bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Valorization of refinery flue gas through tri‐reforming and direct hydrogenation routes
Authors: Sunkara Sushma , Pankhedkar Nimish , Gudi Ravindra 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe rising amount of greenhouse gases has been contributing to global warming and, subsequently, climate change. Industries such as refineries and power plants emit a significant amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. It is imperative to curb anthropogenic CO2 emissions, and hence, in this effort, we explore the utilization of a refinery emission stream to produce value‐added chemicals. The chosen emission stream for the said purpose is a typical flue gas stream from refineries. Following the capture step, this CO2 stream has been leveraged for subsequent valorization processes. Two strategies have been proposed in this paper to valorize the captured carbon dioxide. The first strategy employs the tri‐reforming process with a refinery‐specific fuel gas stream as the co‐reactant. The resulting syngas from tri‐reforming has been converted to chemicals such as methanol (MET) and ethanol. Furthermore, to improve the amount of CO2 valorized, another approach with green hydrogen has been considered. The second strategy aims at direct hydrogenation of the captured CO2 stream to produce MET and ethanol. The proposed strategies analyze the feasibility of valorizing captured CO2 from flue gas to MET and ethanol in terms of gross margin per feed and percentage of CO2 valorization. The performance assessment and analysis of the proposed processes have been carried out using simulations in Aspen Plus® that exhibited up to 74% valorization of CO2 into valuable chemicals.
Production of esters with numerous applications: Kinetics of Dowex 50W catalyzed transesterification of methyl acetate with three‐ and four‐carbon structured alcohols
Authors: Albusairi Bader H. , Almusallam Abdulwahab S. , Ali Sami H. , Merchant Sabiha Q. , Bumajdad Ali Y. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this investigation, a strongly acidic exchange resin was used for the transesterification of methyl acetate with n‐propanol, n‐butanol, and iso‐butanol. Kinetic and equilibrium experiments for the three systems were conducted using a temperature‐controlled batch reactor setup. The effects of the following operating parameters on the transesterification were explored: reaction temperature, catalyst loading, and methyl acetate‐to‐alcohol molar ratio. The conversion of the limiting reactant in the reaction mixture increased with increasing reaction temperature, catalyst loading, and varying reactant proportions from 1:1 to other ratios. It was found that excess methyl acetate would result in higher limiting reactant conversion than using excess alcohol with the same initial molar proportionality between the excess and the limiting reactants. It was found that an increase in the chain length of the alcohol and/or branching suppressed the conversion of the reactants owing to steric hindrance. To mathematically correlate the data, several kinetic models were tested, and the Eley–Rideal model was selected. Accordingly, a reaction mechanism was proposed.
Heavier Group 14 Congeners of Metalla‐isobenzenes: Access to Metalla‐isosilabenzene and Metalla‐isogermabenzene by One‐Pot Reactions
Authors: Zhao Jinyu , Cai Yapeng , Yang Xin , Zhang Hong 
Published: February 2024

Comprehensive SummaryMetalla‐isosilabenzenes and metalla‐isogermabenzenes have been successfully synthesized by the formal [5+1]‐cycloaddition of diethynylsilane or diethynylgermane with simple metal complexes. This is the first example of a heavier Group 14 metalla‐isobenzene isomer bearing a cumulative double bond motif within a metallacycle. These novel complexes were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The stabilization of the cyclic metal‐vinylidene complexes has been analyzed using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. When the metalla‐isosilabenzenes bearing Si—H bond were treated with the trityl salt as a hydride scavenger, the formation of silylium cation was observed spectroscopically. Both of metalla‐isosilabenzenes and metalla‐isogermabenzenes can readily undergo migratory insertion reactions to furnish siloles or germoles.
