bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Drug-Drug Interactions for Histamine Antagonist Using Hybrid Chemical Features
Authors: Dang Luong Huu , Dung Nguyen Tan , Quang Ly Xuan , Hung Le Quang , Le Ngoc Hoang , Le Nhi Thao Ngoc , Diem Nguyen Thi , Nga Nguyen Thi Thuy , Hung Shih-Han , Le Nguyen Quoc Khanh
Published: November 2021

The requesting of detailed information on new drugs including drug-drug interactions or targets is often unavailable and resource-intensive in assessing adverse drug events. To shorten the common evaluation process of drug-drug interactions, we present a machine learning framework-HAINI to predict DDI types for histamine antagonist drugs using simplified molecular-input line-entry systems (SMILES) combined with interaction features based on CYP450 group as inputs. The data used in our research consisted of approved drugs of histamine antagonists that are connected to 26,344 DDI pairs from the DrugBank database. Various classification algorithms such as Naive Bayes, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and XGBoost were used with 5-fold cross-validation to approach a large-scale DDIs prediction among histamine antagonist drugs. The prediction performance shows that our model outperformed previously published works on DDI prediction with the best precision of 0.788, a recall of 0.921, and an F1-score of 0.838 among 19 given DDIs types. An important finding of the study is that our prediction is based solely on the SMILES and CYP450 and thus can be applied at the early stage of drug development.
Importance of Timely Treatment Initiation in Infantile-Onset Pompe Disease, a Single-Centre Experience
Authors: de las Heras Javier , Cano Ainara , Vinuesa Ana , Montes Marta , Unceta Suarez María , Arza Arantza , Jiménez Saioa , Vera Elena , del Hoyo Marta , Gendive Miriam , Aguirre Lizar , Muñoz Gisela , Fernández Javier , Ruiz-Espinoza Cynthia , Fernández María Ángeles , Galdeano José Miguel , Rodríguez Irene , Román Lourdes , Rodríguez-Serna Amaya , Loureiro Begoña , Astigarraga Itziar
Published: November 2021

Classic infantile Pompe disease (IPD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder characterized by severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and profound muscle weakness. Without treatment, death occurs within the first 2 years of life. Although enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with alglucosidase alfa has improved survival, treatment outcome is not good in many cases and is largely dependent on age at initiation. The objective of the study was (a) to analyse the different stages in the diagnosis and specific treatment initiation procedure in IPD patients, and (b) to compare clinical and biochemical outcomes depending on age at ERT initiation (<1 month of age vs. <3 months of age). Here, we show satisfactory clinical and biochemical outcomes in two IPD patients after early treatment initiation before 3 months of life with immunomodulatory therapy in the ERT-naïve setting, with a high ERT dose from the beginning. Despite the overall good evolution, the patient who initiated treatment <1 month of life presented even better outcomes than the patient who started treatment <3 months of life, with an earlier normalization of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, along with CK normalization, highlighting the importance of early treatment initiation in this progressive disease before irreversible muscle damage has occurred.
New Approaches to Increasing the Superhydrophobicity of Coatings Based on ZnO and TiO2
Authors: Muslimov Arsen E. , Gadzhiev Makhach Kh. , Kanevsky Vladimir M.
Published: November 2021

The work presented is devoted to new approaches to increasing the superhydrophobic properties of coatings based on zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). There is an innovation in the use of inorganic coatings with a non-polar structure, high melting point, and good adhesion to ZnO, in contrast to the traditionally used polymer coatings with low performance characteristics. The maximum superhydrophobicity of the ZnO surface (contact angle of 173°) is achieved after coating with a layer of hematite (Fe2O3). The reason for the abnormally high hydrophobicity is a combination of factors: minimization of the area of contact with water (Cassie state) and the specific microstructure of a coating with a layer of non-polar Fe2O3. It was shown that the coating of ZnO structures with bimodal roughness with a gold (Au) layer that is 60-nm thick leads to an increase in the wetting contact angle from 145° to 168°. For clean surfaces of Au and hematite Fe2O3 films, the contact angle wets at no more than 70°. In the case of titanium oxide coatings, what is new lies in the method of controlled synthesis of a coating with a given crystal structure and a level of doping with nitrogen using plasma technologies. It has been shown that the use of nitrogen plasma in an open atmosphere with different compositions (molecular, atomic) makes it possible to obtain both a hydrophilic (contact angle of 73°) and a highly hydrophobic surface (contact angle of 150°).
Multi-Analytical Research on the Caisson Painting of Dayu Temple in Hancheng, Shaanxi, China
Authors: Li Jiaxin , Mai Bingjie , Fu Peng , Teri Gele , Li Yanli , Cao Jing , Li Yuhu , Wang Juanli
Published: November 2021

