bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An agent-based model of COVID-19 dynamics during enhanced community quarantine: Exploring the role of food relief system in the presence of two SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Yap Paula Ann Gabrielle , Lachica Zython Paul , Paras Abel Leandro , Panogalinog Ivy Grace , Tubay Jerrold M. , Mata May Anne
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic alerted the Philippine government to impose the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) as a means to hamper human mobility and interaction and eventually diminish transmission. Due to severe limitations in accessibility to basic needs due to ECQ, the government devised amelioration programs. A year after the declaration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, variants of concern were detected locally. Consequently, there is a necessity to prepare reinstatement of strict non-pharmaceutical interventions while meeting the food-related basic needs of the population. Studies related to food distribution during a strict community quarantine have been lacking. The importance of allocating provisions during extreme pandemic measures should be properly analyzed, especially when attempts had been made by local government units.

Methods

This study devised an agent-based model (ABM) to observe the effects of the food relief system in mitigating the disease during Davao City ECQ when two variants are present in two adjacent villages. These relief distribution types are as follows: “regular and sufficient,” “regular but insufficient,” and “irregular” relief type. In total, three barangay scenarios were considered.

Results and discussion

For the worst-case scenario, wherein a lot of infections are anticipated, the results show that the “irregular” relief type peaked at the highest number of cases, while the “regular and sufficient” relief type showed little to almost no new cases. The compromise-case scenario showed almost no difference between “regular but insufficient” and “regular and sufficient.” For the best-case scenario, the three relief types showed low average infected cases with almost small variance. The model was then compared, situationally, with Davao City barangays during ECQ and recommended which food relief type applies to the barangays. This could serve as a baseline on how food reliefs could be optimally distributed in cases where barangay conditions differently affect and transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus of different variants with varying transmission rates within a community. Further development of the model should potentially be useful for decision support not only during pandemics but also in contexts where resource allocation to a community is involved.
Display of multiple proteins on engineered canine parvovirus-like particles expressed in cultured silkworm cells and silkworm larvae
Authors: Xu Jian , Sekiguchi Tomofumi , Boonyakida Jirayu , Kato Tatsuya , Park Enoch Y.
Published: February 2023

Recent progress has been made dramatically in decorating virus-like particles (VLPs) on the surface or inside with functional molecules, such as antigens or nucleic acids. However, it is still challenging to display multiple antigens on the surface of VLP to meet the requirement as a practical vaccine candidate. Herein this study, we focus on the expression and engineering of the capsid protein VP2 of canine parvovirus for VLP display in the silkworm-expression system. The chemistry of the SpyTag/SpyCatcher (SpT/SpC) and SnoopTag/SnoopCatcher (SnT/SnC) are efficient protein covalent ligation systems to modify VP2 genetically, where SpyTag/SnoopTag are inserted into the N-terminus or two distinct loop regions (Lx and L2) of VP2. The SpC-EGFP and SnC-mCherry are employed as model proteins to evaluate their binding and display on six SnT/SnC-modified VP2 variants. From a series of protein binding assays between indicated protein partners, we showed that the VP2 variant with SpT inserted at the L2 region significantly enhanced VLP display to 80% compared to 5.4% from N-terminal SpT-fused VP2-derived VLPs. In contrast, the VP2 variant with SpT at the Lx region failed to form VLPs. Moreover, the SpT (Lx)/SnT (L2) double-engineered chimeric VP2 variants showed covalent conjugation capacity to both SpC/SnC protein partners. The orthogonal ligations between those binding partners were confirmed by both mixing purified proteins and co-infecting cultured silkworm cells or larvae with desired recombinant viruses. Our results indicate that a convenient VLP display platform was successfully developed for multiple antigen displays on demand. Further verifications can be performed to assess its capacity for displaying desirable antigens and inducing a robust immune response to targeted pathogens.
Material sensitivity of patient-specific finite element models in the brace treatment of scoliosis
Authors: Wei Wenqing , Zhang Tianyuan , Yang Junlin , Qian Yu , Dong Yating
Published: February 2023

Objectives: To study the mechanical sensitivity of different intervertebral disc and bone material parameters and ligaments under different force configurations and magnitudes in the scoliosis model.

Methods: The finite element model of a 21-year-old female is built using computed tomography. Local range of motion testing and global bending simulations are performed for the model verification. Subsequently, Five force of different directions and configurations were applied to the finite element model applying the brace pad position. The material parameters of the model were related to different spinal flexibilities and included different material parameters of cortical bone, cancellous bone, nucleus and annulus. The virtual X-ray technique measured Cobb angle, thoracic Lordosis, and lumbar Kyphosis.

Results: The difference in peak displacement is 9.28 mm, 19.99 mm, 27.06 mm, 43.99 mm, and 50.1 mm under five force configurations. The maximum Cobb angle difference due to material parameters are 4.7° and 6.2°, which are converted to thoracic and lumbar in-brace correction difference of 18% and 15.5%. The maximum difference in Kyphosis and Lordosis angle is 4.4° and 5.8°. The average thoracic and lumbar Cobb angle variation difference in intervertebral disc control group is larger than that in bone control group, while the average Kyphosis and Lordosis angle is inverse. The displacement distribution of models with or without ligaments is similar, with a peak displacement difference of 1.3 mm in C5. The peak stress occurred at the junction of the cortical bone and ribs.

