bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dominance of Attention Focus and Its Electroencephalogram Activity in Standing Postural Control in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Sawai Shun , Fujikawa Shoya , Murata Shin , Abiko Teppei , Nakano Hideki
Published: April 2022

Attention focus changes performance, and external focus (EF) improves performance compared to internal focus (IF). However, recently, the dominance of attention focus, rather than the effectiveness of unilateral EF, has been examined. Although the positive effects of EF on standing postural control have been reported, the dominance of attention focus has not yet been examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the dominance of attention focus and its neural mechanism in standing postural control using electroencephalography (EEG). A standing postural control task under IF and EF conditions was performed on healthy young men. Gravity center sway and cortical activity simultaneously using a stabilometer and an EEG were measured. Participants were classified into IF-dominant and EF-dominant groups according to their index of postural stability. The EEG was analyzed, and cortical activity in the theta-wave band was compared between the IF-dominant and EF-dominant groups. Significant neural activity was observed in the left parietal lobe of the IF-dominant group in the IF condition, and in the left frontal lobe of the EF-dominant group in the EF condition (p < 0.05). Differences in EEG activity between IF-dominant and EF-dominant groups, in standing postural control, were detected. This contributes to the development of training methods that consider attentional focus dominance in postural control.
Study on the Flexural Strength of Interior Thick Wall-Thick Slab Joints Subjected to Lateral Force Using Finite-Element Analysis
Authors: Wang Jiehui , Kusunoki Koichi
Published: April 2022

A brand-new structural type, termed thick wall-thick slab structure, has been developed in recent years based on the reinforced concrete wall structure in Japan. This type of structural system can not only maintain high seismic performance, but also provide large interior space and improve the flexibility of the architectural design that is more favored by architects. In the present study, an equivalent cross-sectional area concept in which a coefficient termed the equivalent cross-sectional area ratio is proposed to estimate the flexural strength of the horizontal member of the interior wall-slab joints, which are critical assemblies in the thick wall-thick slab structures. To capture the stress condition of slab flexural reinforcement for calculating the equivalent cross-sectional area ratio, the method of finite-element analysis was employed in this work. The finite-element modeling was calibrated firstly using two isolated interior wall-slab joints from literature and consequently applied to a parametric numerical study. Finally, results from these finite-element analyses are adopted to propose the equivalent cross-sectional area ratio for modifying the current code formula to predict the flexural strength of interior wall-slab joints in TWTS structures subjected to lateral force.
Incentive Mechanism of Construction Safety from the Perspective of Mutual Benefit
Authors: Liu Jun , Wang Xinhua , Nie Xiao , Lu Rongwu
Published: April 2022

Improving the level of construction safety is an important task for stakeholders. How to balance the interests and reduce the conflicts between stakeholders has become the key factor in reducing accidents. To design incentive mechanisms that can not only improve the level of construction safety but also make the construction enterprise and construction workers mutually beneficial, differential game models under different incentive mechanisms are constructed. The study found that the greater the impact of construction workers’ safety efforts on the safety reward and punishment, the higher the level of construction safety. However, when construction workers’ efforts have too much impact on the reward and punishment, it is not conducive to the improvement of the income of the construction enterprise. The smaller the proportion of income allocated to the construction enterprise, the higher the level of construction safety. However, when the proportion of income obtained by the construction enterprise is too low, it is not conducive to the improvement of the income of the construction enterprise. The safety reward and punishment mechanism and the income sharing mechanism that meet specific conditions can make the construction enterprise and construction workers mutually beneficial. In addition, the level of construction safety and the income of the construction enterprise and construction workers under the combination mechanism composed of the reward and punishment mechanism and the income sharing mechanism is higher than that under a single mechanism.
Analyzing the Impact of Urban Planning and Building Typologies in Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Authors: Kolokotsa Dionysia , Lilli Katerina , Gobakis Kostas , Mavrigiannaki Angeliki , Haddad Shamila , Garshasbi Samira , Mohajer Hamed Reza Heshmat , Paolini Riccardo , Vasilakopoulou Konstantina , Bartesaghi Carlos , Prasad Deo , Santamouris Mattheos
Published: April 2022

Urban and building typologies have a serious impact on the urban climate and determine at large the magnitude of the urban overheating and urban heat island intensity. The present study aims to analyze the impact of various city typologies and urban planning characteristics on the mitigation of the urban heat island. The effect of the building height, street width, aspect ratio, built area ratio, orientation, and dimensions of open spaces on the distribution of the ambient and surface temperature in open spaces is analyzed using the Sydney Metropolitan Area as a case study for both unmitigated and mitigated scenarios. Fourteen precincts are developed and simulated using ENVI-met the simulation tool. The ambient temperature, surface temperature, and wind speed are extracted. The parameter ‘Gradient of the Temperature Decrease along the Precinct Axis’ (GTD) is introduced to study the cooling potential of the various precincts. In the mitigated precincts, the GTD ranges between 0.01 K/m to 0.004 K/m. In the non-mitigated precincts, the GTD ranges between 0.0093 K/m to 0.0024 K/m. A strong correlation is observed between the GTD of all the precincts, with and without mitigation, and their corresponding average aspect ratio, (Height of buildings to Width of streets). The higher the aspect ratio of the precinct, the lower the cooling potential. It is also observed that the higher the Built Area Ratio of the precincts, the lower the cooling contribution of the mitigation measures.
The Bone Marrow Microenvironment in B-Cell Development and Malignancy
Authors: Hughes Anastasia M. , Kuek Vincent , Kotecha Rishi S. , Cheung Laurence C.
Published: April 2022

