Reduction In Output Research Articles

Adequacy of Ambulatory Hemodynamic Assessments for Reducing All-Cause Mortality in Individuals With Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) as a syndrome which is normally associated with significant reduction of cardiac output has evolved to include conditions such those of moderate and preserved ejection fraction. While the prevalence of HF in the population is increasing, it is not HF with reduced ejection fraction that is driving the trajectory upward for mortality. There is some evidence to suggest that a better understanding of the pathophysiology, novel pharmacological strategies, devices, as well as remote monitoring of the hemodynamics seem to account for a reduction in the cardiovascular mortality and re-hospitalization in some cohorts with HF. However, the all-cause mortality associated with HF has not been reduced significantly by the current interventions. To explore the potential approaches needed for the strategies and avenues to reduce all-cause mortality in patients with HF, it would be helpful to evaluate the evidence in the literature directed at the care of patients with chronic/acute decompensated HF. It is evident that ambulatory measurements of pressures and volume are pivotal in a better management of HF but unless the interventions extend to an improvement in the renal function, the chances of reducing all-cause mortality seems modest. Therefore, future directions of interventions must not only be directed at close monitoring of pressures and volume simultaneously in HF patients but also at improving renal function. Moreover, it is clear that venous congestion plays a detrimental role in the deterioration of renal function and until measures are in place to reduce it, all-cause mortality will not decrease.

A comprehensive investigation on performance heterogeneity of commercial-size fuel cell stacks during dynamics operation

The performance heterogeneity of commercial-size proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells comprises both inter-cell consistency and intra-cell uniformity, which can lead to the generation of degrading stressors, such as harmful variations in local cell voltage and current density. However, there is a notable absence of a thorough investigation of the potential correlation between inter-cell consistency and intra-cell uniformity. To address this knowledge gap, a comprehensive experimental study was conducted via the current distribution model to assess the impact of several operating variables, including loading rate, cathode stoichiometry ratio, and cathode pressure, on the performance heterogeneity of commercial-size fuel cell stacks. The results indicate that cells situated on both end sides of the stack are more susceptible to non-equipotential phenomena owing to liquid water accumulation and the inhomogeneity of oxygen distribution, which in turn lead to the redistribution of the in-plane current as well as the deviation of the bipolar plate potential. Moreover, a significant correlation exists between inter-cell consistency and intra-cell uniformity of cells placed at both ends of the stack with a correlation coefficient > 0.85. The enhancement of fuel cell stack output performance and reduction of performance heterogeneity may be achieved by optimizing pressure and stoichiometric ratio. However, it should be noted that there exists a discrepancy in the operating conditions necessary to achieve optimal performance and minimal performance heterogeneity. Finally, the recommendations given for the implementation of cell voltage monitors (CVMs) were summarized. This study provides a comprehensive reference for analyzing complex heterogeneity issues within fuel cells, revealing significant potential in their application.

Environmental regulation and firms' emission reduction – The policy of eliminating backward production capacity as a quasi-natural experiment

This study examines the effects of environmental regulations on firms' emission reductions. Using the Eliminating Backward Production Capacity policy in China as a quasi-natural experiment, our matching difference-in-differences estimation shows that the policy significantly reduces the sulfur dioxide (SO2) intensity of regulated firms by 5%. The results remain robust across different specifications and alternative outcome variables. The mechanism test results show that the reduction in SO2 intensity results from a smaller reduction in total output than in total SO2 emissions or energy consumption. This effect is particularly pronounced in regions with stronger motivation to reduce emissions, less fiscal pressure, and higher levels of air pollution, as well as in the central and western regions. Furthermore, this study finds a pollution leakage from regulated firms to other local firms. The larger the size of other local firms, the more pronounced the increase in their output. Overall, we find a 50% rebound in pollution due to leakage. However, as the policy also increases total output by 187%, our results indicate that the policy is effective in substituting backward with advanced production capacity. Our findings provide empirical evidence regarding the use of command-and-control policies to adjust the technological structure of production for technological upgrading and environmental improvement. This provides a valuable reference for developing countries to consider similar policies.

