bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Cold-Dry” and “Cold-Wet” Events in the Late Holocene, Southern Russian Far East
Authors: Razjigaeva Nadezhda , Ganzey Larisa , Grebennikova Tatiana , Ponomarev Vladimir
Published: April 2023

Two late Holocene cold events were described for the Southern Russian Far East: 2800–2600 year BP and the Little Ice Age (LIA) (~1300–1850 CE). The synthesis is based on multi-proxy records on profile “the mainland (Primorye)-islands (Sakhalin-Kurils)”. Main archives are sediments of small lakes and peat bogs that recorded the high-resolution environmental changes. The temporal resolution of reconstructions here is up to 26–40 years. During the cold event of 2800–2600 year BP, the humidity decreased sharply, there were long-term dry seasons without strong floods, and buried soil formed on floodplains. The LIA was wet in the mainland and the Kurils, with frequent strong floods, but was drier in Sakhalin. The cooling was characterized by sharp temperature fluctuations where high moisture conditions alternated with short-term drier periods. The shift in geographical position and intensity of the main centers of atmospheric action caused a paleoclimatic interpretation of these events (Aleutian Low, Siberian and North Pacific Highs, the summer Okhotsk anticyclone and the Far East depression). Changes in the North Pacific oscillations played an important role in the alternation of cold-dry and cold-wet periods. Anomalies in the intensity of El Niño and the monsoon system led to changes in tropical and extratropical cyclone trajectories and cyclogenesis in general.
Where the Immatures of Triassic Diptera Developed
Authors: Lukashevich Elena D.
Published: April 2023

Immature Diptera are more diverse and abundant in fresh water than any other insect order. The question arises whether the earliest dipterans, known from the Upper Buntsandstein of Europe (early Anisian, Middle Triassic), already developed in water and whether such mode of life was inherited from the ancestor of the order or if, alternatively, the dipteran larvae were ancestrally terrestrial. Nematoceran immatures have become common and diverse in the Mesozoic fossil record since the Middle Jurassic, but the vast majority of them represent only two culicomorphan families, Chaoboridae and Chironomidae. Earlier records and records of immatures of other families from the Mesozoic are extremely rare. A total of four larvae and about 30 pupae have been described from Anisian assemblages of France and Spain. Among these, one larva clearly belongs to Culicomorpha, the infraorder most closely associated with fresh waters, and one larva to Bibionomorpha, the infraorder most closely associated with terrestrial habitats, while the rest are hard to classify. Nevertheless, most of the pupae are morphologically similar to the semi-aquatic pupae of extant Limoniidae and Ptychopteridae from wet habitats. The oligopneustic respiratory systems of the Anisian larvae and their apparently allochthonous burial also suggest their semi-aquatic development, which appears to have been the ancestral mode of life of Diptera. The absence of dipteran immatures in lacustrine Konservat-Lagerstätten of the Madygen and the Cow Branch Formations (Ladinian–Carnian and Norian, respectively) is explained by the aquatic conditions being unfavorable for insect immatures and invertebrates in general.
Evaluating the Impact of Headstarting on the Critically Endangered Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea
Authors: Loktionov Egor Y. , Digby Roland A. , Yakushev Nickolay N. , Shepelev Ivan A. , Clements Jodie P. , Tomkovich Pavel S. , Jarrett Nigel S. , Clark Nigel A. , Green Rhys E. , Lappo Elena G. , Syroechkovskiy Evgeny E.
Published: April 2023

Headstarting is a conservation approach that suggests offering an advantage to a population by improving egg production, survival of embryos and/or juveniles. In this article, we are providing the quantitative data obtained during 10 years for different stages of headstarting (production of eggs per pair, hatching and fledging rates) and the resulting impact (survival to maturity, philopatry rate, sex ratio, apparent survival, growth/decline rate) on the local population of the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper. We have shown that headstarting gains are reduced over time from fledging to long-term recruitment to the local breeding population. The possible reasons for this reduction are suggested and discussed. The unexpected finding was a drastic difference in sex ratios of the new recruits, which was about even for headstarting, but strongly male-biased for wild-reared birds. We suggest this happens due to increased mortality of female chicks in nature. We have also shown only headstarting could stop the global decline of the species, particularly once the suggested improvements are implemented and the number of pairs involved is scaled up. Headstarting also had a significant social effect due to the involvement of increasing numbers of people both in the local communities in Chukotka and from many countries on the flyway into searching for marked birds and learning about waders, raising awareness about ecological problems on the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Thus, it has made the need for conservation actions on the flyway more obvious and sensible.
Extended Multicriteria Group Decision Making with a Novel Aggregation Operator for Emergency Material Supplier Selection
Authors: Liu Ling , Zhu Qiuyi , Yang Dan , Liu Sen
Published: April 2023

