bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hobbes and Corporate Ontology: The Essence of the Nonprofit
Authors: Anstee Ian
Published: September 2022

In this paper, I propose an account of the nonprofit that relies on Hobbes' theory of representation. Existing corporate theories do not adequately explain the nonprofit's essence because they are tailored towards business corporations. A Hobbesian account of representation, by contrast, applies universally to commonwealths, business corporations, and nonprofits alike. Under this account, the nonprofit emerges from a shared contract among its constituents, which includes its donors, volunteers, employees, board members, and even the state. Notably, beneficiaries are absent from this picture, as they do not contract with the nonprofit. This foundational contract defines the purpose of the nonprofit's representation — to interpret and implement the charitable interests of its constituents — as well as the limits of that representation. As corporations are incapable of acting on their own, the nonprofit's employees and board members enact the collective will of its constituents.
Moral Stances and the Preservation of Political Trust during the Pandemic
Authors: Liu Frank C. S.
Published: September 2022

This study is built upon an analysis of web survey data collected from 2021 to 2022 when the pandemic crisis escalated in Taiwan. This study utilizes multiple correspondence analysis to explore the latent associations between pairs of variables, particularly social media use, opinions about vaccine policies, moral stances, and political trust. The results are expected to show the patterns that meet democratization scholars’ expectations and those that go beyond existing theoretical reasoning.
Bayesian Multilevel Modeling for the Intersections of Race and Gender
Authors: Much Melina
Published: September 2022

Intersectionality is widely recognized as one of the largest contributions to the study of race and gender across the academy. However, the quantitative operationalization of intersectionality within Political Science is often unsatisfactory. I offer a method to account for the multidimensionality of identity which highlights the modifying nature of living with both different combinations of oppression, and privilege. I identify the Bayesian Multilevel Model as a superior tool to understanding intersectional dynamics in political behavior than conventional methods. By applying this method to two major published studies, I show how Bayesian Multilevel Models increase our inferential understanding of group-based heterogeneity in public opinion and political behavior. In doing so, the model better captures the interwoven nature of race and gender that often go unnoticed in Political Science research.
Mathematical analysis of cholera typhoid co-infection transmission dynamics
Authors: Matsebula Lunga , Nyabadza Farai
Published: September 2022

Typhoid fever and cholera remain a huge public health problem on the African continent due to deteriorating infrastructure and declining funding for infrastructure development. The diseases are both caused by bacteria, and they are associated with poor hygiene and waste disposal systems. In this paper, we consider a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations for the co-infection of typhoid and cholera in a homogeneously mixing population. The model's steady states are determined and analyzed in terms of the model's reproduction number. Impact analysis—how the diseases impact on each other—is carried out. Numerical simulations and sensitivity analysis are also given. The results show that the control of the diseases should be carried out in tandem for the greatest impact of disease control. The results have important implications in the management of the two diseases.
Valorization of bamboo shoot shell waste for the coproduction of fermentable sugars and xylooligosaccharides
Authors: Wang Qiyao , Su Yan , Gu Yang , Lai Chenhuan , Ling Zhe , Yong Qiang
Published: September 2022

In this work, hydrothermal pretreatment (autohydrolysis) was coupled with endo-xylanase enzymatic hydrolysis for bamboo shoot shell (BSS) to produce glucose and valuable xylooligosaccharides (XOS) rich in xylobiose (X2) and xylotriose (X3). Results showed that the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of pretreated BSS residue reached 88.4% with addition of PEG during the hydrolysis process. To enrich the portions of X2–X3 in XOS, endo-xylanase was used to hydrolyze the XOS in the prehydrolysate, which was obtained at the optimum condition (170°C, 50 min). After enzymatic hydrolysis, the yield of XOS reached 25.6%, which contained 76.7% of X2–X3. Moreover, the prehydrolysate contained a low concentration of fermentation inhibitors (formic acid 0.7 g/L, acetic acid 2.6 g/L, furfural 0.7 g/L). Based on mass balance, 32.1 g of glucose and 6.6 g of XOS (containing 5.1 g of X2-X3) could be produced from 100.0 g of BSS by the coupled technology. These results indicate that BSS could be an economical feedstock for the production of glucose and XOS.
Mechanical properties of the premature lung: From tissue deformation under load to mechanosensitivity of alveolar cells
Authors: Naumann Jonas , Koppe Nicklas , Thome Ulrich H. , Laube Mandy , Zink Mareike
Published: September 2022

