bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wheat Yield Prediction in India Using Principal Component Analysis-Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (PCA-MARS)
Authors: Nayana B. M. , Kumar Kolla Rohit , Chesneau Christophe
Published: May 2022

Crop yield forecasting is becoming more essential in the current scenario when food security must be assured, despite the problems posed by an increasingly globalized community and other environmental challenges such as climate change and natural disasters. Several factors influence crop yield prediction, which has complex non-linear relationships. Hence, to study these relationships, machine learning methodologies have been increasingly adopted from conventional statistical methods. With wheat being a primary and staple food crop in the Indian community, ensuring the country’s food security is crucial. In this paper, we study the prediction of wheat yield for India overall and the top wheat-producing states with a comparison. To accomplish this, we use Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) after extracting the main features by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) considering the parameters such as area under cultivation and production for the years 1962–2018. The performance is evaluated by error analyses such as RMSE, MAE, and R2. The best-fitted MARS model is chosen using cross-validation and user-defined parameter optimization. We find that the MARS model is well suited to India as a whole and other top wheat-producing states. A comparative result is obtained on yield prediction between India overall and other states, wherein the state of Rajasthan has a better model than other major wheat-producing states. This research will emphasize the importance of improved government decision-making as well as increased knowledge and robust forecasting among Indian farmers in various states.
Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of Carbon Storage in Qinghai Grasslands
Authors: Huang Xiaotao , Yao Buqing , Liu Xiang , Chen Chunbo
Published: May 2022

Accurate quantification of ecosystem carbon storage dynamics is very important in regional ecological management. However, the dynamics of grassland carbon storage in Qinghai, China, are still unexplored. We investigated the temporal and spatial dynamics of carbon storage in the Qinghai grasslands from 1979 to 2018, using the spatially explicit Biome-BGCMuSo model. The average annual value of vegetation carbon density (VCD) was 52.71 gC·m−2. After 2000, VCD showed an overall increasing trend, with an average rate of 2.14 gC·m−2. The VCD was relatively high in the eastern and southeastern regions of Qinghai compared with that in the western and central areas. The increasing trend in VCD was mainly observed in the eastern and southeastern regions, while a decreasing trend was evident in western and central Qinghai. Annual soil organic carbon density (SOCD) in Qinghai grasslands generally increased from 1979 to 2018. After 2001, the SOCD increased by an average rate of 7.07 gC·m−2. The SOCD was relatively high in eastern and southeastern Qinghai compared with that in western and central Qinghai. The pronounced increasing trend of SOCD was mainly distributed in the southeast and northeast parts of Qinghai, while the decreasing trend was mainly distributed in the area between southeast and northeast Qinghai, and in the central and western regions. This study deepened our understanding of carbon dynamics in the Qinghai grasslands and provided data for guiding the ecological restoration and carbon management of local grasslands.
Eucalyptus Field Growth and Colonization of Clones Pre-Inoculated with Ectomycorrhizal Fungi
Authors: da Costa Lidiomar Soares , Grazziotti Paulo Henrique , Fonseca Arley José , dos Santos Avelar Débora Cíntia , Rossi Márcio José , de Barros Silva Enilson , da Costa Eliane Cristine Soares , Grazziotti Danielle Cristina Fonseca Santos , Ragonezi Carla
Published: May 2022

Ectomycorrhizae are classified as biotechnology to increase the sustainability of planted forests, and fieldwork is needed to confirm its effectiveness. The growth of rooted cuttings of Eucalyptus clones GG100 and GG680, which had been previously inoculated in the nursery with ectomycorrhizal fungi, was evaluated after planting them in the field. The ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) inoculated were: Pisolithus microcarpus, Hysterangium gardneri, or Scleroderma areolatum. Uninoculated rooted cuttings were used as controls. The inoculated treatments and the uninoculated controls (low P control) were grown in a nursery with reduced phosphate fertilization. Additionally, uninoculated controls were grown on a substrate with complete phosphate nursery fertilization (high P control). After two months, the plant height of clone GG100 inoculated with P. microcarpus was 16% taller and of clone GG680 13% higher than the low P control treatment. At the same time, the collar diameter of the plants inoculated with H. gardneri and P. microcarpus was the same as in the high P control. At 12 months, the growth of the inoculated and low P control plants was the same as in the high P control. For ectomycorrhizal colonization, after six months, the mean percentage of colonized root tips was highest in plants inoculated with S. areolatum, followed by those inoculated with P. microcarpus and of the low P control. After one year, ECM colonization was equal in all treatments and 4.3 times greater than it was at 6 months. Inoculation with ECM fungi in the nursery boosts early plant growth after transfer to the field, although the effect depends on the specific ectomycorrhizal fungus and the clone. Further ectomycorrhizal colonization of Eucalyptus occurs naturally and increases with tree development in the field.
Selection Criteria for Biplane Wing Geometries by Means of 2D Wind Tunnel Tests
Authors: Rodríguez-Sevillano Ángel Antonio , Barcala-Montejano Miguel Ángel , Bardera-Mora Rafael , García-Magariño García Adelaida , Rodríguez-Rojo María Elena , Morales-Serrano Sara , Fernández-Antón Jaime
Published: May 2022

