bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interventions to Reduce Repeat Presentations to Hospital Emergency Departments for Mental Health Concerns: A Scoping Review of the Literature
Authors: Mao Wanying , Shalaby Reham , Agyapong Vincent Israel Opoku
Published: April 2023

Background: The number of readmissions to the emergency department (ED) for mental health services each year is significant, which increases healthcare costs and negatively affects the morale and quality of life of patients and their families. Object: This scoping review aimed to establish a better understanding of interventions that have been implemented to reduce psychiatric patient readmission and ED use within the ED, to identify areas for improvement, and therefore to assist in the development of more effective actions in the future. Method: The scoping review was conducted on several bibliographic databases to identify relevant studies. Two researchers independently screened and reviewed titles, abstracts, and full-text articles that met the inclusion criteria. Using Covidence software, 26 out of 6951 studies were eligible for inclusion in this scoping review based on the PRISMA checklist. Data were extracted, collated, summarized, presented, and discussed. Result: This review identified 26 studies which examined interventions aimed to reduce ED visits, such as the High Alert Program (HAP), the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), the Primary Behavioral Health Care Integration (PBHCI), and the Collaborative Care (CC) Program, etc. Twenty-three of the studies were conducted in North America, while the rest were conducted in Europe and Australia. A total of 16 studies examined interventions directed to any mental health conditions, while the rest addressed specific health conditions, such as substance use disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression. Interventions involved comprehensive and multidisciplinary services, incorporation of evidence-based behavioral and pharmacological strategies, and emphasized the case management that was found to be effective. Additionally, there was a marked consideration for diverse mental health groups, such as those with substance use disorder and of young age. Most interventions showed a positive effect on reducing psychiatric ED visits. Conclusion: Various initiatives have been implemented worldwide to reduce the number of emergency department visits and the associated burden on healthcare systems. This review highlights the greater need for developing more accessible interventions, as well as setting up a comprehensive community health care system aiming to reduce frequent ED presentations.
A Machine-Learning Framework for Modeling and Predicting Monthly Streamflow Time Series
Authors: Dastour Hatef , Hassan Quazi K.
Published: April 2023

Having a complete hydrological time series is crucial for water-resources management and modeling. However, this can pose a challenge in data-scarce environments where data gaps are widespread. In such situations, recurring data gaps can lead to unfavorable outcomes such as loss of critical information, ineffective model calibration, inaccurate timing of peak flows, and biased statistical analysis in various applications. Despite its importance, predicting monthly streamflow can be a complex task due to its connection to random dynamics and uncertain phenomena, posing significant challenges. This study introduces an ensemble machine-learning regression framework for modeling and predicting monthly streamflow time series with a high degree of accuracy. The framework utilizes historical data from multiple monthly streamflow datasets in the same region to predict missing monthly streamflow data. The framework selects the best features from all available gap-free monthly streamflow time-series combinations and identifies the optimal model from a pool of 12 machine-learning models, including random forest regression, gradient boosting regression, and extra trees regressor, among others. The model selection is based on cross-validation train-and-test set scores, as well as the coefficient of determination. We conducted modeling on 26 monthly streamflow time series and found that the gradient boosting regressor with bagging regressor produced the highest accuracy in 7 of the 26 instances. Across all instances, the models using this method exhibited an overall accuracy range of 0.9737 to 0.9968. Additionally, the use of either a bagging regressor or an AdaBoost regressor improved both the tree-based and gradient-based models, resulting in these methods accounting for nearly 80% of the best models. Between January 1960 and December 2021, an average of 40% of the monthly streamflow data was missing for each of the 26 stations. Notably, two crucial stations located in the economically significant lower Athabasca Basin River in Alberta province, Canada, had approximately 70% of their monthly streamflow data missing. To address this issue, we employed our framework to accurately extend the missing data for all 26 stations. These accurate extensions also allow for further analysis, including grouping stations with similar monthly streamflow behavior using Pearson correlation.
First Steps towards a near Real-Time Modelling System of Vibrio vulnificus in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Schütt Eike M. , Hundsdörfer Marie A. J. , von Hoyningen-Huene Avril J. E. , Lange Xaver , Koschmider Agnes , Oppelt Natascha
Published: April 2023

Over the last two decades, Vibrio vulnificus infections have emerged as an increasingly serious public health threat along the German Baltic coast. To manage related risks, near real-time (NRT) modelling of V. vulnificus quantities has often been proposed. Such models require spatially explicit input data, for example, from remote sensing or numerical model products. We tested if data from a hydrodynamic, a meteorological, and a biogeochemical model are suitable as input for an NRT model system by coupling it with field samples and assessing the models’ ability to capture known ecological parameters of V. vulnificus. We also identify the most important predictors for V. vulnificus in the Baltic Sea by leveraging the St. Nicolas House Analysis. Using a 27-year time series of sea surface temperature, we have investigated trends of V. vulnificus season length, which pinpoint hotspots mainly in the east of our study region. Our results underline the importance of water temperature and salinity on V. vulnificus abundance but also highlight the potential of air temperature, oxygen, and precipitation to serve as predictors in a statistical model, albeit their relationship with V. vulnificus may not be causal. The evaluated models cannot be used in an NRT model system due to data availability constraints, but promising alternatives are presented. The results provide a valuable basis for a future NRT model for V. vulnificus in the Baltic Sea.
Disclosure of Mental Health Problems or Suicidality at Work: A Systematic Review
Authors: McGrath Martina O. , Krysinska Karolina , Reavley Nicola J. , Andriessen Karl , Pirkis Jane
Published: April 2023