B lymphopoiesis is characterized by progressive loss of multipotent potential in hematopoietic stem cells, followed by commitment to differentiate into B cells, which mediate the humoral response of the adaptive immune system. This process is tightly regulated by spatially distinct bone marrow niches where cells, including mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells, endothelial cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and adipocytes, interact with B-cell progenitors to direct their proliferation and differentiation. Recently, the B-cell niche has been implicated in initiating and facilitating B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemic cells are also capable of remodeling the B-cell niche to promote their growth and survival and evade treatment. Here, we discuss the major cellular components of bone marrow niches for B lymphopoiesis and the role of the malignant B-cell niche in disease development, treatment resistance and relapse. Further understanding of the crosstalk between leukemic cells and bone marrow niche cells will enable development of additional therapeutic strategies that target the niches in order to hinder leukemia progression.
Genetic and Clinical Characteristics of ARID1A Mutated Melanoma Reveal High Tumor Mutational Load without Implications on Patient Survival
Authors: Thielmann Carl Maximilian , Matull Johanna , Roth Sebastian , Placke Jan-Malte , Chorti Eleftheria , Zaremba Anne , Lodde Georg , Jansen Philipp , Krefting Frederik , Kretz Julia , Möller Inga , Sucker Antje , Paschen Annette , Livingstone Elisabeth , Zimmer Lisa , Ugurel Selma , Schadendorf Dirk , Hadaschik Eva , Griewank Klaus G.
Published: April 2022

(1) Background: Melanoma has the highest mortality of all cutaneous tumors, despite recent treatment advances. Many relevant genetic events have been identified in the last decade, including recurrent ARID1A mutations, which in various tumors have been associated with improved outcomes to immunotherapy. (2) Methods: Retrospective analysis of 116 melanoma samples harboring ARID1A mutations. Assessment of clinical and genetic characteristics was performed as well as correlations with treatment outcome applying Kaplan–Meier (log-rank test), Fisher’s exact and Chi-squared tests. (3) Results: The majority of ARID1A mutations were in cutaneous and occult melanoma. ARID1A mutated samples had a higher number of mutations than ARID1A wild-type samples and harbored UV-mutations. A male predominance was observed. Many samples also harbored NF1 mutations. No apparent differences were noted between samples harboring genetically inactivating (frame-shift or nonsense) mutations and samples with other mutations. No differences in survival or response to immunotherapy of patients with ARID1A mutant melanoma were observed. (4) Conclusions: ARID1A mutations primarily occur in cutaneous melanomas with a higher mutation burden. In contrast to findings in other tumors, our data does not support ARID1A mutations being a biomarker of favorable response to immunotherapies in melanoma. Larger prospective studies would still be warranted.
Comparison of the New Neo-Glasgow Prognostic Score Based on the Albumin-Bilirubin Grade with Currently Used Nutritional Indices for Prognostic Prediction following Surgical Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in Japan
Authors: Kaibori Masaki , Hiraoka Atsushi , Iida Hiroya , Komeda Koji , Hirokawa Fumitoshi , Ueno Masaki , Kosaka Hisashi , Matsui Kosuke , Sekimoto Mitsugu
Published: April 2022

Nutritional assessment is important for predicting a prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The authors examined the utility of the recently developed neo-Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) as a nutritional prognostic assessment in HCC in a multicenter retrospective study of 271 patients with HCC and Child-Pugh class A liver function who underwent R0 resection between 2011 and 2013. The median age was 72 years, 229 and 42 patients had Child-Pugh scores of 5 and 6, respectively, 223 patients had single tumors, the median tumor size was 3.6 cm, and open and laparoscopic resection were performed in 138 and 133 patients, respectively. We compared the prognostic predictive utility of the prognostic nutritional index, neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte ratios, controlling nutritional status score, GPS, and neo-GPS, which uses albumin-bilirubin grade (ALBI) instead of albumin. The c-indexes for the predictive prognostic value for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were best for neo-GPS (OS: 0.571 vs. ≤0.555; PFS: 0.555 vs. ≤0.546). In multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model, elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP; ≥100 ng/mL; hazard ratio [HR] 2.190, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.493–3.211, p < 0.001), multiple tumors (HR 1.784, 95%CI 1.178–2.703, p = 0.006), tumor size of ≥5 cm (HR 1.508, 95%CI 1.037–2.193, p = 0.032), and neo-GPS of ≥1 (HR 1.554, 95%CI 1.074–2.247, p = 0.019) were significant prognostic factors for OS, whereas elevated AFP (≥100 ng/mL) (HR 1.743, 95%CI 1.325–2.292, p < 0.001), multiple tumors (HR 1.537, 95%CI 1.148–2.057, p = 0.004), and neo-GPS of ≥1 (HR 1.522, 95%CI 1.186–1.954, p = 0.001) were significant prognostic factors for PFS. A neo-GPS of ≥1 was associated with a higher rate of high-grade (≥3) Clavien-Dindo complications than a neo-GPS of <1 (31.1% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.007). Neo-GPS was a good prognostic nutritional assessment tool for the prediction of postoperative complications and prognosis in patients undergoing surgical HCC resection.
Fear of Recurrence in Young Adult Cancer Patients—A Network Analysis
Authors: Richter Diana , Clever Katharina , Mehnert-Theuerkauf Anja , Schönfelder Antje
Published: April 2022