How to ensure the normal production of industries in an uncertain emergency environment has aroused a lot of concern in society. Selecting the best emergency material suppliers using the multicriteria group decision making (MCGDM) method will ensure the normal production of industries in this environment. However, there are few studies in emergency environments that consider the impact of the decision order of decision makers (DMs) on the decision results. Therefore, in order to fill the research gap, we propose an extended MCGDM method, whose main steps include the following: Firstly, the DMs give their assessment of all alternatives. Secondly, we take the AHP method and entropy weight method to weight the criteria and the DMs. Thirdly, we take the intuitionistic fuzzy hybrid priority weight average (IFHPWA) operator we proposed to aggregate evaluation information and take the TOPSIS method to rank all the alternatives. Finally, the proposed method is applied in a case to prove its practicability and effectiveness. The proposed method considers the influence of the decision order of the DMs on the decision results, which improves the accuracy and efficiency of decision-making results.
Teaching in Diverse Lower and Upper Secondary Schools in Norway: The Missing Links in Student Teachers’ Experiences
Authors: Tavares Vander
Published: April 2023

Teacher education programs must be able to prepare student teachers to work effectively with heterogeneous groups of students in ways that support the learning of all students and affirm their identities within growing neoliberal and neoconservative discourses. In Norway, classroom composition has also become more diverse, primarily due to a higher number of students of a transnational background. This paper explores student teachers’ experiences of preparation for the changing nature of the teaching profession that is informed by increased student diversity. A case study with four student teachers from a teacher education program at a Norwegian institution of higher education is employed to gain rich insight into the students’ perceptions and experiences. The findings illustrate a need for better preparation on the part of the program in relation to teaching content and methods, the practicum experience, and intercultural training from a pedagogical perspective.
Naphtha Characterization (PIONA, Density, Distillation Curve and Sulfur Content): An Origin Comparison
Authors: Silva Aline Pioli , Bahú Juliana Otavia , Soccol Renato , Rodríguez-Urrego Leonardo , Fajardo-Moreno William Stive , Moya Hiram , León-Pulido Jeffrey , Cárdenas Concha Víktor Oswaldo
Published: April 2023

Naphtha is an important distillation product of crude oil, and is used as a raw material for first-generation products such as ethylene, propylene, gasoline, xylene (BTX), and others. However, due to the different sources of crude oil, differences in naphtha composition impact the quality of conversion processes. Parameters such as pressure, charge flow, and temperature need to be adjusted for conversion efficiency. This work aims to compare naphtha samples from different origins, through the analysis of distillation curve (ASTM D86), density (ASTM D4052), total sulfur (ASTM D4294), and n-paraffins, iso-paraffins, olefins, naphthene, and aromatics (PIONA, ASTM D5134). Among these parameters evaluated in naphtha, the ones that showed the greatest correlation with the type of oil and its origin was the amount of total sulfur, number of aromatics, and paraffins. The three imported evaluated naphtha presented values greater than 200 mg/kg of total sulfur, aromatics above 9%w, and paraffins (P + I) below 76%w, while the national naphtha presented sulfur contents of at most 141 mg/kg, aromatics below 7%w, and paraffins (P + I) above 78%w. Finally, the study of this type of hydrocarbon enables the understanding of the needs of Latin American refineries and the world in relation to its treatment. National petrochemical companies have more difficulty in processing this product, causing an increase in naphtha importation by 108.51% from 2020/2021 in Brazil. Given this scenario, the Brazilian government should invest more in its petrochemical plants to reduce these imports, which, in the long term, would have a positive impact on the quality and value of naphtha byproducts.
Energy Efficiency Improvement of Electric Machines without Rare-Earth Magnets
Authors: Prakht Vladimir , Ibrahim Mohamed N. , Kazakbaev Vadim
Published: April 2023

Electric motors are one of the largest consumers of electricity and are responsible for 40–45% of the world’s energy consumption [...]
Review on the Usage of Small-Chain Hydrocarbons (C2—C4) as Aid Gases for Improving the Efficiency of Hydrate-Based Technologies
Authors: Gambelli Alberto Maria , Rossi Federico
Published: April 2023

This review article aims to describe the main applications of gas hydrates in industrial processes and the related advantages and limitations. In particular, gas storage, energy storage, gas transportation, final disposal of greenhouse gases, desalination, wastewater treatments, food concentration, and other technologies are described in detail. Similarly, the benefits and disadvantages of the solutions, currently adopted to improve the process efficiency, are discussed in the text. A particular focus on the use of additives and their capability to intervene during the formation of hydrates and on the replacement process is provided. The second part of the article deals with the use of small-chain hydrocarbons as aid gases during formation, to improve the efficiency and the competitivity of hydrate-based processes. First, the thermodynamic properties of hydrates, containing only these compounds, are described. Then, based on a collection of experimental data available elsewhere in the literature, their effect on the hydrate formation process, when present in the mixture, is shown and detailed. Finally, direct and experimental applications of these gases during hydrate-based processes are described to definitively prove the possibility of solving, partially or completely, most of the main limiting problems for the diffusion of hydrate-based technologies.
Review of Big Data Analytics for Smart Electrical Energy Systems
Authors: Liao Huilian , Michalenko Elizabeth , Vegunta Sarat Chandra
Published: April 2023

