bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prediction model for intraoperatively acquired pressure injuries in orthopedics based on the new risk factors: a real-world prospective observational, cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Ning , Cui Dalei , Shan Li , Li Haixia , Feng Xuelian , Zeng Huilan , Li Lezhi
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Orthopedic patients are at high risk for intraoperatively acquired pressure injuries (IAPI), which cause a serious issue and lead to high-expense burden in patient care. However, there are currently no clinically available scales or models to assess IAPI associated with orthopedic surgery.

Methods: In this real-world, prospective observational, cross-sectional study, we identified pressure injuries (PI)-related risk factors using a systematic review approach and clinical practice experience. We then prepared a real-world cohort to identify and confirm risk factors using multiple modalities. We successfully identified new risk factors while constructing a predictive model for PI in orthopedic surgery.

Results: We included 28 orthopedic intraoperative PI risk factors from previous studies and clinical practice. A total of 422 real-world cases were also included, and three independent risk factors—preoperative limb activity, intraoperative wetting of the compressed tissue, and duration of surgery—were successfully identified using chi-squared tests and logistic regression. Finally, the three independent risk factors were successfully used to construct a nomogram clinical prediction model with good predictive validity (area under the ROC curve = 0.77), which is expected to benefit clinical patients.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we successfully identified new independent risk factors for IAPI-related injury in orthopedic patients and developed a clinical prediction model to serve as an important complement to existing scales and provide additional benefits to patients. Our study also suggests that a single measure is not sufficient for the prevention of IAPI in orthopedic surgery patients and that a combination of measures may be required for the effective prevention of IAPI.
From plant survival to thriving: exploring the miracle of brassinosteroids for boosting abiotic stress resilience in horticultural crops
Authors: Zhang Zhilu , Chen Zhongyu , Song Haina , Cheng Shiping
Published: July 2023

Abiotic stresses pose significant threat to horticultural crop production worldwide. These stresses adversely affect plant growth, development, and ultimately declined crop growth, yield and quality. In recent years, plant scientists have been actively investigating innovative strategies to enhance abiotic stress resilience in crops, and one promising avenue of research focuses on the use of brassinosteroids (BRs). BRs are a class of plant hormones that play crucial roles in various physiological processes, including cell elongation, differentiation, and stress responses. They have emerged as potent regulators of plant growth and development, and their role in improving abiotic stress tolerance is gaining considerable attention. BRs have been shown to mitigate the negative effects of abiotic stresses by modulating key physiological and biochemical processes, including stomatal regulation, antioxidant defense, osmotic adjustment, and nutrient uptake. Abiotic stresses disrupt numerous physiological functions and lead to undesirable phenotypic traits in plants. The use of BRs as a tool to improve crop resilience offers significant promise for sustainable agriculture in the face of increasing abiotic stresses caused by climate change. By unraveling the phenomenon of BRs, this review emphasizes the potential of BRs as an innovative approach for boosting abiotic stress tolerance and improving the overall productivity and quality of horticultural crops. Further research and field trials are necessary to fully harness the benefits of BRs and translate these findings into practical applications for crop production systems.
Fields or firings? Comparing the spike code and the electromagnetic field hypothesis
Authors: Hunt Tam , Jones Mostyn
Published: July 2023

Where is consciousness? Neurobiological theories of consciousness look primarily to synaptic firing and “spike codes” as the physical substrate of consciousness, although the specific mechanisms of consciousness remain unknown. Synaptic firing results from electrochemical processes in neuron axons and dendrites. All neurons also produce electromagnetic (EM) fields due to various mechanisms, including the electric potential created by transmembrane ion flows, known as “local field potentials,” but there are also more meso-scale and macro-scale EM fields present in the brain. The functional role of these EM fields has long been a source of debate. We suggest that these fields, in both their local and global forms, may be the primary seat of consciousness, working as a gestalt with synaptic firing and other aspects of neuroanatomy to produce the marvelous complexity of minds. We call this assertion the “electromagnetic field hypothesis.” The neuroanatomy of the brain produces the local and global EM fields but these fields are not identical with the anatomy of the brain. These fields are produced by, but not identical with, the brain, in the same manner that twigs and leaves are produced by a tree’s branches and trunk but are not the same as the branches and trunk. As such, the EM fields represent the more granular, both spatially and temporally, aspects of the brain’s structure and functioning than the neuroanatomy of the brain. The brain’s various EM fields seem to be more sensitive to small changes than the neuroanatomy of the brain. We discuss issues with the spike code approach as well as the various lines of evidence supporting our argument that the brain’s EM fields may be the primary seat of consciousness. This evidence (which occupies most of the paper) suggests that oscillating neural EM fields may make firing in neural circuits oscillate, and these oscillating circuits may help unify and guide conscious cognition.
Entrepreneurial intention and the three stages of entrepreneurial action: a process approach
Authors: Dlamini Mzwakhe , Botha Melodi
Published: July 2023

