bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Wind Energy Projects Potential in Pakistan: Challenges and Way Forward
Authors: Turi Jamshid Ali , Rosak-Szyrocka Joanna , Mansoor Maryam , Asif Hira , Nazir Ahad , Balsalobre-Lorente Daniel
Published: November 2022

Energy is the driver of the socioeconomic growth and development of a country. In the pursuit of available and affordable sources of energy, nations around the world have forgotten the sustainability angle and are facing an energy crisis. The developing world has initiated development plans in an unsustainable way, causing a demand–supply gap and leading to very high energy prices. Renewable energy gives us a solution to this circular crisis. The recent world has seen significant investment in renewables, particularly in the wind energy sector. The investment was initiated as a government spending program, but is now taken up by the private sector. The current study presents a thorough analysis of the prospects for wind energy and the means and measures required to fully capacitate the sector in Pakistan. In Pakistan’s three largest provinces, there is tremendous potential for wind energy, which requires proper utilization and exploration for sustained socioeconomic development. This study is based on the mixed-methods approach. In the first phase, content analysis was caried out using the systematic literature review (SLR) technique. Relevant content analysis was performed using the PRISMA diagram. A total of two hundred and thirty-nine (239) documents were scanned; however, only eighty-two (82) were included after the removal of duplications and irrelevant documents. Moreover, short interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs, and themes have been prescribed. The study found that commercially feasible wind energy potential is particularly abundant in Pakistan’s Sindh and Balochistan regions. The country’s diverse geography makes it ideal for wind turbine installations at various sites. The renewable energy policy should be revisited to incentivize the use of wind energy to ensure the nationally determined contributions (NDCs)’ commitments are assured to achieve sustainable development by 2030. Pakistan has seen rapid development in the wind energy sector with around 4 percent of electric power being generated through wind farms in just over 13 years. In order to exploit the potential, there is a need for significant public and private joint efforts.
Utilization of Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) in Modelling and Simulation of a Horizontal Well-Doublet Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) with Sensitivity Analysis of Key Production Parameters
Authors: Janiga Damian , Kwaśnik Jakub , Wojnarowski Paweł
Published: November 2022

Projects that feature unconventional geothermal systems are complex and come at great investment risk and high project cost. The purpose of this work is to present a method for modelling an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) that utilizes a horizontal well-doublet setup. The proposed wells’ positioning was to minimize one of the biggest cost factors: the flow rate. As a part of the research, a case study was conducted and a fully coupled EGS model prepared, based on the data from the Utah FORGE site. The model includes a discrete fracture network (DFN) that represents hydraulic fractures and a stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) for controlling the fractures’ properties. The model’s viability was checked by a series of reservoir simulations, which provided the results for sensitivity analysis of the production parameters. Analysis of the results was conducted based on the temperature decline over an EGS system lifetime, which is one of the primary indicators for EGS. The proposed solution allowed for effectively minimising the injection and production flow rate while maintaining reasonable temperature drawdown levels. It was proven that reservoir modelling and simulation tools, used in the oil and gas industry, can be successfully applied for modelling geothermal systems.
Polyoxometalates as Electrocatalysts for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Gusmão Filipe M. B. , Mladenović Dušan , Radinović Kristina , Santos Diogo M. F. , Šljukić Biljana
Published: November 2022

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are polyatomic ions with closed three-dimensional frameworks. Their unique structure contains a large number of redox active sites, making them promising electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy conversion and storage applications. Thus, this paper presents an overview of the use of POMs as electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, such as batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, or water electrolyzers. A discussion of the viability of these materials as alternatives to noble metal-based electrocatalysts is made. The current status of these materials to respond to the challenges of converting modern energy systems into more sustainable ones is also envisaged.
Drug Retention and Safety of Secukinumab in a Real-World Cohort of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis Patients
Authors: Moskal Mateusz , Krawiec Piotr , Zaręba Wojciech , Świerczek Izabella , Ratusznik Jakub , Raputa Wiktor , Zieliński Maciej , Batko Krzysztof , Huk Mikita , Batko Bogdan
Published: November 2022

Real-life data that support effectiveness of secukinumab (SEC), an interleukin 17A inhibitor, in Poland are few. We aimed to evaluate SEC effectiveness based on drug retention and safety measures reported in electronic medical records (EMRs) of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) from two tertiary-care centers in the region of Lesser Poland. A total one-hundred eighty seven (127 PsA and 60 AS) first (n = 112), second (n = 59) and third-line SEC users were enrolled. The mean (SD) age of the sample was 45.7 (12.9), and 48% were male. All patients were classified with active and severe disease prior to initiation. Administrative delays for SEC users last a median 2 weeks. Median delay from symptom onset to diagnosis was 4 years (IQR 8), and differed by predominant disease subtype. The inefficacy rate was 10.7% and 18.6% for first and second-line users with median (IQR) drug maintenance estimated at 1.22 years (1.46) and 1.51 (1.38), respectively. First-year drug loss defined as drug switch due to inefficacy or adverse event was rare, with median estimates of 0.91 (95% CI; 0.85, 0.97) and 0.86 (95% CI; 0.77, 0.95) for first and second-line, respectively.
Commentary: Zebrafish as a Model for Osteoporosis—An Approach to Accelerating Progress in Drug and Exercise-Based Treatment
Authors: Dubale Natnaiel M. , Kapron Carolyn M. , West Sarah L.
Published: November 2022