Many adults experience mental health problems or suicidality. Mental health and suicidality are associated with stigma and discrimination. Little is known about disclosure of mental health or suicidality problems in workplaces and the role of stigma and discrimination in affecting disclosure. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. Searches for peer-reviewed articles in MedLINE, CINAHL, Embase and PsycINFO identified 26 studies, including sixteen qualitative, seven quantitative and three mixed-methods studies. No studies were excluded based on quality assessment. All studies reported on mental health disclosure; none reported on disclosure of suicidal thoughts or behaviours. The narrative synthesis identified four overarching themes relating to disclosure of mental health problems in workplaces. Themes included beliefs about stigma and discrimination, workplace factors (including supports and accommodation), identity factors (including professional and personal identity, gender and intersectionality) and factors relating to the disclosure process (including timing and recipients), with all influencing disclosure decision making. Significantly, this review found that there is a gap in the existing literature relating to suicidality disclosure in workplaces, with none of the included studies investigating disclosure of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Health and Safety Reps in COVID-19—Representation Unleashed?
Authors: Moore Sian , Cai Minjie , Ball Chris , Flynn Matt
Published: April 2023

The paper explores the role of UK union health and safety representatives and changes to representative structures governing workplace and organisational Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) during COVID-19. It draws upon a survey of 648 UK Trade Union Congress (TUC) Health and Safety (H&S) representatives, as well as case studies of 12 organisations in eight key sectors. The survey indicates expanded union H&S representation, but only half of the respondents reported H&S committees in their organisations. Where formal representative mechanisms existed, they provided the basis for more informal day-to-day engagement between management and the union. However, the present study suggests that the legacy of deregulation and the absence of organisational infrastructures meant that the autonomous collective representation of workers’ interests over OHS, independent of structures, was crucial to risk prevention. While joint regulation and engagement over OHS was possible in some workplaces, OHS in the pandemic has been contested. Contestation challenges pre-COVID-19 scholarship suggestingthat H&S representatives had been captured by management in the context of unitarist practice. The tension between union power and the wider legal infrastructure remains salient.
From Conflict to Balance: Challenges for Dual-Earner Families Managing Technostress and Work Exhaustion in the Post-Pandemic Scenario
Authors: Gemmano Cataldo Giuliano , Manuti Amelia , Girardi Sabrina , Balenzano Caterina
Published: April 2023

Within the last three years, the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has contributed to changing many aspects of individual and collective life. Focusing on professional life, the forced shift to remote working modalities, the consequent blurring of work–family (WF) boundaries, and the difficulties for parents in childrearing have significantly impacted family routines. These challenges have been more evident for some specific vulnerable categories of workers, such as dual-earner parents. Accordingly, the WF literature investigated the antecedents and outcomes of WF dynamics, highlighting positive and negative aspects of digital opportunities that may affect WF variables and their consequences on workers’ well-being. In view of the above, the present study aims to investigate the key role of WF conflict and WF balance in mediating the relationship between technostress and work exhaustion. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to examine direct and indirect relationships among technostress, WF conflict, WF balance, and work exhaustion. Respondents were 376 Italian workers, specifically dual-earner parents who have at least one child. Results and implications are discussed with specific reference to the organizational policies and interventions that could be developed to manage technostress and WF conflict, fostering individual and social adjustment to the new normal.
Moral Distress in Oncology: A Descriptive Study of Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Guariglia Lara , Terrenato Irene , Iacorossi Laura , D’Antonio Giovanna , Ieraci Sonia , Torelli Stefania , Nazzicone Fabiola , Petrone Fabrizio , Caruso Anita
Published: April 2023