The relationship between entrepreneurial intention (EI) and entrepreneurial action (EA) is a popular topic in entrepreneurship research, owing to the contribution of these constructs in the process leading to the entrepreneurial activity taking place. There are still countries that are recording high entrepreneurial intention levels in comparison to their corresponding entrepreneurial action levels that are low. This is a global concern to which South Africa (SA) is also not immune. Most of the research tests the relationship between two single constructs: EI and EA. Our study follows a process approach and investigates the effect of this relationship between EI and the three stages of EA. A quantitative method was employed and a survey utilized whereby data was collected among 597 entrepreneurs in South Africa. The data was analyzed through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The EI construct is supported through the Theory of Planned Behavior, in conjunction with the Motivation Opportunity Ability theory. The Discovery Theory, together with the Creative Theory, supports each of the stages of EA, namely: entrepreneurial opportunity discovery (EODI); entrepreneurial opportunity evaluation (EOEV); and entrepreneurial opportunity exploitation (EOEX). Previous research regarding the relationship between EI and EA measured this relationship from a binary point of view. This study contributes to the entrepreneurship field by employing the process approach to determine the impact of EI on the stages of EA. This study reveals that EI is statistically significant in all three stages of EA. However, the strength of this relationship is found to be strong between EI and the EODI and EOEV stages and moderate between EI and the EOEX stage. Therefore, this study reveals that effective training interventions and development are necessary between EI and the EOEX stage of EA.
Reciprocal relationships between self-control and self-authenticity: a two-wave study
Authors: Li Qingqing , Ren Xiaomei , Zhou Zongkui , Wang Jing
Published: July 2023

Both self-control and self-authenticity are critical to individuals’ mental health and social adjustment, but their relationship has received little attention. Research demonstrates that exerting self-control could help individuals achieve true self and might be promoted by perceiving authenticity. Accordingly, this study utilized a longitudinal design and investigated the temporal relationship between self-control and self-authenticity in a large sample of 2,982 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 17.53, SD = 0.84). Correlation analysis showed that participants possessing higher self-control were associated with greater self-authenticity. Cross-lagged path analysis revealed a reciprocal relationship between self-control and self-authenticity over time. Moreover, bivariate latent change score model indicated that self-control predicted an increase in self-authenticity across time, and vice versa. Overall, this study advances our understanding and suggests that restraining temptation and impulse can promote adolescents’ authenticity, and that the experience of authenticity, in turn, facilitates their self-regulation.
Targeting a free viral fraction enhances the early alert potential of wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: a methods comparison spanning the transition between delta and omicron variants in a large urban center
Authors: Zhao Liang , Geng Qiudi , Corchis-Scott Ryland , McKay Robert Michael , Norton John , Xagoraraki Irene
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Wastewater surveillance has proven to be a valuable approach to monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Recognizing the benefits of wastewater surveillance as a tool to support public health in tracking SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens, numerous wastewater virus sampling and concentration methods have been tested for appropriate applications as well as their significance for actionability by public health practices.

Methods

Here, we present a 34-week long wastewater surveillance study that covers nearly 4 million residents of the Detroit (MI, United States) metropolitan area. Three primary concentration methods were compared with respect to recovery of SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater: Virus Adsorption-Elution (VIRADEL), polyethylene glycol precipitation (PEG), and polysulfone (PES) filtration. Wastewater viral concentrations were normalized using various parameters (flow rate, population, total suspended solids) to account for variations in flow. Three analytical approaches were implemented to compare wastewater viral concentrations across the three primary concentration methods to COVID-19 clinical data for both normalized and non-normalized data: Pearson and Spearman correlations, Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), and Time Lagged Cross Correlation (TLCC) and peak synchrony.

Results

It was found that VIRADEL, which captures free and suspended virus from supernatant wastewater, was a leading indicator of COVID-19 cases within the region, whereas PEG and PES filtration, which target particle-associated virus, each lagged behind the early alert potential of VIRADEL. PEG and PES methods may potentially capture previously shed and accumulated SARS-CoV-2 resuspended from sediments in the interceptors.

Discussion

These results indicate that the VIRADEL method can be used to enhance the early-warning potential of wastewater surveillance applications although drawbacks include the need to process large volumes of wastewater to concentrate sufficiently free and suspended virus for detection. While lagging the VIRADEL method for early-alert potential, both PEG and PES filtration can be used for routine COVID-19 wastewater monitoring since they allow a large number of samples to be processed concurrently while being more cost-effective and with rapid turn-around yielding results same day as collection.
Association between chronic diseases and depression in the middle-aged and older adult Chinese population—a seven-year follow-up study based on CHARLS
Authors: Zhou Pengfei , Wang Shuai , Yan Ya , Lu Qiang , Pei Jiaxing , Guo Wang , Yang Xiaoguang , Li Yunming
Published: July 2023

Background

With the aging of the Chinese population, the prevalence of depression and chronic diseases is continually growing among middle-aged and older adult people. This study aimed to investigate the association between chronic diseases and depression in this population.

