRNA and adenovectorDNA vaccines and is novel in attempting to provide a thorough overview of harms arising from the new technology in vaccines that relied on human cells producing a foreign antigen that has evidence of pathogenicity. This first paper explores peer-reviewed data counter to the ‘safe and effective’ narrative attached to these new technologies. Spike protein pathogenicity, termed ‘spikeopathy’, whether from the SARS-CoV-2 virus or produced by vaccine gene codes, akin to a ‘synthetic virus’, is increasingly understood in terms of molecular biology and pathophysiology. Pharmacokinetic transfection through body tissues distant from the injection site by lipid-nanoparticles or viral-vector carriers means that ‘spikeopathy’ can affect many organs. The inflammatory properties of the nanoparticles used to ferry mRNA; N1-methylpseudouridine employed to prolong synthetic mRNA function; the widespread biodistribution of the mRNA and DNA codes and translated spike proteins, and autoimmunity via human production of foreign proteins, contribute to harmful effects. This paper reviews autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurological, potential oncological effects, and autopsy evidence for spikeopathy. With many gene-based therapeutic technologies planned, a re-evaluation is necessary and timely.
Plasma hsa-miR-22-3p Might Serve as an Early Predictor of Ventricular Function Recovery after ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Maries Liana , Moatar Alexandra Ioana , Chis Aimee Rodica , Marian Catalin , Luca Constantin Tudor , Sirbu Ioan-Ovidiu , Gaiță Dan
Published: August 2023

Left ventricle remodeling (LVR) after acute myocardial infarction (aMI) leads to impairment of both systolic and diastolic function, a major contributor to heart failure (HF). Despite extensive research, predicting post-aMI LVR and HF is still a challenge. Several circulant microRNAs have been proposed as LVR predictors; however, their clinical value is controversial. Here, we used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to quantify hsa-miR-22-3p (miR-22) plasma levels on the first day of hospital admission of ST-elevation aMI (STEMI) patients. We analyzed miR-22 correlation to the patients’ clinical and paraclinical variables and evaluated its ability to discriminate between post-aMI LVR and non-LVR. We show that miR-22 is an excellent aMI discriminator and can distinguish between LVR and non-LVR patients. The discriminative performance of miR-22 significantly improves the predictive power of a multiple logistic regression model based on four continuous variables (baseline ejection fraction and end-diastolic volume, CK-MB, and troponin). Furthermore, we found that diabetes mellitus, hematocrit level, and the number of erythrocytes significantly influence its levels. These data suggest that miR-22 might be used as a predictor of ventricular function recovery in STEMI patients.
Consistent Model Selection Procedure for Random Coefficient INAR Models
Authors: Yu Kaizhi , Tao Tielai
Published: August 2023

In the realm of time series data analysis, information criteria constructed on the basis of likelihood functions serve as crucial instruments for determining the appropriate lag order. However, the intricate structure of random coefficient integer-valued time series models, which are founded on thinning operators, complicates the establishment of likelihood functions. Consequently, employing information criteria such as AIC and BIC for model selection becomes problematic. This study introduces an innovative methodology that formulates a penalized criterion by utilizing the estimation equation within conditional least squares estimation, effectively addressing the aforementioned challenge. Initially, the asymptotic properties of the penalized criterion are derived, followed by a numerical simulation study and a comparative analysis. The findings from both theoretical examinations and simulation investigations reveal that this novel approach consistently selects variables under relatively relaxed conditions. Lastly, the applications of this method to infectious disease data and seismic frequency data produce satisfactory outcomes.
An Improved Multi-Timescale AEKF–AUKF Joint Algorithm for State-of-Charge Estimation of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Wu Aihua , Zhou Yan , Mao Jingfeng , Zhang Xudong , Zheng Junqiang
Published: August 2023