Background: The oncology setting is characterized by various complexities, and healthcare professionals may experience stressful conditions associated with ethical decisions during daily clinical practice. Moral distress (MD) is a condition of distress that is generated when an individual would like to take action in line with their ethical beliefs but in conflict with the healthcare facility’s customs and/or organization. This study aims to describe the MD of oncology health professionals in different care settings. Methods: Descriptive quantitative study was conducted in the Operating Units of the Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri in Rome between January and March 2022. The investigated sample consisted of the medical and nursing staff on duty at the facility, who were given a questionnaire through a web survey. Besides a brief sociodemographic form, the MD Scale-Revised questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The sample consisted of nurses (51%) and physicians (49%), predominantly working in surgeries (48%), and having 20–30 years of service (30%). MD was higher among healthcare professionals, in medicine than that ing in corporate organizations, surgeries, or outpatient clinics (p = 0.007). It was not related to the profession (p = 0.163), gender (p = 0.103), or years of service (p = 0.610). Conclusions: This paper outlines the prevalence of MD in care settings and describes its relationship with profession, gender, and seniority. There is no patient care without the care of health professionals: knowing and fighting MD improves the safety of the treatments provided and the quality perceived by patients.
Perfectionistic Environments and Irrational Beliefs on the Transition to Elite Athletic Performance: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Ramis Yago , Pons Joan , Alcaraz Saul , Pallares Susana , Viladrich Carme , Muñoz-Justicia Juan , Torregrossa Miquel
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to longitudinally evaluate talented athletes’ levels of perfectionism, irrational beliefs, and motivations with regard to their athletic careers. A total of 390 athletes from U14, U16, and junior categories (MageT1 = 15.42) answered shortened versions of the Sport-MPS2, iPBI, and BRSQ during two consecutive seasons, along with questions referring to their current and predicted prioritization of sports and education. Participants reported high levels of perfectionistic strivings and medium to low levels of socially prescribed perfectionism and concern over mistakes decreasing from T1 to T2. A decrease was also found for demandingness and awfulizing, but increased levels were found for depreciation in T2. Participants report very high intrinsic motivation with low levels of external regulation and amotivation, but intrinsic motivation decreased from season to season. This general profile varied depending upon future expectancies toward dedication to sports and education. Those who foresaw a prioritized dedication to sports presented significantly higher levels of socially prescribed perfectionism, perfectionistic strivings, and intrinsic motivation, while those who considered that sports would not be prioritized in the following 5 years reported higher levels of demandingness, awfulizing, depreciation, and amotivation. Additionally, while current levels of motivation (T2) seemed to be predicted mainly by previous motivation levels (T1), significant predictive capacity was also detected for socially prescribed perfectionism positively predicting external regulations and amotivation, perfectionistic strivings negatively predicting amotivation, and depreciation negatively predicting intrinsic motivation and positively predicting both extrinsic regulation and amotivation. We discuss the potential perils of developing extremely demanding environments, as they could potentially result in poor motivational profiles of athletes in their talent development stage during the junior to senior transition.
Elevated FAI Index of Pericoronary Inflammation on Coronary CT Identifies Increased Risk of Coronary Plaque Vulnerability after COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Mátyás Botond Barna , Benedek Imre , Blîndu Emanuel , Gerculy Renáta , Roșca Aurelian , Rat Nóra , Kovács István , Opincariu Diana , Parajkó Zsolt , Szabó Evelin , Benedek Bianka , Benedek Theodora
Published: April 2023

Inflammation is a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arteries. COVID-19 infection is known to cause systemic inflammation, but its impact on local plaque vulnerability is unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients who underwent computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for chest pain in the early stages after infection, using an AI-powered solution called CaRi-Heart®. The study included 158 patients (mean age was 61.63 ± 10.14 years) with angina and low to intermediate clinical likelihood of CAD, with 75 having a previous COVID-19 infection and 83 without infection. The results showed that patients who had a previous COVID-19 infection had higher levels of pericoronary inflammation than those who did not have a COVID-19 infection, suggesting that COVID-19 may increase the risk of coronary plaque destabilization. This study highlights the potential long-term impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health, and the importance of monitoring and managing cardiovascular risk factors in patients recovering from COVID-19 infection. The AI-powered CaRi-Heart® technology may offer a non-invasive way to detect coronary artery inflammation and plaque instability in patients with COVID-19.
Continuous Fluorescent Sirtuin Activity Assay Based on Fatty Acylated Lysines
Authors: Zessin Matthes , Meleshin Marat , Hilscher Sebastian , Schiene-Fischer Cordelia , Barinka Cyril , Jung Manfred , Schutkowski Mike
Published: April 2023

Lysine deacetylases, like histone deacetylases (HDACs) and sirtuins (SIRTs), are involved in many regulatory processes such as control of metabolic pathways, DNA repair, and stress responses. Besides robust deacetylase activity, sirtuin isoforms SIRT2 and SIRT3 also show demyristoylase activity. Interestingly, most of the inhibitors described so far for SIRT2 are not active if myristoylated substrates are used. Activity assays with myristoylated substrates are either complex because of coupling to enzymatic reactions or time-consuming because of discontinuous assay formats. Here we describe sirtuin substrates enabling direct recording of fluorescence changes in a continuous format. Fluorescence of the fatty acylated substrate is different when compared to the deacylated peptide product. Additionally, the dynamic range of the assay could be improved by the addition of bovine serum albumin, which binds the fatty acylated substrate and quenches its fluorescence. The main advantage of the developed activity assay is the native myristoyl residue at the lysine side chain avoiding artifacts resulting from the modified fatty acyl residues used so far for direct fluorescence-based assays. Due to the extraordinary kinetic constants of the new substrates (KM values in the low nM range, specificity constants between 175,000 and 697,000 M−1s−1) it was possible to reliably determine the IC50 and Ki values for different inhibitors in the presence of only 50 pM of SIRT2 using different microtiter plate formats.
Antioxidant, Immunostimulatory, and Anticancer Properties of Hydrolyzed Wheat Bran Mediated through Macrophages Stimulation
Authors: Tomé-Sánchez Irene , Martínez-Villaluenga Cristina , Martín-Diana Ana Belén , Rico Daniel , Jiménez-Pulido Iván , Frias Juana , Dia Vermont P.
Published: April 2023

