bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A GIS-Based Hydrogeological Approach to the Assessment of the Groundwater Circulation in the Ischia Volcanic Island (Italy)
Authors: Fabbrocino Silvia , Bellucci Sessa Eliana , de Vita Sandro , Di Vito Mauro Antonio , Avino Rosario , Marotta Enrica 
Published: August 2022

Assessing the variations in space and time of groundwater circulation in volcanic islands is of paramount importance to the description of the hydro-geo-thermal system and implementation of hydrogeological, geochemical, and volcanic monitoring systems. In fact, the reliable reconstruction of the groundwater potentiometric surface in such composite volcanic aquifer systems can enable the identification of the most advantageous strategies for both the sustainable use of groundwater resources and the management of volcanic risk. Geographical Information System (GIS) platforms can support the integration and analysis of many spatial and temporal variables derived from monitoring of active volcanoes and the elaboration of spatially continuous data. However, open issues still affect the reliability and general applicability of common spatial interpolation methods in the case of groundwater potentiometric surfaces. This is related to the assessment of the main stratigraphic and volcano-tectonic features affecting the hydraulic head changes. With regard to the dynamically very active Ischia Island (Italy), this study illustrates a GIS-based hydrogeological approach to identify the most accurate interpolation method for mapping the potentiometric surface in complex hydrogeological terrains. The proposed approach has been applied to the existing dataset (1977–2003) stored by Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia. Based on a careful geological and hydrogeological survey, a total of 267 wells, from 5 to 250 m in depth, were processed. The data pre-processing involved four meteorological time-series data (1922–1997) and six long records of piezometric water levels (1930–1994). As a result, knowledge of the delineation of rather homogeneous stratigraphic and volcano-tectonic structures at the basin-scale has improved. Thus, new, more reliable potentiometric surfaces of the four main geothermal areas closest to the coast were produced during both dry and wet seasons. The reliability of the processed potentiometric surface was then validated by comparing the spatially continuous data with complementary field data. These findings point toward an optimal interpolation approach for representing the seasonal and areal distribution of main hydrogeological parameters in complex aquifer systems. Finally, insights into variations of hydrological behavior at an active volcanic area will foster an understanding of possible involvement of fresh and thermal waters in triggering phreatic explosions.
Proactive stress interference mechanism and its application in the Mahu oil area, Junggar basin
Authors: Wang Shuo , Li Xiaoshan , Hao Lihua , Zhang Xiaogong , Zhang Lifeng , Song Junqiang , Liu Rongjun , Pan Hong , Gu Kaifang , Li Ting , Luo Guanxing , Wang Xin , Li Shihong 
Published: August 2022

There exists a large horizontal principal stress difference (11–38 MPa) in the tight conglomerates in the Mahu oil area, China. It is difficult to form a complex fracture network via hydraulic fracturing under these conditions. To improve reservoir stimulation, the fracture formation mechanism of the complex conglomerate fracture networks was explored. Based on the geomechanics theory of fracture formation, the mechanism of the “stress wall” formed by fracturing in horizontal wells was analyzed in this paper. The inhibitory effect of the stress wall on the formation of tensile and shear fractures was studied. The reason for the decrease in the stress difference coefficient caused by fracturing fluid was analyzed through numerical simulation, which suggested that the complexity of a fracturing network is mainly controlled by the interference of externally applied stress and the reduction in the coefficient of internal stress difference. In this paper, innovative technologies were developed by proactively introducing stress interference in the application of the Ma131 small-well-spacing pilot area. The core technologies include optimization of the 3-D staggered small-well-spacing pattern, and synergetic optimization of multiple elements and zipper fracturing. The positive effects of proactive stress interference on improving fracturing volume, reserve utilization rate and recovery were discussed. Based on the concept of proactive stress interference, the “serial fracturing mode” of horizontal wells was proposed to reduce drilling and fracturing interference and improve the development effect.
Design and analysis of an efficient photovoltaic energy-powered electric vehicle charging station using perturb and observe MPPT algorithm
Authors: Awad Mohamed , Ibrahim Ahmed M. , Alaas Zuhair Muhammed , El-Shahat Adel , Omar Ahmed I. 
Published: August 2022

