bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Future Projection and Uncertainty Analysis of Wind and Solar Energy in China Based on an Ensemble of CORDEX‐EA‐II Regional Climate Simulations
Authors: Wu Rongchang , Niu Xiaorui , Jing Xianwen , Li Ping , Mao Yanjin , Chen Xianchun , Wang Shuyu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWind and solar energy are crucial for meeting the growing energy demand and mitigating the impact of climate change, and their sources show a climate‐dependence. Here, based on the outputs from two regional climate models (RCMs) driven by three global climate models within the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiments‐East Asia (CORDEX‐EA‐II), the effects of future climate change on wind power density (WPD) and photovoltaic power potential (PVP) in China under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 2.6 scenario and RCP8.5 scenario are comprehensively investigated, and the sources of uncertainty are also quantified. Results show that all RCMs can reproduce the observed WPD and PVP in China by employing the Quantile Delta Mapping method for wind speed simulations. For the future projections, the annual averages of WPD and PVP in China tend to decrease by −11.67% to −1.7% and −4.6% to −1.12%, respectively, with more significant reduction under the RCP8.5 than under the RCP2.6. Note that uncertainties exist among the RCMs' simulations in terms of future projections and long‐term trends. Further analysis reveals that the uncertainty in both WPD and PVP projections are primarily driven by the internal variability in most sub‐regions except the Tibetan Plateau, where GCM uncertainty and emission scenarios play the dominant role in the uncertainty of WPD and PVP projection, respectively. This study highlights the potential benefits of controlling greenhouse gas emissions in enhancing and stabilizing renewable energy in China.
Response Mechanism of the Residual Strength to the Mesostructure of the Shear Surface in the Gravelly Slip Zone of Ancient Landslides
Authors: Ren Sanshao , Zhang Yongshuang , Li Jinqiu , Wu Ruian , Hao Haijian 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAncient landslides tend to reactivate along pre‐existing slip zones that have reached a residual state. On the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, previous research has indicated that the slip zone of ancient landslides is primarily composed of clayey soil with gravel, known as gravelly slip zone soil. However, the relationship between the macromechanical behavior of gravelly slip zones and the mesostructure of the shear surfaces affected by gravel is still unclear. Herein, ring shear tests and reversal direct shear tests were performed on gravelly slip zone soil, and the 3D morphology and shear surface roughness were quantitatively characterized by using 3D laser scanning technology and the power spectral density method. The results showed a significant correlation between the friction coefficient of the shear surface and its roughness. Gravel played a crucial role in influencing the macromechanical behavior of slip zones by altering the mesomorphology of the shear surfaces. By analyzing the mechanical properties of the contact unit on the shear surface, the residual strength of the gravelly slip zone was found to be jointly controlled by the basic strength of the fine‐grained soil and the undulations caused by the gravel. Finally, a residual strength model was developed for the gravelly slip zone considering both the strength of the fine‐grained soil and the shear surface roughness caused by the gravel.
Collaborative Management of Water‐Energy‐Food‐Ecosystems Nexus in Central Asia Under Uncertainty
Authors: Ma Yuan , Li Yongping , Huang Guohe , Liu Yuanrui , Zhang Yufei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCollaborative management of the water‐energy‐food‐ecosystems (WEFE) nexus can contribute significantly to sustainable development. However, multiple decision‐making levels with diverse preferences and multiple uncertainties in different forms pose intractable challenges to the management process. In this study, a novel optimization method named as multi‐level chance‐constrained fuzzy programming (MCFP) is developed to jointly manage the WEFE nexus. MCFP has advantages in evaluating trade‐offs among multiple competitive decision makers, solving decentralized planning problems with hierarchical structure, and tackling uncertainties expressed as randomness and vagueness. MCFP is then applied to the WEFE nexus in Central Asia, where five countries, 43 states, six water sources, and eight water users are involved over a long‐term planning horizon (2021–2050). A set of scenarios are designed to reflect decision‐making preferences based on different irrigation efficiencies, food, ecological and electricity demands as well as constraint‐violation probability and system credibility levels. The major findings are: (a) the proportion of agricultural water allocation would reduce to 45.4%–56.6% by 2050 to save more water for ensuring ecological restoration and energy supply; and (b) in order to balance water demands and support regional sustainable development, policymakers should sacrifice some of the benefits, set strict arable land limits for cereal crops, improve irrigation efficiency through adopting drip and sprinkler irrigation, and avoid the effects of the irrigation efficiency paradox. The findings are helpful for policymakers in gaining insight into the interrelationships of water, energy, food and ecosystems as well as making decisions for collaborative management of the WEFE nexus system.
