bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of secondhand smoke exposure and severity of COVID-19 infection: multicenter case–control study
Authors: Kishore Surekha , Shah Vandana , Bera Om Prakash , Venkatesh U. , Kakkar Rakesh , Aggarwal Pradeep , Bhardwaj Pankaj , Singh C. M. , Maliye Chetna , Garg Suneela , Menon Geetha R. , Misra Puneet , Kishore Verma Shival ,   The COVID SHS Study Group
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is an established causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic lung disease. Numerous studies have evaluated the role of tobacco in COVID-19 infection, severity, and mortality but missed the opportunity to assess the role of SHS. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine whether SHS is an independent risk factor for COVID-19 infection, severity, mortality, and other co-morbidities.

Methodology

Multicentric case–control study was conducted across six states in India. Severe COVID-19 patients were chosen as our study cases, and mild and moderate COVID-19 as control were evaluated for exposure to SHS. The sample size was calculated using Epi-info version 7. A neighborhood-matching technique was utilized to address ecological variability and enhance comparability between cases and controls, considering age and sex as additional matching criteria. The binary logistic regression model was used to measure the association, and the results were presented using an adjusted odds ratio. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

A total of 672 cases of severe COVID-19 and 681 controls of mild and moderate COVID-19 were recruited in this study. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for SHS exposure at home was 3.03 (CI 95%: 2.29–4.02) compared to mild/moderate COVID-19, while SHS exposure at the workplace had odds of 2.19 (CI 95%: 1.43–3.35). Other factors significantly related to the severity of COVID-19 were a history of COVID-19 vaccination before illness, body mass index (BMI), and attached kitchen at home.

Discussion

The results of this study suggest that cumulative exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 illness. More studies with the use of biomarkers and quantification of SHS exposure in the future are needed.
A fuzzy decision support model for the evaluation and selection of healthcare projects in the framework of competition
Authors: Gavurova Beata , Kelemen Miroslav , Polishchuk Volodymyr , Mudarri Tawfik , Smolanka Volodymyr
Published: August 2023

Our research aims to support decision-making regarding the financing of healthcare projects by structural funds with policies targeting reduction of the development gap among different regions and countries of the European Union as well as the achievement of economic and social cohesion. A fuzzy decision support model for the evaluation and selection of healthcare projects should rank the project applications for the selected region, accounting for the investor's wishes in the form of a regional coefficient in order to reduce the development gap between regions. On the one hand, our proposed model evaluates project applications based on selected criteria, which may be structured, weakly structured, or unstructured. On the other hand, it also incorporates information on the level of healthcare development in the region. The obtained ranking increases the degree of validity of the decision regarding the selection of projects for financing by investors, considering the level of development of the region where the project will be implemented. At the expense of European Union (EU) structural funds, a village, city, region, or state can receive funds for modernization and development of the healthcare sector and all related processes. To minimize risks, it is necessary to implement adequate support systems for decision-making in the assessment of project applications, as well as regional policy in the region where the project will be implemented. The primary goal of this study was to develop a complex fuzzy decision support model for the evaluation and selection of projects in the field of healthcare with the aim of reducing the development gap between regions. Based on the above description, we formed the following scientific hypothesis for this research: if the project selected for financing can successfully achieve its stated goals and increase the level of development of its region, it should be evaluated positively. This evaluation can be obtained using a complex fuzzy model constructed to account for the region's level of development in terms of the availability and quality of healthcare services in the region where the project will be implemented.
Analysis of the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of hepatitis E in Jiangsu province from 2005 to 2020
Authors: Shi Yao , Shen Wenqi , Liu Wendong , Zhang Xuefeng , Shang Qingxiang , Cheng Xiaoqing , Bao Changjun
Published: August 2023

Objective

This study attempts to analyze the spatial clustering and spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of hepatitis E (HE) at the county (city and district) level in Jiangsu province to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of HE.

Method

The information on HE cases reported in the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System from 2005 to 2020 was collected for spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial-temporal clustering analysis.

Result

From 2005 to 2020, 48,456 HE cases were reported in Jiangsu province, with an average annual incidence rate of 3.87/100,000. Male cases outnumbered female cases (2.46:1), and the incidence was highest in the 30–70 years of age group (80.50%). Farmers accounted for more than half of all cases (59.86%), and in terms of the average annual incidence, the top three cities were all in Zhenjiang city. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that Global Moran's I of HE incidence varied from 0.232 to 0.513 for the years. From 2005 to 2020, 31 counties (cities and districts) had high and statistically significant HE incidence, and two clustering areas were detected by spatial-temporal scanning.

