bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus: Progress in Vaccine Development
Authors: Ozdarendeli Aykut
Published: June 2023

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a member of the Nairoviridae family and Bunyavirales order, is transmitted to humans via tick bites or contact with the blood of infected animals. It can cause severe symptoms, including hemorrhagic fever, with a mortality rate between 5 to 30%. CCHFV is classified as a high-priority pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its high fatality rate and the absence of effective medical countermeasures. CCHFV is endemic in several regions across the world, including Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and has the potential for global spread. The emergence of the disease in new areas, as well as the presence of the tick vector in countries without reported cases, emphasizes the need for preventive measures should be taken. In the past, the lack of a suitable animal model susceptible to CCHFV infection has been a major obstacle in the development of vaccines and treatments. However, recent advances in biotechnology and the availability of suitable animal models have significantly expedited the development of vaccines against CCHF. These advancements have not only contributed to an enhanced understanding of the pathogenesis of CCHF but have also facilitated the evaluation of potential vaccine candidates. This review outlines of the immune response to CCHFV and animal models utilized for the study of CCHFV and highlights the progress made in CCHFV vaccine studies. Despite remarkable advancements in vaccine development for CCHFV, it remains crucial to prioritize continued research, collaboration, and investment in this field.
Experimental Characterization of Composite Printed Materials for the Production of Multirotor UAV Airframe Parts
Authors: Šančić Tomislav , Brčić Marino , Kotarski Denis , Łukaszewicz Andrzej
Published: June 2023

In this paper, the characterization of 3D printed materials that are considered in the design of multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for specialised purposes was carried out. The multirotor UAV system is briefly described, primarily from the aspect of system dynamics, considering that the airframe parts connect the UAV components, including the propulsion configuration, into a functional assembly. Three additive manufacturing (AM) technologies were discussed, and a brief overview was given of selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and continuous fiber fabrication (CFF). Using hardware and related software, 12 series of specimens were produced which were experimentally tested utilizing a quasi-static uniaxial tensile test. The results of the experimental tests are given graphically with displacement-force characteristics. In this work, the focus is on CFF technology and the testing of materials that will be used in the production of mechanically loaded airframe parts of multirotor UAVs. Furthermore, an overview was given in such a way that the specimens were grouped, and the mean values of the maximum stress were presented, so that the tested materials could be more easily compared with conventional materials, such as aluminum alloys.
Unlocking the Potential: Novel NSAIDs Hybrids Unleash Chemopreventive Power Toward Liver Cancer Cells through Nrf2, NF-κB, and MAPK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Narożna Maria , Krajka-Kuźniak Violetta , Bednarczyk-Cwynar Barbara , Baer-Dubowska Wanda
Published: June 2023

HCC is a highly aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options. In this study, novel conjugates, of NSAIDs - Ibuprofen and Ketoprofen with oleanolic acid oximes derivatives (OAO) were synthesized and their activity as modulators of signaling pathways involved in HCC pathogenesis was evaluated in normal THLE-2 liver cells and HCC derived HepG2 cells. The results demonstrated that conjugation with OAO derivatives reduces the cytotoxicity of parent compounds in both cell lines. In THLE-2 cells treatment with conjugates resulted in increased activation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway. An opposite effect was observed in HepG2 cells. In the later reduction of NF-κB was observed along with modulation of MAPK signaling pathways (AKT, ERK, p38, p70S6K, and JNK). Moreover, STAT3, STAT5, and CREB transcription factors on protein levels were significantly reduced as a result of treatment with IBU- and KET-OAO derivatives conjugates. The most active were conjugates with OAO-morpholide. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate that IBU-OAO and KET-OAO derivatives conjugates modulate the key signaling pathways involved in hepatic cancer development. Their effect on specific signaling pathways varied depending on the structure of the conjugate. Since the conjugation of IBU and KET with OAO derivatives reduced their cytotoxicity, the conjugates may be considered good candidates for the prevention of liver cancer.
Using Machine Learning to Information Classification Related on Child-Rearing of Infants From Twitter
Authors: Zipaer Mayinuer , Yoshida Minoru , Matumoto Kazuyuki , Kita Kenji
Published: June 2023

It is difficult to obtain necessary information accurately from Social Networking Service (SNS) while raising children, and it is thought that there is a certain demand for the development of a system that presents appropriate information to users according to the child's developmental stage. There are still few examples of research on knowledge extraction that focuses on childcare. This research aims to develop a system that extracts and presents useful knowledge for people who are actually raising children, using texts about childcare posted on Twitter. In many systems numbers in text data are just strings like words and are normalized to zero or simply ignored. In this paper, we created a set of tweet texts and a set of profiles created according to the developmental stages of infants from "0-year-old child" to "6-year-old child". For each set, we used ML algorithms such as NB (Naive Bayes), LR (Logistic Regression), ANN (Approximate Nearest Neighbor algorithms search), XGboost, RF (random forest), decision trees, and SVM (Support Vector Machine) to compare with BERT, a neural language model, to construct a classification model that predicts numbers from "0" to "6" from sentences. The accuracy rate predicted by the BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) classifier was slightly higher than that of the NB, LR, ANN, XGboost, RF, decision trees, and SVM classifiers, indicating that the BERT classification method was better.
Ct-Value from qRT-PCR Can Predict SARS-CoV-2 Virus Assembly and Lineage Assignment Success
Authors: Hadzega Dominik , Babisova Klaudia , Hyblova Michaela , Janostiakova Nikola , Sabaka Peter , Janega Pavol , Minárik Gabriel
Published: June 2023

