bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MobileSkin: Classification of Skin Lesion Images Acquired Using Mobile Phone-Attached Hand-Held Dermoscopes
Authors: Yilmaz Abdurrahim , Gencoglan Gulsum , Varol Rahmetullah , Demircali Ali Anil , Keshavarz Meysam , Uvet Huseyin
Published: August 2022

Dermoscopy is the visual examination of the skin under a polarized or non-polarized light source. By using dermoscopic equipment, many lesion patterns that are invisible under visible light can be clearly distinguished. Thus, more accurate decisions can be made regarding the treatment of skin lesions. The use of images collected from a dermoscope has both increased the performance of human examiners and allowed the development of deep learning models. The availability of large-scale dermoscopic datasets has allowed the development of deep learning models that can classify skin lesions with high accuracy. However, most dermoscopic datasets contain images that were collected from digital dermoscopic devices, as these devices are frequently used for clinical examination. However, dermatologists also often use non-digital hand-held (optomechanical) dermoscopes. This study presents a dataset consisting of dermoscopic images taken using a mobile phone-attached hand-held dermoscope. Four deep learning models based on the MobileNetV1, MobileNetV2, NASNetMobile, and Xception architectures have been developed to classify eight different lesion types using this dataset. The number of images in the dataset was increased with different data augmentation methods. The models were initialized with weights that were pre-trained on the ImageNet dataset, and then they were further fine-tuned using the presented dataset. The most successful models on the unseen test data, MobileNetV2 and Xception, had performances of 89.18% and 89.64%. The results were evaluated with the 5-fold cross-validation method and compared. Our method allows for automated examination of dermoscopic images taken with mobile phone-attached hand-held dermoscopes.
Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Contrast Media-Induced Adverse Drug Reaction’s Reporting? A Pharmacovigilance Study in Southern Italy
Authors: Rossi Claudia , Ruggiero Rosanna , Sportiello Liberata , Pentella Ciro , Gaio Mario , Pinto Antonio , Rafaniello Concetta
Published: August 2022

Medical imaging is required for a complete clinical evaluation to identify lung involvement or pulmonary embolism during SARS-CoV-2 infection or pulmonary and cardiovascular sequelae. Contrast media (CM) have undoubtedly been useful in clinical practice due to their ability to improve medical imaging in COVID-19 patients. Considering their important use, especially in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and that increased use of a medical tool could also be associated with its deeper knowledge, we chose to explore if new information emerged regarding CM safety profiles. We analyzed all Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) validated by Campania Pharmacovigilance Regional Centre from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021 and reported a CM (ATC code V08) as a suspected drug. We compared CM-related reporting between 2 years before (period 1) and 2 years during (period 2) the COVID-19 pandemic. From our analysis, it emerged that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, CM-related ADR reporting decreased, but a significant increase in reporting of serious cases emerged. Serious ADRs were mainly related to iodinated CM (V08A ATC) compared to magnetic resonance imaging CM (V08C ATC). Cutaneous and respiratory disorders were the most frequently reported in both periods. No new or unknown ADRs were reported in the overall study period.
Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia Are Associated with In-Hospital Mortality among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Son Kuk Hui , Kim Woong-Han , Kwak Jae Gun , Choi Chang-Hyu , Lee Seok In , Ko Ui Won , Kim Hyoung Soo , Lee Haeyoung , Chung Euy Suk , Kim Jae-Bum , Jang Woo Sung , Jung Jae Seung , Kim Jieon , Yoon Young Kyung , Song Seunghwan , Sung Minji , Jang Myung Hun , Kim Young Sam , Jeong In-Seok , Kim Do Wan , Kim Tae Yun , Kim Soon Jin , Kim Su Wan , Hong Joonhwa , An Hyungmi ,   on behalf of The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery COVID-19 ECMO Task Force Team
Published: August 2022

Metabolic abnormalities, such as preexisting diabetes or hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia during hospitalization aggravated the severity of COVID-19. We evaluated whether diabetes history, hyperglycemia before and during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, and hypoglycemia were risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19. This study included data on 195 patients with COVID-19, who were aged ≥19 years and were treated with ECMO. The proportion of patients with diabetes history among nonsurvivors was higher than that among survivors. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that in-hospital mortality after ECMO support was associated with diabetes history, renal replacement therapy (RRT), and body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2. Glucose at admission >200 mg/dL and glucose levels before ventilator >200 mg/dL were not associated with in-hospital mortality. However, glucose levels before ECMO >200 mg/dL and minimal glucose levels during hospitalization <70 mg/dL were associated with in-hospital mortality. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that glucose >200 mg/dL before ECMO and minimal glucose <70 mg/dL during hospitalization remained risk factors for in-hospital mortality after adjustment for age, BMI, and RRT. In conclusion, glucose >200 mg/dL before ECMO and minimal glucose level <70 mg/dL during hospitalization were risk factors for in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients who underwent ECMO.
Hand Motor Fatigability Induced by a Simple Isometric Task in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Onate-Figuérez Ana , Soto-León Vanesa , Avendaño-Coy Juan , Mordillo-Mateos Laura , Pérez-Borrego Yolanda A. , Redondo-Galán Carolina , Arias Pablo , Oliviero Antonio
Published: August 2022

