bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fast flow cloud: A stream dataflow framework for cloud FPGA accelerator overlays at runtime
Authors: Bragança Lucas , Canesche Michael , Penha Jeronimo , Campos Josué , Nacif José Augusto M. , Ferreira Ricardo S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCloud FPGAs provide new energy‐efficient opportunities to design dataflow accelerators. Nevertheless, FPGAs still have challenges to overcome for widespread usages, such as programmability, compilation time (minutes to hours), and hardware knowledge, mainly because it is highly challenging for beginners to learn and use FPGAs. The READY tool recently provides compilation time reduction to the range of microseconds using a CGRA overlay and a friendly, high‐level C++ interface for the Intel/Altera HARPv2 FPGA cloud platform. However, the HARPv2 is not available in any commercial cloud platform. This work extends READY by creating the fast flow cloud framework (FFC). First, FFC offers a simple browser‐based graphical interface for less experienced FPGA users. Second, we improve the CGRA overlay portability to include Xilinx FPGAs and a transparent design flow to deploy in the widespread commercial Amazon AWS F1 cloud. Third, we improve the CGRA reconfiguration engine. Also, we compare the overlay performance of HARPv2 and AWS F1 to an eight‐thread XEON processor. Finally, the framework is open‐source for collaborative development and has clearly defined application programming interfaces for future extensions.
Precipitation change accentuates or reverses temperature effects on aphid dispersal
Authors: Crossley Michael S. , Lagos‐Kutz Doris , Davis Thomas S. , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , Hartman Glen L. , Voegtlin David J. , Snyder William E. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractGlobal temperatures are generally increasing, and this is leading to a well documented advancement and extension of seasonal activity of many pest insects. Effects of changing precipitation have received less attention, but might be complex because rain and snow are increasing in some places but decreasing in others. This raises the possibility that altered precipitation could accentuate, or even reverse, the effects of rising temperatures on pest outbreaks. We used >592 K aphid suction‐trap captures over 15 years, in the heavily farmed central USA, to examine how the activity of Aphis glycines (soybean aphid), Rhopalosiphum maidis (corn aphid), and Rhopalosiphum padi (bird cherry‐oat aphid) changed with variation in both temperature and precipitation. Increasing precipitation caused late‐season flight activity of A. glycines and early‐season activity of R. padi to shift earlier, while increasing temperature did the same for early‐season activity of A. glycines and R. maidis. In these cases, precipitation and temperature exhibited directionally similar, but independent, effects. However, precipitation sometimes mediated temperature effects in complex ways. At relatively low temperatures, greater precipitation generally caused late‐season flights of R. maidis to occur earlier. However, this pattern was reversed at higher temperatures with precipitation delaying late‐season activity. In contrast, greater precipitation delayed peak flights of R. padi at lower temperatures, but caused them to occur earlier at higher temperatures. So, in these two cases the interactive effects of precipitation on temperature were mirror images of one another. When projecting future aphid flight phenology, models that excluded precipitation covariates consistently underpredicted the degree of phenological advance for A. glycines and R. padi, and underpredicted the degree of phenological delay for R. maidis under expected future climates. Overall, we found broad evidence that changing patterns of aphid flight phenology could only be understood by considering both temperature and precipitation changes. In our study region, temperature and precipitation are expected to increase in tandem, but these correlations will be reversed elsewhere. This reinforces the need to include both main and interactive effects of precipitation and temperature when seeking to accurately predict how pest pressure will change with a changing climate.
