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Boosting CO2 capture efficiency of the exhausted RFCC flue gas by using intercooler exchangers: Leveraging ANN in MDEA-based approach
No full textThis study investigates the simultaneous capture of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from residue fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) flue gas using Methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) as an absorbent in a post-combustion capture system. The proposed system offers an effective solution for refineries aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and comply with environmental regulations. The system captures approximately 97 % of CO₂ and completely removes SO₂ from the RFCC flue gas. The integration of two inter-coolers significantly enhanced CO₂ capture efficiency by dissipating the heat generated during absorption, resulting in an 82 % reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to systems without inter-coolers. A comprehensive analysis of absorbent operating parameters—including MDEA flow rate (1100–1300 m³/h), temperature (40–50 ◦C), concentration (20–30 wt%), and absorption pressure (25–28 bar)—revealed that increasing all factors except temperature improved CO₂ capture performance. Notably, MDEA achieved complete SO₂ absorption under all tested conditions. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to predict CO₂ emissions accurately, enabling real-time process control. The model demonstrated excellent performance, with an R² value of 0.9974 and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.0045 on the test dataset, indicating that operational conditions can reliably predict CO₂ emissions. This study contributes to enhancing the efficiency of practical post-combustion CO₂ capture systems</p
Comparative response of casein protein hydrolysate-fed young and older human serum on in vitro muscle protein metabolism and myotube size
No full textIn this study, we used an ex vivo-in vitro model to assess the effect of feeding older (50–70 yr) adults a casein protein hydrolysate (CPH) compared with nonbioactive nonessential amino acid (NEAA) supplement on muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and markers of muscle protein breakdown (MPB). As a secondary objective, to assess any attenuation with aging, we compared the anabolic response to CPH-fed serum from older and young adults. Serum from seven healthy older and seven young men following overnight fast and 60-min postprandial ingestion of CPH or NEAA (0.33 g·kg−1 body mass) was used to condition C2C12 myotube media. Analysis by two-way ANOVA of the fed relative to fasted MPS response revealed a main effect for protein type in pmTOR (P = 0.009), p70S6K (P = 0.031), p4E-BP1 (P = 0.047), and MPS (P = 0.041) with a greater response to CPH-fed serum, and interaction effects (age × protein) between young and old serum for pmTOR (P = 0.009) and p70S6K (P = 0.016). In addition, significant changes in myotube diameter (P = 0.049), atrogin-1 (P = 0.004), and MuRF-1 (P = 0.012) in response to CPH-fed compared with fasted serum were observed with no differences between young and old serum. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that CPH-fed serum from both young and older (50–70 yr) adults can stimulate MPS and muscle growth and can suppress biomarkers of muscle protein breakdown processes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study extended previously developed coculture models and found that treating skeletal muscle cells with ex vivo human serum following feeding with a casein protein hydrolysate resulted in greater protein signaling, muscle protein synthesis, muscle growth, and lower expression of genes related to muscle protein breakdown compared with feeding with a nonessential amino acid control. These findings were similar using serum from young and older adults.</p
The fat factor: rethinking adipose energetics with obesity, insulin resistance and surgery
No full textAdipose tissue is a complex, misunderstood and poorly studied metabolic organ. This is becoming more and more evident with the advent of single nuclei RNA sequencing, outlining clear discrepancy between subcutaneous and visceral adipocyte transcriptional profiles (Emont et al., 2023), implicated by a series of intrinsic (i.e. age, sex, hormonal status, race/ethnicity) and extrinsic (i.e. circadian rhythms, sleep, diet, medication) factors. Complementing these advances, the metabolic profile of adipose tissue, specifically relating to obesity, has been studied for some time now, with clear evidence outlining the disturbance that increased adiposity plays on disease susceptibility, particularly insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.</p
Modeling diffusion in networks with communities: A multitype branching process approach
No full textThe dynamics of diffusion in complex networks are widely studied to understand how entities, such as information, diseases, or behaviors, spread in an interconnected environment. Complex networks often present community structure, and tools to analyze diffusion processes on networks with communities are needed. In this paper, we develop theoretical tools using multitype branching processes to model and analyze diffusion processes, following a simple contagion mechanism, across a broad class of networks with community structure. We show how, by using limited information about the network—the degree distribution within and between communities—we can calculate standard statistical characteristics of propagation dynamics, such as the extinction probability, hazard function, and cascade size distribution. These properties can be estimated not only for the entire network but also for each community separately. Furthermore, we estimate the probability of spread crossing from one community to another where it is not currently spreading. We demonstrate the accuracy of our framework by applying it to two specific examples: the stochastic block model and a log-normal network with community structure. We show how the initial seeding location affects the observed cascade size distribution on a heavy-tailed network and that our framework accurately captures this effect.</p
