bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Transparent Flame-Retardant (FR) Coatings Based on Epoxy-Aluminum Hypophosphite Nanocomposites
Authors: Laoutid Fouad , Jouyandeh Maryam , Murariu Oltea , Vahabi Henri , Saeb Mohammad Reza , Brison Loic , Murariu Marius , Dubois Philippe
Published: January 2023

The present study investigated the flame-retardant (FR) effect of transparent epoxy coating containing aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) nanoparticles (NPs) on polylactic acid (PLA) sheets used as a typical model of combustible polymeric material. First, AHP NPs (≤60 nm) were prepared by a specific two-stage wet milling process and deeply analyzed (morphology, thermal/mechanisms of degradation under nitrogen and air). The thermal properties of epoxy–AHP nanocomposites were compared with the pristine epoxy resin. The addition of AHP NPs into epoxy resin accelerated thermal degradation of the coating, thereby increasing the amount of char residue. The application of blank epoxy coating on the surface of PLA plate slightly made PLA more ignitable, without any reduction in the peak of heat release rate (pHRR). The decrease of time to ignition (TTI) was more important in the presence of AHP NPs due to their reactivity toward epoxy resin. Epoxy coating containing 15 wt.% AHP NPs showed the most significant reduction in pHRR as the result of the formation of a homogenous char layer. Further increase of AHP NPs content up to 20 wt.% did not end in any further enhancement, as a consequence of structural cracks observed in the coating that prevent the formation of an effective char. The coated samples remained transparent, promisingly paving the way to appropriate decorative flame-retardant coatings.
Influence of Modeling Liquids and Universal Adhesives Used as Lubricants on Color Stability and Translucency of Resin-Based Composites
Authors: Paolone Gaetano , Mazzitelli Claudia , Zechini Giacomo , Scolavino Salvatore , Goracci Cecilia , Scotti Nicola , Cantatore Giuseppe , Gherlone Enrico , Vichi Alessandro
Published: January 2023

The use of lubricants during restorative procedures is a clinically common practice to alleviate the stickiness of resin-based composite (RBCs) materials and to improve its handling. This study evaluated the effects of three modeling liquids (ML) and one universal adhesive (UA) used as lubricants during composite layering on the color stability and translucency of RBCs. Methods. The following materials were applied between every 1 mm RBC layer (total restoration height of 4 mm): GC modeling liquid (GCML, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), composite wetting resin (UPWR, Ultradent Products, South Jordan, UT, USA), Bisco modeling resin (BSMR, Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) as an ML and Clearfil Universal Bond Quick (KUBQ, Kuraray Noritake Dental, Tokyo, Japan) as a UA. Lubricant-free specimens were used as the control. Color coordinates (L*, a* and b*) were recorded at baseline and after a simulation of 1 month of coffee consumption. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey test (p < 0.05). Results. All lubricants induced a color change higher than the perceptibility threshold (ΔE00 > 0.81). GCML showed the highest color stability. The use of KUBQ resulted in significantly higher a* values (p = 0.001) at baseline and after staining. KUBQ and UPWR significantly influenced the color stability (ΔE00, p = 0.0001) after staining, overcoming the clinical acceptability threshold (ΔE00 > 1.77). Conclusions. The use of lubricants may affect color stability at baseline and after simulation of staining. Translucency was not affected at baseline nor after staining. Clinical Significance. Clinicians should be aware that some lubricants may affect color stability, even at baseline.
Analytical Study on Reinforced Concrete Columns and Composite Columns under Lateral Impact
Authors: Li Xianhui , Yin Yao , Li Tieying , Zhu Xiang , Wang Rui
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the lateral impact responses of reinforced concrete (RC) and composite columns through dynamic nonlinear analysis using LS-DYNA. The simulation results were first validated against experimental results performed earlier on four different cross sections. The finite element analysis results show that the simulation results of LS-DYNA can predict the experimental results well and can be used for further parametric analysis. The overall impact resistance of the four new composite columns is significantly better than that of RC columns. Among the composite columns, the solid concrete-filled double steel tube (S-DS) column has the best impact resistance with higher impact plateau force and smaller mid-span deflection under the same test conditions. It was found that the impact response process of all types of composite columns was similar. Finally, parametric analysis of the composite columns is performed to study the influence of load, material and other related parameters on the impact response of the composite columns. The results provide new information on the impact response of composite columns and the influence of materials and load parameters. The study provides a basis for the design and analysis of composite columns under lateral impact loading.
Experimental Study on Flexural Bearing Characteristics of Ceramsite Concrete Beams after Creep at Different Curing Ages
Authors: Zhu Hongbing , Chen Jingyi , Wu Yuxin , Li Jiapeng , Fu Zhenghao , Liu Peng
Published: January 2023

