bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discerning Developmental Dyscalculia and Neurodevelopmental Models of Numerical Cognition in a Disadvantaged Educational Context
Authors: Santos Flavia H. , Ribeiro Fabiana S. , Dias-Piovezana Ana Luiza , Primi Caterina , Dowker Ann , von Aster Michael
Published: May 2022

Developmental Dyscalculia (DD) signifies a failure in representing quantities, which impairs the performance of basic math operations and schooling achievement during childhood. The lack of specificity in assessment measures and respective cut-offs are the most challenging factors to identify children with DD, particularly in disadvantaged educational contexts. This research is focused on a numerical cognition battery for children, designed to diagnose DD through 12 subtests. The aims of the present study were twofold: to examine the prevalence of DD in a country with generally low educational attainment, by comparing z-scores and percentiles, and to test three neurodevelopmental models of numerical cognition based on performance in this battery. Participants were 304 Brazilian school children aged 7–12 years of both sexes (143 girls), assessed by the Zareki-R. Performances on subtests and the total score increase with age without gender differences. The prevalence of DD was 4.6% using the fifth percentile and increased to 7.4% via z-score (in total 22 out of 304 children were diagnosed with DD). We suggest that a minus 1.5 standard deviation in the total score of the Zareki-R is a useful criterion in the clinical or educational context. Nevertheless, a percentile ≤ 5 seems more suitable for research purposes, especially in developing countries because the socioeconomic environment or/and educational background are strong confounder factors to diagnosis. The four-factor structure, based on von Aster and Shalev’s model of numerical cognition (Number Sense, Number Comprehension, Number Production and Calculation), was the best model, with significant correlations ranging from 0.89 to 0.97 at the 0.001 level.
Sensory Stimuli to Sustainable Social Wellbeing: A Multimodal Approach Based on Warm Scent
Authors: Lee Sinae , Min Dongwon
Published: May 2022

Sensory experiences affect individuals’ judgment and behavior through the metaphors that experiences carry. The literature has demonstrated that the perception of warmth activates concepts related to positive meaning and metaphors, such as consideration and gentleness, which increase individuals’ tendency to help or relate to others. This study hypothesized that warm olfactory stimuli influence intention toward prosocial behavior by increasing the need for social connectedness (NSC). The first experiment (n = 123) demonstrated that the actual warm scent increased participants’ intentions for prosocial behavior and that the effect of the actual warm scent was mediated by NSC. Using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a second experiment (n = 995) was conducted the showed that warm scent simulated via visual stimuli (i.e., a multimodal approach) led to prosocial behavior intention as well. The results of the study provide academic and managerial insights into how to improve prosocial behavior intention, which is essential for the sustainable development of societies.
Status of Value Management Implementation in Small and Medium Construction Projects in Malaysia
Authors: Lin Xiaobin , Mazlan Ain Naadia , Ismail Syuhaida , Durdyev Serdar
Published: May 2022

Value management (VM) should be implemented in construction projects to achieve the best value-for-money for clients, irrespective of project size. However, its regular implementation in Malaysia appears mostly in large projects driven by legislation. Negligence was therefore aroused towards implementing VM for smaller projects and the specific status remains ambiguous to date. This paper aims to investigate the current status of VM implementation in small and medium construction projects in Malaysia with a view to exploring the challenges and measures in improving the status. A total of 162 construction organizations directly involved in small and medium projects were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The findings revealed that the execution of VM by organizations for smaller construction projects is relatively low and significantly subject to project size regardless of project type. Practitioners’ levels of frequency and awareness towards implementing VM in small and medium construction projects remain low and unsatisfactory. Also, VM implementation in smaller projects was found significantly correlated with the experience of organizations and practitioners. Challenges and measures in ameliorating the observed status were explored. The findings contribute to a clear understanding of VM in small and medium construction projects in Malaysia and call for more attention from both academia and industry on VM for smaller sizes of projects.
Organization Synchronization in Response to Complex Project Delays: Network-Based Analysis
Authors: Yang Lin , Hu Xinran , Zhao Xianbo
Published: May 2022

In response to frequent complex project delays, organization synchronization, a set of interactions, is a dynamic behavior that helps to restore the stability of complex projects after delays. However, few studies have figured out how organizations synchronize effectively in order to deal with delay issues. To solve this problem, this study first provides a preliminary list of CDFs and indices of organization interactions are also given. A total of 15 key CDFs and 10 interaction ways were refined according to a questionnaire survey. In addition, the complex network synchronization (CNS) theory was adopted to analyze the synchronizability and importance of nodes by comprehensively using multiple parameters. A complex metro project with 51 project organizations was used as a case study and we found that specific signal organizations synchronized through three effective interaction ways (meetings, discussion and study, and the Internet) to cope with six CDFs (safety accidents, prominent problems of land expropriation, unreasonable timelines by clients, improper construction designs, delayed payments, and high financial risks). This study contributes to defining organization synchronization, providing a feasible research framework for assessing network synchronizability and identifying signal organizations in complex projects, and guiding practitioners to effectively cope with delays by interactions between signal organizations.
Correction: Parashar et al. Patient-Derived Ovarian Cancer Spheroids Rely on PI3K-AKT Signaling Addiction for Cancer Stemness and Chemoresistance. Cancers 2022, 14, 958
Authors: Parashar Deepak , Geethadevi Anjali , Mittal Sonam , McAlarnen Lindsey A. , George Jasmine , Kadamberi Ishaque P. , Gupta Prachi , Uyar Denise S. , Hopp Elizabeth E. , Drendel Holli , Bishop Erin A. , Bradley William H. , Bone Kathleen M. , Rader Janet S. , Pradeep Sunila , Chaluvally-Raghavan Pradeep
Published: May 2022

