bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entropy Generation Minimization of Two-Phase Flow Irreversibilities in Hydrocarbon Reservoirs
Authors: Elhaj Murtada A. , Imtiaz Syed A. , Naterer Greg F. , Zendehboudi Sohrab
Published: May 2023

The efficient use of available energy in hydrocarbon extraction processes is essential to reducing overall emissions in the petroleum industry. The inefficient design of an extraction process leads to higher emissions per unit mass of hydrocarbon recovery. Fluid friction and heat transfer are irreversible processes that are vital in decreasing the overall system’s operational efficiency. To reduce these irreversible energy losses in the petroleum reservoir production’s life, contributing factors such as the characteristic features of a reservoir formation, reservoir fluids, and production rate are investigated in this paper. This study examines irreversible energy loss in porous media and wellbore formations using entropy generation minimization at various stages of production and thermodynamic conditions, eventually achieving higher hydrocarbon recovery factors. Entropy production is used to develop predictive models that calculate reservoir and wellbore energy losses for multiphase flow. The proposed models consider oil and water as the working fluids in a porous medium and a wellbore. This paper also investigates the thermophysical effects around the wellbore by incorporating Hawkin’s model. A sensitivity analysis assessed the impact of rock and fluid properties and thermodynamic conditions such as temperature, wettability, and capillary pressure on the total entropy generation. The findings reveal that the capillary pressure significantly impacts the oil and water recovery factor and total entropy production. Additionally, the capillary pressure strongly influences the reservoir production life. The two-phase models show that as the recovery factor increases, the total entropy production decreases at lower production rates. This article helps to address the impact of irreversible processes on multiphase hydrocarbon reservoir operational efficiency. Furthermore, the results obtained from the numerical-simulation model open up a new research area for scholars to maximize the recovery factor using entropy generation minimization in heterogeneous reservoirs.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Water Cooling on the Temperature Distribution of Photovoltaic Modules Using Copper Pipes
Authors: Shojaeefard Mohammad Hassan , Sakran Noor Barzan , Sharfabadi Mohammad Mazidi , Hussein Omar A. , Mohammed Hussein A.
Published: May 2023

In hot climates, PV efficiency drops dramatically if the surface temperature of the panels rises over a specific limit. Consequently, a cooling system is required to preserve PV modules as close to their operating temperature as feasible. For this purpose, the influence of an increase in PV surface temperature on PV performance was studied experimentally and numerically at the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI) in July. The current study uses a cooling system consisting of rows of copper pipes connected to the PV backside. The experiments are conducted for four distinct scenarios, each with a different input fluid temperature ranging from 19.5 to 61 °C. The parametric analysis focuses on three influential factors: ambient temperature, solar radiation, and fluid inlet temperatures. In addition, other inputs are configured in accordance with the experimental conditions. The results showed that installing a cooling water system decreased the PV surface temperature from 60.20 °C to 40.24 °C at 9:00 am and from 73.98 °C to 73.33 °C at 1:30 pm. Furthermore, the electrical, thermal, overall, and exergy efficiencies drop as radiation intensity and water inlet temperature increase. In addition, the numerical results are validated with the experimental ones, and it shows high degrees of concordance.
Direct Power Control for Three-Level Multifunctional Voltage Source Inverter of PV Systems Using a Simplified Super-Twisting Algorithm
Authors: Debdouche Naamane , Deffaf Brahim , Benbouhenni Habib , Laid Zarour , Mosaad Mohamed I.
Published: May 2023

This study proposes a simplified super-twisting algorithm (SSTA) control strategy for improving the power quality of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power systems. Some quality issues are considered in this study including the power factor, reducing the total harmonic distortion (THD) of current, compensating the reactive power, and injecting at the same time the energy supplied by the PV system into the grid considering non-linear load. This improvement is achieved by two topologies; controlling both the boost DC–DC converter and the DC–AC inverter that links the PV system to the grid. The DC–DC converter is controlled using proportional-integral (PI) and SSTA to maximize the power generated from the PV panel regardless of its normal and abnormal conditions, while the DC–AC inverter is employed to direct power control strategy with modified space vector modulation using the phase-locked loop (PLL) technique of a three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter based on the proposed strategies (PI and SSTA). In addition, a shunt active power filter (SAPF) is used to connect the PV system to the AC grid and feed a non-linear load. To validate the simulation results presented in this paper using Matlab software, a comparative study between the PI controller and the SSTA is presented. The results show the effectiveness and moderation of the suggested SSTA technique in terms of feasibility, tracking performance, less power ripple, dynamic response, THD value, overshoot, steady-state error, and robustness under varying irradiation, temperature, and non-linear conditions.
Demand–Response Control of Electric Storage Water Heaters Based on Dynamic Electricity Pricing and Comfort Optimization
Authors: Pardiñas Ángel Á. , Durán Gómez Pablo , Echevarría Camarero Fernando , Carrasco Ortega Pablo
Published: May 2023

