bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Photovoltaic Power Plant Output Forecasting Using Sky Images and Deep Learning
Authors: Jakoplić Alen , Franković Dubravko , Havelka Juraj , Bulat Hrvoje
Published: July 2023

With the steady increase in the use of renewable energy sources in the energy sector, new challenges arise, especially the unpredictability of these energy sources. This uncertainty complicates the management, planning, and development of energy systems. An effective solution to these challenges is short-term forecasting of the output of photovoltaic power plants. In this paper, a novel method for short-term production prediction was explored which involves continuous photography of the sky above the photovoltaic power plant. By analyzing a series of sky images, patterns can be identified to help predict future photovoltaic power generation. A hybrid model that integrates both a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) for short-term production forecasting was developed and tested. This model effectively detects spatial and temporal patterns from images and power output data, displaying considerable prediction accuracy. In particular, a 74% correlation was found between the model’s predictions and actual future production values, demonstrating the model’s efficiency. The results of this paper suggest that the hybrid CNN-LSTM model offers an improvement in prediction accuracy and practicality compared to traditional forecasting methods. This paper highlights the potential of Deep Learning in improving renewable energy practices, particularly in power prediction, contributing to the overall sustainability of power systems.
Edge-Based Short-Term Energy Demand Prediction
Authors: Lekidis Alexios , Papageorgiou Elpiniki I.
Published: July 2023

The electrical grid is gradually transitioning towards being an interconnected area of the smart grid, where embedded devices operate in an autonomous manner without any human intervention. An important element for this transition is the energy demand prediction, since the needs for energy have substantially increased due to the introduction of new and heavy consumption sources, such as electric vehicles. Accurate energy demand prediction, especially for short-term durations (i.e., minutes to hours), allows grid operators to produce the substantial amount needed to satisfy the demand–response equilibrium and avoid peak electricity load conditions that may also lead to blackouts in densely populated areas. However, to achieve such an accuracy level, machine learning (ML) models require extensive training with historical measurements, which is usually resource intensive (e.g., in memory and processing power). Hence, deriving accurate predictions for short-term energy demands is challenging due to the absence of external factors such as environmental data from different regions and seasons and categorical values such as bank/bridging holidays in the ML model. Additionally, existing work focuses on ML model execution on Cloud platforms, which usually does not satisfy the real-time requirements of grid operators for short-term energy demand predictions. To address these challenges, this article presents a new method that considers environmental factors and categorical values to build an energy profile for each consumer in a multi-access edge computing (MEC) framework. The method is also based on the Temporal Fusion Transformer (TFT) ML model, which allows it to learn the temporal dependencies of the gathered historical measurements and predict energy demands with satisfying accuracy. The method is applied to a home energy management system testbed containing photovoltaic systems, smart meters, sensors and actuators for detecting environmental factors (i.e., temperature, humidity and radiation) as well as energy storage systems as an additional energy supply source. The MEC framework is deployed in data concentrator devices where the TFT ML model is executed with low resource requirements, ensuring additional security as the data do not leave the location where they are produced.
Integrated Sustainability Assessment Framework of Industry 4.0 from an Energy Systems Thinking Perspective: Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Vallarta-Serrano Stephany Isabel , Santoyo-Castelazo Edgar , Santoyo Edgar , García-Mandujano Esther O. , Vázquez-Sánchez Holkan
Published: July 2023

Sustainable energy systems based on efficiency, low-carbon, and smart technologies are essential for the future energy transition. A new integrated sustainability assessment framework (ISAF) is required to evaluate cross-cutting subjects and future research. Sustainability analysis based on conventional dimensions and complementary categories is needed for a digital energy transition. Industry 4.0 created a new platform and technological portfolio to improve the efficiency and automation of cleaner energy systems (lower environmental and social impacts and high performance). To address these aspects, a new methodology based on bibliometric analysis, systematic literature review, and energy systems thinking was developed. From Scopus and Web of Science databases, 1521 and 959 documents were respectively compiled and merged to select 181 articles related to these research subjects between 2017 and 2021. Out of this total, 62 articles from industrial manufacturing were identified as the most representative energy consumption sub-sector. These articles were analysed from the ISAF using conventional dimensions (environmental, economic, and social) and complementary categories of sustainability (technological innovation, governance and life cycle). The main findings reveal that worldwide studies addressing the nexus between Industry 4.0, Energy and Sustainability have increased significantly in recent years, primaly in high-income countries. These studies have centred on the industrial manufacturing subsector, assessing sustainability unevenly by focusing mainly on technological and environmental issues. Research gaps indicate that a comprehensive assessment of social, governance, and life cycle aspects is still required.
ISO 50001-Based Energy Management Systems as a Practical Path for Decarbonization: Initial Findings from a Survey of Technical Assistance Cohort Participants
Authors: Fuchs Heidi , Therkelsen Peter , Miller William C. , Siciliano Graziella , Sheaffer Paul
Published: July 2023

