bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Smartness’ narratives: A critical discourse analysis of smart eldercare in urban China
Authors: Yu Yi 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe rise of smart technology, endorsed by government institutions and recognised for its societal benefits and potential for urban management, has carved a niche for smart eldercare. However, discourses around smart care vary among stakeholders, leading to a constant (re)production of it. This paper investigates three overlapping and sometimes converging stakeholders' (governments, corporations and capital investors) discourses in defining ‘smart eldercare’, arguing that these discourses significantly influence the promotion, implementation and acceptance of smart eldercare in urban Chinese communities. Government entities view smart eldercare as an efficient tool for facilitating community‐based population governance and providing a social safety net. In contrast, eldercare corporations view smart eldercare as a powerful narrative to attract investment and secure government funding, while also serving as a means of surveilling in‐home care labour. For capital investors, eldercare stands out as a burgeoning and resilient sector, encompassing latent values that warrant careful consideration, especially during periods of economic downturn. Through the lens of discourse analysis, this study underscores the tensions between different discourses and the ways it produces ‘smartness’ in urban China. This paper advocates for understanding ‘smartness’ as a complex, multifaceted concept shaped by diverse stakeholder discourses and socio‐economic‐political contexts, necessitating flexible, context‐sensitive interpretations through discourse analysis. To advance ongoing debates in geography on smart care, smart cities and ageing, this paper reveals how these stakeholder discourses co‐produce the notion of ‘smartness’ in urban eldercare, while highlighting the socio‐political dynamics underlying technology‐driven governance in China.
Outcomes of dermal substitutes in burns and burn scar reconstruction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: van den Bosch Anna S. , Verwilligen Robin A. F. , Pijpe Anouk , Bosma Eelke , van der Vlies Cees H. , Lucas Ymke , Burchell George L. , van Zuijlen Paul P. M. , Middelkoop Esther ,   The National Burn Care, Education & Research group, The Netherlands
Published: October 2024

