bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active Planning for Virtual Microgrids with Demand-Side and Distributed Energy Resources
Authors: Piao Lechuan , Xue Fei , Lu Shaofeng , Jiang Lin , Han Bing , Xu Xu
Published: May 2024

In this paper, the notion of a cohesive and self-sufficient grid is proposed. Based on a cohesive and self-sufficient virtual microgrid, an active distribution network is optimally planned, and an optimal configuration of demand-side resources, distributed generations, and energy storage systems are generated. To cope with stochastic uncertainty from forecast error in wind speed and load, flexibility reserves are needed. In this paper, the supply relation between flexibility and uncertainty is quantified and integrated in an innovative index which is defined as cohesion. The optimization objectives are a minimized operational cost and system net-ability cohesion as well as self-sufficiency, which is defined as the abilities both to supply local load and to deal with potential uncertainty. After testing the optimal configuration in the PG&E 69 bus system, it is found that with a more cohesive VM partition, the self-sufficiency of VMs is also increased. Also, a case study on uncertainty-caused system imbalance is carried out to show how flexibility resources are utilized in real-time operational balance.
An Adaptive Virtual Inertial Control Strategy for DC Distribution Networks
Authors: Xu Junhua , Liu Weixun , He Guopeng
Published: May 2024

The DC distribution network is a low-inertia system, which is very sensitive to load disturbance, system failure, and other factors. By adding virtual capacitance to the converter connected to the power supply, the virtual inertia of the DC power grid can be improved. Firstly, this paper proposes a strategy for adjusting virtual capacitance based on the voltage change rate to achieve adaptive control of virtual inertia, which enables the converter to quickly absorb or release energy during power fluctuations. Secondly, the adaptivity of the strategy is improved and the main control parameters in the proposed control method are qualitatively analyzed. Finally, the four-terminal photovoltaic storage DC distribution network system is constructed. Through Simulink, the adaptive virtual inertia control is incorporated on the battery side to simulate and validate the effectiveness of the strategy and the rationality of parameter analysis. The results show that this method can provide flexible and adjustable inertia support for DC grids and improve the voltage stability of DC grids.
Standby Power Reduction of Home Appliance by the i-HEMS System Using Supervised Learning Techniques
Authors: Park Beungyong , Kwon Suh-hyun , Oh Byoungchull
Published: May 2024

Electricity consumption in homes is on the rise due to the increasing prevalence of home appliances and longer hours spent indoors. Home energy management systems (HEMSs) are emerging as a solution to reduce electricity consumption and efficiently manage power usage at home. In the past, numerous studies have been conducted on the management of electricity production and consumption through solar power. However, there are limited human-centered studies focusing on the user’s lifestyle. In this study, we propose an Intelligent Home Energy Management System (i-HEMS) and evaluate its energy-saving effectiveness through a demonstration in a standard house in Korea. The system utilizes an IoT environment, PID sensing, and behavioral pattern algorithms. We developed algorithms based on power usage monitoring data of home appliances and human body detection. These algorithms are used as the primary scheduling algorithm and a secondary algorithm for backup purposes. We explored the deep connection between power usage, environmental sensor data, and input schedule data based on Long Short-Term Memory network (LSTM) and developed an occupancy prediction algorithm. We analyzed the use of common home appliances (TV, computer, water purifier, microwave, washing machine, etc.) in a standard house and the power consumption reduction by the i-HEMS system. Through a total of six days of empirical experiments, before implementing i-HEMS, home appliances consumed 13,062 Wh. With i-HEMS, the total consumption was reduced to 10,434 Wh (a 20% reduction), with 9060 Wh attributed to home appliances and 1374 Wh to i-HEMS operation.
A Novel Adjoint-Based Reduced-Order Model for Depletion Calculations in Nuclear Reactor Physics
Authors: Sauzedde Thibault , Archier Pascal , Nguyen Frédéric
Published: May 2024

The licensing of new reactors implies the use of verified and validated neutronic codes. Numerical validation can rely on sensitivity and uncertainty studies, but they require repeated execution of time-consuming neutron flux and depletion calculations. The computational costs can be reduced by using perturbation theories. However, the uncoupled Depletion Perturbation Theory is restricted to single integral values such as nuclide density. Relying on reduced-basis approaches, which reconstruct all nuclide densities at once, is one way to get around this restriction. Furthermore, the adjoint-based reduced-order model uses the direct and adjoint equations for projection. For diffusion or transport calculations, the Exact-to-Precision Generalized Perturbation Theory was developed. Still, no models for depletion calculations are readily available. Therefore, this paper describes a novel adjoint-based reduced-order model for the Bateman Equation. It uses a range-finding algorithm to create the basis and the uncoupled Depletion Perturbation Theory for the reconstruction of the first order replaced by with a first order formulation. Our paper shows that for several perturbed cases, the depletion reduced-order model successfully reconstructs the nuclide densities. As a result, this serves as a proof of concept for our adjoint-based reduced-order model, which can perform sensitivity and uncertainty burn-up analysis in a shorter time.
Soil Requirements, Genetic Diversity and Population History of the Juniperus sabina L. Varieties in Europe and Asia
Authors: Jadwiszczak Katarzyna A. , Mazur Małgorzata , Bona Agnieszka , Marcysiak Katarzyna , Boratyński Adam
Published: May 2024