Conclusion

HE incidence in Jiangsu province from 2005 to 2020 was stable, with age and gender differences, regional clustering, and spatial-temporal clustering. Further investigation of HE clustering areas is necessary to formulate corresponding targeted prevention and control measures.
Influence of communication determinants on safety commitment in a high-risk workplace: a systematic literature review of four communication dimensions
Authors: Zara Jamil , Nordin Shahrina Md , Isha Ahmad Shahrul Nizam
Published: August 2023

Health, safety, and environment (HSE) are critical aspects of any industry, particularly in high-risk environments, such as the oil and gas industry. Continuous accident reports indicate the requirement for the effective implementation of safety rules, regulations, and practices. This systematic literature review examines the relationship between safety communication and safety commitment in high-risk workplaces, specifically focusing on the oil and gas industry. The review comprises 1,439 articles from 2004 to 2023, retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases following the PRISMA comprehensive guidelines. This study considers safety communication, communication climate, and communication satisfaction to evaluate their influence on safety commitment under occupational health and safety. This study identifies safety commitment issues and their underlying factors, discussing measures for preventing and reducing accidents and incidents and highlighting preventive measures for future research. It also signifies the variables influencing accident and incident rates. The research underscores the importance of communication dimensions and the need for workers to possess adequate skills, knowledge, and attitudes regarding occupational safety and health procedures. Moreover, the study contributes to the industrial and academic domains by improving organizational safety commitment, promoting a safety culture, and developing effective communication strategies. Furthermore, practitioners may benefit from this comprehensive overview in developing, evaluating, and enhancing occupational safety.
Long-term outcomes of COVID-19 intensive care unit survivors and their family members: a one year follow-up prospective study
Authors: Laurent Raphael , Correia Patricia , Lachand Raphael , Diconne Eric , Ezingeard Eric , Bruna Franklin , Guenier Pierre-Alban , Page Dominique , Périnel-Ragey Sophie , Thiéry Guillaume
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To describe the long-term physical, functional and mental status of COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) patients and their family members 1 year after ICU discharge.

Methods

We performed a prospective observational cohort study among patients admitted to the ICU for COVID-19-associated respiratory failure and their family members. Patients attended a one-year follow-up consultation with family members. Physical, functional and respiratory outcomes were collected. In addition, participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Revised Impact of Event Scale. Qualitative components were collected during a 2-h face-to-face interview.

Results

Fifty-four patients and 42 family members were included. Thirty-four (63%) patients reported chronic fatigue and 37 (68.5%) dyspnea. Computed tomography scans were abnormal in 34 patients (72.3%). Anxiety symptoms were present in 23 (48%) patients and 26 (66%) family members, depression in 11 (23%) and 13 (33%), and post-traumatic stress disorder in 12 (25%) and 23 (55%), respectively. Visit limitation was reported as the most painful experience for family members. Numerous patients recalled nightmares that contributed to the anxiety. Long-term reconstruction was difficult for both patients and family members.

Conclusion

The vast majority of patients and their relatives reported long-term consequences on various physical and mental components, leading to a profound impact on their well-being.
FEM Modeling of Electro-Acoustic Nonlinearities in Surface Acoustic Wave Devices: A Methodological Review
Authors: Mayer Andreas P. , Mayer Elena A. , Mayer Markus , Ruile Werner , Chauhan Vikrant , Forster Thomas , Wagner Karl C.
Published: August 2023

In the framework of electro-elasticity theory and the finite element method (FEM), a model is set up for the computation of quantities in surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices accounting for nonlinear effects. These include second-order and third-order intermodulations, second and third harmonic generation and the influence of electro-acoustic nonlinearity on the frequency characteristics of SAW resonators. The model is based on perturbation theory, and requires input material constants, e.g., the elastic moduli up to fourth order for all materials involved. The model is two-dimensional, corresponding to an infinite aperture, but all three Cartesian components of the displacement and electrical fields are accounted for. The first version of the model pertains to an infinite periodic arrangement of electrodes. It is subsequently generalized to systems with a finite number of electrodes. For the latter version, a recursive algorithm is presented which is related to the cascading scheme of Plessky and Koskela and strongly reduces computation time and memory requirements. The model is applied to TC-SAW systems with copper electrodes buried in an oxide film on a LiNbO3 substrate. Results of computations are presented for the electrical current due to third-order intermodulations and the displacement field associated with the second harmonic and second-order intermodulations, generated by monochromatic input tones. The scope of this review is limited to methodological aspects with the goal to enable calculations of nonlinear quantities in SAW devices on inexpensive and easily accessible computing platforms.
Brewer’s Spent Grain with Yeast Amendment Shows Potential for Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation of Weeds and Pythium irregulare
Authors: Liu Danyang , Samtani Jayesh , Johnson Charles , Zhang Xuemei , Butler David M. , Derr Jeffrey
Published: August 2023

