bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of antiseptic properties of drugs used for antiseptic treatment of root canals
Authors: Makonin A. V. , Kopetsky I. S. , Nikolskaya I. A. , Eremin D. A. , Mikhailova E. G. , Pobozhyeva L. V. , Patrakova N. N.
Published: September 2021

The study determined the antiseptic activity of modern drugs in the form of liquids presented on the territory of the Russian Federation, drugs were used for long-term antiseptic treatment of the root canal system of teeth. The need to use these drugs is justified by the microbial insemination of the root channels and the presence of various branches at all levels of the root channel. Thus, the obtained results make it possible to state that the degree of antiseptic activity of the preparations depends on the exposure time. The study established the strong antiseptic effect of the drug Kresotin No. 2. As follows from the analysis of the above materials, the antiseptic activity of Pulpevit No. 2, Gwayafen forte, Camforfen showed minimal results with respect to the microflora of the experimental part of the study.
Optimization of the dental implantation protocol in patients with partial secondary edentulousness and vitamin D deficiency
Authors: Ostrovskaya L. Yu. , Zakharova N. В. , Lysov A. V. , Kochkonyan Т. S. , Domenyuk D. A.
Published: September 2021

Relevance. The processes of osseointegration in the area of dental implant placement are accompanied by the development of reactions associ-ated with inflammation and activation of local immune processes in peri-implant tissues. Vitamin D preparations can have a significant local effect on the cells of the innate immune defense of the periodontal tissues.The aim of this work is to study the effectiveness of local application of vitamin D on the immune status of the peri-implant sulcus in rehabilitation of patients with partial secondary edentulous and chronic periodontitis by the method of dental implantation.

Materials and methods.Determination of the content of biomarkers (IL-1RA, MCP-1, VEGF, TGF-β1, sTNFR) in the crevicular fluid before the installation of implants and the peri-implantation furrow fluid was carried out by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercial kits «Vector Best» reagents after 3 and 6 months after surgery. The assessment of the state of the bone tissue was carried out using the Orthopantomograph tm OP300 apparatus (KAVO Dental, Germany). Vitamin D has been used topically at a therapeutic dosage.

Results.Vitamin D, by reducing Th-1 and Th-17 cell proliferation and differentiation, blocks the activity of the immune-inflammatory process that occurs during implant placement.

Conclusion. Application of colecalciferol in patients with moderate periodontitis leads to the activation of the production of immunoregulatory cyto-kines by the cellular structures of the peri-implantation furrow and can be used in combination with the traditional protocol in this category of patients.
Reference map of localization of contact points and contact areas of posterior teeth
Authors: Nikolaev A. I. , Ginali A. N. , Permyakova A. V. , Shashmurina V. R.
Published: September 2021

The aim of the study: to find correlations in age-related characteristics of the localization and shape of the contact points in permanent posterior teeth and to develop a reference card for dentists, reflecting the age-related characteristics of the localization, shape and size of the contact areas of the posterior teeth in adults.

Materials and research methods. The linear dimensions, area, shape, vertical and horizontal position in the interdental space of 1224 contact points of the posterior teeth in 236 patients aged 20 to 59 years was assessed based on a comprehensive analysis of intraoral radiographs performed using the bitewing technique, the results of the study of contact points using floss, displaying contact points on dental impressions made using a special technique.

Research results. It was found that the interdental spaces of the posterior teeth in adult patients are characterized by the following features: the contact areas of the teeth are displaced in the vestibular direction, the buccal and lingual (palatal) interdental embrasures are asymmetric; dynamics of the depth of occlusal interdental embrasures, linear dimensions and area of contact areas is expressed as average digital values for different age groups: 20-40 years: contact areas – 1×2 mm, S = 2 mm2, depth of occlusal interdental embrasure - 1.5 mm ; over 40 years old: contact pads – 1.5×3 mm, S = 4.5 mm2, the depth of the occlusal interdental embrasure – 1.0 mm.

Conclusion. On the basis of the data obtained, a «Reference map of the localization of contact points and contact areas of posterior teeth in adult patients» was proposed, which allows a dentist to obtain data on the features of the topography of the contact areas of the posterior teeth, taking into account the patient’s age during planning and performing interproximal caries treatment.
Comparison of digital scanning and conventional impression taking for implant-supported prostheses
Authors: Studenikin R. V. , Mamedov A. A.
Published: September 2021

The effect of discrepancies between digital scans and conventional impressions on the clinical performance of a permanent restoration has not been fully understood.

Thirty patients received conventional impressions and digital scans of a single implant restoration. Two crowns were made for the same implant using both methods. The time taken for each procedure was recorded. After analyzing the accuracy and effectiveness of both crowns, the best one was placed. A questionnaire was conducted to assess the preferences and comfort when using crowns made by one method or another.The total time for the traditional impression technique was 15 minutes, while the time for the digital scanning technique was significantly less – 10 minutes.