Trees and shrubs belonging to the genus Juniperus L. are pivotal species in arid and semiarid ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere. However, unfavourable phenomena are observed in their populations due to global warming. We aimed to investigate the soil requirements, genetic diversity and population history of Juniperus sabina L. from Europe, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan. Genetic resources were evaluated in 16 populations using nuclear microsatellites, while past demographic events were described based on the chloroplast DNA haplotypes. Seven chemical parameters in 36 soil samples from the European range of J. sabina were compared. In the studied area, three distinct phylogenetic lineages corresponding to different varieties of J. sabina, namely var. sabina, var. balkanensis, and the Asian variety, were revealed. Unimodal mismatch distributions and significantly negative Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs parameters indicated that the sabina and balkanensis varieties underwent a population expansion. Microsatellite variation was moderate, potentially influenced by inbreeding, clonal propagation, and limited gene flow between populations. Bayesian clustering revealed five genetic groups. Compared to var. sabina, the balkanensis variety occupies areas with significantly higher potassium content in the soil, which probably mitigates the adverse effects of drought in its localities.
Biogas Production Potential of Mixed Banana and Pineapple Waste as Assessed by Long-Term Laboratory-Scale Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Rabinovich Vita Aleksandrovna , Linnenberg Carsten , Theilen Ulf , Weigand Harald
Published: May 2024

Biogas is a renewable energy source generated through the anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic feedstocks. This study aims to quantify the biogas production potential (BPP) of fruit wastes via semi-continuous lab-scale mesophilic AD over a total of 100 days. The feed was composed of 80% banana peelings and 20% pineapple residues, mimicking the waste composition of a Costa Rican fruit processing facility used as a test case. The average loading rate of volatile suspended solids (VSS) corresponded to 3.6 kg VSS·m−3·d−1. Biogas yield and composition were monitored, along with the concentration of ammonium, volatile fatty acids, and pH. Discounting the start-up phase, the BPP averaged to 526 LN (kg VSS)−1 with a methane concentration of around 54%, suggesting suitability of the substrate for AD. We calculated that if upscaled to the Costa Rican test case facility, these values translate into a gross average heat and electricity production via AD of around 5100 MWhel·a−1 and 5100 MWhth·a−1, respectively. Deducting self-consumption of the AD treatment, this is equivalent to 73% of the facility’s electricity demand, and could save about 450,000 L of heavy oil per year for heat generation. To circumvent nitrogen shortage, the addition of a co-substrate such as dry manure seems advisable.
Acidic Electrolyzed Water Maintains the Storage Quality of Postharvest Wampee Fruit by Activating the Disease Resistance
Authors: Lin Yuzhao , Chen Hongbin , Dong Sisi , Chen Yazhen , Jiang Xuanjing , Chen Yihui
Published: May 2024

Harvested wampee fruit is susceptible to disease, resulting in postharvest losses. Acidic electrolyzed water (AEW), a safe and innovative sterilization technology, plays a role in enhancing disease resistance in harvested produce. In this study, the efficacy of AEW in delaying wampee disease development was assessed, along with its association with disease resistance metabolism. Wampee fruit was treated with AEW (pH 2.5) at different available chlorine concentrations (ACCs) (20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/L) and subsequently stored at 25 °C for 8 days. Results revealed that 40 mg/L ACC in AEW (pH 2.5) was most effective in improving the postharvest quality of wampee fruit. Compared with control wampee fruit, those treated with 40 mg/L ACC in AEW exhibited lower incidence of fruit disease, higher pericarp lignin content, and higher activities of pericarp disease resistance enzymes (DREs), such as cinnamate-4-hydroxylase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, polyphenol oxidase, 4-coumarate CoA ligase, and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase. These results suggested that AEW elevated DRE activities, promoted lignin accumulation, and ultimately enhanced disease resistance, suppressed disease development, and improved storage quality in harvested wampee fruit. Consequently, AEW emerged as a safe technology to mitigate the disease development and enhance the storage quality of harvested wampee fruit.
Evaluation of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Involvement in Human Atrial Fibrillation: A Computational Study
Authors: Fagone Paolo , Mangano Katia , Basile Maria Sofia , Munoz-Valle José Francisco , Perciavalle Vincenzo , Nicoletti Ferdinando , Bendtzen Klaus
Published: May 2024