Comparison of Fe‐based and Al‐based coagulants in the removal of organic and disinfection by‐product precursors
Authors: Hidayah Euis Nurul , Cahyonugroho Okik Hendriyanto , Novembrianto Rizka , Wahyusi Kindriari Nurma , Srihari Endang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSurface water is renowned for its natural organic matter, constituting approximately 45% of total dissolved organic carbon (DOC) which can be removed in water treatment plants. However, residual DOC in water can react with chlorine to form several carcinogenic disinfectant by‐products (DBPs). This study aimed to examine the molecular weight of organic fractions dissolved in three different water sources that act as precursors to the formation of DBPs species. The coagulants used were Al‐ and Fe‐based, frequently used in water treatment plants to remove organic fractions. Characterization of DOC in source water served as the first step in determining the performance of both coagulants in terms of organic properties. The results showed that the selected surface waters had similar DOC characteristics, including biopolymers, humic substances, building blocks, and a low molecular weight. These fractions contributed to the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). The Fe‐based coagulant was more effective than the Al‐based coagulant in removing all organic fractions and reducing THMs compared to HAAs. Furthermore, one‐way ANOVA analysis showed a significant difference in the average removal of organic fractions and DBP species between the Fe‐based and Al‐based coagulants. The Fe‐based coagulant showed higher efficiency in removing biopolymers, dibromochloromethane, and chlorodibromoacetic acid than the Al‐based coagulant. In contrast, the Al‐based coagulant had better performance in reducing dibromo HAA and tribromo HAA. Both coagulants had no significant difference in extracting other organic fractions or DBPs species.
Epigenetic processes associated with neonatal spinal transection
Authors: Collins Nicholas J. , Campbell Taylor S. , Bozeman Aimee L. , Martes Alleyna C. , Ross Sydney E. , Doherty Tiffany S. , Brumley Michele R. , Roth Tania L. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn early development, the spinal cord in healthy or disease states displays remarkable activity‐dependent changes in plasticity, which may be in part due to the increased activity of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Indeed, BDNF delivery has been efficacious in partially ameliorating many of the neurobiological and behavioral consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI), making elucidating the role of BDNF in the normative developing and injured spinal cord a critical research focus. Recent work in our laboratory provided evidence for aberrant global and locus‐specific epigenetic changes in methylation of the Bdnf gene as a consequence of SCI. In the present study, animals underwent thoracic lesions on P1, with cervical and lumbar tissue being later collected on P7, P14, and P21. Levels of Bdnf expression and methylation (exon IX and exon IV), in addition to global methylation levels were quantified at each timepoint. Results indicated locus‐specific reductions of Bdnf expression that was accompanied by a parallel increase in methylation caudal to the injury site, with animals displaying increased Bdnf expression at the P14 timepoint. Together, these findings suggest that epigenetic activity of the Bdnf gene may act as biomarker in the etiology and intervention effort efficacy following SCI.
Effects of concentric and eccentric cycling training on muscular hemodynamic and erythrocyte rheological responses to exercise in sedentary males
Authors: Huang Yu‐Chieh , Chen Yi‐Ching , Lin Yu‐Ting , Hsu Chih‐Chin , Fu Tieh‐Cheng , Wang Jong‐Shyan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractErythrocyte rheological properties contribute to the dynamic regulation of vascular resistance to flow shear force, facilitating blood delivery from the heart to peripheral tissues. Despite improved physical performance, the effects of eccentric cycling training (ECT) on erythrocyte rheological characteristics remain unclear. This study investigates the distinct effects of ECT and concentric cycling training (CCT) on muscular hemodynamic and erythrocyte rheological responses to exercise. Thirty‐nine sedentary healthy males were randomly assigned to either ECT (n = 13) or CCT (n = 13) at 45%–70% of the maximal workload for 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks, or to a control group (n = 13) that did not receive any exercise intervention. A graded exercise test (GXT) was performed before and after the intervention. Muscular hemodynamic and erythrocyte rheological responses to the GXT were determined by near‐infrared spectroscopy and ektacytometry, respectively. Both ECT and CCT significantly enhanced perfusion (Δ[THb]VL) and O2 extraction (Δ[HHb]VL) in vastus lateralis during GXT. Before training, an acute GXT significantly reduced erythrocyte deformability and increased aggregability, whereas after 6 weeks of either ECT or CCT, the extent of erythrocyte rheological changes caused by GXT was diminished. Moreover, CCT elicited higher improvements in cardiac output (CO), VO2, and work‐rate at peak performance than ECT. In hierarchical regression, the change of maximal CO was the most influential factor affecting VO2max following CCT. In contrast, enhanced VO2max was significantly associated with Δ[HHb]VL and erythrocyte aggregability/deformability in ECT. Although CCT is superior to ECT for increasing aerobic capacity, either ECT or CCT effectively enhances aerobic efficiency by improving muscular hemodynamic and erythrocyte rheological responses to exercise.
