bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Supercritical transesterification route for biodiesel production: Effect of parameters on yield and future perspectives
Authors: Singh Chandra Shekhar , Kumar Naveen , Gautam Raghvenrda 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCatalyst‐free biodiesel production through supercritical transesterification is faster with the high conversion and a more environment‐friendly route than conventional catalyst transesterification. Improving and exploring the new possibilities in this alternative biodiesel production method by including newly available technology will lead us to a more sustainable future. In this paper, supercritical transesterification of biodiesel production has been reviewed in detail. The different parameters of this method, such as temperature, pressure, molar ratio, alcohol types, and residence time which affect the yielding and quality of fuel, have been reviewed. Besides, recycling the energy and suitable feedstock for this method has also been explored to reduce the intensive energy demand and operating cost. Furthermore, light has also thrown on co‐solvents effect on this method to reduce the extreme reaction conditions required. At last, the review concludes future recommendations in supercritical transesterification along with the challenges in energy integration and recycling.
Caution against examining the role of reverse causality in Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Lutz Sharon M. , Wu Ann Chen , Hokanson John E. , Vansteelandt Stijn , Lange Christoph 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRecently, Mendelian Randomization (MR) has gained in popularity as a concept to assess the causal relationship between phenotypes in genetic association studies. An extension of standard MR methodology, the MR Steiger approach, has recently been developed to infer the causal direction between two phenotypes in prospective studies. Through simulation studies, we examined and quantified the ability of the MR Steiger approach to determine the causal direction between two phenotypes (i.e., effect direction). Through simulation studies, our results show that the MR Steiger approach may fail to correctly identify the direction of causality. This is true, especially in the presence of pleiotropy. We also applied the MR Steiger method to the COPDGene study, a case‐control study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in current and former smokers, to examine the role of smoking on lung function. We have created an R package on Github called reverseDirection which runs simulations for user‐specified scenarios to examine when the MR Steiger approach can correctly determine the causal direction between two phenotypes in any user specified scenario. In summary, our results emphasize the importance of caution when the MR Steiger approach is used in to infer the direction of causality.
Spatiotemporal Phylodynamics of Hepatitis C Among People Who Inject Drugs in India
Authors: Clipman Steven J. , Mehta Shruti H. , Rodgers Mary A. , Duggal Priya , Srikrishnan Aylur K. , Saravanan Shanmugam , Balakrishnan Pachamuthu , Vasudevan Canjeevaran K. , Ray Stuart C. , Kumar Muniratnam S. , Quinn Thomas C. , Cloherty Gavin A. , Lucas Gregory M. , Solomon Sunil S. 
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims
Implementing effective interventions for HCV requires a detailed understanding of local transmission dynamics and geospatial spread. Little is known about HCV phylodynamics, particularly among high‐burden populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWID).

Approach and Results
We used 483 HCV sequences and detailed individual‐level data from PWID across four Indian cities. Bayesian phylogeographic analyses were used to evaluate transmission hotspots and geospatial diffusion of the virus. Phylogenetic cluster analysis was performed to infer epidemiologic links and factors associated with clustering. A total of 492 HIV sequences were used to draw comparisons within the same population and, in the case of coinfections, evaluate molecular evidence for shared transmission pathways. Overall, 139/483 (28.8%) of HCV sequences clustered with a median cluster size of 3 individuals. Genetically linked participants with HCV were significantly younger and more likely to be infected with HCV subtype 3b as well as to live and inject close to one another. Phylogenetic evidence suggests likely ongoing HCV infection/reinfection with limited support for shared HIV/HCV transmission pathways. Phylogeographic analyses trace historic HCV spread back to Northeastern India and show diffusion patterns consistent with drug trafficking routes.

Conclusions
This study characterizes HCV phylodynamics among PWID in a low and middle‐income country setting. Heterogeneity and recent genetic linkage of HCV across geographically disparate Indian states suggest that targeted interventions could help prevent reimportation of virus through drug trafficking routes.