Many preterm infants require mechanical ventilation as life-saving therapy. However, ventilation-induced overpressure can result in lung diseases. Considering the lung as a viscoelastic material, positive pressure inside the lung results in increased hydrostatic pressure and tissue compression. To elucidate the effect of positive pressure on lung tissue mechanics and cell behavior, we mimic the effect of overpressure by employing an uniaxial load onto fetal and adult rat lungs with different deformation rates. Additionally, tissue expansion during tidal breathing due to a negative intrathoracic pressure was addressed by uniaxial tension. We found a hyperelastic deformation behavior of fetal tissues under compression and tension with a remarkable strain stiffening. In contrast, adult lungs exhibited a similar response only during compression. Young’s moduli were always larger during tension compared to compression, while only during compression a strong deformation-rate dependency was found. In fact, fetal lung tissue under compression showed clear viscoelastic features even for small strains. Thus, we propose that the fetal lung is much more vulnerable during inflation by mechanical ventilation compared to normal inspiration. Electrophysiological experiments with different hydrostatic pressure gradients acting on primary fetal distal lung epithelial cells revealed that the activity of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and the sodium-potassium pump (Na,K-ATPase) dropped during pressures of 30 cmH2O. Thus, pressures used during mechanical ventilation might impair alveolar fluid clearance important for normal lung function.
Ionic liquids vs. ethanol as extraction media of algicidal compounds from mango processing waste
Authors: Segatto Mateus L. , Schnarr Lena , Olsson Oliver , Kümmerer Klaus , Zuin Vania G.
Published: September 2022

The race for environmentally-safe pesticides and biocides has been showing solutions ranging from pest-pathologic microorganisms to safer botanical extracts that can be incorporated in several formulations. Often linked to high biological activities, fruit residues can be recovered from food processing factories to obtain complex extracts enriched with several bioactive chemicals. Mango (Mangifera indica) fruits are processed into food products in high volumes across the globe and generate a consistent residue that contains, among others, the xanthonoid mangiferin and the flavonoid hyperoside. Both compounds have been linked to several pharmacological and pesticidal activities, although not yet studied for algicidal applications, a current concern specially for antifouling and harmful algae blooms control products. The challenge lies, however, not only on the degree of activity of the natural compounds, but also on the processes necessary to separate, isolate and formulate the bioactive compounds in order to obtain an effective final product. The solvent choice plays an important part regarding the selectivity of the separation and isolation of the main bioactive compounds from the solid waste matrix. Ethanolic mixtures in water have been consolidated recently as a promising extraction medium for flavonoids and xanthonoids, although hindered by solubility limitations. In this paper, aqueous solutions of ionic liquids (ILs) were tested, screened and optimized using Box-Behnken design and Response Surface Methodology to obtain mangiferin and hyperoside-enriched extracts. Results showed a greater concentration of mangiferin and hyperoside with 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C8MIm] Cl), when compared to choline acetate and ethanolic extracts using optimized parameters. In terms of sufficiency, solvent selection between ILs and ethanolic extraction media was discussed considering economic and environmental factors. Ethanol/water mango waste extracts were then studied for their activity against Raphidocelis subcapitata microalgae, which showed a higher growth inhibition in comparison to standard solutions of mangiferin and hyperoside, either individually and in a 1:1 mixture. A EC50 value was found in relative low concentrations of mangiferin and hyperoside (0.015 mg L−1) detected in the extract, showcasing a promising approach to the direct use of residuary plant extracts in biocidal formulations.
Innate and adaptive immune evasion by dengue virus
Authors: Lee Michelle Felicia , Voon Guan Zhong , Lim Hui Xuan , Chua Mun Lok , Poh Chit Laa
Published: September 2022

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease which causes significant public health concerns in tropical and subtropical countries. Dengue virus (DENV) has evolved various strategies to manipulate the innate immune responses of the host such as ‘hiding’ in the ultrastructure of the host, interfering with the signaling pathway through RNA modifications, inhibiting type 1 IFN production, as well as inhibiting STAT1 phosphorylation. DENV is also able to evade the adaptive immune responses of the host through antigenic variation, antigen-dependent enhancement (ADE), partial maturation of prM proteins, and inhibition of antigen presentation. miRNAs are important regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity and they have been shown to play important roles in DENV replication and pathogenesis. This makes them suitable candidates for the development of anti-dengue therapeutics. This review discusses the various strategies employed by DENV to evade innate and adaptive immunity. The role of miRNAs and DENV non-structural proteins (NS) are promising targets for the development of anti-dengue therapeutics.
Enhancing climate services design and implementation through gender-responsive evaluation
Authors: Gumucio Tatiana , Hansen James , Carr Edward R. , Huyer Sophia , Chiputwa Brian , Simelton Elisabeth , Partey Samuel , Schwager Saroja
Published: September 2022