Electric Storage Water Heaters (ESWH) are a widespread solution to supply domestic hot water (DHW) to dwellings and other applications. The working principle of these units makes them a great resource for peak shaving, which is particularly important due to the level of penetration renewable energies are achieving and their intermittent nature. Renewable energy deployment in the electricity market translates into large electricity price fluctuations throughout the day for individual users. The purpose of this study was to find a demand–response strategy for the activation of the heating element based on a multiobjective minimization of electricity cost and user discomfort, assuming a known DHW consumption profile. An experimentally validated numerical model was used to perform an evaluation of the potential savings with the demand–response optimized strategy compared to a thermostat-based approach. Results showed that cost savings of approximately 12% can be achieved on a yearly basis, while even improving user thermal comfort. Moreover, increasing the ESWH volume would allow (i) more aggressive demand–response strategies in terms of cost savings, and (ii) higher level of uncertainty in the DHW consumption profile, without detriment to discomfort.
Development of a Short-Term Electrical Load Forecasting in Disaggregated Levels Using a Hybrid Modified Fuzzy-ARTMAP Strategy
Authors: Fernández Leonardo Brain García , Lotufo Anna Diva Plasencia , Minussi Carlos Roberto
Published: May 2023

In recent years, electrical systems have evolved, creating uncertainties in short-term economic dispatch programming due to demand fluctuations from self-generating companies. This paper proposes a flexible Machine Learning (ML) approach to address electrical load forecasting at various levels of disaggregation in the Peruvian Interconnected Electrical System (SEIN). The novelty of this approach includes utilizing meteorological data for training, employing an adaptable methodology with easily modifiable internal parameters, achieving low computational cost, and demonstrating high performance in terms of MAPE. The methodology combines modified Fuzzy ARTMAP Neural Network (FAMM) and hybrid Support Vector Machine FAMM (SVMFAMM) methods in a parallel process, using data decomposition through the Wavelet filter db20. Experimental results show that the proposed approach outperforms state-of-the-art models in predicting accuracy across different time intervals.
Exploring the Spatial Relative Risk of COVID-19 in Berlin-Neukölln
Authors: Lambio Christoph , Schmitz Tillman , Elson Richard , Butler Jeffrey , Roth Alexandra , Feller Silke , Savaskan Nicolai , Lakes Tobia
Published: May 2023

Identifying areas with high and low infection rates can provide important etiological clues. Usually, areas with high and low infection rates are identified by aggregating epidemiological data into geographical units, such as administrative areas. This assumes that the distribution of population numbers, infection rates, and resulting risks is constant across space. This assumption is, however, often false and is commonly known as the modifiable area unit problem. This article develops a spatial relative risk surface by using kernel density estimation to identify statistically significant areas of high risk by comparing the spatial distribution of address-level COVID-19 cases and the underlying population at risk in Berlin-Neukölln. Our findings show that there are varying areas of statistically significant high and low risk that straddle administrative boundaries. The findings of this exploratory analysis further highlight topics such as, e.g., Why were mostly affluent areas affected during the first wave? What lessons can be learned from areas with low infection rates? How important are built structures as drivers of COVID-19? How large is the effect of the socio-economic situation on COVID-19 infections? We conclude that it is of great importance to provide access to and analyse fine-resolution data to be able to understand the spread of the disease and address tailored health measures in urban settings.
Isolated or Colocated? Exploring the Spatio-Temporal Evolution Pattern and Influencing Factors of the Attractiveness of Residential Areas to Restaurants in the Central Urban Area
Authors: Tang Ruien , Hou Guolin , Du Rui
Published: May 2023

Catering and urban elements have a strong spatial association. The spatial clustering and dispersal patterns of catering can effectively influence cities’ economic and socio-spatial reconfiguration. This research first introduced the concept of the ARTR (the attractiveness of residential areas to restaurants) and measured its value as well as its spatial and temporal evolutionary patterns using global and local colocation quotients. The DBSCAN algorithm and spatial hot-spot analysis were used to analyze their spatial evolution patterns. On this basis, a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model was used to analyze the scale of and spatial variation in the drivers. The results show that (1) Nanjing’s ARTR is at a low level, with the most significant decline in ARTR occurring from 2005 to 2020 for MRs and HRs, while LRs did not significantly respond to urban regeneration. (2) The spatial layout of the ARTR in Nanjing has gradually evolved from a circular structure to a semi-enclosed structure, and the circular structure has continued to expand outward. At the same time, the ARTR for different levels of catering shows a diverse distribution in the margins. (3) Urban expansion and regeneration have led to increasingly negative effects of the clustering level, commercial competition, economic level and neighborhood newness, while the density of the road network has been more stable. (4) The road network density has consistently remained a global influence. Commercial diversity has changed from a local factor to a global factor, while economic and locational factors have strongly spatially non-smooth relationships with the ARTR. The results of this study can provide a basis for a harmonious relationship between catering and residential areas in the context of urban expansion and regeneration.
Variations in the Spatial Distribution of Smart Parcel Lockers in the Central Metropolitan Region of Tianjin, China: A Comparative Analysis before and after COVID-19
Authors: Ding Mengyue , Ullah Nadeem , Grigoryan Sara , Hu Yike , Song Yan
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in e-commerce, which has prompted residents to shift their purchasing habits from offline to online. As a result, Smart Parcel Lockers (SPLs) have emerged as an accessible end-to-end delivery service that fits into the pandemic strategy of maintaining social distance and no-contact protocols. Although numerous studies have examined SPLs from various perspectives, few have analyzed their spatial distribution from an urban planning perspective, which could enhance the development of other disciplines in this field. To address this gap, we investigate the distribution of SPLs in Tianjin’s central urban area before and after the pandemic (i.e., 2019 and 2022) using kernel density estimation, average nearest neighbor analysis, standard deviation elliptic, and geographical detector. Our results show that, in three years, the number of SPLs has increased from 51 to 479, and a majority were installed in residential communities (i.e., 92.2% in 2019, and 97.7% in 2022). We find that SPLs were distributed randomly before the pandemic, but after the pandemic, SPLs agglomerated and followed Tianjin’s development pattern. We identify eight influential factors on the spatial distribution of SPLs and discuss their individual and compound effects. Our discussion highlights potential spatial distribution analysis, such as dynamic layout planning, to improve the allocation of SPLs in city planning and city logistics.
A New Hypoglycemic Prenylated Indole Alkaloid N-Oxide from Endophytic Fungus Pallidocercospora crystalline
Authors: Gao Shuo , Lin Xiao , Shi Yeqin , Zhou Hu , Zheng Xiao , Li Mingyu , Lin Ting
Published: May 2023