Methods

Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2011–2018 longitudinal survey, a 7-years follow-up of 7,163 participants over 45 years old, with no depression at baseline (2011). The chronic disease status in our study was based on the self-report of the participants, and depression was defined by the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). The relationship between baseline chronic disease and depression was assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

After 7-years follow-up, 41.2% (2,951/7163, 95% CI:40.1, 42.3%) of the participants reported depression. The analysis showed that participants with chronic diseases at baseline had a higher risk of depression and that such risk increased significantly with the number of chronic diseases suffered (1 chronic disease: HR = 1.197; 2 chronic diseases: HR = 1.310; 3 and more chronic diseases: HR = 1.397). Diabetes or high blood sugar (HR = 1.185), kidney disease (HR = 1.252), stomach or other digestive diseases (HR = 1.128), and arthritis or rheumatism (HR = 1.221) all significantly increased the risk of depression in middle-aged and older adult Chinese.

Conclusion

The present study found that suffering from different degrees of chronic diseases increased the risk of depression in middle-aged and older adult people, and these findings may benefit preventing depression and improving the quality of mental health in this group.
Brand-specific estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness for the 2021–2022 season in Europe: results from the DRIVE multi-stakeholder study platform
Authors: Stuurman Anke L. , Carmona Antonio , Biccler Jorne , Descamps Alexandre , Levi Miriam , Baum Ulrike , Mira-Iglesias Ainara , Bellino Stefania , Hoang Uy , Lusignan Simon de , Bonaiuti Roberto , Lina Bruno , Rizzo Caterina , Nohynek Hanna , Díez-Domingo Javier ,   DRIVE Study Contributors
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Development of Robust and Innovative Vaccine Effectiveness (DRIVE) was a European public–private partnership (PPP) that aimed to provide annual, brand-specific estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) for regulatory and public health purposes. DRIVE was launched in 2017 under the umbrella of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) and conducted IVE studies from its pilot season in 2017–2018 to its final season in 2021–2022.

Methods

In 2021–2022, DRIVE conducted four primary care-based test-negative design (TND) studies (Austria, Italy, Iceland, and England; involving >1,000 general practitioners), nine hospital-based TND studies (France, Iceland, Italy, Romania, and Spain, for a total of 21 hospitals), and one population-based cohort study in Finland. In the TND studies, patients with influenza-like illness (primary care) or severe acute respiratory infection (hospital) were enrolled, and laboratory tested for influenza using RT-PCR. Study contributor-specific IVE was calculated using logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, and calendar time, and pooled by meta-analysis.

Results

In 2021–2022, pooled confounder-adjusted influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) estimates against laboratory-confirmed influenza (LCI) overall and per type and subtype/lineage was produced, albeit with wide confidence intervals (CI). The limited circulation of influenza in Europe did not allow the network to reach the optimal sample size to produce precise IVE estimates for all the brands included. The most significant IVE estimates were 76% (95% CI 23%−93%) for any vaccine and 81% (22%−95%) for Vaxigrip Tetra in adults ≥65 years old and 64% (25%−83%) for Fluenz Tetra in children (TND primary care setting), 85% (12%−97%) for any vaccine in adults 18–64 years (TND hospital setting), and 38% (1%−62%) in children 6 months−6 years (population-based cohort, mixed setting).

Discussion

Over five seasons, DRIVE collected data on >35,000 patients, more than 60 variables, and 13 influenza vaccines. DRIVE demonstrated that estimating brand-specific IVE across Europe is possible, but achieving sufficient sample size to obtain precise estimates for all relevant stratifications remains a challenge. Finally, DRIVE's network of study contributors and lessons learned have greatly contributed to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness platform COVIDRIVE.
Responses of Soil Enzyme Activity to Long-Term Nitrogen Enrichment and Water Addition in a Typical Steppe
Authors: Zhang Jinbao , Jin Ke , Luo Yonghong , Du Lan , Tian Ru , Wang Shan , Shen Yan , Zhang Jiatao , Li Na , Shao Wenqian , Xu Zhuwen
Published: July 2023

Enzyme activity plays an important role in soil biochemical processes and is a key factor driving nutrient cycling. Although a great number of studies examined the effects of nitrogen (N) enrichment and water (W) addition on soil enzyme activity, most of them focused on the effect of only one resource and are based on short-term investigations. The separate and interactive effects of long-term changes in nitrogen and water on soil enzyme activity remain largely unexplored. In this study, we demonstrated the responses of two types of soil enzyme, β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) and acid phosphatase (APA), to increased nitrogen and water based on a 16-year experiment conducted in a typical grassland in northern China. The results show that: (1) nitrogen addition inhibited BG and APA in 2019 and 2020; (2) water addition had no significant effect on BG activity, but significantly reduced APA activity in 2020; and (3) redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that nitrogen and water addition affected soil enzyme activity mainly by affecting soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC). The present research offers a comprehensive explanation of how atmospheric nitrogen deposition and precipitation patterns affect the characteristics of microorganisms and the cycling of nutrients in grassland ecosystems.
Comparative Transcriptomics Reveal the Mechanisms Underlying the Glucosinolate Metabolic Response in Leaf Brassica juncea L. under Cold Stress
Authors: Tang Bing , Zhang Bao-Hui , Mo Chuan-Yuan , Fu Wen-Yuan , Yang Wei , Wang Qing-Qing , Ao Ning , Qu Fei , Tan Guo-Fei , Tao Lian , Deng Ying
Published: July 2023

