bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactive Web Mapping Applications for 2D and 3D Geo-Visualization of Persistent Scatterer Interferometry SAR Data
Authors: Kalaitzis Panagiotis , Foumelis Michael , Vasilakos Christos , Mouratidis Antonios , Soulakellis Nikolaos
Published: February 2023

Surface motion is a complex, dynamic phenomenon that draws significant scientific attention. This study focuses on the development of a cartographic toolset for the visualization of space-borne Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) surface motion measurements. The entire archive of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery over the broader Thessaloniki (Greece) area has been exploited to derive the PSI measurements utilizing the Surface motioN mAPPING (SNAPPING) service on the Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). A collection of web map applications, interactive visualization tools, and an animated map were developed based on state-of-the-art approaches. This geo-visualization toolset consists of the following: (i) Three web map applications exploring PSI velocity rates, PSI time series, and a comparison of PSI with geodetic leveling data; (ii) Two interactive map tools focusing on 3D visualization of PSI time series and estimating velocity rates for predefined temporal frames; and (iii) An animated map of PSI time series. The utilization of the aforementioned visualization toolset provided useful conclusions about the variety of land displacement that occurs in different subareas of Northern Greece from different causes. More specifically, certain subareas with significant subsidence rates range from −2 mm/year up to −18 mm/year from 2015 to 2020. The magnitude of displacement and the underlying causes (subsidence, faults, landslides, human processes, etc.) varies across different subareas. On the other hand, a subarea of uplift trend exists in the north of the city of Thessaloniki with displacements up to 5 mm/year for the period between 2015–2020, despite being constrained by the fact that the geo-visualization platform is able to display SNAPPING PSI measurements from any location around the world, making it a useful tool for global exploration. The platform’s contents are available through a user-friendly graphical interface and are mostly addressed to domain experts as well as end-users. Opposed to similar approaches where static 2D maps and velocity rates web applications are presented through this platform, users can monitor and study the dynamic behavior of surface motion to a spatiotemporal extent more thoroughly.
Numerical Determination of the Equivalent Sand Roughness of a Turbopump’s Surface and Its Roughness Influence on the Pump Characteristics
Authors: Torner Benjamin , Duong Duc Viet , Wurm Frank-Hendrik
Published: February 2023

The correct computation of flows over rough surfaces in technical systems, such as in turbomachines, is a significant issue for proper simulations of their performance data. Once the flow over rough surfaces is adequately computed in these machines, simulations become more trustworthy and can replace experimental prototyping. Roughness modelling approaches are often implemented in a solver to account for roughness effects in flow simulations. In these approaches, the equivalent sand roughness ks must be defined as a characteristic parameter of the rough surface. However, it is difficult to determine the corresponding ks-value for a surface roughness. In this context, this paper shows a novel and time-efficient numerical method, the discrete porosity method (DPM), which can be used to determine the ks-value of a rough surface. Applying this method, channel flow simulations were performed with an irregularly distributed cast iron surface from a turbopumps volute. After identifying the fully rough regime, the equivalent sand roughness was determined and a match with ks-values from literature data was found. Subsequently, the established ks-value for cast iron was used in a turbopump simulation with rough walls. The performance data of the pump were validated by experiments and a good agreement between the experimental and simulated performance data was found.
A Fuzzy Knowledge Graph Pairs-Based Application for Classification in Decision Making: Case Study of Preeclampsia Signs
Authors: Pham Hai Van , Long Cu Kim , Khanh Phan Hung , Trung Ha Quoc
Published: February 2023

Problems of preeclampsia sign diagnosis are mostly based on symptom data with the characteristics of data collected periodically in uncertain, ambiguous, and obstetrician opinions. To reduce the effects of preeclampsia, many studies have investigated the disease, prevention, and complication. Conventional fuzzy inference techniques can solve several diagnosis problems in health such as fuzzy inference systems (FIS), and Mamdani complex fuzzy inference systems with rule reduction (M-CFIS-R), however, the computation time is quite high. Recently, the research direction of approximate inference based on fuzzy knowledge graph (FKG) has been proposed in the M-CFIS-FKG model with the combination of regimens in traditional medicine and subclinical data gathered from medical records. The paper has presented a proposed model of FKG-Pairs3 to support patients’ disease diagnosis, together with doctors’ preferences in decision-making. The proposed model has been implemented in real-world applications for disease diagnosis in traditional medicine based on input data sets with vague information, quantified by doctor’s preferences. To validate the proposed model, it has been tested in a real-world case study of preeclampsia signs in a hospital for disease diagnosis with the traditional medicine approach. Experimental results show that the proposed model has demonstrated the model’s effectiveness in the decision-making of preeclampsia signs.
Challenges Encountered and Lessons Learned when Using a Novel Anonymised Linked Dataset of Health and Social Care Records for Public Health Intelligence: The Sussex Integrated Dataset
Authors: Ford Elizabeth , Tyler Richard , Johnston Natalie , Spencer-Hughes Vicki , Evans Graham , Elsom Jon , Madzvamuse Anotida , Clay Jacqueline , Gilchrist Kate , Rees-Roberts Melanie
Published: February 2023