Conclusion: Spinal flexibility largely influences the treatment effect of the brace. The intervertebral disc has a greater effect on the Cobb angle, the bone has a greater effect on the Kyphosis and Lordosis angles, and the rotation is affected by both. Patient-specific material is the key to increasing accuracy in the personalized finite element model. This study provides a scientific basis for using controllable brace treatment for scoliosis.
Analysis of interaction between miner decision making and user action for incentive mechanism of bitcoin blockchain
Authors: Hiraide Takumi , Kasahara Shoji
Published: February 2023

In Bitcoin blockchain, miner nodes are likely to choose transactions with high fee to be included in a block. This makes transactions with high fee being processed fast, affecting the amount of transaction fee that users want to pay. The reward for a winning miner consists of transaction fee and newly issued coins, and hence the amount of newly issued coins also affects the miner decision to participate in the mining competition. In addition, mining reward also affects the total hash computing power, which plays an important role of Bitcoin security for reducing the success probability of security attack by a malicious miner. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model for analyzing the interaction between miner decision making and user actions in terms of transaction fees, transaction-confirmation time, and security. We analyze the transaction-inclusion process with queueing theory, while decision making processes of miners and users are analyzed in the context of Nash equilibrium. The numerical examples show how the mining costs and newly issued coins affect miner decision making.
Rework causes classification model with liable parties of the contract in construction projects
Authors: Asadi Ramin , Rotimi James Olabode Bamidele , Wilkinson Suzanne
Published: February 2023

Rework is an interesting topic in the contract management of construction projects. An effective way of improving performance on construction projects is to manage rework. However, managing rework is challenging because of the dynamic nature of construction activities. A rational starting point is the identification of the root causes of rework then a framework for its management can be developed for improving construction performance. This paper reviews rework-related studies in the construction industry through a critical review of literature to investigate the main causes of rework in the construction contracts. A content analysis of the previously proposed classification methods for rework revealed that all rework causes could be grouped under various project stages. The causes of rework also could be ascribed to different project parties. However, previous studies have suggested various categories of rework, there is no commonly used classification model for rework causes in construction contracts. The current study proposes a model in three levels to address this gap. The developed model categorised rework causes in five constructs linked to three main stages of the project under two liable contract parties. The study findings show that the procurement stage has fewer categories of rework causes than design and construction. The result also reveals that the involvement level of contract parties in rework occurrence can be investigated in contract documents. Thus, this paper suggests further research in procurement stage to address rework causes in the contract conditions.
LncRNA and its role in gastric cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Wang Chuanchi , Yang Yan , Xu Ruihan , Li Ziyun
Published: February 2023

Gastric cancer (GC) is a potential dominant disease in tumor immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors, and adoptive cell therapy have brought great hope to GC patients. However, only some patients with GC can benefit from immunotherapy, and some patients develop drug resistance. More and more studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be important in GC immunotherapy’s prognosis and drug resistance. Here, we summarize the differential expression of lncRNAs in GC and their impact on the curative effect of GC immunotherapy, discuss potential mechanisms of activity in GC immunotherapy resistance regulated by lncRNAs. This paper reviews the differential expression of lncRNA in GC and its effect on immunotherapy efficacy in GC. In terms of genomic stability, inhibitory immune checkpoint molecular expression, the cross-talk between lncRNA and immune-related characteristics of GC was summarized, including tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and Programmed death 1 (PD-1). At the same time, this paper reviewed the mechanism of tumor-induced antigen presentation and upregulation of immunosuppressive factors, as well as the association between Fas system and lncRNA, immune microenvironment (TIME) and lncRNA, and summarized the functional role of lncRNA in tumor immune evasion and immunotherapy resistance.
Deficiency in the cell-adhesion molecule dscaml1 impairs hypothalamic CRH neuron development and perturbs normal neuroendocrine stress axis function
Authors: Ma Manxiu , Brunal Alyssa A. , Clark Kareem C. , Studtmann Carleigh , Stebbins Katelyn , Higashijima Shin-ichi , Pan Y. Albert
Published: February 2023

The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in the hypothalamus are critical regulators of the neuroendocrine stress response pathway, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. As developmental vulnerabilities of CRH neurons contribute to stress-associated neurological and behavioral dysfunctions, it is critical to identify the mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal CRH neuron development. Using zebrafish, we identifiedDown syndrome cell adhesion molecule like-1(dscaml1) as an integral mediator of CRH neuron development and necessary for establishing normal stress axis function. Indscaml1mutant animals, hypothalamic CRH neurons had highercrhb(the CRH homolog in zebrafish) expression, increased cell number, and reduced cell death compared to wild-type controls. Physiologically,dscaml1mutant animals had higher baseline stress hormone (cortisol) levels and attenuated responses to acute stressors. Together, these findings identifydscaml1as an essential factor for stress axis development and suggest that HPA axis dysregulation may contribute to the etiology of humanDSCAML1-linked neuropsychiatric disorders.
The location of the chemical bond. Application of long covalent bond theory to the structure of silica
Authors: Miller Stephen A.
Published: February 2023

