bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Life cycle assessment of Iran energy portfolio: Renewable energy replacement approach
Authors: Saedi Amir Hosein , Ahmadi Abolfazl 
Published: February 2023

AbstractNowadays, due to the increasing energy demand in different industry, agriculture, and household sectors, great importance is attached to energy portfolio and generation/consumption in macrolevel planning. A viable approach to power generation planning is the environmental assessment of the power generation process. This study employs life cycle assessment based on Eco‐Indicator 99 methodology which analyzes midpoint and endpoint impacts. Energy impact evaluation is based on Eco‐invent database from resource harvesting to recycling. The study aims to assess Iran's energy production/consumption portfolio, but technical construction, operation, and recycling are not discussed. The study focuses on energy demand and energy generation resources in Iran, under three energy portfolio scenarios: (1) a basic scenario is a real energy portfolio for Iran's 2018‐power demand, (2) Iran's 2050‐energy portfolio with maximum accessible renewable energy capacity, and (3) Iran's 2050‐energy portfolio with zero‐carbon emission to evaluate the final consequences of life cycle. The York model is used to estimate energy demand in 2050. The Green‐X model is used to evaluate the relationship between the impacts and economic growth. Iran's energy portfolio has a low emission, compared with the global portfolio with a 36%‐coal application. Among Iran's portfolios, the most adventitious scenario is in 2018, followed by the 2050 portfolio with population growth and 50% increase in energy demand, and the zero‐carbon scenario with 64% of energy portfolio based on solar and wind energy technologies. Compared with the 2018 scenario, in the second and third scenarios, the environmental effects are decreased by 40% and 52%, respectively, indicating the significance of renewable energy in reducing the environmental consequences.
Seasonal dynamics of marly badlands illustrated by field records of hillslope regolith properties, Draix–Bléone Critical Zone Observatory, South‐East France
Authors: Ariagno Coline , Pasquet Sylvain , Le Bouteiller Caroline , van der Beek Peter , Klotz Sébastien 
Published: February 2023

AbstractSparsely vegetated badlands are loci of intense erosion that is sufficiently rapid to have observable effects on human timescales. Characterizing and understanding the physical weathering processes in these settings are key to predicting the temporal variability of regolith production and sediment flux, as well as their evolution under changing climate conditions. Here, we study intra‐annual changes of hillslope properties and explore the relationship between sediment production and transport in steep marly badland catchments of the Draix–Bléone Critical Zone Observatory (SE France), where decades‐long monitoring records show rapid morphological changes. There is evidence for seasonal dynamics of these badlands, but characterization and quantification of physical weathering processes have been lacking up to now. We explore this gap by monitoring key regolith parameters including grain‐size distribution (characterized by D50), surface resistance and water content in the regolith layer (surface to ∼10 cm depth) at different locations, through repeated field surveys over a 2.5‐year period. While water content appears to be directly controlled by the last previous rainfall event, the cyclic annual pattern in observed D50 suggests that loose and finely fragmented regolith is mainly produced and accumulates during the winter season, whereas sediment transport is dominant during spring–summer. This dynamic reduces regolith thickness and induces coarsening of hillslope surface material between early spring and autumn. Principal component analysis (PCA) highlights the strong correlation between resistance and D50. We therefore suggest that D50 provides the best proxy of regolith weathering in these marls. The spatial variability of the regolith was analysed through a geophysical profile, highlighting distinct behaviour depending on slope aspect. However, the distribution of slope angles is independent of aspect at the catchment scale. These results corroborate the strong annual dynamics of these catchments, where hillslopes and gullies are drained during spring and early summer high‐intensity precipitation events, inducing high sediment yields.
