bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with diverse manifestations of COVID-19 in patients aged 85 years and older
Authors: Xu Zao-Xian , Yang Yi , Xin Shang-Ping , Shou Xiao-ling
Published: September 2024

Objective

The goal of this study is to assess the clinical attributes exhibited by patients aged 85 years and older who present different manifestations of COVID-19, and to examine the factors influencing the classification of the disease severity.

Method

This retrospective study was conducted at a single center, encompassing an analysis of clinical data obtained from patients with COVID-19 admitted to a general geriatric hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, during the period from December 20, 2022, to February 1, 2023. The study focused on 91 eligible patients whose disease severity was compared based on the imaging findings.

Results

A total of 91 patients aged 85 years and older, with a median age of 92, including 46 males, 10 exhibiting mild symptoms, 48 moderate cases, and 33 severe cases met the inclusion criteria. Notably, disease severity displayed a significant correlation with age (p < 0.011). All patients presented with complicated chronic underlying conditions and a history of prolonged medication use. Rheumatic immune diseases (p = 0.040) and endocrine medications, primarily hypoglycemic agents (p = 0.034), exhibited statistical significance. Additionally, markers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p = 0.030), interleukin 6 (IL-6) (p = 0.014), and D-dimer (p = 0.007) revealed significant associations with disease severity. Chest computed tomography scans predominantly revealed inflammatory features (n = 81, 89.0%). Notably, patients classified as having mild or moderate conditions exhibited eventual improvement, while 13 patients (39.4%) among the severe cases succumbed to the disease.

Conclusion

The classification of disease among patients aged 85 years or older old is correlated with advanced age, concurrent rheumatic immune diseases, and prolonged administration of endocrine medications. Furthermore, patients with elevated levels of LDH, IL-6, and D-dimer demonstrated a higher propensity for developing severe diseases.
Analysis on the application of FMEA in ‘instrument and equipment surface cleaning and disinfection’ in hospitals based on standardization and cleaning and disinfection information system management
Authors: Zheng Jing , Wang Ling , Fang Yihai , Xu Xuejun , Hu Li
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To analyze the application of ‘instrument and equipment surface cleaning and disinfection’ in hospitals based on standardization and the management of cleaning and disinfection information systems.

Methods

Employees and all cleaning and disinfected instruments and equipment from 56 inpatient departments in our hospital were selected as the subjects of observation. The period before the intervention (January 2023) was designated as the control group, while the period after the intervention (July 2023) was designated as the study group. In the control group, the instruments and equipment under routine management were disinfected. The research team applied the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method to clean and disinfect the surfaces of instruments and equipment on the basis of standardization and cleaning and disinfection information system management. Employees’ theoretical knowledge points and operational skill scores before and after the intervention were compared and evaluated. The changes in the risk priority coefficient (RPN) values of high-risk factors were analyzed. Fifty-six clinical medical staff from 56 inpatient departments in the hospital were selected to evaluate the clinical satisfaction of the cleaning and disinfection management of instruments and equipment before and after the intervention, and the clinical satisfaction of the two groups was compared.

Results

The scores of theoretical knowledge and operational skills of the staff in the research group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The passing rates of theoretical knowledge and operational skills in the control group and the research group were 44.64 and 94.64% respectively, and 55.36 and 96.43%, respectively. The qualified rate of theoretical knowledge and operational skills of staff in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The RPN scores of medical personnel, environment, system and system guarantee factors in the control group were 80, 80, 80, and 100, respectively. The RPN scores of medical personnel factors, environmental factors, system factors and system guarantee factors in the research group were 6, 24, 24, and 36, respectively.

Conclusion

Through standardization and cleaning and disinfection information system management, the theoretical knowledge and technical operation capabilities of cleaning can be effectively improved.
Power imbalance in hospital dual management system and its impact on turnover
Authors: Zhang Manli , Guo Qianqian , Pathak Janak L. , Ou Vian , Li Le , Trigo Virginia
Published: September 2024

Introduction

With the deepening of the healthcare reform in China, the competition in the sector is becoming fiercer leading to several unintended consequences such as talent turnover, which highly affect hospital development. Taking the case of a specialized university-affiliated stomatology hospital in Guangzhou, this thesis aims to analyze the main factors that contribute to talent turnover in this type of hospitals. The loss of talents in the field of stomatology is not unique to China and represents a significant problem in both developed and developing countries.

Methods

The data for the study were collected from post facto live interviews conducted with 21 resigners to understand their feelings and motivations after the passage of time. The data were coded and concepts refined using MAXQDA software to form 18 sub-categories and six aggregate dimensions leading to the construction of two theoretical models.

Results

The balance of power embedded in the dual leadership system characteristic of Chinese organizations and corresponding leadership style and behavior, deeply affect the turnover of talents. The more unbalanced the power, the greater the impact on turnover.

