Annual Rate Research Articles

Identification and evaluation of the evolution stage of the agricultural machinery industry cluster in Shandong Province

AbstractAgricultural machinery industry clusters have great potential to solve key technological problems in China, and it is crucial to accurately identify the stage of cluster evolution. Based on the location entropy method, this paper finds that the location quotient coefficient is greater than 1.2 and the average annual growth rate is 1.11%, which indicates that the agricultural machinery industry in Shandong Province has a high degree of agglomeration, but the agglomeration speed is slow. Using the Groundings agglomeration—Economic network—Social network—Service system model, it is found that the agricultural machinery industry cluster in Shandong province is in the growth stage, in which the service system has the most significant influence on its development level. The weights of service system, social network, economic network, and basic resource aggregation derived from the Analytic Hierarchy Process model are 0.410, 0.321, 0.151, and 0.118, respectively, where agglomeration degree of the agricultural machinery industry, raw material production of agricultural machinery enterprises, exchange of tacit knowledge and intermediary service level are the four indicators with the greatest weights in the influences on sustainable development of the agricultural machinery industry. Because of the strong fuzzy nature between the indicators, this paper applies the Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation method to quantify the stage of evolution of Shandong Province's agricultural machinery industry cluster.

Modelling the GDP of KSA using linear and non-linear NNAR and hybrid stochastic time series models.

Gross domestic product (GDP) serves as a crucial economic indicator for measuring a country's economic growth, exhibiting both linear and non-linear trends. This study aims to analyze and propose an efficient and accurate time series approach for modeling and forecasting the GDP annual growth rate (%) of Saudi Arabia, a key financial indicator of the country. Stochastic linear and non-linear time series modeling, along with hybrid approaches, are employed and their results are compared. Initially, conventional linear and nonlinear methods such as ARIMA, Exponential smoothing, TBATS, and NNAR are applied. Subsequently, hybrid models combining these individual time series approaches are utilized. Model diagnostics, including mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), are employed as criteria for model selection to identify the best-performing model. The findings demonstrated that the neural network autoregressive (NNAR) model, as a non-linear approach, outperformed all other models, exhibiting the lowest values of MAE, RMSE and MAPE. The NNAR(5,3) projected the GDP of 1.3% which is close to the projection of IMF benchmark (1.9) for the year 2023. The selected model can be employed by economists and policymakers to formulate appropriate policies and plans. This quantitative study provides policymakers with a basis for monitoring fluctuations in GDP growth from 2022 to 2029 and ensuring the sustained progression of GDP beyond 2029. Additionally, this study serves as a guide for researchers to test these approaches in different economic dynamics.

Examining amyloid reduction as a surrogate endpoint through latent class analysis using clinical trial data for dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease.

Increasing evidence suggests that amyloid reduction could serve as a plausible surrogate endpoint for clinical and cognitive efficacy. The double-blind phase 3 DIAN-TU-001 trial tested clinical and cognitive declines with increasing doses of solanezumab or gantenerumab. We used latent class (LC) analysis on data from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit 001 trial to test amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) reduction as a potential surrogate biomarker. LC analysis categorized participants into three classes: amyloid no change, amyloid reduction, and amyloid growth, based on longitudinal amyloid Pittsburgh compound B PET standardized uptake value ratio data. The amyloid-no-change class was at an earlier disease stage for amyloid amounts and dementia. Despite similar baseline characteristics, the amyloid-reduction class exhibited reductions in the annual decline rates compared to the amyloid-growth class across multiple biomarker, clinical, and cognitive outcomes. LC analysis indicates that amyloid reduction is associated with improved clinical outcomes and supports its use as a surrogate biomarker in clinical trials. We used latent class (LC) analysis to test amyloid reduction as a surrogate biomarker. Despite similar baseline characteristics, the amyloid-reduction class exhibited remarkably better outcomes compared to the amyloid-growth class across multiple measures. LC analysis proves valuable in testing amyloid reduction as a surrogate biomarker in clinical trials lacking significant treatment effects.