Energy systems around the world are going through tremendous transformations, mainly driven by carbon footprint reductions and related policy imperatives and low-carbon technological development. These transformations pose unprecedented technical challenges to the energy sector, but they also bring opportunities for energy systems to develop, adapt, and evolve. With rising complexity and increased digitalization, there has been significant growth in the amount of data in the power/energy sector (data ranging from power grid to household levels). Utilization of this large data (or “big data”), along with the use of proper data analytics, will allow for useful insights to be drawn that will help energy systems to deliver an increased amount of technical, operational, economic, and environmental benefits. This paper reviews various categories of data available in the current and future energy systems and the potential benefits of utilizing those data categories in energy system planning and operation. This paper also discusses the Big Data Analytics (BDA) that can be used to process/analyze the data and extract useful information that can be integrated and used in energy systems. More specifically, this paper discusses typical applications of BDA in energy systems, including how BDA can be used to resolve the critical issues faced by the current and future energy network operations and how BDA contributes to the development of smarter and more flexible energy systems. Combining data characterization and analysis methods, this review paper presents BDA as a powerful tool for making electrical energy systems smarter, more responsive, and more resilient to changes in operations.
Impacts Analysis of Dual Carbon Target on the Medium- and Long-Term Petroleum Products Demand in China
Authors: Shang Li , Shen Qun , Song Xuehang , Yu Weisheng , Sun Nannan , Wei Wei
Published: April 2023

Petroleum has become a strategic resource to the national economy, and forecasting its demand is a critical step to supporting energy planning and policy-making for carbon reduction. We first conducted a characteristic analysis of end consumption for petroleum products, and the key affecting factors are identified through an extended logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method. Afterwards, the long-range energy alternatives planning system (LEAP) was adopted to predict the petroleum products demand by considering the potential impacts of different policies on the identified key factors. Through comparative analysis of three scenarios including five sub-scenarios, the findings show that the dual carbon constraints are crucial to petroleum demand control. Under the enforcement of existing carbon peaking policies, the petroleum products demand will peak around 2043 at 731.5 million tons, and the impact of energy intensity-related policies is more significant than that of activity level. However, even if the existing policy efforts are continued, supporting the carbon-neutral target will not be easy. By further strengthening the constraints, the demand will peak around 2027 at 680 million tons, and the abatement contribution will come mainly from industry (manufacturing), construction, and transportation. Additional abatement technologies are necessary for the petroleum industry to achieve carbon neutrality.
The Potential of Collaboration between India and Japan in the Hydrogen Sector
Authors: Otaki Takuma , Shaw Rajib
Published: April 2023

With growing concern about risks related to energy security around the world, the development of hydrogen cooperation between India and Japan has become very important to ensure the economic security of the two countries and to deepen economic cooperation. This report covers both public and private initiatives in the hydrogen area in both countries and visualizes the high potential and potential areas where both countries could cooperate in the hydrogen area, as well as the challenges that are necessary for cooperation. The following four factors are strong incentives for India and Japan to deepen cooperation in the hydrogen field: (1) India has a high potential hydrogen supply capacity, (2) India is very active in implementing hydrogen in society, (3) Japan is already conducting R&D in areas of high interest to India and (4) Japan will need to import hydrogen from other countries in the future. The issues of (1) cost visualization, including transportation costs, (2) harmonization of regulations, (3) harmonization of promotion measures between the two countries, (4) definition of “green hydrogen,” and (5) protection of intellectual property are main challenges to be overcome. Thus, disclosures of necessary data for cost visualization of hydrogen transportation, further inter-governmental cooperations between India and Japan, and facilitation of the discussions on hydrogen among various stakes are key actions for materializing various joint hydrogen projects between both countries.
Numerical Investigation of Compression and Expansion Process of Twin-Screw Machine Using R-134a
Authors: Tsao Chia-Cheng , Lin Wen-Kai , Lai Kai-Yuan , Yavuzkurt Savas , Liu Yao-Hsien
Published: April 2023