This study aimed: (1) to evaluate the hand motor fatigability in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and compare it with measurements obtained form an able-bodied population; (2) to compare the hand motor fatigability in people with tetraplegia and in people with paraplegia; and (3) to analyse if motor fatigability is different in people with SCI with and without clinical significant perceived fatigability. Materials and Methods: 96 participants with SCI (40 cervical and 56 thoracolumbar) and 63 able-bodied controls performed a simple hand isometric task to assess motor fatigability. The Fatigue Severity Scale was used for perceived fatigability evaluation. Results: The main results of this study can be summarized as follows: (1) the waning in muscle force (motor fatigability) during a fatiguing task is similar in controls and participants with SCI; (2) the motor fatigability is influenced by the maximal muscle force (measured at the beginning of the task); and (3) the perceived fatigability and the motor fatigability are largely independent in the individuals with SCI. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the capability to maintain a prolonged effort is preserved in SCI, and this capacity depends on the residual maximal muscle force in people with SCI.
Editorial of Special Issue “Embolization Techniques: State of the Art and Future Perspectives”
Authors: Venturini Massimo , Piacentino Filippo , Coppola Andrea , Fontana Federico
Published: August 2022

Embolization is one of the most important applications in interventional radiology which can be mainly performed using an endovascular approach [...]
Risk Factors for Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Population-Based Amish Eye Study
Authors: Nittala Muneeswar G. , Corvi Federico , Maram Jyotsna , Velaga Swetha B. , Haines Jonathan , Pericak-Vance Margaret A. , Stambolian Dwight , Sadda SriniVas R.
Published: August 2022

Objective: To evaluate the optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based risk factors for progression to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a population-based study of elderly Amish. Methods: A total of 1332 eyes of 666 consecutive subjects who completed a 2-year follow-up visit were included in this multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, observational study. Imaging features were correlated with 2-year incidence of late AMD development. Odds ratios for imaging features were estimated from logistic regression. Baseline OCT images were reviewed for the presence of drusen volume ≥0.03 mm3 in the central 3 mm ring, intraretinal hyperreflective foci (IHRF), hyporeflective drusen cores (hDC), subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), and drusenoid pigment epithelium detachment (PED). Subfoveal choroidal thickness, drusen area, and drusen volume within 3 and 5 mm circles centered on the fovea were also assessed. Results: Twenty-one (1.5%) of 1332 eyes progressed to late AMD by 2 years. The mean age of the study subjects was 65 ± 10.17 (±SD) years and 410 subjects were female. Univariate logistic regression showed that drusen area and volume in both 3 mm and 5 mm circles, subfoveal choroidal thickness, drusen volume ≥ 0.03 mm3 in the 3 mm ring, SDD, IHRF, and hDC were all associated with an increased risk for development of late AMD. The multivariate regression model identified that drusen volume in the 3 mm ring (OR: 2.59, p = 0.049) and presence of IHRF (OR: 57.06, p < 0.001) remained as independent and significant risk factors for progression to late AMD. Conclusions: This population-based study confirms previous findings from clinic-based studies that high central drusen volume and IHRF are associated with an increased risk of progression to late AMD. These findings may be of value in risk-stratifying patients in clinical practice or identifying subjects for early intervention clinical trials.
Intentional Replantation as a Starting Approach for a Multidisciplinary Treatment of a Mandibular Second Molar: A Case Report
Authors: Santos João Miguel , Marques Joana A. , Esteves Margarida , Sousa Vítor , Palma Paulo J. , Matos Sérgio
Published: August 2022

Intentional replantation (IR) may offer a solution for persistent periapical lesions associated with endodontically treated teeth. A 35-year-old male patient presented with pain associated with the left mandibular second molar and hypoesthesia. Upon clinical examination, increased probing pocket depth in the mid-buccal surface was detected. Cone beam computed tomography revealed a previous non-surgical root canal treatment, with root canal filling material extrusion adjacent to the inferior alveolar nerve, a fractured instrument in the mesial root, and a large periapical radiolucency involving both teeth 37 and 36. A diagnosis of symptomatic post-treatment apical periodontitis was established. After discussing treatment options with the patient, an IR of tooth 37 was performed. Extra-oral procedures were completed in 17 min. At 9 months, hypoesthesia resolution was reported, and apical healing was radiographically observed. After 2.5 years, the replanted tooth showed extensive root resorption. An extraction with alveolar ridge preservation, using leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin (L-PRF), was performed. Six months after tooth extraction and regeneration, implant placement surgery was carried out. IR presents a valid treatment modality for the management of post-treatment apical periodontitis. When orthograde retreatment or apical microsurgery prove to be unfeasible, IR is a unique procedure with the potential to promote tooth preservation in properly selected cases. Although unsuccessful after 2.5 years, the IR of tooth 37 allowed for bone regeneration, the maintenance of tooth 36 vitality, and hypoesthesia resolution.
Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death in Mitral Valve Prolapse: When Multimodality Imaging Is the Key to Success
Authors: Pavon Anna Giulia , Bergamaschi Luca , Guglielmo Marco
Published: August 2022