Osteoporosis (OP) is a degenerative disease characterized by reduced bone strength and increased fracture risk. As the global population continues to age, the prevalence and economic burden of osteoporosis can be expected to rise substantially, but there remain various gaps in the field of OP care. For instance, there is a lack of anti-fracture drugs with proven long-term efficacy. Likewise, though exercise remains widely recommended in OP prevention and management, data regarding the safety and efficacy for patients after vertebral fracture remain limited. This lack of evidence may be due to the cost and inherent difficulties associated with exercise-based OP research. Thus, the current research landscape highlights the need for novel research strategies that accelerate OP drug discovery and allow for the low-cost study of exercise interventions. Here, we outline an example of one strategy, the use of zebrafish, which has emerged as a potential model for the discovery of anti-osteoporosis therapeutics and study of exercise interventions. The strengths, limitations, and potential applications of zebrafish in OP research will be outlined.
Scrutinizing the Profile and Risk Factors of Suicide: A Perspective from a Case–Control Study Focused on a Northern Region of Spain
Authors: Sáenz-Aldea María , Zarrabeitia María T. , García Blanco Ana , Santurtún Ana
Published: November 2022

Suicide is a major public health problem the prevention of which has become a priority, and, to this end, knowledge of its risk factors is essential. This study aims to evaluate the impact of some social, medico-legal, and clinical issues on suicide deaths. A total of 135 cases were identified as suicides that occurred in a region of northern Spain between 2018 and 2020. Controls (three for each case) were matched by age, sex, and urban–rural areas. The information was collected retrospectively through electronic health record systems. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to study the association between individual risk factors and suicide. Being male (78.5%), between 40 and 60 years of age, unmarried (70.9%), and unemployed (85%) were associated with suicide deaths. Although the existence of a previous self-harm attempt is presented as the most robust risk factor (OR 22.121 [8.997–54.389]), the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis (OR 12.583 [7.686–20.601]) and cancer (OR 3.729 [1.845–7.536]) also showed a significant relationship with suicide (p < 0.05). Defining and knowing the risk factors for suicide helps to better understand the profiles of those individuals who are vulnerable, and enables prevention actions to be taken in both social and medical spheres.
Ecological Effects of VR-Based Cognitive Training on ADL and IADL in MCI and AD patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Son Changlae , Park Jin-Hyuck
Published: November 2022

Declines in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) performances due to cognitive impairments hinder mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients’ independent and safe daily lives. In order to prevent and treat this, several cognitive interventions have been implemented, but their ecological validity was not ensured due to that their contents are far from real life. Virtual reality (VR) can resemble real life with immersive stimuli, but there have been few studies confirming its ecological effects on ADL and IADL. Therefore, this study conducted a meta-analysis of VR-based cognitive training to investigate its ecological effects on ADL and IADL in MCI and AD patients. From February 2012 to February 2022, a search was conducted for articles published in PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, and Web of Science. Quality assessment was assessed by the PEDro scale, and the Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess risk of bias. Publication bias was assessed by Egger’s regression. Five studies that met inclusion criteria were included in this study. The VR-based cognitive training showed significant effects on ADL and IADL in both MCI and AD patients. When comparing effects in each group, both MCI and AD patients showed significant effects on ADL and IADL, but MCI patients showed lower effects on ADL and IADL than AD patients. The results indicated that VR-based cognitive training would be beneficial to improve ADL and IADL in MCI and AD patients, suggesting that VR-based cognitive training is ecologically valid.
Early Detection of Refractive Errors by Photorefraction at School Age
Authors: Alvarez Marta , Benedi-Garcia Clara , Concepcion-Grande Pablo , Dotor Paulina , Gonzalez Amelia , Chamorro Eva , Cleva Jose Miguel
Published: November 2022

Early detection and treatment of refractive defects during school age are essential to avoid irreversible future vision loss and potential school problems. Previously, vision screening of preschool children used methods based on subjective visual acuity; however, technologies such as photorefraction have promoted the detection of refractive errors quickly and easily. In this study, 1347 children from 10 schools in Madrid aged 4 to 12 years participated in a program of early detection of visual problems, which consisted of visual screening composed of anamnesis and photorefraction with a PlusOptix A12R. The prevalence of refractive errors was analyzed in terms of spherical equivalent, cylinder and its orientation, and potential cases of development of high myopia or amblyopia. Hyperopia predominates in the early years, but the number of myopic subjects is higher than that of hyperopic subjects from the age of ten onwards. At all ages, the predominant orientation of astigmatism was with-the-rule. On average, 80% of the myopic subjects were uncorrected. Potential high myopia increased with age, from 4 to 21% of the measured population. Potential amblyopia cases decreased across age groups, from 19 to 13.7%. There is a need to raise awareness of the importance of vision screening at school age to address vision problems.
Two Epitope Regions Revealed in the Complex of IL-17A and Anti-IL-17A VHH Domain
Authors: Kostareva Olga , Svoeglazova Arina , Kolyadenko Ilya , Nikulin Alexey , Evdokimov Stanislav , Dzhus Uliana , Gabdulkhakov Azat , Tishchenko Svetlana
Published: November 2022