Organizations face rising pressure to take action to reduce their climate-affecting emissions (i.e., decarbonize). While many responses are possible, an essential approach—strategically managing their energy consumption as an essential business practice via an ISO 50001-based energy management system—is not yet widely recognized as a framework for decarbonization. This study analyzes interim survey results from 24 organizations (a 48% response rate) implementing a rigorous energy management system, one deployed by the U.S. Department of Energy as “50001 Ready”, to test whether participating organizations perceive the energy management system under development as an essential aspect of their decarbonization efforts. The results are preliminary in nature, given the ongoing nature of the program and associated data collection; however, they are sufficient to refute our hypothesis that energy management systems are perceived by organizations participating in 50001 Ready cohorts to primarily affect energy performance with little-to-no connection regarding decarbonization efforts. Major findings include that participants’ decarbonization targets and commitments are driven by market imperatives (highlighting the importance of ISO 50001 as a management system tool) and that they see energy efficiency as vital to decarbonizing. We conclude by suggesting future research directions to further establish the premise that energy management systems are an effective, efficient, and long-lasting decarbonization strategy.
Improving the Agronomic Value of Paddy Straw Using Trichoderma harzianum, Eisenia fetida and Cow Dung
Authors: Sharma Neetu , Singh Jagjeet , Singh Bijender , Malik Vinay
Published: July 2023

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of inoculation of Trichoderma harzianum, Eisenia fetida and cow dung on the physicochemical quality of paddy straw composting which was carried out for 90 days. The different treatment groups were Paddy straw (T0), Paddy straw + Cow dung (T1), Paddy straw + Cow dung + Eisenia fetida (T2), Paddy straw + Cow dung + Trichoderma harzianum (T3), Paddy straw + Cow dung + Eisenia fetida + Trichoderma harzianum (T4). The ratio of cow dung and paddy straw was 2:1. Among all treatments, T4 was identified as the best treatment for decomposing the paddy straw as it recovered the nutrients within the recommended levels of a high-quality product. The consortium of Trichoderma harzianum, Eisenia fetida and cow dung lowered the total organic carbon (TOC) and C:N ratio by 28.8% and 33.1%, respectively, at pH 6.5. The increase in N (0.87%), P (0.47%), K (2.66%), Ca (0.033%), Mg (0.056%) and Na (0.42%) was significant in T4 treatment. The micronutrients, namely Cu (47.9 ppm), Fe (1128 ppm) and Zn (500 ppm), also showed a significant increase in this treatment, i.e., T4. Therefore, results suggested that combinatorial composting by Trichoderma harzianum, Eisenia fetida and cow dung is quite promising in the decomposition of paddy straw to obtain quality compost in a short time. Furthermore, this study will help in the sustainable management of paddy straw with concomitant reduction inenvironmental pollution caused by the open burning of paddy straw.
Low Allergenicity in Processed Wheat Flour Products Using Tannins from Agri-Food Wastes
Authors: Tsurunaga Yoko , Arima Shiori , Kumagai Sae , Morita Eishin
Published: July 2023

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the addition of tannins from unutilized resources on wheat allergen reduction, antioxidant properties, and quality by substituting 3%, 5%, and 10% of the flour with chestnut inner skin (CIS) and young persimmon fruit (YPF) powders to produce cookies. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting showed significantly lower wheat allergen content in CIS- or YPF-substituted cookies than in control cookies, and this effect was pronounced for CIS-substituted cookies. In addition, the tannin content and antioxidant properties of the CIS- or YPF-substituted cookies were markedly higher than those of the control cookies. Quality analysis of the CIS- and YPF-substituted cookies showed that the specific volume and spread factor, which are quality indicators for cookies, were slightly lower in the CIS- and YPF-substituted cookies than in the control cookies. Compared to the control, CIS substitution did not affect the breaking stress and total energy values of the cookies; however, YPF substitution at 10% increased these values. Color was also affected by the addition of CIS and YPF. The results suggest that the addition of CIS and YPF can reduce wheat allergens in cookies and improve tannin content and antioxidant properties.
Research on Consumer Perception Regarding Traditional Food Products of Romania
Authors: Soare Ionica , Zugravu Constanta Laura , Zugravu Gheorghe Adrian
Published: July 2023

Traditional Romanian food products are an integral part of local culture and spirituality. These food traditions have been formed over the centuries and represent a particularly important part ofthe development of a circular economy in rural areas. In order to contribute to the development of this sector of activity we conducted a study on consumer perception of traditional Romanian food products. The purpose of this work was to identify the structure of the studies and the future directions of research related to the image of traditional food products through the bibliometric study, as well as the identification of consumer trends, of these products through a survey based on the questionnaire. The results obtained indicate that traditional Romanian food products are consumed by the majority of respondents participating in the survey and that this sector ofactivity has continuity in its development and presents a clear interest among citizens.
Pressurized Liquid (PLE) Truffle Extracts Have Inhibitory Activity on Key Enzymes Related to Type 2 Diabetes (α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase)
Authors: Tejedor-Calvo Eva , Morales Diego , Morillo Laura , Vega Laura , Caro Mercedes , Smiderle Fhernanda Ribeiro , Iacomini Marcello , Marco Pedro , Soler-Rivas Cristina
Published: July 2023