This paper presents a study based on wind tunnel research on biplane configurations. The objective of this research is to establish an experimental basis for relationships between the main geometrical parameters that define a biplane configuration (stagger, decalage, gap, and sweep angle) and the aerodynamic characteristics (CL, CD). This experimental study focuses on a 2D approach. This method is the first step towards dealing with the issue, and it allows the variables involved in the tests to be reduced. The biplane configuration has been compared with the monoplane configuration to analyze the viability for implementing the biplane configuration in the field of application for micro air vehicles (MAV). At present, the biplane and other unusual configurations have not been a common design for MAV; however, they do have unlimited future potential. A set of experimental tests were carried out on various biplane configurations at low Reynolds numbers, which allowed the criteria for selecting the best wing configuration to be defined. The results obtained here show that the biplane configuration provides a higher maximum lift coefficient (CLmax) than the planar wing (monoplane). Furthermore, it has a larger wetted surface than the planar configuration, so the parasitic drag increases for the biplane configuration. This research is focused on a drone flight regime (low Reynolds number), and in this case, the parasitic drag (profile drag) has an important role in the total drag of the airplane. This study considers whether the reduction in the induced drag due to three–dimensional configuration (biplanes, box–wings, and joined–wings) can reduce the total drag or if the increase in the parasitic drag is bigger. Additionally, the increase in lift and the decrease in parasitic drag (profile drag) will be studied to determine if they have a greater influence on the performance of the airplane than the increase in structural weight. Further research is planned to be performed on 3D prototypes, with the selected configurations, and applied to nonconventional wing planforms.
Use of Urinary Cytokine and Chemokine Levels for Identifying Bladder Conditions and Predicting Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome
Authors: Yu Wan-Ru , Jiang Yuan-Hong , Jhang Jia-Fong , Kuo Hann-Chorng
Published: May 2022

Background: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a condition causing bladder inflammation. Urinary biomarkers have been assessed as suitable for the diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed at investigating the role of urinary biomarkers in identifying bladder conditions and predicting the treatment outcome of IC/BPS. Methods: A total of 309 patients with IC/BPS and 30 controls were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent a comprehensive urological workup of symptoms, pain severity, and cystoscopic hydrodistention findings including maximal bladder capacity (MBC) and glomerulation grade. Urine samples were collected to investigate the levels of urinary cytokines and chemokines. According to MBC and glomerulation grade, patients with IC/BPS were further classified into the Hunner’s IC (HIC) and non-HIC groups. The urinary biomarkers between IC/BPS and control groups and HIC and non-HIC groups were compared. Moreover, the treatment response was graded according to global response assessment (GRA) scores, and urinary biomarker levels were analyzed based on different GRAs. Results: Patients with IC/BPS had significantly high urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, eotaxin, tumor necrosis factor -alpha (TNF-α), and prostaglandin E2 levels. Significantly higher levels of urinary interleukin-8, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL 10), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, eotaxin, and regulated-on-activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) were noted in HIC than those with non-HIC and controls. Among all biomarkers, TNF-α had the best sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. There was a significant correlation between biomarker levels and GRA. Conclusions: Significantly higher urine cytokines and chemokine levels were found in patients with IC/BPS. Most urinary biomarkers were significantly associated with MBC, glomerulation grade, and treatment outcome.
Application of Bio-Active Elastin-like Polypeptide on Regulation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Behavior
Authors: Sarangthem Vijaya , Sharma Harshita , Mendiratta Mohini , Sahoo Ranjit Kumar , Park Rang-Woon , Kumar Lalit , Singh Thoudam Debraj , Mohanty Sujata
Published: May 2022

Regenerative medicine using stem cells offers promising strategies for treating a variety of degenerative diseases. Regulation of stem cell behavior and rejuvenate senescence are required for stem cells to be clinically effective. The extracellular matrix (ECM) components have a significant impact on the stem cell’s function and fate mimicking the local environment to maintain cells or generate a distinct phenotype. Here, human elastin-like polypeptide-based ECM-mimic biopolymer was designed by incorporating various cell-adhesion ligands, such as RGD and YIGSR. The significant effects of bioactive fusion ELPs named R-ELP, Y-ELP, and RY-ELP were analyzed for human bone-marrow-derived stem cell adhesion, proliferation, maintenance of stemness properties, and differentiation. Multivalent presentation of variable cell-adhesive ligands on RY-ELP polymers indeed promote efficient cell attachment and proliferation of human fibroblast cells dose-dependently. Similarly, surface modified with RY-ELP promoted strong mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) attachment with greater focal adhesion (FA) complex formation at 6 h post-incubation. The rate of cell proliferation, migration, population doubling time, and collagen I deposition were significantly enhanced in the presence of RY-ELP compared with other fusion ELPs. Together, the expression of multipotent markers and differentiation capacity of MSCs remained unaffected, clearly demonstrating that stemness properties of MSCs were well preserved when cultured on a RY-ELP-modified surface. Hence, bioactive RY-ELP offers an anchorage support system and effectively induces stimulatory response to support stem cell proliferation.
Validation of Novel Molecular Imaging Targets Identified by Functional Genomic mRNA Profiling to Detect Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus
Authors: Zhao Xiaojuan , Gabriëls Ruben Y. , Hooghiemstra Wouter T. R. , Koller Marjory , Meersma Gert Jan , Buist-Homan Manon , Visser Lydia , Robinson Dominic J. , Tenditnaya Anna , Gorpas Dimitris , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Karrenbeld Arend , Kats-Ugurlu Gursah , Fehrmann Rudolf S. N. , Nagengast Wouter B.
Published: May 2022