Previous studies demonstrated that enzymatic hydrolysis enhances wheat bran (WB) biological properties. This study evaluated the immunostimulatory effect of a WB hydrolysate (HYD) and a mousse enriched with HYD (MH) before and after in vitro digestion on murine and human macrophages. The antiproliferative activity of the harvested macrophage supernatant on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells was also analyzed. MH showed significantly higher content than control mousse (M) in soluble poly- and oligosaccharides (OLSC), as well as total soluble phenolic compounds (TSPC). Although in vitro gastrointestinal digestion slightly reduced the TSPC bioaccessibility of MH, ferulic acid (FA) levels remained stable. HYD showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by MH, which demonstrated a greater antioxidant activity before and after digestion as compared with M. RAW264.7 and THP-1 cells released the highest amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines after being treated with 0.5 mg/mL of digested WB samples. Treatment with digested HYD-stimulated RAW264.7 supernatant for 96 h showed the most anticancer effect, and spent medium reduced cancer cell colonies more than direct WB sample treatments. Although a lack of inner mitochondrial membrane potential alteration was found, increased Bax:Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 expression suggested activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway when CRC cells were treated with macrophage supernatants. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were positively correlated with the cell viability in CRC cells exposed to RAW264.7 supernatants (r = 0.78, p < 0.05) but was not correlated in CRC cells treated with THP-1 conditioned media. Supernatant from WB-stimulated THP-1 cells may be able to stimulate ROS production in HT-29 cells, leading to a decrease of viable cells in a time-dependent manner. Therefore, our present study revealed a novel anti-tumour mechanism of HYD through the stimulation of cytokine production in macrophages and the indirect inhibition of cell proliferation, colony formation, and activation of pro-apoptotic proteins expression in CRC cells.
The Novelty of mRNA Viral Vaccines and Potential Harms: A Scoping Review
Authors: Halma Matthew T.J. , Rose Jessica , Lawrie Theresa
Published: April 2023

Pharmacovigilance databases are showing evidence of injury in the context of the modified COVID-19 mRNA products. According to recent publications, adverse event reports linked to the mRNA COVID-19 injections largely point to the spike protein as an aetiological agent of adverse events, but we propose that the platform itself may be culpable. To assess the safety of current and future mRNA vaccines, further analysis is needed on the risks due to the platform itself, and not specifically the expressed antigen. If harm can be exclusively and conclusively attributed to the spike protein, then it is possible that future mRNA vaccines expressing other antigens will be safe. If harms are attributable to the platform itself, then regardless of the toxicity, or lack thereof, of the antigen to be expressed, the platform may be inherently unsafe, pending modification. In this work, we examine previous studies of RNA-based delivery by a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and break down the possible aetiological elements of harm.
Current and Future Use of Artificial Intelligence in Electrocardiography
Authors: Martínez-Sellés Manuel , Marina-Breysse Manuel
Published: April 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in electrocardiography (ECG) to assist in diagnosis, stratification, and management. AI algorithms can help clinicians in the following areas: (1) interpretation and detection of arrhythmias, ST-segment changes, QT prolongation, and other ECG abnormalities; (2) risk prediction integrated with or without clinical variables (to predict arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, stroke, and other cardiovascular events); (3) monitoring ECG signals from cardiac implantable electronic devices and wearable devices in real time and alerting clinicians or patients when significant changes occur according to timing, duration, and situation; (4) signal processing, improving ECG quality and accuracy by removing noise/artifacts/interference, and extracting features not visible to the human eye (heart rate variability, beat-to-beat intervals, wavelet transforms, sample-level resolution, etc.); (5) therapy guidance, assisting in patient selection, optimizing treatments, improving symptom-to-treatment times, and cost effectiveness (earlier activation of code infarction in patients with ST-segment elevation, predicting the response to antiarrhythmic drugs or cardiac implantable devices therapies, reducing the risk of cardiac toxicity, etc.); (6) facilitating the integration of ECG data with other modalities (imaging, genomics, proteomics, biomarkers, etc.). In the future, AI is expected to play an increasingly important role in ECG diagnosis and management, as more data become available and more sophisticated algorithms are developed.
A Comparative Study on Crack Detection in Concrete Walls Using Transfer Learning Techniques
Authors: Philip Remya Elizabeth , Andrushia A. Diana , Nammalvar Anand , Gurupatham Beulah Gnana Ananthi , Roy Krishanu
Published: April 2023