Due to the high survival rates of many young cancer patients and a high risk of second tumors, fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) can cause serious impairment for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. The aim of this study is to analyze the structure of the Fear of Disease Progression Questionnaire (FoP-Q-12) to better understand the construct of FCR. We performed a cross-sectional survey on a sample of AYA patients aged 15–39 years with different tumor entities. FCR was measured using the FoP-Q-12, and a network analysis was conducted to examine the relationship of FCR symptoms. The importance of individual items in the network was determined using centrality analyses. A total of 247 AYA patients (81.8% female, median age 31.0 years) participated in the study. The mean FCR score in the sample was 35.9 (SD = 9.9). The majority of patients reported having high FCR (59.5%), according to the established cut-off. The two questionnaire items with the strongest association related to fears about work, and the most central symptom was the fear of serious medical interventions. The centrality of emotional issues in the sample indicates that these symptoms should be prioritized in the development of interventions targeting FCR. Further research should address this topic with larger samples of patients in other age groups and in longitudinal studies.
Clinical Epidemiology of Microinvasive Cervical Carcinoma in an Italian Population Targeted by a Screening Programme
Authors: Bucchi Lauro , Costa Silvano , Mancini Silvia , Baldacchini Flavia , Giuliani Orietta , Ravaioli Alessandra , Vattiato Rosa , Zamagni Federica , Giorgi Rossi Paolo , Campari Cinzia , Canuti Debora , Sassoli de Bianchi Priscilla , Ferretti Stefano , Falcini Fabio ,   on behalf of the Emilia-Romagna Region Workgroup for Cervical Screening Evaluation
Published: April 2022

(1) Background: This population-based study aimed at identifying the factors associated with the likelihood of detection of stage IA cervical carcinoma—versus the detection of stage IB through IV cervical carcinoma—and the patterns of surgical treatment. (2) Methods: Between 1995–2016, 3750 patients living in the Emilia-Romagna Region (northern Italy) were registered with cervical carcinoma, including 2942 eligible patients (median age, 53). Multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression models. (3) Results: The likelihood of stage IA cervical carcinoma (n = 876, 29.8%) did not change over time, decreased with increasing patient age, and was lower for patients with adenocarcinoma and grade 3–4 disease. Three hundred and fifty (40.0%) patients had a conservative treatment, 317 (36.2%) had hysterectomy, 197 (22.5%) had hysterectomy with lymph node dissection (LND), and 12 (1.4%) had a conservative treatment with LND. The proportion of hysterectomy decreased from 70.6% in 1995–1999 to 46.9% in 2011–2016. The likelihood of hysterectomy increased above the age of 40. Among screening-aged (25–64 years) patients, the likelihood of hysterectomy did not differ between screen-detected and non-screen-detected ones. Hysterectomy was increasingly combined with LND. High tumour grade was the strongest determinant of LND during hysterectomy. (4) Conclusions: This study provided a multifaceted overview of stage IA cervical carcinoma over the last decades.
Sarcopenia and Treatment Toxicity in Older Adults Undergoing Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer: Identifying Factors to Predict Frailty
Authors: Morse Ryan T. , Ganju Rohit G. , Gan Gregory N. , Cao Ying , Neupane Prakash , Kakarala Kiran , Shnayder Yelizaveta , Lominska Christopher E.
Published: April 2022

This study was performed to identify treatment related toxicities in older adults undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer and nutritional and skeletal muscle measures that might identify frailty. Imaging analysis was done with the following skeletal muscle measurements: skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle density (SMD), and skeletal muscle gauge (SMG). Patients were dichotomized by age into younger (<70 years old, 221 patients) and older age groups (≥70 years old, 51 patients). Low SMI was more common in older patients (86.7%) compared to younger patients (51.7%, p < 0.01), as were low SMD (57.8% vs. 37.3%, p = 0.012) and low SMG (76.1% vs. 44.2%, p < 0.01), despite having similar BMIs (27.3 kg/m2 versus 27.7 kg/m2, p = 0.71). Older patients were significantly more likely to experience chemotherapy toxicity than younger patients (54.9% versus 32.3%, p < 0.01). On multivariate analysis age (p < 0.01), current smoking status (p < 0.01), and low SMI (p < 0.01) remained as significant predictors for missed chemotherapy cycles or discontinuation. Older patients were more likely to require ≥5-day radiation breaks than younger patients (27.5% versus 8.6%, p < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, age (p < 0.01), low albumin status (p = 0.03), and low SMI (p = 0.04) were identified as predictors of prolonged radiation treatment breaks. Based on the results of our study, sarcopenia may be used as an additional marker for frailty alongside traditional performance status scales.
Improving Patients’ Life Quality after Radiotherapy Treatment by Predicting Late Toxicities
Authors: Lapierre Ariane , Bourillon Laura , Larroque Marion , Gouveia Tiphany , Bourgier Céline , Ozsahin Mahmut , Pèlegrin André , Azria David , Brengues Muriel
Published: April 2022

