bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term Energy System Modelling for a Clean Energy Transition in Egypt's Energy Sector
Authors: Gibson Anna , Makuch Zen , Yeganyan Rudolf , Tan Naomi , Cannone Carla , Howells Mark 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Egypt has the potential to generate significant amounts of renewable energy, in particular solar PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), and onshore and offshore wind. The energy sector is reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, for electricity production and is at risk of locking itself into a high carbon pathway. Globally, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with national energy sectors is a target outlined in the UN’s Paris Agreement. To reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with a higher dependence on fossil fuels, Egypt must consider upscaling renewable energy technologies (RET) to achieve a clean energy transition (CET).

This research modelled six scenarios using OSeMOSYS to identify the technologies and policy target improvements that are needed to upscale RETs within Egypt’s energy sector. The results showed that solar PV and onshore wind are key technologies to be upscaled to contribute towards Egypt’s CET. The optimal renewable target is the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) 53% of electricity to be sourced from RETs by 2030, which will cost $16.4 billion more up to 2035 than Egypt’s current Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES) target of 42% by 2035; it also saves 732.0 Mt of CO2 over the entire modelling period to 2070.

Socio-economic barriers to this transition are considered, such as recent discoveries of natural gas reserves combined with a history of energy insecurity, political instability impacting investor confidence, and a lack of international climate funding. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that would enable Egypt to progress towards achieving a CET.
Increased nationwide use of greenspace in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ulset Vidar , Venter Zander , Kozák Michal , Nordbø Emma Charlott Andersson , von Soest Tilmann 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the decline in human greenspace use and nature-based recreation in Western countries. While some evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased recreational mobility in urban greenspaces, it is unclear whether the pandemic led to nationwide changes in greenspace use in both densely and less densely populated neighborhoods, and whether social inequalities in greenspace use were reinforced or attenuated. To address these questions, we used daily nationwide aggregated mobility data from more than 2 million cell phone subscribers in 14,331 geographical grids across Norway to examine potential changes in mobility to greenspaces measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) during the pandemic, while controlling for weather conditions, holidays, and neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics. Results from linear mixed model analyses showed a 9.4% increase in recreational dwells in the greenest spaces during the pandemic. Notably, this increase was most prominent in neighborhoods of low socioeconomic status and was observed in both high and low population density neighborhoods, although the increase was somewhat stronger in neighborhoods with low population density. Our study findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in increasing nationwide greenspace use in Norway and potentially narrowing the gap of green inequality, highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting green spaces as a public health resource, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Solving Time-Dependent Mode-Resolved Phonon Boltzmann Transport Equation
Authors: Luo Tengfei , Zhou Jiahang , Li Ruiyang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The phonon Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) is a powerful tool for modeling and understanding micro-/nanoscale thermal transport in solids, where Fourier's law can fail due to non-diffusive effect when the characteristic length/time is comparable to the phonon mean free path/relaxation time. However, numerically solving phonon BTE can be computationally costly due to its high dimensionality, especially when considering mode-resolved phonon properties and time dependency. In this work, we demonstrate the effectiveness of physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) in solving time-dependent mode-resolved phonon BTE. The PINNs are trained by minimizing the residual of the governing equations, and boundary/initial conditions to predict phonon energy distributions, without the need for any labeled training data. The results obtained using the PINN framework demonstrate excellent agreement with analytical and numerical solutions. Moreover, after offline training, the PINNs can be utilized for online evaluation of transient heat conduction, providing instantaneous results, such as temperature distribution. It is worth noting that the training can be carried out in a parametric setting, allowing the trained model to predict phonon transport in arbitrary values in the parameter space, such as the characteristic length. This efficient and accurate method makes it a promising tool for practical applications such as the thermal management design of microelectronics.
Water-soluble ions (WSIs) in the aerosols from Central Asia via transboundary transport measured in Jimunai in 2020
Authors: Wang Lin , Zhang Xin , Wang Feiteng , Ming Jing 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Air pollution is a global issue that often transcends national borders, leading to disputes over environmental concerns and climate-mitigation responsibilities. Between March and July 2020, we collected aerosol samples in Jimunai, a town in western China neighboring Kazakhstan, to assess transboundary air pollution in the region. Our analysis focused on major water-soluble ions, with Ca2+ and SO42− accounting for almost 60% of the total ion loading. The ratio of cations to anions was greater than one, indicating alkaline aerosols during the sampling period. Our results suggest that the pollutants measured were primarily sourced from Kazakhstan, as demonstrated by local meteorological data, air-mass trajectory analysis, and pollutant emission inventories in Kazakhstan. Correlation and primary component analysis indicated that NH4+ played an important role in neutralizing NO3− and SO42−, while Cl− was significantly depleted by the probable reaction HNO3↑ + NaCl = HCl↑ + NaNO3. These findings highlight the need for continued monitoring and regulation of air pollution sources in the region to address transboundary air pollution.
