bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of upfront triple oral combination therapy with additional pirfenidone in a patient with severe pulmonary hypertension associated with lung diseases
Authors: Kashizaki Fumihiro , Matsumoto Sachiko , Miyasaka Atsushi , Tsuchiya Nanami , Osada Reeko , Kaneko Mai , Yumoto Kentaro , Chen Hao , Konishi Kenji , Koizumi Harumi , Takahashi Kenichi , Kaneko Takeshi 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDiagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with lung diseases (PH‐LD) remain unestablished and pose significant challenges. In this report, we present a case of a 77‐year‐old patient with an indeterminate for usual interstitial pneumonia pattern along with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who developed groups 1 and 3 PH. Following diagnosis, upfront triple oral combination therapy (UTOCT) with macitentan, sildenafil, and selexipag was initiated. Stability in disease progression was achieved over 4 years with the addition of pirfenidone to address interstitial lung disease progression. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of PH‐LD, where disease control was maintained with the addition of pirfenidone to UTOCT. This case suggests that some patients with PH‐LD, presenting with groups 1 and 3 PH, may benefit from combined UTOCT and antifibrotic agents, potentially improving symptoms and extending their prognosis.
Cover crops and deep‐soil C accumulation: What does research show after 10 years?
Authors: Blanco‐Canqui Humberto , Jasa Paul , Ferguson Richard B. , Slater Glen 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe extent to which cover crops (CCs) accumulate soil organic carbon (SOC) in the entire soil profile is still unclear. We measured SOC, permanganate oxidizable C (POX‐C), and particulate organic matter (POM) concentrations down to 60‐cm soil depth in early [2–3 week before corn (Zea mays L.) planting]‐ and late‐terminated (at corn planting) winter rye (Secale cereale L.) CCs in rainfed and irrigated no‐till continuous corn systems in the U.S. Corn Belt after 10 years. CCs increased SOC stock and SOC, POX‐C, and POM concentrations but only in the irrigated system in the upper 5‐cm depth. Late‐terminated CC increased SOC concentration by 4.710 ± 3.501 g kg−1 and accumulated SOC at 0.207 ± 0.145 Mg C ha−1 year−1. It increased POX‐C and POM concentrations, on average, by 1.194 times. CCs likely increased SOC in the irrigated system by producing more biomass (2.247 ± 0.370 Mg ha−1) than in the rainfed system (0.949 ± 0.338 Mg ha−1). At least 2 Mg ha−1 of CC biomass may be needed to increase SOC. Because winter CCs often produce <1 Mg ha−1 of biomass when typically planted late and terminated early, extending the CC growing window by terminating CCs at or after crop planting (planting green) may boost CC biomass and SOC accumulation, although high‐C soils or Mollisols, such as our study soils (>22 g C kg−1), may limit SOC gains. We submit CCs would sequester more SOC in low‐C, eroded, and low‐fertility soils. Overall, winter rye CCs minimally alter soil C in the soil profile in no‐till continuous corn systems after 10 years.
Reflection time and valuing science: Elementary teachers' science subject matter knowledge development during teaching experience
Authors: Nixon Ryan S. , Bennion Adam 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAlthough teachers have opportunities to learn about many things through teaching experience, we know little about how they develop science subject matter knowledge in this setting. With both limited opportunities to learn science subject matter knowledge before becoming teachers and minimal science professional development available while working as a teacher, it is important to understand the extent to which elementary teachers develop science subject matter knowledge in their regular classroom practice and the factors that influence that development. In this longitudinal, mixed methods study we collected both quantitative and qualitative data before and following their final field experience, which was their first opportunity to have significant teaching experience. Findings suggest two important factors for subject matter knowledge development: time for considering science subject matter and a learning setting that values science. In contrast, indicators of learner capacity (i.e., prior knowledge) and time teaching the topics were not associated with teacher subject matter knowledge development.
