bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma Metabonomics in Insulin-Resistant Hypogonadic Patients Induced by Testosterone Treatment
Authors: Zolla Lello , Grande Giuseppe , Milardi Domenico
Published: July 2022

Hypogonadic subjects with insulin resistance (IR) showed different metabonomic profiles compared to normo-insulinemic subjects (IS). Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may have a different impact on the metabolisms of those with the presence or absence of insulin resistance. We evaluated the changes in the metabolism of IR hypogonadic patients before and after 60 days of TRT. The metabonomic plasma profiles from 20 IR hypogonadal patients were recorded using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Plasma metabolites, before and after 60 days of TRT, were compared. In hypogonadic patients, carnosine, which is important for improving performance during exercise, increased. Conversely, proline and lysine—amino acids involved in the synthesis of collagen—reduced. Triglycerides decreased and fatty acids (FFAs) increased in the blood as a consequence of reduced FFA β-oxidation. Glycolysis slightly improved, while the Krebs cycle was not activated. Gluconeogenesis (which is the main energy source for hypogonadal IR before TRT) stopped after treatment. As a consequence, lactate and acetyl CoA increased significantly. Both lactate and acetyl CoA were metabolized into ketone bodies which increased greatly, also due to leucine/isoleucine degradation. Ketone bodies were derived predominantly from acetyl CoA because the reaction of acetyl CoA into ketone bodies is catalyzed by mtHMGCoA synthase. This enzyme is inhibited by insulin, which is absent in IR patients but overexpressed following testosterone administration. Ketosis is an alternative route for energy supply and provides the same metabolic effects as insulin but at the metabolic or primitive control level, which bypasses the complex signaling pathway of insulin. After treatment, the hypogonadic patients showed clinical symptoms related to ketonuria. They presented similarly to those following a ketogenic diet, the so-called ‘keto flu’. This must be taken into account before the administration of TRT to hypogonadic patients.
Preparation of an Environmentally Friendly Nano-Insecticide through Encapsulation in Polymeric Liposomes and Its Insecticidal Activities against the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Chen Xiuqin , Qiu Liangmiao , Liu Qiquan , He Yuxian
Published: July 2022

The insecticide emamectin benzoate (EB) was formulated with nanoparticles composed of DSPE-PEG2000-NH2 by the co-solvent method to determine its adverse impacts on the environment and to reinforce its dispersion, adhesion, and biocompatibility. A good encapsulation efficiency (70.5 ± 1.5%) of EB loaded in DSPE-PEG2000-NH2 polymeric liposomes was confirmed. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and contact angle meter measurements revealed that the DSPE-EB nanoparticles had a regular distribution, spherical shape, and good leaf wettability. The contact angle on corn leaves was 47.26°, and the maximum retention was higher than that of the reference product. DSPE-EB nanoparticles had strong adhesion on maize foliage and a good, sustained release property. The efficacy trial showed that the DSPE-EB nanoparticles had a strong control effect on S. frugiperda larvae, with the LC50 of 0.046 mg/L against the third-instar S. furgiperda larve after 48 h treatment. All these results indicate that DSPE-EB nanoparticles can serve as an insecticide carrier with lower environmental impact, sustained release property, and effective control of pests.
Multidimensional 3-Month Follow-Up of Severe COVID-19: Airways beyond the Parenchyma in Symptomatic Patients
Authors: Bonato Matteo , Peditto Piera , Landini Nicholas , Fraccaro Alessia , Catino Cosimo , Cuzzola Maria , Malacchini Nicola , Savoia Francesca , Roma Nicola , Salasnich Mauro , Turrin Martina , Zampieri Francesca , Zanardi Giuseppe , Zeraj Fabiola , Rattazzi Marcello , Peta Mario , Baraldo Simonetta , Saetta Marina , Fusaro Michele , Morana Giovanni , Romagnoli Micaela
Published: July 2022

SARS-CoV-2 may lead to a large spectrum of respiratory manifestations, including pulmonary sequelae. We conducted a single-center longitudinal study of survivors from severe COVID-19 cases who underwent a chest CT during hospitalization (CTH). Three months after being discharged, these patients were evaluated by a clinical examination, pulmonary function tests and a chest-CT scan (CTFU). Sixty-two patients were enrolled. At follow-up, 27% complained of exertional dyspnoea and 12% of cough. Dyspnoeic patients had a lower forced expiratory flow (FEF)25–75 (p = 0.015), while a CT scan (p = 0.016 showed that patients with cough had a higher extent of bronchiectasis. Lung volumes and diffusion of carbon monoxide (DLCO) at follow-up were lower in patients who had been invasively ventilated, which correlated inversely with the length of hospitalization and ground-glass extension at CTH. At follow-up, 14.5% of patients had a complete radiological resolution, while 85.5% presented persistence of ground-glass opacities, and 46.7% showed fibrotic-like alterations. Residual ground-glass at CTFU was related to the length of hospitalization (r = 0.48; p = 0.0002) and to the need for mechanical ventilation or high flow oxygen (p = 0.01) during the acute phase. In conclusion, although patients at three months from discharge showed functional impairment and radiological abnormalities, which correlated with a prolonged hospital stay and need for mechanical ventilation, the persistence of respiratory symptoms was related not to parenchymal but rather to airway sequelae.
Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Electric Stimulation during the Perinatal Period: A Systematic Literature Review and Three Case Reports
Authors: Laurin Andrew , Nard Noémie , Dalmont Marine , Bulteau Samuel , Bénard Cloé , Bonnot Olivier , Winer Norbert , Dupont Françoise , Apter Gisèle , Terranova-Commessie Frédérique , Guillin Olivier , El-Hage Wissam , Sauvaget Anne , Rothärmel Maud
Published: July 2022