Background: In the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS), digital transformation programmes have resulted in the creation of pseudonymised linked datasets of patient-level medical records across all NHS and social care services. In the Southeast England counties of East and West Sussex, public health intelligence analysts based in local authorities (LAs) aimed to use the newly created “Sussex Integrated Dataset” (SID) for identifying cohorts of patients who are at risk of early onset multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs). Analysts from the LAs were among the first to have access to this new dataset. Methods: Data access was assured as the analysts were employed within joint data controller organisations and logged into the data via virtual machines following approval of a data access request. Analysts examined the demographics and medical history of patients against multiple external sources, identifying data quality issues and developing methods to establish true values for cases with multiple conflicting entries. Service use was plotted over timelines for individual patients. Results: Early evaluation of the data revealed multiple conflicting within-patient values for age, sex, ethnicity and date of death. This was partially resolved by creating a “demographic milestones” table, capturing demographic details for each patient for each year of the data available in the SID. Older data (≥5 y) was found to be sparse in events and diagnoses. Open-source code lists for defining long-term conditions were poor at identifying the expected number of patients, and bespoke code lists were developed by hand and validated against other sources of data. At the start, the age and sex distributions of patients submitted by GP practices were substantially different from those published by NHS Digital, and errors in data processing were identified and rectified. Conclusions: While new NHS linked datasets appear a promising resource for tracking multi-service use, MLTCs and health inequalities, substantial investment in data analysis and data architect time is necessary to ensure high enough quality data for meaningful analysis. Our team made conceptual progress in identifying the skills needed for programming analyses and understanding the types of questions which can be asked and answered reliably in these datasets.
Resistance Allele Frequency of Helicoverpa zea to Vip3Aa Bacillus thuringiensis Protein in the Southeastern U.S.
Authors: Santiago-González José C. , Kerns David L. , Yang Fei
Published: February 2023

Helicoverpa zea is a major target pest of Bt crops expressing Cry and/or Vip3Aa proteins in the U.S.A. Widespread practical resistance of H. zea to the Cry1 and Cry2 proteins makes Vip3Aa the only effective Bt protein against this pest. Understanding the frequency of resistance alleles against Vip3Aa in field populations of H. zea is crucial for resistance management and the sustainability of Vip3Aa technology. Using a modified F2 screen method by crossing susceptible laboratory female moth with feral male moth of H. zea, we successfully screened a total of 24,576 neonates from 192 F2 families of H. zea collected from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee during 2019–2020. We found five F2 families containing ≥3rd instar survivors on the diagnostic concentration of 3.0 µg/cm2 Vip3Aa39. Dose-response bioassays confirmed the high levels of Vip3Aa resistance in these F2 families, with an estimated resistance ratio of >909.1-fold relative to the susceptible strain. The estimated resistance allele frequency against Vip3Aa in H. zea for these four southern states is 0.0155 with a 95% CI of 0.0057–0.0297. These data should provide critical information for understanding the risks of Vip3Aa resistance in H. zea and help design appropriate resistance management strategies for the sustainability of the Vip3Aa technology.
Exploration of Candidate Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis, Regulation and Recognition of the Male-Produced Aggregation Pheromone of Halyomorpha halys
Authors: Wu Chunyan , Zhang Feng , Dewer Youssef , Zhang Jinping , Li Fengqi
Published: February 2023

The aggregation pheromone of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is produced by adult males, and plays an important role in the behavioral regulation of H. halys. However, information on the molecular mechanisms underlying this pheromone’s biosynthesis is limited. In this study, HhTPS1, a key candidate synthase gene in the aggregation pheromone biosynthesis pathway of H. halys, was identified. Then, through weighted gene co-expression network analysis, the candidate P450 enzyme genes in the biosynthetic downstream of this pheromone and the related candidate transcription factor in this pathway were also identified. In addition, two olfactory-related genes, HhCSP5 and HhOr85b, involved in the recognition of the aggregation pheromone of H. halys, were detected. We further identified the key amino acid sites of HhTPS1 and HhCSP5 that interact with substrates by using molecular docking analysis. This study provides basic information for further investigations into the biosynthesis pathways and recognition mechanisms of aggregation pheromones in H. halys. It also provides key candidate genes for bioengineering bioactive aggregation pheromones necessary for the development of technologies for the monitoring and control of H. halys.
Nomogram and Risk Calculator for Postoperative Tracheostomy after Heart Valve Surgery
Authors: Ding Xiangchao , Sun Bing , Liu Liang , Lei Yuan , Su Yunshu
Published: February 2023