Speed & gear dynamic planning and velocity tracking control considering traffic light information

To optimize fuel economy and improve vehicle longitudinal control performance, this paper proposed a speed & gear planning strategy considering traffic light information and velocity tracking control. First, to guarantee that the vehicle can pass through traffic lights without stop if possible and retain the highest terminal speed, this article discusses a Propelling or Coasting (PoC) serialization scheme. The speed & gear planning are realized by adjusting acceleration while propelling, with the upper and lower speeds set according to vehicle status and traffic light information; Second, to improve the accuracy and anti-perturbation performance of longitudinal control, a compound control method using improved Global Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control (GFT-SMC) is developed, which enables the reduction of control output while maintaining high tracking performance and smooth control ability. Finally, both the hardware-in-loop (HIL) and real-vehicle experimental results show that the proposed control method effectively improves fuel economy with better speed tracking performance and strong perturbation robustness.

Impacts of multiple livelihood diversification strategies on diet quality and welfare of smallholder farmers: Insight from Kaffa zone of Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, agriculture is the primary source of food and livelihood for many rural households, making it a dominant sector that seeks to reduce food/nutrition insecurity and poverty. Even if it is dominant, currently the sector is facing many challenges such as unexpected shock like drought and flooding, reduction in output mainly due to soil nutrient degradation and lack of capital to use improved agricultural technologies. Hence, rural households are compelled to develop strategies to cope with the increasing vulnerability associated with agricultural production. The current study therefore assessed rural households' participation in a combination of multiple livelihood diversification strategies and its impact on diet quality and welfare of smallholder farmers in Southwestern Ethiopia. As the average treatment effect on the treated result from multinomial endogenous switching regression model shows, an isolated participation in non-farm livelihood diversification results in a significant effect on smallholder farmers' welfare but, it doesn't have a significant effect on nutrition security measured in dietary diversity. Likewise, joint participation in off-farm and non-farm livelihood diversification results in a significant effect on rural households' nutrition security however it doesn't have a significant effect on welfare. The only livelihood diversification package that has a significant effect on both welfare and nutrition security simultaneously is off-farm livelihood diversification alone. As a result, policymakers and rural finance programs should shift their focus and place a greater emphasis in incentivizing smallholder farmers to invest on diversification strategies that can boost both welfare and nutrition security simultaneously, which is off-farm diversification.

Is crystalloid co-loading necessary to prevent spinal hypotension during elective cesarean delivery? A randomized double-blind trial

BackgroundHypotension is common during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Preventive strategies include fluid loading and phenylephrine. We hypothesized that if prophylactic phenylephrine infusion is used, omission of fluid loading would be non-inferior to fluid co-loading in maintaining cardiac output. We assumed that if there was a difference, the increase in cardiac output would be greater in the no-loading than in the co-loading group. MethodsTerm pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery were randomized to receive 1 L crystalloid co-loading or maintenance fluids only. Phenylephrine was titrated to maintain blood pressure. Changes in cardiac output following spinal anesthesia were the primary outcome. The study was powered as a non-inferiority trial, allowing the no-loading arm to have a 50% greater change in cardiac output. Heart rate, dose of phenylephrine, occurrence of nausea and vomiting, Apgar scores and neonatal acid base status were secondary outcomes. ResultsData from 63 women were analyzed. In contrast to our hypothesis, there was 33% less increase in cardiac output with no loading (ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.36), and 60% greater reduction of cardiac output with no loading (ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.7). Total dose of phenylephrine was higher in the no-loading group. There may be a less favorable neonatal acid base status without volume loading. ConclusionOmission of crystalloid co-loading leads to a decrease in cardiac output which has a potentially unfavorable impact on neonatal acid base status. We conclude that crystalloid co-loading may be useful in the presence of phenylephrine infusion.