Development of a robust induced pluripotent stem cell atrial cardiomyocyte differentiation protocol to model atrial arrhythmia
Authors: Thorpe Jordan , Perry Matthew D , Contreras Osvaldo , Hurley Emily , Parker George , Harvey Richard P , Hill Adam P , Vandenberg Jamie I 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia syndrome and causes significant morbidity and mortality. Current therapeutics, however, have limited efficacy. Notably, many therapeutics shown to be efficacious in animal models have not proved effective in humans. Thus, there is a need for a drug screening platform based on human tissue. The aim of this study was to develop a robust protocol for generating atrial cardiomyocytes from human-induced pluripotent stem cells.
Methods
A novel protocol for atrial differentiation, with optimized timing of retinoic acid during mesoderm formation, was compared to two previously published methods. Each differentiation method was assessed for successful formation of a contractile syncytium, electrical properties assayed by optical action potential recordings and multi-electrode array electrophysiology, and response to the G-protein-gated potassium channel activator, carbamylcholine. Atrial myocyte monolayers, derived using the new differentiation protocol, were further assessed for cardiomyocyte purity, gene expression, and the ability to form arrhythmic rotors in response to burst pacing.
Results
Application of retinoic acid at day 1 of mesoderm formation, resulted in a robust differentiation of atrial myocytes with contractile syncytium forming in 16/18 differentiations across two cell lines. Atrial-like myocytes produced have shortened action potentials and field potentials, when compared to standard application of retinoic acid at the cardiac mesoderm stage. Day 1 retinoic acid produced atrial cardiomyocytes are also carbamylcholine sensitive, indicative of active Ikach currents, which was distinct from ventricular myocytes and standard retinoic addition in matched differentiations. A current protocol utilizing reduced activin A and BMP4 can produce atrial cardiomyocytes with equivalent functionality but with reduced robustness of differentiation; only 8/17 differentiations produced a contractile syncytium.
The day 1 retinoic acid protocol was successfully applied to 6 iPSC lines (3 male and 3 female) without additional optimization or modification. Atrial myocytes produced could also generate syncytia with rapid conduction velocities, >40 cm/s, and form rotor style arrhythmia in response to burst pacing.
Conclusions
This method combines an enhanced atrial-like phenotype with robustness of differentiation, which will facilitate further research in human atrial arrhythmia and myopathies, whilst being economically viable for larger anti-arrhythmic drug screens.
Thyroid Hormones and Frailty in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Dose–Response Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chia Wen-Chun , Chen Yang-Ching , Xiu Shuang-ling , Wang Sen-Te 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Objective To investigate (1) whether the association of thyroid hormone with frailty risk is linear or nonlinear and (2) what level of thyroid hormones or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is most suitable for preventing frailty in older adults.Design: Systematic review and dose–response meta-analysisMethods Medical electronic databases were searched for cross-sectional or longitudinal studies, published from database inception to February 2022. We focused on the relationship between TSH and frailty. Data on TSH reference range, TSH exposure categories, sample size of each exposure category, and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for frailty with 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted. In the dose–response meta-analysis, we set the OR for frailty as 1 at 0.3 mIU/L TSH.Results The systematic review included 10 studies, whereas the meta-analysis included 3 studies (n = 6388). TSH levels ranged from 0.3 to 4.8 mIU/L, and the dose–response meta-analysis revealed a significant J-shaped association (p = 0.0071). Frailty OR (95% CI) increased from 1.30 (1.06–1.59) for 2.7 mIU/L TSH to 2.06 (1.18–3.57) for 4.8 mIU/L TSH.Conclusions A significant nonlinear, J-shaped association was noted between TSH level and frailty. TSH levels within the upper half (2.7-4.8mIU/L) of reference range was noted to significantly increase frailty risk; by contrast, those in the lower half (0.6–1.5 mIU/L) had a lower frailty risk, though nonsignificantly so.
Impact of cancer stem cell marker expression in vestibular schwannoma progression
Authors: Klause Clara Helene , Schildhauer Paola , Strauss Christian , Rampp Stefan , Scheller Christian , Leisz Sandra 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: Vestibular schwannoma (VS), a benign tumor originating from the Schwann cells surrounding the 8th cranial nerve, is one of the most common intracranial tumors. Affected patients suffer from symptoms such as impaired hearing, dizziness and dysfunction of surrounding cranial nerves, which increase with the size of the VS. Although various factors influencing VS growth have been investigated, the molecular causes remain unclear. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are already known from malignant tumor entities to have the ability to self-renew and differentiate to generate and drive tumor growth. Therefore, our study investigated the influence of the expression of cancer stem cell markers in the VS progression.