Oxygen is the most abundant terrestrial element and is found in a variety of materials, but still wanting is a universal theory for the stability and structural organization it confers. Herein, a computational molecular orbital analysis elucidates the structure, stability, and cooperative bonding of α-quartz silica (SiO2). Despite geminal oxygen-oxygen distances of 2.61–2.64 Å, silica model complexes exhibit anomalously large O-O bond orders (Mulliken, Wiberg, Mayer) that increase with increasing cluster size—as the silicon-oxygen bond orders decrease. The average O-O bond order in bulk silica computes to 0.47 while that for Si-O computes to 0.64. Thereby, for each silicate tetrahedron, the six O-O bonds employ 52% (5.61 electrons) of the valence electrons, while the four Si-O bonds employ 48% (5.12 electrons), rendering the O-O bond the most abundant bond in the Earth’s crust. The isodesmic deconstruction of silica clusters reveals cooperative O-O bonding with an O-O bond dissociation energy of 4.4 kcal/mol. These unorthodox, long covalent bonds are rationalized by an excess of O 2p–O 2pbonding versus anti-bonding interactions within the valence molecular orbitals of the SiO4unit (48 vs. 24) and the Si6O6ring (90 vs. 18). Within quartz silica, oxygen 2porbitals contort and organize to avoid molecular orbital nodes, inducing the chirality of silica and resulting in Möbius aromatic Si6O6rings, the most prevalent form of aromaticity on Earth. This long covalent bond theory (LCBT) relocates one-third of Earth’s valence electrons and indicates that non-canonical O-O bonds play a subtle, but crucial role in the structure and stability of Earth’s most abundant material.
Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of P-stereogenic molecules
Authors: Liu Junyang , Chen Hang , Wang Min , He Wangjin , Yan Jia-Lei
Published: February 2023

P-chirality broadly appears in natural and synthetic functional molecules. The catalytic synthesis of organophosphorus compounds bearing P-stereogenic centers is still challenging, due to the lack of efficient catalytic systems. This review summarizes the key achievements in organocatalytic methodologies for the synthesis of P-stereogenic molecules. Different catalytic systems are emphasized for each strategy class (desymmetrization, kinetic resolution, and dynamic kinetic resolution) with examples cited to illustrate the potential applications of the accessed P-stereogenic organophosphorus compounds.
Observation of the protein expression level via naked eye: Pt clusters catalyze non-color molecules into brown-colored molecules in cells
Authors: Xia Dongfang , Zhang Yong , Zhang Chunyu , Yao Xiuxiu , Tang Yuhua , Wang Fuchao , Han Xu , Yin Hongzong , Xu Chao , Gao Xueyun
Published: February 2023

αvβ3 is overexpressed in various tumor cells and plays a key role in tumor genesis, invasion, and metastasis. Therefore, it is of great significance to precisely detect the αvβ3 level in cells via a simple method. For this purpose, we have constructed a peptide-coated platinum (Pt) cluster. Due to its bright fluorescence, well-defined Pt atom numbers, and peroxidase-like catalytic activity, this cluster can be used to evaluate αvβ3 levels in cells by fluorescence imaging, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and catalytic amplification of visual dyes, respectively. In this report, the expression level of αvβ3 in living cells is well-detected by the naked eye under an ordinary light microscope when the Pt cluster binds to αvβ3 in cells and catalyzes non-color 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) into brown-colored molecules in situ. Moreover, SiHa, HeLa, and 16HBE cell lines with different αvβ3 expression levels can be visually distinguished by the peroxidase-like Pt clusters. This research will provide a reliable method for the simple detection of αvβ3 levels in cells.
The transcriptomic response of Hyphantria cunea (Drury) to the infection of Serratia marcescens Bizio based on full-length SMRT transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Zhang Ling , Tang Xinyi , Wang Zhiqiang , Tang Fang
Published: February 2023

Hyphantria cunea (Drury) is a globally important forest pest. We found that the Serratia marcescens Bizio strain SM1 had insecticidal activity against H. cunea, but the transcriptomic response of H. cunea to SM1 were not clear. Therefore, we performed full-length sequencing of the transcriptomes of H. cunea larvae infected with SM1 and the control group. A total of 1,183 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing the group infected with SM1 and the control group, including 554 downregulated genes and 629 upregulated genes. We found many downregulated genes in metabolic pathways. Furthermore, some of these downregulated genes were involved in cellular immunity, melanization, and detoxification enzymes, which showed that SM1 weakened H. cunea immunity. In addition, genes in the juvenile hormone synthesis pathway were upregulated, which was detrimental to the survival of H. cunea. This research analyzed the transcriptomic response of H. cunea to SM1 by high-throughput full-length transcriptome sequencing. The results provide useful information to explore the relationship between S. marcescens and H. cunea, and theoretical support for the application of S. marcescens and the control of H. cunea in the future.
Analysis of the related factors of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) in cervical cytology of post-menopausal women
Authors: Li Bijun , Dong Lichang , Wang Chen , Li Jia , Zhao Xue , Dong Mengting , Li Huanrong , Ma Xiaotong , Dong Yalan , Wu Ming , Yan Ye , Fan Aiping , Xue Fengxia
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Atrophy of the reproductive tract mucosa caused by the decrease of estrogen may increase the detection rate of ASC-US in cervical cytology of post-menopausal women. In addition, other pathogenic infections and inflammation can change the cellular morphology and increase the detection rate of ASC-US. However, further studies are needed to elucidate whether the high detection rate of ASC-US in post-menopausal women leads to the high referral rate of colposcopy.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted to document ASC-US in cervical cytology reports at the Department of Cytology at Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between January 2006 and February 2021. We then analyzed 2,462 reports of women with ASC-US at the Cervical Lesions Department. A total of 499 patients with ASC-US and 151 cytology with NILM participants underwent vaginal microecology tests.