Conclusion

Based on the situation studied, a power imbalance allowed for individual behaviors that determined the development of the hospital and directly affected institutional fairness, culture, working atmosphere and ultimately led to turnover.
Complexity and phase transitions in citation networks: insights from artificial intelligence research
Authors: Costa Ariadne A. , Frigori Rafael B.
Published: September 2024

In this study, we analyze the changes over time in the complexity and structure of words used in article titles and the connections between articles in citation networks, focusing on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) up to 2020. By measuring unpredictability in word usage and changes in the connections between articles, we gain insights into shifts in research focus and diversity of themes. Our investigation reveals correspondence between fluctuations in word complexity and changes in the structure of citation networks, highlighting links between thematic evolution and network dynamics. This approach not only enhances our understanding of scientific progress but also may help in anticipating emerging fields and fostering innovation, providing a quantitative lens for studying scientific domains beyond AI.
Oral diseases and systemic conditions: correlation analyses from the Colombian national health records between 2016 and 2023
Authors: Usuga-Vacca Margarita , Díaz-Báez David , Beltrán Edgar O. , Cortes Andrea , Vargas-Sanchez Paula Katherine , Avila Viviana
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Prevalence of oral, metabolic, circulatory, and nutritional diseases has tended to increase globally. As these diseases have common contributing factors, such as unhealthy diets, evaluating their epidemiological trends and the relation between them is relevant. In Colombia, the Ministry of Health records the frequency of consultation for these diseases through the Integrated Social Protection Information System. It facilitates the evaluation of their epidemiological behavior at the population level.

Aim

To analyze and correlate the burden of oral diseases (caries and periodontitis) with respect to nutritional, circulatory and metabolic pathologies, as well as their relationships with socioeconomic indices in Colombian regions from 2016 to 2023.

Methods

This study analyzes retrospective data collected between 2016 and 2023 by the National Health Registry in Colombia (SISPRO) according to the ICD-10. Sociodemographic data and the number of disease consultations were extracted. The number of consultations for oral diseases was correlated with systemic pathologies, socioeconomic indices through the Spearman test. Associations were explored via multiple linear regressions. A Principal Component Analyses (PCA) was conducted to identify patterns between socioeconomic, oral and systemic disease variables, as well as to reduce the complexity of the analysis by creating clusters that capture the greatest possible variability in the data.

Results

The average number of consultations per biennium was 24.550.435 being the highest number for 2018–2019. The highest percentage of consultations was related to extensive caries, followed by chronic gingivitis. Moreover, consultations for oral diseases were found to correlate with systemic pathologies. All socioeconomic indices were associated with caries and/or periodontal diseases. This study is the first in Colombia that uses national data on diagnoses assigned to medical and dental consultations. PCA revealed a clustering pattern of pathologies suggesting that they are highly associated one to each other.

Conclusion

Correlations between consultations for oral and systemic diseases stratified by life cycle and socioeconomic indices highlight the importance of conducting epidemiological and public health characterizations and their associations. Identifying these factors is imperative in the prevention and management of both diseases.
Changing Your Love of Music by Stimulating the Brain
Authors: Izbicki Patricia , Colon-Rodriguez Alexandra , Mas-Herrero Ernest , Zatorre Robert J.
Published: September 2024

For many of us, listening to our favorite songs makes us feel happy, energetic, and inspired. One goal of brain research is to understand the role of the brain as we listen to music. For years, researchers have hypothesized that the brain areas involved in processing the music we hear are involved in musical pleasure—but they had no hard proof. By stimulating people’s brains using strong magnets, along with a brain-imaging technique that could see which areas of the brain were active, scientists have unraveled why we feel so awesome when we listen to our favorite jams. Now there is good evidence to show that our favorite tunes involve connections between specific brain areas, including the brain’s “reward center”—an area that makes us feel good when we do something that we like. These brain circuits provide a solid piece to this complex puzzle of why music makes us feel so good.
“Data Free Flow with Trust”: Japan’s struggle to integrate democracy and human rights into digital trade policy
Authors: Dale John G. , Aizawa Nobuhiro
Published: September 2024

A powerful regime for regulating trade, the Group of Seven (G-7) has increasingly negotiated its digital trade through bilateral and preferential trade agreements, including with non-member states in the Global South. Focusing on the dominant concept shaping these agreements, Japan’s “Data Free Flow with Trust” (D.F.F.T.), we trace its discursively contested emergence and meaning within a national (“Society 5.0”) vision for Japan’s digital transformation, and its subsequent transnationalization in international fora and institutionalization in global digital trade policy. Drawing on our interviews with Japanese government ministers, business elites, and legal experts who contributed to the processual development of D.F.F.T., as well as diverse additional primary sources, we find that the D.F.F.T. has become more than a trade policy, covering a wider range of social and geopolitical issues. In particular, we show that contention over “data localization measures” has restructured international relations of trust, especially across the Global North/South divide. Ultimately, this research report contributes to our understanding of how D.F.F.T. poses threats to human rights, democracy, and the global knowledge economy that may undermine its goals of enhancing innovation capacity and economic growth.
Police legitimacy and procedural justice for children and youth: a scoping review of definitions, determinants, and consequences
Authors: Li Jessica C. M. , Zhang Serena Y. , Sun Ivan Y. , Ho Albert S. K.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Understanding police legitimacy among children and youth is important for building a just and democratic society. Although the volume of studies on police legitimacy among underaged persons has grown in recent decades, the findings on the relationships between police legitimacy and procedural justice and their definitions, associated determinants, and consequences remain heterogeneous across studies and across political and legal contexts. Given these heterogeneities, the conclusions and implications generated by this research are far from comprehensive.

