bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Ethnicity Classification from Middle Part of the Face Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Belcar David , Grd Petra , Tomičić Igor
Published: February 2022

In the field of face biometrics, finding the identity of a person in an image is most researched, but there are other, soft biometric information that are equally as important, such as age, gender, ethnicity or emotion. Nowadays, ethnicity classification has a wide application area and is a prolific area of research. This paper gives an overview of recent advances in ethnicity classification with focus on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and proposes a new ethnicity classification method using only the middle part of the face and CNN. The paper also compares the differences in results of CNN with and without plotted landmarks. The proposed model was tested using holdout testing method on UTKFace dataset and FairFace dataset. The accuracy of the model was 80.34% for classification into five classes and 61.74% for classification into seven classes, which is slightly better than state-of-the-art, but it is also important to note that results in this paper are obtained by using only the middle part of the face which reduces the time and resources necessary.
Application of a Non-Invasive Technique for the Preservation of a Fortified Masonry Tower
Authors: Giordano Ersilia , Marcheggiani Laura , Formisano Antonio , Clementi Francesco
Published: February 2022

The Cultural heritage spread all over the World needs to be preserved with systems that do not compromise its architectural and historical value. Nowadays, the most advanced technology available is the ambient vibration test. It allows to obtain the current frequencies, modal shapes, and damping of structures, without being invasive. The comparison between different monitoring campaigns and their use in combination with Finite Element models can give an insight into the state of structures’ health. This paper presents two ambient vibration tests performed on a fortified masonry tower in the Marche region of Italy, carried out after one year each other, with different temperature and humidity conditions. To extract the structure’s dynamic parameters both a time and a frequency domain approaches were used. The comparison between the parameters obtained during the two experimental campaigns showed similar frequencies and modal shapes underlining that no damage occurred and that the dynamic response of the tower does not suffer temperature and humidity variations. In addition, the steps carried out for a first attempt manual calibration of the tower’s Finite Element model are shown. The match between the numerical model and the experimental data is evaluated through the absolute frequencies’ errors and the Modal Assurance Criteria between the modal vectors. The calibrated numerical model can be used for future and accurate assessment of the tower’s structural capacity.
Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Formate Using a Cadmium-Based Metal–Organic Framework Impregnated with Nanoparticles
Authors: Makuve Nyasha , Darkwa James , Mehlana Gift , Makhubela Banothile C. E.
Published: February 2022

The burning of fossil fuels to meet energy demands has increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, causing global warming and associated climate change. Therefore, new materials are being developed to capture CO2 effectively, limit its impact on the environment, and store and/or utilise it as an abundant C1 building block. In this study, we investigate a cadmium(II) metal–organic framework, [Cd(bdc)(DMF)]n (MOF1), synthesised by treating benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid with four equivalents of [Cd(NO3)2]. MOF1 was then used to support Pd, Ni, and Pt nanoparticles in forming MOF1/Pd MOF1/Ni and MOF1/Pt, respectively. These MOF-based materials were characterised using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). MOF1/Pd MOF1/Ni and MOF1/Pt proved highly active in the catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to formate selectively; in contrast, MOF1 did not hydrogenate CO2 to formate. The MOF1/Pd, MOF1/Ni, and MOF1/Pt catalysts produced formate selectively, with the highest TON of 1500 (TOF of 69 h−1) achieved using MOF1/Pd as the catalyst at 170 °C within 2 h. A formate yield of 98% was obtained, which demonstrates that the combination of nanoparticles and MOFs greatly enhances the catalytic activity of the active sites.
TDRD5 Is Required for Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis in Locusta migratoria
Authors: Deng Sufang , Wang Junxiu , Ma Enbo , Zhang Jianzhen , Xing Shuping
Published: February 2022

