bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of COVID-19 Reported Statistical Data Using Cooperative Convolutional Neural Network Model (CCNN)
Authors: Awad Mohamad M.
Published: May 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province, and has since spread globally, resulting in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The most important type of COVID-19 confrontation is the use of polymerase chain reaction testing (PCR) to detect if a person is healthy or infected with COVID-19. Many countries released different numbers about the total cases of infected persons with the pandemic based on the number of total PCRs and other statistical numbers related to this disease. The total case numbers for some countries were very promising, such that they implied that these countries were to recover soon from these diseases. At other times, some countries overestimated the total number of cases or deaths to get financial aid. Therefore, there is a need to verify and evaluate these numbers by using machine-learning algorithms that proved to be efficient in solving many problems. The convolutional neural network (CNN) is an advanced machine-learning algorithm that was deployed to detect COVID-19 from different medical images such as X-ray images. However, CNN was not used to validate the published COVID-19 statistical data. In this paper, we adapted the self-organizing UNet (SO-UNet) in the cooperative convolutional neural network (CCNN) model to detect the accuracy of the reported COVID-19 statistics. The detection is based on using COVID-19 statistical variables that are reported by reliable and credible databases provided by known global organizations. These variables are used to create multi-dimension images to train and test the CCNN model. The results showed that reported important statistics for COVID-19 could be verified using the CCNN model. It also showed that the verified data coincided with the verification reported by the most important and trusted organizations in the world. Finally, the comparison of the new model to Benford’s law outcome proved the model’s credibility and efficiency in validating COVID-19 reported data.
Additive Manufacturing: Materials, Processing, Characterization and Applications
Authors: Wang Pan , Nakano Takayoshi , Bai Jiaming
Published: May 2022

The current Special Issue collected 19 original articles reporting the results of theoretical and experimental studies that provide new insights into this fascinating new generation manufacturing process, additive manufacturing (AM) [...]
Effect of Parmigiano Reggiano Consumption on Blood Pressure of Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Basiricò Loredana , Morera Patrizia , Evangelista Chiara , Galaverna Gianni , Sforza Stefano , Prandi Barbara , Bernabucci Umberto , Nardone Alessandro
Published: May 2022

In recent years, due to the significant increase in hypertension, peptides which are able to reduce blood pressure have gained special interest by scientific research and food industry. Several bioactive peptides with ascertained ACE-inhibitory activity have been found in Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) cheese and/or mixtures deriving from its digestion in vitro, and this may be predictive of its potential antihypertensive effect in vivo. This study investigated the long-term effect of feeding (PR) cheese on blood pressure (BP) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). A total of 30 male SHRs, 13 weeks old, were subdivided into 6 groups balanced for body weight and BP, to receive daily dietary supplementation with: 0.1–0.2–0.4–0.6 g PR/rat, captopril, and water. Systolic and diastolic BP were recorded every two weeks, for 10 weeks. Blood samples were collected at the end of the trial. Dietary integration with PR led to a transitory reduction in rats’ pressure in the first 35 days of treatment and pressure decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In the second part of the study, the beneficial effect of PR antihypertensive peptides may have been masked and reduced by the increase in BP of rats linked to the rise in age of animals. No PR derived peptides were detected in rats’ serum. Highlights: Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) cheese led to a transitory reduction in rats’ pressure in the first 35 days of treatment. This effect was PR dose dependent. The highest amounts of PR tested did not increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressures of hypertensive rats.
Development of a Model Using Data Mining Technique to Test, Predict and Obtain Knowledge from the Academics Results of Information Technology Students
Authors: Ibrahim Wisam , Abdullaev Sanjar , Alkattan Hussein , Adelaja Oluwaseun A. , Subhi Alhumaima Ali
Published: May 2022

Due to the huge amount of data obtained from students’ academic results in most tertiary institutions such as the colleges, polytechnics and universities, data mining has become one of the most effective tools for discovering vital knowledge from students’ dataset. The discovered knowledge can be productive in understanding numerous challenges in the scope of education and providing possible solutions to these challenges. The main objective of this research is to utilize the J48 decision algorithm model to test, classify and predict the students’ dataset by identifying some important attributes and instances. The analysis was conducted on the final year students’ academic results in C# programming amongst five universities which was imported in csv excel file dataset in WEKA environment. These training datasets contained the scores obtained in the examinations, grade remarks, grades, gender, and department. The knowledge extracted for the prediction model will help both the tutors and students to determine the success grade performance in the future. Flow lines, J48 decision trees, confusion matrices and a program flowchart were generated from the students’ dataset. The KAPPA value obtained from the prediction in this research ranges from 0.9070–0.9582 which perfectly agrees with the standard for an ideal analysis on datasets.
Repeatability of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound to Determine Renal Cortical Perfusion
Authors: Almushayt Shatha J. , Pham Alisa , Phillips Bethan E. , Williams John P. , Taal Maarten W. , Selby Nicholas M.
Published: May 2022