Shannon meets Stackelberg on the cognitive interference channel part I: A deterministic view
Authors: Ebrahimkhani Atena , Akhbari Bahareh 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we have combined a game‐theoretic and an information‐theoretic notions to describe the selfish behavior of each user in a two‐user linear deterministic cognitive interference channel (LD‐CIC). The two‐user LD‐CIC is the simple case of the cognitive radio technology in the high SNR regime. This model is a solution to improve the spectral efficiency in software defined network (SDN) concept in 5G. In the two‐user LD‐CIC, the information bits of the primary/licensed transmitter is a‐priori provided at the cognitive/secondary/unlicensed transmitter. So that, the cognitive transmitter can cooperate and utilize the frequency spectrum to send the information bits of the both transmitters. In information‐theoretic approaches, full cooperation is assumed between transmitters for codebook and rate selection in this channel. This may not be a realistic assumption if transmitters are selfish and are willing to maximize their own benefit. In particular, we have defined the Stackelberg equilibrium (SE) region on the capacity region of the two‐user LD‐CIC to capture the behavior of each transmitter when they compete even though one of them is informed of the other transmitter information bits. We have implemented a two‐phase Stackelberg game with the primary and cognitive transmitters acting as the leader in the first phase, and the follower in the second phase, respectively. In this implementation, both transmitters are assumed to be selfish and only interested in optimizing their own pay‐offs. The SE region is characterized as a subset of capacity region in which the transmitters cannot gain more transmission rate by individually deviating from the SE strategy. The achievability of the resultant region has been configured using a randomized Han‐Kobayashi scheme for all the channel gains. Also, we have compared the obtained SE region with the previous equilibrium regions such as Nash equilibrium (NE) region of the linear deterministic interference channel (LD‐IC). The results have shown that the SE points on the sum‐rate of the LD‐CIC capacity region are more than the NE points on the sum rate of the capacity region of LD‐IC, so the SE region of the LD‐CIC is Pareto superior to the NE region of LD‐IC.
Physicochemical, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro cytotoxic activities of corn pollen protein hydrolysates obtained by different peptidases
Authors: Akbarmehr Amir , Peighambardoust Seyed Hadi , Ghanbarzadeh Babak , Sarabandi Khashayar 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe applications of protein hydrolysates as food preservatives and nutraceutical ingredients have attracted much attention because of their beneficial effects. The interest in these ingredients has shifted toward their biological activities with benefits to human health. Bioactive peptides are known as antioxidant agents that could promote health‐promoting effects and prolong food shelf‐life beyond their basic nutritional value. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro cytotoxic properties of corn pollen protein (CPP) hydrolysates obtained by different enzymes. Proteolytic activity in terms of degree of hydrolysis (DH) and SDS‐PAGE analysis was measured in pancreatin (H‐Pan), pepsin (H‐Pep), and trypsin (H‐Tri) hydrolysates. Amino acid composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and cytotoxicity of hydrolysates were evaluated. DH and SDS‐PAGE revealed higher proteolytic activity of pepsin compared to other enzymes. Amino acid analysis showed that the functional amino acids such as antioxidant types were most predominant in H‐Pep compared to two other samples. Antioxidant activity of hydrolysates was found to be affected by the type of enzyme and the concentration of hydrolysates. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between antioxidant activity of different hydrolysates. The highest antioxidant activity in terms of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (0.23–2.75 mM), DPPH (33.3%–64.8%), and hydroxyl (33.7%–63.2%) radical scavenging activities, chelation of iron (33.2%–62.5%) and copper (30.2%–50.5%) metals, and total antioxidant activity (0.65–0.85) was obtained for H‐Pep followed by H‐Pan and H‐Tri samples. Antibacterial tests showed that pepsin‐hydrolyzed protein was not significantly (P > 0.05) effective against E. coli at any concentrations, however, it showed significant (P < 0.05) concentration‐dependent effect against S. aureus (with inhibition zones of 15–25 mm). Cytotoxicity results revealed that CPP, as a nonhydrolyzed protein, did not generally show antiproliferative activity, however, a significant (P < 0.05) ability of H‐Pep hydrolysate in decreasing HT‐29 colon cancer cell line viability was seen in a concentration‐dependent manner (the lowest cell viability of 32% at 5 mg/mL). Overall, investigating the application of protein‐based hydrolysates is one of the possible strategies that govern their applied intentions as preservatives and nutraceuticals in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Effects of corn supplementation on serum and muscle microRNA profiles in horses
Authors: Carver Clarissa , Bruemmer Jason , Coleman Stephen , Landolt Gabriele , Hess Tanja 
Published: February 2023

AbstractLaminitis associated with equine metabolic syndrome causes significant economic losses in the equine industry. Diets high in non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC) have been linked to insulin resistance and laminitis in horses. Nutrigenomic studies analyzing the interaction of diets high in NSCs and gene expression regulating endogenous microRNAs (miRNA) are rare. This study's objectives were to determine whether miRNAs from dietary corn can be detected in equine serum and muscle and its impacts on endogenous miRNA. Twelve mares were blocked by age, body condition score, and weight and assigned to a control (mixed legume grass hay diet) and a mixed legume hay diet supplemented with corn. Muscle biopsies and serum were collected on Days 0 and 28. Transcript abundances were analyzed using qRT‐PCR for three plant‐specific and 277 endogenous equine miRNAs. Plant miRNAs were found in serum and skeletal muscle samples with a treatment effect (p < .05) with corn‐specific miRNA being higher than control in serum after feeding. Endogenous miRNAs showed 12 different (p < .05) miRNAs in equine serum after corn supplementation, six (eca‐mir16, ‐4863p, ‐4865p, ‐126‐3p, ‐296, and ‐192) previously linked to obesity or metabolic disease. The results of our study indicate that dietary plant miRNAs can appear in circulation and tissues and may regulate endogenous genes.
Petrogenesis of the Quxu intrusive complex: Implications for Eocene magmatism in the southern Lhasa Terrane, Tibet
Authors: Yu Yanqiu , Guan Qi , Woo Ik , Li Zengsheng , Jing Tianjing , Wang Duixing 
Published: February 2023

The widely distributed Eocene mafic microgranular enclaves in the Lhasa Terrane of southern Tibet carry important information regarding crust–mantle interactions in collisional zones. Here, we report geochronological and geochemical data of granitoids and mafic enclaves from Quxu in the southern Lhasa Terrane. Zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating indicates that the Quxu granitoids and enclaves were synchronously emplaced at ca. 50 Ma. The granitoids are medium‐ to high‐K calc‐alkaline, metaluminous (A/CNK = 0.82–0.90) and have high Al2O3(14.48–16.57 wt%) and low MgO (2.81–2.99 wt%). The mafic enclaves (SiO2 = 50.55–54.57 wt%) have 5.12–5.37 wt% MgO and an Mg#of 49–51, with weakly negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.85–0.91). The Quxu granitoids and enclaves have similar zircon Hf isotopic compositions, withεHf(t) values ranging from +7.62 to +13.32. A comprehensive study of the data available for coeval rocks from the Gangdese Batholith indicates that the Quxu granitoids were derived from partial melting of the lower crust, while the parental magmas of the mafic enclaves were most likely derived from lithospheric mantle beneath southern Tibet. The Quxu granitoids are interpreted as the result of mixing between the lower crust‐derived melts and lithospheric mantle‐derived mafic melts, which are likely the magmatic response to the breakoff of the Neo‐Tethyan Oceanic slab at about 50 Ma.