Ceramsite concrete is increasingly used for structural applications due to its lightweight, high-strength, and high-temperature resistance advantages. However, research into the postcreep properties of ceramsite concrete has yet to keep pace with other areas. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the flexural bearing properties of ceramsite concrete beams after creep and make recommendations for future research. To study the flexural load-bearing performance of ceramsite concrete beams after creep, a comparison test was carried out on four ceramsite concrete beams subjected to 200 d creep loading and four beams subjected to static load without creep loading for four curing ages. The results showed that, at first, the deformation capacity of the ceramsite concrete beams would increase after creep and the toughness and energy absorption capacity would also strengthen. Secondly, the creep could improve the ultimate bearing capacity of the ceramsite concrete beams. It was an approximate 10% increase after 200 d creep. Then, the stiffness, toughness, and ultimate bearing capacity of the ceramsite concrete beams would increase gradually with the increase of the curing age after the creep. In addition, the ultimate bearing capacity of the ceramsite concrete beams increased gradually with the increase of the curing age. The growth rate was faster in the early stage, slower after 120 d, and slower and more stable after 228 d. Finally, creep could cause the maximum crack width and depth of the ceramsite concrete beams decreased and the number of cracks would grow with the curing age. The conclusions obtained in the study provide a theoretical basis for the design of light aggregate structures for creep.
Solar-Light-Responsive Nanomaterials for the Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Stubborn Pollutants
Authors: Orimolade Benjamin O. , Idris Azeez O. , Akanji Seyi Philemon , Adekola Folahan A. , Azizi Shohreh , Maaza Malik , Mamba Bhekie
Published: January 2023

Due to the ever increasing demand for cleaner water, a remarkable focus has been on the use of nanomaterials in wastewater treatment application. Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation, an advanced oxidation process which combines light and electrical energy, has been identified as a suitable technique capable of achieving total mineralisation of recalcitrant organic pollutants in wastewater. PEC degradation is non-selective, environmentally friendly and possesses great efficiency. The efficiency of PEC degradation has been enhanced by fabricating the photoanodes on a nanoscale with distinct morphologies. These nanostructured photoanodes have been extensively used for the removal of pharmaceuticals, dyes and phenolic water from wastewater. In many cases, total degradation of the pollutants is achieved within 2 h with significant TOC removal. This review presents an overview of the remarkable success that has been recorded with the use of nanostructured photoanodes in PEC degradation in the presence of visible light. The techniques that are commonly employed to improve the solar light responsiveness of these photoanodes are well discussed. Additionally, the use of nanostructured photoanodes consisting of heterojunction in PEC degradation is also presented. It is our aim that this review will help researchers to make informed decisions regarding the use of nanomaterials in PEC water treatment.
Development of Aluminium Metal Foams via Friction Stir Processing by Utilizing MgCO3 Precursor
Authors: Abidi Mustufa Haider , Moiduddin Khaja , Siddiquee Arshad Noor , Mian Syed Hammad , Mohammed Muneer Khan
Published: January 2023

Aluminium foams possess multi-functional properties and a low specific weight, making them one of the most suitable choices in the application domain of the automobile and aviation sectors, vibrating machining, and structural parts. Compared to traditional fabrication routes, friction stir processing (FSP) is gaining acceptance as it is a cost-effective, highly efficient, and innocuous process to fabricate the foam precursors from the bulk substrate. In the current study, FSP was utilized to develop a precursor with MgCO3 powder acting as the blowing agent. The FSP experiments were performed as per Taguchi’s L8 orthogonal array. The precursor was heat treated in an electric furnace at a holding temperature of 650 °C for 10 min. After the post-heat treatments, this precursor resulted in a porous structure due to the evolution of CO2 gas from the composite. The simultaneous effect of tool rotation speed, traverse speed, and shoulder diameter was investigated on the pore size and porosity of the foam produced. The composite parameter “unit stirring” is found to be closely related to the processed zone (PZ) and volume processing rate of the processed zone, pore size, and the degree of porosity. The highest porosity of 16.67% was obtained with an average pore size of 10.5 µm. The largest pore size, 17.8 µm, was observed to be associated with a porosity of 14.40%. The analysis of the Kiviat plot revealed that the values of the PZ area and volume processing rate possess a polar symmetry with unit stirring. The pore size and pore density were both found to be symmetrically distributed about the unit stirring.
Structural, Mechanical, Electronic, Optical, and Thermodynamic Properties of New Oxychalcogenide A2O2B2Se3 (A = Sr, Ba; B = Bi, Sb) Compounds: A First-Principles Study
Authors: Mallah Abdulrahman , Debbichi Mourad , Dhaou Mohamed Houcine , Bellakhdhar Bilel
Published: January 2023