Natural disturbance regimes as a guide for sustainable forest management in Europe
Authors: Aszalós Réka , Thom Dominik , Aakala Tuomas , Angelstam Per , Brūmelis Guntis , Gálhidy László , Gratzer Georg , Hlásny Tomáš , Katzensteiner Klaus , Kovács Bence , Knoke Thomas , Larrieu Laurent , Motta Renzo , Müller Jörg , Ódor Péter , Roženbergar Dušan , Paillet Yoan , Pitar Diana , Standovár Tibor , Svoboda Miroslav , Szwagrzyk Jerzy , Toscani Philipp , Keeton William S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn Europe, forest management has controlled forest dynamics to sustain commodity production over multiple centuries. Yet over‐regulation for growth and yield diminishes resilience to environmental stress as well as threatens biodiversity, leading to increasing forest susceptibility to an array of disturbances. These trends have stimulated interest in alternative management systems, including natural dynamics silviculture (NDS). NDS aims to emulate natural disturbance dynamics at stand and landscape scales through silvicultural manipulations of forest structure and landscape patterns. We adapted a “Comparability Index” (CI) to assess convergence/divergence between natural disturbances and forest management effects. We extended the original CI concept based on disturbance size and frequency by adding the residual structure of canopy trees after a disturbance as a third dimension. We populated the model by compiling data on natural disturbance dynamics and management from 13 countries in Europe, covering four major forest types (i.e., spruce, beech, oak, and pine‐dominated forests). We found that natural disturbances are highly variable in size, frequency, and residual structure, but European forest management fails to encompass this complexity. Silviculture in Europe is skewed toward even‐aged systems, used predominately (72.9% of management) across the countries assessed. The residual structure proved crucial in the comparison of natural disturbances and silvicultural systems. CI indicated the highest congruence between uneven‐aged silvicultural systems and key natural disturbance attributes. Even so, uneven‐aged practices emulated only a portion of the complexity associated with natural disturbance effects. The remaining silvicultural systems perform poorly in terms of retention compared to tree survivorship after natural disturbances. We suggest that NDS can enrich Europe's portfolio of management systems, for example where wood production is not the primary objective. NDS is especially relevant to forests managed for habitat quality, risk reduction, and a variety of ecosystem services. We suggest a holistic approach integrating NDS with more conventional practices.
Toward natural convection solar drying of date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.): An experimental study
Authors: Sansaniwal Sunil Kumar , Kumar Mahesh , Sahdev Ravinder Kumar , Bhutani Vijay , Manchanda Himanshu 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSun‐drying has proven to be the most sustainable technique for preserving food and agricultural products. However, conventional sun‐drying has limited drying capacity and can lead to significant losses in product quality. Greenhouse and indirect solar drying are advanced drying methods with improved product quality. In this article, the natural convection greenhouse dryer and natural convection indirect solar dryer were developed to study date palm fruits' drying characteristics (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in terms of moisture ratio and convective heat transfer coefficients. At the same time, the thermal performance of drying units was examined in terms of energy efficiency. The greenhouse dryer's higher convective heat transfer coefficient reduced drying time, and the indirect solar dryer's energy efficiency was obtained. The experimental data were fitted in various drying models, of which the Lewis model was found to be best fitted. The experimental errors were analyzed in terms of percent uncertainties. The drying costs of dried date palm fruits under greenhouse dryer and indirect solar dryer were found to be INR ₹ 22.37/kg (US$ 0.30/kg) and INR ₹ 30.14/kg (US$ 0.40/kg), respectively. Drying units could be a sustainable way of product drying, particularly in the rural areas where advanced drying mechanisms are still unavailable (1 USD = 74.8 INR as on 03 Feb, 2022).
Magnetic mesoporous KOH/Fe3O4@MCM‐41 nanocatalyst for biodiesel production from waste cooking oil: Optimization of process variables and kinetics study
Authors: Khakestarian Mohaddeseh , Taghizadeh Majid , Fallah Naghmeh 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this study, biodiesel production via transesterification of waste cooking oil as feedstocks and methanol was studied over KOH/Fe3O4@MCM‐41 catalyst. The X‐ray diffraction, BET, FT‐IR, and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy techniques were applied to describe the structural characterization of the catalyst. The effects of the catalyst amount, reaction time, and alcohol to oil molar ratio were investigated using central composite design method and ANOVA analysis. Among the evaluated conditions, 3.32 h reaction time, 8.51% loaded catalyst, and 42.36 alcohols to oil molar ratio can provide an optimal biodiesel production of 93.95%. Moreover, the catalyst revealed high‐reusability over three cycles. Based on the reaction kinetics study, several parameters such as rate constants at three temperatures, activation energy and frequency factors were investigated.
