bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From the Atlantic Coast to Lake Tanganyika: Gill-Infecting Flatworms of Freshwater Pellonuline Clupeid Fishes in West and Central Africa, with Description of Eleven New Species and Key to Kapentagyrus (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae)
Authors: Vanhove Maarten P. M. , Hermans Raquel , Artois Tom , Kmentová Nikol
Published: December 2021

Unlike their marine counterparts, tropical freshwater clupeids receive little scientific attention. However, they sustain important fisheries that may be of (inter)national commercial interest. Africa harbours over 20 freshwater clupeid species within Pellonulini. Recent research suggests their most abundant parasites are gill-infecting monogenean flatworms within Kapentagyrus. After inspecting specimens of 12 freshwater clupeids from West and Central Africa, mainly sourced in biodiversity collections, we propose 11 new species of Kapentagyrus, which we describe using their haptoral and genital morphology. Because of their high morphological similarity, species delineation relies mostly on the morphometrics of anchors and hooks. Specifically, earlier, molecular taxonomic work indicated that the proportion between the length of the anchor roots, and between the hook and anchor length, is diagnostic. On average, about one species of Kapentagyrus exists per pellonuline species, although Pellonula leonensis harbours four species and Microthrissa congica two, while Microthrissa moeruensis and Potamothrissa acutirostris share a gill monogenean species. This study more than quadruples the number of known species of Kapentagyrus, also almost quadrupling the number of pellonuline species of which monogeneans are known. Since members of Kapentagyrus are informative about their hosts’ ecology, evolutionary history, and introduction routes, this enables a parasitological perspective on several data-poor African fisheries.
MMPC-RF: A Deep Multimodal Feature-Level Fusion Architecture for Hybrid Spam E-mail Detection
Authors: Hnini Ghizlane , Riffi Jamal , Mahraz Mohamed Adnane , Yahyaouy Ali , Tairi Hamid
Published: December 2021

Hybrid spam is an undesirable e-mail (electronic mail) that contains both image and text parts. It is more harmful and complex as compared to image-based and text-based spam e-mail. Thus, an efficient and intelligent approach is required to distinguish between spam and ham. To our knowledge, a small number of studies have been aimed at detecting hybrid spam e-mails. Most of these multimodal architectures adopted the decision-level fusion method, whereby the classification scores of each modality were concatenated and fed to another classification model to make a final decision. Unfortunately, this method not only demands many learning steps, but it also loses correlation in mixed feature space. In this paper, we propose a deep multimodal feature-level fusion architecture that concatenates two embedding vectors to have a strong representation of e-mails and increase the performance of the classification. The paragraph vector distributed bag of words (PV-DBOW) and the convolutional neural network (CNN) were used as feature extraction techniques for text and image parts, respectively, of the same e-mail. The extracted feature vectors were concatenated and fed to the random forest (RF) model to classify a hybrid e-mail as either spam or ham. The experiments were conducted on three hybrid datasets made using three publicly available corpora: Enron, Dredze, and TREC 2007. According to the obtained results, the proposed model provides a higher accuracy of 99.16% compared to recent state-of-the-art methods.
Diabetic Retinopathy Improved Detection Using Deep Learning
Authors: Ayala Angel , Ortiz Figueroa Tomás , Fernandes Bruno , Cruz Francisco
Published: December 2021

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body presents an uncontrolled level of glucose that is capable of damaging the retina, leading to permanent damage of the eyes or vision loss. When diabetes affects the eyes, it is known as diabetic retinopathy, which became a global medical problem among elderly people. The fundus oculi technique involves observing the eyeball to diagnose or check the pathology evolution. In this work, we implement a convolutional neural network model to process a fundus oculi image to recognize the eyeball structure and determine the presence of diabetic retinopathy. The model’s parameters are optimized using the transfer-learning methodology for mapping an image with the corresponding label. The model training and testing are performed with a dataset of medical fundus oculi images and a pathology severity scale present in the eyeball as labels. The severity scale separates the images into five classes, from a healthy eyeball to a proliferative diabetic retinopathy presence. The latter is probably a blind patient. Our proposal presented an accuracy of 97.78%, allowing for the confident prediction of diabetic retinopathy in fundus oculi images.
Characterization of Graphenic Carbon Produced by Pulsed Laser Ablation of Sacrificial Carbon Tapes
Authors: Ershov Igor V. , Lavrentyev Anatoly A. , Prutsakova Natalia V. , Holodova Olga M. , Mardasova Irina V. , Zhdanova Tatiana P. , Kozakov Alexey T.
Published: December 2021