The structural, mechanical, electronic, and optical characteristics of Alkali chalcogenide and oxychalcogenides, i.e., A2O2B2Se3 (A = Sr, Ba; B = Bi, Sb), were investigated using density functional theory (DFT). After full relaxation, the obtained structural parameters are in good agreement with the experimental parameters. Furthermore, the calculated elastic stiffness Cij shows that all of the studied compounds followed the mechanical stability criteria. Ductility for these compounds was analyzed by calculating Pugh’s ratio; we classified the Sr2O2Bi2Se3, Sr2O2Sb2Se3, and Ba2O2Bi2Se3 as ductile, and the Ba2O2Sb2Se3 as brittle. The Debye temperature and acoustic velocity were estimated. In addition, electronic and chemical bonding properties were studied from the analysis of the band structure and density of state. The main features of the valence and conduction bands were analyzed from the partial density of states. Electronic band structures are mainly contributed to by Se-4p and Bi-6p/Sb-5p states. Direct band gaps are 0.90, 0.47, and 0.73 eV for Sr2O2Bi2Se3, Sr2O2Sb2Se3, and Ba2O2Sb2Se3, respectively. The Ba2O2Bi2Se3 compound has an indirect band gap of 1.12 eV. Furthermore, we interpreted and quantified the optical properties, including the dielectric function, absorption coefficient, optical reflectivity, and refractive index. From the reflectivity spectra, we can state that these compounds will be useful for optical applications.
Outstanding Advantages, Current Drawbacks, and Significant Recent Developments in Mechanochemistry: A Perspective View
Authors: Pagola Silvina
Published: January 2023

Although known since antiquity, mechanochemistry has remained dormant for centuries. Nowadays, mechanochemistry is a flourishing research field at the simultaneous stages of gathering data and (often astonishing) observations, and scientific argumentation toward their analysis, for which the combination of interdisciplinary expertise is necessary. Mechanochemistry’s implementation as a synthetic method is constantly increasing, although it remains far from being fully exploited, or understood on the basis of fundamental principles. This review starts by describing many remarkable advantages of mechanochemical reactions, simplifying and “greening” chemistry in solutions. This description is followed by an overview of the current main weaknesses to be addressed in the near future toward the systematic study of its energetics and chemical mechanisms. This review finishes by describing recent breakthrough experimental advances, such as in situ kinetics monitoring using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, plus equally significant computational chemistry approaches, such as quantum mechanochemistry, used for the understanding of covalent or hydrogen bond ruptures in biomolecules or mechanophores in polymers at the single-molecule level. Combined with new technologies to control temperature and pressure in ball mills, these appealing new methods are promising tools for establishing the fundamental knowledge necessary for the understanding of mechanochemical reactivity and mechanisms.
Investigation into the MOCVD Growth and Optical Properties of InGaN/GaN Quantum Wells by Modulating NH3 Flux
Authors: Chen Zhenyu , Liang Feng , Zhao Degang , Yang Jing , Chen Ping , Jiang Desheng
Published: January 2023

In this study, the surface morphology and luminescence characteristics of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells were studied by applying different flow rates of ammonia during MOCVD growth, and the best growth conditions of InGaN layers for green laser diodes were explored. Different emission peak characteristics were observed in temperature-dependent photoluminescence (TDPL) examination, which showed significant structural changes in InGaN layers and in the appearance of composite structures of InGaN/GaN quantum wells and quantum-dot-like centers. It was shown that these changes are caused by several effects induced by ammonia, including both the promotion of indium corporation and corrosion from hydrogen caused by the decomposition of ammonia, as well as the decrease in the surface energy of InGaN dot-like centers. We carried out detailed research to determine ammonia’s mechanism of action during InGaN layer growth.
A Comprehensive Review of Large-Strain-Extrusion Machining Process for Production of Fine-Grained Materials
Authors: Gurusamy Muralimohan , Rao Balkrishna C.
Published: January 2023

Bulk nanostructured metals and alloys are finding increasing structural applications due to their superior mechanical properties. The methods that rely on the severe plastic deformation technique for effecting microstructural refinement through imposing large strains are utilized mostly to produce nanostructured materials. The machining process has been demonstrated as a simple process for severe plastic deformation by imposing large strains through a single pass of the cutting tool where strains in a range of 1–15 can be imposed for a variety of materials by varying the cutting conditions and tool geometry. However, the geometry of the resulting chip subjected to severe plastic deformation during the machining process is not under control and, hence, a variant of the machining process, called the large-strain-extrusion machining process, has been proposed and utilized extensively for producing bulk nanostructured materials. Large-strain-extrusion machining possesses simultaneous control over microstructure refinement, through managing the strain during large-strain machining, and the shape and dimension of the resulting chip by the extrusion process. This study provides a comprehensive review of the large-strain-extrusion machining process by presenting the findings related to the utilization of this process for the production of fine-grained foils for various metals and alloys. Further research efforts related to finite-element modelling of large-strain-extrusion machining and their usefulness in designing the experimental setup and process conditions are also discussed.
Synergistic Occlusion of Doxorubicin and Hydrogels in CaCO3 Composites for Controlled Drug Release
Authors: Li Ya-Xin , Jiang Yuan
Published: January 2023