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is the precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Dysplastic BE (DBE) has a higher progression risk to EAC compared to non-dysplastic BE (NDBE). However, the miss rates for the endoscopic detection of DBE remain high. Fluorescence molecular endoscopy (FME) can detect DBE and mucosal EAC by highlighting the tumor-specific expression of proteins. This study aimed to identify target proteins suitable for FME. Publicly available RNA expression profiles of EAC and NDBE were corrected by functional genomic mRNA (FGmRNA) profiling. Following a class comparison between FGmRNA profiles of EAC and NDBE, predicted, significantly upregulated genes in EAC were prioritized by a literature search. Protein expression of prioritized genes was validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on DBE and NDBE tissues. Near-infrared fluorescent tracers targeting the proteins were developed and evaluated ex vivo on fresh human specimens. In total, 1976 overexpressed genes were identified in EAC (n = 64) compared to NDBE (n = 66) at RNA level. Prioritization and IHC validation revealed SPARC, SULF1, PKCι, and DDR1 (all p < 0.0001) as the most attractive imaging protein targets for DBE detection. Newly developed tracers SULF1-800CW and SPARC-800CW both showed higher fluorescence intensity in DBE tissue compared to paired non-dysplastic tissue. This study identified SPARC, SULF1, PKCι, and DDR1 as promising targets for FME to differentiate DBE from NDBE tissue, for which SULF1-800CW and SPARC-800CW were successfully ex vivo evaluated. Clinical studies should further validate these findings.
Cytoplasmic Clusterin Suppresses Lung Cancer Metastasis by Inhibiting the ROCK1-ERK Axis
Authors: Huang Shaobo , Li Xu , Gu Weiqi , Li Xiaoyi , Zhao Jingjing , Wu Jueheng , Cai Junchao , Feng Xianming , Tao Tianyu
Published: May 2022

Clusterin (CLU) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein that has been detected in diverse human tissues and implicated in many cellular processes. Accumulating evidence indicates that the expression of secreted CLU correlates with the progression of cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its tumor-suppressive roles are incompletely uncovered. In this study, we demonstrate that precursor CLU is widely downregulated in lung cancer tissue, in which secretory CLU proteins are slightly decreased. Impressively, overexpressing CLU potently inhibits the migration, invasion and metastasis of lung cancer cells, whereas silencing CLU promotes this behavior; however, it appears that secretory CLU fails to exert similar anti-metastatic effects. Interestingly, the cytoplasmic precursor CLU binds ROCK1 to abrogate the interaction between ROCK1 and ERK and impair ERK activity, leading to the suppression of lung cancer invasiveness. Meanwhile, the expression of CLU was remarkably diminished in lung cancer bone metastasis loci when compared with subcutaneous tumors in the mouse model and hardly detected in the bone metastasis loci of lung cancer patients when compared with the primary. These findings reveal a novel insight into the function and regulation of cytoplasmic CLU in lung cancer, which might be a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic lung cancer.
The Value of Magnetic Resonance Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Dynamic Contrast Enhancement in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Treatment Response in Patients with Epithelial Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Derlatka Pawel , Grabowska-Derlatka Laretta , Halaburda-Rola Marta , Szeszkowski Wojciech , Czajkowski Krzysztof
Published: May 2022

Background. The aim of our study was to describe the selected parameters of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) MRI in primary tumors in patients with serous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), as well as in disease course prognosis and treatment response, including bevacizumab maintenance therapy. Materials and Methods. In total, 55 patients with primary serous EOC were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent MR imaging using a 1.5 T clinical whole-body MR system in preoperative DWI and DCE MRI selected parameters: apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC), time to peek (TTP) and perfusion maximum enhancement (Perf. Max. En.) were measured. The data were compared with histopathological and immunochemistry results (with Ki67 and VEGF expression) and clinical outcomes. Results. Higher mean ADC values were found in low-grade EOC compared to high-grade EOC: 1151.27 vs. 894,918 (p < 0.0001). A negative correlation was found between ADC and Ki67 expression (p = 0.027), and between ADC and VEGF expression (p = 0.042). There was a negative correlation between TTP and PFS (p = 0.0019) and Perf. Max. En. and PSF (p = 0.003). In the Kaplan–Meier analysis (log rank), a longer PFS was found in patients with ADC values greater than the median; p = 0.046. The Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a longer PFS (p = 0.0126) in a group with TTP below the mean value for this parameter in patients who received maintenance treatment with bevacizumab. Conclusions. The described relationships between PFS and DCE and DWI allow us to hope to include these parameters in the group of EOC prognostic factors. This aspect seems to be of particular interest in the case of the association of PFS with DCE values in the group of patients treated with bevacizumab.
The Impact of Dense Breasts on the Stage of Breast Cancer at Diagnosis: A Review and Options for Supplemental Screening
Authors: Gordon Paula B.
Published: May 2022