The authors would like to correct the author byline to include Dr [...]
Medical Resource Use and Medical Costs for Radiotherapy-Related Adverse Effects: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chen Yi Hsuan , Molenaar Dominique , Uyl-de Groot Carin A. , van Vulpen Marco , Blommestein Hedwig M.
Published: May 2022

Background: Despite the need for a proper economic evaluation of new radiotherapies, the economic burden of radiotherapy-induced adverse effects remains unclear. A systematic review has been conducted to identify the existing evidence of healthcare resource use and costs related to radiotherapy-induced adverse effects and also to provide recommendations for including this evidence in economic evaluations. Methods: This systematic review of healthcare resource use and/or medical costs related to radiotherapy-induced adverse effects was performed up until 2020, focusing on patients with head and neck cancer, brain cancer, prostate cancer, eye cancer and breast cancer. Results: Resource use for treating the same adverse effects varied considerably across studies; for instance, the cost for mucositis ranged from USD 2949 to USD 17,244. This broad range could be related to differences in (1) severity of adverse effects in the study population, (2) study design, (3) cost estimation approach and (4) country and clinical practice. Conclusions: Our findings revealed unignorable differences for the same adverse effects, which implied that the potential for the economic burden of adverse effects was being overestimated or underestimated in economic evaluation for radiotherapy.
Distinct Gene Expression Profiles of Matched Primary and Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancers
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Chandrashekar Darshan S. , Varga Zsuzsanna , Sobottka Bettina , Janssen Emiel , Kowalski Jeanne , Kiraz Umay , Varambally Sooryanarayana , Aneja Ritu
Published: May 2022

Background: Although triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with an increased risk of recurrence and metastasis, the molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis in TNBC remain unknown. To identify transcriptional changes and genes regulating metastatic progression in TNBC, we compared the transcriptomic profiles of primary and matched metastatic tumors using massively parallel RNA sequencing. Methods: We performed gene expression profiling using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) TNBC tissues of patients from two cohorts: the Zurich cohort (n = 31) and the Stavanger cohort (n = 5). Among the 31 patients in the Zurich cohort, 18 had primary TNBC tumors that did not metastasize, and 13 had primary tumors that metastasized (11 paired primary and locoregional recurrences). The Stavanger cohort included five matched primary and metastatic TNBC tumors. Significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs; absolute fold change ≥2, p < 0.05) were identified and subjected to functional analyses. We investigated if there was any overlap between DEGs from both the cohorts with epithelial-to-mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transition (EMAT) gene signature. xCell was used to estimate relative fractions of 64 immune and stromal cell types in each RNA-seq sample. Results: In the Zurich cohort, we identified 1624 DEGs between primary TNBC tumors and matched metastatic lesions. xCell analysis revealed a significantly higher immune scores for metastatic lesions compared to paired primary tumors in the Zurich cohort. We also found significant upregulation of three MammaPrint signature genes (HRASLS, TGFB3 and RASSF7) in primary tumors that metastasized compared to primary tumors that remained metastasis-free. In the Stavanger cohort, we identified 818 DEGs between primary tumors and matched metastatic lesions. No significant differences in xCell immune scores were observed. We found that 21 and 14 DEGs from Zurich and Stavanger cohort, respectively, overlapped with the EMAT gene signature. In both cohorts, genes belonging to the MMP, FGF, and PDGFR families were upregulated in primary tumors compared to matched metastatic lesions. Conclusions: Our results suggest that distinct gene expression patterns exist between primary TNBCs and matched metastatic tumors. Further studies are warranted to explore whether these discrete expression profiles underlie or result from disease status.
Current Standards in the Management of Early and Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Update on the Benefit of Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant Strategies
Authors: Zhou Yuedan , Rassy Elie , Coutte Alexandre , Achkar Samir , Espenel Sophie , Genestie Catherine , Pautier Patricia , Morice Philippe , Gouy Sébastien , Chargari Cyrus
Published: May 2022

Globally, cervical cancers continue to be one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. The primary treatment of patients with early-stage disease includes surgery or radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. The main challenge in treating these patients is to maintain a curative approach and limit treatment-related morbidity. Traditionally, inoperable patients are treated with radiation therapy solely and operable patients undergo upfront surgery followed by adjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy in cases with poor histopathological prognostic features. Patients with locally advanced cervical cancers are treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by an image-guided brachytherapy boost. In these patients, the main pattern of failure is distant relapse, encouraging intensification of systemic treatments to improve disease control. Ongoing trials are evaluating immunotherapy in locally advanced tumours following its encouraging efficacy reported in the recurrent and metastatic settings. In this article, clinical evidence of neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatments in cervical cancer patients is reviewed, with a focus on potential strategies to improve patients’ outcome and minimize treatment-related morbidity.
Evolution of Medical Approaches and Prominent Therapies in Breast Cancer
Authors: Duan Suzann , Buxton Iain L. O.
Published: May 2022

