bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progress on Modified Calcium Oxide Derived Waste-Shell Catalysts for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Ooi Hui Khim , Koh Xin Ning , Ong Hwai Chyuan , Lee Hwei Voon , Mastuli Mohd Sufri , Taufiq-Yap Yun Hin , Alharthi Fahad A. , Alghamdi Abdulaziz Ali , Asikin Mijan Nurul
Published: February 2021

The dwindling of global petroleum deposits and worsening environmental issues have triggered researchers to find an alternative energy such as biodiesel. Biodiesel can be produced via transesterification of vegetable oil or animal fat with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. A heterogeneous catalyst at an economical price has been studied widely for biodiesel production. It was noted that various types of natural waste shell are a potential calcium resource for generation of bio-based CaO, with comparable chemical characteristics, that greatly enhance the transesterification activity. However, CaO catalyzed transesterification is limited in its stability and studies have shown deterioration of catalytic reactivity when the catalyst is reused for several cycles. For this reason, different approaches are reviewed in the present study, which focuses on modification of waste-shell derived CaO based catalyst with the aim of better transesterification reactivity and high reusability of the catalyst for biodiesel production. The catalyst stability and leaching profile of the modified waste shell derived CaO is discussed. In addition, a critical discussion of the structure, composition of the waste shell, mechanism of CaO catalyzed reaction, recent progress in biodiesel reactor systems and challenges in the industrial sector are also included in this review.
Iron Metabolism in the Tumor Microenvironment—Implications for Anti-Cancer Immune Response
Authors: Sacco Alessandro , Battaglia Anna Martina , Botta Cirino , Aversa Ilenia , Mancuso Serafina , Costanzo Francesco , Biamonte Flavia
Published: February 2021

New insights into the field of iron metabolism within the tumor microenvironment have been uncovered in recent years. Iron promotes the production of reactive oxygen species, which may either trigger ferroptosis cell death or contribute to malignant transformation. Once transformed, cancer cells divert tumor-infiltrating immune cells to satisfy their iron demand, thus affecting the tumor immunosurveillance. In this review, we highlight how the bioavailability of this metal shapes complex metabolic pathways within the tumor microenvironment and how this affects both tumor-associated macrophages and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes functions. Furthermore, we discuss the potentials as well as the current clinical controversies surrounding the use of iron metabolism as a target for new anticancer treatments in two opposed conditions: (i) the “hot” tumors, which are usually enriched in immune cells infiltration and are extremely rich in iron availability within the microenvironment, and (ii) the “cold” tumors, which are often very poor in immune cells, mainly due to immune exclusion.
Impact of the Strong Downwelling (Upwelling) on Small Pelagic Fish Production during the 2016 (2019) Negative (Positive) Indian Ocean Dipole Events in the Eastern Indian Ocean off Java
Authors: Lumban-Gaol Jonson , Siswanto Eko , Mahapatra Kedarnath , Natih Nyoman Metta Nyanakumara , Nurjaya I Wayan , Hartanto Mochamad Tri , Maulana Erwin , Adrianto Luky , Rachman Herlambang Aulia , Osawa Takahiro , Rahman Berri Miraz Kholipah , Permana Arik
Published: February 2021

Although researchers have investigated the impact of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phases on human lives, only a few have examined such impacts on fisheries. In this study, we analyzed the influence of negative (positive) IOD phases on chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentrations as an indicator of phytoplankton biomass and small pelagic fish production in the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) off Java. We also conducted field surveys in the EIO off Palabuhanratu Bay at the peak (October) and the end (December) of the 2019 positive IOD phase. Our findings show that the Chl-a concentration had a strong and robust association with the 2016 (2019) negative (positive) IOD phases. The negative (positive) anomalous Chl-a concentration in the EIO off Java associated with the negative (positive) IOD phase induced strong downwelling (upwelling), leading to the preponderant decrease (increase) in small pelagic fish production in the EIO off Java.
Mixed Films Based on MgO for Secondary Electron Emission Application: General Trends and MOCVD Prospects
Authors: Vasilyeva Inga G. , Vikulova Evgeniia S. , Pochtar Alena A. , Morozova Natalya B.
Published: February 2021

Doping process is widely used to improving emission performance of MgO films thicker than 10 nm via assisting the surface recharge and changing in electron structure. The present paper briefly reviews this strategy in a search for the new materials and structures being effective for secondary electron emission (SEE) and their diagnostics. Then, Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) coupled with the specially selected precursor is suggested here as a new technique that transforms the refractory oxides to nanoscale, defect-disordered materials able to solid-solid interaction at 450 °C. Primary experiments have been performed for demanded mixed films based on MgO with ZrO2 and CeO2 additions. A dopant impact on facilitating the formation of oxygen vacancies in the host oxide and on the features of new mixed phases have been studied by new diagnostic means, based primarily on chemical method of differential dissolution. The method brought out the effective solvents that were the probes for identifying the nanoscale and amorphous phases possessing by the different defects on the surface of MgO films and determining contents of these phases. This approach allowed us to explain the origin of mixed phases and to estimate contribution of each from them in the macroscopic SEE properties.
Computational Simulations of Nanoconfined Argon Film through Adsorption–Desorption in a Uniform Slit Pore
Authors: Xu Rong-Guang , Rao Qi , Xiang Yuan , Bian Motong , Leng Yongsheng
Published: February 2021