In the present study, we have explored the involvement of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) in atrial fibrillation (AF), by using a meta-analysis of publicly available human transcriptomic data. The meta-analysis revealed 565 upregulated and 267 downregulated differentially expressed genes associated with AF. Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted a significant overrepresentation in immune-related pathways for the upregulated genes. A significant overlap between AF differentially expressed genes and TLR4-modulated genes was also identified, suggesting the potential role of TLR4 in AF-related transcriptional changes. Additionally, the analysis of other Toll-like receptors (TLRs) revealed a significant association with TLR2 and TLR3 in AF-related gene expression patterns. The examination of MYD88 and TICAM1, genes associated with TLR4 signalling pathways, indicated a significant yet nonspecific enrichment of AF differentially expressed genes. In summary, this study offers novel insights into the molecular aspects of AF, suggesting a pathophysiological role of TLR4 and other TLRs. By targeting these specific receptors, new treatments might be designed to better manage AF, offering hope for improved outcomes in affected patients.
The Influence of Behavioral Sciences on Adherence to Physical Activity and Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Corrêa Rafael , Tabak Benjamin Miranda
Published: May 2024

In recent years, weight gain and reduced physical activity in the general population have contributed to the development of obesity and other health problems; on the other hand, studies in behavioral sciences have been used to modify behaviors for a healthier life, so the objective of this study was to identify the evidence of interventions in behavioral sciences on adherence to physical activity and weight loss in obese patients. This systematic review study is based on a search of the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane. Studies assessed the evidence from intervention studies that assessed the influence of intervention studies of behavioral sciences on public health. The articles were published between 2013 and 2023. The systematic search of the databases identified 2951 articles. The review analyzed 10 studies. Behavioral science interventions presented evidence through strategies such as multicomponent interventions, lottery and financial incentives, message framing, message framing with financial incentive and physical activity, and psychological satisfaction, demonstrating results in weight loss and maintenance and increased physical activity. This study presents scientific evidence through healthy behavior change methodologies, and future studies can explore these strategies in conjunction with public health technologies in the search for public–private partnerships to promote physical activity in adults.
Estimated Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Metabolic Risks
Authors: Sloan Robert A.
Published: May 2024

This review focuses on the emerging evidence for the association between non-exercise fitness testing, estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF), and metabolic risk factors. Given the challenges associated with directly measuring cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in large populations, eCRF presents a practical alternative for predicting metabolic health risks. A literature search identified seven relevant cohort studies from 2020 to 2024 that investigated the association of eCRF with hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity. This review consistently demonstrates an inverse relationship between higher eCRF and a lower incidence of metabolic risks, which is in line with CRF cohort studies. It highlights the importance of low eCRF as a primordial indicator for metabolic risks and underscores the potential for broader application. Future research directions should include exploring eCRF’s predictive ability across diverse populations and health outcomes and testing its real-world applicability in healthcare and public health settings.
Change, Adversity, and Adaptation: Young People’s Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic Expressed through Artwork and Semi-Structured Interviews
Authors: Thompson Rhiannon , Brown Lucy , Biswas Evans Rakhi , Mahbub Rayhan , Rees Amelia , Wilson Molly , Dewa Lindsay H. , Ward Helen , Toledano Mireille B.
Published: May 2024

This study explores how young people’s mental health was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic using artwork and semi-structured interviews. The mental health impacts of the pandemic are important to understand so that policy and practice professionals can support those affected, prepare and respond to future crises, and support young people who are isolated and restricted in other contexts. Co-designed participatory art workshops and interviews were conducted with 16–18-year-olds (n = 21, 62% female) from the London-based Longitudinal cohort Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones (SCAMP). Artworks and interview transcripts were qualitatively co-and analysed with young people. From interviews, six themes were identified: adaptation, restriction, change, challenges, overcoming adversity, and lockdown life. From the artwork, four themes were identified: trapped, negative mental wellbeing, positive emotions, and technology. Everyday factors such as home environment, social support, hobbies, habits, and online education were key determinants of how challenged and restricted participants felt, and their capacity to overcome this. This demonstrates the importance of wider (social and environmental) determinants and supports a systems-level public health approach to young people’s mental health. For example, young people’s mental health services should collaborate with other sectors to address such determinants in a holistic way. Clearer guidance and support with occupation, relationships, environment, routine and activities could mitigate the negative mental health impacts of major environmental changes on young people.
Association of Glutathione Peroxidase 3 (GPx3) and miR-196a with Carbohydrate Metabolism Disorders in the Elderly
Authors: Włodarski Adam , Szymczak-Pajor Izabela , Kasznicki Jacek , Antanaviciute Egle Morta , Szymańska Bożena , Śliwińska Agnieszka
Published: May 2024