An optimized PLE method was applied to several truffle species using three different solvent mixtures to obtain bioactive enriched fractions. The pressurized water extracts contained mainly (1 → 3),(1 → 6)-β-D-glucans, chitins, and heteropolymers with galactose and mannose in their structures. The ethanol extracts included fatty acids and fungal sterols and others such as brassicasterol and stigmasterol, depending on the species. They also showed a different fatty acid lipid profile depending on the solvent utilized and species considered. Ethanol:water extracts showed interesting lipids and many phenolic compounds; however, no synergic extraction of compounds was noticed. Some of the truffle extracts were able to inhibit enzymes related to type 2 diabetes; pressurized water extracts mainly inhibited the α-amylase enzyme, while ethanolic extracts were more able to inhibit α-glucosidase. Tuber brumale var. moschatum and T. aestivum var. uncinatum extracts showed an IC50 of 29.22 mg/mL towards α-amylase and 7.93 mg/mL towards α-glucosidase. Thus, use of the PLE method allows o bioactive enriched fractions to be obtained from truffles with antidiabetic properties.
Metaheuristic-Based Algorithms for Optimizing Fractional-Order Controllers—A Recent, Systematic, and Comprehensive Review
Authors: Nassef Ahmed M. , Abdelkareem Mohammad Ali , Maghrabie Hussein M. , Baroutaji Ahmad
Published: July 2023

Metaheuristic optimization algorithms (MHA) play a significant role in obtaining the best (optimal) values of the system’s parameters to improve its performance. This role is significantly apparent when dealing with systems where the classical analytical methods fail. Fractional-order (FO) systems have not yet shown an easy procedure to deal with the determination of their optimal parameters through traditional methods. In this paper, a recent, systematic. And comprehensive review is presented to highlight the role of MHA in obtaining the best set of gains and orders for FO controllers. The systematic review starts by exploring the most relevant publications related to the MHA and the FO controllers. The study is focused on the most popular controllers such as the FO-PI, FO-PID, FO Type-1 fuzzy-PID, and FO Type-2 fuzzy-PID. The time domain is restricted in the articles published through the last decade (2014:2023) in the most reputed databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The identified number of papers, from the entire databases, has reached 850 articles. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was applied to the initial set of articles to be screened and filtered to end up with a final list that contains 82 articles. Then, a thorough and comprehensive study was applied to the final list. The results showed that Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is the most attractive optimizer to the researchers to be used in the optimal parameters identification of the FO controllers as it attains about 25% of the published papers. In addition, the papers that used PSO as an optimizer have gained a high citation number despite the fact that the Chaotic Atom Search Optimization (ChASO) is the highest one, but it is used only once. Furthermore, the Integral of the Time-Weighted Absolute Error (ITAE) is the best nominated cost function. Based on our comprehensive literature review, this appears to be the first review paper that systematically and comprehensively addresses the optimization of the parameters of the fractional-order PI, PID, Type-1, and Type-2 fuzzy controllers with the use of MHAs. Therefore, the work in this paper can be used as a guide for researchers who are interested in working in this field.
Ground State Solutions of Fractional Choquard Problems with Critical Growth
Authors: Yang Jie , Shi Hongxia
Published: July 2023

In this article, we investigate a class of fractional Choquard equation with critical Sobolev exponent. By exploiting a monotonicity technique and global compactness lemma, the existence of ground state solutions for this equation is obtained. In addition, we demonstrate the existence of ground state solutions for the corresponding limit problem.
Beyond Mortality: The Social and Health Impacts of COVID-19 among Older (55+) BIPOC and LGBT Respondents in a Canada-Wide Survey
Authors: Beringer Robert , de Vries Brian , Gill Paneet , Gutman Gloria
Published: July 2023

This study focused on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the marginalized populations—specifically Black and Indigenous people as well as People of Color (BIPOC) compared to White older adults and LGBT individuals compared to heterosexual older adults. Data were derived from our national online survey of Canadians aged 55+, conducted from 10 August to 10 October 2020. The survey explored the influence of COVID-19 on lifestyle changes, well-being, and planning for the future. Our sample comprised 4292 respondents. We compared sets of dichotomous variables with White vs. BIPOC, LGBT vs. heterosexual, and LGBT White vs. LGBT BIPOC respondents. Significantly more BIPOC than White individuals reported changes in accessing food (44.3% vs. 33.2%) and in family income (53.9% vs. 38.9%) and fewer reported feeling accepted and happy, and more felt isolated and judged. Significantly more LGBT than heterosexual respondents reported changes in routines and in accessing social support, medical and mental health care and more feeling depressed, lonely, anxious, and sad. More LGBT–BIPOC than LGBT–White respondents reported changes in access to food (66.7 vs. 30.6, p < 0.001); in family income (66.7 vs. 41.5, p < 0.005); and in access to mental health care (38.5 vs. 24.0, p < 0.05). The only difference in emotional response to COVID-19 was that more BIPOC–LGBT than White–LGBT respondents reported feeling judged (25.9 vs. 14.5, p < 0.05). These findings reflect a complex mix of the effects of marginalization upon BIPOC and LGBT older adults, revealing both hardship and hardiness and warranting further research.
The Effect of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Education on the CPR Knowledge, Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, and Confidence in Performing CPR among Elementary School Students in Korea
Authors: Ko Jang-Sik , Kim Seon-Rye , Cho Byung-Jun
Published: July 2023