In this research, the caisson painting of Dayu Temple in Hancheng, Shaanxi, China, was analyzed via a multi-analytical methodology, using a pH meter, an ultra-depth-of-field optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), a high-resolution X-ray diffractometer (XRD), a micro-confocal laser Raman spectrometer, a gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC-MS), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). With the corroborative evidence derived from the above analyses, it could be determined that the caisson painting of Dayu Temple was painted on bamboo paper and attached to hemlock wood substrate of the Pinaceae Tsuga genus using starch paste, with common colorants such as carbon black, cinnabar mixed with a small amount of red lead, ultramarine, and ultramarine mixed with Paris green, with animal glue having been adopted as a sizing agent. These results provide important scientific data for the production craft of precious caisson paintings, contributing to the revelation of their historic, artistic, and scientific value, and should enable conservators to make informed decisions in restoration.
On the Optimization of Self-Organization and Self-Management Hardware Resource Allocation for Heterogeneous Clouds
Authors: Giannoutakis Konstantinos M. , Filelis-Papadopoulos Christos K. , Gravvanis George A. , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: November 2021

There is a tendency, during the last years, to migrate from the traditional homogeneous clouds and centralized provisioning of resources to heterogeneous clouds with specialized hardware governed in a distributed and autonomous manner. The CloudLightning architecture proposed recently introduced a dynamic way to provision heterogeneous cloud resources, by shifting the selection of underlying resources from the end-user to the system in an efficient way. In this work, an optimized Suitability Index and assessment function are proposed, along with their theoretical analysis, for improving the computational efficiency, energy consumption, service delivery and scalability of the distributed orchestration. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is being evaluated with the use of simulation, by comparing the optimized methods with the original approach and the traditional centralized resource management, on real and synthetic High Performance Computing applications. Finally, numerical results are presented and discussed regarding the improvements over the defined evaluation criteria.
Gem Elbaite as a Recorder of Pegmatite Evolution: In Situ Major, Trace Elements and Boron Isotope Analysis of a Colour-Zoning Tourmaline Crystal
Authors: Zheng Beiqi , Chen Meihua
Published: November 2021

Few studies have focused on gem-quality tourmaline acting as a petrogenetic recorder, and the colour genesis of pink elbaite is still controversial. We carry out in situ major, trace element and boron isotope composition analyses on a single tourmaline crystal. This crystal is characterized by sudden transformation from colourless to pink, which can represent full pegmatite magma evolution. According to the analysis results, all spots are divided into alkali groups according to X-site occupancy and subdivided into elbaite series. The pink part accommodates higher concentrations of volatile and incompatible elements. The result is most consistent with successive pegmatite evolution in which the colourless part crystallized from the early stage, while the pink part crystallized from the late stage. The relatively consistent δ11B value between the colourless and the pink part suggests no fluid exsolution occurred during pegmatite evolution. The slight increase of δ11B values within the pink part and the colourless part may be due to mica crystallization. The combination of (Li++Mn2+) (Al3++Xvac)-1 and the exclusive positive linear relationship of Mn2+ vs. Ti4+ indicate that Mn2+ is the main cause of pink, while Mn2+-Ti4+ intervalence charge transfer also plays an important role.
Carborane: Dedicated to the Work of Professor Alan Welch
Authors: Rosair Georgina M. , Stogniy Marina Yu.
Published: November 2021

In the 1950s, borohydrides arose as promising components of new rocket and aviation fuels [...]
Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Eastern Grey Kangaroos in an Isolated Conservation Reserve
Authors: Zemanova Miriam A. , Ramp Daniel
Published: November 2021

Dispersal is a key process for population persistence, particularly in fragmented landscapes. Connectivity between habitat fragments can be easily estimated by quantifying gene flow among subpopulations. However, the focus in ecological research has been on endangered species, typically excluding species that are not of current conservation concern. Consequently, our current understanding of the behaviour and persistence of many species is incomplete. A case in point is the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), an Australian herbivore that is subjected to considerable harvesting and population control efforts. In this study, we used non-invasive genetic sampling of eastern grey kangaroos within and outside of the Mourachan Conservation Property to assess functional connectivity. In total, we genotyped 232 samples collected from 17 locations at 20 microsatellite loci. The clustering algorithm indicated the presence of two clusters, with some overlap between the groups within and outside of the reserve. This genetic assessment should be repeated in 10–15 years to observe changes in population structure and gene flow over time, monitoring the potential impact of the planned exclusion fencing around the reserve.
Proliferation PET/CT Imaging of Salivary Gland Tumor
Authors: Minamimoto Ryogo
Published: November 2021