The preparation time, including the disinfection of the silicone impressions, their transportation to the laboratory, the casting of the impressions, the hardening of the plaster, as well as the preparation of the model by the technician, was 4 hours for conventional impressions.The timing for sending the STL file and modeling the structure was less than 2 hours for the digital scan method. The production time of crowns takes 3 hours for both conventional impressions and digital ones.

Of all crowns selected for placement, 46.7% were made from conventional impressions and 53.3% from digital scans. Participants preferred the digital scanning technique (89%) over the traditional impression-taking technique (11%).

The data from this study suggest that digital scanning and CAD/CAM technology may be more effective and better accepted by study par-ticipants for a single implant restoration than conventional impressions and plaster casts.
Odontoscopic and morphometric assessment of occlusion circuits of permanent teeth in patients with physiological occlusion
Authors: Davydov В. N. , Kochkonyan Т. S. , Domenyuk D. A. , Dmitrienko S. V. , Al-Harazi Ghamdan
Published: September 2021

A dentist needs special knowledge in odontology and odontoglyphics, which allows visualizing the space and relief of the tooth surface, as well as conducting an in-depth analysis of the individual morphometric characteristics of the tooth. Expansion of knowledge about the variability of the occlusal relief will allow achieving balanced occlusal-articulation relationships of the dentition and preserving the physiological state of the dentition. The article presents the results of odontoscopic and morphometric studies of vertical, transverse parameters of the upper large molars in patients with various physiological types of occlusion. The subject of the study was the segments of the upper molars obtained from plaster models of the jaws of 92 people with physiological occlusion, a full set of permanent teeth and various types of dental system (patients in group 1 – normodontism, patients in group 2 – macrodontism, patients in group 3 – microdontism). For morphometry in the transverse direction, the vestibular-lingual size of the crown and neck of the tooth, as well as the intertubercular distance, were used. To measure the vertical parameters, the height of the mesial (protocone, paracone) and distal (metacone, hypocone) odontomeres and tubercle of the occlusal surface was determined. The results of the study showed that in people with physiological occlusion and macrodontism of permanent teeth, vertical, transverse parameters exceed those of people with normodont and microdont types of the dental system. It is advisable to use the obtained odontometric features at the stages of diagnosing occlusal relationships and identifying various forms of pathological, physiological abrasion with varying degrees of loss of occlusal surfaces.
Use of domestic light-cured polymer at production of removable orthodontic devices
Authors: Kosyrevа Т. F. , Voeykova О. V. , Golochalova N. V.
Published: September 2021

The purpose of work was the clinical laboratory research, identification of reaction of local immunity mucous a mouth, indicators of globulins fraction on carrying within 6 months of the removable orthodontic device from domestic light-cured polymer at children. Immunoglobulins of three classes IgM, IgG, IGA and calculated values of sIgA and sc (free secretory component) were investigated. Contents sekretorny IgA (sIgA) and a free secretory component (sc) is especially important. Results were estimated by V.V. Zverev’s technique et al. (2011) [6]. Results showed that immunoglobulins changed individually at each patient within one extent of dysbiotic disorders that is connected with an initial situation of a condition of oropharynx of the child which had no considerable fluctuations within one degree of a condition of a microbiota of a mucous oropharynx of the child. The bioinertness of Nolatek photopolymer in the form of basic material of the orthodontic device is established. Light-cured domestic nanostructural polymer has high quality of the operational properties in children’s practice of clinic of orthodontics conforming to modern requirements for bioinertness, an esthetics and functionality.
Systemic antimycotic therapy of patients with mycosis of the oral mucosa and periodontal Сandida etiology
Authors: Ushakov R. V. , Tsarev V. N. , Ushakova Т. V. , Tsareva Т. V. , Ushakov A. R. , Zavadsky R. V. , Eliseeva N. B.
Published: September 2021

Candidiasis is the most common mycosis. Оral candidiasis occurs in the form of stomatitis, including the so-called prosthetic stomatitis. Somewhat less often, fungi of the genus Candida are detected with gingivitis and periodontitis, manifestations of red lichen planus on the oral mucosa.

The purpose of the work: to analyze the results of mycological studies and determine the sensitivity of fungi isolated from the oral cavity in vari-ous oral pathologies to the main antimycotics, as well as the formation on this basis of an algorithm for antimycotic therapy of candidal lesions of the oral mucosa and periodontium.

Material and methods. The paper uses the results of studies of patients with candidiasis of the oral mucosa (127 patients), prosthetic stomatitis (136 patients), candida-associated periodontitis (168 patients). Primary inoculation was performed quantitatively on Sabouraud’s medium and duplicated on M1297 chromogenic medium (Himedia Labs, India).To study the biofilm formed on the oral mucosa, fixed preparations of gold-coated scrapings were prepared for scanning electron microscopy, which was performed using a Quanta 200 3D bi-beam microscope (USA). Sensitivity to antimycotics was assessed using the traditional method of disks.