During the recent pandemics of COVID-19, sequencing technics became powerful tool for gaining information about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and using this knowledge in our advantage. Thanks to this advantage, scientists over the world were able to search for emerging variations, watching the virus evolving in real time. Assembly of the virus genomes is crucial part of getting this kind of useful information. In our study, we sequenced 79 samples from nasopharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients. Positivity on disease was evaluated by qRT-PCR. By studying assembly success rate, we noticed, that Ct-value of qRT-PCR can predict success of genome assembly and SARS-CoV-2 lineage assignment. In this work we described the relationship between Ct-value and further steps of genome construction and its assignment to specific viral strain.
The Role of miRNAs in the Progression and Prognosis of Gliomas
Authors: Tluli Omar Bassam , Al-Maadhadi Mazyona Jumah , Al-Khulaifi Aisha Abdulla , Akomolafe Aishat Funmilayo , Al-Kuwari Shaikha Yousef , Al-Khayarin Roudha Saed , Maccalli Cristina , Pedersen Shona
Published: June 2023

Gliomas, which arise from glial cells in the brain, remain a significant challenge due to their location and resistance to traditional treatments. Despite research efforts and advancements in healthcare, the incidence of gliomas has risen dramatically over the past two decades. The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has prompted the creation of therapeutic agents that specially target them. However, it has been reported that they are involved in complex signaling pathways that contribute to the loss of expression of tumor suppressor genes and the upregulating of the expression of oncogenes. In addition, numerous miRNAs promote the development, progression, and recurrence of gliomas by targeting crucial proteins and enzymes involved in metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. However, the complex interplay among these pathways and other obstacles hinder the ability to apply miRNA targeting in clinical practice. This underscores the importance of pinpointing miRNAs to be targeted for therapy and having a complete understanding of the diverse pathways they are involved in. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an overview on the role of miRNAs in the progression and prognosis of gliomas, emphasizing the different pathways involved and identifying potential therapeutic targets.
Forecasting Snowmelt Season Temperatures in the Mountainous Area of Northern Xinjiang of China
Authors: Zhang zulian , Mao Weiyi , Wang Mingquan , Zhang Wei , Ji Chunrong , Aidaituli Mushajiang , An Dawei
Published: June 2023

The mountains in northern Xinjiang of China were studied during the snowmelt season. Multi-source fusion live data Chinese Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS,0.05°× 0.05°,hourly data) were used as real data, and Central Meteorological Observatory guidance forecast (SCMOC,0.05°× 0.05 °,forecasting the following 10 days in 3 h intervals) was used as forecast data, both issued by the China Meteorological Administration. The dynamic linear regression and the average filter correction algorithms were selected to revise the original forecast products SCMOC.Based on conventional temperature forecast information,we designed four temperature rise prediction algorithms for essential factors affecting snowmelt.Temperature rise prediction algorithms included the daily maximum temperature algorithm, daily temperature rise range algorithm, snowmelt temperature algorithm, and daily snowmelt duration algorithm.Four temperature rise prediction algorithms values were calculated of each prediction product.Root-mean-square error algorithm and temperature prediction accuracy algorithm were used to compare and test each prediction algorithm value from the time sequence and spatial distribution.Comprehensive tests show that the forecast product revised by the average filter algorithm was superior to revised by the dynamic linear regression algorithm as well as the original forecast product.Through these algorithms, the more suitable temperature rise forecast value for each grid point in the study area can be obtained at different prediction times. The comprehensive and accurate temperature forecast value in mountainous snowmelt season can provide an accurate theoretical basis for effective prediction of the runoff in snowmelt areas and prevention of snowmelt flooding.
Sustainability and Green Lean Based on Whole Life Cycle Assessment of Meat-containing and Meat-free Products
Authors: Mannheim Viktoria , Avató Judit Lovasné
Published: June 2023

Nowadays, consumers have growing expectations for healthier and higher-quality food, and sustainable food choices are also taking on an increasingly central role. This paper assesses the environmental loads and energy resources of vegan, semi-vegetarian, and traditional restaurant soups and main dishes, focusing on preparation and cooking phases based on the life cycle assessment. The optimal menu samples were selected based on statistical methods. Mann-Whitney and Krus-kal-Wallis tests were applied to investigate restaurant products' distribution and carbon footprint. Based on the results, the preparation phases have a more significant impact. The environmental loads for the life cycle of vegan and semi-vegetarian menus are lower. Furthermore, a sustainability assessment model was developed by integrating lean and life cycle assessment approaches called "GreenCycLEAN." Research results are helpful for the sustainability of catering establishments.
Genetic Structure and Biodiversity in Wild Centropomus Parallelus and in Wild and Recently Domesticated Centropomus Undecimallis Populations
Authors: Herkenhoff Marcos Edgar , Bajay Miklos Maximiliano , Costamilan Carlos André da Veiga Lima-Rosa
Published: June 2023