Salivary gland tumors are rare neoplasms which vary in terms of origin and malignant potential. 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) has limited ability to differentiate between different types of salivary gland tumors because both Warthin’s tumors and pleomorphic adenomas usually show increased FDG uptake, with no statistically significant difference in standardized uptake value (SUV) compared with malignant salivary gland tumors. Here, we discuss 4′-[methyl-11C]-thiothymidine (4DST) PET, which provides cell proliferation imaging capable of demonstrating intense uptake in parotid carcinoma and Warthin’s tumor, but no uptake in parotid pleomorphic adenoma. This is the first report of the potential of proliferation PET/ computed tomography (CT) imaging for characterizing salivary gland tumors based on the molecular pathogenesis of the tumor.
Sampling the Variational Posterior with Local Refinement
Authors: Havasi Marton , Snoek Jasper , Tran Dustin , Gordon Jonathan , Hernández-Lobato José Miguel
Published: November 2021

Variational inference is an optimization-based method for approximating the posterior distribution of the parameters in Bayesian probabilistic models. A key challenge of variational inference is to approximate the posterior with a distribution that is computationally tractable yet sufficiently expressive. We propose a novel method for generating samples from a highly flexible variational approximation. The method starts with a coarse initial approximation and generates samples by refining it in selected, local regions. This allows the samples to capture dependencies and multi-modality in the posterior, even when these are absent from the initial approximation. We demonstrate theoretically that our method always improves the quality of the approximation (as measured by the evidence lower bound). In experiments, our method consistently outperforms recent variational inference methods in terms of log-likelihood and ELBO across three example tasks: the Eight-Schools example (an inference task in a hierarchical model), training a ResNet-20 (Bayesian inference in a large neural network), and the Mushroom task (posterior sampling in a contextual bandit problem).
A Cross-Sectional Study of University Nursing Students Construal Level and Core Values in Learning English as Foreign Language in Taiwan
Authors: Tai Hung-Cheng , Tsai Yuan-Hsiung , Lee Bih-O , Zagar Martin
Published: November 2021

Professional nursing core values are important for nursing education and clinical practice. Among the core values, communication is a crucial one, and learning languages is especially beneficial to this skill. However, core values in learning a language are rarely discussed in the field. This study attempts to explore the core values perceived by university nursing students when learning English as a foreign language. A cross-sectional survey of students’ construal levels and perceptions of their core values was designed. Two instruments of Behavior Identification Form and English Learning Construal Scale were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were conducted to analyze quantitative and qualitative data respectively. In total, 200 participants were randomly recruited from a nursing university in Taiwan. The results show the BIF (M = 15.02; SD = 4.02) corresponded to the previous research, although the scores implied an improvement opportunity. Four themes—career development, university studies, self-responsibly, and personal well-beings—were illustrated, and 13 codes of core values of learning English were further categorized. An alternative perspective of high vs. low construal levels was suggested to view the professional core values. Teaching implications were then discussed.
Electric Motors for Variable-Speed Drive of Lock Valves
Authors: Udovichenko Aleksey V. , Kaluzhskij Dmitri , Uvarov Nikita , Mekhtiyev Ali
Published: November 2021

Improving the operational reliability of nuclear power plants, combined heat and power plants (CHP), as well as oil and gas pipelines is a priority task in the development of a variable-speed drive for lock valves used at these facilities. This paper analyzes the technical requirements for such devices: the motor has been selected, its electrical equilibrium and moment equations have been obtained; recommendations for the selection of the kinematic drive scheme have been formulated. Based on the theoretical data obtained, a prototype has been developed, manufactured, and tested.
Prognostics and Health Management of Renewable Energy Systems: State of the Art Review, Challenges, and Trends
Authors: Saidi Lotfi , Benbouzid Mohamed
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this study is to highlight approaches for predicting a system’s future behavior and estimating its remaining useful life (RUL) to define an effective maintenance schedule. Indeed, prognosis and health management (PHM) strategies for renewable energy systems, with a focus on wind turbine generators, are given, as well as publications published in the recent ten years. As a result, some prognostic applications in renewable energy systems are emphasized, such as power converter devices, battery capacity degradation, and damage in wind turbine high-speed shaft bearings. The paper not only focuses on the methodologies adopted during the early research in the area of PHM but also investigates more current challenges and trends in this domain
Modified Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method for Hertzian Dipole Source under Low-Frequency Band
Authors: Kim Minhyuk , Park SangWook
Published: November 2021

In this paper, a modified finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is proposed for the rapid analysis of a Hertzian dipole source in the low-frequency band. The FDTD technique is one of the most widely used methods for interpreting high-resolution problems such as those associated with the human body. However, this method has been difficult to use in the low-frequency band as the required number of iterations has increased significantly in such cases. To avoid this problem, FDTD techniques using quasi-static assumptions in low-frequency bands were used. However, this method was applied only to plane wave excitation, making it difficult to apply to near-field problems. Therefore, a modified approach is proposed, involving the application of the FDTD technique with a quasi-static approximation to an electric and magnetic dipole problem. The results when using the proposed method are in good agreement with those from a theoretical solution. An example of comparison with the standard FDTD method is shown for illustrating the proposed method’s performance.
A New Hybrid Online and Offline Multi-Factor Cross-Domain Authentication Method for IoT Applications in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Khalid Haqi , Hashim Shaiful Jahari , Ahmad Sharifah Mumtazah Syed , Hashim Fazirulhisyam , Chaudhary Muhammad Akmal
Published: November 2021

