bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic Activity and Horizontal Gene Transfer of Heavy Metals and Antibiotic Resistant Proteus vulgaris from Hospital Wastewater: An Insight
Authors: Alam Manzar , Bano Nilofer , Upadhyay Tarun Kumar , Binsuwaidan Reem , Alshammari Nawaf , Sharangi Amit Baran , Kaushal Radhey Shyam , Saeed Mohd
Published: December 2022

Globally, the issue of microbial resistance to medicines and heavy metals is getting worse. There are few reports or data available for Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris), particularly in India. This investigation intends to reveal the bacteria’s ability to transmit genes and their level of resistance as well. The wastewater samples were taken from several hospitals in Lucknow City, India, and examined for the presence of Gram-negative bacteria that were resistant to antibiotics and heavy metals. The microbial population count in different hospital wastewaters decreases with increasing concentrations of metal and antibiotics. Among all the examined metals, Ni and Zn had the highest viable counts, whereas Hg, Cd, and Co had the lowest viable counts. Penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin, among the antibiotics, demonstrated higher viable counts, whereas tetracycline and erythromycin exhibited lower viable counts. The MIC values for the P. vulgaris isolates tested ranged from 50 to 16,00 μg/ml for each metal tested. The multiple metal resistance (MMR) index, which ranged from 0.04 to 0.50, showed diverse heavy metal resistance patterns in all P. vulgaris isolates (in the case of 2–7 metals in various combinations). All of the tested isolates had methicillin resistance, whereas the least number of isolates had ofloxacin, gentamycin, or neomycin resistance. The P. vulgaris isolates displayed multidrug resistance patterns (2–12 drugs) in various antibiotic combinations. The MAR indexes were shown to be between (0.02–0.7). From the total isolates, 98%, 84%, and 80% had urease, gelatinase, and amylase activity, whereas 68% and 56% displayed protease and beta-lactamase activity. Plasmids were present in all the selected resistant isolates and varied in size from 42.5 to 57.0 kb and molecular weight from 27.2 to 37.0 MD. The transmission of the antibiotic/metal resistance genes was evaluated between a total of 7 pairs of isolates. A higher transfer frequency (4.4 × 10−1) was observed among antibiotics, although a lower transfer frequency (1.0 × 10−2) was observed against metals in both the media from the entire site tested. According to exponential decay, the population of hospital wastewater declined in the following order across all sites: Site II > Site IV > Site III > Site I for antibiotics and site IV > site II > site I >site III for metal. Different metal and antibiotic concentrations have varying effects on the population. The metal-tolerant P. vulgaris from hospital wastewater was studied in the current study had multiple distinct patterns of antibiotic resistance. It could provide cutting-edge methods for treating infectious diseases, which are essential for managing and assessing the risks associated with hospital wastewater, especially in the case of P. vulgaris.
Atypical Presentation of Kimura’s Disease in a Male Patient: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Natsha Zahra A. , Hamarsheh Islam A. , Utt Rawan S. , Abu Alrob Bassam , Wahdan Adnan A.
Published: December 2022

Kimura’s disease (KD) is a rare chronic inflammatory condition of unknown aetiology. It is a benign disease that might mimic a neoplastic process. It primarily affects the head and neck region, presenting as deep subcutaneous masses, and is often accompanied by triad regional lymphadenopathy, salivary gland involvement, and high serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Here, we report the second documented case of KD in Palestine diagnosed in a 28-year-old male patient who presented with lymphadenopathy and increased serum immunoglobulin E and G (IgE and IgG) associated with intermittent abdominal pain, generalised fatigue, hepatomegaly, cardiomyopathy, reactive airway disease, peripheral vasculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The patient was managed with steroids and an immunosuppressant (Azathioprine) with a moderate response for two years. In 2021, treatment with Mycophenolate Mofetil was initiated, which was more effective than Azathioprine.
Multiobjective Salp Swarm Algorithm Approach for Transmission Congestion Management
Authors: Agrawal Anjali , Pandey Seema N. , Srivastava Laxmi , Walde Pratima , Saket R. K. , Khan Baseem
Published: December 2022

In the newly emerged electric supply industry, the profit maximizing tendency of market participants has developed the problem of transmission congestion as the most crucial issue. This paper proposes a multiobjective salp swarm algorithm (MOSSA) approach for transmission congestion management (CM), implementing demand side management activities. For this, demand response (DR) and distributed generation (DG) have been employed. For willingly reducing the demand, demand response has been called by providing appropriate financial incentives that supports in releasing the congestion over critical lines. Distributed generation implementing wind plant as renewable independent power producer (RIPP) has also been included in order to reduce the load curtailment of responsive customers to manage transmission congestion. The proposed incentive-based demand response and distributed generation approach of CM, has been framed with various strategies employing different thermal limits over transmission lines and has resulted into significant reduction in congestion and in-turn improvement of transmission reliability margin. Diversity has been obtained in multiobjective optimization by taking two and three objective functions, respectively (minimization of overall operational cost, CO2 emission, and line loading). The by-products of the proposed algorithm for multiobjective optimization are minimized demand reduction, optimum size, and location of DG. To examine the proposed approach, it has been implemented on IEEE 30-bus system and a bigger power system IEEE 118-bus system; as well as the proposed technique of MOSSA has been compared and found better than reported methods and two other meta heuristic algorithms (multiobjective modified sperm swarm optimization and multiobjective adoptive rat swarm optimization).
Constructing and Predicting Solutions for Different Families of Partial Differential Equations: A Reliable Algorithm
Authors: Qayyum Mubashir , Khan Amna
Published: December 2022