According to the current directive, we must rely on green energy for sustainable mobility. One of the green transition’s goals is to use renewable energy to charge electric vehicles (EVs). Solar energy is a form of renewable energy sources, and it is classified as being clean, available, and renewable because it is based on sunshine. Nowadays, the world is turning to EVs which have lower running costs and cleaner environments. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly utilized to store energy in EVs. This article covers the design and analysis of a photovoltaic (PV) system to charge five models of EVs such as BMW i3 2019, Volkswagen e-Golf, Fiat 500e, Mercedes EQA 250, and Hyundai Kona Electric in a DC fast charging mode by using a buck converter to minimize the output voltage and without any addition of energy storage. By applying Perturb &amp; Observe (P&amp;O) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), the maximum power and efficiency from PVs are obtained. The charging time is calculated for each EV of the five models in the State of Charge (SOC) area at 20–80 percent. A MATLAB program is employed to simulate the EV models by calculating the efficiency of the MPPT controller, time of charging, and characteristic of voltage and current levels for each model of these EVs. All models are tested under the condition of irradiance level from 600 W/m2 to 1000 W/m2 and temperature between 20°C and 30°C. The results showed that the PV system is effective and economical as a stand-alone to charge EVs in a rapid charge mode.
Soil Seed Bank Characteristics of Nitraria tangutorum Nebkhas in a Desert–Oasis Ecotone
Authors: Li Min , Xiao Huijie , Xin Zhiming , Li Xing , Li Junran , Miri Abbas , Cao Qiqi 
Published: August 2022

Understanding soil seed banks (SSBs) of Nitrariatangutorum nebkhas is critical for vegetation restoration and ecological management in desert–oasis ecotones. In this study, we conducted a survey in the field and a seed germination experiment in the laboratory to investigate the characteristics of SSB in different sizes and parts of nebkhas and to examine their relationship with aboveground vegetation. The results showed that there were 17 species of plants in six families in the SSB of Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas in a desert–oasis ecotone, dominated by Chenopodiaceae. The life forms were mainly annual herbs, accounting for 58.82%–71.43%. The number of species in the SSB were in the order of large nebkha &gt; medium nebkha &gt; small nebkha, and there was no significant difference in SSB density. However, SSB densities in different parts of each nebkha were in the order bottom &gt; middle &gt; top. The densities were significantly different and showed a decreasing trend as soil depth increased. Most of the plant seeds were distributed in the 0–5 cm soil layer. The similarity coefficient between the SSB of each nebkha and the aboveground vegetation was high. From the bottom to the top, the number of common species and similarity coefficient between the aboveground vegetation and the SSB decreased, and the number of species in the SSB was greater than that of the aboveground vegetation. Vegetation plays a decisive role in the initial development of a nebkha. When the nebkha develops to a certain extent, it reacts to the vegetation, thereby intensifying the differences in the composition of vegetation species in different parts of the nebkha and further affecting the SSB.
Water and nutrient recovery from stored urine by forward osmosis with an ammonium bicarbonate draw solution
Authors: Pocock J. , Muzhingi A. , Mercer E. , Velkushnova K. , Septien S. , Buckley C. A. 
Published: August 2022