Connected vehicles have emerged as the latest revolution in the automotive industry, utilizing the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT). However, most IoT-connected cars mechanisms currently depend on available network services and need continuous network connections to allow users to connect to their vehicles. Nevertheless, the connectivity availability shortcoming in remote or rural areas with no network coverage makes vehicle sharing or any IoT-connected device problematic and undesirable. Furthermore, IoT-connected cars are vulnerable to various passive and active attacks (e.g., replay attacks, MiTM attacks, impersonation attacks, and offline guessing attacks). Adversaries could all use these attacks to disrupt networks posing a threat to the entire automotive industry. Therefore, to overcome this issue, we propose a hybrid online and offline multi-factor authentication cross-domain authentication method for a connected car-sharing environment based on the user’s smartphone. The proposed scheme lets users book a vehicle using the online booking phase based on the secured and trusted Kerberos workflow. Furthermore, an offline authentication phase uses the OTP algorithm to authenticate registered users even if the connectivity services are unavailable. The proposed scheme uses the AES-ECC algorithm to provide secure communication and efficient key management. The formal SOV logic verification was used to demonstrate the security of the proposed scheme. Furthermore, the AVISPA tool has been used to check that the proposed scheme is secured against passive and active attacks. Compared to the previous works, the scheme requires less computation due to the lightweight cryptographic algorithms utilized. Finally, the results showed that the proposed system provides seamless, secure, and efficient authentication operation for the automotive industry, specifically car-sharing systems, making the proposed system suitable for applications in limited and intermittent network connections.
Comparative Study of Experimentally Measured and Calculated Solar Radiations for Two Sites in Algeria
Authors: Fekkak Bouazza , Merzouk Mustapha , Kouzou Abdallah , Kennel Ralph , Abdelrahem Mohamed , Zakane Ahmed , Mohamed-Seghir Mostefa
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a comparison study between the measured solar radiations on site and the calculated solar radiation based on the most theoretical models presented in the literature up to date. Indeed, for such purposes, this paper focusses on the analysis of the data of the measured solar radiation collected on two sites in Algeria such as Tlemcen (34°52′58″ N 01°19′00″ W, elevation 842 m) and Senia (35°39′ N 0°38′ W, elevation: 77 m). In order to check the accuracy of the proposed model, the experimental collected data of the solar radiation obtained from the existing radiometric stations installed at the two locations under investigation, are compared with the estimated or predicted solar radiations obtained from the Capderou and R.Sun models, where four days under clear skies are selected from different seasons to achieve this comparison. Second, the daily averages of the experimental global solar irradiation are compared to those predicted by Mefti model for both the sites. Finally, a validation is carried out based on the obtained experimental monthly global irradiations and with those estimated by Coppolino and Sivkov models. A relative difference is used in this case to judge the reliability and the accuracy of each model for both sites.
Optimal Sizing of Battery Energy Storage Systems Considering Cooperative Operation with Microgrid Components
Authors: Takano Hirotaka , Hayashi Ryosuke , Asano Hiroshi , Goda Tadahiro
Published: November 2021

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are key components in efficiently managing the electric power supply and demand in microgrids. However, the BESSs have issues in their investment costs and operating lifetime, and thus, the optimal sizing of the BESSs is one of the crucial requirements in design and management of the microgrids. This paper presents a problem framework and its solution method that calculates the optimal size of the BESSs in a microgrid, considering their cooperative operations with the other components. The proposed framework is formulated as a bi-level optimization problem; however, based on the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker approach, it is regarded as a type of operation scheduling problem. As a result, the techniques developed for determining the operation schedule become applicable. In this paper, a combined algorithm of binary particle swarm optimization and quadratic programming is selected as the basis of the solution method. The validity of the authors’ proposal is verified through numerical simulations and discussion of their results.
Analysing the Performance of Ammonia Powertrains in the Marine Environment
Authors: Imhoff Thomas Buckley , Gkantonas Savvas , Mastorakos Epaminondas
Published: November 2021