The results of the study. When studying the species composition of yeast-like fungi isolated from the material, it was found that the species C. albicans was isolated in 80% of patients, in association with other species: C. Krusei, C. guilliermondii and C. glabrata. The second place was taken by the species C. Krusei, which was detected in 13.3% of patients. Representatives of this genus of yeast fungi are characterized by the formation of a biofilm with a pronounced mantle, which protects the microorganism from aggressive factors, including antimycotics and antiseptics. All the studied preparations showed fungicidal activity against these strains of yeast-like fungi. When registering the results, it was found that the most pronounced sensitivity of yeast-like fungi of this species was to drugs from the group of azole derivatives. The most pronounced antifungal activity was noted by us in voriconazole.

Conclusion. Based on the obtained data, an algorithm of systemic antimycotic therapy for oral candidiasis has been developed.
Prevention of complications of iatrogenic transient bacteremia in dental practice
Authors: Ushakov R. V. , Tsarev V. N. , Ashueva A. Z. , Tsareva Т. V. , Ushakov A. R.
Published: September 2021

Transient bacteremia that occurs during invasive dental manipulations can lead to the development of severe complications in patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system, immunodeficiencies due to many factors, blood diseases, the presence of endoprostheses, etc. Antimi-crobial prevention of possible infectious-inflammatory complications of bacteremia in dentistry is an important task. The article provides data on the composition of normal oral microflora and its sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs. An algorithm for preventing complications of transient bacteremia in patients with risk factors is proposed.
Analysis of the opinion of doctors about dental management of patients with heart rate disorders in the background of the application of anti-coagulant therapy
Authors: Lomakina M. V.
Published: September 2021

Diseases of the circulatory system are one of the main causes of death and disability in the population. The high prevalence of conditions associ-ated with heart rhythm disturbances is due to associated conditions and concomitant diseases, and this cohort of persons, as a rule, is on lifelong pharmacotherapy. In accordance with clinical guidelines, anticoagulant therapy is indicated for patients with heart rhythm disturbances, which can often pose a risk of microcirculation disturbance. Inflammatory processes in the oral cavity lead to endothelial dysfunction and microcirculation disorders, which is one of the predictors in the development of hypertension, which is associated with rhythm disturbances.Due to the possibility of developing microcirculation disorders and the risk of bleeding, it is important for a dentist to understand the features of the management and treatment of these patients, as well as approaches to the prevention of exacerbations of dental diseases.
Analysis of the lower jaw exoskeleton in finite element programs
Authors: D’yachenko D. Yu. , Vorob’ev A. A. , Makedonova Iu. A. , Kurkina О. N. , D’yachenko S. V. , Afanas’eva O. Yu. , Vargina S. A.
Published: September 2021

A special place in the methods of surgical treatment of bone fractures is occupied by transosseous osteosynthesis using external fixation devices of various designs.

Objective: to analyze the lower jaw exoskeleton in finite element programs.

Materials and research methods. During the research, 36 human lower jaws were involved from the museum of the Department of Oper-ative Surgery and Topographic Anatomy of the Volgograd State Medical University. They were scanned in 3D. All obtained images were loaded into a virtual scene reconstruction program. Fractures of the lower jaws in the corner area were modeled, an apparatus for external fixation of the lower jaw exoskeleton was installed, and the chewing load on the lower jaw was simulated. The place of application of the force was an area on a small fragment of a repositioned 3D model of the mandibular bone corresponding to the place of attachment of the masseter muscle. The evaluation of virtual studies was carried out according to the results of the stress-strain states of the bones and apparatus, the schedule of displacements of objects and the results of the analysis of the safety factor.

Research results and discussion. In the course of evaluating the virtual placement of the mini-fixator wires of the apparatus for external fixation of the lower jaw exoskeleton, it was revealed that the main load is applied to the mini-fixator wires on a large fragment and the bone in the area of the wires. For the possibility of precise positioning of the osteofixers of the external fixation device, a device for the safe installation of the spokes of the lower jaw exoskeleton was also developed.

Conclusion. Thus, on the basis of computer mathematical analysis, it can be argued that the developed design of the apparatus for external fixation of the lower jaw exoskeleton works under conditions of the maxillofacial region, performs reposition and fixation of bone fragments of the lower jaw under conditions of chewing functioning of the restored fracture of the lower jaw.
Prospects for the use of collagen-containing matrices in directed tissue regeneration. Literature review
Authors: Boyko Е. М. , Dolgalev A. A. , Stomatov D. V. , Ivashkevih S. G. , Chagarov A. A. , Musaev М. G. , Edisherashvili U. B. , Gabrielian N. G.
Published: September 2021

Studies of recent decades have convincingly shown that collagen in connective tissue plays not only a structural role. In the 80s of the XX centu[1]ry, A. Pishinger and H. Heine suggested the informative-regulatory role of collagen in the extracellular matrix (A. Pischinger, 1990). In recent years, the morphogenetic function of collagen has been actively studied, the implementation of which is possible due to the presence of collagen re[1]ceptors on the surface of various cell populations, such as platelets and fibroblasts. Collagen regulates the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (J. D. San Antonio et al., 2020). At the same time, its decay products, which stimulate growth by the negative feedback mechanism, are probably of great importance. In general, the relationship between the synthesis and breakdown of collagen is of fundamental importance for the regulation of connective tissue growth.
Development of a device for safe spatial orientation of the spokes of an extra-focal osteosynthesis apparatus
Authors: D’yachenko D. Yu. , Vorob’ev A. A. , Makedonova Iu. A. , Kurkina О. N. , D’yachenko S. V. , Vargina S. A.
Published: September 2021

A special place in the methods of surgical treatment of bone fractures is occupied by transosseous osteosynthesis using external fixation devices.