Centropomus undecimalis (common snook, sergeant fish or robalo) and Centropomus parallelus (fat snook, smallscale fat snook, little snook or chucumite) have tropical and subtropical wide distribution from southern Florida (Gulf of Mexico) to southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) waters, and due the value of their flesh, these species have been explored with predatory fishing, generating a deficiency for their conservation. Adequate conservation of this species depends on population genetic parameters. Thus, in this study, we used microsatellite markers to investigate the genetic variability and the genetic characterization of C. undecimalis and C. parallelus populations, identifying if the citations species are geographically connected, using 10 loci of microsatellites, bringing strategies of management, sustainability, and conservation for species citations, and providing genetic subsidies needed to be used in breeding programs for snooks. Microsatellite molecular genetic markers were efficient in the study of the genetic variability of the samples of C. parallelus and C. undecimalis, resulting in data on the genetic structuring of these populations, thus aiding in their management and conservation. The data presented may provide subsidies for future use in programs aimed at animal breeding of sea bass, establishing tools for use in fish farming. In addition, despite being two species that are not on the endangered list, we can observe that there are genetic differences between the studied populations of the same species.
Inhibition of CDK1 by RO-3306 Exhibits Anti-Tumorigenic Effects in Ovarian Cancer Cells and a Transgenic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Huang Yu , Fan Yali , Zhao Ziyi , Zhang Xin , Tucker Katherine , Staley Allison , Suo Hongyan , Sun Wenchuan , Shen Xiaochang , Deng Boer , Pierce Stuart R , West Lindsay , Yin Yajie , Emanuele Michael J , Zhou Chunxiao , Bae-Jump Victoria
Published: June 2023

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological malignancy of the reproductive organs in the United States. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) is an important cell cycle regulatory protein that spe-cifically controls the G2/M phase transition of the cell cycle. RO-3306 is a selective, ATP-competitive, and cell-permeable CDK1 inhibitor that shows potent anti-tumor activity in multiple pre-clinical models. In this study, we investigated the effect of CDK1 expression on the prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer and the anti-tumorigenic effect of RO-3306 in both ovarian cancer cell lines and a genetically engineered mouse model of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (KpB model). In 147 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, overexpression of CDK1 was significantly associated with poor prognosis, compared with a low expression group. RO-3306 significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, induced apoptosis, caused cellular stress, and reduced cell migration. Treatment of KpB mice with RO-3306 for four weeks showed a significant decrease in tumor weight under obese and lean conditions without obvious side effects. Overall, our results demonstrate that inhibition of CDK1 activity by RO-3306 effectively reduces cell proliferation and tumor growth, providing biological evidence for future clinical trials of CDK1 inhibitors in ovarian cancer
Mitigation of harmonics for five level multilevel inverter with fuzzy logic controller
Authors: Sujatha M. S. , Sreelakshmi S. , Parimalasundar E. , Suresh K.
Published: June 2023

Introduction. The advantages of a high-power quality waveform and a high voltage capability of multilevel inverters have made them increasingly popular in recent years. These inverters reduce harmonic distortion and improve the voltage output. Realistically speaking, as the number of voltage levels increases, so does the quality of the multilevel output-voltage waveform. When it comes to industrial power converters, these inverters are by far the most critical. Novelty. Multilevel cascade inverters can be used to convert multiple direct current sources into one direct current. These inverters have been getting a lot of attention recently for high-power applications. A cascade H-bridge multilevel inverter controller is proposed in this paper. A change in the pulse width of selective pulse width modulation modulates the output of the multilevel cascade inverter. Purpose. The total harmonic distortion can be reduced by using filters on controllers like PI and fuzzy logic controllers. Methods. The proposed topology is implemented with MATLAB/Simulink, using gating pulses and pulse width modulation methodology and fuzzy logic controllers. Moreover, the proposed model also has been validated and compared to the hardware system. Results. Total harmonic distortion, number of power switches, output voltage and number of DC sources are analyzed with conventional topologies. Practical value. The proposed topology has been very supportive for implementing photovoltaic based multilevel inverter, which is connected to large demand in grid and industry.
A novelty approach to solve an economic dispatch problem for a renewable integrated micro-grid using optimization techniques
Authors: Manikandan K. , Sasikumar S. , Arulraj R.
Published: June 2023