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education for schoolchildren is emphasized, as bystander CPR is a vital key to increasing the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) victims. This study was conducted to verify the effect of CPR education on knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and confidence of Korean elementary school students in performing CPR. Data were collected through structured questionnaires before and after CPR education and analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-tests, and hierarchical regression. Significant improvements in CPR knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and confidence in performing CPR were found after CPR education, with the greatest increase observed in confidence (p = 0.000). The influencing factors on confidence in performing CPR were school grade, attitude, and self-efficacy. Although a significant increase in schoolchildren’s CPR knowledge after education was shown, knowledge did not affect confidence in performing CPR. Therefore, early CPR education which focuses on improving confidence in performing CPR is recommended. CPR education might raise attitude and self-efficacy leading to increased confidence in performing bystander CPR. In conclusion, early and regular CPR education for elementary school students is crucial and should be conducted repeatedly.
The Health Status of the US Veterans: A Longitudinal Analysis of Surveillance Data Prior to and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Betancourt Jose A. , Dolezel Diane M. , Shanmugam Ramalingam , Pacheco Gerardo J. , Stigler Granados Paula , Fulton Lawrence V.
Published: July 2023

Chronic diseases affect a disproportionate number of United States (US) veterans, causing significant long-term health issues and affecting entitlement spending. This longitudinal study examined the health status of US veterans as compared to non-veterans pre- and post-COVID-19, utilizing the annual Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) survey data. Age-adjusted descriptive point estimates were generated independently for 2003 through 2021, while complex weighted panel data were generated from 2011 and onward. General linear modeling revealed that the average US veteran reports a higher prevalence of disease conditions except for mental health disorders when compared to a non-veteran. These findings were consistent with both pre- and post-COVID-19; however, both groups reported a higher prevalence of mental health issues during the pandemic years. The findings suggest that there have been no improvements in reducing veteran comorbidities to non-veteran levels and that COVID-19 adversely affected the mental health of both populations.
Effects of Probiotics on Colitis-Induced Exacerbation of Alzheimer’s Disease in AppNL-G-F Mice
Authors: Sahu Bijayani , Johnson Lauren M. , Sohrabi Mona , Usatii Anastasia A. , Craig Rachel M. J. , Kaelberer Joshua B. , Chandrasekaran Sathiya Priya , Kaur Harpreet , Nookala Suba , Combs Colin K.
Published: July 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and is a leading cause of death in the United States. Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the progression of AD, and several recent studies suggest that peripheral immune dysfunction may influence the disease. Continuing evidence indicates that intestinal dysbiosis is an attribute of AD, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been shown to aggravate cognitive impairment. Previously, we separately demonstrated that an IBD-like condition exacerbates AD-related changes in the brains of the AppNL-G-F mouse model of AD, while probiotic intervention has an attenuating effect. In this study, we investigated the combination of a dietary probiotic and an IBD-like condition for effects on the brains of mice. Male C57BL/6 wild type (WT) and AppNL-G-F mice were randomly divided into four groups: vehicle control, oral probiotic, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and DSS given with probiotics. As anticipated, probiotic treatment attenuated the DSS-induced colitis disease activity index in WT and AppNL-G-F mice. Although probiotic feeding significantly attenuated the DSS-mediated increase in WT colonic lipocalin levels, it was less protective in the AppNL-G-F DSS-treated group. In parallel with the intestinal changes, combined probiotic and DSS treatment increased microglial, neutrophil elastase, and 5hmC immunoreactivity while decreasing c-Fos staining compared to DSS treatment alone in the brains of WT mice. Although less abundant, probiotic combined with DSS treatment demonstrated a few similar changes in AppNL-G-F brains with increased microglial and decreased c-Fos immunoreactivity in addition to a slight increase in Aβ plaque staining. Both probiotic and DSS treatment also altered the levels of several cytokines in WT and AppNL-G-F brains, with a unique increase in the levels of TNFα and IL-2 being observed in only AppNL-G-F mice following combined DSS and probiotic treatment. Our data indicate that, while dietary probiotic intervention provides protection against the colitis-like condition, it also influences numerous glial, cytokine, and neuronal changes in the brain that may regulate brain function and the progression of AD.
Possible Regulation of Larval Juvenile Hormone Titers in Bombyx mori by BmFAMeT6
Authors: Yu Yang , Li Tian , Guo Meiwei , Xiong Rong , Yan Dongshen , Chen Ping
Published: July 2023