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common cardiac anomaly that is estimated to affect 1–3% of the general population [...]
Single Lead Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation Targeted Trunk Control and Standing in Complete Paraplegia
Authors: Gorgey Ashraf , Gouda Jan
Published: August 2022

A 25-year-old male with T3 complete AIS A was implanted with percutaneous spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES; eight contacts each) leads and a Medtronic Prime advance internal pulse generator. The two leads were placed at the midline level to cover the region of the T11–T12 vertebrae. Five days after implantation, X-ray showed complete migration of the left lead outside the epidural space. Two weeks after implantation, reprogramming of the single right lead (20 Hz and 240 µs) after setting the cathode at 0 and the anode at 3 resulted in target activation of the abdominal muscles and allowed for the immediate restoration of trunk control during a seated position, even with upper extremity perturbation. This was followed by achieving immediate standing after setting the single lead at −3 for the cathode and +6 for the anode using stimulation configurations of 20 Hz and 240 µs. The results were confirmed with electromyography (EMG) of the rectus abdominus and lower extremity muscles. Targeted stimulation of the lumbosacral segment using a single lead with a midline approach immediately restored the trunk control and standing in a person with complete paraplegia.
Intestinal Permeability and Depression in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Iordache Miorita Melina , Tocia Cristina , Aschie Mariana , Dumitru Andrei , Manea Mihaela , Cozaru Georgeta Camelia , Petcu Lucian , Vlad Sabina E. , Dumitru Eugen , Chisoi Anca
Published: August 2022

Depression is a global health problem that requires an early and accurate diagnosis to ensure quick access to appropriate treatment. Among multiple psychopathological paths, recent attention has focused on analysing the brain–gut–microbiota axis. The intestinal barrier plays a key role, and dysfunctions occurring at this level have implications for mental health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of intestinal permeability biomarkers, i.e., calprotectin, zonulin, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FAB), in relation to depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is the first study of this kind taking place in Romania, Eastern Europe, with an emphasis on patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The correlations identified between depression and calprotectin and depression and LBP have the potential to shed light on the process of rapid diagnosis of depression with the help of biomarkers. Since depression is correlated with a decrease in the quality of life in patients with IBD, the need for access to appropriate treatments must be urgent.
The Metaverse: A New Challenge for the Healthcare System: A Scoping Review
Authors: Petrigna Luca , Musumeci Giuseppe
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: The metaverse is now a reality, and it interests the scientific community, the educational setting, and medical care. Considering the number of people in front of screens, especially children and adolescents, the metaverse could and should become a place of health promotion. Consequently, the objective of the present study was to review the current literature to detect articles that connected the metaverse with prevention and treatment, education and training, and research setting. (2) Methods: Articles were searched on Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus, including English-written papers published until 12 August 2022. They were screened against the eligibility criteria and discussed narratively. (3) Results: The literature published is poor; only 21 articles were included, and 11 of them were added in a second moment. These articles were mainly reviews of the literature or editorials. The aspects related to this virtual world in terms of health prevention and the treatment of clinical conditions, education and training, and research have been narratively discussed. (4) Conclusions: The metaverse could be considered a useful instrument to arrive easily and quickly to the population. Given its importance, today, different studies and investments are required to develop proper health promotion programs that are feasible and valid in the metaverse.
Privacy-Preserving Semantic Segmentation Using Vision Transformer
Authors: Kiya Hitoshi , Nagamori Teru , Imaizumi Shoko , Shiota Sayaka
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we propose a privacy-preserving semantic segmentation method that uses encrypted images and models with the vision transformer (ViT), called the segmentation transformer (SETR). The combined use of encrypted images and SETR allows us not only to apply images without sensitive visual information to SETR as query images but to also maintain the same accuracy as that of using plain images. Previously, privacy-preserving methods with encrypted images for deep neural networks have focused on image classification tasks. In addition, the conventional methods result in a lower accuracy than models trained with plain images due to the influence of image encryption. To overcome these issues, a novel method for privacy-preserving semantic segmentation is proposed by using an embedding that the ViT structure has for the first time. In experiments, the proposed privacy-preserving semantic segmentation was demonstrated to have the same accuracy as that of using plain images under the use of encrypted images.
Contrasting Profiles of Low-Performing Mathematics Students in Public and Private Schools in the Philippines: Insights from Machine Learning
Authors: Bernardo Allan B. I. , Cordel Macario O. , Lapinid Minie Rose C. , Teves Jude Michael M. , Yap Sashmir A. , Chua Unisse C.
Published: August 2022