We performed hybrid grand canonical Monte Carlo/molecular dynamics (GCMC/MD) simulations to investigate the adsorption-desorption isotherms of argon molecules confined between commensurate and incommensurate contacts in nanoscale thickness. The recently proposed mid-density scheme was applied to the obtained hysteresis loops to produce a realistic equilibrium phase of nanoconfined fluids. The appropriate chemical potentials can be determined if the equilibrium structures predicted by GCMC/MD simulations are consistent with those observed in previously developed liquid-vapor molecular dynamics (LVMD) simulations. With the chemical potential as input, the equilibrium structures obtained by GCMC/MD simulations can be used as reasonable initial configurations for future metadynamics free energy calculations.
End-to-End, Pixel-Wise Vessel-Specific Coronary and Aortic Calcium Detection and Scoring Using Deep Learning
Authors: Singh Gurpreet , Al’Aref Subhi , Lee Benjamin , Lee Jing , Tan Swee , Lin Fay , Chang Hyuk-Jae , Shaw Leslee , Baskaran Lohendran ,   on behalf of the CREDENCE and ICONIC Investigators
Published: February 2021

Conventional scoring and identification methods for coronary artery calcium (CAC) and aortic calcium (AC) result in information loss from the original image and can be time-consuming. In this study, we sought to demonstrate an end-to-end deep learning model as an alternative to the conventional methods. Scans of 377 patients with no history of coronary artery disease (CAD) were obtained and annotated. A deep learning model was trained, tested and validated in a 60:20:20 split. Within the cohort, mean age was 64.2 ± 9.8 years, and 33% were female. Left anterior descending, right coronary artery, left circumflex, triple vessel, and aortic calcifications were present in 74.87%, 55.82%, 57.41%, 46.03%, and 85.41% of patients respectively. An overall Dice score of 0.952 (interquartile range 0.921, 0.981) was achieved. Stratified by subgroups, there was no difference between male (0.948, interquartile range 0.920, 0.981) and female (0.965, interquartile range 0.933, 0.980) patients (p = 0.350), or, between age <65 (0.950, interquartile range 0.913, 0.981) and age ≥65 (0.957, interquartile range 0.930, 0.9778) (p = 0.742). There was good correlation and agreement for CAC prediction (rho = 0.876, p < 0.001), with a mean difference of 11.2% (p = 0.100). AC correlated well (rho = 0.947, p < 0.001), with a mean difference of 9% (p = 0.070). Automated segmentation took approximately 4 s per patient. Taken together, the deep-end learning model was able to robustly identify vessel-specific CAC and AC with high accuracy, and predict Agatston scores that correlated well with manual annotation, facilitating application into areas of research and clinical importance.
Vascular Biomarkers: Physics Parameters and Circulating Molecules Can Be Two Faces of the Same Coin
Authors: Zamboni Paolo
Published: February 2021

The arterial, venous and lymphatic conduits of human circulation are a fascinating field of research [...]
Congenital Craniofacial Plexiform Neurofibroma in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Cacchione Antonella , Carboni Alessia , Lodi Mariachiara , Vito Rita De , Carai Andrea , Marrazzo Antonio , Macchiaiolo Marina , Voicu Ioan Paul , Mastronuzzi Angela , Colafati Giovanna Stefania
Published: February 2021

We present a case demonstrating the performance of different radiographical imaging modalities in the diagnostic work-up of a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and plexiform neurofibroma (PN). The newborn boy showed an expansive-infiltrative cervical and facial mass presented with macrocrania, craniofacial disfigurement, exophthalmos and glaucoma. A computer tomography (CT) and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. The CT was fundamental to evaluate the bone dysmorphisms and the MRI was crucial to estimate the mass extension. The biopsy of the lesion confirmed the suspicion of PN, thus allowing the diagnosis of NF1. PN is a variant of neurofibromas, a peripheral nerves sheath tumor typically associated with NF1. Even through currently available improved detection techniques, NF1 diagnosis at birth remains a challenge due to a lack of pathognomonic signs; therefore congenital PN are recognized in 20% of cases. This case highlights the importance of using different radiological methods both for the correct diagnosis and the follow-up of the patient with PN. Thanks to MRI evaluation, it was possible to identify earlier the progressive increasing size of the PN and the possible life threatening evolution in order to perform a tracheostomy to avoid airways compression.
A Novel Ferroptosis-Associated Gene Signature to Predict Prognosis in Patients with Uveal Melanoma
Authors: Luo Huan , Ma Chao
Published: February 2021