Serum IL-36β levels are associated with Insulin sensitivity in paediatric patients with obesity
Authors: Narros-Fernández Paloma , O’Donnell Andrew , Sheehy Clodagh , Basavarajappa Shrikanth Chomanahalli , Hernandez Santana Yasmina Esther , Kinlen David , Cody Declan , Hogan Andrew E. , Walsh Patrick T. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAlthough the orchestrating role of Interleukin-36 cytokines in regulating inflammation at barrier tissue sites, is well established, whether they play a significant role in the settings of metabolic health and disease, has yet to be fully established. Several recent studies have demonstrated that IL-36 cytokine expression is elevated among adult patients with obesity, and can play roles in regulating both insulin sensitivity and driving inflammation. In this report, we have extended these analyses to paediatric patients and identified an association between elevated serum levels of expression of the specific Interleukin-36 subfamily member, IL-36β, among children with obesity displaying insulin sensitivity, compared to children with obesity who are insulin resistant. While these data further indicate a possible protective role for IL-36 in metabolic health, they also differ with previous findings from an adult patient cohort, where elevated levels of the related cytokine, IL-36γ, were found to occur in association with improved metabolic health. While highlighting important differences between paediatric and adult patient cohorts in the context of metabolic disease associated with obesity, these data underscore the need for a deeper mechanistic analysis of the role of IL-36 cytokines in disease.
Adjudicative efficacy of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLa80 in treating acute diarrhea in children: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Chen Ke , Jin Shanshan , Ma Yu , Cai Limei , Xu Ping , Nie Yang , Luo Li , Yu Qinghua , Shen Yang , Zhou Zengyuan , Liu Changqi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLa80, as an adjunct treatment for diarrhea in children with a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study design. Eligible diarrheal children, aged 0–3 years without the need for antibiotic treatment based on clinical diagnosis when recruited, were randomized into the intervention group (IG, n = 58, with probiotic) or the control group (CG, n = 53, placebo). The primary assessment was the duration of diarrhea. Fecal samples were collected for biochemical index measurement, analysis of gut microbiome composition, and prediction of gene family abundances. The total duration of diarrhea in the IG (122.6 ± 13.1 h) was significantly shorter than in the CG (148.4 ± 17.6 h, p < 0.001). More children in the IG showed improvements in diarrhea compared to the CG, both in intention-to-treat analysis (81.7% vs. 40.0%, p < 0.001) and per protocol analysis (84.4% vs 45.3%, p < 0.001). Cathelicidin level in the IG was significantly higher than that in the CG after the intervention (4415.00 ± 1036.93 pg/g vs. 3679.49 ± 871.18 pg/g, p = 0.0175). The intervention led to an increased abundance of Bifidobacterium breve and Collinsella aerofaciens species, higher alpha-diversity (p < 0.05), and enrichment of functional genes in the gut microbiota related to immunity regulation. Administration of BLa80 at a dose of 5 × 109 CFU/day resulted in a shorter duration of diarrhea and alterations in gut microbiome composition and gene functions.
