bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inadequate Physical Activity Is Associated with Worse Physical Function in a Sample of COVID-19 Survivors with Post-Acute Symptoms
Authors: Galluzzo Vincenzo , Zazzara Maria Beatrice , Ciciarello Francesca , Tosato Matteo , Martone Anna Maria , Pais Cristina , Savera Giulia , Calvani Riccardo , Picca Anna , Marzetti Emanuele , Landi Francesco ,   on behalf of Gemelli Against COVID-19 Post-Acute Care Team
Published: March 2023

Background—Patients affected by Long COVID often report shorter times spent doing physical activity (PA) after COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to evaluate potential associations between PA levels and parameters of physical function in a cohort of COVID-19 survivors with post-acute symptoms, with a particular focus on individuals aged 65 and older. Materials and methods—PA levels before and after COVID-19 were assessed in a sample of patients that had recovered from COVID-19 and were admitted to a post-acute outpatient service at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (Rome, Italy). Participation in PA was operationalized as the engagement in leisure-time PA for at least 150 min per week in the last 3 months. Self-rated health and measures of physical performance and muscle strength were assessed. Results—Mean age of 1846 participants was 55.2 ± 14.4 years and 47% were women. Before COVID-19, inactivity was detected in 47% of the whole study population; only 28% maintained pre-COVID-19 PA engagement. Inactivity was more frequent in women. The stopping of physical activity was associated with increased BMI and CRP levels, lower vitamin D levels and a higher prevalence of post-COVID-19 fatigue, dyspnea, arthralgia, and myalgia. Active participants had higher handgrip strength and performed better on both the six-minute walking test (6MWT) and at the one-minute sit-to-stand test (1MSTST). In particular, at the 6MWT, participants 65 and older that were still active after COVID-19 walked 32 m more than sedentary peers. Moreover, the distance covered was 28 m more than those who were active only before COVID-19 (p = 0.05). Formerly active subjects performed similarly at the 6MWT to inactive participants. PA was associated with better self-rated health. Conclusions—Our findings reveal that inactivity is frequent in the post-acute COVID-19 phase. Stopping physical activity after COVID-19 results in measures of performance that are comparable to those who were never active. Relevant differences in the distance covered at the 6MWT were found between older active subjects and their sedentary peers.
Inflammation Beats Cholesterol: A Comment on the Unequivocal Driver of Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Authors: Vaccarezza Mauro , Galassi Francesco Maria
Published: March 2023

Despite advancements in the current standard of care, cardiovascular diseases continue to hold the top spot as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The development of atherosclerosis is the most common culprit behind ailments such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Consequently, it imposes a significant burden on life expectancy, quality of life, morbidity, and societal costs. Both increased cholesterol levels and the activation of the inflammatory cascade are known as cardiovascular risk facts. Their relative weight is in the spotlight of curent biomedical research. Newly published data shed light on the role of inflammation in determining cardiovascular risk irrespective of cholesterol levels and cholesterol-lowering therapies.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Oxide Layers on Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta and Ti-Nb-Zr-Fe Biomedical Alloys
Authors: Strnad Gabriela , Jakab-Farkas Laszlo , Gobber Federico Simone , Peter Ildiko
Published: March 2023

Nanoporous/nanotubular complex oxide layers were developed on high-fraction β phase quaternary Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta and Ti-Nb-Zr-Fe promising biomedical alloys with a low elasticity modulus. Surface modification was achieved by electrochemical anodization aimed at the synthesis of the morphology of the nanostructures, which exhibited inner diameters of 15–100 nm. SEM, EDS, XRD, and current evolution analyses were performed for the characterization of the oxide layers. By optimizing the process parameters of electrochemical anodization, complex oxide layers with pore/tube openings of 18–92 nm on Ti-10Nb-10Zr-5Ta, 19–89 nm on Ti-20Nb-20Zr-4Ta, and 17–72 nm on Ti-29.3Nb-13.6Zr-1.9Fe alloys were synthesized using 1 M H3PO4 + 0.5 wt% HF aqueous electrolytes and 0.5 wt% NH4F + 2 wt% H20 + ethylene glycol organic electrolytes.
Multiverse: Multilingual Evidence for Fake News Detection
Authors: Dementieva Daryna , Kuimov Mikhail , Panchenko Alexander
Published: March 2023

The rapid spread of deceptive information on the internet can have severe and irreparable consequences. As a result, it is important to develop technology that can detect fake news. Although significant progress has been made in this area, current methods are limited because they focus only on one language and do not incorporate multilingual information. In this work, we propose Multiverse—a new feature based on multilingual evidence that can be used for fake news detection and improve existing approaches. Our hypothesis that cross-lingual evidence can be used as a feature for fake news detection is supported by manual experiments based on a set of true (legit) and fake news. Furthermore, we compared our fake news classification system based on the proposed feature with several baselines on two multi-domain datasets of general-topic news and one fake COVID-19 news dataset, showing that (in combination with linguistic features) it yields significant improvements over the baseline models, bringing additional useful signals to the classifier.
The Role of Semantic Associations as a Metacognitive Cue in Creative Idea Generation
Authors: Kenett Yoed N. , Gooz Noam , Ackerman Rakefet
Published: March 2023