Background: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumor in adults. Ferroptosis is a newly recognized process of cell death, which is different from other forms of cell death in terms of morphology, biochemistry and genetics, and has played a vital role in cancer biology. The present research aimed to construct a gene signature from ferroptosis-related genes that have the prognostic capacity of UM. Methods: UM patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were taken as the training cohort, and GSE22138 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was treated as the validation cohort. A total of 103 ferroptosis-related genes were retrieved from the GeneCards. We performed Kaplan–Meier and univariate Cox analysis for preliminary screening of ferroptosis-related genes with potential prognostic capacity in the training cohort. These genes were then applied into an overall survival-based LASSO Cox regression model, constructing a gene signature. The discovered gene signature was then evaluated via Kaplan–Meier (KM), Cox, and ROC analyses in both cohorts. The Pearson correlation coefficient examined the correlations between risk score and UM common mutations and autophagy. The analyses of GSEA and immune infiltrating were performed to better study the functional annotation of the gene signature and the character of each kind of immune cell in the tumor microenvironment. Results: A seven-gene signature was found from the training cohort and validated in all cohorts by Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses, revealing its independent prognosis value in UM. Moreover, ROC analysis was conducted, confirming the strong predictive ability that this signature had for UM prognosis. A total of 52.24% (256/490) autophagy-related genes were significantly correlated with risk scores. Analyses of GSEA and immune infiltrating detailed exhibited specific pathways associated with the seven-gene signature, also confirming the crucial role that Mast cells resting played in the prognosis of the seven-gene signature. Conclusions: In this study, a novel ferroptosis-related seven-gene signature (ALOX12, CD44, MAP1LC3C, STEAP3, HMOX1, ITGA6, and AIFM2/FSP1) was built. It could accurately predict UM prognosis and was related to Mast cells resting, which provides the potential for personalized outcome prediction and the development of new therapies in the UM population.
Midline and Mediolateral Episiotomy: Risk Assessment Based on Clinical Anatomy
Authors: Garner Danielle K. , Patel Akash B. , Hung Jun , Castro Monica , Segev Tamar G. , Plochocki Jeffrey H. , Hall Margaret I.
Published: February 2021

Episiotomy is the surgical incision of the vaginal orifice and perineum to ease the passage of an infant’s head while crowning during vaginal delivery. Although episiotomy remains one of the most frequently performed surgeries around the world, short- and long-term complications from the procedure are not uncommon. We performed midline and mediolateral episiotomies with the aim of correlating commonly diagnosed postepisiotomy complications with risk of injury to perineal neuromuscular and erectile structures. We performed 61 incisions on 47 female cadavers and dissected around the incision site. Dissections revealed that midline incisions did not bisect any major neuromuscular structures, although they did increase the risk of direct and indirect injury to the subcutaneous portion of the external anal sphincter. Mediolateral incisions posed greater risk of iatrogenic injury to ipsilateral nerve, muscle, erectile, and gland tissues. Clinician discretion is advised when weighing the potential risks to maternal perineal anatomy during vaginal delivery when episiotomy is indicated. If episiotomy is warranted, an understanding of perineal anatomy may benefit diagnosis of postsurgical complications.
Going Batty: The Challenges and Opportunities of Using Drones to Monitor the Behaviour and Habitat Use of Rays
Authors: Oleksyn Semonn , Tosetto Louise , Raoult Vincent , Joyce Karen E. , Williamson Jane E.
Published: February 2021

The way an animal behaves in its habitat provides insight into its ecological role. As such, collecting robust, accurate datasets in a time-efficient manner is an ever-present pressure for the field of behavioural ecology. Faced with the shortcomings and physical limitations of traditional ground-based data collection techniques, particularly in marine studies, drones offer a low-cost and efficient approach for collecting data in a range of coastal environments. Despite drones being widely used to monitor a range of marine animals, they currently remain underutilised in ray research. The innovative application of drones in environmental and ecological studies has presented novel opportunities in animal observation and habitat assessment, although this emerging field faces substantial challenges. As we consider the possibility to monitor rays using drones, we face challenges related to local aviation regulations, the weather and environment, as well as sensor and platform limitations. Promising solutions continue to be developed, however, growing the potential for drone-based monitoring of behaviour and habitat use of rays. While the barriers to enter this field may appear daunting for researchers with little experience with drones, the technology is becoming increasingly accessible, helping ray researchers obtain a wide range of highly useful data.
Study of Quantized Hardware Deep Neural Networks Based on Resistive Switching Devices, Conventional versus Convolutional Approaches
Authors: Romero-Zaliz Rocío , Pérez Eduardo , Jiménez-Molinos Francisco , Wenger Christian , Roldán Juan B.
Published: February 2021

A comprehensive analysis of two types of artificial neural networks (ANN) is performed to assess the influence of quantization on the synaptic weights. Conventional multilayer-perceptron (MLP) and convolutional neural networks (CNN) have been considered by changing their features in the training and inference contexts, such as number of levels in the quantization process, the number of hidden layers on the network topology, the number of neurons per hidden layer, the image databases, the number of convolutional layers, etc. A reference technology based on 1T1R structures with bipolar memristors including HfO2 dielectrics was employed, accounting for different multilevel schemes and the corresponding conductance quantization algorithms. The accuracy of the image recognition processes was studied in depth. This type of studies are essential prior to hardware implementation of neural networks. The obtained results support the use of CNNs for image domains. This is linked to the role played by convolutional layers at extracting image features and reducing the data complexity. In this case, the number of synaptic weights can be reduced in comparison to MLPs.
Fear Facial Emotion Recognition Based on Angular Deviation
Authors: Fnaiech Ahmed , Sahli Hanene , Sayadi Mounir , Gorce Philippe
Published: February 2021