Results

The average reporting rate of ASC-US in cytology was 5.7%. The detection rate of ASC-US in women aged > 50 years (7.0%) was significantly higher than that in women aged ≤50 years (5.0%) (P<0.05). The CIN2+ detection rate was significantly lower in the post- (12.6%) than in pre-menopausal (20.5%) patients with ASC-US (P <0.05). The prevalence of abnormal reporting rate of vaginal microecology was significantly lower in the pre-menopausal group (56.2%) than that in the post-menopausal group (82.9%) (P<0.05). The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) (19.60%) was relatively high in the pre-menopausal group, but the abundance of bacteria-inhibiting flora (40.79%) was mainly an abnormality in the post-menopausal group. The vaginal microecological abnormality rate of the women with HR-HPV (-) of ASC-US was 66.22%, which was significantly higher than that of the HR-HPV (-) and the NILM group (52.32%; P<0.05).

Discussion

The detection rate of ASC-US in women aged > 50 years was higher than that ≤50 years, but the detection rate of CIN2+ was lower in the post-menopausal women with ASC-US. However, vaginal microecological abnormalities may increase the false-positive diagnosis rate of ASC-US. The vaginal microecological abnormalities of the menopausal women with ASC-US are mainly attributed to infectious diseases such as BV, and it mainly occurs in the post-menopausal women was bacteria-inhibiting flora. Therefore, to avoid the high referral rate for colposcopy, more attention should be paid to the detection of vaginal microecology.
A trimeric coiled-coil motif binds bacterial lipopolysaccharides with picomolar affinity
Authors: Hatlem Daniel , Christensen Mikkel , Broeker Nina K. , Kristiansen Per E. , Lund Reidar , Barbirz Stefanie , Linke Dirk
Published: February 2023

α-helical coiled-coils are ubiquitous protein structures in all living organisms. For decades, modified coiled-coils sequences have been used in biotechnology, vaccine development, and biochemical research to induce protein oligomerization, and form self-assembled protein scaffolds. A prominent model for the versatility of coiled-coil sequences is a peptide derived from the yeast transcription factor, GCN4. In this work, we show that its trimeric variant, GCN4-pII, binds bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from different bacterial species with picomolar affinity. LPS molecules are highly immunogenic, toxic glycolipids that comprise the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Using scattering techniques and electron microscopy, we show how GCN4-pII breaks down LPS micelles in solution. Our findings suggest that the GCN4-pII peptide and derivatives thereof could be used for novel LPS detection and removal solutions with high relevance to the production and quality control of biopharmaceuticals and other biomedical products, where even minuscule amounts of residual LPS can be lethal.
There is more than just longitudinal strain: Prognostic significance of biventricular circumferential mechanics
Authors: Tolvaj Máté , Fábián Alexandra , Tokodi Márton , Lakatos Bálint , Assabiny Alexandra , Ladányi Zsuzsanna , Shiida Kai , Ferencz Andrea , Schwertner Walter , Veres Boglárka , Kosztin Annamária , Szijártó Ádám , Sax Balázs , Merkely Béla , Kovács Attila
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Despite the significant contribution of circumferential shortening to the global ventricular function, data are scarce concerning its prognostic value on long-term mortality. Accordingly, our study aimed to assess both left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) global longitudinal (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) using three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) to determine their prognostic importance.

Methods

Three hundred fifty-seven patients with a wide variety of left-sided cardiac diseases were retrospectively identified (64 ± 15 years, 70% males) who underwent clinically indicated 3DE. LV and RV GLS, and GCS were quantified. To determine the prognostic power of the different patterns of biventricular mechanics, we divided the patient population into four groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with both LV GLS and RV GCS above the respective median values; Group 2 was defined as patients with LV GLS below the median while RV GCS above the median, whereas in Group 3, patients had LV GLS values above the median, while RV GCS was below median. Group 4 was defined as patients with both LV GLS and RV GCS below the median. Patients were followed up for a median of 41 months. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.

