bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient CO 2 Absorption through Wet Membrane Falling Film Contactors: Insights from Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Ghasem Nayef 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
This study investigates the use of wet membrane falling liquid film contactors to enhance the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a monoethanolamine (MEA) aqueous solution. Simulation and modeling analysis were performed to assess the effectiveness of the contactors in capturing CO2. The study analyzed the membrane surface area, flow rates, gas-liquid contact time, and solvent loading to investigate the CO2 absorption process in a falling film membrane contactor (FFMC). The results show that using FFMC significantly increases the CO2 capture rate compared to wet membranes. The study provides valuable insights into the use of contactors for CO2 capture and can serve as a basis for further research in this field. The study employed the finite element analysis method-based COMSOL Multiphysics 6.1 simulation software to conduct a numerical simulation of the CO2 mass transfer process in the FFMC system. The simulation model's accuracy was tested by comparing the simulated CO2 absorption efficiency and flux values in the MEA solution with experimental data. The results showed a favorable agreement between the predicted and experimental values, with an average relative error of approximately 4.3%. These findings suggest that the falling film membrane contactor approach holds significant potential for commercial applications in CO2 capture.
Evaluating Rates of Chiropractic Use and Utilization by Patient Sex within the United States Veterans Health Administration: A Serial Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Graham Sarah E , Coleman Brian C , Zhao Xiwen , Lisi Anthony J 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Within the United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the number of patients using healthcare services has increased over the past several decades. Females make up a small proportion of overall patients within the VHA; however, this proportion is growing rapidly. Previous studies have described rates of VHA chiropractic use; however, no prior study assessed differences in use of utilization rates between male and female veterans. The purpose of this study was to assess rates of use and utilization of chiropractic care by sex among VHA patients receiving care at VHA facilities with on-station chiropractic clinics.Methods A serial cross-sectional analysis of VHA national electronic health record data was conducted in Fall 2021 for fiscal year (FY) 2005–2021. The cohort population was defined as VHA facilities with on-station chiropractic clinics, and facilities were admitted to the cohort after the first FY with a minimum of 500 on-station chiropractic encounters. Variables extracted included counts of unique users of any VHA on-station facility outpatient services, unique users of VHA on-station facility chiropractic services, number of chiropractic encounters, and by sex. Use was calculated as the rate of patients of each sex receiving chiropractic services out of total patients of the same sex within each facility, and utilization was calculated as the number of chiropractic care visits by patient per FY. Linear mixed effects models were applied to examine the difference in chiropractic care utilization by sex.Results The percentage of female VHA on-station chiropractic patients increased from 11.7–17.7% from FY2005–FY2021. Among VHA facilities with on-station chiropractic care, the percentage of female VHA healthcare users who used chiropractic care (mean = 2.3%) was greater than the percentage of male VHA healthcare users who used chiropractic care (mean = 1.1%). Rates of chiropractic utilization by sex among VHA facilities with on-station chiropractic clinics were similar between males (median = 4.1 visits per year, mean = 4.6) and females (median = 4.3 visits per year, mean = 4.9).Conclusion On-station VHA chiropractic services use was higher for female patients than their male counterparts, yet overall remains low. There were no differences in chiropractic utilization rates between sexes.
Heterologous Expression and Characterization of ToxA1 haplotype from India and its interaction with Tsn1 for Spot Blotch Susceptibility in spring wheat
Authors: Chaubey Ranjan Kumar , Thakur Dharamsheela , Navathe Sudhir , Sharma Sandeep , Mishra Vinod Kumar , Singh Pawan Kumar , Chand Ramesh 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: ToxA a necrotrophic effector protein, is known to be present in the genome of fungal species like Parastagnospora nodorum, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Bipolaris sorokiniana. Tsn1 is the sensitivity gene in the host whose presence indicates more susceptibility to ToxA carrying pathogen, and ToxA-Tsn1 delivers an inverse gene-for-gene relationship.