Increasing the efficiency of twin-screw machines is beneficial for gas compression and expansion applications. We used a computation fluid dynamic approach to obtain the flow field and efficiency of a twin-screw machine that used R-134a as the working fluid. The leakage flow and sealing lines were obtained to study their geometrical effects during the compression and expansion process. The effects of the wrap angle (280°, 290°, and 300°) and pressure ratios on the compression efficiency were studied. During the compression process, the volumetric efficiency was more than 70% regardless of the wrap angle. We found that the volumetric efficiency slightly decreased when the wrap angle increased. However, the effect of the wrap angle on the isentropic efficiency was not substantial. An increase in the pressure ratio decreased the mass flow rate and increased the leakage flow. This screw machine can also be operated in an expansion process, and the simulated expansion ratio was 3:1. However, this expansion ratio contributed to an underexpanded condition, which led to a lower volumetric and isentropic efficiencies compared with the original built-in expansion ratio scenario.
Numerical and Analytical Determination of Steady-State Forces Acting on Cleats and Leads Conductor of the Power Transformer
Authors: Smoliński Michał , Witczak Paweł
Published: April 2023

Electromagnetic forces acting on conductors of the cleats and lead of a power transformer can cause permanent damage to the insulation of conductors. Determining the force acting on the conductor of cleats and leads cannot be performed using the standard analytical formula because those conductors are in close proximity to the construction part of the active part made of ferromagnetic material. To calculate those forces in a steady state of a three-phase AC current, a parametric numerical simulation was conducted. Based on the simulation, a new analytical formula for forces acting on cables near the ferromagnetic plate was proposed by the authors. It was also noted that the presence of the ferromagnetic plate can increase the forces up to 60% compared to the same geometry without the plate. This publication also discusses how eddy currents and the proximity effect influence forces acting on conductors.
Comparative RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals the Organ-Specific Transcriptomic Response to Zinc Stress in Mulberry
Authors: Huang Shuai , Kang Xiaoru , Yu Ting , Yidilisi Keermula , Zhang Lin , Cao Xu , Chao Nan , Liu Li
Published: April 2023

Mulberry (Morus, Moraceae) is an important economic plant that is considered zinc-rich. Zinc (Zn) is a micronutrient that plays vital roles in various bio-processes in plants and animals. In the present study, a comparative transcriptome analysis associated with physiological indicators was performed to reveal the potential mechanism in different organs in response to zinc toxicity in mulberry. Physiological indicators in mulberry plants treated with increasing concentrations of zinc were monitored to reveal the tolerance limits to zinc concentration. Transcriptome analysis of different organs in mulberry under excess zinc stress was performed to reveal the spatial response to zinc stress. The results show that the hormone signaling pathway and secondary metabolism including lignin biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis and sugar metabolism are important for excess zinc treatment responses. In addition, the organ-based spatial response of these pathways is indicated. Lignin biosynthesis mainly responds to zinc stress in lignified tissues or organs such as stems, flavonoid biosynthesis is the main response to zinc stress in leaves, and sugar metabolism is predominant in roots. Further co-expression network analysis indicated candidate genes involved in the organ-based spatial response. Several transcription factors and genes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, cell wall biogenesis and sugar metabolism were further validated and designed as organ-based response genes for zinc stress.
Coupling of SWAT and EPIC Models to Investigate the Mutual Feedback Relationship between Vegetation and Soil Erosion, a Case Study in the Huangfuchuan Watershed, China
Authors: Luo Zeyu , Zhang Huilan , Pang Jianzhuang , Yang Jun , Li Ming
Published: April 2023

Identifying the feedback relationship between soil erosion and vegetation growth would contribute to sustainable watershed management. In order to study the long-term interaction between soil erosion and vegetation change, a comprehensive modeling framework was proposed by combining the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model. The Huangfuchuan Watershed was taken as an example area due to serious erosion and large-scale conversion of farmland to forest. Based on long-term variation analyses from 1956 to 2020, the effect of land cover change on runoff and sediment discharge was quantified using SWAT to create scenario simulations, and then environmental stresses factors (i.e., soil water content, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents) output by SWAT were input into EPIC to evaluate effects of soil erosion on potential biomass of vegetation. Results showed that the annual runoff reduction was 32.5 million m3 and the annual sediment reduction was 15 million t during the past 65 years. The scenario we created using the SWAT simulation showed that both forest and grassland reduced water yield, while bare land increased water yield by 10%. In addition, grassland and forest reduced soil erosion by 20% and 18%, respectively, while bare land increased sand production by 210%. The EPIC model results exhibited a negative correlation between the potential for vegetation biomass and erosion intensity. The average annual potential biomass of forest and grass under micro-erosion was 585.7 kg/ha and 485.9 kg/ha, respectively, and was 297.9 kg/ha and 154.6 kg/ha, respectively, under the extremely strong erosion. The results of this study add to the body of information regarding how soil erosion and vegetation biomass interact with each other. The proposed coupled SWAT-EPIC strategy may provide a way for further investigating the quantitative relationship between soil erosion and vegetation cover.
The Impact of the Method of Reclamation of the Coal Ash Dump from the “Adamów” Power Plant on the Survival, Viability, and Wood Quality of the Introduced Tree Species
Authors: Szadek Paweł , Pająk Marek , Michalec Krzysztof , Wąsik Radosław , Otremba Krzysztof , Kozłowski Michał , Pietrzykowski Marcin
Published: April 2023