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a cytokine produced by the Th17 cells. It is involved in chronic inflammation in patients with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. The antibodies targeting IL-17 and/or IL-17R are therapy tools for these diseases. Netakimab is an IL-17A-specific antibody containing a Lama glama VHH derivative domain and a VL variable domain. We have determined the crystal structure of the IL-17A-specific VHH domain in complex with IL-17A at 2.85 Å resolution. Certain amino acid residues of the three complementary-determining regions of the VHH domain form a network of solvent-inaccessible hydrogen bonds with two epitope regions of IL-17A. The β-turn of IL-17A, which forms the so-called epitope-1, appears to be the main region of IL-17A interaction with the antibody. Contacts formed by the IL-17A mobile C-terminal region residues (epitope-2) further stabilize the antibody–antigen complex.
What Exactly Is Inflammation (and What Is It Not?)
Authors: Oronsky Bryan , Caroen Scott , Reid Tony
Published: November 2022

In medicine, inflammation is a fuzzy, overused word first coined by the Romans, the intended meaning and precise definition of which varies according to the person and the clinical context. It tends to carry a negative connotation as a response gone awry, like a raging, out-of-control wildfire that requires immediate control and containment lest it destroy all in its path; however, frequently overlooked or lost in the shuffle is the primordial importance of inflammation to health and survival. The precise definition of inflammation matters for several reasons, not least because of the over-liberal use of anti-inflammatory drugs to inhibit inflammation, which may, contrary to prevailing dogma that all inflammation is harmful, act counterproductively to prevent restitutio ad integrum. Using fire as a central analogy, this overview attempts to define inflammation, the better to determine how to manage it, i.e., whether to fan its flames, let it burn out, or suppress it entirely.
Cloning and Characterization of Two Novel PR4 Genes from Picea asperata
Authors: Zhao Weidong , Liu Lijuan , Li Chengsong , Yang Chunlin , Li Shujiang , Han Shan , Lin Tiantian , Liu Yinggao
Published: November 2022

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins are important in plant pathogenic resistance and comprise 17 families, including the PR4 family, with antifungal and anti-pathogenic functions. PR4 proteins contain a C-terminal Barwin domain and are divided into Classes I and II based on the presence of an N-terminal chitin-binding domain (CBD). This study is the first to isolate two PR4 genes, PaPR4-a and PaPR4-b, from Picea asperata, encoding PaPR4-a and PaPR4-b, respectively. Sequence analyses suggested that they were Class II proteins, owing to the presence of an N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal Barwin domain, but no CBD. Tertiary structure analyses using the Barwin-like protein of papaya as a template revealed structural similarity, and therefore, functional similarity between the proteins. Predictive results revealed an N-terminal transmembrane domain, and subcellular localization studies confirmed its location on cell membrane and nuclei. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) demonstrated that PaPR4-a and PaPR4-b expression levels were upregulated following infection with Lophodermium piceae. Additionally, PaPR4-a and PaPR4-b were induced in Escherichia coli, where the recombinant proteins existed in inclusion bodies. The renatured purified proteins showed antifungal activity. Furthermore, transgenic tobacco overexpressing PaPR4-a and PaPR4-b exhibited improved resistance to fungal infection. The study can provide a basis for further molecular mechanistic insights into PR4-induced defense responses.
Methyl P-Coumarate Ameliorates the Inflammatory Response in Activated-Airway Epithelial Cells and Mice with Allergic Asthma
Authors: Park Ji-Won , Choi Jinseon , Lee Juhyun , Park Jin-Mi , Kim Seong-Man , Min Jae-Hong , Seo Da-Yun , Goo Soo-Hyeon , Kim Ju-Hee , Kwon Ok-Kyoung , Lee Kihoon , Ahn Kyung-Seop , Oh Sei-Ryang , Lee Jae-Won
Published: November 2022

Methyl p-coumarate (methyl p-hydroxycinnamate) (MH) is a natural compound found in a variety of plants. In the present study, we evaluated the ameliorative effects of MH on airway inflammation in an experimental model of allergic asthma (AA). In this in vitro study, MH was found to exert anti-inflammatory activity on PMA-stimulated A549 airway epithelial cells by suppressing the secretion of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and ICAM-1. In addition, MH exerted an inhibitory effect not only on NF-κB (p-NF-κB and p-IκB) and AP-1 (p-c-Fos and p-c-Jun) activation but also on A549 cell and EOL-1 cell (eosinophil cell lines) adhesion. In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, MH had an inhibitory effect on TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1. The results from in vivo study revealed that the increases in eosinophils/Th2 cytokines/MCP-1 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and IgE in the serum of OVA-induced mice with AA were effectively inhibited by MH administration. MH also exerted a reductive effect on the immune cell influx, mucus secretion, and iNOS/COX-2 expression in the lungs of mice with AA. The effects of MH were accompanied by the inactivation of NF-κB. Collectively, the findings of the present study indicated that MH attenuates airway inflammation in mice with AA, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant in asthma therapy.
Response Mechanism of Farmers’ Livelihood Capital to the Compensation for Rural Homestead Withdrawal—Empirical Evidence from Xuzhou City, China
Authors: Qi Weiyan , Li Zhemin , Yin Changbin
Published: November 2022