Juvenile hormone (JH) plays a vital role in the growth, development, and reproduction of insects and other arthropods. Previous experiments have suggested that BmFAMeT6 could affect the duration of the silk moth’s larval stage. In this study, we established the BmFAMeT6 overexpression strain and BmFAMeT6 knockout strain using the GAL4/UAS binary hybrid system and CRISPR/Cas 9 system, respectively, and found that the larval stage of the overexpression strain was shorter, while the knockout strain was longer. Our results exhibited that both the JH titers and BmKr-h1 levels in the larvae of the third instar were reduced significantly by BmFAMeT6 overexpression, but were increased obviously by BmFAMeT6 knockout. In addition, injection of farnesoic acid induced changes in the JH I and JH II levels in the hemolymphs of larvae. This study is the first to directly reveal the role of BmFAMeT6 in the regulation of insect JH titers and the relationship between farnesoic acid and JH (JH I and JH II). This provides a new perspective on regulating the growth and development of insects such as Bombyx mori.
A Comparison of Observational Studies on Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness Measured with OCT according to the Level of Thyroid Eye Disease Activity—Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kowalik-Jagodzińska Małgorzata , Sobol Maria , Turno-Kręcicka Anna
Published: July 2023

This study aims to systematise subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with different severities of thyroid eye disease (TED) compared with healthy subjects. The PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for the following terms: ((Graves’ ophthalmopathy) OR (thyroid eye disease) OR (Graves’ orbitopathy) OR (thyroid-associated orbitopathy)) AND (choroidal thickness) AND ((optical coherence tomography) OR (OCT)). The pool of papers was narrowed down to articles published until 31 January 2023 (26, 26 and 96 papers, respectively). Twenty-five (25) articles were taken into consideration, which were original papers and included the choroidal thickness measurements among TED patients in their results. Finally, eight papers were included in the comparative analysis of the SFCT parameter in TED patients and a group of healthy controls, and seven papers in the comparative analysis of the same parameter between active and inactive TED patients. The mean value of the difference between the TED group and the healthy group was 38.79 μm, with a confidence interval (CI) from 0.09 to 77.49 μm (p = 0.0495). The mean difference between the active TED group and inactive TED group was 38.02 μm, with a CI from 8.62 to 67.42 μm (p = 0.0113). All the results were statistically significant.
Results of Adjustable Trans-Obturator Male System in Patients with Prostate Cancer Treated with Prostatectomy and Radiotherapy: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Angulo Javier C. , Téllez Carlos , Giammò Alessandro , González-Enguita Carmen , Schoenburg Sandra , Queissert Fabian , Szczesniewski Juliusz , González Raquel , Romero Antonio , Gonsior Andreas , Martins Francisco E. , Antunes-Lopes Tiago , Cruz Francisco , Rourke Keith
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: Treatment of male stress incontinence in patients with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy and adjuvant pelvic radiation is a therapeutic challenge. The efficacy and safety of the adjustable trans-obturator male system (ATOMS) in these patients is not well established, despite the general belief that outcomes are worse than in patients without radiation. (2) Methods: Retrospective multicenter study evaluating patients treated with silicone-covered scrotal port (SSP) ATOMS implant after radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy in nine different institutions between 2016 and 2022. The primary endpoint was dry patient rate, defined as pad-test ≤ 20 mL/day. The secondary endpoints were complication rate (defined using Clavien–Dindo classification), device removal and self-perceived satisfaction using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were performed using stepwise method with a 0.15 entry and 0.1 stay criteria. (3) Results: 223 patients fulfilled the criteria for inclusion and 12 (5.4%) received salvage prostatectomy after radiation and 27 (12.1%) previous devices for stress incontinence. After ATOMS adjustment, 95 patients (42.6%) were dry and 36 (16.1%) had complications of any grade (grade I, n = 20; grade II, n = 11; grade III, n = 5) during the first 3 months postoperatively. At a mean of 36 ± 21 months follow-up, the device was explanted in 26 (11.7%) patients. Regarding self-perceived satisfaction with the implant, 105 of 125 patients (84%) considered themselves satisfied (PGI-I 1 to 3). In the univariate analysis, dryness was associated to younger age (p = 0.06), primary prostatectomy (p = 0.08), no previous incontinence surgery (p = 0.02), absence of overactive bladder symptoms (p = 0.04), absence of bladder neck stricture (p = 0.001), no need of surgical revision (p = 0.008) and lower baseline incontinence severity (p = 0.0003). Multivariate analysis identified absence of surgical revision (p = 0.018), absence of bladder neck stricture (p = 0.05), primary prostatectomy (p = 0.07) and lower baseline incontinence severity (p < 0.0001) were independent predictors of dryness. A logistic regression model was proposed and internally validated. (4) Conclusions: ATOMS is an efficacious and safe alternative to treat male incontinence after radical prostatectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Factors predictive of dryness are identified in this complex scenario to allow for better patient selection.
Evaluation of Two Online Risk Prediction Models for the Mortality Rate of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Surgery: The German Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection Type A Score and the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II
Authors: Ma Ming , Cao Hailong , Li Kai , Pan Jun , Zhou Qing , Tang Xinlong , Qin Xichun , Zhu Feng , Wang Dongjin
Published: July 2023