Tudor family proteins exist in all eukaryotic organisms and play a role in many cellular processes by recognizing and binding to proteins with methylated arginine or lysine residues. TDRD5, a member of Tudor domain-containing proteins (TDRDs), has been implicated in the P-element-induced wimpy testis-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway and germ cell development in some model species, but little is known about its function in other species. Therefore, we identified and characterized LmTDRD5, the TDRD5 ortholog in Locusta migratoria, a hemimetabolous pest. The LmTdrd5 gene has 19 exons that encode a protein possessing a single copy of the Tudor domain and three LOTUS domains at its N-terminus. qRT-PCR analysis revealed a high LmTdrd5 expression level in genital glands. Using RNA interference, LmTdrd5 knockdown in males led to a lag in meiosis phase transition, decreased spermatid elongation and sperm production, and downregulated the expression of the two germ cell-specific transcription factors, LmCREM and LmACT, as well as the sperm tail marker gene LmQrich2.LmTdrd5 knockdown in females reduced the expression levels of vitellogenin (Vg) and Vg receptor (VgR) and impaired ovarian development and oocyte maturation, thus decreasing the hatchability rate. These results demonstrate that LmTdrd5 is essential for germ cell development and fertility in locusts, indicating a conserved function for TDRD5.
Dissecting the Isoform-Specific Roles of FTZ-F1 in the Larval–Larval and Larval–Pupal Ecdyses in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
Authors: Wu Jian-Jian , Cheng Min-Di , Ze Long-Ji , Shen Chen-Hui , Jin Lin , Li Guo-Qing
Published: February 2022

Fushi Tarazu Factor 1 (FTZ-F1), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is the downstream factor of 20-hydroxyecdysone signaling. In Drosophila melanogaster, alternative transcription start and splicing in the FTZ-F1 gene generate αFTZ-F1 and βFTZ-F1 isoforms, which are vital for pair-rule segmentation in early embryogenesis and post-embryonic development, respectively. However, whether the same mRNA isoforms are present and exert the conservative roles remains to be clarified in other insects. In the present paper, we first mined the genomic data of representative insect species and unveiled that the same post-transcriptional processing in FTZ-F1 occurred in coleopterans, lepidopterans, dipterans and hymenopterans. Our expression data in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, a serious polyphagous defoliator damaging a wide range of crops in Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae, showed that both αFTZ-F1 and βFTZ-F1 were actively transcribed throughout the development, from embryo to adult. The RNA interference-aided knockdown of both isoforms completely arrested larval ecdysis from the third to the fourth instar, in contrast to the depletion of either isoform. In contrast, silencing βFTZ-F1, rather than αFTZ-F1, severely impaired the larval–pupal transformation. We accordingly propose that both FTZ-F1 isoforms are essential but mutually interchangeable for larval–larval molting, while βFTZ-F1 is necessary for the larval–pupal transition and sufficient to exert the role of both FTZ-F1s during larval–pupal metamorphosis in H. vigintioctopunctata.
The Peptide Hormone CNMa Influences Egg Production in the Mosquito Aedes aegypti
Authors: Keyes-Scott Nia I. , Lajevardi Aryan , Swade Kyle R. , Brown Mark R. , Paluzzi Jean-Paul , Vogel Kevin J.
Published: February 2022

Mosquito reproduction is regulated by a suite of hormones, many acting through membrane-bound receptor proteins. The Aedes aegypti G protein-coupled receptors AAEL024199 (AeCNMaR-1a) and AAEL018316 (AeCNMaR-1b) were identified as orthologs of the Drosophila melanogaster CNMa receptor (DmCNMaR). The receptor was duplicated early in the evolution of insects, and subsequently in Culicidae, into what we refer to as CNMaR-1a and CNMaR-1b. AeCNMaR-1a is only detected in male mosquito antennae while AeCNMaR-1b is expressed at high levels in mosquito ovaries. Using a heterologous cell assay, we determined that AeCNMa activates AeCNMaR-1a with a ~10-fold lower concentration than it does AeCNMaR-1b, though both receptors displayed half maximal effective concentrations of AeCNMa in the low nanomolar range. Finally, we show that injections of AeCNMa into blood-fed mated female Ae. aegypti resulted in fewer eggs laid.
Bacterial Symbionts Confer Thermal Tolerance to Cereal Aphids Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae
Authors: Majeed Muhammad Zeeshan , Sayed Samy , Bo Zhang , Raza Ahmed , Ma Chun-Sen
Published: February 2022