A new prenylated indole alkaloid—Penicimutamide C N-oxide (1), a new alkaloid penicimutamine A (2), along with six known alkaloids were isolated from an endophytic fungus Pallidocercospora crystallina. A simple and accurate method was used to determine the N-O bond in the N-oxide group of 1. By using a β-cell ablation diabetic zebrafish model, compounds 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8 showed significantly hypoglycemic activities under the concentration of 10 μM. Further studies revealed that compounds 1 and 8 lowered the glucose level through promoting glucose uptake in zebrafish. In addition, all eight compounds showed no acute toxicity, teratogenicity, nor vascular toxicity in zebrafish under the concentrations range from 2.5 μΜ to 40 μM. Importantly, these results provide new lead compounds for the development of antidiabetes strategies.
Optimizing Fluid Management Guided by Volumetric Parameters in Patients with Sepsis and ARDS
Authors: Fot Evgeniia V. , Khromacheva Natalia O. , Ushakov Aleksei A. , Smetkin Aleksei A. , Kuzkov Vsevolod V. , Kirov Mikhail Y.
Published: May 2023

We compared two de-escalation strategies guided by either extravascular lung water or global end-diastolic volume-oriented algorithms in patients with sepsis and ARDS. Sixty patients with sepsis and ARDS were randomized to receive de-escalation fluid therapy, guided either by the extravascular lung water index (EVLWI, n = 30) or the global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI, n = 30). In cases of GEDVI > 650 mL/m2 or EVLWI > 10 mL/kg, diuretics and/or controlled ultrafiltration were administered to achieve the cumulative 48-h fluid balance in the range of 0 to −3000 mL. During 48 h of goal-directed de-escalation therapy, we observed a decrease in the SOFA score (p < 0.05). Extravascular lung water decreased only in the EVLWI-oriented group (p < 0.001). In parallel, PaO2/FiO2 increased by 30% in the EVLWI group and by 15% in the GEDVI group (p < 0.05). The patients with direct ARDS demonstrated better responses to dehydration therapy concerning arterial oxygenation and lung fluid balance. In sepsis-induced ARDS, both fluid management strategies, based either on GEDVI or EVLWI, improved arterial oxygenation and attenuated organ dysfunction. The de-escalation therapy was more efficient for direct ARDS.
The Vanilloid (Capsaicin) Receptor TRPV1 in Blood Pressure Regulation: A Novel Therapeutic Target in Hypertension?
Authors: Szallasi Arpad
Published: May 2023

Today’s sedentary lifestyle with excess food and little exercise increases the number of people with hypertension, a major risk factor for stroke. New knowledge of treatments in this field is of utmost importance. In animal experiments, the activation by capsaicin of TRPV1-expressing sensory afferents evokes a drop in blood pressure by triggering the Bezold–Jarisch reflex. In hypertensive rats, capsaicin reduces blood pressure. Conversely, genetic ablation of the TRPV1 receptor results in elevated nocturnal (but not diurnal) blood pressure. These observations imply a therapeutic potential for TRPV1 activation in hypertensive patients. Indeed, in a major epidemiological study involving 9273 volunteers, dietary capsaicin was found to lower the risk for hypertension. New research indicates that the mechanism of action of capsaicin on blood pressure regulation is far more complex than previously thought. In addition to the well-recognized role of capsaicin-sensitive afferents in blood pressure regulation, TRPV1 seems to be expressed both in endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle. This review aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of TRPV1-targeting drugs in hypertensive patients.
Semimetallic, Half-Metallic, Semiconducting, and Metallic States in Gd-Sb Compounds
Authors: Baidak Semyon T. , Lukoyanov Alexey V.
Published: May 2023