Ghost Fishing Threatens Biodiversity in an African Great Lake
Authors: Satoh Shun , Takahashi Tetsumi , Okuno Seiya , Kawasaka Kento , Lwabanya Mabo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We conducted an investigation into ghost fishing, a phenomenon in which abandoned fishing equipment remains operational for extended durations, in the southern region of Lake Tanganyika, Republic of Zambia. The perils associated with ghost fishing have achieved international recognition; however, there exists a conspicuous dearth of scholarly investigations in particular regions, notably inland aquatic environments and developing countries. Employing scuba diving for field observations, we discovered that ghost fishing was solely evident in monofilament nylon nets, despite the presence of four different net types in the littoral area of the lake. Notably, endemic crabs Platythelphusa armata and P. maculata from Lake Tanganyika constituted 65.2% of the organisms captured by abandoned nets, with the remainder comprising various fish species. The number of captured organisms exhibited a dependence on the interplay between the length and mesh size of the abandoned nets, indicating that the risk of ghost fishing is heightened when both net and mesh size are substantial. Furthermore, we encountered predatory Spiny Eels Mastacembelus moorii ensnared in nets around their jaws and teeth. Intriguingly, the digestive tract of one of the Spiny Eels contained a partially digested cichlid species entangled in the same nets, strongly suggesting the occurrence of secondary ghost fishing.
Implementation and optimization of perturbation currents for vehicular proton exchange membrane fuel cells online electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements
Authors: Zhang Xiaojie , Zhang Tong , Chen Huicui 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis paper presents an implementation method of perturbation currents for vehicular proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) online electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The topology of the parallel dual‐boost DC/DC converter system for the EIS measurement is presented. The DCdcand DCacmodules in the converter system implement the DC current and the sinusoidal EIS perturbation current independently. Simulation results show that the proposed perturbation current generation method can be implemented efficiently. In the frequency domain, the current of DCdccouples to the perturbation current of DCac, leading to a reduction in the accuracy of the current amplitude after superposition. The mechanism of current amplitude reduction after superposition is discussed. Feed‐forward compensation and fuzzy compensation optimization are proposed for the DCdccurrent control. Both compensation algorithms achieve excellent results. A comprehensive framework for evaluating the compensation effect is presented. The evaluation results show that feed‐forward compensation has a better advantage in solving the above problems due to its simplicity and less impact on hardware control. Experimental results show that with the optimization algorithm, the input perturbation current increases from 6% to 83% of the theoretical value.