This paper reports on the pulsed laser deposition of nanocarbon films on metal and dielectric substrates, using high-purity sacrificial carbon tape as a carbon source on a neutral gas background. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoelectron (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. The XRD and Raman structural analyses revealed that the synthesized films have a graphenic nanocrystalline turbostratic structure, with sp2 clusters about 15–18 nm in size, depending on the laser fluence. A significant decrease in the oxygen and hydrogen contents in the films, in comparison with the target material, was established using XPS, as well as a significant decrease in the sp3 carbon content. The deposited films were found to be similar to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in composition, with a surprisingly low number of defects in the sp2-matrix. The method proposed in the work may have good prospects of application in the production of energy storage and nonvolatile memory devices.
Influence of Selected Restorative Materials on the Environmental pH: In Vitro Comparative Study
Authors: Lehmann Anna , Nijakowski Kacper , Nowakowska Michalina , Woś Patryk , Misiaszek Maria , Surdacka Anna
Published: December 2021

In dental caries treatment, it is worth using such restorative materials that may limit plaque accumulation. The pH of the filling seems to be an important factor affecting the potential bacterial colonisation. Our study aimed to assess how selected restorative materials influence the environmental pH. A total of 150 specimens (30 of each: Ketac Molar, Riva LC, Riva SC, Filtek Bulk Fill, and Evetric) were placed in 100 sterile hermetic polyethene containers with saline and stored in 37 °C. The pH of each sample was measured using the electrode Halo HI13302 (Hanna Instruments, Poland) at specific points in time for 15 days. The initial pH levels were significantly lower for glass ionomer cements (3.9–4.7) compared to composites (5.9–6.0). With time, the pH increased for samples with glass ionomer cements (by nearly 1.5), whereas it decreased for samples with composites (maximally by 0.8). In the end, all materials were in the pH range between 5.3 and 6.0. The highest final pH was obtained with Ketac Molar at about 5.9. Double samples had lower pH values than single samples, irrespective of the type of material. In conclusion, immediately after application, restorative materials decreased the environmental pH, especially light-cured glass ionomer cements. For glass ionomers, within two weeks, the pH increased to levels comparable with composites.
Study and Application of Industrial Thermal Comfort Parameters by Using Bayesian Inference Techniques
Authors: Benito Patricia I. , Sebastián Miguel A. , González-Gaya Cristina
Published: December 2021

This paper focuses on the use of Bayesian networks for the industrial thermal comfort issue, specifically in industries in Northern Argentina. Mined data sets that are analyzed and exploited with WEKA and ELVIRA tools are discussed. Thus, networks giving the predictive value of thermal comfort for different pairs of indoor temperature and humidity values according to activity, time, and season, verified in the workplace, were obtained. The results obtained were compared to other statistical models of linear regression used for thermal comfort, thus observing that comfort temperature values are within a same range, yet the network offered more information since a range of options for interior design parameters (temperature/relative humidity) was offered for different work, time, and season conditions. Additionally, if compared with static models of heat exchange, the contribution of Bayesian networks is noted when considering a context of actual operability and adaptability conditions to the environment, which is promising for developing thermal comfort intelligent systems, especially for the development of sustainable settings within the Industry 4.0 paradigm.
Trajectory and Conveyance Validation of a Micro Conveyor Based on a Digital Electromagnetic Actuators Array for the Micro-Factory
Authors: Duque Tisnes Simon , Tasneem Atif , Petit Laurent , Prelle Christine
Published: December 2021

Micro-factories are characterized by high modularity, reconfigurability and mobility. To achieve this, the micro-factory needs a conveyor which is able to transport objects in as many degrees of freedom (DoF) as possible, executes optimal trajectories of these objects in terms of energy and precision and is robust to withstand possible malfunctions. In this article, we present the planar conveyance of objects on a digital actuation array following trajectories generated by an adapted A* algorithm. The A* algorithm exploits the predictions of a developed dynamic model of the system to find the optimal paths (in terms of energy) on the conveyor surface. The dynamic model predictions were compared to experimental measurements, obtaining low root-mean-square-errors for all conditions. Uni-dimensional conveyance tests characterized the influence of the control parameters. Then, bi-dimensional motions characterized the conveyor’s performance. From the bi-dimensional test, a position root-mean-square-error of 20 μm was measured for a 1109 μm open-loop controlled trajectory. The modular nature of the array allows easy scaling and avoiding possible malfunctioning zones, increasing the robustness of the micro-conveyor. The experimental tests demonstrate that the proposed device is an interesting alternative for the micro-factory.
Mechanical Properties of Cement Composites Using Modified Plastics by Gamma Irradiation
Authors: Cheon Hyeonwook , Ruziev Jamshid , Lee Heonseok , Kang Yonghak , Roh Seungjun , Kim Woosuk
Published: December 2021

Recently, pollution caused by an increasing amount of worldwide plastic waste has become a global problem. However, these concerns can be alleviated by the use of gamma-ray technology. Using radiation technology, plastic wastes can be converted into a variety of useful purposes presenting powerful opportunities for environmental sustainability and material innovations. Plastics are strong, durable, waterproof, lightweight, easy to mold, and recyclable. In this study, plastic aggregate modified by gamma irradiation was mixed into cement composites, and mechanical property evaluation experiments were conducted. As a result, it was confirmed that the physical performance of cement composites was improved by up to 70% in the case of using the modified plastic aggregates compared to the general plastic aggregate.
Assessment and Evaluation of the Intake of Sugars in European Countries
Authors: Löwik Michiel R. H.
Published: December 2021