Performance evaluation of three grid-connected monocrystalline silicon solar photovoltaic systems in Nepal

This study evaluates three grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems using four criteria: final yield, performance ratio, capacity utilization factor, and system efficiency. The PV systems were installed on the rooftop of the Nepal Telecom office at Sundhara, Pokhara, and Biratnagar. The generation data was collected through the web interface of the data logger installed at the sites. Long-term comparison (four years) of the plant at Sundhara and the same system comparison of plants at Pokhara and Biratnagar were performed. Long-term analysis of the plant at Sundhara found that the final yield decreased from 2.91 kWh/kWp in 2019 to 2.21 kWh/kWp in 2022. Similarly, the performance ratio decreased from 91.0% in 2019 to 67.3% in 2022, capacity utilization factor decreased from 12.1% in 2019 to 9.2% in 2022, and system efficiency decreased from 16.8% in 2019 to 12.5% in 2022. The same system installed at Pokhara and Biratnagar had slightly varied performance owing to the variation in meteorological parameters. The average air temperature at Biratnagar (26.7°C) was higher than at Pokhara (13.1°C) while the amount of solar radiation at Biratnagar was just higher by 4%. This led to the reduction of final yield by 9% at Biratnagar than at Pokhara as higher temperatures at Biratnagar caused more reduction in the power output from the solar panels. Finally, this study provides insights to researchers, PV installers, and panel manufacturers on the actual performance of grid-connected solar PV in Nepal.

Identifying predictors of translocation success in rare plant species.

The fundamental goal of a rare plant translocation is to create self-sustaining populations with the evolutionary resilience to persist in the long term. Yet, most plant translocation syntheses focus on a few factors influencing short-term benchmarks of success (e.g., survival and reproduction). Short-term benchmarks can be misleading when trying to infer future growth and viability because the factors that promote establishment may differ from those required for long-term persistence. We assembled a large (n = 275) and broadly representative data set of well-documented and monitored (7.9 years on average) at-risk plant translocations to identify the most important site attributes, management techniques, and species' traits for six life-cycle benchmarks and population metrics of translocation success. We used the random forest algorithm to quantify the relative importance of 29 predictor variables for each metric of success. Drivers of translocation outcomes varied across time frames and success metrics. Management techniques had the greatest relative influence on the attainment of life-cycle benchmarks and short-term population trends, whereas site attributes and species' traits were more important for population persistence and long-term trends. Specifically, large founder sizes increased the potential for reproduction and recruitment into the next generation, whereas declining habitat quality and the outplanting of species with low seed production led to increased extinction risks and a reduction in potential reproductive output in the long-term, respectively. We also detected novel interactions between some of the most important drivers, such as an increased probability of next-generation recruitment in species with greater seed production rates, but only when coupled with large founder sizes. Because most significant barriers to plant translocation success can be overcome by improving techniques or resolving site-level issues through early intervention and management, we suggest that by combining long-term monitoring with adaptive management, translocation programs can enhance the prospects of achieving long-term success.

Effect of hydrodynamic aeration on bioelectricity generation from photoautotrophic Spirulina platensis in biophotovoltaic devices

A biophotovoltaic (BPV) device is a type of bioelectrochemical cell that shows potential for renewable energy production using photosynthetic exoelectrogenic microorganisms. However, the technology currently has limitations due to its relatively low power output and high dependence on biofilm attachment. Thus, this paper examines the effect of hydrodynamic aeration on the bioelectricity generation of BPV devices. Aeration is widely applied in microalgae cultivation to improve the mixing effect between microalgae cells, culture medium, and air bubbles. The methodology involves the cultivation of Spirulina platensis, device fabrication, voltage measurement in both non-aeration and aeration modes, and the use of polarization curves to determine the device performance under a gradually rising external load. The BPV devices are affected by abnormal voltage drop under high external loads, which is called power overshoot. The use of aeration successfully solved the power overshoot issues over time, but it also resulted in a gradual reduction in the voltage output and power density of the BPV devices. During aeration, the BPV devices produced a peak power density of 0.121 ± 0.056 mWm−2 on Day 1, which declined to 0.048 ± 0.025 mWm−2 on Day 13. The blowing of air bubbles had some side effects on BPV devices, including causing the attachment of Spirulina cells to the container walls and accelerating the evaporation of the culture medium. This study emphasizes the role of hydrodynamic aeration in the bioelectricity generation process and opens up possibilities for wider application of BPV devices in renewable energy production.

A rhoptry protein, localizing in the bulb region of rhoptries, could induce protective immunity against Eimeria tenella infection.