The Chinese government has implemented a homestead withdrawal policy to improve the efficiency of rural construction land use. The compensation for rural homestead withdrawal (CRHW) is crucial to the reconstruction and sustainable development of farmers’ livelihoods. This paper analyzed the response mechanisms of farmers’ livelihoods to the CRHW with the combined application of the logistic regression, the mediation effect model, and the moderating effect model. The results indicated that CRHW had a significant positive impact on the sustainable livelihoods of rural households, mainly by improving the physical capital and social capital. In addition, adaptability and livelihood diversity played intermediary and regulatory roles in the positive impacts of the CRHW on sustainable livelihoods, respectively. The conclusions may provide insight into the demand for more reasonable compensation policies to ensure the sustainability of farmers’ livelihoods.
Flow-Induced Dynamic Behavior of Head-Cover Bolts in a Prototype Pump-Turbine during Load Rejection
Authors: Zhao Weiqiang , Huang Xingxing , Yang Mengqi , Yang Haixia , Bi Huili , He Qilian , Wang Zhengwei
Published: November 2022

In order to ensure stable grid operatiFon and improve power quality, active or passive load rejection of pumped storage power stations (PSPS) inevitably occurs from time to time. The rapid closing of the guide vanes will cause drastic changes in pressure pulsations in the flow channel of the pump-turbine (PT) unit. The high-level pressure pulsations during load rejection transfer to the entire flow passage of the PT unit and generate strong vibrations on the head-cover and the connecting bolts. In this study, the 1D/3D joint simulation of the pipeline in a pumped storage power station and the turbine flow channels including the flow domains of the runner, crown chamber, band chamber, upper and lower labyrinths and pressure balance tubes is carried out first. Then, by applying the calculated pressure loads on the head-cover, stay vanes and bottom ring of the PT unit, the flow-induced dynamic behavior of the structures including the head-cover bolts is analyzed in detail. The results demonstrate that pressure loads on head-cover bolts change dramatically during the load rejection process. The flow-induced deformation of the inner head-cover during the load rejection is larger than that of other structures, and the flow-induced displacement and stress of different head-cover bolts are not uniform. The achieved conclusions in this study can be a useful reference for the design and operation of head-cover bolts for other PT units and high-head Francis turbine units.
Consistency of Approximation of Bernstein Polynomial-Based Direct Methods for Optimal Control
Authors: Cichella Venanzio , Kaminer Isaac , Walton Claire , Hovakimyan Naira , Pascoal António
Published: November 2022

Bernstein polynomial approximation of continuous function has a slower rate of convergence compared to other approximation methods. “The fact seems to have precluded any numerical application of Bernstein polynomials from having been made. Perhaps they will find application when the properties of the approximant in the large are of more importance than the closeness of the approximation.”—remarked P.J. Davis in his 1963 book, Interpolation and Approximation. This paper presents a direct approximation method for nonlinear optimal control problems with mixed input and state constraints based on Bernstein polynomial approximation. We provide a rigorous analysis showing that the proposed method yields consistent approximations of time-continuous optimal control problems and can be used for costate estimation of the optimal control problems. This result leads to the formulation of the Covector Mapping Theorem for Bernstein polynomial approximation. Finally, we explore the numerical and geometric properties of Bernstein polynomials, and illustrate the advantages of the proposed approximation method through several numerical examples.
Longitudinal Trajectories of Alcohol Consumption with All-Cause Mortality, Hypertension, and Blood Pressure Change: Results from CHNS Cohort, 1993–2015
Authors: Qiu Weida , Cai Anping , Li Liwen , Feng Yingqing
Published: November 2022

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a J-shaped association of alcohol consumption with all-cause mortality and hypertension, but the majority of these studies focus on a single measurement of alcohol intake and were conducted in a Western population. Whether long-term trajectories of alcohol consumption are associated with all-cause mortality, hypertension, and a change in blood pressure remains to be elucidated. Methods: In the large, population-based China Health and Nutrition Survey cohort from between 1993 and 2015, group-based trajectory modeling was conducted to identify distinct alcohol-consumption trajectory classes. We investigated their association with all-cause mortality and hypertension using Cox regression and binary logistics regression models. A restricted cubic spline was performed to determine the nonlinear relationships of mean alcohol intake with mortality and hypertension. Multivariate-adjusted generalized linear mixed-effects models were conducted to assess the change in blood pressure among alcohol-consumption trajectory classes. Results: Among the 5298 participants, 48.4% were women and the mean age was 62.6 years. After 22 years of follow-up, 568 (10.7%) of the participants died and 1284 (24.2%) developed hypertension. Long-term light and moderate drinkers had a lower risk of death than the non-drinkers, and a restricted cubic spline showed a J-shaped relationship between mean alcohol intake and mortality. Although blood pressure increased slower in light and moderate drinkers, a reduced risk of hypertension was only observed in the former. The long-term heavy drinkers had the highest blood pressure and death rate. Conclusions: Light alcohol intake might be protective even in the long run, while heavy drinking reversed the beneficial effect. The causality of such a connection needs to be further investigated.
First Report of Acanthocheilonema reconditum Outbreak in Canines with Clinical Signs of Anemia from Southwestern Colombia
Authors: Espinosa Nathaly , Rosero Angelo , Villegas Claudia Lucia , Garcia Isabel Cristina , Gaviria-Cantin Tania , Nieto Alejandra Peña , Ferro Beatriz E. , Nieto Ramirez Luisa Maria
Published: November 2022