Introduction: The perinatal period is an at-risk period for the emergence or decompensation of psychiatric disorders. Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is an effective and safe treatment for many psychiatric disorders. Given the reluctance to use pharmacological treatments during pregnancy or breastfeeding, tES may be an interesting treatment to consider. Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tES in the perinatal period through a systematic literature review followed by three original case reports. Method: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of MEDLINE and ScienceDirect was undertaken to identify studies on tES on women during the perinatal period. The initial research was conducted until 31 December 2021 and search terms included: tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation, tACS, transcranial alternating current stimulation, tRNS, transcranial random noise stimulation, pregnancy, perinatal, postnatal, and postpartum. Results: Seven studies reporting on 33 women during the perinatal period met the eligibility criteria. No serious adverse effects for the mother or child were reported. Data were limited to the use of tES during pregnancy in patients with schizophrenia or unipolar depression. In addition, we reported three original case reports illustrating the efficacy and safety of tDCS: in a pregnant woman with bipolar depression, in a pregnant woman with post-traumatic stress disorder (sham tDCS), and in a breastfeeding woman with postpartum depression. Conclusions: The results are encouraging, making tES a potentially safe and effective treatment in the perinatal period. Larger studies are needed to confirm these initial results, and any adverse effects on the mother or child should be reported. In addition, research perspectives on the medico-economic benefits of tES, and its realization at home, are to be investigated in the future.
Performance of Artificial Intelligence-Based Algorithms to Predict Prolonged Length of Stay after Lumbar Decompression Surgery
Authors: Saravi Babak , Zink Alisia , Ülkümen Sara , Couillard-Despres Sebastien , Hassel Frank , Lang Gernot
Published: July 2022

Background: Decompression of the lumbar spine is one of the most common procedures performed in spine surgery. Hospital length of stay (LOS) is a clinically relevant metric used to assess surgical success, patient outcomes, and socioeconomic impact. This study aimed to investigate a variety of machine learning and deep learning algorithms to reliably predict whether a patient undergoing decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis will experience a prolonged LOS. Methods: Patients undergoing treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis with microsurgical and full-endoscopic decompression were selected within this retrospective monocentric cohort study. Prolonged LOS was defined as an LOS greater than or equal to the 75th percentile of the cohort (normal versus prolonged stay; binary classification task). Unsupervised learning with K-means clustering was used to find clusters in the data. Hospital stay classes were predicted with logistic regression, RandomForest classifier, stochastic gradient descent (SGD) classifier, K-nearest neighbors, Decision Tree classifier, Gaussian Naive Bayes (GaussianNB), support vector machines (SVM), a custom-made convolutional neural network (CNN), multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP), and radial basis function neural network (RBNN) in Python. Prediction accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Feature importance analysis was utilized to find the most important predictors. Further, we developed a decision tree based on the Chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) algorithm to investigate cut-offs of predictors for clinical decision-making. Results: 236 patients and 14 feature variables were included. K-means clustering separated data into two clusters distinguishing the data into two patient risk characteristic groups. The algorithms reached AUCs between 67.5% and 87.3% for the classification of LOS classes. Feature importance analysis of deep learning algorithms indicated that operation time was the most important feature in predicting LOS. A decision tree based on CHAID could predict 84.7% of the cases. Conclusions: Machine learning and deep learning algorithms can predict whether patients will experience an increased LOS following lumbar decompression surgery. Therefore, medical resources can be more appropriately allocated to patients who are at risk of prolonged LOS.
Fractal Dimension as a Tool for Assessment of Dental Implant Stability—A Scoping Review
Authors: Mishra Sukanya , Kumar Manoj , Mishra Lora , Mohanty Rinkee , Nayak Rashmita , Das Abhaya Chandra , Mishra Sambhab , Panda Saurav , Lapinska Barbara
Published: July 2022