The construction of mathematical models for different phenomena, and developing their solutions, are critical issues in science and engineering. Among many, the Buckmaster and Korteweg‐de Vries (KdV) models are very important due to their ability of capturing different physical situations such as thin film flows and waves on shallow water surfaces. In this manuscript, a new approach based on the generalized Taylor series and residual function is proposed to predict and analyze Buckmaster and KdV type models. This algorithm estimates convergent series with an easy‐to‐use way of finding solution components through symbolic computation. The proposed algorithm is tested against the Buckmaster and KdV equations, and the results are compared with available solutions in the literature. At first, proposed algorithm is applied to Buckmaster‐type linear and nonlinear equations, and attained the closed‐form solutions. In the next phase, the proposed algorithm is applied to highly nonlinear KdV equations (namely, classical, modified, and generalized KdV) and approximate solutions are obtained. Simulations of the test problems clearly reassert the dominance and capability of the proposed methodology in terms of accuracy. Analysis reveals that the projected scheme is reliable, and hence, can be utilized for more complex problems in engineering and the sciences.
A Game‐Theoretic Approach for the Robust Daily Aircraft Routing Problem
Authors: Deng Bin , Guo Hao , Li Jingfeng , Huang Junfeng , Tang Kaiyi , Li Weidong
Published: December 2022

In the operation of airlines, the most important link is determining the route and scheduling of aircraft. The key to this problem is to input the flight segment and aircraft type and finally determine all flight segments for each aircraft. In this paper, we focus on finding feasible, robust scheduling for various uncertainties in the flight process. This paper presents a new robust integer mathematical model based on game theory that considers daily aircraft routing. Then, in order to find the suboptimal solution to a large‐scale integer programming problem in a limited amount of time, a heuristic algorithm integrating a column generation algorithm and variable domain search is introduced. In addition, we use the data of a Chinese airline to verify, and the experimental results show that the model proposed by us is more robust than the model in general.
Research on the Effective Control of Ground Settlement during Double‐Layered Foundation Pit Dewatering Based on Seepage Control‐Recharge Coupling Model
Authors: Zhang Can-Hong , Wang Bao-Tian , Liu Ying
Published: December 2022

This study focuses on the settlement of buildings around the foundation pit caused by foundation pit dewatering. Within the study context, a test is conducted on the control of ground settlement during double‐layered foundation pit dewatering based on the seepage control‐recharge coupling effect. Moreover, a large indoor seepage test device is developed to accurately simulate in‐situ three‐dimensional seepage conditions of double‐layer foundations. The study results showed that compared to the antiseepage conditions, upon the additional recharge, the head of the upper row of the pressure measuring tubes outside the foundation pit is raised by nearly 10.7%, and the water level of the lower row of pressure measuring tubes is raised by about 3.1%. Additionally, the head of the outer side of each pressure measuring tube is higher than that of the inner side by about 2.75% on average, indicating that the recharge outside the pit can effectively increase the head height in the area above the soil layer at the bottom of the recharging well outside the foundation pit and reduce the settlement of the building outside the foundation pit. The numerical calculation of the settlement outside the pit using FLAC3D software further confirms the effect of the seepage control‐recharge coupling model on the ground settlement during foundation pit dewatering. The research results are important for the infiltration deformation and foundation settlement control in composite foundations precipitation.
Exosomes Derived from microRNA-27a-3p Overexpressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit the Progression of Liver Cancer through Suppression of Golgi Membrane Protein 1
Authors: Bongolo Christian Cedric , Thokerunga Erick , Yan Qian , Yacouba Mohamed Bassirou Moukeila , Wang Chao
Published: December 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant health burden to date. Its early diagnosis and treatment are complicated by the lack of early diagnosis markers and multidrug resistance. microRNA regulation of HCC oncogenes are among the new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies being explored, although the mode of delivery of a therapeutic dose of the miRNA remains a challenge. In this study, we explored the use of exosomes from umbilical mesenchymal stem cells transfected with miR-27a-3p to interact with the oncogene GOLM1 in HCC and inhibit HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo. We first determined and compared the expression levels of miR-27a-3p in blood, various cell lines and tissues of HCC and their corresponding normal controls. We then employed bioinformatics analysis to determine the gene target for miR-27a-3p in HCC and later transfected upregulated miR-27a-3p in mesenchymal stem cells, and treated HCC cells with exosomes extracted from the transfected stem cells. We then created mouse models of HCC using balbc/nude mice and equally treated them with exosomes from miR-27a-3p transfected stem cells. The results showed that miR-27a-3p is downregulated in blood, cell lines, and tissues of HCC patients compared to normal controls. Exosomes from the miR-27a-3p transfected mesenchymal stem cells prevented HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Upregulation of miR-27a-3p prevented HCC through interacting with and downregulating GOLM1 as its target oncogene. In conclusion, miR-27a-3p is a potential therapeutic target for HCC acting through GOLM1.
Clinical Features Associated with Outcomes and Biomarker Analysis of Dabrafenib plus Trametinib Treatment in Patients with BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Brain Metastases
Authors: Wilmott James S. , Tawbi Hussein , Engh Johnathan A. , Amankulor Nduka M. , Shivalingam Brindha , Banerjee Hiya , Vergara Ismael A. , Lee Hansol , Johansson Peter A. , Ferguson Peter M. , Saiag Philippe , Robert Caroline , Grob Jean-Jacques , Butterfield Lisa H. , Scolyer Richard A. , Kirkwood John M. , Long Georgina V. , Davies Michael A.
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