Different nematodes affect canines, however Acanthocheilonema reconditum was considered mostly a non-pathogenic parasite. Climate change, animal migration, and other factors transformed the dynamics of vector-borne diseases, including filariasis. Since 2016, a sudden increase in the number of dogs with microfilaremia was reported by different veterinary centers in Cali, southwest Colombia. The objective of this study was to molecularly identify the etiologic agent of this filariasis outbreak detected in this city, using PCR–RFLP and evaluating dogs’ clinical signs. From 2018–2019, canine filariasis cases were prospectively evaluated after a microscopic test, recruiting 82 cases and 43 healthy controls from 2971 samples. Acanthocheilonema reconditum (Nematoda, Onchocercidae) was identified in 61.3% of the cases (49/82) by PCR–RFLP. Sanger sequencing of the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene and internal transcribed spacer-2 fragment was additionally performed on seven cases, confirming A. reconditum in all of them. The filariasis cases are statistically associated with male dogs who have clinical signs of anemia, low levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit (p < 0.0001), and high levels of plasma proteins (p < 0.001). This emerging canine disease constitutes an important public health concern among veterinarians and active surveillance is advised to explore its zoonotic potential.
TGF-β Inhibitors for Therapeutic Management of Kidney Fibrosis
Authors: Park Cheol Ho , Yoo Tae-Hyun
Published: November 2022

Kidney fibrosis is a common pathophysiological mechanism of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression caused by several underlying kidney diseases. Among various contributors to kidney fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is the major factor driving fibrosis. TGF-β1 exerts its profibrotic attributes via the activation of canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways, which induce proliferation and activation of myofibroblasts and subsequent accumulation of extracellular matrix. Over the past few decades, studies have determined the TGF-β1 signaling pathway inhibitors and evaluated whether they could ameliorate the progression of CKD by hindering kidney fibrosis. However, therapeutic strategies that block TGF-β1 signaling have usually demonstrated unsatisfactory results. Herein, we discuss the therapeutic concepts of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway and its inhibitors and review the current state of the art regarding regarding TGF-β1 inhibitors in CKD management.
Podcasts as a Method to Deliver Education on Stigma Surrounding Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Kissell Logan M. , Coley Kim C. , Khieu Alyssa S. , Bunk Elizabeth J. , Herbert Sophia M. C. , Carroll Joni C.
Published: November 2022

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a podcast miniseries to reduce stigma surrounding opioid use disorder (OUD) among student pharmacists. Students in their second and third professional years from two schools of pharmacy listened to five, 10–23 min podcasts incorporated into their coursework. The podcasts highlighted: (1) interviews with OUD professionals and those with lived experiences; (2) types of stigma and how it affects health outcomes; (3) OUD disease state processes, and (4) harm reduction strategies. Surveys assessed changes in perception of OUD and its associated stigma and included free-response and Likert scale questions. Subjects (n = 121) who completed a pre- and post-podcast survey were included. Paired t-tests assessed changes in survey responses from baseline and a content analysis was performed on all free-responses. There was a statistically significant change from baseline for each survey question, demonstrating a decrease in stigma towards OUD. Free-responses were categorized into four learning domains: (1) Impact of stigma on access to care; (2) Compassion and empathy; (3) Resources and support; and (4) Call to action. Podcasts can be an effective tool to reduce student pharmacist stigma associated with OUD.
Smooth Complete Coverage Trajectory Planning Algorithm for a Nonholonomic Robot
Authors: Šelek Ana , Seder Marija , Brezak Mišel , Petrović Ivan
Published: November 2022

The complete coverage path planning is a process of finding a path which ensures that a mobile robot completely covers the entire environment while following the planned path. In this paper, we propose a complete coverage path planning algorithm that generates smooth complete coverage paths based on clothoids that allow a nonholonomic mobile robot to move in optimal time while following the path. This algorithm greatly reduces coverage time, the path length, and overlap area, and increases the coverage rate compared to the state-of-the-art complete coverage algorithms, which is verified by simulation. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm is suitable for real-time operation due to its computational simplicity and allows path replanning in case the robot encounters unknown obstacles. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is validated by experimental results on the Pioneer 3DX mobile robot.
A Single Image Deep Learning Approach to Restoration of Corrupted Landsat-7 Satellite Images
Authors: Petrovskaia Anna , Jana Raghavendra , Oseledets Ivan
Published: November 2022