Subway Fine Particles (PM2.5)‐Induced Pro‐Inflammatory Response Triggers Airway Epithelial Barrier Damage Through the TLRs/NF‐κB‐Dependent Pathway In Vitro
Authors: Zeng Fanmei , Pang Guanhua , Hu Liwen , Sun Yuan , Peng Wen , Chen Yuwei , Xu Dan , Xia Qing , Zhao Luwei , Li Yifei , He Miao 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTSubways are widely used in major cities around the world, and subway fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main source of daily PM2.5 exposure for urban residents. Exposure to subway PM2.5 leads to acute inflammatory damage in humans, which has been confirmed in mouse in vivo studies. However, the concrete mechanism by which subway PM2.5 causes airway damage remains obscure. In this study, we found that subway PM2.5 triggered release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 17E, tumor necrosis factor α, transforming growth factor β, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin from human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B) in a dose–effect relationship. Subsequently, supernatant recovered from the subway PM2.5 group significantly increased expression of the aforementioned cytokines in BEAS‐2B cells compared with the subway PM2.5 group. Additionally, tight junctions (TJs) of BEAS‐2B cells including zonula occludens‐1, E‐cadherin, and occludin were decreased by subway PM2.5 in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, supernatant recovered from the subway PM2.5 group markedly decreased the expression of these TJs compared with the control group. Furthermore, inhibitors of toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), as well as chelate resins (e.g., chelex) and deferoxamine, remarkably ameliorated the observed changes of cytokines and TJs caused by subway PM2.5 in BEAS‐2B cells. Therefore, these results suggest that subway PM2.5 induced a decline of TJs after an initial ascent of cytokine expression, and subway PM2.5 altered expression of both cytokines and TJs by activating TLRs/NF‐κB‐dependent pathway in BEAS‐2B cells. The metal components of subway PM2.5 may contribute to the airway epithelial injury.
Green synthesis of Cu/Cu2O nanoparticles using Ageratum conyzoides leaf extract and their antibacterial activity
Authors: Ngoc Tran Thi Thanh , Sau Nguyen Thi , Anh Le Huu Quynh , Tuan Phan Dinh 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCopper nanoparticles have attracted significant interest due to their antibacterial activities in many different applications. This study introduces the utilization of leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides, a widely‐known plant in Vietnam, and evaluates its antimicrobial efficacy through the eco‐friendly synthesis of Cu/Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) using CuSO4 as a precursor. In this research, the Ageratum conyzoides leaf extract serves dual purposes, acting as both a reducing agent and a stabilizing agent for Cu/Cu2O nanoparticles. The synthesis of Cu/Cu2O NPs was successfully developed and their optical properties were analyzed using UV–visible spectroscopy. The structural characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was carried out using X‐ray diffraction while transmission electron microscopy facilitated morphological observations. In addition, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis confirmed the presence of copper, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups on the nanoparticle surface. The results revealed that the synthesized Cu/Cu2O NPs were spherical morphology with an average size of around 5 nm observed from TEM images. Furthermore, the results show the ability to inhibit the growth of various pathogenic microorganisms of the synthesized nanoparticles by around 30% and exhibit potential antibacterial properties.
Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection in slaughtered sheep from Northwest Tunisia and its risk factors: Association with gastrointestinal helminths infection and anaemia
Authors: Hammami Ines , Amdouni Yosra , Romdhane Rihab , Sassi Limam , Farhat Nadia , Rekik Mourad , Gharbi Mohamed 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWe investigated herein the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection in sheep at Sejnane slaughterhouse, governorate of Bizerte, Northwest of Tunisia, using three different diagnostic techniques (liver dissection, bile examination, and coprology). Faeces, liver, gall bladder as well as blood samples were collected from 603 slaughtered sheep in two seasons: winter and summer. Faecal egg counts of F. hepatica were estimated using sedimentation technique. Livers were examined for the presence of flukes, and bile collected from gall bladder was examined by sedimentation technique for the presence of F. hepatica eggs. Faecal egg counts of gastrointestinal helminths were estimated using flotation followed by the McMaster technique. Blood samples were used to estimate blood cell count (RBC) (×106/mL), haemoglobin (Hb) (g/dL), and haematocrit (Ht) (%) levels. A total of 1714 F. hepatica flukes were collected from 68 infected livers, the number of flukes per sheep ranged between naught and 195. Bile examination (16.78% ± 1.83; 51/310) showed the higher infection prevalence, followed by liver dissection (11.28% ± 1.17; 68/603) and coprology (9.12% ± 1.08; 55/603) (p = 0.015). Infection prevalences were significantly higher in young sheep aged of less than 1 year (8.13% ± 1.22; 49/498), in cross‐bred sheep (10.61% ± 1.39%; 64/478), and in summer (7.13% ± 1.82; 43/293) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in infection prevalence by gastrointestinal helminths in F. hepatica‐infected and F. hepatica‐non‐infected animals (p > 0.05). The overall prevalence of F. hepatica‐infected anaemic sheep was higher (22.73% ± 4.47; 20/88) than F. hepatica‐non‐infected anaemic sheep (p < 0.05). Fasciola hepatica infection is frequent in sheep from Sejnane representing hence an important constraint for the development of the sheep industry in this region. Therefore, it is necessary to establish and implement a specific control programme to reduce fasciolosis infection risks including animal owners’ education.
