bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can energy poverty be eradicated by project aid? Evidence from African countries
Authors: Wang Qiang , Guo Jiaqi , Li Rongrong 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWhile the main task of electricity development in other countries of the world is to expand the production of electricity or to improve the way it is generated, the problems faced by sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) countries are more immediate and urgent ‐ here less than half of the population has access to electricity. This study aims to examine whether aid projects can alleviate energy poverty. Since the assisted power facilities will affect neighbouring countries across borders, this study constructs a dynamic spatial Durbin model to take spatial spillover effects into account. The results of the spatial correlation test indicate that the spatial distribution of aid projects is random, which is an important finding that evenly distributed aid policies lead to disorderly aid. Further analysis shows that the mismatch effect of aid resources hinders the development of electricity in recipient countries. Urbanisation and technical assistance are the key factors to accelerate the development of electric power and improve the benefit of assistance. This paper suggests that aid policies should be implemented on a long‐term and stable basis, with a focus on those recipient countries that are highly urbanised to take advantage of their unique advantages.
Effect of storage duration on carprofen concentration measurements in dog plasma
Authors: Shuttleworth James R. , Behrens Kristen N. , Biggo Morgan R. , Horne Rikki L. , Cox Sherry , Lakritz Jeffrey , Tinga Selena 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundStorage of samples may be necessary prior to testing drug levels in certain study designs; however, the effect of storage duration on measured drug levels is not known for all drugs.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of carprofen in canine plasma when stored at −80°C for 6 months.MethodsSix healthy dogs were enrolled (1–10 years old, 17–35 kg) and received compounded carprofen at 2.2 mg/kg orally every 12 h for 2 days. On the third day, blood was collected immediately before the morning dose (trough), then 1 and 6 h after the dose (sampling timepoint). Whole blood was immediately centrifuged, and plasma was stored at −80°C. Plasma carprofen concentration was measured at day 2, week 2 and then monthly for 6 months using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The measured carprofen concentrations were analysed statistically using a linear mixed effects model.ResultsThere was no effect of storage time over 6 months (p = 0.891) on measured carprofen levels. Although there was an effect of sampling timepoint (0, 1 and 6 h) (p < 0.001), the interaction between storage timepoint and sampling timepoint was not statistically significant (p = 1).ConclusionsCarprofen‐laden canine plasma samples can be stored for up to 6 months before analysis with no degradation in carprofen concentrations expected.
Happiness, Space and Place: Community Area Clustering and Spillovers of Life Satisfaction in Canada
Authors: Ziogas Thanasis , Ballas Dimitris , Koster Sierdjan , Edzes Arjen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThere has been a rapidly growing number of studies of the geographical aspects of happiness and well-being. Many of these studies have been highlighting the role of space and place and of individual and spatial contextual determinants of happiness. However, most of the studies to date do not explicitly consider spatial clustering and possible spatial spillover effects of happiness and well-being. The few studies that do consider spatial clustering and spillovers conduct the analysis at a relatively coarse geographical scale of country or region. This article analyses such effects at a much smaller geographical unit: community areas. These are small area level geographies at the intra-urban level. In particular, the article presents a spatial econometric approach to the analysis of life satisfaction data aggregated to 1,215 communities in Canada and examines spatial clustering and spatial spillovers. Communities are suitable given that they form a small geographical reference point for households. We find that communities’ life satisfaction is spatially clustered while regression results show that it is associated to the life satisfaction of neighbouring communities as well as to the latter's average household income and unemployment rate. We consider the role of shared cultural traits and institutions that may explain such spillovers of life satisfaction. The findings highlight the importance of neighbouring characteristics when discussing policies to improve the well-being of a (small area) place.
Introducing a secondary segmentation to construct a radiomics model for pulmonary tuberculosis cavities
Authors: du Plessis Tamarisk , Ramkilawon Gopika , Rae William Ian Duncombe , Botha Tanita , Martinson Neil Alexander , Dixon Sarah Alice Parry , Kyme Andre , Sathekge Mike Michael 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Accurate segmentation (separating diseased portions of the lung from normal appearing lung) is a challenge in radiomic studies of non-neoplastic diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). In this study, we developed a segmentation method, applicable to chest X-rays (CXR), that can eliminate the need for precise disease delineation, and that is effective for constructing radiomic models for automatic PTB cavity classification.