Is my idea creative? This question directs investing in companies and choosing a research agenda. Following previous research, we focus on the originality of ideas and consider their association with self-assessments of idea generators regarding their own originality. We operationalize the originality score as the frequency (%) of each idea within a sample of participants and originality judgment as the self-assessment of this frequency. Initial evidence suggests that originality scores and originality judgments are produced by separate processes. As a result, originality judgments are prone to biases. So far, heuristic cues that lead to such biases are hardly known. We used methods from computational linguistics to examine the semantic distance as a potential heuristic cue underlying originality judgments. We examined the extent to which the semantic distance would contribute additional explanatory value in predicting originality scores and originality judgments, above and beyond cues known from previous research. In Experiment 1, we re-analyzed previous data that compared originality scores and originality judgments after adding the semantic distance of the generated ideas from the stimuli. We found that the semantic distance contributed to the gap between originality scores and originality judgments. In Experiment 2, we manipulated the examples given in task instructions to prime participants with two levels of idea originality and two levels of semantic distance. We replicated Experiment 1 in finding the semantic distance as a biasing factor for originality judgments. In addition, we found differences among the conditions in the extent of the bias. This study highlights the semantic distance as an unacknowledged metacognitive cue and demonstrates its biasing power for originality judgments.
An Efficient Underwater Navigation Method Using MPC with Unknown Kinematics and Non-Linear Disturbances
Authors: Barreno Pablo , Parras Juan , Zazo Santiago
Published: March 2023

Many Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) need to cope with hazardous underwater medium using a limited computational capacity while facing unknown kinematics and disturbances. However, most algorithms proposed for navigation in such conditions fail to fulfil all conditions at the same time. In this work, we propose an optimal control method, based on a receding horizon approach, namely MPC (Model Predictive Control). Our model also estimates the kinematics of the medium and its disturbances, using efficient tools that rely on the use of linear algebra and first-order optimization methods. We also test our ideas using an extensive set of simulations, which show that the proposed ideas are very competitive in terms of cost and computational efficiency in cases of total and partial observability.
Experimental Study on CH4 Hydrate Dissociation by the Injection of Hot Water, Brine, and Ionic Liquids
Authors: Wu Siting , Zhou Xuebing , Lu Jingsheng , Liang Deqing , Li Dongliang
Published: March 2023

Thermal stimulation is an important method to promote gas production and to avoid secondary hydrate formation during hydrate exploitation, but low thermal efficiency hinders its application. In this work, hydrate dissociation was carried out in synthesized hydrate-bearing sediments with 30% hydrate saturation at 6.9 MPa and 9 °C. Ionic liquids, such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIM-Cl) and tetramethylammonium chloride (TMACl), were injected as heat carriers, and the promotion effects were compared with the injection of hot water and brine. The results showed that the injection of brine and ionic liquids can produce higher thermal efficiencies compared to hot water. Thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors, such as NaCl, BMIM-Cl, and TMACl, were found to impair the stability of CH4 hydrate, which was conducive to hydrate dissociation. By increasing the NaCl concentration from 3.5 to 20 wt%, the thermal efficiency increased from 37.6 to 44.0%, but the thermal efficiencies experienced a fall as the concentration of either BMIM-Cl or TMACl grew from 10 to 20 wt%. In addition, increasing the injection temperature from 30 to 50 °C was found to bring a sharp decrease in thermal efficiency, which was unfavorable for the economics of gas production. Suitable running conditions for ionic liquids injection should control the concentration of ionic liquids under 10 wt% and the injection temperature should be around 10 °C, which is conducive to exerting the weakening effect of ionic liquids on hydrate stability.
Atmosphere-Ocean Processes Governing Inflow to the Northern Caribbean Sea
Authors: Jury Mark R.
Published: March 2023

Near-surface currents entering the northern Caribbean from the Atlantic are described using ocean reanalysis at monthly to daily timescales, underpinned by satellite data assimilation. Statistical analyses involved spatial clustering into current vector modes with associated time scores for quantifying spectral power and regression onto atmospheric fields. Inflow across the Anegada, Mona, Windward (AMW) Passages peaks at ~100 m depth at ~0.2 m/s during summer and pulses at periods of 45, 100, and 365 days, and at 3, 6.5 years. The intra-seasonal periods may relate to Madden–Julian Oscillations and westward ocean Rossby waves, while inter-annual periods associate with regional climate anomalies. An empirical orthogonal function analysis demonstrates that AMW inflow varies across multiple timescales and is enhanced when the subtropical high-pressure ridge penetrates into the western Caribbean. A case study reveals key features during a surge of inflow to the northern Caribbean. Marine climate change involves heat advected poleward by currents along the western edge of the tropical Atlantic, fed through the Caribbean Sea. Consequently, the study of inflows garners wide interest.
Path Planning in the Case of Swarm Unmanned Surface Vehicles for Visiting Multiple Targets
Authors: Ntakolia Charis , Lyridis Dimitrios V.
Published: March 2023