Rhoptry organelle proteins (ROPs) secreted by apicomplexan parasites play important roles during parasites invasion and survival in host cells, and are potential vaccine candidates against apicomplexan diseases. Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) is one of the most noteworthy apicomplexan species, which causes hemorrhagic pathologies. Although dozens of putative E. tenella ROP sequences are annotated, most ROP proteins are not well studied. In this study, an E. tenella ROP21 gene was identified and the recombinant EtROP21 protein (rEtROP21) was expressed in Escherichia coli. The developmental expression levels, localization, and protective efficacy against E. tenella infection in chickens were studied. An EtROP21 gene fragment with an open reading frame (ORF) of 981 bp was obtained from the Beijing strain of E. tenella. The rEtROP21 has a molecular weight of approximately 50 kDa and was recognized by rEtROP21-immunized mouse serum. Two specific protein bands, about 43 KDa and 95 KDa in size, were detected in the whole sporozoite proteins using the rEtROP21-immunized chicken serum. RT-qPCR analysis of the E. tenella ROP21 gene (EtROP21) revealed that its mRNA levels were higher in merozoites and sporozoites than in sporulated and unsporulated oocysts. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron analyses showed that the EtROP21 protein predominantly localizes in the bulb region of rhoptries distributed at anterior, posterior, and perinuclear regions of E. tenella sporozoites. Immunization and challenge experiments revealed that immunizing chickens with rEtROP21 significantly increased their average body weight gain while decreasing mean lesion score and oocyst output (P <0.05). When compared with the challenged control group, the rEtROP21-immunized group was associated with a significantly higher relative weight gain (90.2%) and a greater reduction in oocyst output (67%) (P <0.05). The anticoccidial index of the rEtROP21-immunized group was 163.2. Chicken serum ELISA revealed that the levels of the specific anti- rEtROP21 antibody, IFN-γ, and IL-4 were significantly higher in the rEtROP21-immunized group than in the challenged control group (P <0.05). These results indicate that rEtROP21 can induce a high level of specific immune response and it is a potential candidate for the development of vaccines against E. tenella infection in chickens.

Utilizing a Novel Universal Quantum Gate in the Design of Fault-Tolerant Architecture

In nano communication, fault-tolerant networks play a crucial role in error control. A significant practical challenge for nanocircuits is their ability to transmit information over networks to different endpoints. Fault-tolerant and reversible circuits have control error problems. The advantage of a quantum gate-based architecture is that it prevents heat loss, and it has been extensively researched. In this article, we have developed reversible multiplexers (mux's), half-adder (HA), and full-adder (FA) and latches that are fault-tolerant by making use of new gate and implementing them on the IBM Qiskit platform. A power-efficient and fault-tolerant mux's and latches is proposed that uses reversible gates to preserve parity. Multiplexer kinds such as 2:1, 4:1, and n:1 is covered in depth by the new Parity Preserving Multiplexer (PPM) gate and verified by IBM-Qiskit. An algorithmic design for an n:1 multiplexer is invented. In order to assess a PPM gate effectiveness, 13 standard Boolean functions and 8 standard types of gates are implemented. The PPM quantum gate is built using quantum assembly code (QAC), which runs on IBM Quantum Lab and IBM Quantum Composer platforms to measure the output qubits. Additional HA, muxes, and latches design led to the code creation in the Qiskit platform, which was used to measure the output qubits. A comparison of the D-latch, T-latch, JK-latch, and mux designs with existing circuits shows a reduction in quantum cost (qc) and junk output (go) and the implementation of a custom design in the IBM-Qiskit platform to measure output qubits is a first time in literature.

Multidrug resistance in Haemonchus contortus in sheep - can it be overcome?

Gastrointestinal nematodes pose a threat to animal health and affect farmers by negatively impacting farm management. The study was conducted on a sheep farm with suspected reductions in the efficacies of anthelmintics. Efficacy was determined using in vivo faecal egg count reduction, in vitro egg hatch (EHT) and larval development (LDT) tests. In the first phase, 60 sheep were equally split into six groups. Group 1 received the recommended dose of albendazole (ALB), group 2 received the same after fasting for 24 h, group 3 received the dose divided into two halves at 6 h intervals, group 4 received a double dose of ALB, and group 5 received the recommended dose of ivermectin (IVM). Group 6 served as a control. The second phase of the experiment had two groups: one treated with levamisole (LEV) and a control group. Faecal samples were collected from all sheep. No reduction of egg output was observed in the groups treated with single, double, or divided doses of ALB, but one of 13.7-16.9% was noted in the fasting group. Efficacy in the IVM group ranged from 31.50 to 39.97%. The mean concentrations sufficient to prevent 50% of the eggs from hatching in the in vitro EHT and the mean concentrations in which the development of larvae to the L3 stage was inhibited by 50% in the LDT exceeded established thresholds for benzimidazoles and IVM. Haemonchus contortus was the only species identified after treatment. The LDT did not indicate the presence of resistance to LEV. All animals treated with LEV were negative for eggs 10 d after treatment. Resistance to ALB and IVM in Haemonchus contortus was confirmed. Alternative approaches to improve the efficacies of benzimidazole did not sufficiently increase the efficacy, but LEV was an efficient anthelmintic treatment.