A lot of modalities for assessing implant stability are available for clinicians, but they fail to assess trabecular changes as they are solely dependent on the operator’s skills. The use of Fractal Dimension (FD) has evolved to be used as a measure for trabecular changes depicting implant stability before and after implant placement. The objective of this systematic review was to qualitatively analyse the available scientific literature describing the use of FD as a tool to measure implant stability on the basis of trabecular changes. An electronic search in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was carried out using relevant keywords, such as: fractal dimension; fractal analysis; dental implants; implant stability; osseointegration, etc. Studies reporting the use of FD as a tool to measure implant stability were included and subjected to qualitative analysis using ROBINS-I and Cochrane risk of bias assessment criteria. Fourteen studies were included in this review. Results showed that FD was found to be used solely as a measure of implant stability in seven studies, out of which six studies showed an increment in FD values. The majority of studies concluded with a statistical correlation between FD and respective other assessment methods used. FD may not serve as a sole indicator of implant stability; however, it can be used as an adjunct to conventional methods along with additional fractal factors.
Programmed Cell Death Protein-1 Upregulation in Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Opoka-Winiarska Violetta , Grywalska Ewelina , Korona-Głowniak Izabela , Morawska Izabela , Gosik Krzysztof , Malm Anna , Roliński Jacek
Published: July 2022

Currently, data regarding the impact of COVID-19 disease (caused by SARS-CoV-2) on patients with childhood rheumatic diseases are significantly limited. To assess the possible connection, we measured levels of IgA and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and a control group during the pandemic, prior to the introduction of anti-COVID-19 vaccination. We assessed levels of PD-1 suppressive molecule and inflammatory markers in patients and correlated those results with serological response to SARS-CoV-2. In JIA patients, the activity of the disease was assessed using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 71 (JADAS 71) scale. The study consisted of 96 children, 65 diagnosed with JIA, treated with antirheumatic drugs, and 31 healthy volunteers. In patients with JIA, significantly higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the IgA and IgG were demonstrated compared to the control group. We also found significantly higher serum PD-1 levels in JIA patients and control volunteers who were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 IgA or IgG antibodies compared to those who were seronegative. The humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with the persistent upregulation of PD-1 expression in both JIA patients and healthy children. The clinical significance of the detected disorder requires further careful observation.
Damaged Mesenchymal Cells Dampen the Inflammatory Response of Macrophages and the Formation of Osteoclasts
Authors: Panahipour Layla , Abbasabadi Azarakhsh Oladzad , Kaiser Viktoria , Sordi Mariane Beatriz , Kargarpour Zahra , Gruber Reinhard
Published: July 2022

Damage to mesenchymal cells occurs by dental implant drills as a consequence of shear forces and heat generation. However, how the damaged mesenchymal cells can affect the polarization of macrophages and their differentiation into osteoclastogenesis is not fully understood. To simulate cell damage, we exposed suspended ST2 murine bone marrow stromal cells to freeze/thawing or sonication cycles, followed by centrifugation. We then evaluated the lysates for their capacity to modulate lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage polarization and RANKL-MCSF-TGF-β-induced osteoclastogenesis. We report that lysates of ST2, particularly when sonicated, greatly diminished the expression of inflammatory IL6 and COX2 as well as moderately increased arginase 1 in primary macrophages. That was confirmed by lysates obtained from the osteocytic cell line IDG-SW3. Moreover, the ST2 lysate lowered the phosphorylation of p65 and p38 as well as the nuclear translocation of p65. We further show herein that lysates of damaged ST2 reduced the formation of osteoclast-like cells characterized by their multinuclearity and the expression of tartrate-resistant phosphatase and cathepsin K. Taken together, our data suggest that thermal and mechanical damage of mesenchymal cells causes the release of as-yet-to-be-defined molecules that dampen an inflammatory response and the formation of osteoclasts in vitro.
Hidden Species Diversity was Explored in Two Genera of Catapyrenioid Lichens (Verrucariaceae, Ascomycota) from the Deserts of China
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Zhang Xin , Yang Qiuxia , Wei Xinli
Published: July 2022

Verrucariaceae is the third-largest lichen family with high species diversity. However, this diversity has not been well-explored in China. We carried out a wide-scale field investigation in the arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China from 2017 to 2021. A large number of lichen groups, especially those commonly distributed in deserts, were collected. Based on molecular phylogeny using ITS and nuLSU sequences by Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses, combining morphological characters, seven taxa of catapyrenioid lichens in Verricariaceae were found in this study, including one genus (Clavascidium) and one species (Clavascidium lacinulatum) new to China; one genus (Placidium) new to the mainland of China; and four species (Clavascidium sinense, Placidium nitidulum, Placidium nigrum, and Placidium varium) new to science. It enriched our understanding of the high species diversity in Verrucariaceae and the lichen flora of Chinese arid and semi-arid deserts.
Prevalence of Hemorrhagic Complications in Hospitalized Patients with Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Pagkratis Nikolaos , Matsagas Miltiadis , Malli Foteini , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I. , Kotsiou Ourania S.
Published: July 2022

