bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advances in the Removal of Organic Pollutants from Water by Photocatalytic Activation of Persulfate: Photocatalyst Modification Strategy and Reaction Mechanism
Authors: Xin Yue , Wang Yongjie , Jiang Zhongqing , Deng Binglu , Jiang Zhong‐Jie 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEnvironmental pollution caused by persistent organic pollutants has imposed big threats to the health of human and ecological systems. The development of efficient methods to effectively degrade and remove these persistent organic pollutants is therefore of paramount importance. Photocatalytic persulfate‐based advanced oxidation technologies (PS‐AOTs), which depend on the highly reactive SO4− radicals generated by the activation of PS to degrade persistent organic pollutants, have shown great promise. This work discusses the application and modification strategies of common photocatalysts in photocatalytic PS‐AOTs, and compares the degradation performance of different catalysts for pollutants. Furthermore, essential elements impacting photocatalytic PS‐AOTs are discussed, including the water matrix, reaction process mechanism, pollutant degradation pathway, singlet oxygen generation, and potential PS hazards. Finally, the existing issues and future challenges of photocatalytic PS‐AOTs are summarized and prospected to encourage their practical application. In particular, by providing new insights into the PS‐AOTs, this review sheds light on the opportunities and challenges for the development of photocatalysts with advanced features for the PS‐AOTs, which will be of great interests to promote better fundamental understanding of the PS‐AOTs and their practical applications.
A grid connection photovoltaic inverter with volt‐VAR control and reactive power support for voltage regulation
Authors: Júnior Lúcio Rogério , de Moura Carvalho Henrique Tannús , Rodrigues Danillo Borges , Alves Guilherme Henrique , Freitas Luiz Carlos Gomes , Coelho Ernane Antônio Alves 
Published: May 2024

SummaryThis paper presents the development of a single‐phase voltage source inverter (VSI) of 3.5KW, applied to grid‐connected photovoltaic systems (GCPS). The proposed system has a boost interface converter connected to a full bridge inverter with an LCL filter. Each block that constitutes the proposed GCPS is described in detail, containing the specifications of the solar modules, the design of the power circuit components, the mathematical modeling, and the control design of the converters. The presentation of the Volt‐VAR Control (VVC) highlights the contribution of this work, where it is implemented with the intention of the inverter to supply/consume reactive power, in order to minimize voltage variations at the point of common coupling (PCC). To validate the inverter operation with VVC, three cases are presented, encompassing grid voltage and irradiance variations, and load steps. Through the PCC voltage profiles, currents, and power supplied/consumed, the means to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control is shown. The results obtained through the PSIM simulations and verified by Typhoon Hardware in the Loop (HIL) model, showed the regulation of grid voltage levels for all established conditions.
Chronic anthropogenic disturbance mediates the bottom‐up influence of plant diversity on arthropods in tropical forests
Authors: Gaoue Orou G. , Bassoki Hermann , Dassou Anicet G. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractUnderstanding how primary productivity and diversity affect secondary productivity is an important debate in ecology with implications for biodiversity conservation. Particularly, how plant diversity influences arthropod diversity contributes to our understanding of trophic cascades and species coexistence. Previous studies show a positive correlation between plant and arthropod diversity. The theory of associational resistance suggests that plant herbivory rate will decrease with increasing plant diversity indicating feedbacks between primary diversity, productivity, and secondary productivity rates. However, our understanding of how these relations are mediated by anthropogenic disturbance is still limited. We surveyed 10 forest sites, half of which are disturbed by fire, logging, and tree pruning, distributed in two climatic zones in Benin, West Africa. We established 100 transects to record plant species and sampled arthropods using pitfall traps, ceramic plates with bait, and sweeping nets. We developed a structural equation model to test the mediating effect of chronic anthropogenic disturbance on plant diversity and how it influences arthropod diversity and abundance. Arthropod diversity increased but arthropod abundance decreased with increasing intensity of disturbance. We found no significant bottom‐up influence of the plant diversity on arthropod diversity but a significant plant diversity–arthropod abundance relationship. Some arthropod guilds were significantly affected by plant diversity. Finally, herbivory rates were positively associated with arthropod diversity.Synthesis. Our results highlight how chronic anthropogenic disturbance can mediate the functional links between trophic levels in terms of diversity and productivity. Our study demonstrated a decoupled response of arthropod diversity and abundance to disturbance. The direct positive influence of plant diversity on herbivory rates we found in our study provides counter‐support for the theory of associational resistance.