An examination of the origins of medical approaches to breast cancer marks this disease as one of the most difficult to manage. As the early identification, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer evolve, we will move to a time when each patient and their cancer can be assessed to determine unique patient-specific (personalized) approaches to therapy. Humans have attempted to manage breast cancer for millennia. Even today, the disease claims thousands of lives each year. In light of the increasingly sophisticated understanding of cancer diagnosis and treatment, together with our ultimate failure to offer a cure in the most difficult cases, it is instructive to reflect on the beginnings of our understanding.
BRCA-Mutated Pancreatic Cancer: From Discovery to Novel Treatment Paradigms
Authors: Devico Marciano Naomie , Kroening Gianna , Dayyani Farshid , Zell Jason , Lee Fa-Chyi , Cho May , Valerin Jennifer
Published: May 2022

The discovery of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the 1990s revolutionized the way we research and treat breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. In the case of pancreatic cancers, germline mutations occur in about 10–20% of patients, with mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 being the most common. BRCA genes are critical in DNA repair pathways, particularly in homologous recombination, which has a serious impact on genomic stability and can contribute to cancerous cell proliferation. However, BRCA1 also plays a fundamental role in cell cycle checkpoint control, ubiquitination, control of gene expression, and chromatin remodeling, while BRCA2 also plays a role in transcription and immune system response. Therefore, mutations in these genes lead to multiple defects in cells that may be utilized when treating cancer. BRCA mutations seem to confer a prognostic benefit with an improved overall survival due to differing underlying biology. These mutations also appear to be a predictive marker, with patients showing increased sensitivity to certain treatments, such as platinum chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors. Olaparib is currently indicated for maintenance therapy in metastatic PDAC after induction with platinum-based chemotherapy. Resistance has been found to these therapies, and with a 10.8% five-year OS, novel therapies are desperately needed.
Clinical Application of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Tests for Diffuse Gliomas
Authors: Omura Takaki , Takahashi Masamichi , Ohno Makoto , Miyakita Yasuji , Yanagisawa Shunsuke , Tamura Yukie , Kikuchi Miyu , Kawauchi Daisuke , Nakano Tomoyuki , Hosoya Tomohiro , Igaki Hiroshi , Satomi Kaishi , Yoshida Akihiko , Sunami Kuniko , Hirata Makoto , Shimoi Tatsunori , Sudo Kazuki , Okuma Hitomi S. , Yonemori Kan , Suzuki Hiromichi , Ichimura Koichi , Narita Yoshitaka
Published: May 2022

Next-generation sequencing-based comprehensive genomic profiling test (CGPT) enables clinicians and patients to access promising molecularly targeted therapeutic agents. Approximately 10% of patients who undergo CGPT receive an appropriate agent. However, its coverage of glioma patients is seldom reported. The aim of this study was to reveal the comprehensive results of CGPT in glioma patients in our institution, especially the clinical actionability. We analyzed the genomic aberrations, tumor mutation burden scores, and microsatellite instability status. The Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) individually recommended a therapeutic agent and suggested further confirmation of germline mutations after considering the results. The results of 65/104 patients with glioma who underwent CGPTs were reviewed by MTB. Among them, 12 (18.5%) could access at least one therapeutic agent, and 5 (7.7%) were suspected of germline mutations. A total of 49 patients with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma showed frequent genomic aberrations in the following genes: TERT promoter (67%), CDKN2A (57%), CDKN2B (51%), MTAP (41%), TP53 (35%), EGFR (31%), PTEN (31%), NF1 (18%), BRAF (12%), PDGFRA (12%), CDK4 (10%), and PIK3CA (10%). Since glioma patients currently have very limited standard treatment options and a high recurrence rate, CGPT might be a facilitative tool for glioma patients in terms of clinical actionability and diagnostic value.
Designing the Surface Chemistry of Inorganic Nanocrystals for Cancer Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Delille Fanny , Pu Yuzhou , Lequeux Nicolas , Pons Thomas
Published: May 2022