Interactions between aquatic vegetation, hydraulics and fine sediment: A case study in the Halswell River, New Zealand
Authors: Biggs Hamish J. , Haddadchi Arman , Hicks D. Murray 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper contributes a field study of suspended sediment transport through aquatic vegetation. The study was run over a 3 month period which was selected to coincide with scheduled weed cutting activities. This provided the opportunity to obtain data points with no vegetation cover, as well as to investigate the effects of weed cutting on Suspended Sediment Concentrations (SSC), particle size distributions and river hydraulics. Aquatic vegetation cover was quantified through remote sensing with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and biomass estimated from ground truth sampling. SSC was highly dependent on aquatic vegetation abundance, and the distance upstream that had been cleared of aquatic vegetation. The data indicates that fine sediment was being trapped and stored by aquatic vegetation, then likely remobilised after vegetation removal. Investigation of suspended sediment spatial dynamics illustrated changes in particle size distribution due to preferential settling of coarse particles within aquatic vegetation, for example D50 decreased from 36.08 μm to 15.64 μm after suspended sediment travelled 304.2 m downstream and passed ~3700 kg of aquatic vegetation biomass. Hydraulic resistance in the study reach (parameterized by Manning'sn) dropped by over 70% following vegetation cutting. Prior to cutting hydraulic resistance was discharge dependent (likely due to vegetation pronating at higher flows), while post cutting hydraulic resistance was approximately invariant of discharge. Aerial surveying captured interesting changes in aquatic vegetation cover prior to vegetation cutting, where some very dense regions of aquatic vegetation were naturally removed (without any high flow events) leaving behind unvegetated riverbed and fine sediment. The weed cutting boat had a lower impact on SSC than was originally expected, which indicates that it may offer a less damaging solution to aquatic vegetation removal in rivers than some other approaches such as mechanical excavation. This paper contributes valuable field data (which are generally scarce) on the research topic of flow‐vegetation‐sediment interactions, to supplement laboratory and numerical studies.
Transport energy consumption and carbon emissions: The role of urbanization towards environment in SAARC region
Authors: Mehmood Usman 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Most of the existing literature on environmental assessment has concentrated on the linkages between energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and little attention has been paid to the association between transport energy consumption and CO2 emissions, which cannot be underestimated. Therefore, the present study contributes to the literature on the sustainable transport sector and urban settlements in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries through an analysis of annual data from 1996 to 2015. Two unit root tests revealed mixed orders of integration for all variables. The Kao cointegration test revealed a strong association among the variables. The panel mean group (PMG) estimator confirmed that urbanization and regulatory quality improve air quality in the SAARC region. Gross domestic product (GDP) and the use of transport energy lower air quality. Considering the role of transport energy use in increasing CO2 emissions, this study provides some policy implications for the sustainable transport sector in SAARC countries. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1286–1292. © 2021 SETAC
KEY POINTS
This work links transport energy consumption, urbanization, regulatory quality, and GDP in SAARC countries. Transport energy consumption is increasing CO2 emissions in SAARC countries. GDP and regulatory quality is decreasing CO2 emissions in SAARC countries. Important policy implications regarding the promotion of renewable energy in transport sector are recommended.
China's carbon emissions from the electricity sector: Spatial characteristics and interregional transfer
Authors: Fan Fengyan , Wang Yuying , Liu Qunyi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
As a major carbon emitter, the electricity sector is crucial to the realization of China's emission reduction objectives. Existing studies focus mostly on the influencing factors, emission efficiency and low carbon development of carbon emissions in the electricity sector. Missing from the literature is an analysis of spatial characteristics of carbon emissions and the embodied carbon emission transfer caused by the separation of electricity production and consumption, which is the basis for assigning the responsibility for emission reduction. Thirty provinces in China were taken as research objects, and Moran's I index was adopted to analyze the spatial characteristics of the electricity sector's carbon emissions and carbon emission intensity. Based on multiregional input–output tables, we compared the transfer situation of China's provincial electricity carbon emissions in 2010 and 2015. The results demonstrate that, from 2010 to 2015, the electricity carbon emissions in 20 provinces increased, whereas the carbon emission intensity in 21 provinces decreased. Carbon emissions and carbon emission intensity of electricity in most provinces demonstrate positive spatial clustering characteristics. The total amount of carbon emission transfer in the electricity sector increased from 421.22 million tons in 2010 to 581.369 million tons in 2015, the number of net transfers out of areas increased from 13 to 15, and the number of net transfers into areas decreased from 16 to 15. The active degree of carbon emission transfer reveals the eastern region &gt; the central region &gt; the western region. Different emission reduction policies should be formulated based on the difference in resource endowment between the north and south. Provinces that transferred out large amounts of electricity carbon emissions should take greater responsibility for emission reduction. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:258–273. © 2021 SETAC
KEY POINTS
From 2010 to 2015, the electricity carbon emissions of most provinces in China increased, but the intensity of carbon emissions decreased, which indicates that the carbon emission efficiency of electricity consumption in most Chinese provinces has improved. The carbon emission efficiency of electricity consumption in China's provinces is conversely correlated to the level of regional economic development. From 2010 to 2015, the number of net transfer-out regions increased, mainly in the eastern region, whereas the number of net transfer-in regions decreased, mainly in the central and western regions with low economic development. The degree of activity in electricity carbon emission transfer reveals the eastern region &gt; the central region &gt; the western region.