Acute kidney injury in multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant: a cohort study

BackgroundAutologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant plays an important role in multiple myeloma (MM) treatment. Increasing incidence of MM and growing awareness of acute kidney injury (AKI) as a complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant results in the need to better understand AKI in these patients. We aimed to evaluate incidence, risk factors and 5-year prognostic impact of AKI in MM patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant.MethodsRetrospective cohort study. AKI was defined by the KDIGO classification using creatinine and urinary output criteria. We used survival analysis methods considering competing events for risk factors and disease-free survival, Cox proportional regression for overall survival and stepwise regression methods for multivariable models.ResultsWe analyzed data regarding 143 patients. The cumulative incidence of AKI and moderate-to-severe AKI was 49.7% and 14.1%, respectively. Factors with independent impact on AKI were obesity (HR: 1.83, 95% CI 1.07–3.11; p = 0.026), Hematopoietic cell transplantation—specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) ≥ 2 (HR: 1.85, 95% CI 1.08–3.17), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (HR: 2.06, 95% CI 1.05–4.04), amyloidosis (HR: 2.25, 95% CI 1.25–4.06), mucositis grade 3–4 (HR: 2.19, 95% CI 1.25–3.86) and exposure to nephrotoxic drugs (HR: 2.0856, 95% CI 1.04–4.19). Moderate-to-severe AKI had an impact (HR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.15–2.31) on 5-year overall survival.ConclusionAcute kidney injury affects almost half of MM patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and reduction in urinary output allows early diagnosis in almost a quarter of the patients. Obesity, HCT-CI ≥ 2, CKD, amyloidosis, mucositis grade 3–4 and exposure to nephrotoxic drugs are significant risk factors. Moderate-to-severe AKI is associated with lower 5-year overall survival.Graphical abstract

Endogenous Uncertainty and Credit Crunches

Abstract We develop a theory of endogenous uncertainty in which the ability of investors to learn about firm-level fundamentals is impaired during financial crises. At the same time, higher uncertainty reinforces financial distress. Through this two-way feedback loop, a temporary financial shock can cause a persistent reduction in risky lending, output, and employment that coincides with increased uncertainty, default rates, credit spreads, and disagreement among forecasters. We embed our mechanism into standard real business cycle and New-Keynesian models and show how it generates endogenous and internally persistent processes for the efficiency and labour wedges.

Persea americana extract protects intestinal tissue from Eimeria papillata-induced murine Infection

Coccidiosis is the most prevalent disease-causing widespread economic loss among farm and domestic animals. Currently, several drugs are available for the control of this disease but resistance has been confirmed for all of them. There is an urgent need, therefore, for the identification of new sources as alternative treatments to control coccidiosis. The present work aimed to study the effect of the Persea americana extract (PAE) as an anti-coccidial, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic modulator during murine intestinal Eimeria papillata infection. A total of 25 male mice were divided into five groups, as follows: Group1: Non-infected-non-treated (negative control), Group2: Non-infected-treated group with PAE (500 mg/kg b.w). Group3: Infected-non-treated (positive control), Group4: Infected-treated group with PAE (500 mg/kg b.w.), and Group5: Infected-treated group with Amprolium (120 mg/kg b.w.). Groups (3–5) were orally inoculated with 1 × 103 sporulated E. papillata oocysts. After 60 min of infection, groups (4 and 5) were treated for 5 consecutive days with the recommended doses of PAE and amprolium. The fact that PAE has an anti-coccidial efficacy against intestinal E. papillata infection in mice has been clarified by the reduction of fecal oocyst output on the 5th day post-infection by about 85.41%. Moreover, there is a significant reduction in the size of each parasite stage in the jejunal tissues of the infected-treated group with PAE. PAE counteracted the E. papillata-induced loss of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TCA). E. papillata infection also induced an increase in the apoptotic cells expressed by caspase-3 which modulated after PAE treatment. Moreover, the mRNA expression of the goblet cell response gene, mucin (MUC2), was upregulated from 0.50 to 1.20-fold after treatment with PAE. Based on our results, PAE is a promising medicinal plant with anti-coccidial, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic activities and could be used as a food additive.

