bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Characteristics and Management of Patients with a Suspected COVID-19 Infection in Emergency Departments: A European Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Chauvin Anthony , Slagman Anna , Polyzogopoulou Effie , Bjørnsen Lars Petter , Adam Visnja Nesek , Palomäki Ari , Fabbri Andrea , Laribi Said ,   on behalf of the EUSEM Research Network Study Group
Published: December 2022

Background: Our aim is to describe and compare the profile and outcome of patients attending the ED with a confirmed COVID-19 infection with patients with a suspected COVID-19 infection. Methods: We conducted a multicentric retrospective study including adults who were seen in 21 European emergency departments (ED) with suspected COVID-19 between 9 March and 8 April 2020. Patients with either a clinical suspicion of COVID-19 or confirmed COVID-19, detected using either a RT-PCR or a chest CT scan, formed the C+ group. Patients with non-confirmed COVID-19 (C− group) were defined as patients with a clinical presentation in the ED suggestive of COVID-19, but if tests were performed, they showed a negative RT-PCR and/or a negative chest CT scan. Results: A total of 7432 patients were included in the analysis: 1764 (23.7%) in the C+ group and 5668 (76.3%) in the C− group. The population was older (63.8 y.o. ±17.5 vs. 51.8 y.o. +/− 21.1, p < 0.01), with more males (54.6% vs. 46.1%, p < 0.01) in the C+ group. Patients in the C+ group had more chronic diseases. Half of the patients (n = 998, 56.6%) in the C+ group needed oxygen, compared to only 15% in the C− group (n = 877). Two-thirds of patients from the C+ group were hospitalized in ward (n = 1128, 63.9%), whereas two-thirds of patients in the C− group were discharged after their ED visit (n = 3883, 68.5%). Conclusion: Our study was the first in Europe to examine the emergency department’s perspective on the management of patients with a suspected COVID-19 infection. We showed an overall more critical clinical situation group of patients with a confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Drug Resistance and Molecular Characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Li Shanshan , Chen Wen , Feng Mengru , Liu Yuejiao , Wang Fenghua
Published: December 2022

In recent years, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and mortality caused by the disease have been decreasing. However, the number of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients is increasing rapidly year by year. Here, a total of 380 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-positive formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) specimens diagnosed in the Department of Pathology of the Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital were collected. Among 380 cases of MTB, 85 (22.37%) were susceptible to four anti-TB drugs and the remaining 295 (77.63%) were resistant to one or more drugs. The rate of MDR-TB was higher in previously treated cases (52.53%) than in new cases [(36.65%), p  <  0.05]. Of previously treated cases, the rate of drug resistance was higher in females than in males (p  <  0.05). Among specimens obtained from males, the rate of drug resistance was higher in new cases than in previously treated cases (p  <  0.05). Of mutation in drug resistance-related genes, the majority (53/380, 13.95%) of rpoB gene carried the D516V mutation, and 13.42% (51/380) featured mutations in both the katG and inhA genes. Among the total specimens, 18.68% (71/380) carried the 88 M mutation in the rpsL gene, and the embB gene focused on the 306 M2 mutation with a mutation rate of 19.74%. Among the resistant INH, the mutation rate of −15 M was higher in resistance to more than one drug than in monodrug-resistant (p  <  0.05). In conclusion, the drug resistance of MTB is still very severe and the timely detection of drug resistance is conducive to the precise treatment of TB.
Current Concepts and Challenges in the Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate Patients—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Paradowska-Stolarz Anna , Mikulewicz Marcin , Duś-Ilnicka Irena
Published: December 2022

Cleft lip and cleft palate has one of the highest incidences in the malformations of the oral cavity, that varies between populations. The background underlying the issue of cleft lip and palate is multifactorial and greatly depends on the genetic factors and environmental factors. The aim of this nonsystematic narrative review is to present the cleft palate and or lip pediatric population as target for interdisciplinary treatment. The purpose of this narrative review is to sum up the modern knowledge on the treatment of patients with clefts, as well as to highlight the importance of the great need for cooperation between different dental specialists along with medical professionals such as oral surgeons, prosthodontists, orthodontists along with medical professions such as pediatricians, speech therapists and phoniatrics, and laryngologist.
Understanding Organisational Risks and Opportunities Associated with Implementing Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme from the Nonprofit Service Provider Perspective—Findings from Quantitative Research
Authors: Hamin Hamin , Rosenbaum David , More Elizabeth
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we provide useful lessons from a quantitative analysis across several nonprofit organisations undergoing generational change due to the implementation of the Australian government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This paper contributes to the field in demonstrating the usefulness of the approach in revealing how change has to occur at both the micro and macro levels of the organisations involved, affecting both followers and transforming leadership, whilst simultaneously reinforcing the need to address the strategic and operational risks inherent in such transformational change. It represents a follow-up to an earlier published longitudinal qualitative research and provides further evidence on the key findings associated with the development of the NDIS Implementation Framework. The current paper considers the importance of the risk and opportunity conundrum associated with the implementation of the NDIS among Australian nonprofit service providers. This paper recognises that, as entities operating ostensibly outside the purely commercial realms of service design and delivery, nonprofit service providers are potentially handicapped by an historic lack of relevant and necessary market-based skills. The risks necessitate an accelerated programme of skill development and skill acquisition to enable the full range of opportunities to be realised. The change management processes, identified using the conceptual framework of readiness → implementation commitment → sustainability, as discussed in this paper, highlight the potential financial consequences which have substantial impacts on such nonprofit service providers. Organisations in these settings are challenged by ongoing financial sustainability issues where very small financial margins, resulting directly from the generational business model shift from a supply-driven system to a demand-driven system, may prove the difference between organisational survival and failure.
Three Major Crises and Asian Emerging Market Informational Efficiency: A Case of Pakistan Stock Exchange-100 Index
Authors: Said Bahrawar , Rehman Shafiq Ur , Raza Muhammad Wajid
Published: December 2022

