bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Electrochemical Oxidation for Water and Wastewater Treatment: An Overview
Authors: Najafinejad Mohammad Saleh , Chianese Simeone , Fenti Angelo , Iovino Pasquale , Musmarra Dino
Published: April 2023

In recent years, the discharge of various emerging pollutants, chemicals and dyes in water and wastewater has represented one of the prominent human problems. Since water pollution is directly related to human health, highly resistant and emerging compounds in aquatic environments will pose many potential risks to the health of all living. Therefore, water pollution is a very acute problem that has constantly increased in recent years with the expansion of various industries. Consequently, choosing efficient and innovative wastewater treatment methods to remove contaminants is crucial. Among advanced oxidation processes, electrochemical oxidation (EO) is the most common and effective method for removing persistent pollutants from municipal and industrial wastewater. However, there are still many gaps despite the great progress in using EO to treat real wastewater. This is due to the lack of comprehensive information on the operating parameters which affect the process and its operating costs. In this paper, among various scientific articles, the impact of operational parameters on the EO performances, a comparison between different electrochemical reactor configurations, and a report on general mechanisms of electrochemical oxidation of organic pollutants have been reported. Moreover, an evaluation of cost analysis and energy consumption requirements have also been discussed. Finally, the combination process between EO and another important advanced oxidation technology, PEC, called photoelectrocatalysis (PEC), has shortly been discussed and reviewed. This article showed that there is a direct relationship between important operating parameters with the amount of costs and the final removal efficiency of emerging pollutants. Optimal operating conditions can be achieved by paying special attention to reactor design, which can lead to higher efficiency and more efficient treatment. The rapid development of EO for removing emerging pollutants from impacted water and its combination with other green methods can result in more efficient approaches to face the pressing water pollution challenge.
Wound Healing Potential of Plant Secondary Metabolites: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Experiments
Authors: Casadiego Omar , Macias Oscar , García Laura , Sanabria Elkin , Baay Guillermina , Mantilla Julio Cesar , Escobar Patricia
Published: April 2023

Dysregulation of the arsenal of cells, growth factors, cytokines, proteases, and proteins involved in wound healing (WH), could delay the healing process. Plants and plant-derived molecules (PDMs) have been used as medicines for skin wounds. This study aimed to select and evaluate the pro-healing capacity of PMDs. Thirty-three PDMs and 10 therapeutic targets (TTs) were chosen for molecular docking and PDMs: aristolochic acid (AA), α-copaene, selinenes, β-caryophyllene (BC), and BCoxide, and TTs: metalloproteinase (MMP) 3, MMP13, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF α) for molecular dynamics. The bests inhibitor was AA, but because of its toxicity, BC and BCoxide were chosen for evaluation in HaCat cells and BALB/c mice excisional model. Both compounds were not toxic, and higher percentages of lesion area closure (LAC) were induced by BC treatment (p<0.05). All mice healed; however, an initial delay of LAC was induced by 0.05, 0.1% BCoxide, 0.1% BC, and allantoin. At the end of treatment, lower numbers of mast cells, level of cellular infiltrates (except 1% BCoxide and 0.05, 0.5%BC), epidermal thickness tendency (except 0.1, 0.5% BCoxide), and higher values of SC-thickness, and collagen fibers only by 0.5% BC treatment compared with untreated control (p<0.05) were observed. Our results show that BC is a promising multitarget candidate for wound healing treatment and optimization campaigns.
A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research Literature and a Thematic Synthesis of Older LGBTQ People’s Experiences of Quality of Life, Minority Joy, Resilience, Minority Stress, Discrimination, and Stigmatization in Japan and Sweden
Authors: Bratt Anna Sofia , Hjelm Ann-Christine Petersson , Wurm Matilda , Huntley Richard , Hirakawa Yoshihisa , Muraya Tsukasa
Published: April 2023

There is a general lack of research involving older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) people. This systematic review aimed to synthesize Japanese and Swedish qualitative research on LGBTQ people aged 60 years or older. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Japanese and Swedish articles, published in English-language journals, were searched across PsychINFO, Medline, CINAHL, and Sociological Abstracts databases. Additional searches were carried out to include studies written in Japanese or Swedish. There were no papers from Japan, and five from Sweden were reviewed. Four articles were included, including 48 participants aged 60–94 years. We summarized the findings using a deductive thematic synthesis. Two major themes emerged: (a) quality of life, minority joy, and resilience (positive aspects), and (b) experiences of discrimination, stigmatization, and minority stress (negative aspects). The participants described a wish to be acknowledged for their own assets and unique life histories, and to be treated as everyone else. They emphasized the importance of knowledge of LGBTQ issues among nursing staff, so that older LGBTQ people are treated in a competent and affirmative way. The study revealed several important topics for understanding older LGBTQ people’s life circumstances and the severe lack of qualitative studies in Japan and Sweden.
The Association between Coffee and Tea Consumption at Midlife and Risk of Dementia Later in Life: The HUNT Study
Authors: Abbel Denise , Åsvold Bjørn Olav , Kolberg Marit , Selbæk Geir , Noordam Raymond , Skjellegrind Håvard Kjesbu
Published: April 2023