In this study, we present a hybrid approach of Ant Colony Optimization algorithm (ACO) with fuzzy logic and clustering methods to solve multiobjective path planning problems in the case of swarm Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). This study aims to further explore the performance of the ACO algorithm by integrating fuzzy logic in order to cope with the multiple contradicting objectives and generate quality solutions by in-parallel identifying the mission areas of each USV to reach the desired targets. The design of the operational areas for each USV in the swarm is performed by a comparative evaluation of three popular clustering algorithms: Mini Batch K-Means, Ward Clustering and Birch. Following the identification of the operational areas, the design of each USV path to perform the operation is performed based on the minimization of traveled distance and energy consumption, as well as the maximization of path smoothness. To solve this multiobjective path planning problem, a comparative evaluation is conducted among ACO and fuzzy inference systems, Mamdani (ACO-Mamdani) and Takagi–Sugeno–Kang (ACO-TSK). The results show that depending on the needs of the application, each methodology can contribute, respectively. ACO-Mamdani generates better paths, but ACO-TSK presents higher computation efficiency.
Benthic Species and Habitats
Authors: Chimienti Giovanni
Published: March 2023

The term benthos, coined by the German naturalist Ernst Heinrich Philipp August Haeckel in 1891 [...]
Effect of High Temperature on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of HSFCM
Authors: Li Yanbin , Meng Qingsheng , Zhang Yan , Peng Huadong , Liu Tao
Published: March 2023

A new type of composite cement-based cementing material—high-strength fast cementing material (HSFCM)—will be widely used in marine engineering projects such as submarine tunnels. However, the influence of fire and other high temperature conditions on its material properties have not been explored in previous studies. Mechanical tests and microstructure observations of HSFCM were carried out, and the strength and deformation characteristics, microstructure and composition evolution of HSFCM after high temperature treatment were discussed. After high temperature treatment, the compressive strength of HSFCM deteriorated. The compressive strength of HSFCM decreased by more than half at 400 °C. The peak strain increased at 200 °C with the increase of temperature, and decreased at 400~600 °C with the increase of temperature. High temperature reduces the stiffness of HSFCM, and the elastic modulus decreases with increasing temperature. The influence of high temperature on the microstructure of HSFCM is mainly shown in the increase and enlargement of pores in three-dimensional space, the development of micro-cracks and the thermal decomposition of cementing material into stable oxides without cementing effect. The microscopic changes of HSFCM are in good agreement with the mechanical test results.
An Approach to Evaluate Pb Tolerance and Its Removal Mechanisms by Pleurotus opuntiae
Authors: Yadav Priyanka , Mishra Vartika , Kumar Tejmani , Rai Awadhesh Kumar , Gaur Ayush , Singh Mohan Prasad
Published: March 2023

Widespread lead (Pb) contamination prompts various environmental problems and accounts for about 1% of the global disease burden. Thus, it has necessitated the demand for eco-friendly clean-up approaches. Fungi provide a novel and highly promising approach for the remediation of Pb-containing wastewater. The current study examined the mycoremediation capability of a white rot fungus, P. opuntiae, that showed effective tolerance to increasing concentrations of Pb up to 200 mg L−1, evidenced by the Tolerance Index (TI) of 0.76. In an aqueous medium, the highest removal rate (99.08%) was recorded at 200 mg L−1 whereas intracellular bioaccumulation also contributed to the uptake of Pb in significant amounts with a maximum of 24.59 mg g−1. SEM was performed to characterize the mycelium, suggesting changes in the surface morphology after exposure to high Pb concentrations. LIBS indicated a gradual change in the intensity of some elements after exposure to Pb stress. FTIR spectra displayed many functional groups including amides, sulfhydryl, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups on the cell walls that led to binding sites for Pb and indicated the involvement of these groups in biosorption. XRD analysis unveiled a mechanism of biotransformation by forming a mineral complex as PbS from Pb ion. Further, Pb fostered the level of proline and MDA at a maximum relative to the control, and their concentration reached 1.07 µmol g−1 and 8.77 nmol g−1, respectively. High Pb concentration results in oxidative damage by increasing the production of ROS. Therefore, the antioxidant enzyme system provides a central role in the elimination of active oxygen. The enzymes, namely SOD, POD, CAT, and GSH, served as most responsive to clear away ROS and lower the stress. The results of this study suggested that the presence of Pb caused no visible adverse symptoms in P. opuntiae. Moreover, biosorption and bioaccumulation are two essential approaches involved in Pb removal by P. opuntiae and are established as worthwhile agents for the remediation of Pb from the environment.
Engineering Flocculation for Improved Tolerance and Production of d-Lactic Acid in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Sae-Tang Kittapong , Bumrungtham Pornsiri , Mhuantong Wuttichai , Champreda Verawat , Tanapongpipat Sutipa , Zhao Xin-Qing , Liu Chen-Guang , Runguphan Weerawat
Published: March 2023