Personalized treatment and precision medicine have become the new standard of care in oncology and radiotherapy. Because treatment outcomes have considerably improved over the last few years, permanent side-effects are becoming an increasingly significant issue for cancer survivors. Five to ten percent of patients will develop severe late toxicity after radiotherapy. Identifying these patients before treatment start would allow for treatment adaptation to minimize definitive side effects that could impair their long-term quality of life. Over the last decades, several tests and biomarkers have been developed to identify these patients. However, out of these, only the Radiation-Induced Lymphocyte Apoptosis (RILA) assay has been prospectively validated in multi-center cohorts. This test, based on a simple blood draught, has been shown to be correlated with late radiation-induced toxicity in breast, prostate, cervical and head and neck cancer. It could therefore greatly improve decision making in precision radiation oncology. This literature review summarizes the development and bases of this assay, as well as its clinical results and compares its results to the other available assays.
High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Relapsed or Refractory Primary CNS Lymphoma: A Retrospective Monocentric Analysis of Long-Term Outcome, Prognostic Factors, and Toxicity
Authors: Seidel Sabine , Nilius-Eliliwi Verena , Kowalski Thomas , Vangala Deepak Ben , Schlegel Uwe , Schroers Roland
Published: April 2022

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (HCT-ASCT) is reportedly an effective treatment strategy in relapsed or refractory primary CNS lymphoma (r/r PCNSL); however, only selected patients are eligible for this treatment. We retrospectively analyzed outcome, prognostic factors, and toxicity in 59 patients with r/r PCNSL planned to receive HCT-ASCT at our institution between January 2005 and December 2021 (n = 33 < 65 years; n = 26 ≥ 65 years). Median follow-up was 65 months (95% CI 21–109). Median age was 63 years (range 29–76), median Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was 80 (range 30–100). In the entire cohort of 59 patients, median overall survival (OS) was 14 months (95% CI 0–37). In 50/59 (84.7%) patients who completed HCT-ASCT, median progression free survival (PFS) was 12 months (95% CI 3–21) and median OS 30 months (95% CI 0–87). 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year OS rates of 61.2%, 52.3% and 47.1%, respectively, were observed. Six patients (10.2%) died related to treatment (1 during induction treatment, 5 post HCT-ASCT). Age was not prognostic. On univariate analysis, KPS ≥ 80 (p = 0.019) and complete or partial remission before HCT-ASCT (p = 0.026) were positive prognosticators of OS; on multivariate analysis, KPS (p = 0.043) and male gender (p = 0.039) had an impact on OS. The 5-year OS rate in patients with progressive or stable disease after induction treatment was 32.7%. In summary, HCT-ASCT was effective and feasible in this cohort of r/r PCNSL patients. Clinical state, remission status before HCT-ASCT, and gender influenced survival, whereas age did not influence outcome in this study.
Immune-Based Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: From Molecular Biology to Clinical Practice
Authors: Carlino Francesca , Diana Anna , Piccolo Antonio , Ventriglia Anna , Bruno Vincenzo , De Santo Irene , Letizia Ortensio , De Vita Ferdinando , Daniele Bruno , Ciardiello Fortunato , Orditura Michele
Published: April 2022

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been considered for many years an orphan disease in terms of therapeutic options, with conventional chemotherapy (CT) still representing the mainstay of treatment in the majority of patients. Although breast cancer (BC) has been historically considered a “cold tumor”, exciting progress in the genomic field leading to the characterization of the molecular portrait and the immune profile of TNBC has opened the door to novel therapeutic strategies, including Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs), Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs). In particular, compared to standard CT, the immune-based approach has been demonstrated to improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in metastatic PD-L1-positive TNBC and the pathological complete response rate in the early setting, regardless of PD-L1 expression. To date, PD-L1 has been widely used as a predictor of the response to ICIs; however, many patients do not benefit from the addition of immunotherapy. Therefore, PD-L1 is not a reliable predictive biomarker of the response, and its accuracy remains controversial due to the lack of a consensus about the assay, the antibody, and the scoring system to adopt, as well as the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the PD-L1 status. In the precision medicine era, there is an urgent need to identify more sensitive biomarkers in the BC immune oncology field other than just PD-L1 expression. Through the characterization of the tumor microenvironment (TME), the analysis of peripheral blood and the evaluation of immune gene signatures, novel potential biomarkers have been explored, such as the Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB), Microsatellite Instability/Mismatch Repair Deficiency (MSI/dMMR) status, genomic and epigenomic alterations and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). This review aims to summarize the recent knowledge on BC immunograms and on the biomarkers proposed to support ICI-based therapy in TNBC, as well as to provide an overview of the potential strategies to enhance the immune response in order to overcome the mechanisms of resistance.
Clinical Evaluation of Nuclear Imaging Agents in Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Ziqi , Aboian Mariam S. , Zhu Xiaohua , Marquez-Nostra Bernadette
Published: April 2022