Inorganic nanocrystals, such as gold, iron oxide and semiconductor quantum dots, offer promising prospects for cancer diagnostics, imaging and therapy, due to their specific plasmonic, magnetic or fluorescent properties. The organic coating, or surface ligands, of these nanoparticles ensures their colloidal stability in complex biological fluids and enables their functionalization with targeting functions. It also controls the interactions of the nanoparticle with biomolecules in their environment. It therefore plays a crucial role in determining nanoparticle biodistribution and, ultimately, the imaging or therapeutic efficiency. This review summarizes the various strategies used to develop optimal surface chemistries for the in vivo preclinical and clinical application of inorganic nanocrystals. It discusses the current understanding of the influence of the nanoparticle surface chemistry on its colloidal stability, interaction with proteins, biodistribution and tumor uptake, and the requirements to develop an optimal surface chemistry.
Parkinson’s Disease-Specific Autoantibodies against the Neuroprotective Co-Chaperone STIP1
Authors: Tan Jolene Su Yi , Lee Bernett , Lim Jackwee , Ma Dong Rui , Goh Jia Xin , Goh Suh Yee , Gulam Muhammad Yaaseen , Koh Ser Mei , Lee Weiling Wendy , Feng Lei , Wang Qing , Chao Yinxia , Rötzschke Olaf , Tan Eng King
Published: May 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating movement disorder characterised by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. As neuroprotective agents mitigating the rate of neurodegeneration are unavailable, the current therapies largely focus only on symptomatic relief. Here, we identified stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1) as a putative neuroprotective factor targeted by PD-specific autoantibodies. STIP1 is a co-chaperone with reported neuroprotective capacities in mouse Alzheimer’s disease and stroke models. With human dopaminergic neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, STIP1 was found to alleviate staurosporine-induced neurotoxicity. A case-control study involving 50 PD patients (average age = 62.94 ± 8.48, Hoehn and Yahr >2 = 55%) and 50 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) (average age = 63.1 ± 8) further revealed high levels of STIP1 autoantibodies in 20% of PD patients compared to 10% of HCs. Using an overlapping peptide library covering the STIP1 protein, we identified four PD-specific B cell epitopes that were not recognised in HCs. All of these epitopes were located within regions crucial for STIP1’s chaperone function or prion protein association. Our clinical and neuro-immunological studies highlight the potential of the STIP1 co-chaperone as an endogenous neuroprotective agent in PD and suggest the possible involvement of autoimmune mechanisms via the production of autoantibodies in a subset of individuals.
Concomitant Retinal Alterations in Neuronal Activity and TNFα Pathway Are Detectable during the Pre-Symptomatic Stage in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Dinet Virginie , Arouche-Delaperche Louiza , Dégardin Julie , Naud Marie-Christine , Picaud Serge , Krantic Slavica
Published: May 2022

The pre-symptomatic stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with increased amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor protein (APP) processing and Aβ accumulation in the retina and hippocampus. Because neuronal dysfunctions are among the earliest AD-related alterations, we asked whether they are already detectable in the retina during the pre-symptomatic stage in a APPswePS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mouse model. The age chosen for the study (3–4 months) corresponds to the pre-symptomatic stage because no retinal Aβ was detected, in spite of the presence of βCTF (the first cleavage product of APP). We observed an increase in ERG amplitudes in APP/PS1 mice in comparison to the controls, which indicated an increased retinal neuron activity. These functional changes coincided with an increased expression of retinal TNFα and its receptors type-1 (TNFR1). Consistently, the IkB expression increased in APP/PS1 mice with a greater proportion of the phosphorylated protein (P-IkB) over total IkB, pointing to the putative involvement of the NFkB pathway. Because TNFα plays a crucial role in the control of neuronal excitability, it is likely that, as in the hippocampus, TNFα signaling via the TNFR1/NFkB pathway may be also involved in early, AD-associated, retinal neuron hyperexcitability. These results further demonstrate the interest of the retina for early disease detection with a potential to assess future therapeutic strategies.
Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots Enhance the Radiosensitivity of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells through Inhibition of DNA-PKcs Kinase
Authors: Lang Yue , Tian Xin , Dong Hai-Yue , Zhang Xiang-Xiang , Yu Lan , Li Ming , Gu Meng-Meng , Gao Dexuan , Shang Zeng-Fu
Published: May 2022

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most aggressive urological malignancies and has a poor prognosis, especially in patients with metastasis. Although RCC is traditionally considered to be radioresistant, radiotherapy (RT) is still a common treatment for palliative management of metastatic RCC. Novel approaches are urgently needed to overcome radioresistance of RCC. Black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) have recently received great attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and good biocompatibility. In the present study, we found that BPQDs enhance ionizing radiation (IR)-induced apoptotic cell death of RCC cells. BPQDs treatment significantly increases IR-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), as indicated by the neutral comet assay and the DSBs biomarkers γH2AX and 53BP1. Mechanistically, BPQDs can interact with purified DNA–protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and promote its kinase activity in vitro. BPQDs impair the autophosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at S2056, and this site phosphorylation is essential for efficient DNA DSBs repair and the release of DNA-PKcs from the damage sites. Consistent with this, BPQDs suppress nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair and lead to sustained high levels of autophosphorylated DNA-PKcs on the damaged sites. Moreover, animal experiments indicate that the combined approach with both BPQDs and IR displays better efficacy than monotreatment. These findings demonstrate that BPQDs have potential applications in radiosensitizing RCC cells.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Administration Amends Protein Acetylome of Aged Mouse Liver
Authors: Luo Chengting , Ding Wenxi , Zhu Songbiao , Chen Yuling , Liu Xiaohui , Deng Haiteng
Published: May 2022