High-temperature events are evidenced to exert significant influence on the population performance and thermal biology of insects, such as aphids. However, it is not yet clear whether the bacterial symbionts of insects mediate the thermal tolerance traits of their hosts. This study is intended to assess the putative association among the chronic and acute thermal tolerance of two cereal aphid species, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Sitobion avenae (F.), and the abundance of their bacterial symbionts. The clones of aphids were collected randomly from different fields of wheat crops and were maintained under laboratory conditions. Basal and acclimated CTmax and chronic thermal tolerance indices were measured for 5-day-old apterous aphid individuals and the abundance (gene copy numbers) of aphid-specific and total (16S rRNA) bacterial symbionts were determined using real-time RT-qPCR. The results reveal that R. padi individuals were more temperature tolerant under chronic exposure to 31 °C and also exhibited about 1.0 °C higher acclimated and basal CTmax values than those of S. avenae. Moreover, a significantly higher bacterial symbionts’ gene abundance was recorded in temperature-tolerant aphid individuals than the susceptible ones for both aphid species. Although total bacterial (16S rRNA) abundance per aphid was higher in S. avenae than R. padi, the gene abundance of aphid-specific bacterial symbionts was nearly alike for both of the aphid species. Nevertheless, basal and acclimated CTmax values were positively and significantly associated with the gene abundance of total symbiont density, Buchnera aphidicola, Serratia symbiotica, Hamilton defensa, Regiella insecticola and Spiroplasma spp. for R. padi, and with the total symbiont density, total bacteria (16S rRNA) and with all aphid-specific bacterial symbionts (except Spiroplasma spp.) for S. avenae. The overall study results corroborate the potential role of the bacterial symbionts of aphids in conferring thermal tolerance to their hosts.
Trajectory Planing for Cooperating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the IoT
Authors: Tuyishimire Emmanuel , Bagula Antoine , Rekhis Slim , Boudriga Noureddine
Published: February 2022

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in data transport has attracted a lot of attention and applications, as a modern traffic engineering technique used in data sensing, transport, and delivery to where infrastructure is available for its interpretation. Due to UAVs’ constraints such as limited power lifetime, it has been necessary to assist them with ground sensors to gather local data, which has to be transferred to UAVs upon visiting the sensors. The management of such ground sensor communication together with a team of flying UAVs constitutes an interesting data muling problem, which still deserves to be addressed and investigated. This paper revisits the issue of traffic engineering in Internet-of-Things (IoT) settings, to assess the relevance of using UAVs for the persistent collection of sensor readings from the sensor nodes located in an environment and their delivery to base stations where further processing is performed. We propose a persistent path planning and UAV allocation model, where a team of heterogeneous UAVs coming from various base stations are used to collect data from ground sensors and deliver the collected information to their closest base stations. This problem is mathematically formalised as a real-time constrained optimisation model, and proven to be NP-hard. The paper proposes a heuristic solution to the problem and evaluates its relative efficiency through performing experiments on both artificial and real sensors networks, using various scenarios of UAVs settings.
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Levels Are Higher in Male Patients with Non-Classic Fabry Disease
Authors: Mauhin Wladimir , Tebani Abdellah , Amelin Damien , Abily-Donval Lenaig , Lamari Foudil , London Jonathan , Douillard Claire , Dussol Bertrand , Leguy-Seguin Vanessa , Noel Esther , Masseau Agathe , Lacombe Didier , Maillard Hélène , Bekri Soumeya , Lidove Olivier , Benveniste Olivier
Published: February 2022

