bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond the ‘Egosystem’: A case for locally led Humanitarian Resistance
Authors: Kamal Adelina
Published: November 2023

This article invites readers to consider a new form of humanitarianism that has emerged out of people’s resistance to military atrocities—called Resistance Humanitarianism—with a particular focus on the crisis in Myanmar. In that country, Resistance Humanitarians are challenging traditional aid actors because their operational presence and coverage can go deep inside the hardest-hit areas, which are usually inaccessible to the large INGOs and UN. This gives Resistance Humanitarians significant operational advantages, particularly the acceptance of the population, access, and data that reflects ground realities. Meanwhile, most international aid actors continue to try and gain access to affected communities through Myanmar’s oppressive and illegitimate military junta, constraining their ability to reach those most affected by crisis and potentially aiding the junta’s violent cause. The paper suggests that this vertical, top-down, ‘neutral’ approach to aid access taken by many international actors may deepen the conflict, as it pushes people away from their determination for a systematic end to injustice. The paper also argues for the urgent need to critically rethink the humanitarian approach for the Myanmar conflict, and suggests a new type of aid architecture—a locally-led, horizontally-constructed ecosystem that builds on and supports people and organisations on the ground and prioritises inclusivity, diversity and collaboration at its heart. If the aim of external international actors is to build resilience, they must rethink their approach and support military-avoiding Resistance Humanitarianism.
Integrated molecular portraits of breast cancer
Authors: Jiang Yi-Zhou , Ma Ding , Jin Xi , Xiao Yi , Yu Ying , Shi Jinxiu , Zhou Yi-Fan , Fu Tong , Lin Cai-Jin , Dai Lei-Jie , Liu Cheng-Lin , Zhao Shen , Su Guan-Hua , Hou Wanwan , Liu Yaqing , Chen Qingwang , Yang Jingcheng , Zhang Naixin , Zhang Wen-Juan , Liu Wei , Ge Weigang , Yang Wen-Tao , You Chao , Gu Yajia , Kaklamani Virginia , Bertucci François , Verschraegen Claire , Daemen Anneleen , Shah Nakul M. , Wang Ting , Guo Tiannan , Shi Leming , Perou Charles M. , Zheng Yuanting , Huang Wei , Shao Zhi-Ming
Published: November 2023

The associated article reports multiomic analysis of breast cancers, where we provided a unique public resource that contributes novel insights into the breast cancer, holding promise for further precision treatment approaches. This protocol not only delineates detailed experimental procedures for sample preparation and data generation but also comprehensive analysis methods for genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics from breast cancer samples. Furthermore, regarding radiomics and pathomics, the protocol describes the extraction of both radiological and pathological features in detail.
Evaluation of Push-Out Bond Strength and Penetrability of Heat Resistant Bioceramic Sealer Obturated in Lateral vs Vertical Compaction Techniques in Mandibular Premolars
(A Comparative In-Vitro Study)
Authors: Ahmed Nahed , Lutfy Reem Ahmed , Morsy Dina Ahmed
Published: November 2023

Background:
The main goal of root canal treatment is to provide three-dimensional obturation of the root canal system.Root canal sealers are necessary to seal the gap between the root dentin wall and the obturating material.Calcium silicate-based materials have attracted considerable attention because of their good biocompatibility and bioactivity,enhancing the formation of crystalline structure similar to tooth and bone apatite, thereby improving sealer-to-root dentin bonding. The waterbased hydraulic calcium silicate sealers cannot be used with the warm root canal obturation techniques because heat dramatically changes the properties of the materials including setting time, flowability, viscosity and weight loss.
Aim:
The aim of this study is to compare between the Ceraseal and Neosealer flo in terms of pushout bond strength and penetrability when each is used in either lateral or vertical compaction technique in single-rooted mandibular premolars.
Methods:
Sixty human permanent extracted single-rooted mandibular premolar teeth will be decoronated and instrumented till size (40/04) by M3 Pro gold files with standard irrigation protocol. The specimens will then be randomly divided into 4 groups(n=15) according to the type of root canal sealer used and the obturation technique employed:Group 1 (CL): Ceraseal in lateral compaction. Group 2 (CV): Ceraseal in warm vertical compaction. Group 3 (NL): Neosealer flo in lateral compaction. Group 4 (NV): Neosealer flo in warm vertical compaction.Teeth will be sectioned horizontally into 2mm thick slices using diamond disc at marks done at 3mm and 7 mm at apical and middle parts respectively.
Then the specimens will be tested for push out bond strength Each specimen will be placed on the base of the Universal Testing Machine. Also after 72 hours from obturation, each tooth will be embedded centrally and vertically in an acrylic resin block the sections will be imaged using a confocal laser scanning microscope at 10X magnification for evaluation of penetrability.
Acceptability and Feasibility of FAMS-T1D mHealth intervention to optimize self- & social regulation for emerging adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Mayberry Lindsay S. , Wiebe Deborah , Parks Makenzie , Campbell MaryJane , Beam Aislinn , Berg Cynthia
Published: November 2023