Muscle metaboreflex stimulates the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex causing positive feedback amplification of sympathetic activity: effect of heart failure.

Exercise intolerance is a hallmark symptom of heart failure and to a large extent stems from reductions in cardiac output that occur due to the inherent ventricular dysfunction coupled with enhanced muscle metaboreflex-induced functional coronary vasoconstriction, which limits increases in coronary blood flow. This creates a further mismatch between O2 delivery and O2 demand, which may activate the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR), causing amplification of the already increased sympathetic activity in a positive-feedback fashion. We used our chronically instrumented conscious canine model to evaluate if chronic ablation of afferents responsible for the CSAR would attenuate the gain of muscle metaboreflex before and after induction of heart failure. After afferent ablation, the gain of the muscle metaboreflex control of mean arterial pressure was significantly reduced before (-239.5 ± 16 to -95.2 ± 8 mmHg/L/min) and after the induction of heart failure (-185.6 ± 14 to -95.7 ± 12 mmHg/L/min). Similar results were observed for the strength (gain) of muscle metaboreflex control of heart rate, cardiac output, and ventricular contractility. Thus, we conclude that the CSAR contributes significantly to the strength of the muscle metaboreflex in normal animals with heart failure serving as an effective positive-feedback amplifier thereby further increasing sympathetic activity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The powerful pressor responses from the CSAR arise via O2 delivery versus O2 demand imbalance. Muscle metaboreflex activation (MMA) simultaneously elicits coronary vasoconstriction (which is augmented in heart failure) and profound increases in cardiac work thereby upsetting oxygen balance. Whether MMA activates the CSAR thereby amplifying MMA responses is unknown. We observed that removal of the CSAR afferents attenuated the strength of the muscle metaboreflex in normal and subjects with heart failure.

Electrospun controlled release anti-quorum sensing filter for biofouling prevention in MCE membranes

The formation of biofilm on the surface of water filtration membranes results in decreased flux through the filter and output of contaminated water despite filtration. The reduction in clean water output due to biofilm diminishes filtration efficiencies and feasibility of filtration in regions where alternatives do not exist. In this work, we sought to lower biofouling concerns through examination of anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) molecules in P. aeruginosa (PAO1). QS plays a critical initial role in biofilm formation. Therefore, we hypothesized that disruption of this communication mechanism at the filtration surface would result in lower biofilm growth and higher water outputs. An electrospun filter coating was developed to prevent biofilm formation on the surface of filtration membranes. The filter coating was deposited by electrospinning (ES) fibers that contained a polymer blend made up of one hydrophobic (polycaprolactone, PCL) and one hydrophilic (polyethylene glycol, PEG) polymer to provide controlled release of anti-quorum sensing molecules (Urolithin A) to prevent biofilm formation for an extended filtration test. Results showed that a 3:1 PCL to PEG polymer blend coating containing Urolithin A (200 µg/mL) provided significant physical disruption as well as molecular interruption of biofilm formation as compared to the pristine membrane (83.48 % reduction). While fibers exhibited smooth morphologies prior to nanofiltration tests, the fibers became porous after 4 hr tests in areas where PEG had dissolved and released Urolithin A. The controlled release of anti-QS molecules by electrospun fibers provided a significantly improved anti-biofilm methodology, improving biovolume reduction by 26.05 % and increasing flux by 52.78 % as compared to similar technologies reported. In addition to these findings, this work demonstrated Urolithin A disruption of PAO1 motility on agar (65.29 % reduction @ 100 µg/mL) and reduction in biofilm thickness (84.15 % reduction @ 200 µg/mL) by dissolution from electrospun fibers in liquid culture.