Background: Studies exploring the possible protective effect of coffee and tea consumption on dementia showed inconsistent results so far. We aimed to investigate whether consumption of tea and different types of coffee at midlife are associated with dementia later in life and, whether sex or ApoE4 influence such association.
Methods: We included 7381 participants from the Norwegian HUNT Study. Self-reported questionnaires assessed daily consumption of coffee and tea at baseline. After 22 years, individuals 70 years or older were screened on cognitive impairment.
Results: General coffee consumption and tea consumption was not associated with dementia risk. Compared to daily consumption of 0-1 cups of coffee, daily consumption of ≥8 cups of boiled coffee was associated with increased dementia risk in women (OR:1.83, 95% CI: 1.10-3.04, p-value for trend=0.03) and daily consumption of 4-5 cups of other types of coffee was associated with a decrease in dementia risk in only men (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.32-0.72, p-value for trend =0.05). Furthermore, the association between boiled coffee and increased dementia risk was only found in ApoE4 non-carriers. Differences by sex or ApoE4 carrier status were not supported by strong statistical evidence for interaction.
Conclusion: Type of coffee may play a role in the direction of the association between coffee-drinking habits and dementia later in life.
Transgenic Phenotypic Differences of Grapevine Circular RNA Between Arabidopsis and Grapevine Callus Imply the Species-dependent Functions of Vv-circPTCD1
Authors: Ren Yi , Li Junpeng , Liu Jingjing , Zhang Zhen , Song Yue , Fan Dongying , Liu Minying , Zhang Lipeng , Xu Yuanyuan , Guo Dinghan , He Juan , Song Shiren , Gao Zhen , Ma Chao
Published: April 2023

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) served as covalently closed single-stranded RNAs have been proposed to influence plant development and stress resistance. Grapevine is the most economically valuable fruit crops cultivated worldwide and threaten by various abiotic stresses. Herein, we reported that a circRNA (Vv-circPTCD1) processed from the second exon of a pentatricopeptide repeat family gene PTCD1 was preferentially expressed in leaves and responded to salt and drought but not heat stress in grapevine. Additionally, the second exon sequence of PTCD1 was highly conserved but the biogenesis of Vv-circPTCD1 is species-dependent in plants. It was further found that the overexpressed Vv-circPTCD1 can slightly decreased abundance of the cognate host gene and the neighboring genes were barely affected in grapevine callus. Furthermore, we also successfully overexpressed the Vv-circPTCD1, and found that the Vv-circPTCD1 deteriorated the growth during heat, salt, and drought stresses in Arabidopsis. However, the biological effects on grapevine callus were not always consistent with that of Arabidopsis. Interestingly, we found that the transgenic plants of linear counterpart sequence also conferred the same phenotypes as that of circRNA during the three stress conditions, no matter what species. Those results imply that although the sequences are conserved, the biogenesis and functions of Vv-circPTCD1 are species-dependent. Our results indicate that the plant circRNA function investigation should be conducted in homologous species, which support valuable reference for further plant circRNA studies.
Remote Sensing Based Land Cover Map of Watersheds in the Swedish Arctics: Study of Spatial and Temporal Variabilities of Land Cover
Authors: Auda Yves AUDA , Lundin Erik J. , Gustafsson David , Pokrovsky Oleg S. , Cazaurang Simon , Orgogozo Laurent
Published: April 2023

A land cover map of two arctic catchments, nearby the Abisko Scientific Research Station, was obtained from a classification of a Sentinel-2 satellite image and a ground survey performed in July 2022. The two contiguous catchments, Miellajokka and Stordalen, are covered by various ecotypes, from boreal forest to alpine tundra and peatland. The Random Forest algorithm correctly identified 83% of polygon pixels reserved for testing. The developed workflow relied solely on open source software and acquired ground observations. Space organization was directed by the altitude as shown by the intersection of the land cover with the topography. Comparison between this new land cover map and previous ones based on data acquired between 2008 and 2011 demonstrates some trends of vegetation cover evolution in response to climate change in the considered area. The potential applications in terms of permafrost modeling (hiperborea.omp.eu) are finally discussed.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Release Characteristics of Pipeline Sediments on Entering Different Water Bodies
Authors: Sun Jiarong , Xue Chonghua , Li Junqi , Wang Wenhai
Published: April 2023