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal disease in which defects in the alpha-galactosidase A enzyme activity lead to the ubiquitous accumulation of glycosphingolipids. Whereas the classic disease is characterized by neuropathic pain, progressive renal failure, white matter lesions, cerebral stroke, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the non-classic phenotype, also known as cardiac variant, is almost exclusively characterized by HCM. Circulating sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has controversially been associated with the Fabry cardiomyopathy. We measured serum S1P levels in 41 patients of the FFABRY cohort. S1P levels were higher in patients with a non-classic phenotype compared to those with a classic phenotype (200.3 [189.6–227.9] vs. 169.4 ng/mL [121.1–203.3], p = 0.02). In a multivariate logistic regression model, elevated S1P concentration remained statistically associated with the non-classic phenotype (OR = 1.03; p < 0.02), and elevated lysoGb3 concentration with the classic phenotype (OR = 0.95; p < 0.03). S1P levels were correlated with interventricular septum thickness (r = 0.46; p = 0.02). In a logistic regression model including S1P serum levels, phenotype, and age, age remained the only variable significantly associated with the risk of HCM (OR = 1.25; p = 0.001). S1P alone was not associated with cardiac hypertrophy but with the cardiac variant. The significantly higher S1P levels in patients with the cardiac variant compared to those with classic Fabry suggest the involvement of distinct pathophysiological pathways in the two phenotypes. S1P dosage could allow the personalization of patient management.
Post-SARS-CoV-2 Acute Telogen Effluvium: An Expected Complication
Authors: Monari Paola , Gualdi Giulio , Bettoni Giorgio , Costa Raffaella , Ragni Giorgio , Zani Francesca , Bianchi Giovanna , Casella Silvia , Casella Elisa , Crippa Massimo , Calzavara Pinton Piergiacomo , Di Nicola Marta , Porreca Annamaria , Amerio Paolo , Guizzi Pierangelo
Published: February 2022

Post-SARS-CoV-2 telogen effluvium has been described in case reports of COVID-19 patients. We evaluated the prevalence of post-SARS-CoV-2 telogen effluvium in patients from a single medical center, exploring any causal links with the infection. Our hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with patient participants discharged with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia from 1 March to 4 April 2020. All patients were evaluated by the same senior dermatologist; a clinical/dermatoscopic evaluation was performed. Alopecia was assessed in 31.3% of patients, with a significant difference in sex (females 73%, males 26.7%). The average time detected from the onset of the first symptoms to alopecia was 68.43 days. Overall, there were no significant associations between alopecia and COVID-19-related features (length of hospitalization, virologic positivity, or duration of fever), treatment characteristics, or laboratory findings. In this paper, we report that post-infection acute telogen effluvium occurs in a significant number of COVID-19 patients. The burden of this condition may impair the quality of life, with a significant impact on individuals.
Consensus on COVID-19 Vaccination in Pediatric Oncohematological Patients, on Behalf of Infectious Working Group of Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology
Authors: Cesaro Simone , Muggeo Paola , Zama Daniele , Cellini Monica , Perruccio Katia , Colombini Antonella , Carraro Francesca , Petris Maria Grazia , Petroni Valeria , Mascarin Maurizio , Baccelli Francesco , Soncini Elena , Mura Rosamaria , La Spina Milena , Decembrino Nunzia , Burnelli Roberta , Frenos Stefano , Castagnola Elio , Faraci Maura , Meazza Cristina , Barzaghi Federica , D’Amico Maria Rosaria , Capasso Maria , Calore Elisabetta , Ziino Ottavio , Barone Angelica , Compagno Francesca , Luti Laura , Galaverna Federica , De Santis Raffaella , Brescia Letizia , Meneghello Linda , Petrone Angelamaria , Giurici Nagua , Onofrillo Daniela , Schumacher Fabian , Mercolini Federico
Published: February 2022