The intake of sugars is a trending topic in nutrition and health. For an evaluation of the sugar intake (comparison with existing guidelines), up-to-date information on the guidelines, dietary intake and trends in the intake is needed. The available information for European countries is presented in this review. The existing guidelines on the intake show that there is currently no consensus among the experts from different organizations. The differences are mainly due to the selection of the adverse health outcomes for which there is sufficient evidence. Data from national European surveys show that the mean proportion of energy coming from added sugars for most European population groups is below 10%, and that the trend in the intake seems to be downwards. There are, however, many serious uncertainties and assumptions needed for the assessment of the intake of sugars. For instance, the assessment reflects a short period of the lives of the respondents, the data collection in several surveys was conducted more than 10 years ago, and recent reformulations of the industry are not considered in the food composition tables. Due to the uncertainties regarding the assessment of the sugar intake in Europe, the information should be used prudently and with care.
Artificial Intelligence for Creating Low Latency and Predictive Intrusion Detection with Security Enhancement in Power Systems
Authors: Bhadoria Robin Singh , Bhoj Naman , Zaini Hatim G. , Bisht Vivek , Nezami Md. Manzar , Althobaiti Ahmed , Ghoneim Sherif S. M.
Published: December 2021

Advancement in network technology has vastly increased the usage of the Internet. Consequently, there has been a rise in traffic volume and data sharing. This has made securing a network from sophisticated intrusion attacks very important to preserve users’ information and privacy. Our research focuses on combating and detecting intrusion attacks and preserving the integrity of online systems. In our research we first create a benchmark model for detecting intrusions and then employ various combinations of feature selection techniques based upon ensemble machine learning algorithms to improve the performance of the intrusion detection system. The performance of our model was investigated using three evaluation metrics namely: elimination time, accuracy and F1-score. The results of the experiment indicated that the random forest feature selection technique had the minimum elimination time, whereas the support vector machine model had the best accuracy and F1-score. Therefore, conclusive evidence could be drawn that the combination of random forest and support vector machine is suitable for low latency and highly accurate intrusion detection systems.
Distributed Fault Detection and Isolation Approach for Oil Pipelines
Authors: Pérez-Zuñiga Gustavo , Sotomayor-Moriano Javier , Rivas-Perez Raul , Sanchez-Zurita Victor
Published: December 2021

Fault detection and isolation (FDI) in oil pipeline systems (OPS) is a very critical issue because faults in these systems such as leaks or equipment malfunctions may cause significant safety accidents and economic losses. These are the challenging factors, along with the environmental regulations for developing efficient FDI approaches for OPS. This paper proposes a model-based distributed FDI approach, which uses a structural model of the system in conjunction with algorithms to generate diagnostic tests that may be implemented in local diagnosers along the OPS. The proposed approach allows detection and isolation of faults in pipeline sections (pipeline segments), pump stations, as well as process control equipment. In this way, simulation of the obtained diagnostic tests in a benchmark application shows that all faults of interest (pipeline segment faults and sensor faults) are detected and isolated.
Time Classification Algorithm Based on Windowed-Color Histogram Matching
Authors: Park Hye-Jin , Jang Jung-In , Kim Byung-Gyu
Published: December 2021

A web-based search system recommends and gives results such as customized image or video contents using information such as user interests, search time, and place. Time information extracted from images can be used as a important metadata in the web search system. We present an efficient algorithm to classify time period into day, dawn, and night when the input is a single image with a sky region. We employ the Mask R-CNN to extract a sky region. Based on the extracted sky region, reference color histograms are generated, which can be considered as the ground-truth. To compare the histograms effectively, we design the windowed-color histograms (for RGB bands) to compare each time period from the sky region of the reference data with one of the input images. Also, we use a weighting approach to reflect a more separable feature on the windowed-color histogram. With the proposed windowed-color histogram, we verify about 91% of the recognition accuracy in the test data. Compared with the existing deep neural network models, we verify that the proposed algorithm achieves better performance in the test dataset.
Interdisciplinary Service Design Approach to Promote Sustainable Solutions in Social Complexity: Case Study on Korean Elderly Residential Stability during COVID-19
Authors: Choi Suji , Kang Miseon , Lee Yeseul , Lee Seol-Ah , Kim Hyoun K. , Lee Hyun-Kyung
Published: December 2021