Energy efficiency retrofitting measures of an institutional building: A case study in eastern India

Increasing energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions are major concerns in India. Building energy use in India accounts for 33 % of total energy consumption and is growing at an annual rate of 8 %. In order to save energy, energy conservation in buildings should be given primary importance. Energy conservation practices can reduce energy use in buildings while maintaining thermal comfort. This can be achieved by optimising existing energy use or lowering consumption. One such initiative was undertaken by Siksha 'O' Anusandhan Deemed to be University. It analysed the energy consumption pattern and possible energy conservation opportunities (ECOs) to lower energy usage in its buildings at campus 1 in Bhubaneswar. The Energy Conservation Building Code Odisha (OECBC) was followed to reduce energy use by replacing all the damaged windows with efficient glazing. By following OECBC guidelines, we can save up to 30 % of the energy consumed by an existing building. Besides, energy conservation measures were performed by replacing ceiling fans with brushless direct current (BLDC) fans, existing lights with LED bulbs, and using variable speed drives instead of induction motors. This study will help to define the most efficient energy conservation measures for existing buildings in terms of cost and energy savings. Retrofitting the present building with energy-saving devices will cost INR 21, 32, 90,152 with an overall annual energy savings of 47, 28,177 kWh and a yearly cost saving of INR 319,66,703.

Study on the Application of a Multi-Energy Complementary Distributed Energy System Integrating Waste Heat and Surplus Electricity for Hydrogen Production

To improve the recovery of waste heat and avoid the problem of abandoning wind and solar energy, a multi-energy complementary distributed energy system (MECDES) is proposed, integrating waste heat and surplus electricity for hydrogen storage. The system comprises a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system with a gas engine (GE), solar and wind power generation, and miniaturized natural gas hydrogen production equipment (MNGHPE). In this novel system, the GE’s waste heat is recycled as water vapor for hydrogen production in the waste heat boiler, while surplus electricity from renewable sources powers the MNGHPE. A mathematical model was developed to simulate hydrogen production in three building types: offices, hotels, and hospitals. Simulation results demonstrate the system’s ability to store waste heat and surplus electricity as hydrogen, thereby providing economic benefit, energy savings, and carbon reduction. Compared with traditional energy supply methods, the integrated system achieves maximum energy savings and carbon emission reduction in office buildings, with an annual primary energy reduction rate of 49.42–85.10% and an annual carbon emission reduction rate of 34.88–47.00%. The hydrogen production’s profit rate is approximately 70%. If the produced hydrogen is supplied to building through a hydrogen fuel cell, the primary energy reduction rate is further decreased by 2.86–3.04%, and the carbon emission reduction rate is further decreased by 12.67–14.26%. This research solves the problem of waste heat and surplus energy in MECDESs by the method of hydrogen storage and system integration. The economic benefits, energy savings, and carbon reduction effects of different building types and different energy allocation scenarios were compared, as well as the profitability of hydrogen production and the factors affecting it. This has a positive technical guidance role for the practical application of MECDESs.

Exploring spatiotemporal dynamics of NDVI and climate-driven responses in ecosystems: Insights for sustainable management and climate resilience

Understanding the intricate relationship between climate variables and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is essential for effective ecosystem management. This study focuses on the spatiotemporal dynamics of NDVI and its interaction with climate variables in the ecologically diverse Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province, Pakistan, from 2000 to 2022. The research methodology involves analyzing satellite images and meteorological datasets to examine NDVI and surface latent heat flux (SHF), total precipitation (TPP), temperature (T), soil temperature (ST), and total pressure (TP). KPK Province's ecological significance and complex climate-vegetation interactions drive the selection of this study area. The study uses multiple linear regression analysis to investigate how T, TPP, SHF, and TP influence NDVI. The Mann-Kendall test detects trends, with Sen's slope estimator quantifying trend magnitudes. Additionally, correlation coefficients provide insights into long-term changes and association strengths. The findings highlight a consistent upward trend in mean NDVI over the 23 years, revealing an overall increase in NDVI, particularly in vegetation-dense areas where it rose from 0.27 to 0.32. The research showed an annual growth rate of 0.84% in the entire area, with specific vegetated zones exhibiting a slightly lower rate of 0.80%. However, the average yearly increase in NDVI is higher in vegetation-specific zones (0.00237) compared to the whole area (0.00151). This increase in NDVI occurs alongside a statistically significant decrease in SHF and PPT, suggesting a complex adaptation of vegetation to changing climate conditions in the KPK Province. In contrast, SHF exhibits a statistically significant negative slope of −5.952e-06 (p < 0.05), indicating a pronounced downward trend. Similarly, Sen's slope estimate for precipitation demonstrates a significant negative trend of −0.0001 (p < 0.05), showing diminishing precipitation. The study uncovers intricate linkages between climate variables and vegetation dynamics within KPK Province. These insights have far-reaching implications, guiding decision-making in land management, conservation efforts, and global climate resilience strategies. Ultimately, the research underscores the critical role of data-driven approaches in shaping a greener and more sustainable future.