The purpose of breast cancer screening is to find cancers early to reduce mortality and to allow successful treatment with less aggressive therapy. Mammography is the gold standard for breast cancer screening. Its efficacy in reducing mortality from breast cancer was proven in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted from the early 1960s to the mid 1990s. Panels that recommend breast cancer screening guidelines have traditionally relied on the old RCTs, which did not include considerations of breast density, race/ethnicity, current hormone therapy, and other risk factors. Women do not all benefit equally from mammography. Mortality reduction is significantly lower in women with dense breasts because normal dense tissue can mask cancers on mammograms. Moreover, women with dense breasts are known to be at increased risk. To provide equity, breast cancer screening guidelines should be created with the goal of maximizing mortality reduction and allowing less aggressive therapy, which may include decreasing the interval between screening mammograms and recommending consideration of supplemental screening for women with dense breasts. This review will address the issue of dense breasts and the impact on the stage of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis, and discuss options for supplemental screening.
Treatment Outcomes for Primary Hepatic Angiosarcoma: National Cancer Database Analysis 2004–2014
Authors: Mangla Ankit , Cioffi Gino , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S. , Lee Richard T.
Published: May 2022

Background: To determine the risk of mortality and factors associated with survival amongst patients diagnosed with primary hepatic angiosarcoma (PHA). Methods: All patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or PHA from 2004 to 2014 were identified from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Further analysis was performed within the cohort of patients with PHA to assess the impact of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and facility type on overall survival (OS). A multivariable analysis using the Cox proportional methods and a survival analysis using the Kaplan–Meier method were used. Results: A total of 117,633 patients with HCC were identified, out of whom 346 patients had PHA. Patients with PHA had a mean age of 62.9 years (SD 13.7), the majority were men (64.7%), white (85.8%), and had a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) of zero (66.2%). A third of the patients with PHA (35.7%) received chemotherapy, and 14.6% underwent a surgical resection. The median survival was 1.9 months (1.8–2.4 months) compared to patients with HCC (10.4 months, 10.2–10.5) (aHR-2.41, 95% CI: 2.10–2.77, p < 0.0001). Surgical resection was associated with a higher median survival (7.7 versus 1.8 months, aHR-0.23, 95% CI: 0.15–0.37, p < 0.0001). A receipt of chemotherapy was associated with a higher median survival than no chemotherapy (5.1 versus 1.2 months, aHR-0.44, 95% CI: 0.32–0.60, p < 0.0001), although the survival benefit did not persist long term. Conclusion: PHA is associated with poor outcomes. A surgical resection and chemotherapy are associated with improved survival outcomes; however, the long-term benefits of chemotherapy are limited.
Effect of Aquatic Vegetation Restoration after Removal of Culture Purse Seine on Phytoplankton Community Structure in Caizi Lakes
Authors: Zhao Wenqian , Liu Zhenzhong , Guo Wenli , Zhou Zhongze
Published: May 2022

Many reports have demonstrated that the removal of aquaculture purse seine is conducive to the restoration of aquatic vegetation and the improvement in water quality, but less attention has been paid to the effects on phytoplankton. This paper addressed the response of phytoplankton community structure to aquatic vegetation restoration after purse seine removal in Caizi Lakes. The results showed that the average dissolved oxygen (from 7.43 ± 0.25 mg/L to 9.12 ± 0.49 mg/L) and Secchi depth (from 28.40 ± 6.20 cm to 47.61 ± 14.62 cm) in the water column of the Caizi Lakes increased after the restoration of aquatic vegetation, while the average concentrations of total nitrogen (from 2.00 ± 0.16 mg/L to 1.34 ± 0.18 mg/L) and total phosphorus (from 0.15 ± 0.02 mg/L to 0.06 ± 0.01 mg/L) decreased. After the restoration of the aquatic vegetation, the cell density of phytoplankton declined from 21.04 ± 4.57 × 106 cells/L to 12.74 ± 3.63 × 106 cells/L, and the biomass fell from 18.13 ± 3.57 mg/L to 9.72 ± 2.55 mg/L. We also observed that Shannon–Wiener diversity, Margalef and Pielou indices of phytoplankton surged by 66.50%, 46.20% and 84.68%, respectively. Because this study demonstrated that aquatic vegetation could alleviate the eutrophication, it can provide guidance for the restoration and protection of the aquatic ecosystem.
When a Multidisciplinary Approach Is Life-Saving: A Case Report of Cardiogenic Shock Induced by a Large Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Baio Raffaele , Pagano Tommaso , Molisso Giovanni , Di Mauro Umberto , Intilla Olivier , Albano Francesco , Scarpato Fulvio , Giacometti Stefania , Sanseverino Roberto
Published: May 2022