The escalating prevalence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders (CMDs) prompts the need for early diagnosis and effective markers for their prediction. Hyperglycemia, the primary indicator of CMDs including prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), leads to overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OxS). This condition, resulting from chronic hyperglycemia and insufficient antioxidant defense, causes damage to biomolecules, triggering diabetes complications. Additionally, aging itself can serve as a source of OxS due to the weakening of antioxidant defense mechanisms. Notably, previous research indicates that miR-196a, by downregulating glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3), contributes to insulin resistance (IR). Additionally, a GPx3 decrease is observed in overweight/obese and insulin-resistant individuals and in the elderly population. This study investigates plasma GPx3 levels and miR-196a expression as potential CMD risk indicators. We used ELISA to measure GPx3 and qRT-PCR for miR-196a expression, supplemented by multivariate linear regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Our findings included a significant GPx3 reduction in the CMD patients (n = 126), especially in the T2DM patients (n = 51), and a decreasing trend in the prediabetes group (n = 37). miR-196a expression, although higher in the CMD and T2DM groups than in the controls, was not statistically significant, potentially due to the small sample size. In the individuals with CMD, GPx3 levels exhibited a negative correlation with the mass of adipose tissue, muscle, and total body water, while miR-196a positively correlated with fat mass. In the CMD group, the analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between glucose and GPx3 levels. ROC analysis indicated a 5.2-fold increased CMD risk with GPx3 below 419.501 ng/mL. Logistic regression suggested that each 100 ng/mL GPx3 increase corresponded to a roughly 20% lower CMD risk (OR = 0.998; 95% CI: 0.996–0.999; p = 0.031). These results support the potential of GPx3 as a biomarker for CMD, particularly in T2DM, and the lack of a significant decline in GPx3 levels in prediabetic individuals suggests that it may not serve reliably as an early indicator of CMDs, warranting further large-scale validation.
Analyzing the Functional Roles and Immunological Features of Chemokines in COAD
Authors: Xu Houxi , Song Yihua
Published: May 2024

Chemokines are key proteins that regulate cell migration and immune responses and are essential for modulating the tumor microenvironment. Despite their close association with colon cancer, the expression patterns, prognosis, immunity, and specific roles of chemokines in colon cancer are still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the mutational features, differential expression, and immunological characteristics of chemokines in colon cancer (COAD) by analyzing the Tumor Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We clarified the biological functions of these chemokines using Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. By univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses, we developed chemokine-based prognostic risk models. In addition, using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variant Analysis (GSVA), we analyzed the differences in immune responses and signaling pathways among different risk groups. The results showed that the mutation rate of chemokines was low in COAD, but 25 chemokines were significantly differentially expressed. These chemokines function in several immune-related biological processes and play key roles in signaling pathways including cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, NF-kappa B, and IL-17. Prognostic risk models based on CCL22, CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL11 performed well. GSEA and GSVA analyses showed significant differences in immune responses and signaling pathways across risk groups. In conclusion, this study reveals the potential molecular mechanisms of chemokines in COAD and proposes a new prognostic risk model based on these insights.
Comparative Proteome Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles from Three Growth Phases of Haematococcus pluvialis under High Light and Sodium Acetate Stresses
Authors: Hu Qunju , Wang Yuanyuan , Wang Chaogang , Yan Xiaojun
Published: May 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized particles involved in intercellular communications that intrinsically possess many attributes as a modern drug delivery platform. Haematococcus pluvialis-derived EVs (HpEVs) can be potentially exploited as a high-value-added bioproduct during astaxanthin production. The encapsulation of HpEV cargo is a crucial key for the determination of their biological functions and therapeutic potentials. However, little is known about the composition of HpEVs, limiting insights into their biological properties and application characteristics. This study examined the protein composition of HpEVs from three growth phases of H. pluvialis grown under high light (350 µmol·m−2·s−1) and sodium acetate (45 mM) stresses. A total of 2038 proteins were identified, the majority of which were associated with biological processes including signal transduction, cell proliferation, cell metabolism, and the cell response to stress. Comparative analysis indicated that H. pluvialis cells sort variant proteins into HpEVs at different physiological states. It was revealed that HpEVs from the early growth stage of H. pluvialis contain more proteins associated with cellular functions involved in primary metabolite, cell division, and cellular energy metabolism, while HpEVs from the late growth stage of H. pluvialis were enriched in proteins involved in cell wall synthesis and secondary metabolism. This is the first study to report and compare the protein composition of HpEVs from different growth stages of H. pluvialis, providing important information on the development and production of functional microalgal-derived EVs.
First Isolation of the Heteropathotype Shiga Toxin-Producing and Extra-Intestinal Pathogenic (STEC-ExPEC) E. coli O80:H2 in French Healthy Cattle: Genomic Characterization and Phylogenetic Position
Authors: Soleau Nathan , Ganet Sarah , Werlen Stéphanie , Collignon Lia , Cointe Aurélie , Bonacorsi Stéphane , Sergentet Delphine
Published: May 2024

The emerging heteropathotype shigatoxigenic (STEC) and extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) O80:H2 has been the second leading cause of pediatric HUS in France since the mid-2010s. In contrast with other highly pathogenic STEC serotypes, for which ruminants have clearly been identified as the main human infection source, this heteropathotype’s reservoir remains unknown. In this context, we describe for the first time the isolation of seven STEC O80:H2 strains from healthy cattle on a single cattle farm in France. This study aimed at (i) characterizing the genome and (ii) investigating the phylogenetic positions of these O80:H2 STEC strains. The virulomes, resistomes, and phylogenetic positions of the seven bovine isolates were investigated using in silico typing tools, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and cgMLST analysis after short-read whole genome sequencing (WGS). One representative isolate (A13P112V1) was also subjected to long-read sequencing. The seven isolates possessed ExPEC-related virulence genes on a pR444_A-like mosaic plasmid, previously described in strain RDEx444 and known to confer multi-drug resistance. All isolates were clonally related and clustered with human clinical strains from France and Switzerland with a range of locus differences of only one to five. In conclusion, our findings suggest that healthy cattle in France could potentially act as a reservoir of the STEC-ExPEC O80:H2 pathotype.
Prediction of Paratope–Epitope Pairs Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Li Dong , Pucci Fabrizio , Rooman Marianne
Published: May 2024