A net‐zero Swiss energy system by 2050: Technological and policy options for the transition of the transportation sector
Authors: Kannan Ramachandran , Panos Evangelos , Hirschberg Stefan , Kober Tom 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe Swiss government sets out a net‐zero emission goal by 2050 while phasing out nuclear energy. This study presents insights on the transport sector's contribution to meet this goal, in terms of which type of vehicle drivetrains and fuel supply options are cost‐effective? What could be critical for the transition of the transportation sector? We use the Swiss TIMES Energy system Model and assess prospective technological scenarios for the whole energy system. The transport module has fast‐charging stations and mechanisms to control e‐mobility charging. Results indicate that extensive direct and indirect electrification of mobility increases the electricity demand up to 22 TWh. While to a certain extent electric cars are competitive even if the climate would not be the priority, carbon neutrality requires a boost for electrified mobility where battery‐ and plug‐in hybrid electric vehicles are largely evolving as a solution for small‐medium size car segments while fuel cell cars are an attractive option for big size car segments. Hybridization of buses and trucks emerges as a competitive option but they are propelled with bio‐ and synthetic fuels. The transport sector emerges as a major driver for the deployment of hydrogen in the energy sector in the long term.
IL‐1 receptor antagonist plus pentoxifylline and zinc for severe alcohol‐associated hepatitis
Authors: Szabo Gyongyi , Mitchell Mack , McClain Craig J. , Dasarathy Srinivasan , Barton Bruce , McCullough Arthur J. , Nagy Laura E. , Kroll‐Desrosiers Aimee , Tornai David , Min Hyesung Alice , Radaeva Svetlana , Holbein M. E. Blair , Casey Lisa , Cuthbert Jennifer 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background and Aims
Patients with severe alcohol‐associated hepatitis (AH) have high mortality. Corticosteroids improve survival only for 30 days. We targeted inflammation, cellular injury, and gut leakiness in a randomized clinical trial comparing combination therapy to corticosteroids on 180‐day survival.

Approach and Results
Subjects with a clinical diagnosis of severe AH (Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease [MELD] >20, Maddrey discriminant function [MDF] >32) were randomized to receive methylprednisolone (PRED; 28 days) or a combination of anakinra (14 days) plus pentoxifylline (28 days) plus zinc (COMB; 180 days). The primary endpoint was survival at 180 days. The study was designed in 2013, initiated in October 2014, and completed in March 2018. Five hundred patients were screened to randomize 104 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of AH with a MELD score >20. Fifty‐three patients were randomized into the COMB and 50 to the PRED treatment; 1 dropped out of the study before randomization. Mean age was 45.3 ± 10.4 years; 60.6% were males, 92.3% White, and mean MELD 25.7 ± 3.9. Kaplan‐Meier survival estimate at 180 days was 67.9% in COMB and 56% in PRED (HR = 0.69; p = 0.3001). Survival curves separated by 90 days (COMB, 69.8%; PRED, 58.0%; HR = 0.69; p = 0.28). Survival at 28 days was similar between the COMB (83.4%) and PRED groups (81.2%; HR = 0.91; p = 0.85). There were no unexpected serious adverse events, and incidence of infection was comparable between groups. MELD 20–25 and MELD >26 strata showed nonsignificant treatment effects in favor of COMB.

Conclusions
A combination of anakinra, pentoxifylline plus zinc provides similar survival benefits compared to corticosteroid therapy in severe AH.
Cellular heterogeneity and transcriptomic profiles during intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma initiation and progression
Authors: Wang Tingjie , Xu Chuanrui , Zhang Zhijing , Wu Hua , Li Xiujuan , Zhang Yu , Deng Nan , Dang Ningxin , Tang Guangbo , Yang Xiaofei , Shi Bingyin , Li Zihang , Li Lei , Ye Kai 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background and Aims
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is not fully investigated, and how stromal cells contribute to ICC formation is poorly understood. We aimed to uncover ICC origin, cellular heterogeneity, and critical modulators during ICC initiation/progression, and to decipher how fibroblast and endothelial cells in the stromal compartment favor ICC progression.