The aim of this research was to determine the survival rate, dimensions, and wood quality of black locust, ash-leaf maple, common maple, and American ash introduced to the landfill of the “Adamów” Power Plant as part of the reclamation process. The experimental area consisted of 13 research plots. On the three plots where the trees were planted directly into the ash, the trees completely collapsed. As a result of this research, it was found that the black locust had the best survival rates, whereas the American ash had the worst. The black locust and ash-leaf maple reached larger sizes on the plots where the ashes were covered with a 50-centimetre layer of sewage sludge (S50) or with a 50-centimetre layer of clay (C50), while the common maple grew the largest on the plots where a 25-centimetre layer of sewage sludge (S25) was used. Our research shows that about 40% of the examined species of wood were of good quality (Q1, Q2), which in the future will make it possible to obtain sawmill raw material. On the other hand, lower quality wood (Q3, Q4), which accounted for over 50% of the assessed wood material, can be successfully used as a biomass for energy purposes.
Predicting Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Storage for Ma Bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) Plantations
Authors: Yen Tian-Ming , Sun Pai-Kuan , Li Long-En
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study was to predict aboveground biomass (AGB) and aboveground carbon storage (AGCS) in Ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) plantations. A total of 25 bamboo samples were selected and felled based on age and diameter at breast height (DBH) classes. Two types of allometric equations (with and without an age factor) were used to develop biomass models for foliage, branches, culms and aboveground parts. Moreover, three intensively managed Ma bamboo plantations were used in this study to predict AGB and AGCS. The above two biomass models and a diameter distribution model were used to predict AGB for the three bamboo stands. The AGCS was predicted based on the AGB and percent carbon content. The results showed that the proportions of foliage, branches and culms to AGB were 11.1, 23.7 and 65.2%, respectively, at the individual bamboo level. The mean percent carbon content was predicted to be 41.68, 44.21 and 46.72% for foliage, branches and culms, respectively. The allometric equation with the age factor had better predictive ability than that without the age factor, with the former having higher R2 and lower root mean square error values. Compared to the AGB predicted by the allometric model with the age factor at the stand level, the range of relative error was from −16.56 to 5.26% and from −40.0 to 71.7% for the AGB predicted by the allometric model without the age factor and that by the diameter distribution model, respectively. According to the allometric model with the age factor, the AGB and AGCS were predicted to be 35.7 ± 3.4 and 16.3 ± 1.5 Mg ha−1, respectively, in Ma bamboo plantations. The results also reflected that the current status of Ma bamboo management is intensive management, where the focus is on harvesting bamboo shoots.
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Ecological Characteristics Study of Abies nephrolepis in South Korea
Authors: Lee Seung-Jae , Shin Dong-Bin , Byeon Jun-Gi , Oh Seung-Hwan
Published: April 2023

Abies nephrolepis is a climate-vulnerable species that inhabits high mountains in the Baekdu–Daegan range and is distributed along the southern limit line in South Korea, making it suitable for climate change research. This study aimed to observe spatial distribution changes according to scenarios using species distribution models for Abies nephrolepis, analyze the relationship between various environmental factors and Abies nephrolepis density, and contribute to the future conservation and management of subalpine coniferous forests. We conducted a field survey to identify the growth environment of Abies nephrolepis and observed potentially suitable habitats for Abies nephrolepis based on location information obtained through the survey. We also analyzed the relationship between the density of Abies nephrolepis and various environmental factors using multiple linear regression models. Based on the field survey results, most Abies nephrolepis natural habitats in South Korea showed an unstable form. Vulnerability analysis examining the influence of climate change showed that most of these habitats would be affected. We found that various biological factors were significantly related to the density of Abies nephrolepis (diameter at breast height, DBH ≥ 6 cm) and young tree density (stems/ha). We confirmed that species diversity and rock exposure variables had a relatively high impact. Clarifying the relationship between the density of Abies nephrolepis and various environmental factors can provide new insights for setting future restoration directions.
Incorporation of Buckwheat Flour at Different Particle Sizes and Distinctive Doses in Wheat Flour to Manufacture an Improved Wheat Bread
Authors: Coţovanu Ionica , Mironeasa Costel , Mironeasa Silvia
Published: April 2023