d-lactic acid, a chiral organic acid, can enhance the thermal stability of polylactic acid plastics. Microorganisms such as the yeast Pichia pastoris, which lack the natural ability to produce or accumulate high amounts of d-lactic acid, have been metabolically engineered to produce it in high titers. However, tolerance to d-lactic acid remains a challenge. In this study, we demonstrate that cell flocculation improves tolerance to d-lactic acid and increases d-lactic acid production in Pichia pastoris. By incorporating a flocculation gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScFLO1) into P. pastoris KM71, we created a strain (KM71-ScFlo1) that demonstrated up to a 1.6-fold improvement in specific growth rate at high d-lactic acid concentrations. Furthermore, integrating a d-lactate dehydrogenase gene from Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides (LpDLDH) into KM71-ScFlo1 resulted in an engineered strain (KM71-ScFlo1-LpDLDH) that could produce d-lactic acid at a titer of 5.12 ± 0.35 g/L in 48 h, a 2.6-fold improvement over the control strain lacking ScFLO1 expression. Transcriptomics analysis of this strain provided insights into the mechanism of increased tolerance to d-lactic acid, including the upregulations of genes involved in lactate transport and iron metabolism. Overall, our work represents an advancement in the efficient microbial production of d-lactic acid by manipulating yeast flocculation.
Tramadol May Increase Risk of Hip Fracture in Older Adults with Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis
Authors: Wu Ting-Yu , Wu Wen-Tien , Lee Ru-Ping , Chen Ing-Ho , Yu Tzai-Chiu , Wang Jen-Hung , Yeh Kuang-Ting
Published: March 2023

Tramadol, an analgesic widely used for arthritic pain, is known to have adverse effects. This study investigated the association between the long-term use of tramadol for pain control and subsequent hip fractures in patients aged 60 years or older with posttraumatic osteoarthritis. This population-based retrospective cohort study included patients with posttraumatic osteoarthritis who received tramadol for pain control for more than 90 days within a 1-year period. A control cohort was enrolled using propensity score matching. The primary outcome was a new diagnosis of hip fracture requiring surgery. In total, 3093 patients were classified into each cohort. Tramadol use was identified as a risk factor for hip fracture (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–1.82; p = 0.008), especially among patients aged 60–70 years (aHR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.29–3.47; p = 0.003) and among male patients (aHR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.24–2.70; p = 0.002). This is the first cohort study focusing on the association between long-term tramadol use and hip fracture among older adults with posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Tramadol, as a long-term pain control analgesic for older adults with posttraumatic osteoarthritis, may increase the risk of hip fracture, especially among male patients and those aged 60–70 years.
Effects of Red and Infrared Laser Therapy in Patients with Tinnitus: A Double-Blind, Clinical, Randomized Controlled Study Combining Light with Ultrasound, Drugs and Vacuum Therapy
Authors: Panhóca Vitor Hugo , de Aquino Junior Antônio Eduardo , de Souza Viviane Brocca , Ferreira Simone Aparecida , Ferreira Lais Tatiane , de Oliveira Souza Karina Jullienne , Tamae Patricia Eriko , Saito Nogueira Marcelo , Bagnato Vanderlei Salvador
Published: March 2023

Background: tinnitus is a symptom with no specific cause known to date, and there are no associated pharmacogenomics of hearing disorders and no FDA-approved drugs for tinnitus treatment. The effectiveness of drug treatments is not reproducible on idiopathic patients and inexistent in refractory patients. Personalized treatments for these patients are a great clinical need. Our study investigated the outcome of potential alternative and complementary treatment modalities for idiopathic and refractory tinnitus patients. Methods: we were the first to evaluate the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) score changes over the course of treatment up to 15 days after complete cessation of treatment for novel transmeatal low-level laser therapy (LLLT) modalities using light alone, as well as LLLT combined with vacuum therapy (VT), ultrasound (US), Ginkgo biloba (GB) and flunarizine dihydrochloride (FD), while also comparing all treatment outcomes with laser puncture (LP), FD alone and GB alone. Results: a positive treatment outcome (superior to a placebo effect) was achieved by using either LP or transmeatal LLLT, whereas short-term antagonistic effects of VT, US, GB and FD when combined with LLLT. For transmeatal LLLT, an improvement in the treatment outcome was observed by increasing the irradiation time from 6 min to 15 min (with 100-mW of applied laser power at 660 nm). Finally, a lasting therapeutic effect higher than the placebo was observed at 15 days after treatment upon combining LLLT with VT, GB or by using FD alone, by using the transmeatal LLLT alone or by using LP. Conclusions: LP and Transmeatal LLLT can be promising alternative treatments for idiopathic and refractory tinnitus patients. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of LLLT in tinnitus patients, as well as the dosimetry and wavelength of transmeatal LLLT.
Intermittent Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide Treatment Maintains High Level of Viral Suppression in Virally Suppressed People Living with HIV
Authors: Sellem Baptiste , Abdi Basma , Lê Minh , Tubiana Roland , Valantin Marc-Antoine , Seang Sophie , Schneider Luminita , Fayçal Antoine , Peytavin Gilles , Soulié Cathia , Marcelin Anne-Geneviève , Katlama Christine , Pourcher Valérie , Palich Romain
Published: March 2023