Periods of economic turmoil distort the ability of stock prices to reflect the available information. In the last three decades, emerging markets experienced numerous crises. The major three of them are the Asian Financial Crisis (1997–1998), Global Financial Crisis (2007–2009) and Global Pandemic Crisis (2020–2022). The nature, intensity and duration of these crises differ significantly. This study investigates the impact of these varying natures of crises on the level of informational efficiency. The empirical evidence is based on the emerging stock market of Pakistan. Index-level data are collected from Pakistan Stock Exchange-100 Index for the period 1995–2022. The rebalancing is done each year to ensure that the final sample is composed of only 100 stocks with the highest market capitalization. The results based on the Variance Ratio (VR) test show that informational efficiency is time-varying. Among all the three crises, informational efficiency deters more in the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit the market efficiency recovers soon. This implies that the arbitrage opportunity is marginal in crisis periods, while investors prefer to invest in post-crisis periods. Finally, our results reveal that among all the crises, investors were more informed in the Global Financial Crisis. Investors must keep a close eye on market regimes for designing investment solutions.
Editorial from the New Editor in Chief, Open Questions and Outlooks for the Future
Authors: Cianfaglione Kevin
Published: December 2022

I am proud to have accepted the invitation to become the new Editor in Chief of the Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, a new open-access journal published by MDPI, dedicated to ex-situ research and the conservation of our planet’s biodiversity [...]
Wastewater Reuse for Irrigation Agriculture in Morocco: Influence of Regulation on Feasible Implementation
Authors: Ortega-Pozo Jose Luis , Alcalá Francisco Javier , Poyatos José Manuel , Martín-Pascual Jaime
Published: December 2022

Morocco is a water-scarce developing country with a growing marketable agro-food industry, where untreated or insufficiently treated wastewater represents less than 1% of the irrigation water and treated wastewater reuse is virtually nil. The Government of Morocco is planning to increase the volume of treated wastewater reuse for irrigation agriculture under the current permissive regulation to alleviate the pressure on conventional water sources. However, the reuse of insufficiently treated wastewater implies environmental and human health risks besides the degradation of land and renewable natural resources. This paper shows the feasibility of increasing wastewater reuse for irrigation agriculture in Morocco and how the existing permissive regulation must be improved to force more efficient technologies aimed at ensuring the export of agricultural goods to the most restrictive international markets. The results show how the quality standards of Moroccan regulation are below that of their equivalents in developed countries, as well as in most of the consulted developing countries. After verifying that tertiary treatment is financially feasible, the updated regulation must also consider climatic water scarcity and the locally low cultural perception of environmental and human health risks in order to design optimal solutions.
Ecological Compensation in the Context of Carbon Neutrality: A Case Involving Service Production-Transmission and Distribution-Service Consumption
Authors: Zhai Tianlin , Wu Linke , Chen Yuanmeng , Nazir Mian Faisal , Chang Mingyuan , Ma Yuanbo , Cai Enxiang , Ding Guanyu , Zhao Chenchen , Li Ling , Huang Longyang
Published: December 2022

Carbon ecological compensation is essential to coordinate regional environmental protection, reduce the gap between the economic development of protected areas and beneficiary areas, and achieve carbon neutrality. This paper proposed a theoretical framework for ecological compensation using the theories of carbon balance, externality, ecosystem services, and carbon trading mechanisms. Based on the analysis of the ecological compensation priority sequence in Henan Province, the suppliers and consumers of carbon sequestration were identified, and cross-regional ecological compensation was realized through ecosystem services flow. The results showed that the carbon sequestration supply in Henan Province was characterized as being high in the west and low in the east, while the demand was the opposite. Affected by the suitable environmental conditions, many areas had an ecological surplus pattern, and the carbon sequestration supply was more significant than the demand. Central and south-western Henan Province were distinct ecological compensation payment areas and receiving areas, respectively. Nanyang, which had the largest carbon sequestration flow and the largest ecological contribution to other regions, received the highest ecological compensation fund of CNY 4.069 billion. This study can provide decision support for carbon ecological compensation in the context of carbon neutrality.
Comparison between Artificial and Human Estimates in Urban Tree Canopy Assessments
Authors: Clymire-Stern Eden F. , Hauer Richard J. , Hilbert Deborah R. , Koeser Andrew K. , Buckler Dan , Buntrock Laura , Larsen Eric , Timilsina Nilesh , Werner Les P.
Published: December 2022