Methods and Results: The present study involved cloning and expressing the ToxA1 gene from B. sorokiniana. It was found that the amplicon exhibited an expected product size of 471 bp. Sequence analysis of the ToxA1 nucleotide sequence revealed the highest identity, 99.79%, with Py. tritici-repentis. The protein expression analysis showed peak expression at 16.5kDa. Phylogenetic analysis of ToxA1 sequence from all the Bipolaris isolates formed independent clade along with Py. tritici-repentis and diverged from P. nodorum. ToxA-Tsn1 interaction was studied in 18 wheat genotypes (11 Tsn1 and 7 tsn1) at both the seedling and adult stage, validating the inverse gene-for-gene relationship, as the toxin activity was highest in the K68 genotype (Tsn1) and lowest in WAMI280 (tsn1).
Conclusion: The study indicates that the haplotype ToxA1 is prevailing in the Indian population of B. sorokiniana. It would be desirable for wheat breeders to select genotypes with tsn1 locus for making wheat resistant to spot blotch.
Combined serum albumin, fecal immunochemical test, and leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein levels for predicting prognosis in remitting patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Nakamura Naohiro , Honzawa Yusuke , Nishimon Shuhei , Sano Yasuki , Kobayashi Sanshiro , Aoi Mamiko , Tahara Tomomitsu , Fukata Norimasa , Fukui Toshiro , Yagi Naoto , Tokutomi Yutaro , Ito Yuka , Naganuma Makoto 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
This study investigated the usefulness serum leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) and fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) for predicting relapse in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Data of 194 patients tested for LRG between January 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively collected and clinical characteristics were recorded. Evaluation of correlations between LRG, FIT, clinical severity as reflected by the partial Mayo score and other biomarkers, revealed that LRG is strongly correlated with CRP levels and FIT was not correlated with CRP and albumin level. moderately correlated with albumin levels. As the partial Mayo score increased, the LRG level gradually increased. Regarding usefulness of LRG, FIT and other markers on prediction of relapse in remitting patients with UC. Although the median serum albumin and FIT were significantly different between patients with or without clinical relapse, the LRG level was not associated with clinical relapse. The cumulative remission rate was higher in patients with lower LRG than in patients with higher LRG, even when the serum albumin level was less than 4.4 mg/mL. Patients with both a lower LRG and FIT tended to have lower relapse rates than those in the other groups. Our study indicated that serum albumin level is useful for predicting relapse, even in remitting outpatients. Although LRG is not an independent factor for predicting clinical relapse, it is useful for identifying patients that are unlikely to relapse when combined serum albumin or FIT results.
The nexus between pollution and income inequality: the role of education, corruption, and industrial output
Authors: Frutos-Bencze Dinorah , Bukkavesa Kanix , Satimanon Monthien 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Our study aims to refine and extend the understanding of the nexus between different pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), PM 2.5, and methane (CH4) emissions, income inequality, and living adequacy thresholds. The study also elucidates the living adequacy threshold variable to determine whether people have an adequate standard of living. Thus, the analysis of both income inequality ratios and living adequacy thresholds provides a more accurate picture of the living and social conditions of the population in a country. In addition, this study considers education levels, perceived corruption, and selected industrial output measures. The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methodology provides various configurations for 2018. Our findings suggest that the levels of CO2 emissions are not influenced by income inequality and living adequacy thresholds in middle to upper-income countries. However, PM2.5 and CH4 emissions are impacted by high-income inequality and low living adequacy thresholds in low to middle-income countries.