Results

Fifty-five patients (15%) met the primary endpoint. Impaired values of both LV GCS (HR, 1.056 [95% CI, 1.027–1.085], p < 0.001) and RV GCS (1.115 [1.068–1.164], p < 0.001) were associated with increased risk of death by univariable Cox regression. Patients with both LV GLS and RV GCS below the median (Group 4) had a more than 5-fold increased risk of death compared with those in Group 1 (5.089 [2.399–10.793], p < 0.001) and more than 3.5-fold compared with those in Group 2 (3.565 [1.256–10.122], p = 0.017). Interestingly, there was no significant difference in mortality between Group 3 (with LV GLS above the median) and Group 4, but being categorized into Group 3 versus Group 1 still held a more than 3-fold risk (3.099 [1.284–7.484], p = 0.012).

Discussion

The impaired values of both LV and RV GCS are associated with long-term all-cause mortality, emphasizing the importance of assessing biventricular circumferential mechanics. Reduced RV GCS is associated with significantly increased risk of mortality even if LV GLS is preserved.
Acute changes in myocardial tissue characteristics during hospitalization in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Shanmuganathan Mayooran , Kotronias Rafail A. , Burrage Matthew K. , Ng Yujun , Banerjee Abhirup , Xie Cheng , Fletcher Alison , Manley Peter , Borlotti Alessandra , Emfietzoglou Maria , Mentzer Alexander J. , Marin Federico , Raman Betty ,   Oxford Acute Myocardial Infarction (OxAMI) investigators, Tunnicliffe Elizabeth M. , Neubauer Stefan , Piechnik Stefan K. , Channon Keith M. , Ferreira Vanessa M.
Published: February 2023

Background

Patients with a history of COVID-19 infection are reported to have cardiac abnormalities on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) during convalescence. However, it is unclear whether these abnormalities were present during the acute COVID-19 illness and how they may evolve over time.

Methods

We prospectively recruited unvaccinated patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19 (n = 23), and compared them with matched outpatient controls without COVID-19 (n = 19) between May 2020 and May 2021. Only those without a past history of cardiac disease were recruited. We performed in-hospital CMR at a median of 3 days (IQR 1–7 days) after admission, and assessed cardiac function, edema and necrosis/fibrosis, using left and right ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, RVEF), T1-mapping, T2 signal intensity ratio (T2SI), late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and extracellular volume (ECV). Acute COVID-19 patients were invited for follow-up CMR and blood tests at 6 months.

Results

The two cohorts were well matched in baseline clinical characteristics. Both had normal LVEF (62 ± 7 vs. 65 ± 6%), RVEF (60 ± 6 vs. 58 ± 6%), ECV (31 ± 3 vs. 31 ± 4%), and similar frequency of LGE abnormalities (16 vs. 14%; all p > 0.05). However, measures of acute myocardial edema (T1 and T2SI) were significantly higher in patients with acute COVID-19 when compared to controls (T1 = 1,217 ± 41 ms vs. 1,183 ± 22 ms; p = 0.002; T2SI = 1.48 ± 0.36 vs. 1.13 ± 0.09; p < 0.001). All COVID-19 patients who returned for follow up (n = 12) at 6 months had normal biventricular function, T1 and T2SI.

Conclusion

Unvaccinated patients hospitalized for acute COVID-19 demonstrated CMR imaging evidence of acute myocardial edema, which normalized at 6 months, while biventricular function and scar burden were similar when compared to controls. Acute COVID-19 appears to induce acute myocardial edema in some patients, which resolves in convalescence, without significant impact on biventricular structure and function in the acute and short-term. Further studies with larger numbers are needed to confirm these findings.
Tropical cyclone wind hazard assessment for Donghaitang wind farm (Zhejiang Province, China): Case study
Authors: Li Yuhui , Tang Shengming , Li Yongping , Zhu Rong , Yu Hui
Published: February 2023

Currently, offshore and coastal wind power resources are growing rapidly around the world, especially in China. However, systematic research on the hazard assessment of wind farms under tropical cyclone conditions remains lacking. This study simulated the wind field of tropical cyclones based on a parameterized tropical cyclone wind field model, and analyzed the characteristics of historical tropical cyclones in Donghaitang wind farm (Zhejiang, China). Four extreme tropical cyclone hazard factors including the maximum wind speed (Vmax), maximum duration of wind direction change (Tmax), maximum cumulative wind direction change (Δθmax) and maximum rate of change in wind direction (ΔDmax) were proposed and examined. Then a comprehensive hazard assessment model for wind farms based on the analytic hierarchy process was established, and the risk to the Donghaitang wind farm represented by tropical cyclones during 1949–2021 was evaluated. Results showed that the number and intensity of tropical cyclones made landfall near the coast of Donghaitang wind farm gradually increased with time, which results in a gradual increase in the composite tropical cyclone risk level of the Donghaitang wind farm with time. The numbers and risk levels of tropical cyclones traveling northwestward were much larger than those traveling northward or northeastward. Moreover, the average composite risk index for tropical cyclones passing to the left of the wind farm was 14.3% higher than that for tropical cyclones passing to the right. The large values of Vmax and ΔDmax are main reasons for the high risk of the wind farm, while the other two hazard factors (Tmax, Δθmax) proposed to account for the wind turbine backup power are also of great importance in the design, selection and operation stages of offshore wind turbines. The findings of this study could provide support for hazard assessment of offshore and coastal wind farms exposed to tropical cyclones, including macro site selection of wind farms and type selection of wind turbines.
Decadal variability of precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau modulated by the 11-year solar cycle over the past millennium
Authors: Hu Ying , Sun Weiyi , Liu Jian , Chen Deliang , Ning Liang , Peng Zhenghan
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Knowledge of precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “Asian water tower”, is crucial for water resource management, infrastructure planning, and disaster mitigation. However, the decadal variability of Tibetan Plateau precipitation in response to the 11-year solar cycle remains unknown.