Background: The prevalence of anticoagulant therapy-associated hemorrhagic complications in hospitalized patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) has been scarcely investigated. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of hemorrhages in hospitalized PE patients. Methods: The Information System “ASKLIPIOS™ HOSPITAL” implemented in the Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Thessaly, was used to collect demographic, clinical and outcome data from January 2013 to April 2021. Results: 326 patients were included. Males outnumbered females. The population’s mean age was 68.7 ± 17.0 years. The majority received low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Only 5% received direct oral anticoagulants. 15% of the population were complicated with hemorrhage, of whom 18.4% experienced a major event. Major hemorrhages were fewer than minor (29.8% vs. 70.2%, p = 0.001). Nadroparin related to 83.3% of the major events. Hematuria was the most common hemorrhagic event. 22% of patients with major events received a transfusion, and 11% were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). The events lasted for 3 ± 2 days. No death was recorded. Conclusions: 1/5 of the patients hospitalized for PE complicated with hemorrhage without a fatal outcome. The hemorrhages were mainly minor and lasted for 3 ± 2 days. Among LMWHs, nadroparin was related to a higher percentage of hemorrhages.
Association between Peripheral Inflammatory Cytokines and Cognitive Function in Patients with First-Episode Schizophrenia
Authors: Baek Seon-Hwa , Kim Honey , Kim Ju-Wan , Ryu Seunghyong , Lee Ju-Yeon , Kim Jae-Min , Shin Il-Seon , Kim Sung-Wan
Published: July 2022

In this study, we investigated the impact of inflammatory cytokines on the cognitive performance of patients with schizophrenia. The included patients met the criteria for schizophrenia spectrum disorder and were aged between 15 and 40 years, with a duration of illness ≤1 year. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; interferon-γ; and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 levels were measured. A computerized neurocognitive battery, measures for social cognitive function, and clinical measures were administered. A total of 174 patients with first-episode psychosis were enrolled. The TNF-α level was negatively correlated with scores on the digit span, verbal learning, and Wisconsin card sorting tests, and the number of correct responses on the continuous performance test (CR-CPT), whereas a positive correlation was detected with the trail making test (TMT)-B time. The interferon-γ level was negatively correlated with performance on the false belief and visual learning tests. The IL-1β level was positively correlated with the TMT-A time and CPT reaction time, whereas it was negatively correlated with the CR-CPT and performance on the visual learning and social cognitive tests. The IL-12 level was negatively correlated with the CR-CPT and false belief test. Our results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines are associated with cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia.
Does Board Gender Diversity Really Improve Firm Performance? Evidence from Greek Listed Firms
Authors: Arvanitis Stavros E. , Varouchas Evangelos G. , Agiomirgianakis George M.
Published: July 2022

In recent decades, the contribution of board gender diversity to corporate performance has drawn the interest of researchers, politicians and regulators. This paper examines whether board gender diversity affected the financial performance of 111 Greek listed firms from 2008 to 2020. We use the two-step system GMM estimator to address the endogeneity problem, which is the appropriate method used in governance literature. Our main empirical finding supports the existence of a positive relation between board gender diversity and firm performance. This finding remains robust to three different proxies of gender diversity and under two alternative performance measures, i.e., return on assets and Tobin’s Q. We also find that there is an inverted U-shaped relation between the proportion of female directors and firm performance (measured by Tobin’s Q). Moreover, we find that gender diversity could lead to maximization of corporate performance when female participation in the boardroom reaches 33%. Thus, the imposition of an ad-hoc 25% female representation in corporate boardrooms, dictated by the new Law 4706/2020 on corporate governance, could most probably be an underproductive policy. Our findings have practical implications for Greek regulators and legislators and contribute to the governance literature for the case of companies that operate in a small open economy.
Modeling Analysis on Coupling Mechanisms of Mountain–Basin Human–Land Systems: Take Yuxi City as an Example
Authors: Wu Li , Yang Yanjun , Xie Binggeng
Published: July 2022

The result of a human–land relationship in geographical environment systems is a human–land coupling system, which is a comprehensive process of interaction and infiltration between human economic and social systems and the natural ecosystem. Based on the recognition that the human–land system is a nonlinear system coupled by multiple factors, a time delay fractional order dynamics model with a Holling-II-type transformation rate was constructed, the stability analysis of the system was carried out, the transformation times of different land classes were clarified, and the coupled dynamics model parameters of mountainous areas and basin areas were obtained by using the land-use change survey data and socio-economic statistical data in Yuxi City, respectively: the transformation parameter of the production and living land to the unused land in mountainous areas and basin areas (aM, 0.0486 and aB, 0.0126); the transformation parameter of unused land to production and living land in mountainous areas and basin areas (bM 0.0062 and bB, 0.0139); the transformation parameter of unused land to the forest and grass land in mountainous areas and basin areas (sM, 0.0051 and sB, 0.0028); the land area required to maintain the individual unit in mountainous areas and basin areas (hM, 0.0335 and hB, 0.0165); the average reclamation capacity in mountainous areas and basin areas (dM, 0.03 and dB, 0.05); the inherent growth rate of populations in mountainous areas and basin areas (rM, 0.0563 and rB, 0.151). Through analyzing the coupling mechanisms of human–land systems, the countermeasures for the difference between mountainous areas and basin areas in the future development are put forward. The mountainous area should reduce the conversion of forest and grass land to production and living land by reducing the average reclamation or development capacity, reducing the excessive interference of human beings on unused land, and speeding up its natural recovery and succession to forest and grass land. In addition to reducing the average reclamation or development capacity in basin areas, the reclamation or development rate of the idle land and degraded land should be increased, and the conversion of idle land and degraded land into productive and living land should be encouraged by certain scientific and technological means.
Linking Pattern to Process: Intensity Analysis of Land-Change Dynamics in Ghana as Correlated to Past Socioeconomic and Policy Contexts
Authors: Manzoor Syed Amir , Griffiths Geoffrey Hugh , Robinson Elizabeth , Shoyama Kikuko , Lukac Martin
Published: July 2022