Postoperative tracheostomy (POT) is an important indicator of critical illness, associated with poorer prognoses and increased medical burdens. However, studies on POTs after heart valve surgery (HVS) have not been reported. The objectives of this study were first to identify the risk factors and develop a risk prediction model for POTs after HVS, and second to clarify the relationship between POTs and clinical outcomes. Consecutive adults undergoing HVS from January 2016 to December 2019 in a single cardiovascular center were enrolled, and a POT was performed in 1.8% of the included patients (68/3853). Compared to patients without POTs, the patients with POTs had higher rates of readmission to the ICU and in-hospital mortality, as well as longer ICU and hospital stays. Five factors were identified to be significantly associated with POTs after HVS by our multivariate analysis, including age, diabetes mellitus, pulmonary edema, intraoperative transfusion of red blood cells, and surgical types. A nomogram and a risk calculator were constructed based on the five factors, showing excellent discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility. Three risk intervals were defined as low-, medium-, and high-risk groups according to the nomogram and clinical practice. The findings of this study may be helpful for early risk assessment and perioperative management.
miR-199a-5p Reduces Chondrocyte Hypertrophy and Attenuates Osteoarthritis Progression via the Indian Hedgehog Signal Pathway
Authors: Huang Lei , Jin Meng , Gu Ruiying , Xiao Kunlin , Lu Mengnan , Huo Xinyu , Sun Mengyao , Yang Zhi , Wang Zhiyuan , Zhang Weijie , Zhi Liqiang , Meng Ziang , Ma Jie , Ma Jianbing , Zhang Rui
Published: February 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, is an age-associated disease, characterized by the progressive degradation of articular cartilage, synovial inflammation, and degeneration of subchondral bone. Chondrocyte proliferation is regulated by the Indian hedgehog (IHH in humans, Ihh in animals) signaling molecule, which regulates hypertrophy and endochondral ossification in the development of the skeletal system. microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are a family of about 22-nucleotide endogenous non-coding RNAs, which negatively regulate gene expression. In this study, the expression level of IHH was upregulated in the damaged articular cartilage tissues among OA patients and OA cell cultures, while that of miR-199a-5p was the opposite. Further investigations demonstrated that miR-199a-5p could directly regulate IHH expression and reduce chondrocyte hypertrophy and matrix degradation via the IHH signal pathway in the primary human chondrocytes. The intra-articular injection of synthetic miR-199a-5p agomir attenuated OA symptoms in rats, including the alleviation of articular cartilage destruction, subchondral bone degradation, and synovial inflammation. The miR-199a-5p agomir could also inhibit the Ihh signaling pathway in vivo. This study might help in understanding the role of miR-199a-5p in the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of OA and indicate a potential novel therapeutic strategy for OA patients.
Is It All about Surface Topography? An Intra-Individual Clinical Outcome Analysis of Two Different Implant Surfaces in Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Schoberleitner Ines , Augustin Angela , Egle Daniel , Brunner Christine , Amort Birgit , Zelger Bettina , Brunner Andrea , Wolfram Dolores
Published: February 2023

The most common long-term complication of silicone breast implants (SMI) remains capsular fibrosis. The etiology of this exaggerated implant encapsulation is multifactorial but primarily induced by the host response towards the foreign material silicone. Identified risk factors include specific implant topographies. Of note, breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has only been observed in response to textured surface implants. We hypothesize that reduction of SMI surface roughness causes less host response and, hence, better cosmetic outcomes with fewer complications for the patient. A total of 7 patients received the routinely used CPX®4 breast expander (~60 µM Ra) and the novel SmoothSilk® (~4 µM Ra), fixed prepectoral with a titanized mesh pocket and randomized to the left or right breast after bilateral prophylactic NSME (nipple-sparing mastectomy). We aimed to compare the postoperative outcome regarding capsule thickness, seroma formation, rippling, implant dislocation as well as comfortability and practicability. Our analysis shows that surface roughness is an influential parameter in controlling fibrotic implant encapsulation. Compared intra-individually for the first time in patients, our data confirm an improved biocompatibility with minor capsule formation around SmoothSilk® implants with an average shell roughness of 4 µM and in addition an amplification of host response by titanized implant pockets.
Establishing a Prediction Model for the Efficacy of Platinum—Based Chemotherapy in NSCLC Based on a Two Cohorts GWAS Study
Authors: Xiao Qi , Mao Chenxue , Gao Ying , Huang Hanxue , Yu Bing , Yu Lulu , Li Xi , Mao Xiaoyuan , Zhang Wei , Yin Jiye , Liu Zhaoqian
Published: February 2023

Platinum drugs combined with other agents have been the first-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the past decades. To better evaluate the efficacy of platinum–based chemotherapy in NSCLC, we establish a platinum chemotherapy response prediction model. Here, a total of 217 samples from Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were selected as the discovery cohort for a genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) to select SNPs. Another 216 samples were genotyped as a validation cohort. In the discovery cohort, using linkage disequilibrium (LD) pruning, we extract a subset that does not contain correlated SNPs. The SNPs with p < 10−3 and p < 10−4 are selected for modeling. Subsequently, we validate our model in the validation cohort. Finally, clinical factors are incorporated into the model. The final model includes four SNPs (rs7463048, rs17176196, rs527646, and rs11134542) as well as two clinical factors that contributed to the efficacy of platinum chemotherapy in NSCLC, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.726.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Pregnancy Outcomes in Moderate to Severe Intrauterine Adhesion: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Qiu Daner , Xiao Xifeng , Wang Wenting , Zhang Wanlin , Wang Xiaohong
Published: February 2023