Differences in the physical and chemical properties of reclaimed water (RW) and natural surface water (SW) lead to the differences in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus release when pipeline sediments enter these water bodies. The nitrogen and phosphorus release kinetics from pipe sediments with different particle sizes have been investigated. The results demonstrated that both SW and RW had a pH buffering effect after sediment addition, and the final pH (approximately 8.1) of RW was lower. The release of total phosphorus (TP) and ammonia nitrogen ( NH4+-N) fitted the first-order kinetic model where the release of TP reached equilibrium; TP release was inhibited in both SW and RW, where RW exhibited the lowest (by a factor of 1.23~2.44) release (0.002 mg/g). The release of NH4+-N was promoted in both SW and RW; the maximum release in RW was 0.0188 mg/g. The amounts of NH4+-N released in SW and RW were 1.02-1.40 and 1.30-1.80 times that of the control group (CG), respectively. The percentage of TP and NH4+-N release in the three groups was highest in 75-154 μm pipe sediment, reaching 34.53% and 43.51% in SW and RW, respectively. These results can assist in the development of water quality evolution models for specific urban scenarios, and provide important guidance for the precise regulation of recharge water quality during and after rainfall.
A Critical Role of Annealing Temperature and Heating Rate for High-Voltage Anode Aluminum Foils Fabrication
Authors: Wang Yunlei , Wu Taibin , Che Luchang , Huang Guangjie
Published: April 2023

This study utilized electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to investigate the impact of inter-annealing temperature and heating rate of final annealing on the microstructure of high-voltage anode aluminum foils. The findings indicate that the formation of cube texture in the final products is significantly influenced by the inter-annealing temperature, as low inter-annealing temperatures retain a considerable amount of deformation stored energy, providing a strong driving force for nucleation. The cube texture is observed to deviate from the ideal position at lower inter-annealing temperatures. Additionally, an increase in heating rate during final annealing leads to a gradual decrease in the fraction and grain size of recrystallization. This is attributed to the fact that a higher heating rate (below the critical heating rate) reduces the time available for grain boundary migration, thereby slowing the recrystallization process.
Surgical Strategy for Repair of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Nappi Francesco , Avtaar Singh Sanjeet Singh , Gambardella Ivancarmine , Almothana Alzamil , Salsano Antonio , Santini Francesco , Biancari Fausto , Schoell Thibaut , Bonnet Nicolas , Folliguet Thierry , Fiore Antonio
Published: April 2023

Type A acute aortic dissection are associated with significant morbidity and mortality with prompt referral imaging and management to tertiary referral centres needed urgently. Surgery is usually needed emergently but the choice of surgery often varies depending on the patient and presentation. Staff and center expertise also play a major role in determining the surgical strategy employed The aim of this study is to compare early and medium term outcomes of patient across 3 European referral centers. We also identified risk factors for poorer outcomes irrespective of surgical strategy employed. A retrospective study was conducted across 3 sites between January 2008 and December 2021. 601 patients were included within the study of which 30% were female and the median age was 64.4 years. The most common operation was ascending aorta replacement (n= 246, 40.9%). The aortic repair was extended proximally (i.e., root n= 105; 17,5%) and distally (i.e., arch n = 250; 41,6%). A more extensive approach, extending from the root to the arch, was employed in 24 patients (4.0%). Operative mortality occurred in 146 patients (24.3%), and the most common morbidity was stroke (75, 12.6%). An increased length of ICU admission was noted in the extensive surgery group who were younger and more frequently male No significant differences were noted in surgical mortality from patients managed with extensive surgery vs those managed conservatively. However, age, arterial lactate levels, “intubated/sedated” status on arrival, and “emergency or salvage” status at presentation were independent predictors of mortality both within the index hospitalization and also during follow-up. Overall survival was similar between the groups.
Suspension Culture of Stem Cells Established from Calendula officinalis L.
Authors: Kaňuková Šarlota , Lenkavská Klaudia , Gubišová Marcela , Kraic Ján
Published: April 2023

Plant stem cell cultures have so far been established in only a few plant species using cambial meristematic cells. The presence of stem cells or stem cell-like cells in other organs and tissues of the plant body, as well as the possibility of de novo generation of meristematic cells from differentiated cells, allows to consider the establishment of stem cell cultures in a broader range of species. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a stem cell culture of the medicinal plant Calendula officinalis L. Callus tissues were induced from explants taken from leaves and roots. Appropriate combinations of plant growth regulators and light parameters for in vitro cultivation were selected. Already at this stage, stem and dedifferentiated cells could be identified, and cell suspension cultures were established from specific parts of the formed callus. Cell suspension cultures with a high proportion of stem cells originating from roots (92–93%) or leaves (72–73%) were developed. The amount of stem cells derived from the roots in the cell suspension reached a plateau at a level of 5.60–5.72105.
Seroprevalence and Genotype Diversity of Hepatitis C Virus in the Caribbean - A Review
Authors: Brown Michelle Georgiana , Lindo John , Nelson Kereann , Vickers Ivan , Wilson-Clarke Cameil , Morse Gene , Talal Andrew
Published: April 2023