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a promising alternative to chemical fumigation for controlling soilborne plant pathogens and weeds. This study investigated the impact of brewer’s spent grain (BSG), a locally available carbon source, on various weed species and the oomycete pathogen Pythium irregulare in ASD. Two greenhouse studies were conducted using BSG and yeast at full and reduced rates in a completely randomized design with four replicates and two runs per study. In both studies, ASD treatments significantly decreased the seed viability of all weed species and the Pythium irregulare inoculum, while promoting higher cumulative anaerobicity compared to the non-treated control. The addition of yeast had a notable effect when combined with BSG but not with rice bran. When used in reduced carbon rates, yeast supplementation enhanced the efficacy of BSG, providing comparable control to the full rate for most weed species, including redroot pigweed, white clover, and yellow nutsedge. Interestingly, no ASD treatment affected the soil temperature. Furthermore, BSG treatments caused higher concentrations of volatile fatty acids compared to ASD with rice bran and the non-treated control. This finding suggests that the inclusion of yeast in ASD shows potential for reducing the carbon input required for effective soil disinfestation.
Cranial Investigations of Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata) by Anatomical Cross-Sections and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Morales-Bordon Daniel , Encinoso Mario , Arencibia Alberto , Jaber José Raduan
Published: August 2023

This paper aimed to describe an atlas of the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) head by applying advanced imaging techniques such as MRI. Furthermore, by combining the images acquired through these techniques with anatomical sections, we obtained an adequate description of the structures that form the CNS and associated structures of this species. This anatomical information could serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for the clinical evaluation of different pathological processes in porcupines, such as abscesses, skull malformations, fractures, and neoplasia.
Ultrasound-Guided Dorsolateral Approach for Quadratus Lumborum Block in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded, Cadaveric Study Comparing Four Different Injectate Volumes
Authors: Torres Cantó Lucía , Felisberto Ricardo , Economou Anita , Flaherty Derek , Moreno Aguado Beatriz , Tayari Hamaseh
Published: August 2023

Ultrasound-guided (US-guided) loco-regional anesthesia can provide significant analgesia and anesthetic-sparing effects when used in rabbits. The aims of this study were to investigate the thoraco-lumbar anatomy of the rabbits, particularly the quadratus lumborum (QL) muscle, to design an appropriate US-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) specific for rabbits, and to define the most adequate volume of injectate required to consistently cover the ventral branches of T11 to L3 without affecting the pelvic limb innervation (L4, L5 and L6). Sixteen adult rabbit cadavers were included in the study. After randomization, four different volumes of injectate (0.1 mL/kg, 0.2 mL/kg, 0.3 mL/kg and 0.4 mL/kg) were tested, with these volumes additionally randomized to two sites of injection (right or left QL fascia). An ultrasound-guided QLB was performed with a solution of lidocaine, iodinated contrast and tissue dye (in a proportion of 3:1:1 volume, respectively), with subsequent computed tomography (CT) and anatomical dissection, to evaluate the spread of the injectate. In all but one case, the US-guided QLB performed with a dorsolateral approach using 0.3 mL/kg was adequate, while a dose of 0.4 mL/kg consistently reached the targeted nerves but also extended to L4 and caudally. This may suggest that an injectate volume of 0.3 mL/kg may be the most appropriate to produce adequate spread while not affecting pelvic limb innervation.
Age-Related Differences in Kinematics, Kinetics, and Muscle Synergy Patterns Following a Sudden Gait Perturbation: Changes in Movement Strategies and Implications for Fall Prevention Rehabilitation
Authors: Jeon Woohyoung , Ramadan Ahmed , Whitall Jill , Alissa Nesreen , Westlake Kelly
Published: August 2023

Falls in older adults are leading causes of fatal and non-fatal injuries, negatively impacting quality of life among those in this demographic. Most elderly falls occur due to unrecoverable limb collapse during balance control in the single-limb support (SLS) phase. To understand why older adults are more susceptible to falls than younger adults, we investigated age-related differences in lower limb kinematics, kinetics, and muscle synergy patterns during SLS, as well as their relationship to postural control strategies. Thirteen older and thirteen younger healthy adults were compared during the SLS phase of balance recovery following an unexpected surface drop perturbation. Compared to younger adults, older adults demonstrated (1) greater trunk flexion, (2) increased hip extension torque and reduced hip abduction torque of the perturbed leg, and (3) higher postural sway. Trunk flexion was correlated with a delayed latency to the start of lateral-to-medial displacement of center of mass from the perturbation onset. The group-specific muscle synergy revealed that older adults exhibited prominent activation of the hip extensors, while younger adults showed prominent activation of the hip abductors. These findings provide insights into targeted balance rehabilitation and indicate ways to improve postural stability and reduce falls in older adults.
Improvement of Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Pedicle Screw Stability in Laser Resonance Frequency Analysis via Data Augmentation from Micro-CT Images
Authors: Mikami Katsuhiro , Nemoto Mitsutaka , Ishinoda Akihiro , Nagura Takeo , Nakamura Masaya , Matsumoto Morio , Nakashima Daisuke
Published: August 2023