In this observational study, we aimed to evaluate whether bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) administered 5 or 4 days a week is able to maintain viral suppression in people living with HIV (PLHIV). We enrolled 85 patients who initiated intermittent B/F/TAF between 28 November 2018 and 30 July 2020: median (IQR) age 52 years (46–59), duration of virological suppression 9 years (3–13), CD4 633/mm3 (461–781). Median follow-up was 101 weeks (82–111). The virological success rate (no virological failure [VF]: confirmed plasma viral load [pVL] ≥ 50 copies/mL, or single pVL ≥ 200 copies/mL, or ≥50 copies/mL with ART change) was 100% (95%CI 95.8–100) and the strategy success rate (pVL < 50 copies/mL with no ART regimen change) was 92.9% (95%CI 85.3–97.4) at W48. Two VF occurred at W49 and W70, in 2 patients self-reporting poor compliance. No resistance mutation emerged at time of VF. Eight patients presented strategy discontinuation for adverse events. There was no significant change in the CD4 count, residual viraemia rate, neither body weight during follow-up, but a slight increase in CD4/CD8 ratio (p = 0.02). In conclusion, our findings suggest that B/F/TAF administered 5 or 4 days a week could maintain the control of HIV replication in virologically suppressed PLHIV while reducing cumulative exposition of ART.
Moderate Aerobic Exercise Reduces the Detrimental Effects of Hypoxia on Cardiac Autonomic Control in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Giovanelli Luca , Malacarne Mara , Pagani Massimo , Biolo Gianni , Mekjavic Igor B. , Bernardelli Giuseppina , Lucini Daniela
Published: March 2023

Physical inactivity increases cardiometabolic risk through a variety of mechanisms, among which alterations of immunological, metabolic, and autonomic control systems may play a pivotal role. Physical inactivity is frequently associated with other factors that may further worsen prognosis. The association between physical inactivity and hypoxia is particularly interesting and characterizes several conditions—whether physiological (e.g., residing or trekking at high altitude and space flights) or pathological (e.g., chronic cardiopulmonary diseases and COVID-19). In this randomized intervention study, we investigated the combined effects of physical inactivity and hypoxia on autonomic control in eleven healthy and physically active male volunteers, both at baseline (ambulatory) conditions and, in a randomized order, hypoxic ambulatory, hypoxic bedrest, and normoxic bedrest (i.e., a simple experimental model of physical inactivity). Autoregressive spectral analysis of cardiovascular variabilities was employed to assess cardiac autonomic control. Notably, we found hypoxia to be associated with an impairment of cardiac autonomic control, especially when combined with bedrest. In particular, we observed an impairment of indices of baroreflex control, a reduction in the marker of prevalent vagal control to the SA node, and an increase in the marker of sympathetic control to vasculature.
The Impact of ICT on the Profitability of Indian Banks: The Moderating Role of NPA
Authors: Thakur Swapnilsingh , Rastogi Shailesh , Parashar Neha , Tejasmayee Pracheta , Kappal Jyoti Mehndiratta
Published: March 2023

The role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) cannot be ignored in today’s era of working. Its effects are studied in several sectors by various researchers. This study covers the impact of ICT on the profitability of banks. Thirty-three banks are operating in India. A sample period of 10 years (2010 to 2019) was studied. The study also provides insight into how ICT helps the banks’ profitability during and post-COVID-19. A panel data analysis is performed to estimate the results. This study found that ICT adversely impacts banks’ profitability (NIM) in India in a linear association. However, the quadratic association indicates a positive U-curved relationship between ICT and profitability. In addition, the Net of Non-Performing Assets significantly but negatively impacts the connectivity of ICT and profitability. The findings imply that banks should invest in ICT to maximize the long run. The findings have no significant implication on all stakeholders, including policymakers, shareholders, and managers, to consider implementing ICT tools as an essential factor in enhancing a bank’s profitability in the long run. In addition, the level of otherwise lowered investments in ICT cannot be a fruitful step. The current study augments the existing literature on banking by providing novel evidence on the association of ICT with profitability under the influence of NPA. This study argues for the application of ICT in banks in order to increase their profitability. ICT helps the bank maintain transparency, accountability, and even the reach of financial services increases. This situation again leads to the enhancement of the country’s economy.
Conservation through Collaboration: Regional Conservation Programs of the North Carolina Zoo
Authors: Roznik Elizabeth A. , Buckanoff Halley , Langston Robert W. , Shupp Christopher J. , Smith Dustin
Published: March 2023

In response to rapid biodiversity losses in recent decades, zoos have become more engaged in conservation issues. Solutions to conservation challenges are complex and require collaborative efforts across organizations. Zoos can be effective partners that can contribute diverse expertise and resources to protect wildlife and their habitats. While zoos often partner with international organizations to facilitate field-based conservation projects on the exotic animals they exhibit, some of the most meaningful conservation and education initiatives are conducted locally in partnership with local organizations. A core part of the mission of the North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro, NC, USA) is the conservation of wildlife and their natural habitats, both regionally and internationally. The goal of this article is to review the North Carolina Zoo’s regional conservation programs and the importance of partnerships with other local organizations in accomplishing shared goals. North Carolina Zoo plays an important role in regional conservation by protecting and managing natural lands, protecting declining amphibians through headstarting and habitat management, rehabilitating native wildlife, and working on local outreach and sustainability projects to reduce impacts on natural resources and inspire others to get involved in conservation. These programs were developed through partnerships with local and state government agencies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, other zoos and aquariums, schools, libraries, and businesses. These collaborations have been instrumental in developing and implementing successful projects by pooling limited resources and sharing crucial expertise. They demonstrate how zoos are evolving to become leaders and partners in conservation, research, and education to protect local species and natural resources.
Pregnancy in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Shehaj Larisa , Kazancıoğlu Rümeyza
Published: March 2023