Urban tree canopy (UTC) is commonly used to assess urban forest extent and has traditionally been estimated using photointerpretation and human intelligence (HI). Artificial intelligence (AI) models may provide a less labor-intensive method to estimate urban tree canopy. However, studies on how human intelligence and artificial intelligence estimation methods compare are limited. We investigated how human intelligence and artificial intelligence compare with estimates of urban tree canopy and other landcovers. Change in urban tree canopy between two time periods and an assessment agreement accuracy also occurred. We found a statistically significant (p < 0.001) difference between the two interpretations for a statewide urban tree canopy estimate (n = 397). Overall, urban tree canopy estimates were higher for human intelligence (31.5%, 0.72 SE) than artificial intelligence (26.0%, 0.51 SE). Artificial intelligence approaches commonly rely on a training data set that is compared against a human decision maker. Within the artificial intelligence training region (n = 21) used for this study, no difference (p = 0.72) was found between the two methods, suggesting other regional factors are important for training the AI system. Urban tree canopy also increased (p < 0.001) between two time periods (2013 to 2018) and two assessors could detect the same sample point over 90 % of the time.
Ice Volumes in Permafrost Landscapes of Arctic Yakutia
Authors: Fedorov Alexander N. , Konstantinov Pavel Y. , Vasiliev Nikolay F. , Basharin Nikolay I. , Shepelev Andrei G. , Andreeva Varvara A. , Semenov Valerii P. , Torgovkin Yaroslav I. , Desyatkin Alexey R. , Zheleznyak Mikhail N. , Semiletov Igor P.
Published: December 2022

This article is devoted to the study of the distribution of ground ice volumes in the upper layers of 5–10 m permafrost in the permafrost landscapes of Arctic Yakutia. Compilation of such a map will serve as a basis for assessing the vulnerability of permafrost to global warming, anthropogenic impact and forecasting the evolution of permafrost landscapes. The map was compiled using ArcGIS software, which supports attribute table mapping. The ground ice map of Arctic Yakutian permafrost landscapes shows that about 19% of the area is occupied by ultra ice-rich (above 0.6 in volumetric ice content) sediments. Very high ice volumes (0.4–0.6) are cover approximately 27%, moderate ice volumes (0.2–0.4)—25% of the area, and low ice volumes (less than 0.2)—about 29% of Arctic Yakutia.
Response of Ecosystem Service Value to Landscape Pattern Changes under Low-Carbon Scenario: A Case Study of Fujian Coastal Areas
Authors: Cai Guo , Lin Yuying , Zhang Fazi , Zhang Shihe , Wen Linsheng , Li Baoyin
Published: December 2022

Assessing the influence of landscape pattern changes on ecosystem service value (ESV) is critical for developing land-use polies and increasing ecosystem services. The data sources include remote-sensing image data and statistical yearbooks from 2000, 2010, and 2020. This study employs the patch-generating land-use simulation model, landscape pattern index, and ecological service value estimation to analyse the changes in landscape patterns and ESV in Fujian coastal areas over the last 20 years. The landscape pattern and ESV in the future (2050) are then simulated under the low-carbon scenario (LCS), with the natural development scenario (NDS) serving as a comparison. The results show that: (1) the most noticeable changes from 2000 to 2020 are the reduced cultivated land area and the rapid expansion of construction land area. By 2050, construction land will account for 7.67% of the total land area under LCS, whereas NDS will account for 9.45%, and changes in the landscape pattern indices all indicate there will be greater variety and fragmentation of the landscape, with the NDS being more serious than the LCS; (2) From 2000–2020, the total ESV value showed a decreasing trend. In 2050, the ESV under the LCS will be 122.387 billion yuan, which is higher than the 121.434 billion yuan under the NDS. Regulating services contribute the most to the total ESV, followed by support services; and (3) In the past 20 years, except for a slight increase in water area, the ESV of other landscapes has decreased, with a net decrease of 3.134 billion yuan in total. The R2 fitting between the area change of cultivated and construction land and the total ESV reached 0.9898 and 0.9843, respectively. The correlations between ESV and landscape indices indicate that landscape pattern changes significantly impact ESV. Simulating ESV in LCS can provide guidance for optimising landscape patterns, promoting the benign operation of the regional ecosystem, and achieving sustainable ecological development.
The Interplay between Conventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Cohort of Working Young and Middle-Aged Adults: A Prospective Study
Authors: Florescu Cristina , Ciobanu Petre , Hădăreanu Diana Ruxandra , Gheorman Veronica , Mustafa Edme Roxana , Glodeanu Adina Dorina , Bunescu Marius Gabriel , Mită Adrian , Dinescu Venera Cristina
Published: December 2022