Estimation of suspended sediment balance of a small catchment in Southwestern Nigeria.

Human use index caused by population pressure in Opa catchment Ile Ife, Southwestern Nigeria, has resulted in catchment denudation, accelerated erosion, and sediment delivery into a man-made (1978) reservoir (Opa) in the catchment. This study is aimed at evaluating the suspended sediment balance of Opa reservoir with a view to ascertain the annual siltation rate. River discharges, water levels, suspended sediment concentrations/yield, and flow velocities were monitored, and data collected from all the tributaries of the Opa reservoir and the spillway (outlet) in the period 2017-2018. Water samples collected were subjected to gravimetric analysis, and the results utilized to obtain sediment rating curves and to compute the suspended sediment balance. Suspended sediment inflow from the six sub-catchments ranged from 8.49 to 29.05tons/ha, with a total inflow of 1146.50tons/ha into the reservoir during the hydrological year. The corresponding outflow through the spillway was 615.70tons/ha. 530.80tons/ha was sequestered in the reservoir, equivalent to an estimate of 46% suspended sediment deposited in the reservoir. The high sediment yield in Opa reservoir is due to the dredging and clearing of the river channels in the catchment of any impediment thereby enhancing sediment delivery into the reservoir. Sediment loads were higher in the rainy season suggesting catchment erosion as the main factor responsible for the sediment yield into the reservoir. The study concluded that the positive suspended sediment balance suggests sediment sequestration with an increasing tendency for accelerated elimination of the wetland in the face of poor environmental management and enhanced human activities.

The Effects of Structural Transformation of the Indian Economy on the Land Use Pattern

Due to high density of population the per capita availability of land in India is comparatively less than the rest of the world. As a result, issues concerning the effective and efficient use of scarce land resources are becoming increasingly important in the Indian context. Importance of agriculture in the economy has been declining in terms of the sector’s share in GDP. On the other hand, the importance of the service sector is rapidly growing. Urbanisation has also increased significantly. Given these trends, it is quite possible that the land-use pattern in India has also been changing over the years in response to the structural changes that its economy has been going through. With this possibility in mind, the paper aims to examine whether changes in sectoral composition of the economy are reflected in the country’s land use pattern also. Further, it explores if changes in the sectoral land shares have any correspondence with comparative sectoral land productivity trends. Data on Gross Value Added (GVA) and Land -Use Pattern, accessed from relevant websites of the Government of India have first been processed by computing ratios and percentage, and drawing trend lines. Further, econometric methods have been used to estimate annual compound growth rates. Results show that agriculture has been able to sustain overall growth, including an increase in food-grain production, despite stagnations in its land share. Non-agricultural sectors have been able to claim increasing shares of land from the reduction of barren, unculturable, and cultivable wastelands. But the important point to note here is that the land-share of non-agriculture has been increasing not at the expense of agriculture but from progressively bringing to use lands which were previously not under any economic use. This is a positive development in economic use of the country’s limited land resource.

A Mathematical Algorithm for Dried Blood Spot Quality Assessment and Results concerning Quality from a Newborn Screening Program.

In addition to newborn screening, dried blood spots (DBSs) are used for a wide variety of analytes for clinical, epidemiological, and research purposes. Guidelines on DBS collection, storage, and transport are available, but it is suggested that each laboratory should establish its own acceptance criteria. An optical scanning device was developed to assess the quality of DBSs received in the newborn screening laboratory from 11 maternity wards between 2013 and 2018. The algorithm was adjusted to agree with the visual examination consensus of experienced laboratory personnel. Once validated, the algorithm was used to categorize DBS specimens as either proper or improper. Improper DBS specimens were further divided based on 4 types of specimen defects. In total, 27 301 DBSs were analyzed. Compared with an annual DBS rejection rate of about 1%, automated scanning rejected 26.96% of the specimens as having at least one defect. The most common specimen defect was multi-spotting (ragged DBS, 19.13%). Among maternity wards, improper specimen rates varied greatly between 5.70% and 49.92%. Improper specimen rates, as well as the dominant type of defect(s), are mainly institution-dependent, with various maternity wards consistently showing specific patterns of both parameters over time. Although validated in agreement with experienced laboratory personnel consensus, automated analysis rejects significantly more specimens. While continuous staff training, specimen quality monitoring, and problem-reporting to maternities is recommended, a thorough quality assessment strategy should also be implemented by every newborn screening laboratory. An important role in this regard may be played by automation in the form of optical scanning devices.

