bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Senior High School Students’ Literacy Profile on Energy Conversion Process
Authors: Nugraha Abdurrohman Khotim , Rochman Chaerul , Nasrudin Dindin 
Published: July 2024

One of the factors supporting the success of the energy transition program is community literacy. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the energy literacy profile of students in the energy conversion process. This study used a survey method by distributing energy literacy questionnaires to students of class XII MIPA at the State Senior High School in West Java, Indonesia. The results showed that the majority of student literacy was in a low category (41.9%). The percentage of students who answered correctly on the knowledge aspect of energy conversion was 62.6%, knowledge of physics concepts in energy conversion was 37.4%, knowledge of aspects of energy conversion benefits was 40.0%, and the best attitude related to hydropower by 50.3%. This study concludes that the students’ energy literacy level, primarily in energy conversion, is still in the low category. Therefore, energy education to improve students’ energy literacy is still very much needed.Keywords: energy conversion, energy literacy, energy education, renewable energy AbstrakSalah satu faktor pendukung keberhasilan program konversi energi adalah literasi masyarakat. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk memberikan gambaran tentang profil literasi energi peserta didik dalam proses konversi energi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode survei dengan menyebarkan instrumen literasi energi melalui angket kepada 31 siswa kelas XII MIPA SMA Negeri di Jawa Barat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar literasi peserta didik menunjukkan kategori rendah (41,9%). Persentase siswa yang menjawab benar pada aspek pengetahuan konversi energi sebesar 62,6%, pengetahuan konsep fisika dalam konversi energi sebesar 37,4%, pengetahuan aspek manfaat konversi energi sebesar 40,0%, dan sikap terbaik terkait PLTA sebesar 50,3%. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa tingkat literasi energi peserta didik dalam konversi energi masih dalam kategori rendah. Oleh karena itu, pendidikan energi untuk meningkatkan literasi energi peserta didik masih sangat dibutuhkan.Kata Kunci: konversi energi, literasi energi, pendidikan energi, energi terbarukan
Techno-economics of ammonia as an energy carrier. Exporting wind from the North Atlantic Ocean/North Sea to Wales
Authors: Jano-Ito Marco , Valera-Medina Agustin 
Published: July 2024

The reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requires the deployment of a large portfolio of alternatives. While the electrification of activities based on renewable sources represents the main option for accomplishing the latter, the use of energy vectors such as hydrogen or ammonia will also play an important role to reduce emissions in activities that are hard to decarbonise. The United Kingdom (UK) has already established several goals for producing hydrogen from offshore wind energy resources. However, the transport of this energy is still not known. Based on this context, this work was aimed at analysing ammonia as an energy carrier that could help the UK to exploit and move these resources by quantifying its techno-economics. The objective of this work was also to analyse the case for only considering hydrogen as the energy carrier. Six scenarios were studied, and the results show that the alternative with the lowest levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH) was the use of ammonia as the energy carrier from Orkney (Scotland) to the Milford Haven Port (Wales) via maritime transportation and its decomposition back to hydrogen without its purification. The LCOH for this scenario was 9.93 USD per kg of H2, which was 0.93 USD per kg of H2 and 2.53 USD per kg of H2 lower in comparison to directly transporting liquid hydrogen or considering the purification of hydrogen via ammonia, respectively. The construction of a hydrogen pipeline from Orkney (Flotta Oil Terminal) to the Milford Haven Port was the next best alternative (11.23 USD per kg of H2), while transporting hydrogen or ammonia via the Teesside Free Port (England) with maritime carrier and pipeline were the highest cost alternatives. A sensitivity analysis was carried out considering different levels of grid electricity and offshore wind costs highlighting an important impact of the first particularly on hydrogen production costs. As a conclusion, we show that ammonia is a feasible energy carrier that represents a large-scale solution comparable to hydrogen in terms of costs, that has the advantage of a relatively rapid deployment while hydrogen (particularly its transport and storage) reaches a more mature stage of development.