Introduction. The renewable integrated microgrid has considered several distributed energy sources namely photovoltaic power plant, thermal generators, wind power plant and combined heat and power source. Economic dispatch problem is a complex operation due to large dimension of power systems. The objective function becomes non linear due to the inclusion of many constraints. Hourly demand of a commercial area is taken into consideration for performing economic dispatch and five combinations are considered to find the best optimal solution to meet the demand. The novelty of the proposed work consists of a Sparrow Search Algorithm is used to solve economic load dispatch problem to get the better convergence and accuracy in power generation with minimum cost. Purpose. Economic dispatch is performed for the renewable integrated microgrid, in order to determine the optimal output of all the distributed energy sources present in the microgrid to meet the load demand at minimum possible cost. Methods. Sparrow Search Algorithm is compared with other algorithms like Particle Swarm Optimization, Genetic Algorithm and has been proved to be more efficient than Particle Swarm Optimization, Genetic Algorithm and Conventional Lagrange method. Results. The five combinations are generation without solar power supply system and Combined Heat and Power source, generation without solar and wind power supply systems, generation including all the distributed energy sources, generation without wind power supply system and Combined Heat and Power source, generation without thermal generators. Practical value. The proposed optimization algorithm has been very supportive to determine the optimal power generation with minimal fuel to meet the large demand in commercial area.
Kur’ân’da Nesh Tartışmaları Üzerine
Authors: KARA Mustafa
Published: June 2023

Bu makalede Kur’ân’da nesh tartışmaları ele alınmaktadır. Makalenin te-mel problemi, Kur’ân’da nesh meselesinin İslam âlimleri arasında bir türlü sonlandırılamayan tartışmalara yol açması, bu tartışmaların Müslümanlar arasında derin ilmî görüş ayrılıklarına ve birbirlerini itham ederek ötekileştirmelerine sebep olmasıdır. Makalenin amacı, Kur’ân’da neshin varlığına delil gösterilen âyetler üzerinden konuyu açıklığa kavuşturmak ve böylece Kur’ân ilimleri arasında yer alan nesh meselesinin Yüce Kitap’ta bizzat gerçekleşip gerçekleşmediği tartışmalarını uzlaştırmaya çalışmaktır. Makale, Kur’ân’da nesh konusunda delil kabul edilen âyetlerle sınırlı tutulmuştur. Makale, bu âyetlere ilişkin yorum ve tartışmaları uzlaştırmayı amaçlaması bakımından önem arz etmektedir. Bu durum aynı zamanda makalenin özgün yönünü de ortaya koymaktadır. Makalede, nitel bilgi toplama metotlarından yazılı doküman incelemesi yöntemi esas alınmış ve literatür taramasında ulaşılan bilgiler, bütüncül bir yaklaşımla incelenmiştir. Ulaşılan sonuçlar, nesh konusundaki tartışmaların Bakara 106 ve Nahl 101. âyetlerde geçen âyet (آيَة) kelimesine yüklenilen mana ve bu mana istikametinde yapılan yorumlardan kaynaklandığını göstermektedir.
Tiger Attack Resulting in a Humeral Defect Treated with Proximal Humeral Replacement and Latissimus Dorsi Flap
Authors: Murphy John David , Judson William R. , Edge Lauren , Vollant Michael , Harker John , Florschutz Anthony
Published: June 2023

Case:

A 69-year-old woman presented with a type IIIB left proximal humerus fracture with a 500-square-centimeter soft tissue defect, 10-cm bone defect, and radial nerve laceration after a tiger attack. The surgical intervention included proximal humeral replacement with muscular integration, radial nerve repair, and latissimus dorsi flap coverage.

Conclusion:

This case presents an exceedingly rare injury mechanism resulting in a significant soft tissue and bone defect. Its novelty lies in the complexity of the injury, which required a well-coordinated multispecialty treatment approach. This strategy applies to injuries with similar extensive soft tissue and bone defects.
Integration of Geophysical Methods to Study Deep Structure of the Angara Fault, the Largest in the Baikal Rift
Authors: Seminsky I.К. , Seminsky A.К. , Pospeev A.V. , Rustamova F.R.
Published: June 2023

—The Angara regional fault which is transversal to the Baikal basin totals about 150 km in length and ranks as a major strike-slip fault with the normal component in the seismically active rift zone. Given that its vicinities represent an area with high population density, the emphasis needs to be placed primarily on the study of its structural features. At this, the Angara fault has been poorly studied by geophysical methods. Results of the specialized mapping carried out in the 1990s revealed the block structure of the Angara fault zone, however without a reliable identification of the fault plane, which leaves its position still to be debatable. To establish the Angara fault plane and studying its deep structure, the integration of such geophysical methods as magnetotelluric (MT) sounding, radon emanation and fieldwalking magnetic surveys was required. Their application in the study of the deep structure of the southern parts of the Angara fault allowed revealing anomalies in all of the measured fields, accordingly. The anomaly-forming object, which the authors associate with the deep penetrated Angara fault plane, was expressed in the most distinct way by the magnetotelluric data (as a high-resistivity region (ER = 8500 Ohm∙m) relative to the host rock) and radon emanation survey (radon volumetric activity index RAI ≥ 20). The fact that the magnetic field received only minor distortions from the object may indicate either moderate magnetic characteristics of the latter or a significant occurrence depth. The identified anomaly-forming object localized within the crystalline basement tends to be more sharply expressed in the left bank of the Irkutsk Reservoir, while in the upper part of the cross-section it is overprinted by rocks of the sedimentary cover.
Low N2O emissions induced by root-derived residues compared to aboveground residues of red clover or grasses mixed in the soil
Authors: Bleken Marina Azzaroli , Rittl Tatiana Francischinelli , Nadeem Shahid
Published: June 2023

IPCC default guidelines assume a constant N2O emission factor (EFN2O) for both belowground crop residues (BGR) and aboveground residues (AGR), and that ~70 % of total N2O emissions following renewal of temporary grasslands come from BGR. However, empirical evidence is lacking, which motivated this study.