It is known that the activities of nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacetylase decline in the aging mouse liver, and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)-mediated activation of deacetylase has been shown to increase healthspans. However, age-induced changes of the acetylomic landscape and effects of NMN treatment on protein acetylation have not been reported. Here, we performed immunoprecipitation coupled with label-free quantitative LC-MS/MS (IPMS) to identify the acetylome and investigate the effects of aging and NMN on liver protein acetylation. In total, 7773 acetylated peptides assigned to 1997 proteins were commonly identified from young and aged livers treated with vehicle or NMN. The major biological processes associated with proteins exhibiting increased acetylation from aged livers were oxidation-reduction and metabolic processes. Proteins with decreased acetylation from aged livers mostly participated in transport and translation processes. Furthermore, NMN treatment inhibited the aging-related increase of acetylation on proteins regulating fatty acid β oxidation, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and valine degradation. In particular, NAD (P) transhydrogenase (NNT) was markedly hyperacetylated at K70 in aged livers, and NMN treatment decreased acetylation intensity without altering protein levels. Acetylation at cytochrome 3a25 (Cyp3a25) at K141 was also greatly increased in aged livers, and NMN treatment totally arrested this increase. Our extensive identification and analysis provide novel insight and potential targets to combat aging and aging-related functional decline.
A Photocatalytic Hydrolysis and Degradation of Toxic Dyes by Using Plasmonic Metal–Semiconductor Heterostructures: A Review
Authors: Khanam Shomaila , Rout Sanjeeb Kumar
Published: May 2022

Converting solar energy to chemical energy through a photocatalytic reaction is an efficient technique for obtaining a clean and affordable source of energy. The main problem with solar photocatalysts is the recombination of charge carriers and the large band gap of the photocatalysts. The plasmonic noble metal coupled with a semiconductor can give a unique synergetic effect and has emerged as the leading material for the photocatalytic reaction. The LSPR generation by these kinds of materials has proved to be very efficient in the photocatalytic hydrolysis of the hydrogen-rich compound, photocatalytic water splitting, and photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. A noble metal coupled with a low bandgap semiconductor result in an ideal photocatalyst. Here, both the noble metal and semiconductor can absorb visible light. They tend to produce an electron–hole pair and prevent the recombination of the generated electron–hole pair, which ultimately reacts with the chemicals in the surrounding area, resulting in an enhanced photocatalytic reaction. The enhanced photocatalytic activity credit could be given to the shared effect of the strong SPR and the effective separation of photogenerated electrons and holes supported by noble metal particles. The study of plasmonic metal nanoparticles onto semiconductors has recently accelerated. It has emerged as a favourable technique to master the constraint of traditional photocatalysts and stimulate photocatalytic activity. This review work focuses on three main objectives: providing a brief explanation of plasmonic dynamics, understanding the synthesis procedure and examining the main features of the plasmonic metal nanostructure that dominate its photocatalytic activity, comparing the reported literature of some plasmonic photocatalysts on the hydrolysis of ammonia borane and dye water treatment, providing a detailed description of the four primary operations of the plasmonic energy transfer, and the study of prospects and future of plasmonic nanostructures.
Socioeconomic Position and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: A Systematic Review of Social Epidemiological Studies
Authors: Bendaoud Imene , Etindele Sosso Faustin Armel
Published: May 2022

The objectives of this empirical study are to describe and discuss the current literature available on the relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and the socioeconomic position (SEP) as well as to provide recommendations for consideration of SEP in sleep medicine and biomedical research. Databases Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Google scholar and Scopus were screened from January 1990 to December 2020 using PRISMA guidelines and 20 articles were included in the final synthesis. Nineteen studies were cross-sectional and one study was longitudinal. Among these studies, 25.00% (n = 5) are focused on children and adolescent and the remaining 75.00% (n = 15) focused on adults and seniors. Ages ranged from 8 to 18 years old for children/adolescent and ranged from 18 to 102 years old for adults. Main SEP measures presented in these studies were education, income, perceived socioeconomic status and employment. The sample size in these studies varied from N = 90 participants to N = 33,865 participants. Overall, a lower educational level, a lower income and full-time employment were associated with EDS. Symptoms of EDS are prevalent in women, especially those with a low income or no job; and children and adolescents with difficult living conditions or working part time reported more sleep disturbances. SEP is already considered as an important determinant for many health outcomes, but if SEP is embedded in the experimental design in psychosomatic research, biomedical research and clinical practice as a constant variable regardless of outcome; it will move forward future investigations.
Plasma Etching of SiO2 Contact Holes Using Hexafluoroisopropanol and C4F8
Authors: You Sanghyun , Lee Yu Jong , Chae Heeyeop , Kim Chang-Koo
Published: May 2022

This study presents the feasibility of the use of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as a substitute to perfluorocarbon (PFC) for the plasma etching of SiO2 to confront the continuous increase in demand for PFC emission reduction. SiO2 etching is conducted in HFIP/Ar and C4F8/Ar plasmas, respectively, and its characteristics are compared. The SiO2 etch rates in the HFIP/Ar plasma are higher compared with those in the C4F8/Ar plasma. The thickness of the steady-state fluorocarbon films formed on the surface of SiO2 are lower in the HFIP/Ar plasma compared with in the C4F8/Ar plasma. Higher SiO2 etch rates and thinner fluorocarbon films in the HFIP/Ar plasma are attributed to the oxygen atoms in HFIP, which generate oxygen radicals that react with the fluorocarbon films to turn into volatile products. Due to the higher dissociation of C-F bonds in CF4 compared with in HFIP, the etch rates of SiO2 in the C4F8/Ar plasma increase more rapidly with the magnitude of the bias voltage compared with those in the HFIP/Ar plasma. The etch profiles of the 200 nm diameter SiO2 contact holes with an aspect ratio of 12 show that fairly anisotropic SiO2 contact hole etching was achieved successfully using the HFIP/Ar plasma.
Wear Resistance Mechanism of Sub-Nano Cu3P Phase Enhanced the Cu-Pb-Sn Alloy
Authors: Ren Xiaoyan , Zhang Guowei , Xu Hong , Wang Zhaojie , Liu Yijun
Published: May 2022