Development of a novel prognostic signature derived from enhancer RNA‐regulated genes in head neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Diao Pengfei , Huang Rong , Shi Yawei , Yao Qin , Dai Yibin , Yuan Hua , Wang Yanling , Cheng Jie 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundEnhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are increasingly recognized as prognostic biomarkers—across human cancers. Here, we sought to develop a novel eRNA‐regulated genes (ERGs)‐derived prognostic signature for head neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).MethodsCandidate ERGs were identified via co‐expression between individual survival‐related eRNAs and their putative targets by Spearman's correlation analyses. The ERG signature was developed by univariate Cox regression, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and maximum AUC in 1000 iterations of LASSO‐penalized multivariate Cox regression. An ERG nomogram incorporating ERG signature and selected clinicopathological parameters were constructed by multivariate Cox regression. Biological roles of eRNA of interest were further explored in vitro.ResultsThe ERG signature successfully stratified patients into subgroups with distinct survival in multiple cohorts. An ERG nomogram was developed with satisfactory performance in prognostication. Inhibition of ENSR00000165816 significantly reduced transcript level of SLC2A9 and impaired cell proliferation and invasion.ConclusionOur results establish ERG signature and nomogram as powerful prognostic predictors for HNSCC.
Further refining the boundaries of the hippocampus CA2 with gene expression and connectivity: Potential subregions and heterogeneous cell types
Authors: Bienkowski Michael S. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOver the last two decades, the definition of hippocampal area CA2 has evolved from Lorente de Nó's original Golgi‐based morphological description with the discovery of specific CA2 gene expression markers. Exploiting the specificity of these molecules has allowed for the genetic dissection of CA2 structure and function in transgenic mice. With this change in criteria, the anatomical boundaries of the CA2 have expanded across the hippocampal axis but the CA2's full rostrocaudal extent is not consistently delineated across atlases. The Hippocampus Gene Expression Atlas (HGEA) provides a comprehensive map of 20 gene expression domains across the entire mouse hippocampus including the CA2. In this commentary, I will review the consensus gene expression patterns that demarcate the expanded CA2 boundaries in the HGEA. Using DropViz single‐cell transcriptomics and Mouse Connectome Project connectomics data, I will then suggest potential differences in CA2 cell type heterogeneity and connectivity that may identify and characterize further CA2 subregions.
How context influences the functionality of community‐level health governance structures: A case study of community health committees in Kenya
Authors: Karuga Robinson , Kok Maryse , Mbindyo Patrick , Otiso Lilian , Macharia Judy , Broerse Jacqueline E. W. , Dieleman Marjolein 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCommunity Health Committees (CHCs) are mechanisms through which communities participate in the governance and oversight of community health services. While there is renewed interest in strengthening community participation in the governance of community health services, there is limited evidence on how context influences community‐level structures of governance and oversight. The objective of this study was to examine how contextual factors influence the functionality of CHCs in Kajiado, Migori, and Nairobi Counties in Kenya. Using a case study design, we explored the influence of context on CHCs using 18 focus group discussions with 110 community members (clients, CHC members, and community health volunteers [CHVs]) and interviews with 33 health professionals. Essential CHC functions such as ‘leadership’ and ‘management’ were weak, partly because Health professionals did not involve CHCs in developing health plans. Community Health Committees were active in the supervision of CHVs, reviewing their household reports, although they did not utilise these data for making decisions. Resource mobilisation and evaluation of health programs were affected by the lack of administrative and operational support, such as training. Despite having influential membership, CHCs could not provide leadership and management functions. Health system actors perceived the roles of CHCs as service providers rather than structures for governance and oversight. Insufficient awareness of CHC roles among health professionals, lack of training and operational support for community‐based activities constrained CHCs' functionality and thus their role in community participation. While there are efforts to institutionalise community‐level governance structures for health at sub‐national level, there is a need to scale‐up these efforts countrywide. We recommend that community‐level governance structures be empowered, mandated, and provided with resources to take on the responsibility of overseeing community health services and exacting accountability from health providers.
Developing women leaders: The role of women's professional organizations
Authors: Steele Clarissa R. , Moake Timothy R. , Medina‐Craven Michele N. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWomen face obstacles to leader development within their organizations. We investigate how women benefit from joining women's professional organizations (WPOs). We first conducted a pilot study in which we surveyed members of a WPO in the Southeastern United States to investigate whether women join these types of organizations for leader development, with results indicating that most members joined for leader development. We then interviewed members of this same organization to explore what leadership‐related benefits they derive from their involvement. We found that experiences within this organization allowed members to hone their leadership abilities, network with other women, work directly with and observe women leaders, and receive support from others to take on leadership roles. In turn, these members had increased leadership aspirations, more confidence in their leadership capabilities, and a more expansive view of leadership within their careers. Overall, the findings from this exploratory study highlight the important role that WPOs can play in women's leader development.