Alterations in renal perfusion play a major role in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. Renal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is increasingly applied to quantify renal cortical perfusion and to assess its change over time, but comprehensive assessment of the technique’s repeatability is lacking. Ten adults attended two renal CEUS scans within 14 days. In each session, five destruction/reperfusion sequences were captured. One-phase association was performed to derive the following parameters: acoustic index (AI), mean transit time (mTT), perfusion index (PI), and wash-in rate (WiR). Intra-individual and inter-operator (image analysis) repeatability for the perfusion variables were assessed using intra-class correlation (ICC), with the agreement assessed using a Bland–Altman analysis. The 10 adults had a median (IQR) age of 39 years (30–46). Good intra-individual repeatability was found for mTT (ICC: 0.71) and PI (ICC: 0.65). Lower repeatability was found for AI (ICC: 0.50) and WiR (ICC: 0.56). The correlation between the two operators was excellent for all variables: the ICCs were 0.99 for PI, 0.98 for AI, 0.87 for mTT, and 0.83 for WiR. The Bland–Altman analysis showed that the mean biases (± SD) between the two operators were 0.03 ± 0.16 for mTT, 0.005 ± 0.09 for PI, 0.04 ± 0.19 for AI, and −0.02 ± 0.11 for WiR.
Comparison Study of Myocardial Radiomics Feature Properties on Energy-Integrating and Photon-Counting Detector CT
Authors: Ayx Isabelle , Tharmaseelan Hishan , Hertel Alexander , Nörenberg Dominik , Overhoff Daniel , Rotkopf Lukas T. , Riffel Philipp , Schoenberg Stefan O. , Froelich Matthias F.
Published: May 2022

The implementation of radiomics-based, quantitative imaging parameters is hampered by a lack of stability and standardization. Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT), compared to energy-integrating computed tomography (EICT), does rely on a novel detector technology, promising better spatial resolution and contrast-to-noise ratio. However, its effect on radiomics feature properties is unknown. This work investigates this topic in myocardial imaging. In this retrospective, single-center IRB-approved study, the left ventricular myocardium was segmented on CT, and the radiomics features were extracted using pyradiomics. To compare features between scanners, a t-test for non-paired samples and F-test was performed, with a threshold of 0.05 set as a benchmark for significance. Feature correlations were calculated by the Pearson correlation coefficient, and visualization was performed with heatmaps. A total of 50 patients (56% male, mean age 56) were enrolled in this study, with equal proportions of PCCT and EICT. First-order features were, nearly, comparable between both groups. However, higher-order features showed a partially significant difference between PCCT and EICT. While first-order radiomics features of left ventricular myocardium show comparability between PCCT and EICT, detected differences of higher-order features may indicate a possible impact of improved spatial resolution, better detection of lower-energy photons, and a better signal-to-noise ratio on texture analysis on PCCT.
Image-Guided Percutaneous Ablation for Primary and Metastatic Tumors
Authors: Mansur Arian , Garg Tushar , Shrigiriwar Apurva , Etezadi Vahid , Georgiades Christos , Habibollahi Peiman , Huber Timothy C. , Camacho Juan C. , Nour Sherif G. , Sag Alan Alper , Prologo John David , Nezami Nariman
Published: May 2022

Image-guided percutaneous ablation methods have been further developed during the recent two decades and have transformed the minimally invasive and precision features of treatment options targeting primary and metastatic tumors. They work by percutaneously introducing applicators to precisely destroy a tumor and offer much lower risks than conventional methods. There are usually shorter recovery periods, less bleeding, and more preservation of organ parenchyma, expanding the treatment options of patients with cancer who may not be eligible for resection. Image-guided ablation techniques are currently utilized for the treatment of primary and metastatic tumors in various organs including the liver, pancreas, kidneys, thyroid and parathyroid, prostate, lung, bone, and soft tissue. This article provides a brief review of the various imaging modalities and available ablation techniques and discusses their applications and associated complications in various organs.
Secondary Mechanisms of Neurotrauma: A Closer Look at the Evidence
Authors: Aghili-Mehrizi Sina , Williams Eric , Yan Sandra , Willman Matthew , Willman Jonathan , Lucke-Wold Brandon
Published: May 2022