The electronic and band structures of the Gd- and Sb-based intermetallic materials have been explored using the theoretical ab initio approach, accounting for strong electron correlations of the Gd-4f electrons. Some of these compounds are being actively investigated because of topological features in these quantum materials. Five compounds were investigated theoretically in this work to demonstrate the variety of electronic properties in the Gd-Sb-based family: GdSb, GdNiSb, Gd4Sb3, GdSbS2O, and GdSb2. The GdSb compound is a semimetal with the topological nonsymmetric electron pocket along the high-symmetry points Γ–X–W, and hole pockets along the L–Γ–X path. Our calculations show that the addition of nickel to the system results in the energy gap, and we obtained a semiconductor with indirect gap of 0.38 eV for the GdNiSb intermetallic compound. However, a quite different electronic structure has been found in the chemical composition Gd4Sb3; this compound is a half-metal with the energy gap of 0.67 eV only in the minority spin projection. The molecular GdSbS2O compound with S and O in it is found to be a semiconductor with a small indirect gap. The GdSb2 intermetallic compound is found to have a metallic state in the electronic structure; remarkably, the band structure of GdSb2 has a Dirac-cone-like feature near the Fermi energy between high-symmetry points Г and S, and these two Dirac cones are split by spin-orbit coupling. Thus, studying the electronic and band structure of several reported and new Gd-Sb compounds revealed a variety of the semimetallic, half-metallic, semiconducting, or metallic states, as well topological features in some of them. The latter can lead to outstanding transport and magnetic properties, such as a large magnetoresistance, which makes Gd-Sb-based materials very promising for applications.
Drug Potency Prediction of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors Based on a Graph Generative Model
Authors: Fadlallah Sarah , Julià Carme , García-Vallvé Santiago , Pujadas Gerard , Serratosa Francesc
Published: May 2023

The prediction of a ligand potency to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M-pro) would be a highly helpful addition to a virtual screening process. The most potent compounds might then be the focus of further efforts to experimentally validate their potency and improve them. A computational method to predict drug potency, which is based on three main steps, is defined: (1) defining the drug and protein in only one 3D structure; (2) applying graph autoencoder techniques with the aim of generating a latent vector; and (3) using a classical fitting model to the latent vector to predict the potency of the drug. Experiments in a database of 160 drug-M-pro pairs, from which the pIC50 is known, show the ability of our method to predict their drug potency with high accuracy. Moreover, the time spent to compute the pIC50 of the whole database is only some seconds, using a current personal computer. Thus, it can be concluded that a computational tool that predicts, with high reliability, the pIC50 in a cheap and fast way is achieved. This tool, which can be used to prioritize which virtual screening hits, will be further examined in vitro.
Molecular Mechanisms Related to Burns, Burn Wound Healing and Scarring
Authors: Kamolz Lars-Peter , Hecker Andrzej
Published: May 2023

The process of burn injury is multifaceted and involves a whole spectrum of inflammatory responses that can have significant implications for burn patients, including local, regional, and systemic effects [...]
Alterations of miRNA Expression in Diffuse Hyperplastic Perilobar Nephroblastomatosis: Mapping the Way to Understanding Wilms’ Tumor Development and Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Csók Ádám , Micsik Tamás , Magyar Zsófia , Tornóczky Tamás , Kuthi Levente , Nishi Yumika , Szirák Krisztina , Csóka Monika , Ottóffy Gábor , Soltész Beáta , Balogh István , Buglyó Gergely
Published: May 2023

Wilms’ tumor (WT) is the most common renal malignancy in children. In diffuse hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis (DHPLN), nephrogenic rests result in a bulky enlargement of the kidney, a condition considered as a premalignant state before WT. Despite relevant clinical differences between WT and DHPLN, they are often challenging to distinguish based on histology. Molecular markers would improve differential diagnosis, but none are available at present. In our study, we investigated the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as such biomarkers, also aiming to shed light on the chronological order of expression changes. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from four DHPLN cases and adjacent healthy tissues were tested using a PCR array containing primers for 84 miRNAs implicated in genitourinary cancer. Expression in DHPLN was compared to WT data available in dbDEMC. Let-7, miR-135, miR-146a-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-183-5p, miR-20b-3p, miR-29b-3p, miR-195-5p and miR-17-5p showed potential to be used as biomarkers to distinguish WT and DHPLN in cases when traditional differential diagnosis is inconclusive. Our study also revealed miRNAs which may play a role in the initial steps of the pathogenesis (at a precancerous stage) and ones which become deregulated later in WT. More experiments are needed to confirm our observations and find new candidate markers.
Supervised Learning and Multi-Omics Integration Reveals Clinical Significance of Inner Membrane Mitochondrial Protein (IMMT) in Prognostic Prediction, Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Precision Medicine for Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Chun-Chi , Chu Pei-Yi , Lin Hung-Yu
Published: May 2023