INTRODUCTION There have been several advances in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection which have resulted in major reductions in the morbidity and mortality from liver-associated disease. These are not widely available in the Caribbean, due in part, to lack of knowledge of the epidemiology of infections with HCV. As efforts are made to eliminate HCV from the region, these and other existing barriers such as lack of an established database on HCV must be addressed. This review seeks to identify gaps in the knowledge of HCV in the Caribbean with respect to seroprevalence, genotype distribution and general epidemiologic characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS The literature for the period January 1, 2005, to October 2022, was reviewed to gather country specific data on HCV across the Caribbean. References were identified through indexed journals accessed through established databases. The usage pattern of HCV drugs was determined from data obtained from Pharmacists and Infectious Diseases Specialists across the region. RESULTS The prevalence of HCV in the Caribbean was 1.5%; the region should therefore be considered an area of moderate prevalence. Notably, data from specific countries were limited. The prevalence of HCV among intravenous drug users (21.9-58.8%); persons living with HIV/AIDS (0.8 to 58.5%); prisoners (32.8-64%) and men who have sex with men (MSM) (0.8-6.9%) was generally higher than in the general population (0.8-2.3%). Genotype 1 (83% was most prevalent followed by genotypes 2 (7.2%) and 3(2.1%), respectively. Drugs currently being used for treatment of HCV infections across the Caribbean include Epclusa (Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir), and Harvoni (Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir). Some of these drugs, are only available in the private sector and are sourced externally whenever needed. CONCLUSION There is a paucity of current data on the seroprevalence of HCV in the Caribbean and well-designed prospective studies are indicated to drive the implementation of treatment and control programs for HCV in the region. Barriers which need to be first overcome include unavailability and high cost of drugs used to treat HCV infections, injecting drug use and limited access to medical care and laboratory testing.
Estimation of Energy Harvesting by Thermoelectric Cement Composites with Nanostructured Graphene and Metallic Oxides
Authors: Ghosh Sampad , Saha Bidyut Baran
Published: April 2023

For thermoelectric materials study and development, it is very important to measure the electrical power and efficiency of a thermoelectric generator (TEG). In this study, thermoelectric properties such as electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of cement composites with graphene nanoplatelets and metallic oxides (Fe2O3, ZnO, MnO2) are measured and subsequently used to figure out the output electrical power and efficiency. A maximum of 1.5 W power per square meter for a temperature difference of about 50 °C can be estimated using GnP-ZnO added cement composites. This paper also talks about how to make a cement composite-based structural TEG module to enhance the total output voltage, power, and efficiency of the system.
Finger Kinematics During Human Hand Grip and Release
Authors: Li Xiao-dong , Wen Rong-wei , Duanmu Dehao , Wan Kinto , Huang Wei , Hu Yong
Published: April 2023

Bionic robotic hand can perform many movements similar to human hand. But there is still a significant gap in manipulation between robot and human hand. It is necessary to understand the finger kinematics and motion patterns of human hand to improve the performance of robotic hand. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate normal hand motion patterns by evaluating the kinematics of hand grip and release in healthy individuals. The data corresponding to rapid grip and release were collected from the dominant hand of 22 healthy people by sensory glove. The kinematics of 14 finger joints were analyzed, including the dynamic range of motion (ROM), peak velocity, joint sequence and finger sequence. The results show that the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint had a largest dynamic ROM than metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. Besides, the PIP joint had the highest peak velocity, both in flexion and extension. For joint sequence, the PIP joint moved prior to the DIP or MCP joints during flexion, while extension started in DIP or MCP joints, followed by PIP joint. Regarding the finger sequence, the thumb started to move before four fingers, and stopped moving after the fingers during both grip and release. This study explored the normal motion patterns in hand grip and release, which provided kinematic reference for the design of robotic hand and thus contribute to its development.
A Glimpse into Chromatin Organization and Nuclear Lamina Contribution in Neuronal Differentiation
Authors: Martino Salvatore , Carollo Pietro Salvatore , Barra Viviana
Published: April 2023

During embryonic development stem cells undergo the differentiation process so that they can specialise for different functions within the organism. Complex programs of gene transcription are crucial for this process to happen. Epigenetic modifications and the architecture of chromatin in the nucleus, by the formation of specific regions of active as well as inactive chromatin, allow the coordinated regulation of the genes for each cell fate. In this mini review, we discuss the current knowledge regarding the regulation of three-dimensional chromatin structure during neuronal differentiation. We also focus on the role played in neurogenesis by the nuclear lamina that ensures the tethering of the chromatin to the nuclear envelope.
Two Independently Comparative Transcriptome Analyses of Hemocytes Provide New Insights into Understanding the Disease-Resistant Characteristics of Shrimp against Vibrio Infection
Authors: Li Shihao , Zhang Keke , Du Wenran , Li Fuhua
Published: April 2023