Vaccines represent the best tool to prevent the severity course and fatal consequences of the pandemic by the new Coronavirus 2019 infection (SARS-CoV-2). Considering the limited data on vaccination of pediatric oncohematological patients, we developed a Consensus document to support the Italian pediatric hematological oncological (AIEOP) centers in a scientifically correct communication with families and patients and to promote vaccination. The topics of the Consensus were: SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease (COVID-19) in the pediatric subjects; COVID-19 vaccines (type, schedule); who and when to vaccinate; contraindications and risk of serious adverse events; rare adverse events; third dose and vaccination after COVID-19; and other general prevention measures. Using the Delphi methodology for Consensus, 21 statements and their corresponding rationale were elaborated and discussed with the representatives of 31 centers, followed by voting. A high grade of Consensus was obtained on topics such as the potential risk of severe COVID-19 outcome in pediatric oncohematological patients, the need for vaccination as a preventative measure, the type, schedule and booster dose of vaccine, the eligibility of the patients for vaccination, and the timing, definition, and management of contraindications and serious adverse events, and other general prevention measures. All 21 of the statements were approved. This consensus document highlights that children and adolescents affected by hematological and oncological diseases are a fragile category. Vaccination plays an important role to prevent COVID-19, to permit the regular administration of chemotherapy or other treatments, to perform control visits and hospital admissions, and to prevent treatment delays.
A Tailored Lipid Supplement Restored Membrane Fatty Acid Composition and Ameliorates In Vitro Biological Features of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells
Authors: Pizzuti Valeria , Abruzzo Provvidenza , Chatgilialoglu Alexandros , Zia Silvia , Marrazzo Pasquale , Petrocelli Giovannamaria , Zannini Chiara , Marchionni Cosetta , Poggi Paola , Simonazzi Giuliana , Canaider Silvia , Alviano Francesco , Facchin Federica , Bonsi Laura
Published: February 2022

Cell culture conditions influence several biological and biochemical features of stem cells (SCs), including the membrane lipid profile, thus limiting the use of SCs for cell therapy approaches. The present study aims to investigate whether the in vitro culture may alter the membrane fatty acid signature of human Amniotic Epithelial Cells (hAECs). The analysis of the membrane fatty acid composition of hAECs cultured in basal medium showed a loss in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in particular in omega-6 (ω-6) content, compared to freshly isolated hAECs. The addition to the basal culture medium of a chemically defined and animal-free tailored lipid supplement, namely Refeed®, partially restored the membrane fatty acid signature of hAECs. Although the amelioration of the membrane composition did not prolong hAECs culture lifespan, Refeed® influenced cell morphology, counteracted the onset of senescence, and increased the migratory capacity as well as the ability of hAECs to inhibit Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) proliferation. This study provides new information on hAEC features during culture passages and demonstrates that the maintenance of the membrane fatty acid signature preserved higher cell quality during in vitro expansion, suggesting the use of lipid supplementation for SC expansion in cell-based therapies.
Long-Term Outcomes of Extra-Anatomic Femoro-Tibial Bypass Reconstructions in Chronic Limb-Threating Ischemia
Authors: Meyer Alexander , Boxberger Evgenia , Behrendt Christian-Alexander , Yagshyyev Shatlyk , Welk Irina , Lang Werner , Rother Ulrich
Published: February 2022

