bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Environmental Criminal Liability and Enforcement in Nigeria
Authors: Nwazi Joseph
Published: August 2022

The essence of this article is to evaluate the use of criminal law as an effective mechanism for the protection of the environment in Nigeria. There has been an increasing use of criminal prosecutions in environmental matters worldwide, but in Nigeria, it has proved an ineffective mechanism. We have adequate provisions for salient criminal aspects under the environmental statutes but they are bereft of enforcement. Some of these statutes are defective in all respects which detracts considerably from their potency. For instance, the general level at which fines are imposed neither reflects the gravity of the environmental crimes nor punishes adequately those who commit them. The discourse also examines the legal and economic theories of criminal law enforcement in comparison with the current realities in Nigeria. Finally, it suggests a review of the legal framework for the criminal enforcement of environmental laws as well as sentencing guidelines in Nigeria.
Structural optimization of the wing box for a hybrid-electric commuter aircraft
Authors: Nasoulis Christos , Tsirikoglou Panagiotis , Kalfas Anestis
Published: August 2022

Hybrid-electric commuter aircraft segment is playing a significant role in the electrification of air transportation. Towards the achievement of efficient and robust transportation, design and optimization processes are necessary to evaluate the different aircraft components. Within this context, the current work investigates the impact of the positioning of the propulsion system and spars on the structural integrity of a hybrid-electric commuter aircraft. The proposed approach is based on an in-house aircraft sizing tool, along with geometry generation and high-fidelity structural evaluation models. These tools are tailored in an automated computational pipeline, that includes pre-processing, model evaluation and post-processing tasks, able to perform design space exploration and optimization over different loading conditions of a selected mission envelope. This work focuses on the assessment of the impact of the additional non-structural weight e.g., batteries, fuel, and propulsion components, inside the wing box, on the stress, deformation and spanwise thickness distribution of the structure. The effect of spars and propulsion system positioning on the available storage space, maximum stress and displacement is discussed, with the aft spar having the greatest impact. Finally, the structural model is optimized to minimize the mass, resulting in a 29% weight reduction, compared to the initial design.
The reliability and validity of gait analysis system using 3D markerless pose estimation algorithms
Authors: Liang Shengyun , Zhang Yu , Diao Yanan , Li Guanglin , Zhao Guoru
Published: August 2022

Quantifying kinematic gait for elderly people is a key factor for consideration in evaluating their overall health. However, gait analysis is often performed in the laboratory using optical sensors combined with reflective markers, which may delay the detection of health problems. This study aims to develop a 3D markerless pose estimation system using OpenPose and 3DPoseNet algorithms. Moreover, 30 participants performed a walking task. Sample entropy was adopted to study dynamic signal irregularity degree for gait parameters. Paired-sample t-test and intra-class correlation coefficients were used to assess validity and reliability. Furthermore, the agreement between the data obtained by markerless and marker-based measurements was assessed by Bland–Altman analysis. ICC (C, 1) indicated the test–retest reliability within systems was in almost complete agreement. There were no significant differences between the sample entropy of knee angle and joint angles of the sagittal plane by the comparisons of joint angle results extracted from different systems (p > 0.05). ICC (A, 1) indicated the validity was substantial. This is supported by the Bland–Altman plot of the joint angles at maximum flexion. Optical motion capture and single-camera sensors were collected simultaneously, making it feasible to capture stride-to-stride variability. In addition, the sample entropy of angles was close to the ground_truth in the sagittal plane, indicating that our video analysis could be used as a quantitative assessment of gait, making outdoor applications feasible.
Comparative study of the damage cost of reinforced concrete buildings with and without nonlinear viscous dampers subjected to seismic loading
Authors: Flores-Mendoza R. , Pozos-Estrada A. , Gómez R.
Published: August 2022

In an optimal seismic design context, the seismic demand is characterized by hazard curves that can be obtained by simulation techniques, and the capacity of the structure is established by the designer following a predefined seismic code. The capacity of structures is generally characterized by the seismic design coefficient. Furthermore, the structure damage is evaluated based on certain well-defined damage indicators (e.g., displacement ductility). Thus based on the damage indicator, it is possible to estimate the cost of the associated losses. Furthermore, it is noted that the quantification of the damage costs associated with reinforced concrete (RC) structures with and without nonlinear viscous dampers under seismic loading is very scarce in the relevant literature. In this study, damage cost expressions, similar to those employed in the optimal seismic design criterion, were used to quantify and compare the damage cost on RC buildings with and without viscous dampers located in seismic-prone areas of Mexico. For the analysis, three RC buildings were designed according to Mexican seismic design regulations. The buildings under study were subjected to seismic actions characterized by actual seismic records, scaled according to simulated maximum ground motion accelerations. The damage to the structures caused by seismic action is calculated by means of a damage factor that is a function of displacement ductility demand. The cost of damage to the considered structures was estimated based on cost expressions that are a function of the damage factor. The analyses results indicate that the use of viscous dampers in concrete buildings subjected to seismic action can considerably reduce the associated damage costs with respect to buildings without such a damping system.
Differentiation of otitis media-causing bacteria and biofilms via Raman spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Locke Andrea K. , Zaki Farzana R. , Fitzgerald Sean T. , Sudhir Kavya , Monroy Guillermo L. , Choi Honggu , Won Jungeun , Mahadevan-Jansen Anita , Boppart Stephen A.
Published: August 2022