Remote sensing is increasingly recognized as a convenient tool with a wide variety of uses in agriculture. Landsat-7 has supplied multi-spectral imagery of the Earth’s surface for more than 4 years and has become an important data source for a large number of research and policy-making initiatives. Unfortunately, a scan line corrector (SLC) on Landsat-7 broke down in May 2003, which caused the loss of up to 22 percent of any given scene. We present a single-image approach based on leveraging the abilities of the deep image prior method to fill in gaps using only the corrupt image. We test the ability of deep image prior to reconstruct remote sensing scenes with different levels of corruption in them. Additionally, we compare the performance of our approach with the performance of classical single-image gap-filling methods. We demonstrate a quantitative advantage of the proposed approach compared with classical gap-filling methods. The lowest-performing restoration made by the deep image prior approach reaches 0.812 in r2, while the best value for the classical approaches is 0.685. We also present the robustness of deep image prior in comparing the influence of the number of corrupted pixels on the restoration results. The usage of this approach could expand the possibilities for a wide variety of agricultural studies and applications.
Analysis of Physiological Responses during Pain Induction
Authors: Sebastião Raquel , Bento Ana , Brás Susana
Published: November 2022

Pain is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction of multiple neuroanatomic and neurochemical systems with several cognitive and affective processes. Nowadays, the assessment of pain intensity still relies on the use of self-reports. However, recent research has shown a connection between the perception of pain and exacerbated stress response in the Autonomic Nervous System. As a result, there has been an increasing analysis of the use of autonomic reactivity with the objective to assess pain. In the present study, the methods include pre-processing, feature extraction, and feature analysis. For the purpose of understanding and characterizing physiological responses of pain, different physiological signals were, simultaneously, recorded while a pain-inducing protocol was performed. The obtained results, for the electrocardiogram (ECG), showed a statistically significant increase in the heart rate, during the painful period compared to non-painful periods. Additionally, heart rate variability features demonstrated a decrease in the Parasympathetic Nervous System influence. The features from the electromyogram (EMG) showed an increase in power and contraction force of the muscle during the pain induction task. Lastly, the electrodermal activity (EDA) showed an adjustment of the sudomotor activity, implying an increase in the Sympathetic Nervous System activity during the experience of pain.
Analysis of a Capacitive Sensing Circuit and Sensitive Structure Based on a Low-Temperature-Drift Planar Transformer
Authors: Sui Yanlin , Yu Tao , Wang Longqi , Wang Zhi , Xue Ke , Chen Yuzhu , Liu Xin , Chen Yongkun
Published: November 2022

In space gravitational-wave-detection missions, inertial sensors are used as the core loads, and their acceleration noise needs to reach 3×10−15 ms−2/Hz at a frequency of 0.1 mHz, which corresponds to the capacitive sensing system; the capacitive sensing noise on the sensitive axis needs to reach 1 aF/Hz. Unlike traditional circuit noise evaluation, the noise in the mHz frequency band is dominated by the thermal noise and the 1/f noise of the device, which is a challenging technical goal. In this paper, a low-frequency, high-precision resonant capacitor bridge method based on a planar transformer is used. Compared with the traditional winding transformer, the developed planar transformer has the advantages of low temperature drift and low 1/f noise. For closed-loop measurements of capacitive sensing circuits and sensitive structures, the minimum capacitive resolution in the time domain is about 3 aF, which is far lower than the scientific measurement resolution requirement of 5.8 fF for gravitational wave detection. The capacitive sensing noise is converted to 1.095 aF/Hz in the frequency band of 10 mHz–1 Hz. Although there is a gap between the closed-loop measurement results and the final index, the measurement environment is an experimental condition without temperature control on the ground; additionally, in China, the measurement integrity and actual measurement results of the capacitive sensing function have reached a domestic leading level. This is the realization of China’s future space gravitational wave exploration.
Application of Magnesium Oxide for Metal Removal in Mine Water Treatment
Authors: Navarro Andrés , Martínez da Matta María Izabel
Published: November 2022

In this study low-grade magnesium oxide (MgO) produced by calcinations of natural magnesite was used in mine water treatment using a laboratory-column device. The treatment of mine water from the abandoned Osor mine (NE Spain) with MgO showed the removal of metals from both mine water and tailing leachates. The PHREEQC numerical code and the Geochemist’s Workbench code (GWB) were used to evaluate the speciation of dissolved constituents and calculate the saturation state of the effluents. The analysis of the treated mine water showed the removal of As (from 1.59 to 0.31 μg/L), Cd (from 1.98 to <0.05 μg/L), Co (from 19.1 to <0.03 μg/L), F (from 2730 to 200 μg/L), Mn (from 841 to 0.6 μg/L), Ni (from 17.9 to <2 μg/L, U (from 9.16 to 0.08 μg/L), and Zn (from 2900 to 68.5 μg/L). Pb was also removed (from 98 to 35.2 μg/L) in the treatment of contaminated leachates from the mine waste. The mixing of MgO and water at room temperature may promote the formation of a stabilizing agent composed of hydroxides, carbonates, and magnesium-silicate-hydrates (MSH), which may remove Cd, Zn, and similar metals by sorption on MSH, substitution on the MSH lattice, and precipitation or co-precipitation with some of the hydrated phases.
Understanding EU Fisheries Management Dynamics by Engaging Stakeholders through Online Group Model-Building
Authors: Gercek Erda , Gambino Monica , Malvarosa Loretta
Published: November 2022