To prevent pedicle screw implant failure, a diagnostic technique that allows surgeons to evaluate implant stability easily, quickly, and quantitatively in clinical orthopedic situations is required. This study aimed to predict the insertion torque equivalent to laboratory-level evaluation accuracy. This serves as an index of the implant stability of pedicle screws placed in cadaveric bone, which relies on laser resonance frequency analyses (L-RFA) when irradiating with two types of lasers. The machine learning analysis was optimized using a dataset with artificial bone as teaching data. In this analysis, many explanatory variables extracted from the laser-induced vibration spectra obtained during an analysis/RFA evaluation were predicted by selecting important variables using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and performing a non-linear approximation using support vector regression. It was found that combining both artificial and cadaveric bone data with the bone densities as teaching data dramatically improved the determination coefficient from R2 = −0.144 to R2 = 0.858 as the prediction accuracy and reduced the influence of differences between artificial and cadaveric bones. This technology will contribute to the development of preventive diagnostic technologies that can be used during surgery, which is necessary in order to further advance treatment technologies.
Hybrid Rocket Engine Noise: Measurements and Predictions of Acoustic Environments from Horizontal Static Fire
Authors: Fasulo Giovanni , Federico Luigi , Sollazzo Adolfo , De Vivo Luciano , Citarella Roberto
Published: August 2023

A rocket’s turbulent jet radiates intense acoustic waves, which are an acoustic load for structural components like payload, launch structure, and rocket avionics, and impact communities near the launch site. Therefore, a careful characterization of the acoustic field produced by a rocket engine can provide crucial information during the design phase. In particular, this deals with improving the understanding of the acoustics of low-thrust hybrid rocket engines. Since an accurate jet noise detection around the entire launch site is time-consuming and extremely cost-prohibitive, a fast and reliable predictive tool is invaluable. For this purpose, a semi-empirical model was employed, using the exhaust plume property and geometric characteristics of the nozzle as input. Experimental data collected during a firing test campaign, conducted in the framework of HYPROB-NEW project by the Italian Aerospace Research Center, were decisive to discuss the validity of the model also for low-thrust hybrid propulsion and support the goodness of the noise curves and metrics estimated for nearby regions and provide considerations about the implications of engine geometric characteristics on noise emissions.
Post-Earthquake Dynamic Performance of Intact Masonry Building Based on Finite Element Model Updating
Authors: Duvnjak Ivan , Ereiz Suzana , Smrkić Marina Frančić , Damjanović Domagoj
Published: August 2023

The recent seismic activity in Croatia has inflicted significant damage upon numerous buildings, with masonry structures being particularly affected. Consequently, experimental investigations and structural condition assessments’ have garnered increased attention, as they have become integral to the renovation process for such buildings. Additionally, assessing the structural condition prior to seismic events is vital for determining the extent to which earthquakes impact the stiffness of systems, such as masonry structures. This paper presents the results of experimental investigations and numerical analysis conducted on a damaged high school building in Sisak, Croatia. The experimental investigation involved shear testing, flat jack analysis, and operational modal analysis. Utilizing the available drawings and mechanical properties determined experimentally, an initial numerical model was developed. Subsequently, through the iterative process of finite element model updating, the initial numerical model was refined based on the structural dynamic properties. The updated numerical model was then employed to assess the structural condition prior to the earthquake event. This study contributes to the field by providing insights into the post-earthquake estimation of dynamic properties in intact masonry buildings, utilizing a comprehensive approach that combines experimental investigations and finite element model updating. By quantifying the changes in dynamic parameters, such as natural frequencies and mode shapes, the study provides valuable insights into the response characteristics of damaged masonry building. The observed differences in natural frequencies between the damaged and undamaged states are as follows: 9% for the first mode shape, 6% for the second mode shape, and 2% for the third mode shape.
Use of Chlorella vulgaris and Ulva lactuca as Biostimulant on Lettuce
Authors: Ammaturo Chiara , Pacheco Diana , Cotas João , Formisano Luigi , Ciriello Michele , Pereira Leonel , Bahcevandziev Kiril
Published: August 2023

The important purpose of this work is to evaluate the biostimulant activity of the algae Chlorella vulgaris and Ulva lactuca extracts on the crop plants Lactuca sativa, to compare the effect of these two green algae on plant growth and development as a part of a sustainable plant production method and show that these extracts can be a promissory source for replacing chemical fertilization. The study faces all the phases of plant growth, from the germination of the seeds to the greenhouse plant growth and treatment, matched with the chemical characterization of both the green algae used and the lettuce plants. This work is meant to define a tool to be improved by more experiments and studies in order to suggest a sustainable method that could ensure an adequate use of organic fertilizer. After the identification of the best concentration of the respective extracts of C. vulgaris and U. lactuca, the experiment affirmed that a low concentration (15% C. vulgaris and 25% U. lactuca) of the extracts contributed to the production of plants with a satisfying nutritional profile, while a high concentration (75% U. lactuca) is conducive to lettuce production with some parameters not suitable for human diet and health.
Polymer Surface Treatments for Drug Delivery and Wound Healing
Authors: Duong Van-An
Published: August 2023

Nanomedicine is a cutting-edge field at the intersection of nanotechnology and medicine that has experienced significant advancements in recent decades [...]
Cross-Corpus Training Strategy for Speech Emotion Recognition Using Self-Supervised Representations
Authors: Pastor Miguel A. , Ribas Dayana , Ortega Alfonso , Miguel Antonio , Lleida Eduardo
Published: August 2023