Background: Pheochromocytoma is known for its instantaneous presentation, especially in the younger population. Hemodynamic instability may be the cause of severe complications and impede patients’ ability to undergo surgical treatment. These tumours are surgically difficult to treat due to the risk of catecholamine release during their manipulations, and when they are large, the tumour size represents an additional challenge. In our report, cardiogenic shock developed due to increases in systemic vascular resistance, and the lesion’s size induced surgeons to perform open surgery. Case presentation: A 46-year-old female patient was admitted to our intensive care unit with hypertension and later cardiogenic shock. Systolic dysfunction was noted, along with severely increased systemic vascular resistance. A CT scan showed a left-sided 8.5 cm adrenal mass, which was confirmed as pheochromocytoma using meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. Anaesthesiologists and the surgical team planned an effective strategy of treatment. Given the lesion’s size and its apparent invasion of the neighbouring organs, open adrenalectomy (after prolonged hemodynamic stabilisation) was considered safer. The surgery was successful, and the patient remains free from disease two years after the initial event. Conclusions: Large pheochromocytoma can be safely and effectively treated with open surgery by experienced hands but only by seeking to reach hemodynamic stabilisation and minimising the release of catecholamine before and during surgery.
Privacy: An Axiomatic Approach
Authors: Ziller Alexander , Mueller Tamara T. , Braren Rickmer , Rueckert Daniel , Kaissis Georgios
Published: May 2022

The increasing prevalence of large-scale data collection in modern society represents a potential threat to individual privacy. Addressing this threat, for example through privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), requires a rigorous definition of what exactly is being protected, that is, of privacy itself. In this work, we formulate an axiomatic definition of privacy based on quantifiable and irreducible information flows. Our definition synthesizes prior work from the domain of social science with a contemporary understanding of PETs such as differential privacy (DP). Our work highlights the fact that the inevitable difficulties of protecting privacy in practice are fundamentally information-theoretic. Moreover, it enables quantitative reasoning about PETs based on what they are protecting, thus fostering objective policy discourse about their societal implementation.
Measured Composite Collision Models: Quantum Trajectory Purities and Channel Divisibility
Authors: Beyer Konstantin , Luoma Kimmo , Lenz Tim , Strunz Walter T.
Published: May 2022

We investigate a composite quantum collision model with measurements on the memory part, which effectively probe the system. The framework allows us to adjust the measurement strength, thereby tuning the dynamical map of the system. For a two-qubit setup with a symmetric and informationally complete measurement on the memory, we study the divisibility of the resulting dynamics in dependence of the measurement strength. The measurements give rise to quantum trajectories of the system and we show that the average asymptotic purity depends on the specific form of the measurement. With the help of numerical simulations, we demonstrate that the different performance of the measurements is generic and holds for almost all interaction gates between the system and the memory in the composite collision model. The discrete model is then extended to a time-continuous limit.
Efficient Operations of Micro-Grids with Meshed Topology and Under Uncertainty through Exact Satisfaction of AC-PF, Droop Control and Tap-Changer Constraints
Authors: Bragin Mikhail A. , Yan Bing , Kumar Akash , Yu Nanpeng , Zhang Peng
Published: May 2022

Micro-grids’ operations offer local reliability; in the event of faults or low voltage/frequency events on the utility side, micro-grids can disconnect from the main grid and operate autonomously while providing a continued supply of power to local customers. With the ever-increasing penetration of renewable generation, however, operations of micro-grids become increasingly complicated because of the associated fluctuations of voltages. As a result, transformer taps are adjusted frequently, thereby leading to fast degradation of expensive tap-changer transformers. In the islanding mode, the difficulties also come from the drop in voltage and frequency upon disconnecting from the main grid. To appropriately model the above, non-linear AC power flow constraints are necessary. Computationally, the discrete nature of tap-changer operations and the stochasticity caused by renewables add two layers of difficulty on top of a complicated AC-OPF problem. To resolve the above computational difficulties, the main principles of the recently developed “l1-proximal” Surrogate Lagrangian Relaxation are extended. Testing results based on the nine-bus system demonstrate the efficiency of the method to obtain the exact feasible solutions for micro-grid operations, thereby avoiding approximations inherent to existing methods; in particular, fast convergence of the method to feasible solutions is demonstrated. It is also demonstrated that through the optimization, the number of tap changes is drastically reduced, and the method is capable of efficiently handling networks with meshed topologies.
Correlation between the Production of Electricity by Offshore Wind Farms and the Demand for Electricity in Polish Conditions
Authors: Dobrzycki Arkadiusz , Roman Jacek
Published: May 2022