The aim of the study is to develop a device for the safe spatial orientation of the wires of the extrafocal osteosynthesis apparatus.

Materials and methods. To develop a device for the spatial orientation of the external fixation spokes, a 3D model was designed with further reproduction on a 3D printer. The development of the device was carried out by placing the wires of the external fixation apparatus on 36 bones of the human lower jaw, on which a fracture in the angle was simulated.

Results and discussion. The device for the spatial orientation of the spokes of the external fixation device for the lower jaw exoselet is partially reproduced using a 3D printer, which allows individualizing the device parts at the stages of preparation for surgery.

Conclusions. Effect: control of the depth of immersion of osteofixers over the entire thickness of the bone and simplification of the choice of the optimal angle of mutual spatial orientation during their introduction and the greatest stable fixation of the fragments of the lower jaw during closed extrafocal osteosynthesis.
The effect of removing dental plaque with low-frequency ultrasound and ozonized contact medium on the microbiota of the gingival sulcus with diagnosis chronic catarrhal gingivitis of young age patients
Authors: Mhoyan G. R. , Razumova S. N. , Volkov A. G. , Dikopova N. Zh. , Ponomareva A. G. , Podporin М S. , Brago A. S.
Published: September 2021

As a result of the study, it was found that the removal of dental plaque using low-frequency ultrasound and ozonized contact medium in chronic generalized catarrhal gingivitis of young people can significantly improve the state of microbiocenosis of the gingival sulcus. The preservation of the main resident species is noted, occasional transient species disappear and the frequency of isolation of aggressive representatives of beta-hemolytic streptococci and periodontopathogenic species decreases. When using ozonated water for the removal of dental deposits, the efficiency of eradication of the microbiota of the gingival sulcus, especially of representatives of aggressive species, is higher than when removing dental deposits without the use of ozonated water.
Non-invasive Global and Regional Myocardial Work Predicts High-Risk Stable Coronary Artery Disease Patients With Normal Segmental Wall Motion and Left Ventricular Function
Authors: Zhang Jun , Liu Yani , Deng Youbin , Zhu Ying , Sun Ruiying , Lu Shirui
Published: September 2021

Background: Previous studies suggested that myocardial work (MW) may identify abnormalities in the left ventricular (LV) function and establish a more sensitive index for LV dysfunction at the early stage. This study aimed to explore the value of global and regional MW parameters in predicting high-risk stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients with normal wall motion and preserved LV function.

Patients and Methods: A total of 131 patients, who were clinically diagnosed as SCAD with normal wall motion and LV function, were finally included in this study. Global MW parameters, including global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were measured with non-invasive LV pressure-strain loops constructed from speckle-tracking echocardiography. Regional myocardial work index (RWI) and work efficiency (RWE) were also calculated according to the perfusion territory of each major coronary artery. All patients underwent coronary angiography and were divided into the high-risk SCAD group, the non-high-risk SCAD group, and the No SCAD group according to the range and degrees of coronary arteries stenosis.

Results: The global longitudinal strain (GLS), GWI and GCW were statistically different (P < 0.001) among the three groups. In the high-risk SCAD group, GLS, GWI, and GCW were significantly lower than the other two groups (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated GWI and GCW could predict high-risk SCAD at a cutoff value of 1,808 mm Hg% (sensitivity, 52.6%; specificity, 87.8%; predictive positive value, 76.3%; predictive negative value, 69.9%) and 2,308 mm Hg% (sensitivity, 80.7%; specificity, 64.9%; predictive positive value, 63.3%; predictive negative value, 80.0%), respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that carotid plaque, decreased GWI, and GCW was independently related to high-risk SCAD. The cutoff values of RWILAD, RWILCX, and RWIRCA were 2,156, 1,929, and 1,983 mm Hg% in predicting high-risk SCAD, respectively (P < 0.001). When we combined RWI in two or three perfusion regions, the diagnostic performance of SCAD was improved (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Both global and regional MW parameters have great potential in non-invasively predicting high-risk SCAD patients with normal wall motion and preserved LV function, contributing to the early identification of high-risk patients who may benefit from revascularization therapy.
Clinical Molecular and Genomic Epidemiology of Morganella morganii in China
Authors: Xiang Guoxiu , Lan Kai , Cai Yimei , Liao Kang , Zhao Mei , Tao Jia , Ma Yi , Zeng Jianming , Zhang Weizheng , Wu Zhongwen , Yu Xuegao , Liu Yuyang , Lu Yang , Xu Caixia , Chen Liang , Tang Yi-Wei , Chen Cha , Jia Wei , Huang Bin
Published: September 2021

Objectives:Ongoing acquisition of antimicrobial resistance genes has madeMorganella morganiia new clinical treatment challenge. Understanding the molecular epidemiology ofM. morganiiwill contribute to clinical treatment and prevention.