In the management of otitis media (OM), identification of causative bacterial pathogens and knowledge of their biofilm formation can provide more targeted treatment approaches. Current clinical diagnostic methods rely on the visualization of the tympanic membrane and lack real-time assessment of the causative pathogen(s) and the nature of any biofilm that may reside behind the membrane and within the middle ear cavity. In recent years, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been demonstrated as an improved in vivo diagnostic tool for visualization and morphological characterization of OM biofilms and middle ear effusions; but lacks specificity about the causative bacterial species. This study proposes the combination of OCT and Raman spectroscopy (RS) to examine differences in the refractive index, optical attenuation, and biochemical composition of Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; four of the leading otopathogens in OM. This combination provides a dual optical approach for identifying and differentiating OM-causing bacterial species under three different in vitro growth environments (i.e., agar-grown colonies, planktonic cells from liquid cultures, and biofilms). This study showed that RS was able to identify key biochemical variations to differentiate all four OM-causing bacteria. Additionally, biochemical spectral changes (RS) and differences in the mean attenuation coefficient (OCT) were able to distinguish the growth environment for each bacterial species.
Influence of left ventricular unloading on pediatric post-cardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal life support outcomes
Authors: Meani Paolo , Lorusso Roberto , Kowalewski Mariusz , Isgrò Giuseppe , Cazzaniga Anna , Satriano Angela , Ascari Alice , Bernardinetti Mattia , Cotza Mauro , Marchese Giuseppe , Ciotti Erika , Kandil Hassan , Di Dedda Umberto , Aloisio Tommaso , Varrica Alessandro , Giamberti Alessandro , Ranucci Marco
Published: August 2022

Background

The effectiveness of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) in treating neonatal and pediatric patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) and requiring cardio-circulatory assistance is well-known. Nevertheless, the influence of left ventricle (LV) distension and its countermeasure, namely LV unloading, on survival and clinical outcomes in neonates and children treated with V-A ECLS needs still to be addressed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of LV unloading on in-hospital survival and complications in neonates and children treated with V-A ECLS.

Methods

The clinical outcomes of 90 pediatric patients with CHD under 16 years of age supported with V-A ECLS for post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (CS) were retrospectively reviewed in relationship with the presence or absence of an active LV unloading strategy.

Results

The patient cohort included 90 patients (age 19.6 ± 31.54 months, 64.4% males), 42 of whom were vented with different techniques (38 with atrial septostomy (AS) or left atria cannula, two with cannula from LV apex, 1 with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), and one with pigtail across the aortic valve). The LV unloading strategy significantly increased the in-hospital survival (odds ratio [OR] = 2.74, 95% CI 1.06–7.08; p = 0.037). On the contrary, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation decreased the related survival (OR = 0.32, 95% CI 1.09–0.96; p = 0.041). The most common complications were infections (28.8%), neurological injury (26%), and bleeding (25.6%). However, these did not differently occur in venting and no-venting groups.

Conclusion

In pediatric patients with CHD supported with V-A ECLS for post-cardiotomy CS, the LV unloading strategy was associated with increased survival.
Study on the genetic mechanism of high-temperature geothermal system and its engineering impact in the Woka graben, Tibet
Authors: Zhang Wen , Xu Mo , Wu Sen
Published: August 2022

The geothermal resource has become the significant constitution of renewable and clean energies in the world. This study focuses on the genetic mechanism of a high-temperature geothermal system and its engineering impact in the Woka graben, southern Tibet, via hydrochemical and isotopic analyses. The hydrochemical types are mainly SO4-Na type, SO4-Cl-Na type, and HCO3-SO4-Na type. Geothermal water is characterized as medium to alkaline affinity with low total dissolved solids. D-O isotopes indicate that geothermal water is recharged by atmospheric precipitation at the elevation of 5193–5247 m. Na-K-Mg equilibrium diagram shows partial equilibrium or mixed water, and the proportion of cold water mixing is 73–83%. The temperature ranges of shallow and deep geothermal reservoirs are from 96.85°C to 119.57°C and from 120°C to 200°C, respectively. Geothermal water is heated by melting crust and controlled by deep faults. For major construction projects in the Woka graben, detailed investigation and demonstration should be conducted to avoid the geothermal water channel as much as possible, or to divert the geothermal water and reasonably arrange the construction sequence to overcome the problem.
Developing self-efficacy through an extra preparatory school year: Lower secondary students’ perspectives on teacher support
Authors: Hungnes Tonje , Bachmann Kari Elisabeth , Bjerke Annette Hessen
Published: August 2022