Precision medicine is the customization of therapy for specific groups of patients using genetic or molecular profiling. Noninvasive imaging is one strategy for molecular profiling and is the focus of this review. The combination of imaging and therapy for precision medicine gave rise to the field of theranostics. In breast cancer, the detection and quantification of therapeutic targets can help assess their heterogeneity, especially in metastatic disease, and may help guide clinical decisions for targeted treatments. Positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) imaging has the potential to play an important role in the molecular profiling of therapeutic targets in vivo for the selection of patients who are likely to respond to corresponding targeted therapy. In this review, we discuss the state-of-the-art nuclear imaging agents in clinical research for breast cancer. We reviewed 17 clinical studies on PET or SPECT agents that target 10 different receptors in breast cancer. We also discuss the limitations of the study designs and of the imaging agents in these studies. Finally, we offer our perspective on which imaging agents have the highest potential to be used in clinical practice in the future.
The Genetic Basis of Dormancy and Awakening in Cutaneous Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Janowska Agata , Iannone Michela , Fidanzi Cristian , Romanelli Marco , Filippi Luca , Del Re Marzia , Martins Manuella , Dini Valentina
Published: April 2022

Immune dysregulation, in combination with genetic and epigenetic alterations, induces an excessive proliferation of uncontrolled melanoma cells followed by dissemination of the tumor cells to distant sites, invading organs and creating metastasis. Although immunotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors and molecular targeted therapies have been developed as treatment options for advanced melanoma, there are specific mechanisms by which cancer cells can escape treatment. One of the main factors associated with reduced response to therapy is the ability of residual tumor cells to persist in a dormant state, without proliferation. This comprehensive review aimed at understanding the genetic basis of dormancy/awakening phenomenon in metastatic melanoma will help identify the possible therapeutical strategies that might eliminate melanoma circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or keep them in the dormant state forever, thereby repressing tumor relapse and metastatic spread.
Overcoming Therapy Resistance in Colon Cancer by Drug Repurposing
Authors: El Zarif Talal , Yibirin Marcel , De Oliveira-Gomes Diana , Machaalani Marc , Nawfal Rashad , Bittar Gianfranco , Bahmad Hisham F. , Bitar Nizar
Published: April 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Despite improvement in standardized screening methods and the development of promising therapies, the 5-year survival rates are as low as 10% in the metastatic setting. The increasing life expectancy of the general population, higher rates of obesity, poor diet, and comorbidities contribute to the increasing trends in incidence. Drug repurposing offers an affordable solution to achieve new indications for previously approved drugs that could play a protagonist or adjuvant role in the treatment of CRC with the advantage of treating underlying comorbidities and decreasing chemotherapy toxicity. This review elaborates on the current data that supports drug repurposing as a feasible option for patients with CRC with a focus on the evidence and mechanism of action promising repurposed candidates that are widely used, including but not limited to anti-malarial, anti-helminthic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-diabetic agents.
Quo Vadis Dry Reforming of Methane?—A Review on Its Chemical, Environmental, and Industrial Prospects
Authors: Sandoval-Diaz Luis E. , Schlögl Robert , Lunkenbein Thomas
Published: April 2022

In recent years, the catalytic dry reforming of methane (DRM) has increasingly come into academic focus. The interesting aspect of this reaction is seemingly the conversion of CO2 and methane, two greenhouse gases, into a valuable synthesis gas (syngas) mixture with an otherwise unachievable but industrially relevant H2/CO ratio of one. In a possible scenario, the chemical conversion of CO2 and CH4 to syngas could be used in consecutive reactions to produce synthetic fuels, with combustion to harness the stored energy. Although the educts of DRM suggest a superior impact of this reaction to mitigate global warming, its potential as a chemical energy converter and greenhouse gas absorber has still to be elucidated. In this review article, we will provide insights into the industrial maturity of this reaction and critically discuss its applicability as a cornerstone in the energy transition. We derive these insights from assessing the current state of research and knowledge on DRM. We conclude that the entire industrial process of syngas production from two greenhouse gases, including heating with current technologies, releases at least 1.23 moles of CO2 per mol of CO2 converted in the catalytic reaction. Furthermore, we show that synthetic fuels derived from this reaction exhibit a negative carbon dioxide capturing efficiency which is similar to burning methane directly in the air. We also outline potential applications and introduce prospective technologies toward a net-zero CO2 strategy based on DRM.
Cathodic Activation of Titania-Fly Ash Cenospheres for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Production: A Proposed Solution to Treat Fly Ash Waste
Authors: Altalhi Tariq , Mezni Amine , Ibrahim Mohamed M. , Refat Moamen S. , Gobouri Adil A. , Safklou Ayham M. , Mousli Adel M. , Attia Mohamed S. , Boruah Purna K. , Das Manash R. , Ryl Jacek , Boukherroub Rabah , Amin Mohammed A.
Published: April 2022