JEL classification codes: D63, D31, I32, N30, Q53
Assessment of Educational Intervention Impact on Improving Pharmacovigilance Knowledge Among Health Care Providers: a Study From Different Hospitals in Tanzania
Authors: Muro Eva P. , Semvua Hadija Hamisi , Mwamwitwa Kissa W. , Fimbo Adam M. , Kisenge Seth H. , Shiletiwa Nellin , Harmark Linda , Moretti Ugo , Lora Riccardo , Venegoni Mauro , Sabaini Alberto , Schievano Francesco , Venegoni Mauro , Boer Marion Sumari-de , Mmbaga Blandina , Magro Lara 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Introduction Under-reporting of adverse drug reactions is a major challenge in Tanzania. It is important to educate the health care providers about pharmacovigilance in order to improve the reporting rate. Objectives: We conducted a study with the objective of evaluating the impact of an educational intervention based on the knowledge on pharmacovigilance among healthcare providers in Tanzania. Methods: A pharmacovigilance e-blended learning method was used. Pre and post-test, courses were the basic concepts in Pharmacovigilance and the safety of Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs. Descriptive analyses were run to determine the proportions of the correct and wrong answers for pre and post training. Results A total of 118 (72%) completed the pre-and post-test for both the first and the second courses. There was an increase in the correct answers in the post-test to every question. The median score of pre-intervention for knowledge about basic pharmacovigilance increased from 5 (range 4–7) in pre-test to 8 (range 7–9) in post-test. The median score for anti-TB drug safety issues monitoring and management increased from 4 (range 4–6) in pre-test to 7 (range 7–9) in post-test. Conclusion The findings of this study showed that knowledge scores and correct answers were increased following an educational intervention among HCP.
Stochastic SIRI epidemic model with global incidence rate and relapse
Authors: Harchaoui Bilal , Boutouil Saloua , Settati Adel , Lahrouz Aadil , Idrissi Mourad El , Jarroudi Mustapha El 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
We present a stochastic SIRI model with non-linear relapse and a global incidence rate g(S) I. Some verifiable sufficient conditions are established to ensure extinction and persistence. We also demonstrate the existence of a stationary distribution. Finally, we show some computer simulation examples to illustrate the theoretical findings.
Health disparities in COVID-19: Immune and vascular changes are linked to disease severity and persist in a high-risk population in Riverside County, California
Authors: Bergersen Kristina V. , Pham Kathy , Li Jiang , Ulrich Michael T. , Merrill Patrick , He Yuxin , Alaama Sumaya , Qiu Xinru , Harahap-Carrillo Indira S. , Ichii Keita , Frost Shyleen , Kaul Marcus , Godzik Adam , Heinrich Erica C. , Nair Meera G. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Disparities in COVID-19 disease outcomes exist in Hispanic individuals, especially those with pre-existing health conditions. Infected individuals can develop “long COVID” with sustained impacts on overall quality of life. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection and long COVID in Hispanic individuals and identify immune and endothelial factors that are associated with COVID-19 outcomes.Methods 112 participants in Riverside County, California, were recruited and categorized according to the following criteria: healthy control (n = 23), moderate infection (outpatient, n = 33), and severe infection (hospitalized, n = 33). Differences in outcomes between Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals and presence/absence of comorbidities were evaluated. Circulating immune and vascular biomarkers and immune cell subsets were measured by ELISA, multiplex analyte assays, and flow cytometry. Follow-up assessments for long COVID, lung health, and immune and vascular changes were conducted (n = 23) including paired analyses of the same participants.Results Compared to uninfected controls, the severe infection group had a higher proportion of Hispanic individuals (n = 23, p = 0.012), but there was no difference between uninfected controls and those with moderate infection (n = 8, p = 0.550). Disease severity was associated with changes in innate monocytes and neutrophils and lymphopenia, disrupted cytokine production (increased IL-8 and IP-10/CXCL10 but reduced IFNλ2/3 and IFNγ), and increased endothelial injury (myoglobin, VCAM-1). In the severe infection group, integration of parameters through machine learning identified NGAL/LCN2, IL-6, and monocyte activation as parameters associated with fatality, whereas anti-coagulant therapy was linked to survival. Recovery from moderate COVID infection resulted in long-term immune changes including increased monocytes/lymphocytes and decreased neutrophils and endothelial markers. This group had a lower proportion of comorbidities (n = 8, p = 1.0) but still reported symptoms associated with long COVID despite recovered lung health.Conclusion This study indicates increased severity of COVID-19 infections in Hispanic individuals of Riverside County, California. Infection resulted in immunological and vascular changes and long COVID symptoms that were sustained for up to 11 months, however, lung function (volume and airflow resistance) was recovered. Given the behavioral and immune impacts of long COVID, the potential for increased susceptibility to infections and decreased quality of life, especially in high-risk populations, warrants further investigation.