Energy transition forcing a change in the structure of the electricity generation system is a particularly difficult task in countries such as Poland, where the dominant source of energy is fossil fuels. Due to the nature of renewable sources (stochastic and seasonally variable), it is necessary to study their impact on the power system. Much research was conducted on this subject. They consider modelling power systems in terms of dealing with an increasing amount of renewable energy sources, stabilization of electricity generation or environmental aspects. This article examines one of the key sources of future power systems—offshore wind turbines (OWT). The influence of offshore wind sources on the power system in the fields of stability of generation, methods of regulatory strategies, and economics were examined. One of the aspects that are less considered is the correlation of energy production in OWT with energy demand and with generation in other renewable energy sources, especially in the region of the southern Baltic Sea and the distribution of energy demand in countries such as Poland. The key aspect of the research is to fill this gap. The obtained results indicate that the average monthly power generation in OWT is strongly positively correlated with the demand, and the hourly average is positively correlated moderately. Correlation between generation in OWT and photovoltaic sources is very high negative, and between onshore and offshore wind turbines is highly positive. The study indicates that the OWT has a significant potential for the development and replacement of conventional sources, due to the very high capacity and a positive correlation with demand. Moreover, future offshore wind farms can cooperate with photovoltaic sources as these sources complement each other. On the other hand, a significant saturation of the system with offshore and onshore wind sources may pose a threat to the power system due to their positive correlation.
Triad Analysis of Global Energy Trade Networks and Implications for Energy Trade Stability
Authors: Shutters Shade T. , Waters Keith , Muneepeerakul Rachata
Published: May 2022

An international push to decarbonize economies has initiated a major transition in the global energy system and has begun to disrupt the intricate network of energy trade. As trade patterns begin to reconfigure, it is important that policy makers understand how vulnerabilities of the existing network may present obstacles to a smooth energy transition. We analyze the topology of the global energy trade network in aggregate, for various energy commodities, and for individual countries. Using the network science technique of triad analysis, which examines the prevalence of 3-node subnetworks in a target network, we calculate triad significance profiles for each network. We then analyze whether various triads are under- or over-represented in our networks and find that triads associated with stability appear more frequently than expected, whereas triads associated with conflict appear less frequently than expected. We further find that the global energy trade network is quite robust against disruptions, maintaining its topological characteristics even after random removal of 80% of the network’s nodes. However, when analyzing individual countries, we find that some exhibit a high prevalence of unstable triads or a low prevalence of stabilizing triads, suggesting that vulnerabilities in global energy trade are more pronounced in some countries than others.
Understanding Dynamics and Bifurcation Control Mechanism for a Fractional-Order Delayed Duopoly Game Model in Insurance Market
Authors: Li Peiluan , Yan Jinling , Xu Changjin , Gao Rong , Li Ying
Published: May 2022

Recently, the insurance industry in China has been greatly developed. The number of domestic insurance companies and foreign investment insurance companies has greatly increased. Competition between different insurance companies is becoming increasingly fierce. Grasping the internal competition law of different insurance companies is a very meaningful work. In this present work, we set up a novel fractional-order delayed duopoly game model in insurance market and discuss the dynamics including existence and uniqueness, non-negativeness, and boundedness of solution for the established fractional-order delayed duopoly game model in insurance market. By selecting the delay as a bifurcation parameter, we build a new delay-independent condition ensuring the stability and creation of Hopf bifurcation of the built fractional-order delayed duopoly game model. Making use of a suitable definite function, we explore the globally asymptotic stability of the involved fractional-order delayed duopoly game model. By virtue of hybrid controller which includes state feedback and parameter perturbation, we can effectively control the stability and the time of creation of Hopf bifurcation for the involved fractional-order delayed duopoly game model. The research indicates that time delay plays an all-important role in stabilizing the system and controlling the time of onset of Hopf bifurcation of the involved fractional-order delayed duopoly game model. To check the rationality of derived primary conclusions, Matlab simulation plots are explicitly presented. The established results in this manuscript are wholly novel and own immense theoretical guiding significance in managing and operating insurance companies.
Performance of Citric Acid as a Catalyst and Support Catalyst When Synthesized with NaOH and CaO in Transesterification of Biodiesel from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Fed on Kitchen Waste
Authors: Kathumbi Lilies K. , Home Patrick G. , Raude James M. , Gathitu Benson B.
Published: May 2022

Current research and development to lower the production cost of biodiesel by utilizing feedstock derived from waste motivates the quest for developing catalysts with high performance in transesterification. This study investigates the performance of citric acid as a catalyst and support catalyst in transesterification of oil from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae fed on organic kitchen waste. Two catalysts were prepared by synthesizing citric acid with NaOH and CaO by a co-precipitation and an impregnation method, respectively. The design of the experiment adopted response surface methodology for the optimization of biodiesel productivity by varying: the percentage loading weight of citric acid, the impregnation temperature, the calcinating temperature and the calcinating time. The characteristic activity and reuse of the synthesized catalysts in transesterification reactions were investigated. The morphology, chemical composition and structure of the catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). High citric acid loading on NaOH and a small amount of citric acid on CaO resulted in improved dispersion and refinement of the particle sizes. Increasing citric acid loading on NaOH improved the CaO and SiO2 composition of the modified catalyst resulting in higher biodiesel yield compared to the modified CaO catalyst. A maximum biodiesel yield of 93.08%, ±1.31, was obtained when NaOH was synthesized with a 130% weight of citric acid at 80 °C and calcinated at 600 °C for 240 min. Comparatively, a maximum biodiesel yield of 90.35%, ±1.99, was obtained when CaO was synthesized with a 3% weight of citric acid, impregnated at 140 °C and calcinated at 900 °C for 240 min. The two modified catalysts could be recycled four times while maintaining a biodiesel yield of more than 70%.
Genome-Wide Identification and Comprehensive Analysis of the AP2/ERF Gene Family in Pomegranate Fruit Development and Postharvest Preservation
Authors: Wan Ran , Song Jinhui , Lv Zhenyang , Qi Xingcheng , Han Xuemeng , Guo Qiang , Wang Sa , Shi Jiangli , Jian Zaihai , Hu Qingxia , Chen Yanhui
Published: May 2022