BGR-free soil and BGR-rich clay loam collected in grass or red clover leys were incubated alone or mixed with AGR and different doses of nitrate over 107 days. The average EFN2O of BGR was around 18 % of that of AGR, and remained low even when soil nitrate concentration was very high, whereas EFN2O of AGR varied largely and rocketed even with a small increase in soil nitrate. The decomposition of the carbon present in crop residues was critical for N2O emissions. Lower emission factors of BGR relative to AGR were related to slower C decomposition, which was not predicted by the biochemical characteristics. It is also likely that BGR were less conducive than AGR to develop into hotspots for N2O emission because of the roots’ finer distribution and closer contact with soil particles. Differences in EFN2O among AGR were mostly linked to the availability of N, either derived from residue mineralization or present in the soil.

In conclusion, belowground residues likely contribute less to N2O emissions than calculated by the IPCC default methodology, whereas the ‘carbon effect’ and potentially high emissions factors of non-removable stubble interacting with the fertilizer management are neglected.
Dynamic rates of site occupancy by native birds in an urban ecological reserve
Authors: Zúñiga-Vega J. Jaime , Suárez-Rodríguez Monserrat , Ramírez-Cruz Gonzalo A. , Solano-Zavaleta Israel
Published: June 2023

Urban ecological reserves are relatively large green areas immersed within cities that serve the purpose of preserving the native species of plants and animals that still persist in urban settings. In this study, we examined temporal changes (among seasons and years) in site occupancy rates of nine species of native birds that inhabit an urban ecological reserve located within one of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City. Using data collected during 11 field seasons that spanned a four-year period and implementing multi-season occupancy models, we estimated occupancy, colonization, local extinction, and detection probabilities of all nine species. For more than half of our study species, the highest occupancy and colonization rates occurred at or near the urban areas that surround the reserve. Additionally, in three species local extinction probabilities were lowest also at these urban sites. This urban affinity can be explained by the diverse vegetation that prevails in the surrounding urban sites, which offers a high habitat heterogeneity that facilitates the presence of bird species with distinct ecological needs. In contrast, the ecological reserve consists of a relatively homogeneous xerophytic scrubland where a few species of shrubs and small trees are dominant. We did not detect long-term decreasing trends in site occupancy of any species. Instead, in three species we observed positive trends in occupancy during particular periods. Overall, our findings indicate that the combination of this urban ecological reserve with the green spaces of the surrounding urban areas harbors stable populations of native birds.
High precision structural mapping using advanced gravity processing methods: a case study from the North region of Cameroon
Authors: Gautier Kamto Paul , Oksum Erdinc , Yap Loudi , Kande Houetchak Ludovic , Kamguia Joseph
Published: June 2023

The main purpose of this work is to perform a high-precision mapping of geological features (lineaments and faults) likely to develop underground aquifers in the crystalline and metamorphic rocks of northern Cameroon. The main techniques used for gravity data processing included the tilt angle of horizontal gradient (TAHG), the improved logistic filter (ILF), the fast sigmoid edge detector filter (FSF), and an edge detection filter based on the arcsine function (ASF). Before applying these edge detection filters to major geological units of North Cameroon, their effectiveness and performance have been assessed through synthetic gravity data with and without gravity perturbation. In addition, the Euler deconvolution formula has been used to estimate the position and the apparent depth of anomalous gravity sources in the study region. It appears that the main structural features are trending along the N-S, NNE-SSW and NE-SW directions. The deepest density anomalies in the region are identified in the NW-SE direction, which coincides well with the extension of the West and Central African rift system in the study area. The advanced edge detection techniques and the Euler deconvolution method have both identified a network of superficial lineaments around longitude 13oN and latitude 8oN, and located between 0 and 4 km depth. The NW-SE trending crustal features outlined in the northeast of the region, indicate that the area would have been the target of a uniform tectonic activity. This work is a contribution to a better knowledge of the configuration of fractures network, and to a better exploitation of groundwater resources available in the region.
Superior Activation of Persulfate to Degrade Acetaminophen by MgO incorporated CuO/TiO2: Pivotal Roles of non-redox MgO in the Regulation of Performance, Surface Properties and Nonradical Mechanism
Authors: Jiang Wang , Ali Jawad , Luo Fang , Wang Siqi , Wang Jia , Liao Zhuwei , Chen Zhuqi
Published: June 2023

Sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) through the activation of persulfate (PS, S2O82−) have received increasing attentions due to their excellent ability to remove emerging pollutants. Herein, we provided a new approach to modulate the properties of copper-based catalysts through the incorporation of non-redox metal oxides MgO. The pivotal roles of MgO in regulating catalytic performance of various catalysts including CuOMgO/TiO2, CuOMgO/Kaolin, CuOMgO/SiO2, CuOMgO/MnO2, CuOMgO/Al2O3 and CuOMgO/ZnO were comprehensively studied. Among them, CuOMgO/TiO2-PS exhibited outstanding performance with reaction kinetic constant (kobs) of 0.046 min− 1, which was 15–100 times higher than that of control catalysts such as CuO-PS (0.00020 min− 1) and CuO/TiO2-PS (0.0070 min− 1). Additionally, Cu ions leaching from CuO/TiO2 (2.5 mg/L) was also obviously controlled in CuOMgO/TiO2 (0.34 mg/L) when being utilized for PS activation. Scavenging tests, EPR, electrochemical analysis and kinetic study on PS decomposition showed that electron transfer was the dominant oxidation pathway rather than classic free radicals or 1O2 in CuOMgO/TiO2/PS. Moreover, XRD, BET, EPR, XPS and FTIR disclosed that the incorporation of MgO significantly increased the intensity of surface hydroxyl groups with a larger surface area of CuOMgO/TiO2, which facilitated the outer-sphere coordination of Cu center and PS, therefore enhanced the generation of isolated surface-bound Cu2+ ions which played the dominant role for electron transfer process.
Effectiveness of carbon pricing – A systematic review and meta-analysis of the ex-post literature
Authors: Döbbeling-Hildebrandt Niklas , Miersch Klaas , Khanna Tarun , Bachelet Marion , Bruns Stephan B. , Callaghan Max , Edenhofer Ottmar , Flachsland Christian , Forster Piers , Kalkuhl Matthias , Koch Nicolas , Lamb William , Ohlendorf Nils , Steckel Jan , Minx Jan
Published: June 2023

Today, about 70 carbon pricing schemes have been implemented around the globe, but their contributions to emissions reductions remains a subject of heated debate in science and policy. We use a rigorous, machine-learning-assisted systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the effectiveness of carbon pricing in reducing emissions. Based on 483 effect sizes extracted from 80 causal ex-post evaluations across 21 carbon pricing schemes, we find that introducing a carbon price has yielded immediate and substantial emission reductions of about 10.4% on average (6.8% after correcting for publication bias), despite the low level of prices in most instances. Our study highlights critical evidence gaps with regard to dozens of unevaluated carbon pricing schemes and the price elasticity of emissions reductions. More rigorous synthesis of carbon pricing and other climate policies is required across a range of outcomes to advance our understanding of "what works" and accelerate learning on climate solutions in science and policy.
Ocrelizumab for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: A cost effectiveness study in Peru
Authors: Gutierrez-Aguado Alfonso , Angeles-Donayre Mariuccia
Published: June 2023

Background: This study examines the cost-effectiveness of Ocrelizumab, a treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), in the Peruvian healthcare system. RRMS is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, and its prevalence in Peru has been reported to be 9.12 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Methods: A cohort multi-state Markov model was developed to simulate disease progression and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Ocrelizumab compared to other treatment alternatives for RRMS. The model considered various health states, including relapse, disability progression, conversion to secondary-progressive MS, mortality, treatment effect waning, treatment withdrawal, and adverse events. Costs associated with medication, administration, monitoring, and adverse events were included. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and life years (LYs) gained were analyzed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire.
Results: In the base-case scenario, Ocrelizumab was found to be a cost-effective intervention, with a cost per QALY and LYs below the willingness-to-pay threshold. When compared to other treatment alternatives, Ocrelizumab was dominant, providing greater QALYs and LYs at a lower cost than Interferon, Natalizumab, Teriflunomide, and Alemtuzumab. However, Alemtuzumab had a higher cost but provided more QALYs and LYs than Ocrelizumab.
Conclusions: Ocrelizumab was deemed cost-effective in the treatment of RRMS in Peru. It offered a favorable balance between cost and health outcomes, making it a compelling choice for RRMS management and resource allocation. The study's findings align with previous research highlighting the cost-effectiveness of Ocrelizumab in RRMS treatment across different healthcare systems. Limitations include the simplifications made in the model and the availability and accuracy of data sources used.
Sevoflurane activates rapamycin signaling to alleviate cardiomyocyte ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Wang Jianqiang , Lin Kai , Li Weichao , Pan Xuee , Tu Jiayu , Li Heng
Published: June 2023