Traumatic central nervous system injury is a leading cause of neurological injury worldwide. While initial neuroresuscitative efforts are focused on ameliorating the effects of primary injury through patient stabilization, secondary injury in neurotrauma is a potential cause of cell death, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. These secondary injuries lack defined therapy. The major causes of secondary injury in neurotrauma include endoplasmic reticular stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the buildup of reactive oxygen or nitrogenous species. Stress to the endoplasmic reticulum in neurotrauma results in the overactivation of the unfolded protein response with subsequent cell apoptosis. Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to the release of caspases and the buildup of reactive oxygen species; several characteristics make the central nervous system particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. Together, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial, and oxidative stress can have detrimental consequences, beginning moments and lasting days to months after the primary injury. Understanding these causative pathways has led to the proposal of various potential treatment options.
Interventions to Improve the Oral Hygiene of Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hernández-Vásquez Akram , Barrenechea-Pulache Antonio , Aguirre-Ipenza Rubén , Comandé Daniel , Azañedo Diego
Published: May 2022

This systematic review evaluates published evidence on oral hygiene interventions conducted in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, and Web of Science were searched for articles published up to 19 April 2021. The main outcomes of interest were the Plaque index score (PI), oral health knowledge of participants or their caregivers, and behaviors and attitudes towards oral hygiene. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies of the National Institutes of Health. The study was conducted under PROSPERO registration code CRD42021247733. Two studies met the inclusion criteria. One was a pre-post study conducted in Brazil, and the other was a prospective cohort study carried out in China. The sample sizes of these studies were 29 and 168, respectively. Both studies were carried out in institutionalized patients and presented a significant loss to follow-up. The PI and gingival index scores both improved after the application of the respective interventions, yet the differing methodologies used precluded further comparisons. The studies were deemed to be of good and regular quality, respectively. Despite the need for more comprehensive interventions to ensure a better oral health status and a higher quality of life for AD patients, an alarming lack of studies have been conducted in this population.
User Preferences in Drone Design and Operation
Authors: Kim Kyungdoh
Published: May 2022

Drones, which were first used in military applications, are now widely used by civilians for various purposes such as for deliveries and as cameras. There has been a lack of research into what drone users expect in terms of drone design and operation from a user perspective. In order to figure out what users want from drones, it is necessary to investigate the perception and design preferences of users with regard to drones. Surveys were conducted to collect data on preferences for various aspects of the design and operation of drone technology. Features relevant to the design and operation of drones were considered. We have identified the underlying factor structures of drone design and operation: outdoor mission type, user interface, military mission type, usefulness, risk, special mission type, and concern. The most important factors that contribute to all the dependent variables are the user interface and usefulness. The fact that drones will be increasingly used in the future is clear; however, the purpose of this study was to find out the areas on which to focus and pay further attention.
Modified Mayfly Algorithm for UAV Path Planning
Authors: Wang Xing , Pan Jeng-Shyang , Yang Qingyong , Kong Lingping , Snášel Václav , Chu Shu-Chuan
Published: May 2022

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) path planning problem is primarily concerned with avoiding collision with obstacles while determining the best flight path to the target position. This paper first establishes a cost function to transform the UAV route planning issue into an optimization issue that meets the UAV’s feasible path requirements and path safety constraints. Then, this paper introduces a modified Mayfly Algorithm (modMA), which employs an exponent decreasing inertia weight (EDIW) strategy, adaptive Cauchy mutation, and an enhanced crossover operator to effectively search the UAV configuration space and discover the path with the lowest overall cost. Finally, the proposed modMA is evaluated on 26 benchmark functions as well as the UAV route planning problem, and the results demonstrate that it outperforms the other compared algorithms.
Do Firms in the Islamic Index Differ from Others? Evidence of Cost of Debt in Sharia Firms in Indonesia
Authors: Gati Vidia , Harymawan Iman , Nasih Mohammad
Published: May 2022

This study investigates the effect of sharia firms on the cost of debt in the Indonesian market. We use OLS regression to examine the relationship by applying 1870 data observations of nonfinancial companies registered on the Indonesia Sharia Stock Index (ISSI) during 2012–2018. We found that sharia firms are negatively related to the cost of debt, and sharia firms with a higher percentage of independent commissioners are not associated with the cost of debt. These findings indicate that a more significant number of independent commissioners sitting on the board will not stimulate a sharia firm’s position to get a lower cost of debt. Furthermore, our results are robust after performing the endogeneity test. Based on this study, we suggest that independent commissioners who represent aspects of governance also need to be developed using firm characteristics as other moderating variables. Sharia firms are viewed by lenders as having corporate behaviors that are ethical and worthy to get low interest on the debt. Even though the financial structure of sharia firms has lower leverage than non-sharia firms, it does not mean that they are seen as closed firms.
Nonlinear Dynamics of the Development-Inequality Nexus in Emerging Countries: The Case of a Prudential Policy Regime
Authors: Zungu Lindokuhle Talent , Greyling Lorraine , Mbatha Nkanyiso
Published: May 2022