Microcephaly, progressive, seizures, and cerebral and cerebellar atrophy: QARS1 new variants associated with a severe phenotype in a patient
Authors: Sakka Rania , Hamida Hayet Ben , Abdelali Mabrouk , Chaabane Amel , Zrig Ahmed , M’rad Ridha , Mekki Mongi , Monastiri Kamel 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Microcephaly, progressive, seizures, and cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is a rare disease due to QARS1 pathogenic variants altering the Glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase 1 activity. We report a Tunisian child presenting with neonatal onset seizures, severe psychomotor delay, retinal abnormalities and MRI cerebral supratentorial atrophy lesions. Whole exome and Sanger sequencing revealed two new compound heterozygous variants of QARS1. Three-dimensional analysis of the mutant Glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase 1 predicted altered catalytic and tRNA-binding functions. Genotype-phenotype correlations emphasize the combined effect of the zygosity and the location of the pathogenic variants within the protein domains on the severity of the disease.
Predicted yield and soil organic carbon changes in grassland, arable, woodland, and agroforestry systems under climate change in a cool temperate Atlantic climate
Authors: Giannitsopoulos Michail L. , Burgess Paul J. , Graves Anil R. , Olave Rodrigo J. , Eden Jonathan M. , Herzog Felix 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

This study predicts the effects of climate change on crop yields, timber volumes and soil organic carbon in grassland, arable, ash woodland, poplar plantation, and silvopastoral and silvoarable systems in Northern Ireland. We modified a version of the biophysical Yield-SAFE agroforestry model that includes a RothC soil carbon module and also the effect of atmospheric CO2 fertilisation. The model was calibrated using existing field measurements and weather data from 1989 to 2021. The effect of two future climate scenarios were modelled, based on two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) for 2020–2060 and 2060–2100. The study revealed that the impact of future climate scenarios on grass and arable yields, and tree growth were positive with the effect of CO2 fertilisation more than offsetting a generally negative effect of increased temperatures and drought stress on yields. The predicted land equivalent ratio (LER) remained relatively constant between the baseline and the future climate scenarios for the silvopastoral system (1.08 to 1.11). The corresponding values for the silvoarable system were 0.87–0.92 based on arable and timber yields alone, or 1.11–1.17 if grass yields were included. In the silvopastoral system, but not the silvoarable system, the model suggested that climate change would benefit tree growth relative to the understorey crop. Greater losses of soil organic carbon were predicted under barley-only (1.02–1.18 t C ha− 1 yr− 1) than grassland (0.48–0.55 t C ha− 1 yr− 1), with relatively small differences between the baseline and climate scenarios. However, the analysis indicated that these losses could be mitigated by planting trees, but this effect was not immediate as soil organic matter would continue to decline for the first 10 years until the trees were well-established. The model was also used to examine the effect of different tree densities on the trade-offs between timber volume and understorey crop yields.