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are not only a unique flavor substance from leaf B. juncea but also a major secondary metabolite produced in response to abiotic stresses. Cold stress is one of the most common abiotic stresses in leaf B. juncea; however, the metabolic response pattern of GSLs in leaf B. juncea under cold stress has not yet been reported. In the present study, we analyzed the GSLs content of leaf B. juncea under cold stress and found that it increased and subsequently decreased. According to RNA-seq data, genes related to the synthesis of aliphatic GSLs were significantly upregulated following 24 h of cold stress; genes related to the synthesis of indole GSLs were significantly upregulated following 48 h of cold stress; and BjBGLU25 and BjBGLU27 were significantly upregulated. Further analysis of the correlation between transcription factors and GSLs content revealed that MYB, ERF, IQD, and bHLH may be involved in regulating the GSLs response pattern in leaf B. juncea under cold stress. In particular, an unreported transcription factor, BjMYBS3 (BjuVA05G33250), was found to play a possible role in the synthesis of aliphatic GSLs. And the external application of GSLs increased the ability of leaf B. juncea to cope with cold stress.
Breaking Barriers: Artificial Intelligence Interpreting the Interplay between Mental Illness and Pain as Defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain
Authors: Parolini Franciele , Goethel Márcio , Becker Klaus , Fernandes Cristofthe , Fernandes Ricardo J. , Ervilha Ulysses F. , Santos Rubim , Vilas-Boas João Paulo
Published: July 2023

Low back pain is one of the main causes of motor disabilities and psychological stress, with the painful process encompassing sensory and affective components. Noxious stimuli originate on the periphery; however, the stimuli are recombined in the brain and therefore processed differently due to the emotional environment. To better understand this process, our objective was to develop a mathematical representation of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) model of pain, covering the multidimensional representation of this phenomenon. Data from the Oswestry disability index; the short form of the depression, anxiety, and stress scale; and pain catastrophizing daily questionnaires were collected through online completion, available from 8 June 2022, to 8 April 2023 (1021 cases). Using the information collected, an artificial neural network structure was trained (based on anomaly detection methods) to identify the patterns that emerge from the relationship between the variables. The developed model proved to be robust and able to show the patterns and the relationship between the variables, and it allowed for differentiating the groups with altered patterns in the context of low back pain. The distinct groups all behave according to the main finding that psychological and pain events are directly associated. We conclude that our proposal is effective as it is able to test and confirm the definition of the IASP for the study of pain. Here we show that the fiscal and mental dimensions of pain are directly associated, meaning that mental illness can be an enhancer of pain episodes and functionality.
The Association of Smoking and Hyperuricemia with Renal Arteriolosclerosis in IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Shinzato Yuki , Zamami Ryo , Oshiro Nanako , Nakamura Takuto , Ishida Akio , Ohya Yusuke , Kohagura Kentaro
Published: July 2023

The combination effects of smoking (SMK) and hyperuricemia (HU) on renal arteriolosclerosis in patients with IgA nephropathy remain unknown. We examined the cross-sectional association between smoking (current or former) and renal arteriolar hyalinosis and wall thickening with or without HU [uric acid (UA) level ≥ 7 and ≥5 mg/dL in men and women] in 87 patients with IgA nephropathy who underwent renal biopsy. Arteriolar hyalinosis and wall thickening were assessed by the semiquantitative grading of arterioles. The SMK/HU subgroup showed the highest indices for hyalinosis and wall thickening, followed by the non-SMK/HU, SMK/non-HU, and non-SMK/non-HU subgroups. Multiple logistic analysis showed that SMK/HU, but not SMK/non-HU, was significantly associated with an increased risk of higher-grade renal arteriolar wall thickening. However, this did not occur with hyalinosis compared to non-SMK/non-HU. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval, p value) for SMK/HU was 12.8 (1.36–119, p < 0.05) for wall thickening. An association between SMK and renal arteriolar wall thickening might be prevalent only among patients with HU and in patients with IgA nephropathy. Further prospective studies are needed to determine whether patients with HU and SMK history exhibit rapid eGFR deterioration.
The Genetic Structures and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Ear Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Dong Zhenying , Wang Yanbo , Bao Jianxi , Li Ya’nan , Yin Zechao , Long Yan , Wan Xiangyuan
Published: July 2023