This study develops system-level models of ammonia-fuelled powertrains that reflect the characteristics of four oceangoing vessels to evaluate the efficacy of ammonia as an alternative fuel in the marine environment. Relying on thermodynamics, heat transfer, and chemical engineering, the models adequately capture the behaviour of internal combustion engines, gas turbines, fuel processing equipment, and exhaust aftertreatment components. The performance of each vessel is evaluated by comparing its maximum range and cargo capacity to a conventional vessel. Results indicate that per unit output power, ammonia-fuelled internal combustion engines are more efficient, require less catalytic material, and have lower auxiliary power requirements than ammonia gas turbines. Most merchant vessels are strong candidates for ammonia fuelling if the operators can overcome capacity losses between 4% and 9%, assuming that the updated vessels retain the same range as a conventional vessel. The study also establishes that naval vessels are less likely to adopt ammonia powertrains without significant redesigns. Ammonia as an alternative fuel in the marine sector is a compelling option if the detailed component design continues to show that the concept is practically feasible. The present data and models can help in such feasibility studies for a range of vessels and propulsion technologies.
Optimal Sensor Association and Data Collection in Power Materials Warehouse Based on Internet of Things
Authors: He Fangqiuzi , Xu Junfeng , Zhong Jinglin , Chen Guang , Peng Shixin
Published: November 2021

In order to realize the intelligent management of a power materials warehouse, the Internet of Things based on wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is a promising effective solution. Considering the limited battery capacity of sensor nodes, the optimization of the topology control and the determination of the amount of collected data are critical for prolonging the survival time of WSNs and increasing the satisfaction of the warehouse supplier. Therefore, in this paper, an optimization problem on sensor association and acquisition data satisfaction is proposed, and the subproblem of the sensor association is modeled as the knapsack problem. To cope with it, the block coordinate descent method is used to obtain the suboptimal solution. A sensor association scheme based on the ant colony algorithm (ACO) is proposed, and the upper and lower bounds of this optimization problem are also obtained. After this, a cluster head selection algorithm is given to find the optimal cluster head. Finally, the experimental simulations show that the algorithms proposed in this paper can effectively improve the energy utilization of WSNs to ensure the intelligent management of a power materials warehouse.
Room HVAC Influences on the Removal of Airborne Particulate Matter: Implications for School Reopening during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mohammadi Nafchi Ali , Blouin Vincent , Kaye Nigel , Metcalf Andrew , Van Valkinburgh Katie , Mousavi Ehsan
Published: November 2021

(1) Background: Many schools and higher education settings have confronted the issue of reopening their facilities after the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, several airflow strategies spanning from adding portable air purifiers to major mechanical overhauls have been suggested to equip classrooms with what is necessary to provide a safe and reliable environment. Yet, there are many unknowns about specific contributions of the building system and its design and performance on indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements. (2) Methods: this study examined the combined effect of ventilation type, airflow rates, and filtration on IAQ in five different classrooms. Experiments were conducted by releasing inert surrogate particles into the classrooms and measuring the concentrations in various locations of the room. (3) Results: we showed that while the distribution of particles in the space is a complex function of space geometry and air distribution configurations, the average decay rate of contaminants is proportional to the number of air changes per hour in the room. (4) Conclusions: rooms with a central HVAC system responded quicker to an internal source of contamination than rooms with only fan coil units. Furthermore, increasing the ventilation rate without improved filtration is an inefficient use of energy.
An Intelligent Approach for Performing Energy-Driven Classification of Buildings Utilizing Joint Electricity–Gas Patterns
Authors: Nichiforov Cristina , Martinez-Molina Antonio , Alamaniotis Miltiadis
Published: November 2021

Building type identification is an important task that may be used in confirming and verifying its legitimate operation. One of the main sources of information over the operation of a building is its energy consumption, with the analysis of electricity patterns being at the spotlight of a non-intrusive identification approach. However, electricity patterns are the only source of information, and therefore, their analysis imposes several restrictions. In this work, we introduce a new approach in energy-driven identification by adding one more source of information beyond the electricity pattern that may be utilized, namely the gas consumption pattern. In particular, we propose a new intelligent approach that jointly analyzes the electricity–gas patterns to provide the type of building at hand. Our approach exploits the synergism of the matrix profile data analysis technique with a feed-forward artificial neural network. This approach has applicability in the energy waste elimination through the implementation of different energy efficiency solutions, as well as the optimization of the demand-side process management, safer and reliable operation through fault detection, and the identification and validation of the real operation of the building. The obtained results demonstrate the improvement in identifying the type of the building by employing the proposed approach for joint electricity–gas patterns as compared to only using the electricity patterns.
Study of the Properties and Particulate Matter Content of the Gas from the Innovative Pilot-Scale Gasification Installation with Integrated Ceramic Filter
Authors: Sitka Andrzej , Jodkowski Wiesław , Szulc Piotr , Smykowski Daniel , Szumiło Bogusław
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a study on the application of a ceramic filter in the biomass gasification process and its efficiency in particulate matter removal from the process gas and flue gas. A significant advantage of this type of filter is its high efficiency in small particle removal (<1 µm). This feature allows us to reach the much lower emissions that are required by the applicable standards. The study was performed using an original biomass gasification installation, where conifer scobs were used as feedstock. The installation, its operation and measurement methodology are described in the article. The study included the analysis of process gas and particulate matter, as well as particulate matter content before and after the filter was applied. The measurements indicate that the efficiency of particulate matter removal reaches 99.1%. The analysis of particulate matter in the process gas allowed us to determine that its content was 18.26%, and additionally it was indicated that it contained combustible parts, which undergo combustion in the combustion chamber. It was found that the content of particulate matter is reduced 11 times when compared to the process gas before the filter. An accurate estimation of particulate matter content in flue gas has been also shown for the system without the ceramic filter. As a result, the method allowed us to determine the overall efficiency of particulate matter removal using the ceramic filter, which is equal to 99.9% or 2 mg/m3 (N). The performed study shows that pre-combustion particulate matter removal is preferred over post-combustion particulate matter removal from flue gas. The reason is that the stream of process gas is several times smaller than the flue gas stream, thus the required size of the filter is smaller. Furthermore, process gas filtering allows us to keep the heat transfer surfaces clean, which preserves high thermal efficiency and durability of equipment. The presented results of performed tests are the early stage of the development of the technology of process gas refining in the waste gasification process. The final target is to reach standards similar to those in the case of natural gas.
Disentangling the Effects of Tree and Soil Properties on the Water Uptake of a Waterlogging Tolerant Tree in the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Jiang Jing , Xu Qing , Gao Deqiang , Zuo Haijun , Ren Ranran
Published: November 2021

