bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Water Quality Models Hydrological Variabilities Considering Event-Based Scenarios: A case study
Authors: Ebrahimi Saman , Azizi Koroosh , Khorram Mahdis , Kashani Ali R. , Ali Ahmed Ali Shakir 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Given the significant momentum of developing water quality models to simulate water quality variables and support decision-making, the literature recognized the importance of addressing uncertainties embedded in the water quality models, such as inherent, parametric, and hydrological uncertainties. However, hydrological events' magnitude in terms of intensity has not been extensively scrutinized in previous studies. Hence, this paper aims to propose an adjusted Monte Carlo event-based scenarios framework that considers four scenarios (1- 35 years of flow rate records, 2- events with ARI ≤ 10 years, 3- events with ARI ≤ 5 years, 4- events with ARI ≤ 1) to evaluate hydrological variabilities and quantify embedded uncertainties. The study employs a Qual2k model that simulates five water quality variables in the Zaroub river, Iran, as a case study. The model's uncertainty boundaries are quantified using five statistical metrics: Plevel, ARIL, SU, CU, and EU. The results of the study considering extreme hydrological events when examining the flow rate time histories leads to a significant increase in uncertainty in the water quality model. On the other hand, reducing the ARI values of hydrological events not only minimizes the uncertainty boundaries but also improves the accuracy of the model simulations. These findings highlight the crucial role of selecting hydrological scenarios based on the water quality variable under investigation. Furthermore, the proposed framework can be applied to any water quality model and water body. The study's outcomes suggest that the presented methodology reduces uncertainty and provides more reliable simulations for decision-making in water resources conundrums.
A review of barriers to circular economy implementation in solid waste management
Authors: Akomea-Frimpong Isaac , Tetteh Portia Atswei , Ofori Joshua Nsiah Addo , Tumpa Roksana Jahan , Pariafsai Fatemeh , Tenakwah Emmanuel Senior , Asogwa Ikenna Elias , Tenakwah Emmanuel Junior , Vanapalli Kumar Raja , Adu-Gyamfi Gibbson , Kukah Augustine Senanu 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Circular economy (CE) has attracted considerable attention from governments, policymakers, and societies due to its potential to promote sustainable development goals while shifting away from linear economy models. Despite a growing body of research conducted in the CE, the barriers to its successful implementation for sustainable solid waste management (SWM) remain less explored. The purpose of this current study is to identify the critical barriers to circular economy implementation in SWM. The scientometric analysis of literature is the research methodology in this study. A total of 1709 journal articles were searched and retrieved from Scopus database for the data analysis. The results show that circular economy has not gained much root in solid waste management in the global south. Countries such as China, United States, Australia, Italy, and United Kingdom (UK) are the topmost countries to fund research in this research area. The commonly used keywords in scholarly literature on this topic include sustainability, reuse, waste management and recycle. Further, the major findings of the study were grouped into clusters relating to challenges on macroeconomic policies, recycling and reuse of waste, stakeholder management, operation, and legal regulations, generated solid wastewater treatment, and construction and demolition waste. The contributions of this research are twofold: A comprehensive list of relevant gaps for further studies are provided for the scientific community to delve into this matter and proffer solutions. The findings could serve as a guide to understand and develop best practice framework on circular economy and its implementation in the SWM.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts induce sorafenib resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through CXCL12/FOLR1
Authors: Zhao Jiali , Lin En , Bai Zirui , Jia Yingbin , Wang Bo , Dai Yihua , Zhuo Wenfeng , Zeng Guifang , Liu Xialei , Cai Chaonong , Li Peiping , Zou Baojia , Li Jian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: Due to the high drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Sorafenib has limited efficacy in the treatment of advanced HCC. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important regulatory role in the induction of chemo-resistance. This study aimed to clarify the mechanism underlying CAF-mediated resistance to sorafenib in HCC.