Fly ash (FA) is a waste product generated in huge amounts by coal-fired electric and steam-generating plants. As a result, the use of FA alone or in conjunction with other materials is an intriguing study topic worth exploring. Herein, we used FA waste in conjunction with titanium oxide (TiO2) to create (FA-TiO2) nanocomposites. For the first time, a cathodic polarization pre-treatment regime was applied to such nanocomposites to efficiently produce hydrogen from an alkaline solution. The FA-TiO2 hybrid nanocomposites were prepared by a straightforward solvothermal approach in which the FA raw material was mixed with titanium precursor in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and refluxed during a given time. The obtained FA-TiO2 hybrid nanocomposites were fully characterized using various tools and displayed a cenosphere-like shape. The synthesized materials were tested as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.1 M KOH solution in the dark, employing various electrochemical techniques. The as-prepared (unactivated) FA-TiO2 exhibited a considerable HER electrocatalytic activity, with an onset potential (EHER) value of −144 mV vs. RHE, a Tafel slope (−bc) value of 124 mV dec−1 and an exchange current density (jo) of ~0.07 mA cm−2. The FA-TiO2′s HER catalytic performance was significantly enhanced upon cathodic activation (24 h of chronoamperometry measurements performed at a high cathodic potential of −1.0 V vs. RHE). The cathodically activated FA-TiO2 recorded HER electrochemical kinetic parameters of EHER = −28 mV, −bc = 115 mV dec−1, jo = 0.65 mA cm−2, and an overpotential η10 = 125 mV to yield a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Such parameters were comparable to those measured here for the commercial Pt/C under the same experimental conditions (EHER = −10 mV, −bc = 113 mV dec−1, jo = 0.88 mA cm−2, η10 = 110 mV), as well as to the most active electrocatalysts for H2 generation from aqueous alkaline electrolytes.
Comparison of Catalysts with MIRA21 Model in Heterogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation of Aromatic Nitro Compounds
Authors: Jakab-Nácsa Alexandra , Sikora Emőke , Prekob Ádám , Vanyorek László , Szőri Milán , Boros Renáta Zsanett , Nehéz Károly , Szabó Martin , Farkas László , Viskolcz Béla
Published: April 2022

The vast majority of research and development activities begins with a detailed literature search to explore the current state-of-the-art. However, this search becomes increasingly difficult as we go into the information revolution of 21st century. The aim of the work is to establish a functional and practical mathematical model of catalyst characterization and exact comparison of catalysts. This work outlines the operation of the MIskolc RAnking 21 (MIRA21) model through the reaction of nitrobenzene catalytic hydrogenation to aniline. A total of 154 catalysts from 45 research articles were selected, studied, characterized, ranked, and classified based on four classes of descriptors: catalyst performance, reaction conditions, catalyst conditions, and sustainability parameters. MIRA21 is able to increase the comparability of different types of catalysts and support catalyst development. According to the model, 8% of catalysts received D1 (top 10%) classification. This ranking model is able to show the most effective catalyst systems that are suitable for the production of aniline.
Ni-Based Catalyst for Carbon Dioxide Methanation: A Review on Performance and Progress
Authors: Mohd Ridzuan Nur Diyan , Shaharun Maizatul Shima , Anawar Mohd Azrizan , Ud-Din Israf
Published: April 2022

Catalytic conversion of CO2 into methane is an attractive method because it can alleviate global warming and provide a solution for the energy depletion crisis. Nickel-based catalysts were commonly employed in such conversions due to their high performance over cost ratio. However, the major challenges are that Ni tends to agglomerate and cause carbon deposition during the high-temperature reaction. In the past decades, extensive works have been carried out to design and synthesize more active nickel-based catalysts to achieve high CO2 conversion and CH4 selectivity. This review critically discusses the recent application of Ni-based catalyst for CO2 methanation, including the progress on the effect of supporting material, promoters, and catalyst composition. The thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanism of CO2 methanation are also briefly addressed.
Low-Temperature NH3-SCR on Cex-Mn-Tiy Mixed Oxide Catalysts: Improved Performance by the Mutual Effect between Ce and Ti
Authors: Zhu Qianwen , Wang Aiyong , Zhang Jinshui , Guo Yanglong , Guo Yun , Wang Li , Zhan Wangcheng
Published: April 2022

A series of Cex-Mn-Tiy catalysts were synthesized using the coprecipitation method, and sodium carbonate solution was used as a precipitant. The various catalysts were assessed by selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, H2 temperature-programmed reduction, NH3 temperature-programmed desorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the physicochemical properties, surface acidity, and redox abilities of the Cex-Mn-Tiy catalysts. The Ce0.1-Mn-Ti0.1 catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance (more than 90% NOx conversion in the range of 75 to 225 °C), as a result of proper redox ability, abundant acid sites, high content of Mn4+ and Ce3+, and surface-adsorbed oxygen (OS). The results of in situ DRIFT spectroscopy showed that the NH3-SCR reaction followed both the E-R and L-H paths over the Ce0.1-Mn-Ti0.1 catalyst, and it occurred faster and more sharply when it mainly abided by the E-R mechanism.
Solar Light-Assisted Oxidative Degradation of Ciprofloxacin in Aqueous Solution by Iron(III) Chelated Cross-Linked Chitosan Immobilized on a Glass Plate
Authors: Saha Soma , Saha Tapan Kumar , Karmaker Subarna , Islam Zinia , Demeshko Serhiy , Frauendorf Holm , Meyer Franc
Published: April 2022