Quantitative and qualitative data have rarely been combined to offer a rich portrait of how self-efficacy develops in a specific context. We responded to this limitation by investigating students’ experiences of an extra school year between lower and upper secondary school. The objective of the extra school year is to reduce school dropout by strengthening students’ professional and social competences before they enter upper secondary education. The purpose of this paper was to explore how the students’ self-efficacy developed during the extra preparatory school year and to evaluate their perspective on the changes in their self-efficacy and sources of development. We applied a mixed methods design using a threefold questionnaire and individual interviews. The data collected for this study were part of a larger research project. Pre- and post-tests using a survey were applied to measure general self-efficacy, Norwegian self-efficacy and mathematics self-efficacy in individuals. A total of 23 qualitative semi-structured interviews with students near the end of their extra preparatory school year complemented the quantitative data. The data were analysed using a combination of Rasch analysis and thematic analysis. Our findings showed that learning and learning processes cannot be seen in isolation from the context, and we concluded that teachers are a central source of students’ self-efficacy. In this study, the teachers, in their capacity as facilitators and source performers, helped the students work with their individual purposes in mind, both within the domain of qualification and socialisation. However, these purposes could not have been achieved without the initiative and responsibility of each student. By building positive and trustful relationships with their students, the teachers managed to activate the students and help them take responsibility for the social and academic aspects of their lives. From the students’ point of view, the teachers seemed to build contexts in which the educational purposes were present, viewable, sensible and reachable – and important for nurturing the students’ self-efficacy. The students reported on their self-acceptance and feeling of belonging, being forward-looking and being able to portray their future selves as a consequence of mastering their academic disciplines. This study offers a methodological contribution in that we combined quantitative and qualitative data to analyse the students’ self-efficacy. The qualitative data allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of the students’ increased self-efficacy than that derived from the quantitative data alone.
Association between use of liraglutide and liver fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tan Yijiong , Zhen Qin , Ding Xiaoying , Shen Tingting , Liu Fang , Wang Yufan , Zhang Qidi , Lin Renkun , Chen Lili , Peng Yongde , Fan Nengguang
Published: August 2022

Objective

Patients with type 2 diabetes have a high risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and related liver fibrosis. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have demonstrated efficacy in improving NAFLD, while their effectiveness on liver fibrosis is limited in type 2 diabetic patients.

Materials/Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed in type 2 diabetic patients. The study subjects were divided into two groups based on the use of liraglutide or not, and propensity score matching (PSM) was also conducted. After 12 months follow-up, liver fibrosis was assessed by NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). The association between liraglutide use and liver fibrosis was analyzed by multivariable linear regression.

Results

In the current study, a total of 1,765 type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled. 262 patients were liraglutide user and 1,503 were nouser. After 12 months follow-up, liraglutide use tended to be associated with reduced prevalence of advanced fibrosis (3.1% vs. 6.1%, P = 0.218). After adjustment for confounding factors, multivariable linear regression revealed that liraglutide use was negatively associated with decreased NFS (β= -0.34, P = 0.043), FIB4 (β= -0.26, P = 0.044) and LSM (β= -4.95, P = 0.007) in type 2 diabetics. The results after PSM were similar to those before PSM.

Conclusions

Liraglutide treatment is associated with decreased liver fibrosis in type 2 diabetic subjects.
Effects of sacubitril/valsartan on both metabolic parameters and insulin resistance in prediabetic non-obese patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Cloro Cosima , Zaffina Isabella , Sacchetta Luca , Arturi Federico , Clausi Cristina , Lucà Stefania , Pelle Maria Chiara , Giofrè Federica , Armentaro Giuseppe , Forte Valentina , De Rosa Francesco Mario , Sciacqua Angela , Arturi Franco
Published: August 2022

Background

The effects of sacubitril/valsartan (sac/val) on metabolic parameters and insulin resistance (IR) in non-obese/prediabetic patients have not been previously described.

Aim

To evaluate the effects of sac/val on glycemic and metabolic parameters, Homeostatic Model Assessment of IR (HOMA-IR), and echocardiographic parameters in prediabetic patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods

Fifty-nine patients with HFrEF (EF < 35%) but without obesity and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus have been enrolled. All the patients at baseline and week 24 underwent complete anthropometrical evaluation and were subjected to an echocardiogram test. IR has been assessed by HOMA-IR.

Results

After 24-week of treatment with sac/val, a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (109 ± 9 vs 103 ± 8 mg/dl, p < 0.0001), fasting plasma insulin (16 ± 4 vs 10 ± 4 UI/L), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value (6% ± 0.5% vs 5.3% ± 0.3%, p < 0.0001) was observed. Similarly, we observed a significant improvement in IR (HOMA-IR, 4.4 ± 0.9 vs 2.5 ± 0.6, p < 0.0001). The echocardiogram evaluation showed a significant reduction of the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (168 ± 24 vs 158 ± 22 ml, p < 0.05), a significant reduction of the left ventricular end-systolic volume (111 ± 26 vs 98 ± 22 ml, p < 0.005), and a significant reduction of E/e′ ratio. Sac/val use was also associated with an average 5.1% increase in ejection fraction.