This study introduces Action Research to present a service program through an interdisciplinary service design approach for promoting the residential stability of elderly people. We extracted design elements (1) “things to do” and (2) “community” and “strategies”, and then made a design framework. According to the framework, we developed a service design program, named “Small Daily Life: “Small Daily Life Tasks”, which provided opportunities to share the elderly people’s daily life via online videos “Small Meeting”, which helped develop a network of relationships outside the home by informing neighbors regarding elderly people’s know-how, and “Small Sharing”, which delivers the results of previous activities to those who need help in the community. Finally, we describe our reflective case study on the presented service program and examine the relationship between social infrastructure and design and their respective roles. This study will expand service design methodologies as presented research procedures, generalized frameworks, and conceptual models that can be referenced in multidisciplinary collaborations.
Experimental Investigation of a Helium-Cooled Breeding Blanket First Wall under LOFA Conditions and Pre-Test and Post-Test Numerical Analysis
Authors: Ghidersa Bradut-Eugen , Gonfiotti Bruno , Kunze André , Di Marcello Valentino , Ionescu-Bujor Mihaela , Jin Xue Zhou , Stieglitz Robert
Published: December 2021

The experimental investigation of a prototypical set-up simulating a loss of flow accident in a helium-cooled breeding blanket first wall mock-up under typical heat load conditions is presented. The experimental campaign reproduces the expected DEMO thermal-hydraulics conditions during normal and off-normal situations and aims at providing some insight into the fast transients associated with the loss of flow in the blanket first wall. The experimental set-up and the definition of the experimental matrix are discussed, including pre-test analysis performed in support of these activities. The major experimental results are discussed, and a procedure of using the acquired data for validating and calibrating the RELAP-3D model of the mock-up is introduced. All these activities contributed to the creation of a relevant theoretical and practical experience that can be used in further studies concerning incidental transients in real-plant scenarios in the framework of DEMO plant fusion safety activities.
The Model of Reducing Operations Time at a Container Terminal by Assigning Places and Sequence of Operations
Authors: Zając Mateusz
Published: December 2021

The problem of reshuffling is a current phenomenon practically in every container terminal. So far, there has been no unambiguous solution to the problem of reshuffling of cargo units. This is due to the specifics of the terminals, available equipment, information provided by the participants of the logistics chain as well as the methods that are implemented in handling terminals. The aim of the article is to present a model with sequence of operations which may allow for reduced losses resulting from the need to move the same cargo unit multiple times.
Short-Term Load Forecasting of Distributed Energy System Based on Kernel Principal Component Analysis and KELM Optimized by Fireworks Algorithm
Authors: Fan Yingying , Wang Haichao , Zhao Xinyue , Yang Qiaoran , Liang Yi
Published: December 2021

Accurate and stable load forecasting has great significance to ensure the safe operation of distributed energy system. For the purpose of improving the accuracy and stability of distributed energy system load forecasting, a forecasting model in view of kernel principal component analysis (KPCA), kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) and fireworks algorithm (FWA) is proposed. First, KPCA modal is used to reduce the dimension of the feature, thus redundant input samples are merged. Next, FWA is employed to optimize the parameters C and σ of KELM. Lastly, the load forecasting modal of KPCA-FWA-KELM is established. The relevant data of a distributed energy system in Beijing, China, is selected for training test to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that the new hybrid KPCA-FWA-KELM method has superior performance, robustness and versatility in load prediction of distributed energy systems.
Providing a Forensic Expert Opinion on the “Degree of Force”: Evidentiary Considerations
Authors: de Boer Hans H. , Berger Charles E. H. , Blau Soren
Published: December 2021

Forensic pathologists and anthropologists are often asked in court for an opinion about the degree of force required to cause a specific injury. This paper examines and discusses the concept of ‘degree of force’ and why it is considered a pertinent issue in legal proceedings. This discussion identifies the implicit assumptions that often underpin questions about the ‘degree of force’. The current knowledge base for opinions on the degree of force is then provided by means of a literature review. A critical appraisal of this literature shows that much of the results from experimental research is of limited value in routine casework. An alternative approach to addressing the issue is provided through a discussion of the application of Bayes’ theorem, also called the likelihood ratio framework. It is argued that the use of this framework makes it possible for an expert to provide relevant and specific evidence, whilst maintaining the boundaries of their field of expertise.
Medicinal-Cosmetic Potential of the Local Endemic Plants of Crete (Greece), Northern Morocco and Tunisia: Priorities for Conservation and Sustainable Exploitation of Neglected and Underutilized Phytogenetic Resources
Authors: Bourgou Soumaya , Ben Haj Jilani Imtinen , Karous Olfa , Megdiche-Ksouri Wided , Ghrabi-Gammar Zeineb , Libiad Mohamed , Khabbach Abdelmajid , El Haissoufi Mohamed , Lamchouri Fatima , Greveniotis Vasileios , Avramakis Manolis , Hatzilazarou Stefanos , Anestis Ioannis , Tsoktouridis Georgios , Krigas Nikos
Published: December 2021