This study aimed to identify baseline clinical features associated with the outcomes of patients enrolled in the COMBI-MB phase II study of dabrafenib and trametinib treatment in patients with V600 BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma with melanoma brain metastases (MBM). Exploratory biomarker analysis was also conducted as part of the synergistic COMBI-BRV trial (BRV116521), to identify molecular and immunologic changes associated with dabrafenib in MBMs and extracranial metastases (ECM).

Patients and Methods:

Post hoc analysis was performed for baseline features of patients (n = 125) enrolled in COMBI-MB. Analyses were performed to identify baseline clinical features associated with intracranial response rate (ICRR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Exploratory biomarker analysis was performed on biospecimen collected in the COMBI-BRV trial in which patients with BRAF-mutant, resectable MBM were treated with dabrafenib for 10 to 14 days prior to craniotomy. Accessible ECM were resected or biopsied at the time of craniotomy. Biospecimens underwent molecular and immunologic profiling for comparative analyses.

Results:

In COMBI-MB baseline treatment with corticosteroids was independently associated with lower ICRR [39% vs. 63%; OR, 0.323; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.105–0.996; P = 0.049] and shorter PFS (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.06–3.51; P = 0.031). Additional significant associations identified in the multivariate analysis were improved PFS in patients with a BRAFV600E genotype (HR, 0.565; 95% CI, 0.321–0.996; P = 0.048) and improved OS in patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0 (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25–0.78; P = 0.005).

Conclusions:

Corticosteroid treatment was associated with reduced ICRR and PFS in COMBI-MB, similar to results with immunotherapy for MBMs. Baseline corticosteroid treatment is a key factor to consider in MBM patient management and clinical trial design/interpretation.
Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and a New Inflammatory Biomarkers Prognostic Index for Primary Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: Retrospective Monocentric Study
Authors: Fiore Marco , Ljevar Silva , Pasquali Sandro , Morelli Daniele , Callegaro Dario , Sanfilippo Roberta , Barisella Marta , Sangalli Claudia , Miceli Rosalba , Gronchi Alessandro
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

Inflammatory biomarkers and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are associated with prognosis in several tumors. Data on sarcomas are limited, and insufficient on retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS).

Experimental Design:

Patients with primary RPS operated between 2002 and 2016 were included. Hemoglobin, monocytes, NLR, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were retrieved and analyzed both individually and combined into a prognostic index (IBPI). Correlation with clinicopathologic variables was studied, as well as postoperative morbidity according to NLR and IBPI risk categories. The association between overall survival (OS) and biomarkers and, in addition, the 7-year Sarculator-predicted OS probability (pOS) was analyzed using univariable and multivariable Cox models.

Results:

423/463 patients had complete data. The median follow-up was 84 months. The median NLR was 3.3 (IQR, 2.4–4.7), with significant variation across histologies. NLR was the only biomarker that independently predicted OS (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.03–1.40; P = 0.02). The IBPI showed good discrimination for subgroups at different OS (log-rank test P < 0.0001). The Cox model for pOS alone showed a 7-year index of prediction accuracy of 26.9, which increased to 29.5 when IBPI was added to pOS as a complementary prognostic tool. IBPI was also associated with the risk of serious infectious postoperative complications (P = 0.0094; noninfectious complications, P = 0.6463).

Conclusions:

NLR was an independent prognostic factor for OS in RPS. When combined into a prognostic index with hemoglobin, monocytes, and PLR, it serves as a readily available prognostic tool addressing tumor-related inflammation and helps in classifying RPS risk in addition to the Sarculator nomogram.
Characterization of Novel Derivatives of MBQ-167, an Inhibitor of the GTP-binding Proteins Rac/Cdc42
Authors: Medina Julia I. , Cruz-Collazo Ailed , Maldonado Maria del Mar , Matos Gascot Tatiana , Borrero-Garcia Luis D. , Cooke Mariana , Kazanietz Marcelo G. , Hernandez O'Farril Eliud , Vlaar Cornelis P. , Dharmawardhane Suranganie
Published: December 2022