Methods: Here, we used observational data obtained between 1901 and 2013, together with proxy-based reconstructions of the past five centuries, and discovered a notable summer wet condition over the central‒southern Tibetan Plateau, accompanied by a dry condition over the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, during peaks in the 11-year solar cycle. Using an ensemble mean of four solar-only sensitivity experiments from the Community Earth System Model Last Millennium Ensemble (CESM‒LME), we further demonstrated that the 11-year solar cycle can induce this anomalous pattern of a wet central‒southern and dry southeastern Tibetan Plateau.

Results and discussion: The modeling results indicated that, under a solar maximum, a substantial surface warming occurs over the Asian continent, especially the Tibetan Plateau region; this causes an anomalous Tibetan Plateau–Indian Ocean thermal contrast, which enhances the Indian summer monsoon. The additional Tibetan Plateau heating also enhances and causes a northward shift of the South Asian High, which further intensifies the Indian summer monsoon. The enhanced Indian summer monsoon transports water vapor to the northern Indian continent, which rises upon reaching the central‒southern Tibetan Plateau, substantially increasing precipitation. Meanwhile, a negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation-like sea surface temperature pattern occurs under a solar maximum, leading to a large-scale anticyclonic anomaly over the Yangtze River basin, southeastern Tibetan Plateau, and southern Japan, substantially decreasing precipitation in these regions.
Student voice in higher education diversity policies: A systematic review
Authors: Resch Katharina
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Diversity is considered central to the capacity of higher education institutions to thrive in an increasingly diverse society. Accordingly, diversity policies are developed and initiated to benefit students from diverse backgrounds. However, little is known about how students themselves assess these diversity policies (student voice).

Methods

The systematic review described in this paper hence seeks to provide an overview of empirical evidence on student voice of diversity policies in higher education, looking thereby at corresponding studies published between 2000 and 2020. Of the 1,090 studies identified in the screening process, 21 were included in the final analysis.

Results

Two thematic strands emerged in the thematic analysis: diversity policies aiming at opening access to higher education and the representation of student voice.

Discussion

The review concludes with specific policy and research recommendations in this field.
Non-dipping blood pressure pattern is associated with higher risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea: UROSAH data
Authors: Luo Qin , Li Nanfang , Zhu Qing , Yao Xiaoguang , Wang Menghui , Heizhati Mulalibieke , Cai Xintian , Hu Junli , Abulimiti Ayinigeer , Yao Ling , Li Xiufang , Gan Lin
Published: February 2023

Objective

Impairment of circadian blood pressure (BP) patterns has been associated with cardiovascular risks and events in individuals with hypertension and in general populations, which are more likely to be found in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of non-dipping BP pattern with new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients with OSA, based on Urumqi Research on Sleep Apnea and Hypertension (UROSAH) data.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study included 1841 hypertensive patients at least 18 years of age, who were diagnosed with OSA without baseline diabetes and had adequate ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data at enrollment. The exposure of interest for the present study was the circadian BP patterns, including non-dipping and dipping BP pattern, and the study outcome was defined as the time from baseline to new-onset diabetes. The associations between circadian BP patterns and new-onset diabetes were assessed using Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

Among 1841 participants (mean age: 48.8 ± 10.5 years, 69.1% male), during the total follow-up of 12172 person-years with a median follow-up of 6.9 (inter quartile range: 6.0-8.0) years, 217 participants developed new-onset diabetes with an incidence rate of 17.8 per 1000 person-years. The proportion of non-dippers and dippers at enrollment in this cohort was 58.8% and 41.2%, respectively. Non-dippers were associated with higher risk of new-onset diabetes compared with dippers (full adjusted hazard ratio [HR]=1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-2.06, P=0.005). Multiple subgroup and sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. We further explored the association of systolic and diastolic BP patterns with new-onset diabetes separately, and found that diastolic BP non-dippers were associated with higher risk of new-onset diabetes (full adjusted HR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.12-2.10, P=0.008), whereas for systolic BP non-dippers, the association was nonsignificant after adjusted the confounding covariates (full adjusted HR=1.35, 95% CI: 0.98-1.86, P=0.070).