Structural cracks have serious repercussions on the safety, adaptability, and longevity of structures. Therefore, assessing cracks is an important parameter when evaluating the quality of concrete construction. As numerous cutting-edge automated inspection systems that exploit cracks have been developed, the necessity for individual/personal onsite inspection has reduced exponentially. However, these methods need to be improved in terms of cost efficiency and accuracy. The deep-learning-based assessment approaches for structural systems have seen a significant development noticed by the structural health monitoring (SHM) community. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are vital in these deep learning methods. Technologies such as convolutional neural networks hold promise for precise and accurate condition evaluation. Moreover, transfer learning enables users to use CNNs without needing a comprehensive grasp of algorithms or the capability to modify pre-trained networks for particular purposes. Within the context of this study, a thorough analysis of well-known pre-trained networks for classifying the cracks in buildings made of concrete is conducted. The classification performance of convolutional neural network designs such as VGG16, VGG19, ResNet 50, MobileNet, and Xception is compared to one another with the concrete crack image dataset. It is identified that the ResNet50-based classifier provided accuracy scores of 99.91% for training and 99.88% for testing. Xception architecture delivered the least performance, with training and test accuracy of 99.64% and 98.82%, respectively.
Ectomycorrhizal Community Shifts at a Former Uranium Mining Site
Authors: Bogdanova Olga , Kothe Erika , Krause Katrin
Published: April 2023

Ectomycorrhizal communities at young oak, pine, and birch stands in a former uranium mining site showed a low diversity of morphotypes with a preference for contact and short-distance exploration strategies formed by the fungi Russulaceae, Inocybaceae, Cortinariaceae, Thelephoraceae, Rhizopogonaceae, Tricholomataceae, as well as abundant Meliniomyces bicolor. In order to have better control over abiotic conditions, we established pot experiments with re-potted trees taken from the sites of direct investigation. This more standardized cultivation resulted in a lower diversity and decreased prominence of M. bicolor. In addition, the exploration strategies shifted to include long-distance exploration types. To mimic secondary succession with a high prevalence of fungal propagules present in the soil, inoculation of re-potted trees observed under standardized conditions for two years was used. The super-inoculation increased the effect of lower abundance and diversity of morphotypes. The contact morphotypes correlated with high Al, Cu, Fe, Sr, and U soil contents, the dark-colored short-distance exploration type did not show a specific preference for soil characteristics, and the medium fringe type with rhizomorphs on oaks correlated with total nitrogen. Thus, we could demonstrate that field trees, in a species-dependent manner, selected for ectomycorrhizal fungi with exploration types are likely to improve the plant’s tolerance to specific abiotic conditions.
Mechanical Alloying Behavior and Thermal Stability of CoCrCuFeMnNix High-Entropy Alloy Powders Prepared via MA
Authors: Zhang Baofeng , Zhao Ruifeng , Ren Bo , Jiang Aiyun , Chen Chong , Liu Jianxiu , Zhou Yajun
Published: April 2023

CoCrCuFeMnNix (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mol, named as Ni0, Ni0.5, Ni1.0, Ni1.5, and Ni2.0, respectively) high-entropy alloy powders (HEAPs) were prepared via mechanical alloying (MA), and XRD, SEM, EDS, and vacuum annealing were used to study the alloying behavior, phase transition, and thermal stability. The results indicated that the Ni0, Ni0.5, and Ni1.0 HEAPs were alloyed at the initial stage (5–15 h), the metastable BCC + FCC two-phase solid solution structure was formed, and the BCC phase disappeared gradually with the prolonging of ball milling time. Finally, a single FCC structure was formed. Both Ni1.5 and Ni2.0 alloys with high nickel content formed a single FCC structure during the whole mechanical alloying process. The five kinds of HEAPs showed equiaxed particles in dry milling, and the particle size increased with an increase in milling time. After wet milling, they changed into lamellar morphology with thickness less than 1 μm and maximum size less than 20 μm. The composition of each component was close to its nominal composition, and the alloying sequence during ball milling was Cu→Mn→Co→Ni→Fe→Cr. After vacuum annealing at 700~900 °C, the FCC phase in the HEAPs with low Ni content transformed into FCC2 secondary phase, FCC1 primary phase, and a minor σ phase. The thermal stability of HEAPs can be improved by increasing Ni content.
Optimization and Microstructural Studies on the Machining of Inconel 600 in WEDM Using Untreated and Cryogenically Treated Zinc Electrodes
Authors: Kosaraju Satyanarayana , Babu Bobba Phaneendra , Salkuti Surender Reddy
Published: April 2023