This study analyses the nonlinear dynamic impact of economic development on income inequality in a prudential policy regime in a panel of 15 emerging markets from 1985–2019. More importantly, we seek to extend the existing debate on this subject, with roots back to the seminal work by Kuznets and many others, and add a twist by introducing a distinction between a prudential regime (1985–1999) and a non-prudential regime (2000–2019), as well as the threshold level at which economic development reduces inequality, using Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR). The Generalized Method of Moments and fixed-effect models will be used to support our baseline results. The PSTR model was adopted due to its ability to deal with features that cannot be accounted for in dynamic panel techniques, such as endogeneity, homogeneity, cross-country variability, and time instability within the model. We found evidence of a non-linear effect between the two variables, where the threshold was found to be US$13,800, above which economic development reduces inequality in selected countries, and this further confirms the Kuznets inverted U-shape in both regimes. Macroprudential policies were found to trigger development-inequality relationships. Our evidence largely suggests that policymakers ought to formulate policies that aim to attract investment, which will then create job opportunities and foster an improvement in the stan-dard of living, and also should be abreast of the level of economic development before implementing macroprudential policies.
Assessment of Financial Development of Countries Based on the Matrix of Financial Assets
Authors: Gospodarchuk Galina , Zeleneva Elena
Published: May 2022

Building an adequate system of indicators to assess the financial development of countries and its practical application can improve the robustness and effectiveness of government decision-making. This paper aims to create such a system. The study used the methods of structured system, comparative, matrix, and gap analysis. The key outcome of the study is a matrix system of indicators for assessing the financial development of countries. This indicator system is based on a matrix of all financial assets. Elements of the matrix of financial assets were calculated in relation to the population and used as indicators of the level of financial development of countries as a whole and in the context of financial instruments and sectors of the economy. Simultaneous recording of financial assets across the entire range of financial instruments and sectors of the economy, as well as their interrelations, is a relatively new direction for financial development assessment. The study produced criteria for the qualitative assessment of the level of the financial development of countries. Testing of the developed matrix system of indicators and criteria for financial development was carried out on current and potential members of OECD (OECD+) for the period 2018–2019. As part of the testing, the level of financial development of the analyzed countries was calculated, their ranking was gauged, and international positions were determined. A structural analysis of the financial development of OECD+ countries in terms of types of financial assets (instruments) and sectors of the economy was carried out. Promising areas of Italy’s financial development have been identified. The test results confirmed that the matrix system of indicators and the developed criteria are an objective and convenient tool for assessing the level of financial development of countries. Their use makes it possible to increase the complexity and quality of the analysis of financial development, and it also forms a platform for making evidence-based and effective decisions in the development of national strategic documents.
Automatic Weight Prediction System for Korean Cattle Using Bayesian Ridge Algorithm on RGB-D Image
Authors: Na Myung Hwan , Cho Wan Hyun , Kim Sang Kyoon , Na In Seop
Published: May 2022

Weighting the Hanwoo (Korean cattle) is very important for Korean beef producers when selling the Hanwoo at the right time. Recently, research is being conducted on the automatic prediction of the weight of Hanwoo only through images with the achievement of research using deep learning and image recognition. In this paper, we propose a method for the automatic weight prediction of Hanwoo using the Bayesian ridge algorithm on RGB-D images. The proposed system consists of three parts: segmentation, extraction of features, and estimation of the weight of Korean cattle from a given RGB-D image. The first step is to segment the Hanwoo area from a given RGB-D image using depth information and color information, respectively, and then combine them to perform optimal segmentation. Additionally, we correct the posture using ellipse fitting on segmented body image. The second step is to extract features for weight prediction from the segmented Hanwoo image. We extracted three features: size, shape, and gradients. The third step is to find the optimal machine learning model by comparing eight types of well-known machine learning models. In this step, we compared each model with the aim of finding an efficient model that is lightweight and can be used in an embedded system in the real field. To evaluate the performance of the proposed weight prediction system, we collected 353 RGB-D images from livestock farms in Wonju, Gangwon-do in Korea. In the experimental results, random forest showed the best performance, and the Bayesian ridge model is the second best in MSE or the coefficient of determination. However, we suggest that the Bayesian ridge model is the most optimal model in the aspect of time complexity and space complexity. Finally, it is expected that the proposed system will be casually used to determine the shipping time of Hanwoo in wild farms for a portable commercial device.
Flax Noils as a Source of Cellulose for the Production of Lyocell Fibers
Authors: Makarov Igor S. , Golova Lyudmila K. , Smyslov Alexander G. , Vinogradov Markel I. , Palchikova Ekaterina E. , Legkov Sergei A.
Published: May 2022