WHO framework convention on tobacco control articles 9 and 10 implementation for sustainable tobacco control—a scoping review protocol
No full textIntroduction Tobacco consumption continues to pose a substantial global public health threat, resulting in more than 8 million preventable deaths annually. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) negotiated as the frst global public health treaty under the auspices of the WHO, which serves as a critical instrument in combating the global tobacco epidemic. The WHO FCTC prioritizes a comprehensive approach that addresses both the demand for and supply side interventions for curbing tobacco epidemic globally. Strong evidence demonstrates the efcacy of these measures in safeguarding individuals, regardless of age, from tobacco initiation, and the associated harms. WHO FCTC Article 9 and 10 emphasizes upon testing and disclosure of tobacco product contents. This scoping review aims to explore the Implementation Landscape of WHO FCTC Articles 9 and 10 globally by adopting Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework.Methods The planned scoping review will adhere to the methodology outlined by “Arksey and O’Malley and Levac et al.” Through an exhaustive search strategy, relevant literature published from 2013 onwards will be sourced from databases including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, government websites, and reports. A predetermined set of criteria for study inclusion and exclusion will be applied independently by four reviewers to assess study eligibility. The fndings will be synthesized narratively and qualitatively analyzed, incorporating the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework for discussion and outlining. The review will adhere to the reporting standards outlined in the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR)” guidelines.Conclusions/discussion Analyzing the implementation of FCTC Articles 9 and 10 across global contexts is expected to ofer valuable insights into the need for context-specifc adjustments and customized interventions. Understanding regional variations in eforts to regulate tobacco products is crucial for formulating specifc strategies that efectively address cultural, economic, and regulatory challenges. This comparative examination has the potential to guide policymakers, public health professionals, and researchers in optimizing tobacco control initiatives to expedite progress toward efective implementation of Articles 9 and 10 in both the WHO-SEAR region and globally.Ethics approval This review will identify the landscape of the implementation of WHO FCTC Article 9 and 10. This review will also identify the best practices, policies, and strategies across the globe. An ethics committee approval was not sought for this since this involve secondary data.</p
Adolescents health indicators in the occupied Palestine territory: focus on sexual and reproductive health
No full textAdolescents face many barriers to health services, especially in humanitarian crises. Health indicators and their sources collected during humanitarian crises will help identify gaps in the data to inform policy and practice. This study aims to determine the available indicators of adolescents’ health, and reproductive health, in humanitarian crises. Secondary data analysis. An extensive document search was conducted to collect adolescent health indicators in Palestine. Our search included surveys, reports, assessments done by humanitarian organizations, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Population health surveys were the primary source for adolescent health indicators, specifically the Demographic Health Survey and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Two-thirds of the indicators covered the childbearing process (an?tenatal care, postnatal care, and delivery), 19% were about the knowledge of HIV/AIDs, and 16% were about early marriage. Almost all indicators targeted females, and only 9% targeted both males and females. The Reproductive health indicators mainly were married females aged (15–19) and, nothing was reported for those between 10 and 14 years. Although the available indicators identified are of good quality, they are missing adolescent males and younger groups. Reliable data-based indicators are needed, which can be achieved by creating a national registry for adolescent health indicators or implementing longitudinal surveys to track trends over time.</p
The Application of AI to ecological momentary assessment data in suicide research: systematic review
No full textBackground: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) captures dynamic processes suitable to the study of suicidal ideation and behaviors. Artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly been applied to EMA data in the study of suicidal processes. Objective: This review aims to (1) synthesize empirical research applying AI strategies to EMA data in the study of suicidal ideation and behaviors; (2) identify methodologies and data collection procedures used, suicide outcomes studied, AI applied, and results reported; and (3) develop a standardized reporting framework for researchers applying AI to EMA data in the future. Methods: PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched for published articles applying AI to EMA data in the investigation of suicide outcomes. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were used to identify studies while minimizing bias. Quality appraisal was performed using CREMAS (adapted STROBE [Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology] Checklist for Reporting Ecological Momentary Assessment Studies). Results: In total, 1201 records were identified across databases. After a full-text review, 12 (1%) articles, comprising 4398 participants, were included. In the application of AI to EMA data to predict suicidal ideation, studies reported mean area under the curve (0.74-0.86), sensitivity (0.64-0.81), specificity (0.73-0.86), and positive predictive values (0.72-0.77). Studies met between 4 and 13 of the 16 recommended CREMAS reporting standards, with an average of 7 items met across studies. Studies performed poorly in reporting EMA training procedures and treatment of missing data. Conclusions: Findings indicate the promise of AI applied to self-report EMA in the prediction of near-term suicidal ideation. The application of AI to EMA data within suicide research is a burgeoning area hampered by variations in data collection and reporting procedures. The development of an adapted reporting framework by the research team aims to address this</p