Method

This scoping review offers readers a comprehensive and comparative understanding of this topic by answering the following questions. (1) How can we define police legitimacy and procedural justice for children and youth? (2) What are the determinants of police procedural justice and legitimacy for children and youth? (3) What are the consequences of police procedural (in)justice and (il)legitimacy for children and youth? (4) Among children and youth, who are the vulnerable groups receiving less legitimate and unjust treatment from the police? A scoping review of the literature published between January 1, 1990 and May 31, 2022 was conducted based on four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest. Guided by the scoping review screening framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, that is, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, and the checklist provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute for quality assessment, 47 publications, consisting of 38 quantitative studies and 9 qualitative studies, were retained in the final sample.

Results

The results synthesize the operational and subjective interpretations of police legitimacy offered by the respondents in the studies reviewed which is followed by the discussion of conceptual and measurement issues. The key correlates of police legitimacy identified in these studies were police procedural justice and behavior, followed by experience and contact with the police, relationships with other authority figures, and personal competence in moral reasoning and self-control. In addition to compliance and cooperation, cynicism, trust, and health were related to police (il)legitimacy.

Discussion

We argue that in addition to building and maintaining police legitimacy, it is vital to remedy the negative consequences of injustice in police–youth encounters.

Systematic Review Registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2024-9-0064/, INPLASY202490064.
Self-control of states: bridging social psychology to international relations discourses
Authors: Putra Bama Andika
Published: September 2024

Why do states respond non-coercively in the face of crisis? Existing scholarship within international relations has stagnated in its conclusions regarding understanding this occurrence. This perspective article attempts to bridge the self-control theory of social psychology to provide a more nuanced understanding of why states self-refrain themselves from taking aggressive retaliatory foreign policies in state-to-state crises. It argues the importance of cognitive-affective units, such as encodings, expectancies, beliefs, goals, values, and self-regulatory plans, as the sociological interpretation of why states are committed to pursuing delayed rewards. It builds upon existing sociological theories adopted in international relations scholarship, such as state identities and role conceptions, and further considers the social psychology variables detrimental in self-control theories, and argues for its relevance to decompose the ability of a state to prioritize delayed gratification over immediate awards in tensions faced.
Use of two-point and six-point Dixon MRI for fat fraction analysis in the lumbar vertebral bodies and paraspinal muscles in healthy dogs: comparison with magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Lee Hye-Won , Lee Ji-Yun , Lee Joo-Young , Yu Seung-Man , Lee Kija , Lee Sang-Kwon
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Fatty degeneration of the vertebral bodies and paravertebral muscles is associated with the presence, severity, and prognosis of spinal disease such as intervertebral disc degeneration. Therefore, the fat fraction (FF) of the vertebral bodies and paraspinal muscles has been considered a potential biomarker for assessing the pathophysiology, progression, and treatment response of spinal disease. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is considered the reference standard for fat quantification; however, it has limitations of a long acquisition time and is technically demanding. Chemical shift-encoding water-fat imaging, called the Dixon method, has recently been applied for rapid fat quantification with high spatial resolution. However, the Dixon method has not been validated in veterinary medicine, and we hypothesized that the Dixon method would provide a comparable assessment of the FF to MRS but would be faster and easier to implement in dogs.

Methods

In this prospective study, we assessed the FF of the lumbar vertebral bodies and paravertebral muscles from the first to sixth lumbar vertebrae using MRS, the two-point Dixon method (LAVA-FLEX), and the six-point Dixon method (IDEAL-IQ) and compared these techniques.