The production of long flax fiber for the subsequent production of textile yarn is accompanied by the formation of a significant amount of waste—noils, which is a mechanical mixture of long and short flax fibers and shives. Comparative studies of the structure and chemical composition of the fibrous fraction of noils and shives were carried out using IR spectroscopy. The solubility of shives and flax noils in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) was studied, a comparative analysis of the rheological behavior of solutions of flax and wood cellulose was carried out and the optimal temperature–concentration conditions for obtaining flax fibers from noils were determined. It was shown for the first time that using the method of solid-phase activation of the cellulose-solvent system makes it possible to obtain fibers in a short period of time (no more than 10 min). The structure of both the raw material and the resulting fibers was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The thermal properties of a new type of cellulose fibers was evaluated. The complex of the conducted studies allows us to consider flax fibers from noils along with flax fibers from long-staple flax, as a real alternative to fibers from wood pulp.
Seaweed Value Chain Stakeholder Perspectives for Food and Environmental Safety Hazards
Authors: Banach Jennifer L. , Koch Sophie J. I. , Hoffmans Yvette , van den Burg Sander W. K.
Published: May 2022

With a world population estimated at 10 billion people by 2050, the challenge to secure healthy and safe food is evident. Seaweed is a potential answer to this challenge. Expanding the use of seaweed in food systems requires an emphasis on safe practices to avoid adverse human health effects after consumption and irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. This study aims to evaluate relevant food safety and environmental safety hazards, monitoring measures, and mitigation strategies in the seaweed sector. For this study, a literature review, survey (n = 36), and interviews (n = 12) were conducted to identify hazards. The review and interviews aimed at pinpointing monitoring measures and mitigation strategies applied, while the survey revealed data gaps and further actions needed for the sector. Relevant food safety hazards include (inorganic) arsenic, iodine, and heavy metals, among others, such as pathogenic bacteria, while environmental hazards include environmental pathogens and parasites introduced into the ecosystem by domesticated seaweed, among others. Measures applied aim at preventing or mitigating hazards through good hygienic or manufacturing practices, food safety procedures or protocols, or pre-site farm selection. Although the future needs of the seaweed sector vary, for some, harmonized advice and protocols that align with a changing food system and hazard knowledge development as well as information on the benefits of seaweed and regulating climate and water quality may help.
Amylose Inter-Chain Entanglement and Inter-Chain Overlap Impact Rice Quality
Authors: Li Changfeng , Ji Yi , Zhang Shaobo , Yang Xiaoyan , Gilbert Robert , Li Songnan , Li Enpeng
Published: May 2022

Retrogradation of cooked rice happens in two ways: one is by the formation of ordered structures, and the other is through intra- and inter-chain entanglement and inter-chain overlap, which in turn are affected by the amylose chain-length distribution. Both entanglement and overlap could affect rice texture. Here, four amylose samples were isolated from starch by precipitation from a dimethyl sulfoxide solution with butan-1-ol and isoamyl alcohol. Following enzymatic debranching, they were then characterized using size-exclusion chromatography. Amylose solutions (10%, m/v) were made by dissolving amylose in 90% (v/v) DMSO. Amylose gels (10%, w/v) were made by dissolving amylose powders into hot water, followed by cooling. The rigidity of the amylose gels and the structural order were measured using a texture analyzer and X-ray diffractometer, respectively. In the amylose solution, for a given mass of polymer in a fixed amount of solvent, the total occupied volume was reduced when the polymer molecular weight was smaller, resulting in less inter-chain overlap and a lower viscosity of the amylose solution. The overall mobility and diffusion of the molecules were inversely related to the square of the molecular weight until the gelation concentration. Thus, amylose gels in which amylose had a lower molecular weight had a greater chance to permeate into other molecules, which counterintuitively led to more inter-chain entanglement and more rigid amylose gels during retrogradation. This information could help rice breeders improve rice quality by using the molecular structure of starch as a guide.
Chemosensitization Effect of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Pulp Oil via Autophagy and Senescence in NSCLC Cells
Authors: Batbold Uyanga , Liu Jun-Jen
Published: May 2022

The research has demonstrated a synergistic anticancer effect of Seabuckthorn pulp oil (SBO) and the standard chemotherapy regimen Docetaxel (DTX) against two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines: A549 and H23. The synergizing effect of an SBO and DTX combination was detected utilizing SRB assay and combination index (CI) approaches. Flow cytometry was carried out using fluorescent probes to measure cell cycle analysis by DNA content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Further, we demonstrated that the synergistic anticancer activity of SBO merged with DTX was achieved by caspase-independent autophagy and senescence induction. These changes were concomitant with increased generation of ROS production and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) protein expression, G1-phase arrest, and enhanced senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining activity. Our data also demonstrated that SBO or DTX treatment groups solely upregulated the phosphorylation of ERK, which coincided with the induction of autophagy vacuoles and was functionally associated with ROS activation. Moreover, endogenous LC3 puncta staining was performed and monitored by confocal microscopy. Overall, these results suggest new mechanisms for the antitumor activity of SBO co-treated with DTX through triggering autophagic cell death and senescence against cancer cells as a result of sustained ERK phosphorylation and intracellular ROS production in NSCLC. In addition, we also highlight SBO as an alternative therapeutic option or adjunct therapeutic strategy in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in lung cancer therapy management.
New Research in Food Allergen Detection
Authors: Linacero Rosario , Cuadrado Carmen
Published: May 2022