Improvement of growth and physiological characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activity under drought stress in almond (Prunus dulcis L.) using selected promising almond genotypes
Authors: Gohari Shabnam , Imani Ali , Talaei AliReza , Abdosi Vahid , Asghari Mohamad Reza 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The scarcity of water is a primary obstacle to the growth and performance of horticultural crops. In this study, the physiological and developmental response of promising almond genotypes under deficit irrigation was investigated. This research was conducted as a factorial experiment consisting of two factors in a completely randomized design with three replications during 2019 and 2020, at the Temperate Fruit Research Center, Horticultural Research Institute. The first factor was almond genotype at ten levels, and the second factor was drought stress at three levels. The results showed that growth (such as plant height, trunk diameter at the top of the plant, length of new branch growth, leaf yellowness) and physiological characteristics such as chlorophyll index based on the SPAD criterion, relative leaf water content, chlorophyll fluorescence and activity of leaf enzymes including SOD, POD, CAT and APX. according to the type of genotype in the conditions of drought stress were different. Among the traits studied, higher proline, RWC and FV/Fm indicated a higher ability to tolerate drought stress in almonds. According to the results of the present study, for instance, drought stress has a significant effect on photochemical efficiency (FV/Fm) of 10 selected almond genotypes. So that, the AH1-99 genotype with 0.585 shows the lowest value and the A-7-100 genotype with 0.751 has the highest value. These results indicate that genotypes, A-7-100, A-100-13, and A-100-8 has more tolerance and adaptation to drought stress than other genotypes respectively. These genotypes are considered for further evaluation to confirm the varieties in order to recommend them for general cultivation in farmer's fields in drought-affected areas. The drought-sensitive genotypes, AH1-99 and A-124-1 were also identified in the present study, which are rich assets to be used as contrasting parents in hybridization programs.
An electrochemical aptasensor based on catalytic hairpin self-assembly and co-amplification of AuPd/Fe-MOF and Au/Cu2O for ultrasensitive detection of Cd2+
Authors: He Jintao , Zhang Baozhong , Tian Panpan , Li Ying , Liu Xiaolong , Ma Xinyue , Lin Min , Zhu Huina , Chen Hanyu , Li Liping , He Baoshan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Cadmium, as a typical heavy metal, is not required by the human body, which can cause damage to the liver and kidneys when it enters the body. Therefore, the rapid detection of cadmium in the environment is crucial. In this study, a sensitive dual hairpin (HP) electrochemical aptasensor with AuPd/Fe-MOF as the signal labels and Au/Cu2O as the substrate material was constructed for the rapid detection of divalent cadmium ions (Cd2+) using catalytic hairpin self-assembly (CHA) as the recognition strategy. Au/Cu2O increased the specific surface area of the electrode and provided a large number of attachment sites for capturing the probe complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (CDNA), while the electrochemical signal was amplified by the synergistic catalytic hydrogen peroxide with AuPd/Fe-MOF, which improved the aptasensor sensitivity. In addition, the dual HP design reduced the probability of non-specific capture and decreased the generation of false positives. The study used scanning electron microscope (SEM) to observe the morphological characteristics of the material, energy eispersive spectrometer (EDS) and x-ray difraction (XRD) to analyze the elemental composition and distribution of the material, cyclic voltammetry (CV) to study the electrochemical behavior of the sensor, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to study the assembly process of the aptasensor, and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to study the performance of the aptasensor. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the constructed sensor was able to achieve effective detection of Cd2+ in the range of 10-4−10 μM with a detection limit as low as 2.27×10-5 μM, and demonstrated its feasibility in the detection of actual water samples.
Physical origins of canonical and tautomeric mutagenesis
Authors: Pietruszka Mariusz , Lipowczan Marcin 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The problem of the origin of canonical and aberrant DNA mutations and the contribution of protons encoding DNA to genetic stability is an essential topic in molecular biology. Based on the empirical results, we reconsidered canonical and tautomeric mutations under the two-fluid model of quantum physics. We assumed that the proton-induced pressure of the DNA environment could change the concentration ratio between canonical and tautomeric base pairs, which were found to be different at and beyond the criticality level, respectively. We anticipate that the deviation of the cellular system from a specific (critical) temperature at which dynamic entropy reaches a minimum and a critical pH occurs may be the source of point mutations leading to tautomerization.