Waterlogging tolerant tree species exert a critical role in forest preservation and the associated water conservation in flood prone areas. Clarifying the patterns and drivers of water uptake by waterlogging tolerant trees is crucial for forest management in flood-prone areas, especially in the scenario of precipitation changes in the estuary delta. Here, we uploaded the values of δD and δ18O obtained from soil and xylem waters to a Bayesian mixed model (MixSIAR) to determine the water use pattern of Taxodium distichum, a waterlogging tolerant tree, following different magnitudes of rainfall events in three sites of the Yangtze River Delta, China. We further conducted variation partitioning analysis and a random forest model to discern the dominant factor driving plant water uptake. Our results indicated that T. distichum mainly absorbed soil water from shallow soil layers (0–40 cm, 43.63%–74.70%), while the percentage of water uptake from deep soil layers was lower in the Yangtze River Delta (60–100 cm, 13.43%–35.90%), whether in light, moderate, or heavy rainfall conditions. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that tree traits, such as fine root biomass, are dominantly driving plant water uptake. These findings imply that waterlogging tolerant tree species could increase the percentage of water uptake from shallow soils by changing their plant attributes, which would effectively improve the water conservation of forests in the estuary delta.
Mineral Concentrations in Bovine Milk from Farms with Contrasting Grazing Management
Authors: Stergiadis Sokratis , Qin Nanbing , Faludi Gergely , Beauclercq Stephane , Pitt Joe , Desnica Natasa , Pétursdóttir Ásta H. , Newton Eric E. , Angelidis Angelos E. , Givens Ian , Humphries David J. , Gunnlaugsdóttir Helga , Juniper Darren T.
Published: November 2021

Thirty conventional and twenty-four organic dairy farms were divided into equal numbers within system groups: high-pasture, standard-pasture, and low-pasture groups. Milk samples were collected monthly for 12 consecutive months. Milk from high-pasture organic farms contained less fat and protein than standard- and low-pasture organic farms, but more lactose than low-pasture organic farms. Grazing, concentrate feed intake and the contribution of non-Holstein breeds were the key drivers for these changes. Milk Ca and P concentrations were lower in standard-pasture conventional farms than the other conventional groups. Milk from low-pasture organic farms contained less Ca than high- and standard-pasture organic farms, while high-pasture organic farms produced milk with the highest Sn concentration. Differences in mineral concentrations were driven by the contribution of non-Holstein breeds, feeding practices, and grazing activity; but due to their relatively low numerical differences between groups, the subsequent impact on consumers’ dietary mineral intakes would be minor.
A Multi-Model Approach to Implement a Dynamic Shelf Life Criterion in Meat Supply Chains
Authors: Albrecht Antonia , Mittler Maureen , Hebel Martin , Waldhans Claudia , Herbert Ulrike , Kreyenschmidt Judith
Published: November 2021

The high perishability of fresh meat results in short sales and consumption periods, which can lead to high amounts of food waste, especially when a fixed best-before date is stated. Thus, the aim of this study was the development of a real-time dynamic shelf-life criterion (DSLC) for fresh pork filets based on a multi-model approach combining predictive microbiology and sensory modeling. Therefore, 647 samples of ma-packed pork loin were investigated in isothermal and non-isothermal storage trials. For the identification of the most suitable spoilage predictors, typical meat quality parameters (pH-value, color, texture, and sensory characteristics) as well as microbial contamination (total viable count, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta, Enterobacteriaceae) were analyzed at specific investigation points. Dynamic modeling was conducted using a combination of the modified Gompertz model (microbial data) or a linear approach (sensory data) and the Arrhenius model. Based on these models, a four-point scale grading system for the DSLC was developed to predict the product status and shelf-life as a function of temperature data in the supply chain. The applicability of the DSLC was validated in a pilot study under real chain conditions and showed an accurate real-time prediction of the product status.
From the “Beginning”: Anglo-American Settler Colonialism in New England
Authors: Doane Ashley (Woody)
Published: November 2021