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world’s staple food crops. In order to feed the growing world population, improving maize yield is a top priority for breeding programs. Ear traits are important determinants of maize yield, and are mostly quantitatively inherited. To date, many studies relating to the genetic and molecular dissection of ear traits have been performed; therefore, we explored the genetic loci of the ear traits that were previously discovered in the genome-wide association study (GWAS) and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping studies, and refined 153 QTL and 85 quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) clusters. Next, we shortlisted 19 common intervals (CIs) that can be detected simultaneously by both QTL mapping and GWAS, and 40 CIs that have pleiotropic effects on ear traits. Further, we predicted the best possible candidate genes from 71 QTL and 25 QTN clusters that could be valuable for maize yield improvement.
Two Year Neurodevelopmental Outcome after Fetoscopic Laser Therapy for Twin–Twin Transfusion Syndrome: Comparison with Uncomplicated Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins
Authors: Chimenea Ángel , García-Díaz Lutgardo , Antiñolo Guillermo
Published: July 2023

Background: Twin–twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) represents a significant complication in monochorionic twin pregnancies, caused by an unbalanced shunting of blood through intertwin placental vascular anastomoses. Despite advances in fetoscopic laser surgery, TTTS is still associated with a high rate of cerebral injury. However, there are no studies comparing these pregnancies with uncomplicated monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies, establishing the baseline risk of neurodevelopmental impairment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the odds of neurodevelopmental impairment in MCDA twins who undergo fetoscopic laser surgery for twin–twin transfusion syndrome, in comparison to a cohort of uncomplicated MCDA twin pregnancies. Study design: This is a retrospective cohort study of children born from MCDA twin pregnancies at a single center between 2008 and 2019. A routine, standardized follow-up assessment was conducted at a minimum of 2 years after delivery. The primary outcome of this was a 2 year neurodevelopmental impairment. Neurological, motor, and cognitive development was assessed by using the revised Brunet–Lézine scale. Results: 176 children met the enrolment criteria. Of these, 42 (24%; TTTS group) underwent fetoscopic laser surgery for TTTS during pregnancy, and 134 (76%; uncomplicated MCDA group) were uncomplicated MCDA pregnancies. The primary outcome was found in four children (9.52%) in the TTTS group and ten children (7.46%) in the uncomplicated MCDA group (p = 0.67, aOR 2.82, 95% CI 0.49–16.23). Major neurologic impairment was found in 2.38% after fetoscopic laser surgery and 1.49% in uncomplicated MCDA twins (p = 0.70, aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.22–4.24). The data were adjusted by birth order, birth weight, and gestational age at birth. Conclusions: The outcome in MCDA twins who underwent fetoscopic laser surgery for TTTS is comparable to the outcome in uncomplicated MCDA twins. Our findings emphasize the need for long-term neurodevelopmental follow-ups in all children from monochorionic twin gestations.
A Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading Model for Optimizing Both Efficiency and Fairness
Authors: Kusatake Eiichi , Imahori Mitsue , Shinomiya Norihiko
Published: July 2023

In recent years, there has been a growing global trend towards transitioning from centralized energy systems to distributed or decentralized models, with the aim of promoting the widespread utilization of renewable energy sources. As a result, the concept of direct energy trading among consumers has garnered considerable attention as a means to effectively harness the potential of distributed energy systems. However, in this decentralized trading scenario, certain consumers may encounter challenges in receiving electricity from their preferred suppliers due to limited supply capacities. As a result of this constraint, there is a reduction in the advantages enjoyed by consumers. While previous studies have predominantly focused on optimizing resource allocation efficiency, the issue of equitable consumer benefits has often been overlooked. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a trading mechanism that considers the preferences of market participants, in addition to balancing supply and demand. Such a mechanism aims to enhance both fairness and efficiency in the market. This paper introduces the formulation of a single-objective optimization and multi-objective optimization problem for an electricity market trading mechanism. To address this challenge, two single-objective algorithms and six evolutionary algorithms (EAs) are employed to solve the optimization problem. By analyzing the simulation results, this study demonstrates the efficacy of the chosen evolutionary algorithms (EAs) and a single-objective optimization approach in effectively optimizing both the utilization of resources and the equitable distribution of consumer benefits.
Controlling Parameters in the Efficiency of Hydrogen Production via Electrification with Multi-Phase Plasma Processing Technology
Authors: Bhuiyan Shariful Islam , Wang Kunpeng , Baky Md Abdullah Hil , Kraus Jamie , Jemison Howard , Staack David
Published: July 2023

A nanosecond pulsed non-equilibrium plasma reactor is used to crack hydrocarbons into hydrogen and lighter intermediates at atmospheric pressure and warm temperature. The effects of power, capacitance, breakdown voltage, pulsing frequency, energy per pulse, and carrier gas type are investigated for product generation. Multiple gaseous products including hydrogen and hydrocarbons are calculated and compared at different conditions. A statistical analysis is performed on hydrogen yield for different experimental conditions to determine the significance of the studied parameters. Comparable hydrogen yields are produced when using methane (4 to 22 g-H2/kWh) as a carrier gas as compared to argon (7 to 14 g-H2/kWh). Although, notably, the methane carrier is more selective to hydrogen and sensitive to other operating parameters, the argon is not. Statistical analysis shows that plasma power, capacitance, and energy per pulse appear to influence hydrogen yield while pulsing frequency and breakdown voltage do not. A higher yield of hydrogen is achieved with low plasma power and a low energy per pulse, with a low capacitance for both cases of pure CH4 and pure Ar. The results show that low plasma power based on a low energy per pulse of <10 mJ is preferable for hydrogen production in a batch reactor. This CO2-free hydrogen production method produces hydrogen from fossil fuels at less than USD 2/kg in electricity.
Technical–Financial Feasibility Study of a Micro-Cogeneration System in the Buildings in Italy
Authors: Battista Gabriele , Vollaro Emanuele de Lieto , Vallati Andrea , Vollaro Roberto de Lieto
Published: July 2023