Methods
This retrospective study used a dataset of 266 posteroanterior CXR of patients diagnosed with laboratory confirmed PTB. The lungs were segmented using a U-net-based in-house automatic segmentation model. A secondary segmentation was developed using a sliding window, superimposed on the primary lung segmentation. Pyradiomics was used for feature extraction from every window which increased the dimensionality of the data, but this allowed us to accurately capture the spread of the features across the lung. Two separate measures (standard-deviation and variance) were used to consolidate the features. Pearson’s correlation analysis (with a 0.8 cut-off value) was then applied for dimensionality reduction followed by the construction of Random Forest radiomic models.

Results
Two almost identical radiomic signatures consisting of 10 texture features each (9 were the same plus 1 other feature) were identified using the two separate consolidation measures. Two well performing random forest models were constructed from these signatures. The standard-deviation model (AUC = 0.9444 (95% CI, 0.8762; 0.9814)) performed marginally better than the variance model (AUC = 0.9288 (95% CI, 0.9046; 0.9843)).

Conclusion
The introduction of the secondary sliding window segmentation on CXR could eliminate the need for disease delineation in pulmonary radiomic studies, and it could improve the accuracy of CXR reporting currently regaining prominence as a high-volume screening tool as the developed radiomic models correctly classify cavities from normal CXR.
Use of non-invasive respiratory supports in high-intensity internal medicine setting during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency in Italy: a multicenter, real-life experience
Authors: Crisafulli Ernesto , Sartori Giulia , Vianello Alice , Maroccia Alessio , Lepori Elisa , Quici Massimiliano , Cogliati Chiara , Salvetti Massimo , Paini Anna , Aggiusti Carlo , Bertacchini Fabio , Busti Fabiana , Marchi Giacomo , Muiesan Maria Lorenza , Girelli Domenico 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDuring the first two waves of the COVID-19 emergency in Italy, internal medicine high-dependency wards (HDW) have been organized to manage patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). There is heterogeneous evidence about the feasibility and outcomes of non-invasive respiratory supports (NIRS) in settings outside the intensive care unit (ICU), including in patients deemed not eligible for intubation (i.e., with do-not-intubate, DNI status). Few data are available about the different NIRS modalities applied to ARF patients in the newly assembled internal medicine HDW. The main aim of our study was to describe a real-life experience in this setting of cure, focusing on feasibility and outcomes. We retrospectively collected data from COVID-19 patients with ARF needing NIRS and admitted to internal medicine HDW. Patients were treated with different modalities, that is high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV). Switching among different NIRS during the hospitalization and the success rate (weaning with the same NIRS) or failure (endotracheal intubation-ETI or in-hospital death) were recorded. Three hundred thirty four ARF patients (median age 74 years), of which 158 (54%) had a DNI status, were included. CPAP, NIMV, and HFNC's success rates were 54, 33, and 13%, respectively. Although DNI status was strongly associated with death (Gehan–Breslow–Wilcoxon test p < 0.001), an acceptable success rate was observed in these patients using CPAP (47%). Multivariate regression models showed older age (odds ratio—OR 4.74), chronic ischemic heart disease (OR 2.76), high respiratory rate after 24 h (OR 7.13), and suspected acute respiratory distress syndrome—ARDS (OR 21.1) as predictors of mortality risk or ETI. Our real-life experience shows that NIRS was feasible in internal medicine HDW with an acceptable success rate. Although DNI patients had a worse prognosis, the use of NIRS represented a reasonable chance of treatment.
Co-creating Research Integrity Education Guidelines for Research Institutions
Authors: Labib Krishma , Evans Natalie , Pizzolato Daniel , Aubert Bonn Noémie , Widdershoven Guy , Bouter Lex , Konach Teodora , Langendam Miranda , Dierickx Kris , Tijdink Joeri 
Published: July 2023