Methods:We undertook a 6-year clinical molecular epidemiological investigation ofM. morganiifrom three tertiary hospitals in China since 2014. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using a VITEK-2 system. All isolates were screened for β-lactam and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes by PCR. Isolates carrying carbapenem-resistant genes were subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The variation and evolution of these mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were then systematically analyzed.

Results:Among allM. morganiiisolates (n= 335), forty (11.9%) were recognized as multidrug resistant strains.qnrD1,aac(6′)-Ib-cr,blaTEM–104, andblaCTX–M–162were the top four most prevalent resistance genes. Notably, phylogenomic and population structure analysis suggested clade 1 (rhierBAPS SC3 and SC5) associated with multiple resistance genes seemed to be widely spread. WGS showed ablaOXA–181-carrying IncX3 plasmid and aProteusgenomic island 2 variant carryingblaCTX–M–3,aac(6′)-Ib-crcoexisted in the same multidrug resistant strain zy_m28. Additionally, ablaIMP–1-carrying IncP-1β type plasmid was found in the strain nx_m63.

Conclusion:This study indicates a clade ofM. morganiiis prone to acquire resistance genes, and multidrug resistantM. morganiiare increasing by harboring a variety of MGEs including two newly discovered ones in the species. We should be vigilant thatM. morganiimay bring more extensive and challenging antimicrobial resistance issue.
Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Parameters Predict Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Zhang Songtao , Zhang Runfang , Gong Wenbo , Wang Chao , Zeng Chen , Zhai Yifei , Fang Qigen , Dai Liyuan
Published: September 2021

Background

This study aims to assess the association between positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) parameters and the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in unresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

A total of 105 patients receiving immunotherapy (pembrolizumab or sintilimab with/without cisplatin) were retrospectively enrolled in this study; pretreatment data regarding metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were collected. The primary interest of the study was objective response rate (ORR), and the secondary was progression−free survival (PFS).

Results

The mean total MTV was 40.6 cm3 (range: 8.5–100.3), ORRs in tumors with total MTV of ≥40.6 and <40.6 cm3 were 43.1% and 23.1%, respectively; the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.018). Survival analysis indicated similar PFS rates in the two groups (p = 0.057). The mean total SUVmax was 12.5, ORRs in tumors with total SUVmax ≥12.5 and <12.5 were 40.0% and 26.0%, respectively; the difference was not significant (p = 0.092). Survival analysis reported patients with total SUVmax of ≥12.5 had significantly worse PFS (p = 0.001) than patients with total SUVmax of <12.5.

Conclusions

In HNSCC, total MTV ≥40.6 cm3 translated into improved clinical response but not into better PFS; total SUVmax had no effect on clinical response, but total SUVmax ≥12.5 was associated with worse PFS.
Microplastics-Induced Eryptosis and Poikilocytosis in Early-Juvenile Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Hamed Mohamed , Osman Alaa G. M. , Badrey Ahmed E. A. , Soliman Hamdy A. M. , Sayed Alaa El-Din H.
Published: September 2021

This study aims to assess the impact of microplastics (MPs) on erythrocytes using eryptosis (apoptosis) and an erythron profile (poikilocytosis and nuclear abnormalities), considered to be novel biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In this study, four groups of fish were used: The first was the control group. In the second group, 1 mg/L of MPs was introduced to the samples. The third group was exposed to 10 mg/L of MPs. Finally, the fourth group was exposed to 100 mg/L of MPs for 15 days, following 15 days of recovery. The fish treated with MPs experienced an immense rise in the eryptosis percentage, poikilocytosis, and nuclear abnormalities of red blood cells (RBCs) compared with the control group in a concentration-dependent manner. Poikilocytosis of MP-exposed groups included sickle cell shape, schistocyte, elliptocyte, acanthocyte, and other shapes. Nuclear abnormalities of the MPs-exposed groups included micronuclei, binucleated erythrocytes, notched, lobed, blebbed, and hemolyzed nuclei. After the recovery period, a greater percentage of eryptosis, poikilocytotic cells, and nuclear abnormalities in RBCs were still evident in the groups exposed to MPs when crosschecked with the control group. The results show concerning facts regarding the toxicity of MPs in tilapia.
Associated SNPs, Heritabilities, Trait Correlations, and Genomic Breeding Values for Resistance in Snap Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Root Rot Caused by Fusarium solani (Mart.) f. sp. phaseoli (Burkholder)
Authors: Huster Abigail R. , Wallace Lyle T. , Myers James R.
Published: September 2021