Methods: Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that the activation of CAFs was increased in cancer tissues of HCC. CAFs and para-cancer normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from the cancer and para-cancer tissues of HCC, respectively. Cell cloning assay, Elisa, and flow cytometry were used to detect that CAFs induced sorafenib resistance of HCC cells via CXCL12. Western blot and qPCR detected that CXCL12 induces sorafenib resistance of HCC cells by up-regulating FOLR1. We investigated that FOLR1 was the target molecule of CAFs regulating sorafenib resistance in HCC cells by querying the gene expression dataset platform of human HCC specimens from GEO genomic data platforms.
Results: CAFs were increasingly activated in cancer tissues of HCC, compared with pare-cancer tissues of HCC samples. CAFs inhibited the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib. CAFs secreted CXCL12 to induce sorafenib resistance of HCC cells. CXCL12 upregulated the expression of FOLR1 in HCC cells to induce sorafenib resistance.
Conclusions: We found that CAFs induce sorafenib resistance of HCC cells through CXCL12/FOLR1.
Physical Activity Changes and Related Factors in Chronic Heart Failure Patients During the Post-Discharge Transition Period: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Meng Yingtong , Ge Xiaohua , Zheng Qingru , Zhang Tingting , Feng Tienan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Physical activity (PA) is essential and effective for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Greater understanding of the longitudinal changes in PA and its association factors during the post-discharge transition period may help create interventions for improving PA. The aims of this study are: 1) to compare the change of PA; 2) to examine the associated factors of PA change; 3) to verify the mediating pathways between the factors and PA during the post-discharge transition period in CHF patients.
Methods
A total of 209 CHF patients were recruited using a longitudinal study design. Structured questionnaires were used to assess PA, CHF-related symptoms, kinesiophobia, and demographics, disease characteristics. PA questionnaire was investigated: (1) during admission, (2) two weeks after discharge, (3) two months after discharge, and (4) three months after discharge. Additional three questionnaires were collected during admission. Generalized estimating equation models (GEE) were fitted to identify variables associated with PA over time. We followed STROBE checklist for reporting the study.
Results
PA of CHF patients decreased unevenly, with the lowest level at two weeks after discharge. CHF-related symptoms and kinesiophobia were significantly associated with PA change trend over time. Compared with before hospitalization, increase in CHF-related symptoms at two weeks and two months after discharge were significantly associated with a decrease in PA. In the path analysis, CHF-related symptoms related to PA not only directly but also indirectly through kinesiophobia.
Conclusion
PA was changed during the post-discharge transition period and associated with CHF-related symptoms and kinesiophobia in CHF patients. Improving kinesiophobia may help reduce CHF-related symptoms and improve PA.
Trial Registration:
The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (11/10/2022 ChiCTR2200064561 retrospectively registered)
A quantitative textual analysis of the subjective effects of ayahuasca in naive users with and without depression
Authors: Cruz Lucas , Favero Bheatrix Bienemann , Palhano-Fontes Fernanda , Tófoli Luís Fernando , Araújo ulio B. , Mograbi Daniel C. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Ayahuasca is a brew with psychoactive properties that has been used as an entheogen for centuries, with more recent studies suggesting it is a promising treatment for some clinical disorders. Although there is an emerging scientific literature on its effects, to the best of our knowledge no study has explored the self-reported experiences of first-time ayahuasca users with quantitative textual analysis tools. Accordingly, the current study aimed to analyze the subjective experience of naive individuals with depression and healthy controls after consuming ayahuasca. For this purpose, responses from a subsample of participants from a previous clinical trial to open-ended questions regarding their experience with ayahuasca underwent textual analysis. Data from nine patients with treatment-resistant depression and 20 healthy individuals were included, and quantitative textual analysis was performed using IRaMuTeQ 0.7 alpha 2 and R 3.1.2. The analysis identified five clusters: alterations in the state of consciousness, cognitive changes, somatic alterations, auditory experiences, and visual perceptual content. Additionally, findings suggest specific features of the experience of people with depression with ayahuasca, such as increased aversive bodily reactions. The results are consistent with previous findings indicating central axes of the psychedelic experience, and may inform therapeutic approaches using ayahuasca.