Vibrio parahaemolyticus carrying a plasmid encoding toxins PirA and PirB is one of the causative agents leading to the severe disease of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp aquaculture. However, there is a lack of deep understanding of the host resistant characteristics against V. parahaemolyticus infection. Here, we performed comparative transcriptome analysis on the expression profiles at the background level of hemocytes from shrimp with different resistant abilities against V. parahaemolyticus infection in two independent populations. Principal component analysis and sample clustering results showed that samples from the same population had a closer relationship than that from shrimp with similar disease-resistant abilities. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis revealed that the number of DEGs between two populations was much more than that between V. parahaemolyticus¬-resistant and susceptible shrimp. A total of 31 DEGs and 5 DEGs were identified from the comparison between V. parahaemolyticus¬-resistant and susceptible shrimp from population 1 and 2, respectively. There was no DEGs overlap between two comparisons. DEGs from population 1 were mainly cytoskeleton related genes, metabolic related genes, and immune related genes. DEGs from population 2 included tubulin alpha-3, dihydropyrimidinase-like gene, diacylglycerol kinase 1, prohibitin and iroquois-class homeodomain protein IRX-2-like. The data suggest that shrimp from different populations might adopt distinct disease-resistant mechanisms, which provided new insights into understanding disease-resistant mechanisms at population level against pathogen infection. A new strategy for screening disease resistant genes and disease resistant breeding was proposed based on the present study.
Investigating the Contribution of Major Drug-Metabolising Enzymes to Possum-Specific Fertility Control
Authors: Chand Ravneel R. , Nimick Mhairi , Cridge Belinda , Rosengren Rhonda J.
Published: April 2023

The potential to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of potential estrogen-based oral contraceptives (fertility control) for possums was investigated by comparing the inhibitory potential of hepatic CYP3A and UGT2B catalytic activity using a selected compound library (CYP450 inhibitor-based compounds) in possums to that of three other species (mouse, avian, and human). The results showed higher CYP3A protein levels in possum liver microsomes compared to other test species (up to a 4-fold difference). Also, possum liver microsomes had significantly higher basal p-nitrophenol glucuronidation activity than other test species (up to an 8-fold difference). However, no CYP450 inhibitor-based compounds significantly decreased the catalytic activity of possum CYP3A and UGT2B below the estimated IC50 and 2-fold IC50 values and were therefore not considered to be potent inhibitors of these enzymes. However, compounds such as isosilybin (65%), ketoconazole (72%) and fluconazole (74%) showed reduced UGT2B glucuronidation activity in possums, mainly at 2-fold IC50 values compared to control (p<0.05). Given the structural features of these compounds, these results could provide opportunities for future compound screening. More importantly, however, this study provided preliminary evidence that the basal activity and protein content of two major drug metabolising enzymes differ in possums compared to other test species, suggesting that this could be further exploited to reach the ultimate goal, a potential target-specific fertility control for possums in New Zealand.
RENEWABLE ENERGY: CURRENT DEVELOPMENT TRENDS
Authors: Dovgaluk Oksana , Shmatov Anton
Published: April 2023

The article summarizes some aspects of the current state of wind energy and outlines possible development prospects. Attention is focused on the requirements of Directive 2001/80/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU "On integrated pollution prevention and control" and Directive 2010/75/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on industrial emissions (integrated prevention and control of pollution) and compliance with these conditions of the industrial policy of Ukraine . The current state of wind energy is considered, as a significant factor in countering global climate changes and improving the general state of energy security in the world, Europe and Ukraine. Prospects for the further development of wind energy are summarized. Territories of Ukraine, which are characterized by the highest wind energy potential and have favorable conditions for the production of electricity by wind power plants, are highlighted. It was noted that the use of RES is one of the main priorities of energy development for most developed countries. Wind energy is widely available and one of the cheapest sources among RES for the production of electricity in the world. Wind energy occupies the second place in the structure of RES after solar and is characterized by the fastest development of technologies and intensive growth of installed capacities due to the constant development of science and technology, which leads to increased availability, development of a wide range of equipment, as well as a decrease in costs for their production and exploitation. The world experience of implementing low-power wind and solar energy technologies, which can be used to increase the energy autonomy of enterprises, shows that the main advantages of their use, first of all, are the reduction of the ecological burden on the environment compared to traditional methods of obtaining electrical energy, due to the avoidance of emissions of harmful substances (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, dust, greenhouse gases), as well as the almost complete absence of waste.
THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF UKRAINE'S ENERGY SYSTEM AND THE PLACE OF SMALL MODULAR REACTORS IN IT
Authors: Oleksandr Lazurenko , Oleksiy Chaly
Published: April 2023