Background
Among emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), self-regulation and social regulation skills can help avoid high A1c and diabetes distress. FAMS (Family/friend Activation to Motivate Self-care) is mobile phone-delivered intervention that supports development of these skills and is efficacious among adults with type 2 diabetes. However, the acceptability and feasibility of the FAMS intervention among emerging adults with T1D is unknown.
Methods
Therefore, we adapted FAMS for in a new disease context and developmental stage then conducted a 3-month mixed-methods pre-post pilot study. Participants were emerging adults with T1D and a friend/family member enrolled as a support person (optional). Feasibility/acceptability outcomes and associated progression thresholds were recruitment (≥ 70% eligible emerging adults), retention (≥ 85%), intervention engagement (≥ 70%) and satisfaction (≥ 70%). We also collected qualitative feedback to determine if the intervention addressed relevant needs and explored changes in outcomes of interest (family/friend involvement, self-efficacy, self-management, distress, A1c).
Results
Recruitment rates indicate recruitment of emerging adults with T1D and their support persons is feasible – 79% of emerging adults who screened as eligible enrolled and 70% of enrolled emerging adults invited a support person. Emerging adults completed 98% of coaching sessions, and response rates to automated text messages were median 85% IQR [68%, 90%]. Changes in selected measures for outcomes of interest were in expected directions suggesting sensitivity to changes occasioned by the intervention in a future evaluative trial. Emerging adults said FAMS-T1D helped with setting realistic goals, motivated them to prioritize diabetes goals, and increased support, indicating acceptability of the intervention in this new disease and developmental context.
Conclusions
Findings suggest potential for FAMS-T1D to engage emerging adults and their support persons and feasibility for evaluation of effects on hypothesized intervention targets and outcomes in a subsequent evaluative trial.
Trial Registration:
We did not register this study on clinicaltrials.gov because the purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and study procedures and measures in preparation for a future trial. The purpose of that future trial will be to evaluate the effect of the intervention on health-related biomedical and behavioral outcomes and that trial will be registered accordingly.
Novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a methylase blocks Alzheimer’s disease proteopathology for precision medication
Authors: Chen Xian , Xie Ling , Sheehy Ryan , Xiong Yan , Muneer Adil , Wrobel John , Park Kwang-Su , Liu Jing , Velez Julia , Luo Yanjia , Li Ya-Dong , Quintanilla Luis , Li Yongyi , Xu Chongchong , Wen Zhexing , Song Juan , Jin Jian , Deshmukh Mohanish
Published: November 2023

Current amyloid beta-targeting approaches for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutics only slow cognitive decline for small numbers of patients. This limited efficacy exists because AD is a multifactorial disease whose pathological mechanism(s) and diagnostic biomarkers are largely unknown. Here we report a new mechanism of AD pathogenesis in which the histone methyltransferase G9a noncanonically regulates translation of a hippocampal proteome that defines the proteopathic nature of AD. Accordingly, we developed a novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a, MS1262, across the blood-brain barrier to block this G9a-regulated, proteopathologic mechanism. Intermittent MS1262 treatment of multiple AD mouse models consistently restored both cognitive and noncognitive functions to healthy levels. Comparison of proteomic/phosphoproteomic analyses of MS1262-treated AD mice with human AD patient data identified multiple pathological brain pathways that elaborate amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles as well as blood coagulation, from which biomarkers of early stage of AD including SMOC1 were found to be affected by MS1262 treatment. Notably, these results indicated that MS1262 treatment may reduce or avoid the risk of blood clot burst for brain bleeding or a stroke. This mouse-to-human conservation of G9a-translated AD proteopathology suggests that the global, multifaceted effects of MS1262 in mice could extend to relieve all symptoms of AD patients with minimum side effect. In addition, our mechanistically derived biomarkers can be used for stage-specific AD diagnosis and companion diagnosis of individualized drug effects.
Neural waves and computation in a neural net model I: Convolutional hierarchies
Authors: Selesnick Stephen Allan
Published: November 2023

The computational resources of a neuromorphic network model introduced earlier are investi-gated in the context of such hierarchical systems as the mammalian visual cortex. It is argued that a form of ubiquitous spontaneous local convolution, driven by spontaneously arising wave-like activity—which itself promotes local Hebbian modulation—enables logical gate-like neural motifs to form into hierarchical feed-forward structures of the Hubel-Wiesel type. Extra-synaptic eﬀects are shown to play a signiﬁcant rˆole in these processes. The type of logic that emerges is not Boolean, conﬁrming and extending earlier ﬁndings on the logic of schizophrenia.
A self-report version of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI): a psychometric study.
Authors: Harvey Lisa , Ben Marsha , Tamburella Federica , Lorusso Matteo , Glinsky Joanne , Tranter Keira , Scivoletto Giorgio , Blecher Lynn , Harris Anneliese , Galeoto Giovanni , Wan Joshua , Harvey Lisa
Published: November 2023

