bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in Pregnancy-Associated Cervical Cancer in Japan between 2012 and 2017: A Multicenter Survey
Authors: Enomoto Sayako , Yoshihara Kosuke , Kondo Eiji , Iwata Akiko , Tanaka Mamoru , Tabata Tsutomu , Kudo Yoshiki , Kondoh Eiji , Mandai Masaki , Sugiyama Takashi , Okamoto Aikou , Saito Tsuyoshi , Enomoto Takayuki , Ikeda Tomoaki
Published: June 2022

Large-scale data on maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy-associated cervical cancer in Japan are scarce, and treatment strategies have not been established. This multicenter retrospective observational study investigated clinical features and trends in pregnancy-associated cervical cancer treatments at 523 hospitals in Japan. We included cervical cancer cases that were histologically diagnosed (between 1 January 2012, and 31 December 2017), and their clinical information was retrospectively collected. Of 40 patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated cervical cancer at ≥22 gestational weeks, 34 (85.0%) were carefully followed until delivery without intervention. Of 163 diagnosed at <22 gestational weeks, 111 continued and 52 terminated their pregnancy. Ninety patients with stage IB1 disease had various treatment options, including termination of pregnancy. The 59 stage IB1 patients who continued their pregnancy were categorized by the primary treatment into strict follow-up, conization, trachelectomy, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy groups, with no significant differences in progression-free or overall survival. The birth weight percentile at delivery was smaller in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group than in the strict follow-up group (p = 0.029). Full-term delivery rate was relatively higher in the trachelectomy group (35%) than in the other groups. Treatment decisions for pregnancy-associated cervical cancer are needed after estimating the stage, considering both maternal and fetal benefits.
Assessing Ethnic Inequalities in Diagnostic Interval of Common Cancers: A Population-Based UK Cohort Study
Authors: Martins Tanimola , Abel Gary , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Price Sarah , Lyratzopoulos Georgios , Chinegwundoh Frank , Hamilton William
Published: June 2022

Background: This study investigated ethnic differences in diagnostic interval (DI)—the period between initial primary care presentation and diagnosis. Methods: We analysed the primary care-linked data of patients who reported features of seven cancers (breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, oesophagogastric, myeloma, and ovarian) one year before diagnosis. Accelerated failure time (AFT) models investigated the association between DI and ethnicity, adjusting for age, sex, deprivation, and morbidity. Results: Of 126,627 eligible participants, 92.1% were White, 1.99% Black, 1.71% Asian, 1.83% Mixed, and 2.36% were of Other ethnic backgrounds. Considering all cancer sites combined, the median (interquartile range) DI was 55 (20–175) days, longest in lung [127, (42–265) days], and shortest in breast cancer [13 (13, 8–18) days]. DI for the Black and Asian groups was 10% (AFT ratio, 95%CI 1.10, 1.05–1.14) and 16% (1.16, 1.10–1.22), respectively, longer than for the White group. Site-specific analyses revealed evidence of longer DI in Asian and Black patients with prostate, colorectal, and oesophagogastric cancer, plus Black patients with breast cancer and myeloma, and the Mixed group with lung cancer compared with White patients. DI was shorter for the Other group with lung, prostate, myeloma, and oesophagogastric cancer than the White group. Conclusion: We found limited and inconsistent evidence of ethnic differences in DI among patients who reported cancer features in primary care before diagnosis. Our findings suggest that inequalities in diagnostic intervals, where present, are unlikely to be the sole explanation for ethnic variations in cancer outcomes.
N-Cadherin Distinguishes Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma from Liver Metastases of Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas
Authors: Gerber Tiemo S. , Goeppert Benjamin , Hausen Anne , Witzel Hagen R. , Bartsch Fabian , Schindeldecker Mario , Gröger Lisa-Katharina , Ridder Dirk A. , Cahyadi Oscar , Esposito Irene , Gaida Matthias M. , Schirmacher Peter , Galle Peter R. , Lang Hauke , Roth Wilfried , Straub Beate K.
Published: June 2022

Carcinomas of the pancreatobiliary system confer an especially unfavorable prognosis. The differential diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and its subtypes versus liver metastasis of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (PDAC) is clinically important to allow the best possible therapy. We could previously show that E-cadherin and N-cadherin, transmembrane glycoproteins of adherens junctions, are characteristic features of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. We therefore analyzed E-cadherin and N-cadherin in the embryonally related epithelia of the bile duct and pancreas, as well as in 312 iCCAs, 513 carcinomas of the extrahepatic bile ducts, 228 gallbladder carcinomas, 131 PDACs, and precursor lesions, with immunohistochemistry combined with image analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and immunoblots. In the physiological liver, N-cadherin colocalizes with E-cadherin in small intrahepatic bile ducts, whereas larger bile ducts and pancreatic ducts are positive for E-cadherin but contain decreasing amounts of N-cadherin. N-cadherin was highly expressed in most iCCAs, whereas in PDACs, N-cadherin was negative or only faintly expressed. E- and N-cadherin expression in tumors of the pancreaticobiliary tract recapitulate their expression in their normal tissue counterparts. N-cadherin is a helpful marker for the differential diagnosis between iCCA and PDAC, with a specificity of 96% and a sensitivity of 67% for small duct iCCAs and 50% for large duct iCCAs.
1,4-Butanediol Selective Dehydration to 3-Butene-1-ol over Ca–Zr–Sn Composite Oxide Catalysts
Authors: Dong Hao , Xu Cheng-Hua , Yang Fang-Lu , Du Lei , Liu Chen-Long , Chen Wen-Jing , Wang Lin
Published: June 2022