Trends in cognitive function before and after myocardial infarction: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

Incident stroke was associated with cognitive dysfunction after stroke and even before stroke. However, cognitive trends prior to myocardial infarction (MI) and the timeline of cognitive decline in a few years following incident MI remain unclear, especially among the Chinese population. We aimed to evaluate whether MI was associated with cognitive change both before and after MI in China. This cohort study included 11,287 participants without baseline heart problems or stroke from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The exposure was self-reported MI. The outcomes were scores of cognitive functions in five domains, which reflected abilities of episodic memory, visuospatial abilities, orientation, attention and calculation, and global cognition as a summary measure. A Linear mixed model was constructed to explore cognitive function before and after incident MI among the MI participants and the cognitive trends of participants free of MI. During the 7-year follow-up, 421 individuals [3.7% of 11,287, mean (SD) age, 60.0 (9.0) years; 59.1% female] experienced MI events. The cognitive scores of participants of both the MI group and the control group without MI declined gradually as time went by. The annual decline rate of the MI group before incident MI was similar to that of the control group during the whole follow-up period. Incident MI was not associated with acute cognitive decline in all five cognitive domains. Moreover, MI did not accelerate the cognitive decline rate after MI compared with the pre-MI cognitive trends. The decline rate of cognitive function after MI was similar to the rate before MI. Different from stroke, participants who had an MI did not show steeper cognitive decline before MI. MI was not associated with acute cognitive decline and accelerated decline in several years after MI. Future studies are needed to learn the mechanisms behind the different patterns of cognitive decline between MI and stroke.

Declining Incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Norway 1999-2017: Data From a Population Cohort Identified by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision Code and Verified by Classification.

The goal of this study was to provide complete, robust data on annual systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) incidence rates over nearly two decades from the Southeast Norway area (2.9 million inhabitants) and assess accuracy of SLE-specific International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes for SLE diagnosis. From administrative databases, we identified all cases International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) coded as SLE during 1999 through 2017 in Southeast Norway. We manually reviewed the chart of every case ICD-10 coded as SLE to either confirm or reject SLE diagnosis. Using SLE classification criteria, we classified all cases with confirmed SLE. We estimated annual incidence rates of classified SLE, and subsets, defined by age at diagnosis, sex, and parental country of birth. The chi-square test was applied for linear time-trend analyses of incidence. Among the 3,488 cases ICD-10 coded as SLE, chart reviews confirmed SLE diagnosis in 1,558 (45%), of which 797 had new-onset disease during 1999 through 2017. Annual SLE incidence rates fell during 1999 to 2017. The fall was most pronounced in female persons 50 to 59 years old at diagnosis, in whom incidence fell from 3.4 to 1.1 per 100,000 persons (P trend < 0.001). Concurrent ecological data from the study area showed a 74% reduction in prescriptions of menopausal hormone treatment. Accuracy of ICD-10 codes for incident SLE diagnosis was acceptable in juveniles and young adults (up to 20 years) but otherwise low. In a presumably complete population-based cohort, we identified decreasing incidence of SLE, especially among female persons 50 to 59 years old. Although reasons for declining incidence are not clear, ecological data indicate a possible role of environmental factors, for example, menopausal hormone treatments.

Spatial and temporal evolution and drivers of GHG emissions from urban domestic wastewater treatment in China: a review at the provincial level.

To mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the wastewater treatment industry, it is crucial to explore GHG emission patterns and propose useful measures. In this study, we use the Kaya model and LMDI decomposition method to analyze the changes in GHG emissions from urban domestic wastewater treatment at the provincial level and further explore the distribution characteristics and driving factors of urban domestic wastewater treatment GHG emissions across various years and regions. The results indicate the following: (1) In the temporal dimension, urban domestic wastewater treatment GHG emissions are increasing, from 21.0 MtCO2 in 2011 to 27.1 MtCO2 in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 2.88%. The spatial distribution is high in the southeast and low in the northwest. There is variability in the spatial evolution trend of GHG emissions by province, with the growth rate becoming slower or even negative in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and North China, while the average annual growth rate exceeds 25% in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. (2) According to the decomposition results of driving factors, economic scale is the dominant positive driver, and the positive contributions of TI and the population effect are limited. The sludge disposal structure is the main negative driver, and the EEI and technology have restricted negative contributions. (3) Based on the decomposition results, for major coastal GHG emitters, such as Guangdong and Shandong, it is necessary to invest capital and technology to continuously upgrade the wastewater treatment process and reduce non-CO2 emissions. Along with adopting circular economy schemes, local governments in the northwestern region should transform the traditional sludge disposal structure and optimize the power supply structure to increase carbon offset and reduce CO2 emissions. The findings suggest a low-carbon transformation path to support the industry's dual carbon goals.