Medicinal-aromatic plants (MAPs) are important sources for the development of new valuable products of interest to human and animal health, and are also used as ornamentals for the horticulture industry. However, the increased global demand and the uncontrolled exploitation of these plants constitute a threat to their sustainability. To date, few scientific investigations have focused on MAPs valorization and their domestication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate for the first time the medicinal-cosmetic potential of 399 local endemic Mediterranean plants confined to Crete (223 taxa), the Mediterranean coast-Rif of Morocco (94), and Tunisia (82). The new methodological scheme was developed by experts through three multidisciplinary co-creative workshops and was adjusted by end-users to point-scoring of nine attributes evaluating the potential of the targeted neglected and underutilized plants (NUPs) in the medicinal-cosmetic sector. The results were demonstrated as percentage of the maximum possible score. These assessments were further linked and discussed with respect to feasibility and readiness timescale evaluations for sustainable exploitation of the focal NUPs. A great diversity of local endemic NUPs (30 taxa, 11 families) were associated with interesting medicinal-cosmetic properties (>35% up to 94.44%). Among them, 8 taxa showed the highest medicinal-cosmetic potential (>55% of maximum possible score), half of which are threatened with extinction. Although ex-situ conservation efforts and applied research work are needed to safeguard and unlock the full potential of the local endemic NUPs evaluated herein, the proposed multifaceted evaluation scheme revealed that some local endemic NUPs of the studied regions can be sustainably exploited in short- or medium-term, following successful examples of Cretan NUPs e.g., Origanum dictramnus. The sustainable exploitation of high scored taxa of the studied regions can be fastened through targeted species-specific research bridging extant research gaps and facilitating conservation and stakeholder attraction.
Inhibition of LPMOs by Fermented Persimmon Juice
Authors: Tokin Radina , Ipsen Johan Ørskov , Poojary Mahesha M. , Jensen Poul Erik , Olsson Lisbeth , Johansen Katja Salomon
Published: December 2021

Fermented persimmon juice, Kakishibu, has traditionally been used for wood and paper protection. This protective effect stems at least partially from inhibition of microbial cellulose degrading enzymes. The inhibitory effect of Kakishibu on lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) and on a cocktail of cellulose hydrolases was studied, using three different cellulosic substrates. Dose dependent inhibition of LPMO activity by a commercial Kakishibu product was assessed for the well-characterized LPMO from Thermoascus aurantiacus TaAA9A, and the inhibitory effect was confirmed on five additional microbial LPMOs. The model tannin compound, tannic acid exhibited a similar inhibitory effect on TaAA9A as Kakishibu. It was further shown that both polyethylene glycol and tannase can alleviate the inhibitory effect of Kakishibu and tannic acid, indicating a likely mechanism of inhibition caused by unspecific tannin–protein interactions.
Exosomes as Powerful Engines in Cancer: Isolation, Characterization and Detection Techniques
Authors: Saad Marwa Gamal , Beyenal Haluk , Dong Wen-Ji
Published: December 2021

Exosomes, powerful extracellular nanovesicles released from almost all types of living cells, are considered the communication engines (messengers) that control and reprogram physiological pathways inside target cells within a community or between different communities. The cell-like structure of these extracellular vesicles provides a protective environment for their proteins and DNA/RNA cargos, which serve as biomarkers for many malicious diseases, including infectious diseases and cancers. Cancer-derived exosomes control cancer metastasis, prognosis, and development. In addition to the unique structure of exosomes, their nanometer size and tendency of interacting with cells makes them a viable novel drug delivery solution. In recent years, numerous research efforts have been made to quantify and characterize disease-derived exosomes for diagnosis, monitoring, and therapeutic purposes. This review aims to (1) relate exosome biomarkers to their origins, (2) focus on current isolation and detection methods, (3) discuss and evaluate the proposed technologies deriving from exosome research for cancer treatment, and (4) form a conclusion about the prospects of the current exosome research.
Development, Optimization, Characterization, and Application of Electrochemical Biosensors for Detecting Nickel Ions in Food
Authors: Anchidin-Norocel Liliana , Savage Wesley K. , Gutt Gheorghe , Amariei Sonia
Published: December 2021

Nickel is naturally present in drinking water and many dietary items, which expose the general population to nickel ingestion. This heavy metal can have a variety of harmful health effects, causing allergies and skin disorders (i.e., dermatitis), lung, cardiovascular, and kidney diseases, and even certain cancers; therefore, nickel detection is important for public health. Recent innovations in the development of biosensors have demonstrated they offer a powerful new approach over conventional analytical techniques for the identification and quantification of user-defined compounds, including heavy metals such as nickel. We optimized five candidate nickel-biosensing receptors, and tested each for efficiency of binding to immobilization elements on screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). We characterized the application of nickel-detecting biosensors with four different cultivated vegetables. We analyzed the efficiency of each nickel-detecting biosensor by potentiostat and atomic absorption spectrometry and compared the results from the sample analytes. We then analyzed the performance characteristics and responses of assembled biosensors, and show they are very effective at measuring nickel ions in food, especially with the urease-alginate biosensor affixed to silver SPEs, measured by cyclic voltammetry (sensitivity—2.1921 µA Mm−1 cm−2 and LOD—0.005 mg/L). Given the many advantages of biosensors, we describe an optimization pipeline approach to the application of different nickel-binding biosensors for public health, nutrition, and consumer safety, which are very promising.
Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women: A Scoping Review
Authors: Campos-Garzón Celia , Riquelme-Gallego Blanca , de la Torre-Luque Alejandro , Caparrós-González Rafael A.
Published: December 2021