Ca–Zr–Sn composite oxides catalysts for 1,4-butanediol (BDO) selective dehydration to 3-butene-1-ol (BTO) are synthesized by impregnation and co-precipitation in the present work. The results show that Ca–Zr–Sn catalysts prepared from co-precipitation by using NaOH-Na2CO3 mixing alkali solution as precipitant exhibit an excellent catalytic property for BDO dehydration to BTO. For instance, Ca–Zr–Sn oxide with Ca/Zr and Sn/Zr molar ratio of 0.68 and 0.28 calcined at 650 °C gives a BDO conversion and BTO selectivity of about 97% and 82%, respectively, and exhibits no deactivation during 1000 h scale-up experimental testing. X-ray diffraction results indicate that catalytic active centers for BDO dehydration to BTO are from Ca0.15Zr0.85O crystal phase. NH3- and CO2-temperature programmed desorption prove that the surface of obtained catalysts can provide a large amount of acid and base sites simultaneously. FT-IR spectra of pyridine-adsorbed samples show that acid sites on the surface of Ca–Zr–Sn oxide catalyst mainly exist in a state of Lewis acid, which activates terminal -OH groups of BDO molecule through complexing. The activated -OH interacts with β-H activated on base sites O2− anions relative to Ca species, thereby the CH2=CH- bonds are produced through dehydration to form BTO.
A Signature of Exaggerated Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Is Linked to Low Plasma Adiponectin and Increased Transcriptional Activation of Proteasomal Degradation in Muscle
Authors: Sabaratnam Rugivan , Skov Vibe , Paulsen Søren K. , Juhl Stine , Kruse Rikke , Hansen Thea , Halkier Cecilie , Kristensen Jonas M. , Vind Birgitte F. , Richelsen Bjørn , Knudsen Steen , Dahlgaard Jesper , Beck-Nielsen Henning , Kruse Torben A. , Højlund Kurt
Published: June 2022

Insulin resistance in skeletal muscle in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by more pronounced metabolic and molecular defects than in obesity per se. There is increasing evidence that adipose tissue dysfunction contributes to obesity-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Here, we used an unbiased approach to examine if adipose tissue dysfunction is exaggerated in T2D and linked to diabetes-related mechanisms of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Transcriptional profiling and biological pathways analysis were performed in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and skeletal muscle biopsies from 17 patients with T2D and 19 glucose-tolerant, age and weight-matched obese controls. Findings were validated by qRT-PCR and western blotting of selected genes and proteins. Patients with T2D were more insulin resistant and had lower plasma adiponectin than obese controls. Transcriptional profiling showed downregulation of genes involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and the tricarboxylic-acid cycle and increased expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes in SAT in T2D, whereas genes involved in proteasomal degradation were upregulated in the skeletal muscle in T2D. qRT-PCR confirmed most of these findings and showed lower expression of adiponectin in SAT and higher expression of myostatin in muscle in T2D. Interestingly, muscle expression of proteasomal genes correlated positively with SAT expression of ECM genes but inversely with the expression of ADIPOQ in SAT and plasma adiponectin. Protein content of proteasomal subunits and major ubiquitin ligases were unaltered in the skeletal muscle of patients with T2D. A transcriptional signature of exaggerated adipose tissue dysfunction in T2D, compared with obesity alone, is linked to low plasma adiponectin and increased transcriptional activation of proteasomal degradation in skeletal muscle.
The Three Two-Pore Channel Subtypes from Rabbit Exhibit Distinct Sensitivity to Phosphoinositides, Voltage, and Extracytosolic pH
Authors: Feng Xinghua , Xiong Jian , Cai Weijie , Tian Jin-Bin , Zhu Michael X.
Published: June 2022