Speech Emotion Recognition (SER) plays a crucial role in applications involving human-machine interaction. However, the scarcity of suitable emotional speech datasets presents a major challenge for accurate SER systems. Deep Neural Network (DNN)-based solutions currently in use require substantial labelled data for successful training. Previous studies have proposed strategies to expand the training set in this framework by leveraging available emotion speech corpora. This paper assesses the impact of a cross-corpus training extension for a SER system using self-supervised (SS) representations, namely HuBERT and WavLM. The feasibility of training systems with just a few minutes of in-domain audio is also analyzed. The experimental results demonstrate that augmenting the training set with EmoDB (German), RAVDESS, and CREMA-D (English) datasets leads to improved SER accuracy on the IEMOCAP dataset. By combining a cross-corpus training extension and SS representations, state-of-the-art performance is achieved. These findings suggest that the cross-corpus strategy effectively addresses the scarcity of labelled data and enhances the performance of SER systems.
Using Modeling to Select the Type of Microwave Field Emitter for Dense-Layer Grain Dryers
Authors: Vasilyev Alexey A. , Vasilyev Alexey N. , Budnikov Dmitry
Published: August 2023

The microwave field is used for drying and disinfecting grains during the pre-sowing seed treatment. The use of a microwave field in these installations leads to an increase in their productivity and a decrease in the energy consumed by them. In grain dryers, where the grain moves in a dense layer without being loosened, one of the challenges in using microwave fields is ensuring sufficient uniformity of the field distribution. In this article, waveguide design options that introduce microwave radiation into the grain layer are discussed. The objective of this study was to use application software to find the optimum type of transmitter from the three options presented. A mathematical simulation of the electromagnetic field distribution was performed with the use of CST Microwave Studio software 2019 in order to evaluate and compare horn-type, rectangular, and semicircular waveguides. The data on the standing wave ratio and radiation efficiency of these types of waveguides have been reported. The specific features of the microwave electromagnetic field distribution and radiation power in the output of these waveguides have been described. The results of mathematical simulations revealed that semicircular waveguides with slot-type radiators are preferable for processing dense grain layers.
New Trends in Production and Operations Management
Authors: Tsarouhas Panagiotis
Published: August 2023

Operations Management includes the management of all company activities that support the input–output cycle [...]
Monitoring of Ambient Air Quality Patterns and Assessment of Air Pollutants’ Correlation and Effects on Ambient Air Quality of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Waqas Ahmed , Sharif Faiza , Khokhar Muhammad Fahim , Shahzad Laila , Ehsan Nusrat , Jahanzaib Muhammad
Published: August 2023

Industrialization, explosive population growth, anthropogenic activities, and vehicular exhaust deteriorate ambient air quality across the world. The current study aims at assessing the impacts on ambient air quality patterns and their co-relations in one of the world’s most polluted cities, i.e., Lahore, Pakistan, during a strict, moderate, and post-COVID-19 period of 28 months (March 2020–June 2022). The purpose of this study is to monitor and analyze the relationship between criteria air pollutants (SO2, particulate matter (PM 10 and 2.5), CO, O3, and NO2) through a Haz-Scanner 6000 and mobile van (ambient air quality monitoring station) over nine towns in Lahore. The results showed significantly lower concentrations of pollutants during strict lockdown which increased during the moderate and post-COVID-19 lockdown periods. The post-COVID-19 period illustrates a significant increase in the concentrations of SO2, PM10, PM2.5, CO, O3, and NO2, in a range of 100%, 270%, 500%, 300%, 70%, and 115%, respectively. Major peaks (pollution concentration) for PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 were found during the winter season. Multi-linear regression models show a significant correlation between PM with NO2 and SO2. The ratio of increase in the PM concentration with the increasing NO2 concentration is nearly 2.5 times higher than SO2. A significant positive correlation between a mobile van and Haz-Scanner was observed for CO and NO2 data as well as ground-based observation and satellite data of SO2, NO2, and CO. During the strict COVID-19 lockdowns, the reduction in the vehicular and industrial exhaust significantly improved the air quality of nine towns in Lahore. This research sets the ground for further research on the quantification of total emissions and the impacts of vehicular/industrial emissions on human health.
An Assessment of Global Dimming and Brightening during 1984–2018 Using the FORTH Radiative Transfer Model and ISCCP Satellite and MERRA-2 Reanalysis Data
Authors: Stamatis Michael , Hatzianastassiou Nikolaos , Korras-Carraca Marios-Bruno , Matsoukas Christos , Wild Martin , Vardavas Ilias
Published: August 2023