AbstractDermal substitutes have been introduced in burn care to improve wound healing outcomes; however, their use remains limited in standard treatments. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the outcomes of dermal substitutes in patients with burns and patients requiring burn scar reconstruction and subsequently contribute to optimising the integration of dermal substitutes into clinical practice and reducing the knowledge gap. A comprehensive search across various databases included human studies from peer‐reviewed journals on dermal substitutes for deep dermal and full‐thickness burns, and scar reconstruction across all ages. Data from comparative trials were extracted, focusing on patient and wound characteristics, treatment specifics, and outcomes related to wound healing and scar quality. Meta‐analysis was performed on trials reporting similar post‐burn measures, with statistical heterogeneity assessed. Outcomes were presented using mean differences or odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 31 comparative trials were included. The overall quality of the studies was considered moderate. The meta‐analysis indicated delayed re‐epithelialization 4–7 days after treatment with a collagen‐elastin matrix compared to split‐thickness skin graft in acute burns (−7.30%, p = 0.02). Significant improvement in subjective scar quality was observed with acellular dermal matrix compared to split‐thickness skin graft in acute burn wounds 6 months post‐operative (−1.95, p <0.01). While acknowledging the initially delayed wound healing, incorporating dermal substitutes into the surgical treatment of burn patients holds promise for enhancing scar quality. However, future research must prioritise outcome measure uniformity, address variations in dermal substitute application, and standardise indications for consistent and effective practices.
In Situ Synthesis of Nano PtRuW/WC Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Catalyst for Acid Hydrogen Evolution by a Microwave Method
Authors: Sun Liangliang , Chen Zihao , Huang Zitong , Liu Xiang , Yang Yang , Wu Yongxin , Han Zhaoyan , Liang Fengbo 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
One of the primary challenges in electrocatalysis for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) lies in the development of highly efficient catalysts suitable in acidic environments. Tungsten carbide-based materials have long been proposed as potential substitutes for Pt due to their “Pt-like” electronic properties in the HER process. However, tungsten carbide still falls short of the performance exhibited by commercial precious-metal catalysts. Herein, PtRuW/WC was prepared by a microwave heating method and acted as a HER electrocatalyst. The microwave method not only enhances the diffraction peaks of the substrate tungsten carbide but also facilitates the growth of metal ions at specific sites. The PtRuW/WC catalyst demonstrates outstanding performance in acidic HER, characterized by a minimal overpotential of 40.7 mV at 10 mA/cm2 (ɳ10). Furthermore, it exhibits exceptional stability in acidic solutions, showing no substantial degradation during 20 h at 1000 mA/cm2. The catalyst-assembled polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolytic water electrode further proves that PtRuW/WC has excellent electrolytic water performance and makes some efforts for the development of commercial PEM electrolytic water.
Experimental Investigation on Vortex Generator's Distance From Film Cooling Hole
Authors: Halder Nirmal 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The effects of vortex generator distance from film cooling holes on increasing gas turbine blade film cooling efficiency have been studied experimentally. The technique of infrared (IR) thermography has been implemented to study the temperature field. The diameter of the film cooling hole and the crossflow velocity define the Reynolds number, which is fixed at 2369. There are now three different jets for crossflow blowing ratio adjustments: 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5. Three different vortex generator distances from the film cooling hole have been studied experimentally to increase the gas turbine blade film cooling efficiency. It has been shown that the lowest distance between vortex generator distance and film cooling hole yields better film cooling efficiency. Overall, the delta winglet pair with the lowest distance between vortex generator distance and film cooling hole outperforms the higher distance because of the generation of secondary longitudinal vortices that completely destroy counter-rotating vortex structures because their rotational tendency is opposite to that of the counter-rotating vortex pair (CRVP).
Regression Orthogonal Analysis of Underground Coal Gasification Products
Authors: Yuan Shuxia , Wang Yi , Zhang Jiafeng , Wu Song 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Underground coal gasification is the process of converting coal deep buried underground into a combustible gas in situ through appropriate chemical reactions and extracting it to the ground for use. Since the chemical reactions take place underground, controls and measurements are extremely difficult. In addition, it is very expensive to conduct underground coal gasification tests directly in underground coal seams, and field tests cannot accomplish the same conditions as underground. To establish the relationship between injection parameters and gasification products in underground coal gasification, the process simulation software, Aspen Plus, was used to simulate the underground coal gasification process. The state parameters of processing units and nodes under each injection parameter, as well as the state parameters and mole content of the gasification products were obtained through calculating the mass balance and energy balance by using thermodynamic equations, unit operation equations, and mathematical equations. The orthogonal experimental method was adopted to analyze the significant influence of gasification agent injecting parameters on products. It is expressed from the result that the oxygen flow rate has a significant impact on the gasification products, followed by the water flow rate, and the influence of temperature and pressure of the gasification agents, i.e. oxygen and water, on the products are minor. Finally, the quantitative relationship between the gasification products and the injection parameters of each agent was established through regression orthogonal method, and the regression equation was confirmed by the inverse calculation and correlation coefficient test. The research results can provide reference for the technique formulating and parameters controlling of underground coal gasification.
The Flexibility Enhancement of Subcritical Coal-Fired Power Plants: Control Strategy Optimization for Live and Reheat Steam Temperature
Authors: Chen Chen , Liu Ming , Wang Chaoyang , Zhao Yongliang , Yan Hui , Yan Junjie 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