High Cu-Pb-Sn, as the material for bimetallic cylinder block, is widely used in the selection of wear-resistant parts due to its excellent wear reduction, thermal conductivity, fatigue resistance, and strong bearing capacity, such as bearings and bearing bushes, aerospace pump rotor, turbine and guide plate, etc. However, because its wear resistance is not enough to meet the harsh conditions of high temperature, high speed, and heavy load, the research on high wear resistance Cu-Pb-Sn materials has important theoretical significance and application value for the application of bimetallic materials. ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy was taken as the research object to analyze the influence mechanism of its different microstructure and mechanical properties on the friction and wear properties of alloy materials. Friction experiments under two conditions of oil lubrication and dry friction were carried out on the MMW-1A pin-on-disc friction and wear testing machine. The wear resistance and wear mechanism of ZCuPb20Sn5alloy under the action of Cu3P were discussed, and a high wear-resistant Cu-Pb-Sn alloy for bimetal cylinder block was prepared. The results show that with the increase of P content, both the friction coefficient and wear rate decrease, and the wear reduction of ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy increases. Under oil lubrication conditions, the friction coefficient decreases by 21.4% and the wear rate decreases by 85.5% compared with that without adding P. The friction-reducing and wear-resistant properties of ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy materials are increased. In dry friction and oil lubrication, the mass wear amount of ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy material decreases with the increase of P element addition, and the change rule of alloy wear amount is consistent under the two methods. In the process of friction and wear, adhesive wear occurs, and the wear amount of the alloy material increases. With the increase of P content, the lead particles are refined and evenly distributed, which promotes the formation of a uniform self-lubricating lead film during the friction process and reduces the degree of adhesive wear. The appearance of Cu3P reduces the contact area of the friction surface and weakens the adhesive wear, so the wear rate is reduced.
Preparation of Ti-Al-Si Gradient Coating Based on Silicon Concentration Gradient and Added-Ce
Authors: Wang Zihan , Li Faguo , Hu Xiaoyuan , He Wei , Liu Zhan , Tan Yao
Published: May 2022

Titanium and titanium alloys have excellent physical properties and process properties and are widely used in the aviation industry, but their high-temperature oxidation resistance is poor, and there is a thermal barrier temperature of 600 °C, which limits their application as high-temperature components. The Self-generated Gradient Hot-dipping Infiltration (SGHDI) method is used to prepare the Ti-Al-Si gradient coating based on the silicon concentration with a compact Ti(Al,Si)3 phase layer, which can effectively improve the high-temperature oxidation resistance of the titanium alloy. Adding cerium can effectively inhibit the generation of the τ2: Ti(AlxSi1−x)2 phase within a certain hot infiltration time so as to form a continuous dense Al2O3 layer to further improve the oxidation resistance of the coating. Studies have found that multiple Ti-Al binary alloy phase layers are formed during the high-temperature oxidation process, which has the effect of isolating oxygen and crack growth, and effectively improving the high-temperature resistance of the coating oxidation performance.
Research on the Friction and Wear Properties of Dents Textured Rolling Element Bearings under Dry Wear
Authors: Sun Shaoni , Long Risheng , Jin Zhihao , Zhang Yimin , Ju Zichen , Du Xuanying
Published: May 2022

To explore the effect of dents on the tribological behavior of the “washers-cage-rollers” system of rolling element bearings (REBs), the friction and wear properties of dents textured thrust cylindrical roller bearings (81107TN) with different diameters of dents (DAOD, 200, 250, 300 μm), depth of dents (DPOD, 4, 8, 12 μm) as well as circumferential interval angle (CFIA, 1.5°, 2.0°, 2.5°) were researched under dry wear. The surface stresses of REBs and the influence mechanism of dents were also compared and discussed. The results show that: due to the nylon film formed and left on the raceways, the coefficients of friction (COFs) of dents textured bearings are all higher than the average COF of smooth ones, while their wear losses may become higher or lower, depending on the combination of pattern parameters. The influence of the DPOD on the tribological performance of textured bearings is more significant than that of the DAOD. The results show that, when the DAOD and DPOD are 250 and 8 μm, respectively, compared with the smooth ones, the mass losses of bearings can be reduced by up to 49.22% under dry wear, which would be an important reference for the optimal design of the “washers-cage-rollers” system of REBs.
Synthesis and Characterization of Boron Thin Films Using Chemical and Physical Vapor Depositions
Authors: Schurink Bart , van den Beld Wesley T. E. , Tiggelaar Roald M. , van de Kruijs Robbert W. E. , Bijkerk Fred
Published: May 2022