The massive worldwide use of antibiotics leads to water pollution and increasing microbial resistance. Hence, the removal of antibiotic residues is a key issue in water remediation. Here, we report the solar light-assisted oxidative degradation of ciprofloxacin (CPF), using H2O2 in aqueous solution, catalyzed by iron(III) chelated cross-linked chitosan (FeIII-CS-GLA) immobilized on a glass plate. The FeIII-CS-GLA catalyst was characterized by FTIR and 57Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopies as well as X-ray diffraction, revealing key structural motifs and a high-spin ferric character of the metal. Catalytic degradation of CPF was investigated as a function of solar light irradiation time, solution pH, concentration of H2O2 and CPF, as well as cross-linker dosage and iron(III) content in FeIII-CS-GLA. The system was found to serve as an efficient catalyst with maximum CPF degradation at pH 3. The specific ·OH scavenger mannitol significantly reduces the degradation rate, indicating that hydroxyl radicals play a key role. The mechanism of catalytic CPF degradation was evaluated in terms of pseudo-first-order and Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic models; adsorption of CPF onto the FeIII-CS-GLA surface was evidenced by field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. FeIII-CS-GLA can be reused multiple times with only minor loss of catalytic efficiency. Antimicrobial activity tests performed against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli DH5α, Salmonella typhi AF4500) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis RBW) before and after treatment confirmed complete degradation of CPF. These results establish the immobilized FeIII-CS-GLA as a rugged catalyst system for efficient photo-Fenton type degradation of antibiotics in aqueous solutions.
Highly Active Ni–Fe Based Oxide Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysts for Alkaline Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyser
Authors: Vincent Immanuel , Lee Eun-Chong , Kim Hyung-Man
Published: April 2022

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts are pivotal for sustainable hydrogen production through anion exchange membrane electrolysis. Cost-effective transition metals such as nickel and iron-based oxides (Ni–Fe–Ox) have been recognized as viable catalysts for the oxygen evolution process in alkaline media. In this work, we study the electrochemical characterization and stability of the Ni–Fe–Ox to find the suitability for AEM electrolysis. The results indicate that Ni–Fe–Ox has 5 times higher activity than pure Ni. The Ni–Fe–Ox electrodes exhibit an exceptionally high catalytic activity of 22 mA cm−2 at 1.55 V vs. RHE, and a Tafel value as low as 97 dec−1, for OER to occur. These findings imply that OER occurs at similar places along the Ni–Fe–Ox interface and that the Ni—Fe2O3 contact plays a significant role as the OER active site. Furthermore, it is also worth noting that the presence of metallic Ni allows for fast electron transit within the interface, which is necessary for successful electrocatalysis. Aside from the excellent OER performance, the exfoliated Ni–Fe–Ox demonstrated great stability with almost constant potential after 10 h of electrolysis at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. This work confirms Ni–Fe–Ox is a promising, highly efficient and cost-effective OER catalyst for AEM electrolysis.
Effect of Different Carbon Supports on the Activity of PtNi Bimetallic Catalysts toward the Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Ortíz-Herrera Juan C. , Tellez-Cruz Miriam M. , Solorza-Feria Omar , Medina Dora I.
Published: April 2022

To evaluate supports’ effects on catalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a simple and controlled chemical synthesis, involving the hot injection of metal precursors, was developed to produce bimetallic PtNi nanoparticles (75 wt.% Pt and 25 wt.% Ni), supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The synthesized electrocatalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). To determine the catalytic activity, an electrochemical evaluation of the synthesized catalysts in an acidic medium was performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV), CO stripping, and rotating disk electrode (RDE) tests. The presence of Pt and Ni in the nanoparticles was confirmed by EDS and XRD. Based on the STEM micrographs, the average particle size was 30 nm. Compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst, the PtNi/CNT catalyst exhibited higher specific activity and slightly lower mass activity toward ORR in a 0.1 M HClO4 electrolyte solution.
Induction of Accelerated Aging in a Mouse Model
Authors: Cai Nanshuo , Wu Yifan , Huang Yan
Published: April 2022

With the global increase of the elderly population, the improvement of the treatment for various aging-related diseases and the extension of a healthy lifespan have become some of the most important current medical issues. In order to understand the developmental mechanisms of aging and aging-related disorders, animal models are essential to conduct relevant studies. Among them, mice have become one of the most prevalently used model animals for aging-related studies due to their high similarity to humans in terms of genetic background and physiological structure, as well as their short lifespan and ease of reproduction. This review will discuss some of the common and emerging mouse models of accelerated aging and related chronic diseases in recent years, with the aim of serving as a reference for future application in fundamental and translational research.
A Novel Attention-Mechanism Based Cox Survival Model by Exploiting Pan-Cancer Empirical Genomic Information
Authors: Meng Xiangyu , Wang Xun , Zhang Xudong , Zhang Chaogang , Zhang Zhiyuan , Zhang Kuijie , Wang Shudong
Published: April 2022