Time-optimal control of a solid-state spin amidst dynamical quantum wind
Authors: Sun Fang-Wen , Dong Yang , Jiang Wang , Liu Yong , Zhang Shao-Chun , Gao Xue-Dong , Yu Cui , Chen Xiang-Dong , Guo Guangcan , Moreira Ib´erio de P. R , Bofill Josep Maria , Sent´ıs Gael , Ramos Ramón , Albareda Guillermo 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Time-optimal control holds promise across the full spectrum of quantum technologies, where the rapid generation of unitary gates and state transformations is crucial to mitigate decoherence effects. In practical scenarios, quantum systems are always immersed in an external time-dependent field or
potential, either owing to the inevitable influence of the environment or as a sought-after effect for
enhanced coherence. The challenge then lies in finding the time-optimal approach to navigate quantum
systems amidst dynamical ambient Hamiltonians, a pursuit that has proven elusive thus far. We showcase
the implementation of arbitrary quantum state transformations and a universal set of single-qubit gates
under a background Landau-Zener Hamiltonian. Leveraging the favorable coherence properties of timedomain Rabi oscillations, we achieve velocities surpassing the Mandelstam-Tamm quantum speed limit and significantly lower energy costs than those incurred by conventional quantum control techniques. These findings highlight a promising pathway to expedite and economize high-fidelity quantum operations.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on bloodstream infections in pediatrics and alteration in antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, 2020-2022
Authors: Fallah Fatemeh , Karimi Abdollah , Azimi Leila , Ghandchi Ghazale , Gholinejad Zari , Abdollahi Nafiseh , Oskooie Nazanin Ahari , Khodaei Hannan , Armin Shahnaz , Behzad Azita , Hashemi Seyedeh Masumeh , Ahmadizadeh Seyedeh Narjes , Alebouyeh Masoud 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background: Alteration in the etiology of bloodstream infection (BSI) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) following the COVID-19 pandemic is not well known in children. This study aimed to investigate these changes during 2 years in Tehran, Iran.
Methods Children under 18 years old with suspected bacteremia/fungemia who had positive BACTEC blood cultures were included. Characterization of the isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and detection of multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes were done based on standard protocols. Statistical analysis was done to measure the correlation of COVID-19 infection with BSI and AMR.
Results Out of 13,345 COVID-19 tests and 4,194 BACTEC blood culture requests, bacteremia/fungemia were confirmed in 10.34% of the patients who requested both tests simultaneously. The COVID-19 infection was confirmed in 25.3% of the patients with bacteremia/fungemia. The infection with Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria (GPB), and fungi was detected in 59.3%, 32.3%, and 8.31% of the cases, respectively. Pseudomonasspp. (21.3%), Klebsiella spp. (20.2%), CNS (15.8%), Acinetobacterspp. (9.6%), S. aureus (8%), and Enterococcus spp. (5%) were among the common isolates. In the case of BSI with GPB, a significant difference was measured among different hospital wards (p-value= 0.01). Moreover, a negative correlation was shown between the CNS bacteremia and COVID-19 infection (p-value= 0.029). Candida spp. and non-Candidayeasts were detected in 6.7% and 13.4% of the cases, respectively. Results of antibiotic susceptibility testing showed the highest frequency of resistance to azithromycin and oxacillin among CNS, azithromycin, tetracycline, and oxacillin among S. aureus, and tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole among Enterococcus. Methicillin-resistance phenotype in the S. aureus (MRSA) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcusspp. (MR-CNS) was detected in 40% and 61.5% of the strains, respectively and the Enterococci were resistant to vancomycin in 33.3% of the isolates.
Conclusion A decline in the trend of BSI by GPB and an increase in AMR was shown in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in antibiotic resistance could be described by the overuse of antibiotics in COVID-19 patients, while the difference in types of medical interventions may explain the difference in the etiology of BSI among the hospital wards.
Transcriptome and Mendelian randomization were combined to screen and validate prognostic genes associated with lipid autophagy in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Fangyu , Yan Qianqi , Guo Ya , zhang Jin , Li JianXue , Su LinHan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Cancer cells can use fatty acids produced by lipophagy to continue growing and proliferating, but the regulation of lipophagy in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain poorly understood.
Methods
mRNA profiles, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data, and ieu-b-4961 were scoured from the online databases. In TCGA-OSCC, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between the tumors and paracancerous tissues. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to obtain the key module genes highly related to lipophagy. Later, differentially expressed lipophagy-related genes (DE-LRGs) were determined by overlapping DEGs and key module genes. Next, the eQTL data of DE-LRGs was an exposure factor and the OSCC was an outcome factor in the two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR). Meanwhile, sensitivity analyses and MR Steiger filtering were performed, and then candidate genes were selected to construct a prognostic risk model. Based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression analyses, the prognostic genes were confirmed and a prognostic risk model was built. Afterwards, the tumors of OSCC patients were divided into high- and low-risk teams based on the median risk score. Finally, the immune microenvironment was evaluated using the estimate and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithms.