Psychosocial and work stress, socioeconomic status, and environmental health directly impact the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases, irrespective of sex or conventional cardiovascular risk factors (cCRFs). On the other hand, the impact of cCRFs on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is not well known, and the psychological socioeconomic environmental somatic health interaction is often neglected. Accordingly, we aimed to: (i) compare the self-reported HRQoL using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire between healthy subjects and those with cCRFs; and (ii) evaluate the interplay between HRQoL, cCRFs, and cardiovascular treatment adherence. We prospectively included 90 working adults (46 healthy and 44 with cCRFs age- and sex-matched adults) evaluated by clinical examination, 12-leads electrocardiography, and transthoracic echocardiography as part of a cardiovascular diseases screening program, that also filled in the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Subjects with CRFs were less satisfied with their own individual health. The presence and the number of CRFs, as well as the need for cardiovascular treatment and the number of drugs taken correlated with reduced scores at the majority of HRQoL domains. The results in the social relationships domain were the best predictor of cardiovascular treatment adherence. Finally, the results of all HRQoL domains were strongly correlated to each other demonstrating the psychological socioeconomic environmental somatic health interaction.
Antibiofilm Activity of Weissella spp. and Bacillus coagulans Isolated from Equine Skin against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Styková Eva , Nemcová Radomíra , Maďar Marián , Bujňáková Dobroslava , Mucha Rastislav , Gancarčíková Soňa , Requena Domenech Francisco
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of Weissella cibaria, Weissella hellenica and Bacillus coagulans, isolated from equine skin, against biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus CCM 4223 and clinical isolate methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Non-neutralized cell-free supernatants (nnCFS) of tested skin isolates completely inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of S. aureus strains and caused dispersion of the 24 h preformed biofilm in the range of 21–90%. The majority of the pH-neutralized cell-free supernatants (nCFS) of skin isolates inhibited the biofilm formation of both S. aureus strains in the range of 20–100%. The dispersion activity of B. coagulans nCFS ranged from 17 to 77% and was significantly lower than that of nnCFS, except for B. coagulans 3T27 against S. aureus CCM 4223. Changes in the growth of S. aureus CCM 4223 in the presence of catalase- or trypsin-treated W. hellenica 4/2D23 and W. cibaria 4/8D37 nCFS indicated the role of peroxides and/or bacteriocin in their antimicrobial activities. For the first time, the presence of the fenD gene, associated with biosurfactants production, was detected in B. coagulans. The results of this study showed that selected isolates may have the potential for the prevention and treatment of biofilm-forming S. aureus infections.
Intrafamilial Phenotypical Variability Linked to PRKAG2 Mutation—Family Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Marcu Andreea Sorina , Vătăşescu Radu , Onciul Sebastian , Rădoi Viorica , Jurcuţ Ruxandra
Published: December 2022

PRKAG2 syndrome (PS) is a rare, early-onset autosomal dominant phenocopy of sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), that mainly presents with ventricular pre-excitation, cardiac hypertrophy and progressive conduction system degeneration. Its natural course, treatment and prognosis are significantly different from sarcomeric HCM. The clinical phenotypes of PRKAG2 syndrome often overlap with HCM due to sarcomere protein mutations, causing this condition to be frequently misdiagnosed. The syndrome is caused by mutations in the gene encoding for the γ2 regulatory subunit (PRKAG2) of 5′ Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that modulates glucose uptake and glycolysis. PRKAG2 mutations (OMIM#602743) are responsible for structural changes of AMPK, leading to an impaired myocyte glucidic uptake, and finally causing storage cardiomyopathy. We describe the clinical and investigative findings in a family with several affected members (NM_016203.4:c.905G>A or p.(Arg302Gln), heterozygous), highlighting the various phenotypes even in the same family, and the utility of genetic testing in diagnosing PS. The particularity of this family case is represented by the fact that the index patient was diagnosed at age 16 with cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular pre-excitation while his mother, by age 42, only had Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, without left ventricle hypertrophy. Both the grandmother and the great-grandmother underwent pacemaker implantation at a young age because of conduction abnormalities. Making the distinction between PS and sarcomeric HCM is actionable, given the early-onset of the disease, the numerous life-threatening consequences and the high rate of conduction disorders. In patients who exhibit cardiac hypertrophy coexisting with ventricular pre-excitation, genetic screening for PRKAG2 mutations should be considered.
Sympathectomy Effects on Intra-Abdominal Organ Catecholamine Levels in a Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat Model
Authors: Pérez-Juárez Angélica , Aguirre-Pérez Andrea Giovanna , Barrientos-Alvarado Cornelio
Published: December 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder whose prevalence has continuously increased worldwide and is associated with dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and, in particular, that of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The objective of this study was to analyze the interaction of DM and the SNS, building a model of sympathectomized diabetic rats to determine alterations in the content of CA (catecholamines) in different intra-abdominal organs. Sympathectomy was conducted with guanethidine (GNT). Additionally, DM was induced with STZ (Streptozotocin). Treatment with GNT decreased norepinephrine (NE) content in all analyzed tissues, with significant differences found in the paraganglia, liver, pancreas, duodenum, and heart compared to the control group. With respect to epinephrine (E), which was only found in the liver, pancreas, and heart, presenting significant differences (p < 0.05) in the heart, a decrease in its concentration was observed for all of the experimental groups with respect to the control. The decrease in dopamine (DA) content due to the GNT–STZ treatment was 30.1% in the heart with respect to the diabetic (STZ) group. The amount of CA in the adrenal medulla indicates the effect of sympathectomy on the GNT group where there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of DA. These findings suggest that the elimination of the sympathetic nervous system in diabetic organisms contributed to a decrease in blood glucose; likewise, an alteration in the levels of CA was observed in the different selected organs, possibly attributed to the severity, duration, and pathogenesis of the complications of acute and chronic DM.
The Complexity of the Meat Supply Chain in Cameroon: Multiplicity of Actors, Interactions and Challenges
Authors: Tsapi Victor , Assene Marie-Noël , Haasis Hans-Dietrich
Published: December 2022