In this study, an assessment of the FORTH radiative transfer model (RTM) surface solar radiation (SSR) as well as its interdecadal changes (Δ(SSR)), namely global dimming and brightening (GDB), is performed during the 35-year period of 1984–2018. Furthermore, a thorough evaluation of SSR and (Δ(SSR)) is conducted against high-quality reference surface measurements from 1193 Global Energy Balance Archive (GEBA) and 66 Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) stations. For the first time, the FORTH-RTM Δ(SSR) was evaluated over an extended period of 35 years and with a spatial resolution of 0.5° × 0.625°. The RTM uses state-of-the-art input products such as MERRA-2 and ISCCP-H and computes 35-year-long monthly SSR and GDB, which are compared to a comprehensive dataset of reference measurements from GEBA and BSRN. Overall, the FORTH-RTM deseasonalized SSR anomalies correlate satisfactorily with either GEBA (R equal to 0.72) or BSRN (R equal to 0.80). The percentage of agreement between the sign of computed GEBA and FORTH-RTM Δ(SSR) is equal to 63.5% and the corresponding percentage for FORTH-RTM and BSRN is 54.5%. The obtained results indicate that a considerable and statistically significant increase in SSR (Brightening) took place over Europe, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Central and NW African areas, and some parts of the tropical oceans from the early 1980s to the late 2010s. On the other hand, during the same 35-year period, a strong and statistically significant decrease in SSR (Dimming) occurred over the western Tropical Pacific, India, Australia, Southern East China, Northern South America, and some parts of oceans. A statistically significant dimming at the 95% confidence level, equal to −0.063 Wm−2 year−1 (or −2.22 Wm−2) from 1984 to 2018 is found over the entire globe, which was more prevalent over oceanic than over continental regions (−0.07 Wm−2 year−1 and −0.03 Wm−2 year−1, statistically significant dimming at the 95% confidence level, respectively) in both hemispheres. Yet, this overall 35-year dimming arose from alternating decadal-scale changes, consisting of dimming during 1984–1989, brightening in the 1990s, turning into dimming over 2000–2009, and brightening during 2010–2018.
Executable Digital Process Twins: Towards the Enhancement of Process-Driven Systems
Authors: Corradini Flavio , Pettinari Sara , Re Barbara , Rossi Lorenzo , Tiezzi Francesco
Published: August 2023

The development of process-driven systems and the advancements in digital twins have led to the birth of new ways of monitoring and analyzing systems, i.e., digital process twins. Specifically, a digital process twin can allow the monitoring of system behavior and the analysis of the execution status to improve the whole system. However, the concept of the digital process twin is still theoretical, and process-driven systems cannot really benefit from them. In this regard, this work discusses how to effectively exploit a digital process twin and proposes an implementation that combines the monitoring, refinement, and enactment of system behavior. We demonstrated the proposed solution in a multi-robot scenario.
The Role of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and CRF-Related Peptides in the Social Behavior of Rodents
Authors: Bagosi Zsolt , Megyesi Kíra , Ayman Jázmin , Rudersdorf Hanna , Ayaz Maieda Khan , Csabafi Krisztina
Published: August 2023

Since the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was isolated from an ovine brain, a growing family of CRF-related peptides has been discovered. Today, the mammalian CRF system consists of four ligands (CRF, urocortin 1 (Ucn1), urocortin 2 (Ucn2), and urocortin 3 (Ucn3)); two receptors (CRF receptor type 1 (CRF1) and CRF receptor type 2 (CRF2)); and a CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP). Besides the regulation of the neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses to stress, CRF and CRF-related peptides are also involved in different aspects of social behavior. In the present study, we review the experiments that investigated the role of CRF and the urocortins involved in the social behavior of rats, mice, and voles, with a special focus on sociability and preference for social novelty, as well as the ability for social recognition, discrimination, and memory. In general, these experiments demonstrate that CRF, Ucn1, Ucn2, and Ucn3 play important, but distinct roles in the social behavior of rodents, and that they are mediated by CRF1 and/or CRF2. In addition, we suggest the possible brain regions and pathways that express CRF and CRF-related peptides and that might be involved in social interactions. Furthermore, we also emphasize the differences between the species, strains, and sexes that make translation of these roles from rodents to humans difficult.
A Single Application of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Fails to Enhance Motor Skill Acquisition in Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: de Albuquerque Lidio Lima , Pantovic Milan , Clingo Mitchell , Fischer Katherine , Jalene Sharon , Landers Merrill , Mari Zoltan , Poston Brach
Published: August 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to numerous impairments in motor function that compromise the ability to perform activities of daily living. Practical and effective adjunct therapies are needed to complement current treatment approaches in PD. Transcranial direct current stimulation applied to the cerebellum (c-tDCS) can increase motor skill in young and older adults. Because the cerebellum is involved in PD pathology, c-tDCS application during motor practice could potentially enhance motor skill in PD. The primary purpose was to examine the influence of c-tDCS on motor skill acquisition in a complex, visuomotor isometric precision grip task (PGT) in PD in the OFF-medication state. The secondary purpose was to determine the influence of c-tDCS on transfer of motor skill in PD. The study utilized a double-blind, SHAM-controlled, within-subjects design. A total of 16 participants completed a c-tDCS condition and a SHAM condition in two experimental sessions separated by a 7-day washout period. Each session involved practice of the PGT concurrent with either c-tDCS or SHAM. Additionally, motor transfer tasks were quantified before and after the practice and stimulation period. The force error in the PGT was not significantly different between the c-tDCS and SHAM conditions. Similarly, transfer task performance was not significantly different between the c-tDCS and SHAM conditions. These findings indicate that a single session of c-tDCS does not elicit acute improvements in motor skill acquisition or transfer in hand and arm tasks in PD while participants are off medications.
Genetic Therapy Approaches for Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency
Authors: Seker Yilmaz Berna , Gissen Paul
Published: August 2023