Two pore channels (TPCs) are implicated in vesicle trafficking, virus infection, and autophagy regulation. As Na+- or Ca2+-permeable channels, TPCs have been reported to be activated by NAADP, PI(3,5)P2, and/or high voltage. However, a comparative study on the function and regulation of the three mammalian TPC subtypes is currently lacking. Here, we used the electrophysiological recording of enlarged endolysosome vacuoles, inside-out and outside-out membrane patches to examine the three TPCs of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus, or Oc) heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells. While PI(3,5)P2 evoked Na+ currents with a potency order of OcTPC1 > OcTPC3 > OcTPC2, only OcTPC2 displayed a strict dependence on PI(3,5)P2. Both OcTPC1 and OcTPC3 were activatable by PI3P and OcTPC3 was also activated by additional phosphoinositide species. While OcTPC2 was voltage-independent, OcTPC1 and OcTPC3 showed voltage dependence with OcTPC3 depending on high positive voltages. Finally, while OcTPC2 preferred a luminal pH of 4.6–6.0 in endolysosomes, OcTPC1 was strongly inhibited by extracytosolic pH 5.0 in both voltage-dependent and -independent manners, and OcTPC3 was inhibited by pH 6.0 but potentiated by pH 8.0. Thus, the three OcTPCs form phosphoinositide-activated Na+ channels with different ligand selectivity, voltage dependence, and extracytosolic pH sensitivity, which likely are optimally tuned for function in specific endolysosomal populations.
Effect of 3D Synthetic Microscaffold Nichoid on the Morphology of Cultured Hippocampal Neurons and Astrocytes
Authors: Musi Clara Alice , Colnaghi Luca , Giani Arianna , Priori Erica Cecilia , Marchini Giacomo , Tironi Matteo , Conci Claudio , Cerullo Giulio , Osellame Roberto , Raimondi Manuela Teresa , Remuzzi Andrea , Borsello Tiziana
Published: June 2022

The human brain is the most complex organ in biology. This complexity is due to the number and the intricate connections of brain cells and has so far limited the development of in vitro models for basic and applied brain research. We decided to create a new, reliable, and cost-effective in vitro system based on the Nichoid, a 3D microscaffold microfabricated by two-photon laser polymerization technology. We investigated whether these 3D microscaffold devices can create an environment allowing the manipulation, monitoring, and functional assessment of a mixed population of brain cells in vitro. With this aim, we set up a new model of hippocampal neurons and astrocytes co-cultured in the Nichoid microscaffold to generate brain micro-tissues of 30 μm thickness. After 21 days in culture, we morphologically characterized the 3D spatial organization of the hippocampal astrocytes and neurons within the microscaffold, and we compared our observations to those made using the classical 2D co-culture system. We found that the co-cultured cells colonized the entire volume of the 3D devices. Using confocal microscopy, we observed that within this period the different cell types had become well-differentiated. This was further elaborated with the use of drebrin, PSD-95, and synaptophysin antibodies that labeled the majority of neurons, both in the 2D as well as in the 3D co-cultures. Using scanning electron microscopy, we found that neurons in the 3D co-culture displayed a significantly larger amount of dendritic protrusions compared to neurons in the 2D co-culture. This latter observation indicates that neurons growing in a 3D environment may be more prone to form connections than those co-cultured in a 2D condition. Our results show that the Nichoid can be used as a 3D device to investigate the structure and morphology of neurons and astrocytes in vitro. In the future, this model can be used as a tool to study brain cell interactions in the discovery of important mechanisms governing neuronal plasticity and to determine the factors that form the basis of different human brain diseases. This system may potentially be further used for drug screening in the context of various brain diseases.
Transcriptome Analysis of Retinoic Acid-Inducible Gene I Overexpression Reveals the Potential Genes for Autophagy-Related Negative Regulation
Authors: Ye Shaotang , Tan Chen , Yang Xiaoyun , Wang Ji , Li Qi , Xu Liang , Wang Zhen , Mao Jianwei , Wang Jingyu , Cheng Kui , Chen Aolei , Zhou Pei , Li Shoujun
Published: June 2022

Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) serves as an essential viral RNA sensor for innate immune. The activation of the RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) pathway triggers many regulations for the outcome of type I interferon, including ubiquitination, dephosphorylation, ISGylation, and autophagy. However, the autophagy-related regulation of RIG-I is still not fully understood. To investigate the potentially unknown genes related to autophagy-related regulation of RIG-I, we firstly confirm the induction of autophagy derived by overexpression of RIG-I. Furthermore, the autophagy inducer and inhibitor drugs were used in different assays. The results showed autophagy could control the activation of RLRs pathway and expression of exogenous RIG-I. In addition, we carried out the transcriptome analysis of overexpression of RIG-I in vitro. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GO and KEGG signaling pathways enrichment provided a newly complex network. Finally, the validation of qPCR indicated that the DEGs PTPN22, PRKN, OTUD7B, and SIRT2 were correlated to the negative regulation of excessive expression of RIG-I. Taken together, our study contributed new insights into a more comprehensive understanding of the regulation of excessive expression of RIG-I. It provided the potential candidate genes for autophagy-related negative regulation for further investigation.
High-Performance Dielectric Ceramic for Energy Storage Capacitors
Authors: Wang Jing
Published: June 2022

In recent years, due to the depletion of fossil fuels, air pollution, carbon emissions, and other issues, it has become urgent to seek the development of renewable, non-polluting, and clean energy [...]
Vibration-Based System Degradation Monitoring under Gear Wear Progression
Authors: Feng Ke , Ni Qing , Zheng Jinde
Published: June 2022

Surface wear is a common phenomenon in the service life of gear transmission systems [...]
Constructing a Region DSGE Model with Institutional Features of Territorial Development
Authors: Dubrovskaya Julia , Shults Dmitriy , Kozonogova Elena
Published: June 2022