Evidence for the additivity of rare and common variant burden throughout the spectrum of intellectual disability
Authors: Urpa Lea , Kurki Mitja I. , Rahikkala Elisa , Hämäläinen Eija , Salomaa Veikko , Suvisaari Jaana , Keski-Filppula Riikka , Rauhala Merja , Korpi-Heikkilä Satu , Komulainen-Ebrahim Jonna , Helander Heli , Vieira Päivi , Uusimaa Johanna , Moilanen Jukka S. , Körkkö Jarmo , Singh Tarjinder , Kuismin Outi , Pietiläinen Olli , Palotie Aarno , Daly Mark J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntellectual disability (ID) is a common disorder, yet there is a wide spectrum of impairment from mild to profoundly affected individuals. Mild ID is seen as the low extreme of the general distribution of intelligence, while severe ID is often seen as a monogenic disorder caused by rare, pathogenic, highly penetrant variants. To investigate the genetic factors influencing mild and severe ID, we evaluated rare and common variation in the Northern Finland Intellectual Disability cohort (n = 1096 ID patients), a cohort with a high percentage of mild ID (n = 550) and from a population bottleneck enriched in rare, damaging variation. Despite this enrichment, we found only a small percentage of ID was due to recessive Finnish-enriched variants (0.5%). A larger proportion was linked to dominant variation, with a significant burden of rare, damaging variation in both mild and severe ID. This rare variant burden was enriched in more severe ID (p = 2.4e-4), patients without a relative with ID (p = 4.76e-4), and in those with features associated with monogenic disorders. We also found a significant burden of common variants associated with decreased cognitive function, with no difference between mild and more severe ID. When we included common and rare variants in a joint model, the rare and common variants had additive effects in both mild and severe ID. A multimodel inference approach also found that common and rare variants together best explained ID status (ΔAIC = 16.8, ΔBIC = 10.2). Overall, we report evidence for the additivity of rare and common variant burden throughout the spectrum of intellectual disability.
Regional differences in the biological variability of plantar pressure as a basis for refining diagnostic gait analysis
Authors: Latour Ewa , Latour Emilia E. , Arlet Jarosław 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe variability of movement plays a crucial role in shaping individual's gait pattern and could, therefore, potentially serve diagnostic purposes. Nevertheless, existing concepts for the use of variability in diagnosing gait present a challenge due to the lack of adequate benchmarks and methods for comparison. We assessed the individuality of contribution of foot parts that directly mediate the transmission of forces between the foot and the ground in body weight shifting during walking based on 200 pedobarometric measurements corresponding to the analysed foot parts for each of 19 individuals in a homogeneous study group. Our results show a degree of individualisation of the contribution of particular foot parts in the weight-shift high enough to justify the need to consider it in the diagnostic analysis. Furthermore they reveal noticeable, functionally driven differences between plantar areas most apparent between the lowest individuality for the first foot ray and the highest for second one and metatarsus. The diagnostic reference standard in pedobarometry should describe the contribution in the shift of body weight during walking for each area of the foot separately and include information on the intra-individual variation and individualisation of descriptors of the contribution. Such a comprehensive standard has the potential to increase the diagnostic value of pedobarometry through enrichment of the assessment description.
Spike synchrony as a measure of Gestalt structure
Authors: Zemliak Viktoria , Mayer Julius , Nieters Pascal , Pipa Gordon 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe function of spike synchrony is debatable: some researchers view it as a mechanism for binding perceptual features, others – as a byproduct of brain activity. We argue for an alternative computational role: synchrony can estimate the prior probability of incoming stimuli. In V1, this can be achieved by comparing input with previously acquired visual experience, which is encoded in plastic horizontal intracortical connections. V1 connectivity structure can encode the acquired visual experience in the form of its aggregate statistics. Since the aggregate statistics of natural images tend to follow the Gestalt principles, we can assume that V1 is more often exposed to Gestalt-like stimuli, and this is manifested in its connectivity structure. At the same time, the connectivity structure has an impact on spike synchrony in V1. We used a spiking model with V1-like connectivity to demonstrate that spike synchrony reflects the Gestalt structure of the stimulus. We conducted simulation experiments with three Gestalt laws: proximity, similarity, and continuity, and found substantial differences in firing synchrony for stimuli with varying degrees of Gestalt-likeness. This allows us to conclude that spike synchrony indeed reflects the Gestalt structure of the stimulus, which can be interpreted as a mechanism for prior probability estimation.