During the gestation period, pregnant women experience physical and psychological changes, which represent vulnerability factors that can boost the development of mental health conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic is producing new changes in the routines of the whole society, especially on lifestyle habits. The psychological impact associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and pregnant women remains unclear. A scoping review regarding the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women was conducted. Searchers were conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL databases. Articles in Spanish, English and French were included. The search was conducted between November 2020 and September 2021. We identified 31 studies that evaluated 30,049 expectant mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pregnant women showed high levels of anxiety and depression symptomatology. Fear of contagion and concerns regarding the health of the fetus were identified as the main variables related to psychological distress. An increase of the levels of depression, anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst pregnant women has been observed. Moreover, an increased vulnerability of the fetus due to placental metabolic alterations is discussed. This review suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a negative psychological impact on pregnant women. Thus, high levels of anxiety and depression symptoms suggest the need for a systematic approach.
Correction: Järvenpää et al. Contextual Communicative Competence in Multinational Infrastructure Projects. Buildings 2021, 11, 403
Authors: Järvenpää Anna-Therése , Pavlik Anthony , Gustavsson Tina
Published: December 2021

The authors would like to make the following correction regarding the paper Contextual Communicative Competence in Multinational Infrastructure Projects [...]
Timber and Multi-Storey Buildings: Industry Perceptions of Adoption in Australia
Authors: Marfella Giorgio , Winson-Geideman Kimberly
Published: December 2021

The use of Engineered Wood Systems (EWS) as structural alternatives or complements of traditional materials, such as steel and concrete, is of growing interest and acceptance in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. Gathering evidence from the Australian context, this paper proposes a roadmap for the adoption of EWS as the primary structural materials of medium-rise buildings, with the scope of increasing levels of public awareness about the potential and current shortcomings of these building technologies. A nation-wide survey with stakeholders at the forefront of adoption in structural design, construction, and property development, indicates that the demand for timber in multi-storey projects has promising prospects of growth, but faces circumstantial industry-wide hurdles in the short to medium term. Awareness of benefits and inclination towards more use of timber among designers are positive factors that provide a promising base for further adoption. The translation of positive front-end design attitudes into adoption, however, requires holistic long-term investment efforts with industry-wide education. The pathway to innovation for timber in multi-storey projects needs to grow beyond mere promotional strategies of its benefits, seeking to expand technical knowledge through education and reaching out beyond a group of already committed and knowledgeable stakeholders at the forefront of adoption.
Inside a Microapartment: Design Solutions to Support Future Sustainable Lifestyles
Authors: Gronostajska Barbara Ewa , Szczegielniak Anna
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study wass to assess the interior design solutions of residential microflats built in large European cities in countries from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). A sample consisting of thirty representative microflats with a floor area below 35 m2 was selected for the study. The flats were intended for either permanent or temporary occupancy and were built over the past fifteen years. The research field covered several large European cities, where demand for such units is high. Comparative analyses of different microflat interior design models were performed. The objective of the study was to determine which contemporary microflat interior design solutions (such as space layout, furniture layout, and design, color, and material design) are optimal and the most commonly used. Sets of design solutions applied in microflats were collected and documented. The study used a range of research methods, including a review of the literature, websites, field research, and comparative analysis. The set of presented interior design solutions and the conclusions drawn from the analyses can be useful to architects and interior designers who design microflats and residential units with greater floor areas, or flats where effective use of floor area is crucial (e.g., student housing). It is also worth mentioning that the existing literature on microflats focuses primarily on the United States and Australia and not Europe, and discusses the economics and ecology of inhabiting microflats.
Activated Carbon Impregnated with Elementary Iodine: Applications against Virus- and Bacteria-Related Issues
Authors: Natori Yuri , Kinase Yoshiaki , Ikemoto Norihiro , Spaziani Fabio , Kojima Tsutomu , Kakuta Hitomi , Fujita Junko , Someya Kazuyuki , Tatenuma Katsuyoshi , Yabuta Toshiyo , Takakuwa Hiroki , Otsuki Koichi
Published: December 2021