Methods: An exploratory study of eleven CSC markers was performed in 165 VS of different tumor volume by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and correlated with preoperative tumor volume. In addition, we investigated the CSC markers Nestin, Nanog, CD44 and CD45 in selected VS primary cultures by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Finally, a copy number variation analysis of 26 tumor samples was performed to investigate gain or loss of CSC markers at DNA level.
Results: Our results showed a strong correlation among CSC marker expression and a correlation of the tumor volume with eight CSC markers. In the VS, in particular, the expression of the markers CXCR4, CD44, CD45, Nestin, and CD133 were related to volume increase, whereas expression of SOX2, c-myc and Klf4 showed a negative correlation with the tumor volume. Using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis, population of cells were detected expressing CD44 and CD45 as well as Nestin and Nanog simultaneously.
Conclusion: This suggests that there is a not previously described subpopulation of CSC in VS, which is associated with an increasing tumor volume. Due to the limited treatment options available for VS, these findings could offer the possibility of targeting CSC pharmacologically to prevent tumor progression in the VS.
Trial registration: The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg (approval number 2020-122) and ensures written informed consent of all patients.
Dynamic and static control of the off-target interactions of antisense oligonucleotides using toehold chemistry
Authors: Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Terada Chisato , Oh Kaho , Tsubaki Ryutaro , Chan Bun , Aibara Nozomi , Ohyama Kaname , Shibata Masa-Aki , Wada Takehiko , Harada-Shiba Mariko , Yamayoshi Asako 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Off-target interactions between antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) with state-of-the-art modifications and biological components still pose clinical safety liabilities. To prevent both hybridization-dependent and -independent off-target interactions, a novel nanoarchitecture called BRace On a THERapeutic aSo (BROTHERS or BRO) consisting of typical gapmer ASO and partially complementary peptide nucleic acid (PNA) strand was devised. This non-canonical ASO/PNA hybrids have been shown to have non-specific protein-binding repellent characteristics. Feasible optimization of the structural and thermodynamic characteristics of this duplex system was also demonstrated to elicit in vivo operative toehold-mediated strand displacement (TMSD) reaction, which can reduce hybridization to RNA off-targets. The optimized BROs dramatically mitigated hepatotoxicity while maintaining the on-target knockdown activity of their parent ASOs in vivo. This new technique will not only bring a novel BRO class of drugs that would have a transformative impact on the extrahepatic delivery of ASOs, but also help uncover the toxicity mechanism of ASOs.
Breaking the fast: First report of dives and ingestions events in molting Southern elephant seals
Authors: Charlanne Laura , Chaise Laureline , Sornette Damien , Piot Erwan , McCafferty Dominic , Ancel André , Gilbert Caroline 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Southern elephant seals experience a “catastrophic molt”, an energetically costly physiological event characterized by the total renewal of hair and epidermis and that requires a high peripheral vascular circulation. Molting individuals are therefore constrained by high metabolic heat loss. Molting animals have an extended period of fasting and in this species the molt period was previously thought to be spent entirely on land.
We therefore investigated movement-patterns and stomach temperature of female Southern elephant seals during the molting period. In contrast to previous predictions, our data demonstrated for the first time that molting females, conversely to what has been hypothesized, do travel at sea, and ingest water and/or prey items, despite the cost of cold exposure during their critical molt period.
We conclude that the paradigm of exclusive fasting during the molt in this species should be reconsidered as well as the possible fitness consequences of this behavior.
Drought triggers and sustains overnight fires in North America
Authors: Luo Kaiwei , Wang Xianli , de Jong Mark , Flannigan Mike 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Overnight fires are emerging in North America with yet unknown drivers and implications. This phenomenon is significant as it challenges the traditional understanding of the “active day, quiet night” paradigm of the diurnal fire cycle and current fire management practices. Here we show that ~20% of all large fires (≥1000ha) in North America observed during 2017-2020 using geostationary satellite images and terrestrial fire records burned through a total of 1,084 nights. Overnight burning was characterized by early onset after ignition, high persistence, and a tendency to mutually reinforce extreme fires. While warming weakens the climatological barrier to general nighttime fires1, we found the major driver of overnight burning was the accumulated fuel dryness and fuel availability (i.e., drought conditions), rather than fast-reacting day-night weather fluctuations. Drought conditions tended to sustain overnight burning for periods of multiple days, and even weeks. Moreover, we show that daytime drought indicators can be used to predict overnight burning events, which could facilitate early detection and management of nighttime fires. Recently observed and predicted future increasing trends in conditions conducive to overnight burning indicate that disruption of the diurnal fire cycle may accelerate, leading to larger, more intense, and extreme fires in future.
