bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of stearic acid destruction on TiO2 ‘self-cleaning’ films revisited
Authors: Alofi Saleh , O’Rourke Christopher , Mills Andrew 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe photocatalytic oxidation of stearic acid, SA, by O2 is a common test method used to assess the activity of new materials and underpins a standard test for self-cleaning activity. The kinetics of this process have been well-studied and are often interpreted using one of two simple models, which are revisited here in this overview. The first model is based on the common scenario of a SA layer on top of an all-photocatalyst layer which yields zero order kinetics, for which it is suggested that all the reaction sites are occupied by SA during the bulk of the photocatalytic process. An important, but rarely noted feature of this system is that the rate of SA removal depends directly upon the fraction of absorbed ultra-bandgap radiation, which suggests that the photocatalyst particles are extensively networked, thereby allowing the photogenerated electrons and holes to move rapidly and efficiently to the surface to effect the destruction of SA. The second kinetic model has been used to describe the first order kinetics of SA removal observed for mesoporous photocatalytic films comprised of isolated photocatalyst particles, in which the SA is inside (rather than on top) of the photocatalytic film, and is developed further here. It is shown that, contrary to previous reports, this model is not appropriate for porous photocatalytic films in which the particles are extensively networked, such as ones based on powders or sol–gel films, even though they too may exhibit decay kinetics where the order is > 0. The reason for the latter kinetics appears to be a distribution of reactivities through such films, i.e. high and low activity sites.
Graphical abstract
Dominant periods and memory effect of the 2021 earthquake swarm in Hualien, Taiwan
Authors: Chen Kou-Cheng , Kim Kwang-Hee , Wang Jeen-Hwa , Chen Kuo-Chang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAn earthquake sequence that occurred in the Hualien area during April 7 to August 30, 2021 has been recognized as two swarms by the Central Weather Bureau. Its earthquakes with ML ≤ 6.2 (ML = local magnitude) and focal depths ≤ 25 km were located in an area from 23°46’ N to 24°04’ N and from 121°25’ E to 121°42’ E. The Morlet wavelet technique is applied to analyze the dominant periods of temporal variations in numbers of daily events for the earthquake sequence in two magnitude ranges, i.e., ML ≥ 3 and ML ≥ 4. Results show that the dominant periods are 30.8 and 38.0 days when ML ≥ 3; while the dominant period does not exist when ML ≥ 4. The fluctuation analysis technique in the natural time domain is used to study the memory effect in the swarm for two magnitude ranges, i.e., ML ≥ 3 and ML ≥ 4. Calculated results show that the memory effect is stronger for the time sequence of magnitudes than for that of inter-event times and higher for ML ≥ 3 earthquakes than for ML ≥ 4 events. Consequently, only the short-term corrected memory effect was operative in the earthquake sequence of the Hualien swarms.
High Expression of the Costimulatory Checkpoint Factor DNAM-1 by CD4+ T-Cells from Multiple Myeloma Patients Refractory to Daratumumab-Containing Regimens
Authors: Iversen Katrine Fladeland , Nederby Line , Lund Thomas , Plesner Torben 
Published: August 2022