While pregnancy among end-stage kidney disease patients is rare, the number of females becoming pregnant has been increasing worldwide during the last decade. The frequency of conception in this patient group has been reported to be between 0.3% and 7% per year. The aim of this review is to summarize the latest guidelines and practice points for ensuring the best outcome for both the fetus and the mother.
Spatial Pattern Evolution and Driving Mechanism of Rural Settlements in Rapidly Urbanized Areas: A Case Study of Jiangning District in Nanjing City, China
Authors: Zhang Rongtian , Zhang Xiaolin
Published: March 2023

Rural settlement is an important part of studying the relationship between humans and land; it is highly significant in revealing the evolution, driving mechanism and reconstruction scheme of rural settlement pattern. In this paper, Jiangning District, a rapidly urbanized area, was selected as a typical case. Using remote sensing image data, the landscape pattern index, the rank-scale law, the local hot spot-detection model, and the geographical-detector were comprehensively used to analyze the rural settlements pattern evolution and driving mechanism in the rapidly urbanized areas. The results are as follows: (1) From 2010 to 2020, the number of rural settlements showed a trend of large-scale reduction, and the settlements scale system was relatively uniform in Jiangning. The settlements scale had the autocorrelation characteristics of spatial agglomeration, and the local hotspot agglomeration pattern was significant. (2) The spatial distribution of rural settlements in Jiangning showed an “agglomeration” pattern, and the settlements density showed a “multi-core” distribution characteristic. (3) The pattern of rural settlements in Jiangning was shaped by natural environmental factors such as topography, water system and cultivated land resources; economic social factors such as agricultural population, per capita GDP, distance from town, and policy and system were the leading factors that promoted the settlements’ pattern evolution in Jiangning, and the interaction between the factors could enhance the interpretation of the settlements’ pattern evolution. The research can provide a reference for optimizing the spatial layout of settlements in rapidly urbanized areas.
Impact of Factors That Predict Adoption of Geomonitoring Systems for Landslide Management
Authors: Rădulescu Adrian T. , Rădulescu Corina M. , Kablak Nataliya , Reity Oleksandr K. , Rădulescu Gheorghe M. T.
Published: March 2023

Monitoring hazardous phenomena is a fundamental requirement of disaster risk management. Using new geomatic technologies integrated into complex geo information systems represents an innovative method of strengthening collaboration between stakeholder groups that aim at reducing the risk of disasters. This paper aimed to investigate the factors of adapting a geomonitoring information system for landslides in the cross-border area of Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Romania; the analysis was carried out in the case of the cross-border project, GeoSES. This study developed and empirically tested a novel UTAUT model based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. PL-SEM (partial least-squares structural equation modeling) was used to test the model’s hypotheses. The data were collected by employing an online questionnaire on a target group of beneficiaries of the GeoSES project, in which the geomonitoring information system was proposed as an innovative solution to landslide management and disaster risk reduction. This study’s importance and added value reside in the theoretical and practical implications of the proposed model for predicting the beneficiaries’ adaptation of the landslide monitoring system. The results have shown that the GeoSES project beneficiaries coming from four neighboring nations are willing to utilize the integrated monitoring systems, which is one of the strengths of the collaborative efforts focused on mitigating risks and managing disasters in this region.
Ke Dise, Mi Arma? Dialectal Varieties in WhatsApp Digital Norm of Andalusian Adolescent Speakers
Authors: Gómez-Camacho Alejandro , Núñez-Román Francisco , Llorent-Vaquero Mercedes , Villaciervos-Moreno Patricia
Published: March 2023

This article analyzes the written expression in WhatsApp-type instant messaging applications of Andalusian adolescents who are in the last years of compulsory education in Spain. It aims to establish the relationship between the most relevant characteristics of the digital norm used by Andalusian adolescents in their communications through WhatsApp and the dialectal characteristics of their variety of Spanish. Additionally, this study intends to determine whether the writing norm in instant messaging applications influences the standard orthography of Spanish in school texts. A quantitative methodology has been used, analyzing objective data and carrying out a systematic and structured information collection process. A descriptive research design was employed using textual content analysis. The results show that the dialectal linguistic identity of Andalusian adolescent speakers on WhatsApp is mainly identified with suprasegmental linguistic features such as intonation and rhythm. Textisms related to the loss of the intervocalic -d- stand out, as well as those which reproduce the different realizations of the phonemes /s/ and /ʝ/. These features characterize the norm used by adolescent Andalusian speakers and coincide with the features that distinguish their way of pronouncing Spanish. The results show that these textisms are not related to the standard orthography of Spanish and do not cause non-standard orthography.
Arabic PPs in a Rooted Lexicon
Authors: Fassi Fehri Abdelkader , Alrawi Maather
Published: March 2023