Approach and Results
We performed single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) using AKT/Notch intracellular domain–induced mouse ICC tissues at early, middle, and late stages. We analyzed the transcriptomic landscape, cellular classification and evolution, and intercellular communication during ICC initiation/progression. We confirmed the findings using quantitative real‐time PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence, and gene knockout/knockdown analysis. We identified stress‐responding and proliferating subpopulations in late‐stage mouse ICC tissues and validated them using human scRNA‐seq data sets. By integrating weighted correlation network analysis and protein–protein interaction through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, we identified zinc finger, MIZ‐type containing 1 (Zmiz1) and Y box protein 1 (Ybx1) as core transcription factors required by stress‐responding and proliferating ICC cells, respectively. Knockout of either one led to the blockade of ICC initiation/progression. Using two other ICC mouse models (YAP/AKT, KRAS/p19) and human ICC scRNA‐seq data sets, we confirmed the orchestrating roles of Zmiz1 and Ybx1 in ICC occurrence and development. In addition, hes family bHLH transcription factor 1, cofilin 1, and inhibitor of DNA binding 1 were identified as driver genes for ICC. Moreover, periportal liver sinusoidal endothelial cells could differentiate into tip endothelial cells to promote ICC development, and this was Dll4‐Notch4‐Efnb2 signaling–dependent.

Conclusions
Stress‐responding and ICC proliferating subtypes were identified, and Zmiz1 and Ybx1 were revealed as core transcription factors in these subtypes. Fibroblast–endothelial cell interaction promotes ICC development.
ATP7B gene therapy of autologous reprogrammed hepatocytes alleviates copper accumulation in a mouse model of Wilson’s disease
Authors: Cai Hongxia , Cheng Xing , Wang Xiao‐Ping 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background and Aims
Wilson’s disease (WD) is a rare hereditary disorder due to ATP7B gene mutation, causing pathologic copper storage mainly in the liver and neurological systems. Hepatocyte transplantation showed therapeutic potential; however, this strategy is often hindered by a shortage of quality donor cells and by allogeneic immune rejection. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the function and efficacy of autologous reprogrammed, ATP7B gene‐restored hepatocytes using a mouse model of WD.

Approach and Results
Sufficient liver progenitor cells (LPCs) were harvested by reprogramming hepatocytes from ATP7B−/−
mice with small molecules, which exhibited strong proliferation and hepatic differentiation capacity in vitro. After lentivirus‐mediated mini ATP7B gene transfection and redifferentiation, functional LPC‐ATP7B‐derived hepatocytes (LPC‐ATP7B‐Heps) were developed. RNA sequencing data showed that, compared with LPC–green fluorescent protein–Heps (LPC‐GFP‐Heps) with enrichment of genes that were mainly in pathways of oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, in LPC‐ATP7B‐Heps under high copper stress, copper ion binding and cell proliferation pathways were enriched. LPC‐ATP7B‐Heps transplantation into ATP7B−/−
mice alleviated deposition of excess liver copper with its associated inflammation and fibrosis, comparable with those observed using normal primary hepatocytes at 4 months after transplantation.

Conclusions
We established a system of autologous reprogrammed WD hepatocytes and achieved ATP7B gene therapy in vitro. LPC‐ATP7B‐Heps transplantation demonstrated therapeutic efficacy on copper homeostasis in a mouse model of WD.