Food allergy is a worldwide health problem that concerns all ages from infants to adults [...]
Development in Maillard Reaction and Dehydroalanine Pathway Markers during Storage of UHT Milk Representing Differences in Casein Micelle Size and Sedimentation
Authors: Aguilera-Toro Miguel , Poulsen Nina Aagaard , Akkerman Marije , Rauh Valentin , Larsen Lotte Bach , Nielsen Søren Drud-Heydary
Published: May 2022

Ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing of milk can result in protein changes during storage; however, the progress of dehydroalanine (DHA) mediated protein cross-linking and Maillard reactions in relation to the sediment formation have not been investigated previously. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), was used to absolutely quantify concentrations of furosine, N-ε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), N-ε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), lanthionine (LAN) and lysinoalanine (LAL) in skim milk and sediment of UHT milk produced from raw milk with either small or large casein micelles. The results showed a higher molar proportion of the advanced stage Maillard reaction products CEL and CML in the sediment, compared to early stage Maillard reaction product furosine, whereas furosine was predominant in the skim milk. Both LAL and LAN increased during storage in the skim milk phase, however only LAL was identified in the sediment. The milk pool with large native casein micelles, known to have a higher percentage of sedimentation, contained higher proportions of furosine, CEL, CML and LAL in the sediment compared to milk with smaller native casein micelles. The study demonstrates the potential contribution of processing-induced protein-protein interactions to sedimentation in UHT milk during storage.
The Current Status of Analytical Methods Applied to the Determination of Polar Pesticides in Food of Animal Origin: A Brief Review
Authors: Verdini Emanuela , Pecorelli Ivan
Published: May 2022

The use of high polar pesticides such as glyphosate and metabolites has increased due to their low cost, low persistence in the environment and high effectiveness. The use of glyphosate is currently permitted in the European Union until 15 December 2022. However, the possible toxic effects on human health and the environment are under debate. Their widespread application on various crops might lead to residues in food intended for animal consumption. For this reason, the Commission, implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/601, recommends the analyses of polar pesticides, not only in matrices of plant origin, but also in those of animal origin such as fat, liver, milk and eggs throughout the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The determination of polar pesticides is hampered by their chemical nature, which poses challenges both in the instrumental detection (poor column retention, low molecular weight MS/MS fragments, etc.) and in the management of matrix effects, which may vary significantly from matrix to matrix within the same food commodity group. For these reasons, nowadays, there is a limited number of methods for the detection of polar pesticides in food of animal origin. This brief review discusses the different approaches for the simultaneous determination of polar pesticides in food of animal origin using both chromatographic and non-chromatographic techniques.
Stochastic Optimal Control Analysis of a Mathematical Model: Theory and Application to Non-Singular Kernels
Authors: Din Anwarud , Ain Qura Tul
Published: May 2022

Some researchers believe fractional differential operators should not have a non-singular kernel, while others strongly believe that due to the complexity of nature, fractional differential operators can have either singular or non-singular kernels. This contradiction in thoughts has led to the publication of a few papers that are against differential operators with non-singular kernels, causing some negative impacts. Thus, publishers and some Editors-in-Chief are concerned about the future of fractional calculus, which has generally brought confusion among the vibrant and innovative young researchers who desire to apply fractional calculus within their respective fields. Thus, the present work aims to develop a model based on a stochastic process that could be utilized to portray the effect of arbitrary-order derivatives. A nonlinear perturbation is used to study the proposed stochastic model with the help of white noises. The required condition(s) for the existence of an ergodic stationary distribution is obtained via Lyapunov functional theory. The finding of the study indicated that the proposed noises have a remarkable impact on the dynamics of the system. To reduce the spread of a disease, we imposed some control measures on the stochastic model, and the optimal system was achieved. The models both with and without control were coded in MATLAB, and at the conclusion of the research, numerical solutions are provided.
Garnet Geochemistry and Lu-Hf Geochronology of a Gold-Bearing Sillimanite-Garnet-Biotite Gneiss at the Borden Lake Belt
Authors: LaFontaine Daniel , Bouvier Audrey , Hill Mary Louise
Published: May 2022

