bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal planning of renewable integrated rural microgrid for sustainable energy supply
Authors: Kama Md Mustafa , Ashraf Imtiaz , Fernandez Eugene 
Published: February 2022

AbstractRenewable resources can help reduce carbon emissions, but their inconsistency causes inconsistent energy generation, mandating the introduction of a battery bank to overcome the demand‐supply gap. The integration of renewables for electrical supply systems in rural regions has received much attention, as has the hybrid energy system with storage for microgrids. This work presents an optimization technique for the design and operation of a standalone microgrid with load demand. The research framework is demonstrated by a case study in a remote rural location in Uttarakhand (India). This research proposes an integrated techno‐economic optimization and power management of a standalone integrated renewable energy system to meet the electrical energy demand. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE), the net present cost (NPC), and pollution emission are minimized using grey wolf optimization. Four alternative models are compared based on environmental considerations and economic research. According to the simulation findings, the optimal configuration has a 0.203 $/kWh LCOE and a 92% renewable portion. In addition, the optimization results have been presented and compared. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the impact of various factors on the system in question.
A novel unmanned aerial vehicle‐sink enabled mobility model for military operations in sparse flying ad‐hoc network
Authors: Agrawal Juhi , Kapoor Monit , Tomar Ravi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe flying ad‐hoc network (FANET) is a self‐configured, rapidly deployable network for a variety of time‐critical applications such as military and disaster relief operations. Most mobility models view FANETs as dense networks leading to unrealistic network scenarios and may not provide real‐world results. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may not always be connected due to low battery, malfunction, budget constraints, or the nature of the application. Existing mobility models do not work in realistic FANET scenarios, that is, sparse FANETs, and simulate the model in a two‐dimensional domain. To address the issues, a novel mobility model has been proposed for military operations in sparse FANETs. This is the first paper that addresses the issue of sparse networks as well as implementing the proposed work in the simulator in three‐dimensional space. The proposed UAV‐sink enabled mobility model (US‐MM) increases the network performance without impeding the mobility of UAVs as UAVs perform critical functions in military operations. The simulation has been done using NS‐3.25. The obtained results show the efficiency of our proposed model which achieves increased network connectivity and stability of UAV's connection to the base station in the sparse FANETs.
The interplay between location and strategy in a turbulent age
Authors: Bathelt Harald , Li Pengfei 
Published: February 2022

AbstractResearch SummaryThe spread of protectionist policies and the COVID‐19 pandemic force policymakers and managers to fundamentally rethink the relationship between location and strategy. We examine this location‐strategy interplay through a structure‐agency perspective by investigating how the economic landscape shapes and, simultaneously, is shaped by firm strategies. Increasing spatial disparity and diversity of innovation and wealth in clusters and city‐regions create both tremendous challenges and opportunities for multinational enterprises to strategically leverage knowledge over space. Locational choices and actions of multinationals, in turn, affect regional economic development paths and geographies of innovation. We argue for deep dialogue and collaboration between economic geography, international business and strategy to untie the knots in the intricate interplay between location and strategy and solve the grand challenges in our turbulent age.Managerial SummaryThe wide spread of protectionism and the COVID‐19 pandemic have disrupted global value chains unprecedently, forcing policymakers and firm managers to rethink the relationship between business strategies and locations. We suggest that this relationship can be understood in a bilateral way. The concentration of innovation and economic activities in city‐regions and clusters creates big challenges but also tremendous opportunities for multinational enterprises. Multinationals need to direct knowledge across space but also have to deal with local resistance and opposition. The choices and actions of these firms are shaped by and, simultaneously, influence spatial patterns of economic activities. We argue for deep collaboration between economic geographers and international business scholars to solve the grand challenges for business, community and society in our turbulent time.