This paper shows an advanced method that is able to achieve accurate recognition of fear facial emotions by providing quantitative evaluation of other negative emotions. The proposed approach is focused on both a calibration computing procedure and an important feature pattern technique, which is applied to extract the most relevant characteristics on different human faces. In fact, a 3D/2D projection method is highlighted in order to deal with angular variation (AD) and orientation effects on the emotion detection. Using the combination of the principal component analysis algorithm and the artificial neural network method (PCAN), a supervised classification system is finally achieved to recognize the considered emotion data split into two categories: fear and others. The obtained results have reached an encouraging accuracy up to 20° of AD. Compared to other state-of-art and classification strategies, we recorded the highest accuracy of identified fear emotion. A statistical analysis is carried out on the whole facial emotions, which confirms the best classification performance (positive predictive values (PPV) = 95.13, negative predictive values (NPV) = 94.65, positive likelihood ratio (PLr) = 33.9, and negative likelihood ratio (NLr) = 0.054. The confidence interval for both of PPV and NPV is 92–98%. The proposed framework can be easily applied for any security domain that needs to effectively distinguish the fear cases recognition.
Chaos-Based Secure Communications in Biomedical Information Application
Authors: Liao Teh-Lu , Chen Hsin-Chieh , Peng Chiau-Yuan , Hou Yi-You
Published: February 2021

Recently, with the rapid development of biomedical information, establishing secure communication and appropriate security services has become necessary to ensure a secure information exchange process. Therefore, to protect the privacy and confidentiality of personal data, in this study, we use a chaotic system, Lü system of the Lorenz-like system, to generate chaotic signals and apply them to encrypt the biomedical information. In addition, with one of the states of the chaotic system, we design a simple proportional-derivative (PD) controller to synchronize the master-slave chaotic systems for decrypting the biomedical information. Then, we encrypt the biomedical information, electrocardiography (ECG) and electromyography (EMG), measured about 30 s to 60 s to get tens of thousands of data from the subjects at the transmitting side (master) and send them to the receiving side (slave). After the receiving side receives the encrypted information, it decrypts them with the PD controller and then obtains the 1 mV to 2 mV biomedical signals. Thus, the security of the biomedical information can be ensured and realized.
Fuzzy ARTMAP-Based Fast Object Recognition for Robots Using FPGA
Authors: Lomas-Barrie Victor , Pena-Cabrera Mario , Lopez-Juarez Ismael , Navarro-Gonzalez Jose Luis
Published: February 2021

Fast object recognition and classification is highly important when handling operations with robots. This article shows the design and implementation of an invariant recognition machine vision system to compute a descriptive vector called the Boundary Object Function (BOF) using the FuzzyARTMAP (FAM) Neural Network. The object recognition machine is integrated in the Zybo Z7-20 module that includes reconfigurable FPGA hardware and a RISC processor. Object encoding, description and prediction is carried out rapidly compared to the processing time devoted to video capture at the camera’s frame rate. Benefiting from parallel computing, we calculated the object’s centroid and boundary points while acquiring the progressive image frame; all that was done with the intention of readying it for neural processing. The remaining time was devoted to recognising the object, this caused low latency (1.47 ms). Our test-bed also included TCP/IP communication to send/receive part location for grasping operations with an industrial robot to evaluate the approach. Results demonstrate that the hardware integration of the video sensor, image processing, descriptor generator, and the ANN classifier for cognitive decision on a single chip can increase the speed and performance of intelligent robots designed for smart manufacturing.
Increasing Efficiency of a Finned Heat Sink Using Orthogonal Analysis
Authors: Li Bin , Cui Zheng , Cao Qun , Shao Wei
Published: February 2021

As the heat flux of electronic components is increasing rapidly, the traditional air-cooling technique is gradually not meeting the requirements of thermal management. The immersion liquid-cooling technique shows great potential, and has attracted increasing attention due to its excellent performance in recent years. The finned heat sink is common and essential for cooling electric components. To analyze the influences of its structural parameters on heat dissipation and improve its efficiency while using a dielectric coolant, this study used the orthogonal analysis method to obtain the optimal structure via the numerical simulation method. The maximum temperature of the heat sink was selected as the evaluation criteria. The results showed that the parameters that affect the maximum temperature, in order of importance, are fin thickness, the number of fins, the height of the fins, and substrate thickness. Finally, taking the maximum temperature and mass as indexes obtained the optimal structure of the heat sink. The mass was reduced by 19%, while the temperature only increased by 4.5% when considering the mass index.
Impact of Fermentation on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Quinoa
Authors: Melini Francesca , Melini Valentina
Published: February 2021