AbstractTo foster research integrity (RI), research institutions should develop a continuous RI education approach, addressing various target groups. To support institutions to achieve this, we developed RI education guidelines together with RI experts and research administrators, exploring similarities and differences in recommendations across target groups, as well as recommendations about RI education using approaches other than formal RI training. We used an iterative co-creative process. We conducted four half-day online co-creation workshops with 16 participants in total, which were informed by the RI education evidence-base. In the first two workshops, participants generated ideas for guidelines’ content, focusing on different target groups and various approaches to RI education. Based on this content we developed first drafts of the guidelines. Participants in the third and fourth workshop refined those drafts. We next organized a working group which further prioritized, reorganized, and optimized the content of the guidelines. We developed four guidelines on RI education focusing on (a) bachelor, master and PhD students; (b) post-doctorate and senior researchers; (c) other RI stakeholders; as well as (d) continuous RI education. Across guidelines, we recommend mandatory RI training; follow-up refresher training; informal discussions about RI; appropriate rewards and incentives for active participation in RI education; and evaluation of RI educational events. Our work provides experience-based co-created guidance to research institutions on what to consider when developing a successful RI education strategy. Each guideline is offered as a distinct, publicly available tool in our toolbox (www.sops4ri.eu/toolbox) which institutions can access, adapt and implement to meet their institution-specific RI education needs.Trial registrationhttps://osf.io/zej5b.
Motivating (Underdetermination) Scepticism
Authors: Tana Guido 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to analyse and develop how scepticism becomes an intelligible question starting from requirements that epistemologists themselves aim to endorse. We argue for and defend the idea that the root of scepticism is the underdetermination principle by articulating its specificity as a respectable epistemic principle and by defending it against objections in current literature. This engagement offers a novel understanding of underdetermination-based scepticism. While most anti-sceptical approaches challenge scepticism by understanding it as postulating uneliminated scenarios of mass deception, or as endorsing unnatural epistemic requirements, we argue here that both contentions are mistaken. Underdetermination-based scepticism targets our beliefs by issuing a genuine question about the rational support they enjoy. If we cannot establish that the sources of our beliefs provide them the required epistemic merit and authority, they lack non-arbitrary grounds. This has a sizable impact on what constitutes a satisfactory anti-sceptical strategy. Strategies that merely focus on the scenario-based aspect of scepticism, or on the truth-functional evaluation of our beliefs, are shown to miss the mark of the sceptical threat. The proposed analysis ultimately provides a shift in perspective concerning the character and reach of philosophical doubt.
Maximizing Total Sugar Recovery from Low Severity Pretreatment-Hydrolysis of Sweet Sorghum Bagasse Through Cultivar Selection and Process Optimization
Authors: Bedzo Oscar K. K. , Diedericks Danie , McIntosh Paul , Rorke Daneal C. S. , van Rensburg Eugene , Görgens Johann F. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe nature of a sweet sorghum cultivar influences the recovery of sugars from the bagasse during pretreatment. The sugars recovered are used in applications for conversion to high-value products such as alcohols, organic acids, and other fuels and chemicals. The severity of the pretreatment used plays a crucial role in the yield and quality of the sugars that can be recovered. Therefore, a strategic approach was taken to lower the severity of the pretreatment process to a combined severity factor (CSF) value of 0.48, whilst maintaining a high level of total-sugar recovery (i.e. 68% (w/w) and higher). This was achieved by screening 23 sweet sorghum cultivars for high-performance characteristics at low-severity conditions and optimizing the pretreatment process conditions. The pretreatment conditions included time, temperature, and acid concentration ranges of 5 to 60 min, 150 to 210 oC, and 0.00–0.96% (w/w) H2SO4, respectively. Cultivar AP6 was identified as the best performer, producing the highest total sugar yield of 78.17%. A reduction in total by-product formation from 4.79 to 2.79 g/100 g biomass was also observed. Three preferred cultivars selected for pilot scale pretreatment using steam explosion resulted in maximum total sugar recoveries that exceeded 80% (w/w). Cultivar selection provides an opportunity to utilize sweet sorghum bagasse that will liberate sugars at desired yields while reducing the generation of by-products by implementing low severity pretreatments.
Großes E*erzählen
Authors: Sandermann Philipp , Neumann Sascha 
Published: July 2023