Spatio-temporal analysis of transitions in land cover is critical to understanding many ecological challenges, especially in environmentally vulnerable regions. For instance, in Sub-Saharan Africa, large-scale cropland expansion is expected due to the increasing demand for fuel, food, and fibre. Clearing land for cropland expansion is a driving factor in the degradation of natural ecosystems. We present a spatio-temporal analysis of land-cover change in Ghana’s Northern, Upper East, and Upper West provinces using Intensity Analysis on the periods from 1992 to 2003 and 2003 to 2015. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the intensity of land-use and land-cover (LULC) change is consistent between the two periods and to investigate the direction and extent of change for different LULC categories in northern Ghana. The methodology measures land-cover changes at the interval, category, and transition levels. The results suggest that the annual rate of land change was higher between 1992 and 2003 compared to that between 2003 and 2015. Furthermore, the category-level analysis reveals that the gains in the arable land and tree/forest-cover classes during both time intervals were higher than the uniform intensity. The transition-level analysis results indicate that most of the gains in arable land and tree/forest-cover came at the cost of semi-arid shrublands during both periods. There is also evidence of local increases in forest-cover, likely linked to afforestation policies established by the Ghanian government; however, overall, there has been a loss of natural habitat. The study provides data to improve our understanding of the magnitude and direction of land-cover change, essential for the development of policies designed to mitigate the impact of land-cover change on the livelihoods of local people and the environment at the national and sub-national levels.
Effectiveness of the Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve of China in Reducing Human Impacts
Authors: Li Shicheng , Su Shan , Liu Yanxia , Zhou Xuewu , Luo Quanxin , Paudel Basanta
Published: July 2022

The management effectiveness of protected areas plays a key role in biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation. We evaluated the effectiveness of Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve (QMNR) in reducing human footprint (HF). Four dominant human activity factors, including population density, land use, road distribution, and night light, were incorporated for HF mapping. Comparisons of the HF value between inside and outside QMNR and its four functional zones were conducted. The results show that both the HF inside and outside of QMNR were increasing, but the difference between them was increasing, indicating partial management effectiveness. The north part of the central reserve has a good effect in reducing human impacts, while the effectiveness was poor at both ends of the reserve. The HF value of the most strictly managed core and buffer zones increased by 10.50 and 6.68%, respectively, for 2010–2020. The QMNR was effective in controlling population density and land use, but ineffective in reducing road construction, mining, and construction of hydropower facilities.
Dynamic Assessment of Word Learning to Diagnose Developmental Language Disorder in French-Speaking Monolingual and Bilingual Children
Authors: Matrat Mélodie , Delage Hélène , Kehoe Margaret
Published: July 2022

Dynamic assessment (DA), which evaluates the learning process rather than static knowledge, has been found to be effective in diagnosing developmental language disorder (DLD) in English-speaking bilingual children. We present three studies that examine whether a French dynamic word learning task can distinguish caseload children with DLD from control children with typical development (TD). Forty-eight monolingual and 69 bilingual French-speaking children, aged four to nine, were required to learn three to six non-words and their semantic characteristics. DA consisted of three phases: (1) a teaching phase in which non-words were taught to the child; (2) an immediate test phase, with graduated prompts, in which children were required to identify and produce the target words and their semantic features; and (3) a delayed test phase. Global results indicated that there were no differences between monolingual and bilingual TD children on the DA whereas there were differences on the static assessment of vocabulary knowledge: bilinguals performed less well than monolinguals. In addition, DA differentiated control and caseload monolingual children. Further work is needed to develop a dynamic word learning task, administered in one session, which can even more accurately differentiate TD and DLD bilingual children.
Exploring the Associations between Functional Capacity, Cognitive Function and Well-Being in Older Adults
Authors: Stavrinou Pinelopi S. , Aphamis George , Pantzaris Marios , Sakkas Giorgos K. , Giannaki Christoforos D.
Published: July 2022