In this article, I use the lens of critical family history—and the history of the Doane family—to undertake an analysis of Anglo-American settler colonialism in the New England region of the United States. My standpoint in writing this narrative is as a twelfth-generation descendant of Deacon John Doane, who arrived in Plymouth Colony circa 1630 and whose family history is intertwined with issues of settler colonial conquest and dispossession, enslavement, erasure, and the creation of myths of origin and possession. This analysis is also grounded in the larger contexts of the history of New England and the history of the United States. I conclude with a reflection upon the implications of settler colonial myths and historical erasure for current racial politics in the United States.
Prenatal Adversity Alters the Epigenetic Profile of the Prefrontal Cortex: Sexually Dimorphic Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Food-Related Stress
Authors: Lussier Alexandre A. , Bodnar Tamara S. , Moksa Michelle , Hirst Martin , Kobor Michael S. , Weinberg Joanne
Published: November 2021

Prenatal adversity or stress can have long-term consequences on developmental trajectories and health outcomes. Although the biological mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood, epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, have the potential to link early-life environments to alterations in physiological systems, with long-term functional implications. We investigated the consequences of two prenatal insults, prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and food-related stress, on DNA methylation profiles of the rat brain during early development. As these insults can have sex-specific effects on biological outcomes, we analyzed epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns in prefrontal cortex, a key brain region involved in cognition, executive function, and behavior, of both males and females. We found sex-dependent and sex-concordant influences of these insults on epigenetic patterns. These alterations occurred in genes and pathways related to brain development and immune function, suggesting that PAE and food-related stress may reprogram neurobiological/physiological systems partly through central epigenetic changes, and may do so in a sex-dependent manner. Such epigenetic changes may reflect the sex-specific effects of prenatal insults on long-term functional and health outcomes and have important implications for understanding possible mechanisms underlying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
NAD+ Metabolism and Diseases with Motor Dysfunction
Authors: Lundt Samuel , Ding Shinghua
Published: November 2021

Neurodegenerative diseases result in the progressive deterioration of the nervous system, with motor and cognitive impairments being the two most observable problems. Motor dysfunction could be caused by motor neuron diseases (MNDs) characterized by the loss of motor neurons, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, or other neurodegenerative diseases with the destruction of brain areas that affect movement, such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is one of the most abundant metabolites in the human body and is involved with numerous cellular processes, including energy metabolism, circadian clock, and DNA repair. NAD+ can be reversibly oxidized-reduced or directly consumed by NAD+-dependent proteins. NAD+ is synthesized in cells via three different paths: the de novo, Preiss–Handler, or NAD+ salvage pathways, with the salvage pathway being the primary producer of NAD+ in mammalian cells. NAD+ metabolism is being investigated for a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss cellular NAD+ homeostasis, looking at NAD+ biosynthesis and consumption, with a focus on the NAD+ salvage pathway. Then, we examine the research, including human clinical trials, focused on the involvement of NAD+ in MNDs and other neurodegenerative diseases with motor dysfunction.
Hydro-Thermal Modeling for Geothermal Energy Extraction from Soultz-sous-Forêts, France
Authors: Mahmoodpour Saeed , Singh Mrityunjay , Turan Aysegul , Bär Kristian , Sass Ingo
Published: November 2021

The deep geothermal energy project at Soultz-sous-Forêts is located in the Upper Rhine Graben, France. As part of the Multidisciplinary and multi-contact demonstration of EGS exploration and Exploitation Techniques and potentials (MEET) project, this study aimed to evaluate the possibility of extracting higher amounts of energy from the existing industrial infrastructure. To achieve this objective, the effect of reinjecting fluid at lower temperature than the current fluid injection temperature of 70 °C was modeled and the drop in the production wellhead temperature for 100 years of operation was quantified. Two injection-production rate scenarios were considered and compared for their effect on overall production wellhead temperature. For each scenario, reinjection temperatures of 40, 50, and 60 °C were chosen and compared with the 70 °C injection case. For the lower production rate scenario, the results show that the production wellhead temperature is approximately 1–1.5 °C higher than for the higher production rate scenario after 100 years of operation. In conclusion, no significant thermal breakthrough was observed with the applied flow rates and lowered injection temperatures even after 100 years of operation.
Health Policies Based on Patient Satisfaction: A Bibliometric Study
Authors: Grasso Mayra Soledad , del Carmen Valls Martínez María , Ramírez-Orellana Alicia
Published: November 2021