Any industry that manufactures dies, punches, molds, and machine components from difficult-to-cut materials, such as Inconel, titanium, and other super alloys, largely relies on wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM). In the current study, the effect of the WEDM process parameters on Inconel 600 alloy with untreated zinc and cryogenically treated zinc electrodes was investigated. The controllable parameters included the current (IP), pulse-on time (Ton), and pulse-off time (Toff), whereas the wire diameter, workpiece diameter, dielectric fluid flow rate, wire feed rate, and cable tension were held constant throughout the experiments. The significance of these parameters on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) was established using the analysis of the variance. The experimental data acquired using the Taguchi analysis were used to analyze the level of influence of each process parameter on a particular performance characteristic. Their interactions with the pulse-off time were identified as the most influential process parameter on the MRR and Ra in both cases. Furthermore, a microstructural analysis was also performed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the recast layer thickness, micropores, cracks, depth of metal, pitching of metal, and electrode droplets over the workpiece surface. In addition, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was also carried out for the quantitative and semi-quantitative analyses of the work surface and electrodes after machining.
A Review of Mechanical Properties and Rockburst Investigation of Transversely Isotropic Rocks by Experimental Technique
Authors: Si Xuefeng , Luo Song , Luo Yong
Published: April 2023

Under complex geostress caused by long-term geological evolution, approximately parallel bedding structures are normally created in rocks due to sedimentation or metamorphism. This type of rock is known as transversely isotropic rock (TIR). Due to the existence of bedding planes, the mechanical properties of TIR are quite different from those of relatively homogeneous rocks. The purpose of this review is to discuss the research progress into the mechanical properties and failure characteristics of TIR and to explore the influence of the bedding structure on the rockburst characteristics of the surrounding rocks. First, the P-wave velocity characteristics of the TIR is summarized, followed by the mechanical properties (e.g., the uniaxial compressive strength, the triaxial compressive strength, and tensile strength) and the related failure characteristics of the TIR. The strength criteria of the TIR under triaxial compression are also summarized in this section. Second, the research progress of the rockburst tests on the TIR is reviewed. Finally, six prospects for the study of the transversely isotropic rock are presented: (1) measuring the Brazilian tensile strength of the TIR; (2) establishing the strength criteria for the TIR; (3) revealing the influence mechanism of the mineral particles between the bedding planes on rock failure from the microscopic point of view; (4) investigating the mechanical properties of the TIR in complex environments; (5) experimentally investigating the rockburst of the TIR under the stress path of “the three-dimensional high stress + internal unloading + dynamic disturbance”; and (6) studying the influence of the bedding angle, thickness, and number on the rockburst proneness of the TIR. Finally, some conclusions are summarized.
Dynamic Thermal Neutron Radiography for Filling Process Analysis and CFD Model Validation of Visco-Dampers
Authors: Venczel Márk , Veress Árpád , Szentmiklósi László , Kis Zoltán
Published: April 2023

The visco-damper is a crucial engine accessory from an operation- as well as vehicle-safety point of view. The service life of this damping product is determined by the degradation of the silicone oil applied to it. The thermal and mechanical degradation of the oil starts not at the first operation of the damper, but at the manufacturing stage when the oil is filled into the damper’s gap at high pressure. Finite volume method-based computational fluid dynamic calculations provide an opportunity to optimize the filling process by minimizing the oil degradation. A three-dimensional, transient, non-Newtonian, multiphase, coupled fluid dynamic and heat transfer simulation model was developed to analyse the filling process and to investigate the effect of the slide bearing’s cut-off position on the filling process. Dynamic thermal neutron radiography was employed to visualize the filling of a test damper for model validation from viscous and fluid dynamic aspects. Distinct properties of neutrons compared to the more commonly applied X-rays were proven to be an effective tool for real-time monitoring of the silicone oil’s front propagation in the damper’s gap and for quantifying the characteristics of the filling process. Visual matching and comparison of propagation times and oil front velocity profiles were used to validate the simulation results.
Agent-Based Model for Studying the Effects of Solid Stress and Nutrient Supply on Tumor Growth
Authors: Kuznetsov Maxim , Kolobov Andrey
Published: April 2023

An off-lattice agent-based model of tumor growth is presented, which describes a tumor as a network of proliferating cells, whose dynamics depend on the stress generated by intercellular bonds. A numerical method is introduced that ensures the smooth dynamics of the cell network and allows for relative numerical cheapness while reproducing the effects typical of more complex approaches such as the elongation of cells toward low-pressure regions and their tendency to maximize the contact area. Simulations of free tumor growth, restricted only by the stress generated within the tumor, demonstrate the influence of the tissue hydraulic conductivity and strength of cell–cell interactions on tumor shape and growth rate. Simulations of compact tumor growth within normal tissue show that strong interaction between tumor cells is a major factor limiting tumor growth. Moreover, the effects of normal tissue size and strength of normal cell interactions on tumor growth are ambiguous and depend on the value of tissue hydraulic conductivity. Simulations of tumor growth in normal tissue with the account of nutrients yield different growth regimes, including growth without saturation for at least several years with the formation of large necrotic cores in cases of low tissue hydraulic conductivity and sufficiently high nutrient supply, which qualitatively correlates with known clinical data.
Mechanical and Surface Geometric Properties of Reinforcing Bars and Their Significance for the Development of Near-Surface Notch Stresses
Authors: Rappl Stefan , Shahul Hameed Muhammed Zubair , Krempaszky Christian , Osterminski Kai
Published: April 2023