Rac and Cdc42, are homologous GTPases that regulate cell migration, invasion, and cell-cycle progression; thus, representing key targets for metastasis therapy. We previously reported on the efficacy of MBQ-167, which blocks both Rac1 and Cdc42 in breast cancer cells and mouse models of metastasis. To identify compounds with increased activity, a panel of MBQ-167 derivatives was synthesized, maintaining its 9-ethyl-3-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-9H-carbazole core. Similar to MBQ-167, MBQ-168 and EHop-097 inhibit activation of Rac and Rac1B splice variant and breast cancer cell viability, and induce apoptosis. MBQ-167 and MBQ-168 inhibit Rac and Cdc42 by interfering with guanine nucleotide binding, and MBQ-168 is a more effective inhibitor of P21-activated kinase (1–3) activation. EHop-097 acts via a different mechanism by inhibiting the interaction of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav with Rac. MBQ-168 and EHop-097 inhibit metastatic breast cancer cell migration, and MBQ-168 promotes loss of cancer cell polarity to result in disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and detachment from the substratum. In lung cancer cells, MBQ-168 is more effective than MBQ-167 or EHop-097 at reducing ruffle formation in response to EGF. Comparable with MBQ-167, MBQ-168 significantly inhibits HER2-positive tumor growth and metastasis to lung, liver, and spleen. Both MBQ-167 and MBQ-168 inhibit the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes 3A4, 2C9, and 2C19. However, MBQ-168 is approximately 10× less potent than MBQ-167 at inhibiting CYP3A4, thus demonstrating its utility in relevant combination therapies. In conclusion, the MBQ-167 derivatives MBQ-168 and EHop-097 are additional promising antimetastatic cancer compounds with similar and distinct mechanisms.

Significance:

Targeting the related GTPases Rac and Cdc42 that regulate cancer metastasis is a viable strategy to impede metastasis of solid cancers. Herein, we describe new Rac and Cdc42 inhibitors with unique mechanisms and varying potency in different cancer cell lines. The MBQ-167 derivatives MBQ-168 and EHop-097 show promise as potential antimetastatic cancer agents.
Bruck Syndrome: Beyond the Obvious
Authors: Tran Christine Thuy-Trang , Smet Maria-Elisabeth , Forsey Jonathan , Zankl Andreas , Nayyar Roshini
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Bruck syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by multiple joint contractures, bone fragility, and fractures. Two genes have been associated with Bruck syndrome, FKBP10 and PLOD2, though they are phenotypically indistinguishable. Case Presentation: We present a prenatally diagnosed case of Bruck syndrome in a young multiparous woman, with no notable personal, family or obstetric history. A 12-week ultrasound raised the suspicion of short long bones, subsequently confirmed at 16 weeks. In addition, bilateral fixed flexion of the elbow, wrist, and knee joints as well as talipes was observed. Chromosomal SNP microarray analysis (0.2 Mb) detected a homozygous deletion at chromosome 3, band q24, involving a part of PLOD2 to a part of PLSCR4. At mid-trimester morphology, bilateral intrauterine fractures of the humerus and femur were evident. In the late third trimester, a fetal echocardiogram noted enlargement of the right heart with severe tricuspid regurgitation in combination with pulmonary insufficiency and a restrictive arterial duct. The potential risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus near term led to delivery by emergency caesarean section. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case of Bruck syndrome prenatally confirmed by chromosomal microarray analysis and the second reported case with an extra-skeletal abnormality. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive fetal morphological assessment during pregnancy as diagnosis of an additional abnormality has the potential to impact both management and prognosis.
Borrowed Gestures: The Body as an Extension of the Musical Instrument
Authors: Cavdir Doga , Wang Ge
Published: December 2022

This article presents design and performance practices for movement-based digital musical instruments. We develop the notion of borrowed gestures, which is a gesture-first approach that composes a gestural vocabulary of nonmusical body movements combined with nuanced instrumental gestures. These practices explore new affordances for physical interaction by transferring the expressive qualities and communicative aspects of body movements; these body movements and their qualities are borrowed from nonmusical domains. By merging musical and nonmusical domains through movement interaction, borrowed gestures offer shared performance spaces and cross-disciplinary practices.

Our approach centers on use of the body and the design with body movement when developing digital musical instruments. The performer's body becomes an intermediate medium, physically connecting and uniting the performer and the instrument. This approach creates new ways of conceptualizing and designing movement-based musical interaction: (1) offering a design framework that transforms a broader range of expressive gestures (including nonmusical gestures) into sonic and musical interactions, and (2) creating a new dynamic between performer and instrument that reframes nonmusical gestures—such as dance movements or sign language gestures—into musical contexts. We aesthetically evaluate our design framework and performance practices based on three case studies: Bodyharp, Armtop, and Felt Sound. As part of this evaluation, we also present a set of design principles as a way of thinking about designing movement-based digital musical instruments.
Contested Sovereignty of Ambazonia and its Right to Self Determination
Authors: Olomojobi Yinka
Published: December 2022

The concept of sovereignty and the right to self-determination is deeply rooted in international law. This paper examines the historical background of the Ambazonia community’s quest for sovereignty based on the right to self-determination. The article examines Southern Cameroon’s historical trajectory and origins of the Ambazonia movement. This paper sheds light on the dynamics of the Anglophone (Ambazonia) crises, and the response from La République du Cameroun (Cameroon government). The paper underscores that although international law firmly opposes the right of secession, as it leads to dissecting the polity in existing states. It is however argued that the people of Ambazonia have a right to quest for self-determination due to oppression and human rights infringements by La République du Cameroun.