Predicting environmental impacts of smallholder wheat production by coupling life cycle assessment and machine learning

Wheat grain production is a vital component of the food supply produced by smallholder farms but faces significant threats from climate change. This study evaluated eight environmental impacts of wheat production using life cycle assessment based on survey data from 274 households, then built random forest models with 21 input features to contrast the environmental responses of different farming practices across three shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs), spanning from 2024 to 2100. The results indicate significant environmental repercussions. Compared to the baseline period of 2018–2020, a similar upward trend in environmental impacts is observed, showing an average annual growth rate of 5.88 % (ranging from 0.45 to 18.56 %) under the sustainable pathway (SSP119) scenario; 5.90 % (ranging from 1.00 to 18.15 %) for the intermediate development pathway (SSP245); and 6.22 % (ranging from 1.16 to 17.74 %) under the rapid economic development pathway (SSP585). Variation in rainfall is identified as the primary driving factor of the increased environmental impacts, whereas its relationship with rising temperatures is not significant. The results suggest adopting farming practices as a vital strategy for smallholder farms to mitigate climate change impacts. Emphasizing appropriate fertilizer application and straw recycling can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of wheat production. Standardized fertilization could reduce the environmental impact index by 11.10 to 47.83 %, while straw recycling might decrease respiratory inorganics and photochemical oxidant formation potential by over 40 %. Combined, these approaches could lower the impact index by 12.31 to 63.38 %. The findings highlight the importance of adopting enhanced farming practices within smallholder farming systems in the context of climate change. Spotlights•China's smallholder wheat farming is increasingly exposed to climate threats, risking resource depletion and pollution•Increasing eco-impacts of smallholder wheat farming could be mitigated by regulated fertilizer use and straw recycling•Life cycle assessment combined with machine learning targets future environmental impacts in dynamic climate scenarios•The study offers actionable policy advice for sustainable smallholder wheat farming practices•Future work may probe machine learning's role in forecasting smallholder production behaviors and farming decision aid

Comprehensive evaluation on the performance of a novel solar seawater desalination system

To address the scarcity of freshwater in isolated coastal areas without electricity, a novel solar seawater desalination system consisting of an efficient evacuated U-tube solar collector and hydrophilic modified tubular still is theoretically proposed. Based on the laws of thermodynamics, mathematical expressions for the freshwater yield rate, exergy efficiency and energy efficiency of the solar seawater desalination system are derived and used to predict the performance features. Under a solar irradiation intensity of 1000 W m−2, the freshwater yield rate, exergy efficiency and energy efficiency are, respectively, 2.75 kg m−2 h−1, 5.17 %, and 46.58 %, showing a bright prospect. To further enhance the performance, extensive parametric studies are conducted. Results indicate that increasing the working fluid flow rate, environment temperature, while decreasing the inlet water temperature of evacuated U-tube solar collector, wind velocity, as well as the hydrophilic modified tubular still tubular shell diameter and length, have a positive impact on the performance of solar seawater desalination system. Local sensitivity analyses further reveal that the wind velocity is the most sensitive variable, while the working fluid flow rate is the least sensitive variable. Based on the weather data from Ningbo, China, case studies reveal that, under realistic solar irradiation intensities of 964.25 W m−2 and 248.67 W m−2, the system demonstrates a freshwater yield rate, exergy efficiency, and energy efficiency of 2.62 kg m−2 h−1, 5.06 %, 46.18 %, and 0.45 kg m−2 h−1, 1.72 %, 31.21 %, respectively. Over a 21-year period (2002–2022), case studies demonstrate that the solar seawater desalination system can achieve an average annual freshwater yield rate of 1302.78 kg m−2.