Background: The present study aimed to explore the associations between functional capacity and global cognition, executive function and well-being in older adults. Methods: Ninety-seven older adults (age 80.6 ± 8.2 years) were examined for global cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination), executive function (symbol cancellation test), functional capacity (sit-to-stand tests, 6 min walk test, timed up-and-go test and handgrip strength test) and well-being (quality of life, fatigue levels, sleep quality and daily sleepiness). Adjusted partial correlations were computed to examine the associations between variables. Mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate whether functional capacity would mediate the relationships between age and cognitive or executive function. Results: Greater levels of functional capacity were associated with better performance in cognitive and executive function tests (p < 0.05). Mediation analyses revealed that functional capacity partially mediated the effects of age on global cognition and executive function (indirect effect: β = −0.11, 95% CI = −0.20 to −0.03; β = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.13 to 0.57, respectively). Increased levels of functional capacity were also associated with higher quality of life (p < 0.05, r = 0.32 to 0.41), lower fatigue levels (p < 0.05, r = 0.23 to 0.37), and better sleep quality (p < 0.05, r = 0.23 to 0.24). Conclusions: Functional capacity can mediate the effects of age on global cognition and executive function in older adults and greater levels of functional capacity are associated with improved quality of life, better sleep quality, and lower fatigue levels.
Chemical Composition and Toxicity of PM10 and PM0.1 Samples near Open-Pit Mines and Coal Power Stations
Authors: Larionov Aleksey , Volobaev Valentin , Zverev Anton , Vdovina Evgeniya , Bach Sebastian , Schetnikova Ekaterina , Leshukov Timofey , Legoshchin Konstantin , Eremeeva Galina
Published: July 2022

Particulate matter (PM) <10 μm in size represents an extremely heterogeneous and variable group of objects that can penetrate the human respiratory tract. The present study aimed to isolate samples of coarse and ultrafine PM at some distance from polluting industries (1–1.5 km from the border of open-cast mines). PM was collected from snow samples which allowed the accumulation of a relatively large amount of ultrafine particles (UFPs) (50–60 mg) from five objects: three open-cast mines, coal power plants, and control territories. The chemical composition of PM was examined using absorption spectroscopy, luminescence spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses of solid particle material samples. Toxicity was assessed in human MRC-5 lung fibroblasts after 6 h of in vitro exposure to PM samples. The absorption spectra of all the samples contained a wide non-elementary absorption band with a maximum of 270 nm. This band is usually associated with the absorption of dissolved organic matter (DOM). The X-ray fluorescence spectra of all the studied samples showed intense lines of calcium and potassium and less intense lines of silicon, sulfur, chlorine, and titanium. The proliferation of MRC-5 cells that were exposed to PM0.1 samples was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than that of MRC-5 cells exposed to PM10 at the same concentration, except for PM samples obtained from the control point. PM0.1 samples—even those that were collected from control territories—showed increased genotoxicity (micronucleus, ‰) compared to PM10. The study findings suggest that UFPs deserve special attention as a biological agent, distinct from larger PMs.
Early Signs of Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Adolescents with Newly Diagnosed Essential Hypertension
Authors: Jurko Tomas , Mestanik Michal , Mestanikova Andrea , Zeleňák Kamil , Jurko Alexander
Published: July 2022

Endothelial dysfunction represents one of the key pathomechanisms in many diseases, including hypertension. Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) evaluates the functional status of microvascular endothelium and offers a biomarker of early, potentially reversible, vascular damage. This study aimed to assess endothelial function using conventional and novel indices of PAT in pediatric hypertensives. As such, 100 adolescents with normal blood pressure, and essential and white-coat hypertension were examined using EndoPAT 2000. Conventional reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and novel indices of hyperemic response, including the area under the curve of hyperemic response (AUC), were evaluated. AUC was the only parameter sensitive to the effect of hypertension, with significantly lower values in essential hypertensives compared to normotensives and white-coat hypertensives (p = 0.024, p = 0.032, respectively). AUC was the only parameter significantly correlating with mean ambulatory monitored blood pressure (r = −0.231, p = 0.021). AUC showed a significant negative association with age (p = 0.039), but a significant positive association with pubertal status indexed by plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (p = 0.027). This is the first study reporting early signs of microvascular endothelial dysfunction evaluated using PAT in adolescents with newly diagnosed essential hypertension. Detailed analysis of hyperemic response using overall magnitude indexed by AUC provided a more robust method compared to the conventional evaluation of RHI.
Impacts of Aggregate Gradation on the Volumetric Parameters and Rutting Performance of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures
Authors: Li Weihua , Cao Weidong , Ren Xianfu , Lou Shurong , Liu Shutang , Zhang Jizhe
Published: July 2022

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of aggregate gradation (AG) on the volumetric parameters (VPs) and rutting performance (RP) of asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures. The boundary sieve (BS) between fine and coarse aggregates was 2.36 mm size, and 15 gradation curves of three nominal maximum aggregate sizes (13.2, 19.0, and 26.5 mm) were designed based on the percentage passing of the BS. A vibrating compaction test of coarse aggregates, Marshall compaction and wheel-tracking tests of AC mixtures with various gradations were conducted. It was found that AG had crucial effects on the VPs and RP of AC mixtures. The AC mixture can be designed as a skeletal dense structure provided that the percentage passing of the BS is appropriate. More notably, AC mixtures with a skeletal dense structure showed the best rutting resistance performance. Therefore, it is important to optimize AG for enhancing the high-temperature RP of AC mixtures.
Effects of Hybrid Polymeric Material Based on Polycaprolactone on the Environment
Authors: Fortună Maria E. , Ungureanu Elena , Jităreanu Doina C. , Țopa Denis C. , Harabagiu Valeria
Published: July 2022