With the increasing penetration of renewable power, flexible power sources are urgently required by the power grid to balance the supply and demand sides. Therefore, the operational flexibility of subcritical coal-fired power plants should be further enhanced. In this study, dynamic models of a reference 330MW subcritical coal-fired power plant were developed and validated. The load ramp performances of the reference plant were simulated. The maximum ramp rates during loading down processes were 2%Pe/min and 1.5%Pe/min in 75%–50% and 50%–40% load cycling ranges, respectively, and the maximum ramp rate during loading up processes is 1.5%Pe/min. That the live steam and reheat steam temperatures exceeding their thresholds limits for the load ramp rates. The subcritical power unit has a steam drum, serving as a substance and energy storage device, and allows partial decoupling of feedwater flow and coal flow. Consequently, an enhanced steam temperature control strategy, facilitated by adjusting the feedwater flow rate during the load ramp processes, was proposed. The feedwater flow rate is appropriately regulated during load cycling dynamic processes to assist the control of live steam and reheat steam temperatures. The models to obtain the live steam and reheat steam temperature variations influenced by the feedwater flow rates are developed, and implemented in the control strategy. Then, simulations on the reference power plant with the enhanced control strategy were conducted, and the temperature overshoots have been effectively suppressed. As a result, the load ramp rate is increased. For example, in the load cycling range of 75%–40%, the overall unit ramp rate is increased by 1%Pe/min, achieving an enhancement in the operational flexibility of subcritical units.
Effect of Blending Straw Powder Into Coal Gangue on Loading-Up Characteristics of the Circulating Fluidized Bed Generator Unit
Authors: Zhao Chenyu , Wang Chaoyang , Liu Ming , Liu Jiping , Yan Junjie 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
To increase the contribution to the regional environment, the feasibility of blending agricultural residues was explored by a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) generator unit using coal gangue as the single fuel. In this study, straw powder was chosen to blend into the coal gangue, and the whole thermal system was built as a dynamic model based on self-programming and GSE software. Blending affects the load-increasing process from 75 % to 100 % rated power (Pe) with a load variation rate of 1 % Pe/min. With the blended fuel, the deviation of the output power was almost unchanged, and the maximum deviation of the live steam pressure was reduced by 0.04 MPa. With the blending ratios of 10 % and 20 %, the energy efficiencies of the whole unit were improved by 0.48% and 0.81%, respectively, the accumulative deviations of live steam temperature were reduced by 10.4% and 16.5%, respectively, the accumulative deviations of reheat steam temperature were reduced by 13.3% and 18.2% respectively, and the maximum deviations of bed temperature were increased to 8.9 °C and 9.5 °C respectively. The increased fluctuations in bed temperature are still far from the safe boundary, so the CFB generator unit can safely load up with the blending ratios of 10 % and 20 %.
Aluminum-Air Batteries: Pioneering a New Frontier in Combating Global Energy Poverty
Authors: Mohan Siddharth , Manthena Pranava , Palaniswamy Poojitha , Beerala Sahasra , Aditya Advik , Singh Gopal 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Many products have entered the market to alleviate energy poverty, including solar, ionic, and hydroelectric energy. This study completes a literature review of relevant sources from academic journals, government publications, and online databases to evaluate the unique advantages of aluminum-air batteries as the differentiating solution. The research on oleophobicity (property of a material that repels oils and oil-based substances) and other technologies relevant to aluminum-air batteries are evaluated for feasibility and potential further development of the aluminum-air battery technology. Aluminum-air batteries were found to offer a lightweight and sustainable solution. The design is further improved by flexible electrolytes such as polymer and solid-state electrolytes other than the current aqueous solutions which can be compromised. By using more powerful electrolytes, the energy output of aluminum-air batteries is virtually limitless when the corrosion of the aluminum is solved by an oil pump inspired by research on oleophobicity. Beyond these advantages, aluminum-air batteries have replaceable and recyclable components, on-demand high energy output, and a safe, stable energy delivery system, effectively avoiding combustion. The findings show that the result of aluminum-air batteries can be utilized for developments in the field of sustainable energy in order to challenge energy poverty.
Enhanced cell stress response and protein degradation capacity underlie artemisinin resistance in
Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Rosenthal Melissa R. , Vijayrajratnam Sukhithasri , Firestone Tessa M. , Ng Caroline L. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Malaria remains a global health burden, killing over half a million people each year. Decreased therapeutic efficacy to artemisinin, the most efficacious antimalarial, has been detected in sub-Saharan Africa, a worrying fact given that over 90% of deaths occur on this continent. Mutations in Kelch13 are the most well-established molecular marker for artemisinin resistance, but these do not explain all artemisinin-resistant isolates. Understanding the biological underpinnings of drug resistance is key to curbing the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance. Artemisinin-mediated non-specific alkylation leads to the accumulation of misfolded and damaged proteins and activation of the parasite unfolded protein response (UPR). In addition, the parasite proteasome is vital to artemisinin resistance, as we have previously shown that chemical inhibition of the proteasome or mutations in the β2 proteasome subunit increase parasite susceptibility to dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the active metabolite of artemisinins. Here, we investigate parasites with mutations at the Kelch13 and/or 19S and 20S proteasome subunits with regard to UPR regulation and proteasome activity in the context of artemisinin resistance. Our data show that perturbing parasite proteostasis kills parasites, early parasite UPR signaling dictates DHA survival outcomes, and DHA susceptibility correlates with impairment of proteasome-mediated protein degradation. Importantly, we show that functional proteasomes are required for artemisinin resistance in a Kelch13-independent manner, and compound-selective proteasome inhibition demonstrates why artemisinin-resistant Kelch13 mutants remain susceptible to the related antimalarial peroxide OZ439. These data provide further evidence for targeting the parasite proteasome and UPR to overcome existing artemisinin resistance.