Polydatin has anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects in LPS‐induced macrophages and improves DSS‐induced mice colitis
Authors: Chen Guangxin , Yang Ziyue , Wen Da , Guo Jian , Xiong Qiuhong , Li Ping , Zhao Liping , Wang Junping , Wu Changxin , Dong Lina 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPolydatin (PD), a monocrystalline compound isolated from the root and rhizome of Polygonum cuspidatum, is widely used in inhibiting the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. PD has an anti‐inflammatory effect on colitis mice; however, information regulating the mechanism by which maintains the intestinal epithelium barrier is currently scarce. Here, we assessed the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant of PD in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced macrophages in vitro, and explored its effects on inhibiting intestinal inflammation and maintaining the intestinal epithelium barrier in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis mice. Results showed that PD reduced the level of proinflammatory cytokines and enzymes, including tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), IL‐6, cyclooxygenase‐2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase, in LPS‐induced macrophages, and improved the expression level of IL‐10. PD maintained the expression of tight junction proteins in medium (LPS‐induced macrophages medium)‐induced MCEC cells. Additionally, PD inhibited the phosphorylation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), p65, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐1/2, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, and p38 signaling pathways in LPS‐induced macrophages and facilitated the phosphorylation of AKT and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, improving the expression of HO‐1 and NQO1. Furthermore, PD ameliorated the intestinal inflammatory response and improved the dysfunction of the colon epithelium barrier in DSS‐induced colitis mice. Taken together, our results indicated that PD inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress, maintained the intestinal epithelium barrier, and the protective role of PD was associated with the NF‐κB p65, itogen‐activated protein kinases, and AKT/Nrf2/HO‐1/NQO1 signaling pathway.
SARS‐CoV‐2 congenital infection and pre‐eclampsia‐like syndrome in dichorionic twins: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Abadía‐Cuchí Natalia , Ruiz‐Martínez Sara , Fabre Marta , Mateo Purificación , Remacha Sienes María , Ventura Faci Purificación , Bueno Sancho Jessica , Benito Rafael , Paules Cristina 
Published: May 2021

SynopsisDescription of a case of probable transplacental transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 to both twins and development of pre‐eclampsia‐like syndrome in the mother.
High‐security photoacoustic identity recognition by capturing hierarchical vascular structure of finger
Authors: Sun Mingman , Ma Yuanzheng , Tong Zhuangzhuang , Wang Zhiyang , Zhang Wuyu , Yang Sihua 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCurrently, most biometric methods mainly use single features, making them easily forged and cracked. In this study, a novel triple‐layers biometric recognition method, based on photoacoustic microscopy, is proposed to improve the security of biometric identity recognition. Using the photoacoustic (PA) dermoscope, three‐dimensional absorption‐structure information of the fingers was obtained. Then, by combining U‐Net, Gabor filtering, wavelet analysis and morphological transform, a lightweight algorithm called photoacoustic depth feature recognition algorithm (PADFR) was developed to automatically realize stratification (the fingerprint, blood vessel fingerprint and venous vascular), extracting feature points and identity recognition. The experimental results show that PADFR can automatically recognize the PA hierarchical features with an average accuracy equal to 92.99%. The proposed method is expected to be widely used in biometric identification system due to its high security.