Antibodies play a central role in the adaptive immune response of vertebrates through the specific recognition of exogenous or endogenous antigens. The rational design of antibodies has a wide range of biotechnological and medical applications, such as in disease diagnosis and treatment. However, there are currently no reliable methods for predicting the antibodies that recognize a specific antigen region (or epitope) and, conversely, epitopes that recognize the binding region of a given antibody (or paratope). To fill this gap, we developed ImaPEp, a machine learning-based tool for predicting the binding probability of paratope–epitope pairs, where the epitope and paratope patches were simplified into interacting two-dimensional patches, which were colored according to the values of selected features, and pixelated. The specific recognition of an epitope image by a paratope image was achieved by using a convolutional neural network-based model, which was trained on a set of two-dimensional paratope–epitope images derived from experimental structures of antibody–antigen complexes. Our method achieves good performances in terms of cross-validation with a balanced accuracy of 0.8. Finally, we showcase examples of application of ImaPep, including extensive screening of large libraries to identify paratope candidates that bind to a selected epitope, and rescoring and refining antibody–antigen docking poses.
Soluble Neuropilin-1 Is Elevated in Sepsis and Correlates with Organ Dysfunction and Long-Term Mortality in Critical Illness
Authors: Hohlstein Philipp , Schumacher Eileen , Abu Jhaisha Samira , Adams Jule K. , Pollmanns Maike R. , Schneider Carolin V. , Hamesch Karim , Horvathova Katarina , Wirtz Theresa H. , Tacke Frank , Trautwein Christian , Weiskirchen Ralf , Koch Alexander
Published: May 2024

Critical illness and sepsis may cause organ failure and are recognized as mortality drivers in hospitalized patients. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a multifaceted transmembrane protein involved in the primary immune response and is expressed in immune cells such as T and dendritic cells. The soluble form of NRP-1 (sNRP-1) acts as an antagonist to NRP-1 by scavenging its ligands. The aim of this study was to determine the value of sNRP-1 as a biomarker in critical illness and sepsis. We enrolled 180 critically ill patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit and measured serum sNRP-1 concentrations at admission, comparing them to 48 healthy individuals. Critically ill and septic patients showed higher levels of sNRP-1 compared to healthy controls (median of 2.47 vs. 1.70 nmol/L, p < 0.001). Moreover, sNRP-1 was also elevated in patients with sepsis compared to other critical illness (2.60 vs. 2.13 nmol/L, p = 0.01), irrespective of disease severity or organ failure. In critically ill patients, sNRP-1 is positively correlated with markers of kidney and hepatic dysfunction. Most notably, critically ill patients not surviving in the long term (one year after admission) showed higher concentrations of sNRP-1 at the time of ICU admission (p = 0.036), with this association being dependent on the presence of organ failure. Critically ill and septic patients exhibit higher serum concentrations of circulating sNRP-1, which correlates to organ failure, particularly hepatic and kidney dysfunction.
Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Opportunistic Networks: A Heuristic Approach to Adaptive Cluster-Based Routing Protocol
Authors: Sharifi Sani Meisam , Iranmanesh Saeid , Salarian Hamidreza , Tubbal Faisel , Raad Raad
Published: May 2024

Opportunistic Networks (OppNets) are characterized by intermittently connected nodes with fluctuating performance. Their dynamic topology, caused by node movement, activation, and deactivation, often relies on controlled flooding for routing, leading to significant resource consumption and network congestion. To address this challenge, we propose the Adaptive Clustering-based Routing Protocol (ACRP). This ACRP protocol uses the common member-based adaptive dynamic clustering approach to produce optimal clusters, and the OppNet is converted into a TCP/IP network. This protocol adaptively creates dynamic clusters in order to facilitate the routing by converting the network from a disjointed to a connected network. This strategy creates a persistent connection between nodes, resulting in more effective routing and enhanced network performance. It should be noted that ACRP is scalable and applicable to a variety of applications and scenarios, including smart cities, disaster management, military networks, and distant places with inadequate infrastructure. Simulation findings demonstrate that the ACRP protocol outperforms alternative clustering approaches such as kRop, QoS-OLSR, LBC, and CBVRP. The analysis of the ACRP approach reveals that it can boost packet delivery by 28% and improve average end-to-end, throughput, hop count, and reachability metrics by 42%, 45%, 44%, and 80%, respectively.
Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement and Renal Dysfunction: From Acute Kidney Injury to Chronic Disease
Authors: Lacquaniti Antonio , Ceresa Fabrizio , Campo Susanna , Smeriglio Antonella , Trombetta Domenico , Patanè Francesco , Monardo Paolo
Published: May 2024