Healthcare decision-makers increasingly face a changing and ever-evolving landscape, forcing them to formulate public policies based on the results from different scientific investigations. This article evaluates the field of research on patient satisfaction as a basis for health policies. The analysis was carried out with a sample of 621 articles published between 2000 and 2020 in the Scopus database. The world’s largest producer and research co-operator on patient satisfaction and health policy was the United States. However, the most prolific authors, institutions, and journals are of British origin. Regarding the themes, we find that, in economic and management matters, scientific production is scarce. To study the evolution of keywords, we divided the study period into two periods of an equal number of years. In both sub-periods, the keyword “Human” stands out. In the second sub-period, the word “Perception” stands out, which indicates the current attention paid to the patient’s opinion.
Group-Treatment for Dealing with the Work-Family Conflict for Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Hander Nicole Rosalinde , Gulde Manuela , Klein Thomas , Mulfinger Nadine , Jerg-Bretzke Lucia , Ziegenhain Ute , Gündel Harald , Rothermund Eva
Published: November 2021

Healthcare professionals’ exposure to work-family conflict negatively affects the health and well-being of the whole family and organizational outcomes. Specified workplace interventions are lacking. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of a two-day group-treatment specifically designed for the needs of healthcare professionals with family responsibilities concerning participation, satisfaction with the intervention and family- and individual-related outcome variables. 24 mostly female (85.7%) participants of a community hospital in southern Germany attended the treatment. Data were collected at baseline (T0), directly after the treatment (T1) and two months later (T2). A two-factor analysis of variance with repeated measures showed a statistically significant time x group effect for self-efficacy (F = 5.29, p = 0.011). Contrasts displayed substantial pre-post (T1-T0, T2-T0) increases of self-efficacy in the intervention group as compared with the control group. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney-U tests are in line with these findings. The results indicate that the group-treatment adapted to the needs of healthcare professionals has the potential to boost self-efficacy among healthcare professionals and that participants were predominantly satisfied. Perspectives for future research and practical implications are discussed in the light of the manifest lack of healthcare professionals.
Experience of Sexual Orientation Microaggression among Young Adult Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan: Its Related Factors and Association with Mental Health Problems
Authors: Tsai Ching-Shu , Huang Yu-Te , Yen Cheng-Fang
Published: November 2021

Experiences of sexual orientation microaggression (SOM) are prevalent in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. The aims of this quantitative cross-sectional survey study were to examine the factors, including demographics, sexual orientation characteristics, and perceived social support related to SOM, as well as the relationships of SOM with anxiety, depression, and suicidality among young adult LGB individuals in Taiwan. In total, 1000 self-identified young adult LGB individuals (500 men and 500 women) participated in this study. The experience of SOM was assessed using the Sexual Orientation Microaggression Inventory. We also collected demographic and sexual orientation characteristics; perceived general family support, using the Family APGAR Index; anxiety on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; depression on the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale; and suicidality on the suicidality module of the Kiddie-SADS. The factors related to SOM and the associations of SOM with anxiety, depression, and suicidality were examined using multivariate linear regression analysis. The results indicated that males experienced greater SOM than females, and that younger age of identification of sexual orientation and perceived lower general family support were significantly associated with greater SOM. Greater SOM was significantly associated with greater anxiety, depression, and suicidality. The experiences of SOM in LGB individuals with mental health problems warrant assessment and intervention that take the related factors into account.
Renewable Butanol Production via Catalytic Routes
Authors: Choi Heeyoung , Han Jeehoon , Lee Jechan
Published: November 2021

Fluctuating crude oil price and global environmental problems such as global warming and climate change lead to growing demand for the production of renewable chemicals as petrochemical substitutes. Butanol is a nonpolar alcohol that is used in a large variety of consumer products and as an important industrial intermediate. Thus, the production of butanol from renewable resources (e.g., biomass and organic waste) has gained a great deal of attention from researchers. Although typical renewable butanol is produced via a fermentative route (i.e., acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation of biomass-derived sugars), the fermentative butanol production has disadvantages such as a low yield of butanol and the formation of byproducts, such as acetone and ethanol. To avoid the drawbacks, the production of renewable butanol via non-fermentative catalytic routes has been recently proposed. This review is aimed at providing an overview on three different emerging and promising catalytic routes from biomass/organic waste-derived chemicals to butanol. The first route involves the conversion of ethanol into butanol over metal and oxide catalysts. Volatile fatty acid can be a raw chemical for the production of butanol using porous materials and metal catalysts. In addition, biomass-derived syngas can be transformed to butanol on non-noble metal catalysts promoted by alkali metals. The prospect of catalytic renewable butanol production is also discussed.