Antibacterial composite hydrogels of graphene quantum dots and bacterial cellulose accelerate wound healing
Authors: Zmejkoski Danica Z. , Marković Zoran M. , Mitić Dijana D. , Zdravković Nemanja M. , Kozyrovska Natalia O. , Bugárová Nikol , Todorović Marković Biljana M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe increased antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria requires intense research of new wound healing agents. Novel wound dressings should be designed to provide wound disinfection, good moisture, and fast epithelization. In this study, bacterial cellulose (BC) was impregnated with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for potential use in wound healing treatment. The BC was successfully loaded with approximately 11.7 wt% of GQDs. The actual release of GQDs from new designed composite hydrogels were 13%. Novel GQDs‐BC hydrogel composites are biocompatible and showed significant inhibition towards Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae and bactericidal effect towards Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The in vitro healing analysis showed significant migration of human fibroblasts after the GQDs‐BC hydrogels application. Furthermore, after 72 h exposure to GQDs‐BC, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, vascular endothelial growth factor A, matrix metallopeptidase 9, and Vimentin gene expression in fibroblast were significantly upregulated promoting angiogenesis. GQDs‐BC hydrogel composites showed very good wound fluid absorption and water retention, which satisfies good dressing properties. All obtained results propose new designed GQDs‐BC hydrogels as potential wound dressings.
EGFR Signaling Is Required for Maintaining Adult Cartilage Homeostasis and Attenuating Osteoarthritis Progression
Authors: Wei Yulong , Ma Xiaoyuan , Sun Hao , Gui Tao , Li Jun , Yao Lutian , Zhong Leilei , Yu Wei , Han Biao , Nelson Charles L. , Han Lin , Beier Frank , Enomoto-Iwamoto Motomi , Ahn Jaimo , Qin Ling 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
The uppermost superficial zone of articular cartilage is the first line of defense against the initiation of osteoarthritis (OA). We previously used Col2-Cre to demonstrate that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a tyrosine kinase receptor, plays an essential role in maintaining superficial chondrocytes during articular cartilage development. Here, we showed that EGFR activity in the articular cartilage decreased as mice age. In mouse and human OA samples, EGFR activity was initially reduced at the superficial layer and then resurged in cell clusters within the middle and deep zone in late OA. To investigate the role of EGFR signaling in postnatal and adult cartilage, we constructed an inducible mouse model with cartilage-specific EGFR inactivation (Aggrecan-CreER EgfrWa5/flox, Egfr iCKO). EdU incorporation revealed that postnatal Egfr iCKO mice contained fewer slow-cycling cells than controls. EGFR deficiency induced at 3 months of age reduced cartilage thickness and diminished superficial chondrocytes, in parallel to alterations in lubricin production, cell proliferation, and survival. Furthermore, male Egfr iCKO mice developed much more severe OA phenotypes, including cartilage erosion, subchondral bone plate thickening, cartilage degeneration at the lateral site, and mechanical allodynia, after receiving destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery. Similar OA phenotypes were also observed in female iCKO mice. Moreover, tamoxifen injections of iCKO mice at 1 month post-surgery accelerated OA development 2 months later. In summary, our data demonstrated that chondrogenic EGFR signaling maintains postnatal slow-cycling cells and plays a critical role in adult cartilage homeostasis and OA progression. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Interleukin‐6 potentiates endurance training adaptation and improves functional capacity in old mice
Authors: Leuchtmann Aurel B. , Furrer Regula , Steurer Stefan A. , Schneider‐Heieck Konstantin , Karrer‐Cardel Bettina , Sagot Yves , Handschin Christoph 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundInterventions to preserve functional capacities at advanced age are becoming increasingly important. So far, exercise provides the only means to counteract age‐related decrements in physical performance and muscle function. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of exercise interventions in elderly populations is hampered by reduced acceptance and compliance as well as disuse complications. We therefore studied whether application of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), a pleiotropic myokine that is induced by skeletal muscle activity and exerts broad systemic effects in response to exercise, affects physical performance and muscle function alone or in combination with training in aged mice.MethodsSedentary old male mice (Sed+Saline, n = 15) were compared with animals that received recombinant IL‐6 (rIL‐6) in an exercise‐mimicking pulsatile manner (Sed+IL‐6, n = 16), were trained with a moderate‐intensity, low‐volume endurance exercise regimen (Ex+Saline, n = 13), or were exposed to a combination of these two interventions (Ex+IL‐6, n = 16) for 12 weeks. Before and at the end of the intervention, mice underwent a battery of tests to quantify endurance performance, muscle contractility in situ, motor coordination, and gait and metabolic parameters.ResultsMice exposed to enhanced levels of IL‐6 during endurance exercise bouts showed superior improvements in endurance performance (33% more work and 12% greater peak power compared with baseline), fatigue resistance in situ (P = 0.0014 vs. Sed+Saline; P = 0.0199 vs. Sed+IL‐6; and P = 0.0342 vs. Ex+Saline), motor coordination (rotarod performance, P = 0.0428), and gait (gait speed, P = 0.0053) following training. Pulsatile rIL‐6 treatment in sedentary mice had only marginal effects on glucose tolerance and some gait parameters. No increase in adverse events or mortality related to rIL‐6 treatment was observed.ConclusionsAdministration of rIL‐6 paired with treadmill running bouts potentiates the adaptive response to a moderate‐intensity low‐volume endurance exercise regimen in old mice, while being safe and well tolerated.
The morphology of stigma of Asteraceae observed by scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Lu Xiaojian , Ye Xiufen , Hu Ziming , Liu Jiaxi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe morphology of stigma has taxonomic values. To further explore the taxonomy of family Asteraceae, the morphological characteristics of stigma of 28 genera, 32 species, and two varieties in the family were observed using scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the stigma morphology of these Asteraceae plants could be divided into 10 types, of which eight are reported for the first time. The morphological characteristics of stigma support the close relationship between genera Aster and Erigeron and among genera Sonchus, Taraxacum, and Youngia. Our results enriched the stigma type diversity data and provided a morphological basis for the study of the phylogenetic evolution of Asteraceae.
A retrospective study of HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis counselling among non‐Hispanic Black youth diagnosed with bacterial sexually transmitted infections in the United States, 2014–2019
Authors: Watson Dovie L. , Shaw Pamela A. , Petsis Danielle T. , Pickel Julia , Bauermeister José A. , Frank Ian , Wood Sarah M. , Gross Robert 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionYouth account for a disproportionate number of new HIV infections; however, pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use is limited. We evaluated PrEP counselling rates among non‐Hispanic Black youth in the United States after a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of Black youth receiving care at two academically affiliated clinics in Philadelphia between June 2014 and June 2019. We compared PrEP counselling for youth who received primary care services versus those who did not receive primary care services, all of whom met PrEP eligibility criteria due to STI diagnosis per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical practice guidelines. Two logistic regression models for receipt of PrEP counselling were fit: Model 1 focused on sexual and gender minority (SGM) status and Model 2 on rectal STIs with both models adjusted for patient‐ and healthcare‐level factors.ResultsFour hundred and sixteen patients met PrEP eligibility criteria due to STI based on sex assigned at birth and sexual partners. Thirty patients (7%) had documentation of PrEP counselling. Receipt of primary care services was not significantly associated with receipt of PrEP counselling in either Model 1 (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.10 [95% CI 0.01, 0.99]) or Model 2 (aOR 0.52 [95% CI 0.10, 2.77]). Receipt of PrEP counselling was significantly associated with later calendar years of STI diagnosis (aOR 6.80 [95% CI 1.64, 29.3]), assigned male sex at birth (aOR 26.2 [95% CI 3.46, 198]) and SGM identity (aOR 317 [95% CI 39.9, 2521]) in Model 1 and later calendar years of diagnosis (aOR 3.46 [95% CI 1.25, 9.58]), assigned male sex at birth (aOR 18.6 [95% CI 3.88, 89.3]) and rectal STI diagnosis (aOR 28.0 [95% CI 8.07, 97.5]) in Model 2. Fourteen patients (3%) started PrEP during the observation period; 12/14 (86%) were SGM primary care patients assigned male sex at birth.ConclusionsPrEP counselling and uptake among U.S. non‐Hispanic Black youth remain disproportionately low despite recent STI diagnosis. These findings support the need for robust investment in PrEP‐inclusive sexual health services that are widely implemented and culturally tailored to Black youth, particularly cisgender heterosexual females.
