bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the efficiency of enterprises in the transition to alternative (helio) energy sources
Authors: Perevozova Iryna , Maksimenko Tetiana , Bondarenko Svіtlana 
Published: December 2020

The aim of the article is to study the main approaches and develop a methodology for assessing the efficiency of enterprises in the transition to alternative (helio) energy sources. The concepts of the ʻenergy efficiencyʼ and the ʻenergy savingʼ are the main characteristics of efficient use of energy resources. The term "energy efficiency" is a resultant indicator that captures the achieved level of efficiency of consumption and use of fuel and energy resources in the process of enterprise activity. The concept of ʻenergy savingʼ is a process indicator that indicates the way to achieve energy efficiency (implementation of a set of measures) of resource conservation in the enterprise. It is established that the key indicator for assessing the efficiency of the energy consumption system is the energy intensity indicator, the reduction of which should be considered as one of the main tasks in order to increase the efficiency of the enterprise.
It is proved that the transition of an industrial enterprise to alternative (helio) energy sources is a guarantee of reducing its energy intensity. Therefore, the issues of implementation of energy saving programs are relevant for industrial enterprises. Energy saving measures will help reduce costs at the enterprise, conserve natural resources. The study found that solar energy in Ukraine in 2019 shows a bright positive trend. The ʻgreen tariffʼ was officially received by stations with a total capacity of 3537.382 MW, which is 5.48 times higher than in 2018. In 2019, the capacity of industrial solar power plants was put into operation 3.5 times more than in all previous years. The amount of electricity produced by industrial plants, in 2019, is 2.66 times higher than in 2018.
The transition to alternative energy sources for industrial enterprises is a rather complex technological task, which requires methodological developments for the optimization of energy resources to maximize the efficiency of enterprises. A method for assessing the efficiency of the enterprise in its transition to alternative (helio) energy sources based on the use of production functions and factor models, which include the entire evaluation apparatus and a set of indicators of efficiency (appropriateness) of resource use, i.e. resource conservation. This method of assessing the performance of the enterprise is based on the use of the Cobb-Douglas production function, which allows to justify the decision on the feasibility of the use of production resources and to adjust the deviations of the spent resources from the normative values.
Ice Mass Loss in the Central Andes of Argentina Between 2000 and 2018 Derived From a New Glacier Inventory and Satellite Stereo-Imagery
Authors: Ferri Lidia , Dussaillant Inés , Zalazar Laura , Masiokas Mariano H. , Ruiz Lucas , Pitte Pierre , Gargantini Hernán , Castro Mariano , Berthier Etienne , Villalba Ricardo 
Published: December 2020

Based on the recently released National Glacier Inventory (NGI), we analyzed the characteristics and the mass balance rates of ice masses in the Argentinean Central Andes (ca. 30°–37° S). The NGI provides unprecedented information on area, number and distribution of different ice masses, including debris-covered glaciers and rock glaciers. In the Central Andes, a number of 8,076 ice masses were identified covering a total area of 1767 km2. For the period 2000–2018, a general lowering of the ice surface was observed with a region-wide mass balance rate of −0.18 ± 0.19 m w.e. yr−1. Clear differences depending on the debris coverage of the different ice masses were identified, with mass balance rates ranging from −0.36 ± 0.19 m w.e. yr−1 for partly debris-covered glaciers to −0.02 ± 0.19 m w.e. yr−1 for rock glaciers. Considering different sub-periods, the region-wide mass balance rate was slightly positive (+0.12 ± 0.23 m w. e. yr−1) from 2000 to 2009 and negative (−0.21 ± 0.30 m w.e. yr−1) from 2009 to 2018. A comparison with the Randolph Glacier Inventory (RGI version 6.0) indicates that the NGI provides more detailed information regarding different type of ice masses whereas region-wide mass balance rates show limited sensitivity to the choice of the inventory. The inclusion of rock glaciers and “debris-covered ice with rock glacier” in the NGI causes mass balance rates to be slightly less negative than when using the RGI. Since the Central Andes are experiencing an unprecedented decade-long drought, our study provides crucial information to estimate current and future hydrological contribution of the different type of ice masses to river discharge in the arid subtropical Andes.