Boron as thin film material is of relevance for use in modern micro- and nano-fabrication technology. In this research boron thin films are realized by a number of physical and chemical deposition methods, including magnetron sputtering, electron-beam evaporation, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD), thermal/non-plasma CVD, remote plasma CVD and atmospheric pressure CVD. Various physical, mechanical and chemical characteristics of these boron thin films are investigated, i.e., deposition rate, uniformity, roughness, stress, composition, defectivity and chemical resistance. Boron films realized by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) are found to be inert for conventional wet chemical etchants and have the lowest amount of defects, which makes this the best candidate to be integrated into the micro-fabrication processes. By varying the deposition parameters in the PECVD process, the influences of plasma power, pressure and precursor inflow on the deposition rate and intrinsic stress are further explored. Utilization of PECVD boron films as hard mask for wet etching is demonstrated by means of patterning followed by selective structuring of the silicon substrate, which shows that PECVD boron thin films can be successfully applied for micro-fabrication.
Comparison of Statistical and Machine-Learning Models on Road Traffic Accident Severity Classification
Authors: Infante Paulo , Jacinto Gonçalo , Afonso Anabela , Rego Leonor , Nogueira Vitor , Quaresma Paulo , Saias José , Santos Daniel , Nogueira Pedro , Silva Marcelo , Costa Rosalina Pisco , Gois Patrícia , Manuel Paulo Rebelo
Published: May 2022

Portugal has the sixth highest road fatality rate among European Union members. This is a problem of different dimensions with serious consequences in people’s lives. This study analyses daily data from police and government authorities on road traffic accidents that occurred between 2016 and 2019 in a district of Portugal. This paper looks for the determinants that contribute to the existence of victims in road traffic accidents, as well as the determinants for fatalities and/or serious injuries in accidents with victims. We use logistic regression models, and the results are compared to the machine-learning model results. For the severity model, where the response variable indicates whether only property damage or casualties resulted in the traffic accident, we used a large sample with a small imbalance. For the serious injuries model, where the response variable indicates whether or not there were victims with serious injuries and/or fatalities in the traffic accident with victims, we used a small sample with very imbalanced data. Empirical analysis supports the conclusion that, with a small sample of imbalanced data, machine-learning models generally do not perform better than statistical models; however, they perform similarly when the sample is large and has a small imbalance.
Anti-Wrinkle Effect of BB-1000: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Lee Sang-Wang , Sin Hong-Sig , Hurh Joon , Kim Seon-Young
Published: May 2022

Skin aging usually results from intrinsic or extrinsic stress. Photodamage promotes skin damage and stimulates the skin, manifesting as wrinkles, dryness, roughness, and loss of elasticity. We have previously found that blackberry (Rubus fruticosus B) fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum JBMI F5, designated BB-1000, showed an in vitro and in vivo anti-skin-aging activity. In the present study, we have further evaluated the anti-aging effect of BB-1000 via a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. The trial included 102 volunteers aged 35 to 59 years who have dry skin and wrinkles. Subjects took BB-1000 or a placebo orally at 800 mg/day for 12 weeks. Skin hydration and degree of wrinkles around the eyes were measured at weeks 6 and 12. Skin hydration had no significant effect in both groups at weeks 6 and 12. Otherwise, volunteers in the BB-1000 group had a significant reduction in eye wrinkle grade at week 12. These findings suggest that BB-1000 may be considered a candidate anti-aging agent for preventing skin wrinkles as a nutricosmetic agent.
A Biosensor Based on Bound States in the Continuum and Fano Resonances in a Solid–Liquid–Solid Triple Layer
Authors: Quotane Ilyasse , Amrani Madiha , Ghouila-Houri Cecile , El Boudouti El Houssaine , Krutyansky Leonid , Piwakowski Bogdan , Pernod Philippe , Talbi Abdelkrim , Djafari-Rouhani Bahram
Published: May 2022

We propose a simple solid–liquid–solid triple layer biosensor platform based on bound states in the continuum (BICs) and Fano resonances to detect the acoustic properties of liquids and apply the method to a mixture of water and albumin with various concentrations. The solid–liquid–solid triple layer is composed of an epoxy as a solid layer and an albumin–water mixture as a liquid layer, and the entire system is immersed in water. In this work, we show that the structure exhibits a high sensitivity (S), quality factor (Q), and figure of merit (FOM) with a better detection limit (DL) in the vicinity of the BICs where the transmission spectra exhibit Fano resonances. The Fano resonances shift towards high frequencies as the concentration increases. The detection limit can reach very small values for a small albumin concentration (4.7%). In addition, for a given concentration and layer thickness of the sensing material, we show the effect of the incidence angle on the efficiency of the sensor in terms of the sensitivity and quality factor. The proposed structure can be designed from low-cost material and can be used as a sensor to detect different types of liquids and gases as well.
Effect of Hollow Body Material on Mechanical Properties of Bubble Concrete
Authors: Yan Xiangdong , Chen Pei-Shan , Liu Baoxin , Mohammed Bashar S. , Jin Jialiang
Published: May 2022