Exploring the Link between Hedonic Overeating and Prefrontal Cortex Dysfunction in the Ts65Dn Trisomic Mouse Model
Authors: Fructuoso Marta , Fernández-Blanco Alvaro , Gallego-Roman Ana , Sierra Cesar , de Lagran Maria Martinez , Lorenzon Nicola , De Toma Ilario , Langohr Klaus , Martín-García Elena , Maldonado Rafael , Dairou Julien , Janel Nathalie , Dierssen Mara 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have a higher prevalence of obesity compared to the general population. Conventionally, this has been attributed to endocrine issues and lack of exercise. However, recent research suggests that deficits in neural reward responses and dopaminergic disturbances in DS may be contributing factors. To investigate further, we focused on a mouse model (Ts65Dn) bearing some triplicated genes homologous to trisomy 21. Through detailed meal pattern analysis in Ts65Dn mice, we observed an increased preference for energy-dense food, pointing towards a potential "hedonic" overeating behavior. Moreover, trisomic mice exhibited higher scores in compulsivity and inflexibility tests when limited access to energy-dense food and quinine hydrochloride adulteration were introduced, compared to euploid controls. Interestingly, when we activated prelimbic-to-nucleus accumbens projections in Ts65Dn mice using a chemogenetic approach, impulsive and compulsive behaviors significantly decreased, shedding light on a promising intervention avenue. Our findings uncover a novel mechanism behind the vulnerability to overeating and offer potential new pathways for tackling obesity through innovative interventions. However, it is important to acknowledge that the observed phenotype in Ts65Dn mice may be influenced by the presence of triplicated non-HSA21 genes, which is a limitation worth considering for future investigations.
Economic feasibility analysis of diesel replacement by vinasse biogas in a sugarcane fleet: a portfolio optimization approach
Authors: Dutenkefer Raphael de Moraes , Guo Helena Liu , Machado Pedro Gerber , Ribeiro Celma de Oliveira 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Climate change has taken center stage in international debate in recent years. In this circumstance, several agreements and frameworks were established to reduce pollution and environmental degradation. For instance, the 2016 Paris Agreement was established to set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at international and national levels, respectively.
In the climate change context, the bioenergy sector has gained significant importance as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. In Brazil, sugarcane presents an opportunity to replace fossil fuel with sugarcane byproducts and wastes, increasing renewable energy generation.
In recent years, ethanol production waste, known as vinasse, has gained popularity due to its potential to generate biogas. This residue has a high energy content and is an excellent substitute for fossil fuels. In addition, vinasse biogas presents two possible applications in the sugarcane sector: electricity generation and diesel replacement. Given this, the sugarcane industry can potentially increase its participation in the energy sector beyond bagasse and straw, byproducts already used as renewable energy sources.
Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the impacts of biogas insertion in the sugar and ethanol sector. This research aims at studying the alternative of switching fossil fuel use to vinasse biogas in sugarcane truck fleets. The primary tool used in this study was the portfolio theory. The optimization model was built, including investment costs from biogas production and diesel replacement and revenue generated from Brazilian carbon credits (CBIO), seeking to minimize the risk, measured through Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR), for a given return. In this model, the role of biogas is analyzed considering a hypothetical plant, and results show a positive economic impact of biogas production.
Results show that the CBIOS market incentivizes a higher rate of diesel-to-biogas substitution, leading to positive environmental implications. Portfolios with CBIOS achieve nearly 100% diesel substitution, compared to around 80% in scenarios without CBIOS. However, the investment strategy of the model varies depending on the profit range. In the profit range of R$131 to R$152 million, the model focuses on biogas generation and converting diesel engines to biogas. Within higher profit ranges, the model shifts the allocation of vinasse biogas for electricity production as the need for profit increases and prioritizes an increase in sugar production.