Due to the production process, reinforcing steel bars possess an inhomogeneous microstructure associated with different material properties over the cross-section (e.g., hardness, ductility or strength). Furthermore, the surface required for the bond has a negative effect on the fatigue behavior. The first investigations were carried out in the 1970s and detected the fillet radius r as a key influencing factor. Until now, few studies had been carried out that investigate the quantification of the surface properties on the fatigue behavior, and none of them compared these properties with the local strengths of the material. The current paper presents the first results of a reverse-engineered reinforcing steel bar based on a previously performed laser scanning process. The rebar models were used to calculate the notch stress factors for different diameters based on von Mises stresses taken from FEM simulations. The notch stress factors showed a functional relationship with the fillet radius, which was already shown in the literature. Further experimental investigations on the fatigue and tensile behavior of the structural components in the investigated Tempcore® rebars were carried out on microstructure specimens eroded by WEDM. The results of the tensile tests were used to derive a yield and tensile strength distribution in the cross-section. Depending on the microstructure, a yield strength between 415 N/mm2 (ferrite/pearlite core) and 690 N/mm2 (tempered martensite surface) was found. The acting notch stresses show a logarithmic dependency of the fillet radius, but do not reach the material strength of the surface.
Does Adjustment of Antiseizure Medication Regimen after Failed Epilepsy Surgery Improve Outcomes?
Authors: Wu Yuxin , Zhang Zaiyu , Liang Ping , Li Lusheng , Zou Bin , Wang Difei , Dong Xinyu , Tang Haotian , Qiu Hanli , Zhai Xuan
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: After failed epilepsy surgery, patients often revert to an antiseizure medication (ASM) ASM regimen, which can be adjusted or optimized in three ways: increasing the dose, alternative therapy, and combination therapy. It is unclear which type of antiseizure medication adjustment method can improve outcomes. Materials and Methods: Children who underwent failed epileptic resection surgery at the Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2015 and December 2021 were included in this cohort, who were reviewed for whether they underwent adjustment of ASM with increased dose, alternative therapy, or combination therapy. The seizure outcome and quality of life (QoL) were assessed. Two-tailed Fisher exact test and Mann–Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Sixty-three children with failed surgery were included for further analysis, with a median follow-up time of 53 months. The median seizure recurrence time was 4 months. At the last follow-up, 36.5% (n = 23) of patients achieved seizure freedom, 41.3% (n = 26) achieved seizure remission, and 61.9% (n = 39) had a good QoL. None of the three types of ASM adjustment improved children’s outcomes, whether considered in terms of seizure-free rate, seizure remission rate, or QoL. Early recurrences were significantly associated with decreased probability of seizure freedom (p = 0.02), seizure remission (p = 0.02), and a good QoL (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Children who underwent failed epilepsy surgery remains some potential for late seizure remission from ASM. Yet adjusting ASM regimen does not increase the probability of seizure remission nor does it improve the QoL. Clinicians should complete evaluations and consider the need for other antiepileptic treatment as soon as possible after surgery failed, especially when dealing with children with an early recurrence.
Brewer’s Spent Yeast Cell Wall Polysaccharides as Vegan and Clean Label Additives for Mayonnaise Formulation
Authors: Reis Sofia F. , Fernandes Pedro A. R. , Martins Vítor J. , Gonçalves Sara , Ferreira Luís P. , Gaspar Vítor M. , Figueira Diogo , Castelo-Branco Diogo , Mano João F. , Coimbra Manuel A. , Coelho Elisabete
Published: April 2023

Brewer’s spent yeast (BSY) mannoproteins have been reported to possess thickening and emulsifying properties. The commercial interest in yeast mannoproteins might be boosted considering the consolidation of their properties supported by structure/function relationships. This work aimed to attest the use of extracted BSY mannoproteins as a clean label and vegan source of ingredients for the replacement of food additives and protein from animal sources. To achieve this, structure/function relationships were performed by isolating polysaccharides with distinct structural features from BSY, either by using alkaline extraction (mild treatment) or subcritical water extraction (SWE) using microwave technology (hard treatment), and assessment of their emulsifying properties. Alkaline extractions solubilized mostly highly branched mannoproteins (N-linked type; 75%) and glycogen (25%), while SWE solubilized mannoproteins with short mannan chains (O-linked type; 55%) and (1→4)- and (β1→3)-linked glucans, 33 and 12%, respectively. Extracts with high protein content yielded the most stable emulsions obtained by hand shaking, while the extracts composed of short chain mannans and β-glucans yielded the best emulsions by using ultraturrax stirring. β-Glucans and O-linked mannoproteins were found to contribute to emulsion stability by preventing Ostwald ripening. When applied in mayonnaise model emulsions, BSY extracts presented higher stability and yet similar texture properties as the reference emulsifiers. When used in a mayonnaise formulation, the BSY extracts were also able to replace egg yolk and modified starch (E1422) at 1/3 of their concentration. This shows that BSY alkali soluble mannoproteins and subcritical water extracted β-glucans can be used as replacers of animal protein and additives in sauces.
The Effects of a Multi-Ingredient Supplement Containing Wasabia Japonica Extract, Theacrine, and Copper (I) Niacin Chelate on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell DNA Methylation, Transcriptomics, and Sirtuin Activity
Authors: Roberts Michael D. , La Monica Michael B. , Raub Betsy , Sandrock Jennifer E. , Ziegenfuss Tim N. , Smith Ryan , Dwaraka Varun B. , Lopez Hector L.
Published: April 2023