Results and discussion

The FFs of vertebral bodies and paravertebral muscles derived from LAVA-FLEX and IDEAL-IQ showed significant correlations and agreement with those obtained with MRS. In particular, the FFs obtained with IDEAL-IQ showed higher correlations and better agreement with those obtained with MRS than those derived by LAVA-FLEX. Both Dixon methods showed excellent intra- and interobserver reproducibility for FF analysis of the vertebral bodies and paraspinal muscles. However, the test–retest repeatability of vertebral body and paraspinal muscle FF analysis was low for all three sequences, especially for the paraspinal muscles. The results of this study showed that LAVA-FLEX and IDEAL-IQ have high reproducibility and that their findings were highly correlated with the FFs of the lumber vertebral bodies and paraspinal muscles determined by MRS in dogs. The FF analysis could be performed much more easily and quickly using LAVA-FLEX and IDEAL-IQ than using MRS. In conclusion, LAVA-FLEX and IDEAL-IQ can be used as routine procedures in spinal magnetic resonance imaging in dogs for FF analysis of the vertebral bodies and paraspinal muscles.
Soliciting Diaries for “Real-Time” Insights Into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Methodological Reflections on Using Digital Technologies to Engage the Public
Authors: Kaiser-Grolimund Andrea , Schwind Bettina , Kämpfen Laura , Morgan Anna Lea , Spitale Giovanni , Biller-Andorno Nikola , Merten Sonja
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To discuss the opportunities and challenges of the qualitative solicited diary approach using digital technologies as an innovative way to access insights into people’s lives and their unique stories in times of COVID-19-related social distancing in Switzerland.

Methods

This case study provides reflective arguments from a social science perspective for the selection of different (digital) diary designs to optimize data collection in the SNSF-funded project “PubliCo - an experimental online platform for COVID-19-related public perception.”

Results

The findings highlight some opportunities of using (digital) diaries, such as empowering participants, gathering real-time data, and ethical and methodological challenges when it comes to gaining access to alternative narratives.

Conclusion

To gain in-depth insights during a crisis and to reach the lesser-heard voices that are central to democratic debates, it is necessary to adapt data gathering methods and build trust with diverse communities. While digital technologies open up new possibilities for public engagement, there is a need to think critically how data gathering is approached, how trustworthy the results are, and whose voices are captured, amplified, or left out.
Associations of Lifestyle, Ambient Air Pollution With Progression of Asthma in Adults: A Comprehensive Analysis of UK Biobank Cohort
Authors: He Jialu , Wu Jiahui , He Yinan , Shen Dequan , Huang Xianglong , Yao Xinmeng , Tang Weihong , Chen Guo-Bo , Ye Chengyin
Published: September 2024

Objectives

We aim to investigate the associations between lifestyle, ambient air pollution with crucial outcomes in the progression of adult asthma, including asthma new-onset and asthma hospitalisation.

Methods

176,800 participants were included to assess the prospective association between baseline risk exposures and the subsequent asthma onset, 17,387 participants were used to evaluate asthma hospitalisation. Cox regression models were employed to examine the associations.

Results

In terms of lifestyle factors, the HRs (95% CIs) of the least healthy lifestyle categories for asthma incidence and hospitalization were 1.099 (1.017–1.187) and 1.064 (1.008–1.123), respectively. For pollutants, PM2.5, especially the traffic-related PM2.5 component, was consistently recognized as a significant risk factor for asthma onset (HR = 1.064, 95% CI: 1.034–1.094) and hospitalisation (HR = 1.031, 95% CI: 1.010–1.052) under various model adjustments. Low socioeconomic status also played a major role in the progression of adult asthma.

Conclusion

Our study provides crucial insights into factors influencing the progression of adult asthma. Monitoring and reducing exposure to air pollution, particularly PM2.5, promoting healthier lifestyle, and addressing socioeconomic inequity are important in preventing and managing asthma.
El marketing digital en el sector bancario en Latinoamérica, 2020 - 2024: una revisión sistemática
Authors: Galdos-Fisher Micaela , Romero-Pardo Rosalynda , Ruiz-Trujillo Misael , Francia-Lara Alessandro Gianpieer
Published: September 2024

Este estudio aborda la evolución del marketing digital en el sector bancario latinoamericano durante el periodo 2020-2024, en un contexto marcado por la rápida digitalización impulsada por la pandemia de COVID-19. Su propósito es analizar las evidencias e investigaciones previas sobre el tema en el contexto latinoamericano. La metodología empleada fue una revisión sistemática de la literatura utilizando el método PRISMA, examinando artículos académicos en cinco buscadores: Google Académico, ProQuest, Scielo, Redalyc y Ebsco, en tres idiomas (español, inglés y portugués). Los resultados indican que la mayoría de las investigaciones tienen un enfoque cualitativo y exploratorio, evidenciando la novedad del tema tanto en la industria como en la región estudiada. La utilización de redes sociales para crear nuevos puntos de contacto con clientes y la creación de relaciones personalizadas a largo plazo con ellos, son algunas de las estrategias de marketing digital más destacadas. En conclusión, el marketing digital en el sector bancario ha demostrado ser una herramienta fundamental para generar valor y establecer conexiones duraderas con los clientes, en un nuevo contexto que incorpora las exigencias del mercado digital. Sin embargo, la investigación académica sobre el tema en la región estudiada aún se encuentra en una etapa preliminar.
Research on the Design Method of Camellia oleifera Fruit Picking Machine
Authors: Hu Shan , Xin Jing , Zhang Dong , Xing Geqi
Published: September 2024