Forward osmosis with an ammonium bicarbonate draw solution was investigated as a low energy non-sewered sanitation solution, to recover nutrients and water from source separated urine. Stored urine collected from Urine Diversion Dry Toilets in the eThekwini Municipality (Durban), South Africa was used as the feed solution. Water recoveries of up to 45.9% with water fluxes up to 6.0 L m−2 h−1 were achieved using undiluted stored urine over an 8-h operating period with a 2.5 M draw solution. Rejections of up to 95% for phosphates, 85% for nitrogen and chlorides, and 75% for potassium and sodium were achieved. Low fouling of the membrane was observed after multiple runs and cleaning the membrane by circulation of deionized water or by osmotic backwash was sufficient to recover &gt;95% of the original water flux. Little irreversible fouling was detected, assumed to be caused by carbonate calcium scaling from SEM-EDX analysis. This study suggests that forward osmosis with an ammonium bicarbonate solution could be integrated as a closed loop nutrient recycling technology for source separated urine with the prospect of clean water and draw solution recovery that could use waste heat from, for example, fecal sludge combustion.
A pan-cancer analysis reveals the genetic alterations and immunotherapy of Piezo2 in human cancer
Authors: Liu Xin , Jia Yangpu , Wang Zhihui , Zhang Zhaoxiong , Fu Weihua 
Published: August 2022

Background: Piezo2 is a transmembrane-spanning ion channel protein implicated in multiple physiological processes, including cell proliferation and angiogenesis in many cell types. However, Piezo2 was recognized as representing a double-edged sword in terms of tumor growth. The prognostic and immunotherapeutic roles of Piezo2 in pan-cancer have not been reported.Methods: In this study, several databases available including the UCSC Xena database, HPA, TIDE, GSEA, and cBioportal were used to investigate the expression, alterations, associations with immune indicators, and prognostic roles of Piezo2 across pan-cancer. R software and Perl scripts were used to process the raw data acquired from the UCSC Xena database.Results: Based on processed data, our results suggested that Piezo2 expression levels were tissue-dependent in different tumor tissues. Meanwhile, the survival analysis reflected that patients suffering from KIRC, LUAD, and USC with high Piezo2 expression had good OS, while those suffering from KIRP and SARC with high Piezo2 expression had poor OS. In addition, our results showed that Piezo2 expression was associated with the infiltration of CD4+ T memory cells, mast cells, and dendritic cells. These results suggested that Piezo2 may involve tumor progression by influencing immune infiltration or regulating immune cell function. Further analysis indicated that Piezo2 could influence TME by regulating T-cell dysfunction. We also found that gene mutation was the most common genetic alteration of Piezo2. The GSEA analysis revealed that Piezo2 was associated with calcium ion transport, the activation of the immune response, antigen processing and presentation pathways.Conclusion: Our study showed the expression and prognostic features of Piezo2 and highlighted its associations with genetic alterations and immune signatures in pan-cancer. Moreover, we provided several novel insights for further research on the therapeutic potential of Piezo2.
CaMKII is a modulator in neurodegenerative diseases and mediates the effect of androgen on synaptic protein PSD95
Authors: Mi Shixiong , Chen Huan , Lin Peijing , Kang Peiyuan , Qiao Dan , Zhang Bohan , Wang Zhao , Zhang Jingbao , Hu Xiangting , Wang Chang , Cui Huixian , Li Sha 
Published: August 2022

Androgens rapidly regulate synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurones, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we carried out a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of functional similarities between androgen receptor (AR) and the synaptic protein postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) to evaluate the effect. Using different measurements and thresholds, we obtained consistent results illustrating that the two proteins were significantly involved in similar pathways. We further identified CaMKII plays a critical role in mediating the rapid effect of androgen and promoting the expression of PSD95. We used mouse hippocampal neurone HT22 cells as a cell model to investigate the effect of testosterone (T) on intracellular Ca2+ levels and the mechanism. Calcium imaging experiments showed that intracellular Ca2+ increased to a peak due to calcium influx in the extracellular fluid through L-type and N-type voltage-gated calcium channels when HT22 cells were treated with 100 nM T for 20 min. Subsequently, we investigated whether the Ca2+/CaMKII signaling pathway mediates the rapid effect of T, promoting the expression of the synaptic protein PSD95. Immunofluorescence cytochemical staining and western blotting results showed that T promoted CaMKII phosphorylation by rapidly increasing extracellular Ca2+ influx, thus increasing PSD95 expression. This study demonstrated that CaMKII acts as a mediator assisting androgen which regulates the synaptic protein PSD95Also, it provides evidence for the neuroprotective mechanisms of androgens in synaptic plasticity and reveals the gated and pharmacological mechanisms of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel family for androgen replacement therapy.
Coats disease in female population: A comparison of clinical presentation and outcomes
Authors: Piquin Gwendoline , Chapron Thibaut , Abdelmassih Youssef , Martin Gilles , Edelson Catherine , Caputo Georges , Metge Florence 
Published: August 2022