Root rot is a major constraint to snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production in the United States and around the world. Genetic resistance is needed to effectively control root rot disease because cultural control methods are ineffective, and the pathogen will be present at the end of one season of production on previously clean land. A diversity panel of 149 snap bean pure lines was evaluated for resistance toFusariumroot rot in Oregon. Morphological traits potentially associated with root rot resistance, such as aboveground biomass, adventitious roots, taproot diameter, basal root diameter, deepest root angle, shallowest root angle, root angle average, root angle difference, and root angle geometric mean were evaluated and correlated to disease severity. A genome wide association study (GWAS) using the Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU) statistical method, identified five associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for disease severity and two SNPs for biomass. The SNPs were found on Pv03, Pv07, Pv08, Pv10, and Pv11. One candidate gene for disease reaction near a SNP on Pv03 codes for a peroxidase, and two candidates associated with biomass SNPs were a 2-alkenal reductase gene cluster on Pv10 and a Pentatricopeptide repeat domain on Pv11. Bean lines utilized in the study were ranked by genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) for disease severity, biomass, and the root architecture traits, and the observed and predicted values had high to moderate correlations. Cross validation of genomic predictions showed slightly lower correlational accuracy. Bean lines with the highest GEBV were among the most resistant, but did not necessarily rank at the very top numerically. This study provides information on the relationship of root architecture traits to root rot disease reaction. Snap bean lines with genetic merit for genomic selection were identified and may be utilized in future breeding efforts.
Identification of Apple Leaf Diseases by Improved Deep Convolutional Neural Networks With an Attention Mechanism
Authors: Wang Peng , Niu Tong , Mao Yanru , Zhang Zhao , Liu Bin , He Dongjian
Published: September 2021

The accurate identification of apple leaf diseases is of great significance for controlling the spread of diseases and ensuring the healthy and stable development of the apple industry. In order to improve detection accuracy and efficiency, a deep learning model, which is called the Coordination Attention EfficientNet (CA-ENet), is proposed to identify different apple diseases. First, a coordinate attention block is integrated into the EfficientNet-B4 network, which embedded the spatial location information of the feature by channel attention to ensure that the model can learn both the channel and spatial location information of important features. Then, a depth-wise separable convolution is applied to the convolution module to reduce the number of parameters, and the h-swish activation function is introduced to achieve the fast and easy to quantify the process. Afterward, 5,170 images are collected in the field environment at the apple planting base of the Northwest A&F University, while 3,000 images are acquired from the PlantVillage public data set. Also, image augmentation techniques are used to generate an Apple Leaf Disease Identification Data set (ALDID), which contains 81,700 images. The experimental results show that the accuracy of the CA-ENet is 98.92% on the ALDID, and the average F1-score reaches .988, which is better than those of common models such as the ResNet-152, DenseNet-264, and ResNeXt-101. The generated test dataset is used to test the anti-interference ability of the model. The results show that the proposed method can achieve competitive performance on the apple disease identification task.
A Study on the Correlations of Anxiety and Depression With Self-Management Ability and Endogenous Creatinine Clearance Rate in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Hu ShiMin , Li Yu , Quan MingTao , Yang ShuJuan , Wan ZhaoMei , Yan XiaoYong , Tan ZhouKe , Liang GuoBiao
Published: September 2021

Objective: To explore the effects of anxiety and depression on the self-management ability and endogenous creatinine clearance rate of renal transplant patients.

Method: Eighty-eight renal transplant recipients who were followed up in the outpatient clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University were selected using convenient sampling. The self-made general data sheet, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, and Self-Management Scale for Kidney Transplant Recipients were used. Correlation analysis was used to find factors related to endogenous creatinine clearance, while multiple linear regression was used to identify factors influencing endogenous creatinine clearance. Patients with or without anxiety and depression were divided into groups, and the indexes of the groups were compared using the independent samples t test, rank-sum test, or chi-squared test.

Results: Anxiety was present in 12.5% of patients, depression in 25%, and a moderate level of self-management in 34.1%. Only 9.1% of renal transplant recipients had endogenous creatinine clearance within the normal range, and 34.1% had a body mass index not in the normal range (25% were overweight, and 9.1% were underweight). The endogenous creatinine clearance rate was negatively correlated with age and degree of depression, and positively correlated with body mass index, treatment management score, and psychosocial management score. The main influencing factors of endogenous creatinine clearance rate were age, sex, depression, body mass index, and treatment management score. The endogenous creatinine clearance rate and psychosocial management ability were significantly higher in patients without anxiety and depression than in patients with anxiety and depression (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Anxiety and depression showed significant negative effects on the psychosocial self-management ability and endogenous creatinine clearance rate of renal transplant recipients and thus should be given more attention.
Development and Implementation of Multidisciplinary Liver Tumor Boards in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System: A 10-Year Experience
Authors: Rabiee Atoosa , Taddei Tamar , Aytaman Ayse , Rogal Shari S. , Kaplan David E. , Morgan Timothy R.
Published: September 2021