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) accounts for approximately 75% of all renal cancers. The prognosis for patients with metastatic KIRC is poor, with less than 10% surviving five years after diagnosis. Inner membrane mitochondrial protein (IMMT) plays a crucial role in shaping the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), regulation of metabolism and innate immunity. However, the clinical relevance of IMMT in KIRC is not yet fully understood, and its role in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of IMMT in KIRC using a combination of supervised learning and multi-omics integration. The supervised learning principle was applied to analyze a TCGA dataset, which was downloaded and split into training and test datasets. The training dataset was used to train the prediction model, while the test and the entire TCGA dataset were used to evaluate its performance. Based on the risk score, the cutoff between the low and high IMMT group was set at median value. A Kaplan-Meier curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, principal component analysis (PCA) and Spearman’s correlation were conducted to evaluate the prediction ability of the model. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to investigate the critical biological pathways. Immunogenicity, immunological landscape and single-cell analysis were performed to examine the TIME. Databases including Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) were employed for inter-database verification. Pharmacogenetic prediction was analyzed via single-guide RNA (sgRNA)-based drug sensitivity screening using Q-omics v.1.30. Low expressions of IMMT in tumor predicted dismal prognosis in KIRC patients and correlated with KIRC progression. GSEA revealed that low expressions of IMMT were implicated in mitochondrial inhibition and angiogenetic activation. In addition, low IMMT expressions had associations with reduced immunogenicity and an immunosuppressive TIME. Inter-database verification corroborated the correlation between low IMMT expressions, KIRC tumors and the immunosuppressive TIME. Pharmacogenetic prediction identified lestaurtinib as a potent drug for KIRC in the context of low IMMT expressions. This study highlights the potential of IMMT as a novel biomarker, prognostic predictor and pharmacogenetic predictor to inform the development of more personalized and effective cancer treatments. Additionally, it provides important insights into the role of IMMT in the mechanism underlying mitochondrial activity and angiogenesis development in KIRC, which suggests IMMT as a promising target for the development of new therapies.
Biodegradation of Pollutants in the Environment: Omics Approaches
Authors: Moreira Irina S.
Published: May 2023

This special edition intends to highlight how omics approaches have been used in biodegradation studies to understand the mechanisms involved and improve biodegradation processes [...]
Penetrating Vascular Injuries of the Lower Limbs after Stab Wounds: Predictive Factors of Limb Loss and Mortality
Authors: Derbel Bilel , Mazzaccaro Daniela , Krarti Nidhal , Miri Rim , Khadhar Yassine , Ben Mrad Melek , Righini Paolo , Nano Giovanni , Denguir Raouf
Published: May 2023

Background: Penetrating vascular injuries (PVIs) of the lower limbs due to stab wounds are associated with high mortality and limb loss rates. We analyzed the outcomes of a series of patients who underwent surgical treatment of these lesions, assessing the presence of any factor associated with limb loss and mortality; (2) Methods: Data of patients admitted from 01/2008 to 12/2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcomes were the limb loss and the mortality rate at 30 days postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed as appropriate. p values < 0.05 were considered significant; (3) Results: Data of 67 male patients were analyzed. Two died (3%) and three (4.5%) had a lower limb amputation after failed revascularization. In the univariate analysis, the clinical presentation significantly affected the risk of postoperative mortality and limb loss. The location of the lesion at the superficial femoral artery (OR 4.32, p = 0.001) or at the popliteal artery (OR 4.89, p = 0.0015) also increased the risk. In the multivariate analysis, the need for a vein graft bypass was the only significant predictor of limb loss and mortality (OR 4.58, p < 0.0001); (4) Conclusions: PVIs of lower limbs due to stab wounds were lethal in 3% of cases and lead to a secondary major amputation in 4.5% more cases. The need for a vein bypass grafting was the strongest predictor of postoperative limb loss and mortality.
A Retrospective Study Investigating the Safety and Efficacy of Nanoliposomal Irinotecan in Elderly Patients with Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Ikoma Tatsuki , Matsumoto Toshihiko , Boku Shogen , Yasuda Tomoyo , Masuda Masataka , Ito Takashi , Nakamaru Koh , Yamaki So , Nakayama Shinji , Hashimoto Daisuke , Yamamoto Tomohisa , Shibata Nobuhiro , Ikeura Tsukasa , Naganuma Makoto , Satoi Sohei , Kurata Takayasu
Published: May 2023

Although nanoliposomal irinotecan combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (nal-IRI+5-FU/LV) has been used to treat first-line resistant unresectable pancreatic cancer, the efficacy and safety data among the elderly remain limited. We retrospectively analyzed clinical outcomes among elderly patients. Patients treated with nal-IRI+5-FU/LV were assigned to the elderly (≥75 years) and non-elderly (<75 years) groups. Herein, 85 patients received nal-IRI+5-FU/LV, with 32 assigned to the elderly group. Patient characteristics in the elderly and non-elderly groups were as follows: age: 78.5 (75–88)/71 (48–74), male: 17/32 (53%/60%), performance status (ECOG) 0:9/20 (28%/38%), nal-IRI+5-FU/LV in second line: 23/24 (72%/45%), respectively. A significantly high number of elderly patients exhibited aggravated kidney and hepatic functions. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the elderly group vs. non-elderly group were 9.4 months vs. 9.9 months (hazard ratio (HR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85–2.67, p = 0.16) and 3.4 months vs. 3.7 months (HR 1.41, 95% CI 0.86–2.32, p = 0.17). Both groups exhibited a similar incidence of efficacy and adverse events. There were no significant differences in OS and PFS between groups. We analyzed the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as indicators that could determine eligibility for nal-IRI+5-FU/LV. The median CAR and NLR scores in the ineligible group were 1.17 and 4.23 (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively). Elderly patients with worse CAR and NLR score could be deemed ineligible for nal-IRI+5-FU/LV.
Diagnostic Effectiveness of [123I]Ioflupane Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) in Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Villena-Salinas Javier , Ortega-Lozano Simeón José , Amrani-Raissouni Tomader , Agüera Eduardo , Caballero-Villarraso Javier
Published: May 2023