The clamour of the Ambazonia movement for sovereignty is based on the entitlement to political independence, and grievance due to the lack of economic and social development of Southern Cameroon. This quest which has ushered violent acts by the state actors to suppress Ambazonia’s identity and cultural heritage. The finding of the study reveals that Southern Cameroon’s contest for sovereignty and right to self-determination is legal under international law and therefore needs the comity of states to intervene to deescalate the violent acts by La République du Cameroun. The article also examines the international community’s role in the conflict. Particularly, it focuses on the part Nigeria played in the crises and the construction of the friendly relationship between both countries. Further the article proffers recommendations peaceful solutions.
Dominant Discourse in Indigenous Consultations
Authors: Pimenova Oxana
Published: December 2022

In Canada, consulting with Indigenous communities over recourse projects, the Crown sometimes avoids critical engagement with them, holding to the same arguments and counterarguments through regulatory and hearing stages. Such hollow moves, produced under the Crown’s rules, become embedded in the dominant argumentative discourse and pass unnoticed. To detect them, I apply Argument Continuities (ac s) – a new category of argumentative discourse analysis. ac s are a set of the same arguments and counterarguments repeatedly produced/reproduced by the dominant arguer through an adversarial reasoning process to dismiss opposing arguments. ac s have a specific life cycle – a chain of reasoning dynamics developing in a path-dependent fashion and increasing the cost of adopting a certain argument/counterargument over time. I test ac s in two institutionally diverse cases of Indigenous consultations and argue for the contingency of ac s upon the rules of consultations in reasoning exchanges. Determining the evidence availability and allocating the burdens of proof in consultations, rules make it more or less likely for a dominant arguer to rebut opposing arguments with acs.
Subversive or Not? Analysing the Findom in Heterosexual Intimate Relationships
Authors: Chen Yi-Wen Rhiannon
Published: December 2022

This research analyses the significance of an invention introduced in Taiwan—the ‘findom’ (finger condom)—by focusing on heterosexual couples in terms of heteronormativity, gender norms, and power dynamics. The data are obtained from advertising texts and interviews with seven participants who discuss their use of the findom in relationships. The study argues that heteronormative scripts are reinforced when advertisements suggest that the findom will increase erotic pleasure. Heteronormativity is revealed in the interviews, indicating that heterosexual hegemony regulates sexual behaviour and autonomy through gendered roles. Regulatory heterosexuality is dominant, as six of the interviewees used the findom in conventional sexuality. However, the findom enables the subversion of heterosexual regulatory norms and the rearticulation of gender dynamics via unconventional sexual practices. The findings suggest it is possible to consider the findom a challenge to normative heterosexuality and that the materiality of sexuality can be reversed through its use.
1. Introduction
Authors: Sutherland William J.
Published: December 2022

Alongside many examples of highly effective practice, there are numerous studies showing ineffective practice. These studies suggest substantial improvements in efficiency are possible, meaning considerably more could be achieved for the same budget. Other fields, such as medicine and aviation, have shown how large improvements can be achieved through collecting and applying evidence effectively. A number of barriers hinder more effective practice, such as the challenges of accessing appropriate information and evidence complacency, where evidence is not sought despite being available. This chapter thus outlines the problems: the subsequent chapters provide the solutions.
2. Gathering and Assessing Pieces of Evidence
Authors: White Thomas B. , Amano Tatsuya , Boersch-Supan Philipp , Christie Alec P. , Freckleton Robert , C. Quinzin Maud C. , Rezaie Ali Mohammad , Sutherland William J. , Yamashita Hiromi
Published: December 2022

Finding and assessing evidence is core to making effective decisions. The three key elements of assessing any evidence are the rigour of the information, the trust in the reliability and objectivity of the source, and the relevance to the question under consideration. Evidence may originate from a range of sources including experiments, case studies, online information, expert knowledge (including local knowledge and Indigenous ways of knowing), or citizen science. This chapter considers how these different types of evidence can be assessed.
9. Creating Evidence-Based Policy and Practice
Authors: Downey Harriet , Boenisch Nicolas , Browne Des , Buckley Yvonne , Cranston Gemma , Dicks Lynn V. , Hughes Jonathan , Latrémouille Charles , Morgan William H. , Muir Matthew , O’Brien David , Ockendon Nancy , Roe Dilys , Schindler Stefan , Sheldon Tom , Tew Eleanor R.
Published: December 2022

Transforming conservation depends on evidence being embedded within decision-making processes. This chapter presents general principles for embedding evidence into a wide range of approaches and processes. These include creating action plans (habitat or species), guidance documents, funding applications, policy, business environmental strategies, and management plans, as well as deciding what to fund, what to report or how to construct models. How well evidence is used in these processes can be evaluated through various processes and indices.
11. Creating a Culture of Evidence Use
Authors: Winifred F. Frick Winifred F. Frick , Cooke Steven J. , Dickson Iain , Jackson Hazel A. , Keller Kaylene E. , De la Luz Angelita , Parks Danni , McPherson Tom , Simkins Ashley T. , Tanshi Iroro , Thompson Des B.A. , Tinsley-Marshall Paul , Young Lindsay C.
Published: December 2022