This study explored the effect of substituting wheat flour (WF) with distinctive optimal doses of buckwheat flour (BF) corresponding to large, medium, and small particle sizes (PS), previously established based on an optimization process, on composite flour characteristics, dough rheology, and bread quality. The optimal dose for each PS was established in a previous study. The highest value for protein, lipid, mineral, and amino acids was found in the optimal composite flour with medium PS, with significant differences between those with large and small PS. The addition of BF in WF at doses corresponding to each fraction provides optimum rheological properties, with the large and medium PS providing higher performance compared to the small one. The same tendency was observed for volume and texture parameters of bread made from optimal composite flours with medium and large PS, respectively, but the crust and crumb lightness presented lower values than bread with small PS. Regarding the bread nutritional profile, the sample with medium PS possessed the highest protein, lipid, and ash content. Compared to the wheat bread, a considerably higher amino acid content, up to 21.22%, was found in bread made from optimal composite flours with medium and small PS, respectively. The bread samples with medium and large PS, respectively were superior in minerals, the value being up to 2.63 times higher compared to the control. Sensory characteristics results revealed that the bread samples containing 9.13% large and 10.57% medium PS were the most preferred by panelists. The results of this research make an important base to suitably develop wheat–buckwheat bread applications in the future.
Controlled Lactonization of o-Coumaric Esters Mediated by Supramolecular Gels
Authors: Cenciarelli Fabia , Falini Giuseppe , Giuri Demetra , Tomasini Claudia
Published: April 2023

Fragrances are volatile organic compounds widely used in our daily life. Unfortunately, the high volatility required to reach human receptors reduces their persistency in the air. To contrast this effect, several strategies may be used. Among them, we present here the combination of two techniques: the microencapsulation in supramolecular gels and the use of profragrances. We report a study on the controlled lactonization of four esters derived from o-coumaric acid. The ester lactonization spontaneously occurs after exposure to solar light, releasing coumarin and the corresponding alcohol. To determine the rate of fragrance release, we compared the reaction in solution and in a supramolecular gel and we demonstrated that the lactonization reaction always occurs slower in the gel. We also studied the more suitable gel for this aim, by comparing the properties of two supramolecular gels obtained with the gelator Boc-L-DOPA(Bn)2-OH in a 1:1 ethanol/water mixture in different gelator concentration (0.2% and 1% w/v). The gel prepared with 1% w/v gelator concentration is stronger and less transparent than the other and was used for the profragrances encapsulation. In any case, we obtained a significative reduction of lactonization reaction in gel, compared with the same reaction in solution.
SPAG9 Expression Predicts Good Prognosis in Patients with Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Bioinformatics Analysis with Experimental Validation
Authors: Qiao Liwen , Zhang Lu , Wang Huiming
Published: April 2023

Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common and aggressive type of renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). Sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) has been reported to promote the progression of a variety of tumors and is thus a potential prognostic marker. This study combined a bioinformatics analysis with an experimental validation, exploring the prognostic value of SPAG9 expression in ccRCC patients and the possible underlying mechanisms. The SPAG9 expression was associated with a poor prognosis in pan-cancer patients, but with a good prognosis and slow tumor progression in ccRCC patients. To explore the underlying mechanism, we investigated the roles of SPAG9 in ccRCC and bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA). The latter was chosen for comparison with ccRCC to represent the tumor types in which SPAG9 expression suggests a poor prognosis. The overexpression of SPAG9 increased the expression of autophagy-related genes in 786-O cells but not in HTB-9 cells, and SPAG9 expression was significantly correlated with a weaker inflammatory response in ccRCC but not in BLCA. Through an integrated bioinformatics analysis, we screened out seven key genes (AKT3, MAPK8, PIK3CA, PIK3R3, SOS1, SOS2, and STAT5B) in this study. The correlation between SPAG9 expression and ccRCC prognosis depends on the expression of key genes. Since most of the key genes were PI3K-AKT-pathway members, we used the PI3K agonist 740Y-P to stimulate the 786-O cells, to mimic the effect of key-gene overexpression. Compared with the Ov-SPAG9 786-O cells, the 740Y-P further increased the expression of autophagy-related genes by more than twofold. Moreover, we constructed a nomogram based on SPAG9/key genes and other clinical features, which was proven to have some predictive value. Our study found that SPAG9 expression predicted opposite clinical outcomes in pan-cancer and ccRCC patients, and we speculated that SPAG9 suppresses tumor progression by promoting autophagy and inhibiting inflammatory responses in ccRCC. We further found that some genes might cooperate with SPAG9 to promote autophagy, and that these were highly expressed in the tumor stroma and could be represented by key genes. The SPAG9-based nomogram can help to estimate the long-term prognosis of ccRCC patients, indicating that SPAG9 is a potential prognostic marker for ccRCC.
Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) as an Independent Diagnosis: Differences in Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being between CPTSD and PTSD
Authors: Li Danfeng , Luo Jiaxian , Yan Xingru , Liang Yiming
Published: April 2023