Assessing and responding to gender inequalities, and promoting women's empowerment, can be critical to achieving the goals of climate services, such as improved climate resilience, productivity, food security and livelihoods. To this end, our paper seeks to provide guidance to rural climate service researchers, implementing organizations, and funders on gender-responsive evaluation of climate services, including key questions to be asked and appropriate methodology. We draw on case studies of rural climate services in Mali, Rwanda and Southeast Asia to illustrate how gender-responsive evaluations have framed and attempted to answer questions about climate information needs, access to information and support through group processes, and contribution of climate services to empowerment. Evaluation of how group participatory processes can enable women's and men's demand for weather and climate information can help close knowledge gaps on gender equity in access to climate services. Quantitative methods can rigorously identify changes in demand associated with varying interventions, but qualitative approaches may be necessary to help assess the nuances of participatory communication processes. Furthermore, evaluation of how women's and men's information needs differ according to their roles and responsibilities in distinct climate-sensitive decisions can help assess gender inequities in climate services use. Evaluation that critically considers the local normative and institutional environment influencing empowerment can help identify pathways for climate services to contribute to women's empowerment. Qualitative and mixed method methodologies can be helpful for assessing the normative and institutional changes upon which empowerment depends. Although evaluations are often conducted too late to inform the design of time-bound projects, they can contribute to improvements to climate services if results are shared widely, if implementers and funders consistently factor evidence and insights from prior evaluations into the design of new initiatives, and if ongoing climate service initiatives conduct preliminary evaluations regularly to support mid-course adjustments.
Evaluating carbon and water fluxes and stocks in Brazil under changing climate and refined regional scenarios for changes in land use
Authors: Castro Aline Anderson de , von Randow Celso , von Randow Rita de Cássia Silva , Bezerra Francisco Gilney Silva
Published: September 2022

Climate change and land-use change can alter the role of natural vegetation as a sink or source of atmospheric carbon. In this work, we evaluate the response of water and carbon fluxes and stocks in Brazilian biomes as a proxy for ecosystem services of regional climate regulation under two contrasting future scenarios: a sustainable development scenario, where some deforested areas are restored by vegetation regrowth combined with a low representative concentration pathway, and a pessimistic scenario, where there is still high deforestation rates and strong climate change. We used refined regional scenarios for land-use change in Brazil, together with climate projections of the HADGEM2-ES model for RCPs 2.6 and 8.5 to drive a land surface model and assess possible future impacts in surface fluxes. Our results show that drying climate and shifts of natural vegetation into anthropogenic land use might shift part of upperstory biomass into understory biomass, which can be more vulnerable to dry events. The simulations also show that climate change appears to drive most of the water balance changes compared to land-use change, especially over the Amazon.
Attribution of multi-annual to decadal changes in the climate system: The Large Ensemble Single Forcing Model Intercomparison Project (LESFMIP)
Authors: Smith Doug M. , Gillett Nathan P. , Simpson Isla R. , Athanasiadis Panos J. , Baehr Johanna , Bethke Ingo , Bilge Tarkan A. , Bonnet Rémy , Boucher Olivier , Findell Kirsten L. , Gastineau Guillaume , Gualdi Silvio , Hermanson Leon , Leung L. Ruby , Mignot Juliette , Müller Wolfgang A. , Osprey Scott , Otterå Odd Helge , Persad Geeta G. , Scaife Adam A. , Schmidt Gavin A. , Shiogama Hideo , Sutton Rowan T. , Swingedouw Didier , Yang Shuting , Zhou Tianjun , Ziehn Tilo
Published: September 2022

Multi-annual to decadal changes in climate are accompanied by changes in extreme events that cause major impacts on society and severe challenges for adaptation. Early warnings of such changes are now potentially possible through operational decadal predictions. However, improved understanding of the causes of regional changes in climate on these timescales is needed both to attribute recent events and to gain further confidence in forecasts. Here we document the Large Ensemble Single Forcing Model Intercomparison Project that will address this need through coordinated model experiments enabling the impacts of different external drivers to be isolated. We highlight the need to account for model errors and propose an attribution approach that exploits differences between models to diagnose the real-world situation and overcomes potential errors in atmospheric circulation changes. The experiments and analysis proposed here will provide substantial improvements to our ability to understand near-term changes in climate and will support the World Climate Research Program Lighthouse Activity on Explaining and Predicting Earth System Change.
Working with robotic process automation: User experience after 18 months of adoption
Authors: Filgueiras Lucia Vilela Leite , Corrêa Pedro Luiz Pizzigatti , Alves-Souza Solange N. , Teodoro Sigmar Monroe , Silva Mariana Savarezze Pereira da , Encinas Quille Rosa Virginia , Demuner Vanessa Rafaela de Souza
Published: September 2022

This paper reports a study of User Experience (UX) with Robotic Process Automation (RPA), in the perspective of workers of EdP Brazil, a large electric utility company that operates in Brazil. RPA are software solutions for automating business processes that find increased interest of companies because they are inserted in workgroups as a co-worker, emulating human workers operating on GUI interfaces. Although the technology promises to drive a new wave of productivity in service companies, its impact on co-workers' experience is still unexplored. Based on projective interviews using the AXE (Anticipated eXperience Evaluation) protocol, after the first 18 months of RPA operation, the analysis of workers' collaboration with the robots has evidenced multiple facets of UX, technology acceptance and innovation adoption. For this case, RPA has provided an overall positive user experience mainly due to the perceived utility of the spared time, the upgrade in career opportunities and the pride for actively participating in the innovation adoption. Negative experience comes mainly from the lack of visibility that hinders robot management for efficiency and improvement. The methodology used in the study was successful in capturing the multifaceted workers' experience and is potentially useful to support user research in new expansion RPA projects.
#Sawfish: Social media to assess public perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes towards a critically endangered species
Authors: Saltzman Julia , Graham Jasmin , Wester Julia , White Easton R. , Macdonald Catherine C.
Published: September 2022