Estimating distribution and abundance of wide‐ranging species with integrated spatial models: Opportunities revealed by the first wolf assessment in south‐central Italy
Authors: Gervasi Vincenzo , Aragno Paola , Salvatori Valeria , Caniglia Romolo , De Angelis Daniele , Fabbri Elena , La Morgia Valentina , Marucco Francesca , Velli Edoardo , Genovesi Piero 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEstimating demographic parameters for wide‐ranging and elusive species living at low density is challenging, especially at the scale of an entire country. To produce wolf distribution and abundance estimates for the whole south‐central portion of the Italian wolf population, we developed an integrated spatial model, based on the data collected during a 7‐month sampling campaign in 2020–2021. Data collection comprised an extensive survey of wolf presence signs, and an intensive survey in 13 sampling areas, aimed at collecting non‐invasive genetic samples (NGS). The model comprised (i) a single‐season, multiple data‐source, multi‐event occupancy model and (ii) a spatially explicit capture‐recapture model. The information about species' absence was used to inform local density estimates. We also performed a simulation‐based assessment, to estimate the best conditions for optimizing sub‐sampling and population modelling in the future. The integrated spatial model estimated that 74.2% of the study area in south‐central Italy (95% CIs = 70.5% to 77.9%) was occupied by wolves, for a total extent of the wolf distribution of 108,534 km2 (95% CIs = 103,200 to 114,000). The estimate of total population size for the Apennine wolf population was of 2557 individuals (SD = 171.5; 95% CIs = 2127 to 2844). Simulations suggested that the integrated spatial model was associated with an average tendency to slightly underestimate population size. Also, the main contribution of the integrated approach was to increase precision in the abundance estimates, whereas it did not affect accuracy significantly. In the future, the area subject to NGS should be increased to at least 30%, while at least a similar proportion should be sampled for presence‐absence data, to further improve the accuracy of population size estimates and avoid the risk of underestimation. This approach could be applied to other wide‐ranging species and in other geographical areas, but specific a priori evaluations of model requirements and expected performance should be made.
Role of body size and shape in animal camouflage
Authors: Yu Hongmin , Lin Zhixue , Xiao Fanrong 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAnimal camouflage serves a dual purpose in that it enhances both predation efficiency and anti‐predation strategies, such as background matching, disruptive coloration, countershading, and masquerade, for predators and prey, respectively. Although body size and shape determine the appearance of animals, potentially affecting their camouflage effectiveness, research over the past two centuries has primarily focused on animal coloration. Over the past two decades, attention has gradually shifted to the impact of body size and shape on camouflage. In this review, we discuss the impact of animal body size and shape on camouflage and identify research issues and challenges. A negative correlation between background matching effectiveness and an animal's body size has been reported, whereas flatter body shapes enhance background matching. The effectiveness of disruptive coloration is also negatively correlated with body size, whereas irregular body shapes physically disrupt the body outline, reducing the visibility of true edges and making it challenging for predators to identify prey. Countershading is most likely in larger mammals with smaller individuals, whereas body size is unrelated to countershading in small‐bodied taxa. Body shape influences a body reflectance, affecting the form of countershading coloration exhibited by animals. Animals employing masquerade achieve camouflage by resembling inanimate objects in their habitats in terms of body size and shape. Empirical and theoretical research has found that body size affects camouflage strategies by determining key aspects of an animal's appearance and predation risk and that body shape plays a role in the form and effectiveness of camouflage coloration. However, the mechanisms underlying these adaptations remain elusive, and a relative dearth of research on other camouflage strategies. We underscore the necessity for additional research to investigate the interplay between animal morphology and camouflage strategies and their coevolutionary development, and we recommend directions for future research.