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in women with moderate to severe intrauterine adhesion (IUA). A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a reproductive medical center between July 2020 and June 2021 to compare the clinical pregnancy rate of two groups (PRP and non-PRP groups) after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. A multivariate logistic regression analysis and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to minimize potential bias. According to our inclusion and exclusion criteria, 133 patients were finally enrolled and divided into the PRP group (n = 48) and non-PRP group (n = 85). In the primary comparison, the clinical pregnancy rate in the PRP group was higher than that in the non-PRP group (41.7% vs. 28.2%, p = 0.114), albeit without statistical significance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, and the results of the adjusted model showed that PRP treatment significantly improved the clinical pregnancy rate (adjusted OR = 3.00, 95% CI = 1.22–7.38, p = 0.017). After PSM, the clinical pregnancy rate was higher in the PRP group than that in the non-PRP group (46.2% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.031). Based on the present study, we concluded that intrauterine perfusion of PRP had great potential in improving the clinical pregnancy rate in patients with moderate to severe IUA. Therefore, we recommend the application of PRP in the treatment of IUA.
Action Observation Therapy for Arm Recovery after Stroke: A Preliminary Investigation on a Novel Protocol with EEG Monitoring
Authors: Boni Sara , Galluccio Martina , Baroni Andrea , Martinuzzi Carlotta , Milani Giada , Emanuele Marco , Straudi Sofia , Fadiga Luciano , Pozzo Thierry
Published: February 2023

This preliminary study introduces a novel action observation therapy (AOT) protocol associated with electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring to be used in the future as a rehabilitation strategy for the upper limb in patients with subacute stroke. To provide initial evidence on the usefulness of this method, we compared the outcome of 11 patients who received daily AOT for three weeks with that of patients who undertook two other approaches recently investigated by our group, namely intensive conventional therapy (ICT), and robot-assisted therapy combined with functional electrical stimulation (RAT-FES). The three rehabilitative interventions showed similar arm motor recovery as indexed by Fugl-Meyer’s assessment of the upper extremity (FMA_UE) and box and block test (BBT). The improvement in the FMA_UE was yet more favourable in patients with mild/moderate motor impairments who received AOT, in contrast with patients carrying similar disabilities who received the other two treatments. This suggests that AOT might be more effective in this subgroup of patients, perhaps because the integrity of their mirror neurons system (MNS) was more preserved, as indexed by EEG recording from central electrodes during action observation. In conclusion, AOT may reveal an effective rehabilitative tool in patients with subacute stroke; the EEG evaluation of MNS integrity may help to select patients who could maximally benefit from this intervention.
Dependence of the Atrioventricular Conduction Time on the Conduction through the Atrioventricular Node and His–Purkinje System
Authors: Żuchowski Bartosz , Błaszyk Krzysztof , Piskorski Jarosław , Wykrętowicz Andrzej , Guzik Przemysław
Published: February 2023

The electrical depolarization of the heart passes through various structures of the cardiac conduction system, which modify its conduction to different extents. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the atrioventricular conduction time (AV interval) and its contributors, the atrioventricular node (AVN) and the His–Purkinje system (HPS), as represented by the AH and HV intervals, respectively. We also compared sex differences in these intervals and their relations. Resting intracardiac tracings lasting 5 min were obtained from 64 patients (33 women) during an invasive electrophysiological study. The aforementioned intervals were measured for all consecutive beats. The mean AH interval was 85.9 ms, HV 43.7 ms, and AV 129.6 ms. Men had longer AH (80.0 vs. 65.9 ms), HV (38.4 vs. 35.3 ms), and AV intervals (124.7 vs. 108.5 ms) than women. The AV intervals were linearly correlated with AH intervals in all patients (r2 = 0.65). No significant correlation was found between AV and HV intervals in all patients (r2 = 0.05). There were no sex differences in these associations. Our results suggest that the atrioventricular conduction time depends mainly on the conduction through the AVN and less on the HPS. These relations are similar in both sexes, although men had longer conduction times through the AVN, HPS, and total atrioventricular conduction time.
Effectiveness and Safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease—A Real-World Experience
Authors: Pereira Sara C. , Rodrigues Tiago , Nunes-Ferreira Afonso , Agostinho João R. , Pinto Fausto J. , Brito Dulce
Published: February 2023