Extensive exploration is required to deploy mineralization as a tool to develop low-cost yet efficient sustained drug release systems. Unlike previous studies which directly incorporated drug components in mineralized products, we propose an emerging approach to synthesizing drug-loaded CaCO3 composites, relying on the synergistic occlusion of the molecular solutions comprising both the alginate hydrogel matrices and the associated drug (doxorubicin) in the course of mineralization. Independent tools including a scanning electron microscope and adsorption isotherm were employed to characterize the lyophilized composites, which led to the conclusion that the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was uniformly dispersed in the hydrogel matrices as a molecular solution. The occlusion strategy led to CaCO3-based composites with high loads and sustained and pH-responsive release of DOX. Considering many drug molecules can form molecular solutions with polymeric components, we find that the synergistic occlusion can become a general approach to designing smart drug delivery systems.
The Effect of Floods on Nest Survival Probability of Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Breeding in the Riverbed of a Large Lowland European River
Authors: Elas Marek , Rosendal Erik , Meissner Włodzimierz
Published: January 2023

The natural valleys of large rivers provide suitable nesting and foraging sites for many bird species. In this study, we assess the effects of water fluctuations during the breeding season on Common Sandpipers’ nest survival on a semi-natural section of the Vistula River, and evaluate which tactics this species can adopt to minimise the effects on a long-term scale. Birds can avoid losses due to flooding by adjusting the timing of nesting to avoid the occurrence of extreme water conditions, and/or by choosing a safe nesting location. We found that nest location is a direct response to periodic high water, and the threat of flooding seems to be one of the important determinants of Common Sandpiper nest placement. The choice of nest location is not random, as 70% of pairs nested above a height that provides an 80% chance of avoiding flooding of the nest. For the lowest-lying nests found in this study, nesting success was reduced up to 92% because of inundation. Birds choose more elevated places, even during the second half of the season when the threat of flooding is lower. Their preference for nesting above a certain height does not change over the breeding season, which corresponds to the very small impact of the date of first egg laying on breeding success. Those who breed earlier in the season have a slightly higher risk of being flooded, but nesting in more elevated places reduces this risk much more than shifting the time of breeding.
DNA Barcoding of Trichobilharzia (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae) Species and Their Detection in eDNA Water Samples
Authors: Helmer Nikolaus , Hörweg Christoph , Sattmann Helmut , Reier Susanne , Szucsich Nikolaus U. , Bulantová Jana , Haring Elisabeth
Published: January 2023

We designed and tested species-specific PCR primers to detect Trichobilharzia species via environmental DNA (eDNA) barcoding in selected Austrian water bodies. Tests were performed with eDNA samples from the field as well as with artificial samples from the lab, where snails releasing cercariae were kept in aquariums. From two localities, Trichobilharzia was documented based on the release of cercariae from snails, enabling morphological species identification. In both cases, the corresponding species were detected via eDNA: Trichobilharzia szidati and Trichobilharzia physellae. Nonetheless, the stochasticity was high in the replicates. PCR tests with aquarium water into which the cercariae had been released allowed eDNA detection even after 44 days. As in the PCRs with eDNA samples from the field, positive results of these experiments were not obtained for all samples and replicates. PCR sensitivity tests with dilution series of T. szidati genomic DNA as well as of PCR amplification products yielded successful amplification down to concentrations of 0.83 pg/µL and 0.008 pg/µL, respectively. Our results indicate that the presumed species specificity of PCR primers may not be guaranteed, even if primers were designed for specific species. This entails misidentification risks, particularly in areas with incomplete species inventories.
Multiply Recurrent Composite Hemangioendothelioma of Penis with Histologic Progression to High-Grade Features
Authors: Bui Chau M. , Balzer Bonnie
Published: January 2023

Composite hemangioendothelioma (CHE) is a very rare low-grade malignant vascular neoplasm. Here, we present the first case of it occurring on a penis with two local recurrences over a 9 year span and its progression to a high-grade morphology.
Microparticles as Viral RNA Carriers from Stool for Stable and Sensitive Surveillance
Authors: Kifaro Emmanuel George , Kim Mi Jung , Jung Seungwon , Jang Yoon-ha , Moon Sungyeon , Lee Dong-Hun , Song Chang-Seon , Misinzo Gerald , Kim Sang Kyung
Published: January 2023