State-of-charge (SoC) estimation is one of the core functions of battery energy management systems. An accurate SoC estimation can guarantee the safe and reliable operation of the batteries system. In order to overcome the practical problems of low accuracy, noise uncertainty, poor robustness, and adaptability in parameter identification and SoC estimation of lithium-ion batteries, this paper proposes a joint estimation method based on the adaptive extended Kalman filter (AEKF) algorithm and the adaptive unscented Kalman filter (AUKF) algorithm in multiple time scales for 18,650 ternary lithium-ion batteries. Based on the slowly varying characteristics of lithium-ion batteries’ parameters and the quickly varying characteristics of the SoC parameter, firstly, the AEKF algorithm was used to online identify the parameters of the model of batteries with a macroscopic time scale. Secondly, the identified parameters were applied to the AUKF algorithm for SoC estimation of lithium-ion batteries with a microscopic time scale. Finally, the comparative simulation experiments were implemented, and the experimental results show the proposed joint algorithm has higher accuracy, adaptivity, robustness, and self-correction capability compared with the conventional algorithm.
Electricity Demand Side Management
Authors: Martins António Gomes , Neves Luís Pires , Sousa José Luís
Published: August 2023

Demand-side management is a resilient concept [...]
Adaptive Energy Management of Big Data Analytics in Smart Grids
Authors: Gupta Rohit , Chaturvedi Krishna Teerth
Published: August 2023

The smart grid (SG) ensures the flow of electricity and data between suppliers and consumers. The reliability and security of data also play an important role in the overall management. This can be achieved with the help of adaptive energy management (AEM). This research aims to highlight the big data issues and challenges faced by AEM employed in SG networks. In this paper, we will discuss the most commonly used data processing methods and will give a detailed comparison between the outputs of some of these methods. We consider a dataset of 50,000 instances from consumer smart meters and 10,000 attributes from previous fault data and 12 attributes. The comparison will tell us about the reliability, stability, and accuracy of the system by comparing the output of the various graphical plots of these methods. The accuracy percentage of the linear regression method is 98%; for the logistic regression method, it is 96%; and for K-Nearest Neighbors, it is 92%. The results show that the linear regression method applied gives the highest accuracy compared to logistic regression and K-Nearest Neighbors methods for prediction analysis of big data in SGs. This will ensure their use in future research in this field.
ML-Based Intermittent Fault Detection, Classification, and Branch Identification in a Distribution Network
Authors: Hojabri Mojgan , Nowak Severin , Papaemmanouil Antonios
Published: August 2023

The accurate detection and identification of intermittent cable faults are helpful in improving the reliability of the distribution system. This paper proposes intermittent fault detection and identification for distribution networks based on machine-learning (ML) techniques. For this reason, the IEEE 33 bus system is simulated in the radial and mesh topologies by considering all possible single- and three-phase electrical faults and limitations to collect high-resolution voltage and current waveforms. Moreover, this simulation investigates and considers various cases including low-impedance faults (LIFs) and high-impedance faults (HIFs) with a short and long duration. The collected data from the simulation are used for high-impedance intermittent fault detection, classification, and branch identification using eight supervised learning methods. A comparison between the accuracy and error of these ML classifiers shows that gradient booster (GB) and K-nearest neighbors (KNN) have the best performance for all three objectives. However, GB has a very high computation time compared to KNN.
Toward Zero Emission Construction: A Comparative Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Diesel, Hybrid, and Electric Excavators
Authors: Khan Asmat Ullah , Huang Lizhen
Published: August 2023

Due to an extensive usage of heavy machinery, the construction sector is criticized as one of the major CO2 emitters. To address climate concerns, mitigating these greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is important. This study aimed to strategize for “zero emission construction” by assessing the life cycle environmental impacts of diesel, electric, and hybrid construction machinery. By applying life cycle assessment (LCA) principles with adherence to ISO 14040/44 methodologies, this study scrutinizes the environmental repercussions of a standard excavator over 9200 effective operational hours, from raw material acquisition to end-of-life disposal. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), and acidification potential (AP) in transitioning from diesel to hybrid and fully electric machines. A nominal increase due to this shift also occurred and impacted categories such as human carcinogenic toxicity (HT), freshwater eutrophication (EP), and marine ecotoxicity (ME); however, a more significant upsurge was noted in terrestrial ecotoxicity (TE) due to battery production. Thus, this study highlights the need for a careful management of environmental trade-offs in the shift toward electrified machinery and the importance of centering on the environmental profile of the battery. Future work should focus on enhancing the environmental profile of battery production and disposal, with policy decisions encouraging holistic sustainability based on green energies in construction projects.
Driving Forces of Natural Gas Flow and Gas–Water Distribution Patterns in Tight Gas Reservoirs: A Case Study of NX Gas Field in the Offshore Xihu Depression, East China
Authors: He Xianke , Li Jun , Duan Dongping , Liu Binbin , Shang Xiaoqing , Li Wenjun , Xu Zeyang , Du Zhiwei , Xu Chenhang
Published: August 2023