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is the most common urea cycle disorder with high unmet needs, as current dietary and medical treatments may not be sufficient to prevent hyperammonemic episodes, which can cause death or neurological sequelae. To date, liver transplantation is the only curative choice but is not widely available due to donor shortage, the need for life-long immunosuppression and technical challenges. A field of research that has shown a great deal of promise recently is gene therapy, and OTCD has been an essential candidate for different gene therapy modalities, including AAV gene addition, mRNA therapy and genome editing. This review will first summarise the main steps towards clinical translation, highlighting the benefits and challenges of each gene therapy approach, then focus on current clinical trials and finally outline future directions for the development of gene therapy for OTCD.
Sub-Scalp Implantable Telemetric EEG (SITE) for the Management of Neurological and Behavioral Disorders beyond Epilepsy
Authors: Pacia Steven V.
Published: August 2023

Sub-scalp Implantable Telemetric EEG (SITE) devices are under development for the treatment of epilepsy. However, beyond epilepsy, continuous EEG analysis could revolutionize the management of patients suffering from all types of brain disorders. This article reviews decades of foundational EEG research, collected from short-term routine EEG studies of common neurological and behavioral disorders, that may guide future SITE management and research. Established quantitative EEG methods, like spectral EEG power density calculation combined with state-of-the-art machine learning techniques applied to SITE data, can identify new EEG biomarkers of neurological disease. From distinguishing syncopal events from seizures to predicting the risk of dementia, SITE-derived EEG biomarkers can provide clinicians with real-time information about diagnosis, treatment response, and disease progression.
Revealing the Acute Effects of Dietary Components on Mood and Cognition: The Role of Autonomic Nervous System Responses
Authors: Zahar Sélima , De Longis Evelina , Hudry Julie
Published: August 2023

A growing body of literature suggests dietary components can support mood and cognitive function through the impact of their bioactive or sensorial properties on neural pathways. Of interest, objective measures of the autonomic nervous system—such as those regulating bodily functions related to heartbeat and sweating—can be used to assess the acute effects of dietary components on mood and cognitive function. Technological advancements in the development of portable and wearable devices have made it possible to collect autonomic responses in real-world settings, creating an opportunity to study how the intake of dietary components impacts mood and cognitive function at an individual level, day-to-day. In this paper, we aimed to review the use of autonomic nervous system responses such as heart rate or skin galvanic response to investigate the acute effects of dietary components on mood and cognitive performance in healthy adult populations. In addition to examining the existing methodologies, we also propose new state-of-the-art techniques that use autonomic nervous system responses to detect changes in proxy patterns for the automatic detection of stress, alertness, and cognitive performance. These methodologies have potential applications for home-based nutrition interventions and personalized nutrition, enabling individuals to recognize the specific dietary components that impact their mental and cognitive health and tailor their nutrition accordingly.
Mechanism of Taxanes in the Treatment of Lung Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Zhang Yajing , Zhao Zirui , Li Wenlong , Tang Yuanhu , Wang Shujie
Published: August 2023

Taxanes are natural compounds for the treatment of lung cancer, but the molecular mechanism behind the effects is unclear. In the present study, through network pharmacology and molecular docking, the mechanism of the target and pathway of taxanes in the treatment of lung cancer was studied. The taxanes targets were determined by PubChem database, and an effective compounds-targets network was constructed. The GeneCards database was used to determine the disease targets of lung cancer, and the intersection of compound targets and disease targets was obtained. The Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) network of the intersection targets was analyzed, and the PPI network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.6.0 software. The hub targets were screened according to the degree value, and the binding activity between taxanes and hub targets was verified by molecular docking. The results showed that eight taxane-active compounds and 444 corresponding targets were screened out, and 131 intersection targets were obtained after mapping with lung cancer disease targets. The hub targets obtained by PPI analysis were TP53, EGFR, and AKT1. Gene Ontology (GO) biological function enrichment analysis obtained 1795 biological process (BP) terms, 101 cellular component (CC) terms, and 164 molecular function (MF) terms. There were 179 signaling pathways obtained by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Twenty signaling pathways were screened out, mainly pathways in cancer, proteoglycans in cancer pathway, microRNAs in cancer pathway, and so on. Molecular docking shows that the binding energies of eight taxanes with TP53, EGFR, and AKT1 targets were less than −8.8 kcal/mol, taxanes acts on TP53, EGFR, and AKT1 targets through pathways in cancer, proteoglycans in cancer pathway and microRNAs in cancer pathway, and plays a role in treating lung cancer in biological functions such as protein binding, enzyme binding, and identical protein binding.
Fluoride Removal and Recovery from Water Using Reverse Osmosis and Osmotic Membrane Crystallization
Authors: Ousman Wuhib Zeine , Alemayehu Esayas , Luis Patricia
Published: August 2023