Since its discovery, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has emerged as an important technology for the diagnosis and identification of infectious diseases. It is a highly sensitive and reliable nucleic acids (NA) detection tool for various sample types. However, stool, which carries the most abundant micro-organisms and physiological byproducts, remains to be the trickiest clinical specimen for molecular detection of pathogens. Herein, we demonstrate the novel application of hydrogel microparticles as carriers of viral RNA from stool samples without prior RNA purification for real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In each microparticle of primer-incorporated network (PIN) as a self-sufficient reaction compartment, immobilized reverse transcription (RT) primers capture the viral RNA by hybridization and directly initiate RT of RNA to generate a pool of complementary DNA (PIN-cDNA pool). Through a simple operation with a portable thermostat device, a PIN-cDNA pool for influenza A virus (IAV) was obtained in 20 min. The PIN-cDNA pools can be stored at room temperature, or directly used to deliver cDNA templates for qPCR. The viral cDNA templates were freely released in the subsequent qPCR to allow amplification efficiency of over 91%. The assay displayed good linearity, repeatability, and comparable limit of detection (LoD) with a commercialized viral RNA purification kit. As a proof of concept, this technology carries a huge potential for onsite application to improve human and animal infectious disease surveillance activities using stool samples without the need for a laboratory or centrifuge for sample preparation.
Comparative Analysis of Corneal Parameters Performed with GalileiG6 and OCT Casia 2
Authors: Mazur Robert , Wylęgała Adam , Wylęgała Edward , Dobrowolski Dariusz
Published: January 2023

Backgrounds: To compare keratometry (Ks and Kf), astigmatism (Ast.), and the astigmatism axes (Ax.) of the posterior surface of the cornea; the total, central cornea thickness (CCT); and the thinnest corneal thickness (TCT) measured using two different measurement methods. Methods: Patients qualified for cataract surgery at the Chair and Clinical Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Medical Science in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, were included in the study and monitored with the following two devices: OCT-CASIA2 and Dual Scheimpflug Analyzer GalileiG6. Our work was a randomized, prospective study in which compliance with the agreement of measurements between the devices was evaluated using the Bland–Altman method. Results: A total of 110 patients (62 females and 48 males) were examined. Overall, 100 eyes of patients that qualified for cataract surgery were enrolled in the study. No statistically significant difference was observed for Total-Ks and Total-Kf. A significant difference was observable for the following parameters: total Ks-ax, total Kf-ax, the total power of astigmatism, and in all parameters of the part of the cornea and corneal thickness (CCT and TCT). Conclusions: The measurements obtained using Casia2 and the Dual Scheimpflug Analyzer GalileiG6 were significantly different and not interchangeable except for total Ks and Kf.
Related Factors for Unfavorable Disease Course in Patients with Crohn’s Disease: An Observational Retrospective Study
Authors: Han Dong Yoon , You Myung-Won , Oh Chi Hyuk , Park Seong Jin
Published: January 2023