Filipino students performed poorly in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) mathematics assessment, with more than 50% obtaining scores below the lowest proficiency level. Students from public schools also performed worse compared to their private school counterparts. We used machine learning approaches, specifically binary classification methods, to model the variables that best identified the poor performing students (below Level 1) vs. better performing students (Levels 1 to 6) using the PISA data from a nationally representative sample of 15-year-old Filipino students. We analyzed data from students in private and public schools separately. Several binary classification methods were applied, and the best classification model for both private and public school groups was the Random Forest classifier. The ten variables with the highest impact on the model were identified for the private and public school groups. Five variables were similarly important in the private and public school models. However, there were other distinct variables that relate to students’ motivations, family and school experiences that were important in identifying the poor performing students in each school type. The results are discussed in relation to the social and social cognitive experiences of students that relate to socioeconomic contexts that differ between public and private schools.
Wake Effects on Wave-Induced Loads Acting on Cylinders in a Tripod Configuration
Authors: Thome Michael , el Moctar Ould , Schellin Thomas E.
Published: August 2022

Comparative hydrodynamic loads caused by a focused wave acting on differently sized slender vertical cylinders placed in a wave canal were predicted at model scale using an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) solver and the Morison equation. This paper focused, first, on wake effects that need to be considered for the structural design of tripod configurations and, second, on the influence of these wake effects on wave-induced loads. For the Morison approach, flow velocities were gathered at incremental representative locations along the length of the cylinders, whereby the use of a central differencing approach obtained the associated flow accelerations. A first scenario dealt with a small- and a large-diameter cylinder, implemented individually at two immersion depths. A second scenario considered medium- and large-diameter cylinders arranged in a tripod configuration, where the upstream and downstream cylinders had the same diameter. For the single cylinder, impact loads obtained by both methods compared favorably to experimental measurements. For the tripod configuration, however, impact loads obtained by both methods differed due to the influence of wake effects. Thus, it was necessary to determine the influence of wake effects to assess the structural integrity of tripod configurations.
The Role of Sphingomyelin and Ceramide in Motor Neuron Diseases
Authors: McCluskey Gavin , Donaghy Colette , Morrison Karen E. , McConville John , Duddy William , Duguez Stephanie
Published: August 2022

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are motor neuron diseases (MNDs) characterised by progressive motor neuron degeneration, weakness and muscular atrophy. Lipid dysregulation is well recognised in each of these conditions and occurs prior to neurodegeneration. Several lipid markers have been shown to predict prognosis in ALS. Sphingolipids are complex lipids enriched in the central nervous system and are integral to key cellular functions including membrane stability and signalling pathways, as well as being mediators of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. This review highlights the metabolism of sphingomyelin (SM), the most abundant sphingolipid, and of its metabolite ceramide, and its role in the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration, focusing on MNDs. We also review published lipidomic studies in MNDs. In the 13 studies of patients with ALS, 12 demonstrated upregulation of multiple SM species and 6 demonstrated upregulation of ceramides. SM species also correlated with markers of clinical progression in five of six studies. These data highlight the potential use of SM and ceramide as biomarkers in ALS. Finally, we review potential therapeutic strategies for targeting sphingolipid metabolism in neurodegeneration.
How Does Market Competition Affect Shareholder Voting? Evidence from Branching Deregulation in the U.S. Banking Market
Authors: Hrazdil Karel , Kim Jeong-Bon , Tong Lijing , Zhang Min
Published: August 2022

Exploiting interstate branching deregulations during 1994–2005 as exogenous shocks to banking market competition, we examine the impact of increased market competition on shareholder voting in the U.S. banking industry. Voting is one of the primary mechanisms through which shareholders participate in corporate governance and “voice” their opinions to company management, yet little is known about how external market environments shape shareholder voting behavior. Using a difference-in-differences design, and a sample of 596 banks (17,783 bank-year proposals), we are the first to provide large-sample, systematic evidence that the intensification of market competition leads to an increase in rates of disapproval for management proposals. We further document that the relation between the two is more pronounced among states with higher degrees of deregulation and weaker levels of pre-deregulation competition. Overall, our findings are consistent with the notion that increased competition among U.S. banks induces more shareholders to vote against management proposals.
A Framework for the Spatial Inequality in Urban Public Facility for Urban Planning, Design and Management
Authors: Wu Peishen , Liu Mei
Published: August 2022