Results
A total of 271 DE-LRGs were determined by overlapping 4,712 DEGs and 308 key module genes. Among them, 18 exposure factors could affect directly OSCC as candidate genes. Next, 4 prognostic genes (CLTCL1, TNNC1, ALPK3, and PFKM) were identified, among them, CLTCL1 (odds ratio (OR) = 0.9997, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.9995–0.9999, PIVW = 0.0020), PFKM (OR = 0.9997, 95% CI = 0.9995–0.9999, PIVW = 0.0067), and ALPK3 (OR = 0.9990, 95% CI = 0.9983–0.9997, PIVW = 0.0061) were protective factors and TNNC1 (OR = 1.0005, 95% CI = 1.0001–1.0008, PIVW = 0.0102) was a risk factor. A prognostic risk model was built, notably, the probability of overall survival (OS) in the low-risk team was higher than that in the high-risk team. Furthermore, we found that the low-risk team had higher immune, stromal, and ESTIMATE scores, and there were 23 differential immune cells between the two risk teams.
Conclusion
Generally, CLTCL1, PFKM, and ALPK3 were protective factors, while TNNC1 was a risk factor for OSCC patients. Our findings provided a new perspective on the treatment and prognosis of OSCC.
Verification of the effectiveness of combined platelet-rich plasma therapy and exercise therapy for patients with knee osteoarthritis up to one year post-treatment
Authors: Kawahara Tsuneo , Iida Shuhei , Isoda Kazuma , Kim Sungdo 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a promising treatment modality for knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, exercise therapy and activity of daily living (ADL) guidance are also recommended as core treatments in the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) guidelines. However, there is limited research on the efficacy of combined PRP and exercise therapy. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of this combined treatment. Methods The participants were patients diagnosed with knee OA and treated between January 2021 and December 2022. They were divided into three groups: 1) PRP + exercise therapy (PE group), 2) PRP therapy only (P group), and 3) exercise therapy only (E group). Outcomes were measured using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and conducted before, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance for within-group comparisons according to the time of each score. For those that showed a difference, the Bonferroni multiple comparison method was used to validate the results (p < 0.05). The treatment response rate was determined using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT)-OARSI Responder criteria. Results There were no differences in pre-treatment KOOS between the three groups. In the PE group, pain, symptoms, and ADL improved after 1 month and continued to improve until 1 year. The P group showed improvement in pain after 1 month, but no significant changes were observed in the other items. In contrast, the E group showed improvement in each item from 3 months onwards, with all items remaining unchanged at 1 year. The PE group had a higher response rate than the other groups, with 50.0% at 1 month, 56.3% at 3 months, and 68.8% at 1 year, according to the responder criteria. Conclusions The combined treatment of PRP and exercise therapy demonstrated the synergistic advantages of both and proved to be most effective up to 1 year after treatment.
Anisotropic scattering in photothermal therapy and beyond: a detailed evaluation of transport approximation for gold nanoshells and nanospheres
Authors: Maurente André , Sousa Anderson 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Photothermal therapy (PTT) utilizes thermal radiation to heat a targeted tissue for cancer treatment. Nanoparticles can be embedded in tissue regions to enhance radiation absorption, a practice known as plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT). This study focuses on computational simulations of heat transfer in PTT, particularly on the role of scattering phase functions of nanoparticles and the evaluation of the widely employed transport approximation. Mie phase functions of gold nanospheres and nanoshells are detailed taken into account in Monte Carlo simulations, and the heat equation is solved to provide the transient temperature distribution. Results are compared to those obtained using the transport approximation. Two transport approximation approaches are considered: the first approach disregards the asymmetry associated with the phase function of nanoparticles, as is common in PTT applications, while the second takes it into account. For nanoparticles within the 50 to 100 nm range, ideal for PPTT, results confirm the approximation is accurate. However, when the first approach led to inaccuracies, these were significantly reduced by the second. The study also investigated the impacts of size variability, resulting from imperfect synthesis processes of nanoparticles, on the phase function. This variability was effectively managed by the second approach. Overall, with the aid of the second approach, the findings demonstrate that transport approximation can accurately simulate PPTT and suggest considerable accuracy for imaging applications, significantly simplifying modeling.