The Kapuskasing Structural Zone transects the Wawa and Abitibi greenstone belts in the Superior province of the Canadian Shield. At the southern margin of the Kapuskasing Structural Zone (KSZ), the Borden Gold deposit hosts low-grade-gold mineralization within upper amphibolite- to granulite-facies sillimanite-garnet-biotite gneisses. Here, we present the geochemistry and Lu-Hf geochronological studies of a gold-hosting garnet-bearing gneiss to constrain the formation history of the deposit and regional geological history. The garnet is almandine-rich, and contains inclusions of quartz, biotite, pyrite, and zircon. The absence of chemical zoning in garnet is likely due to intracrystalline diffusion at peak metamorphic temperatures. The 176Lu-176Hf internal isochron of two garnet fractions and three corresponding whole-rock splits from a gneissic unit yield a precise internal isochron age at 2629.0 ± 4.3 Ma (MSWD = 0.66), with an initial 176Hf/177Hf = 0.281210 ± 0.000010 corresponding to an εHfi = +4.1. This signature suggests a mafic source, which was derived from a long-term depleted reservoir, for this metasediment. The Lu-Hf age is consistent with the youngest age population of zircons from the paragneisses, which were previously dated in the area. Our results thus provide upper constraints on the timing of retrograde upper-amphibolite metamorphism and gold mineralization at Borden.
The Importance of Acknowledging an Intermediate Category of Airway Management Devices in the Prehospital Setting
Authors: Suppan Laurent , Fehlmann Christophe Alain , Stuby Loric , Suppan Mélanie
Published: May 2022

Prehospital airway devices are often classified as either basic or advanced, with this latter category including both supraglottic airway (SGA) devices and instruments designed to perform endotracheal intubation (ETI). Therefore, many authors analyze the impact of SGA and ETI devices jointly. There are however fundamental differences between these instruments. Indeed, adequate airway protection can only be achieved through ETI, and SGA devices all have relatively low leak pressures which might compromise both oxygenation and ventilation when lung compliance is decreased. In addition, there is increasing evidence that SGA devices reduce carotid blood flow in case of cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, SGA devices might be particularly useful in the prehospital setting where many providers are not experienced enough to safely perform ETI. Compared to basic airway management (bag-valve-mask) devices, SGA devices enable better oxygenation, decrease the odds of aspiration, and allow for more reliable capnometric measurement by virtue of their enhanced airtightness. For all these reasons, we strongly believe that SGA devices should be categorized as “intermediate airway management devices” and be systematically analyzed separately from devices designed to perform ETI.
Skin Lesion Analysis for Melanoma Detection Using the Novel Deep Learning Model Fuzzy GC-SCNN
Authors: Bhimavarapu Usharani , Battineni Gopi
Published: May 2022

Melanoma is easily detectable by visual examination since it occurs on the skin’s surface. In melanomas, which are the most severe types of skin cancer, the cells that make melanin are affected. However, the lack of expert opinion increases the processing time and cost of computer-aided skin cancer detection. As such, we aimed to incorporate deep learning algorithms to conduct automatic melanoma detection from dermoscopic images. The fuzzy-based GrabCut-stacked convolutional neural networks (GC-SCNN) model was applied for image training. The image features extraction and lesion classification were performed on different publicly available datasets. The fuzzy GC-SCNN coupled with the support vector machines (SVM) produced 99.75% classification accuracy and 100% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Additionally, model performance was compared with existing techniques and outcomes suggesting the proposed model could detect and classify the lesion segments with higher accuracy and lower processing time than other techniques.
Does Smartphone Addiction, Social Media Addiction, and/or Internet Game Addiction Affect Adolescents’ Interpersonal Interactions?
Authors: Yang Shang-Yu , Wang Yu-Chi , Lee Ya-Chen , Lin Ying-Lien , Hsieh Pei-Lun , Lin Pin-Hsuan
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlations that levels of addiction to smartphones, social media, and online games have with levels of real-life and online interpersonal interactions among adolescents. In this cross-sectional study of adolescents in a college in Taiwan, structured questionnaire surveys were used to collect information. The questionnaire included the following: demographic background, Real Interpersonal Interaction Scale (RIIS), Internet Interpersonal Interaction Scale (IIIS), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale—Short Form (IGDS9-SF). Multiple regression analyses were carried out to investigate the correlations between SABAS, BSMAS, IGDS9-SF, and RIIS/IIIS. We recruited 998 students (413 boys). The average age was 17.18 ± 1.46. The study results show that adolescents with higher levels of addiction to smartphones and social media may have greater interpersonal interaction with friends in real life, but adolescents with high levels of addiction to online games may have less interpersonal interactions with friends in real life. Adolescents with high levels of addiction to smartphones, social media, and online games may have greater interpersonal interactions with friends online.
Mediating Effect of Compassion Competence on the Relationship between Caring Behaviors and Quality of Nursing Services in South Korea
Authors: Lee Hyunjin , Seo Kawoun
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of compassion competence on the relationship between caring behaviors and the quality of nursing services. Participants included nurses working in South Korean hospitals. Data collected from 1 November to 31 December 2020 were analyzed using a t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression. We found that caring behavior had a positive correlation with the quality of nursing services and compassion competence. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the quality of nursing services and compassion competence. Compassion competence had a significant mediating effect on the relationship between caring behaviors and quality of nursing services. This suggests that nurses’ caring behaviors can enable high-quality nursing services influenced by compassion. Therefore, in order to improve the quality of nursing services, repeated and continuous implementation of training programs including education that can improve compassion competence is necessary.
Regional Variation in National Healthcare Expenditure and Health System Performance in Central Cities and Suburbs in Japan
Authors: Seo Yuna , Takikawa Takaharu
Published: May 2022