Spatial inequality, spatial injustice, and spatial inequity are topics that have been of great interest for academics in various research fields. Among them, the uneven distribution and accessibility of urban public facilities (abbreviated as “UPF”) as one of the most predominant research subjects explores the factors that lead to disparities for people to access indispensable resources and services, which might cause significant marginalization for certain communities and further increase overall inequality. Extensive research has contributed to a status-quo understanding of spatial inequality/injustice/inequity in UPFs from demographic, political, and morphological points of view. However, there lacks a detailed set of guidelines, particularly in terms of location-specific urban planning, urban design, and UPF management strategies, which seek for more equitable opportunities for the public to receive and use amenities. To fill the gap, this research carried out an in-depth review of literature that studied spatial inequality/injustice/inequity research related to UPFs. The results showed that the findings of the current literature that studied spatial inequality/injustice/inequity research in UPFs can be mainly distinguished into three aspects: (a) morphology: the spatial structure and character of physical urban elements; (b) quantity: the uneven quantity of UPFs; (c) quality: the disparity in the quality of UPFs. Based on that, this research proposed empirical planning and design interventions from a spatial perspective. In conclusion, a framework that displays a hierarchical process of understanding and interpreting the spatial inequality/injustice/inequity in UPFs from an ambiguous concept to detailed interventions was developed, extending knowledge-based principles for urban practitioners to thoroughly understand and communicate an equal and inclusive urban environment.
Quantifying the Impact of COVID-19 Relief Vouchers Schemes on Food Security: Empirical Evidence Insights from South Africa
Authors: Bahta Yonas T. , Musara Joseph P.
Published: August 2022

Livestock production systems are essential for sustaining household food security, especially in the drylands of Africa. This study assesses the impact of South Africa’s targeted Large Stock Unit (LSU) social protection program on the acute food insecurity effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among selected smallholder livestock farmers. An embedded research approach was utilized in four local municipalities purposively selected in the Northern Cape Province, where 217 households were selected using a stratified proportionate random method. A structured questionnaire was employed, while secondary data on beneficiary farmers were collected from implementing agencies. A full information maximum likelihood (FIML) Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) model was adopted to capture variations due to self-selection bias among respondents. ESR model results show that the decision maker’s age, the household head’s education level, the land holdings’ size, average relative livestock losses, the orientation of production, and the level of external support impact food security. The study concludes that based on average treatment effects analysis, beneficiaries of the LSU program are better off in the household food security relative to their non-beneficiary counterparts. These findings validate the need for enhancing support initiatives during COVID-19 shocks for households to attain food security using their main livelihood sources as the gateway. Increasing the diversity of livelihood strategies in these vulnerable communities needs to be scaled up to protect households from acute food insecurity. Targeted support programs, including direct financing and binding networks, may also be supported through youth-sensitive training programs to enhance mitigations and resilience against COVID-19 acute food insecurity. A policy can tap into existing local structures and province-wide institutional platforms for the long-term sustainability of the LSU support initiatives and mitigation of COVID-19 food security vulnerabilities.
Estimating the Effect of Tidal Marsh Restoration on Housing Prices: A Hedonic Analysis in the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, USA
Authors: Good Anthony , Pindilli Emily
Published: August 2022

This study employs the hedonic pricing method and a rich spatial and temporal dataset from two counties in Washington, USA to determine the effect of the 2009 Nisqually Restoration project (NRP) on housing prices in adjacent communities. The NRP restored 308 hectares of wetlands via dike removal in the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (NNWR), leading to improvements in salmon and bird abundance and recreational opportunities. We find that the ecological improvements made by the NRP increased the value of homes within 0.5 mile of the refuge by $37,631; homes 0.5 to 1 mile by $10,489; and homes 1 to 1.5 miles by $31,186. Our findings are consistent with previous wetland hedonic price analyses and may be useful inputs in natural resource management and policy decision-making.
Optimization of Bioconvective Magnetized Walter’s B Nanofluid Flow towards a Cylindrical Disk with Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Shafiq Anum , Çolak Andaç Batur , Sindhu Tabassum Naz
Published: August 2022

Nanotechnology is a fundamental component of modern technology. Researchers have concentrated their efforts in recent years on inventing various algorithms to increase heat transmission rates. Using nanoparticles in host fluids to dramatically improve the thermal properties of ordinary fluids is one way to address this problem. The article deals with the bio-convective Walter’s B nanofluid with thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion through a cylindrical disk under artificial neural networks (ANNs). In addition, the thermal conductivity, radiation, and motile density of microorganisms are taken into consideration. The Buongiorno model is utilized to investigate the properties of nanofluids in motile microorganisms. By using appropriate similarity variables, a dimensionless system of a differential system is attained. The non-linear simplified system of equations has been numerically calculated via the Runge–Kutta fourth-order shooting process. The consequences of flow parameters on the velocity field, temperature distribution, species volumetric concentration, and microorganism fields are all addressed. Two distinct artificial neural network models were produced using numerical data, and their prediction performance was thoroughly examined. It is noted that according to the error histograms, the ANN model’s training phase has very little error. Furthermore, mean square error values calculated for local Nusselt number, local Sherwood number, and local motile density number, parameters were obtained as 3.58×10−3, 1.24×10−3, and 3.55×10−5, respectively. Both artificial neural network models can predict with high accuracy, according to the findings of the calculated performance parameters.
The Use of Non-Edible Green Oils to Lubricate DC04 Steel Sheets in Sheet Metal Forming Process
Authors: Trzepieciński Tomasz , Szewczyk Marek , Szwajka Krzysztof
Published: August 2022