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a kind of fruit with significant economic, ecological and health values. AP2/ERF transcription factors belong to a large group of factors mainly found in plants and play key roles in plant growth and development. However, AP2/ERF genes in pomegranate and their implication in development and postharvest preservation have been little described. In this study, 116 PgAP2/ERF genes in pomegranate were identified and renamed based on their chromosomal distributions. Phylogenetic relationship with genes from other species, structures, duplications, annotations, cis-elements in promoter sequences, and protein-protein interaction networks among PgAP2/ERF proteins were comprehensively explored. Expression analysis revealed several PgAP2/ERFs associated with the phenotypes of pomegranate seed hardness, including PgAP2/ERF5, PgAP2/ERF36, PgAP2/ERF58, and PgAP2/ERF86. Subsequent analysis indicated that many differentially expressed PgAP2/ERF genes are potentially important regulators of pomegranate fruit development. Furthermore, expression of more than one-half of PgAP2/ERFs was repressed in ‘Tunisian soft seed’ pomegranate fruit under low-temperature cold storage. The results showed that 1-MCP implicated in promoting postharvest preservation of ‘Tunisian soft seed’ pomegranate upregulated the PgAP2/ERF4, PgAP2/ERF15, PgAP2/ERF26, PgAP2/ERF30, PgAP2/ERF35 and PgAP2/ERF45 genes compared to those under low-temperature cold storage. This indicates that these genes are important candidate genes involved in pomegranate postharvest preservation. In summary, the findings of the present study provide an important basis for characterizing the PgAP2/ERF family genes and provide information on the candidate genes involved in pomegranate fruit development and postharvest preservation.
Associations between Measured and Patient-Reported Physical Function and Survival in Advanced NSCLC
Authors: Stokke Kristin , Halvorsen Tarje Onsøien , Grønberg Bjørn Henning , Saltvedt Ingvild , Slaaen Marit , Kirkevold Øyvind , Killingberg Kristin Toftaker , Sandvei Marie Søfteland
Published: May 2022

Background: There is a lack of tools for selecting patients with advanced lung cancer who benefit the most from systemic treatment. Patient-reported physical function (PRPF) has been identified as a prognostic factor in this setting, but little is known about the prognostic value in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to investigate if measured physical performance was an independent or stronger prognostic factor than PRPF in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving platinum-doublet chemotherapy. Methods: We analyzed patients from a randomized trial comparing immediate and delayed pemetrexed therapy in stage III/IV NSCLC (n = 232) who performed timed up and go (TUG) and 5 m walk test (5 mWT) and reported physical function on the EORTC QLQ-C30 before chemotherapy commenced. Results: Overall, 208 patients performed TUG and 5 mWT and were included in the present study. Poor physical function was significantly associated with poor survival (TUG: HR 1.05, p < 0.01, 5 mWT: HR 1.05, p = 0.03, PRPF: 1.01, p < 0.01), but only PRPF remained an independent prognostic factor in multivariable analyses adjusting for baseline characteristics (HR 1.01, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Patient-reported, but not measured, physical performance was an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving platinum-doublet chemotherapy.
Peer Education and Peer Counselling for Health and Well-Being: A Review of Reviews
Authors: Topping Keith James
Published: May 2022

Peer education and peer counselling for health and wellbeing have been recognized as complementary approaches to professional intervention for over 50 years, but it is relatively recently that research into effects has become adequate. Potentially, they have advantages in reaching where professionals cannot, but it has not been clear if that potential is fulfilled, although the measurement of effects is difficult. The present paper examines 58 narrative and systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the topic. In peer education, there were many reviews of sexual health and of HIV/AIDS interventions, followed by reviews of various medical conditions and in the context of prisons. More general reviews covered a wider field. In peer counselling, there were several reviews of breast-feeding and mental health. Many early reviews complained of the lack of evaluation; then, later reviews found knowledge gains but not behavior gains; then, still later reviews found both knowledge and behavior gains. Thus, peer education and counselling appear effective but only if organizational factors are well managed and the cultural context of the country respected. The implications for future practice, policy and research were outlined.
Planning for a Healthy Aging Program to Reduce Sedentary Behavior: Perceptions among Diverse Older Adults
Authors: Nuwere Efekona , Barone Gibbs Bethany , Toto Pamela E. , Taverno Ross Sharon E.
Published: May 2022