(1) Background: While tibial bypass surgery still plays a role in the treatment of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia and diabetic foot syndrome; only a few centers have recorded considerable numbers of these conditions. The current study aimed to determine contemporary practice with special focus on the performance of extra-anatomic grafting to the infrapopliteal arteries. (2) Methods: A retrospective, single-center study included patients with tibial bypass grafts from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2019. Primary endpoints were complication rate, graft patency, amputation, overall survival, and major adverse cardiac (MACE) or limb event (MALE). The cohort was stratified by extra-anatomic vs. anatomic position. (3) Results: A total of 455 patients (31% female) with Rutherford stage 4 (12.5%) and 5/6 (69.5%) were included (thereof, 19.5% had high amputation risk according to the Wound Ischemia Foot Infection score). Autologous reconstruction was performed in 316 cases, and prosthetic reconstruction in 131 cases, with a total of 51 (11.2%) extra-anatomic grafts. Early occlusion rate was 9.0% with an in-hospital overall mortality of 2.8%. The in-hospital rate of MACE was 2.4% and of MALE, 1.5%. After one, three and five years, the primary patency of venous bypasses was 74.5%, 68.6% and 61.7%, respectively. For prosthetic grafts, this was 55.1%, 46.0%, and 38.3%, respectively (p < 0.001). The patency of extra-anatomic prosthetic grafts performed significantly better compared with anatomically positioned prosthetic grafts (log-rank p = 0.008). In multivariate analyses, diabetes (hazard ratio, HR 1.314, CI 1.023–1.688, p = 0.032), coronary artery disease (HR 1.343, CI 1.041–1.732, p = 0.023), and dialysis dependency (HR 2.678, CI 1.687–4.250, p < 0.001) were associated with lower odds of survival (4) Conclusion: In this large, single-center cohort, tibial bypass surgery demonstrated satisfactory results with overall low perioperative complication rates and long-term patency rates of 60% and 38%, respectively. Extra-anatomic bypasses represent a feasible alternative to venous grafts in terms of patency. A tailored, patient-centered approach considering predictors such as diabetes, dialysis dependency, and coronary artery disease along with prediction models may further improve the long-term results in the future.
Exchange Transfusion in Neonatal Sepsis: A Narrative Literature Review of Pros and Cons
Authors: Iijima Shigeo
Published: February 2022

Neonatal sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is widely considered that exchange transfusion (ET) as an adjunctive treatment for neonatal sepsis has the ability to reduce mortality. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the efficacy of ET for neonatal sepsis. In neonatal sepsis, immune responses such as proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in pathogenesis and can lead to septic shock, multiple organ failure, and death. Between the 1970s and 1990s several authors reported that ET was effective in the treatment of neonatal sepsis with sclerema. ET removes bacterial toxins and inflammatory cytokines from the blood by replacing it with fresh and immunologically abundant blood, thereby leading to improvement in tissue perfusion and oxygenation. Moreover, ET with fresh whole blood increases neutrophil count and immunoglobulin levels as well as enhancing neutrophil function. However, there is a lack of clear evidence for the clinical efficacy of ET. In addition, adverse events associated with ET have been reported. Although most complications are transient, ET can lead to life-threatening complications. Therefore, ET can be considered a last resort treatment to rescue neonates with severe sepsis with sclerema and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Current Concepts in the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Pectus Excavatum in Humans—A Systematic Review
Authors: David Vlad Laurentiu
Published: February 2022

Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common deformity of the chest wall and is characterized by the posterior depression of the sternum and the lower costal cartilages. To date, the etiology of PE in humans remains enigmatic. Several etiologic hypotheses have been proposed over the past two centuries. However, most of them have been scientifically dismissed and now have only historic value. In this systematic review, we assess scientific publications of the past two centuries addressing the issue of the origin of PE in humans. We present and discuss the histologic, genetic, biomechanical, and experimental scientific achievements that contributed to the clarification of its etiology and pathogenesis. With no clear consensus over the exact mechanism, most recent studies agree that the primordial defect leading the deformation of the anterior chest wall in PE is related to the costal hyaline cartilage structure and function. Further studies on this subject must be carried out. Genetic studies seem to be the most promising way to understand the exact mechanism of PE’s origin and pathogenesis.
Mitral Paravalvular Leak: Clinical Implications, Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Cruz-Gonzalez Ignacio , Antunez-Muiños Pablo , Lopez-Tejero Sergio , Sanchez Pedro L.
Published: February 2022