High BMI and Insulin Resistance Are Risk Factors for Spontaneous Abortion in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Yi-Fei , Zhang Jie , Xu Yue-Ming , Cao Zi-Yu , Wang Yi-Zhuo , Hao Gui-Min , Gao Bu-Lang 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundThe risk of spontaneous abortion in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART) is higher than that in patients without PCOS, however, no definitive risk factors have been confirmed to associate with the high spontaneous abortion rate in PCOS patients undergoing ART. This study was performed to assess the impact of relevant risk factors on spontaneous abortion in patients with PCOS. Clinical questions were formulated and organized according to the PICOS principle.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on all published studies on PCOS and spontaneous abortion in Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Related risk factors included body mass index (BMI), age, insulin resistance (IR), hyperandrogenism, and chromosome aberrations. All patients were diagnosed as PCOS using the Rotterdam criteria. The primary endpoint was miscarriage and live birth rate. Fixed-effect models were used to analyze homogeneous data, and subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed on heterogeneous data. The source of heterogeneity was evaluated, and the random effect model was used to summarize the heterogeneity.ResultsAmong 1836 retrieved articles, 22 were eligible and included in the analysis with 11182 patients. High BMI (OR = 1.48, 95% CI [1.32, 1.67], MD = 1.35, 95% CI [0.58,2.12]) and insulin resistance (MD = 0.32, 95% CI [0.15, 0.49]) were associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion in PCOS patients undergoing ART. Older age (OR = 0.29, 95% CI [0.29, 0.44], MD = 2.01, 95% CI [0.04, 4.18]), embryonic chromosomal aberrations (OR = 0.75, 95%CI [0.31,1.77]), and hyperandrogenism (MD = 0.10, 95% CI [- 0.02, 0.22]) were not associated with the high spontaneous abortion rate in patients with PCOS. A subgroup analysis of BMI showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the effect between overweight and obesity on spontaneous abortion in PCOS patients undergoing ART (OR = 1.34, 95% [0.97, 1.85]).ConclusionHigh BMI and insulin resistance are two risk factors for an increased risk of spontaneous abortion in PCOS patients undergoing ART, and losing weight and mitigating insulin resistance may decrease the spontaneous abortion rate in these patients undergoing ART.
Biochar-Terracotta Conductive Composites: New Design for Bioelectrochemical Systems
Authors: Cristiani Pierangela , Goglio Andrea , Marzorati Stefania , Fest-Santini Stephanie , Schievano Andrea 
Published: December 2020

Research in the field of bioelectrochemical systems is addressing the need to improve components and reduce their costs in the perspective of their large-scale application. In this view, innovative solid separators of electrodes, made of biochar and terracotta, are investigated. Biochar-based composites are produced from giant cane (Arundo Donax L.). Two different types of composite are used in this experiment: composite A, produced by pyrolysis of crushed chipping of A.donax L. mixed clay; and composite B, produced by pyrolysis of already-pyrolyzed giant cane (biochar) mixed with clay. Electrical resistivity, electrical capacity, porosity, water retention, and water leaching of the two composites types (A and B) with 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mass percentages of carbon (w/w) are characterized and compared. Less than 1 kΩ cm of electrical resistance is obtained for composite A with a carbon content greater than 10%, while physical and electrical performances of composite B do not significantly change. SEM micrographs and 3D microcomputed tomography of different composite materials are provided, demonstrating a different matrix structure of carbon in the terracotta matrix. The possibility of suitably decreasing electric resistance and increasing water retention/leaching of composite A opens the way for a new class of resistive materials that can be simultaneously used as electrolytic separators and as external electric circuits, allowing a compact microbial fuel cell design. A proof of concept of such an MFC design was provided for different tested composites. Although all the anolytes become anaerobic, only the MFCs equipped with the composite A30% were able to produce power, reaching the maximum power peak in correspondence to resistance of about 1 kΩ. The low, but significant, produced power (about 40 mW m−2, cathode area) confirm that the proposed solution is particularly suitable for nutrient recovery and environment pollution bioremediation, where energy harvesting is not requested.