Navigating geopolitical crises for energy security: Evaluating optimal subsidy policies via a Markov switching DSGE model

This paper aims to provide insights on the design of optimal subsidy policies to enhance energy security amidst energy disruptions triggered by geopolitical conflicts. We introduce a novel Markov switching dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (MS-DSGE) model to address the limitations of existing integrated assessment models in environmental evaluation. These models often fail to adequately consider the environmental and economic impacts of geopolitical conflicts and do not prioritize energy security sufficiently in policymaking. Our application of the MS-DSGE model to the Russia–Ukraine conflict reveals significant decreases in output, social welfare, and energy consumption during disruptions. The mere anticipation of an energy crisis influences household behaviors, leading to a reduction in energy, output, and consumption volatility, while concurrently increasing volatility in social welfare. We show that an optimal subsidy policy should be contingent upon productivity levels, energy imports, and the economy’s responsiveness to economic shocks. Moreover, the policy should also be adaptable to prevailing economic conditions and the likelihood of an upcoming crisis.

Reduction of light output of plastic scintillator tiles during irradiation at cold temperatures and in low-oxygen environments

The advent of the silicon photomultiplier has allowed the development of highly segmented calorimeters using plastic scintillator as the active media, with photodetectors embedded in the calorimeter, in dimples in the plastic. To reduce the photodetector’s dark current and radiation damage, the high granularity calorimeter designed for the high luminosity upgrade of the CMS detector at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider will be operated at a temperature of about −30 °C. Due to flammability considerations, a low oxygen environment is being considered. However, the radiation damage to the plastic scintillator during irradiation in this operating environment needs to be considered. In this paper, we present measurements of the relative decrease of light output during irradiation of small plastic scintillator tiles read out by silicon photomultipliers. The irradiations were performed using a 60Co source both to produce the tiles’ light and as a source of ionizing irradiation at dose rates of 0.3, 1.3, and 1.6 Gy/h, temperatures of −30, −15, −5, and 0 °C, and with several different oxygen concentrations in the surrounding atmosphere. The effect of the material used to wrap the tile was also studied. Substantial temporary damage, which annealed when the sample was warmed, was seen during the low-temperature irradiations, regardless of the oxygen concentration and wrapping material. The relative light loss was largest with 3MTM Enhanced Specular Reflector Film wrapping and smallest with no wrapping, although due to the substantially higher light yield with wrapping, the final light output is largest with wrapping. The light loss was less at warmer temperatures. Damage with 3% oxygen was similar to that in standard atmosphere. Evidence of a plateau in the radical density was seen for the 0 °C data.

Effects of phenylephrine on systemic and cerebral circulations in humans: a systematic review with mechanistic explanations.

We conducted a systematic review of the literature reporting phenylephrine-induced changes in blood pressure, cardiac output, cerebral blood flow and cerebral tissue oxygen saturation as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy in humans. We used the proportion change of the group mean values reported by the original studies in our analysis. Phenylephrine elevates blood pressure whilst concurrently inducing a reduction in cardiac output. Furthermore, despite increasing cerebral blood flow, it decreases cerebral tissue oxygen saturation. The extent of phenylephrine's influence on cardiac output (r = -0.54 and p = 0.09 in awake humans; r = -0.55 and p = 0.007 in anaesthetised humans), cerebral blood flow (r = 0.65 and p = 0.002 in awake humans; r = 0.80 and p = 0.003 in anaesthetised humans) and cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (r = -0.72 and p = 0.03 in awake humans; r = -0.24 and p = 0.48 in anaesthetised humans) appears closely linked to the magnitude of phenylephrine-induced blood pressure changes. When comparing the effects of phenylephrine in awake and anaesthetised humans, we found no evidence of a significant difference in cardiac output, cerebral blood flow or cerebral tissue oxygen saturation. There was also no evidence of a significant difference in effect on systemic and cerebral circulations whether phenylephrine was given by bolus or infusion. We explore the underlying mechanisms driving the phenylephrine-induced cardiac output reduction, cerebral blood flow increase and cerebral tissue oxygen saturation decrease. Individualised treatment approaches, close monitoring and consideration of potential risks and benefits remain vital to the safe and effective use of phenylephrine in acute care.