Background: Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is often complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI). Identifying patients at risk of AKI is important to start nephroprotective strategies or renal replacement therapy (RRT). This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of post-operative AKI in SAVR patients. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) developed in the post-cardiac-surgery follow-up period was also assessed. Methods: A total of 462 SAVR patients were retrospectively enrolled. The primary endpoint was the occurrence rate of AKI after surgery. Kidney recovery, during two planned outpatient clinic nephrological visits within 12 months after the surgery, was assessed. Results: A total of 76 patients experienced an AKI event. A Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that subjects with CKD stage IV had a time to progression of 2.7 days, compared to patients with stages I–II, who were characterized by the slowest progression time, >11.2 days. A Cox regression indicated that CKD stages predicted a higher risk of AKI independently of other variables. During their ICU stay, 23 patients died, representing 5% of the population, most of them requiring RRT during their ICU stay. A severe CKD before the surgery was closely related to perioperative mortality. During the follow-up period, 21 patients with AKI worsened their CKD stage. Conclusions: AKI represents a common complication for SAVR patients in the early post-operative period, prolonging their ICU stay, with negative effects on survival, especially if RRT was required. Pre-operative CKD >3 stage is an independent risk factor for AKI in patients undergoing SAVR.
Eosinophilic Dermatosis of Hematologic Malignancy: Emerging Evidence for the Role of Insect Bites—A Retrospective Clinico-Pathological Study of 35 Cases
Authors: Michelerio Andrea , Rubatto Marco , Roccuzzo Gabriele , Coscia Marta , Quaglino Pietro , Tomasini Carlo
Published: May 2024

Background/Objectives: Eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy (EDHM) is a rare cutaneous disorder associated with various hematologic malignancies, most commonly chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Detailed clinicopathologic studies of EDHM are lacking and the pathogenesis remains enigmatic. Initially thought to be a hypersensitivity reaction to insect stings, subsequent reports have challenged this understanding. The prognostic implications of EDHM remain unclear. Methods: A retrospective clinicopathologic study was performed on patients diagnosed with EDHM. Hematologic and dermatologic data were reviewed. Histologic specimens were re-evaluated and lesions were classified into acute/subacute, fully developed, and chronic/regressing. Results: The study included 35 patients. In 80% of these patients, EDHM was diagnosed after the hematologic disorder. Approximately 45% of the cohort experienced hematologic disease progression or relapse, while 65% required therapeutic intervention during the course of their hematologic disease. In total, 15/19 CLL patients had non-mutated IgHV, a marker of a more aggressive hematologic disease course. Dermatologic lesion morphology was heterogeneous, with most lesions occurring on exposed areas, and a significant 94% of patients demonstrated lesion seasonality. Histopathologic findings were consistent with features typically associated with insect bites. In addition, examination of lesions at different chronological stages revealed substantial similarities with Wells syndrome. Conclusions: Our findings support the potential role of insect bites in triggering EDHM in the context of adaptive immune dysfunction. EDHM may be associated with a more aggressive disease course or may be a marker of disease progression. The observed co-occurrence of features typical of Wells syndrome in EDHM patients suggests that these conditions are part of a spectrum of disorders that vary in clinical expression.
Acute Myocardial Infarction in COVID-19 Patients—A Review of Literature Data and Two-Case Report Series
Authors: Nechita Luiza , Niculet Elena , Baroiu Liliana , Balta Alexia Anastasia Stefania , Nechita Aurel , Voinescu Doina Carina , Manole Corina , Busila Camelia , Debita Mihaela , Tatu Alin Laurentiu
Published: May 2024

Background/Objectives: The newly emergent COVID-19 pandemic involved primarily the respiratory system and had also major cardiovascular system (CVS) implications, revealed by acute myocardial infarction (AMI), arrhythmias, myocardial injury, and thromboembolism. CVS involvement is done through main mechanisms—direct and indirect heart muscle injury, with high mortality rates, worse short-term outcomes, and severe complications. AMI is the echo of myocardial injury (revealed by increases in CK, CK-MB, and troponin serum markers—which are taken into consideration as possible COVID-19 risk stratification markers). When studying myocardial injury, physicians can make use of imaging studies, such as cardiac MRI, transthoracic (or transesophageal) echocardiography, coronary angiography, cardiac computed tomography, and nuclear imaging (which have been used in cases where angiography was not possible), or even endomyocardial biopsy (which is not always available or feasible). Two-case-series presentations: We present the cases of two COVID-19 positive male patients who were admitted into the Clinical Department of Cardiology in “Sfântul Apostol Andrei” Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galați (Romania), who presented with acute cardiac distress symptoms and have been diagnosed with ST elevation AMI. The patients were 82 and 57 years old, respectively, with moderate and severe forms of COVID-19, and were diagnosed with anteroseptal left ventricular AMI and extensive anterior transmural left ventricular AMI (with ventricular fibrillation at presentation), respectively. The first patient was a non-smoker and non-drinker with no associated comorbidities, and was later discharged, while the second one died due to AMI complications. Conclusions: From this two-case series, we extract the following: old age alone is not a significant risk factor for adverse outcomes in COVID-19-related CVS events, and that the cumulative effects of several patient-associated risk factors (be it either for severe forms of COVID-19 and/or acute cardiac injury) will most probably lead to poor patient prognosis (death). At the same time, serum cardiac enzymes, dynamic ECG changes, along with newly developed echocardiographic modifications are indicators for poor prognosis in acute cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients with acute myocardial injury, regardless of the presence of right ventricular dysfunction (due to pulmonary hypertension).
Systemic Manifestations of COPD and the Impact of Dual Bronchodilation with Tiotropium/Olodaterol on Cardiac Function and Autonomic Integrity
Authors: Dimiene Ieva , Hoppenot Deimante , Vajauskas Donatas , Padervinskiene Lina , Rimkunas Airidas , Zemaitis Marius , Barkauskiene Diana , Lapinskas Tomas , Ereminiene Egle , Miliauskas Skaidrius
Published: May 2024