ZusammenfassungIm Anschluss an eigene objektivierungskritische Arbeiten sowie bisher vorliegende narrative Analysen zu Grand Theories der Sozialen Arbeit nehmen wir im vorliegenden Beitrag eine narrationsanalytisch inspirierte Perspektive ein. Am Beispiel der Theorie der Unterstützung zur Lebensbewältigung untersuchen wir eine prominente Großtheorie der Sozialen Arbeit auf ihre narrative Struktur hin. Wir beschränken uns dafür auf die Eingangssequenzen eines bedeutenden Textes aus dem Gesamtkorpus der Theorie. Deutlich wird, dass die Theorie mithilfe komplexer Verschränkungen von Metonymien und Synekdochen und eines vorwiegend mechanistischen Argumentationsmodus die narrative Struktur einer maximal eindeutigen Geschichte vollerZwang, NotwendigkeitundstrukturellerEindeutigkeitaufweist. Dabei geht es der Theorie vor allem um eine maximale Orientierung für die Soziale Arbeit, wie sie sich begreifen sollte, um zu erkennen, was und wie sieeigentlichist. Die zentrale Plausibilisierungsstrategie beruht auf dem Argument faktischer Eindeutigkeit historisch entstandener und dauerhaft fortwirkender Strukturen und sich daraus ergebender Notwendigkeiten und Möglichkeitsspielräume. Im Ergebnis entsteht eineComedySozialer Arbeit, in deren Mittelpunkt die Soziale Arbeit als ein sozial unumgänglicher und der Funktion nach durchweg pädagogischer Sachverhalt steht. Daneben finden sich Elemente aus Märchenerzählungen, welche den Eindruck einer zu tradierenden Familiengeschichte entstehen lassen.
Influence of hydrogen import prices on hydropower systems in climate-neutral Europe
Authors: Schmitz Richard , Naversen Christian Øyn , Härtel Philipp 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWhile climate and energy policy targets require fundamental changes and expansions in the energy infrastructure, hydropower systems across Europe remain essential for low-carbon energy systems. With renewable fuel import prices being subject to large uncertainties, this work aims to substantiate the relationship between these fuel import prices and multireservoir hydropower systems in a climate-neutral energy system. To that end, three green hydrogen import price scenarios are combined with two aggregated modelling approaches for pan-European hydropower assets. Using the integrated energy system model SCOPE SD, the analysis shows that import prices for green hydrogen have a significant impact on European electricity generation (+ 595 GW$$_\text {el}$$

el

and + 650 TWh$$_\text {el}$$

el

/yr), domestic hydrogen production (+ 396 TWh$$_\text {th}$$

th

/yr), and water values of European hydropower assets (+ 33 % of average value in Norway). The results further indicate that the different aggregation methods only have a minor impact, suggesting that the computationally more efficient approach with up to 90% reductions in solution time provides suitable approximations of hydropower generation and flexibility in future analyses.
Predicting Streamflow Elasticity Based on Percolation Theory and Ecological Optimality
Authors: Hunt Allen G. , Sahimi Muhammad , Ghanbarian Behzad 
Published: July 2023