Double-edged sword: China’s free trade agreements reinforces embodied greenhouse gas transfers in agricultural products

AbstractChina, as the world’s largest importer, heavily relies on agricultural products. However, the impact of China’s free trade agreements (FTAs) on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions embodied in agricultural product imports has been overlooked. It’s crucial to analyze changes in embodied GHG emissions resulting from FTAs. We categorize 367 agricultural products into 15 categories and construct a dataset on the embodied GHG emissions of these products imported by China from 119 countries between 2000 and 2015. Using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM)-progressive difference-in-differences (DID) method, our findings indicate that China’s FTAs have double-edged impact on agricultural product imports. It has positively influenced imports, with a 12.22% annual growth rate, promoting economic integration. However, it has negatively affected GHG emissions, leading to a 53.00% increase in emissions from agricultural imports. These findings highlight the importance of addressing production and consumption in reducing GHG strategies with agricultural products.

Trend analysis of malaria surveillance data in West Wallaga, West Oromia, Ethiopia: a framework for planning and elimination

BackgroundAlthough Ethiopia has made a remarkable progress towards malaria prevention and control, malaria remains one of the most devastating parasitic diseases affecting humans. However, the distribution and transmission of malaria varies across the country. The study aimed to describe 5 years of malaria distribution and magnitude within the West Wallaga Zone and its respective woredas.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted from April 10, 2019 to May 2019. Surveillance data collected weekly for a 5-year (2014–2018) from health facilities and private clinics that were archived in zonal PHEM database were reviewed. The checklist contained variety of variables was developed to collect data. Descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the proportion of Plasmodium species, positivity rate, mortality and fatality rate, time trend, and admission status; and presented by text, tables and figures.ResultsOf the total of 588,119 suspected malaria cases, 78,658 (43/1000 populations) were positive with average positivity rate of 13.4%. Among confirmed cases, 59,794 (75%) of cases were attributed to Plasmodium falciparum, 16,518 (20%) were Plasmodium vivax, and 2,360 (5%) were mixed infections. The maximum (145,091) and minimum (74,420) transmissions were reported in 2014 and 2018, respectively. There was seasonal variation in transmission; spring (from May to July) and also autumn seasons (from October to November) were found as malaria transmission peaks. Although incidence rate declined throughout the study period, the average annual incidence rate was 14.38 per 1000 populations. The average case fatality rate of 5 consecutive years was 12/78,658 (15/100,000) population.ConclusionAlthough the malaria prevalence was decreased, the mortality due to malaria was increased in the 5-year study period, and malaria is still among the major public health problems. The dominant species of malaria parasites were P. falciparum and P. vivax. Attention is needed in scaling-up vector control tools in high malaria transmission periods.

Biopolymer Composite Materials in Oil and Gas Sector

In the oil and gas industry, the demand for alternative materials is rising due to corrosion and the desire to reduce costs through weight reduction. Polymer composites are gaining attention for their corrosion resistance, favourable strength-to-weight ratio, and cost-effectiveness. The biopolymer composite is projected to have an output worth $4.95 billion between 2021 and 2025 and growth at a 5.38% compound annual growth rate. This review focuses on exploring the potential of natural fibres as reinforcement for biofibre polymer composite pipes in oil and gas, highlighting their ecofriendliness, biodegradability, and cost-efficiency. The paper assesses biopolymer composite pipes’ development, challenges, and applications, particularly those using continuous basalt and banana fibres. While basalt fibre has found field applications, banana fibre-reinforced polymer composites are still in the early research stages. Despite significant oil and gas industry players already endorsing polymer composites, further research is needed for biopolymer composites to address challenges like compatibility, environmental impact, standardisation, long-term durability, production processes, and regulatory acceptance. Advancing biocomposite research and exploring new research opportunities are essential for engineering advancements and advanced materials.

Contemporary lipid-lowering management and risk of cardiovascular events in homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: insights from the Italian LIPIGEN Registry.