Objective
To develop a self-report version of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II) and to test its reliability and validity.
Study design:
Psychometric study.
Setting:
Spinal cord injury rehabilitation centres in Australia and Italy.
Participants:
Eighty people with spinal cord injuries were recruited from a sample of convenience.
Methods
Two self-report versions of the WISCI II were developed. Both were administered through an online platform. The format of the first self-report version (SR-V1) was very similar to the original face-to-face WISCI II. The second self-report version (SR-V2) had more questions, but each question required participants to focus on only one aspect of their walking at a time. Participants completed SR-V1 and SR-V2 with assistance from research staff on two separate occasions, three to seven days apart. The original WISCI II was then administered through a face-to-face assessment by an independent physiotherapist. The intra-rater reliability and validity of SR-V1 and SR-V2 were determined with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and percent close agreements.
Results
The validity and reliability of the two WISCI II self-report versions were very similar, with SR-V2 performing slightly better than SR-V1. The ICC (95% confidence interval) of SR-V2 was 0.87 (0.81–0.92) with repeat measurements being within 3 points of each other 84% of the time. The ICC reflecting the agreement between the self-report and the face-to-face WISCI was 0.89 (0.84–0.93).
Conclusion
Both versions of the self-report WISCI II provide a reasonable substitute for a face-to-face assessment although therapists expressed a preference for SR-V2.
Experimental and numerical impact behavior of fully carbon fiber sandwiches for different core types
Authors: BOZKURT ilyas , KAMAN Mete Onur , ALBAYRAK Mustafa
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study is to experimentally and numerically examine the impact strength and damage mechanisms of sandwich composites consisting entirely of fiber reinforced composites for different core geometries. For this purpose, firstly, composite sandwich plates with egg box, lattice and square plate core structures were produced. Low-velocity impact tests were carried out by dropping impactors with hemispherical geometry onto the resulting sandwich structure with three different core geometries, and the effect of the core shape on impact strength was determined. For comparison, the cell width and height of these three different types of core were chosen to be similar. In addition, progressive damage analysis with the finite element method was applied. For this purpose, the MAT-162 material model, which provides three-dimensional progressive damage analysis in composite materials and applies the Hashin Damage Criterion, was preferred to be used in the LS-DYNA® program. When specific loads are compared using a square core specimen under the same conditions, it can be said that the contact force of the egg box structure is higher. While the striker rebounded from the square core at the same impact energy, it pierced the sandwich structure in the egg box and completely damaged the lattice core structure.
Influences of tobacco straw return with lime on microbial community structure of tobacco-planting soil and tobacco leaf quality
Authors: jiang chaoqiang , zu chaolong , Riaz Muhammad , li ch , zhu qifa , Xia hao , dong qing , Shen Jia
Published: November 2023

Soil amendment is an important strategy to improve soil quality and crop yield. During 2014–2019, we investigated the effects of tobacco straw return with lime on soil nutrients, soil microbial community structure, tobacco leaf yield and quality in southern Anhui, China. A field experiment was conducted in four treatments: straw removed (CK), straw return (St), straw return with dolomite (St + D), and straw return with lime (St + L). Results showed that after five years of continuous treatment, the St + L significantly increased the soil pH by 16.9%, and the contents of soil alkaline nitrogen (N) and available potassium (K) by 17.2% and 23.0%, respectively, compared with the CK. Moreover, the St + L significantly increased tobacco leaf yield (24.0%) and the appearance (9.1%) and sensory (5.9%) quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves. The addition of soil conditioners (straw, dolomite, and lime) resulted in an increase in both the total reads and effective sequences of soil microorganisms. Bacterial diversity was found to be more sensitive to changes in the external environment compared to soil fungi. The application of soil amendments (lime and straw) has been shown to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Additionally, bacterial species face greater competition and limited availability of resources for survival compared to fungi. Various analytical techniques, such as RDA, correlation analysis, and network analysis, were employed to investigate this finding: soil microorganisms are significantly influenced by the presence of AK, AN and pH contents. These findings can provide an effective method for improving the quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves and guiding the amelioration of acidic soil in regions where tobacco-rice rotation is practiced.
Coherence of a field-gradient-driven singlet-triplet qubit coupled to many-electron spin states in 28Si/SiGe
Authors: Kim Dohun , Song Younguk , Yun Jonginn , Kim Jehyun , Jang Wonjin , Jang Hyeongyu , Park Jaemin , Cho Min-Kyun , Sohn Hanseo , Usami Noritaka , Miyamoto Satoru , Itoh Kohei
Published: November 2023

Engineered spin-electric coupling enables spin qubits in semiconductor nanostructures to be manipulated efficiently and addressed individually. While synthetic spin-orbit coupling using a micromagnet is widely used for driving qubits based on single spins in silicon, corresponding demonstration for encoded spin qubits is so far limited to natural silicon. Here, we demonstrate fast singlet-triplet qubit oscillation (~100 MHz) in a gate-defined double quantum dot in 28Si/SiGe with an on-chip micromagnet with which we show the oscillation quality factor of an encoded spin qubit exceeding 580. The coherence time T2* is analyzed as a function of potential detuning and an external magnetic field. In weak magnetic fields, the coherence is limited by fast noise compared to the data acquisition time, which limits T2* < 1 μs in the ergodic limit. We present evidence of sizable and coherent coupling of the qubit with the spin states of a nearby quantum dot, demonstrating that appropriate spin-electric coupling may enable a charge-based two-qubit gate in a (1,1) charge configuration.
MRI apparent diffusion coefficient as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhuliang Qian , Lifeng Xie , Zhiqin Gao , Guowei Wang , Ming Zhan
Published: November 2023