Evidence is a prerequisite for effective conservation decisions, yet its use is not ubiquitous. This can lead to wasted resources and inadequate conservation decisions. Creating a culture of evidence use within the conservation and environmental management communities is key to transforming conservation. At present, there are a range of ways in which organisations can change so that evidence use becomes routinely adopted as part of institutional processes. Auditing existing use is a useful first stage followed by creating an evidence-use plan. A wide range of possible actions should encourage evidence use and ensure the availability of resources needed. Seven case studies show how very different organisations, from funders to businesses to conservation organisations, have reworked their processes so that evidence has become fundamental to their effective practice.
10. Public Spending for Future Generations
Authors: Ferrari Lorenzo , Meliciani Valentina
Published: December 2022

L. Ferrari and V. Meliciani in Chapter 10 propose a new “quality” of public spending (public spending for future generations) measure which goes beyond the traditional distinction made between public gross fixed capital formation and public current expenditure. The proposed aggregate is more in line with the objectives and policies introduced at the European level such as NextGenerationEU, which requires EU countries to spend a certain percentage of their resources on projects aimed at promoting digital and green transition, scientific research, and social cohesion. Highly indebted countries have significantly decreased the share of GDP for public spending for future generations, especially since the financial and sovereign debt crises. However, countries have not reduced their share of total public expenditure of GDP. It is suggested that national governments and the EU fiscal rules should focus more on the composition of public spending, not only public gross fixed capital formation, but also current expenditures that have long-run effects on sustainable development such as education, R&D and environmental protection.
Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Anti-Angiogenesis Induced by Crocetin-Delivering Alginate Hydrogel/Chitosan Nanoparticle Carrier System on Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Line (A2780): An In Vitro Evaluation
Authors: Yang Lina , Zhang Yan , Yang Hong , Yu Lili , Rohani Saeed
Published: December 2022

In the current study, the anticancer activity of Crocetin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles incorporated into an alginate hydrogel on ovarian cancer cells was investigated. Crocetin was loaded into chitosan nanoparticles via ionotropic gelation method and then incorporated into the alginate
hydrogel. Then, various In Vitro experiments were performed to characterize the produced delivery system. The anticancer activity of the developed system was evaluated on A2780 cell line. Results showed that Crocetin-loaded carrier system significantly reduced the viability of ovarian
cancer cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of the developed system was associated with a significant reduction in the expression level of VEGF gene. This study suggests potential use of this system to treat ovarian cancer.
Targeted Ultrafine Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Delivery of the Topoisomerase Inhibitor SN38 and Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Authors: Liu Nianyuan , Lai Lanjin , Xu Peijia , Padelford Jonathan , Xue Ting , Zhang Hua , Zhu Xingkai , Xue Xingkui , Wang Liya
Published: December 2022

Ovarian cancer remains a challenge to decrease mortality and improve diagnostic efficiency in gynecological cancers. To develop a delivery system capable of efficient cancer cell targeting and delivering novel efficacious therapeutics, we assembled folic acid (FA) conjugated ultrafine
iron oxide nanoparticles (uIONP) with encapsulation of DNA topoisomerase inhibitor SN38, which target ovarian cancer cells with over-expression of folate receptor alpha (FRα) and deliver SN38 to induce apoptosis. The assembled FA-uIONP-SN38 exhibited higher drug loading efficiency
than the larger counterparts with core diameters more than 10 nm. The targeting specificity of FA-uIONP-SN38 for SKOV-3 cancer cells was validated, with HEK293 kidney cells and Raw264.7 macrophages as non-targeted cell line control. It was found that more SKOV-3 cancer cells were killed due
to apoptosis by FA-uIONP-SN38 at the same SN38 dosages compared with uIONP-SN38 and free SN38, respectively. The delivery of this inhibitor to SKOV-3 cancer cells by FRα-targeted FA-uIONP carrier was enhanced by about 10-folds with less cytotoxicity comparing to the free drug
SN38. The developed FA-uIONP-SN38 holds a great potential as a theranostic approach in treating ovarian cancer.
Advances in Nano-Sized Metal-Organic Frameworks and Biomedical Applications: A Review
Authors: Zhao Tian , Luo Mingliang , Zou Minmin , Nie Saiqun , Li Xianggang
Published: December 2022

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention since their discovery and have potential applications in many fields, including gas storage, separation, catalysis, and thermal energy conversion, due to their unique high porosity structure, tunable pore size, and functionalizability.
Nano-sized MOFs (NMOFs) possessed both the properties of conventional bulk MOFs and additional physical/chemical properties because of their nanometer size, and thus can exhibit even better performance than related conventional bulk MOFs. In this paper, we introduced the development of NMOFs
and presented several classical NMOFs structures and their applications. It also focused on the preparation methods and applications of some important NMOFs in recent years, and provided an outlook on the applications of NMOFs in novel material fields and their development perspective.
Delivery of Adriamycin Loaded Niosomes for Liver Cancer Treatment
Authors: Zhu Hanzhang , Zhou Weijiang , Wan Yafeng , Lu Jun , Ge Ke , Jia Changku
Published: December 2022