Reducing prolonged engagement in sedentary behavior is increasingly considered a viable pathway to older-adult health and continued functional ability. Community-based programs that aim to increase physical activity can improve programs’ acceptability by integrating older adults’ perspectives on sedentary behavior and healthy aging into their design. The purpose of this study was to better understand the perceptions of a diverse group of community-dwelling older adults regarding sedentary behavior and its influence on healthy aging. Six focus group discussions with forty-six participants took place across two senior centers in New York City. Self-report questionnaires about daily activity patterns, general health status, and typical sedentary behaviors were also completed by the participants and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches and an ecological framework to identify salient themes. A qualitative analysis revealed that the participants were aware of the physical costs of engaging in prolonged sedentary behavior. However, many routine sedentary activities were perceived to be health-promoting and of psychological, cognitive, or social value. The insights gained can inform the development of senior-center programs and health-promotion messaging strategies that aim to reduce older adults’ sedentary behavior.
Stopping Interferon Beta 1b Does Not Influence the Risk of Disability Accrual in Non-Active SPMS: Results from an Italian Real-World Study
Authors: Zanghì Aurora , D’Amico Emanuele , Patti Francesco , Avolio Carlo
Published: May 2022

Background: No consensus exists on the possibility to stop disease modifying therapies (DMTs) in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS). Methods: The primary outcome was the time to reach 24-weeks confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 7.0. We enrolled all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of non-active SPMS (here, absence of clinical or radiological activity for at least 24 months before the conversion) between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015, at MS centers of Catania and Foggia, Italy. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the shared decision to stop DMTs (group A) or to maintain/switch to licensed interferon beta 1b for SPMS (group B). A Cox model adjusted with an inverse probability weighted propensity score (IPTW-PS) was employed. Results: A cohort of 311 patients was enrolled, 165 were in group A and 146 were in group B. Patients in the two groups were similar for baseline characteristics. The IPTW-PS adjusted Cox model for the event time to 24-weeks confirmed EDSS 7.0 did not show differences between the two groups (ExpB 0.96, CI 0.739–1.271, p = 0.819). Conclusions: In a real-world setting, in patients with non-active SPMS, the maintaining or switching to the licensed interferon beta 1b did not reduce the risk of reaching confirmed EDSS 7.0.
Neuromuscular Fatigue in Cerebral Palsy Football Players after a Competitive Match According to Sport Classification and Playing Position
Authors: Henríquez Matías , de Campos Luis Felipe Castelli , Muñoz-Hinrichsen Fernando , Cornejo María Isabel , Yanci Javier , Reina Raul
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to determine the rated perceived exertion (RPE) and match load (RPE-ML) to compare pre-post-match vertical jump (VJ) capacity according to cerebral palsy (CP) players’ sport classes (i.e., FT1–FT3) and playing positions and to explore whether the neuromuscular performance variation is associated with the internal load of para-footballers with CP. Fifty-six male para-footballers performed two VJ tests before and immediately after a competitive CP football match, followed by measurements of the players’ RPE and RPE-ML. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the pairwise comparisons for RPE and RPE-ML according to sport classes and playing position. A significant reduction in the VJ performance was found for each player sport class and playing position in squat jump (SJ) (p < 0.01; 0.24 < dg < 0.58) and countermovement jump (CMJ) (p < 0.05; 0.22 < dg < 0.45). Regarding the pairwise comparisons, players with the minimal impairment criteria (FT3) obtained higher deficit scores during SJ than those belonging to the FT1 and FT2 (p = 0.003; 1.00 < dg < 1.56). Defenders experienced the lowest performance compared to midfielders and attackers in SJ performance (p = 0.027; 0.94 < dg < 1.28). Significant correlations were obtained between ΔSJ or ΔCMJ and RPE or RPE-ML (r = −0.58 to −0.75; p < 0.001). These findings provide novel information supporting the notion that fatigue induced after a competitive match causes notable impairments in VJ performance differentiated according to sport class and playing position in para-footballers with CP.
Statistical Analysis of the Long-Term Influence of COVID-19 on Waste Generation—A Case Study of Castellón in Spain
Authors: Artacho-Ramírez Miguel-Ángel , Moreno-Solaz Héctor , Lo-Iacono-Ferreira Vanesa G. , Cloquell-Ballester Víctor-Andrés
Published: May 2022

Existing research recognizes the COVID-19 impact on waste generation. However, the preliminary studies were made at an early pandemic stage, focused on the household waste fraction, and employed descriptive statistics that lacked statistical support. This study tries to fill this gap by providing a reliable statistical analysis setting inferential confidence in the waste generation differences found in Castellón. Repeated measures ANOVA were carried out for all the waste fractions collected and recorded in the city landfill database from 2017 to 2020. Additionally, Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test (p < 0.05) was used to assure confidence level correction and identify which pairs of years’ differences appeared. The longitudinal study identified trends for each waste fraction before the pandemic and showed how they changed with the advent of the crisis. Compared to 2019, waste collection in 2020 significantly grew for glass and packaging; remained unchanged for beaches, paper and cardboard, and dropped substantially for households, streets, markets, bulky waste, hospitals, and recycling centres. Total waste showed no differences between 2017 and 2019 but dropped significantly in 2020. These findings may help us better understand the long-term implications of COVID-19 and improve municipal solid waste management in a similar crisis.