Lubrication is a basic and relatively effective way to reduce friction in sheet metal forming operations. The drive to eliminate synthetic and mineral oils, which are difficult to recycle, from the manufacturing process has opened up opportunities for the use of vegetable-based bio-lubricants. This article presents a comparison of the lubrication performance of two non-edible oils (karanja and moringa) with the most frequently tested edible oils (sunflower and rape-seed). Deep drawing quality low-carbon steel sheets DC04, commonly used in the automotive industry, were used as the test material. Friction tests were carried out under various lubricants and normal pressures in the range between 3 and 12 MPa using the strip drawing test. Furthermore, a study was also made of the effect of a change in the surface topography and the mechanical properties of the sheet metal due to plastic deformation resulting from friction. It was found that under the most favorable lubrication conditions (sample pre-strain 21%, nominal pressure 6 MPa), karanja oil reduced the coefficient of friction by approximately 33%. Both non-edible lubricants provided the best lubrication when testing samples pre-strained at 7% under the whole range of nominal pressures. It was also revealed that in the case of the smallest pre-straining of the specimens (7%), karanja oil was the most effective within nominal pressures of 3–6 MPa, while at higher pressures (9–12 MPa), the moringa oil lowered the value of the coefficient of friction to a greater extent.
Development of the Interstitial Cystitis Self-Help and Medical Resources Scale (ICSR) for Women with Interstitial Cystitis
Authors: Chen Hui-Chun , Tsao Lee-Ing , Liao Chun-Hou , Liu Chieh-Yu
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives: Women with interstitial cystitis (IC) suffer from spontaneous serious bladder pain symptoms without immediate resolution. Women with IC may lack knowledge of how to help themselves. Therefore, a measurement of IC self-help and medical-resource-seeking for women with IC is needed. Materials and Methods: This study recruited 100 women with IC from a teaching hospital in Northern Taiwan. The reliability and validity of the Interstitial Cystitis Self-Help and Medical Resources Scale (ICSR) were assessed using expert validity, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the construct validity, composite reliability to evaluate the internal consistency, and item analysis to test the discrimination validity of each item. Results: The results showed that the ICSR had accurate goodness-of-fit indices and the component reliability ranged from 0.42 to 0.83, indicating good reliability and validity. Conclusions: The ICSR is recommended for screening the self-help and medical-resource-seeking abilities of women with IC to aid in diagnosing IC and providing more precise medical treatments.
Postacute Rehabilitation Impact on Functional Recovery Outcome and Quality of Life in Stroke Survivors: Six Month Follow-Up
Authors: Bisevac Emir , Lazovic Milica , Nikolic Dejan , Mahmutovic Elvis , Dolicanin Zana , Jurisic-Skevin Aleksandra
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of postacute rehabilitation duration on the outcome of the functional recovery and patients’ quality of life after the stroke. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients (52 females, 48 males, mean age: 66.5 ± 7.3; range 53 to 79 years) who experienced a stroke (50 with ischemic stroke (IS) and 50 with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)) took part in the study. Patients (treated with postacute rehabilitation measures for six months) were examined after one, three, and six months of postacute rehabilitation. Functional independence was measured using the functional independence measure (FIM) test, while the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. Results: Patients with ICH had a slightly lower FIM score (FIM motor = 29.8 ± 11.8; FIM cognitive = 14.4 ± 4.6) on admission compared to patients with IS (FIM motor = 41.8 ± 18.8; FIM cognitive = 18.7 ± 6.3), but, after six months of postacute rehabilitation, patients with ICH reached an approximate level of functional independence (FIM motor = 53.8 ± 14.4; FIM cognitive = 25.8 ± 4.7), as did patients with IS (FIM motor = 67.6 ± 16.4; FIM cognitive = 29.2 ± 4.0). The motor and cognitive FIM, as well as quality of life, was statistically significantly increased at all four measurement points (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there is a statistically significant connection between functional independence and quality of life at all tested times. Conclusion: Patients achieved the highest degree of functional independence after six months. Furthermore, our findings point out that inpatient rehabilitation as well as outpatient rehabilitation are effective in functionality and quality of life improvement after a stroke; thus, both should be emphasized and regularly implemented.
Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: A Review of Contemporary Diagnosis, Risk Stratification and Management
Authors: Machanahalli Balakrishna Akshay , Reddi Vuha , Belford Peter Matthew , Alvarez Manrique , Jaber Wissam A. , Zhao David X. , Vallabhajosyula Saraschandra
Published: August 2022