Background: Beef, because of its high protein content, occupies a privileged place in household consumption in Cameroon. However, the quality of the meat available on the market and the prices charged are far from satisfactory for consumers. There is therefore clearly a problem of physical and financial accessibility to quality beef for the Cameroonian consumer (in a country where 37.5% of the population lives below the poverty line). Methods: To analyze this problem, a qualitative exploratory study based on interviews and on-site observations was conducted. Results: In the article, we are interested in the Supply Chain (SC) of beef in Cameroon, with the aim of understanding its dynamics and highlighting the main obstacles that prevent the actors involved from ensuring consumers, the availability of quality meat at a reasonable price. Through the qualitative exploratory study conducted with the main actors involved (breeders, livestock traders, modern and traditional slaughterhouses, butchers, etc.), we show that the SC of beef in Cameroon is plagued by technical, financial, managerial and cultural constraints that prevent them from satisfying their customers and to take full advantage of their activities. Conclusions: Despite the methodological limits related to sampling and an essentially qualitative approach, the quality and richness of the information collected through in-depth interviews edify the main difficulties and challenges encountered by the actors and lead to managerial implications and prospects of research.
Development of Ternary Ti-Ag-Cu Alloys with Excellent Mechanical Properties and Antibiofilm Activity
Authors: Togawa Genichi , Takahashi Masatoshi , Tada Hiroyuki , Takada Yukyo
Published: December 2022

Titanium-20 mass% Silver (Ti-20%Ag) alloy can suppress biofilm formation on the surface. Unlike bactericidal agents, it does not kill bacteria; therefore, the healthy oral microflora remains undisturbed. To utilize the unique functions of this alloy and enable its use in the fabrication of dental prostheses that require relatively high strength, we added copper (Cu) as an alloying element to improve strength. This study aimed to develop ternary Ti-Ag-Cu alloys with excellent mechanical properties and antibiofilm activity. As a result of investigating the mechanical properties of several experimental alloys, the tensile strength, yield strength, and hardness of Ti-20%Ag-1%Cu and Ti-20%Ag-2%Cu alloys were improved by the solid-solution strengthening or hardening of the αTi phase. In addition, these alloys had the same ability to suppress biofilm formation as the Ti-20Ag alloy. Thus, Ti-20%Ag-1–2%Cu alloys can be used for fabrication of narrow-diameter dental implants and prostheses subjected to extremely high force, and these prostheses are useful in preventing post-treatment oral diseases.
Stiffness and Frequency Response Characteristics of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic Wave Springs with Different Periods and Its Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Wen Xianglong , Fu Kai , Dou Yukuan , Xia Xu , Zhang Jinguang
Published: December 2022

Based on the stiffness theory of wave spring, this paper proposes the wave springs made of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and investigates the effect of the number of periods on the GFRP wave springs’ stiffness and frequency response characteristics. First of all, five different periods of composite wave springs which have identical outside dimensions are designed. Afterwards, the load-displacement curves of the GFRP wave springs are obtained using a combination of experimental and finite element analysis (FEA). Finally, the frequency response characteristics of the GFRP wave springs are measured using a force hammer excitation, and the experiment results of a GFRP wave spring are compared with a metal helical spring. The results show that the stiffness of the GFRP wave spring decreases from 34.84 N/mm to 20.59 N/mm with the increase in the number of periods. As the number of periods increases, the vibration attenuation increases from 16.32 dB to 69.17 dB. The stiffness of the GFRP wave spring is increased by 90.30% and the weight is reduced by 26.78%. The vibration isolation interval and vibration attenuation amplitude of the GFRP wave spring are higher than the metal helical spring.
UV Light Irradiation Effects in P-Doped Diamonds: Total Content Determination of Phosphorus Donors
Authors: Boldyrev Kirill , Klimin Sergey , Denisov Viktor , Tarelkin Sergey , Kuznetsov Mikhail , Terentiev Sergey , Blank Vladimir
Published: December 2022

Upon the UV light irradiation of single-crystal diamonds doped with phosphorus, several effects have been observed. The integral intensity of phosphorus lines in FTIR absorption spectra under UV radiation was increased. A saturation effect depending on the power of the laser radiation was demonstrated. Narrowing of the phosphorus lines, as well as the redistribution of the intensities in their doublets caused by the Jahn–Teller distortion of the donor ground state, was observed. It was found that these effects are associated with the decompensation of the phosphorus donors. An easy, fast, sensitive, and nondestructive, fully optical method for the determination of the total phosphorus donor’s concentration in semiconducting diamonds, as well as its compensation ratio, was proposed.
Ultralight Functionally Graded Hybrid Nanocomposites Based on Yttrium and Silica-Reinforced Mg10Li5Al Alloy: Thermal and Tribomechanical Properties
Authors: Moustafa Essam B. , Ghandourah Emad , Youness Rasha A. , Melaibari Ammar A. , Taha Mohammed A.
Published: December 2022