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has a challenging mandate to find the right policy mix to simultaneously achieve all three aspects of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental. But development and implementation of an effective and sustainable fisheries management policy has been a challenge all over the world. The evidence of this failure is found in the continuous decline in fish stocks. Faced with the difficulty in fulfilling this mandate, the European Commission has increasingly been embracing fisheries stakeholders’ involvement. Stakeholder involvement in policy development and implementation is important because it tries to bring the relevant interested parties together, understanding and paying attention to what is important to each and every stakeholder, identifying the individual and common issues. This process in turn can foster connections, trust, confidence, and buy-in, and commitment for the implementation of the policy. This research describes a group model-building (GMB) approach using system dynamic methodology as a participatory model building tool, enabling stakeholders to become deeply involved in the identification and modelling of the complex issues faced by the EU fisheries. Given the geographical diversity of the stakeholders, GMB was applied online, both synchronously and asynchronously, providing participants time to carefully reflect on key variables, their relationships, and the behaviour of the overall system. The study demonstrated the need and relevance of an adequate engagement of the stakeholders, with online stakeholder consultation proving an effective method of engagement. Hence, the study is very relevant for both scientists and managers. The GMB process meant the final model evolved significantly from the initial one offered, which pointed to active involvement in and progressive learning from the modelling process itself, as the methodology argues. Two quantitative stock-flow models using actual numbers were built not only to aid the GMB process but to depict how all three aspects of sustainability could actually be met with the right set of policies that consider feedback loops and inherent trade-offs.
A New Biotin Labeling and High-Molecular-Weight RNA Northern Method and Its Application in Viral RNA Detection
Authors: Zhang Xi , Zhang Qingling , Cheng Long , Liu Dan , Wang Hongzheng , Zhou Yingjia , Ma Liqun , Wang Jubin , Li Feng
Published: November 2022

Viruses cause severe crop losses. Studying the interaction between viruses and plants is very important for development of control measures. Northern blot is a well-accepted but very challenging technique to monitor the infection of viruses. Here, we modified the high-molecular-weight (hmw)RNA Northern blot experiment process, utilizing vertical electrophoresis to separate the RNA with denatured agarose gel. This protocol is compatible with regular equipment for Western blots and small RNA Northern blots and requires less input of total RNA. A new method to label the probe with biotin was also developed, which requires commonly used T4 DNA polymerase and detects viral RNA with high sensitivity. These new protocols made hmwRNA Northern blot cost-effective and easy-to-operate, very suitable for studying virus–host interactions.
CXCL12 and CXCL13 Cytokine Serum Levels Are Associated with the Magnitude and the Quality of SARS-CoV-2 Humoral Responses
Authors: Noto Alessandra , Joo Victor , Mancarella Antonio , Suffiotti Madeleine , Pellaton Celine , Fenwick Craig , Perreau Matthieu , Pantaleo Giuseppe
Published: November 2022

A better understanding of the immunological markers associated with long-lasting immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection is of paramount importance. In the present study, we characterized SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral responses in hospitalized (ICU and non-ICU) and non-hospitalized individuals at six months post-onset of symptoms (POS) (N = 95). We showed that the proportion of individuals with detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG or neutralizing (NAb) responses and the titers of antibodies were significantly reduced in non-hospitalized individuals, compared to ICU- or non-ICU-hospitalized individuals at 6 months POS. Interestingly, SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells persist at 6 months POS in both ICU and non-ICU patients and were enriched in cells harboring an activated and/or exhausted phenotype. The frequency/phenotype of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells and the magnitude of IgG or NAb responses at 6 months POS correlated with the serum immune signature detected at patient admission. In particular, the serum levels of CXCL13, IL-1RA, and G-CSF directly correlated with the frequency of Spike-specific B cells and the magnitude of Spike-specific IgG or NAb, while the serum levels of CXCL12 showed an antagonizing effect. Our results indicate that the balance between CXCL12 and CXCL13 is an early marker associated with the magnitude and the quality of the SARS-CoV-2 humoral memory.
Transcriptomic Analysis of the Acute Skeletal Muscle Effects after Intramuscular DNA Electroporation Reveals Inflammatory Signaling
Authors: Sales Conniff Amanda , Tur Jared , Kohena Kristopher , Zhang Min , Gibbons Justin , Heller Loree
Published: November 2022

Skeletal muscle is a promising tissue for therapeutic gene delivery because it is highly vascularized, accessible, and capable of synthesizing protein for therapies or vaccines. The application of electric pulses (electroporation) enhances plasmid DNA delivery and expression by increasing membrane permeability. Four hours after plasmid electroporation, we evaluated acute gene and protein expression changes in mouse skeletal muscle to identify regulated genes and genetic pathways. RNA sequencing followed by functional annotation was used to evaluate differentially expressed mRNAs. Our data highlighted immune signaling pathways that may influence the effectiveness of DNA electroporation. Cytokine and chemokine protein levels in muscle lysates revealed the upregulation of a subset of inflammatory proteins and confirmed the RNA sequencing analysis. Several regulated DNA-specific pattern recognition receptor mRNAs were also detected. Identifying unique molecular changes in the muscle will facilitate a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and the development of safety biomarkers and novel strategies to improve skeletal muscle targeted gene therapy.
Quality Assessment of Groundwater Based on Geochemical Modelling and Water Quality Index (WQI)
Authors: Arifullah  , Changsheng Huang , Akram Waseem , Rashid Abdur , Ullah Zahid , Shah Muddaser , Alrefaei Abdulwahed Fahad , Kamel Mohamed , Aleya Lotfi , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M.
Published: November 2022