IMPORTANCE
Decreased therapeutic efficacy represents a major barrier to malaria treatment control strategies. The malaria proteasome and accompanying unfolded protein response are crucial to artemisinin resistance, revealing novel antimalarial therapeutic strategies.
Impact of rapid blood culture identification PCR panel on optimal antibiotic use in methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
bacteremia
Authors: Yetukuri Jahnavi , Patel Dimple , Bandali Aiman , Giordano Pamela , Roland Robert , Kessler Jason 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Rapid identification of methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA) bacteremia may optimize antibiotic use and clinical outcomes. The study objective was to assess the impact of the BioFire® blood culture identification (BCID) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel on antibiotic use and clinical outcomes in patients with MSSA bacteremia. This was a retrospective chart review of adult inpatients with MSSA bacteremia during the pre-PCR (June 2018–December 2019) and post-PCR (June 2020–December 2021) implementation periods. The primary endpoint was the difference between the pre-PCR and post-PCR groups in time to optimal MSSA antibiotic therapy (oxacillin or cefazolin). Secondary endpoints included duration of anti-MRSA antibiotic use, in-hospital mortality, hospital and ICU lengths of stay, duration of bacteremia, and 30-day MSSA-related and all-cause readmissions. Two hundred patients were included in the study (100 per group). Median time to optimal therapy was reduced by 19.9 hours in the post-PCR group (49 vs 29.1 hours, respectively,
P
< 0.001). PCR implementation was associated with significant reductions in the initiation of empiric anti-MRSA antibiotic therapy (98% vs 84%,
P
= 0.001), duration of empiric anti-MRSA antibiotic use (44.2 vs 20.9 hours,
P
< 0.001), and duration of bacteremia (68.6 vs 47.3 hours,
P
= 0.015). No significant differences in length of stay, in-hospital mortality, or 30-day MSSA-related or all-cause readmissions were observed. In patients with MSSA bacteremia, BCID PCR panel implementation decreased time to optimal MSSA antibiotic therapy, duration of bacteremia, and duration of empiric anti-MRSA antibiotic therapy.