Despite the amazing properties of lightweight Mg10Li5Al alloy, its use in industrial applications is highly limited due to its low mechanical properties, wear resistance, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). In this context, this work aimed to improve the above properties without sacrificing the important benefit of this alloy being lightweight. Therefore, function grade composites (FGCs) were prepared based on the Mg10Li5Al alloy reinforced by yttrium (Y) and silica fume using the powder metallurgy technique. Then, the nanocomposite’s microstructure, mechanical properties, artificial aging, wear resistance, and thermal expansion were examined. The results indicated that the precipitation (MgAlLi2), softening (AlLi2), and Mg24Y5 phases were formed in high-reinforced samples during high-energy milling. Furthermore, the addition of reinforcements accelerated the decomposition from the MgAlLi2 phase to the Al–Li phase (softening point). For the layer containing the highest reinforcement content, microhardness, strength, and Young’s modulus improved up to 40, 22.8, and 41%, respectively, due to the combined effect of the high strength of silica fume and the dispersion strengthening Mg24Y5 phase. Meanwhile, the same sample exhibited a remarkable improvement in wear rate and the CTE value to about 43 and 16.5%, respectively, compared to the non-reinforced alloy.
Repair Bond Strength of Conventionally and Digitally Fabricated Denture Base Resins to Auto-Polymerized Acrylic Resin: Surface Treatment Effects In Vitro
Authors: Gad Mohammed M. , Albazroun Zainab , Aldajani Fatimah , Elakel Ahmed M. , El Zayat Mai , Akhtar Sultan , Khan Soban Q. , Ali Saqib , Rahoma Ahmed M.
Published: December 2022

Denture base fracture is one of the most annoying problems for both prosthodontists and patients. Denture repair is considered to be an appropriate solution rather than fabricating a new denture. Digital denture fabrication is widely spreading nowadays. However, the repair strength of CAD-CAM milled and 3D-printed resins is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of surface treatment on the shear bond strength (SBS) of conventionally and digitally fabricated denture base resins. One l heat-polymerized (Major base20), two milled (IvoCad, AvaDent), and three 3D-printed (ASIGA, NextDent, FormLabs) denture base resins were used to fabricate 10 × 10 × 3.3 acrylic specimens (N = 180, 30/resin, n = 10). Specimens were divided into three groups according to surface treatment; no treatment (control), monomer application (MMA), or sandblasting (SB) surface treatments were performed. Repair resin was bonded to the resin surface followed by thermocycling (5000 cycles). SBS was tested using a universal testing machine where a load was applied at the resin interface (0.5 mm/min). Data were collected and analyzed using ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey test (α = 0.05). SEM was used for failure type and topography of fractured surfaces analysis. The heat-polymerized and CAD-CAM milled groups showed close SBS values without significance (p > 0.05), while the 3D-printed resin groups showed a significant decrease in SBS (p < 0.0001). SBS increased significantly with monomer application (p < 0.0001) except for the ASIGA and NextDent groups, which showed no significant difference compared to the control groups (p > 0.05). All materials with SB surface treatment showed a significant increase in SBS when compared with the controls and MMA application (p < 0.0001). Adhesive failure type was observed in the control groups, which dramatically changed to cohesive or mixed in groups with surface treatment. The SBS of 3D-printed resin was decreased when compared with the conventional and CAD-CAM milled resin. Regardless of the material type, SB and MMA applications increased the SBS of the repaired resin and SB showed high performance.
Correlation between Laboratory-Accelerated Corrosion and Field Exposure Test for High-Strength Stainless Steels
Authors: Jiao Jinchao , Lian Yong , Liu Zhao , Guo He , Zhang Jin , Su Yan , Teng Junpeng , Jin Yiming , Chen Jinyan
Published: December 2022

Equipment in a long-term marine atmosphere environment is prone to corrosion failure. Natural field exposure tests usually require a long time to obtain corrosion information. This study worked out a laboratory-accelerated corrosion test method that has a strong correlation with the natural environment test in Wanning, Hainan, and can be used as the basis for life assessment and the prediction of two high-strength stainless-steel materials. The mathematical model of corrosion weight loss of two high-strength stainless steels (3Cr13 and 00Cr12Ni10MoTi) was established by a field exposure test and a laboratory-accelerated corrosion test. Then, the correlation between the field exposure test and the laboratory-accelerated corrosion test was evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods, and the acceleration ratio was calculated using the accelerated switching factor (ASF) method. The results show that: (1) The corrosion morphology of the two stainless steels after 15 days of laboratory-accelerated corrosion testing is similar to that obtained after two years of field exposure. (2) The value of gray correlation between the laboratory-accelerated corrosion test and the field exposure test is not less than 0.75. (3) The acceleration ratio of both stainless steels increases with the corrosion test time in the laboratory. The corrosion prediction models for the two stainless steels are T3Cr13 = 6.234 t1.634 and T00Cr12Ni10MoTi = 55.693 t1.322, respectively.
MHD Nanofluid Convection and Phase Change Dynamics in a Multi-Port Vented Cavity Equipped with a Sinusoidal PCM-Packed Bed System
Authors: Selimefendigil Fatih , Öztop Hakan F.
Published: December 2022