Facile strategy for the synthesis of antimicrobial poly(vinyl chloride) functionalized with benzimidazole
Authors: Darwish Shaban A. , Abdel‐Monem Reham A. , Rabie Samira T. , El‐Liethy Mohamed Azab , Hemdan Bahaa A. , Gaballah Samir T. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSynthesizing antimicrobial materials is a viable approach to combating microbes and mitigating their detrimental consequences on public health and economic domains. Here, we aim to design and synthesize hybrid polymers composed of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and benzimidazole derivatives, in addition to evaluating their antimicrobial efficacy. PVC was chemically functionalized affording 4 conjugates where the benzimidazole motif was incorporated indirectly into the PVC through a triazole ring combined with a short linker. This functionalized PVC was synthesized by employing Cu azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) conditions (click chemistry). The second functionalized PVC was synthesized by a nucleophilic substitution reaction to give 5, which has a benzimidazole moiety attached directly to the PVC via a short spacer arm. The benzimidazole derivatives and the corresponding benzimidazole‐PVC conjugates were investigated by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR, and MS) as needed, besides UV–vis spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) in the case of the polymeric conjugates. The SEM morphology demonstrated a change in the PVC surface after the modification, showing spongy structures. Furthermore, the chemical characterization using EDX revealed peaks representing C, O, and N, in addition to the characteristic Cl peaks. The benzimidazole derivatives and the corresponding functionalized PVC were evaluated as antimicrobial agents against a variety of Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria and fungi strains utilizing the well diffusion assay. The data revealed an improvement in the antimicrobial activity of the functionalized PVC (4) that contained triazolobenzimidazole against pathogenic Escherichia coli and S. typhimurium.Highlights
Microbes have negative impact on public health and economic domains
Synthesizing antimicrobial materials is a viable approach to combating microbes
We herein synthesized PVC/benzimidazole hybrid polymers
Functionalized PVC was synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR, SEM and EDX
PVC/benzimidazole hybrids were evaluated as antimicrobial agents.
Findings of tornado site investigations undertaken following damage during Storm Ciarán on 1–2 November 2023
Authors: Horton Sarah L. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOn 1‐2 November 2023, Storm Ciarán impacted the British Isles, causing widespread wind damage and significant disruption to the Channel Islands and parts of southern England. Three areas within this wider swathe ‐ Jersey (Channel Islands), Loders in Dorset and Sompting/Lancing in West Sussex ‐ suffered additional, more severe, localised wind damage. These areas were investigated by the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO). Each of these sites was found to have been affected by a tornado. The most intense of these was in Jersey, where one of the strongest tornadoes in the UK and Channel Islands since 1954 occurred.
Technical and economic challenges for floating offshore wind deployment in Italy and in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Serri Laura , Airoldi Davide , Lanni Francesco , Naldi Roberto , Castorrini Alessio , Rispoli Franco , Soukissian Takvor , Castro Santos Laura , Le Boulluec Marc , Maisondieu Christophe 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOffshore wind is nowadays already well developed in the North European countries. Ninety‐nine percent of the offshore wind turbines are installed on fixed foundations in shallow waters. For areas with water depth greater than 50–60 m, the floating wind is the cheapest and mostly used technology. This technology is going to reach the commercial phase in a few years, thus disclosing the potential of all marine areas with deep waters close to the coast, including the Mediterranean basin. One of the main challenges for floating offshore wind deployment in this area is the achievement of its economic feasibility. The offshore wind resource in the Mediterranean is generally lower than the one in the North Sea and in Oceans and the cost of offshore wind farms, especially with floating technology, is higher than the present offshore wind farm installations also because this industrial sector has not yet started in this area. However, in the Mediterranean area, the potential of offshore wind to contribute to the decarbonization pathway and reduce the dependence on imported fuel supply is substantial. Numerous studies, examined in this article, have already performed a technical‐economic assessment of offshore wind farms in different countries and geographical areas within the basin. A significant number of offshore wind projects are already in different stages of development, confirming the industrial interest and readiness of the Mediterranean offshore wind energy sector. The article provides a comprehensive review of various factors influencing the future deployment of offshore wind in the Mediterranean. It covers a range of topics including technology advancements, resource assessment, wind energy potential, ongoing projects, costs, and economic aspects. Additionally, it discusses environmental sustainability, regulatory frameworks, supply chain logistics, and system integration. The updated review presented in this article could assist decision‐makers and stakeholders in gaining a better understanding of the characteristics of this promising sector and accelerating its development.This article is categorized under:
Sustainable Energy > Wind Energy
Climate Change: Melting Ice and Statistical Models
Authors: Brugge Doug , Datesman Aaron 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe foundation upon which the rest of this book rests is that evidence of climate change is robust and most visible in the retreating ice in glaciers. The exact speed at which the climate is changing is open to debate, it could be faster or slower, depending on models. The extent of harm also has some uncertainty, however, we agree that we need to move quickly away from fossil fuels. This has led to consideration of expanded roles for nuclear and renewables, which is the focus of the rest of this book.