Polymers are of great interest in areas such as agriculture, medicine and pharmacy, the food and cosmetic industries, and the chemical and construction industries. However, many polymers are nonbiodegradable and are not environmentally friendly. They are highly resistant to degradation and therefore can lead to waste disposal problems. In recent years, the interest in the microbial degradation of polymeric materials has grown due to the desire for less waste pollution in the environment. In this study, the biodegradable polymer that was obtained by the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) using an aminopropyl-polydimethylsiloxane (APDMS) oligomer and the effects of the polymer towards the growth and development of tomato plants (Lypercosium esculentum) were investigated. The obtained product was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, and the effects of this compound on the evolution of tomato plants (Lypercosium esculentum) were studied. We also studied the biological stability of the product by identifying some of the microorganisms that developed on the surface, given its susceptibility to biodegradation.
Stain Susceptibility of Composite Resins: Pigment Penetration Analysis
Authors: Cinelli Francesca , Scaminaci Russo Daniele , Nieri Michele , Giachetti Luca
Published: July 2022

Composite resins are considered the material of choice for esthetic direct restorations, considering both their satisfying esthetic and mechanical properties. The success of composite resin restorations depends highly on their color stability. Discoloration causes color mismatch, consequent patient dissatisfaction, and eventually additional costs for correction/replacement of the restoration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of pigment penetration within the composite resins, in order to understand how discoloration can be treated properly. Two different commercially available composite resins were compared in the study: a nano-filled composite resin and a non-homogeneous micro-hybrid composite resin. A coffee solution was used to induce staining of the materials. Subsequently, the penetration of the pigments was measured by analyzing the color from the outside to the inside of the specimen. 14 levels were analyzed starting from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm in depth. The ANOVA test demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) between test and control groups up to a depth of 1.0 mm for the nano-filled composite and up to a depth of 2.0 mm for the non-homogeneous micro-hybrid composite. The two composite resin materials, subjected to pigmenting treatment, underwent a color variation with different patterns.
Fabrication and Investigation of PE-SiO2@PZS Composite Separator for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Liguo , Chen Yanwu , Liu Peijiang , Zhan Jianghua
Published: July 2022

Commercial polyolefin separators exhibit problems including shrinkage under high temperatures and poor electrolyte wettability and uptake, resulting in low ionic conductivity and safety problems. In this work, core–shell silica-polyphosphazene nanoparticles (SiO2@PZS) with different PZS layer thicknesses were synthesized and coated onto both sides of polyethylene (PE) microporous membranes to prepare composite membranes. Compared to pure silica-coated membranes and PE membranes, the PE-SiO2@PZS composite membrane had higher ionic conductivity. With the increase in the SiO2@PZS shell thickness, the electrolyte uptake, ionic conductivity and discharge capacity gradually increased. The discharge capacity of the PE-SiO2@PZS composite membrane at 8 C rate was 129 mAh/g, which was higher than the values of 107 mAh/g for the PE-SiO2 composite membrane and 104 mAh/g for the PE membrane.
Use of Carbonated Water as Kneading in Mortars Made with Recycled Aggregates
Authors: Suescum-Morales David , Jiménez José Ramón , Fernández-Rodríguez José María
Published: July 2022

The increased concern about climate change is revolutionising the building materials sector, making sustainability and environmental friendliness increasingly important. This study evaluates the feasibility of incorporating recycled masonry aggregate (construction and demolition waste) in porous cement-based materials using carbonated water in mixing followed (or not) by curing in a CO2 atmosphere. The use of carbonated water can be very revolutionary in cement-based materials, as it allows hydration and carbonation to occur simultaneously. Calcite and portlandite in the recycled masonry aggregate and act as a buffer for the low-pH carbonated water. Carbonated water produced better mechanical properties and increased accessible water porosity and dry bulk density. The same behaviour was observed with natural aggregates. Carbonated water results in an interlaced shape of carbonate ettringite (needles) and fills the microcracks in the recycled masonry aggregate. Curing in CO2 together with the use of carbonated water (concomitantly) is not beneficial. This study provides innovative solutions for a circular economy in the construction sector using carbonated water in mixing (adsorbing CO2), which is very revolutionary as it allows carbonation to be applied to in-situ products.
The Structure and Function of Biomaterial Endolysin EFm1 from E. faecalis Phage
Authors: Zhou Xuerong , Zeng Xiaotao , Wang Li , Zheng Yanhui , Zhang Guixiang , Cheng Wei
Published: July 2022