Camellia oleifera fruit pickers are essential for improving picking efficiency and promoting the Camellia oleifera industry. However, it is challenging to develop pickers that meet user needs. Current design tools and methods have limitations, such as a single model, poor synergy between integrated models, and subjective bias when analysing user requirements and translating them into product attributes. To solve these problems, this study proposes a new design decision model based on the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), Function Analysis System Technique (FAST), Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ Theory), and extension transformation theory. The model was developed and applied to design an Camellia oleifera fruit picker. In this paper, an empirical investigation of an Camellia oleifera base in Wuhan was carried out, and multi-level demand analysis was used to identify the design demands in the behavioural process; FAHP was used to calculate the demand weights to clarify the design focus; expert knowledge was used to convert the demands into specific product functional features, and FAST was used to decompose these features to find the contradictory conflicts; TRIZ theory was used to determine the principles of resolving the contradictions, and the extension transformation theory were used to generate the creative design solutions for the products. By integrating FAHP, FAST, TRIZ theory and the extension transformation theory, the subjective bias in product design is eliminated, the design decision-making process is improved, and new methods and ideas are provided for the design of oleaginous tea fruit pickers and similar products. Finally, the conceptual design of an Camellia oleifera fruit picking machine was produced. However, the conceptual design has yet to be subjected to exhaustive simulation experiments and prototype testing. Future research will focus on conducting the necessary simulations, prototypes, and field tests to fully assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the design and make the required iterative improvements accordingly to commercialize the product eventually.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Detection in Oral Rinse vs. Oral Sponge: A Preliminary Accuracy Report in Oral Cancer Patients
Authors: Panzarella Vera , Buttà Michela , Buttacavoli Fortunato , Capra Giuseppina , Firenze Alberto , Serra Nicola , Giuliana Giovanna , Pizzo Giuseppe , Campisi Giuseppina , Mauceri Rodolfo
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant etiological factor in the development of oropharyngeal carcinogenesis. The detection of HPV in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) could be also crucial for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning. This study compares the efficacy and accuracy of two non-invasive sampling methods, oral rinse, and oral sponge, in detecting HPV DNA in patients with OSCC. Methods: Twenty-six patients with histologically confirmed OSCCs were recruited (M/F = 15/11; mean age 68.6). From each patient, two self-collected oral specimens, in the form of an oral rinse and a salivary sponge (i.e., LolliSponge), were collected, and subsequently processed, utilizing INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra II for HPV DNA detection; Results: Oral sponge detection showed high specificity (100%), sensitivity (85.7%), and accuracy (96.2%) compared to the oral rinse sampling, also demonstrating an area AUC for its diagnostic performance significantly greater than 0.5 (0.93 vs. 0.5, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study supports that oral sponge sampling offers valuable non-invasive alternatives for HPV detection in patients with OSCC, with the potentiality to facilitate saliva sampling in patients that may exhibit functional deficit due to OSCC. Further research is recommended to validate these findings in larger cohorts and to explore the integration of these methods into routine clinical practice for the management of HPV-related OSCC.
Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) as an Emerging Target for Immunotherapy to Treat Melanoma
Authors: Chen Xinyi , Habib Shabana , Alexandru Madalina , Chauhan Jitesh , Evan Theodore , Troka Joanna M. , Rahimi Avigail , Esapa Benjamina , Tull Thomas J. , Ng Wen Zhe , Fitzpatrick Amanda , Wu Yin , Geh Jenny L. C. , Lloyd-Hughes Hawys , Palhares Lais C. G. F. , Adams Rebecca , Bax Heather J. , Whittaker Sean , Jacków-Malinowska Joanna , Karagiannis Sophia N.
Published: September 2024

Immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitor antibodies, have precipitated significant improvements in clinical outcomes for melanoma. However, approximately half of patients do not benefit from approved treatments. Additionally, apart from Tebentafusp, which is approved for the treatment of uveal melanoma, there is a lack of immunotherapies directly focused on melanoma cells. This is partly due to few available targets, especially those expressed on the cancer cell surface. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is a cell surface molecule overexpressed in human melanoma, with restricted distribution and low expression in non-malignant tissues and involved in several cancer-promoting and dissemination pathways. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the expression and functional significance of CSPG4 in health and melanoma, and we outline immunotherapeutic strategies. These include monoclonal antibodies, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and other strategies such as anti-idiotypic and mimotope vaccines to raise immune responses against CSPG4-expressing melanomas. Several showed promising functions in preclinical models of melanoma, yet few have reached clinical testing, and none are approved for therapeutic use. Obstacles preventing that progress include limited knowledge of CSPG4 function in human cancer and a lack of in vivo models that adequately represent patient immune responses and human melanoma biology. Despite several challenges, immunotherapy directed to CSPG4-expressing melanoma harbors significant potential to transform the treatment landscape.
Simultaneous Autophagy and Androgen Receptor Inhibition in a Prostate Cancer Xenograft Model
Authors: Salemi Souzan , Kranzbühler Benedikt , Baumgartner Valentin , Breitenmoser Lara , Kuzmanov Aleksandar , Lehner Fabienne , Eberli Daniel
Published: September 2024