Background
Sevoflurane, as a widely used inhaled general anesthetic, has cardioprotective effects in ischemia-reperfusion injury (I / R). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rapamycin signal target protein on sevoflurane post-processing in H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes.
Material and Methods
In the experiment use H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes were cultured with sevoflurane. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The morphological structure of mitochondria was analyzed by laser confocal microscope and ImageJ + Mina software. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was measured by immunofluorescence staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression of rapamycin signal target protein and apoptosis protein in H9c2 cells.
Results
The experimental results show that sevoflurane post-treatment (SPC) increased the expression of rapamycin signal target protein and alleviated the I / R injury of H9c2 cells (p < 0.05). SPC can promote the mitochondrial fusion of cardiomyocytes by activating rapamycin signal target, reduce mitochondrial division and maintain the normal structure of mitochondria, so as to protect central myocytes from ischemia-reperfusion injury (p < 0.05). Moreover, SPC reduced the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes and the expression level of apoptotic proteins caspase-3 and caspase-9 after myocardial I / R injury. The anti apoptotic effect may be the reason for the protective effect of SPC on H9c2 cells (p < 0.05). The use of the inhibitor rapamycin can eliminate this protective effect.
Conclusion
SPC activates rapamycin signal target to reduce myocardial I / R injury by maintaining myocardial function, promoting mitochondrial fusion and reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Intelligent Kitchen Waste Composting System via Deep Learning and IoT
Authors: Teh Boon Hong , Saruchi Sarah Atifah , Solihin Mahmud Iwan , Seng Jonathan Lam Lit , Halisno Nico , Razap Ahmad Nor Alifa A , Izni Nor Aziyatul
Published: June 2023

Kitchen waste is listed among the top global sustainability issue as it contributes to global warming and climate change. Composting is one of the solutions to tackle the issue of kitchen waste increment. However, a manual composting system has led to several problems for the waste management authorities to invest more in human labor, cost, and time to segregate and dispose of the kitchen waste and its composting soil. Therefore, this project proposes an intelligent kitchen waste composting system via deep learning and Internet-of-Things (IoT) that is fully automated to cater for that issue. Firstly, the proposed system utilized Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to detect and segregate kitchen waste into compostable and non-compostable categories. Then, the classified compostable waste went through composting stage inside an automated compost bin with the feature of IoT. The IoT compost bin requires less human labor as it used sensors, actuators, and Wi-Fi connection to monitor and control the composting process. Finally, the compost soil is transferred to the designated gardening area via smart compost soil transportation system. The system consists of a robot equipped with infrared sensors. The sensors control the robot's movement by tracking the predefined black tape path. A prototype is built to investigate the performance of the proposed system. Results show that each sub-system managed to interact with one another, thus creating a large intelligent system that succeeded in completing the kitchen waste segregation, composting and ready compost delivering tasks automatically. In the future, it is expected that the proposed intelligent system has the potential to be commercialized to tackle the kitchen waste increment issue as it offers an economical yet high-efficiency solution.
Spatial-temporal transformer network for protecting person-of-interest from deepfaking
Authors: Lu Dingyu , Zhang Dongming , Zhang Jing , Jin Guoqing
Published: June 2023

The rampant use of forgery techniques poses a significant threat to the security of celebrities' identities. Although current deepfake detection methods have shown effectiveness when dealing with specific public face forgery datasets, their reliability diminishes when applied to open data. Moreover, these methods are susceptible to re-compression and mainly rely on pixel-level abnormalities in forgery faces.

In this study, we present a novel approach to detecting face forgery by leveraging individual speaking patterns of facial expressions and head movements. Our method utilizes potential motion patterns and inter-frame variations to effectively differentiate between fake and real videos. We propose an end-to-end dual-branch detection network, named the spatial-temporal transformer (STT), which aims to safeguard the identity of the person-of-interest (POI) from deepfaking. The STT incorporates the spatial transformer (ST) to establish the connection between facial expressions and head movements, while the temporal transformer (TT) exploits inconsistencies in facial attribute changes. Additionally, we introduce a central compression loss to enhance the detection performance.

Extensive experiments are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the STT, and the results demonstrate its superiority over other SOTA methods in detecting forgery videos involving POIs. Furthermore, our network exhibits resilience to pixel-level re-compression perturbations, making it a robust solution in the face of evolving forgery techniques.
Characterization of Precipitation Concentration Indicators and Their Variations in a Central European Region
Authors: Eini Mohammad Reza , Darand Mohammad , Malekzadeh Faezeh , Kabiri Nazanin , Panahi Amir , Piniewski Mikołaj
Published: June 2023

In recent years, climate change affected several regions over the globe by changing the temporal and spatial pattern of precipitation, increasing the temperature, and causing severe droughts and floods. In this regard, understanding the changes and characteristics of precipitation in different aspects is an urgent practice. In this study, by employing four precipitation concentration indices, including CI (concentration index), PCI (precipitation concentration index), PCP (precipitation concentration period), and PCD (precipitation concentration degree), various features of precipitation concentration over union of Polish territory and the Vistula and Odra basins in Central Europe are investigated. For this aim, a 2 km × 2 km regional gridded dataset was employed from 1990–2019 at daily time steps. Results show that the number of rainy days varies between 160 and 250 days. In general, the effects of sea and high elevation on precipitation concentration are vivid in the south (mountainous area) and north (Baltic Sea). Over the foothills of the mountainous area, CI has a more extensive range than other areas; this indicates that precipitation over these regions happened over fewer days. The variation of PCI is tiny and shows that almost all months contribute to the annual precipitation. PCP, by varying between 40˚ to 130˚, shows that the most considerable amount of precipitation in the short periods occurs between February and May. PCD indicates that precipitation is widely dispersed. These indices have shown that almost precipitation is consistently distributed over the year, and there are no significant changes in these indices. However, these indices have different patterns relative to the central parts of the region over the northern and southern parts.
Surface modification of halloysite nanotube with an amine terminated block copolymer
Authors: Jafazadeh Shahabaldin , Haddadi-Asl Vahid
Published: June 2023