A vortex-based hydrodynamic cavitation manufacturing platform to generate albumin microbubbles for delivery of chemotherapies to cancerous tumours
No full textA novel approach was developed to create stable protein-based microbubbles using a vortex-driven hydrodynamic cavitation device. Such microbubbles, tiny gas-filled spheres, combined with ultrasound, can enhance drug uptake leading to inhibition of cancerous cell growth, boosting the effectiveness of anti-cancer drug molecules. The optimal conditions for the fabrication of stable bovine serum albumin (BSA) microbubbles were found to be a 15 wt% bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution at 60 ◦C with a pH of 6 and an ionic strength of 1.0 M. This resulted in stable BSA microbubbles with an approximate diameter of 7 μm. Curcumin-encapsulated BSA microbubbles (CBMs, 63 ± 1 μM curcumin per 101 ⁰ microbubbles) were created using these optimised fabrication parameters as a model system for delivering chemotherapeutic agents. The maximum percentage of curcumin release from the CBMs into phosphate buffered saline with sonication (85 %) was significantly greater than without sonication (24 %). These microbubbles were then tested to assess their effectiveness in delivering curcumin to triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDAMB-231) using a cell-to-MB ratio of 1:100, an ultrasound intensity of 0.5 W/cm2 , and an ultrasound exposure time of 10 s to maximise uptake. Kinetic studies demon?strated a significant enhancement in the uptake of curcumin by MDAMB-231 cells when encapsulated into the microbubbles with ultrasound application. A substantial reduction in cellular proliferation was observed in both 2D cell culture and 3D tumour spheroid models when MDAMB-231 cells were exposed to microbubbles loaded with curcumin and ultrasound was applied. The vortex-based hydrodynamic cavitation device successfully generated curcumin loaded microbubbles with a long shelf life (120 days at 4 ◦C), mild preparation conditions, and enhanced uptake into cancerous tumour spheroid models. This data demonstrates the potential of this device for the commercial manufacture of drug loaded microbubble-based delivery systems.</p
Experiences and perceptions of meals on wheels volunteers in providing nutritional care to older adults: A qualitative evidence synthesis
No full textIn the community, Meals on Wheels (MoW) programmes are instrumental in the delivery of meals to nutritionally vulnerable older adults. This qualitative evidence synthesis aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences among volunteers of MoW services of their role in supporting nutrition care. Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched employing qualitative data collection and analysis methods. Results were synthesized using Thomas and Harden’s three step approach for thematic synthesis. Three articles were included and two themes were identified: (1) complexity in coordinating MoW to ensure service delivery, and (2) the MoW volunteers’ perception of their role in providing nutrition care was eclipsed by the social element of their role. While MoW is pivotal to support older adults’ independence, challenges like staffing, funding constraints, and limited community awareness of the service persist. Volunteers’ express positivity but face concerns about time commitment and replacement recruitment. Exploring MoW volunteers’ broader roles in food insecurity is imperative to understand and address the complex dynamics of providing nutrition care and support to older adults.</p
Supporting healthcare in rural communities in Thailand: An exploratory qualitative study to understand the role and current mental health practices of village health volunteers
No full textVillage health volunteers (VHVs) are the backbone of primary healthcare in many low-and-middle-income countries, including Thailand, where healthcare professionals are scarce. Previous studies looking at their role have been broader and lacked a specific mental health focus. In 2019, Thailand introduced a policy endorsing a recovery orientation in mental health care, however, the potential for VHVs to implement the approach remains underexplored. This study aims to: [1] describe VHVs’ mental health practices, [2] explore stakeholders’ perspectives on these practices, and [3] understand stakeholders’ views on their potential to deliver recovery-oriented community care. Method This exploratory qualitative study involved nineteen semi-structured interviews conducted between August 2023 and March 2024 in a rural subdistrict of Northern Thailand. Participants included ten VHVs, four nurses, four caregivers, and one individual with mental health conditions. Purposeful and snowball sampling techniques were used. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. Official documents related to VHVs’ job descriptions, training, and recruitment policies were also examined to understand the scope of the role. Results The analysis identified three main themes: [1] Mental health practices and roles perceptions, highlighting variability among VHVs; [2] Organisational constraints on mental health practice in the community, demonstrating limited policy support and training for VHVs; and [3] Factors influencing the implementation of recovery-oriented approaches by VHVs, including barriers such as stigma and workload, and enabling factors such as specialist training and professional support.</p