AbstractMultiple myeloma is an incurable disease characterized by unregulated growth of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM). Tumor-induced dysfunction of T-cells may be responsible for immune evasion and failure of immunotherapy. Therefore, a better understanding of the phenotype of T-cells at the tumor site is needed. We assessed the expression of immune regulatory receptors on T-cell subsets from peripheral blood (PB) and BM using multicolor flow cytometry. Paired PB and BM samples were collected from newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve myeloma patients (n = 19) and patients progressing during treatment with the CD38 monoclonal antibody daratumumab alone or in combination with other anti-myeloma drugs (n = 39). We observed that CD4+ T-cells from both PB and BM of patients relapsing on daratumumab have a higher expression of the costimulatory checkpoint receptor DNAM-1. The potential role of DNAM-1+CD4+ T-cells in the development of resistance to daratumumab needs further exploration. We also observed that the inhibitory checkpoint receptor TIGIT is more frequently expressed by BM CD8+ T-cells from myeloma patients than PD-1 and CTLA-4, which supports the hypothesis that TIGIT may play a central role in the immune escape of the malignant plasma cells.
Modelling investigation on the influence of measurement error on performance evaluation of organic Rankine cycle system
Authors: Jin Yunli , Wang Tiantian , Gao Naiping 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe evaluation of the performance of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) depends on the measured data of the operating parameters. The influences of the measurement errors during the evaluation of the system’s performance, which are derived from the measuring instruments, are rarely studied in the literature. In order to explore the effects of measuring instruments’ accuracy on the evaluation of system performance, the error propagation model of a subcritical ORC system was established. The working fluids adapting to different operating temperature range, including R134a, R245fa and R123, were selected. Temperature, pressure and flow rate of fluid were adopted as the operating parameters that were measured. The net output power and the efficiency were used as the performance parameters that were evaluated. Sensitivity analyses of the measurement errors of single parameter and multiple parameters were conducted under five designed conditions. The results show that the key positions of the measurement errors affecting the performance evaluation were at the expander’s inlet, followed by the expander’s outlet, and the inlet and outlet of the fluid pump. To keep the errors of net output power and thermal efficiency within ± 10%, the measurement errors of the temperature at the inlet and outlet of the expander and fluid pump were less than ± 2%, ± 5%, ± 9% and ± 9% in all cases, respectively. To meet the same requirements, the measurement errors of the pressure at the inlet and outlet of the expander were less than ± 10% and ± 100% in all cases, respectively. The fluid adapting to higher operating parameters allowed higher measurement errors for both the temperature and the pressure. To keep the errors of net output power and thermal efficiency within ± 10%, the allowable measurement error of the expander’s inlet temperature increased from ± 0.8% for R134a to ± 2.0% for R123. The allowable measurement errors at the expander’s inlet decreased with the increase in the operating parameters for the same fluid. In most of the operating parameters, the allowable measurement errors of R245fa were larger than R134a and less than R123 under the same operating temperature range. The importance of the accuracy of temperature’s measurement outweighed those of pressure and flow rate. Finally, recommendations were made for the selection of accuracy of the measuring instruments.
Association between inflammatory potential of diet and markers of malnutrition in haemodialysis patients
Authors: Arab Arman , Golpour-Hamedani Sahar , Tabibi Hadi , As’habi Atefeh 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) and a comprehensive profile of malnutrition in Iranian haemodialysis (HD) patients. In this cross-sectional study, 291 participants on HD for at least 6 months before enrollment were included. The current dietary intakes of participants were assessed using a 4-d diet diary-assisted recall, including 2 non-dialysis days and 2 dialysis days to calculate E-DII. To determine the malnutrition status of HD patients, BMI, subjective global assessment (SGA), dialysis malnutrition score (DMS) and malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) were used. Overall, 291 HD patients comprised our study population. After controlling for potential confounders, E-DII was associated with a higher risk of malnutrition, as evidenced by SGA (OR = 2·23; 95 % CI: 1·11, 4·49), DMS (OR = 2·31; 95 % CI: 1·16, 4·60) and MIS (OR = 2·50; 95 % CI: 1·28, 4·88). No significant association was detected between E-DII and BMI either before (OR = 1·78; 95 % CI: 0·83, 3·81) or after adjustment for possible confounders (OR = 1·43; 95 % CI: 0·58, 3·54). This study showed that E-DII was significantly associated with reliable malnutrition markers including SGA, DMS and MIS in HD patients. However, further longitudinal studies are warranted to infer a cause-and-effect relationship between DII and malnutrition.
Changing fortunes of the Black-winged Petrel Pterodroma nigripennis following the Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project - interactions with other recovering species
Authors: O’Dwyer Terence , Carlile Nicholas , O’Neill Lisa , Halpin Luke R. 
Published: August 2022