Patterns of Deterioration in Moderate Patients With COVID-19 From Jan 2020 to Mar 2020: A Multi-Center, Retrospective Cohort Study in China
Authors: Chen Sheng-long , Feng Hui-ying , Xu Hui , Huang Shan-shan , Sun Jiu-feng , Zhou Lin , He Jun-lei , Song Wen-liang , Wang Rui-jie , Li Xin , Fang Ming 
Published: December 2020

Background: Around the globe, moderate cases account for the largest proportion of all coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, and deteriorated moderate patients contribute the most in mortality. However, published articles failed to address the deterioration details of moderate cases, especially on when and how they deteriorated.Methods: All moderate COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Guangdong Province from January 14 to March 16, 2020, were included in this multicenter retrospective cohort study and were divided into deteriorated and non-deteriorated groups according to clinical status. Symptoms and demographic, therapeutic, and laboratory test result characteristics were collected to explore the features of disease deterioration.Results: Of 1,168 moderate patients included, 148 (13%) deteriorated to severe (130 cases) or critical (18 cases) status. Over 20% of the older subgroup (&gt;50 years old) showed deterioration. The median time for deterioration was 11 days after onset [interquartile range (IQR) 9–14 days]. In addition, 12.2% severe cases could further develop to critical status after 3 days (IQR 2–6.5 days) of having a severe condition. Respiratory dysfunction and hypoxia were the major manifestations as disease deterioration, while 76 cases (52.1%) showed respiratory rate &gt;30 breaths/min, 119 cases (80.4%) showed SaO2 &lt;93%, 100 cases (67.5%) had 201 &lt; PaO2/FiO2 &lt; 300, and 27 cases (18.9%) had blood lactic acid &gt;2.0 mmol/L. In view of multiple organ dysfunction, 87.8% of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 20.2% of acute kidney injury (AKI), 6.8% of coagulopathy, 4% of acute heart failure (AHF), 3.4% of acute hepatic injury (AHI), and 5.4% of shock occurred in deteriorated patients, while organ injury occurred in the following sequence: ARDS, AKI, AHF, coagulopathy, AHI, and shock.Conclusions: The deteriorated pattern of moderate COVID-19 patients is characterized as the 11th day from onset (IQR 9–14 days) being an important time point of disease deterioration with further exacerbation to critical condition in 3 days (IQR 2–6.5 days), A RDS followed by AKI being the typical modes of sequential organ damage.