Conclusions

Our data seem to indicate that sal/val enhances metabolic control and improves insulin resistance also in prediabetic non-obese patients with HFrEF.
Retrospective analysis of the relationship between bone mineral density and body composition in a health check-up Chinese population
Authors: Li Yuxin , Huang Zhen , Gong Yan , Zheng Yansong , Zeng Qiang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study was designed to explore the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition indicators in Chinese adults (≥50 years) in order to provide a scientific basis for optimal bone health management.

Method

Individuals ≥50 years old who received physical examinations and routine check-ups at the Health Management Research Institute of PLA General Hospital from September 2014 through March 2022 were included as research subjects in this study. Basic clinical and demographic information were recorded for all subjects, along with smoking and drinking status, height and body weight. A panel of routine blood chemistry and metabolite markers were measured, along with lean muscle mass and body fat mass using body composition bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), and bone mineral density (BMD) were calculated for all individuals. For comparative analysis, individuals were grouped based on their BMI, BFP, SMI and BMD T-score. Follow-up examinations were performed in a cohort of 1,608 individuals matched for age, sex, smoking and drinking history for ≥5 years,

Results

In this large cross-sectional study, age, smoking, homocysteine (Hcy) and blood glucose levels were established as independent risk factors for osteoporosis. Multi-factor logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, BMI, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), SMI, BFP, smoking, blood levels of inorganic phosphate (P) and K+ were all significantly associated with osteoporosis risk (P<0.05). A subset of these factors- BMI, SMI, BFP and K+, were determined to be protective. In the cohort followed for ≥5 years, SMI and BMD decreased while BFP and BMI increased significantly (P<0.001) over time.

Conclusion

Risk of osteoporosis may be reduced by increasing body weight, particularly lean muscle mass, while simultaneously controlling BFP.
Route Stability in the Uncertain Capacitated Arc Routing Problem
Authors: Liu Yuxin , Wang Jiaxin , Zhao Jingjie , Li Xianghua
Published: August 2022

Power line inspections in a microgrid can be modeled as the uncertain capacitated arc routing problem, which is a classic combinatorial optimization problem. As an evolutionary computation method, genetic programming is used as a hyper-heuristic method to automatically evolve routing policies that can make real-time decisions in an uncertain environment. Most existing research on genetic programming hyper-heuristic for the uncertain capacitated arc routing problem only focuses on optimizing the total cost of solutions. As a result, the actual routes directed by the routing policies evolved by genetic programming hyper-heuristic are usually not stable, i.e., the routes have large fluctuations in different uncertain environments. However, for marketing or considering the drivers’ and customers’ perspectives, the routes should not be changed too often or too much. Addressing this problem, this study first proposes a method to estimate the similarity between two routes and then extends it for evaluating the stability of the routes in uncertain environments. A novel genetic programming hyper-heuristic, which considers two objectives, i.e., the solution quality (total cost) and the stability of routes, was designed. Experimental studies demonstrate that the proposed genetic programming is hyper-heuristic with stability in consideration and can obtain more stable solutions than the traditional algorithm, without deteriorating the total cost. The approach provided in this study can be easily extended to solving other combinatorial optimization problems in the microgrid.
Bi-level optimal low-carbon economic operation of regional integrated energy system in electricity and natural gas markets
Authors: Xiong Zhan , Luo Shuhan , Wang Lingling , Jiang Chuanwen , Zhou Shichao , Gong Kai
Published: August 2022

In response to increasing environmental deterioration, the vigorous development of the integrated energy system is an important measure to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. In order to ensure that the system takes into account the economic operation under the premise of low carbon and environmental protection, this paper proposes a bi-level optimal low-carbon economic operation model for the regional integrated energy system (RIES). At the upper level, the objective of the RIES is economic optimization, which contains the carbon emission cost so that the system would change its preference for high-carbon energy to limit the carbon emission of the system. At the lower level, an electricity and natural gas pricing model is established, and a carbon emission flow (CEF) model is used to calculate the price of carbon emissions. This proposed bi-level optimization model is converted to a single-level mathematical problem with KKT (Karush–Kuhn–Tucker) conditions for efficient calculation. The proposed optimal model is tested on the five-bus power system and seven-node natural gas system, and numerical results indicate the optimal operating model with this proposed carbon pricing method can effectively reduce carbon emissions and minimize the total operating cost of RIES.
Multi-scale flow mechanism and water control strategy of ultra-deep multi-porosity fractured tight sandstone gas reservoirs
Authors: Jiang Tongwen , Sun Hedong , Xiao Xiangjiao , Zhu Songbai , Ouyang Weiping , Tang Yongliang
Published: August 2022