Monitoring population size and dynamics of threatened or low-density species is often both logistically difficult and costly. Recently, social media has emerged as a new tool for species monitoring. In this study, we expand on the use of social media posts as a tool to monitor the spatial and temporal distribution and public perceptions toward the smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata. We recorded 442 encounters with smalltooth sawfish from 2018 to 2021 in the form of Instagram posts. We identified locations of encounters within the following regions: Florida Keys, Everglades, South Florida (Miami/Fort Lauderdale), Caloosahatchee River, Bahamas, Upper Charlotte Harbor, Port St. Lucie, Ten Thousand Islands, Tampa, Naples, and Cape Canaveral. We found the greatest number of encounters occurred in the Florida Keys. In addition to spatiotemporal analysis, we used the captions of the posts to assess public attitudes and behaviors toward this charismatic species. This revealed individuals who encounter sawfish feel in general positive about their experience (over half described their encounter using positive language). We also found that sawfish were frequently caught as bycatch when other species (e.g., shark, tarpon, bonefish) were being targeted. Notably, in 12.6% of cases where sawfish were caught, they were being directly targeted. We also identified specific problematic or illegal handling behaviors from image and caption analysis. In addition to captured sawfish, we found sawfish are also frequently observed by beachgoers, boaters, and divers— however, in many cases these encounters may not be reported.
Protective activity of Malus doumeri leaf extract on H2O2-induced oxidative injury in H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes
Authors: Shen Yi , Shen Zheng , Li Ping , Chen Zhangrong , Wei Bo , Liu Danan , Si Xiaoyun , Pan Jiayi , Wu Daiqin , Li Wei
Published: September 2022

In this study, Malus doumeri leaf extract (MDLE) was used to test its anti-oxidation capacity in vitro, it has been preliminarily analyzed for H2O2-induced oxidative damage in H9C2 cells and its main active components. The antioxidant capacity through DPPH (1, 1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl), ABTS+• [2,2,2'-azino-BIS-(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] radical ion, •OH (hydroxyl radical), and •O2- (superoxide anion) were determined in vitro. The proliferation of H9C2 cells was examined by MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-Tetrazolium bromide]. MDA (malondialdehyde), SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), GSH (glutathione), and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) were determined by colorimetry. Apoptosis induced by oxidative damage was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of antioxidant related genes of SOD, CAT, GSH, and GSH-Px were checked by qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). The MDLE main active components were analyzed by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). MDLE had significant scavenging effects on DPPH, ABTS+•, •OH, and superoxide anion radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. H2O2 treatment could significantly lead to oxidative stress injury of H9C2 cells, and MDLE treatment significantly improved the degree of H9C2 cell damage, and showed a positive correlation with concentration. MDLE can also reduce apoptosis caused by oxidative damage. MDLE treatment could significantly reduce MDA content and increase CAT, SOD, GSH, and GSH-Px contents and expression. In addition, by HPLC analysis, the following six bioactive components were detected from MDLE: chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin, baicalin, and phloretin. Therefore, MDLE has a good protective effect on myocardial cells.
A retrospective cohort study on the association between early coagulation disorder and short-term all-cause mortality of critically ill patients with congestive heart failure
Authors: Tang Yiyang , Chen Qin , Liang Benhui , Peng Baohua , Wang Meijuan , Sun Jing , Liu Zhenghui , Zha Lihuang , Yu Zaixin
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Coagulation disorder in congestive heart failure (CHF) has been well-documented. The prognostic value of a composite coagulation disorder score, which combines the absolute platelet count, international normalized ratio (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), has not been assessed in CHF. The present study endeavored to explore the association between the coagulation disorder score and adverse outcomes of critically ill patients with CHF.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with CHF in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database were included in the present retrospective cohort study. The coagulation disorder score was calculated according to the abnormalities of the absolute platelet count, INR, and APTT within 24 h after intensive care unit admission. The primary outcomes were the short-term all-cause mortality, including 30-, 90-day and in-hospital mortalities. The Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival curve and the Cox proportional hazard model were performed to assess the correlation between coagulation disorder score and outcome events.

Results

A total of 6,895 patients were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups according to the coagulation disorder score. K-M survival curve preliminarily indicated that subjects with higher coagulation disorder score presented lower survival rate and shorter survival time. After adjustment for potential confounders, the multivariate Cox analysis further illustrated that elevated coagulation disorder score as a quartile variable was significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1, 30-day: HR [95% CI], 1.98 [1.50, 2.62], 90-day: HR [95% CI], 1.88 [1.49, 2.37], in-hospital: HR [95%CI], 1.93 [1.42, 2.61]).