Objective: Abi, when used in conjunction with prednisone, is an established treatment for advanced PCa. Our goal was to explore the level of autophagy induced by Abi treatment, both alone and in combination with the autophagy inhibitor Chl, in a castrated mouse xenograft model. Methods: LNCaP cells were injected into the left and right sides of the back of nude mice that had been previously castrated. Mice were divided into four groups and treated daily with intraperitoneal injections of vehicle (control), Abi (10 mg/kg), Abi (10 mg/kg) combined with Chl (10 mg/kg), or Chl (10 mg/kg), and were monitored for periods of 2 and 3 weeks. Results: A significant reduction in tumor weight was observed in mice treated with the combination therapy, as opposed to those receiving vehicle control, Abi, or Chl alone. Mice receiving Abi + Chl exhibited reduced expression of ATG5, Beclin 1, and LC3 punctuations, along with an increase in P62, as determined by immunofluorescence and WES analysis. AR expression decreased significantly in all treatment groups compared to the control. PSMA expression was highest in the vehicle and combined treatment groups after 3 weeks, with a significant reduction observed with Chl treatment. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that Abi + Chl treatment lowers autophagy levels and suppresses tumors more effectively than Abi alone.
Enhancing Agricultural Soil Carbon Sequestration: A Review with Some Research Needs
Authors: Zhang Kaiyi , Liu Zehao , McCarl Bruce A. , Fei Chengcheng J.
Published: September 2024

The US rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021 with a targeted 50–52% reduction in net GHG emissions in 2030 relative to 2005. Within the US’s nationally determined contributions, several land-based mitigation options were submitted, targeting the removal of 0.4–1.3 GtCO2 yr−1 in 2030 compared to the net flux in 2010. Acknowledging disagreement has existed on both technological and economic feasibility levels of soil C sequestration adoption and practices, this review explores and evaluates the research findings and needs for six concepts: (1) permanence; (2) additionality; (3) leakage; (4) uncertainty; (5) transaction costs; and (6) heat-trapping ability of different gases. These concepts are crucial for the effective implementation of soil C sequestration projects since they help establish robust and integrated methodologies for measurement, verification, and issuance of carbon credits. In turn, they help ensure that environmental, social, and economic benefits are accurately assessed and credibly reported, enhancing the integrity of carbon markets and contributing to global climate mitigation efforts. This review also evaluates the existing and potential market opportunities for agricultural production with C sequestration and “climate- smart” farming practices. Current barriers to, research needs for, and policy considerations regarding soil C sequestration strategies are also stated.
Deriving Three-Outcome Permutationally Invariant Bell Inequalities
Authors: Aloy Albert , Müller-Rigat Guillem , Tura Jordi , Fadel Matteo
Published: September 2024

We present strategies to derive Bell inequalities valid for systems composed of many three-level parties. This scenario is formalized by a Bell experiment with N observers, each of which performs one out of two possible three-outcome measurements on their share of the system. As the complexity of the set of classical correlations prohibits its full characterization in this multipartite scenario, we consider its projection to a lower-dimensional subspace spanned by permutationally invariant one- and two-body observables. This simplification allows us to formulate two complementary methods for detecting nonlocality in multipartite three-level systems, both having a complexity independent of N. Our work can have interesting applications in the detection of Bell correlations in paradigmatic spin-1 models, as well as in experiments with solid-state systems or atomic ensembles.
Flow Characteristics of Oil-Carrying by Water in Downward-Inclined and Horizontal Mobile Pipeline
Authors: Fang Gang , Li Guang , Kou Zhi , Liu Huishu , Duan Jimiao , Chen Yan
Published: September 2024

After transporting oil with a mobile pipeline, it is necessary to empty the oil within the pipeline. A common method is to inject water into the inlet to push the oil out. However, due to the effects of buoyancy and surface tension, the oil within the pipeline tends to accumulate at the elevated section, forming a stagnant oil layer, which will limit the evacuation efficiency. Based on the multiphase flow theory, a hydrodynamic model of oil–water flow was utilized to describe the pressure distribution and the thickness of the stagnant oil layer within the pipeline. A numerical model for oil-carrying water flow in a downward-inclined mobile pipeline was established, and the model was solved under given initial and boundary conditions to obtain the characteristics of the oil-carrying water flow within the pipeline. The calculation results indicate that the initial water phase velocity has a promoting effect on the oil-carrying capacity of water flow. The pipe diameter is negatively correlated with the capacity. The initial thickness of the oil is not directly related to the capacity but can increase the oil phase front velocity, which can enable the oil phase to be emptied more quickly. When the initial water phase velocity is lower than the critical water phase velocity, an increase in the inclination angle will weaken the capacity of water flow to carry oil. Conversely, when the velocity of the initial water phase is higher than the critical water phase velocity, an increase in the inclination angle will enhance the capacity.
Performance of Protection Devices Integrated into Lithium-Ion Cells during Overcharge Abuse Test
Authors: Menale Carla , Vitiello Francesco , Mancino Antonio Nicolò , Scotini Antonio , Della Seta Livia , Vellucci Francesco , Bubbico Roberto
Published: September 2024