Summary
In 2019, a Rodent Eradication Project (REP) was implemented on World Heritage listed Lord Howe Island, Australia. Among the species expected to benefit was a burrow-nesting seabird, the Black-winged Petrel Pterodroma nigripennis. Prior to the REP, we assessed causes of Black-winged Petrel nest failure using surveillance cameras. We also measured breeding success before and after the REP and investigated emerging pressures on breeding success from other native species. In 2017, ship rats Rattus rattus were a major cause of Black-winged Petrel nest failure, and breeding success was as low as 2.5%, compared to 47.5% on rodent-free Phillip Island (Norfolk Island Group). In 2020, in the absence of rodents, breeding success on Lord Howe Island increased dramatically to 67% and remained high (50%) in 2021. This result suggests that reproductive output of small seabirds has been heavily supressed by rodents on Lord Howe Island for decades. A subsequent increase in the population of a predatory endemic rail, the Lord Howe Woodhen Hypotaenida sylvestris, combined with burrow competition from Little Shearwaters Puffinus assimilis, indicated that initial high breeding success may not be sustained. However, the surge in successful breeding of Black-winged Petrels is likely to result in a significant increase in fledgling numbers and the recruitment of hundreds of additional birds each year. Given the important role of petrels in global nutrient cycling, and their positive influence on island biodiversity, their expansion should benefit the ecological restoration of Lord Howe Island.
Systematic self-reporting of patients’ symptoms: improving oncologic care and patients’ satisfaction
Authors: Osei Ernest , McKenna Catherine B. , Darko Johnson , McKnight Kathy , Peters Christine 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background:
In recent years, there has been a growing interest to enhance patients’ symptom management during routine cancer care using patient-reported outcome measures. The goal of this study is to analyse patients’ responses to the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) to determine whether patient-reported outcomes could help characterise those patients with the highest supportive care needs and symptom burden in order to help provide targeted support for patients.

Methods:
In this study, we analysed ESAS questionnaire responses completed by patients as part of their routine care and considered part of patients’ standard of care. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Descriptive statistics are used to summarise patient demographics, disease characteristics and patient-reported symptom severity and prevalence.

Results:
The overall mean age is 65.2 ± 12.8 years comprising 43.8% male and 56.2% female patients. The five common primary disease sites are breast (26.2%), haematology (21.1%), gastrointestinal (15.3%), genitourinary (12.7%) and lung (12.0%) cancers. The mean severity for each symptom is all mild (score: 1–3). The three most common reported symptoms causing distress are tiredness, poor overall wellbeing and anxiety, and the least reported symptom is nausea.

Conclusions:
Systematic self-reporting of patients’ symptoms is important to improve symptom management, timely facilitation of appropriate intervention, patient experience, and patient and family satisfaction. The awareness of disease site, gender and age-related symptom variations should help in the design and provision of appropriate symptom-directed, tumour-specific and patient-focused interventions to meet patients’ immediate needs.
Abundant Fe(III) Oxide‐Bound Arsenic and Depleted Mn Oxides Facilitate Arsenic Enrichment in Groundwater From a Sand‐Gravel Confined Aquifer
Authors: Gao Zhipeng , Guo Huaming , Qiao Wen , Ke Tiantian , Zhu Zijie , Cao Yuanyuan , Su Xiaosi , Wan Li 
Published: August 2022