The current global context, marked by crises such as climate change, the pandemic, and the depletion of fossil fuel resources, underscores the urgent need to minimize waste. Cogeneration technology, which enables simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy from electricity generation waste, offers a promising solution to enhance energy efficiency. Its widespread adoption, particularly in the European Union, where several cogeneration systems are in place, demonstrates its growing popularity. Italy alone has 1865 high-efficiency cogeneration units, contributing significantly to total cogeneration energy generation. Micro-cogeneration, specifically, has attracted attention for its potential to reduce energy waste and environmental impact. This study focuses on assessing the technical and financial feasibility of a micro-cogeneration plant using natural gas-fuelled internal combustion engines, considering different scenarios of plant operating strategies in order to optimize energy production, minimize waste, and mitigate environmental footprints associated with conventional methods. Additionally, it provides valuable guidance for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and decision-makers invested in sustainable energy solutions. By advancing micro-cogeneration technology, this study aims to promote a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to energy production. The methodology applied is based on the development of a numerical model via RETScreen Expert 8 and it was calibrated with one-year energy bills. The study was performed by focusing on the analysis of the annual energy savings, greenhouse gas emission savings, tonnes of oil equivalents savings, and financial parameters such as Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Profitability Index (PI) and Payback time (PBT). The results show, using a micro-cogeneration system in a big complex of buildings, that the financial parameters can continually increase with the plant’s capacity with the electrical load following, but with a loss of the recovered heat from the cogenerator because it may reach values that are not necessary for the users. When the thermal load variation is much more significant than the electrical load variation, it will be useful to design the plant to follow the thermal load variation which allows the full utilization of the thermal and energy production from the plant without any waste energy and choosing a system capacity that can optimize the energy, emissions and financial aspects.
Improving the Microstructural and Rheological Properties of Frozen Unfermented Wheat Dough with Laccase and Ferulic Acid
Authors: He Ni , Pan Zhiqin , Li Lin , Zhang Xia , Yuan Yi , Yang Yipeng , Han Shuangyan , Li Bing
Published: July 2023

The quality deterioration that is induced by freezing treatment limits the development of frozen dough technology for standardized and delayed baking. In this study, laccase (LAC) and ferulic acid (FA) were employed to improve the rheological properties and microstructure of frozen unfermented dough. The results showed that the dough with LAC + FA had a lower softening degree than the dough with FA alone. Correspondingly, LAC + FA incorporation enhanced the viscoelastic behavior of frozen unfermented dough with better stability. Furthermore, a more uniform and homogeneous gluten network was observed in the LAC + FA-supplemented dough after 21 d of storage. The structural stability of the frozen gluten sample increased after LAC + FA treatment, possibly owing to an increase in the oxidation degree of FA. Moreover, LAC + FA treatment promoted the oxidation of the sulfhydryl groups to some extent, resulting in more extensive cross-linking. LAC + FA treatment hindered the protein conformational changes typically induced by frozen storage compared with LAC alone. Overall, LAC + FA treatment has a synergistic effect on enhancing the viscoelastic behaviors of frozen unfermented dough and inhibiting the conformational variation in frozen gluten; thus, it shows promise for improving frozen dough.
A Proposed Global Medicines Agency (GMA) to Make Biological Drugs Accessible: Starting with the League of Arab States
Authors: Niazi Sarfaraz K.
Published: July 2023