Although many studies have differentiated complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), few studies have explored the differences in positive adaptation between the two. The present study aimed to determine whether there are distinctions between PTSD and CPTSD in hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. The present study used a Chinese young adult sample with childhood adversity experiences (n = 1451), including 508 males and 943 females, with an average age of 20.07 years (SD = 1.39). PTSD and CPTSD symptoms were measured by the International Trauma Questionnaire. Eudaimonic well-being was measured by the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and hedonic well-being, including life satisfaction and happiness, was assessed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the face scale. Analysis of variance showed that the CPTSD group had lower hedonic and eudaimonic well-being than the PTSD group. Moreover, hierarchical regression analysis showed that disturbances in self-organization (DSO) symptoms in CPTSD were negatively associated with hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, while PTSD was positively associated with eudaimonic well-being. These findings indicate that the core symptoms of CPTSD might hinder individuals from living fulfilling lives. The positive association between eudaimonic well-being and PTSD symptoms may be a manifestation of posttraumatic growth. Based on the perspective of positive adaptation, these results provide new evidence of the importance of considering CPTSD as an independent diagnosis and suggest that future well-being interventions should be implemented in people with DSO symptoms.
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients in the Northern Region of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khan Zafar Ali , Prabhu Namdeo , Issrani Rakhi , Albulayhid Amjad Abdulrahman S. , Mlih Alruwaili Shahad Mohammed , Gadoe Alruwaili Rola Hliel , Alsiyat Basant Mousa , Bader Alzarea K. , Sghaireen Mohammed Ghazi , Rao Krishna , Baig Muhammed Nadeem
Published: April 2023

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases, and ignoring dental health care before and after treatment can have severe long-term consequences. Additionally, this may have a negative impact on the patient’s general quality of life. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among breast cancer patients and identify possible factors associated with the outcome. Methodology: In this observational cross-sectional study, 200 women who had received breast cancer therapy and were being followed up at a hospital made up the sample. The study was conducted between January 2021 and July 2022. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, general health, and breast cancer was recorded. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth index was used in clinical examinations to identify caries experience. OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. After adjusting for confounding variables, a logistic regression analysis was used to determine the related factors. Results: The mean OHIP-14 score was 11.48 (SD 1.35). There was a 63.0% prevalence of negative impacts. Age and the time frame from cancer diagnosis were found to be significantly linked with the outcome by binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors who were ≤55 years old and the time elapsed since diagnosis was less than 36 months had a poor OHRQoL. To lessen the negative impacts of cancer treatment and enhance quality of life, patients with breast cancer need special oral care and should be monitored before, during, and after cancer treatment.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Basketball Players: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: de Carvalho Borges Silvia Cristina , Mendonça Carolina Rodrigues , Ferreira Silva Regina Márcia , De Vitta Alberto , Noll Matias
Published: April 2023

Musculoskeletal disorders characteristically induce pain and limitations in mobility, ability, and overall functioning. In athletes, including basketball players, disorders such as back pain, postural changes, and spinal injuries are common. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the prevalence of back pain and musculoskeletal disorders in basketball players and ascertain the associated factors. Methods: The Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched for studies published in English without a time limit. Using STATA, meta-analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence of pain and musculoskeletal disorders of the back and spine. Results: Of the 4135 articles identified, 33 studies were included in this review, with 27 studies included in the meta-analysis. Of these, 21 were used for the meta-analysis of back pain, 6 articles were used for the meta-analysis of spinal injury, and 2 studies were used for the meta-analysis of postural changes. The overall prevalence of back pain was 43% [95% CI, −1% to 88%]; of these, the prevalence of neck pain was 36% [95% CI, 22–50%], the prevalence of back pain was 16% [95% CI, 4–28%], the prevalence of low back pain was 26% [95% CI, 16–37%], the prevalence of thoracic spine pain was 6% [95% CI, 3–9%]. The combined prevalence of spinal injury and spondylolysis was 10% [95% CI, 4–15%], with a prevalence of spondylolysis of 14% [95% CI, 0.1–27%]. The combined prevalence of hyperkyphosis and hyperlordosis was 30% [95% CI, 9–51%]. In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of neck pain, followed by low back pain and back pain, in basketball players. Thus, prevention programs are important to improve health and sports performance.
Impact of Lockdown Measures on Health Outcomes of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Farhana , Haq Ahsanul , Godman Brian , Chowdhury Kona , Kumar Santosh , Haque Mainul
Published: April 2023

COVID-19 lockdown measures appreciably affected patients’ lifestyles, negatively impacting on their health. This includes patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Care of these patients was also negatively impacted due to a priority to treat patients with COVID-19, certainly initially, within hospitals and clinics in Bangladesh, combined with a lack of access to clinics and physicians due to lockdown and other measures. This is a concern in Bangladesh with growing rates of T2DM and subsequent complications. Consequently, we sought to critically analyze the situation among patients with T2DM in Bangladesh during the initial stages of the pandemic to address this information gap and provide future direction. Overall, 731 patients were recruited by a simple random sampling method among patients attending hospitals in Bangladesh, with data collected over 3 timescales: before lockdown, during the pandemic, and after lockdown. Data extracted from patients’ notes included current prescribed medicines and key parameters, including blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and comorbidities. In addition, the extent of record keeping. The glycemic status of patients deteriorated during lockdown, and comorbidities as well as complications related to T2DM increased during this period. Overall, a significant proportion of key datasets were not recorded in patients’ notes by their physician before and during lockdown. This started to change after lockdown measures eased. In conclusion, lockdown measures critically affected the management of patients with T2DM in Bangladesh, building on previous concerns. Extending internet coverage for telemedicine, introduction of structured guidelines, and appreciably increasing data recording during consultations is of the utmost priority to improve the care of T2DM patients in Bangladesh.
Clinical Disease Characteristics and Treatment Trajectories Associated with Mortality among COVID-19 Patients in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Munir Muhammad Zeeshan , Khan Amer Hayat , Khan Tahir Mehmood
Published: April 2023