Conclusions

Non-dipping BP pattern is associated with an approximately 1.5-fold higher risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients with OSA, suggesting that non-dipping BP pattern may be an important clinical implication for the early prevention of diabetes in hypertensive patients with OSA.
Combination model of neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein ratio and system inflammation response index is more valuable for predicting peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetic patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Song Yi , Zhao Ying , Shu Yan , Zhang Liyin , Cheng Wenzhuo , Wang Li , Shu Meng , Xue Baorui , Wang Ruonan , Feng Ziyun , Yin Yao , Yu Fangyang , Jin Si
Published: February 2023

Background

Neutrophil/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (NHR), monocyte/HDL ratio (MHR), lymphocyte/HDL ratio (LHR), platelet/HDL ratio (PHR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), system inflammation response index (SIRI), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) have been recently investigated as novel inflammatory markers. Herein, the correlation was investigated between these inflammatory biomarkers and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Methods

In this retrospective observational study, the hematological parameter data of 216 T2DM patients without PAD (T2DM-WPAD) and 218 T2DM patients with PAD (T2DM-PAD) at Fontaine stages II, III or IV stage had been collected. Differences in NHR, MHR, LHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI were analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the diagnostic potential of these parameters.

Results

The levels of NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI and AISI in T2DM-PAD patients were significantly higher than in T2DM-WPAD patients (P < 0.001). They were correlated with disease severity. Further, multifactorial logistic regression analyses showed that higher NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI might be independent risk factors for T2DM-PAD (P < 0.001). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI for T2DM-PAD patients was 0.703, 0.685, 0.606, 0.648, 0.711, and 0.670, respectively. The AUC of the NHR and SIRI combined model was 0.733.

Conclusion

The levels of NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI were higher in T2DM-PAD patients, and they were independently linked with its clinical severity. The combination model of NHR and SIRI was most valuable for predicting T2DM – PAD.
Shorter respiratory event duration is related to prevalence of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Guo Junwei , Dai Lu , Luo Jinmei , Huang Rong , Xiao Yi
Published: February 2023

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a heterogeneous sleep disorder often comorbid with metabolic diseases, and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is one of them. Although apnea hypopnea index (AHI) is currently the diagnostic criteria for OSA severity, a controversial relationship between AHI and T2DM has been found. On the other hand, the duration of apnea–hypopnea events has been shown to be a useful metric for predicting mortality. This study aimed to test whether average respiratory event duration was associated with prevalence of T2DM.

Methods

Patients referred to the sleep clinic were recruited in the study. Baseline clinical characteristics and polysomnography parameters including average respiratory event duration were collected. The association of average respiratory event duration with the prevalence of T2DM was evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 260 participants were enrolled, and 92 (35.4%) had T2DM. Univariate analysis revealed that age, body mass index (BMI), total sleep time, sleep efficiency, history of hypertension, and shorter average respiratory event duration were associated with T2DM. In multivariate analysis, only age and BMI remained significant. While average respiratory event duration was insignificant in multivariate analysis, subtype event analysis showed that shorter average apnea duration was both significant in univariate (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92–0.98) and multivariate analyses (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91–0.99). Neither average hypopnea duration nor AHI was associated with T2DM. Significant association (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.12–1.25) was observed between shorter average apnea duration and lower respiratory arousal threshold after multivariate adjustment. However, causal mediation analysis revealed no mediating effect of arousal threshold on average apnea duration and T2DM.

Conclusion

The average apnea duration may be a useful metric in the diagnosis of OSA comorbidity. Shorter average apnea duration indicating poor sleep quality and augmented autonomic nervous system responses might be the potential pathological mechanisms leading to T2DM.
Effect of salt stress on the biomass productivity and potential bioenergy feedstock of Graesiella emersonii KNUA204 isolated from Ulleungdo Island, South Korea
Authors: Do Jeong-Mi , Yeo Hee-Tae , Suh Ho Seong , Yoon Ho-Sung
Published: February 2023

Microalgae are versatile, profitable, and promising sources of bioenergy and high-value products, having various applications in the biotechnology industry. Herein, G. emersonii KNUA204 was isolated from Ulleungdo Island, South Korea, and exposed to stressors, i.e., MgCl2 (75 and 150 mM) and NaCl (200 and 400 mM), to investigate improvement in its biomass productivity and feasibility of the application of biomass. Treatment with mild MgCl2 (75 mM) afforded the highest specific growth rate (μ = 0.13 d−1), dry cell weight (3 g L−1), and total carbohydrate content (29.87%). Although all salt treatments decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, treatment with high NaCl concentration (400 mM) afforded the highest zeaxanthin content (0.3 mg g−1). The proximate and ultimate analyses of biomass following treatment with 150 mM MgCl2 revealed 93.85% volatile matter and 22.55 MJ kg−1 calorific value, respectively, indicating that Graesiella emersonii KNUA204 can be potentially used as bioenergy feedstock. The biodiesel quality was established based on the fatty acid methyl ester profiles, and MgCl2 treatment increased the cetane number more than the control. Therefore, the treatment of G. emersonii KNUA204 with MgCl2 during cultivation could provide a microalgae-based bioenergy feedstock with high productivity.
Effects of joint assimilation of FY-4A AGRI and ground-based microwave radiometer on heavy rainfall prediction
Authors: Shi Yinglong , Luo Zhixian , Chen Xiangguo , Zhang Qian , Liu Yin , Liu Chun
Published: February 2023