Sacubitril/valsartan and cardiovascular biomarkers among patients with recent COVID‐19 infection: The PARACOR‐19 randomized clinical trial
Authors: Greene Stephen J. , Chambers RaKavius , Lerman Joseph B. , Harrington Josephine , deFilippi Christopher R , Wendell David C. , Kim Han W. , Green Cynthia L. , Butler Javed , Felker G. Michael 
Published: May 2024

AimsThe PARACOR‐19 randomized controlled trial (RCT) was designed to examine the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on markers of cardiac injury, inflammation, structure, and function among patients who have recovered from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection.Methods and resultsPARACOR‐19 was a single‐centre, double‐blind RCT of patients with cardiovascular risk factors and a history of COVID‐19 infection 4–16 weeks prior to enrolment. Patients were randomized to sacubitril/valsartan (titrated to the maximum dose of 97/103 mg twice daily) versus matching placebo. Co‐primary endpoints were change from baseline to 12 weeks in high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT) and soluble ST2 (sST2). Exploratory endpoints included change from baseline to 12 weeks in additional circulating biomarkers. Overall, 42 patients were randomized between August 2021 and March 2023 (n = 20 sacubitril/valsartan, n = 22 placebo). Median (25th–75th) time from COVID‐19 diagnosis to enrolment was 67 (48–80) days. Median age was 67 (62–71) years, 48% were female, and 91% were White. Compared with placebo, sacubitril/valsartan did not have a significant effect on the co‐primary endpoints of change from baseline in hs‐TnT and sST2 (all p ≥ 0.29). In exploratory analyses, sacubitril/valsartan led to a 46% greater reduction in N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and 51% greater reduction in C‐terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CITP). Permanent drug discontinuation occurred in four patients in the sacubitril/valsartan group and three patients in the placebo group. There were no deaths and one patient was hospitalized in each group.ConclusionIn this pilot RCT of patients who recovered from acute COVID‐19, sacubitril/valsartan did not lower hs‐cTnT or sST2 compared with placebo. Exploratory analyses suggested potential benefits of sacubitril/valsartan on cardiac wall stress and collagen turnover as measured by NT‐proBNP and CITP. Sacubitril/valsartan was well tolerated.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04883528.
Frailty according to the 2019 HFA‐ESC definition in patients at risk for advanced heart failure: Insights from the HELP‐HF registry
Authors: Villaschi Alessandro , Chiarito Mauro , Pagnesi Matteo , Stolfo Davide , Baldetti Luca , Lombardi Carlo Mario , Adamo Marianna , Loiacono Ferdinando , Sammartino Antonio Maria , Colombo Giada , Tomasoni Daniela , Inciardi Riccardo Maria , Maccallini Marta , Gasparini Gaia , Montella Marco , Contessi Stefano , Cocianni Daniele , Perotto Maria , Barone Giuseppe , Merlo Marco , Vitale Cristiana , Rosano Giuseppe Massimo Claudio , Cappelletti Alberto Maria , Sinagra Gianfranco , Metra Marco , Pini Daniela 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAimsFrailty is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF), but a concordant definition of this condition is lacking. The Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (HFA‐ESC) proposed in 2019 a new multi‐domain definition of frailty, but it has never been validated.Methods and resultsPatients from the HELP‐HF registry were stratified according to the number of HFA‐ESC frailty domains fulfilled and to the cumulative deficits frailty index (FI) quintiles. Prevalence of frailty and of each domain was reported, as well as the rate of the composite of all‐cause death and HF hospitalization, its single components, and cardiovascular death in each group and quintile. Among 854 included patients, 37 (4.3%), 206 (24.1%), 365 (42.8%), 217 (25.4%), and 29 (3.4%) patients fulfilled zero, one, two, three, or four domains, respectively, while 179 patients had a FI < 0.21 and were considered not frail. The 1‐year risk of adverse events increased proportionally to the number of domains fulfilled (for each criterion increase, all‐cause death or HF hospitalization: hazard ratio [HR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–1.62; all‐cause death: HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.46–2.02, HF hospitalizations: subHR 1.21, 95% CI 1.04–1.31; cardiovascular death: HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.45–2.15). Consistent results were found stratifying the cohort for FI quintiles. The FI as a continuous variable demonstrated higher discriminative ability than the number of domains fulfilled (area under the curve = 0.68 vs. 0.64, p = 0.004).ConclusionFrailty in patients at risk for advanced HF, assessed via a multi‐domain approach and the FI, is highly prevalent and identifies those at increased risk of adverse events. The FI was found to be slightly more effective in identifying patients at increased risk of mortality.