Objective: To assess MRI apparent diffusion coefficient as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of osteosarcoma.
Methods: 94 patients with osteosarcoma confirmed by surgical pathology in our hospital from September 2019 to September 2021 were selected as the research objects. All the research objects underwent magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging and multi-slice spiral CT. The results of surgical pathology were used as the comparison standard. The apparent diffusion coefficient and image signs of multi-slice spiral CT in all patients were analyzed, and the application value of MRI apparent diffusion coefficient combined with multi-slice spiral CT in differentiating osteosarcoma was analyzed by area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC).
Results: after treatment, the ADC value of the two groups was significantly higher than that before treatment, and the ADC value of the effective group was significantly higher than that of the ineffective group (P < 0.05); The coincidence rate of combined diagnosis was 97.26%, which was significantly higher than that of ADC and MSCT (P<0.05); The diagnostic efficacy of combined diagnosis of benign and malignant osteosarcoma was: sensitivity 95.61%, specificity 86.52%, accuracy 93.67%, positive detection rate 96.39%, negative detection rate 86.44%. The diagnostic efficacy of combined diagnosis was significantly higher than that of single diagnosis (P<0.05). The area under ROC curve AUC of combined diagnosis of benign and malignant osteosarcoma was 0.861 (95% CI: 0.853 ~ 0.948); In the combined diagnosis results, 62 cases (87.33), 2 cases (2.82), 1 case (1.41), 1 case (1.41), 1 case (1.41), 3 cases (5.63), 1 case (1.41) and 2 cases (2.82) were common type, 2 cases (2.82) were intramedullary well differentiated type, 1 case (1.41) of high-grade bone surface type, 3 cases (5.63), 1 case (1.41) of periosteal type and 2 cases (2.82) of paracortical type. The coincidence rate of the combined diagnosis results was significantly higher than that of ADC and MSCT (P; The accuracy of ADC value combined with MSCT in the diagnosis of different types of osteosarcoma was 100.00%, 100.00%, 50.00%, 100.00%, 100.00% and 100.00% respectively, which was partially higher than that of single diagnosis (P<0.05).
Conclusion: MRI apparent diffusion coefficient combined with multi-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of osteosarcoma has high sensitivity and specificity, can significantly improve the clinical diagnostic efficiency, and provide reference materials for the diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma.
Angiogenin-mediated tsRNAs control inflammation and metabolic disorder by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: He Bin , Cai Jiangxue , Li Chenxuan , Liu Suyuan , Tan Meiling , Sun Xiaoxiao , Yang Miaoxin
Published: November 2023

The cellular stress response system in immune cells plays a crucial role in regulating the development of inflammatory diseases. In response to cellular damage or microbial infection, the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome induces pyroptosis and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile, Angiogenin (Ang)-mediated tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) promote cell survival under stressful conditions. While both tsRNAs and inflammasomes are induced under stress conditions, the interplay between these two systems and their implications in regulating inflammatory diseases remains poorly understood. In this study, it was demonstrated that Ang deficiency exacerbated sodium arsenite-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis. Moreover, Ang-induced 5'-tsRNAs specifically inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis. Mechanistically, 5'-tsRNAs recruits DDX3X protein into stress granules (SGs), consequently inhibiting the interaction between DDX3X and NLRP3, thus leading to the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In addition, in vivo results showed that Ang deficiency led to the downregulation of tsRNAs, which resulted in the amplification of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation. This was proved in condition of lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation and type-2 diabetes-related inflammation. Overall, our study sheds new light on the role of Ang-induced 5'-tsRNAs in regulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation via SGs, and highlights tsRNAs as a promising target for the treatment of NLRP3 inflammasome-related diseases.
Beyond the Limit: The air pollution damages of overshooting temperature
Authors: Rodés-Bachs Clàudia , Reis Lara Aleluia , Drouet Laurent , Rafaj Peter , Tavoni Massimo
Published: November 2023

Outdoor air pollution is responsible for a substantial amount of premature deaths, severe illnesses, and economic damages. In 2019, according to the Global Burden Disease, it caused 4.505 million [3.625-5.364 95% CI] deaths. However, we can expect air pollution co-benefits from climate change mitigation policies in the next decades. Some scenarios revised by the recent IPCC AR6 report follow a new carbon budget design --- the net-zero pathways --- which avoids temperature overshoot. We examine if the net-zero pathways can consistently deliver improved air pollution outcomes. Here, we use a global source-receptor air pollution model to estimate concentrations and the health impacts and economic damages of climate mitigation scenarios.
Moreover, we sought to investigate the primary factors contributing to uncertainty in air pollution mortality and damages, as well as how they interact, with particular emphasis on the significance of non-overshooting scenarios.
We implement several relative risk functions to compute premature deaths and a set of air pollution damage functions. We conclude that stringent climate policies, keeping well below 2ºC, and net-zero pathways consistently improve the health and economic co-benefits and reduce the risk of extreme mortality outcomes.
Improvements are particularly important for China and India. These results are robust across several air pollution damage estimation methods and normative choices.
Globally, net-zero policies avoid 211 thousand [133-274 95% CI] premature deaths and 748 billion [724-766 95% CI] USD/2010 of damages relative to end-of-century in 2030.
A Comparative Analysis of Drone Technologies
Authors: Bagdadee Amam Hossain
Published: November 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Low Thermal Budget Electrically Active Thick Polysilicon for Post CMOS MEMS-Last Integration
Authors: Michael Aron , Chuang Ian
Published: November 2023