The endolysin EFm1 from the E. faecalis 002 (002) phage IME-EF1 efficiently lyses E. faecalis, a gram-positive bacterium that severely threatens human health. Here, the structure and lytic activity of EFm1 toward E. faecalis were further investigated. Lytic activity shows that EFm1 specifically lyses 002 and 22 other clinically isolated E. faecalis, but not E. faecalis 945. Therefore, EFm1 may be an alternative biomaterial to prevent and treat diseases caused by E. faecalis. A structural analysis showed that EFm1D166Q is a tetramer consisting of one full-length unit with additional C-terminal domains (CTDs), while EFm1166–237 aa is an octamer in an asymmetric unit. Several crucial domains and novel residues affecting the lytic activity of EFm1 were identified, including calcium-binding sites (D20, D22 and D31), a putative classic amidohydrolase catalytic triad (C29, H90 and D108), a tetramerization site (M168 and M227), putative ion channel sites (IGGK, 186–198 aa), and other residues (R208 and Y209). Furthermore, EFm1 exhibited no significant activity when expressed alone in vivo, and IME-EF1 lytic activity decreased when efm1 was knocked down. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecule mechanism of a potential functional biomaterial for the treatment of the disease caused by the opportunistic pathogen E. faecalis.
Study on the Initiation of Interface Crack in Rock Joints
Authors: Chen Xin , Gao Wei , Ge Shuangshuang , Zhou Cong
Published: July 2022

The interfacial fracture of rock joints is an important although easily ignored issue in jointed rock engineering. To conduct this study, an interface crack model of rock joints was proposed. By analyzing the ratio of stress intensity factor to fracture toughness, the fracture mode of the interface crack was studied. Based on the Mohr-Coulomb criterion, an interface fracture criterion considering T-stress was established. To verify the proposed fracture criterion, laboratory and numerical tests were conducted. Finally, the effect of relative critical size α, internal friction angle φ and cohesion c on the initiation of an interface crack was comprehensively discussed. It is concluded that the proposed fracture criterion can predit the initiation of the interface cracks properly. With an increase in cohesion c, mode II fracture toughness KIIC also clearly increases. When the absolute value of KI is small, the effect of α is much larger than that of φ. In addition, with an increase in the absolute value of the mode I stress intensity factor, the φ of the joint plays a more important role in the initiation of the interface crack.
Sustainable Use of Waste Oyster Shell Powders in a Ternary Supplementary Cementitious Material System for Green Concrete
Authors: Liu Shanglai , Zhang Yannian , Liu Bonan , Zou Zhen , Liu Qiang , Teng Yina , Zhang Lei V.
Published: July 2022

The increasing concern for decarbonization and sustainability in construction materials is calling for green binders to partially replace cement since its production is responsible for approximately 8% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), including fly ash, slag, silica fume, etc., can be used as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) owing to reduced carbon dioxide emissions associated with OPC production. This study aims to investigate the sustainable use of waste oyster shell powder (OSP)-lithium slag (LS)-ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) ternary SCM system in green concrete. The effect of ternary SCMs to OPC ratio (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) on compressive strength and permeability of the green concrete were studied. The reaction products of the concrete containing OSP-LS-GGBFS SCM system were characterized by SEM and thermogravimetric analyses. The results obtained from this study revealed that the compressive strength of concrete mixed with ternary SCMs are improved compared with the reference specimens. The OSP-LS-GGBFS ternary SCMs-based mortars exhibited a lower porosity and permeability compared to the control specimens. However, when the substitution rate was 30%, the two parameters showed a decline. In addition, the samples incorporating ternary SCMs had a more refined pore structure and lower permeability than that of specimens adding OSP alone. This work expands the possibility of valorization of OSP for sustainable construction materials.
On the Characterization of a Minimal Resolving Set for Power of Paths
Authors: Saha Laxman , Basak Mithun , Tiwary Kalishankar , Das Kinkar Chandra , Shang Yilun
Published: July 2022

For a simple connected graph G=(V,E), an ordered set W⊆V, is called a resolving set of G if for every pair of two distinct vertices u and v, there is an element w in W such that d(u,w)≠d(v,w). A metric basis of G is a resolving set of G with minimum cardinality. The metric dimension of G is the cardinality of a metric basis and it is denoted by β(G). In this article, we determine the metric dimension of power of finite paths and characterize all metric bases for the same.
Efficient and Secure Pairing Protocol for Devices with Unbalanced Computational Capabilities
Authors: Huang Xin , Yin Haotian , Zhang Xin , Zhang Di , Chai Sheng , Xing Bin , Zhang Jie , Yu Xiaoling , Zhou Yu , Zheng Haixia
Published: July 2022

Wearable devices that collect data about human beings are widely used in healthcare applications. Once collected, the health data will be securely transmitted to smartphones in most scenarios. Authenticated Key Exchange (AKE) can protect wireless communications between wearables and smartphones, and a typical solution is the Bluetooth Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) protocol with numeric comparison. However, this protocol requires equivalent computation on both devices, even though their computational capabilities are significantly different. This paper proposes a lightweight numeric comparison protocol for communications in which two parties have unbalanced computational capabilities, e.g., a wearable sensor and a smartphone, named UnBalanced secure Pairing using numeric comparison (UB-Pairing for short). The security of UB-Pairing is analyzed using the modified Bellare–Rogaway model (mBR). The analysis results show that UB-Pairing achieves the security goals. We also carry out a number of experiments to evaluate the performance of UB-Pairing. The results show that UB-Pairing is friendly to wearable devices, and more efficient than standard protocols when the computation capabilities of the two communication parties are highly unbalanced.