Background: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder that has no curative treatment. Diagnosis is based on a set of criteria established by Gilman (1998 and 2008) and recently updated by Wenning (2022). We aim to determine the effectiveness of [123I]Ioflupane SPECT in MSA, especially at the initial clinical suspicion. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients at the initial clinical suspicion of MSA, referred for [123I]Ioflupane SPECT. Results: Overall, 139 patients (68 men, 71 women) were included, 104 being MSA-probable and 35 MSA-possible. MRI was normal in 89.2%, while SPECT was positive in 78.45%. SPECT showed high sensitivity (82.46%) and positive predictive value (86.24), reaching maximum sensitivity in MSA-P (97.26%). Significant differences were found when relating both SPECT assessments in the healthy–sick and inconclusive–sick groups. We also found an association when relating SPECT to the subtype (MSA-C or MSA-P), as well as to the presence of parkinsonian symptoms. Lateralization of striatal involvement was detected (left side). Conclusions: [123I]Ioflupane SPECT is a useful and reliable tool for diagnosing MSA, with good effectiveness and accuracy. Qualitative assessment shows a clear superiority when distinguishing between the healthy–sick categories, as well as between the parkinsonian (MSA-P) and cerebellar (MSA-C) subtypes at initial clinical suspicion.
Association of Sex Differences with Mortality and Organ Dysfunction in Patients with Sepsis and Septic Shock
Authors: Mewes Caspar , Runzheimer Julius , Böhnke Carolin , Büttner Benedikt , Hinz José , Quintel Michael , Mansur Ashham
Published: May 2023

Background: Despite recent advances in the clinical management and understanding of sepsis and septic shock, these complex clinical syndromes continue to have high mortality rates. The effect of sex on these diseases’ mortality, clinical presentation and morbidity remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association of sex with mortality and organ dysfunction in patients with sepsis and septic shock. Methods: Prospectively enrolled patients with clinically defined sepsis and septic shock in three intensive care units at University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany, were investigated. The primary outcomes were 28- and 90-day mortality, while the secondary endpoints included the evaluation of organ dysfunction as measured by clinical scores and laboratory parameters. Results: A total of 737 septic patients were enrolled, including 373 in septic shock, 484 males, and 253 females. No significant differences in 28- and 90-day mortality were observed in the cohort. However, men with sepsis had significantly higher SOFA scores, SOFA respiratory and renal subscores, bilirubin and creatinine values, and lower weight-adapted urine outputs, indicating higher organ dysfunction compared to women. Conclusions: Our findings revealed notable differences in organ dysfunction between male and female patients, with males exhibiting more pronounced dysfunction across multiple clinical indicators. These results highlight the potential influence of sex on sepsis disease severity and suggest the need for tailored approaches in sepsis management according to patient sex.
Hurst Exponent Analysis: Evidence from Volatility Indices and the Volatility of Volatility Indices
Authors: Zournatzidou Georgia , Floros Christos
Published: May 2023

In this study, we analyze the volatility of volatility indices and estimate the Hurst parameter using data from five international markets. For our analysis, we consider daily data from VIX (CBOE), VXN (CBOE Nasdaq 100), VXD (DJIA), VHSI (HSI), and KSVKOSPI (KOSPI). The period of analysis is from January 2001 to December 2021 and incorporates various market phases, such as booms and crashes. The novelty here is the use of recent methodology, including different range-based estimators for volatility analysis. We apply the Hurst exponent to the volatility measures Vgk,t, Vp,t, Vrs,t, and Vs,t, and then estimate the volatility of volatility indices through the GARCH(1, 1) model. Based on the values of the Hurst exponent, we analyze the trace of the behavior of three trading strategies, i.e., the momentum-based strategy, the random walk, and the mean-reversion strategy. The results are highly recommended for financial analysts dealing with volatility indices as well as for financial researchers.
The Impact of Expressway Development on Industrial Structure in Rugged Terrain: The Case of Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Su Min , Guo Miaomiao , Luan Weixin , Pian Feng
Published: May 2023

The expressway is an important pillar of economic development and has a significant impact on the transformation of regional industrial structure. This study analyzes the optimization of the industrial structure and spatial distribution of three industries using relevant statistical data from Sichuan Province, China. It also assesses the influence of expressways on the change in industrial structures using a difference-in-differences model. The results indicate that regions with well-developed expressway networks generated high-added value for the three industry sectors. The introduction of expressways upgraded the industrial structure of mountainous regions with rich tourism resources, increasing the added value of the tertiary industry and constricting the secondary industry. While aiding the overall development of the regional economy, expressways optimized the industrial structure and guided the transformation of the secondary industry, along with the development of the tertiary industry. Similarly, the private-sector economy also developed rapidly owing to the introduction of expressways. This study would serve as a useful reference for studying the relationship between expressways and regional economic development.
Intraoperative Monitoring of Neuromuscular Blockade
Authors: Motamed Cyrus
Published: May 2023