Molybdenum cofactor deficiency: A natural history
Authors: Spiegel Ronen , Schwahn Bernd C. , Squires Liza , Confer Nils 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMolybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) includes three ultrarare autosomal recessive inborn errors of metabolism (MoCD type A [MoCD‐A], MoCD‐B, and MoCD‐C) that cause sulfite intoxication disorders. This natural history study analyzed retrospective data for 58 living or deceased patients (MoCD‐A, n = 41; MoCD‐B, n = 17). MoCD genotype, survival, neuroimaging, and medical history were assessed retrospectively. Prospective biomarker data were collected for 21 living MoCD patients. The primary endpoint was survival to 1 year of age in MoCD‐A patients. Of the 58 MoCD patients, 49 (MoCD‐A, n = 36; MoCD‐B, n = 13) had first presenting symptoms by Day 28 (neonatal onset; median: 2 and 4 days, respectively). One‐year survival rates were 77.4% (overall), 71.8% (neonatal onset MoCD‐A), and 76.9% (neonatal onset MoCD‐B); median ages at death were 2.4, 2.4, and 2.2 years, respectively. The most common presenting symptoms in the overall population were seizures (60.3%) and feeding difficulties (53.4%). Sequelae included profound developmental delay, truncal hypotonia, limb hypertonia that evolved to spastic quadriplegia or diplegia, dysmorphic features, and acquired microcephaly. In MoCD‐A and MoCD‐B, plasma and urinary xanthine and S‐sulfocysteine concentrations were high; urate remained below the normal reference range. MOCS1 mutation homozygosity was common. Six novel mutations were identified. MoCD is a severe neurodegenerative disorder that often manifests during the neonatal period with intractable seizures and feeding difficulties, with rapidly progressive significant neurologic disabilities and high 1‐year mortality rates. Delineation of MoCD natural history supports evaluations of emerging replacement therapy with cPMP for MoCD‐A, which may modify disease course for affected individuals.
Priapism caused by partial deficiency of tetrahydrobiopterin through hypofunction of the sympathetic neurons in sepiapterin reductase gene‐disrupted mice
Authors: Sumi‐Ichinose Chiho , Suganuma Yui , Kano Taiki , Ikemoto Kazuhisa , Ihira Noriko , Ichinose Hiroshi , Kondo Kazunao 
Published: February 2022

Abstract6R‐L‐erythro‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for aromatic L‐amino acid hydroxylases, including tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), alkylglycerol monooxygenase, and three types of nitric oxide (NO) synthases (NOS). Sepiapterin reductase (SPR) catalyzes the third step of BH4 biosynthesis. SPR gene‐disrupted (Spr−/−) mice exhibit a dystonic posture, low body weight, hyperphenylalaninemia, and unstable hypertension with endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we found that Spr−/− mice suffered from a high incidence of severe priapism. Their erections persisted for months. The biopterin, BH4, and norepinephrine contents, and TH protein levels in the penile tissue of Spr−/− mice without and with priapism were significantly reduced compared to those of Spr+/+ mice. In contrast, their neural NOS (nNOS) protein levels were increased, and the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were remarkably elevated in the penises of Spr−/− mice with priapism. The symptoms were relieved by repeated administration of BH4. The biopterin, BH4, and norepinephrine contents were increased in penile homogenates from BH4‐supplemented Spr−/− mice, and the TH protein levels tended to increase, and their nitrite plus nitrate levels were significantly lower than those of vehicle‐treated Spr−/− mice and were approximately the same as vehicle‐ and BH4‐supplemented Spr+/+ mice. Thus, we deduced that the priapism of Spr−/− mice is primarily caused by hypofunction of the sympathetic neurons due to cofactor depletion and the loss of TH protein and, further, dysregulation of the NO/cGMP signaling pathway, which would be caused by disinhibition of nNOS‐containing neurons and/or abnormal catabolism of cyclic nucleotides is suggested.