The driving forces behind gas flow and migration, as well as the associated gas–water distribution patterns in tight gas reservoirs, are not only closely related to the formation mechanisms of “sweet spots”, but also serve as crucial geological foundations for the development of efficient modes and optimal well placement. In this work, three methods, namely, critical gas column height driven by buoyancy, critical pore throat radius driven by buoyancy, and gas–water distribution attitude, were used to quantitatively evaluate the critical conditions for buoyancy and overpressure to get gas flowing in the tight sandstone gas field. In light of the geological background, the driving forces of gas flow/migration and gas–water distribution patterns were comprehensively analyzed. On this basis of the origins of overpressure driving gas flow/migration were identified by using multiple empirical methods, the evolution of overpressure and characteristics of gas–water distribution driven by overpressure were studied by using PetroMod_2014 simulation software. The results show that the four main gas-bearing layers in the NX tight sandstone gas reservoir differ widely in gas flow/migration dynamics and gas–water distribution patterns. Gas accumulation in the H3b layer is influenced by both buoyancy and overpressure. Subsequently, buoyancy leads to the differentiation of gas from water based on density and the formation of edge water. Furthermore, the distribution area of the gas reservoir is determined by the presence of an anticline trap. In contrast, in H3a, H4b and H5a gas layers, buoyancy is not sufficient to overcome the capillary force to make the gas migrate during and after accumulation, and the driving force of gas flow is the overpressure formed by fluid volume expansion during hydrocarbon generation of Pinghu Formation source rocks. Because buoyancy is not the driving force of natural gas flow, H3a, H4b and H5a layers have gas and water in the same layer and produced together, and no boundary and bottom water, where the anticlinal trap does not control the distribution of gas and water, and gas source faults control the boundary of the gas reservoir. These understandings not only significantly expand the gas-bearing target of H3a, H4b and H5a gas layers delineated in the buoyancy driving pattern but also provide an important geological basis for the formulation of an efficient development plan by class and grade for the NX tight sandstone gas field.
Non-Isolated Current-Fed Series Resonant Converter with Hybrid Control Algorithms for DC Microgrid
Authors: Kim Byungki , Park Hwa-Pyeong
Published: August 2023

Module-level power electronics can optimize the power generation of photovoltaic panels, which requires a simple topology structure, high power conversion efficiency, and wide voltage gain, corresponding to irradiance variations. This paper proposes a non-isolated current-fed L-C series resonant converter and its control algorithms. The proposed converter can obtain a buck–boost voltage gain with the hybrid control algorithm utilizing the switching frequency modulation and asymmetric pulse width modulation. The proper power stage design can guarantee the soft-switching capability for the entire operating range. Also, the control strategy is designed to obtain a small rms current. The operational principle of proposed converter is analyzed in order to design the resonant tank and control strategy. The performance of designed converter can be verified with the experimental results with a 500 W prototype converter.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of BBR 4401 in Adults with Moderate Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Kim Mincheol , Lee Minjee , Kim Min-Goo , Kim Hayoung , Choi Boyoung , Kim Seongsik , Bang Won-Yeong , Kim Yong-Jin , Yang Jungwoo , Kang Hyun-Jae
Published: August 2023