The availability of novel lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) has remarkably changed the clinical management of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH). The impact of these advances was evaluated in a cohort of 139 HoFH patients followed in a real-world clinical setting. The clinical characteristics of 139 HoFH patients, along with information about LLTs and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels at baseline and after a median follow-up of 5 years, were retrospectively retrieved from the records of patients enrolled in the LIPid transport disorders Italian GEnetic Network-Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (LIPIGEN-FH) Registry. The annual rates of major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events (MACE-plus) during follow-up were compared before and after baseline. Additionally, the lifelong survival free from MACE-plus was compared with that of the historical LIPIGEN HoFH cohort. At baseline, LDL-C level was 332 ± 138 mg/dL. During follow-up, the potency of LLTs was enhanced and, at the last visit, 15.8% of patients were taking quadruple therapy. Consistently, LDL-C decreased to an average value of 124 mg/dL corresponding to a 58.3% reduction (Pt < 0.001), with the lowest value (∼90 mg/dL) reached in patients receiving proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors and lomitapide and/or evinacumab as add-on therapies. The average annual MACE-plus rate in the 5-year follow-up was significantly lower than that observed during the 5 years before baseline visit (21.7 vs. 56.5 per 1000 patients/year; P = 0.0016). Our findings indicate that the combination of novel and conventional LLTs significantly improved LDL-C control with a signal of better cardiovascular prognosis in HoFH patients. Overall, these results advocate the use of intensive, multidrug LLTs to effectively manage HoFH.

Positioning of Tezepelumab in Severe Asthma.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases and is estimated to be severe in 3%-10% of affected patients. There is a need for additional biologic treatments that are highly efficacious across the spectrum of severe uncontrolled asthma. Currently available drugs inhibit 1 or 2 specific cytokines or IgE antibodies and thus only partially suppress the complex type 2 (T2) inflammatory cascade. Biologics targeting more upstream molecules in the pathophysiological pathway of asthma could treat asthma more effectively. Tezepelumab is a human monoclonal immunoglobulin G2λ antibody that targets the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). It is the first marketed biologic against an epithelial cell-derived cytokine, preventing binding of TSLP to its receptor and reducing the immune stimuli that TSLP can trigger in different asthma endotypes. Tezepelumab reduces downstream biomarkers of inflammation, such as blood and airway eosinophils, FeNO, IgE, IL-5, and IL-13. Tezepelumab provides a clinical benefit in severe asthma, reducing the annualized asthma exacerbation rate in patients with either high or low levels of biomarkers of T2 inflammation, although the effect is greater among those with high levels. The drug has been shown to improve asthma control, quality of life, and lung function and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness. Therefore, tezepelumab can be used across the spectrum of patients with severe uncontrolled asthma, especially in T2-high patients. This review includes a positioning statement by the authors, all of whom are members of the SEAIC Asthma Committee.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Lung Cancer Incidence in the Tumor Registration Area of Gansu Province from 2010 to 2019

Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence rate and the heaviest disease burden in China. In recent years, lung cancer has shown a high incidence trend, seriously affecting the health of the population. In this paper, we analyze the characteristics of lung cancer incidence in 2019 and the trend of incidence rate from 2010-2019 in the tumor registration area of Gansu province, in order to provide a reference basis for the development of lung cancer prevention and control strategies in Gansu province. By analyzing the cases of lung cancer incidence in the tumor registration area of Gansu province in 2019, we calculated the incidence rate, medium incidence rate, world incidence rate and other related indexes; we used Joinpoint to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) for trend analysis. In 2019, a total of 3757 new cases of lung cancer were reported in Gansu province, accounting for 14.96% of all new malignant tumors. The incidence rate, medium incidence rate and world incidence rate and world rate of lung cancer were 40.52/10⁵, 25.78/10⁵, 25.86/10⁵; and the cumulative rate of 0-74 years old, and the truncation rate of 35-64 years old were 3.23%, 40.03/10⁵, respectively. The incidence of lung cancer rises with age, and is high in the age group of 40 years and above, and the incidence peaks in the male and female populations in the group of 75 years and above, and the group of 80 years and above, respectively. The crude incidence rate of lung cancer in the tumor registration area of Gansu province from 2010-2019 showed an overall increasing trend, and the rate of increase was relatively fast, with an APC 5.39% (P<0.05); Separately, according to gender, urban and rural areas, the incidence of lung cancer in all populations showed an increasing trend, and the APC of male, female, urban and rural populations were 4.98%, 6.39%, 6.26%, and 4.64%, respectively (all P<0.05). According to the trend analysis of lung cancer incidence rate by age group, only lung cancer incidence in the age group of 65 years and above increased at an annual average rate of 4.15% (P<0.05). The incidence rate of lung cancer in the tumor registration area of Gansu province from 2010 to 2019 shows a rising trend year by year, and there are differences in the incidence of lung cancer in people of different genders, regions and age groups, so comprehensive prevention and control work should be carried out for the key populations of lung cancer incidence.