Nuclear Proliferation
Authors: Brugge Doug , Datesman Aaron 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSupporters of nuclear power expansion resist the notion that nuclear power is connected to nuclear weapons proliferation. However, nuclear power is a necessary precondition, albeit insufficient by itself, for developing nuclear weapons. Plutonium, which is produced by all nuclear reactors in their waste stream, is a primary concern because it can be, and has been, purified in large quantities, small amounts of which are needed for a bomb.
State Responsibilities and International Obligations in Responding to Climate Mobilities: What Should International Assistance Look Like?
Authors: Moore Liam 
Published: August 2024

AbstractClimate change-related events are already pushing people towards mobility, and it is likely this dynamic will only escalate as the effects of the climate crisis are more readily felt. Despite knowing this, before 2018, there were very few examples of state-level policies to manage climate mobilities. Unpacking the two path-leading policies designed by Fiji and Vanuatu in this space, we can see a significant recognition of the rights that individuals faced with mobility have and the obligations that states have to take to protect these rights and prevent harm. Although these policies are still in their infancy, we can already see significant barriers to implementation developing. In addition, considering the unequal distribution of responsibility for the drivers of climate change, there is a compelling legal and moral argument that the international community has a duty to step forward and assist states like these in discharging their responsibilities and managing climate mobilities effectively. In this chapter, I argue that the early experiences of Fiji and Vanuatu show us that the international community has a responsibility to help and I attempt to showcase what this responsibility should look like. It is my assertion that the international support must be locally led and tailored to local needs and context. Those who know how to best implement policies are already on the ground, so instead of parachuting in foreign experts, local actors should be supported and assisted with technical and financial support that builds their capacity.
Tropical Cyclones and the Mobility of Older Persons: Insights from Coastal Bangladesh
Authors: Malak Md. Abdul , Lina Nazia Khan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCyclones occur almost annually in Bangladesh, causing significant harm to people living on the coast. It is argued that less attention has been paid to older persons in the development and migration-related literature. In response, this study explores how cyclone impacts influence the decision-making capabilities of older persons with respect to mobility as an adaptation strategy. The study area is in Gabura (a coastal union) as a place of origin, but migrant participants for interviews were also selected from the coastal municipality of Shyamnagar and the district city of Satkhira, as well as the mega-capital city of Dhaka. The data was collected through qualitative research, including in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The study results show that older adults face challenges during cyclones, which can lead to migration. Older persons face various economic, social, and cultural issues, including the loss of property and assets, disruption of social networks, and loss of cultural practices due to climate change-generated hazards. The results suggest that mobility to nearby towns or big cities is a common response of older persons to climate change. It is also found that such mobility decisions of older persons improved their resilience to cyclones. Overall, this study advances the knowledge concerning mobility among the elderly in the face of tropical cyclones and other coastal environmental stressors. The findings can be useful in developing policies and programmes that include older persons and address their specific needs and vulnerabilities in the context of climate change.
Rising Waters, Stagnant Paths: Gendered Experiences of Flooding and Restricted Mobility in Can Tho City, Viet Nam
Authors: Nizar Danang Aditya , Dang Ly Quoc 
Published: August 2024

AbstractViet Nam’s response to its vulnerability to climate change impacts is marked by the integration of climate change concerns into sectoral laws. The Government of Viet Nam has also acknowledged the interlinkages of climate change, gender equality, and mobility within its climate regulatory framework. However, the focus on climate-related mobility has predominantly centred on macro-level mobility, which refers to the broad categorisation of migration, displacement, and planned relocation, with limited attention given to micro-level mobility. This chapter understands micro-level mobility as the smaller-scale and day-to-day movements which involve individual decisions regarding daily activities, destinations, and modes of travel. Furthermore, challenges remain in translating national commitments into local action, as evidenced by urban flooding in Can Tho City. Complex interactions between political, economic, social, and environmental elements contribute to recurring floods, with a disconnection between central Government commitments and local implementation, resulting in gendered impacts. Women in Can Tho City bear disproportionate impacts during recurring flood events, restricting their micro-level mobility in the household and public sphere. Women’s decision to remain during floods results from a complex interplay between risk perception, socio-economic elements which contribute to vulnerability, and limited macro-level mobility options. However, at the same time, these women also actively employ strategies to cope with their restricted mobility, which signifies their agency in negotiating the associated risks and adapting to recurring floods. These insights into women’s mobility behaviour during flooding offer a valuable starting point for policymakers to integrate gender and mobility, both at the macro and micro-level dynamics, into concrete climate actions. The findings also underscore the need to pay more attention to micro-level mobility within the climate-related mobility discourse.