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) manifests a heterogeneous clinical spectrum and disease course, and it is challenging to predict the disease outcome based on initial presentation. Objective: To analyze the long-term disease course and factors leading to poor prognosis of CD. Methods: In total, 112 patients with CD who were initially diagnosed and treated at our institution from January 2009 to August 2020 were included. We analyzed their clinical data, disease characteristics according to the Montreal classification, and the endoscopic and computed tomography (CT) examinations at the initial visit and at 2-year, 5-year, and last follow ups. We categorized the disease course into the following four categories: remission, stable, chronic refractory, and chronic relapsing. Significant factors associated with a poorer prognosis were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up period was 107 (range, 61–139) months. Complicated disease behavior increased slightly over the follow-up period (20.5% to 26.2%). An unfavorable disease course was defined as chronic refractory (19.6%) and relapsing (16.1%) courses. The 2-year disease characteristics were significant factors for unfavorable disease course, and the combination of 2-year perianal disease and 2-year moderate-to-severe CT activity could predict unfavorable disease course with the highest accuracy (0.722; area under the curve: 0.768; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: One-third of the patients with CD showed an unfavorable disease course (35.7%), and 2-year disease characteristics were significant factors for an unfavorable disease course.
Evaluation of Accuracy and Performance of a Novel, Fully Gantry Integrated 3D Laser System for Computed Tomography Guided Needle Placement: A Phantom Study
Authors: Weigel Katharina , Kubik-Huch Rahel A. , Baer-Beck Matthias , Canstein Christian , Kostrzewa Michael
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this phantom study was to compare the accuracy, speed and technical performance of CT guided needle placement using a conventional technique versus a novel, gantry integrated laser guidance system for both an expert and a novice. A total of 80 needle placements were performed in an abdominal phantom using conventional CT guidance and a laser guidance system. Analysis of pooled results of expert and novice showed a significant reduction of time (277 vs. 204 s, p = 0.001) and of the number of needle corrections (3.28 vs. 1.58, p < 0.001) required when using laser guidance versus conventional technique. No significant improvement in absolute (3.81 vs. 3.41 mm, p = 0.213) or angular deviation (2.85 vs. 2.18°, p = 0.079) was found. With either approach, the expert was significantly faster (conventional guidance: 207 s vs. 346 s, p < 0.001; laser guidance: 144 s vs. 264 s, p < 0.001) and required fewer needle corrections (conventional guidance: 4 vs. 3, p = 0.027; laser guidance: 2 vs. 1, p = 0.001) than the novice. The laser guidance system helped both the expert and the novice to perform CT guided interventions in a phantom faster and with fewer needle corrections compared to the conventional technique, while achieving similar accuracy.
Clinical Performance of Diagnostic Methods in Third Molar Teeth with Early Occlusal Caries
Authors: Kocak-Topbas Nazan , Kamburoğlu Kıvanç , Ertürk-Avunduk Ayşe Tuğba , Ozemre Mehmet Ozgur , Eratam Nejlan , Çakmak Esra Ece
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of clinical visual examination (ICDAS II), digital periapical radiography (PR), near infrared light transillumination (NIR-LT), and laser fluorescence (LF) to microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) which is the reference standard for the detection of non-cavitated occlusal enamel and dentin caries in third molar teeth. Potential participants were consecutively recruited. In this prospective study, 101 third molars of 101 patients were examined; the molars had non-cavitated occlusal caries which required extraction. ICDAS II, PR, NIR-LT and LF examinations were carried out by two blinded examiners. Reference standard was determined by micro-CT imaging seven days after extraction. Accuracy rate, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (Az) were statistically analyzed. Nonparametric variables were subjected to the Kruskal–Wallis Test. Significance level was set as p < 0.05. NIR-LT had the highest sensitivity (99.67–99.67%) and accuracy (78.22–77.23%) for the determination of occlusal enamel caries according to examiners 1 and 2, respectively. LF method had the highest sensitivity (70.83–54.17%) and accuracy (66.34–59.41%) for determining occlusal dentin caries according to examiners 1 and 2, respectively. The ROC curve (Az) value ranged between 0.524 and 0.726 for the different methods tested. Most effective methods for the diagnosis of occlusal enamel and dentin caries were determined to be NIR-LT and LF pen methods, respectively. The present prospective clinical study showed that NIR-LT and LF-Pen were a reliable modality for the detection of occlusal enamel and dentin caries without ionizing radiation.
Prediction of HELLP Syndrome Severity Using Machine Learning Algorithms—Results from a Retrospective Study
Authors: Melinte-Popescu Marian , Vasilache Ingrid-Andrada , Socolov Demetra , Melinte-Popescu Alina-Sînziana
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome is a rare and life-threatening complication of preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the predictive performances of four machine learning-based models for the prediction of HELLP syndrome, and its subtypes according to the Mississippi classification; (2) Methods: This retrospective case-control study evaluated pregnancies that occurred in women who attended a tertiary maternity hospital in Romania between January 2007 and December 2021. The patients’ clinical and paraclinical characteristics were included in four machine learning-based models: decision tree (DT), naïve Bayes (NB), k-nearest neighbors (KNN), and random forest (RF), and their predictive performance were assessed; (3) Results: Our results showed that HELLP syndrome was best predicted by RF (accuracy: 89.4%) and NB (accuracy: 86.9%) models, while DT (accuracy: 91%) and KNN (accuracy: 87.1%) models had the highest performance when used to predict class 1 HELLP syndrome. The predictive performance of these models was modest for class 2 and 3 of HELLP syndrome, with accuracies ranging from 65.2% and 83.8%; (4) Conclusions: The machine learning-based models could be useful tools for predicting HELLP syndrome, and its most severe form—class 1.
Blood-Pressure-Monitoring Smartphone Applications: Ushering in a New Era of Wearable Cardiac Devices? Comment on Vischer et al. Comparability of a Blood-Pressure-Monitoring Smartphone Application with Conventional Measurements—A Pilot Study. Diagnostics 2022, 12, 749
Authors: Hungerford Sara , Bart Nicole
Published: January 2023

Systemic arterial hypertension in adults is generally defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of >140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of >90 mmHg [...]
Minimally Invasive Non-Surgical Technique in the Treatment of Intrabony Defects—A Narrative Review
Authors: Anoixiadou Styliani , Parashis Andreas , Vouros Ioannis
Published: January 2023

Intrabony defects occur frequently in periodontitis and represent sites that, if left untreated, are at increased risk for disease progression. Although resective or repair procedures have been used to treat intrabony defects, aiming at their elimination, the treatment of choice is surgical periodontal regeneration. The development of periodontal regeneration in the last 30 years has followed two distinctive, though totally different, paths. The interest of researchers has so far focused on regenerative materials and products on one side, and on novel surgical approaches on the other side. In the area of materials and products, three different regenerative concepts have been explored namely, barrier membranes, bone grafts, and wound healing modifiers/biologics, plus many combinations of the aforementioned. In the area of surgical approaches, clinical innovation in flap design and handling, as well as minimally invasive approaches, has radically changed regenerative surgery. Recently, a minimally invasive non-surgical technique (MINST) for the treatment of intrabony defects was proposed. Initial clinical trials indicated comparable results to the surgical minimally invasive techniques in both clinical and radiographic outcomes. These results support the efficacy of this treatment approach. The aim of this review is to present the evidence on the application of minimally invasive non-surgical techniques and their efficacy in the treatment of intrabony defects.
Self-Efficacy in Online Teaching during the Immediate Transition from Conventional to Online Teaching in German and Argentinian Universities—The Relevance of Institutional Support and Individual Characteristics
Authors: Göbel Kerstin , Neuber Katharina , Lion Carina , Cukierman Uriel
Published: January 2023