Fluoride is a concern for human health at high concentrations, but it is also a valuable compound with multiple applications. Thus, having a system that gives the opportunity to remove and recover this valuable element from water is highly interesting. Reverse osmosis (RO) is a promising technology in the removal of fluoride from water. Nevertheless, the residual retentate highly concentrated in fluoride is still a concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of an integrated process consisting of RO and membrane crystallization to remove fluoride from water and to recover it as a pure fluoride salt. Pure water permeability and fluoride rejection of a commercial RO membrane was tested under different conditions. In addition, the performance of an osmotic membrane crystallization setup was evaluated, considering the effect caused by the flow rates and the concentration of both the feed and the osmotic solution on the mass transfer coefficient. The crystallization process allowed the production of pure NaF crystals with octahedral morphology with a face-centered cubic crystal system.
Preparation and Study of Ca/Tb Co-Doped HfO2 Infrared Coatings with Different Atomic Ratios
Authors: Zou Jun , Cheng Xudong , Hu Chengwei , Tong Xu , Zeng Xian , Chen Yaping
Published: August 2023

In this study, HfO2 coatings co-doped with different Ca/Tb atomic ratios were prepared via the atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) method. The microstructure, infrared radiation properties, and high-temperature stability of the coatings were investigated. All of the doped coatings possessed a porous surface and were composed of two phases, namely the monoclinic HfO2 phase and the cubic HfO2 phase. In addition, the content of the cubic phases increased when raising the doping atomic ratio of Ca/Tb, suggesting that Ca could stabilize the cubic HfO2 phase more effectively. The results also show that the coating with a Ca/Tb atomic ratio of 1/0 (CT1 coating) had more excellent infrared radiative properties, whose total emissivity was 0.844 in the 0.75~6.5 μm band and 0.900 in the 6.5~15 μm band, respectively. The improvement in emissivity in the 0.75~6.5 μm band was mainly due to the impurity energy levels introduced via oxygen vacancy, which promoted the absorption of free carriers. And, in 6.5~15 μm, because the approximate masses of the Ca-O and Tb-O bonds were smaller than that of the Hf-O bonds, the infrared absorption of the lattice vibration shifted, favoring absorption below 10 μm. Moreover, Ca had a more significant strengthening effect than Tb in the whole band. In terms of high-temperature infrared radiation performance, the total emissivity of the CT1 coating at 2.5~25 μm increased as the temperature increased from 500 °C to 1100 °C, which might be attributed to the thermal-enhanced lattice vibration absorption. However, the emissivity of the CT1 coating at 3~5 μm was kept around 0.9 from 1100 °C to 2000 °C, owing to the fact that infrared absorption was more determined by the intrinsic width of the energy levels because of the weakening of the doping effect at high temperatures. In terms of thermal stability, the surface morphology and chemical composition of the CT1 coating were barely changed within 4 h of heat treatment at 2000 °C. The total infrared emissivity of the CT1 coating after 4 h of heat treatment was 0.826 in the 0.75~6.5 μm band and 0.895 in the 6.5~15 μm band, slightly lower than that before heat treatment, suggesting good thermal stability and good application prospects as a high-temperature infrared material.
Immunotherapy during the Immediate Perioperative Period: A Promising Approach against Metastatic Disease
Authors: Sandbank Elad , Eckerling Anabel , Margalit Adam , Sorski Liat , Ben-Eliyahu Shamgar
Published: August 2023

Tumor excision is a necessary life-saving procedure in most solid cancers. However, surgery and the days before and following it, known as the immediate perioperative period (IPP), entail numerous prometastatic processes, including the suppression of antimetastatic immunity and direct stimulation of minimal residual disease (MRD). Thus, the IPP is pivotal in determining long-term cancer outcomes, presenting a short window of opportunity to circumvent perioperative risk factors by employing several therapeutic approaches, including immunotherapy. Nevertheless, immunotherapy is rarely examined or implemented during this short timeframe, due to both established and hypothetical contraindications to surgery. Herein, we analyze how various aspects of the IPP promote immunosuppression and progression of MRD, and how potential IPP application of immunotherapy may interact with these deleterious processes. We discuss the feasibility and safety of different immunotherapies during the IPP with a focus on the latest approaches of immune checkpoint inhibition. Last, we address the few past and ongoing clinical trials that exploit the IPP timeframe for anticancer immunotherapy. Accordingly, we suggest that several specific immunotherapies can be safely and successfully applied during the IPP, alone or with supporting interventions, which may improve patients’ resistance to MRD and overall survival.