bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of Artificial Neural Network for predicting biomass growth during domestic wastewater treatment through a biological process
Authors: Muloiwa Mpho , Dinka Megersa , Nyende‐Byakika Stephen 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe biological treatment process is responsible for removing organic and inorganic matter in wastewater. This process relies heavily on microorganisms to successfully remove organic and inorganic matter. The aim of the study was to model biomass growth in the biological treatment process. Multilayer perceptron (MLP) Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm was used to model biomass growth. Three metrics: coefficient of determination (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), and mean squared error (MSE) were used to evaluate the performance of the model. Sensitivity analysis was applied to confirm variables that have a strong influence on biomass growth. The results of the study showed that MLP ANN algorithm was able to model biomass growth successfully. R2 values were 0.844, 0.853, and 0.823 during training, validation, and testing phases, respectively. RMSE values were 0.7476, 1.1641, and 0.7798 during training, validation, and testing phases respectively. MSE values were 0.5589, 1.3551, and 0.6081 during training, validation, and testing phases, respectively. Sensitivity analysis results showed that temperature (47.2%) and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration (40.2%) were the biggest drivers of biomass growth. Aeration period (4.3%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration (3.2%), and oxygen uptake rate (OUR) (5.1%) contributed minimally. The biomass growth model can be applied at different wastewater treatment plants by different plant managers/operators in order to achieve optimum biomass growth. The optimum biomass growth will improve the removal of organic and inorganic matter in the biological treatment process.
Pyrolysis kinetics and conversion of pomegranate peels into porous carbon
Authors: Zaman Fakhar , Du Zhen , Munawar Aisha , Ishaq Muhammad Waqas , Guan Yuepeng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPyrolysis is one of the most common, sustainable, and excellent environmental‐friendly method to evaluate the bio‐energy potential of different types of biomass wastes. Pomegranate peel is a well‐known low‐cost industrial waste. Thus, pomegranate peel's physicochemical properties were explored in detail, and a pyrolysis kinetic study and thermal behavior analysis were performed. Thermal degradation of biomass was investigated on different heating rates (5, 10, 15, and 20°C/min) by using TG‐DSC. To calculate the kinetic parameters (Ea, A), three different kinetic models were used, including the Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose (KAS), and Starink methods. The average Ea values for FWO, KAS, and Starink methods are 85.2141, 80.37217, and 80.74315 kJ mol−1, respectively. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism and thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS) were simulated and calculated to further comprehend the pyrolysis process. The residual carbon (char) obtained after the pyrolysis process was further characterized by SEM‐EDX and BET to quantify the morphology, surface area, and porosity. SEM results revealed that the residual carbon has a honey‐comb like porous structure, whereas BET analysis reflects that PP800 possesses the highest specific surface area (SSA) ~ 1288.97 m2 g−1 with an average pore diameter of 8.85 nm. Thus, it has enormous potential to be used as adsorbent and active electrode material in energy storage devices.
A comprehensive survey onQoSfor video transmission in heterogeneous mobile ad hoc network
Authors: Goyal Prachi , Rishiwal Vinay , Negi Ashish 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMajor challenging issue in H‐MANETs (Heterogeneous Mobile Ad hoc Networks) is video transmission because it gets affected due to various factors like dynamic change in topology, interference, node mobility, collusion, and so on. Periodic connection is caused by the topology dynamic change, which leads to significant packet loss. Advancements provide the technical basis for video streaming over H‐MANETs in wireless networking and mobile devices. And efforts to achieve video transmission via H‐MANETs have run into some barriers, which have been overcome in various ways. Nonetheless, H‐MANETs are essential to provide video transmission certainty and quality provisioning. Due to the limited resources, the unreliability of wireless links, node mobility, and heterogeneity, establishing video streaming or enabling real‐time multimedia applications over H‐MANET with acceptable QoS (quality of service) poses several issues. The article's main goal is to survey QoS‐based video transmission in H‐MANETs. This study discusses the video transmission method in H‐MANET and the importance of the QoS that may be used for video transmission in H‐MANET. Various routing protocols and existing methodologies to improve QoS for video transmission in H‐MANET are discussed. In addition, the impact of delay in video transmission over H‐MANET has been discussed. Several obstacles and issues have been highlighted in providing QoS for video transmission in H‐MANET. From 2013 to 2021, a systematic literature review (SLR) is done for QoS‐based video transmission in the H‐MANET. This survey systematically gives the technical direction for research on QoS‐based video transmission and discusses potential future aspects.