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is increasingly singled out as a healthy food with an excellent nutritional profile. Besides being suitable for gluten-free diets, it is rich in proteins of excellent quality and is a good source of minerals and vitamins, as well as of natural antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds. The aim of this work is to present how fermentation can affect phenolic compound content and antioxidant capacity of quinoa. It emerged that fermentation can be used to increase phenolic compound content and antioxidant capacity in both quinoa seeds and flours. The use of fermented quinoa flours allowed obtaining bread and pasta richer in phenolic compounds and with a greater antioxidant capacity. Fungi are the main starters used in quinoa seed fermentation, while Lactobacillus strains have been applied to produce sourdoughs. Quinoa has been also fermented to obtain yogurt-like beverages with a higher content in phenolic compounds and a greater antioxidant activity. Strains of Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. have been used as starters.
Assessing the Applicability of the Structure-Based Turbulence Resolution Approach to Nuclear Safety-Related Issues
Authors: Feng Jinyong , Xu Liangyu , Baglietto Emilio
Published: February 2021

The accuracy of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions plays a fundamental role in supporting the operation of the current nuclear reactor fleet, and even more importantly the licensing of advanced high-efficiency reactor concepts, where local temperature oscillations driven by thermal striping, cycling and stratification can limit the structural performance of vessels and components. The complexity of the geometrical configurations, coupled to the long operational transients, inhibits the adoption of large eddy simulation (LES) methods, mandating the acceptance of the more efficient Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS)-based models, even though they are unable to provide a complete physical description of the flow in regions dominated by complex unsteady coherent structures. A new strategy has been proposed and demonstrated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) toward the enhancement of unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) predictions, using local resolution of coherent turbulence, to provide higher fidelity modeling in support of safety-related issues. In this paper, a comprehensive assessment of the recently proposed Structure-based (STRUCT-ε) turbulence model is presented, starting from fundamental validation of the model capabilities and later focusing on a representative safety-relevant application, i.e., thermal mixing in a T-junction. Solutions of STRUCT-ε, the widely used Realizable k−ε model (RKE) and Large Eddy Simulation with Wall-Adapting Local Eddy-viscosity subgrid scale closure (LES-WALE) are compared against the experimental data. Both the velocity and temperature fields predicted by the STRUCT-ε model are in close agreement with the high-fidelity data from the experiments and reference LES solutions, across all validation cases. The approach demonstrates the potential to address the accuracy requirements for application to nuclear safety-related issues, by resolving the turbulent flow structures, while the computational efficiency provides the ability to perform consistent uncertainty quantification.
Molecular Extended Thermodynamics of Rarefied Polyatomic Gases with a New Hierarchy of Moments
Authors: Arima Takashi , Ruggeri Tommaso
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to construct the molecular extended thermodynamics for classical rarefied polyatomic gases with a new hierarchy, which is absent in the previous procedures of moment equations. The new hierarchy is deduced recently from the classical limit of the relativistic theory of moments associated with the Boltzmann–Chernikov equation. The field equations for 15 moments of the distribution function, in which the internal degrees of freedom of a molecule are taken into account, are closed with the maximum entropy principle. It is shown that the theory contains, as a principal subsystem, the previously polyatomic 14 fields theory, and in the monatomic limit, in which the dynamical pressure vanishes, the differential system converges, instead of to the Grad 13-moment system, to the Kremer 14-moment system.
Numerical Modeling of Jet at the Bottom of Tank at Moderate Reynolds Number Using Compact Hermitian Finite Differences Method
Authors: Loukili Mohammed , Kotrasova Kamila , Dutykh Denys
Published: February 2021

In this manuscript, the injection of a homogeneous jet in a numerical tank is considered to revolve around discussing the limitation of the direct numerical simulation (DNS), to resolve the equations governing the problem of a jet emitted from the bottom of a numerical tank. The investigation has been made in the context of an unsteady, viscous, and incompressible fluid. The numerical resolution of the equations governing the problem is made by the compact Hermitian finite differences method (HFDM) high accuracy Oh2,h4 First, the numerical code used in this work is validated by comparing the profiles of the velocity components at the median of the lid-driven cavity with the results of the literature. Furthermore, to confirm the validity of the present numerical code, an evaluation of mesh domain sensitivity is assessed by comparing the numerical vertical velocity profiles for different steps of y-direction (flow direction) with the analytical solution. Afterward, the aim is to perform the nonlinear simulations of the Navier–Stokes equations in a large computational domain. Next, the goal is to characterize the instabilities associated with high Reynolds numbers when a jet is emitted from the bottom of the numerical tank.
Directing and Orienting ICT Healthcare Solutions to Address the Needs of the Aging Population
Authors: Fares Nada , Sherratt R. Simon , Elhajj Imad H.
Published: February 2021