The delivery efficiency of Adriamycin is crucial for the therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Niosome is a promising carrier that can be used for targeted drug delivery. However, the therapeutic effect of Adriamycin loaded niosome is still unclear. In this study, Adriamycin loaded niosomes
were constructed as a promising drug carrier system. The morphological determination of niosomes was conducted by transmission electron microscopy. Cell fluorescence was used for cellular uptake analysis. Western blotting was used to estimate the apoptosis-related protein expression in HepG2
cells. 3-(4,5)-di-methylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazolium bromide assay was used for estimating the apoptosis of cancer cells. The in vivo anti-cancer effect and safety of Adriamycin loaded niosomes were analyzed in tumor-bearing mice. Adriamycin loaded niosomes improved the
cellular uptake of Adriamycin. The anti-cancer effect of Adriamycin in vivo was enhanced. The responsive release of Adriamycin loaded niosomes under acidic conditions reduced the toxicity of Adriamycin to normal cells and the mortality of tumor-bearing mice. Together, Adriamycin loaded
niosomes improved its anti-cancer effect and safety for liver cancer treatment.
Value of Auricular Point Pressing in Postoperative Pain Nursing Care of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Under the Guidance of Nano-Probe
Authors: Xu Xiaoping , Shi Zeya , Zhang Honghui , Sun Wei , Zhao Min , Peng Xiangqun
Published: December 2022

This work aimed to investigate and analyse the application value of auricular point pressing (APP) in pain nursing care after laparoscopic cholecystectomy guided by nano-probe. In this study, 100 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy guided by nanoprobes were selected.
According to the difference in admission time and intervention measures, 100 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled into an observation group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 50). Then, patients as controls after surgery were treated with routine preventive nursing
intervention measures, and patients for observation received APP on the basis of routine nursing. Anal exhaust time (AET), bowel sound recovery time (BSRT), incidence of abdominal distension, and clinical efficacy were compared. In addition, the degree of abdominal pain was evaluated at the
24th hour, 48th hour, and 72nd hour after surgery, as well as the degree of gastrointestinal reaction. There was no marked difference in the general data of patients from the two groups. The time of first exhaust defecation in the observation group was shorter (P <0.05), indicating
that the exhaust effect was better. The differences in degree of abdominal pain in patients were statistically marked between the 24th and 48th hours and the 48th and 72nd hours (P <0.05), indicating that postoperative abdominal pain symptoms of both groups could be effectively improved.
The degree of gastrointestinal reaction of patients showed obvious difference between the 24th and 48th hour and the 24th and 72nd hour (P <0.05). However, there was no huge difference in the degree of gastrointestinal reaction between 72 hours and 48 hours (P >0.05), suggesting
that the gastrointestinal symptoms were improved after 48 hours. In conclusion, postoperative APP could effectively alleviate postoperative pain in patients.
The Mechanism of Jieduquyuziyin Prescription in the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus via Nek7-NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Wenhong , Li Shiqing , Tao Fangfang , Wu Lichao , Luo Fei , Sun Tengfei , Zhao Junhui , Li Junfeng , Li Changyu
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism and partial material basis of Jieduquyuziyin prescription (JQZP) reduces systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) inflammation via regulating Nek7-NLRP3 signaling pathway. The therapeutic effect of JQZP was evaluated by MRL/lpr SLE mice model
in vivo and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage inflammation model in vitro. The partial material basis of JQZP was analyzed by network pharmacology, molecular docking and HPLC. The effect of JQZP on inhibiting the Nek7-NLRP3 signaling pathway and the underlying
molecular mechanism were investigated by ELISA, RT-qPCR and Western blot. in vivo experiments showed that JQZP could ameliorate renal histopathological changes, decrease spleen index, 24 h urine and urine creatinine (UCR) concentration, and increase urinary microalbumin (ALB) concentration
and microalbumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) in MRL/lpr mice. In addition, JQZP down-regulated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-18 and IL-1β both in vivo and in vitro. Network pharmacology and HPLC analysis showed that salidroside, luteolin and apigenin in JQZP-medicated
serum were partial main active ingredients, and molecular docking showed that all three main active ingredients could bind to Nek7, NLRP3 and ASC well. Western blot further confirmed that JQZP, JQZP-medicated serum and active monomer ingredients could regulate the expression of Nek7, NLRP3,
and ASC in Nek7-NLRP3 signaling pathway. JQZP has a certain effect on improving excessive inflammation of SLE, and the mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of Nek7-NLRP3 signaling pathway. Salidroside, luteolin and apigenin may be partial material basis for exerting this effect.
Photothermally Responsive siRNA Delivery by PEGylated Poly(amido amine)s for Improved Tumor Therapy
Authors: Xue Hao , Cai Guoqiang , Mao Yongqing , Chen Bin , Ullah Aftab , Chen Gang
Published: December 2022