The paper describes the characteristics of small modular reactors (SMR), their differences from existing nuclear power plants and the features of their use in modern hybrid electric power systems in combination with renewable energy sources and Nuclear Renewable Hybrid Energy System (NRHES) electricity storage, their advantages and problems of use in the future power system of Ukraine. Prospects for cooperation in this area with companies from the United States of America were considered. Small modular SMR reactors are suitable for electrical systems of various capacities, their modular system allows flexibility and speed of construction, reduces capital investment needs and eases financing requirements. The smaller size and variety of reactors can also mean that they can be built in locations not traditionally suitable for large nuclear power plants and, importantly, near energy-intensive industries or remote communities, i.e. as elements of distributed generation. They can ensure a reliable supply of not only electricity, but also heat. SMRs can also be deployed at decommissioned coal-fired power plants. Taking advantage of existing infrastructure, including switchgear and coal-fired turbines, could reduce SMR construction costs and avoid the need to add new transmission lines from these facilities. Problems with the implementation of such networks are revealed. Attention was drawn to the increased complexity of the system in connection with the use of various sources of generation and processes of distribution and consumption of electricity. The main technical characteristics, features of the reactor design, the station building, safety systems and control systems are given. The study concludes that SMRs have significant advantages for use in modern networks, due to their modular design and modular deployment, to meet a variety of power switching and scaling requirements.
MODELING OF THE ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF THE ENTERPRISE USING THE STAKEHOLDER APPROACH
Authors: K. Zinenko , T. Kobіelіeva
Published: April 2023

The purpose of the article is to develop a scientific and methodological approach to the comprehensive assessment of the economic security of a construction enterprise. A scientific and methodological approach is proposed, consisting of the following assessment stages: a) assessment of the level of economic security by functional components of the construction enterprise, which is based on a taxonomic approach to the formation of a general integral indicator by the method of V. Plyut; b) assessment of the impact of stakeholders' interests on the level of economic security of the construction enterprise by defined groups based on the expert method of point assessment and factor analysis; c) assessment of the impact of beneficial (opportunities) and destabilizing (threats) factors on the economic security of the construction enterprise by stakeholder groups using methods of factor analysis; d) ranking of stakeholder groups taking into account the priority of impact on the level of economic security of the construction enterprise; e) determination of the general level of economic security of the construction enterprise, taking into account the interests and factors of influence by stakeholder groups, based on the construction of a complex integral indicator of the economic security of the construction enterprise. Conducting an assessment of the economic security of a construction enterprise on the basis of the proposed scientific and methodological approach, taking into account the influence of the realization of the interests of stakeholders and the factors of influence by groups of stakeholders, provides an opportunity to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the level of economic security of the enterprise, which contributes to the adoption of more effective management decisions regarding the improvement of the level of economic security, stability of functioning and development of the construction enterprise.
“Orixás na agenda pública”: um estudo sobre participação política e religiões de matriz africana em Santana do Livramento - RS
Authors: Bardesio Geovana Gabriela
Published: April 2023

Resumo:Objetivo da pesquisa: compreender a atuação política de organizações religiosas de matriz africana em Santana do Livramento - RS, por meio da análise da atuação do Conselho Municipal do Povo de Terreiro (CMPTSL).
Enquadramento teórico: Discussões baseadas na perspectiva histórica das religiões de matriz africana e sua inserção no processo de participação política no Brasil e no RS, bem como, os percursos legais que acompanharam este processo, constituem a base teórica deste estudo.
Metodologia: A pesquisa se caracteriza como exploratória, com abordagem qualitativa. O método utilizado foi o estudo de caso e a estratégia de coleta de dados que envolveu o uso de técnicas múltiplas.
Resultados: a criação do CMPTSL é entendida como um grande avanço em termos históricos e normativos. O CMPTSL enfrenta importantes dificuldades no que tange a sua organização e funcionamento, apresentando resistências significativas de participação e de legitimidade.
Originalidade: Este estudo aborda a participação política de organizações religiosas, as quais foram historicamente marginalizadas do ponto de vista social e político incorporando o elemento da transnacionalidade à análise.
Contribuições teóricas e práticas: A pesquisa contribui para a construção de estudos sobre participação política de segmentos marginalizados e para a inserção da perspectiva de análise transfronteiriça e transnacional contribuindo para diferentes campos de estudo, como Ciência Política, Relações Internacionais e Administração Pública.
 
Palavras-chave:Atuação política, Religiões, Transnacionalidade.
Will Africa meet the challenge of biodiversity conservation in the digital age?
Authors: GANGLO Jean Cossi
Published: April 2023