The growing importance of regional units in national economies gives rise to the objective need to improve the tools of spatial management. The construction of realistic development scenarios and forecasts is possible on the basis of the DSGE models’ tools. At the same time, models of a similar class that describe socio-economic processes at the level of the regional economy are practically not represented in modern studies. The purpose of the paper is to build a model of the regional economy based on DSGE tools. A feature of the proposed model is the consideration of spatial features through budget expenditures on the digitalization of such areas as healthcare and education. The high importance of these costs became evident during the COVID-19 crisis, when the consequences of underfunding IT costs in education and healthcare led to slowing economic growth. We have allocated health and education expenses in the standard budget limit of the regional government. On the basis of the developed model, response functions for shocks of exogenous variables for 20 periods were built. The result of the simulation is the response functions of endogenous variables in response to the fading growth in the share of spending on human capital in the region, as well as the obtained values of elasticities for a single change in shocks.
Clinical Management of Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Review of Current Strategies and Emerging Therapies
Authors: Stalker Margaret E. , Mark Tomer M.
Published: June 2022

Major progress has been made in the upfront treatment of multiple myeloma, but the disease ultimately relapses and leads to death in the vast majority of those afflicted. New treatment strategies and modalities are necessary to treat myeloma in relapse, particularly in cases of triple-refractory status defined by disease progression during or shortly after treatment with immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody therapy. In this manuscript, we review recent promising developments in the treatment of triple-class refractory myeloma including bispecific antibodies and T cell engagers, chimeric antigen receptor cellular therapies, as well as chemotherapeutics with novel mechanisms of action.
Pseudo-Pemphigoid Gestationis Eruption Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination with mRNA Vaccine
Authors: de Lorenzi Caroline , Kaya Gürkan , Toutous Trellu Laurence
Published: June 2022

Auto-immune reactions, including auto-immune bullous disease, have been reported following SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccination. Few cases of bullous pemphigoid are described, but there has been no case of pemphigoid gestationis. We report the first case here.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Neu–Laxova Syndrome
Authors: Serrano Olave Adriana , López Alba Padín , Cruz María Martín , Rodríguez Susana Monís , Narbona Arias Isidoro , López Jesús S. Jiménez
Published: June 2022

Neu–Laxova syndrome is a rare and lethal genetic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance involving abnormalities of multiple systems. It was first reported in 1971. Since then, just eighty-eight cases have been reported. The syndrome is characterized by early and severe growth restriction, and craniofacial anomalies, such as microcephaly, hypertelorism and other malformations, resulting in quite characteristic features. Additionally, it might appear as generalized edema, flexion contractures and other malformations of the extremities, abnormalities in the CNS (central nervous system), skin (severe ichthyosis), and genitourinary and cardiac abnormalities. We present the case of a patient who had her first pregnancy with a fetus with Neu–Laxova syndrome diagnosed in our center during the second-trimester ultrasound. The ultrasound findings suggested the diagnosis, which was confirmed with a genetic study of the amniotic fluid: the variant of the PSAT1 gene, associated with NLS (Neu–Laxova syndrome) 2 in homozygosis. Moreover, there was a second pregnancy with a fetus carrying the same mutation in heterozygosis. In addition, we have carried out a review of published literature about this disease up to the present time.
Quality Analysis of Tuberculosis Specimens Transported by Drones versus Ground Transportation
Authors: Malamule Diosdélio , Moreira Susana , Madeira Carla , Lutucuta Carla , Ailstock Gabriella , Maxim Luciana , Bechtel Ruth , Defawe Olivier , Viegas Sofia
Published: June 2022

There are many challenges that impact the current referral network for Tuberculosis (TB) sputum specimens in Mozambique. In some cases, health facilities are remote and the road infrastructure is poor and at times impassable, leading to delays in laboratory specimen transportation and long turn-around times for results. Drone transportation is a promising solution to reduce transportation time and improve access to laboratory diagnostics if the sample quality is not compromised during transport. This study evaluated the impact of drone transportation on the quality of TB sputum specimens with suspected Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 156 specimens were collected at five (5) health centers and sent to the Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS) National TB Reference Laboratory. Specimens were then equally divided into two aliquots; one to be transported on land and the other by air using a drone. Control and study group specimens were processed using the NALC-NaOH method. Agreement between sample and control specimens was acceptable, indicating that drone transportation did not affect the quality of TB specimens. The authors recommend additional studies to validate drone transportation of TB specimens over a longer period of time to give further confidence in the adoption of drone delivery in Mozambique.
Active Learning: A Shift from Passive Learning to Student Engagement Improves Understanding and Contextualization of Nutrition and Community Health
Authors: Bavishi Poyani , Birnhak Alana , Gaughan John , Mitchell-Williams Jocelyn , Phadtare Sangita
Published: June 2022