The state of play for contact training and coaching in women's rugby
Authors: Stodter Anna , Dane Kathryn 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis article aims to review and comment upon the current “state of play” for research around contact and tackle training in women's rugby, covering tackle injury risk, match contact demands, players' experiences of contact coaching and contact skill preparation. In women's rugby, the tackle is the most common match technical‐physical contest, accounting for around two‐thirds of all injuries and carrying the greatest injury burden. Players' experience and technical abilities are key determinants of tackle safety and performance. Despite this, there is limited research available that connects insight into women's rugby contact demands with the how and why of effective tackle and contact training and coaching in context. This review suggests that adapting and adopting progressive tackle skill training frameworks and gender‐responsive coaching practices can aid tackle skill learning in women's rugby. Creative transdisciplinary research and more effective translation and implementation activities that take place within the vibrant and growing context of women's rugby can enhance science and safety whilst working as a medium for social change.
Pd/TiO2 decorated carbon fibers as an efficient anode catalyst for methanol electro‐oxidation
Authors: Yin Lei , Wang Chenxing , Liu Yusong , Su Xiaolei , Song Yanyan , Liu Yi 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this study, Pd/TiO2 decorated carbon nanofibers (Pd/TiO2@CNFs) and Pd@CNFs were prepared by the impregnation method for application in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Pd and TiO2 particles were supported on the surface of carbon fibers. Noticeably, When the mass fraction of PdCl2 added is 4%, the Pd@CNFs catalyst (Pd‐4@CNFs) showed higher electrocatalytic activity and stability, which were about 28.4 and 13.2 times higher than those of commercial Pd/C catalyst, respectively. On the basis of Pd‐4@CNFs catalyst, TiO2 with a mass fraction of 10% was added to produce Pd/TiO2@CNFs catalyst (Pd‐4/TiO2‐10@CNFs). The electrocatalytic activity of Pd‐4/TiO2‐10@CNFs increased to 3,850.4 A·g−1, which was 31.9 times higher than that of commercial Pd/C catalysts. These results demonstrated that the novel Pd/TiO2@CNFs catalyst is expected to be an efficient and durable catalyst for DMFC.
Real‐world data on diagnostics, treatment and outcomes of patients with hairy cell leukemia: The HCL‐CLLEAR study
Authors: Panovská Anna , Žák Pavel , Jurková Tereza , Arpáš Tomáš , Brychtová Yvona , Vašíková Alžběta , Hrabčáková Viera , Prchlíková Adéla , Filipová Martina , Doubek Michael 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHairy cell leukemia (HCL) and HCL‐like disorders have to be distinguished because of their different biology and treatment response. Thus, we conducted a retrospective study on patients with HCL and hairy cell leukemia variant (HCLv) to assess diagnostic algorithms and treatment outcomes in a real‐world setting. We analyzed 225 HCL and 26 HCLv patients with median follow‐up of 67.9 months (HCL) and 20.1 months (HCLv). Median age at diagnosis was 56.2 (HCL) and 69.5 years (HCLv), male predominance was observed in both groups (76.0% vs. 73.1%). Diagnostics was mostly based on morphological evidence of hairy cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow. At diagnosis, BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 94.7% of examined HCL patients and in no HCLv patient. Front‐line treatment was indicated in 205 (91.1%) HCL and 18 (69.2%) HCLv patients. The majority of HCL patients were administered a cladribine‐based regimen (91.2%). Overall response rate (ORR) was higher in cladribine‐treated patients compared to those given other treatments (97.7% vs. 81.3%), the same applied with achieving Complete remission (CR) (91.2% vs. 62.5%). HCLv treatment was heterogeneous, but cladribine remained the most frequent option (44.4%) with ORR 81.3% and CR rates 43.8%. Second‐line treatment was indicated in 52 HCL and 8 HCLv patients, 25.4% and 44.4% of those treated in first‐line. In the whole HCL group, median time to next treatment (TTNT) was not reached and 10‐year TTNT was estimated at 74.1%. HCLv patients who underwent first‐line treatment had a median TTNT of 56 months. The median overall survival (OS) in HCL patients was not reached compared to HCLv with a median OS of 9.5 years. These data confirm an excellent prognosis for HCL patients treated with cladribine‐based therapy. On the contrary, HCLv with its aggressive behavior represents a group of patients in whom novel treatment approaches are needed.