Identifying a competency improvement strategy for infection prevention and control professionals: A rapid systematic review and cluster analysis
Authors: Chen Nuo , Li Shunning , Kuang Zhengling , Gong Ting , Zhou Weilong , Wang Ying 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRemarkable progress has been made in infection prevention and control (IPC) in many countries, but some gaps emerged in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Core capabilities such as standard clinical precautions and tracing the source of infection were the focus of IPC in medical institutions during the pandemic. Therefore, the core competences of IPC professionals during the pandemic, and how these contributed to successful prevention and control of the epidemic, should be studied. To investigate, using a systematic review and cluster analysis, fundamental improvements in the competences of infection control and prevention professionals that may be emphasized in light of the COVID‐19 pandemic. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data, and CBM databases for original articles exploring core competencies of IPC professionals during the COVID‐19 pandemic (from January 1, 2020 to February 7, 2023). Weiciyun software was used for data extraction and the Donohue formula was followed to distinguish high‐frequency technical terms. Cluster analysis was performed using the within‐group linkage method and squared Euclidean distance as the metric to determine the priority competencies for development. We identified 46 studies with 29 high‐frequency technical terms. The most common term was “infection prevention and control training” (184 times, 17.3%), followed by “hand hygiene” (172 times, 16.2%). “Infection prevention and control in clinical practice” was the most‐reported core competency (367 times, 34.5%), followed by “microbiology and surveillance” (292 times, 27.5%). Cluster analysis showed two key areas of competence: Category 1 (program management and leadership, patient safety and occupational health, education and microbiology and surveillance) and Category 2 (IPC in clinical practice). During the COVID‐19 pandemic, IPC program management and leadership, microbiology and surveillance, education, patient safety, and occupational health were the most important focus of development and should be given due consideration by IPC professionals.
Gender, flexibility and workforce in the NHS: A qualitative study
Authors: Chekar Choon Key , Brewster Liz , Lambert Michael , Patel Tasneem 
Published: February 2024

AbstractData from the General Medical Council show that the number of female doctors registered to practise in the UK continues to grow at a faster rate than the number of male doctors. Our research critically discusses the impact of this gender‐based shift, considering how models of medical training are still ill‐suited to supporting equity and inclusivity within the workforce, with particular impacts for women despite this gender shift. Drawing on data from our research project Mapping underdoctored areas: the impact of medical training pathways on NHS workforce distribution and health inequalities, this paper explores the experiences of doctors working in the NHS, considering how policies around workforce and beyond have impacted people's willingness and ability to continue in their chosen career path. There is clear evidence that women are underrepresented in some specialties such as surgery, and at different career stages including in senior leadership roles, and our research focuses on the structural factors that contribute to reinforcing these under‐representations. Medical education and training are known to be formative points in doctors' lives, with long‐lasting impacts for NHS service provision. By understanding in detail how these pathways inadvertently shape where doctors live and work, we will be able to consider how best to change existing systems to provide patients with timely and appropriate access to healthcare. We take a cross‐disciplinary theoretical approach, bringing historical, spatiotemporal and sociological insights to healthcare problems. Here, we draw on our first 50 interviews with practising doctors employed in the NHS in areas that struggle to recruit and retain doctors, and explore the gendered nature of career biographies. We also pay attention to the ways in which doctors carve their own career pathways out of, or despite of, personal and professional disruptions.
Genetic determinants of SARS‐CoV‐2 and the clinical outcome of COVID‐19 in Southern Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Md. Mahbub , Saha Chayan Kumar , Hamidullah Mehedi H. M. , Chakma Kallyan , Salauddin Asma , Hossain Md. Shakhawat , Sharmen Farjana , Rafiqul Islam S. M. , Tanni Afroza Akter , Yasmin Farhana , Akash Al‐Shahriar , Hossain Mohammad Enayet , Miah Mojnu , Biswas Sanjoy Kanti , Sultana Nahid , Mannan Adnan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has had a severe impact on population health. The genetic determinants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in southern Bangladesh are not well understood.MethodsThis study aimed to determine the genomic variation in SARS‐CoV‐2 genomes that have evolved over 2 years of the pandemic in southern Bangladesh and their association with disease outcomes and virulence of this virus. We investigated demographic variables, disease outcomes of COVID‐19 patients and genomic features of SARS‐CoV‐2.ResultsWe observed that the disease severity was significantly higher in adults (85.3%) than in children (14.7%), because the expression of angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐2 (ACE‐2) diminishes with ageing that causes differences in innate and adaptive immunity. The clade GK (n = 66) was remarkable between June 2021 and January 2022. Because of the mutation burden, another clade, GRA started a newly separated clustering in December 2021. The burden was significantly higher in GRA (1.5‐fold) highlighted in mild symptoms of COVID‐19 patients than in other clades (GH, GK, and GR). Mutations were accumulated mainly in S (22.15 mutations per segment) and ORF1ab segments. Missense (67.5%) and synonymous (18.31%) mutations were highly noticed in adult patients with mild cases rather than severe cases, especially in ORF1ab segments. Moreover, we observed many unique mutations in S protein in mild cases compared to severe, and homology modeling revealed that those might cause more folding in the protein's alpha helix and beta sheets.ConclusionOur study identifies some risk factors such as age comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, and renal disease) that are associated with severe COVID‐19, providing valuable insight regarding prioritizing vaccination for high‐risk individuals and allocating health care and resources. The findings of this work outlined the knowledge and mutational basis of SARS‐CoV‐2 for the next treatment steps. Further studies are needed to confirm the effects of structural and functional proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2 in detail for monitoring the emergence of new variants in future.