An iodine-doped activated carbon (named IodAC) was developed by adsorbing molecular iodine (I2) on commercially available activated carbon (AC). Iodine was selected with the purpose to add its well-known antibacterial and antiviral properties to the AC and in order to produce an innovative material for environmental pathogens control and for healthcare-related applications. The impregnation method achieved the goal of strongly adsorbing iodine on the AC surface, since both volatility and water solubility resulted to be negligible, and therefore it did not affect the stability of the material. An antibacterial test (on Escherichia coli) and an antiviral test (on an avian influenza strain) were conducted, showing the effectiveness of IodAC against the pathogens. In addition, IodAC was also compared to slaked lime (a material widely used for disinfection of outdoor spaces and livestock farming areas). The data proved the performance of IodAC against virus and bacteria and also evidenced a more stable and long-lasting disinfecting power of IodAC compared to slaked lime, the later reacting with carbon dioxide and suffering a gradually decrease of its disinfectant power; such drawback does not affect IodAC. Overall, the presented results show that IodAC can be used for a wide range of applications, including as a granular disinfectant for public spaces, for water disinfection, zoonotic diseases countermeasures (e.g., as an animal feed additive for avian influenza control), post-harvest food storage, and sanitization. Its characteristics also indicate its potential to be used for medical treatments, such as for blood, intestinal (for HIV, sepsis, irritable syndrome, ulcerative colitis therapy), and medical supplies (antibacterial bandages, gauze, cotton, etc.) sterilization.
Anti-Cancer Role and Therapeutic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Tominaga Naoomi
Published: December 2021

Cell–cell communication is an important mechanism in biological processes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), also referred to as exosomes, microvesicles, and prostasomes, are microvesicles secreted by a variety of cells. EVs are nanometer-scale vesicles composed of a lipid bilayer and contain biological functional molecules, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), mRNAs, and proteins. In this review, “EVs” is used as a comprehensive term for vesicles that are secreted from cells. EV research has been developing over the last four decades. Many studies have suggested that EVs play a crucial role in cell–cell communication. Importantly, EVs contribute to cancer malignancy mechanisms such as carcinogenesis, proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and escape from the immune system. EVs derived from cancer cells and their microenvironments are diverse, change in nature depending on the condition. As EVs are thought to be secreted into body fluids, they have the potential to serve as diagnostic markers for liquid biopsy. In addition, cells can encapsulate functional molecules in EVs. Hence, the characteristics of EVs make them suitable for use in drug delivery systems and novel cancer treatments. In this review, the potential of EVs as anti-cancer therapeutics is discussed.
Reirradiation for Nasal Cavity or Paranasal Sinus Tumor—A Multi-Institutional Study
Authors: Yamazaki Hideya , Suzuki Gen , Aibe Norihiro , Yasuda Makoto , Shiomi Hiroya , Oh Ryoong-Jin , Yoshida Ken , Nakamura Satoaki , Konishi Koji , Ogita Mikio
Published: December 2021

We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of reirradiation of nasal cavity or paranasal sinus tumors. We collected and analyzed multi-institutional data of reirradiation cases. Seventy-eight patients with nasal or paranasal sinus tumors underwent reirradiation. The median survival time was 20 months with a medial follow-up of 10.7 months. The 2-year local control and overall survival rates were 43% and 44%, respectively. Tumor volume (≤25 cm3), duration between previous radiotherapy and reirradiation (≤12 months), histology (squamous cell carcinoma), male sex, and lymph node involvement were predisposing factors for poor survival. Distant metastasis was observed in 20 patients (25.6%). Grade ≥ 3 adverse events were observed in 22% of the patients, including five grade 4 (8.6%) cases and one grade 5 (1.2%) case. Tumor location adjacent to the optic pathway was a significant predisposing factor for grade ≥3 visual toxicity. Reirradiation of nasal and paranasal sinus tumors is feasible and effective. However, adverse events, including disease-related toxicities, were significant. Prognostic factors emerge from this study to guide multidisciplinary approaches and clinical trial designs.
The Leukemic Phase of ALK-Negative Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Is Associated with CD7 Positivity, Complex Karyotype, TP53 Deletion, and a Poor Prognosis
Authors: Qiu Lianqun , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Tang Guilin , Khanlari Mahsa , Li Shaoying , Konoplev Sergej , Wang Sa A. , Yin C. Cameron , Khoury Joseph D. , Wang Wei , Miranda Roberto N. , Iyer Swaminathan , You M. James , Xu Jie
Published: December 2021

Patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) rarely develop a leukemic phase of the disease. The reported leukemic ALCL cases are almost all ALK-positive, which are frequently associated with small cell morphology, t(2;5)(p23;q35), and a poorer prognosis. Rare leukemic ALK-negative ALCL cases have been reported. In the present study, we investigated the clinical and pathologic features and outcomes of nine patients with leukemic ALK-negative ALCL and compared these features with 39 patients without leukemic disease. Compared with the non-leukemic ALK-negative ALCL group, patients with leukemic disease more often had absolute lymphocytosis (50% vs. 0%, p = 0.008), thrombocytopenia (60% vs. 11%, p = 0.03), bone marrow involvement (50% vs. 14%, p = 0.04), and CD7 positivity (71% vs. 19%, p = 0.02). Four of five (80%) patients with leukemic ALK-negative ALCL had a complex karyotype, which was significantly higher than that of the patients in the non-leukemic group. A fluorescence in situ hybridization for TP53 was performed on six leukemic ALK-negative ALCL cases and all (100%) had TP53 deletion. There were no significant differences in the other clinicopathologic features, treatment, and complete remission rates between patients in the leukemic versus non-leukemic group (all p > 0.05). The median follow-up of this cohort was 18 months with a range of 0.3–140 months. Eight of nine (90%) patients with leukemic ALK-negative ALCL died, and their overall survival was significantly shorter than that of the patients with non-leukemic disease (median 15.5 vs. 60 months, p = 0.001). In conclusion, we show that the leukemic phase of ALK-negative ALCL is associated with high-risk biologic features and, in particular, a complex karyotype and TP53 deletion. Compared with the non-leukemic ALK-negative ALCL patients, the patients with a leukemic phase of disease have poorer survival and may require more aggressive treatment.
An Easily Expandable Multi-Drug LC-MS Assay for the Simultaneous Quantification of 57 Oral Antitumor Drugs in Human Plasma
Authors: Kehl Niklas , Schlichtig Katja , Dürr Pauline , Bellut Laura , Dörje Frank , Fietkau Rainer , Pavel Marianne , Mackensen Andreas , Wullich Bernd , Maas Renke , Fromm Martin F. , Gessner Arne , Taudte R. Verena
Published: December 2021