Machine learning based on SEER database to predict distant metastasis of thyroid cancer
Authors: Qiao Lixue , Li Hao , Wang Ziyang , Sun Hanlin , Feng Guicheng , Yin Detao 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objective
Distant metastasis of thyroid cancer often indicates poor prognosis, and it is important to identify patients who have developed distant metastasis or are at high risk as early as possible. This paper aims to predict distant metastasis of thyroid cancer through the construction of machine learning models to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Materials & Methods
Data on demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of thyroid cancer patients between 2010 and 2015 were extracted from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Our research used univariate and multivariate logistic models to screen independent risk factors, respectively. Decision Trees (DT), ElasticNet (ENET), Logistic Regression (LR), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Random Forest (RF), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Radial Basis Function Support Vector Machine (RBFSVM) and other seven machine learning models were compared and evaluated by the following metrics: The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), sensitivity(also called recall), specificity, precision, accuracy, F1 score. Interpretable machine learning was used to identify possible correlation between variables and distant metastasis.
Results
Independent risk factors for distant metastasis, including age, gender, race, marital status, histological type, capsular invasion, and number of lymph nodes metastases were screened by multifactorial regression analysis. Among the seven machine learning algorithms, RF was the best algorithm, with an AUC of 0.948, sensitivity of 0.919, accuracy of 0.845, and F1 score of 0.886 in the training set, and an AUC of 0.960, sensitivity of 0.929, accuracy of 0.906, and F1 score of 0.908 in the test set.
Conclusions
The machine learning model constructed in this study helps in the early diagnosis of distant thyroid metastases and helps physicians to make better decisions and medical interventions.
Psychosocial work environment and mental health among the global workforce of seafarers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hayes-Mejia Rebecca , Stafström Martin 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health outcomes of international seafarers, who played a crucial role in maintaining global trade during the pandemic. The study examined how changes in psychosocial work environment and policies affected mental health outcomes among seafarers.
Methods
We analyzed a survey including answers from 17,861 seafarers, serving on 44 different international commercial vessels with 154 different nationalities. Stress, anxiety, and depression were applied as outcome measures in this study. Three sets of independent variables were included; work-related consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, general psychosocial work environment onboard, and socioeconomic variables. First, we applied binary linear regression, followed by a multivariate linear regression analysis.
Results
The study found that changes in safety consciousness and clear communication from employers were associated with better mental health outcomes among seafarers. Eroded policies related to crew changes had a significant negative effect on mental wellbeing due to delays caused by national quarantine guidelines and travel restrictions. The results also showed a discrepancy in mental health outcomes between those onboard and those onshore, with stress being present in both groups.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that crisis management within shipping companies played an important role in mitigating adverse mental health outcomes during the pandemic. Clear communication from employers and emphasizing safety issues onboard were effective strategies for promoting better mental wellbeing among seafarers. However, delays in crew changes had a significant negative impact on mental health outcomes, highlighting the need for global cooperation and overarching agreements to protect international seafarers during times of crises.
Gaps in Guideline-Recommended Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Elevated Thromboembolic Risk Within an Integrated Healthcare Delivery System
Authors: Malik Sushmita , Gustafson Shanshan , Chang Huai-En R. , Tamrat Yonas , Go Alan S. , Berry Natalia 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background:
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the leading cause of stroke, which can be reduced by 70% with appropriate oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy. Nationally, appropriate anticoagulation rates for patients with AF with elevated thromboembolic risk are as low as 50% even across the highest stroke risk cohorts. This study aims to evaluate the variability of appropriate anticoagulation rates among patients by sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status within the Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States (KPMAS).
Methods:
This retrospective study investigated 9,513 patients in KPMAS’s AF registry with CHADS2 score ≥2 over a 6-month period in 2021.