AbstractEnrichment mechanisms of high‐arsenic (>10 μg/L) groundwater in confined aquifers with sand‐gravel sediments were rarely documented. Both groundwater and sediment were sampled to investigate mechanisms of groundwater arsenic mobility in sand‐gravel confined aquifers from the Songnen Basin, China. The results show that, although high arsenic groundwater was present in both shallow sandy (<60 m) and deep sand‐gravel aquifers (60–100 m), relatively higher arsenic groundwater was hosted in the deep confined aquifers. The significantly higher proportion of biologically degradable organic carbon (BDOC) in deep confined groundwater than those in shallow unconfined ones (p = 0.03) suggests that higher arsenic concentrations were associated with higher DOM biodegradability. High‐arsenic groundwater was the result of Fe(III) oxide reduction facilitated by BDOC degradation. Arsenic‐rich pyrite framboids were observed in shallow aquifers, which would lower groundwater arsenic concentrations. Sand‐gravel sediments in deep aquifers had remarkably higher contents of extracted Fe(III) oxides and the bound arsenic, HCl‐extractable Fe(II) minerals, and adsorbed arsenic, but considerably lower contents of Mn oxides and Mn(II) minerals than the shallow sandy sediments. Siderite, which is not as efficient as pyrite in sequestering arsenic, was the dominant Fe(II) mineral in the deep aquifer. In the deep aquifer, Mn oxide reduction was almost completed and Fe(III) oxide reduction was predominated, which resulted in high concentrations of groundwater arsenic due to high arsenic/iron molar ratio in the Fe(III) oxides. This study proposed that geogenic high‐arsenic groundwater can occur in sand‐gravel aquifers being high in Fe(III) oxide‐bound arsenic but poor in Mn oxides under reducing conditions.
Possible mediators of metabolic endotoxemia in women with obesity and women with obesity-diabetes in The Gambia
Authors: Jobe Modou , Agbla Schadrac C. , Todorcevic Marijana , Darboe Bakary , Danso Ebrima , de Barros Jean-Paul Pais , Lagrost Laurent , Karpe Fredrik , Prentice Andrew M. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
Translocation of bacterial debris from the gut causes metabolic endotoxemia (ME) that results in insulin resistance, and may be on the causal pathway to obesity-related type 2 diabetes. To guide interventions against ME we tested two hypothesised mechanisms for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ingress: a leaky gut and chylomicron-associated transfer following a high-fat meal.

Methods
In lean women (n = 48; fat mass index (FMI) 9.6 kg/m2), women with obesity (n = 62; FMI 23.6 kg/m2) and women with obesity-diabetes (n = 38; FMI 24.9 kg/m2) we used the lactulose-mannitol dual-sugar permeability test (LM ratio) to assess gut integrity. Markers of ME (LPS, EndoCAb IgG and IgM, IL-6, CD14 and lipoprotein binding protein) were assessed at baseline, 2 h and 5 h after a standardised 49 g fat-containing mixed meal. mRNA expression of markers of inflammation, macrophage activation and lipid metabolism were measured in peri-umbilical adipose tissue (AT) biopsies.

Results
The LM ratio did not differ between groups. LPS levels were 57% higher in the obesity-diabetes group (P < 0.001), but, contrary to the chylomicron transfer hypothesis, levels significantly declined following the high-fat challenge. EndoCAb IgM was markedly lower in women with obesity and women with obesity-diabetes. mRNA levels of inflammatory markers in adipose tissue were consistent with the prior concept that fat soluble LPS in AT attracts and activates macrophages.