Ileoileal knotting a rare cause of double loop small bowel obstruction, diagnostic and intraoperative challenge at Ethiopian Leku district hospital,sidama region, April 2023 ,case report
Authors: Kibret Asfaw 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Baground: Intestinal obstruction is common cause for abdominal surgeries. Among the causes for intestinal obstruction ileal knotting is the unusual and rare cause with very few case reports in the globe and in Ethiopia. Almost all cases were intraoperative surprises. We report a case of strangulated closed small bowel loop obstruction caused by ileoileal knotting at distal ileum near to ileocecal junction, its diagnostic and management challenges and the role of the “Integrated Emergency surgical officers(IESO)’’ for early emergency surgical interventions in district primary hospitals in Ethiopia where there is scarce general specialist surgeon.
Case presentation: Here we discuss a 78yrs old male Ethiopian patient presented to our district hospital with sign symptoms of strangulated small bowel obstruction and exploratory laparatomy was done with intraoperative surprise of ileoileal knot with gangrenous closed loop obstruction at ileocecal junction. The gangrenous segment was resected and ileo-ascending colon anastomosis was done.The post operative stay was uneventful and patient discharged on his 7th post operation date.
Conclusion: Here we present this case to highlight difficulty of preoperative diagnosis and the need of high index of suspicion as well as the management challenges of resection anastomosis when the knot is near to ileocecal junction and the undeniable role of emergency surgical officers for early interventions of such emergency cases who need early interventions.
Physically inactive as a risk factor for obesity and reduced physical function in young adults
Authors: Rachmawati Maria Regina , Kusumaningsih Widjaja Laksmi , Suhartini Sri Mukti 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Physical inactivity is associated with increased rates of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Some of the factors that indicate a person has risk for future NCDs are obesity and reduced measures of physical performance, such as appendicular muscle mass (ASM), hand grip strength (HGS), and gait speed (GS).
Objectives: Study to analyze the risk of physical inactivity for obesity and physical performance in young adults.
Method: The cross-sectional study included 419 young adults consisting of 206 (49.2%) men and 213 (50.8%) women. Physical activity (PA) values were determined using the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ), with an inactive score <600 METs and an obesity standard ≥ 25 kg/m2. The values of lower ASM, HGS, and GS were based on the 2019 AWGS criteria.
Results: Physical inactivity rates were 327 (78%), 154 (47%) in men and 173 (53%) in women (p=0.125). Obesity rates were 162 (39%); however, in men, they were slightly higher than in women: 101 (62.3%) vs 61 (37.7%) (p<0.001). The low ASM rates were 104 (25%), i.e., in men were lower than in women; 34 (32.7%) vs 70 (67.3%) (p<0.001). The low HGS rates were 32 (8%), which was relatively similar between genders, 18 (56.3%) and 14 (43.8%) (p=0.464), and the low GS rates were 55 (13%), which was also similar between genders, 23 (42%) and 32 (58%) (p=0.25). Physically inactive was a risk factor for obesity in men (OR (95% CI)=1.2 (0.6-2)) and in women (OR (95% CI) = 1.5 (0.7-3)), for lower ASM (OR (95% CI) = 1.6 (0.9-3)), and for lower HGS (OR (95% CI) = 1.6 (0.6-4.2)). Physically inactive was not a risk factor for lower GS of OR (95% CI= 1 (0.6-2)).
Conclusion: Most young adults were physically inactive, thus increasing the risk of obesity and decreasing muscle mass and muscle strength.
The perception of locals on commercialisation and value addition of non-Timber Forest products in forest adjacent communities in Ghana
Authors: Asamoah Obed , Danquah Jones Abrefa , Bamsiegwe Dastan , Verter Nahanga , Acheampong Emmanuel , Boateng Charles Mario , Kuittinen Suvi , Appiah Mark , Pappinen Ari 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Residents living adjacent to forests commonly gather non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for income, nourishment, ailment treatment, firewood, religious reasons, and artefacts. This study focused on the locals’ perception of NTFP value addition in forest-adjacent communities in Ghana. To determine which NTFPs are collected, we interviewed 732 residents about their perception of value addition to the NTFPs collected and if value addition has impacted the commercialisation and quality of the products obtained from the forest. We found that 97.5% of those surveyed frequently visited the forest to gather different NTFPs. For example, mushrooms, snails, honey and others were the most collected. Also, most interviewees do not process or add value to the NTFPs collected from the forest; thus, adding value to these NTFPs could increase incomes in the future. Future research should focus on educating locals about the value addition to NTFPs, and processes for increasing the price of NTFPs by adding value and commercialising these products. Proper commercialising of NTFPs will help improve the lives of the locals.