The surface modification of halloysite nanotube can make it a very prospering vehicle for cancer drug delivery. In the present study, the surface of HNT clay was modified with a copolymer of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyaniline (PANI). The copolymer was decorated on the surface via a grafting from strategy. To fulfill this, the surface was firstly modified with an organosilane component, and then with a chain transfer agent (CTA). Later, the copolymer was grown on the surface via subsequent stages of reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and oxidative polymerizations. The successful formation of copolymer on HNT surface was corroborated by spectroscopic analyses including FTIR and 1HNMR. The morphology of the polymer grafted HNT was studied using electron microscopes, i.e. SEM and TEM, and the results revealed that nanostructures with respective mean diameter and length of 40 and 100 nm possessing polymer coating on the interior and exterior surfaces were obtained. The structural analysis with XRD verified the crystalline structure of HNT was almost preserved in the presence of copolymer graft and only the interlayer distances were increased. The thermal study via DSC confirmed that the copolymer grafted HNT possessed glass transition, melting, and degradation peaks. And TGA analysis unveiled that HNT grafted with copolymer represented higher thermal stability comparing that one grafted with pristine PAA. Moreover, quantitative results of TGA substantiated that more that 59% copolymer was grafted onto HNT surface.
Adhesive bonding of glass-fibre thermoplastic composite: process optimisation and sustainability analysis using LCA methodology
Authors: Mandolfino Chiara , Cassettari Lucia , Lertora Enrico , Pizzorni Marco
Published: June 2023

In recent years, the transport industry has increasingly been confronted with the need for construction solutions that, at parity of performance, minimise the weight of products to save on fuel consumption, with benefits for operating costs and reduced pollutant emissions. In parallel, great attention has been paid to the challenge of integrating more sustainable circular approaches to manufacturing, which involve optimising the entire product cycle, from design to fabrication, assembly, and eventual reuse/recycling. In this context, the use of thermoplastic composite materials in combination with adhesive bonding is attracting increasing attention to achieve this dual objective. Therefore, the proposed research focuses on the experimental and statistical optimisation of an adhesive bonding process for glass-fibre reinforced composite substrates with polypropylene matrix. A low-pressure plasma pre-bonding surface treatment is adopted, and its effectiveness in enhancing joint performance compared to more conventional preparations for plastics is discussed. By varying plasma parameters according to the Design of Experiments statistical approach, the joint response is studied in terms of tensile shear strength and modelled in accordance with the Response Surface Methodology to identify the optimum condition of process parameters within the established system boundaries. Two alternative scenarios – namely, joints with thermoplastic composite or thermoset composite substrates – are then analysed by Life Cycle Assessment methodology and compared according to their relative environmental impact, demonstrating that glass-fibre thermoplastic composite joints are competitive alternatives to thermoset joints in terms of mechanical performance achieved, but significantly preferable with regard to environmental sustainability.
Utility of needle biopsy in centrally located lung cancer for genome analysis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kunimasa Kei , Matsumoto Shingo , Honma Keiichiro , Tamiya Motohiro , Inoue Takako , Kawamura Takahisa , Tanada Satoshi , Miyazaki Akito , Kanzaki Ryu , Maniwa Tomohiro , Okami Jiro , Matsumoto Yuji , Goto Koichi , Nishino Kazumi
Published: June 2023

Background
It is essential to collect a sufficient amount of tumor tissue for successful next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. In this study, we investigated the clinical risk factors for avoiding re-biopsy for NGS analysis (re-genome biopsy) in cases where a sufficient amount of tumor tissue could not be collected by bronchoscopy.
Methods
We investigated the association between clinical factors and the risk of genome re-biopsy in patients who underwent transbronchial biopsy (TBB) or endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and required re-genome biopsy in cases enrolled in LC-SCRUM Asia, a prospective nationwide genome screening project in Japan. We also examined whether the frequency of re-biopsy decreased between the first and second halves of the enrolment period.
Results
Of the 572 eligible patients, 236 underwent TBB, and 134 underwent EBUS-TBNA. Twenty-four TBBs required re-genome biopsy, and multivariate analysis showed that the risk of re-biopsy was significantly increased in lesions where the tumor lesion was centrally located. In these cases, EBUS-TBNA should be utilized even if the lesion is a pulmonary lesion. However, it should be noted that even with EBUS-TBNA, lung field lesions are at a higher risk of re-canalization than mediastinal lymph node lesions. It was also found that even when tumor cells were detected in rapid on-site evaluation, a sufficient amount of tumor tissue was not always collected.
Conclusions
For centrally located pulmonary mass lesions, EBUS-TBNA, rather than TBB, can be used to obtain tumor tissues that can be analyzed by NGS.