IMPORTANCE

In this retrospective study of 200 patients with methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA) bacteremia, the implementation of the BioFire® blood culture identification polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel was associated with a decreased time to optimal MSSA antibiotic therapy and shorter durations of empiric anti-MRSA antibiotic therapy and bacteremia. The findings demonstrate the significant role of rapid PCR testing and routine stewardship review in optimizing antimicrobial therapy and management of MSSA bacteremia.
Evaluation of a multiplex real-time PCR targeting the β-tubulin gene for the detection and differentiation of
Sporothrix schenckii
and
Sporothrix brasiliensis
Authors: López Luisa F. , Gade Lalitha , Litvintseva Anastasia P. , Sexton D. Joseph 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Sporothrix
sp. is a thermally dimorphic genus of fungi known to cause subacute or chronic subcutaneous lesions in humans and animals and is the cause of increasing public health concern due to spread of feline-associated cases. Here, we adapted and evaluated a recently described real-time PCR assay targeting the β-tubulin gene to rapidly detect and differentiate two related species,
S. schenckii
and
S. brasiliensis
. The assay was tested with 55
S
.
brasiliensis,
19
S
.
schenckii
, and 85 isolates from other clinically relevant fungi, and showed 100% concordance with reference identification methods. The assay showed high analytical sensitivity with a limit of detection of 1 pg of DNA per microliter of sample for both targets. The assay was further evaluated with 11 fresh and 17 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. This multiplex real-time PCR assay successfully detected the DNA from both
S. brasiliensis
and
S. schenckii
isolates as well as
S. schenckii
from fresh and FFPE tissues. Our results demonstrate this assay performs well and could be a helpful molecular tool to support rapid species identification in cultures and primary specimens.

IMPORTANCE
Having available molecular tools to identify and differentiate closely related species will allow clinical, veterinarians, and public health labs to provide diagnostic results with accuracy and short turnaround time for the routine and outbreak response activities.
Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities of a food fermentate of
Aspergillus oryzae
Authors: Choi Dasol , Alshannaq Ahmad F. , Bok Yohan , Yu Jae-Hyuk 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Amid persistent concerns over microbial foodborne illnesses and escalating antibiotic resistance, we introduce “NP,” a novel and effective broad-spectrum

n

atural antimicrobial

p

roduct derived from the filtered culture broth of
Aspergillus oryzae
grown in a food-grade liquid medium. NP demonstrates potent bactericidal activity against a range of food-borne and ESKPAE pathogens, including
Staphylococcus aureu
s (including eight distinct drug-resistant methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
strains),
Listeria monocytogenes
,
Salmonella typhimurium
,
Klebsiella pneumonia
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
and
Escherichia coli
(including O157:H7) with minimal inhibitory strength ranging from 25% to 100%. In addition, NP exhibits robust antifungal activity against several human pathogenic fungi including
Aspergillus fumigatus
,
Candida albicans,
and the prevalent food spoilage mold
Penicillium
species, arresting spore germination and vegetative cell growth. Mechanistically, NP disrupts the structural integrity of bacterial and fungal cell membranes, increasing membrane permeability and leading to cell death. Furthermore, genome-wide expression analyses of
A. fumigatus
vegetative cells exposed to NP reveal the downregulation of genes associated with the liveness of the fungal cells including ergosterol biosynthesis, cell wall maintenance, and development, with network analysis highlighting NP’s impact on various metabolic pathways. Notably, NP is presumed safe and thermally stable, holding promise for addressing foodborne illnesses and drug-resistant infections through the development and widespread application of a new generation of antimicrobials.

IMPORTANCE

The development of NP, a potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial, is a significant breakthrough in the ongoing challenge against microbial foodborne illnesses and the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. This food-grade culture broth of
Aspergillus oryzae
demonstrates exceptional broad-spectrum efficacy against a variety of harmful bacteria and fungi, including drug-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
and prevalent food spoilage molds. NP exhibits strong bactericidal activity against various foodborne and ESKAPE pathogens, and strong antifungal activity against Penicillium species,
Aspergillus fumigatus
, and
Candida albicans
. The potent bactericidal and antifungal properties of NP are a result of its ability to disrupt microbial cell membranes leading to increased permeability. Furthermore, the genome-wide impact of NP on fungal gene expression and metabolic pathways underscores its comprehensive antimicrobial action, leading to transcriptomic and metabolic changes associated with cell death in
A. fumigatus
.