Pulmonary embolism (PE) can have a wide range of hemodynamic effects, from asymptomatic to a life-threatening medical emergency. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with high mortality and requires careful risk stratification for individualized management. PE is divided into three risk categories: low risk, intermediate-risk, and high risk. In terms of initial therapeutic choice and long-term management, intermediate-risk (or submassive) PE remains the most challenging subtype. The definitions, classifications, risk stratification, and management options of intermediate-risk PE are discussed in this review.
Identification and Characterization of Novel Small-Molecule SMOX Inhibitors
Authors: Furbish Amelia B. , Alford Ahmed S. , Burger Pieter , Peterson Yuri K. , Murray-Stewart Tracy , Casero Robert A. , Woster Patrick M.
Published: August 2022

The major intracellular polyamines spermine and spermidine are abundant and ubiquitous compounds that are essential for cellular growth and development. Spermine catabolism is mediated by spermine oxidase (SMOX), a highly inducible flavin-dependent amine oxidase that is upregulated during excitotoxic, ischemic, and inflammatory states. In addition to the loss of radical scavenging capabilities associated with spermine depletion, the catabolism of spermine by SMOX results in the production of toxic byproducts, including H2O2 and acrolein, a highly toxic aldehyde with the ability to form adducts with DNA and inactivate vital cellular proteins. Despite extensive evidence implicating SMOX as a key enzyme contributing to secondary injury associated with multiple pathologic states, the lack of potent and selective inhibitors has significantly impeded the investigation of SMOX as a therapeutic target. In this study, we used a virtual and physical screening approach to identify and characterize a series of hit compounds with inhibitory activity against SMOX. We now report the discovery of potent and highly selective SMOX inhibitors 6 (IC50 0.54 μM, Ki 1.60 μM) and 7 (IC50 0.23 μM, Ki 0.46 μM), which are the most potent SMOX inhibitors reported to date. We hypothesize that these selective SMOX inhibitors will be useful as chemical probes to further elucidate the impact of polyamine catabolism on mechanisms of cellular injury.
Relationships between ICT Use for Task and Social Functions, Work Characteristics, and Employee Task Proficiency and Job Satisfaction: Does Age Matter?
Authors: Dietz Carolin , Bauermann Pauline , Zacher Hannes
Published: August 2022

Digitalization and demographic change represent two megatrends that impact organizations and workplaces around the globe. Rapid developments in information and communication technology (ICT) are fundamentally changing the ways in which work is conducted. At the same time, workforces are becoming increasingly older and age diverse. Integrating the model of workplace ICT use and work design with socioemotional selectivity theory from the lifespan development literature, we investigate employee age as a moderator of the indirect and total effects of ICT use for task and social functions on self-rated task proficiency and job satisfaction. As potential mediators, we focus on three job-related resources: job autonomy, team cohesion, and task significance. Data were collected from 1761 employees at three measurement points across two months. The results showed that ICT use for task and social functions were not significantly associated with job autonomy, team cohesion, task significance, task proficiency, and job satisfaction, while controlling for baseline levels of these mediator and outcome variables. Job autonomy was negatively related to task proficiency, and team cohesion was positively related, whereas both job autonomy and team cohesion were positively related to job satisfaction. Contrary to expectations, age did not moderate the indirect and total effects of ICT use for task and social functions on task proficiency and job satisfaction. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research and practice regarding ICT use and age in the work context.
Microstructure, Mechanical Performance and Anti-Bacterial Activity of Degradable Zn-Cu-Ag Alloy
Authors: Di Tongxin , Xu Ying , Liu Debao , Sun Xiaohao
Published: August 2022

Zn-based materials have attracted increasing attention in the biodegradable materials field due to their unique combination of suitable biodegradability and good biological functionalities. However, the currently existing Zn alloys exhibited poor mechanical reliability and insufficient anti-bacterial activity. In this study, the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion behavior and antibacterial properties of Zn-1Cu-0.5Ag and Zn-1Cu-1Ag alloys were investigated. The average grain size of the alloys decreased from 1.91 μm in the Zn-1Cu-0.5Ag alloy to 1.64 μm in the Zn-1Cu-1Ag alloy with the increasing Ag concentration. Due to the grain refinement effect, Zn-1Cu-1Ag exhibited higher ductility (elongation of 36.0%) compared with its Zn-1Cu-0.5Ag counterparts (elongation of 26.3%). In the meantime, the Zn-1Cu-1Ag alloy possessed the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 292.04 MPa, the yield strength (YS) of 269.49 MPa, and the Vickers hardness value of 96.9. The anti-bacterial properties of the material were evaluated by the inhibition zone test. The addition of Cu and Ag endowed strong anti-bacterial activity to staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and escherichia coli (E. coli) with the zinc matrix. The Zn-1Cu-1Ag alloy exhibited improved mechanical properties, a moderate degradation rate of 0.0484 mm/y, acceptable cytocompatibility, and efficient anti-bacterial properties which should be useful for orthopedic applications.
Processes of Physical Treatment of Stainless Steels Obtained by Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Babaev Artem , Promakhov Vladimir , Schulz Nikita , Semenov Artem , Bakhmat Vladislav , Vorozhtsov Alexander
Published: August 2022