Deficiency of Mitochondrial Functions and Peroxidation of Frontoparietal Cortex Enhance Isoflurane Sensitivity in Aging Mice
Authors: Gong Cansheng , Zhang Donghang , Ou Wei , Ou Mengchan , Liang Peng , Liao Daqing , Zhang Weiyi , Zhu Tao , Liu Jin , Zhou Cheng 
Published: December 2020

Background: Hypersensitivity to general anesthetics may predict poor postoperative outcomes, especially among the older subjects. Therefore, it is essential to elucidate the mechanism underlying hypersensitivity to volatile anesthetics in the aging population. Given the fact that isoflurane sensitivity increases with aging, we hypothesized that deficiencies of mitochondrial function and elevated oxidative levels in the frontoparietal cortex may contribute to the enhanced sensitivity to isoflurane in aging mice.Methods: Isoflurane sensitivity in aging mice was determined by the concentration of isoflurane that is required for loss of righting reflex (LORR). Mitochondrial bioenergetics of the frontoparietal cortex was measured using a Seahorse XFp analyzer. Protein oxidation and lipid oxidation in the frontoparietal cortex were assessed using the Oxyblot protein oxidation detection kit and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay, respectively. Contributions of mitochondrial complex II inhibition by malonate and peroxidation by ozone to isoflurane sensitivity were tested in vivo. Besides, effects of antioxidative therapy on mitochondrial function and isoflurane sensitivity in mice were also measured.Results: The mean concentration of isoflurane that is required for LORR in aging mice (14–16 months old) was 0.83% ± 0.13% (mean ± SD, n = 80). Then, the mice were divided into three groups as sensitive group (S group, mean − SD), medium group (M group), and resistant group (R group, mean + SD) based on individual concentrations of isoflurane required for LORR. Activities of mitochondrial complex II and complex IV in mice of the S group were significantly lower than those of the R group, while frontoparietal cortical malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were higher in the mice of S group. Both inhibition of mitochondrial complexes and peroxidation significantly decreased the concentration of isoflurane that is required for LORR in vivo. After treatment with idebenone, the levels of lipid oxidation were alleviated and mitochondrial function was restored in aging mice. The concentration of isoflurane that required for LORR was also elevated after idebenone treatment.Conclusions: Decreased mitochondrial functions and higher oxidative stress levels in the frontoparietal cortex may contribute to the hypersensitivity to isoflurane in aging mice.
The Pain–to–Well-Being Relationship in Patients Experiencing Chronic Orofacial Pain
Authors: Bhalang Kanokporn , Steiger Beat , Lukic Nenad , Zumbrunn Wojczyńska Aleksandra , Hovijitra Ray S. , Ettlin Dominik A. 
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Orofacial pain features may negatively influence a person's well-being and vice versa. Some aspects of well-being can be measured with axis II instruments that assess patients' psychosocial and behavioral status. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between pain features and psychosocial variables as indicators of well-being.Materials and Methods: Seven hundred ninety-nine anonymized datasets collected using the Web-based Interdisciplinary Symptom Evaluation (WISE) of patients reporting to the Interdisciplinary Orofacial Pain Unit, University of Zurich, between March 19, 2017 and May 19, 2019, were analyzed. Pain features including intensity, number of locations, impact, and duration were evaluated. Psychometric measures assessed pain-related catastrophizing and disability, illness perception, distress, anxiety, depression, injustice experience, dysmorphic concerns, and insomnia.Results: Most patients were between 30 and 59 years old (58.3%), female (69.8%), working (66.0%), and experienced pain for more than 6 months (68.5%). Pain intensities were higher in women than men and higher in disabled than working patients. Scores indicating elevated stress and depression were also observed in disabled patients. The sample prevalence rates of clinically relevant axis II instrument scores were as follows: Graded Chronic Pain Scale for the Head (GCPS-H), 27%; Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ4), 21%; PHQ9, 21%; Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), 20%; General Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD7), 15%; Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), 15%; Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ), 14%; GCPS for the Body (GCPS-B), 13%; PHQ for Stress (PHQstr), 6%; and Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ), 2%. Noteworthy results of correlation analysis of the clinically relevant axis II scores and pain measures were as follows: the PHQstr had moderate associations (0.34–0.43) with the sum of pain intensity at rest and during function, number of pain locations, and typical pain intensity. The IEQ scores were moderately associated with typical pain intensity at 0.39. The DCQ scores were moderately associated with pain extension at 0.41.Conclusions: Moderate correlations of certain pain and well-being measures were found in patients reporting clinically relevant stress, injustice experience, and dysmorphic concern, all of which reflect impaired well-being. PHQ4 is suitable for routine distress screening in the clinical setting.