Oral anticancer drugs have led to significant improvements in the treatment of multiple tumor entities. However, in patients undergoing oral antitumor therapy, plasma concentrations are highly variable, resulting in risks of reduced therapeutic effects or an increase in side effects. One important tool to reduce this variability is therapeutic drug monitoring. In this work we describe a method to simultaneously quantify the plasma concentrations of 57 oral antitumor agents. Quantification of these drugs was achieved using liquid chromatography coupled to an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The method was fully validated according to the FDA guidelines and constitutes a simple and robust way for exposure monitoring of a wide variety of oral anticancer drugs. Applicability to clinical routine was demonstrated by the analysis of 71 plasma samples taken from 39 patients. In summary, this new multi-drug method allows simultaneous quantification of 57 oral antitumor drugs, which can be applied to exposure monitoring in clinical studies, taking into account the broad variety of oral antitumor drugs prescribed in clinical routine.
RalGPS2 Interacts with Akt and PDK1 Promoting Tunneling Nanotubes Formation in Bladder Cancer and Kidney Cells Microenvironment
Authors: D’Aloia Alessia , Arrigoni Edoardo , Costa Barbara , Berruti Giovanna , Martegani Enzo , Sacco Elena , Ceriani Michela
Published: December 2021

RalGPS2 is a Ras-independent Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for RalA GTPase that is involved in several cellular processes, including cytoskeletal organization. Previously, we demonstrated that RalGPS2 also plays a role in the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in bladder cancer 5637 cells. In particular, TNTs are a novel mechanism of cell–cell communication in the tumor microenvironment, playing a central role in cancer progression and metastasis formation. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in TNTs formation still need to be fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate that mid and high-stage bladder cancer cell lines have functional TNTs, which can transfer mitochondria. Moreover, using confocal fluorescence time-lapse microscopy, we show in 5637 cells that TNTs mediate the trafficking of RalA protein and transmembrane MHC class III protein leukocyte-specific transcript 1 (LST1). Furthermore, we show that RalGPS2 is essential for nanotubes generation, and stress conditions boost its expression both in 5637 and HEK293 cell lines. Finally, we prove that RalGPS2 interacts with Akt and PDK1, in addition to LST1 and RalA, leading to the formation of a complex that promotes nanotubes formation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that in the tumor microenvironment, RalGPS2 orchestrates the assembly of multimolecular complexes that drive the formation of TNTs.
Development of a Mesoporous Silica-Supported Layered Double Hydroxide Catalyst for the Reduction of Oxygenated Compounds in E. grandis Fast Pyrolysis Oils
Authors: Maree Danya Carla , Heydenrych Mike
Published: December 2021

Biomass fast pyrolysis oil is a potential renewable alternative to fossil fuels, but its viability is constrained by its corrosiveness, low higher heating value and instability, caused by high oxygenate concentrations. A few studies have outlined layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as possible catalysts for the improvement of biomass pyrolysis oil characteristics. In this study, the goal was to reduce the concentration of oxygen-rich compounds in E. grandis fast pyrolysis oils using CaAl- and MgAl- LDHs. The LDHs were supported by mesoporous silica, synthesised at different pHs to obtain different pore sizes (3.3 to 4.8 nm) and surface areas (up to 600 m2/g). The effects of the support pore sizes and use of LDHs were investigated. GC/MS results revealed that MgAl-LDH significantly reduced the concentrations of ketones and oxygenated aromatics in the electrostatic precipitator oils and increased the concentration of aliphatics. CaAl-LDH had the opposite effect. There was little effect on the oxygenate concentrations of the heat exchanger oils, suggesting that there was a greater extent of conversion of the lighter oil compounds. Bomb calorimetry also showed a marked increase in higher heating values (16.2 to 22.5 MJ/kg) in the electrostatic precipitator oils when using MgAl-LDH. It was also found that the mesoporous silica support synthesised at a pH of 7 was the most effective, likely due to the intermediate average pore width (4 nm).