With a vista of available stainless steel grades at our disposal, it is possible to manufacture items for a wide range of industries. These include chemicals production, medicine, and pharmacology, aerospace, power engineering, etc. Stainless steels are widely used mostly due to their unique property set, both mechanical and physicochemical ones, achieved by alloying various components. Stainless steel workpieces are usually obtained by melting, alloying, casting, and subsequent rolling to the desired shape. The experience in the study of the microstructure and processes of physical treatment of steel accumulated to the present day mainly concerns the machinability (blade, abrasive, laser, etc.) of such steels obtained by conventional techniques. Meanwhile, approaches to the production of workpieces from stainless steels by additive manufacturing (AM) methods are actively developing. In their turn, additive manufacturing technologies allow for producing workpieces that are structurally as close as possible to the final product shape. However, the use of AM workpieces in the manufacturing of functional products brings questions related to the study of the treatability of such steels by mechanical and physical processes to achieve a wide range of functional characteristics. This article discusses the issues of treatability and the characteristics and properties of stainless steels obtained by AM.
Hot Deformation Behavior of Alloy AA7003 with Different Zn/Mg Ratios
Authors: Zheng Xu , Tang Jianguo , Wan Li , Zhao Yan , Jiao Chuanrong , Zhang Yong
Published: August 2022

The hot-deformation behavior of three medium-strength Al-Zn-Mg alloys with different Zn/Mg ratios was studied using isothermal-deformation compression tests; the true strain and true stress were recorded for constructing series-processing maps. A few constitutive equations describe the relationship between flow stress and hot-working parameters. The microstructures were characterized using an electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) detector and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that the optimized deformation parameters for ternary alloy AA7003 are within a temperature range of 653 K to 813 K and with strain rates lower than 0.3 S−1. The microstructures show that materials with a lower Zn/Mg ratio of 6.3 could lead to a problematic hot-deformation capability. Alloys with a higher Zn/Mg ratio of 10.8 exhibited better workability than lower Zn/Mg ratios. The Al3Zr dispersoids are effective in inhibiting the recrystallization for alloy AA7003, and the Zn/Mg ratios could potentially affect the drag force of the dispersoids.
Heterogeneous Nucleation and Grain Initiation on a Single Substrate
Authors: Fan Zhongyun , Men Hua
Published: August 2022

Recently, we have proposed a new framework for early stages solidification, in which heterogeneous nucleation and grain initiation have been treated as separate processes. In this paper, we extend our atomic-level understanding of heterogeneous nucleation to spherical cap formation for grain initiation on a single substrate using molecular dynamics calculations. We first show that heterogeneous nucleation can be generally described as a three-layer mechanism to generate a two-dimensional (2D) nucleus under a variety of atomic arrangements at the solid/substrate interface. We then introduce the atomistic concept of spherical cap formation at different grain initiation undercoolings (ΔTgi) relative to nucleation undercooling (ΔTn). When ΔTn < ΔTgi, the spherical cap formation is constrained by the curvature of the liquid/solid interface, produces a dormant cap, and further growth is only made possible by increasing undercooling to overcome an energy barrier. However, when ΔTn > ΔTgi, spherical cap formation becomes barrierless and undergoes three distinctive stages: heterogeneous nucleation to produce a 2D nucleus with radius, rn; unconstrained growth to deliver a hemisphere of rN (substrate radius); and spherical growth beyond rN. This is followed by a theoretical analysis of the three-layer nucleation mechanism to bridge between three-layer nucleation, grain initiation and classical nucleation theory.
Role of Epitranscriptomic and Epigenetic Modifications during the Lytic and Latent Phases of Herpesvirus Infections
Authors: Soto Abel A. , Ortiz Gerardo , Contreras Sofía , Soto-Rifo Ricardo , González Pablo A.
Published: August 2022

Herpesviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses occurring at a high prevalence in the human population and are responsible for a wide array of clinical manifestations and diseases, from mild to severe. These viruses are classified in three subfamilies (Alpha-, Beta- and Gammaherpesvirinae), with eight members currently known to infect humans. Importantly, all herpesviruses can establish lifelong latent infections with symptomatic or asymptomatic lytic reactivations. Accumulating evidence suggest that chemical modifications of viral RNA and DNA during the lytic and latent phases of the infections caused by these viruses, are likely to play relevant roles in key aspects of the life cycle of these viruses by modulating and regulating their replication, establishment of latency and evasion of the host antiviral response. Here, we review and discuss current evidence regarding epitranscriptomic and epigenetic modifications of herpesviruses and how these can influence their life cycles. While epitranscriptomic modifications such as m6A are the most studied to date and relate to positive effects over the replication of herpesviruses, epigenetic modifications of the viral genome are generally associated with defense mechanisms of the host cells to suppress viral gene transcription. However, herpesviruses can modulate these modifications to their own benefit to persist in the host, undergo latency and sporadically reactivate.