Digital accessible knowledge (DAK) is of utmost importance for biodiversity conservation; indeed, its use is indispensable to provide evidence and strategies to support decision-making on natural resource management and sustainable use. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF, www.gbif.org) is a mega data infrastructure with more than two billion and two hundred million occurrence records as of 17 January 2023. It is by far the largest initiative assembling and sharing DAK to support scientific research, conservation, and sustainable development. We decided to analyze plant data published at the GBIF site at the scale of Africa. We intend to highlight the contribution of the continent to the GBIF and thereby underline data gaps across taxonomic groups, the basis of records, and geographic space. To achieve our purpose, we downloaded data on 17th January 2023 from the Plantae kingdom from Africa. They are available at https://doi.org/10.15468/dl.p2n6um. We achieved data treatment and analysis using R, several packages and related functions. Although Africa is home to rich biodiversity with many hotspots, the global data contribution of Africa to the GBIF (61,176,994 as of 17th January 2023) is still incredibly low (2.69%). Furthermore, there are huge disparities between African countries, with South Africa contributing alone for 50.64% of the data of the continent. The plant data of Africa (9,116,401 occurrence records) accounted for 14.90% of the data of the continent; this underlines huge gaps between taxonomic groups. Furthermore, Magnoliopsida was the dominant plant class with the highest number of records (71.07%) and the highest number of species (68.36%), followed by Liliopsida, with 22.80% of the records and 19.06% of the species. Two sources of records were dominant: preserved specimens (59.68%) and human observation (30.86%). In geographic space, plant data gaps are also quite large across the continent at either spatial resolution (half degree or one degree spatial grid cells); data completeness is more achieved in West Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa, and Madagascar. The large multidimensional data gaps identified in this study should be in priority addressed in future data collections. Accessibility by roads and large protected areas (> 10,000 Km²) are limiting factors of data completeness across the continent. We deplored important data loss during the process of data cleaning; indeed, the number of data determined up to species level was 7,570,244 and accounted for 83.04% of the initial data; the number of records with adequate coordinates was 6,461,460 and accounted for 70.88% of the initial data; while the data fitness for purpose in completeness analysis (records determined up to species level, with adequate coordinates, and full dates) were only 4,643,586 making approximately 50.94% of the total data records initially downloaded from GBIF site. Efforts for quality check before data publication on GBIF site are still important across African countries.
New conformationally flexible and recyclable aryl iodine catalysts from inexpensive chiral source for asymmetric oxidations
Authors: Zhou Hai-Jie , Yao Yi-Ping , Wang Xu , Chen Biao , Zhao Hang , Chen Jian-Ai , Xiao Xiao , Chen Fen-Er
Published: April 2023

Despite the remarkable advances in the research field of asymmetric catalytic oxidation reactions via hypervalent iodines with simple procedures, high level of efficiency and stereoselectivity over the past few decades, the development of their highly scalable, environmentally benign, and sustainable protocols under the greener organocatalysis paradigm for further industrial translations remains a long-standing synthetic organic chemistry and process engineering challenge. Herein, we design and synthesize a new library of conformationally flexible and recyclable aryl iodine catalysts by utilization of (i) industrial waste (chloramphenicol base) as the scaffold and (ii) inexpensive amino acid residue (threonine) as the chiral source. Our chiral aryl iodine(III) catalysts bearing H-bond donors and a tunable chiral pocket have been successfully applied in diverse robust asymmetric oxidative transformations, e.g., dearomatization, spirolactonization, direct C(sp2)−H/C(sp3)−H cross-coupling, and fluoridation. Our processes feature a column-isolation-free approach, easy-handling operation, and upscaling synthesis, with the catalysts being facilely recycled in particular via precipitation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy combined with head and face tuina/massage for negative emotions and sleep disorders in patients with protracted withdrawal symptoms: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yan Mengdie , Shi Yunzhou , Su Chengguo , He Jingzhen , Li Jiaoyang , Wu Nan , Ye Senlin , Shi Yue , Zhou Changwei , Li Zuoliang , Ding Xiaoping , Wang Rufang , Feng Yue
Published: April 2023

Background:
Protracted withdrawal symptoms(PWS) play a crucial role in relapse. While medication maintenance or behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can alleviate these symptoms, their implementation is still limited. Evidence suggests that Chinese tuina / massage therapy can improve mood and sleep quality in individuals experiencing PWS. However, high-quality, evidence-based studies supporting this claim are still lacking.
Methods and analysis
A prospective, parallel, three-armed, single-center, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted with 69 patients at the Sichuan Ziyang Drug Rehabilitation Center (SZDRC). Patients undergoing PWS will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to three groups: CBT+tuina (Group A), CBT only (Group B), and waitlist (Group C). Group A will receive 2 sessions of CBT and 12 sessions of head and face massage for 4 weeks, while Group B will receive only 2 sessions of CBT over the same period. Group C will not receive any intervention during the treatment period and will receive the same compensatory treatment as Group A after the trial.The primary outcome will be measured using the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), and secondary outcomes will include the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Measurements will be obtained at baseline, 1 week after treatment completion, and at the end of follow-up. Data analysis will be conducted by independent statisticians using intention-to-treat analysis.
Discussion:
This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of CBT combined with head tuina/massage for protracted withdrawal symptoms. Questionnaires will be used to assess the degree of improvement in negative mood and sleep status. High-quality, evidence-based evidence will be obtained to reduce the pressure on the development of addiction treatment.
Trial registration number:
This study has been registered on Chinese Clinical Trials.gov with number ChiCTR2200058212 and has obtained ethics approvals from the Ethics Committee of the People's Hospital of Ziyang with number 2021-K-LS-2.
Diagnosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with multiple metastases: a case report
Authors: Zhang Jinkun , Tong Jiankang , Zhang Zhi , Chen Jiayue , Ma Xiufen
Published: April 2023