PurposeTo compare clinical characteristics at presentation and outcomes of Coats disease between females and males.MethodsIn this retrospective, consecutive case series we included all children diagnosed with Coats disease in a single tertiary referral center. Initial clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes were collected.ResultsA total of 158 children were included, of whom 29 (18.3%) were females and 11 (6.9%) had bilateral involvement. Age at diagnosis and disease stage were similar between females and males. Females had more bilateral involvement (p &lt; 0.001) and tended to have a worse visual acuity at diagnosis (p = 0.05). At last follow-up, visual acuity and anatomical outcome after treatment were similar between genders.ConclusionFemale patients with Coats disease had more bilateral involvement and tended to have worse visual acuity at presentation. Clinical presentation and outcomes seemed to be similar between genders.
Sex differences in clinical trials of ALRV5XR treatment of androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium
Authors: Feldman Peter R. , Feldman Oriel J. , Guevara-Aguirre Jaime , Fiebig Klaus M. 
Published: August 2022

IntroductionALRV5XR treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and telogen effluvium (TE) has early evidence of regenerating a normal scalp hair phenotype in both sexes.DesignWe performed two 24-week double-blinded placebo-controlled comparison trials, one in each sex, on the ALRV5XR treatment effect on hair regeneration, in AGA and TE, in 92 AGA subjects (24 also had TE). Forty-six women (age 24–64 years) and 46 men (age 22–63 years) were randomized 1:1 to either ALRV5XR or placebo regimens (one b.i.d. oral capsule and daily administration of shampoo, conditioner, and follicle serum).EvaluationPrimary outcomes: Absolute and relative changes in terminal hair (TH) density. Secondary outcomes: Response rate, changes in vellus hair (VH) density, TH/VH ratio, hair diameter, growth, and shedding rate.ResultsForty-one women (20 ALRV5XR, 21 placebo) and 36 men (17 ALRV5XR, 19 placebo) completed the trials. TH outcome was evaluable for 18 and 21 women and 11 and 11 men (ALRV5XR, placebo, respectively). Efficacy in women: 30.1 THs/cm2 (p = 0.0002) and 19.7% (p = 0.0016). Efficacy in men: 21.0 THs/cm2 (p = 0.0014) and 16.4% (p = 0.0012). 66.7% of women and 100% of men responded to ALRV5XR. TH/VH ratio for men increased 33.0% (p = 0.0033). Growth rate in women increased by 30.7 μm/24 h (p &lt; 0.0001) and 10.0% (p &lt; 0.0001). There were no adverse events reported.Conclusion and relevanceALRV5XR induced significant regrowth of TH. Accelerating regrowth by reactivation of dormant telogen follicles were the dominant effects in women. Thickening of miniaturized hair and regrowth of dormant telogen follicles contributed equally to the increased TH seen in men (see Graphical Abstract).
Prognostic value of National Early Warning Score and Modified Early Warning Score on intensive care unit readmission and mortality: A prospective observational study
Authors: Mahmoodpoor Ata , Sanaie Sarvin , Saghaleini Seied Hadi , Ostadi Zohreh , Hosseini Mohammad-Salar , Sheshgelani Naeeme , Vahedian-Azimi Amir , Samim Abbas , Rahimi-Bashar Farshid 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundModified Early Warning Score (MEWS) and National Early Warning Score (NEWS) are widely used in predicting the mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission of critically ill patients. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the prognostic value of NEWS and MEWS for predicting ICU readmission, mortality, and related outcomes in critically ill patients at the time of ICU discharge.MethodsThis multicenter, prospective, observational study was conducted over a year, from April 2019 to March 2020, in the general ICUs of two university-affiliated hospitals in Northwest Iran. MEWS and NEWS were compared based on the patients’ outcomes (including mortality, ICU readmission, time to readmission, discharge type, mechanical ventilation (MV), MV duration, and multiple organ failure after readmission) using the univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the outcome predictability of MEWS and NEWS.ResultsA total of 410 ICU patients were enrolled in this study. According to multivariable logistic regression analysis, both MEWS and NEWS were predictors of ICU readmission, time to readmission, MV status after readmission, MV duration, and multiple organ failure after readmission. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting mortality was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.88–0.94, P &lt; 0.0001) for the NEWS and 0.88 (95% CI = 0.84–0.91, P &lt; 0.0001) for the MEWS. There was no significant difference between the AUC of the NEWS and the MEWS for predicting mortality (P = 0.082). However, for ICU readmission (0.84 vs. 0.71), time to readmission (0.82 vs. 0.67), MV after readmission (0.83 vs. 0.72), MV duration (0.81 vs. 0.67), and multiple organ failure (0.833 vs. 0.710), the AUCs of MEWS were significantly greater (P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionNational Early Warning Score and MEWS values of &gt;4 demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in identifying the risk of mortality for the patients’ discharge from ICU. However, we found that the MEWS showed superiority over the NEWS score in predicting other outcomes. Eventually, MEWS could be considered an efficient prediction score for morbidity and mortality of critically ill patients.
Evaluating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in children and adolescents through tracked head movements in a virtual reality classroom: The effect of social cues with different sensory modalities
Authors: Cho Yoon Jae , Yum Jung Yon , Kim Kwanguk , Shin Bokyoung , Eom Hyojung , Hong Yeon-ju , Heo Jiwoong , Kim Jae-jin , Lee Hye Sun , Kim Eunjoo 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is clinically diagnosed; however, quantitative analysis to statistically analyze the symptom severity of children with ADHD via the measurement of head movement is still in progress. Studies focusing on the cues that may influence the attention of children with ADHD in classroom settings, where children spend a considerable amount of time, are relatively scarce. Virtual reality allows real-life simulation of classroom environments and thus provides an opportunity to test a range of theories in a naturalistic and controlled manner. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between participants’ head movements and their reports of inattention and hyperactivity, and to investigate how their head movements are affected by different social cues of different sensory modalities.MethodsThirty-seven children and adolescents with (n = 20) and without (n = 17) ADHD were recruited for this study. All participants were assessed for diagnoses, clinical symptoms, and self-reported symptoms. A virtual reality-continuous performance test (VR-CPT) was conducted under four conditions: (1) control, (2) no-cue, (3) visual cue, and (4) visual/audio cue. A quantitativecomparison of the participants’ head movements was conducted in three dimensions (pitch [head nods], yaw [head turns], and roll [lateral head inclinations]) using a head-mounted display (HMD) in a VR classroom environment. Task-irrelevant head movements were analyzed separately, considering the dimension of movement needed to perform the VR-CPT.ResultsThe magnitude of head movement, especially task-irrelevant head movement, significantly correlated with the current standard of clinical assessment in the ADHD group. Regarding the four conditions, head movement showed changes according to the complexity of social cues in both the ADHD and healthy control (HC) groups.ConclusionChildren and adolescents with ADHD showed decreasing task-irrelevant movements in the presence of social stimuli toward the intended orientation. As a proof-of-concept study, this study preliminarily identifies the potential of VR as a tool to understand and investigate the classroom behavior of children with ADHD in a controlled, systematic manner.