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely utilized cardiovascular surgery risk scoring systems. Recently, a new online score calculator, namely the German Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA), was launched to predict 30-day surgical mortality for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictive performance of these two scores. We calculated the two scores for 1346 ATAAD patients from January 2012 to December 2021. The overall performance was evaluated using Brier scores and Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to assess diagnostic ability, and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was utilized to evaluate calibration. The GERAADA score and EuroSCORE II predicted 30-day mortality rates of 14.7% and 3.1%, respectively, while the observed rate was 12.5%. The predictive ability of EuroSCORE II (AUC 0.708, 95% CI: 0.664–0.792) was superior to that of the GERAADA score (0.648, 95% CI: 0.605–0.692). The GERAADA score had higher sensitivity but lower specificity than EuroSCORE II. And the GERAADA score may overestimate mortality (0.76, 95% CI: 0.65–0.89), while EuroSCORE II may underestimate the mortality rate (3.17, 95% CI: 2.92–3.44). The EuroSCORE II was superior in predicting surgical mortality among ATAAD patients. But the observed 30-day mortality rate certified a good calibration for the GERAADA score.
The Association of Infection with Delirium in the Post-Operative Period after Elective CABG Surgery
Authors: Zukowska Agnieszka , Kaczmarczyk Mariusz , Listewnik Mariusz , Zukowski Maciej
Published: July 2023

Delirium is one of the most common complications of coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) surgery. The identification of patients at increased risk of delirium and the implementation of preventive measures to reduce the risk of postoperative delirium is necessary to improve treatment outcomes after CABG. The aim of this study was to assess the association between postoperative delirium and postoperative infection and 10-year mortality in patients undergoing CABG surgery. This is a retrospective, observational cohort study of patients undergoing planned on-pump CABG between April 2010 and December 2012. We analysed a group of 3098 patients operated on in our cardiac surgery centre, from whom we selected a cohort of patients undergoing planned CABG surgery. All patients were assessed for postoperative infection, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections (BSIs) and surgical site infections (SSIs). Patients who experienced postoperative delirium were significantly more likely to have infection (7.4% vs. 22%; p = 0.0037). As regards particular types of infection, significant differences were only found for pneumonia and sternal SSIs. Patients who experienced postoperative delirium had significantly lower 5-year (p = 0.0136) and 10-year (p = 0.0134) survival. Postoperative delirium significantly increases long-term mortality in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Pneumonia and sternal SSIs significantly increase the risk of postoperative delirium in cardiac surgery patients.
New Possibilities for Hormonal Vaginal Treatment in Menopausal Women
Authors: Tomczyk Katarzyna , Chmaj-Wierzchowska Karolina , Wszołek Katarzyna , Wilczak Maciej
Published: July 2023

Hormonal vaginal therapy is an effective treatment option for women who experience vaginal symptoms related to hormonal changes. Estrogen and prasterone are widely used as vaginal treatments, particularly for urogenital atrophy. These symptoms may include vaginal dryness, itching, burning, and pain during sexual intercourse, all of which can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life. Previous studies have indicated that such treatment improves tissue elasticity, moisturizes the vagina, and can have a substantial impact on urine incontinence and vaginal microflora and decreases dyspareunia. Hormonal therapy is also useful and commonly used before vaginal surgical treatment. Prasterone is quite a new option for vaginal therapy in Poland and is mainly recommended for dyspareunia in menopausal women. The study related to prasterone therapy emphasizes its effectiveness and safety, making it advantageous to explore its beneficial impact. This paperwork aims to summarize the mechanism of action as well as the effects of both drugs and their beneficial action during vaginal treatment.
Solid Lipid–Polymer Hybrid Nanoplatform for Topical Delivery of siRNA: In Vitro Biological Activity and Permeation Studies
Authors: de Araujo Margarete Moreno , Borgheti-Cardoso Livia Neves , Praça Fabíola Garcia , Marcato Priscyla Daniely , Bentley Maria Vitória Lopes Badra
Published: July 2023