Background: Data on Pakistani COVID-19 patient mortality predictors is limited. It is essential to comprehend the relationship between disease characteristics, medications used, and mortality for better patient outcomes. Methods: The medical records of confirmed cases in the Lahore and Sargodha districts were examined using a two-stage cluster sampling from March 2021 to March 2022. Demographics, signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, and pharmacological medications as mortality indicators were noted and analyzed. Results: A total of 288 deaths occurred out of the 1000 cases. Death rates were higher for males and people over 40. Most of those who were mechanically ventilated perished (OR: 124.2). Dyspnea, fever, and cough were common symptoms, with a significant association amid SpO2 < 95% (OR: 3.2), RR > 20 breaths/min (OR: 2.5), and mortality. Patients with renal (OR: 2.3) or liver failure (OR: 1.5) were at risk. Raised C-reactive protein (OR: 2.9) and D-dimer levels were the indicators of mortality (OR: 1.6). The most prescribed drugs were antibiotics, (77.9%), corticosteroids (54.8%), anticoagulants (34%), tocilizumab (20.3%), and ivermectin (9.2%). Conclusions: Older males having breathing difficulties or signs of organ failure with raised C-reactive protein or D-dimer levels had high mortality. Antivirals, corticosteroids, tocilizumab, and ivermectin had better outcomes; antivirals were associated with lower mortality risk.
Effects of Yoga for Coping with Premenstrual Symptoms in Taiwan—A Cluster Randomized Study
Authors: Chang Hsing-Chi , Cheng Yi-Chuan , Yang Chi-Hsuan , Tzeng Ya-Ling , Chen Chung-Hey
Published: April 2023

Home-based yoga practice has not been approved as a method for alleviating premenstrual symptoms in Taiwan. This study was a cluster randomized trial. A total of 128 women self-reporting at least one premenstrual symptom were enrolled in the study, of which there were 65 participants in the experimental group and 63 participants in the control group. Women in the yoga group were provided with a yoga DVD program (30 min) to practice for three menstrual months, at least three times a week. All participants were given the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) form to measure premenstrual symptoms. After the yoga exercise intervention, the yoga group had statistically significantly fewer and/or less severe premenstrual depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, and anger/irritability. Other disturbances and the impairment of daily routine, hobbies/social activities, and relationships also occurred significantly less often in the yoga group. The study found that yoga is useful to relieve premenstrual symptoms. Moreover, home-based yoga practice is more pertinent in the pandemic era. The strengths and drawbacks of the study are discussed and further study is recommended.
The Insomnia Severity Index: Factor Structure and Measurement and Structural Invariance across Perinatal Time Points
Authors: Shinohara Eriko , Hada Ayako , Minatani Mariko , Wakamatsu Mikiyo , Kitamura Toshinori
Published: April 2023

Insomnia is associated with adverse outcomes in women in the perinatal period; thus, the assessment of insomnia is important for pregnant women. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is an instrument used globally to assess the severity of insomnia. However, its factor structure and structural invariance for pregnant women have not been studied. Therefore, we aimed to conduct factor analyses to search for the best model to fit its structural invariance. A cross-sectional study with the ISI was conducted at one hospital and five clinics in Japan from January 2017 to May 2019. A set of questionnaires was administered on two occasions with a one-week interval. The study included 382 pregnant women ranging in gestational age from 10 to 13 weeks. One week later, 129 participants answered the retest. After exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the measurement and structural invariance between parity and two time points was tested. The two-factor structure model showed an acceptable fit for the ISI in pregnant women (χ2 (12) = 28.516, CFI = 0.971, RMSEA = 0.089). The model also showed satisfactory measurement and structure invariance between parity and time points. The findings indicate that the ISI’s use would be appropriate for pregnant women as a two-factor subscale of “severity” and “impact”, regardless of the parity or time point. The ISI’s factor structure may vary by subject; hence, it is necessary to confirm the measurement and structural invariance of the subject for whom the ISI will be used. Furthermore, interventions that focus not only on total scores and cutoff points but also on the phenomenon of subscales should be considered.