Triggered by the spread of the Coronavirus and the lockdown of universities in spring 2020, universities were required to provide infrastructure for digital teaching within a very short time. Further, all university members needed to develop knowledge and skills for teaching online. This paper presents data from the cross-cultural CRTS-Study (Coronavirus-Related Teaching Situation Study), which compares the experiences, attitudes and needs of university teachers in Germany and Argentina during the first lockdown in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic. The study has been carried out in spring 2020 as a cross-sectional online survey study with university teachers in Germany and Argentina (N = 728). The overall picture reveals a mostly successful implementation of online teaching for university teachers in both countries, with Argentinian university teachers reporting a slightly more positive perspective and slightly higher self-efficacy beliefs in online teaching when compared with the German colleagues. The results of regression analysis hint at the relevance of prior personal experience and institutional support for self-efficacy beliefs in online teaching for both samples. In conclusion, individual experience and training as well as supportive institutional conditions seem to be relevant for the development of digital teaching at universities in both countries.
Student Acceptance of E-Learning during the COVID-19 Outbreak at Engineering Universities in Spain
Authors: Garrido-Gutiérrez Pedro , Sánchez-Chaparro Teresa , Sánchez-Naranjo María Jesús
Published: January 2023

This article analyses students’ intention to use a particular e-learning technology (MS Teams) at university during the COVID-19 outbreak in Spain using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The model was refined through a qualitative analysis based on six focus group discussions with students from different engineering faculties in Madrid, Spain. A survey involving 346 undergraduate students was subsequently fed into the model. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and SMART PLS software were applied for data analysis. The results shed light on theoretical and practical implications. The model was validated by the data and displayed a high predictive ability. Social influence was found to have the greatest influence over students’ acceptance, followed by the professor’s role in shaping the perception of improvement. Facilitating conditions were found to be the least relevant factor, probably due to the particular context in which this study was conducted. A significant difference was found between the public and private institutions in terms of the importance of the perceived usefulness for the professor (this factor was more important for students’ acceptance at the public university). In order to improve its acceptance and use under the current scenario, it is thus important for universities wishing to introduce e-learning to focus on creating a positive social environment around the e-learning platform, for example, by using social networks or relying on testimonies by professionals who could confirm the interest of such a platform in a future work environment. Understanding professors’ perspective on the implementation of the platform is also of paramount importance. More research is also needed regarding context-related differences when analysing students’ acceptance of e-learning.
The Effect of a Short Course on a Group of Italian Primary School Teachers’ Rates of Praise and Their Pupils’ On-Task Behaviour
Authors: Sulla Francesco , Rollo Dolores
Published: January 2023

Teachers who continually experience behaviour problems in their classrooms may believe they are ineffective at working with children. Indeed, student misbehaviour is often identified as the main cause of teacher stress. Strategies designed to increase teacher rates of approval in their class have been shown to be effective in decreasing students’ inappropriate behaviours. In this investigation, a group of Italian primary school teachers took part in a brief 2-h training programme aimed at increasing praise for appropriate behaviour. The programme included a feedback session about the pre-test data and a PowerPoint presentation. Data on pupils’ time on-task were collected. Furthermore, teachers’ job-satisfaction, self-efficacy, and their perceived use of a series of classroom management praxis were investigated through a questionnaire. Social validity data show the teachers within the experimental group to have been highly satisfied with the programme. From observations carried out before and after training, it was seen that changes in teachers’ use of feedback were accompanied by increased pupil on-task behaviour. The training did not produce any change in teachers’ job-satisfaction scores. Teachers’ self-efficacy scores and the frequency of praxis were significantly increased following the training. Implications for practice, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
A General Construction Method of Virtual Simulation Experiment Platform Based on Bibliometrics and Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Zhu Keyun , Cao Juan , Chen Guowei , He Qiang , Zhang Pengzhou
Published: January 2023

Virtual simulation can solve the challenges of high cost, long cycle time, and inaccessibility in traditional experimental teaching, which is far-reaching for talent training. This study combines bibliometric visualization theory with AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). It establishes a hierarchical evaluation model of a virtual simulation experimental teaching platform based on 842 questionnaires and 4787 articles, including 68,306 citation records, and deconstructing the complex evaluation problem into several multidimensional factors by attributes and relationships. Based on this, a virtual simulation experimental teaching platform construction scheme for IP protocol analysis based on a network covert communication perspective is outputted, which is compatible with the research results. The experimental platform takes a task-driven teaching method as the core, mainly including four modules of context creation, task determination, independent learning, and effect evaluation. The experience of building this platform can be extended to other disciplines, leading the teaching reform exploration of practice-based, innovation-focused, and engineering-critical, helping to implement the flipped classroom, and promoting the development of education modernization.
Mulvernet: Nucleus Segmentation and Classification of Pathology Images Using the HoVer-Net and Multiple Filter Units
Authors: Vo Vi Thi-Tuong , Kim Soo-Hyung
Published: January 2023