AbstractHow much terrestrial precipitation is used by vegetation and how much runs off, represents central issues in hydrologic science, ecology, climate change, and even geopolitics. We present a theory for the water balance to predict the fractional change in streamflow due to given fractional changes in temperature and precipitation. The theory involves a single parameter whose value is derived under the conditions of neither energy‐ nor water‐limitations and, therefore, is not an adjustable parameter. By comparison with extensive data for precipitation elasticity ϵp at global scale, we find that the theory captures the key trends of the variations of the median value of ϵp with the aridity index AI. In contrast to a shortcoming of the classical Budyko phenomenology, namely, convergence to ϵp = 4 for large AI, our theory yields a value of 2 for the median value of ϵp for all AI > 1, in accord with the data for major river basins, as well as with the median value of summaries of global and continental data sets. Incorporating in the theory the effects of annual changes in water storage leads to the ability to predict the range of observed values of the elasticity as a function of the aridity index, or its inverse, the humidity index, as well as the run‐off ratio. When changes in storage are neglected, the theory yields more accurate predictions for major river drainages than for small watersheds, particularly if the large basin spans various climate regimes and, as such, an integration over climates tends to reduce relative changes in the storage.
Exosomal circTGFBR2 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via enhancing ATG5 mediated protective autophagy
Authors: Wang Xin , Dong Feng-Lin , Wang Ying-Qiao , Wei Hong-Long , Li Tao , Li Jie 
Published: July 2023

AbstractExosomes contribute substantially to the communication between tumor cells and normal cells. Benefiting from the stable structure, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are believed to serve an important function in exosome-mediated intercellular communication. Here, we focused on circRNAs enriched in starvation-stressed hepatocytic exosomes and further investigated their function and mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Differentially expressed circRNAs in exosomes were identified by RNA sequencing, and circTGFBR2 was identified and chosen for further study. The molecular mechanism of circTGFBR2 in HCC was demonstrated by RNA pulldown, RIP, dual-luciferase reporter assays, rescue experiments and tumor xenograft assay both in vitro and vivo. We confirmed exosomes with enriched circTGFBR2 led to an upregulated resistance of HCC cells to starvation stress. Mechanistically, circTGFBR2 delivered into HCC cells via exosomes serves as a competing endogenous RNA by binding miR-205-5p to facilitate ATG5 expression and enhance autophagy in HCC cells, resulting in resistance to starvation. Thus, we revealed that circTGFBR2 is a novel tumor promoter circRNA in hepatocytic exosomes and promotes HCC progression by enhancing ATG5–mediated protective autophagy via the circTGFBR2/miR-205-5p/ATG5 axis, which may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
Balancing the functions of DNA extracellular traps in intracellular parasite infections: implications for host defense, disease pathology and therapy
Authors: Koh Carolina Cattoni , Gollob Kenneth J. , Dutra Walderez O. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe release of DNA to the extracellular milieu is a biological process referred to as etosis, which is involved in both physiological and pathological functions. Although the release of DNA extracellular traps (ETs) was initially attributed to innate immune cells such as neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages, recent studies have shown that T cells, as well as non-immune cells, are capable of releasing ETs. These structures were described primarily for their potential to trap and kill pathogens, presenting an important strategy of host defense. Intriguingly, these functions have been associated with intracellular pathogens such as the parasites Leishmania sp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, causative agents of leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, respectively. These are two devastating tropical diseases that lead to thousands of deaths every year. In an apparent contradiction, ETs can also induce and amplify inflammation, which may lead to worsening disease pathology. This has prompted the concept of targeting ETs’ release as a means of controlling tissue destruction to treat human diseases. What is the best approach to prevent disease severity: inducing ETs to kill pathogens or preventing their release? In this Perspective article, we will discuss the importance of understanding ETs released by different cell types and the need to balance their potentially complementary functions. In addition, we will explore other functions of ETs and their translational applications to benefit individuals infected with intracellular parasites and other pathogens. Ultimately, a better understanding of the role of ETs in disease pathogenesis will provide valuable insights into developing novel therapies for human diseases.