Challenging the notion of “teaching by telling,” active learning utilizes a student-oriented approach by emphasizing the concept of knowledge retention through peer interaction. To further examine the potential of active learning, we created a workshop based on didactic education and student collaboration. Participants included undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds. The workshop was part of our summer academic enrichment program run in an urban, medically underserved community. The workshop focused on clinical and biochemical nutrition, wherein students synthesized information by discussing dietary choices and the socioeconomic aspects of nutrition. Student reception of the workshop was adjudged by anonymous surveys. The survey questions were designed to gauge how the workshop objectives were achieved. Cronbach alpha (0.276) confirmed that there was more than a single theme contained in the questions. The majority of students (97%) agreed that the workshop met the learning objectives: (1) acquire basic clinical knowledge, (2) gain a better understanding of nutrition, (3) formulate a linkage between clinical nutrition and disease, and (4) benefit from peer interaction. Students’ performance in the post-quiz (100% correct answers) had improved significantly compared to the pre-quiz (25% correct answers) suggesting acquisition, understanding and application of nutrition aspects taught in the workshop. Overall, the present study demonstrated the engagement and understanding of students with respect to learning about nutrition and community health in an active learning setting. These types of active-learning-based sessions may have broad applicability for any academic discipline to improve student engagement and knowledge retention.
Long-Time Coherent Integration for Maneuvering Target Based on Second-Order Keystone Transform and Lv’s Distribution
Authors: Yao Denghui , Zhang Xiaoyong , Sun Zhengbo
Published: June 2022

Maneuvering target detection is a challenging task for radar due to its maneuverability and weak energy. Long-term coherent integration can remarkably increase signal energy to improve the target detection ability. Unfortunately, high velocity and acceleration of the target will produce linear range migration (LRM), quadratic range migration (QRM), and Doppler frequency migration (DFM), which seriously degrades the coherent integration gain and further deteriorates target detection performance. To solve this problem, a method based on second-order Keystone transform (SKT) and Lv’s distribution (LVD), also combined with Radon Fourier transform (RFT), i.e., SKTLVD, is proposed in this paper. The LRM is firstly corrected by using RFT. Then, the SKT is employed to remove QRM. Finally, LVD is utilized to eliminate the DFM and achieve coherent integration. Compared with several representative methods, the SKTLVD consumes low computation and obtains good target detection performance, striking a balance between computational cost and target detection ability. Numerical simulations and real measured radar data demonstrate that the proposed method can obtain considerable coherent integral gain under acceptable computational complexity.
Simulation Based Poynting Vector Description of the Field Regions for Simple Radiating Structures
Authors: Baumgartner Paul , Masiero Anna , Riener Christian , Bauernfeind Thomas
Published: June 2022

Estimating the coupling properties between a radiating structure and other conductive elements, the field behavior of the radiating source is essential to know. One well-known classification of the field behavior are the field-regions around antennas, namely, the far-field, the radiating near-field, and the reactive near-field. The different kinds of near-fields are distinguished by the reactive and radiating parts of the electromagnetic field, whereas in the far-field region the field behaves as a plane wave in the direction of propagation. One way to describe these field characteristics is to use the complex Poynting vector, which defines the electromagnetic power flow. This work presents a Poynting-vector-based approach to classify and visualize the field behavior around simple radiators using numerical simulations. First, the approach is applied to simple antenna structures such as dipoles and loop antennas. Later, the introduced field regions are utilized to predict the coupling behavior of practical applications, the coupling between single elements of a linear antenna array, and the coupling behavior of an electrically large loop antenna. It could be shown that the introduced approach, defining a surface description of the boundary between the near-field regions, enables the possibility of predicting the coupling behavior between radiating structures. The introduced error estimator for the far-field also delivers knowledge about the far-field quality in different angular directions and distances. All simulations have been executed applying a one-dimensional partial element equivalent circuit method.
Numerical Simulations for Indirect and Direct Cooling of 54 V LiFePO4 Battery Pack
Authors: Li Yulong , Zhou Zhifu , Su Laisuo , Bai Minli , Gao Linsong , Li Yang , Liu Xuanyu , Li Yubai , Song Yongchen
Published: June 2022

In this study, three-dimensional thermal simulations for a 54 V Lithium-ion battery pack composed of 18 LiFePO4 pouch battery cells connected in series were conducted using a multi-scale electrochemical-thermal-fluid model. An equivalent circuit model (ECM) is used as a subscale electrochemical model at each cell node of the battery, which is then combined with the macro-scale thermal and fluid equations to construct a model of the battery and battery pack. With the model, the cooling effects of indirect cooling and direct cooling battery thermal management systems (BTMS) on the battery pack under rapid discharging conditions are explored. It is found that when the battery pack is discharged at 2C, indirect cooling of the bottom plate can effectively dissipate heat and control the temperature of the battery pack. Under the 10C discharging condition, the maximum temperature of the battery pack will exceed 100 °C, and the temperature uniformity will be very poor when using indirect cooling of the bottom plate for the battery pack. Direct air cooling is also unable to meet the cooling requirements of the battery pack at a 10C discharging rate. The possible reason is that the convective heat transfer coefficient of direct air cooling is small, which makes it difficult to meet the heat dissipation requirements at the 10C condition. When single-phase direct cooling with fluorinated liquid is used, the maximum temperature of the battery pack under the 10C discharging condition can be controlled at about 65 °C. Compared with air direct cooling, the pressure drop of fluorinated liquid single-phase direct cooling is smaller, and the obtained battery pack temperature uniformity is better. From the detailed study of fluorinated liquid single-phase direct cooling, it is concluded that increasing the coolant flow rate and reducing the cell spacing in the battery pack can achieve a better cooling effect. Finally, a new cooling method, two-phase immersion cooling, is investigated for cooling the battery pack. The maximum temperature of the battery pack discharged at a 10C rate can be controlled below 35 °C, and good temperature uniformity of the battery pack is also achieved at the same time. This study focuses on fluorinated liquid immersion cooling using numerical simulations, showing that it is a promising cooling method for lithium-ion battery packs and deserves further study. This paper will provide a reference for the design and selection of BTMS for electric vehicles.
COVID-19 Effects on Arbitrage Trading in the Energy Market
Authors: Chen Li , Zhang Guang
Published: June 2022