Low thermal budget electrically active thick polysilicon films are necessary for building Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) on top of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). But formation such polysilicon films have been challenging. Here we report in-situ phosphorus doped silicon films deposited at Ultra-High Vacuum (~10-9Torr) using Electron-beam Evaporation (UHVEE) enabling electrically active, fully crystallized, low stress and smooth thick polysilicon films at low thermal budget for the first time. The crystallographic, mechanical, and electrical properties of the phosphorus doped UHVEE polysilicon films have been studied. They are compared with intrinsic and boron doped UHVEE silicon films. Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) are used for crystallographic and surface morphology investigations. Wafer curvature, cantilever deflection profile and resonance frequency measurements are employed to study their mechanical properties. Resistivity measurements are conducted to investigate the electrical properties of the films. Highly vertical high aspect ratio micromachining of UHVEE polysilicon has been developed. A comb-drive structure as an actuator and inertial sensor, made of 20μm thick in-situ phosphorus doped UHVEE at a temperature less than 500oC, has been designed, simulated, fabricated and characterized. The results demonstrate that UHVEE polysilicon uniquely allows realization of mechanically and electrically functional MEMS devices at low thermal budget for the first time.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Plasma Gasification of Agricultural Waste
Authors: Ismail Tamer , El-Salam M. Abd , Ramzy Khaled
Published: November 2023

Poultry farms and livestock complexes contribute a significant portion of agricultural waste (AW), mostly in the form of bird droppings and manure. The ecology suffers when a significant volume of such garbage is used in an unreasonable manner. Agriculture waste may be used to generate energy gas thanks to modern technology. The production of energy gas, mostly composed of synthesis gas (CO + H2), may be intensified by plasma processing of waste from the agro-industrial complex, and the gas productivity of a plasma gasifier can be increased by 150–200 times in comparison to biogas generators. Thermodynamic modelling of the AW plasma processing process is the focus of this study. Using the all-purpose thermodynamic calculations programme TERRA, the process of plasma processing of waste was analysed thermodynamically. TSC refers to manure, which is animal waste, in this work. Cow dung with a 30% moisture level is utilised as dry mixed manure for research. Thermodynamic calculations revealed that the high-calorific combustible gas generated by plasma gasification and AW pyrolysis had synthesis gas yields of 65.2 and 68.5%, respectively. No hazardous elements were found at the same time. The plasma gasifier will efficiently convert many kinds of AW into high-calorie energy gas, mostly composed of neutral slag and synthesis gas. A technical framework for the AW plasma processing method has been created. Depending on the AW's composition, the proposed plasma plant that executes this technique may produce up to 1.7 m3 of dry energy gas from 1 kilogramme. Its calorific value will fluctuate from 8500 to 9300 MJ/Nm3 concurrently. The energy gas will have the following composition, in volume percent: H2 − 35-39, CO − 29–31, CO2 − 4-6, N2 − 10-14, and H2O − 13–18. Such a gas may serve as the working fluid for a new breed of very efficient electric generators, including solid oxide fuel cells, or it can be utilised as a raw material for the synthesis of synthetic motor fuels like methanol and dimethyl ether.
Association of UA levels with the risk of severe CED in LVO-AIS patients after mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Abuduaini Mayila , Long Yuming , Li Gang , Zhu Tianrui , Wu Yuefei , Wang Qi , Xiong Xinli , Zhang Yue
Published: November 2023

Background
Severe cerebral edema (CED) increases the poor prognosis and mortality rate of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and reduces the benefit of intravascular therapy. Uric acid (UA) has been reported to possess a potential protective effect against AIS. The aim of our study was to explore the association between UA and severe CED after intravascular therapy.
Method
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with large vascular occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) who underwent endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and had an mTICI grade of 2b-3 after EVT. A total of 272 LVO-AIS patients who accepted EVT were enrolled in the final study. All patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of CED: severe CED (N = 97) and mild CED (N = 175).UA levels at admission and imaging data at 24–48 h were collected. Baseline characteristics were compared using the chi-squared test, analysis of variance, or Mann-Whitney U-test. To examine the relationship between UA levels and CED, severe CED was estimated by modelling UA as a categorical variable using conditional logistic regression. Stratified analyses based on important covariates were conducted to explore possible protective factors.
Result
The UA levels were inversely associated with severe CED after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99-1.00; p = 0.025). Participants with UA ≥ 360 µmol/L had a significantly lower risk of severe CED than participants with UA < 360 µmol/L when UA levels were categorized by clinical cut-off point (aOR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.24–0.96; p = 0.039). The inverse association between UA and severe CED was significantly stronger in participants with lower blood glucose levels (< 7.5 mmol/L) compared with those higher blood glucose levels (≥ 7.5 mmol/L) (aOR, 0.21;95% CI, 0.07-0.62l; p for interaction = 0.021).
Conclusion
UA may be a potential protective factor against severe CED in LVO-AIS patients receiving EVT. Further more, the protective effect may be enhanced by lower blood glucose levels compared to higher blood glucose levels.
Electrothermal Conversion of Methane to Methanol at Room-Temperature with Phosphotungstic Acid
Authors: Yan Ning , Chang Jinquan , Wang Sikai , Hülsey Max , Lou Shi Nee , Ma Xinbin
Published: November 2023