Medical anthropology teaches us of historical disparity in the accessibility of medicines in the developing world due to their lack of availability and affordability, more particularly of biological drugs, including therapeutic proteins, gene therapy, CRISPR-Cas9, mRNA therapeutics, CART therapy, and many more. This challenge can be resolved by establishing an independent regulatory agency, proposed as the Global Medicines Agency (GMA), with a charter to allow originators from the Stringent Regulatory Agency (SRA) countries to receive immediate registrations applicable to all member states, expanding the market potential as an incentive. For non-SRA countries, it will be limited to biological drugs that are allowed their copies to be made, only biosimilars. A transparent approval process will involve using a rapporteur, a third-party product-related current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), and assurance of the integrity of samples tested for analytical similarity and clinical pharmacology testing. GMA membership will be open to all countries. Still, it is suggested that the League of Arab States, representing 22 states with a population of 400 million, takes the lead due to their cultural and language homogeneity, which is likely to provide a concurrence among the member states. However, some states, like the Gulf Cooperative Council, are already accustomed to this approach, albeit with a different perspective. The target drugs are biotechnology and gene therapy pharmaceuticals, and their scope can be expanded to any drug.
Association of D-Dimer, C-Reactive Protein, and Ferritin with COVID-19 Severity in Pregnant Women: Important Findings of a Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Brazil
Authors: Paixão Jenephy Thalita Rosa , Santos Carolinne de Jesus Santos e , França Ana Paula Figueiredo de Montalvão , Lima Sandra Souza , Laurentino Rogério Valois , Fonseca Ricardo Roberto de Souza , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário , Oliveira-Filho Aldemir Branco , Machado Luiz Fernando Almeida
Published: July 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great impact on pregnant women due to the broad clinical spectrum of the disease. The present study investigated the profile of three biomarkers during hospital admission of pregnant women—D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and ferritin—and their correlation with the severity and outcome of COVID-19. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 226 pregnant women hospitalized in the city of Belém, Pará, Northern Brazil, from April 2020 to July 2021. Epidemiological and laboratory data were obtained from medical records, and all pregnant women underwent RT-PCR molecular testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Results: In total, 121 (53.5%) were positive and 105 (46.5%) were negative for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR. Most pregnant women (49.5%) with COVID-19 were between 26 and 34 years old, were residing in the interior of the state of Pará (51.2%), and were in the third gestational trimester (71.9%). In addition, 71.1% of them were admitted to the ward and 28.9% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), with 90.9% surviving COVID-19. The concentrations of D-dimer (p = 0.0122) and ferritin (p ≤ 0.0001) were significantly higher among pregnant women with COVID-19, especially among those hospitalized in the ICU. Conclusion: Ferritin and D-dimer seem to serve as important biomarkers for the prognosis of COVID-19 in pregnant women, which was not observed for CRP.
Strategies of Modelling Incident Outcomes Using Cox Regression to Estimate the Population Attributable Risk
Authors: Pieters Marliene , Kruger Iolanthe M. , Kruger Herculina S. , Breet Yolandi , Moss Sarah J. , van Oort Andries , Bester Petra , Ricci Cristian
Published: July 2023

When the Cox model is applied, some recommendations about the choice of the time metric and the model’s structure are often disregarded along with the proportionality of risk assumption. Moreover, most of the published studies fail to frame the real impact of a risk factor in the target population. Our aim was to show how modelling strategies affected Cox model assumptions. Furthermore, we showed how the Cox modelling strategies affected the population attributable risk (PAR). Our work is based on data collected in the North-West Province, one of the two PURE study centres in South Africa. The Cox model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of mortality for all causes in relation to smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, and hypertension. Firstly, we used a Cox model with time to event as the underlying time variable. Secondly, we used a Cox model with age to event as the underlying time variable. Finally, the second model was implemented with age classes and sex as strata variables. Mutually adjusted models were also investigated. A statistical test to the multiplicative interaction term the exposures and the log transformed time to event metric was used to assess the proportionality of risk assumption. The model’s fitting was investigated by means of the Akaike Information Criteria (AIC). Models with age as the underlying time variable with age and sex as strata variables had enhanced validity of the risk proportionality assumption and better fitting. The PAR for a specific modifiable risk factor can be defined more accurately in mutually adjusted models allowing better public health decisions. This is not necessarily true when correlated modifiable risk factors are considered.
The Effectiveness of Nursing Rehabilitation Interventions on Self-Care for Older Adults with Respiratory Disorders: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ribeiro Rita , Oliveira Henrique , Goes Margarida , Gonçalves Cátia , Dias Ana , Fonseca César
Published: July 2023

Background: This research work aimed to summarize the rehabilitation nursing interventions published in the scientific literature that most contribute to effective adherence to self-care in older adults with respiratory diseases. Methods: A systematic literature review with meta-analysis was conducted by searching the EBSCOhost platform (CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, Cochrane, and MedicLatina) using the PRISMA methodology. Five articles were selected for final analysis. Meta-analysis was carried out using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software, and the results were presented in a forest plot. Results: Thirty-one self-promoting rehabilitation nursing interventions were identified, with the most effective being those related to the assessment of progress in physical capacity/activity tolerance (functional status category/domain) and the assessment of the increase in health-related quality of life (health-related quality of life category/domain). Conclusions: Rehabilitation nursing interventions such as self-management programs led by nurses, community-based and home-based rehabilitation programs, and inspiratory muscle training can effectively reduce and enable the effective control of symptoms associated with respiratory disorders, boosting older adults’ empowerment to engage in self-care.
Spatiotemporal Predictive Geo-Visualization of Criminal Activity for Application to Real-Time Systems for Crime Deterrence, Prevention and Control
Authors: Salcedo-Gonzalez Mayra , Suarez-Paez Julio , Esteve Manuel , Palau Carlos Enrique
Published: July 2023