Patient Preference for Antiepileptic Drugs Treatment in China: Evidence From the Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Hua Yingjie , Zhu Zhenguo , Li Xueying , Gong Jiaoni , Ding Siqi , Lin Jiahe , Wang Xinshi , Du Yanru , Xia Niange , Zheng Rongyuan , Xu Huiqin 
Published: December 2020

Objective: Explore Chinese patients' risk-benefit preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) treatment through the discrete choice experiment (DCE).Method: Six attributes including the efficacy of AEDs, adverse reactions (digestive system, neuropsychic systems, and the effects on the fetus), dosing frequency and drug costs (to estimate patient WTP) were included in the DCE questionnaire based on results collected from literature reviews, expert consultation, and patient survey. The alternative-specific conditional logit model was used to analyze patient preference and WTP for each attribute and its level and to assess the sociodemographic impact and clinical characteristics.Results: A total of 151 valid questionnaires were collected. The result shows that five out of the six attributes are significant, except the dosing frequency. Among the six attributes, the efficacy of AEDs (10.0; 95% CI 8.9–11.1) is mostly concerned by patients, followed by the effects of AEDs on the fetus (8.9; 95% CI 7.7–10.1), duration of side effects in the neuropsychic system (4.9; 95% CI 3.7–6.0) and adverse reactions of the digestive system (3.2; 95% CI 1.5–4.2). The patients surveyed are willing to spend ¥ 1,246 (95% CI, ¥ 632- ¥ 1,861) per month to ensure 100% seizure control, and ¥ 1,112 (95% CI, ¥ 586–¥ 1,658) to reduce the risk of the drug affecting the fetus to 3%. Besides, it was found that personal characteristics including the intention for conception and AEDs treatment regimens have statistical significance.Conclusion: Improving the drug's efficacy and reducing its side effects are predominant considerations for patients with epilepsy in China, especially for those who are concerned about the seizure control and the drug effect on the fetus. This finding is useful to physicians and can encourage shared decision-making between the patients and their doctors in the clinic.
Effects of Computerized Updating and Inhibition Training in Older Adults: The ACTOP Three-Arm Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial
Authors: Boujut Arnaud , Verty Lynn Valeyry , Maltezos Samantha , Lussier Maxime , Mellah Samira , Bherer Louis , Belleville Sylvie 
Published: December 2020

Background: Working memory (WM) capacity declines with advancing age, which impacts the ability to carry out complex cognitive activities in everyday life. Updating and inhibition processes have been identified as some of the most critical attentional control processes of WM and are linked to age-related WM decline. The general aim of the Attentional Control Training in Older People (ACTOP) study was to perform a side-by-side comparison of updating and inhibition training to examine their respective efficacy and transfer in cognitively healthy older adults.Method: The study was a three-arm, double-blind, randomized controlled trial registered with the US National Institutes of Health clinical trials registry. Ninety older adults were randomly assigned to 12 half-hour sessions of updating (N-back type exercises), inhibition (Stroop-like exercises) computerized training or active control (general knowledge quiz game). A group of thirty younger adults completed all proximal and WM transfer tasks without training to assess age-related deficits prior to training and whether training reduces these deficits.Results: Piecewise mixed models show quick improvement of performance during training for both updating and inhibition training. During updating training, the progression was more pronounced for the most difficult (3-back) than for the least (1-back) difficult level until the ninth session. Updating and inhibition training groups improved performance on all proximal and WM transfer measures but these improvements did not differ from the active control group. Younger adults outperformed older ones on all transfer tasks prior to training. However, this was no longer the case following training for two transfer tasks regardless of the training group.Conclusion: The overall results from this study suggest that attentional control training is effective in improving updating and inhibition performance on training tasks. The optimal dose to achieve efficacy is ~9 half-hour sessions and the dose effect was related to difficulty level for updating training. Despite an overall improvement of older adults on all transfer tasks, neither updating nor inhibition training provided additional improvements in comparison with the active control condition. This suggests that the efficacy of process-based training does not directly affect transfer tasks.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03532113