Traditional methods for anerobic oxidation of methane to methanol frequently require the use of noble metal catalysts or flammable H2-O2 mixtures. While electrochemical methods enhance safety and may avoid the use of noble metals, these processes suffer from low yields due to limited current density and/or low selectivity. Here, we design an electrothermal process to conduct aerobic oxidation of methane to methanol at room temperature using phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as a redox mediator. When electrochemically reduced, PTA activates methane with O2 to produce methanol selectively. The optimum productivity reaches 29.45 μmol gPTA-1 h-1 with approximately 10% overall Faradic efficiency. Under continuous operation, we achieved 19.90 μmol gPTA-1 h-1 catalytic activity, over 88.6% methanol selectivity, and 10 hours durability. This approach leverages reduced PTA to initiate thermal catalysis in solution phase, addressing slow methane oxidation kinetics and preventing overoxidations on electrode surfaces. The current density towards methanol production increased over 40 times compared with direct electrochemical processes. The in-situ generated hydroxyl radical, from the reaction of reduced PTA and oxygen, plays an important role in the selective methane conversion. This study demonstrates reduced polyoxotungstate as a viable platform to integrate thermo- and electrochemical methane oxidation at ambient conditions.
Unlocking NUE Potential via PASP-Ca Synergist: Insights into physio-biochemical, enzymatic and molecular analyses of contrasting potato genotypes in aeroponics
Authors: nazeer hafsa , Wang Kexiu , Ma Haiyan , Tang Mingxia , saba Tahseen , Hu Tingyuan , jahandad Ambreen , Fang Xiaoting , Zhang Kaiqin , ansar Muhammad , He Wei , Zheng Shun-lin
Published: November 2023

Background
Polyaspartic Acid-Calcium (PASP-Ca) is a versatile and eco-friendly amino acid complex, primarily recognized for bolstering nitrogen use efficiency and crop productivity. However, the core significance of this complex remains enigmatic in potato crop. We hypothesized that simultaneous application of PASP-Ca with potato genotypes characterized by substantial root systems and high genetic potentials for nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) would best address this knowledge gap.
Methods
The synergistic effect of various PASP-Ca treatments on morphophysiological, N-related, and enzymatic parameters coupled with their transcript levels (shoot and root) in four potato genotypes having contrasting NUEs under low and high N supplies in aeroponics.
Results
PASP-Ca markedly boosted plant growth, yield components, and photosynthetic efficiency, with pronounced effects observed in nitrogen-efficient genotypes, especially Qingshu-9, emphasizing the importance of genotype selection in optimizing nitrogen utilization. Moreover, PASP-Ca treatments, particulartly LN-P100 significantly enhances root system architecture (RSA), contributing to expanded root dimensions and improved nutrient acquisition capacity, especially under nitrogen-deficient conditions. Carbohydrate metabolism in potato tubers benefits from PASP-Ca treatment, leading to increased starch content, thereby impacting tuber quality. Among the N-assimilating enzymes, a large genotypic variation was observed for glutamine synthetase (GS), which may be considered a potential trait for improving NUE. Molecular analysis further elucidated the underlying mechanisms, demonstrating the upregulation of essential genes involved in nitrogen metabolism.
Conclusions
The potential efficacy of PASP-Ca synergist as a novel accelerant for enhancing potato crop growth, biomass production, and nitrogen utilization efficiency, all coalescing seamlessly with the ethos of sustainable agricultural practices.
The intrinsic problems in EQ damage prognosis: the experience from a systematic evaluation of L’Aquila databases and different Levels of Data Availability.
Authors: Lamadrid Lissethe Fernanda Gonzalez , Schwarz Jochen , Maiwald Holger
Published: November 2023