Background: data regarding the effectiveness and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are scarse. Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in HFrEF and CKD in a real-world population. Methods: we included consecutive ambulatory HFrEF patients that initiated sacubitril/valsartan between February 2017 and October 2020, stratified by CKD (KDIGO stage 5 excluded). Primary outcomes: the incidence rate per 100 patient-years and the annualized length of stay (LOS) of acute decompensated HF hospitalizations (HFH). Secondary outcomes: all-cause mortality, NYHA improvement, and titration of sacubitril/valsartan. Results: We included 179 patients, 77 with CKD, those being older (72 ± 10 vs. 65 ± 12 years, p < 0.001), had higher NT-proBNP (4623 ± 5266 vs. 1901 ± 1835 pg/mL, p < 0.001), and high anaemia incidence (p < 0.001). After 19 ± 11 months, a significant reduction in HFH adjusted incidence rate (57.5% decrease in CKD vs. 74.6%, p = 0.261) was observed, with 5 days there was a reduction in annualized LOS in both groups (p = 0.319). NYHA improved similarly in both groups (p = 0.670). CKD patients presented non-significant higher all-cause mortality (HR = 2.405, 95%CI: [0.841; 6.879], p = 0.102). Both groups had similar sacubitril/valsartan maximum dose achievement and drug withdrawal. Conclusion: sacubitril/valsartan was effective on reducing HFH and LOS without affecting all-cause mortality in a CKD real-world population.
Minimally Invasive Derotational Osteotomy of Long Bones: Smartphone Application Used to Improve the Accuracy of Correction
Authors: Oh Chang-Wug , Park Kyeong-Hyeon , Kim Joon-Woo , Kim Dong-Hyun , Seo Il , Lee Jin-Han , Kim Ji-Wan , Yoon Sung-Hyuk
Published: February 2023

Correction of rotational malalignments caused by fractures is essential as it may cause pain and gait disturbances. This study evaluated the intraoperative use of a smartphone application (SP app) to measure the extent of corrective rotation in patients treated using minimally invasive derotational osteotomy. Intraoperatively, two parallel 5 mm Schanz pins were placed above and below the fractured/injured site, and derotation was performed manually after percutaneous osteotomy. A protractor SP app was used intraoperatively to measure the angle between the two Schanz pins (angle-SP). Intramedullary nailing or minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis was performed after derotation, and computerized tomography (CT) scans were used to assess the angle of correction postoperatively (angle-CT). The accuracy of rotational correction was assessed by comparing angle-SP and angle-CT. The mean preoperative rotational difference observed was 22.1°, while the mean angle-SP and angle-CT were 21.6° and 21.3°, respectively. A significant positive correlation between angle-SP and angle-CT was observed, and 18 out of 19 patients exhibited complete healing within 17.7 weeks (1 patient exhibited nonunion). These findings suggest that using an SP app during minimally invasive derotational osteotomy can result in accurate correction of malrotation of long bones in a reproducible manner. Therefore, SP technology with integrated gyroscope function represents a suitable alternative for determination of the magnitude of rotational correction when performing corrective osteotomy.
On the Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Roccella Michele , Fallea Antonio , Vetri Luigi
Published: February 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a tsunami that has deeply changed the lives of the people all over the planet [...]
Changes in Psychological Outcomes after Cessation of Full Mu Agonist Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain
Authors: Silva Marcelina Jasmine , Coffee Zhanette , Yu Chong Ho Alex , Hu Joshua
Published: February 2023

Improved understanding of psychological features associated with full mu agonist long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) cessation may offer advantages for clinicians. This preliminary study presents changes in psychological outcomes in patients with chronic, non-cancer pain (CNCP) after LTOT cessation via a 10-week multidisciplinary program which included treatment with buprenorphine. Paired t-tests pre- and post-LTOT cessation were compared in this retrospective cohort review of data from electronic medical records of 98 patients who successfully ceased LTOT between the dates of October 2017 to December 2019. Indicators of quality of life, depression, catastrophizing, and fear avoidance, as measured by the 36-Item Short Form Survey, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9-Item Scale, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaires revealed significant improvement. Scores did not significantly improve for daytime sleepiness, generalized anxiety, and kinesiophobia, as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The results suggest that successful LTOT cessation may be interconnected with improvements in specific psychological states.
Effect of Fiber Side-Feeding on Various Properties of Nickel-Coated Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polyamide 6 Composites Prepared by a Twin-Screw Extrusion Process
Authors: Jeong Naeun , Cho Donghwan
Published: February 2023

In the present study, how side-feeding of NiCF during twin-screw extrusion processing influences the fiber aspect ratio and thermal, mechanical, electrical, and electromagnetic properties of nickel-coated carbon fiber (NiCF)-reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6) composites was explored. For this, the fiber length distribution, thermal stability, heat deflection temperature, dynamic mechanical property, tensile, flexural, electrical resistivity, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) properties of NiCF/PA6 composites were extensively investigated. Chopped NiCF was regularly fed via either a main feeder or a side feeder and NiCF/PA6 pellets with different fiber-feeding pathways were prepared. The side-feeding effect of NiCF on the fiber length distribution and the composite properties was studied. The thermal stability, heat deflection temperature, storage modulus, tensile, flexural, and surface resistivity, and EMI SE properties of the NiCF/PA6 composites strongly depended not only on the NiCF content but also on the feeding method (main-feeding or side-feeding) upon extrusion processing, indicating that the fiber length distribution relevant to the fiber aspect ratio was critically important to enhance the composites’ properties. As a result, the NiCF/PA6 composites produced via side-feeding of NiCF exhibited an NiCF distribution longer than that produced via main-feeding, leading to enhancement of the thermal stability, heat deflection temperature, storage modulus, tensile, flexural, and EMI SE properties, strongly depending on the NiCF content.
The Effect of Metals of the 2nd and 12th Groups on the Productivity and Selectivity of Cumene Oxidation—The First Stage of the Technological Chain for the Production of Polymer Composites
Authors: Ulitin Nikolai V. , Shiyan Daria A. , Lyulinskaya Yana L. , Novikov Nikolay A. , Tereshchenko Konstantin A. , Nurullina Natalia M. , Denisova Marina N. , Kharlampidi Kharlampii E. , Mezhuev Yaroslav O.
Published: February 2023