This paper investigates the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the performance of arbitrage trading in the energy market using daily data covering the period between 1 January 2015 and 5 December 2021. The investigation was achieved by utilizing a parametric pairs-trading model, where pairs of energy-related securities, including futures, stocks and ETFs traded in the United States, are formed. The empirical results suggest that the out-of-sample performances of pair trading declined sharply in the face of COVID-19. Dividing the whole data sample into two sub-samples, we found that the strategy performed well before COVID-19 but yielded poor results in the pandemic era. The analysis presented in this paper could serve as a benchmark for arbitrage-based trading models in the energy market during the pandemic.
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) versus High-Pressure Sodium Vapour (HPSV) Efficiency: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach with Undesirable Output
Authors: Rofaie Nina Sakinah Ahmad , Phoong Seuk Wai , Abdul Talib @ Abdul Mutalib Muzalwana
Published: June 2022

Road lighting is essential to ensure the safety and comfort of its users, especially in preventing accidents and aiding visual tasks. The monumental shift from conventional road lighting technology to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is driven by energy efficiency, associated cost savings, and environmental concerns in the road lighting system. This study aims to investigate the performance of LED in substitution for high-pressure sodium vapour (HPSV) road lighting in Penang Bridge, Malaysia using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a frontier-based optimisation approach, by modelling energy, cost, and environment together, as none of the previous studies has included energy, cost, and environmental concerns together in one model. The LED renewable energy industry that promotes zero carbon emissions has the potential to establish an affordable, clean, and carbon-free energy system for road lighting, especially in rural areas.
BelBuk System—Smart Logistics for Sustainable City Development in Terms of the Deficit of a Chemical Fertilizers
Authors: Grunt Maciej , Błażejewski Andrzej , Pecolt Sebastian , Królikowski Tomasz
Published: June 2022

Purpose: This paper presents an aspect of asset tracking and storage conditions. This paper aims to fill the gap in the development of Industry 4.0 in terms of fully digital asset tracking to be implemented by medium and large-size manufacturing and logistics facilities. The article presents an innovative technology for the remote monitoring of chemical raw materials, including fertilizers, during their storage and transport from the place of manufacture to the local distributor or recipient. Methods: The method assumes the monitoring and identification of special transport bags, so-called “big-bags,” through embedded RFID tags or LEB labels and monitoring the key parameters of their content, i.e., temperature, humidity, insolation, and pressure, using a measuring micro-station that is placed in the transported raw material. Results: The automation of inference based on the collected information about the phenomenon in question (the distribution of parameters: pressure, temperature, and humidity), and expert knowledge, allows the creation of an advisory system prototype indicating how to manage the measuring devices. Conclusions: No similar solution in the field of monitoring environmental parameters has been implemented in the Polish market. The developed system enables the monitoring of 10,000 pieces of big bags in at least 30 locations simultaneously.
Bi-Level Optimal Capacity Planning of Load-Side Electric Energy Storage Using an Emission-Considered Carbon Incentive Mechanism
Authors: Feng Jieran , Zhou Hao
Published: June 2022

The decarbonization of the power system forces the rapid development of electric energy storage (EES). Electricity consumption is the fundamental driving force of carbon emissions in the power system. However, the current EES capacity planning research that considers the load-side carbon emission responsibility is still limited. To fill this research gap, this paper proposes a carbon incentive mechanism while considering load-side carbon emission responsibility. Additionally, a bi-level optimal capacity planning model of the load-side EES based on carbon emission flow (CEF) theory is proposed. The upper level obtained the bus carbon intensities through the optimal economic dispatch and passed them to the lower level. Considering the carbon incentive mechanism, the lower level optimized the EES capacity. Finally, the model was tested by MATLAB/Gurobi in the modified IEEE-39 bus power system. The results show that under the stimulation of the carbon incentive mechanism, the bi-level optimal capacity planning model of the load-side EES could effectively promote peak shaving, valley filling, and carbon reduction. Furthermore, compared with the two existing EES subsidy policies, the proposed carbon incentive mechanism is verified to be more conducive to reducing system carbon emissions.
Evaluation of the Effects of the Ecological Environmental Damage Compensation System on Air Quality
Authors: Wu Min , Zhan Yong , Liu Yuwei , Tian Yihao
Published: June 2022