Renal Contributions to Age‐Related Changes in Mineral Metabolism
Authors: Irsik Debra L , Bollag Wendy B , Isales Carlos M 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTAging results in a general decline in function in most systems. This is particularly true with respect to the skeleton and renal systems, impacting mineral homeostasis. Calcium and phosphate regulation requires tight coordination among the intestine, bone, parathyroid gland, and kidney. The role of the intestine is to absorb calcium and phosphate from the diet. The bone stores or releases calcium and phosphate depending on the body's needs. In response to low plasma ionized calcium concentration, the parathyroid gland produces parathyroid hormone, which modulates bone turnover. The kidney reabsorbs or excretes the minerals and serves as the final regulator of plasma concentration. Many hormones are involved in this process in addition to parathyroid hormone, including fibroblast growth factor 23 produced by the bone and calcitriol synthesized by the kidney. Sclerostin, calcitonin, osteoprotegerin, and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand also contribute to tissue‐specific regulation. Changes in the function of organs due to aging or disease can perturb this balance. During aging, the intestine cannot absorb calcium efficiently due to decreased expression of key proteins. In the bone, the balance between bone formation and bone resorption tends toward the latter in older individuals. The kidney may not filter blood as efficiently in the later decades of life, and the expression of certain proteins necessary for mineral homeostasis declines with age. These changes often lead to dysregulation of organismal mineral homeostasis. This review will focus on how mineral homeostasis is impacted by aging with a particular emphasis on the kidney's role in this process. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Fractures After Denosumab Discontinuation: A Retrospective Study of 797 Cases
Authors: Burckhardt Peter , Faouzi Mohamed , Buclin Thierry , Lamy Olivier ,   and the Swiss Denosumab Study Group
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT
A rebound of osteoclast activity during the 2 years after a treatment or prevention of osteoporosis with denosumab (Dmab) leads to an increased risk of vertebral fractures (VFs). We attempted to identify the risk factors for these VF and to examine the protective role of bisphosphonates. For that, 22 specialists in Switzerland provided data of unselected patients, treated with denosumab for osteoporosis or breast cancer without metastases under aromatase inhibitors, who have received at least two injections of Dmab, with at least 1 year of follow-up after discontinuation. The questionnaire covered separately the periods before, during, and after Dmab treatment, and registered clinical, radiological, and lab data. For the analysis of the risk factors, the main outcomes were the time to the first VF after the treatment, the presence of multiple VFs (MVFs), and the number of VFs. The incidence of VF was 16.4% before, 2.2% during, and 10.3% after the treatment with Dmab. The risk of VF after Dmab discontinuation was associated with an increased risk of non-vertebral fractures. The pretreatment predictors of the post-treatment fracture risk were a parental hip fracture and previous VFs. Further risk factors appeared later, such as low total hip bone mineral density (BMD) during and after denosumab, increased bone resorption markers, and the loss of total hip BMD after the denosumab. Treatment with bisphosphonates, especially after Dmab, had a protective effect. Bisphosphonates given before Dmab did not further decrease the risk of VF in cases who got bisphosphonates after Dmab. This study shows that the risk of VF is poorly predictable before the prescription of denosumab. But during and after the treatment, bone resorption markers and BMD have a significant predictive value. Bisphosphonates after the treatment with denosumab are protective against VFs. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Active autophagy in cancer‐associated fibroblasts: Recent advances in understanding the novel mechanism of tumor progression and therapeutic response
Authors: Jena Bikash Chandra , Rout Lipsa , Dey Ankita , Mandal Mahitosh 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAutophagy is primarily a homeostatic and catabolic process that is increasingly being recognized to have a pivotal role in the initiation and maintenance of cancer cells, as well as in the emergence of therapeutic resistance. Moreover, in the tumor microenvironment (TME) autophagy plays a crucial and sometimes dichotomous role in tumor progression. Recent studies show that during the early stages of tumor initiation, autophagy suppresses tumorigenesis. However, in the advanced stage of tumorigenesis, autophagy promotes cancer progression by protecting cancer cells against stressful conditions and therapeutic assault. Specifically, in cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), autophagy promotes tumorigenesis not only by providing nutrients to the cancerous cells but also by inducing epithelial to mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, stemness, and metastatic dissemination of the cancer cells, whereas in the immune cells, autophagy induces the tumor‐localized immune response. In the TME, CAFs play a crucial role in cancer cell metabolism, immunoreaction, and growth. Therefore, targeting autophagy in CAFs by several pharmacological inducers like rapamycin or the inhibitor such as chloroquine has gained importance in preclinical and clinical trials. In the present review, we summarized the basic mechanism of autophagy in CAFs along with its role in driving tumorigenic progression through several emerging as well as classical hallmarks of cancer. We also addressed various autophagy inducers as well as inhibitors of autophagy for more efficient cancer management. Eventually, we prioritized some of the outstanding issues that must be addressed with utmost priority in the future to elucidate the role of autophagy in CAFs on tumor progression and therapeutic intervention.
Potassium channels and autism spectrum disorder: An overview
Authors: Cheng Peipei , Qiu Zilong , Du Yasong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. It had been demonstrated that potassium channels played a key role in regulating neuronal excitability, which was closely associated with neurological diseases including epilepsy, ataxia, myoclonus, and psychiatric disorders. In recent years, a growing body of evidence from whole‐genome sequencing and whole‐exome sequencing had identified several ASD susceptibility genes of potassium channels in ASD subjects. Genetically dysfunction of potassium channels may be involved in altered neuronal excitability and abnormal brain function in the pathogenesis of ASD. This review summarizes current findings on the features of ASD‐risk genes (KCND2, KCNQ2, KCNQ3, KCNH5, KCNJ2, KCNJ10, and KCNMA1) and further expatiate their potential role in the pathogenicity of ASD.