Estimating the impact of COVID-19 self-test availability and modifications in test-strategy on overall test uptake using an experimental vignette study
Authors: Zomer Colene L. , Kroese Floor , Sanders Jet G. , Janssen Riny , de Bruin Marijn 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTo inform future Dutch COVID-19 testing policies we did an experimental vignette study to investigate whether inclusion of the less reliable lateral flow tests (self-tests) would change test-uptake sufficiently to improve population-level test sensitivity. A representative sample (n = 3,270) participated in a 2-by-2 online experiment to evaluate the effects of test-guidelines including self-testing advice (IV1), and the effects of self-test availability (IV2) on expected test uptake (PCR test, self-test or no test) and sensitivity of the overall test strategy (primary outcome). Across four scenarios, changing test advice did not affect expected testing behaviour. Self-test availability, however, increased the timeliness of testing, the number of people testing, and overall test strategy sensitivity. Based on these findings, we recommend that (national) policy facilitates a supply of self-tests at home, for example through free and pro-active distribution of test-kits during a pandemic. This could substantially enhance the chances of timely detecting and isolating patients.
Impact of mutations on the stability of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein structure
Authors: Muradyan Nelli , Arakelov Vahram , Sargsyan Arsen , Paronyan Adrine , Arakelov Grigor , Nazaryan Karen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is known to participate in various host cellular processes, including interferon inhibition, RNA interference, apoptosis, and regulation of virus life cycles. Additionally, it has potential as a diagnostic antigen and/or immunogen. Our research focuses on examining structural changes caused by mutations in the N protein. We have modeled the complete tertiary structure of native and mutated forms of the N protein using Alphafold2. Notably, the N protein contains 3 disordered regions. The focus was on investigating the impact of mutations on the stability of the protein's dimeric structure based on binding free energy calculations (MM-PB/GB-SA) and RMSD fluctuations after MD simulations. The results demonstrated that 28 mutations out of 37 selected mutations analyzed, compared with wild-type N protein, resulted in a stable dimeric structure, while 9 mutations led to destabilization. Our results are important to understand the tertiary structure of the N protein dimer of SARS-CoV-2 and the effect of mutations on it, their behavior in the host cell, as well as for the research of other viruses belonging to the same genus additionally, to anticipate potential strategies for addressing this viral illness․
The significance of chemical reaction, thermal buoyancy, and external heat source to optimization of heat transfer across the dynamics of Maxwell nanofluid via stretched surface
Authors: Ahmad Bilal , Ali Bagh , Bariq Abdul , Ahmed Muhammad Ozair , Shah Syed Asif Ali , Idrees Muhammad , Ragab Adham E. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEnergy loss during the transportation of energy is the main concern of researchers and industrialists. The primary cause of heat exchange gadget inefficiency during transportation was applied to traditional fluids with weak heat transfer characteristics. Instead, thermal devices worked much better when the fluids were changed to nanofluids that had good thermal transfer properties. A diverse range of nanoparticles were implemented on account of their elevated thermal conductivity. This research addresses the significance of MHD Maxwell nanofluid for heat transfer flow. The flow model comprised continuity, momentum, energy transport, and concentration equations in the form of PDEs. The developed model was converted into ODEs by using workable similarities. Numerical simulations in the MATLAB environment were employed to find the outcomes of velocity, thermal transportation, and concentration profiles. The effects of many parameters, such as Hartman, Deborah, buoyancy, the intensity of an external heat source, chemical reactions, and many others, were also evaluated. The presence of nanoparticles enhances temperature conduction. Also, the findings are compared with previously published research. In addition, the Nusselt number and skin friction increase as the variables associated with the Hartman number and buoyancy parameter grow. The respective transfer rates of heat are 28.26$$\%$$
%
and 38.19$$\%$$
%
respectively. As a result, the rate of heat transmission increased by 14.23$$\%$$
%
. The velocity profiles enhanced while temperature profiles declined for higher values of the Maxwell fluid parameter. As the external heat source increases, the temperature profile rises. Conversely, buoyancy parameters increase as it descends. This type of problem is applicable in many fields such as heat exchangers, cooling of electronic devices, and automotive cooling systems.