Results:
Appropriately anticoagulated patients had higher rates of diabetes, prior stroke, and congestive heart failure than patients who were not appropriately anticoagulated. There were no significant differences in anticoagulation rates between males and females (71.8% vs. 71.6%%, [OR] 1.01; 95% CI, 0.93-1.11; P=.76) nor by SES-SVI quartiles. There was a statistically significant difference between Blacks and Whites (70.8% vs. 73.1%, P=.03) and Asians and Whites (68.3% vs. 71.6%, P = .005). After adjusting for CHADS2, this difference persisted for blacks and whites with CHADS2 scores of ≤3 (62.6% vs. 70.6%, P <.001) and for Asians and whites with CHADS2 scores >5 (68.0% vs. 79.3%, P<.001).
Conclusions:
Black and Asians may have differing rates of appropriate anticoagulation when compared with Whites. Characterizing such disparities is the first step towards addressing treatment gaps in AF.
Energy supply performance of air-, water-, and dual-cooled PV/T systems in different climatic zones of China
Authors: Xu Peiyuan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) is a technology that integrates the functions of both solar photovoltaic power generation (PV) and photothermal heat production (T), is also a good option and has been developed rapidly in the last decades. There are several ways to cool PV cells, however they are not suitable in all climates. This paper presents the result of a study on the energy supply performance of air-, water-, and dual-cooled PV/T systems in different climatic zones of China. The study investigates the impact of different cooling systems on the efficiency of PV/T systems and provides insights into the design and installation of these systems in different regions. The paper presents simulation results that indicate the effectiveness of air-cooled, water-cooled, and dual-cooling units in different temperature regions. The study finds that water-cooled systems have an irreplaceable advantage in terms of total efficiency, and the tuning method is relatively simple. However, caution is needed when choosing other cooling units in higher temperature regions. The research also highlights some limitations of the study, such as the lack of experimental data on extreme weather, calcification, dust, humidity, and other phenomena that can affect equipment efficiency. Overall, the study provides useful information for researchers and engineers working on the development and optimization of PV/T systems.
Potent and long-lasting humoral and cellular immunity against varicella zoster virus induced by mRNA-LNP vaccine
Authors: Dey Antu , Bhattacharya Anannya , Lonzarić Jan , Burlak Olga , Li Jilong , Upadhyay Ghanshyam , Williams Katherine , Dong Jinhui , Rohrer Harrison , Simon Andrew , Kuhlmann Nathan , Pustylnikov Sergei , Melo Mariane 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a highly contagious human herpes virus responsible for causing chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). Despite the approval of a highly effective vaccine, Shingrix®, the global incidence of herpes zoster is increasing and the economic burden to health care system and society are substantial due to significant loss of productivity and health complications, particularly among elderly and immunocompromised individuals. This is primarily because access to the vaccines remains mostly limited to countries within developed economies, such as USA and Canada. Therefore, similarly effective vaccines against VZV that are more accessible to the rest-of-the-world are necessary. In this study, we aimed to evaluate immunogenicity and memory response induced by three mRNA-LNP-based vaccine candidates targeting VZV's surface glycoprotein E (gE). C57BL/6 mice were immunized with each candidate vaccine, and humoral and cellular immune responses were assessed. Our results demonstrate that the mRNA-LNP-based vaccine candidates elicit robust and durable humoral responses specific to the gE antigen. Notably, mice vaccinated with the mRNA-LNP vaccines exhibited significantly higher antigen-specific T-cell cytokine production compared to the group receiving Shingrix®, the current standard of care vaccine. Additionally, mRNA-LNP vaccines induced long-lasting memory response, as evidenced by detection of persistent gE-specific memory B and T cells four months after final immunization. These findings underscore the potential of our mRNA-LNP-based vaccine candidates in generating potent immune responses against VZV, offering promising prospects for their clinical development as an effective prophylactic vaccine against herpes zoster.