Reproducibility of the medical cost estimation from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey: Comparing claims and survey
Authors: Chou Chiahung , McDaniel Cassidi C. , Lai Tim C. , McDonald Courtney P. , Rockwell Devan , Loh Feng‐Hua 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) limited‐access data provides the unique opportunity to utilize administrative claims and adjusted survey data to investigate trends in utilization and medical expenditure across time. The adjusted survey data is a synthesized, matched version of the original survey data and claims. Researchers may choose adjusted survey data or original claims for cost evaluations according to their research purpose. However, limited research has examined methodological issues when estimating medical cost using different MCBS data sources.ObjectiveThe study objective was to examine the reproducibility of individual‐level medical cost using both MCBS data sources: adjusted survey and claims data.MethodsThis serial cross‐sectional study design analyzed 2006–2012 MCBS data. The sample included noninstitutionalized older Medicare beneficiaries (≥65 years old), with a cancer diagnosis and annually enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B, and D. The population was stratified by diabetes diagnosis. The primary outcome was annual medical cost. We investigated the discrepancies of medical cost estimated from the adjusted survey and original claims data. The agreement between cost estimates from the two sources in each year was determined using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.ResultsA total of 4918 eligible Medicare beneficiaries were included in this study, and 26% of beneficiaries also had diabetes (N = 1275). Significant disagreements in cost estimates between adjusted survey and claims data were present regardless of disease complexity (with or without diabetes). Significant disagreements in medical cost estimates were present in most years, except in 2010 (p = 0.467) and 2011 (p = 0.098), for beneficiaries with cancer and diabetes (p < 0.001 for all). Significant disagreements in medical cost estimates were present in all years for beneficiaries with cancer without diabetes (p < 0.001 for all).ConclusionsBased on discrepant cost estimates across data sources, researchers using MCBS to estimate costs should be cautious when using claims or adjusted survey data alone.
Diagnostic value of an increase in central venous pressure during SBT for prediction of weaning failure in mechanically ventilated patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ghamari Ali Akbar , Amini Keivan , Daei Sorkhabi Amin , Sarkesh Aila , Saghaleini Seyed Hadi , Asghari Roghayeh , Rezayi Mansour , Mahmoodpoor Ata 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundTimely and successful extubation is an essential step forward in clinical practice to minimize complications of mechanical ventilation and unsuccessful weaning processes. Thus, research into predictive factors of weaning outcome to optimize spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) precision before extubation is critical in intensive care practices. In this study, we aimed to investigate the predictive factors of the weaning outcome before and during SBT in mechanically ventilated patients.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, 159 mechanically ventilated patients who were eligible for SBT were enrolled. Of these patients, 140 had successful extubation, whereas the remainder failed. Each patient's PaCO2 and PaO2 levels, respiratory rate (RR), SpO2, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and central venous pressure (CVP) values at the start of SBT, 3 min later, and at the end of SBT were measured. These values, along with the patients' clinical characteristics, were then investigated to determine if there was any correlation between these variables and the weaning outcome.ResultsOur analysis revealed that increase in CVP, independent of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, PaO2, SpO2, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and SBT process, as well as underlying disease, was positively correlated with extubation/weaning failure. While age, gender, vital signs (MAP, RR, and HR), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) scores had no significant correlation with patients' extubation outcomes.ConclusionAccording to our findings, integrating CVP assessment into SBT besides routine indices measurement and monitoring can be considered for the prediction of weaning outcome in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients.
Post‐COVID‐19‐associated multiorgan complications or “long COVID” with literature review and management strategy discussion: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Iqbal Phool , Ata Fateen , Chaudhry Hassan , Muthanna Bassam , Waqas Younas Hafiz , Munamm Syed Ata ul , Sharma Rohit , Fadah Kahtan , Elazzazy Shereen , Hamad Anas , Said Abu Tabar Osama , Omar Nabil E. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the post‐COVID‐19 long‐term complications or long COVID of various organ systems in patients after 3 months of the infection, specifically before the Omicron variant, with comparative literature analysis.MethodsA systemic literature search and meta‐analysis were conducted using multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library) with predefined search terms to identify eligible articles. Eligible studies reported long‐term complications of COVID‐19 infection before the Omicron variant infection. Case reports, case series, observational studies with cross‐sectional or prospective research design, case–control studies, and experimental studies that reported post‐COVID‐19 complications were included. The complications reported after 3 months after the recovery from COVID‐19 infection were included in the study.ResultsThe total number of studies available for analysis was 34. The effect size (ES) for neurological complications was 29% with 95% confidence interval (CI): 19%–39%. ES for psychiatric complications was 24% with 95% CI: 7%–41%. ES was 9% for cardiac outcomes, with a 95% CI of 1%–18%. ES was 22%, 95% CI: 5%–39% for the gastrointestinal outcome. ES for musculoskeletal symptoms was 18% with 95% CI: 9%–28%. ES for pulmonary complications was 28% with 95% CI: 18%–37%. ES for dermatological complications was 25%, with a 95% CI of 23%–26%. ES for endocrine outcomes was 8%, with a 95% CI of 8%–9%. ES size for renal outcomes was 3% with a 95% CI of 1%–7%. At the same time, other miscellaneous uncategorized outcomes had ES of 39% with 95% CI of 21%–57%. Apart from analyzing COVID‐19 systemic complications outcomes, the ES for hospitalization and intensive care unit admissions were found to be 4%, 95% CI: 0%–7%, and 11% with 95% CI: 8%–14%.ConclusionBy acquiring the data and statistically analyzing the post‐COVID‐19 complications during the prevalence of most virulent strains, this study has generated a different way of understanding COVID‐19 and its complications for better community health.