Changes in the effects of oil price shocks on US industrial production
Authors: Kwon Dohyoung 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper examines whether there exists a structural change in the relationship between oil shocks and US industrial production with the rapid development in oil industry due to the shale revolution. Using a structural VAR model, I identify supply and demand shocks in global crude oil markets and estimate changes in their effects on the US industrial production. The key finding is that the US industry output has become more responsive to oil price shocks since the shale oil boom. Oil supply shocks have been more important and heterogeneous effects on the industrial production depending on the US or non‐US oil supply component. There has also emerged the positive effect of oil demand shocks, stimulating aggregate economic activity. In particular, I find that there have been strong positive spillover effects from an oil price increase to other industries not only through direct purchases of inputs for oil production and investment, but also through indirect knowledge and technology transfers created during the shale revolution. These findings have profound policy implications for the fiscal and monetary authority who copes with exogenous oil shocks.
Physical, morphological and bioactive properties of Co–Cr–W–Ta alloys: Influence of insertion of tantalum and surface thermochemical treatment on bioactivity
Authors: da Silva Batista Beatriz , da Silva Luzeli Moreira , de Menezes Alan Silva , Barbosa Corrêa Luana , Cruz Rosas Elaine , Santos‐Oliveira Ralph , Mendes Fernando , Macêdo Ana Angélica M. , Rebelo Alencar Luciana M. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe development of bioactivity in bioinert metallic alloys is a field of interest aiming to improve some aspects of these materials for implant applications. New Co63Cr28W9‐xTax alloys with different Ta concentrations (x = 0, 2, 4, 6, and 9% w/w) were synthesized in the work reported here. The alloys were characterized by x‐ray diffraction, volumetric density, Vickers microhardness, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy‐dispersion x‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). Bioactivity properties were evaluated by in vitro tests with simulated body fluid (SBF). In vivo assays were performed to assess biocompatibility. The influence of surface thermochemical treatment and Ta insertion on the bioactive properties of the alloys was investigated. The results showed that the alloy structure comprises εCo and αCo phases, with cobalt as a matrix with Cr, W, and Ta as a solid solution. TaCo2 phase is observed in the alloys with 4, 6, and 9% w/w of Ta, and its amount increase as Ta concentration increases. Volumetric density is reduced (from 8.78 ± 0.06 to 8.56 ± 0.09 g/cm3) as Ta concentration increases (from 0% to 9% w/w) mainly due to the lower density of the tantalum compared to the tungsten metal. On the other hand, the TaCo2 phase contributes to the increase of Vickers's hardness by ~17.6% for the alloy with 9% Ta (394.7 ± 8.1 HV) compared with Co63Cr28W9 (336 ± 5 HV). The topographic analysis showed increased roughness and adhesion due to the nucleation of Ta1.1O1.05 and Ca2Ta2O7 crystals after surface thermochemical treatment. The roughness and adhesion increase from 16.9 ± 0.6 nm and 8.3 ± 1.8 nN (untreated surface) to 255.7 ± 17.7 nm and 24.1 ± 12.6 nN (treated surface), respectively, for the Co63Cr28Ta9 alloy. These results suggest that thermochemical treatment provides surface conditions favorable to hydroxyapatite (HA) nucleation. The SEM and EDS data showed the nucleation of spongy structures, consistent with HA, composed mainly of Ca and P, indicating that oxides tantalum promoted a bioactive response on the sample's surface. The biological assay corroborated the alloy's safety and applicability, highlighting its potential in biomedical application since no harmful effects were observed.