How hospital autonomy affects provider payment reform effectiveness
Authors: Tsuei Sian Hsiang‐Te , Yip Winnie (Chi‐Man) 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundProvider payment reforms (PPRs) have demonstrated mixed results for improving health system efficiency. Since PPRs require health care organisations to interpret and implement policies, the organizational characteristics of hospitals may affect the effectiveness of PPRs. Hospitals with more autonomy have the flexibility to respond to PPRs more efficiently, but they may not if the autonomy previously facilitated behaviours that counter the PPR's objective. This study examines whether hospitals with higher autonomy responds to PPRs more effectively.MethodsWe used data from a matched‐pair, cluster randomized controlled PPR intervention in a resource‐limited Chinese province between 2014 and 2018. The intervention reformed the reimbursement method from the publicly administered New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) from fee‐for‐service to global budget. We interacted measures of hospital autonomy over surplus, hiring, and procurement (drugs, consumables, equipment, and overall index) with the difference‐in‐difference estimator to examine how autonomy moderated the intervention's effect.ResultsAutonomy over surplus (p < 0.01) and procurement of equipment (p < 0.01) were associated with relatively faster NCMS expenditure growth, demonstrating worse PPR response. They were also associated with higher expenditure shifting to out‐of‐pocket expenditures (p > 0.05). Post hoc analysis suggests that hospitals with surplus autonomy had higher OOP per admission (p < 0.01), suggesting profiteering tendencies. Other dimensions of autonomy demonstrated imprecise association.DiscussionHospitals with more autonomy may not necessarily respond more effectively to PPRs that incentivise efficiency when they had previously been encouraged to maximise profit. Policymakers should assess the extent of perverse incentives before granting autonomy and adjust the incentives accordingly.
Prescribing patterns in patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder: Retrospective, single‐center study
Authors: Knebel Joshua , Kennedy M. Lindsey Hedgepeth 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIntroductionObsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) is marked by a high rate of treatment resistance. Patients are often left trialing medications within multiple drug classes with little response, causing heterogeneity to emerge in prescribing patterns. This analysis seeks to investigate the selection and dosing of the pharmacotherapy utilized, to portray an overview of prescribing trends in the United States.MethodsThis retrospective, single center, review of electronic medical records investigated the pharmacotherapy utilization of patients with a primary diagnosis of OCD. Two hundred and ninety‐five patients who received OCD treatment at an urban, academic medical center were included in the study. Patients were included in the review if they were at least eighteen years of age and were assigned a diagnosis of OCD according to DSM‐5 criteria.ResultsPsychotropic pharmacotherapy was integrated into the care of 93% of patients. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most utilized medication class at 85% followed by benzodiazepines (47%) and second‐generation antipsychotics (37%). Tricyclic antidepressants and first‐generation antipsychotics were the two medication classes utilized the least at 13% and 2% respectively. Additionally, mood stabilizers and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors were utilized at rates of 8% and 16%, respectively.ConclusionsEvidence‐based treatment guidelines are being followed with varying augmentation strategies widely prevalent, thus displaying the heterogeneity in treating OCD. A high rate of benzodiazepine utilization highlights a practice trend with potential ties to clinical factors, such as the latency to treatment effect of other first‐line pharmacotherapies. Future prospective studies are required to determine the cultural, pharmacoeconomic and pharmacogenomic factors that contribute to the variation in prescribing practices and whether these variations influence treatment outcomes.