Cancer prognosis is an essential goal for early diagnosis, biomarker selection, and medical therapy. In the past decade, deep learning has successfully solved a variety of biomedical problems. However, due to the high dimensional limitation of human cancer transcriptome data and the small number of training samples, there is still no mature deep learning-based survival analysis model that can completely solve problems in the training process like overfitting and accurate prognosis. Given these problems, we introduced a novel framework called SAVAE-Cox for survival analysis of high-dimensional transcriptome data. This model adopts a novel attention mechanism and takes full advantage of the adversarial transfer learning strategy. We trained the model on 16 types of TCGA cancer RNA-seq data sets. Experiments show that our module outperformed state-of-the-art survival analysis models such as the Cox proportional hazard model (Cox-ph), Cox-lasso, Cox-ridge, Cox-nnet, and VAECox on the concordance index. In addition, we carry out some feature analysis experiments. Based on the experimental results, we concluded that our model is helpful for revealing cancer-related genes and biological functions.
Expression of Caspase-3 in Circulating Innate Lymphoid Cells Subtypes Is Altered by Treatment with Metformin and Fluvastatin in High-Fat Diet Fed C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Mxinwa Vuyolwethu , Nkambule Bongani B. , Nyambuya Tawanda M. , Dludla Phiwayinkosi V.
Published: April 2022

The current study aimed to determine the expression levels of caspase-3 in circulating innate lymphoid cell subtypes (ILCs) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced prediabetes mouse model. Another critical point was to assess the therapeutic effects of metformin and fluvastatin in modulating caspase-3 activation in ILCs within these HFD-fed mice. Prominent results showed that mice exposed to HFD for 14 weeks displayed impaired glucose tolerance that was accompanied by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and altered haematological profile as characterised by significantly increased concentrations of red blood cell count, white cell count and lymphocytes when compared to those fed a low-fat diet (LFD). Moreover, the expression of caspase-3 in ILC1 and ILC3 was significantly increased in the HFD groups in comparison to the LFD-fed group. Notably, six-week treatment with metformin and fluvastatin reduced the caspase-3 activation in ILC subtypes. The reduced caspase-3 activation in ILC1 was inversely associated with HDL-c levels following metformin treatment. Interestingly, the reduced caspase-3 activation in ILC3 was associated with lower total cholesterol following fluvastatin treatment in these HFD-fed mice. However, there were no differences in activation of caspase-3 on ILC2 or any association between caspase-3 activation and changes in body weight or fasting blood glucose. Thus, while HFD-feeding clearly modulates ILCs, potentially leading to pro-apoptotic mechanisms, metformin and fluvastatin may play a major role in protecting against such metabolic disturbances.
Moving beyond the Tip of the Iceberg: DJ-1 Implications in Cancer Metabolism
Authors: Olivo Erika , La Chimia Marina , Ceramella Jessica , Catalano Alessia , Chiaradonna Ferdinando , Sinicropi Maria Stefania , Cuda Giovanni , Iacopetta Domenico , Scumaci Domenica
Published: April 2022

DJ-1, also called Parkinson’s protein 7 (PARK7), is ubiquitously expressed and plays multiple actions in different physiological and, especially, pathophysiological processes, as evidenced by its identification in neurodegenerative diseases and its high expression in different types of cancer. To date, the exact activity of DJ-1 in carcinogenesis has not been fully elucidated, however several recent studies disclosed its involvement in regulating fundamental pathways involved in cancer onset, development, and metastatization. At this purpose, we have dissected the role of DJ-1 in maintaining the transformed phenotype, survival, drug resistance, metastasis formation, and differentiation in cancer cells. Moreover, we have discussed the role of DJ-1 in controlling the redox status in cancer cells, along with the ability to attenuate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent cell death, as well as to mediate ferropotosis. Finally, a mention to the development of therapeutic strategies targeting DJ-1 has been done. We have reported the most recent studies, aiming to shed light on the role played by DJ-1 in different cancer aspects and create the foundation for moving beyond the tip of the iceberg.
Early Identification of Risk of Child Abuse Fatalities: Possibilities and Limits of Prevention
Authors: Olecká Ivana
Published: April 2022

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to analyse the structure of registered fatal violent crimes against children under 5 years of age and to identify the main characteristics and risk factors of fatal violence against children in order to discuss the possibilities and limits of prevention of these crimes. (2) Methods: Mixed-method design: 1. retrospective statistical analysis of data extracted from Czech statistics about crime. 2. qualitative analysis of autopsy reports and construction of serial case study. The data were pooled from two different sources: 1. Statistics about crime against children aged 0 to 5 (n = 512). 2. Autopsy reports (n = 52) of children up to the age of five. (3) Results: The following indicators and risk factors were identified: mental disorder or cognitive deficits in parents, parents’ immaturity, poor parenting skills, inadequate parenting practices, absence of a deep emotional bond with the mother, lack of parents’ interest in catering to the children’s needs, parents’ addiction, an unprotected, hazardous environment and surroundings, household falling apart, incidence of suspected domestic violence, incidence of multiple bruises and untreated injuries, aggressively dominant parents, poverty, absence of adequate health care, medical neglect of a child, poor health of the child and failure to thrive. (4) Conclusions: The task for the state is to make effective use of all accessible mechanisms to improve the situation in families. Particularly in the context of the newly emerging situation of increasing uncontrolled violence in families in the context of the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, this demand is more than urgent. Close attention should be paid to children who are not registered with pediatricians and fail to attend regular medical examinations. It is also vital to follow families in which violence has already been suspected in the past.