In this study, impacts of using a sinusoidal shape encapsulated phase change material (PCM) packed bed (PB) system on the phase change and thermal performance are analyzed in multi-port vented cavity under a partially active magnetic field during hybrid nanoliquid convection. The current study is performed for different magnetic field strengths of domains (Hartmann number between 0 and 50), wave number (between 1 and 8), wave amplitude (between 0.01 H and 0.15 H), and nanoparticle loading (between 0 and 2%) by using the finite element method. The sinusoidal shape of the PCM-PB zone and varying its geometrical form are both found to affect the phase change process and thermal performance. When wave amplitude (Hp) rises from 0.01 H to 0.15 H, full phase change time (t-fr) increases by about 33% while average Nu increases by about 55%. When a partially active magnetic field is imposed at the highest value, up to 30.3% reduction in t-fr is obtained, while average Nu rises by about 9% at t = 18 min. The value of t-fr is reduced by about 15% while spatial average Nu rises by about 55% at the highest nanoparticle loading.
Geometry of Music Perception
Authors: Himpel Benjamin
Published: December 2022

Prevalent neuroscientific theories are combined with acoustic observations from various studies to create a consistent geometric model for music perception in order to rationalize, explain and predict psycho-acoustic phenomena. The space of all chords is shown to be a Whitney stratified space. Each stratum is a Riemannian manifold which naturally yields a geodesic distance across strata. The resulting metric is compatible with voice-leading satisfying the triangle inequality. The geometric model allows for rigorous studies of psychoacoustic quantities such as roughness and harmonicity as height functions. In order to show how to use the geometric framework in psychoacoustic studies, concepts for the perception of chord resolutions are introduced and analyzed.
Theory for the Beam Splitter in Quantum Optics: Quantum Entanglement of Photons and Their Statistics, HOM Effect
Authors: Makarov Dmitry
Published: December 2022

The theory of the beam splitter (BS) in quantum optics is well developed and based on fairly simple mathematical and physical foundations. This theory has been developed for any type of BS and is based on the constancy of the reflection coefficients R (or the transmission coefficient T, where R+T=1) and the phase shift ϕ. It has recently been shown that the constancy of these coefficients cannot always be satisfied for a waveguide BS, where R and ϕ depend in a special way on photon frequencies. Based on this, this review systematizes the concept of BS in quantum optics into “Conventional” and frequency-dependent BS, and also presents the theory of such BS. It is shown that the quantum entanglement, photon statistics at the output ports, and the Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) effect for such BS can be very different. Taking into account the fact that the waveguide BS is currently acquiring an important role in quantum technologies due to the possibility of its miniaturization, this review will be useful not only for theoreticians, but also for experimenters.
How to Distinguish Cospectral Graphs
Authors: Wananiyakul Saeree , Steuding Jörn , Tongsomporn Janyarak
Published: December 2022

We introduce a generalized adjacency matrix in order to distinguish cospectral graphs. Our reasoning is motivated by the work of Johnson and Newman and properties of p-adic numbers. Using a polynomial time algorithm, we comment on computer experiments with which we can distinguish cospectral (non-isomorphic) graphs.
On Resilient Boolean and Vectorial Boolean Functions with High Nonlinearity
Authors: Li Luyang , Wang Linhui , Zhao Qinglan , Zheng Dong
Published: December 2022

Boolean functions and vectorial Boolean functions are the most important nonlinear components of stream ciphers. They should satisfy several criteria such as high nonlinearity, proper resiliency and so on to guarantee the security of the whole system. However, there are some constraints among the criteria, and how to achieve a trade-off between them is an important issue. In this paper, some nonlinear Boolean functions possessing simple algebraic normal form with special Walsh spectrum are proposed. By using these functions, we provide two construction methods on balanced and resilient Boolean functions with high nonlinearity. In addition, based on the disjoint linear codes and vector matrices with special properties, some resilient vectorial Boolean functions with currently best-known nonlinearity have also been given.
Rolling Geodesics, Mechanical Systems and Elastic Curves
Authors: Jurdjevic Velimir
Published: December 2022

This paper defines a large class of differentiable manifolds that house two distinct optimal problems called affine-quadratic and rolling problem. We show remarkable connections between these two problems manifested by the associated Hamiltonians obtained by the Maximum Principle of optimal control. We also show that each of these Hamiltonians is completely intergrable, in the sense of Liouville. Finally we demonstrate the significance of these results for the theory of mechanical systems.
Zeroing Neural Networks Combined with Gradient for Solving Time-Varying Linear Matrix Equations in Finite Time with Noise Resistance
Authors: Cai Jun , Dai Wenlong , Chen Jingjing , Yi Chenfu
Published: December 2022