In this perspective piece, we summarize the development and implementation of multidisciplinary liver tumor boards across the Veterans Affairs health care system dating back to 2010. Referral to multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDLTB) has been demonstrated to decrease the number of unnecessary invasive procedures, reduce health care costs and maximize patient outcomes. Although the VA is the largest single care provider in the US, there is significant heterogeneity in healthcare delivery. We have shown that receiving care at VA centers with MDLTB is associated with higher odds of receiving active therapy and a 13% reduction in mortality. Access to expert hepatology care appears to be one of the critical benefits of MDLTB resulting in 30% reduction in mortality. Integrated health care systems such as the VA have the unique capability of implementing virtual tumor boards that can easily overcome geographic barriers and standardize care across multiple facilities regardless of their access to hepatology or other disciplines. Significant barriers remain requiring implementation plans. This document serves as a roadmap to establish multidisciplinary tumor boards, including standardization of imaging reports, identifying stake holders who need to be present at tumor board, institution buy-in, and specifics for local, regional and integrated service network tumor boards.
Uncertainty of Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets Based on Fuzzy Belief Entropy
Authors: Liu Sicong , Cai Rui
Published: September 2021

Interval type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2 FS) play an important part in dealing with uncertain applications. However, how to measure the uncertainty of IT2 FS is still an open issue. The specific objective of this study is to present a new entropy named fuzzy belief entropy to solve the problem based on the relation among IT2 FS, belief structure, and Z-valuations. The interval of membership function can be transformed to interval BPA [Bel,Pl]. Then, Bel and Pl are put into the proposed entropy to calculate the uncertainty from the three aspects of fuzziness, discord, and nonspecificity, respectively, which makes the result more reasonable. Compared with other methods, fuzzy belief entropy is more reasonable because it can measure the uncertainty caused by multielement fuzzy subsets. Furthermore, when the membership function belongs to type-1 fuzzy sets, fuzzy belief entropy degenerates to Shannon entropy. Compared with other methods, several numerical examples are demonstrated that the proposed entropy is feasible and persuasive.
Portfolio Optimization with a Mean–Absolute Deviation–Entropy Multi-Objective Model
Authors: Lam Weng Siew , Lam Weng Hoe , Jaaman Saiful Hafizah
Published: September 2021

Investors wish to obtain the best trade-off between the return and risk. In portfolio optimization, the mean-absolute deviation model has been used to achieve the target rate of return and minimize the risk. However, the maximization of entropy is not considered in the mean-absolute deviation model according to past studies. In fact, higher entropy values give higher portfolio diversifications, which can reduce portfolio risk. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a multi-objective optimization model, namely a mean-absolute deviation-entropy model for portfolio optimization by incorporating the maximization of entropy. In addition, the proposed model incorporates the optimal value of each objective function using a goal-programming approach. The objective functions of the proposed model are to maximize the mean return, minimize the absolute deviation and maximize the entropy of the portfolio. The proposed model is illustrated using returns of stocks of the Dow Jones Industrial Average that are listed in the New York Stock Exchange. This study will be of significant impact to investors because the results show that the proposed model outperforms the mean-absolute deviation model and the naive diversification strategy by giving higher a performance ratio. Furthermore, the proposed model generates higher portfolio mean returns than the MAD model and the naive diversification strategy. Investors will be able to generate a well-diversified portfolio in order to minimize unsystematic risk with the proposed model.
Impact of Thermal Fluctuations on Logarithmic Corrected Massive Gravity Charged Black Hole
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Chaudhary Shahid , Bamba Kazuharu
Published: September 2021

We investigate the influence of the first-order correction of entropy caused by thermal quantum fluctuations on the thermodynamics of a logarithmic corrected charged black hole in massive gravity. For this black hole, we explore the thermodynamic quantities, such as entropy, Helmholtz free energy, internal energy, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy and specific heat. We discuss the influence of the topology of the event horizon, dimensions and nonlinearity parameter on the local and global stability of the black hole. As a result, it is found that the holographic dual parameter vanishes. This means that the thermal corrections have no significant role to disturb the holographic duality of the logarithmic charged black hole in massive gravity, although the thermal corrections have a substantial impact on the thermodynamic quantities in the high-energy limit and the stability conditions of black holes.
Optimizing TEG Dehydration Process under Metamodel Uncertainty
Authors: Mukherjee Rajib , Diwekar Urmila
Published: September 2021