Targeting Host Metabolic Niche to Kill Malaria Parasites
Authors: Jiang Rays , Siddiqui Faiza , Adapa Swamy , Cui Liwang 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Malaria remains a global health challenge, exacerbated by artemisinin resistance. Inspired by our recent study targeting aberrant cancer heme metabolism, we propose a novel "bait-and-kill" strategy, focusing on the unique metabolic vulnerability of infected Red Blood Cells (iRBCs) to destroy host niche. We exploit three key factors: 1) mature RBCs inherently possess a truncated heme biosynthesis pathway capable of accumulating heme intermediates, i.e., porphyrins, 2) Uninfected RBCs exhibit impermeability to the heme precursor ALA (Aminolaevulinic acid), while infected RBCs demonstrate increased permeability, and 3) heme/porphyrin mediated activation of artemisinin has been established as the primary mechanism of action for their antimalarial activity. Utilizing the heightened membrane permeability of iRBCs, we employ the heme precursor ALA as “bait”, inducing heme intermediates accumulation. This synergizes with artemisinin, acting as the 'kill' agent, to effectively eradicate parasites. Uninfected RBCs do not uptake ALA, avoiding collateral damage. We present experimental characterization of drug-drug synergy in a malaria liver stage host cell line and successful elimination of artemisinin-resistant parasites during the blood stage, particularly parasites from the Great Mekong sub-region, a hotspot for antimalarial drug resistance. Leveraging safe drugs like ALA and artemisinin, tested globally, this synergistic strategy holds promise for large-scale deployment in malaria control.
RECOVR REALITY - Recover after injury or surgery to the brain and spinal cord with virtual Reality: IDEAL Stage 2a Clinical Feasibility Study
Authors: Bolton William Stephen , Sinha Rohitashwa , Cooper Sara , Adebola Oluwaseyi , Stephenson Elisa , Ewan Seonaid , Hunsley Rachel , Kearton Victoria , Stevens David , Mathew Ryan Koshi 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Aim
Neurorehabilitation is fundamental to improve outcomes for patients recovering from injury to the central nervous system. Access to neurorehabilitation is limited by resource shortages; the consequences of which are unfulfilled therapy needs, longer hospital stays and detrimental effects on quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) could be used to enhance neurorehabilitation in a self-directed, safe, virtual environment. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a VR rehabilitation programme in an acute neurosurgical inpatient environment to improve neurorehabilitation.
Method
A single-group, prospective, clinical feasibility study was conducted in a tertiary UK neurosurgical department. The study included patients aged 16 and over who had neurosurgical care following surgery or traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. Participants were offered a VR session at least once per day for the first 14 days post-surgery/injury or until discharge, whichever came first, with reasons for non-engagement collected. Primary outcomes were feasibility outcomes and secondary outcomes included rehabilitation engagement.
Results
Of the thirty-nine eligible participants approached, thirty-two participants were recruited and received VR at least once. Intervention fidelity was deemed a success, as none of the VR equipment or applications failed. Median time between injury or surgery and first VR use was three days (IQR = 8.25). The Hopkins Rehabilitation Engagement scale and Simulation Sickness Questionnaires were deemed feasible instruments to measure outcomes.
Conclusions
We confirmed feasibility of using a VR rehabilitation tool for neurosurgical patients in this study. This now facilitates progression to a multi-centre, prospective, randomised, controlled, unblinded, parallel-group trial of VR-enhanced neurorehabilitation versus standard neurorehabilitation for improving recovery after neurotrauma or neurosurgery.