Lithium-ion batteries currently represent the most suitable technology for energy storage in various applications, such as hybrid and electric vehicles (HEVs and BEVs), portable electronics and energy storage systems. Their wide adoption in recent years is due to their characteristics of high energy density, high power density and long life cycle. On the other hand, they still face challenges from a safety point of view for the possible faults that could generate several problems, ranging from simple malfunctioning to a dangerous thermal runaway. Overcharge is one of the most critical types of faults, and, depending on the level of abuse, it may trigger a thermal runaway. To prevent high levels of overcharge abuse, some cells include integrated protection devices that cut off the circuit when a critical condition is met. In this paper, the performance of these protection devices is evaluated to assess their effectiveness. The cells were tested at different ambient temperatures and current levels. In the worst-case scenarios, the maximum cell temperature slightly exceeded 70 °C and the State of Charge (SOC) reached a peak of 127% when the Current Interruption Device (CID) was activated. These conditions were not critical, so serious events such as thermal runaway were not triggered. These outcomes confirm the effectiveness of the CID, which always intervenes in maintaining a safe state. However, since it never intervened in the overcharge abuse tests, a specific set up was also used to investigate the operation of the other protection device, the Positive Temperature Coefficient.
Enhanced Solubility and Miscibility of CO2-Oil Mixture in the Presence of Propane under Reservoir Conditions to Improve Recovery Efficiency
Authors: Du Xuejia , Li Xiaoli , Thakur Ganesh C.
Published: September 2024

The existence of propane (C3H8) in a CO2-oil mixture has great potential for increasing CO2 solubility and decreasing minimum miscibility pressure (MMP). In this study, the enhanced solubility, reduced viscosity, and lowered MMP of CO2-saturated crude oil in the presence of various amounts of C3H8 have been systematically examined at the reservoir conditions. Experimentally, a piston-equipped pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) cell is first validated by accurately reproducing the bubble-point pressures of the pure component of C3H8 at temperatures of 30, 40, and 50 °C with both continuous and stepwise depressurization methods. The validated cell is well utilized to measure the saturation pressures of the CO2-C3H8-oil systems by identifying the turning point on a P-V diagram at a given temperature. Accordingly, the gas solubilities of a CO2, C3H8, and CO2-C3H8 mixture in crude oil at pressures up to 1600 psi and a temperature range of 25–50 °C are measured. In addition, the viscosity of gas-saturated crude oil in a single liquid phase is measured using an in-line viscometer, where the pressure is maintained to be higher than its saturation pressure. Theoretically, a modified Peng–Robinson equation of state (PR EOS) is utilized as the primary thermodynamic model in this work. The crude oil is characterized as both a single and multiple pseudo-component(s). An exponential distribution function, together with a logarithm-type lumping method, is applied to characterize the crude oil. Two linear binary interaction parameters (BIP) correlations have been developed for CO2-oil binaries and C3H8-oil binaries to accurately reproduce the measured saturation pressures. Moreover, the MMPs of the CO2-oil mixture in the presence and absence of C3H8 have been determined with the assistance of the tie-line method. It has been found that the developed mathematical model can accurately calculate the saturation pressures of C3H8 and/or CO2-oil systems with an absolute average relative deviation (AARD) of 2.39% for 12 feed experiments. Compared to CO2, it is demonstrated that C3H8 is more soluble in the crude oil at the given pressure and temperature. The viscosity of gas-saturated crude oil can decrease from 9.50 cP to 1.89 cP and the averaged MMP from 1490 psi to 1160 psi at 50 °C with the addition of an average 16.02 mol% C3H8 in the CO2-oil mixture.
Comprehensive Review of Building Energy Management Models: Grid-Interactive Efficient Building Perspective
Authors: Bayasgalan Anujin , Park Yoo Shin , Koh Seak Bai , Son Sung-Yong
Published: September 2024