The Keshen gas field in the Kuqa Depression, the Tarim Basin, China, contains multiple ultra-deep fractured tight sandstone gas reservoirs with edge/bottom water, which are remarkably complex in geologic structure, with fracture systems at different scales. There is still a lack of a method for effectively describing the flow behaviors of such reservoirs. In this paper, the fracture system was characterized by classes using the actual static and dynamic data of the gas reservoirs, and the mathematical models of gas (single-phase) and gas-water two-phase flows in “pore–fracture–fault” multi-porosity discrete systems. A fracture network system was generated randomly by the Monte-Carlo method and then discretized by unstructured grid. The flow models were solved by the hybrid-unit finite element method. Taking Keshen-2/8 reservoirs as examples, four types of dynamic formation modes were built up. Performances of reservoir of the same category were systematically analyzed, which revealed the coupling of gas supply and water invasion mechanisms in different fracture systems. The gas single-phase flow was found with the characteristic of “fault–fracture gas produced successively and matric-fracture system coupling overlaid”, while the gas-water two-phase flow showed the characteristic of “rapid water dash in fault, drained successive in fractures and matric block divided separately”. This study reveals the development features of this unique reservoir effectively, and designs development strategies of full life cycle water control for enhancing the gas recovery. It can be expected that the recovery factor of newly commissioning reservoirs would be increased by more than 10% as compared with the Keshen-2 gas reservoir. These findings will play an important role in guiding high and stable production of Keshen gas field development in the long term.
Spatial patterns of macrobenthos taxonomic and functional diversity throughout the ecotones from river to lake: A case study in Northern China
Authors: Fu Xianting , Yang Wei , Zheng Lei , Liu Dan , Li Xiaoxiao
Published: August 2022

Macrobenthos taxonomic and functional diversity are key indicators of ecosystem health. River–lake ecotones are key macrobenthos habitats. However, we don’t fully understand macrobenthos biodiversity patterns in these ecotones. We studied water environment, sediment heavy metal contents, and macrobenthos community, which we sampled simultaneously from 29 sampling sites along the Fu River–Baiyangdian Lake gradient in Northern China with five field surveys from 2018 to 2019. Six trait classes resolved into 25 categories were allocated to macrobenthos through a binary coding system. We used the RLQ framework (R, environmental variables; L, species of taxa; Q, traits) and fourth-corner analyses to evaluate the relationship between environmental variables and macrobenthos traits. Finally, we carried out variance partitioning to assess the contributions of environmental variables to variation of macrobenthos diversities. As the results, TN and TP contents in the river and lake mouths were lower than those in the adjacent river and lake, indicating that the river–lake ecotones played a role in purifying the water and buffering pollution. High taxonomic diversity of macrobenthos in the lake mouth and the presence of unique taxa in the two ecotones revealed edge effects, but the macrobenthos abundance and biomass were extremely low compared with those in the adjacent river and lake. We found no significant correlation between the taxonomic and functional diversity indices in the river and lake mouths. Water depth, water transparency, TN, and TP were the main water environmental drivers of macrobenthos taxonomic and functional diversity, explaining up to 45.5% and 56.2% of the variation, respectively. Sediment Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents explained 15.1% and 32.8%, respectively, of macrobenthos taxonomic and functional diversity. Our results suggest that functional diversity approaches based on biological traits can complement taxonomic approaches in river–lake ecotones. Furthermore, improving water depth, transparency, eutrophication, and heavy metal pollution will improve macrobenthos diversity in these ecotones and maintain ecosystem health.
Benefit-cost analysis of forest carbon for landowners: An illustration based on a southern pine plantation
Authors: Mei Bin , Clutter Michael L.
Published: August 2022

Using a hypothetic southern pine plantation in the state of Georgia of the United States, a benefit-cost analysis of forest carbon is conducted for landowners in the voluntary carbon market. With carbon values being defined by the marginal forest growth, it is found that the inclusion of carbon into the objective function usually leads to longer rotations and higher total profits. In our baseline analysis, the rotation age increases by four years when both timber and carbon are considered. Thus, landowners can benefit from voluntary carbon trading and additional carbon can be fixed in the forests. Landowners’ decision on forest carbon is most sensitive to the discount rate and timber and carbon prices. When the discount rate is higher, future cash flows become less valuable and the optimal rotation shortens. When timber prices exceed carbon price by a large margin, timber value dominates carbon value and the optimal carbon rotation approaches the Faustmann rotation. Therefore, with a higher discount rate and higher timber prices, voluntary carbon trading will result in less carbon additionality. Finally, when the economic uncertainty is incorporated into the decision making, the results tend to be sustained albeit carbon additionality is slightly reduced.
Advances in molecular characterization of myeloid proliferations associated with Down syndrome
Authors: Li Jixia , Kalev-Zylinska Maggie L.
Published: August 2022