This article presents the development of a geo-visualization tool, which provides police officers or any other type of law enforcement officer with the ability to conduct the spatiotemporal predictive geo-visualization of criminal activities in short and continuous time horizons, according to the real events that are happening: that is, for those geographical areas, time slots, and dates that are of interest to users, with the ability to consider individual events or groups of events. This work used real data collected by the Colombian National Police (PONAL); it constitutes a tool that is especially effective when applied to Real-Time Systems for crime deterrence, prevention, and control. For its creation, the spatial and temporal correlation of the events is carried out and the following deep learning techniques are employed: CNN-1D (Convolutional Neural Network-1D), MLP (multilayer perceptron), LSTM (long short-term memory), and the classical technique of VAR (vector autoregression), due to its appropriate performance in the multi-step and multi-parallel forecasting of multivariate time series with sparse data. This tool was developed with Open-Source Software (OSS) as it is implemented in the Python programming language with the corresponding machine learning libraries. It can be implemented with any geographic information system (GIS) and used in relation to other types of activities, such as natural disasters or terrorist activities.
Molecular Impact of Conventional and Electronic Cigarettes on Pulmonary Surfactant
Authors: Garavaglia Maria Lisa , Bodega Francesca , Porta Cristina , Milzani Aldo , Sironi Chiara , Dalle-Donne Isabella
Published: July 2023

The alveolar epithelium is covered by a non-cellular layer consisting of an aqueous hypophase topped by pulmonary surfactant, a lipo-protein mixture with surface-active properties. Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) affects lung physiology and is linked to the development of several diseases. The macroscopic effects of CS are determined by several types of cell and molecular dysfunction, which, among other consequences, lead to surfactant alterations. The purpose of this review is to summarize the published studies aimed at uncovering the effects of CS on both the lipid and protein constituents of surfactant, discussing the molecular mechanisms involved in surfactant homeostasis that are altered by CS. Although surfactant homeostasis has been the topic of several studies and some molecular pathways can be deduced from an analysis of the literature, it remains evident that many aspects of the mechanisms of action of CS on surfactant homeostasis deserve further investigation.
Thymocyte Development of Humanized Mice Is Promoted by Interactions with Human-Derived Antigen Presenting Cells upon Immunization
Authors: Fukuhara Takataro , Ueda Yoshihiro , Lee Sung-Il , Odaka Tokifumi , Nakajima Shinsuke , Fujisawa Jun-Ichi , Okuma Kazu , Naganuma Makoto , Okazaki Kazuichi , Kondo Naoyuki , Kamioka Yuji , Matsumoto Mitsuru , Kinashi Tatsuo
Published: July 2023

Immune responses in humanized mice are generally inefficient without co-transplantation of human thymus or HLA transgenes. Previously, we generated humanized mice via the intra-bone marrow injection of CD133+ cord blood cells into irradiated adult immunodeficient mice (IBMI-huNSG mice), which could mount functional immune responses against HTLV-1, although the underlying mechanisms were still unknown. Here, we investigated thymocyte development in IBMI-huNSG mice, focusing on the roles of human and mouse MHC restriction. IBMI-huNSG mice had normal developmental profiles but aberrant thymic structures. Surprisingly, the thymic medulla-like regions expanded after immunization due to enhanced thymocyte expansion in association with the increase in HLA-DR+ cells, including CD205+ dendritic cells (DCs). The organ culture of thymus from immunized IBMI-huNSG mice with a neutralizing antibody to HLA-DR showed the HLA-DR-dependent expansion of CD4 single positive thymocytes. Mature peripheral T-cells exhibited alloreactive proliferation when co-cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Live imaging of the thymus from immunized IBMI-huNSG mice revealed dynamic adhesive contacts of human-derived thymocytes and DCs accompanied by Rap1 activation. These findings demonstrate that an increase in HLA-DR+ cells by immunization promotes HLA-restricted thymocyte expansion in humanized mice, offering a unique opportunity to generate humanized mice with ease.
DNA Methylation in the Fields of Prenatal Diagnosis and Early Detection of Cancers
Authors: Coppedè Fabio , Bhaduri Utsa , Stoccoro Andrea , Nicolì Vanessa , Di Venere Eleonora , Merla Giuseppe
Published: July 2023

The central objective of the metamorphosis of discovery science into biomedical applications is to serve the purpose of patients and curtail the global disease burden. The journey from the discovery of DNA methylation (DNAm) as a biological process to its emergence as a diagnostic tool is one of the finest examples of such metamorphosis and has taken nearly a century. Particularly in the last decade, the application of DNA methylation studies in the clinic has been standardized more than ever before, with great potential to diagnose a multitude of diseases that are associated with a burgeoning number of genes with this epigenetic alteration. Fetal DNAm detection is becoming useful for noninvasive prenatal testing, whereas, in very preterm infants, DNAm is also shown to be a potential biological indicator of prenatal risk factors. In the context of cancer, liquid biopsy-based DNA-methylation profiling is offering valuable epigenetic biomarkers for noninvasive early-stage diagnosis. In this review, we focus on the applications of DNA methylation in prenatal diagnosis for delivering timely therapy before or after birth and in detecting early-stage cancers for better clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we also provide an up-to-date commercial landscape of DNAm biomarkers for cancer detection and screening of cancers of unknown origin.