Background: With an aging population, it is essential to maintain good health and autonomy for as long as possible. Instead of hospitalisation or institutionalisation, older people with chronic conditions can be assisted in their own home with numerous “smart” devices that support them in their activities of daily living, manage their medical conditions, and prevent fall incidents. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions facilitate the monitoring and management of older people’s health to improve quality of life and physical activity with a decline in caregivers’ burden. Method: The aim of this paper was to conduct a systematic literature review to analyse the state of the art of ICT solutions for older people with chronic conditions, and the impact of these solutions on their quality of life from a biomedical perspective. Results: By analysing the literature on the available ICT proposals, it is shown that different approaches have been deployed by noticing that the more cross-interventions are merged then the better the results are, but there is still no evidence of the effects of ICT solutions on older people’s health outcomes. Furthermore, there are still unresolved ethical and legal issues. Conclusion: While there has been much research and development in healthcare ICT solutions for the aging population, ICT solutions still need significant development in order to be user-oriented, affordable, and to manage chronic conditions in the aging wider population.
Biocontrol of Melolontha spp. Grubs in Organic Strawberry Plantations by Entomopathogenic Fungi as Affected by Environmental and Metabolic Factors and the Interaction with Soil Microbial Biodiversity
Authors: Tartanus Malgorzata , Furmanczyk Ewa M. , Canfora Loredana , Pinzari Flavia , Tkaczuk Cezary , Majchrowska-Safaryan Anna , Malusá Eligio
Published: February 2021

The efficacy of two strains of two Beauveria species (B. bassiana and B. brongniartii), individually or as co-inoculants, to control Melolontha sp. grubs was assessed in two organic strawberry plantations in relation to the environmental conditions, their abundance after soil inoculation, and their in vitro chitinolytic activity, thereby also verifying their impact on soil microbial communities. A reduction of the grubs’ damage to strawberry plants was observed when compared to the untreated control in one plantation, irrespective of the strain used and whether they were applied as single or as co-inoculum. The metabolic pattern expressed by the two fungi in vitro was different: B. bassiana showed a higher metabolic versatility in the use of different carbon sources than B. brongniartii, whose profile was partly overlapped in the co-inoculum. Similar differences in the chitinolytic activity of each of the fungi and the co-inoculum were also pointed out. A higher abundance of B. bassiana in the soils receiving this species in comparison to those receiving B. brongniartii, together with its in vitro metabolic activity, could account for the observed diverse efficacy of pest damage control of the two species. However, environmental and climatic factors also affected the overall efficacy of the two bioinocula. According to the monitoring of the two species in soil, B. bassiana could be considered as a common native species in the studied locations in contrast to B. brongniartii, which seemed to be a non-endemic species. Nevertheless, the inoculation with both species or the co-inoculum did not consistently affect the soil microbial (fungi and bacteria) biodiversity, as expressed by the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) number and Shannon–Wiener diversity index based on terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) data. A small transient increase of the share of the inoculated species to the total fungal community was noted by the analysis of genes copy numbers only for B. brongniartii at the end of the third growing season.
Temporal and Spatial Blood Feeding Patterns of Urban Mosquitoes in the San Juan Metropolitan Area, Puerto Rico
Authors: Hopken Matthew W. , Reyes-Torres Limarie J. , Scavo Nicole , Piaggio Antoinette J. , Abdo Zaid , Taylor Daniel , Pierce James , Yee Donald A.
Published: February 2021

Urban ecosystems are a patchwork of habitats that host a broad diversity of animal species. Insects comprise a large portion of urban biodiversity which includes many pest species, including those that transmit pathogens. Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) inhabit urban environments and rely on sympatric vertebrate species to complete their life cycles, and in this process transmit pathogens to animals and humans. Given that mosquitoes feed upon vertebrates, they can also act as efficient samplers that facilitate detection of vertebrate species that utilize urban ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed DNA extracted from mosquito blood meals collected temporally in multiple neighborhoods of the San Juan Metropolitan Area, Puerto Rico to evaluate the presence of vertebrate fauna. DNA was collected from 604 individual mosquitoes that represented two common urban species, Culex quinquefasciatus (n = 586) and Aedes aegypti (n = 18). Culex quinquefasciatus fed on 17 avian taxa (81.2% of blood meals), seven mammalian taxa (17.9%), and one reptilian taxon (0.85%). Domestic chickens dominated these blood meals both temporally and spatially, and no statistically significant shift from birds to mammals was detected. Aedes aegypti blood meals were from a less diverse group, with two avian taxa (11.1%) and three mammalian taxa (88.9%) identified. The blood meals we identified provided a snapshot of the vertebrate community in the San Juan Metropolitan Area and have potential implications for vector-borne pathogen transmission.
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Responder Criteria and Minimal Detectable Change 3–12 Years Following a Youth Sport-Related Knee Injury
Authors: Toomey Clodagh M. , Whittaker Jackie L. , Palacios-Derflingher Luz , Emery Carolyn A.
Published: February 2021