Myeloid leukemia associated with Down syndrome (ML-DS) has a unique molecular landscape that differs from other subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia. ML-DS is often preceded by a myeloproliferative neoplastic condition called transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) that disrupts megakaryocytic and erythroid differentiation. Over the last two decades, many genetic and epigenetic changes in TAM and ML-DS have been elucidated. These include overexpression of molecules and micro-RNAs located on chromosome 21, GATA1 mutations, and a range of other somatic mutations and chromosomal alterations. In this review, we summarize molecular changes reported in TAM and ML-DS and provide a comprehensive discussion of these findings. Recent advances in the development of CRISPR/Cas9-modified induced pluripotent stem cell-based disease models are also highlighted. However, despite significant progress in this area, we still do not fully understand the pathogenesis of ML-DS, and there are no targeted therapies. Initial diagnosis of ML-DS has a favorable prognosis, but refractory and relapsed disease can be difficult to treat; therapeutic options are limited in Down syndrome children by their stronger sensitivity to the toxic effects of chemotherapy. Because of the rarity of TAM and ML-DS, large-scale multi-center studies would be helpful to advance molecular characterization of these diseases at different stages of development and progression.
A comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of the expression characteristics, prognostic value, and immune characteristics of TOP1MT
Authors: Fei Lihong , Lu Zhimin , Xu Yufen , Hou Guoxin
Published: August 2022

Background: Mitochondria are at the heart of a number of metabolic pathways providing enormous energy for normal cell growth and regulating tumor cell growth as well as survival. Mitochondrial topoisomerase I (TOP1MT) is a type IB topoisomerase found in the mitochondria of vertebrates. However, no pan-cancer analysis of TOP1MT has been reported. This study aims to explore TOP1MT expression in pan-cancer tissues and identify whether it can be a target for mitochondrial anticancer therapy.

Methods and results: The original TOP1MT expression data in 33 different types of cancer patients were downloaded from the TCGA and GTEx databases. TOP1MT was highly expressed in cancer tissues, including BLCA, BRCA, CHOL, COAD, DLBC, ESCA, GBM, HNSC, KIRC, KIRP, LGG, LIHC, LUAD, LUSC, PAAD, PCPG, PRAD, READ, SKCM, STAD, THYM, UCEC, and UCS. According to Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis, high TOP1MT expression in BLCA, HNSC, KIRP, PAAD, UCEC, and LIHC cancer tissues was linked to poor prognosis of cancer patients, i.e., poor OS, disease-specific survival, and PFI. Linkedomics analysis identified a positive correlation of TOP1MT expression with CNA, but a negative correlation with methylation. TOP1MT expression significantly correlated with immune cells and immune checkpoints in the TIMER database. Functional analysis showed a close relationship between TOP1MT expression and ribosomes.

Conclusion: In summary, TOP1MT is a potential biomarker for mitochondrial anticancer therapy and cancer immunotherapy.
Identifying gene variants underlying the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy based on integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis of clinical extreme phenotypes
Authors: Song Qiaoling , Zhang Yuchao , Zhang Minghui , Ma Xiaoli , Zhang Qianyue , Zhao Chenyang , Zhang Zhongwen , Zhao Huichen , Hu Wenchao , Zhang Xinxin , Ren Xiwen , An Ming , Yang Jinbo , Liu Yuantao
Published: August 2022

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication and the leading cause of blindness in patients with type 2 diabetes. DR has been shown to be closely correlated with blood glucose levels and the duration of diabetes. However, the onset and progression of DR also display clinical heterogeneity. We applied whole-exome sequencing and RNA-seq approaches to study the gene mutation and transcription profiles in three groups of diabetic patients with extreme clinical phenotypes in DR onset, timing, and disease progression, aiming to identify genetic variants that may play roles in the pathogenesis of DR. We identified 23 putatively pathogenic genes, and ingenuity pathway analysis of these mutated genes reveals their functional association with glucose metabolism, diabetic complications, neural system activity, and dysregulated immune responses. In addition, ten potentially protective genes were also proposed. These findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of DR and may provide potential targets for developing new strategies to combat DR.
Clinical features, prognostic factors, and survival of patients with antisynthetase syndrome and interstitial lung disease
Authors: Zhao Na , Jiang Wei , Wu Hongliang , Wang Ping , Wang Xiaoni , Bai Yu , Li Yao , Tang Yanchun , Liu Ying
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the clinical features and prognostic factors of imaging progression and survival in patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) complicated by interstitial lung disease (ILD) in a large Chinese cohort.

Methods

Medical records, imaging, and serological data of 111 patients with ASS-ILD (positive for at least one of the following autoantibodies: anti-Jo1, anti-PL7, anti-PL12, and anti-EJ) from the Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University database were retrospectively investigated. According to the changes in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) outcomes at 1 year follow-up, Patients were categorized into three groups: the regression, stability, and deterioration groups. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate the possible prognostic factors of ILD outcome and death, and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors of ASS-ILD outcome and death by logistic regression.