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has significant systemic manifestations, including cardiovascular morbidity. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of short-term COPD treatment with tiotropium/olodaterol (TIO/OLO) 5/5 μg on cardiac function and autonomic integrity. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with newly diagnosed moderate-to-severe COPD were enrolled. We performed pulmonary function tests, cardiac magnetic resonance, cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) imaging and analysis of blood biomarkers on our study subjects. The correlations between the tests’ results were evaluated at baseline. The changes in pulmonary and cardiac parameters from baseline through 12 weeks were assessed. Results: Significant associations between pulmonary function tests’ results and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), as well as interleukin-22 (IL-22), were observed at baseline. Treatment with TIO/OLO significantly improved lung function as measured by spirometry and body plethysmography. Moreover, we found that the cardiac index increased from 2.89 (interquartile range (IQR) 1.09) to 3.21 L/min/m2 (IQR 0.78) (p = 0.013; N = 18) and the late heart-to-mediastinum ratio improved from 1.88 (IQR 0.37) to 2 (IQR 0.41) (p = 0.026; N = 16) after 12 weeks of treatment. Conclusions: Treatment with TIO/OLO improves lung function and positively impacts cardiac function and autonomic integrity, suggesting that dual bronchodilation might have a potential in decreasing the risk for cardiac events in COPD. Hs-CRP and IL-22 might be beneficial in determining the intensity of systemic inflammation in COPD. Further research with a larger cohort is needed to enhance the initial results of this study.
Direct Intraocular Lens Extraction Using a Newly Developed Lens-Grabbing Forceps
Authors: Noguchi Santaro , Nakakura Shunsuke , Tabuchi Hitoshi , Noguchi Asuka
Published: May 2024

Background: Due to lower age thresholds for cataract surgery and increased longevity, cases with intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation requiring removal have increased. Traditional methods, such as cutting or folding the IOL within the eye, pose a high risk of complications, including corneal endothelial and iris damage. Methods: We developed a new minimally invasive technique for direct IOL removal using specially designed lens-grabbing forceps. These forceps can grasp and remove the IOL through a small incision in a single motion, significantly reducing intraocular manipulations compared to conventional methods. Results: In our test cases, IOL removal through a 2.2 mm corneal incision was completed in approximately 95 s, with minimal incision enlargement (about 0.16 mm) and a slight decrease in corneal endothelial cells. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that this technique is minimally invasive and safe for IOL removal, offering a promising alternative to existing methods.
QMAC-DST for Rapid Detection of Drug Resistance in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients: A Multicenter Pre–Post Comparative Study
Authors: Kwak Nakwon , Lee Sangyeop , Kim Suyeoun , Song Eunbee , Yim Jae-Joon , Shim Tae Sun , Jeon Doosoo , Jhun Byung Woo , Seok Kwang-Hyuk , Kim Saerom , Kwon Sunghoon , Mok Jeongha
Published: May 2024

Background/Objectives: This study explores the impact of QMAC-DST, a rapid, fully automated phenotypic drug susceptibility test (pDST), on the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) patients. Methods: This pre–post comparative study, respectively, included pulmonary TB patients who began TB treatment between 1 December 2020 and 31 October 2021 (pre-period; pDST using the Löwenstein–Jensen (LJ) DST (M-kit DST)) and between 1 November 2021 and 30 September 2022 (post-period; pDST using the QMAC-DST) in five university-affiliated tertiary care hospitals in South Korea. We compared the turnaround times (TATs) of pDSTs and the time to appropriate treatment for patients whose anti-TB drugs were changed based on these tests between the groups. All patients were permitted to use molecular DSTs (mDSTs). Results: A total of 182 patients (135 in the M-kit DST group and 47 in the QMAC-DST group) were included. The median TAT was 36 days for M-kit DST (interquartile range (IQR), 30–39) and 12 days for QMAC-DST (IQR, 9–15), with the latter being significantly shorter (p < 0.001). Of the total patients, 10 (5.5%) changed their anti-TB drugs based on the mDST or pDST results after initiating TB treatment (8 in the M-kit DST group and 2 in the QMAC-DST group). In the M-kit DST group, three (37.5%) patients changed anti-TB drugs based on the pDST results. In the QMAC-DST group, all changes were due to mDST results; therefore, calculating the time to appropriate treatment for patients whose anti-TB drugs were changed based on pDST results was not feasible. In the QMAC-DST group, 46.8% of patients underwent the first-line line probe assay compared to 100.0% in the M-kit DST group (p < 0.001), indicating that rapid QMAC-DST results provide quicker assurance of the ongoing treatment by confirming susceptibility to the current anti-TB drugs. Conclusions: QMAC-DST delivers pDST results more rapidly than LJ-DST, ensuring faster confirmation for the current treatment regimen.
Properties of Composites Based on Polylactide Filled with Cork Filler
Authors: Fabijański Mariusz
Published: May 2024