Potable groundwater contamination through arsenic (As) is a common environmental problem in many developing countries, including Pakistan, with significant human health risk reports. The current research was conducted in District Nankana Sahib, which is a major industrial site in Punjab, Pakistan. According to the Punjab Directorate of Industries in Pakistan, there are more than a thousand industries in this area. These industries produce a lot of waste and effluent, which contaminate the environment with harmful and toxic materials. Continuous irrigation with industrial effluent and sewage sludge may make groundwater sources vulnerable. Therefore, this research was aimed as assessing the hydrochemical profile of groundwater concerning As contamination in the study area using sixty-seven groundwater samples. Multivariate statistical analysis, graphical plots, geochemical modeling, and the water quality index (WQI) were applied to investigate the hydrochemistry of the research area. The outcomes of the WQI revealed that 43% of the samples were of poor quality and not fit for human consumption. About 28% of the groundwater samples showed high arsenic contamination beyond the permitted limit of the World Health Organization (WHO). The piper plot identified three distinct types of water in the research area: calcium, chloride, and calcium-chloride types. The Gibbs diagram illustrated that rock–water interaction influenced the hydrochemistry. Terrigenous sedimentary rocks, such as stream deposits, flood plain deposits, and detrital sedimentary rocks, among other types of sedimentary rocks covered most part the study area. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) indicated that the arsenic in groundwater exhibited a significant positive correlation for pH, Fe and As. Health risk assessments indicated a hazard quotient (HQ) greater than 1, indicating a 28% contribution showing that groundwater ingestion is highly toxic to the local habitats. The results of this study further help in managing future sustainable groundwater management approaches in the Nankana District, Punjab, Pakistan.
ANÁLISE ESPACIAL DA EVOLUÇÃO DA DISTRIBUIÇÃO DA COVID-19 NA MICRORREGIÃO DE BARBACENA-MG
Authors: Figueiroa Carlos Frederico Baumgratz , Dias Natália Oliveira , Marques Ricardo Tayarol
Published: November 2022

As Geotecnologias possibilitam análises espaciais permitindo realizar variadas leituras de um determinado problema. No caso da pandemia da Covid-19 no Brasil e no mundo, tais ferramentas vem auxiliando em tomadas de decisões. No campo das geotecnologias é possível realizar análises espaciais que ajudam na compreensão da complexidade da doença, associando a outras variáveis espaciais que podem agravar o a contaminação, além de avaliar tendências futuras. O estudo teve como objetivo mapear e analisar a evolução da distribuição espacial dos casos de Covid-19 nos municípios pertencentes a microrregião de Barbacena, no Campo das Vertentes de Minas Gerais. Foi conduzido por meio de análises bibliográficas e documentais, por meio de análises dos boletins epidemiológicos do estado desde o primeiro caso, e empregadas as geotecnologias e técnicas de geoprocessamento para espacializar as informações e entender a dispersão da doença. Como resultado, constituiu em entender a evolução espacial da doença na microrregião de Barbacena, e compreender fatores que podem explicar o avanço da doença, como a existências de estradas importantes cortando a região, por Barbacena ser o maior município da microrregião e dispor de maiores recursos hospitalares, o que pode explicar a quantidade de casos. Com relação às geotecnologias, provaram-se alternativas eficientes para dimensionar a progressão da Covid-19, pois são ferramentas de colaboração para tomadas de decisão, já que possibilita a análises de diversas variáveis voltadas para um mesmo assunto, possibilitando uma leitura mais assertiva das características municipais, e permite nortear melhor as ações dos órgãos responsáveis.
FOGUEIRAS DA PRÉ-HISTÓRIA NO VALE DO RIO TAQUARAÇU
Authors: Vieira da Silva Leandro
Published: November 2022

A aplicação da micromorfologia na análise de sedimentos pode revelar características importantes em matrizes de natureza arqueossedimentar. Tais formações podem ser genericamente classificadas conforme a sua origem predominante em: depósitos geogênicos, biogênicos ou antropogênicos. Este trabalho visa demonstrar os resultados da composição da matriz arqueossedimentar da Lapa do Niáctor por meio da micromorfologia, sob a luz de três hipóteses para sua gênese: 1- sedimentos aluviais do vale do rio Taquaraçu, 2-regolitos e/ou colúvios ou 3-por resíduos deixados pelos antigos ocupantes, que freqüentaram o abrigo entre 11.000 a 9.000 anos atrás (datações calibradas). E assim, analisando as imagens das lâminas, os resultados indicaram que a matriz foi formada predominantemente por cinzas de fogueiras intercaladas por pequenas lentes de terra queimada, indicando que as populações paleoamericanas em Minas Gerais possuíam amplo manejo do fogo.