GNAS mutation inhibits growth and induces phosphodiesterase 4D expression in colorectal cancer cell lines
Authors: Nummela Pirjo , Zafar Sadia , Veikkolainen Erika , Ukkola Iiris , Cinella Vincenzo , Ayo Abiodun , Asghar Muhammad Yasir , Välimäki Niko , Törnquist Kid , Karhu Auli , Laakkonen Pirjo , Aaltonen Lauri A. , Ristimäki Ari 
Published: February 2024

AbstractApproximately 5% of colorectal cancers (CRCs) have a gain‐of‐function mutation in the GNAS gene, which leads to the activation of cAMP‐dependent signaling pathways and associates with poor prognosis. We investigated the effect of an activating GNAS mutation in CRC cell lines on gene expression and cell proliferation in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo. GNAS‐mutated (GNASmt) HCT116 cells showed stimulated synthesis of cAMP as compared to parental (Par) cells. The most upregulated gene in the GNASmt cells was cAMP‐hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) as detected by RNA sequencing. To further validate our finding, we analyzed PDE4D expression in a set of human CRC tumors (n = 35) and demonstrated overexpression in GNAS mutant CRC tumors as compared to GNAS wild‐type tumors. The GNASmt HCT116 cells proliferated more slowly than the Par cells. PDE4 inhibitor Ro 20‐1724 and PDE4D subtype selective inhibitor GEBR‐7b further suppressed the proliferation of GNASmt cells without an effect on Par cells. The growth inhibitory effect of these inhibitors was also seen in the intrinsically GNAS‐mutated SK‐CO‐1 CRC cell line having high levels of cAMP synthesis and PDE4D expression. In vivo, GNASmt HCT116 cells formed smaller tumors than the Par cells in nude mice. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that GNAS mutation results in the growth suppression of CRC cells. Moreover, the GNAS mutation‐induced overexpression of PDE4D provides a potential avenue to impede the proliferation of CRC cells through the use of PDE4 inhibitors.
Causal effects of endometriosis on cancer risk: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Tang Tianyou , Yu Huilin , Xu Sipei , Zhong Yi , Ma Jie , Zhao Tingting 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEndometriosis has been reported in epidemiological studies to be associated with certain types of cancer. However, the presence of reverse causality and residual confounding due to common risk factors introduces uncertainty regarding the extent to which endometriosis itself contributes to the development of cancer. We performed the Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal associations between endometriosis and 34 different types of cancers. The results of the inverse‐variance‐weighted (IVW) model suggested that genetic predisposition to endometriosis was causally associated with an increased risk for ovarian cancer (OR = 3.2913; p‐value = .0320). The genetic liabilities to endometriosis had causal associations with the decreased risk for skin cancer (OR = 0.9973; p‐value = .0219), hematological cancer (OR = 0.9953; p‐value = .0175) and ER− breast cancer (OR = 0.6960; p‐value = .0381). The causal association of the above combinations were robust by test of heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Together, our study suggests that endometriosis had causal effect on cancer risk.