Background: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare malignant tumor with strong invasiveness and lethality, which is common in elderly women with short survival. This paper introduces a case of multiple metastatic thyroid carcinoma in order to provide reference for early diagnosis, prevention and later treatment.
Case presentation: An 84-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with "pharynx pain for 10 days". Thyroid ultrasonography showed solid nodules on the right side of the thyroid gland (TI-RADS4A). Ultrasound-guided FNA was recommended. There are multiple abnormal lymph node echoes in both sides of the neck, so puncture biopsy is recommended. CT shows that the right lobe of thyroid occupies space, so puncture biopsy and MRI examination are recommended; multiple lesions in both lungs are considered, and metastatic tumors are considered; thyroid biopsy is performed by ultrasound-guided percutaneous exploration and fine needle aspiration biopsy. Pathological results show that thyroid malignant tumor is considered as undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma. Targeted therapy was used in the treatment plan. During the follow-up three months after discharge, the patient's family informed the patient that she had died.
Conclusions: This case report shows that early use of FNA can reduce the rate of missed diagnosis of ATC and provide accurate guidance for follow-up treatment. As far as we know, this is a rare case report of multiple metastases of this disease.
Senolytic therapy to modulate the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease (SToMP-AD) – Outcomes from the first clinical trial of senolytic therapy for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Orr Miranda , Gonzales Mitzi , Garbarino Valentina , Kautz Tiffany , Palavicini Juan , Lopez-Cruzan Marisa , Dehkordi Shiva Kazempour , Mathews Julia , Zare Habil , Xu Peng , Zhang Bin , Franklin Crystal , Habes Mohamad , Craft Suzanne , Petersen Ronald , Tchkonia Tamara , Kirkland James , Salardini Arash , Seshadri Sudha , Musi Nicolas
Published: April 2023

Cellular senescence has been identified as a pathological mechanism linked to tau and amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clearance of senescent cells using the senolytic compounds dasatinib (D) and quercetin (Q) reduced neuropathological burden and improved clinically relevant outcomes in the mice. Herein, we conducted a vanguard open-label clinical trial of senolytic therapy for AD with the primary aim of evaluating central nervous system (CNS) penetrance, as well as exploratory data collection relevant to safety, feasibility, and efficacy. Participants with early-stage symptomatic AD were enrolled in an open-label, 12-week pilot study of intermittent orally-delivered D+Q. CNS penetrance was assessed by evaluating drug levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Safety was continuously monitored with adverse event reporting, vitals, and laboratory work. Cognition, neuroimaging, and plasma and CSF biomarkers were assessed at baseline and post-treatment. Five participants (mean age: 76±5 years; 40% female) completed the trial. The treatment increased D and Q levels in the blood of all participants ranging from 12.7 to 73.5 ng/ml for D and 3.29-26.30 ng/ml for Q. D levels were detected in the CSF of four participants ranging from 0.281 to 0.536 ng/ml (t(4)=3.123, p=0.035); Q was not detected. Treatment was well-tolerated with no early discontinuation and six mild to moderate adverse events occurring across the study. Cognitive and neuroimaging endpoints did not significantly differ from baseline to post-treatment. CNS levels of IL-6 and GFAP increased from baseline to post-treatment (t(4)=3.913, p=008 and t(4)=3.354, p=0.028, respectively) concomitant with decreased levels of several cytokines and chemokines associated with senescence, and a trend toward higher levels of Aβ42 (t(4)=-2.338, p=0.079). Collectively the data indicate the CNS penetrance of D and provide preliminary support for the safety, tolerability, and feasibility of the intervention and suggest that astrocytes and Aβ may be particularly responsive to the treatment. While early results are promising, fully powered, placebo-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the potential of AD modification with the novel approach of targeting cellular senescence.
Prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus using machine learning from birth cohort study data: The Japan Environment and Children's Study
Authors: Watanabe Masahiro , Eguchi Akifumi , Sakurai Kenichi , Yamamoto Midori , Mori Chisato , Group The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)
Published: April 2023

Recently, prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) using artificial intelligence (AI) from medical records has been reported. We aimed to evaluate GDM-predictive AI-based models using birth cohort data with a wide range of information and to explore factors contributing to GDM development. This investigation was conducted as a part of the Japan Environment and Children's Study. In total, 82,698 pregnant mothers who provided data on lifestyle, anthropometry, and socioeconomic status before pregnancy and the first trimester were included in the study. We employed machine learning methods as AI algorithms, such as random forest (RF), gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), and support vector machine (SVM), along with logistic regression (LR) as a reference. GBDT displayed the highest accuracy, followed by LR, RF, and SVM. In the GBDT model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for GDM was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.59–0.75) for mothers with GDM history and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.74–0.78) for mothers without GDM history. The results of decision tree-based algorithms, such as GBDT, have shown high accuracy, interpretability, and superiority for predicting GDM using birth cohort data.