Due to the time delay and some unavoidable noise factors, obtaining a real-time solution of dynamic time-varying linear matrix equation (LME) problems is of great importance in the scientific and engineering fields. In this paper, based on the philosophy of zeroing neural networks (ZNN), we propose an integration-enhanced combined accelerating zeroing neural network (IEAZNN) model to solve LME problem accurately and efficiently. Different from most of the existing ZNNs research, there are two error functions combined in the IEAZNN model, among which the gradient of the energy function is the first design for the purpose of decreasing the norm-based error to zero and the second one is adding an integral term to resist additive noise. On the strength of novel combination in two error functions, the IEAZNN model is capable of converging in finite time and resisting noise at the same time. Moreover, theoretical proof and numerical verification results show that the IEAZNN model can achieve high accuracy and fast convergence speed in solving time-varying LME problems compared with the conventional ZNN (CZNN) and integration-enhanced ZNN (IEZNN) models, even in various kinds of noise environments.
MCDM, EMO and Hybrid Approaches: Tutorial and Review
Authors: Sinha Ankur , Wallenius Jyrki
Published: December 2022

Most of the practical applications that require optimization often involve multiple objectives. These objectives, when conflicting in nature, pose both optimization as well as decision-making challenges. An optimization procedure for such a multi-objective problem requires computing (computer-based search) and decision making to identify the most preferred solution. Researchers and practitioners working in various domains have integrated computing and decision-making tasks in several ways, giving rise to a variety of algorithms to handle multi-objective optimization problems. For instance, an a priori approach requires formulating (or eliciting) a decision maker’s value function and then performing a one-shot optimization of the value function, whereas an a posteriori decision-making approach requires a large number of diverse Pareto-optimal solutions to be available before a final decision is made. Alternatively, an interactive approach involves interactions with the decision maker to guide the search towards better solutions (or the most preferred solution). In our tutorial and survey paper, we first review the fundamental concepts of multi-objective optimization. Second, we discuss the classic interactive approaches from the field of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), followed by the underlying idea and methods in the field of Evolutionary Multi-Objective Optimization (EMO). Third, we consider several promising MCDM and EMO hybrid approaches that aim to capitalize on the strengths of the two domains. We conclude with discussions on important behavioral considerations related to the use of such approaches and future work.
Effect of Fever on the Clinical Outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injury by Age
Authors: Lee Dahae , Ryu Hyunho , Jung Eujene
Published: December 2022

Background and objective: Fever is a common symptom in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the effect of fever on the clinical outcomes of patients with TBI is not well characterized. Our study aims to determine the impact of fever on the clinical outcomes of patients with TBI and test the interaction effect of fever on study outcomes according to age group. Materials and methods: Our retrospective study included adult patients with TBI who were transported to a level 1 trauma center by the emergency medical services (EMS) team. The main exposure is fever, defined as a body temperature of 38 °C or above, in the emergency department (ED). The primary outcome was mortality at hospital discharge. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to estimate the effect sizes of fever on study outcomes. We also conducted an interaction analysis between fever and age group on study outcomes. Results: In multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients with TBI who had fever showed no significant difference in mortality at hospital discharge (aOR, 95% CIs: 1.24 (0.57–3.02)). Fever significantly increased the mortality of elderly patients (>65 years) with TBI (1.39 (1.13–1.50)), whereas there was no significant effect on mortality in younger patients (18–64 years) (0.85 (0.51–1.54)). Conclusions: Fever was associated with mortality only in elderly patients with TBI.
Relationship between Fasting Times and Emergence Delirium in Children Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging under Sedation
Authors: Balkaya Ayşe Neslihan , Yılmaz Canan , Baytar Çağdaş , Demirel Asiye , Kılıçarslan Nermin , Ata Filiz , Kaçmaz Nurcan Kat , Gamlı Mehmet
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between preoperative fasting time, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and postoperative emergence delirium (ED) in pediatric patients undergoing MRI under sedation. Materials and Methods: 110 pediatric patients were included in the study. Preoperative fasting (solid-fluid) time and FBG were recorded. The development of ED in the patients who underwent MRI under sedation was evaluated with the pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) value for 30 min every 5 min in the recovery room. PAED score of ≥10 was grouped as having ED, and a PAED score of <10 as without ED at any time. The PAED scores were compared with other variables, ASA, age, weight, MRI examination time, and FBG level and fasting times. The risk factors affecting the occurrence of ED were examined. Results: Mean age was 3.94 ± 1.53 years, mean FBG was 106.97 ± 12.53 mg/dL, fasting time was 10.75 ± 2.61 h, solid food fasting time was 11.92 ± 2.33 h, and thirst time was 10.74 ± 2.58 h. FBG was never associated with PAED measurement at any time (p > 0.05). There was a weak positive correlation between the fasting time and the 0th, 5th, and 10th minute PAED score (r = 0.225; p = 0.018, r = 0.195; p = 0.041, r = 0.195; p = 0.041). There was a weak positive correlation between the solid food fasting time and the PAED score at the 0th, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th minutes (r = 0.382; p < 0.001, r = 0.357; p < 0.001, r = 0.345; p < 0.001, r = 0.360; p < 0.001, r = 0.240; p < 0.001). There was a weak positive correlation between thirst time and the PAED score at the 0th, 5th, and 10th minutes (r = 0.222; p = 0.020. r = 0.192; p = 0.045, r = 0.199; p = 0.037). The incidence of ED at any time was 34.5%. Conclusions: Prolonged fasting time, solid food fasting time and thirst time are risk factors for developing postoperative ED in children undergoing MRI under sedation.