The bubble concrete (BC) produced by mixing high-strength hollow bodies into concrete has been proven to be effective in reducing density while maintaining strength. It has been verified that the position distribution of hollow bodies inside hardened BC significantly affects the compressive strength of the BC. However, the effect of hollow body material on the strength of BC has not yet been established. In the present paper, through concrete compression experiments and the nonlinear finite element analysis (F.E.A.), a comparative study of BC with three different hollow bodies—steel spheres, sand bonded stainless steel spheres, and ceramic spheres—has been carried out. The results show that the difference in elastic modulus of hollow bodies and concrete is the primary reason for the inhomogeneous stress distribution inside the concrete. The interface between the hollow body and hardened concrete could be increased using epoxy resin, thus enhancing the compressive strength of BC specimens by 26.6% compared to control concrete. The ceramic material is tightly integrated with the concrete, but as a brittle material, the ceramic cannot sustain colossal stress and subsequently breaks down.
Early Development of the Endemic Delminichthys krbavensis (Leuciscidae, Cypriniformes) from a Karstic Field in Croatia
Authors: Marčić Zoran , Jerković Ana , Ćaleta Marko , Buj Ivana , Zanella Davor , Horvatić Sven , Mustafić Perica
Published: May 2022

This is the first report of the early development for the endemic Krbava minnow Delminichthys krbavensis from a karstic field in Croatia, and the first report of any species of the genus Delminichthys. The description is based on basic morphometric measures and meristic counts during a 48-day observation of embryos and larvae acquired from successful spawning and rearing in an aquarium. The mean total length of larvae at the time of hatching was 3.12 mm. Mouth opening and independent feeding and intestinal function were observed after day 11 post-hatching (PH) at which time the yolk sac was completely absorbed in all individuals. Flexion of the urostyle began after day 18 PH and was completed by day 23 PH. Pectoral fins developed on day 7 PH, pelvic fins begin to develop by day 44 PH and the formation of caudal, dorsal and anal fin was complete by day 48 PH, when individuals presented the full set of soft rays. Understanding its early development is particularly valuable in assessing the environmental impacts on this endangered species and is essential for its effective monitoring and conservation.
Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes in preCOVID-19 and COVID-19 Years and Its Impact on Pregnancy: A 5-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Chelu Sorina , Bernad Elena , Craina Marius , Neamtu Radu , Mocanu Adelina Geanina , Vernic Corina , Chiriac Veronica Daniela , Tomescu Larisa , Borza Claudia
Published: May 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects a total of 3% to 9% of all pregnancies. It has a high impact on both mother and baby, increases the perinatal risks, and predicts the presence of long-term chronic metabolic complications. The aim of our study is to determine the incidence of GDM in tertiary hospitals in the west part of Romania to lay out the risk factors associated with GDM and to observe the evolution of pregnancy among patients with this pathology by emphasizing the state of birth of the fetus, the birth weight, and the way of birth. We also want to compare the prevalence of GDM in preCOVID-19 (Coronavirus disease) versus COVID-19 years. The study took place between January 2017 and December 2021 at the Municipal Emergency Hospital of Timisoara, Romania. The proportion of births with GDM was significantly increased during the COVID-19 period compared to the preCOVID-19 period (chi2 Fisher exact test, p < 0.001). The period 2020–2021 represents a significant risk factor for GDM births (OR = 1.87, with 95% CI = [1.30, 2.67]). COVID years represent a risk period for developing gestational diabetes, which can be explained by reduced physical activity, anxiety, or modified dietary habits, even if the follow-up period was not impacted.
Etiology and Treatment of Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Dehiscences: A Narrative Review
Authors: Kaddas Charalampos , Papamanoli Eirini , Bobetsis Yiorgos A.
Published: May 2022

Implant soft tissue dehiscences compromise not only the aesthetics of the supported restorations but implant survival in the long run. The aim of this narrative review was to briefly present the causative factors of buccal peri-implant soft tissue dehiscences (PSTDs), how these are classified, and the current therapeutic approaches. Implant malposition and the thin peri-implant phenotype are the two major determinants for the occurrence of PSTDs, but other risk factors have also been identified. The most common surgical procedure for treating PSTDs is the split-thickness coronally advanced flap combined with either a connective tissue graft or acellular dermal matrix materials. However, depending on the class and subtype of the dehiscence, the combination of surgical techniques with modifications in the restoration may further ameliorate the final result. In general, within a five-year follow-up period, most techniques lead to a satisfactory aesthetic result, although full coverage of the implant/abutment surface is not always achievable, especially in more extended lesions.
A Local Optima Network View of Real Function Fitness Landscapes
Authors: Tomassini Marco
Published: May 2022

The local optima network model has proved useful in the past in connection with combinatorial optimization problems. Here we examine its extension to the real continuous function domain. Through a sampling process, the model builds a weighted directed graph which captures the function’s minima basin structure and its interconnection and which can be easily manipulated with the help of complex networks metrics. We show that the model provides a complementary view of function spaces that is easier to analyze and visualize, especially at higher dimensions. In particular, we show that function hardness as represented by algorithm performance is strongly related to several graph properties of the corresponding local optima network, opening the way for a classification of problem difficulty according to the corresponding graph structure and with possible extensions in the design of better metaheuristic approaches.