Herein, we determined if a multi-ingredient supplement (NAD3; 312 mg of combined Wasabia japonica extract, theacrine, and copper (I)niacin chelate) versus a placebo (CTL) affected peripheral blood mononuclear (PMBC) transcriptomic, DNA methylation, and sirtuin activity profiles in middle-aged adults after 12 weeks of supplementation. Several mRNAs demonstrated interactions (n = 148 at ±1.5-fold change, p < 0.01), and more stringent filtering indicated that 25 mRNAs were upregulated and 29 were downregulated in the NAD3 versus CTL group. Bioinformatics on these 64 mRNAs suggested that DNA conformational alterations may have been promoted with NAD3 supplementation, and this was corroborated with more CpG sites being hypermethylated (p < 0.001) in the CTL versus the NAD3 group when examining pre- to post-intervention changes (369 versus 35). PBMC SIRT activity decreased in CTL participants (p < 0.001), but not in NAD3 participants (p = 0.289), and values at 12 weeks trended higher in NAD3 participants (p = 0.057). Interestingly, the pre- to post- changes in SIRT activity values significantly correlated with changes in PBMC NAD+: NADH values obtained from a previous investigation in these participants (r = 0.534, p = 0.015). In conclusion, the current mRNA and DNA methylation data indirectly suggest that NAD3 supplementation may affect PBMC DNA conformation, while other direct assays suggest that NAD3 supplementation maintains SIRT activity through the potential maintenance of NAD+: NADH levels. However, these results are preliminary due to limited n-sizes and the study being performed in middle-aged adults.
Enhancing Photon Transfer Efficiency in Photocatalysis Using Suspended LED Lights for Water Treatment
Authors: Rad Samira Mosalaei , Ray Ajay K. , Barghi Shahzad
Published: April 2023

Photocatalysis application in water treatment has been the object of many researchers worldwide in recent decades. However, there are limited commercial applications due to low photon transfer efficiency, which create barriers leading to challenges in making the process efficient and economically feasible. Fixed UV/visible light sources, which are generally located outside the reactor or encapsulated in quartz tube inside the reactor are the source of energy to activate photocatalyst generating powerful oxidants such as electrons and holes. Suspended waterproof LED visible lights were employed to enhance photon transfer efficiency. Consequently, the required energy was lower resulting in negligible temperature increase and eliminated the need for an external cooler, no need for quartz (UV transparent) or treated glass reactors, enhanced mixing due to continuous movement of light bulbs by convective currents, and minimum/no attenuation. Direct Blue 15 (DB15) dye was used as model compound and the photocatalyst was P25 TiO2 (Average particle: 30 nm, Surface area: 50 m2 g−1). The samples taken at different time intervals were analyzed by UV-Vis. spectrophotometer (UV-3600), and TOC-V CPN total organic carbon analyzer (both from Shimadzu). It was found that for the same level of degradation, the degradation rate increased by about 50% compared to conventional fixed light photoreactor. Overall, the cost of the operation can be reduced substantially, paving the road for feasible commercialization of the process.
Internet of Underground Things in Agriculture 4.0: Challenges, Applications and Perspectives
Authors: Cariou Christophe , Moiroux-Arvis Laure , Pinet François , Chanet Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2023

Internet of underground things (IoUTs) and wireless underground sensor networks (WUSNs) are new technologies particularly relevant in agriculture to measure and transmit environmental data, enabling us to optimize both crop growth and water resource management. The sensor nodes can be buried anywhere, including in the passage of vehicles, without interfering with aboveground farming activities. However, to obtain fully operational systems, several scientific and technological challenges remain to be addressed. The objective of this paper is to identify these challenges and provide an overview of the latest advances in IoUTs and WUSNs. The challenges related to the development of buried sensor nodes are first presented. The recent approaches proposed in the literature to autonomously and optimally collect the data of several buried sensor nodes, ranging from the use of ground relays, mobile robots and unmanned aerial vehicles, are next described. Finally, potential agricultural applications and future research directions are identified and discussed.