The effect of the process temperature and the initial concentration of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, and Hg 2-ethylhexanoates as catalysts on the productivity and selectivity of the oxidation stage of cumene is studied in the technological chain for the production of polymer composites from cumene; “production of phenol by cumene method (stage 1 is cumene oxidation to cumene hydroperoxide, stage 2 is decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide into phenol and acetone) → production of precursors from phenol → production of polymers from precursors → production of composites from polymers”. A criterion has been introduced that reflects the productivity of cumene oxidation at the moment of reaching the maximum concentration of cumene hydroperoxide, which takes into account the cumene conversion and selectivity achieved in this case in the shortest possible time using the selectivity comparable with the selectivity of a non-catalytic process. It has been shown that the achievement of the maximum value of this criterion, among all the considered catalysts, is ensured by Mg 2-ethylhexanoate at its relatively low initial concentration (1 mmol/L) under conditions of moderately-high process temperatures (393–413 K).
Formation of Composite Coatings during Detonation Spraying of Cr3C2
Authors: Batraev Igor S. , Ulianitsky Vladimir Yu. , Shtertser Alexandr A. , Dudina Dina V. , Ukhina Arina V.
Published: February 2023

In the current practice of applying carbide-based coatings by thermal spraying, the starting material usually contains a metal binder. However, it is important to study the possibility of spraying binder-free carbides, since the metal components usually reduce the operating temperature and corrosion resistance of cermet coatings. In this work, a powder of chromium carbide, Cr3C2, was sprayed using a CCDS2000 detonation gun. Acetylene–oxygen mixtures C2H2 + kO2 with k varying from 0.8 to 3.0 were used as an energetic material. Due to chemical reactions between Cr3C2 and the detonation products, the coatings were of composite nature (multi-phase materials) with a composition depending on k. At k values in the range from 0.8 to 1.1, along with Cr3C2, the coatings contained chromium carbonitride Cr3N0.4C1.6. In the k range from 1.3 to 2.0, Cr7C3 and Cr were the main components of the coatings. As k was increased to 3.0, along with Cr7C3 and Cr, the CrO and Cr2O3 oxides formed in the coatings. The mechanical properties and wear resistance of the coatings were found to depend on their phase compositions. Coatings produced by detonation spraying of Cr3C2 powder may be useful for increasing the corrosion resistance of machine parts to mineral acids and high-temperature oxidation resistance.
CFD Analysis and Wind Tunnel Experiment for Ventilation Ducts with Structural Elements Inside
Authors: Mihai Victor , Rusu Liliana
Published: February 2023

Ventilation ducts with a high cross-sectional area are frequently built as structural ducts that include inside transversal structural beams. In this way, the cross-sectional area requested is respected, but the transverse structural elements will have a big impact on the airflow, with eventually additional noise and vibration and a high amount of energy wasted across the beams. From this perspective, the aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the transversal beams inside the ventilation ducts, to analyze different alternatives for airflow improvement using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, and to check the simulation results in the wind tunnel with an experimental model. The results of the experimental measurements have highlighted the high-pressure drop and, consequently, the high energy wasted across the transversal structural beams. It was found that the airflow downstream of the beam is changing the flow direction, and high turbulences and vortices are initiated in the shadow of the beam. According to the CFD analysis, the ventilation system can be improved by adding airflow deflectors in the beam area. In this way, the high turbulences are reduced, the vortices and backflow are canceled, and the pressure losses across the beam area of the ventilation duct are reduced by up to 90% compared with the beam without a deflector. Therefore, the energy wasted in the beam area can be reduced by up to 90%.
Responsive Nanostructure for Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Pawar Vaishali , Maske Priyanka , Khan Amreen , Ghosh Arnab , Keshari Roshan , Bhatt Mahek , Srivastava Rohit
Published: February 2023

Currently, intelligent, responsive biomaterials have been widely explored, considering the fact that responsive biomaterials provide controlled and predictable results in various biomedical systems. Responsive nanostructures undergo reversible or irreversible changes in the presence of a stimulus, and that stimuli can be temperature, a magnetic field, ultrasound, pH, humidity, pressure, light, electric field, etc. Different types of stimuli being used in drug delivery shall be explained here. Recent research progress in the design, development and applications of biomaterials comprising responsive nanostructures is also described here. More emphasis will be given on the various nanostructures explored for the smart stimuli responsive drug delivery at the target site such as wound healing, cancer therapy, inflammation, and pain management in order to achieve the improved efficacy and sustainability with the lowest side effects. However, it is still a big challenge to develop well-defined responsive nanostructures with ordered output; thus, challenges faced during the design and development of these nanostructures shall also be included in this article. Clinical perspectives and applicability of the responsive nanostructures in the targeted drug delivery shall be discussed here.
Applications of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase for Triacylglycerol Production in Mortierella alpina
Authors: Yu Ruilin , Chang Lulu , Cao Jun , Yang Bo , Chen Haiqin , Chen Wei
Published: February 2023