Conclusions/interpretation
Raised levels of LPS and IL-6 in women with obesity-diabetes and evidence of macrophage activation in adipose tissue support the concept of metabolic endotoxemia-mediated inflammation, but we found no evidence for abnormal gut permeability or chylomicron-associated post-prandial translocation of LPS. Instead, the markedly lower EndoCAb IgM levels indicate a failure in sequestration and detoxification.
Changing genetic architecture of body mass index from infancy to early adulthood: an individual based pooled analysis of 25 twin cohorts
Authors: Silventoinen Karri , Li Weilong , Jelenkovic Aline , Sund Reijo , Yokoyama Yoshie , Aaltonen Sari , Piirtola Maarit , Sugawara Masumi , Tanaka Mami , Matsumoto Satoko , Baker Laura A. , Tuvblad Catherine , Tynelius Per , Rasmussen Finn , Craig Jeffrey M. , Saffery Richard , Willemsen Gonneke , Bartels Meike , van Beijsterveldt Catharina E. M. , Martin Nicholas G. , Medland Sarah E. , Montgomery Grant W. , Lichtenstein Paul , Krueger Robert F. , McGue Matt , Pahlen Shandell , Christensen Kaare , Skytthe Axel , Kyvik Kirsten O. , Saudino Kimberly J. , Dubois Lise , Boivin Michel , Brendgen Mara , Dionne Ginette , Vitaro Frank , Ullemar Vilhelmina , Almqvist Catarina , Magnusson Patrik K. E. , Corley Robin P. , Huibregtse Brooke M. , Knafo-Noam Ariel , Mankuta David , Abramson Lior , Haworth Claire M. A. , Plomin Robert , Bjerregaard-Andersen Morten , Beck-Nielsen Henning , Sodemann Morten , Duncan Glen E. , Buchwald Dedra , Burt S. Alexandra , Klump Kelly L. , Llewellyn Clare H. , Fisher Abigail , Boomsma Dorret I. , Sørensen Thorkild I. A. , Kaprio Jaakko 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundBody mass index (BMI) shows strong continuity over childhood and adolescence and high childhood BMI is the strongest predictor of adult obesity. Genetic factors strongly contribute to this continuity, but it is still poorly known how their contribution changes over childhood and adolescence. Thus, we used the genetic twin design to estimate the genetic correlations of BMI from infancy to adulthood and compared them to the genetic correlations of height.MethodsWe pooled individual level data from 25 longitudinal twin cohorts including 38,530 complete twin pairs and having 283,766 longitudinal height and weight measures. The data were analyzed using Cholesky decomposition offering genetic and environmental correlations of BMI and height between all age combinations from 1 to 19 years of age.ResultsThe genetic correlations of BMI and height were stronger than the trait correlations. For BMI, we found that genetic correlations decreased as the age between the assessments increased, a trend that was especially visible from early to middle childhood. In contrast, for height, the genetic correlations were strong between all ages. Age-to-age correlations between environmental factors shared by co-twins were found for BMI in early childhood but disappeared altogether by middle childhood. For height, shared environmental correlations persisted from infancy to adulthood.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the genes affecting BMI change over childhood and adolescence leading to decreasing age-to-age genetic correlations. This change is especially visible from early to middle childhood indicating that new genetic factors start to affect BMI in middle childhood. Identifying mediating pathways of these genetic factors can open possibilities for interventions, especially for those children with high genetic predisposition to adult obesity.
Effects of mild obesity on outcomes in Japanese patients with COVID-19: a nationwide consortium to investigate COVID-19 host genetics
Authors: Lee Ho , Chubachi Shotaro , Namkoong Ho , Tanaka Hiromu , Otake Shiro , Nakagawara Kensuke , Morita Atsuho , Fukushima Takahiro , Watase Mayuko , Kusumoto Tatsuya , Masaki Katsunori , Kamata Hirofumi , Ishii Makoto , Hasegawa Naoki , Harada Norihiro , Ueda Tetsuya , Ueda Soichiro , Ishiguro Takashi , Arimura Ken , Saito Fukuki , Yoshiyama Takashi , Nakano Yasushi , Mutoh Yoshikazu , Suzuki Yusuke , Murakami Koji , Okada Yukinori , Koike Ryuji , Kitagawa Yuko , Kimura Akinori , Imoto Seiya , Miyano Satoru , Ogawa Seishi , Kanai Takanori , Fukunaga Koichi ,   The Japan COVID-19 Task Force
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Obesity is reported to be a risk factor for severe disease in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there are no specific reports on the risk of severe disease according to body mass index (BMI) in Japan. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of obesity stratified by BMI on the severity of COVID-19 in the general Japanese population.

Methods
From February 2020 to May 2021, 1 837 patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled in the Japan COVID-19 Task Force. Patients with known BMI and disease severity were analyzed. Severity was defined as critical if the patient was treated in the intensive care unit, required invasive mechanical ventilation, or died.

Results
Class 1 obesity (25.0 ≤ BMI < 30.0 kg/m2), class 2 obesity (30.0 ≤ BMI < 35.0 kg/m2), and class 3 or 4 obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2) were present in 29%, 8%, and 3% of the cases, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis with known risk factors for critical illness indicated that class 2 obesity was an independent risk factor for oxygenation (adjusted odds ratio, 4.75) and critical cases (adjusted odds ratio, 1.81). Class 1 obesity and class 3 or 4 obesity were independent risk factors for oxygen administration (adjusted odds ratios 2.01 and 3.12, respectively), but not for critical cases. However, no differences in the mortality rates were observed between the BMI classes (P = 0.5104).

Conclusion
Obesity is a risk factor for respiratory failure in Japanese patients with COVID-19, regardless of the degree of obesity. However, it may not cause severe COVID-19 in a dose–response relationship with BMI. COVID-19 patients with mild obesity may benefit from aggressive intensive care.