Energy management models for buildings have been designed primarily to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency. However, the focus has recently shifted to GEBs with a view toward balancing energy supply and demand while enhancing system flexibility and responsiveness. This paper provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of GEBs and other building energy management models, categorizing their features into internal and external dimensions. This review highlights the evolution of building models, including intelligent buildings, smart buildings, green buildings, and zero-energy buildings, and introduces eight distinct features of GEBs related to their efficient, connected, smart, and flexible aspects. The analysis is based on an extensive literature review and a detailed comparison of building models across the aforementioned features. GEBs prioritize interaction with the power grid, which distinguishes them from traditional models focusing on internal efficiency and occupant comfort. This paper also discusses the technological components and research trends associated with GEBs, providing insights into their development and potential evolution in the context of sustainable and efficient building design.
Carbon Sequestration of Common Garden Tree Species under the Carbon Neutrality Target in East China
Authors: Du Hongyu , Bao Zhiyi , Zhou Fengqi
Published: September 2024

The global warming phenomenon caused by greenhouse gas emission leads to the deterioration of the ecological environment. In urban spaces, the selection of garden tree species with high carbon sequestration rates can effectively contribute to carbon neutrality. In this study, we measured the height, diameter at breast height, and crown width of 643 ancient trees around the West Lake Scenic Spot, Hangzhou, China, and recorded their species and ages. By the biomass expansion factor method, the long-term carbon sequestration of the trees was calculated, and the corresponding statistical analysis indicated the following findings: (1) The maximum carbon sequestration of ancient trees varies with the species; the simple rational function has the best fit for the relationship between mean annual carbon sequestration and age. (2) For the five most common species in the Hangzhou area, the total individual amount of carbon sequestration per tree species can be ranked from high to low as follows: Celtis julianae, Cinnamomum camphora, Castanopsis sclerophylla, Liquidambar formosana, and Ginkgo biloba (tree age < 260 years). The ranking for trees aged above 260 years is as follows: Celtis julianae, Cinnamomum camphora, Liquidambar formosana, Castanopsis sclerophylla, and Ginkgo biloba. (3) The transient and mean annual carbon sequestration rate decreases as tree age increases; for most of the ancient trees in this research, the main growing period is 0–300 years. (4) Castanopsis sclerophylla, Liquidambar Formosana, and Osmanthus fragrans are recommended for urban landscape greening as they provide continuous long-term carbon sequestration and special landscape features.
A Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Xyloglucan Endotransglucosylase/Hydrolase Gene Family in Melon (Cucumis melo L.)
Authors: Zhao Shiwen , Kang Yushi , Lin Yuqin , Zheng Xue , Wu Yongjun , Yang Zhenchao
Published: September 2024

The xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) family is an important multigene family in plants that plays a key role in cell wall reconstruction and stress tolerance. However, the specific traits of XTH genes and their expression patterns under different stresses have not been systematically studied in melon. In this study, based on the genomic data of Cucumis melon, 29 XTH genes were identified; most of these genes contain two conserved domains (Glyco_hydro_16 and XET_C domains). Based on neighbor-joining phylogenetic analysis, the CmXTHs were divided into four subfamilies, I/II, IIIA, and IIIB, which are distributed across nine chromosomes of melon. Collinearity analysis showed that the melon XTH genes have an evolutionary history consistent with three species: Arabidopsis, tomato, and cucumber. The promoter regions of the CmXTH genes contain numerous cis-acting elements, which are associated with plant growth, hormonal response, and stress responses. RNA-Seq analysis indicated that CmXTH genes exhibit different expression patterns under drought and salt stress treatments, suggesting that this gene family plays an important role under abiotic stress. This study provides a theoretical basis for further studies on the molecular function of XTH genes in melon.
Panic in the Pandemic: Determinants of Vaccine Hesitancy and the Dilemma of Public Health Information Sharing during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka
Authors: Kamalrathne Thushara , Jayasekara Jayasekara R. , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Haigh Richard , Kodituwakku Lahiru , Rupasinghe Chintha
Published: September 2024

Vaccine hesitancy, a pressing global challenge in vaccination programs, was significantly amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proliferation of misinformation, including false claims and rumours, and the influence of anti-vaccine movements fuelled hesitancy. This study aims to explore the socio-economic determinants that influenced vaccine hesitancy and the impact of public health information sharing in Sri Lanka during the pandemic. The study employed a comprehensive mixed-method approach for data collection, administrating a household survey (n = 3330) and 206 semi-structured interviews. The survey results indicated that 37.8% (n = 3113) of respondents delayed or rejected vaccines for various reasons, the leading cause being the fear of side effects of the vaccine. Although fear of side effects was the prime reason for rejection (n = 1176, 46.29%), respondents demonstrated an extremely poor understanding of the potential side effects of vaccines, which was 55.39% (n = 3113). Notably, 84.60% (n = 3113) were unaware of the vaccine development process. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that middle-income people (AOR—0.42) and females (0.65) were less likely not to make decisions based on scientific information compared to underprivileged people and males. The survey also revealed that strong belief in the use of traditional medicines and remedies and religious beliefs (n = 1176, 3.95%) were among the main reasons for hesitancy. The findings illustrate that misinformation, lack of health knowledge, and lack of understanding to seek scientific information have fuelled vaccine hesitancy in Sri Lanka.