Natural gas processing requires the removal of acidic gases and dehydration using absorption, mainly conducted in tri-ethylene glycol (TEG). The dehydration process is accompanied by the emission of volatile organic compounds, including BTEX. In our previous work, multi-objective optimization was undertaken to determine the optimal operating conditions in terms of the process parameters that can mitigate BTEX emission using data-driven metamodeling and metaheuristic optimization. Data obtained from a process simulation conducted using the ProMax® process simulator were used to develop a metamodel with machine learning techniques to reduce the computational time of the iterations in a robust process simulation. The metamodels were created using limited samples and some underlying phenomena must therefore be excluded. This introduces the so-called metamodeling uncertainty. Thus, the performance of the resulting optimized process variables may be compromised by the lack of adequately accounting for the uncertainty introduced by the metamodel. In the present work, the bias of the metamodel uncertainty was addressed for parameter optimization. An algorithmic framework was developed for parameter optimization, given these uncertainties. In this framework, metamodel uncertainties are quantified using real model data to generate distribution functions. We then use the novel Better Optimization of Nonlinear Uncertain Systems (BONUS) algorithm to solve the problem. BTEX mitigation is used as the objective of the optimization. Our algorithm allows the determination of the optimal process condition for BTEX emission mitigation from the TEG dehydration process under metamodel uncertainty. The BONUS algorithm determines optimal process conditions compared to those from the metaheuristic method, resulting in BTEX emission mitigation up to 405.25 ton/yr.
Thermal Comfort Assessment during Winter Season: A Case Study on Portuguese Public Social Housing
Authors: Brandão Pedro I. , Lanzinha João C. G.
Published: September 2021

Many public social housing building stocks were constructed before the introduction of national thermal regulations, and, as a result, in some situations, energy poverty conditioning during severe winter seasons results in little to no heating habits involving active systems in order to improve building thermal performances. Besides rigorous summer seasons, climate change predictions also indicate rigorous winter seasons will occur that will prevail in some Iberia Peninsula locations, worsening this scenario for this Southern European region. Among others, understanding the extension of discomfort in social housing buildings during heating seasons is therefore essential so as to perceive the suitability of the building stock to deal with present and future climate scenarios. Thus, this article presents a thermal comfort assessment during a winter season period applied to two social housing dwellings located in Covilhã, Portugal, inhabited by elderly residents, under realistic heating habits. An experimental campaign was performed and the results show that discomfort was found to be extremely significant for the majority of the occupied time. Passive means alone and resident heating habits were not enough to achieve proper indoor thermal and humidity conditions, resulting in important losses of well-being to the risk group of the elderly.
Conversion of Radiophotoluminescence Irradiation into Electricity in Photovoltaic Cells. A Review of Theoretical Considerations and Practical Solutions
Authors: Iwan Agnieszka , Pellowski Witalis , Bogdanowicz Krzysztof A.
Published: September 2021

This review presents the current state of the knowledge regarding the use of radioactive sources to generate photonic light in scintillators as converters of ionizing radiation to electricity in photovoltaic cells. The possibility of using the phenomenon of the excitation of light photons in the scintillation materials during the interaction with particles and photons of ionizing radiation was analyzed in detail. The light photons obtained in such a way can generate an electric charge in photovoltaic cells. The whole process can be named as a nuclear cell (nuclear battery). Theoretically, the use of such physical phenomena seems to be an ideal practical solution to meet the energy needs of the modern world. However, there are many physical and technical problems that limit its widespread use in practical applications. In an ideal system, the ionizing radiation sources can emit the radiation for billions of years, and the energy of particles and photons from the radiation can be converted into photons in the scintillation material, with energy suitable to generate a photoelectric effect in a photovoltaic cell. Such a cascade sequence of different physical phenomena allows, from a theoretical point of view, for the creation of a virtually inexhaustible source of electricity. This review of historical and current literature reports aims to bring closer the idea of “energy perpetuum mobile”, which has troubled many scientists around the world for centuries.
Magneto-Convective Analyses of the PbLi Flow for the EU-WCLL Fusion Breeding Blanket
Authors: Urgorri Fernando R. , Fernández-Berceruelo Ivan , Rapisarda David
Published: September 2021

The Water Cooled Lithium Lead (WCLL) breeding blanket is one of the driver blanket concepts under development for the European Demonstration Reactor (DEMO). The majority of the blanket volume is occupied by flowing PbLi at eutectic composition. This liquid metal flow is subdued to high fluxes of particles coming from the plasma which are translated into a high non-homogeneous heat volumetric source inside the fluid. The heat is removed from the PbLi thanks to several water tubes immersed in the metal. The dynamics of the PbLi is heavily affected by the heat source and by the position of the tubes. Moreover, the conducting fluid is electrically coupled with the intense magnetic field used for the plasma confinement. As a result, the PbLi flow is strongly affected by the Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) forces. In the WCLL, the MHD and convective interactions are expected to be comparable. Therefore, the PbLi dynamics and consequently the heat transfer between the liquid metal and the water coolant will be ruled by the magneto-convective phenomenon. This work presents 3D computational analyses of the PbLi flow in the frontal region of the WCLL design. The simulations include the combined effect of MHD forces caused by the magnetic field and the buoyancy interaction created by the temperature distribution. The latter is determined by the PbLi dynamics, the volumetric heat source and the position of the water tubes. Simulations have allowed computing the heat transfer between the PbLi and the water tubes. Nusselt and Grashof numbers have been obtained in the different regions of the system.