Triacylglycerol (TG) with high-value long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids is beneficial to human health; consequently, there is an urgent need to broaden its sources due to the current growing demand. Mortierella alpina, one of the most representative oleaginous fungi, is the only certificated source of dietary arachidonic acid-rich oil supplied in infant formula. This study was conducted to improve TG production in M. alpina by homologous overexpression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and linseed oil (LSO) supplementation. Our results showed that the homologous overexpression of MaDGAT1B and MaDGAT2A strengthened TG biosynthesis and significantly increased the TG content compared to the wild-type by 12.24% and 14.63%, respectively. The supplementation with an LSO concentration of 0.5 g/L elevated the TG content to 83.74% and total lipid yield to 4.26 ± 0.38 g/L in the M. alpina-MaDGAT2A overexpression strain. Our findings provide an effective strategy for enhancing TG production and highlight the role of DGAT in TG biosynthesis in M. alpina.
ANO4 Expression Is a Potential Prognostic Biomarker in Non-Metastasized Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Al Sharie Ahmed H. , Al Zu’bi Yazan O. , El-Elimat Tamam , Al-Kammash Kinda , Abu Lil Alma , Isawi Israa H. , Al Sharie Sarah , Abu Mousa Balqis M. , Al Malkawi Abubaker A. , Alali Feras Q.
Published: February 2023

Background: Over the past decade, transcriptome profiling has elucidated many pivotal pathways involved in oncogenesis. However, a detailed comprehensive map of tumorigenesis remains an enigma to solve. Propelled research has been devoted to investigating the molecular drivers of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). To add another piece to the puzzle, we evaluated the role of anoctamin 4 (ANO4) expression as a potential prognostic biomarker in non-metastasized ccRCC. Methods: A total of 422 ccRCC patients with the corresponding ANO4 expression and clinicopathological data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA). Differential expression across several clinicopathological variables was performed. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to assess the impact of ANO4 expression on the overall survival (OS), progression-free interval (PFI), disease-free interval (DFI), and disease-specific survival (DSS). Univariate and multivariate Cox logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent factors modulating the aforementioned outcomes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to discern a set of molecular mechanisms involved in the prognostic signature. Tumor immune microenvironment was estimated using xCell. Results: ANO4 expression was upregulated in tumor samples compared to normal kidney tissue. Albeit the latter finding, low ANO4 expression is associated with advanced clinicopathological variables such as tumor grade, stage, and pT. In addition, low ANO4 expression is linked to shorter OS, PFI, and DSS. Multivariate Cox logistic regression analysis identified ANO4 expression as an independent prognostic variable in OS (HR: 1.686, 95% CI: 1.120–2.540, p = 0.012), PFI (HR: 1.727, 95% CI: 1.103–2.704, p = 0.017), and DSS (HR: 2.688, 95% CI: 1.465–4.934, p = 0.001). GSEA identified the following pathways to be enriched within the low ANO4 expression group: epithelial–mesenchymal transition, G2-M checkpoint, E2F targets, estrogen response, apical junction, glycolysis, hypoxia, coagulation, KRAS, complement, p53, myogenesis, and TNF-α signaling via NF-κB pathways. ANO4 expression correlates significantly with monocyte (ρ = −0.1429, p = 0.0033) and mast cell (ρ = 0.1598, p = 0.001) infiltration. Conclusions: In the presented work, low ANO4 expression is portrayed as a potential poor prognostic factor in non-metastasized ccRCC. Further experimental studies should be directed to shed new light on the exact molecular mechanisms involved.
A Sensitivity Index to Perform the Territorial Sustainability in Uncertain Decision-Making Conditions
Authors: Sica Francesco , Tajani Francesco , Guarini Maria Rosaria , Ranieri Rossana
Published: February 2023

The issue of sustainability is central to development strategies. Although this alignment is acknowledged and shared world-wide, territorial development in a sustainable light must also take the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic into consideration, specifically by evaluating the effects of COVID-19 on the global health, social order, and economic-environmental system. The research suggests a sensitivity index to gauge the degree of territorial sustainability taking the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts into account. A study set of countries, as identified by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is used to test the developed index. The index evaluates a country’s performance in terms of economic, social, and environmental sustainability while also considering the relative risk of COVID-19. The proposed index measures territorial sustainability from a variety of angles by enabling comparisons between the circumstances before and after current shocks in the socioeconomic and environmental performance frames by pandemic emergency. The index was created using an integrated assessment method that was based on the Choquet Integral (CI) mathematical framework and Multi-Attributive Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis (MAIRCA). The study establishes a unique and up-scaling methodology for constructing the sensitivity index, significantly advancing the suggestions for sustainable accounting under uncertain circumstances at the territorial scale. Adopting indices that quantify territorial sustainability under uncertainty may help guide policy decisions from an investment programming viewpoint, particularly when it comes to allocating financial resources to the economic sectors most impacted by shock events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Urbanization Paradox of Environmental Policies in Korean Local Governments
Authors: Choi Yongrok , Lee Hyoungsuk , Jeong Hojin , Debbarma Jahira
Published: February 2023