The increasing national healthcare expenditure (NHE) with the aging rate is a significant social problem in Japan, and efficient distribution and use of NHE is an urgent issue. It is assumed that comparisons in subregions would be important to explore the regional variation in NHE and health system performance in targeted municipalities of the metropolitan area of Tokyo (central cities) and the neighboring municipalities of Chiba Prefecture (suburbs). This study aimed to clarify the differences of the socioeconomic factors affecting NHE and the health system performances between subregions. A multiple regression analysis was performed to extract the factors affecting the total medical expenses of NHE (Total), comprising the medical expenses of inpatients (MEI), medical expenses of outpatients (MEO), and consultation rates of inpatients (CRI) and outpatients (CRO). Using the stepwise method, dependent variables were selected from three categories: health service, socioeconomic, and lifestyle. Then, health system performance analysis was performed, and the differences between regions were clarified using the Mann–Whitney U test. The test was applied to 18 indicators, classified into five dimensions referred to in the OECD indicators: health status, risk factors for health, access to care, quality of care, and health system capacity and resources. In the central cities, the number of persons per household was the primary factor affecting Total, MEI, MEO, and CRO, and the number of persons per household and the percentage of the entirely unemployed persons primarily affected CRI. In the suburbs, the ratio of the population aged 65–74 and the number of hospital beds were significantly positively related to Total, MEI, and CRI, but the number of workers employed in primary industries was negatively related to Total and MEI. The ratio of the population aged 65–74 was significantly positively related to MEO and CRO. Regarding health system performance, while risk factors for health was high in the central cities, the others, including access to care, quality of care, and health system capacity and resources, were superior in the suburbs, suggesting that the health system might be well developed to compensate for the risks. In the suburbs, while risk factors for health were lower than those in the central cities, access to care, quality of care, and health system capacity and resources were also lower, suggesting that the healthcare system might be poorer. These results indicate a need to prioritize mitigating healthcare disparities in the central cities and promoting the health of the elderly in the suburbs by expanding the suburbs’ healthcare systems and resources. This study clarified that the determinants of NHE and health system performance are drastically varied among subregional levels and suggested the importance of precise regional moderation of the healthcare system.
Lymphocyte Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Activity and Its Potential as a Diagnostic Confirmation Tool in Newborn Screening Cases
Authors: Alcaide Patricia , Ferrer-López Isaac , Gutierrez Leticia , Leal Fatima , Martín-Hernández Elena , Quijada-Fraile Pilar , Bellusci Marcello , Moráis Ana , Pedrón-Giner Consuelo , Rausell Dolores , Correcher Patricia , Unceta María , Stanescu Sinziana , Ugarte Magdalena , Ruiz-Sala Pedro , Pérez Belén
Published: May 2022

The determination of acylcarnitines (AC) in dried blood spots (DBS) by tandem mass spectrometry in newborn screening (NBS) programs has enabled medium-chain acyl-coA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) to be identified in presymptomatic newborns. Nevertheless, different confirmatory tests must be performed to confirm the diagnosis. In this work, we have collected and analyzed the NBS results and confirmatory test results (plasma AC, molecular findings, and lymphocyte MCAD activity) of forty individuals, correlating them with clinical outcomes and treatment, with the aim of obtaining useful diagnostic information that could be applied in the follow-up of the patients. Our results led us to classify patients into two groups. The first group (14 cases) had high increased octanoylcarnitine (C8) levels, biallelic pathogenic variants, and severe impaired enzyme activity (<10% of the intra-assay control (IAC)); all of these cases received nutritional therapy and required carnitine supplementation during follow-up, representing the most severe form of the disease. The second group (16 patients) was a heterogeneous group presenting moderate increases in C8, biallelic likely pathogenic/pathogenic variants, and intermediate activity (<41% IAC). All of them are currently asymptomatic and could be considered as having a milder form of the disease. Finally, eight cases presented a normal–mild increase in plasma C8, with only one pathogenic variant detected, and high–intermediate residual activity (15–100%). Based on our results, we confirm that combined evaluation of acylcarnitine profiles, genetic findings, and residual enzyme activities proves useful in predicting the risk of future metabolic decompensation, in making decisions regarding future treatment or follow-up, and also in confirming the clinical effects of unknown clinical variants.