Within the European TURNkey project, a knowledge-based exposure-modelling framework was developed enabling the consideration of different levels of investigation and data availability. In particular, the proposed framework recognizes various levels and origins of uncertainties as well as the completeness of a building stock catalogue. Despite enormous efforts, the main question remains unanswered: How reliable could be the developed tools and instruments if they are not tested and confirmed by real events. The L’Aquila 2009 earthquake has been subject of several analysis strategies to enrich the knowledge of earthquake engineering. In the present, the information provided by Italian Observed Damage Database is analyzed, specifically the data related to the L’Aquila 2009 seismic sequence, within the delimited area of the historical center of the city. A second source where the European Macroseismic Scale was used as reference is hereby integrated to the study and results are compared. A methodology is implemented for a systematic evaluation of database, taking as basis the EMS-98. From the data analysis a proposal is given to define a comparable EMS-98 building typology and for the assignments of vulnerability classes considering an optimistic, pessimist and most likely criteria. The reliability of the sample is then explored taking as basis the Knowledge-based exposure modelling framework established by the TURNkey Project, and the parameter is evaluated through an empirical inspection of frontal (lateral) views available in Google Street View (2022). Images before and after the event are collected and compared with the available data. Intrinsic encountered problems are then enlisted and discussed, with respect to the use of the database, the correlation of the information and the postprocessing needed to use the data in damage prognosis. This paper intends to demonstrate how reliable datasets for the building stock including structural types and corresponding vulnerability classes can be elaborated. Not at least, the exposure modelling has to transform the available data into a descriptive form that can be linked with the Fragility and/or Vulnerability Functions, directly with the expectation that these assignments are the best suited or representative ones. The data layers provided by the study enable the test and train the applicability of the exposure modelling techniques for the selected event and target region.
Therapeutic potential of Cordyceps militaris mushroom against SARS-CoV-2 : Virtual screening against Mpro and in vitro validation
Authors: Baig Mohammad Hassan , Dong Jae-June , Lee Dae Hee , Kim Young Guk , Lee Mi Kyeong , Cho Jae-Yong , Turk Ayman , Vishwakarma Preeti
Published: November 2023

Pathogenic coronavirus, including COVID-19, threatens human health, and there are strong demands for efficient therapeutics. Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal mushroom that has long been used for immune enhancement, anticancer, and antiviral effects. Therefore, the inhibitory potentials of constituents of C. militaris against COVID-19 were analyzed using various virtual screening analyses. Among ten constituents of C. militaris, cordycepin, the major component, and 3´-deoxyuridine and 2´-O-methyl-adenosine showed strong binding affinity to Mpro, a potential target for COVID-19 therapeutics. Considering the structure activity relationship, nucleosides having deoxyribose and methoxyribose moiety are important for the affinity to Mpro. Cordycepin is also bound to Mpro mutants, and the binding mechanisms between cordycepin and Mpro were further demonstrated by MD simulation, RMSA, and MM/PBSA analysis. Principal component analysis also confirmed the conformational change of Mpro by cordycepin, which inhibits the function of Mpro. In vitro, the efficacy of cordycepin was measured using Vero cells infected with SARS-CoV-2, which showed excellent inhibition with an IC50 value of 29 μM. Conclusively, the constituents of C. militaris are expected to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication through binding to Mpro. Therefore, C. militaris can be an important therapeutic for coronavirus through the synergistic effect of its constituents.
Towards elimination of HCV infection in undocumented migrants and low-income refugees: a prospective intervention study in Italy
Authors: Coppola Nicola , Alessio Loredana , De Pascalis Stefania , Macera Margherita , Caprio Giovanni Di , Messina Vincenzo , Onorato Lorenzo , Minichini Carmine , Stanzione Maria , Stornaiuolo Gianfranca , Starace Mario , Monari Caterina , Calò Federica , Sagnelli Caterina , Pisaturo Mariantonietta
Published: November 2023

Background: Migrants, mainly undocumented and low-income refugees, are at high risk of HCV infection, but are a difficult-to-reach and to-treat population. The aim of the study was to identify a elimination model for HCV infection in these undocumented migrants and low-income refugees living southern Italy.
Methods: a prospective, multicenter, collaborative study based on a four-phase-program (educational counseling, screening, linkage-to-care and treatment) was designed. After educational counseling on parenteral infections, anonymous HCV screening was offered to all undocumented imigrants and low-income refugees observed at one of the 1st level clinical centers. The HCV-RNA-positive subjects were referred to one of the 3rd level units of Infectious Diseases (ID) and treated with a 12-week course of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir and observed for 12 weeks after the end of DAA treatment.
Results: Of the 3,501 migrants observed in the study period, 3,417 (97.6%) agreed to be screened; 185 (4.7%) were anti-HCV-positive and, of these, 53 (28.6%) were HCV-RNA-positive. Of these 53 subjects, 48 (90.5%) were referred to an ID unit and started DAA treatment. Of these 48 subjects, 47 (97.9%) showed a sustained virological response and one dropped-out in follow-up after DAA treatment. No subject had any adverse event.
Conclusions: This model seems effective to eliminate HCV infection in a difficult-to-reach and to-treat population, such as undocumented migrants and low-income refugees
Influencing factors and burden of hospital-acquired infections among cancer patients
Authors: Huang Lihua , Ning Huacheng , Liu Xin-Chen , Wang Yongjie , Liu Qing , Li Huan
Published: November 2023