Conclusion

In critically ill patients with CHF, ones with high coagulation disorder score tend to be worse clinical prognosis, which would be a promising biomarker and helpful for the management of CHF patients.
Sci-Seq of Human Fetal Salivary Tissue Introduces Human Transcriptional Paradigms and a Novel Cell Population
Authors: Ehnes Devon Duron , Alghadeer Ammar , Hanson-Drury Sesha , Zhao Yan Ting , Tilmes Gwen , Mathieu Julie , Ruohola-Baker Hannele
Published: September 2022

Multiple pathologies and non-pathological factors can disrupt the function of the non-regenerative human salivary gland including cancer and cancer therapeutics, autoimmune diseases, infections, pharmaceutical side effects, and traumatic injury. Despite the wide range of pathologies, no therapeutic or regenerative approaches exist to address salivary gland loss, likely due to significant gaps in our understanding of salivary gland development. Moreover, identifying the tissue of origin when diagnosing salivary carcinomas requires an understanding of human fetal development. Using computational tools, we identify developmental branchpoints, a novel stem cell-like population, and key signaling pathways in the human developing salivary glands by analyzing our human fetal single-cell sequencing data. Trajectory and transcriptional analysis suggest that the earliest progenitors yield excretory duct and myoepithelial cells and a transitional population that will yield later ductal cell types. Importantly, this single-cell analysis revealed a previously undescribed population of stem cell-like cells that are derived from SD and expresses high levels of genes associated with stem cell-like function. We have observed these rare cells, not in a single niche location but dispersed within the developing duct at later developmental stages. Our studies introduce new human-specific developmental paradigms for the salivary gland and lay the groundwork for the development of translational human therapeutics.
Cardiometabolic index: A new predictor for metabolic associated fatty liver disease in Chinese adults
Authors: Duan Shaojie , Yang Deshuang , Xia Hui , Ren Zhiying , Chen Jialiang , Yao Shukun
Published: September 2022

Objective

Cardiometabolic index (CMI) is a well promising indicator for predicting obesity-related diseases, but its predictive value for metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CMI and MAFLD and to evaluate the predictive value of CMI for MAFLD.

Methods

A total of 943 subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. CMI was calculated by multiplying the ratio of triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) by waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to systematically evaluate the relationship between CMI and MAFLD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the predictive power of CMI for MAFLD and to determine the optimal cutoff value. The diagnostic performance of high CMI for MAFLD was validated in 131 subjects with magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis.

Results

Subjects with higher CMI exhibited a significantly increased risk of MAFLD. The odds ratio for a 1-standard-deviation increase in CMI was 3.180 (2.102-4.809) after adjusting for various confounding factors. Further subgroup analysis showed that there were significant additive interactions between CMI and MAFLD risk in gender, age, and BMI (P for interaction < 0.05), and the area under the ROC curve(AUC) of CMI for predicting MAFLD were significantly higher in female, young, and nonobese subgroups than that in male, middle-aged and elderly, and obese subgroups (all P < 0.05). Moreover, among nonobese subjects, the AUC of CMI was significantly higher than that of waist circumference, BMI, TG/HDL-C, and TG (all P < 0.05). The best cutoff values of CMI to diagnose MAFLD in males and females were 0.6085 and 0.4319, respectively, and the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of high CMI for diagnosing MAFLD in the validation set were 85.5%, 87.5%, and 80%, respectively.

Conclusions

CMI was strongly and positively associated with the risk of MAFLD and can be a reference predictor for MAFLD. High CMI had excellent diagnostic performance for MALFD, which can enable important clinical value for early identification and screening of MAFLD.
Large eddy simulation of flow field in thermal vapor compressor
Authors: Ren Xiaotong , Guo Yali , Shen Shengqiang , Zhang Kun
Published: September 2022

In the low-temperature multi-effect evaporation (LT-MEE) desalination plant, improving the performance of thermal vapor compressor (TVC) could reduce the energy loss, and increase the gained output ratio (GOR) and consequently improve the system economy efficiency. Implementing large eddy simulation (LES) as the numerical method, a 3-D computational fluid dynamics model of TVC is established to simulate the flow field under various conditions. The effects of motive steam pressure on the flow field, vortex core, turbulent viscosity and vortex iso-surface of the TVC are discussed, and the corresponding interior flow field distribution is obtained as well. Q criterion and normalized Q criterion are applied to visualize the vortex cores and vortex iso-surfaces. The distributions of vortexes in different scales are displayed, large-scale vortexes are mainly distributed in the exit area of the nozzle, the constant section of the mixing chamber and the diffuser. Additionally, the large-scale vortexes are primarily located along the axis in different morphology while the small-scale ones are randomly distributed near the wall.
In-house resource efficiency improvements supplementing the end of pipe treatments in textile SMEs under a circular economy fashion
Authors: Kumar Love , Kamil Ifrah , Ahmad Muhammad , Naqvi Sohail Ali , Deitch Matthew J. , Amjad Arjmand Qayyum , Kumar Avinash , Basheer Sarosh , Arshad Masood , Sassanelli Claudio
Published: September 2022