Role of MicroRNAs and their Downstream Target Transcription Factors in Zebrafish Thrombopoiesis
Authors: Qaryoute Ayah Al , Fallatah Weam , Dhinoja Sanchi , Raman Revathi , Jagadeeswaran Pudur 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that human platelets and megakaryocytes carry microRNAs suggesting their role in platelet function and megakaryocyte development, respectively. However, a comprehensive study on the microRNAs and their targets has not been undertaken. Zebrafish thrombocytes could be used as a model to study their role in megakaryocyte maturation and platelet function because thrombocytes have both megakaryocyte features and platelet properties. In our laboratory, we identified 15 microRNAs in thrombocytes using single-cell RNA sequencing. We knocked down each of these 15 microRNAs by the piggyback method and found knockdown of three microRNAs,mir-7148, let-7b, andmir-223in adult zebrafish led to an increase in the percentage of thrombocytes. Functional thrombocyte analysis using plate tilt assay showed no modulatory effect of the three microRNAs on thrombocyte aggregation/agglutination. We also found enhanced thrombosis using arterial laser thrombosis assay in a group of zebrafish larvae aftermir-7148, let-7b, andmir-223knockdowns. These results suggestedmir-7148, let-7b, andmir-223are repressors for thrombocyte production. We then explored miRWalk database forlet-7bdownstream targets and then selected those that are expressed in thrombocytes, and from this list based on their role in differentiation selected 14 genes,rorca, tgif1, rfx1a, deaf1, zbtb18, mafba, cebpa, spi1a, spi1b, fhl3b, ikzf1, irf5, irf8, andlbx1bthat encode transcriptional regulators. The qRT-PCR analysis of expression levels of the above genes followinglet-7bknockdown showed changes in the expression of 13 targets. We then studied the effect of the 13 targets on thrombocyte production and identified 5 genes,irf5, tgif1, irf8, cebpa, androrcathat showed thrombocytosis and one gene,ikzf1that showed thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, we tested whethermir-223regulates any of the above 13 transcription factors aftermir-223knockdown using qRT-PCR. Six of the 13 genes showed similar gene expression as observed withlet-7bknockdown and 7 genes showed opposing results. Thus, our results suggested a possible regulatory network in common with bothlet-7bandmir-223. We also identified thattgif1, cebpa, ikzf1, irf5,irf8, andikzf1play a role in thrombopoiesis. Since theikzf1gene showed a differential expression profile inlet-7bandmir-223knockdowns but resulted in thrombocytopenia inikzf1knockdown in both adults and larvae we also studied anikzf1mutant and showed the mutant had thrombocytopenia. Taken together, these studies showed that thrombopoiesis is controlled by a network of transcription regulators that are regulated by multiple microRNAs in both positive and negative manner resulting in overall inhibition of thrombopoiesis.
Sensitivity Improvement of Bimetallic Layer-Based SPR Biosensor Using ZnO and Black Phosphorus
Authors: Wang Shutao , Zhang Jinqing , Liu Na , Wan Jincong 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
In this paper, a brand-novel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor structure built by bimetallic layers (Ag, Al2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO), and black phosphorus (BP) is proposed. The incident light wavelength is 633nm. The angular sensitivity (S), detection accuracy (DA), the figure of merit (FoM), and electric field strength of the proposed construction and other constructions are numerically investigated and compared. To optimize the sensor's performance, the influence of the thickness of each layer on the proposed construction’s performance was simulated. The proposed construction utilizes the large surface-to-volume ratio of ZnO along with the high biomolecule adsorption of BP for sensing performance improvement. It is found that the proposed sensing structure’s highest sensitivity of 400 °/RIU, that's 294.75% higher than the conventional silver-based sensor. This sensing structure might provide ideas for the construction of precision detection suited SPR sensors.