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules have limited transfection efficiency and stability, necessitating the use of delivery systems to be effective in gene knockdown therapies. In this regard, lipid–polymeric nanocarriers have emerged as a promising class of nanoparticles for siRNA delivery, particularly for topical applications. We proposed the use of solid lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (SLPHNs) as topical delivery systems for siRNA. This approach was evaluated by assessing the ability of SLPHNs–siRNA complexes to internalize siRNA molecules and both to penetrate skin layers in vitro and induce gene knocking down in a skin cell line. The SLPHNs were formed by a specific composition of solid lipids, a surfactant polymer as a dispersive agent, and a cationic polymer as a complexing agent for siRNA. The optimized nanocarriers exhibited a spherical shape with a smooth surface. The average diameter of the nanoparticles was found to be 200 nm, and the zeta potential was measured to be +20 mV. Furthermore, these nanocarriers demonstrated excellent stability when stored at 4 °C over a period of 90 days. In vitro and in vivo permeation studies showed that SLPHNs increased the cutaneous penetration of fluorescent-labeled siRNA, which reached deeper skin layers. Efficacy studies were conducted on keratinocytes and fibroblasts, showing that SLPHNs maintained cell viability and high cellular uptake. Furthermore, SLPHNs complexed with siRNA against Firefly luciferase (siLuc) reduced luciferase expression, proving the efficacy of this nanocarrier in providing adequate intracellular release of siRNA for silencing specific genes. Based on these results, the developed carriers are promising siRNA delivery systems for skin disease therapy.
On the Prosodic Exponence of Universal Quantification in Turkish Relative Clauses
Authors: Özyıldız Deniz , Demirok Ömer
Published: July 2023

We identify a tonal contour in Turkish that expresses universal quantification. We show that the distribution of this contour is restricted to noun phrases modified by relative clauses and that it expresses universal quantification over situations rather than over individuals. We describe the prosodic structure of the contour, unexpected from the perspective of the phonology of Turkish intonation, and identify it as a tonal morpheme. We define it, and provide a compositional analysis of the sentences that contain it.
Contributing Role of High Mobility Group Box 1 Signaling in Oral Cancer Development and Therapy
Authors: Plemmenos Grigorios , Tzimogianni Valentini , Fili Christina , Piperi Christina
Published: July 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent type of oral cancer of multifactorial origin, characterized by histological and clinical manifestations. To date, there are no specific biomarkers or treatment modalities available to efficiently manage this neoplasia, demanding further research on the molecular background of OSCC pathology. Elucidation of signal transduction pathways and associated molecules with differential expression and function in OSCC are expected to enhance the future development of molecular targeted therapies. Among signaling proteins with a potential functional role in OSCC, the High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) protein has stimulated scientific interest due to frequent upregulation, and implication in the progression of many types of head and neck cancer types. HMGB1 is a nuclear nonhistone protein and an extracellularly secreted cytokine that can interact with several signaling molecules implicated in the pathogenic pathways of OSCC. Binding of HMGB1 to specific receptors on OSCC cells such as the receptor of AGE (RAGE) and the toll-like receptor (TLR) has been shown to initiate several intercellular signaling cascades that can promote OSCC growth, invasion, and metastasis, indicating a potential target for patient prognosis and therapeutic approaches. The purpose of this review is to explore the functional role and associated signaling of HMGB1 in OSCC in order to reveal potential therapeutic targeting options.
Convolutional-Transformer Model with Long-Range Temporal Dependencies for Bearing Fault Diagnosis Using Vibration Signals
Authors: Ahmed Hosameldin O. A. , Nandi Asoke K.
Published: July 2023

Fault diagnosis of bearings in rotating machinery is a critical task. Vibration signals are a valuable source of information, but they can be complex and noisy. A transformer model can capture distant relationships, which makes it a promising solution for fault diagnosis. However, its application in this field has been limited. This study aims to contribute to this growing area of research by proposing a novel deep-learning architecture that combines the strengths of CNNs and transformer models for effective fault diagnosis in rotating machinery. Thus, it captures both local and long-range temporal dependencies in the vibration signals. The architecture starts with CNN-based feature extraction, followed by temporal relationship modelling using the transformer. The transformed features are used for classification. Experimental evaluations are conducted on two datasets with six and ten health conditions. In both case studies, the proposed model achieves high accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and specificity all above 99% using different training dataset sizes. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in diagnosing bearing faults. The convolutional-transformer model proves to be a promising approach for bearing fault diagnosis. The method shows great potential for improving the accuracy and efficiency of fault diagnosis in rotating machinery.
Finite-Sized Orbiter’s Motion around the Natural Moons of Planets with Slow-Variable Eccentricity of Their Orbit in ER3BP
Authors: Ershkov Sergey , Leshchenko Dmytro , Prosviryakov E. Yu. , Abouelmagd Elbaz I.
Published: July 2023

This article is devoted to the study of the stability of movement of a satellite of finite size around the natural satellites of the planets in the solar system, using the new concept of ER3BP with variable eccentricity. This concept was introduced earlier for the variable spin state of a secondary planet correlated implicitly to the motion of the satellite for its trapped orbit near the secondary planet (which is involved in the Kepler duet “Sun-planet”). But it is of real interest to explore another kind of this problem, plane ER3BP “planet-moon-satellite”. Here, we consider two primary celestial bodies, a planet and a moon, the latter revolves around its common barycenter in a quasi-elliptical orbit in a fixed plane (invariable plane) around the planet with a slowly varying eccentricity on a large time scale due to tidal phenomena. This study presents both new theoretical and numerical results for various cases of the “planet-moon-satellite” trio.
Feedback Trading, Investor Sentiment and the Volatility Puzzle: An Infinite Theoretical Framework
Authors: Chen Cong , Hu Changsheng , Wu Liang
Published: July 2023