The choice of cleaner production practices within the supply chain can improve the textile industry’s environmental, financial, and operational advantages. The objective of this study is to evaluate smart environmental management practices (SEMPs) for minimizing the pollution load (energy waste, water consumption, wastewater generation, and chemical waste) within the supply chain in five textile production units of Lahore, Faisalabad (Punjab), and Karachi (Sindh) in Pakistan and to assist and get comprehensive knowledge on resource saving through cleaner production techniques. A multi-criteria decision-making method was used to identify the possibilities and use for cleaner production and SEMPs. A total of 36 SEMPs have been recorded with three benchmarking levels based on investment and business priority: i) low/no-cost high return, ii) high-cost high return, and iii) medium-cost medium return. After an initial assessment, SEMPs were implemented and post-assessments were conducted after gap of months. It was found that about 1.3 million m3 of water was saved which constituted up 21% of the total water consumption. Moreover, 34,600 tons of chemicals and 1,441,500 kWh energy were also saved. This resource saving also helped industries save 0.792 million USD. Using the SEMPs proposed in this article, the annual GHG emission was significantly reduced for industries where the potential varied from 200 to 8,500 tons of CO2 for different industries.
High-quality economic development, green credit and carbon emissions
Authors: Li Wei , Lin Xiaoken , Wang Hui , Wang Shaowen
Published: September 2022

Carbon peaking and neutrality goals have been an important issue in China’s economic development in recent years. Here is increasing academic interest in ways to realize emission peak and carbon neutrality goals within a finite timeframe. As an important means of sustainable development, high-quality economic development and green credit are of great significance to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Based on the panel data of 29 provinces and cities in China from 2007 to 2020, spatial Durbin and semi-etric spatial lag models are adopted to investigate the impact of high-quality economic development on green credit and carbon emissions. This study also analyzes whether green credit plays a moderating role in the impact of high-quality economic development on carbon emissions through the moderating effect model. The results reveal that such development has a significant negative correlation with carbon emissions, and presents an “inverted U” -shaped nonlinear relationship. There is a significant negative correlation between green credit and carbon emissions, and an “n-type” nonlinear relationship. Finally, the moderating role of green credit in the impact of high-quality economic development on carbon emissions is analyzed. This study presents the following suggestions: (1)Give full play to the positive spillover effect of high-quality economic development between various regions, and build a complete high-quality economic development system, (2) Improve the green credit system, increase green credit funds, and promote green development.
Diffusion of indigenous fire management and carbon-credit programs: Opportunities and challenges for “scaling-up” to temperate ecosystems
Authors: Nikolakis William , Welham Clive , Greene Gregory
Published: September 2022

Savanna burning programs across northern Australia generate millions of dollars per year for Indigenous communities through carbon and other greenhouse gas (GHG) markets. In catalyzing Indigenous knowledge and workforce to mitigate destructive wildfires, these programs are considered a success story on a range of social, ecological and economic measures. Scaling-up to temperate ecosystems requires a focus on applying the architecture and governance of these programs, and accounting for fundamental differences in context. We examine the opportunities and challenges in applying the architecture of savanna burning to an Indigenous Fire Management (IFM) program in central British Columbia, Canada (the Chilcotin). The Chilcotin project involves Yunesit’in and Xeni Gwet’in First Nations, and we draw from eight key elements of the Australian savanna burning model to identify a project area that includes Aboriginal title and reserve lands. The area encompasses Interior Douglas Fir (IDF) and Sub-Boreal Pine—Spruce (SBPS) biogeoclimatic zones, or dry forest and grassland ecosystems where low intensity fires are applied by community members to remove forest fuels, with the goal of mitigating wildfires and associated GHG emissions. The multi-decadal intervals between contemporary fires in the Chilcotin region make it challenging to accurately document historical fire location, scale and intensity, and thus to establish an emissions baseline. If this issue can be resolved, the British Columbia Forest Carbon Offset Protocol version 2 (FCOPv2) offers promise for developing verified carbon credits for three reasons: first, carbon (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4), the three main GHG emissions from Indigenous fire management, are included in the protocol; second, credits under FCOPv2 are eligible for either compliance or voluntary markets, offering diversification; and third, a range of activities are eligible under the standard, including fire management and timber harvesting, which offers flexibility in terms of management practices. The Chilcotin project is likely to generate substantial co-benefits related to cultural, health and wellbeing, and livelihood values among First Nations participants. The Australian experience suggests that getting governance right, and building community ownership through “bottom-up” governance, is critical to the success of these programs. From the Australian model, community-based planning, like the Healthy Country Planning approach, can be a positive step to take, engaging community in goal setting for the program to guide and take ownership of its direction.
Network approaches for omics studies of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Zhao Na , Quicksall Zachary , Asmann Yan W. , Ren Yingxue
Published: September 2022