Results

The number of CD3-CD19+ cells and initial glucocorticoid dosage were correlated with imaging progression, and may be independent risk factors for ILD deterioration. Dyspnea as the first symptom, hypohemoglobinemia, the serum ferritin level, oxygen partial pressure at diagnosis, and different treatment types were important factors affecting survival, and the initial serum ferritin level may be an independent risk factor for survival.

Conclusions

The clinical characteristics of patients with ASS-ILD with different antisynthetase antibody subtypes are different. An increase in the CD3-CD19+ cell level is an independent risk factor for the deterioration of HRCT imaging. Early intensive treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids can effectively improve imaging prognosis of ILD. Patients with significantly elevated serum ferritin levels should be treated intensively.
DEAD-box RNA helicase 21 negatively regulates cytosolic RNA-mediated innate immune signaling
Authors: Li Jia , Fang Puxian , Zhou Yanrong , Wang Dang , Fang Liurong , Xiao Shaobo
Published: August 2022

DEAD-box RNA helicase 21 (DDX21), also known as RHII/Gu, is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase. In addition to playing a vital role in regulating cellular RNA splicing, transcription, and translation, accumulated evidence has suggested that DDX21 is also involved in the regulation of innate immunity. However, whether DDX21 induces or antagonizes type I interferon (IFN-I) production has not been clear and most studies have been performed through ectopic overexpression or RNA interference-mediated knockdown. In this study, we generated DDX21 knockout cell lines and found that knockout of DDX21 enhanced Sendai virus (SeV)-induced IFN-β production and IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression, suggesting that DDX21 is a negative regulator of IFN-β. Mechanistically, DDX21 competes with retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) for binding to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), thereby attenuating RIG-I-mediated IFN-β production. We also identified that the 217–784 amino acid region of DDX21 is essential for binding dsRNA and associated with its ability to antagonize IFN production. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrated that DDX21 negatively regulates IFN-β production and functions to maintain immune homeostasis.
The divergence between T cell and innate lymphoid cell fates controlled by E and Id proteins
Authors: Pankow Aneta , Sun Xiao-Hong
Published: August 2022

T cells develop in the thymus from lymphoid primed multipotent progenitors or common lymphoid progenitors into αβ and γδ subsets. The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, E proteins, play pivotal roles at multiple stages from T cell commitment to maturation. Inhibitors of E proteins, Id2 and Id3, also regulate T cell development while promoting ILC differentiation. Recent findings suggest that the thymus can also produce innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). In this review, we present current findings that suggest the balance between E and Id proteins is likely to be critical for controlling the bifurcation of T cell and ILC fates at early stages of T cell development.
CD4+ T cell activation and inflammation in NASH-related fibrosis
Authors: Zhou Yunfeng , Zhang Haibo , Yao Yao , Zhang Xiaoyan , Guan Youfei , Zheng Feng
Published: August 2022

Liver fibrosis is a common pathological feature of end stage liver failure, a severe life-threatening disease worldwide. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially its more severe form with steatohepatitis (NASH), results from obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome and becomes a leading cause of liver fibrosis. Genetic factor, lipid overload/toxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation have all been implicated in the development and progression of NASH. Both innate immune response and adaptive immunity contribute to NASH-associated inflammation. Innate immunity may cause inflammation and subsequently fibrosis via danger-associated molecular patterns. Increasing evidence indicates that T cell-mediated adaptive immunity also provokes inflammation and fibrosis in NASH via cytotoxicity, cytokines and other proinflammatory and profibrotic mediators. Recently, the single-cell transcriptome profiling has revealed that the populations of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, and TEMs are expanded in the liver with NASH. The activation of T cells requires antigen presentation from professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including macrophages, dendritic cells, and B-cells. However, since hepatocytes express MHCII molecules and costimulators, they may also act as an atypical APC to promote T cell activation. Additionally, the phenotypic switch of hepatocytes to proinflammatory cells in NASH contributes to the development of inflammation. In this review, we focus on T cells and in particular CD4+ T cells and discuss the role of different subsets of CD4+ T cells including Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22, and Treg in NASH-related liver inflammation and fibrosis.
Prototyping of a tethered undersea kite to harvest energy from low velocity currents
Authors: Günzel Leonard , Beer Theresa , Wucherpfennig Sjard , Boelmann Jan
Published: August 2022