This article constructs a behavioral financial model that provides feedback on both historical prices and company fundamentals without considering asset liquidation to discuss the long-term impact of investor sentiment and feedback trading on asset price fluctuations. The research conclusion shows that the abnormal volatility of asset prices is captured by the value effect, the cognitive bias effect, the sentiment shock effect, and the trading inductive effect. The value effect is the volatility of asset prices that is completely determined by fundamental factors; the higher the degree of cyclical fluctuations in fundamental factors, the higher the volatility of prices. The bias effect refers to investors’ misreading of basic information and trends in asset prices; the greater the instability of emotional shocks, the greater the abnormal volatility of asset prices. The trading inductive effect is also called the Keynes effect, which reflects the role played by rational traders.
Numerical Simulation of Long-Span Bridge Response under Downburst: Parameter Optimization Using a Surrogate Model
Authors: Feng Yu , Xin Lingfeng , Hao Jianming , Ding Nan , Wang Feng
Published: July 2023

Long-span bridges located in thunderstorm-prone areas can potentially be struck by downburst transient winds. In this study, the downburst time-varying mean wind was simulated by an impinging jet model based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). To make the simulation results fit well with the measurements, a parameter optimization method was developed. The objective function was established based on the errors between the simulated characteristic points and the target values from the measurement data. To increase the effectiveness, a Kriging surrogate model that was trained using data from numerical simulations was used. The parameter optimization method and the Kriging model were verified using five groups of test samples. The optimization efficiency was significantly increased by replacing the numerical model with a surrogate model during the optimization iteration. The simulation accuracy was clearly improved by the numerical modeling of a downburst based on optimized parameters. Subsequently, the nonstationary turbulent downburst wind was obtained by the combination of the Hilbert-based nonstationary fluctuations and the CFD-based time-varying trend. Finally, the dynamic response of a long-span bridge subjected to the moving downburst was presented. The results based on the simulation validate the optimized downburst wind field and highlight the significant influence on the bridge’s aerodynamics and buffeting response.
Redundancy-Based Resilience Optimization of Multi-Component Systems
Authors: Dui Hongyan , Wang Xinyue , Zhou Haohao
Published: July 2023

Systems are damaged due to various disturbances, and the reliability of the systems is reduced. Measures to improve system resilience need to be studied since many systems still need to operate normally after suffering damage. In this paper, the whole process of the disturbance and recovery of the system is considered, and a resilience optimization model of a multi-component system is proposed. Firstly, a system resilience assessment method is proposed based on system reliability, and the system resilience loss is used as the resilience assessment index. Secondly, two component importance indexes, loss importance and recovery importance, are proposed for the system disturbance phase and recovery phase, respectively. The two importance indexes are weighted to obtain the weighted importance so as to measure the change law of system resilience and determine the influence degrees of components on system reliability. Then, under the constraint of maintenance time, an optimization model is established to determine a redundancy strategy to maximize system resilience. Finally, through an example analysis of a wind turbine system with its main components, it is verified that the redundancy strategy proposed with this method can reduce the loss of system resilience and effectively improve system reliability.
The Role of Laser Photocoagulation in Treating Diabetic Macular Edema in the Era of Intravitreal Drug Administration: A Descriptive Review
Authors: Nozaki Miho , Ando Ryota , Kimura Toshiya , Kato Fusae , Yasukawa Tsutomu
Published: July 2023

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the role of laser photocoagulation therapy in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, the first-line treatment, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search to identify studies that evaluated the efficacy of laser photocoagulation therapy in the management of DME was performed. The relevant findings of the efficacy of focal/grid laser therapy from data in randomized, controlled trials were synthesized, and the potential of new laser technologies, such as navigated laser systems, pattern scan lasers, and subthreshold lasers, was explored. The usefulness of multimodal imaging-guided laser therapy was also evaluated, with a focus on the potential contribution to anti-VEGF therapy. Results: Focal laser photocoagulation targeting microaneurysms remains an effective therapeutic approach to chronic refractory edema, despite the widespread use of anti-VEGF therapy. To achieve the best possible treatment outcomes, precise identification of microaneurysms is essential. This requires the use of multimodal imaging-guided, highly accurate, minimally invasive coagulation techniques. Subthreshold laser therapy can also reduce the frequency of anti-VEGF injections and minimize treatment burden. Conclusions: Further studies are needed to determine the optimal timing and settings for laser photocoagulation therapy and the potential of new laser technologies in the management of DME. Nevertheless, laser photocoagulation therapy plays an important role in the management of DME, in conjunction with anti-VEGF therapy.