There is a global trend of new guidelines highly recommending quantitative neuromuscular monitoring in the operating room. In fact, it is almost certain that quantitatively monitoring the depth of intraoperative muscle paralysis may permit the rational use of muscle relaxants and avoid some of the major related complications, namely postoperative pulmonary complications. A specific culture related to this issue is necessary to integrate quantitative monitoring of muscle relaxants as part of a major monitoring entity in anesthetized patients. For this purpose, it is necessary to fully understand the physiology, pharmacology and concept of monitoring as well as the choice of pharmacological reversal, including the introduction of sugammadex a decade ago.
Neurogenic Stem Cell Niche in the Auditory Thalamus: In Vitro Evidence of Neural Stem Cells in the Rat Medial Geniculate Body
Authors: Engert Jonas , Spahn Bjoern , Bieniussa Linda , Hagen Rudolf , Rak Kristen , Voelker Johannes
Published: May 2023

The medial geniculate body (MGB) is a nucleus of the diencephalon representing a relevant segment of the auditory pathway and is part of the metathalamus. It receives afferent information via the inferior brachium of the inferior colliculus and transmits efferent fibers via acoustic radiations to the auditory cortex. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been detected in certain areas along the auditory pathway. They are of great importance as the induction of an adult stem cell niche might open a regenerative approach to a causal treatment of hearing disorders. Up to now, the existence of NSCs in the MGB has not been determined. Therefore, this study investigated whether the MGB has a neural stem cell potential. For this purpose, cells were extracted from the MGB of PND 8 Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in a free-floating cell culture assay, which showed mitotic activity and positive staining for stem cell and progenitor markers. In differentiation assays, the markers β-III-tubulin, GFAP, and MBP demonstrated the capacity of single cells to differentiate into neuronal and glial cells. In conclusion, cells from the MGB exhibited the cardinal features of NSCs: self-renewal, the formation of progenitor cells, and differentiation into all neuronal lineage cells. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the development of the auditory pathway.
Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Dysfunctions in Neurological Disorders
Authors: Barbieri Raffaella , Nizzari Mario , Zanardi Ilaria , Pusch Michael , Gavazzo Paola
Published: May 2023

The pore-forming subunits (α subunits) of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) are encoded in humans by a family of nine highly conserved genes. Among them, SCN1A, SCN2A, SCN3A, and SCN8A are primarily expressed in the central nervous system. The encoded proteins Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.3, and Nav1.6, respectively, are important players in the initiation and propagation of action potentials and in turn of the neural network activity. In the context of neurological diseases, mutations in the genes encoding Nav1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.6 are responsible for many forms of genetic epilepsy and for Nav1.1 also of hemiplegic migraine. Several pharmacological therapeutic approaches targeting these channels are used or are under study. Mutations of genes encoding VGSCs are also involved in autism and in different types of even severe intellectual disability (ID). It is conceivable that in these conditions their dysfunction could indirectly cause a certain level of neurodegenerative processes; however, so far, these mechanisms have not been deeply investigated. Conversely, VGSCs seem to have a modulatory role in the most common neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, where SCN8A expression has been shown to be negatively correlated with disease severity.
Varnish Formation and Removal in Lubrication Systems: A Review
Authors: Hong Sung-Ho , Jang Eun Kyung
Published: May 2023

This study presents the current literature regarding the investigation of varnish contamination among the various types of lubricant contaminations. As the duration of use of lubricants increases, the lubricant deteriorates and may become contaminated. Varnish has been known to cause filter plugging, sticking of the hydraulic valves and fuel injection pumps, flow obstruction, clearance reduction, poor heating and cooling performance, and increased friction and wear in various lubrication systems. These problems may also result in mechanical system failures, performance degradation, and increased maintenance and repair costs. To improve the problems caused by varnish contamination, an adequate understanding of varnish is required. Therefore, in this review, the definitions and characteristics, generating machinery, generating mechanisms, causes, measurement methods, and prevention or removal methods of varnish are summarized. Most of the data presented herein are reports from manufacturers related to lubricants and machine maintenance that are included in published works. We expect that this summary will be helpful to those who are engaged in reducing or preventing varnish-related problems.
Comparative Study of Iron-Tailings-Based Cementitious Mortars with Incorporated Graphite Ore and Graphite Tailings: Strength Properties and Microstructure
Authors: Zhang Jiale , Wei Qi , Zhang Na , Zhang Shuai , Zhang Yihe
Published: May 2023