The applicability of thresholds that constitute an acceptable score or meaningful change on the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in cohorts ≥ 5 years following knee injury is not well understood. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the association between intra-articular knee injury type and two different KOOS pain thresholds (patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) and Englund symptomatic knee criteria) in the Alberta Youth Prevention of Osteoarthritis (PrE-OA) cohort, which includes participants 3–12 years following a youth sport-related knee injury and uninjured controls with similar age, sex and sport characteristics. Analyses accounted for sex, time since injury and the interaction between time since injury and injury type. Secondary objectives were to report proportions meeting thresholds for KOOS outcomes and minimal detectable change (MDC) from published test–retest reliability data, over a 1–4-year follow-up. Two hundred and fifty-three (253) participants (124 injured, 129 controls) were included in analyses, of which 153 (77 injured, 76 controls) had follow-up data. Similar odds were observed for presence of pain (below PASS threshold) in participants with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)/meniscus injury (odds ratio (OR) 4.2 (97.5% confidence interval (CI): 1.8, 9.9)) and other knee injuries (OR 4.9 (97.5% CI: 1.2, 21.0)), while there were higher odds for presence of Englund “symptomatic knee” criteria in participants with ACL/meniscus injury (OR 13.6 (97.5% CI: 2.9, 63.4)) than other knee injuries (OR 7.3 (97.5% CI: 0.8, 63.7)) compared to controls. After a median 23.4 (8 to 42) month follow-up, 35% of previously injured participants had at least one KOOS sub-scale score that worsened by more than the MDC published threshold. Despite limited research, this study shows that individuals with youth sport knee injuries other than ACL or meniscus injury may also experience significant pain and symptoms 3–12 years following injury. Replication and further follow-up are needed to identify a possible clinical trajectory towards osteoarthritis.
Mid-Regional Proadrenomedullin as a New Biomarker of Kidney and Cardiovascular Diseases—Is It the Future?
Authors: Czajkowska Katarzyna , Zbroch Edyta , Bielach-Bazyluk Angelika , Mitrosz Katarzyna , Bujno Elzbieta , Kakareko Katarzyna , Rydzewska-Rosolowska Alicja , Hryszko Tomasz
Published: February 2021

The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease and concomitant chronic kidney disease among the aging populations is responsible for considerable growth of mortality. Additionally, frequent, prolonged hospitalizations and long-term treatment generates progressive decline in bodily functions as well as substantial public health and economic burden. Accessibility to easy, non-invasive prognostic markers able to detect patients at risk of cardiovascular events may improve effective therapy and mitigate disease progression. Moreover, an early diagnosis allows time for implementation of prophylactic and educational programs that may result in decreased morbidity, improved quality of life and reduced public health expenditure. One of the promising candidates for a novel cardiovascular biomarker is mid-regional proadrenomedullin, a derivative of adrenomedullin. Adrenomedullin is a peptide hormone known for its vasodilatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic and antifibrotic effects. A remarkable advantage of mid-regional proadrenomedullin is its longer half-life which is a prerequisite for plasma measurements. These review aims to discuss the importance of mid-regional proadrenomedullin with reference to its usefulness as a biomarker of increased cardiovascular risk and kidney disease progression.
Impact of 1-Hour Bundle Achievement in Septic Shock
Authors: Ko Byuk Sung , Choi Sung-Hyuk , Shin Tae Gun , Kim Kyuseok , Jo You Hwan , Ryoo Seung Mok , Park Yoo Seok , Kwon Woon Yong , Choi Han Sung , Chung Sung Phil , Suh Gil Joon , Kang Hyunggoo , Lim Tae Ho , Son Donghee , Kim Won Young
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to address the impact of 1-hr bundle achievement on outcomes in septic shock patients. Secondary analysis of multicenter prospectively collected data on septic shock patients who had undergone protocolized resuscitation bundle therapy at emergency departments was conducted. In-hospital mortality according to 1-h bundle achievement was compared using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Patients were also divided into 3 groups according to the time of bundle achievement and outcomes were compared to examine the difference in outcome for each group over time: group 1 (≤1 h reference), group 2 (1–3 h) and group 3 (3–6 h). In total, 1612 patients with septic shock were included. The 1-h bundle was achieved in 461 (28.6%) patients. The group that achieved the 1-h bundle did not show a significant difference in in-hospital mortality compared to the group that did not achieve the 1-h bundle on multivariable logistic regression analysis (<1 vs. >1 h) (odds ratio = 0.74, p = 0.091). However, 3- and 6- h bundle achievements showed significantly lower odds ratios of in-hospital mortality compared to the group that did not achieve the bundle (<3 vs. >3 h, <6 vs. >6 h, odds ratio = 0.604 and 0.458, respectively). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality over time for group 2 and 3 compared to that of group 1. One-hour bundle achievement was not associated with improved outcomes in septic shock patients. These data suggest that further investigation into the clinical implications of 1-h bundle achievement in patients with septic shock is warranted.
Assessment of Renal Function Based on Dynamic Scintigraphy Parameters in the Diagnosis of Obstructive Uro/Nephropathy
Authors: Cichocki Paweł , Filipczak Krzysztof , Adamczewski Zbigniew , Kuśmierek Jacek , Płachcińska Anna
Published: February 2021