Background
To explore the influencing factors and evaluate the economic loss of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) in cancer patients so as to provide evidence for reasonable prevention policies and measures.
Methods
Patients who were discharged for the first time from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2022 were recruited. Data were obtained from the medical record system and the nosocomial infection surveillance system. Logistic regression model was adopted to analyze the influencing factors of HAIs. By using 1:1 case-control matching and Wilcoxon signed rank test, economic loss and length of hospital stay (LOS) caused by HAIs were estimated.
Results
A total of 45030 cancer patients were enrolled in this study, of which 457 suffered HAIs. Logistic regression analysis showed that older age, longer retention days of deep vein catheter, longer indwelling days of urinary catheter, diabetes mellitus, male, surgical operation, and myelosuppression were all independent risk factors for HAIs (odds ratios ranges from 1.01 to 10.68). The analysis of 256 matched pairs presented that the total hospitalization expenditure and self-paid expenditure of the HAI group (114.79, 51.56 thousand-yuan, respectively) were significantly higher than those of the non-HAI group (77.15, 34.68 thousand-yuan, respectively). Compared with non-HAI group, the LOS in HAI group was significantly longer by 8 days.
Conclusions
HAIs lead to the increase of direct economic burden and LOS in cancer patients. Cancer patients who are male, older age, administrated with invasive operations, with diabetes mellitus and myelosuppression are more susceptible to HAIs.
Measuring Eco-Emotions - A German version of questionnaires on eco-guilt, ecological grief, and eco-anxiety
Authors: Zeier Peter , Wessa Michèle
Published: November 2023

In the face of climate change, people experience a variety of emotions, e.g., guilt, grief, and anxiety. Although these emotions are generally considered unpleasant, they may play a key role in dealing with climate change by motivating pro-environmental behavior. In 2022, Ágoston et al. introduced three questionnaires to assess eco-guilt (EGuiQ-11), ecological grief (EGriQ-6), and eco-anxiety (EAQ-22). We translated and validated these questionnaires in a large German sample (N = 871). More specifically, the current study not only intended to replicate the factor structures of all three questionnaires, but also expand previous findings by investigating associations of eco-emotions with pro-environmental behavior intentions, climate policy support, climate anxiety, and psychological distress. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated the one-factor structure of the EGuiQ-11 and the two factors habitual ecological worry and negative consequences of eco-anxiety of the EAQ-22. The one-factor solution of the EGriQ-6, however, did not yield satisfactory model fit. Consequently, we suggest an item reduction of the EGriQ-6 to adequately assess ecological grief in German-speaking populations. All eco-emotions were positively associated with pro-environmental behavior intentions and environmental policy support, but also with levels of climate anxiety as well as general anxiety and depression. All in all, the translated questionnaires seem suitable measurements of eco-guilt, ecological grief, and eco-anxiety that capture the adaptive and maladaptive aspects of these emotions.
Osteoporosis and Cognitive impairment: a bibliometrics study and visualization analysis via CiteSpace
Authors: Jiang Jing , Xu Jingjuan , Wang Wenyan , Chen Xiaohang , wu Zhishui
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the research hotspots and trends in comorbidity studies of osteoporosis and cognitive impairment through literature visualization analysis and provide valuable insights for further applications and research in this field. Methods: Using the Web of Science database, relevant literature on co-morbidity studies of osteoporosis and cognitive impairment published until October 20, 2023, was retrieved. CiteSpace was employed to analyze the publication trends, countries, institutions, author collaborations, co-occurring keywords, and burst keywords in this research area. Results: A total of 917 relevant publications on co-morbidity studies of osteoporosis and cognitive impairment were included in the analysis. The research in this area is primarily concentrated in countries such as the United States, Italy, China, the United Kingdom, and Australia. High-impact authors include Julie A. Pasco and Sophia X. Sui. Cluster analysis revealed key topics such as hip fractures, bone density, cognitive impairment, breast cancer, and randomized trials. The top three burst keywords, ranked by burst strength, were quality of life, postmenopausal women, and hormone replacement therapy. Conclusion: The number of co-morbidity studies on osteoporosis and cognitive impairment has been steadily increasing in recent years. However, based on the results from CiteSpace, we recommend more active collaboration among countries, institutions, and authors to facilitate clinical and basic research. Current research focuses on exploring the correlation and epidemiological characteristics of osteoporosis and cognitive impairment. Developing simple, reliable early screening methods and effective early interventions may become the research hotspots for the management of co-morbidity between osteoporosis and cognitive impairment.
Environmental Effect on Optical Properties of Bromothymol Blue: Experimental and Simulation
Authors: Shoraka Maryam , Roknabadi Mahmood Rezaee , Shahtahmassebi Nasser , Sharifi Soheil
Published: November 2023

Effects of environmental properties on linear and nonlinear response of Bromothymol blue (BTB) were studied. The role of optical band gap and dielectric constant, as well as thermal conductivity on optical properties of BTB molecule and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with BTB complex were discussed using Z-scan instrument with 532 nm wavelength and 80 mW power, spectrophotometer and FT-IR spectra. The orders of nonlinear absorption coefficient, β, and nonlinear refractive index, n2, of BTB were obtained 10–12 cm2/W and 10− 7 cm/W, respectively. The reverse saturable absorption is the main factors in the appearance of β. It was observed, enhancement up to 5 time in dielectric constant of environment cause reduction of about 6 time in nonlinear absorption and about 2 time in nonlinear refraction coefficient of solution. Moreover, the complex of CTAB can reduce optical band gap of BTB by 0.7eV. Results of DFT calculations have performed, via B3LYP method and 6-311G(d,p) basis, show enhancement of dipole moment of BTB with increase of dielectric constant of environment.