This study constructs comprehensive panel data based on the China City Statistical Yearbook and environmental indicators disclosed by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment from 2013 to 2017, using a difference-in-difference (DID) model to empirically validate the effects of the ecological environmental damage compensation system on urban air quality, followed by a further analysis of the system’s effect mechanism, namely, how the system has generated effects on reducing environmental pollution. This study finds that: (1) the ecological environmental damage compensation system can significantly improve urban air quality, and small cities are more sensitive to the pilot policy; and (2) the main impact is that the pilot policy mechanism improved the urban pollutant treatment capacity and reduced the proportion of the secondary industry. After multiple robustness tests, this conclusion still holds. This study provides empirical evidence for fully implementing an ecological environmental damage compensation system.
The Future Potential Distribution and Sustainable Management of Ancient Pu’er Tea Trees (Camellia sinensis var. assamica (J. W. Mast.) Kitam.)
Authors: Zhang Shuqiao , Cheng Xinmeng , Wang Zizhi , Cui Kai , Liao Shengxi
Published: June 2022

Ancient Pu’er tea trees (Camellia sinensis var. assamica (J. W. Mast.) Kitam.) are an important ecological resource with high economic value. Knowledge of the environmental variables shaping the original distribution and the effects of climate change on the future potential distribution of these trees, as well as the identification of sustainable management approaches, is essential for ensuring their future health and production. Here, we used 28 current environmental variables and the future climate data to model the suitable areas for ancient Pu’er tea trees. We also compared the health of these ancient trees in areas under different local management strategies. The results suggested the general distribution is likely to remain stable, but there are environmentally suitable areas outside its current habitats. To achieve more sustainable management, the main areas in which the management of poorly-managed trees can be improved include learning from managers of well-managed trees and following the common technical management regulations stipulated by the local government. The suitable value ranges for environmental factors, potentially suitable areas under climate change, and assessment of management approaches will aid the future cultivation and transplantation of ancient Pu’er tea trees. The methodology includes management-level analysis and provides practical insights that could be applied to regions outside the most suitable areas identified.
Outbreak of Pityogenes chalcographus and Pityophthorus pityographus on Spruce Seedlings Resulting from Inappropriate Management in a Forest Nursery
Authors: Fiala Tomáš , Holuša Jaroslav
Published: June 2022

In this report, we describe a local outbreak of small bark beetles on 4-year-old seedlings of Picea abies in a forest nursery in Central Europe in 2021. In March 2022, 10–50% of the seedlings were “dry” (i.e., with dry and easily broken twigs and with easily peeled bark) in each 4-row bed in the nursery. Half of the dry plants were completely covered by galleries of bark beetles and another 35% of the seedlings were with one or two bark beetle galleries. Almost 90% of the beetles found on the affected seedlings were Pityogenes chalcographus, and only 10% were Pityophthorus pityographus (we studied 100 seedlings in the second bed). The chipping of Picea pungens in previous years had left many felled trunks, branches, and other logging residues in the area. These residues are covered by galleries of both bark beetles. We suggest that, after multiplying on the logging residues, the beetles could not find suitable material for reproduction and were lured to the nursery seedlings, which had been weakened by location (a location that provided inadequate shade and no wind protection) and by repeated replanting.
Eco-Friendly Bio-Hydrogels Based on Antheraea Pernyi Silk Gland Protein for Cell and Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Jia , Wang Bo-Xiang , Cheng De-Hong , Lu Yan-Hua
Published: June 2022

The Antheraea Pernyi silk gland protein originates from natural organisms and synthesized by tussah silk glands and has widely potential biomaterial applications due to the superior biocompatibility. This study investigates the Antheraea Pernyi silk gland protein-based drug-loaded bio-hydrogels for bioengineered tissue fabricated by using an eco-friendly method without the harsh extracting process and the usage of toxic chemicals. The drug-loaded bio-hydrogels exhibited a porous structure and interconnected pore walls. The swelling ratio and water absorption of drug-loaded bio-hydrogels were, respectively, above 95% and 1.5 × 103%. The cumulative release of drug loaded hydrogels all reached more than 90% within 4 h, and this indicates the potential of drug-loaded hydrogels as future drug-carrying biomaterials. RSC96 Schwann cells cultured on drug-loaded hydrogels for 72 h under cell culture medium show no toxic effects and more pro-proliferative effects. The results suggest the suitability of drug-loaded bio-hydrogels as natural biopolymer for the potential in vitro RSC96 cell culture platform and other biomaterial applications.
Specific Irreversible Cell-Cycle Arrest and Depletion of Cancer Cells Obtained by Combining Curcumin and the Flavonoids Quercetin and Fisetin
Authors: Barra Viviana , Chiavetta Roberta Flavia , Titoli Simona , Provenzano Ivana Maria , Carollo Pietro Salvatore , Di Leonardo Aldo
Published: June 2022