As the latest generation of Chinese Geostationary Weather Satellites, Fengyun-4 carries the Advanced Geosynchronous Radiation Imager (AGRI), which has more spectral bands and higher temporal and spatial resolution than the Visible Infrared Spin-Scan Radiometer (VISSR) onboard geostationary satellite FY-2. Direct assimilation of the FY-4A AGRI datasets has been proved to be an efficient way to improve heavy rainfall simulation. We aim to assess the joint assimilation of AGRI infrared radiance and ground-based MWR (Microwave Radiometer) data on short-duration heavy rainfall prediction. RTTOV (Radiative Transfer for the TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder) is used as the observational operator for FY-4A AGRI data assimilation. The data assimilation interface is built in WRFDA 4.3 to achieve direct assimilation of FY4A AGRI radiance. The forecasting effectiveness of the joint assimilation for a typical heavy rainfall event over northern China is analyzed with four simulation experiments. The main conclusions are: 1) Assimilating MWR data can improve the initial humidity condition in the middle-lower layers, while AGRI radiance assimilation favors the initial humidity correction in the middle-upper layers. The joint assimilation of two datasets can remarkably improve the initial humidity condition in the entire column. 2) Data assimilation effectively improves the 6-h accumulated rainfall simulation. The joint assimilation of AGRI radiance and MWR data is superior to assimilating either of them. The joint assimilation significantly improves the rainfall forecast over the Beijing area, where the seven MWRs are distributed. 3) Data assimilation experiments present similar effects on predicted and initial humidity conditions. The MWR_DA experiment (only assimilate MWR data) markedly improves the humidity forecast in the middle-lower layers, while AGRI_DA (only assimilate AGRI data) is effective in the middle-upper layers. The joint assimilation of AGRI radiance and MWR data could skillfully correct the humidity distribution in the entire layers, allowing for more accurate heavy rainfall prediction. This paper provides a valuable basis for further improving the application of FY-4A AGRI radiance in numerical weather models.
Opening high-speed railway’s influence on high-quality economy in China’s counties
Authors: Liao Xianchun , Yan Xu , Ji Hairui
Published: February 2023

Improving county economy is the key to realize high-quality economy and “dual carbon” target for developing countries like China where county economy has been weak. The aim of this study is to investigate influencing factors on high-quality economy from a novel perspective of opening high-speed railway (HSR). We apply panel data with time span from 2006 to 2018 and sample area in 396 counties in the upstream Yangtze River of China. As for methodology, we perform entropy weight method (EWM) to estimate the high-quality economy and multi-period Propensity Score Matching (PSM)-difference in difference (DID) methods for empirical analysis. Our results demonstrate that 1). Implementing HSR remarkably promotes high-quality economy at county level, which is stable after a series of verification and confirms our hypothesis 1. We also solve endogeneity by combining PSM-DID with instrumental variable method IV) and Generalized Method of Moment (GMM). 2). Further heterogeneity analysis reveals that opening HSR positively accelerates high-quality economy of counties above average, which proves our hypothesis 2. 3) Our impact mechanism analysis reveals that adjusting industrial structure is main channel, which also confirms our hypothesis 3. Accordingly, the findings provide policy implications: Firstly, a mechanism should be developed to facilitate implementing HSR by strengthening fiscal support from central government, attracting financial institutions with market mechanisms and optimizing spatial layout. Secondly, it is crucial to facilitate horizontal cooperation by hearings or joint meetings and facilitating horizontal financial transfer payments. Lastly, adjusting industrial structure needs to accelerate green industries, while transforming heavily polluted industries.
First insights into the gut microbiome of Diatraea saccharalis: From a sugarcane pest to a reservoir of new bacteria with biotechnological potential
Authors: Puentes-Cala Edinson , Atehortúa-Bueno María , Tapia-Perdomo Valentina , Navarro-Escalante Lucio , Hernández-Torres Jorge , Castillo-Villamizar Genis
Published: February 2023

A country’s biodiversity is a key resource for the development of a sustainable bioeconomy. However, often the most biodiverse countries on the planet hardly profit from their biological diversity. On the contrary, occasionally components of that biodiversity become a threat to society and its food sustainability. That is the case of the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis. Here, the analysis of the bacteria associated with the digestive tract of D. saccharalis reveals a rich and diverse microbiota. Two types of diets were analyzed under laboratory conditions. The metataxonomic analysis revealed a number of taxa common to most of the larval pools analyzed with relative abundances exceeding 5%, and five families of bacteria which have also been reported in the gut of another Lepidoptera. A large fraction of microorganisms detected by amplicon sequencing were considered to be rare and difficult to cultivate. However, among the cultivable microorganisms, 12 strains with relevant biotechnological features were identified. The strain that showed the highest cellulolytic activity (GCEP-101) was genome sequenced. The analysis of the GCEP-101 complete genome revealed that the values of 16S rRNA identity, the Average Nucleotide Identity, and the digital DNA–DNA hybridization place the strain as a candidate for a new species within the genus Pseudomonas. Moreover, the genome annotation of the putative new species evidenced the presence of genes associated with cellulose degradation, revealing the hidden potential of the pest as a reservoir of biotechnologically relevant microorganisms.