The global energy consumption has been on the rise since the last industrial revolution and continues to be. So far the demand could be satisfied by a mixture of conventional and renewable energies. With the global effort to eliminate conventional energies to stop the anthropological climate change, the demand for reliable and predictable renewable energies is growing. Under these circumstances, more attention is drawn towards the development of non-intermittent ocean energy systems. Apart from waves, thermal and salinity gradients, currents are an abundant and reliable ocean energy source. Inspired by state-of-the-art technology, a unique system for current energy, the Current Kite, is presented in the following paper. This tethered undersea kite (TUSK) consist of a wing to which a turbine is attached. The wing drags the turbine through the water in a certain trajectory, sweeping a large area at a relative speed that is several times the actual speed of the underwater current. In the following paper we present the general setup and design of our first and second prototype. The first prototype was build as a prove of concept. It was equipped with active steering and several on board sensors. With the second prototype the aim was to build a more sophisticated system, which would make the active steering redundant and use more efficient, circular flight paths. A wing which would adjust itself in the current and follow the predefined circular path, was designed using numerical simulations. To achieve this circular flight movement without twisting the electrical cable, a swivel and a stress reducer were designed and built to connect the TUSK as well as transfer electrical power to land. In addition the tracking-system was redesigned, communicating by modulation over the power line. This provides a fully autonomous ocean current power plant, which communicates in real time data and has a promising outlook in efficiency, regarding to the state of art. Due to Covid-19 regulations it was not possible to test the prototype. Therefore the paper mainly focuses on the design and construction process, up to the production of the TUSK.
High intraperitoneal interleukin-6 levels predict ultrafiltration (UF) insufficiency in peritoneal dialysis patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Song Qianhui , Yang Xiaoxiao , Shi Yuanyuan , Yan Hao , Yu Zanzhe , Li Zhenyuan , Yuan Jiangzi , Ni Zhaohui , Gu Leyi , Fang Wei
Published: August 2022

Introduction

UF insufficiency is a major limitation in PD efficiency and sustainability. Our study object to investigate the efficacy of intraperitoneal inflammation marker, IL-6 level as a predictor of UF insufficiency in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.

Methods

Stable prevalent CAPD patients were enrolled in this prospective study. IL-6 concentration in the overnight effluent was determined and expressed as the IL-6 appearance rate (IL-6 AR). Patients were divided into two groups according to the median of IL-6 AR and prospectively followed up until death, transfer to permanent HD, recovery of renal function, kidney transplantation, transfer to other centers, lost to follow-up or to the end of study (January 31, 2021). Factors associated with UF capacity as well as dialysate IL-6 AR were assessed by multivariable linear regression. Cox proportional hazards model was used to examine the association between dialysate IL-6 AR and UF insufficiency.

Results

A total of 291 PD patients were enrolled, including 148 males (51%) with a mean age of 56.6 ± 14.1 years and a median PD duration of 33.4 (12.7–57.5) months. No correlation was found between dialysate IL-6 AR and UF capacity at baseline. PD duration was found positively correlated with baseline dialysate IL-6 AR, while 24h urine volume was negatively correlated with baseline dialysate IL-6 AR (P < 0.05). By the end of study, UF insufficiency was observed in 56 (19.2%) patients. Patients in the high IL-6 AR group showed a significantly inferior UF insufficiency-free survival when compared with their counterparts in the low IL-6 AR group (P = 0.001). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, after adjusting for DM, previous peritonitis episode and 24h urine volume, higher baseline dialysate IL-6 AR (HR 3.639, 95% CI 1.776–7.456, P = 0.002) were associated with an increased risk of UF insufficiency. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for baseline IL-6 AR to predict UF insufficiency was 0.663 (95% CI, 0.580–0.746; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study suggested that the dialysate IL-6 AR could be a potential predictor of UF insufficiency in patients undergoing PD.
The mediating role of maternal metabolites between lipids and adverse pregnancy outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Luo Mingjuan , Guo Jingyi , Lu Wenqian , Fang Xiangnan , Zhang Rong , Tang Mengyang , Luo Qiong , Liang Wei , Yu Xiangtian , Hu Cheng
Published: August 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, and the demographics of pregnant women have changed in recent decades. GDM is a metabolic disease with short- and long-term adverse effects on both pregnant women and newborns. The metabolic changes and corresponding risk factors should be of great significance in understanding the pathological mechanism of GDM and reducing the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with GDM. The well-known GDM-associated lipids used in clinical tests, such as triglyceride (TG), are thought to play a major role in metabolic changes during GDM, which have a potential causal relationship with abnormal pregnancy outcomes of GDM. Therefore, this study analyzed the relationship between clinical lipid indicators, metabolic profiles, and abnormal pregnancy outcomes in GDM through mediation analysis. By constructing a metabolic atlas of 399 samples from GDM patients in different trimesters, we efficiently detected the key metabolites of adverse pregnancy outcomes and their mediating roles in bridging abnormal lipids and adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with GDM. Our study confirmed that TG and total cholesterol were independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with GDM. Several key metabolites as mediators (e.g., gamma-linolenic acid, heptadecanoic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and palmitoleic acid) have been identified as potential biomarkers for adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with GDM. These metabolites mainly participate in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, which may shed new light on the pathology of GDM and provide insights for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying adverse pregnancy outcomes.