This study evaluates the usefulness of parameters allowing assessment of renal function in absolute values in dynamic renal scintigraphy (DRS) with 99mTc-ethylenedicysteine (99mTc-EC) uptake constant (K), mean transit time (MTT), and parenchymal transit time (PTT) in the diagnosis of obstructive uro/nephropathy. The study included 226 people: 20 healthy volunteers, for whom normative values of assessed parameters were determined, and 206 patients. Reproducibility of results obtained by two independent operators, specificity, correlation with estimated GFR (eGFR), and Cohen’s kappa were used to evaluate reliability of assessed parameters. Normative values were as follows: K ≥ 1.6, MTT ≤ 250 s, and PTT ≤ 225 s. Reproducibility of determination of K (rs = 0.99) and MTT (rs = 0.98) was significantly higher than that of PTT (rs = 0.95) (p = 0.001). Specificity was 100% for K, 81% for MTT, and 91% for PTT. Correlation of eGFR with K (rs = 0.89) was significantly higher than with PTT (rs = 0.53) and with split function (SF) (rs = 0.66) (p < 0.0001). Cohen’s kappa was κ = 0.89 for K, κ = 0.88 for MTT, and κ = 0.77 for PTT. In a group of patients where standard DRS parameters are unreliable (bilateral obstructive uro/nephropathy or single functioning kidney), the use of K (the most effective among assessed parameters) changed the classification of 23/79 kidneys (29%). K enables reproducible assessment of absolute, individual kidney function without modifying routine DRS protocol. Diagnostic value of MTT and PTT is limited.
Correction: Feola, M., et al. Six-Month Predictive Value of Diuretic Resistance Formulas in Discharged Heart Failure Patients after an Acute Decompensation. J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9, 2932
Authors: Feola Mauro , Rossi Arianna , Testa Marzia , Ferreri Cinzia , Palazzuoli Alberto , Pastorini Guido , Ruocco Gaetano
Published: February 2021

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A New Extremotolerant Ecotype of the Fungus Pseudotaeniolina globosa Isolated from Djoser Pyramid, Memphis Necropolis, Egypt
Authors: Rizk Samah Mohamed , Magdy Mahmoud , De Leo Filomena , Werner Olaf , Rashed Mohamed Abdel-Salam , Ros Rosa Maria , Urzì Clara
Published: February 2021

Most of the rock-inhabiting fungi are meristematic and melanized microorganisms often associated with monument biodeterioration. In previous microbial profiling of the Egyptian Djoser pyramid, a Pseudotaeniolina globosa isolate was found. The current study aimed to characterize the P. globosa isolated from the Djoser pyramid compared with an Italian isolate at morphological, physiological, and molecular levels. Experiments were carried out to test temperature, salinity, and pH preferences, as well as stress tolerance to UV radiation and high temperature, in addition to a multi-locus genotyping using ITS, nrSSU or 18S, nrLSU or 28S, BT2, and RPB2 markers. Morphological and molecular data confirmed the con-specificity of the two isolates. However, the Egyptian isolate showed a wider range of growth at different environmental conditions being much more tolerant to a wider range of temperature (4–37 °C) and pH values (3.0–9.0 pH) than the Italian (10–30 °C, 4.0–6.0 pH), and more tolerant to extreme salinity levels (5 M NaCl), compared to the lowest in the Italian isolate (0.2 M NaCl). Besides, the Egyptian isolate was more tolerant to high temperature than the Italian isolate since it was able to survive after exposure to up to 85 °C for 5 min, and was not affected for up to 9 h of UV exposure, while the Italian one could not regrow after the same treatments. The Pseudotaeniolina globosa species was attributed to the family Teratosphaeriaceae of the order Capnodiales, class Dothideomycetes. Our results demonstrated that the Egyptian isolate could be considered an ecotype well adapted to harsh and extreme environments. Its potential bio-deteriorating effect on such an important cultural heritage requires special attention to design and conservation plans and solutions to limit its presence and extension in the studied pyramid and surrounding archaeological sites.
The Impact of Innovation and Information Technology on Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Case of the Visegrád Countries
Authors: Miśkiewicz Radosław
Published: February 2021

The rapid growth of negative consequences from climate changes provokes divergent effects in all economic sectors. The experts proved that a core catalyst which bootstrapped the climate changes was greenhouse gas emission. This has led to a range of social, economic, and ecological issues. Such issues could be solved by extending innovation and information technology. This paper aimed to check the hypothesis that innovation and information technology allowed for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The author used such methodology as OLS, fully modified OLS (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DMOLS), Dicky-Fuller and Phillips-Perron tests. The research is informed by the report of the World Economic Forum, World Data Bank, Eurostat for the Visegrád countries (Hungary, Poland, Check Republic, Slovakia) for the period of 2000–2019. The findings were confirmed in models without control variables, and an increase of 1% of patents led to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 0.28% for Poland, 0.28% for Hungary, 0.38% for the Slovak Republic and 0.46% for the Czech Republic. At the same time, for the models with control variables, only Hungary experienced a statistically significant impact. There, an increase of patents by 1% led to reduction of GHG emissions by 0.22%. The variable R&D expenditure was statistically significant for all countries and all types of models (with and without control variables). The increase of R&D expenditure provoked a decline of GHG emissions by 0.29% (without control variables) and 0.11% (with control variables) for Poland, by 0.26% (without control variables) and 0.41% (with control variables) for Hungary, by 0.3% (without control variables) and 0.23% (with control variables) for the Slovak Republic and by 0.54% (without control variables) and 0.38% (with control variables) for the Czech Republic.