Background: Induced senescence could be exploited to selectively counteract the proliferation of cancer cells and target them for senolysis. We examined the cellular senescence induced by curcumin and whether it could be targeted by fisetin and quercetin, flavonoids with senolytic activity. Methods: Cell-cycle profiles, chromosome number and structure, and heterochromatin markers were evaluated via flow cytometry, metaphase spreads, and immunofluorescence, respectively. The activation of p21waf1/cip1 was assessed via RT-qPCR and immunoblotting. Senescent cells were detected via SA-β-Galactosidase staining. Results: We report that curcumin treatment specifically triggers senescence in cancer cells by inducing mitotic slippage and DNA damage. We show that curcumin-induced senescence is p21waf1/cip1-dependent and characterized by heterochromatin loss. Finally, we found that flavonoids clear curcumin-induced senescent cancer cells. Conclusions: Our findings expand the characterization of curcumin-induced cellular senescence in cancer cells and lay the foundation for the combination of curcumin and flavonoids as a possible anti-cancer therapy.
Early-Summer Deficit Irrigation Increases the Dry-Matter Content and Enhances the Quality of Ambrosia™ Apples At- and Post-Harvest
Authors: Lu Changwen
Published: June 2022

Ambrosia™ is an apple that naturally has limited post-harvest quality retention, which is accompanied by relatively low dry-matter content (DMC). This trial was proposed to improve the DMC of this apple by scheduling deficit irrigation (DI) conducted in a semi-arid orchard in the Similkameen Valley (British Columbia, Canada) in 2018 and 2019. Two irrigation regimes were implemented in the orchard: commercial irrigation (CI) and DI, which was defined as irrigation for 2/5 of the timespan of CI. Five irrigation treatments were conducted: 1—adequate irrigation (AI), which used CI for the whole season; 2—early-summer DI (ED), which used DI from 20 June to 20 July; 3—middle-summer DI (MD), which used DI from 20 July to 20 August; 4—late-summer DI (LD), which used DI from 20 August to 10 days before harvest; and 5—double-period DI (DD), which covered the interval of MD and LD. The DI treatments resulted in a significant decrease from AI −1.0 to −1.5 MPa in stem water potential (SWP), followed by subsequent recovery. Conversely, SWP did not recover, and instead reached a critical low of −2.5 MPa under continued deficit conditions (DD). This, in turn, correlated with significant differences in the DMC among the treatments. Specifically, ED resulted in a rapid and sustained increase in DMC throughout the summer. At the time of harvest, ED resulted in a five-fold increase in the proportion of fruit, with greater than 16% DMC and 15% DMC in 2018 and 2019, respectively, compared to AI. DD resulted in similar levels of DMC elevation compared to ED, but also caused irregular maturation and the increased incidence of soft scald disorder in the post-harvest period. MD and LD had variable effects on DMC, and also increased the incidence of soft scald disorder. Consequently, fruit collected from the ED resulted in the best blush color attributes, higher soluble solid content, and a significant improvement in the post-harvest retention of both fruit firmness and acidity. The ED irrigation model would be recommended as a practical way for Ambrosia™ growers in semi-arid regions to decrease water usage, and to ensure high fruit quality for superior marketing and sustainable production.
Identifying and Addressing Implicit Ageism in the Co-Design of Services for Aging People
Authors: Comincioli Elena , Hakoköngäs Eemeli , Masoodian Masood
Published: June 2022

In a world with an increasingly aging population, design researchers and practitioners can play an essential role in shaping better future societies, by designing environments, tools, and services that positively influence older adults’ everyday experiences. The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a framework called Healthy Ageing, which can be adopted as the basis for designing for an aging society. There are, however, many challenges in achieving this goal. This article addresses one of these challenges identified by WHO, which is overcoming ageism as a form of discrimination based on age. In contrast with most other types of discrimination, ageism is not always easy to detect and overcome because of its generally implicit nature. This paper investigates adopting storytelling as a method for detecting implicit ageism and proposes a co-design process that utilizes this method to better address older adults’ needs and requirements. The use of this method is discussed through two example case studies aimed at improving the design of assistive services and technologies for aging people. The findings from these case studies indicate that the proposed method can help co-design teams better identify possible implicit ageist biases and, by doing so, try to overcome them in the design process.
The Psychophysiological Profile and Cardiac Autonomic Reactivity in Long-Term Female Yoga Practitioners: A Comparison with Runners and Sedentary Individuals
Authors: Lin Jia-Ru , Wu Pei-Tzu , Wu Wen-Lan , Chang Yu-Kai , Chu I-Hua
Published: June 2022

Yoga practice, a means of stress management, has been reported to optimize psychophysiological health; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychophysiological profile and cardiac autonomic reactivity in long-term yoga practitioners and compare them to runners and sedentary individuals. Psychological health and aerobic fitness level were evaluated using self-reported questionnaires and a 3-min step test. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were recorded at rest, as well as during and following psychological stress, which was elicited by the Stroop color and word test and the mental arithmetic task. The yoga group demonstrated a lower RR (10.35 ± 2.13 bpm) as compared to the other two groups, and a lower HR (66.60 ± 7.55 bpm) and diastolic BP (67.75 ± 8.38 mmHg) at rest when compared to the sedentary group (all p < 0.05). HRV parameters following mental stress returned to the baseline in yoga and running groups, but not in the sedentary group. The anxiety level in the running group was significantly lower than that in the sedentary group (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that yoga practitioners may have a greater homeostatic capacity and autonomic resilience than do sedentary individuals.