The recent methodological advances in multi-omics approaches, including genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic, have revolutionized the research field by generating “big data” which greatly enhanced our understanding of the molecular complexity of the brain and disease states. Network approaches have been routinely applied to single-omics data to provide critical insight into disease biology. Furthermore, multi-omics integration has emerged as both a vital need and a new direction to connect the different layers of information underlying disease mechanisms. In this review article, we summarize popular network analytic approaches for single-omics data and multi-omics integration and discuss how these approaches have been utilized in studying neurodegenerative diseases.
Integrated analysis of intestinal microbiota and metabolomic reveals that decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1) infection induces secondary bacterial infection and metabolic reprogramming in Marsupenaeus japonicus
Authors: He Zihao , Zhong Yunqi , Liao Minze , Dai Linxin , Wang Yue , Zhang Shuang , Sun Chengbo
Published: September 2022

In recent years, with global warming and increasing marine pollution, some novel marine viruses have become widespread in the aquaculture industry, causing huge losses to the aquaculture industry. Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1) is one of the newly discovered marine viruses that has been reported to be detected in a variety of farmed crustacean and wild populations. Several previous studies have found that DIV1 can induce Warburg effect-related gene expression. In this study, the effects of DIV1 infection on intestinal health of shrimp were further explored from the aspects of histological, enzymatic activities, microorganisms and metabolites using Marsupenaeus japonicus as the object of study. The results showed that obvious injury in the intestinal mucosa was observed after DIV1 infection, the oxidative and antioxidant capacity of the shrimp intestine was unbalanced, the activity of lysozyme was decreased, and the activities of digestive enzymes were disordered, and secondary bacterial infection was caused. Furthermore, the increased abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Photobacterium and Vibrio, may synergized with DIV1 to promote the Warburg effect and induce metabolic reprogramming, thereby providing material and energy for DIV1 replication. This study is the first to report the changes of intestinal microbiota and metabolites of M. japonicus under DIV1 infection, demonstrating that DIV1 can induce secondary bacterial infection and metabolic reprogramming. Several bacteria and metabolites highly associated with DIV1 infection were screened, which may be leveraged for diagnosis of pathogenic infections or incorporated as exogenous metabolites to enhance immune response.
Can exercise attenuate the negative effects of long COVID syndrome on brain health?
Authors: Teo Wei-Peng , Goodwill Alicia M.
Published: September 2022

The impetus for many governments globally to treat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as an endemic warrant more research into the prevention, and management of long COVID syndrome (LCS). Whilst the data on LCS remains scarce, reports suggest a large proportion of recovered individuals will experience ongoing neuropsychological symptoms, even with mild disease severity. The pathophysiology underlying LCS is multifaceted. Evidence suggests that altered inflammatory, neurotrophic, and neurotransmitter pathways within the brain contribute to neuropsychological symptoms reported following COVID-19. Exercise or regular physical activity has long been shown to have positive effects on brain health and cognition through exerting positive effects on inflammatory markers, neurotransmitters, and neurotropic factors analogous to the neurophysiological pathways proposed to be disrupted by COVID-19 infection. Thus, exercise may serve as an important lifestyle behavior in the management of LCS. In this opinion article, we present the evidence to support the positive role of exercise in the management of cognitive symptom that manifest with LCS and discuss important considerations and interactions with cardiorespiratory and exercise tolerance complications that often present for individuals experiencing LCS. We highlight the need for more research and training of sports medicine practitioners and clinical exercise physiologists in the management of LCS with exercise and call for further research to understand the optimal dose-responses and exercise prescription guidelines for cognitive benefits and minimizing other complications.
Mirror image serum lipid carrier protein profiles in pup and lactating mother Atlantic grey seals reflect contrasting resource mobilisation challenges
Authors: McGill Suzanne , Burchmore Richard J. S. , Pomeroy Patrick P. , Kennedy Malcolm W.
Published: September 2022