Many developing countries have been experiencing the problems of urbanization, particularly regarding carbon emission and polluted air emission mitigation. Is it possible to simultaneously achieve these two different clean and green economic strategies? This study analyzes this paradoxical issue of air pollution in terms of PM2.5 efficiency. To evaluate the performance of regulatory policies on air pollution and to find out the governance factors, this paper adopts the stepwise approach. In the first stage, we evaluate the cross-sectional PM2.5 efficiency of 16 Korean municipalities for the period between 2012 and 2017 and determine whether this performance is sustainable using the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI). We concluded that most local governments lack sustainable governance on regulation policies for clean air. Using the Tobit model in the second stage, this study showed that regional economic development (GRDP) and an patent for clean air technology innovation are the most important strategic factors that promote sustainability in regulation policy performance.
Growth Stage-, Organ- and Time-Dependent Salt Tolerance of Halophyte Tripolium pannonicum (Jacq.) Dobrocz.
Authors: Ludwiczak Agnieszka , Ciarkowska Anna , Rajabi Dehnavi Ahmad , Cárdenas-Pérez Stefany , Piernik Agnieszka
Published: February 2023

Tripolium pannonicum (Jacq.) Dobrocz. is a member of the diverse group of halophytes with the potential for the desalination and reclamation of degraded land. The adaptive processes of T. pannonicum to salinity habitats are still not well recognized. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of NaCl (0, 200, 400, and 800 mM) on: (1) two plant growth stages, (2) the activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentration of H2O2 and the proline in roots, stems, and leaves, and (3) the effect of long- and short-term salt stress on physiological responses. Germination, pot experiments, and a biochemical analysis were performed. The effective T. pannonicum’s seed germination was achieved in the control. We demonstrated that halophyte’s organs do not simply tolerate high-salt conditions. The activities of APX, POD, and catalase observed at 400 mM and 800 mM NaCl were varied between organs and revealed the following pattern: root > leaves > stem. Proline was preferentially accumulated in leaves that were more salt-tolerant than other organs. Salt stress enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentrations of salinity stress indicators in a time-dependent manner. Our study has indicated that salt tolerance is a complex mechanism that depends on the growth phase, organs, and duration of salinity exposure. The results have potential for further proteomic and metabolomic analyses of adaptive salt tolerance processes.
The Role of Silver Nanoparticles in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer: Are There Any Perspectives for the Future?
Authors: Takáč Peter , Michalková Radka , Čižmáriková Martina , Bedlovičová Zdenka , Balážová Ľudmila , Takáčová Gabriela
Published: February 2023

Cancer is a fatal disease with a complex pathophysiology. Lack of specificity and cytotoxicity, as well as the multidrug resistance of traditional cancer chemotherapy, are the most common limitations that often cause treatment failure. Thus, in recent years, significant efforts have concentrated on the development of a modernistic field called nano-oncology, which provides the possibility of using nanoparticles (NPs) with the aim to detect, target, and treat cancer diseases. In comparison with conventional anticancer strategies, NPs provide a targeted approach, preventing undesirable side effects. What is more, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have shown good pharmacokinetics and precise targeting, as well as reduced multidrug resistance. It has been documented that, in cancer cells, NPs promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, activate ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress, modulate various signaling pathways, etc. Furthermore, their ability to inhibit tumor growth in vivo has also been documented. In this paper, we have reviewed the role of silver NPs (AgNPs) in cancer nanomedicine, discussing numerous mechanisms by which they render anticancer properties under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, as well as their potential in the diagnosis of cancer.
Masticatory Function in Individuals with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Marcelino Vanessa , De Rovere Solène , Paço Maria , Gonçalves Maria , Marcelino Sandra , Guimarães António Sérgio , Pinho Teresa
Published: February 2023

The literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, LILACS, EBSCO, Scielo, between 2012 and 2022. The methodological quality was assessed by using the Newcastle–Ottawa Study Quality Assessment Scale. Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and combined in meta-analyses. A total of 1202 participants were included in this systematic review (690 with TMD; 512 without TMD), with 22 articles being included in the qualitative analysis. Only three studies enabled the comparative analysis of the results. Ten articles showed a high methodological quality and a low risk of bias, and twelve had a low methodological quality and an increased risk of bias. The meta-analysis showed that the differences between the intervention and control groups were not statistically significant for the percentage overlapping coefficient of the anterior temporal muscle, for the masseter, and for the torque coefficient. The parameters analyzed with the compound technique for chewing showed altered mandibular functions in individuals with TMD. With the EMG method, it was possible to suggest that TMD in adult individuals causes compensatory muscle behaviors, and several changes in the masticatory function were found.