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed to assess the efficacy of the parabiotic Bifidobacterium breve IDCC 4401, named BBR 4401, for lowering cholesterol levels. The 66 subjects (per protocol set, n = 60) with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels between 100 mg/dL and 150 mg/dL were enrolled after a 4-week run-in period (e.g., no probiotics, low cholesterol diet and no food affecting lipid profiles). The two groups were prescribed 1 × 1010 (low-dose) and 1 × 1011 CFU (high-dose), whereas the placebo group was prescribed 97% (w/w) of maltodextrin for 4 weeks. The compliance rates exceeded 97% in the subjects who completed the study. Comparison of the mean changes from baseline between the placebo group and test groups after the 12 weeks of BBR 4401 consumption showed a statistically significant reduction in LDL-C (up to −10.8%, p-value = 0.008) and apolipoproteinB (up to −8.1%, p-value = 0.008). Meanwhile, there were no clinically significant changes in vital signs, clinical pathology tests or electrocardiograms and no significant adverse events were reported during the study period. Concerning bowel habits, the consumption of BBR 4401 alleviated defecation strain, distension and watery feces in the high-dose group. Thus, BBR 4401 may be a safe and functional food for adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Evaluation of Precision and Sensitivity of Back Extrusion Test for Measuring Textural Qualities of Cooked Germinated Brown Rice in Production Process
Authors: Kaewsorn Kannapot , Maichoon Pisut , Pornchaloempong Pimpen , Krusong Warawut , Sirisomboon Panmanas , Tanaka Munehiro , Kojima Takayuki
Published: August 2023

The textural qualities of cooked rice may be understood as a dominant property and indicator of eating quality. In this study, we evaluated the precision and sensitivity of a back extrusion (BE) test for the texture of cooked germinated brown rice (GBR) in a production process. BE testing of the textural properties of cooked GBR rice showed a high precision of measurement in hardness, toughness and stickiness tests which indicated by the repeatability and reproductivity test but the sensitivity indicated by coefficient of variation of the texture properties. The findings of our study of the effects on cooked GBR texture of different soaking and incubation durations in the production of Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) GBR, as measured by BE testing, confirmed that our original protocol for evaluation of the precision and sensitivity of this texture measurement method. The coefficients of determination (R2) of hardness, toughness and stickiness tests and the incubation time at after 48 hours of soaking were 0.82, 0.81 and 0.64, respectively. The repeatability and reproducibility of reliable measurements, which have a low standard deviation of the greatest difference between replicates, are considered to indicate high precision. A high coefficient of variation where relatively wide variations in the absolute value of the property can be detected indicates high sensitivity when small resolutions can be detected, and vice versa. The sensitivity of the BE tests for stickiness, toughness and hardness all ranked higher, in that order, than the sensitivity of the method for adhesiveness, which ranked lowest. The coefficients of variation of these texture parameters were 31.26, 20.59, 19.41 and 18.72, respectively. However, the correlation coefficients among the texture properties obtained by BE testing were not related to the precision or sensitivity of the test. By obtaining these results, we verified that our original protocol for the determination of the precision and sensitivity of food texture measurements which was successfully used for GBR texture measurement.
Advances in the Research and Application of Smart-Responsive Hydrogels in Disease Treatment
Authors: Cao Juan , Yuan Ping , Wu Bo , Liu Yeqi , Hu Cheng
Published: August 2023

Smart-responsive hydrogels have been widely used in various fields, particularly in the biomedical field. Compared with traditional hydrogels, smart-responsive hydrogels not only facilitate the encapsulation and controlled release of drugs, active substances, and even cells but, more importantly, they enable the on-demand and controllable release of drugs and active substances at the disease site, significantly enhancing the efficacy of disease treatment. With the rapid advancement of biomaterials, smart-responsive hydrogels have received widespread attention, and a wide variety of smart-responsive hydrogels have been developed for the treatment of different diseases, thus presenting tremendous research prospects. This review summarizes the latest advancements in various smart-responsive hydrogels used for disease treatment. Additionally, some of the current shortcomings of smart-responsive hydrogels and the strategies to address them are discussed, as well as the future development directions and prospects of smart-responsive hydrogels.