True, phocid seals have the shortest known lactations relative to body mass, during which mass transfer of adipose stores from mother to offspring occurs at an unrivalled rate and extent. The mothers of most species of seal fast until weaning whilst their pups gorge on the most fat-rich milks known. This results in a dramatic reduction in maternal blubber mass while pups may triple their body weights before weaning. Mothers mobilise their blubber fat, transport it via blood to their mammary glands and into milk, whilst pups transfer fat in the opposite direction, from their intestines, via blood, to their blubber. Using proteomic analysis of mother and pup sera from Atlantic grey seals, we find that this mirror image flux of lipids between mothers and pups is reflected in an almost inverse relationship in the proteins in their blood specialised to transport fats, lipids, and fat-soluble vitamins. For instance, apolipoproteins ApoB-48/100, ApoA-II and ApoA-IV, which are structural components of the main lipid carrier complexes such as chylomicrons and HDL particles, occur at much higher levels in pups than mothers. Meanwhile, carriers of fat-soluble vitamins such as retinol- and vitamin D-binding proteins are lower in pups and gradually build towards weaning. In contrast, sex hormone-binding globulin occurs at remarkably high relative concentrations in pups. There are therefore dramatic differences between, and an unrealised complexity in, the balance of proteins involved in the rapid transfer of fats and other lipids from mother to pups in preparing their offspring for their post-weaning fasts on land and eventual survival at sea before they can feed again.
Twitter-based crowdsourcing: What kind of measures can help to end the COVID-19 pandemic faster?
Authors: Mondal Himel , Parvanov Emil D. , Singla Rajeev K. , Rayan Rehab A. , Nawaz Faisal A. , Ritschl Valentin , Eibensteiner Fabian , Siva Sai Chandragiri , Cenanovic Merisa , Devkota Hari Prasad , Hribersek Mojca , De Ronita , Klager Elisabeth , Kletecka-Pulker Maria , Völkl-Kernstock Sabine , Khalid Garba M. , Lordan Ronan , Găman Mihnea-Alexandru , Shen Bairong , Stamm Tanja , Willschke Harald , Atanasov Atanas G.
Published: September 2022

Background

Crowdsourcing is a low-cost, adaptable, and innovative method to collect ideas from numerous contributors with diverse backgrounds. Crowdsourcing from social media like Twitter can be used for generating ideas in a noticeably brief time based on contributions from globally distributed users. The world has been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic in the last several years. Measures to combat the pandemic continue to evolve worldwide, and ideas and opinions on optimal counteraction strategies are of high interest.

Objective

This study aimed to validate the use of Twitter as a crowdsourcing platform in order to gain an understanding of public opinion on what measures can help to end the COVID-19 pandemic faster.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from December 22, 2021, to February 4, 2022. Tweets were posted by accounts operated by the authors, asking “How to faster end the COVID-19 pandemic?” and encouraging the viewers to comment on measures that they perceive would be effective to achieve this goal. The ideas from the users' comments were collected and categorized into two major themes – personal and institutional measures. In the final stage of the campaign, a Twitter poll was conducted to get additional comments and to estimate which of the two groups of measures were perceived to be important amongst Twitter users.

Results

The crowdsourcing campaign generated seventeen suggested measures categorized into two major themes (personal and institutional) that received a total of 1,727 endorsements (supporting comments, retweets, and likes). The poll received a total of 325 votes with 58% of votes underscoring the importance of both personal and institutional measures, 20% favoring personal measures, 11% favoring institutional measures, and 11% of the votes given just out of curiosity to see the vote results.

Conclusions

Twitter was utilized successfully for crowdsourcing ideas on strategies how to end the COVID-19 pandemic faster. The results indicate that the Twitter community highly values the significance of both personal responsibility and institutional measures to counteract the pandemic. This study validates the use of Twitter as a primary tool that could be used for crowdsourcing ideas with healthcare significance.
More than you can see: Unraveling the ecology and biodiversity of lichenized fungi associated with leaves and needles of 12 temperate tree species using high-throughput sequencing
Authors: Tanunchai Benjawan , Schroeter Simon Andreas , Ji Li , Wahdan Sara Fareed Mohamed , Hossen Shakhawat , Lehnert Ann-Sophie , Grünberg Hagen , Gleixner Gerd , Buscot François , Schulze Ernst-Detlef , Noll Matthias , Purahong Witoon
Published: September 2022

Currently, lichen surveys are generally based on the examination of fruiting bodies. Lichens in the mycelial stage, in spores, or awaiting conditions for fruiting body formation are usually overlooked, even though they are important for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functions. This study aimed to explore the lichenized fungal community composition and richness associated with leaves and needles of 12 temperate tree species using Illumina MiSeq-based amplicon sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 region. Picea abies harbored the highest richness and number of lichenized fungal species. We found that the lichenized fungus Physcia adscendens dominated the leaves and needles of the most temperate tree species. Eleven lichenized fungal species detected in this study were recorded for the first time on leaves and needles. In addition, we identified Athallia cerinella, Fellhanera bouteillei, and Melanohalea exasperata that are on the German national red lists. Lichenized fungal richness was higher in conifer compared to broadleaf trees. Overall, tree species (within coniferous trees) and tree types (broadleaved vs. coniferous trees) harbored significantly different lichenized fungal community compositions pointing out the importance of host species. Diversity and community composition patterns of lichenized fungi were correlated mainly with tree species. Our study demonstrates that the diversity of foliicolous lichens associated with leaves and needles of 12 temperate tree species can be appropriately analyzed and functionally assigned using the ITS-based high-throughput sequencing. We highlighted the importance of conifers for maintaining the biodiversity of foliicolous lichens. Based on the discovery of many red list lichens, our methodological approach and results are important contributions to subsequent actions in the bio-conversation approaches.