Polycations have a high siRNA binding efficiency, however, their cytotoxicity and poor transfection efficiency prevent their use in siRNA delivery. This study combined PEGylation for enhanced safety with a photothermally controlled endolysosomal escape to improve the cytoplasmic delivery
of polycations.We first synthesized PEGylated cationic polymers (denoted as PEG-PHD), which were then used to prepare polyplexes with siRNA and ICG through electrostatic interactions. We found that the cytotoxicity of PEG-PHD and its polyplexes were significantly decreased compared with unPEGylated
PHD. The prepared polyplexes successfully induced endolysosomal escape under laser irradiation, thereby showing better siRNA delivery efficiency in vitro and in vivo. Finally, polyplexes carrying siBcl-2 achieved significant inhibition of 4T1 tumor mediated by specific gene silencing
after intravenous injection. In conclusion, this biocompatible photothermal controlled delivery platform is suitable for improving the efficiency of siRNA transfection. Overall, this study suggests that combing PEGylation and photoresponsive delivery is a promising strategy for designing siRNA
delivery carriers.
Experimental Study of Heat Transfer During Quenching of Steel Cylinders in Boiling Nanofluid
Authors: Moraru Vasyl , Komysh Dmytro , Sydorenko Mykola , Sydorenko Serhiy
Published: December 2022

Current study was dedicated to explore cooling performance of TiO2 nanofluid. Preliminary tests have shown the possibility of significant improvement of emergency cooling performance by nanofluids in the case of overheated surfaces. Tests that were held during current investigation
were performed with cylinders of stainless steel, which were used as an overheated surface. The temperature was recorded by a digital system of 3 type-K thermocouples. The object, preheated in a furnace to high temperatures (600–800 °C), was immersed into boiling distilled water.
Usage of the set of thermocouples allows to determine heat flow in steel cylinder by its temperature distribution. The implementation of emergency cooling was to add a certain amount of nanofluid concentrate to the volume of boiling distilled water. The experiment was continued until the complete
cooling of the object (up to 100 °C—the temperature of the surrounding liquid). Calculations confirmed increase of heat transfer coefficient for NF and, respectively, about 40% decrease in cooling time for NanoFluid compared to distilled water was observed. Three method of determination
of heat transfer coefficient were compared.
Observing the Diurnal Cycle of Coastal Rainfall over Western Puerto Rico in Collaboration with University of Puerto Rico Students
Authors: Rios-Berrios Rosimar , Sakaeda Naoko , Jimenez-González Héctor J. , Nieves-Jimenez Angelie , Zayas Yidiana , Martin Elinor , Wu Shun-Nan , Homeyer Cameron R. , Rodríguez Ernesto
Published: December 2022

The diurnal cycle of coastal rainfall over western Puerto Rico was studied with high-frequency radiosondes launched by undergraduate students at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM). Thirty radiosondes were launched during a 3-week period as part of NASA’s Convective Processes Experiment—Aerosols and Winds (CPEX-AW) field project. The objective of the radiosonde launches over Puerto Rico was to understand the evolution of coastal convective systems that are often challenging to predict. Four different events were sampled: 1) a short-lived rainfall event during a Saharan air dust outbreak, 2) a 2-day period of limited rainfall activity under northeasterly wind conditions, 3) a 2-day period of heavy rainfall over land, and 4) a 2-day period of long-lived rainfall events that initiated over land and propagated offshore during the evening hours. The radiosondes captured the sea-breeze onset during the midmorning hours, an erosion of lower-tropospheric inversions, and substantial differences in column humidity between the four events. All radiosondes were launched by volunteer undergraduate students who were able to participate in person, while the coordination was done virtually with lead scientists located in Puerto Rico, Oklahoma, and Saint Croix. Overall, this initiative highlighted the importance of student–scientist collaboration in collecting critical observations to better understand complex atmospheric processes.
Performance of an Improved TKE-Based Eddy-Diffusivity Mass-Flux (EDMF) PBL Scheme in 2021 Hurricane Forecasts from the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System
Authors: Chen Xiaomin , Hazelton Andrew , Marks Frank D. , Alaka Ghassan J. , Zhang Chunxi
Published: December 2022

Continuous development and evaluation of planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations in hurricane conditions are crucial for improving tropical cyclone (TC) forecasts. A turbulence kinetic energy (TKE)-based eddy-diffusivity mass-flux (EDMF-TKE) PBL scheme, implemented in NOAA’s Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS), was recently improved in hurricane conditions using large-eddy simulations. This study evaluates the performance of HAFS TC forecasts with the original (experiment HAFA) and modified EDMF-TKE (experiment HAFY) based on a large sample of cases during the 2021 North Atlantic hurricane season. Results indicate that intensity and structure forecast skill was better overall in HAFY than in HAFA, including during rapid intensification. Composite analyses demonstrate that HAFY produces shallower and stronger boundary layer inflow, especially within 1–3 times the radius of maximum wind (RMW). Stronger inflow and more moisture in the boundary layer contribute to stronger moisture convergence near the RMW. These boundary layer characteristics are consistent with stronger, deeper, and more compact TC vortices in HAFY than in HAFA. Nevertheless, track skill in HAFY is slightly reduced, which is in part attributable to the cross-track error from a few early cycles of Hurricane Henri that exhibited ∼400 n mi (1 n mi = 1.852 km) track error at longer lead times. Sensitivity experiments based on HAFY demonstrate that turning off cumulus schemes notably reduces the track errors of Henri while turning off the deep cumulus scheme reduces the intensity errors. This finding hints at the necessity of unifying the mass fluxes in PBL and cumulus schemes in future model physics development.