Graphite ore and graphite tailings were blended into iron-tailings-based cementitious mortars, and their mechanical properties and microstructure were experimentally investigated. The flexural and compressive strengths of the resulting material were tested to compare the effects of graphite ore and graphite tailings as supplementary cementitious materials and fine aggregates on the mechanical properties of iron-tailings-based cementitious mortars. Additionally, their microstructure and hydration products were mainly analyzed using scanning electronic microscope and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The experimental results showed that the mechanical properties of the mortar material incorporating graphite ore were reduced due to the lubricating properties of graphite ore. As a result, the unhydrated particles and aggregates were not tightly bound to the gel phase, making the direct application of graphite ore in construction materials unfeasible. In the iron-tailings-based cementitious mortars prepared in this work, the optimal incorporation rate of graphite ore as a supplementary cementitious material was 4 wt%. The compressive strength of the optimal mortar test block after 28 days of hydration was 23.21 MPa, and the flexural strength was 7.76 MPa. The mechanical properties of the mortar block were found to be optimal with a graphite-tailings content of 40 wt% and an iron-tailings content of 10 wt%, resulting in a 28-day compressive strength of 48.8 MPa and a flexural strength of 11.7 MPa. By observing the microstructure and XRD pattern of the 28-day hydrated mortar block, it was determined that the hydration products of the mortar with graphite tailings as an aggregate included ettringite, Ca(OH)2, and C-A-S-H gel.
Review: Closed-Cell Metallic Foams Produced via Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Behymer Nathan , Morsi K.
Published: May 2023

The production of closed-cell metallic foams has been of interest to the scientific community and industry for decades, owing to their unique properties, which include high specific strength and stiffness, buoyancy, shock absorption, and crash worthiness. One of the approaches for their fabrication relies solely on the use of powders and is manifested in what has been referred to as the powder metallurgy (PM) route. This review discusses the underlying fundamentals of the process, and recent developments together with our current understanding. The effect of process parameters on the developed foam structure is reviewed for a range of metals, alloys, and metal matrix composites. Fundamental foaming mechanisms and characteristics are discussed.
Reagentless Electrochemical Detection of Tumor Biomarker Based on Stable Confinement of Electrochemical Probe in Bipolar Silica Nanochannel Film
Authors: Zhou Xile , Han Qianqian , Zhou Jinming , Liu Chaoxu , Liu Jiyang
Published: May 2023

The development of simple and probe-integrated aptamer sensors for the electrochemical detection of tumor biomarkers is of great significance for the diagnosis of tumors and evaluation of prognosis. In this work, a probe-integrated aptamer sensor is demonstrated based on the stable confinement of an electrochemical probe in a bipolar nanochannel film, which can realize the reagentless electrochemical detection of the tumor biomarker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). To realize the stable immobilization of a large amount of the cationic electrochemical probe methylene blue (MB), a two-layer silica nanochannel array (SNF) with asymmetric charge was grown on the supporting electrode from bipolar SNF (bp-SNF). The inner SNF is negatively charged (n-SNF), and the outer-layer SNF is positively charged (p-SNF). The dual electrostatic interaction including the electrostatic adsorption from n-SNF and the electrostatic repulsion from p-SNF achieve the stable confinement of MB in bp-SNF. The recognitive interface is fabricated by the covalent immobilization of the CEA aptamer on the outer surface of bp-SNF, followed by the blocking of non-specific binding sites. Owing to the stable and abundant immobilized probes and highly specific aptamer interface, the developed aptamer sensor enables the sensitive detection of CEA in the range of 1 pg/mL to 1 μg/mL with a low limit of detection (LOD, 0.22 pg/mL, S/N = 3). Owing to the high selectivity and stability of the developed biosensor, reagentless electrochemical detection of CEA in serum was realized.
A Novel Endodontic Approach in Removing Smear Layer Using Nano and Submicron Diamonds with Intracanal Oscillation Irrigation
Authors: Huang Ching-Shuan , Hsiao Chih-Hsun , Chang Yu-Chia , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Yang Jen-Chang , Gutmann James L. , Chang Huan-Cheng , Huang Haw-Ming , Hsieh Sung-Chih
Published: May 2023

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are commonly recommended for effectively removing organic and inorganic components in the smear layer. This layer is found on root canal walls after root canal instrumentation. However, high-concentration EDTA reduces the strength of dentin and the dissolution efficacy of organic substances in NaOCl solution. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of applying nano and submicron diamonds in irrigation solutions with sonic and ultrasonic oscillation for removing the smear layer during endodontic treatment. Extracted single-rooted human teeth were instrumented with ProTaper® Gold (Dentsply Sirona) nickel–titanium rotary instruments. Subsequently, each canal was irrigated with 3% NaOCl, 17% EDTA, distilled water, and 10–1000 nm-sized nano and submicron diamond irrigation solutions, respectively. Sonic and ultrasonic instruments were compared for oscillating the irrigation solutions. The teeth were processed for scanning electron microscopy to observe the efficiency of smear layer removal on the canal walls. Our results indicated that diamond sizes of 50 nm and above irrigation solutions showed significant effectiveness in removing the smear layer following the oscillation of sonic instruments for 10 s. Ultrasonic assisted 500 nm and 1000 nm diamond solutions significantly differed from the other diamond-sized solution in their ability to remove the smear layer. These results suggest that sonic and ultrasonic oscillation with specific sizes of nano and submicron diamond irrigation solution can be used as an alternative approach to removing the smear layer during endodontic treatment. The potential clinical application of root canal treatments can be expected.