From classic medicinal chemistry to state‐of‐the‐art interdisciplinary medicine: Recent advances in proteolysis‐targeting chimeras technology
Authors: Zhao Xuyang , Chen Yifan , Su Huang , Zhang Liqin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractProteolysis‐targeting chimeras (PROTACs) is a targeted protein degradation (TPD) technique effected by hijacking the ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS) of the cells. A PROTAC molecule specifically binds to its protein of interest (POI) and recruits an E3 ligase to assemble a ternary complex. The POI was subsequently ubiquitinated, followed by being degraded by proteasomes. After 20 years of development, PROTAC technology has made a significant progress, and quite some candidates have entered clinical trials. Along with the excitement of realizing that PROTAC technology can develop therapeutics toward those traditionally believed “undruggable” targets; there are still unmet demands in PROTAC design, screening, and intracellular availability. PROTAC technology is rapidly advancing from employing traditional medicinal chemistry methodologies to integrating state‐of‐the‐art chemical biology technologies, becoming a typical example of interdisciplinary medicine. This review summarizes the progress made in PROTAC technology in recent years, including expanding new targets, developing dual‐target PROTACs, rational design and screening strategies, regulatory activation, targeted delivery, and developing biological macromolecule‐contained PROTACs.
Bisphosphonates Preserve Bone Mineral Density and Suppress Bone Turnover Markers in Early Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Ahadzadeh Ardebili Aria , Fu Timothy , Dunnewold Nicole , Aghajafari Fariba , Billington Emma O. 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTMost women do not qualify for pharmacologic osteoporosis treatment until more than a decade after menopause, by which time they will have lost up to 30% of their bone mass and may have already sustained fractures. Short or intermittent courses of bisphosphonate therapy, initiated around the time of menopause, might prevent excessive bone loss and lower long‐term fracture risk. We undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the effects of nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates on fracture incidence, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone turnover markers in early menopausal women (ie, perimenopausal or <5 years postmenopausal) over ≥12 months. Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL were searched in July 2022. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Random effect meta‐analysis was undertaken using RevMan v5.3. In total, 12 trials were included (n = 1722 women); five evaluated alendronate, three risedronate, three ibandronate, and one zoledronate. Four were at low risk of bias; eight raised some concerns. Fractures were infrequent in the three studies that reported them. Compared with placebo, bisphosphonates improved BMD over 12 months (mean percentage difference, 95% confidence interval [CI]) at the spine (4.32%, 95% CI, 3.10%–5.54%, p < 0.0001, n = 8 studies), the femoral neck (2.56%, 95% CI, 1.85%–3.27%, p = 0.001, n = 6 studies), and the total hip (1.22%, 95% CI 0.16%–2.28%, p = 0.002, n = 4 studies). Over treatment durations of 24 to 72 months, bisphosphonates improved BMD at the spine (5.81%, 95% CI 4.71%–6.91%, p < 0.0001, n = 8 studies), femoral neck (3.89%, 95% CI 2.73%–5.05%, p = 0.0001, n = 5 studies) and total hip (4.09%, 95% CI 2.81%–5.37%, p < 0.0001, n = 4 studies). Bisphosphonates reduced urinary N‐telopeptide (−52.2%, 95% CI −60.3% to −44.2%, p < 0.00001, n = 3 studies) and bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (−34.2%, 95% CI −42.6% to −25.8%, p < 0.00001, n = 4 studies) more than placebo at 12 months. This systematic review and meta‐analysis shows that bisphosphonates improve BMD and lower bone turnover markers in early menopause, warranting further investigation of these agents for osteoporosis prevention. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Exercise for sarcopenia in older people: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Shen Yanjiao , Shi Qingyang , Nong Kailei , Li Sheyu , Yue Jirong , Huang Jin , Dong Birong , Beauchamp Marla , Hao Qiukui 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia is a serious public health concern among older adults worldwide. Exercise is the most common intervention for sarcopenia. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different exercise types for older adults with sarcopenia.MethodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effectiveness of exercise interventions on patient‐important outcomes for older adults with sarcopenia were eligible. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials via Ovid until 3 June 2022. We used frequentist random‐effects network meta‐analyses to summarize the evidence and applied the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations framework to rate the certainty of evidence.ResultsOur search identified 5988 citations, of which 42 RCTs proved eligible with 3728 participants with sarcopenia (median age: 72.9 years, female: 73.3%) with a median follow‐up of 12 weeks. We are interested in patient‐important outcomes that include mortality, quality of life, muscle strength and physical function measures. High or moderate certainty evidence suggested that resistance exercise with or without nutrition and the combination of resistance exercise with aerobic and balance training were the most effective interventions for improving quality of life compared to usual care (standardized mean difference from 0.68 to 1.11). Moderate certainty evidence showed that resistance and balance exercise plus nutrition (mean difference [MD]: 4.19 kg) was the most effective for improving handgrip strength (minimally important difference [MID]: 5 kg). Resistance and balance exercise with or without nutrition (MD: 0.16 m/s, moderate) were the most effective for improving physical function measured by usual gait speed (MID: 0.1 m/s). Moderate certainty evidence showed that resistance and balance exercise (MD: 1.85 s) was intermediately effective for improving physical function measured by timed up and go test (MID: 2.1 s). High certainty evidence showed that resistance and aerobic, or resistance and balance, or resistance and aerobic exercise plus nutrition (MD from 1.72 to 2.28 s) were intermediately effective for improving physical function measured by the five‐repetition chair stand test (MID: 2.3 s).ConclusionsIn older adults with sarcopenia, high or moderate certainty evidence showed that resistance exercise with or without nutrition and the combination of resistance exercise with aerobic and balance training were the most effective interventions for improving quality of life. Adding nutritional interventions to exercise had a larger effect on handgrip strength than exercise alone while showing a similar effect on other physical function measures.
Thermophysiological plasticity could buffer the effects of global warming on a Patagonian lizard
Authors: Kubisch Erika L. , Fernández Jimena B. , Ibargüengoytía Nora R. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractEcophysiological plasticity determines, to a great extent, the geographic distribution and the vulnerability of ectotherms to climate change. We studied the relationship between locomotor performance and temperature of Liolaemus elongatus lizards in three populations in northern Patagonia, Argentina, differing in thermal characteristics. We related the thermophysiological and locomotor performance parameters with the environmental conditions currently experienced by these populations and analyzed whether the expected increment of the environmental temperature due to climate change could affect these vital traits. We also determined, for one of the populations, the effects of 30 acclimation days at two temperature treatments (22°C and 30°C) on running speed, thermal preference in the laboratory (Tpref), panting threshold, and minimum critical temperature. We found that L. elongatus, despite the differences in environmental temperatures among the three sites, exhibited maximum speed at similar temperatures (optimum temperature for locomotor performance; To). The southern populations currently experience temperatures below that required to reach their maximum locomotor performance while the northernmost population is threatened by peaks of high temperatures that exceed the To. Therefore, global warming could diminish lizards' running performance in northern populations and lizards may spend more time refuging and less time on other activities such as feeding, territory defense, and dispersion. However, we show evidence of plasticity in L. elongatus locomotor performance when acclimated at high temperatures resulting in a potential advantage to cushion the effect of the rising environmental temperatures expected during climate change.
M2e‐specific antibodies protect against influenza PR8 virus in an isotype and route dependent manner
Authors: Sun Tingting , Wang Yingdan , Zou Peng , Wang Qimin , Liu Jiangyan , Liu Wanli , Huang Jinghe , Wu Fan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe ectodomain of influenza matrix protein 2 (M2e) is a promising target for the development of universal prophylactic and therapeutic agents against influenza viruses of different subtypes. We constructed three M2e‐specific monoclonal antibody variants, M2A1‐1 (IgG1), M2A1‐2a (IgG2a), M2A1‐2b (IgG2b), which have the same Fab region targeting the M2e epitope but different isotypes, and compared their protective efficacy in influenza PR8‐infected mice. We found that anti‐M2e antibodies provided protection against influenza virus in a subtype‐dependent manner, with the IgG2a variant providing significantly better protection with lower virus titers and milder lung injury than IgG1 and IgG2b isotypes. Additionally, we observed that the protective efficacy was dependent on the administration routes, with intranasal administration of antibody providing better protection than intraperitoneal administration. The timing of administration was also critical in determining the protective efficacy; while all the antibody isotypes provided protection when administered before influenza challenge, only IgG2a provided minimal protection when the antibodies were administered after virus challenge. These results provide valuable information for optimizing the therapeutics usage of M2e‐based antibodies and furthering the development of M2e‐based universal influenza vaccines.