Cognitive profile in cerebral small vessel disease: comparison between cerebral amyloid angiopathy and hypertension-related microangiopathy
Authors: Barucci Eleonora , Salvadori Emilia , Magi Simona , Squitieri Martina , Fiore Giulio Maria , Ramacciotti Lorenzo , Formelli Benedetta , Pescini Francesca , Poggesi Anna 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is recognized as a cause of cognitive impairment, but its cognitive profile needs to be characterized, also respect to hypertension-related microangiopathy (HA). We aimed at comparing difference or similarity of CAA and HA patients’ cognitive profiles, and their associated factors. Participants underwent an extensive clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging protocol. HA patients (n = 39) were more frequently males, with history of vascular risk factors than CAA (n = 32). Compared to HA, CAA patients presented worse performance at MoCA (p = 0.001) and semantic fluency (p = 0.043), and a higher prevalence of amnestic MCI (46% vs. 68%). In univariate analyses, multi-domain MCI was associated with worse performance at MoCA, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and semantic fluency in CAA patients, and with worse performance at Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and phonemic fluency in HA ones. In multivariate models, multi-domain deficit remained as the only factor associated with RAVLT (β = − 0.574) in CAA, while with SDMT (β = − 0.364) and phonemic fluency (β = − 0.351) in HA. Our results highlight different patterns of cognitive deficits in CAA or HA patients. While HA patients’ cognitive profile was confirmed as mainly attentional/executive, a complex cognitive profile, characterized also by deficit in semantic memory, seems the hallmark of CAA patients.
Determinants and their spatial heterogeneity of carbon emissions in resource-based cities, China
Authors: Guo Chenchen , Yu Jianhui 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGlobal climate change associated with increased carbon emissions has become a global concern. Resource-based cities, by estimations, have emerged as major contributors to carbon emissions, accounting for approximately one-third of the national total. This underscores their pivotal role in the pursuit of carbon neutrality goals. Despite this, resource-based cities have long been neglected in current climate change mitigation policy discussions. Accordingly, using exploratory spatial data analysis and Geographical Weighted Regression method, this study investigates the determinants of carbon emissions and their spatial pattern in 113 resource-based cities in China. It can be concluded that: (1) The proportion of carbon emissions from resource-based cities in the national total has shown a marginal increase between 2003 and 2017, and the emissions from these cities have not yet reached their peak. (2) A relatively stable spatial pattern of “northeast high, southwest low” characterizes carbon emissions in resource-based cities, displaying significant spatial autocorrelation. (3) Population size, economic development level, carbon abatement technology, and the proportion of resource-based industries all contribute to the increase in carbon emissions in these cities, with carbon abatement technology playing a predominant role. (4) There is a spatial variation in the strength of the effects of the various influences.
PSMB2 plays an oncogenic role in glioma and correlates to the immune microenvironment
Authors: He Wei , Zhang Zhe , Tan ZiLong , Liu XinXian , Wang ZeKun , Xiong Bo , Shen XiaoLi , Zhu XinGen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThere has been an upward trend in the incidence of glioma, with high recurrence and high mortality. The beta subunits of the 20S proteasome are encoded by the proteasome beta (PSMB) genes and may affect the proteasome’s function in glioma, assembly and inhibitor binding. This study attempted to reveal the function of the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells, which is affected by proteasome 20S subunit beta 2 (PSMB2). We subjected the data downloaded from the TCGA database to ROC, survival, and enrichment analyses. After establishing the stable PSMB2 knockdown glioma cell line. We detect the changes in the proliferation, invasion and migration of glioma cells by plate colony formation assay, transwell assay, wound healing assay and flow cytometry and PSMB2 expression was verified by quantitative PCR and Western blotting to identify the mRNA and protein levels. PSMB2 expression was higher in glioma tissues, and its expression positively correlated with poor prognosis and high tumor grade and after PSMB2 knockdown, the proliferation, invasion and migration of glioma cells were weakened.