We motivate a ‘rooted’ PP shell analysis of Arabic prepositional phrases, which takes into account the prepositional dual life, as a lexical root item and as a vocabulary word, projecting a lexical √P headed by the P root, and a functional pP headed by p, the syntactic case assigner. Moreover, PlaceP and PathP projections are motivated by differentiating locative and directional PPs, and AxPartPs represent the structure of adverbial spatial nouns (đ̣uruuf). It is shown that alternative analyses using a single source (or projection) of PPs are inadequate in dealing with prepositional polysemies, and their morpho-syntactic alternations or variations. A bifurcation analysis instead (distinguishing root syntax from category syntax) is motivated and implemented along the lines of distributive models of word formation, making use of the simplest composition operation Merge in both syntax and the lexicon.
Effect of an Emollient Emulsion Containing 15.0% of Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride on the Urocanic Acid of the Stratum Corneum
Authors: de Souza Neto Alicio Vitorino , Balla Débora Quintas , Candido Thalita Marcilio , Rosado Catarina , Baby André Rolim , Pessoa Fabiana Vieira Lima Solino
Published: March 2023

Natural moisturizing factor (NMF) includes several compounds in the stratum corneum (SC), among them, urocanic acid (UCA). Ultraviolet (UV) exposure turns the trans-UCA of the SC into its cis isomer. We investigated the impact of a topical emollient emulsion treatment on the UCA isomers of the SC exposed to artificial UV stress. Aliquots of emollient emulsion were applied in healthy subjects for 2 h on delimited areas of the volar forearm, then, the SC was removed by tape stripping. Tapes were irradiated in a solar simulator chamber and a high performance liquid chromatograph was used to quantify UCA isomers from stripped SC extract. The amount of both UCA isomers were almost twice higher in the SC treated with the emollient emulsion. We also observed that the UV irradiation elevated the amount of the cis/trans UCA ratio on the SC (non-treated and treated), suggesting that the emollient sample was not able to avoid the UCA isomerization. The in vivo tests corroborated with the UCA data obtained ex vivo, since we found an increase in the superficial skin hydration with respective reduction of the TEWL, probably occurring by the occlusion performed by the emollient emulsion containing 15.0% w/w of caprylic/capric triglyceride.
Heart Valve Surgery in Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patients—Morbidity and Mortality
Authors: Eviatar Tali , Niznik Stanley , Elkayam Ori , Ben-Gal Yanai , Shavit Ronen , Raanani Ehud , Agmon-Levin Nancy , Paran Daphna
Published: March 2023

Objectives: To assess valve surgery outcomes in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Methods: A retrospective study assessing complications and mortality rate and possible factors associated with adverse outcomes of APS patients undergoing valve surgery in two tertiary medical centers. Results: Twenty-six APS patients (median age at surgery 47.5 years) who underwent valve surgery were detected, of whom 11 (42.3%) had secondary APS. The mitral valve was most commonly involved (n = 15, 57.7%). A valve replacement was performed in 24 operations (92.3%), 16 of which (66.7%) were mechanical valves. Fourteen (53.8%) patients sustained severe complications, and four of them died. The presence of mitral regurgitation (MR) was associated with severe complications and mortality (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 12.5 (1.85–84.442), p = 0.008, for complications. All deceased patients had MR (p = 0.033). The presence of Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) (7.333 (1.272–42.294), p = 0.045), low C3 (6.667 (1.047–42.431), p = 0.05) and higher perioperative prednisone doses (15 ± 21.89 vs. 1.36 ± 3.23 mg/day, p = 0.046) were also associated with complications. A lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was associated with mortality (30.75 ± 19.47 vs. 70.68 ± 34.44 mL/min, p = 0.038). Conclusions: Significant morbidity and mortality were observed among APS patients undergoing valve surgery. MR was associated with mortality and complications. LSE, low complement and higher doses of corticosteroids were associated with complications, while a low GFR was associated with mortality.
Synthesis of ZnO Nanoflower Arrays on Patterned Cavity Substrate and Their Application in Methylene Blue Degradation
Authors: Zhao Xin , Wang Ching-Shan , Chou Ni-Ni , Wang Fang-Hsing , Yang Cheng-Fu
Published: March 2023

A novel method was proposed to fabricate a ZnO seed layer with a protrusion and matrix structure, and then ZnO nanorods could be synthesized on it using the hydrothermal method to form ZnO nanoflower arrays (NFAs) easily. A patterned sapphire with a matrix cavity was used as the template, ZnO gel was deposited on the multilayer substrates using spinning coating, and the prepared seed layer with a protrusion and an array-patterned structure was moved to a Si substrate using the lift-off method. Because the ZnO seed layer exhibited a matrix and protrusion structure, ZnO nanorods were grown vertically downwards and formed ZnO NFAs. The XRD patterns resulting from analyses showed that the diffraction peaks of the five growth directions of ZnO NFAs increased as growth time increased. Furthermore, SEM and FIB analyses indicated that the length, width, aspect ratio, and total surface area of ZnO NFAs grown on the transferred seed layer increased as the synthesis time increased. Different ZnO NFAs synthesized for varying synthesis times were used to investigate methylene blue degradation, with the effect of ZnO NFAs on methylene blue degradation determined using the Beer–Lambert law. Our results demonstrate that the effect of ZnO NFAs on methylene blue degradation was enhanced with increasing synthesis time.
Research on Multifractal Characteristics of Vehicle Driving Cycles
Authors: Yuan Mengting , Luo Wenguang , Lan Hongli , Qin Yongxin
Published: March 2023