Nucleus segmentation and classification are crucial in pathology image analysis. Automated nuclear classification and segmentation methods support analysis and understanding of cell characteristics and functions, and allow the analysis of large-scale nuclear forms in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Common problems in these tasks arise from the inconsistent sizes and shapes of the cells in each pathology image. This study aims to develop a new method to address these problems based primarily on the horizontal and vertical distance network (HoVer-Net), multiple filter units, and attention gate mechanisms. The results of the study will significantly impact cell segmentation and classification by showing that a multiple filter unit improves the performance of the original HoVer-Net model. In addition, our experimental results show that the Mulvernet achieves outperforming results in both nuclei segmentation and classification compared to several methods. The ability to segment and classify different types of nuclei automatically has a direct influence on further pathological analysis, offering great potential not only to accelerate the diagnostic process in clinics but also for enhancing our understanding of tissue and cell properties to improve patient care and management.
Optimization of DevOps Transformation for Cloud-Based Applications
Authors: Buttar Ahmed Mateen , Khalid Adeel , Alenezi Mamdouh , Akbar Muhammad Azeem , Rafi Saima , Gumaei Abdu H. , Riaz Muhammad Tanveer
Published: January 2023

Rapid software development is critical for meeting company objectives and competing more effectively in the competitive IoT infrastructure. DevOps is a growing technique that enables enterprises to provide high-quality software capabilities through automation, to improve team communication, and to increase efficiency across the software product lifecycle. Research problem: Due to the increased demand for new products and technologies, a huge overwork shifted on the organizations for introducing software with pace and to become stable to compete with others. Due to this, the majority of organizations prefer an automated system for product development and require cloud-based applications. The git version control system is used for version management and Docker is used to package code and provide libraries. AWS services are leveraged to deploy an application as a cloud. Jenkins is used as a CI/CD pipeline to manage various phases of development and to make the development process continuous. The ELK stack is used to monitor and visualize the execution of code. In light of the findings, DevOps is an efficient method for cloud application deployment and resource selection based on the relative importance of each optimized objective in terms of value parameters such as cost, memory, and CPU capacity, and that the method can be tailored to specific application requirements. The findings of this analysis indicate that an application can be deployed to the cloud using DevOps techniques. The proposed approach cost 60% less at full weight 1.0 and 11.3% less with no weight compared to the benchmark solution’s 15.078%
A New Augmented Reality System for Calculating Social Distancing between Children at School
Authors: Alshaweesh Omar , Wedyan Mohammad , Alazab Moutaz , Abu-Salih Bilal , Al-Jumaily Adel
Published: January 2023

Social distancing is one of the most important ways to prevent many diseases, especially the respiratory system, where the latest internationally spread is coronavirus disease, and it will not be the last. The spreading of this pandemic has become a major threat to human life, especially to the elderly and people suffering from chronic diseases. During the Corona pandemic, medical authorities were keen to control the spread through social distancing and monitoring it in markets, universities, and schools. This monitoring was mostly used to estimate the distance with the naked eye and interfere with estimating the distance on the observer only. In this study, a computer application was designed to monitor social distancing in closed areas, especially in schools and kindergartens, using a fast, effective and unobtrusive technique for children. In addition to this system, we use augmented reality to help to determine the location of violation of social distancing. This system was tested, and the results were accurate exceeding 98.5%.
Rapid Non-Invasive Capacitive Assessment of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Authenticity
Authors: Salila Vijayalal Mohan Hari Krishna , Aung Pyei Phyo , Ng Chee Fong , Wong Zheng Zheng , Alexander Malcolm Andrew
Published: January 2023

Economically motivated adulteration (EMA) and/or cross-contamination are the two major factors resulting in the substandard quality of premium edible oil like extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) produced in food and beverage (F&B) fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries. Current quality assurance methods (e.g., spectroscopy and chromatography) in FMCG involve intrusive sample extraction and ex situ analysis in a laboratory using expensive bulky instrumentation, which is neither integrable inline nor scalable to match the production throughput. Such techniques do not meet the industrial requirements of in situ testing, non-intrusive analysis, and high throughput inspection (100% product verification) leading to food loss and package waste from unwanted batch rejects. Herein, a low-cost electrical approach based on capacitance is proposed to show the proof of concept for screening EVOO-filled containers non-invasively for adulteration without any sample extraction by capturing the differences in the dielectric properties of mixed oils. The sensor system displayed a fast response (100 ms) and low detection limits for different adulterants (olive oil (32.8%), canola oil (19.4%), soy oil (10.3%) and castor oil (1.7%)), which is suitable for high-throughput (>60 sample/min) screening. Furthermore, a low-cost automated system prototype was realized to showcase the possibility of translating the proof of concept for possible scaling up and inline integration.