Introducing fillers into polymeric materials is one of the methods of modifying the properties or reducing the costs of polymeric materials. Thanks to their use, it is possible to obtain new materials with interesting mechanical and chemical properties. Some features are often improved among the new materials obtained, while others deteriorate. In this work, an attempt was made to obtain a polymer composite based on PLA filled with cork flour in amounts of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% by weight. The processing and sample preparation process using injection molding technology was assessed and the basic mechanical properties were assessed. The research shows that it is possible to obtain PLA products with a cork filler without the mixing process on an extruder, but only by using an injection molding machine and appropriately selecting the parameters of the technological process. Tests of mechanical properties showed deterioration of parameters, but not to such an extent that the obtained composites were disqualified from use in products that are not subject to heavy mechanical loads. The undoubted advantage of the obtained materials is maintaining their so-called “green” character and thus the ability to biodegrade.
Optimization for Offshore Prestressed Concrete–Steel Hybrid Wind Turbine Support Structure with Pile Foundation Using a Parallel Modified Particle Swarm Algorithm
Authors: Li Zeyu , Xu Bin , Yuan Guokai
Published: May 2024

The prestressed concrete–steel hybrid (PCSH) support structure, which replaces the lower part of the traditional support with a concrete segment, is a prospective support structure solution for ultrahigh wind turbines. Taking a 5.5 MW wind turbine support structure founded on a jacket substructure with pile foundation as an example, an optimized design of the corresponding PCSH support structure with pile foundation for offshore wind turbine is conducted considering the soil–structure interaction (SSI) and the effect of water pressure. The construction cost of the proposed structure is treated as the objective function and minimized with a parallel modified particle swarm optimization (PMPSO) algorithm where the physical dimensions of each part of the PCSH wind turbine support structure are treated as optimization variables. Eleven optimization constraints are considered under both the serviceability limit state (SLS) and the ultimate limit state (ULS) according to relevant specifications and industry standards. A penalty function strategy is introduced to make sure that these constraints are fulfilled. The mechanical behavior and the cost of the optimal PCSH support structure with pile foundation are analyzed and are compared with those of the original design with a traditional steel tube tower founded on a jacket substructure. The results show that the cost and levelized cost of energy (LCOE), a comprehensive evaluation, of the optimized PCSH support decrease obviously with the PMPSO algorithm, which can provide advanced mechanic behavior including natural frequency, top deformation, and anti-overturning capacity. Compared with the PSO algorithm, the PMPSO algorithm has better performance in the procedure of PCSH support for offshore wind turbine optimization.
Numerical Study on Hydrodynamic Performance of a Pitching Hydrofoil with Chordwise and Spanwise Deformation
Authors: Qu Hengliang , Li Xueyan , Dong Xiaochen
Published: May 2024

The hydrofoil plays a crucial role in tidal current energy (TCE) devices, such as horizontal-axis turbines (HATs), vertical-axis turbines (VATs), and oscillating hydrofoils. This study delves into the numerical investigation of passive chordwise and spanwise deformations and the hydrodynamic performance of a deformable hydrofoil. Three-dimensional (3D) coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations were conducted using the ANSYS Workbench platform, integrating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA). The simulation involved a deformable hydrofoil undergoing pitching motion with varying elastic moduli. The study scrutinizes the impact of elastic modulus on hydrofoil deformation, pressure distribution, flow structure, and hydrodynamic performance. Coefficients of lift, drag, torque, as well as their hysteresis areas and intensities, were defined to assess the hydrodynamic performance. The analysis of the correlation between pressure distribution and deformation elucidates the FSI mechanism. Additionally, the study investigated the 3D effects based on the flow structure around the hydrofoil. Discrepancies in pressure distribution along the spanwise direction result from these 3D effects. Consequently, different chordwise deformations of cross-sections along the spanwise direction were observed, contributing to spanwise deformation. The pressure difference between upper and lower surfaces diminished with increasing deformation. Peak values and fluctuations of lift, drag, and torque decreased. This study provides insights for selecting an appropriate elastic modulus for hydrofoils used in TCE devices.