Vehicle driving cycles have complex characteristics, but there are few publicly reported methods for their quantitative characterization. This paper innovatively investigates their multifractal characteristics using the fractal theory to characterize their complex properties, laying the foundation for applications such as vehicle driving cycle feature identification, vehicle energy management strategies (EMS), and so on. To explore the scale-invariance of the vehicle driving cycles, the four vehicle driving cycles were analyzed using the Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MF-DFA) method, three of which are standard vehicle test cycles: the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the World-wide harmonized Light-duty Test Cycle (WLTC) and the China Light-duty Vehicle Test Cycle for Passenger Car (CLTC-P), and the other is the Urban Road Real Driving Cycle (URRDC), which was obtained by analyzing and processing vehicle driving data collected in actual urban driving conditions. The fluctuation functions, the generalized Hurst exponents, the mass exponent spectra, the multifractal singularity spectra, and the multifractal characteristic parameters were calculated to verify the multifractal characteristics, and to quantify the fluctuation singularities of different driving cycles as the time series. The results show that the fluctuations of all four driving cycles have long-range anticorrelations and exhibit significant multifractal characteristics. The results can provide a basis for the analysis of the complexity of the vehicle driving cycles.
Numerical Method for a Risk Model with Two-Sided Jumps and Proportional Investment
Authors: Xu Jiaen , Wang Chunwei , Deng Naidan , Wang Shujing
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we consider a risk model with two-sided jumps and proportional investment. The upward jumps and downward jumps represent gains and claims, respectively. Suppose the company invests all of its surplus in a certain proportion in two types of investments, one is risk-free (such as bank accounts) and the other is risky (such as stocks). Our aim is to find the optimal admissible strategy (including the optimal dividend rate and the optimal ratio of investment in risky assets), to maximize the dividend value function, and discuss the effects of a number of parameters on dividend payments. Firstly, the HJB equation of the dividend value function is obtained by the stochastic analysis theory and the dynamic programming method, and the optimal admissible strategy is obtained. Since the integro-differential equation satisfied by the dividend value function is difficult to solve, we turn to the sinc numerical method to approximate solve it. Then, the error between the exact solution (ES) and the sinc approximate solution (SA) is analyzed. Finally, the relative error of a special numerical solution and an ES is given, and some examples of sensitivity analysis are discussed. This study provides a theoretical basis for insurance companies to prevent risks better.
Attributes Reduction on SE-ISI Concept Lattice for an Incomplete Context Using Object Ranking
Authors: Srirekha B. , Sathish Shakeela , Narmada Devi R. , Mahdal Miroslav , Cep Robert , Elavarasan K.
Published: March 2023

The formal concept of lattice plays a vital role in knowledge discovery. Reduction of the attribute has many applications in machine learning technology and data mining fields. In this paper, we introduce an object ranking concept to define a consistency set and the reduction of the attributes by structural features. An incomplete information system works on the three-way concepts using the SE-ISI Context. The granular was emphasized with join (meet) irreducible sets using the object ranking concepts. A dual operator is defined based on the object ranking concepts and its properties and conditions are verified. Hence, this elaborates on the four kinds of reduction of the attributes. The ordered pairs give the knowledge of the attributes that deal with the interval set of both the approximation of rough set theory concerning the objects. Therefore, the relationship between four kinds of reduction of the attribute was appropriate to access the consistency set using the object ranking concepts by some of the theorems and examples.
A Wavelet-Based Computational Framework for a Block-Structured Markov Chain with a Continuous Phase Variable
Authors: Jiang Shuxia , Liu Nian , Liu Yuanyuan
Published: March 2023

We consider the computing issues of the steady probabilities for block-structured discrete-time Markov chains that are of upper-Hessenberg or lower-Hessenberg transition kernels with a continuous phase set. An effective computational framework is proposed based on the wavelet transform, which extends and modifies the arguments in the literature for quasi-birth-death (QBD) processes. A numerical procedure is developed for computing the steady probabilities based on the fast discrete wavelet transform, and several examples are presented to illustrate its effectiveness.
On Parsing Programming Languages with Turing-Complete Parser
Authors: Slivnik Boštjan , Mernik Marjan
Published: March 2023

A new parsing method based on the semi-Thue system is described. Similar to, but with more efficient implementation than Markov normal algorithms, it can be used for parsing any recursively enumerable language. Despite its computational power, it is meant to be used primarily for parsing programming and domain-specific languages. It enables a straightforward simulation of a number of existing parsing algorithms based on context-free grammars. The list includes both top-down shift-produce methods (such as SLL and LL) and bottom-up shift-reduce methods (such as LALR and LR), as well as mixed top-down-and-bottom-up methods such as LLLR. To justify the use of the new parsing method, the paper provides numerous examples of how a parser can actually be made in practice. It is advised that the main part of the parser is based on some simple well-established approach, e.g., SLL(1), while syntactically more complicated phrases can be parsed by exploiting the full power of the new parser. These phrases may either be extensions to the original language or some embedded domain-specific language. In all such and similar cases, no part of the language is restricted to be context-free. In fact, context-sensitive languages can be handled quite efficiently.