Links between precipitation, circulation weather types and orography in central Italy
Authors: Silvestri Lorenzo , Saraceni Miriam , Bongioannini Cerlini Paolina 
Published: February 2022

AbstractRecent analyses of satellite and surface observations reported a negative annual rainfall trend in central Italy. The complex orography of the Apennines and the strong influence of climate change in the Mediterranean basin complicates the explanation of such trends and their spatial variability. This work aims at describing the link between circulation weather types, orography and precipitation patterns observed in central Italy, as a first step towards the understanding of such climate trends. Using ERA5 reanalysis data from 1951 to 2019, four weather types are identified as most responsible for the spatial variability of rainfall in central Italy. They are associated with cyclonic circulations characterized by high water vapour transport coming from west, south‐west, south‐east and north‐east. The analysis of wind speed and precipitation climatology for the period 1951–2019, as derived from both surface observations and reanalysis, confirms a strong influence of moist south‐westerly fluxes over all the domain, while the effect of north‐easterly fluxes remains confined to the Apennines and the Adriatic coast. ERA5 overestimates annual rainfall in most parts of the region, except on the north‐central Apennines where the underestimation reaches average values of 300 mm. The analysis of circulation weather types and their associated precipitation variability demonstrates that this deficit can be ascribed to a wrong representation of the orographic precipitation component as seen by ERA5 in correspondence of cyclonic north‐easterly and westerly flows impinging towards the north‐central Apennines. Indeed the precipitation associated with north‐easterly and westerly fluxes shows the strongest modulation by orography. This interaction and its possible modification by climate change effects should be considered in future studies investigating recent climate trends in central Italy.
Mental illnesses as a potential risk factor for non‐medical use of prescription opioids: a narrative review
Authors: De Guzman Keshia R. , Puljevic Cheneal , Snoswell Centaine L. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis review summarises the available evidence on mental illnesses as a potential risk factor for non‐medical use of prescription opioids (NUPO) and discusses how these findings may be applicable to clinicians in the Australian healthcare setting. A literature search of PubMed and Embase was conducted in November 2019 to identify articles on NUPO and mental illnesses; articles were considered relevant if they examined associations between NUPO and mental illnesses. A narrative synthesis was used to summarise the findings. The evidence synthesised from this review shows that mental illness may be a risk factor for NUPO. Although there is limited literature in Australia, strong associations between mental illness and NUPO were identified among various study cohorts, including people receiving treatment for risky substance use, chronic pain patients and community‐based samples. Pharmacists can be involved in potential strategies to reduce NUPO‐related harm, particularly for individuals who are more likely to engage in NUPO. Understanding potential risk factors for NUPO, such as the diagnosis of a mental illness, may inform safer and more effective opioid dispensing and prescribing by clinicians.
Management of heart failure in older people
Authors: Warner Victoria , Nguyen David , Bayles Timothy , Hopper Ingrid 
Published: February 2022

AbstractHeart failure contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality in older people. It is a chronic and progressive disease, with prevalence set to increase with the ageing population as incidence is strongly associated with age. There are many pharmacotherapies available for the treatment of heart failure which reduce morbidity and mortality. These include angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, beta‐blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and more recently angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor and sodium glucose co‐transporter type 2 inhibitors. Older people are under‐represented in large randomised clinical trials and therefore data supporting efficacy and safety of heart failure treatments for older people is not as strong as it is for younger people. Additionally, older people with heart failure have higher rates of polypharmacy, comorbidity, cognitive impairment and frailty. This article summarises the principles of heart failure therapy based on evidence‐based guidelines as well as the challenges of appropriate management in older people.