The teamwork structure, process, and context of a paediatric cardiac surgery team in Mongolia: A mixed‐methods approach
Authors: Han Seungheon , Choi Sugy , Park Jayoung , Kweon Seoah , Oh Se Jin , Shakya Holly B. , Heo Jongho , Kim Woong‐Han 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionEffective teamwork in paediatric cardiac surgery is known to improve team performance and surgical outcomes. However, teamwork in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), including Mongolia, is understudied. We examined multiple dimensions of teamwork to inform a team‐based training programme to strengthen paediatric cardiac surgical care in Mongolia.MethodsWe used a mixed‐methods approach, combining social network analysis and in‐depth interviews with medical staff, to explore the structure, process, quality, and context of teamwork at a single medical centre. We conceptualised the team's structure based on communication frequency among the members (n = 24) and explored the process, quality, and context of teamwork via in‐depth interviews with select medical staff (n = 9).ResultsThe team structure was highly dense and decentralised, but the intensive care unit nurses showed high betweenness‐centrality. In the quality and process domain of teamwork, we did not find a regular joint decision‐making process, leading to the absence of common goals among the team members. Although role assignment among the medical staff was explicit, those strictly defined roles hindered active communication about patient information and responsibility‐sharing. Most interviewees did not agree with the organisational policies that limited discussions among team members; therefore, medical staff continued to share training and work experiences with each other, leading to strong and trustworthy relationships.ConclusionThe findings of this study underscore the importance of well‐structured and goal‐oriented communication between medical staff, as well as the management of the quality of collaboration within a team to increase teamwork effectiveness in paediatric cardiac surgery teams in LMICs.
Thailand's COVID‐19: How public financial management facilitated effective and accountable health sector responses
Authors: Sachdev Saranya , Viriyathorn Shaheda , Chotchoungchatchai Somtanuek , Patcharanarumol Walaiporn , Tangcharoensathien Viroj 
Published: March 2022

AbstractEffective Public Financial Management (PFM) systems are crucial during COVID‐19 pandemic to ensure timely mobilisation of sufficient resources and distribution to frontline service providers. All aspects of PFM, from budget acquisition to execution and expenditure reporting and auditing are important aspects in pursuing effective pandemic responses with transparency and accountability. This commentary analyzes how PFM in Thailand adapted to support purchasing of COVID‐19 health services, including laboratories and treatment, vaccines and vaccination servicing, and no‐fault compensation from adverse effects following immunisation. It also discusses the limitations which delay implementation. Financing COVID‐19 services was decided by the Cabinet under a State of Emergency Decree, resulting in expedited budget approval process. Though delays in budget execution were caused by bureaucratic budget spending rules, regulations and approvals, PFM adaptation allowed for services to be provided through the use of hospital revenue with rapid budget execution rules and regulations while maintaining accountability, reporting and auditing. Lastly, while reporting is mandatory with internal audit by related government agencies, and external audit by Office of the Auditor General in place, as of September 2021, report of the COVID‐19 expenditure in 2020 has yet to be made publicly available for transparency and check and balance by the public. It is unclear the degree to which audit systems are fully enforced. Overall, Thailand's PFM systems have provided rapid fund mobilisation sourcing from central budget and loans and clarity in authorisation of spending; the use of hospital revenue provides more flexibility and rapid budget execution.
Association between efficiency and quality of care of public healthcare facilities: Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Bashir Saima , Nasir Muhammad , Grasic Katja , Moulin Marc , Ali Shehzad 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundMaternal and child health is an important component of the Sustainable Development Goals. Pakistan has one of the worst maternal and neonatal health outcomes in the world. This is despite significant health system investments across the country.AimsThe objectives of this study are twofold. First, the study estimates the technical efficiency of the public healthcare facilities in Pakistan, defined as the number of obstetric deliveries compared to the number of medical specialists, nurses, and other health and non‐health staff members. Second, the study evaluates the relationship between efficiency and quality of care; the latter is measured in terms of maternal and neonatal mortality.Materials & MethodsThe data were taken from the Pakistan Health Facility Assessment Survey. Efficiency score was calculated for 843 public healthcare facilities, using Stochastic Frontier Analysis. We then used two‐stage residual inclusion approach with bootstrapping to evaluate the relationship between efficiency and quality.Results and DiscussionThe average efficiency score was 0.48 (range: 0–1) and none of the public healthcare facilities were on the frontier, implying that efficiency gains can be made across the board. The relationship between efficiency and quality is found to be positive and statistically significant, that is, more efficient healthcare facilities also had lower rates of maternal and neonatal mortality.ConclusionWe conclude that more efficient public healthcare facilities also had lower mortality rates, probably due to better infrastructure and health system financing.