Paravalvular leak incidence after mitral surgical replacement ranges from 7% to 17%. Between 1% and 5% of these are clinically significant. Large PVLs can cause important clinical manifestations such as heart failure or haemolysis. Current guidelines consider that surgical reparation is the gold-standard therapy in symptomatic patients with paravalvular leak. However, these recommendations are based in non-randomized observational registries. On the other hand, transcatheter paravalvular leak closure has shown excellent results with a low rate of complications, and nowadays it is considered the first option in selected patients in some experienced centres. In this review, we summarize the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, procedural details, and results of transcatheter mitral PVL closure.
Trends of Non-Traumatic Lower-Extremity Amputation and Type 2 Diabetes: Spain, 2001–2019
Authors: Lopez-de-Andres Ana , Jimenez-Garcia Rodrigo , Hernandez-Barrera Valentin , de Miguel-Diez Javier , de Miguel-Yanes Jose M. , Omaña-Palanco Ricardo , Carabantes-Alarcon David
Published: February 2022

(1) Background: To examine trends in the incidence (2001–2019), clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes following major and minor non-traumatic lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Spain, assessing possible sex differences. (2) Methods: Retrospective cohort study using data from the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate incidence trends, and multivariable logistic regression to estimate factors associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM). (3) Results: LEA was coded in 129,059 patients with T2DM (27.16% in women). Minor LEAs accounted for 59.72% of amputations, and major LEAs comprised 40.28%. The adjusted incidences of minor and major LEAs were higher in men than in women (IRR 3.51; 95%CI 3.46–3.57 and IRR 1.98; 95%CI 1.94–2.01, respectively). In women, joinpoint regression showed that age-adjusted incidence of minor LEAs remained stable over time, and for major LEAs, it decreased from 2006 to 2019. In men, incidences of minor and major LEAs decreased significantly from 2004 to 2019. In-hospital mortality (IHM) increased with age and the presence of comorbidity, such as heart failure (OR 5.11; 95%CI 4.61–5.68, for minor LEAs and OR 2.91; 95%CI 2.71–3.13 for major LEAs). Being a woman was associated with higher IHM after minor and major LEA (OR 1.3; 95%CI 1.17–1.44 and OR 1.18; 95%CI 1.11–1.26, respectively). (4) Conclusions: Our data showed major sex differences indicating decreasing and increasing LEA trends among men and women, respectively; furthermore, women presented significantly higher IHM after minor and major LEA procedures than men.
Mitigating Early Phase Separation of Aliphatic Random Ionomers by the Hydrophobic H-Bond Acceptor Addition
Authors: Julius David , Fang Chunliu , Hong Liang , Lee Jim Yang
Published: February 2022

This study reports a new phenomenon whereby the ionic content of a random ionomer was increased by the introduction of a hydrophobic modifier. In the current study, the ionomer synthesized from the solution polymerization of the three vinyl monomers, which are polar hydrophobic monomers acrylonitrile (AN), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), and ionic monomer potassium 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate (SPM), encountered an early phase separation problem when the ionic content exceeded a certain threshold value. However, the addition of a strongly hydrophobic monomer, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate (TFPM), during the copolymerization is able to restrain this phase separation trend, consequently allowing 50% more of SPM units to be incorporated and uniformly distributed in the ionomer and achieving a random copolymer chain. The ionic clustering of the SPM units, which is the cause for the phase separation, was reduced as a result. The resulting random ionomer was demonstrated to be a superior proton conducting material over its ternary originator. This is due to the fact that TFPM possesses acidic protons, which brings about an association of TFPM with SPM and GMA via hydrogen bonding. This study could impact the synthesis of random ionomers by free radical polymerization since monitoring ionic content and improving ionic unit distribution in ionomers are issues encountered in several industries (e.g., the healthcare industry).
Improvement of Cooling Effect and Dimensional Accuracy of Wire and Arc Additive Manufactured Magnesium Alloy by Active-Cooling-Based Contacting Copper Blocks
Authors: Nagamatsu Hideaki , Sasahara Hiroyuki
Published: February 2022

Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) employing a magnesium (Mg) alloy is superior in terms of safety, energy efficiency, and deposition rate when compared with a process that utilizes lasers and powder materials. However, problems with WAAM employing an Mg alloy include poor dimensional accuracy due to low viscosity of the molten Mg alloy. In addition, since Mg alloys cause a combustion reaction with water, an effective cooling method, such as direct water cooling, cannot be applied. In this study, a solid contact-based active cooling method employing copper blocks with high thermal conductivity was proposed to improve the dimensional accuracy and cooling efficiency of fabricated objects using AZ31. Moreover, the proposed method renders it possible to fabricate a wall structure with high flatness as the molten AZ31 solidifies upon direct contact with the flat surface of copper blocks. In addition, the copper blocks harboring an internal water circulation system achieved a higher cooling efficiency and shortened the interval cooling time between the deposition of subsequent layers. Meanwhile, it was discovered that the arc deflected toward the copper blocks, not onto the substrate or the previous layer when the wire tip approached too close to the blocks.
Automated Tethered Profiler for Hydrophysical and Bio-Optical Measurements in the Black Sea Carbon Observational Site
Authors: Ostrovskii Alexander , Emelianov Mikhail , Kochetov Oleg , Kremenetskiy Vyacheslav , Shvoev Dmitry , Volkov Sergey , Zatsepin Andrey , Korovchinsky Nikolai , Olshanskiy Vladimir , Olchev Alexander
Published: February 2022

Biogeochemical cycles of carbon transformation throughout the euphotic zone of the sea are controlled by physical processes, e.g., daily thermocline, variation in solar irradiance, thermohaline convection, and intermittent mixing. These processes should be regularly observed with sufficient time resolution at fixed geographical locations. This study provides a brief overview of the carbon observational site in the Northeastern Black Sea. The focus is on the design of a new tethered profiler Winchi for the inner continental shelf part of the site. The profiler hull and two outriggers comprise an open trimaran platform that is positively buoyant and tends to maintain a horizontal position in the water. The lower end of the winch wire is secured to the bottom anchor. By unwinding/winding the wire, the profiler ascends/descends while measuring the depth profiles of marine environment parameters ranging from the seafloor to air–sea interface. After surfacing, the profiler determines its location using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and transmits data to (and from) a server on land through the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Initial field tests with the Winchi profiler at the Northeastern Black Sea shelf exhibited promising results. We report these early tests to demonstrate the use of Winchi.
The Effect of Mandatory Audit Firm Rotation on Earnings Management and Audit Fees: Evidence from Iran
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Zimon Grzegorz , Tarighi Hossein , Gholamzadeh Javad
Published: February 2022

The present study aims to investigate the effects of mandatory requirements of audit firm rotation on earnings management among companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). The study population consists of 1030 observations and 103 companies listed on the TSE during the years 2003–2012; moreover, the statistical technique used to test the hypotheses is panel data and pooled data. The results showed that the rule of mandatory audit firm rotation increased accruals-based earnings management (AEM) significantly. In addition, outcomes demonstrated that mandatory requirements of audit firm rotation did not have a significant influence on real earnings management (REM) and audit fees. Overall, our findings proved that the mandatory requirements of audit firm rotation in Iran have not been able to prevent the opportunistic actions of management at a time when they were faced with severe financial problems because of economic sanctions and auditors taking standardized systems-based auditing approaches. This research will make investors and others aware of the fact that mandatory audit firm rotation might be not effective in stopping managers wishing to manipulate the accounting figures. This paper actually suggests that when firms have financial distress, regulatory mechanisms such as audit firm rotation may not have a deterrent role. Our findings give lawgivers a stark warning that the length of an audit firm’s tenure should be based on the features of the audit market structure of each country.
Management Policy of Farmers’ Cultivated Land Abandonment Behavior Based on Evolutionary Game and Simulation Analysis
Authors: Chen Qianru , Xie Hualin , Zhai Qunli
Published: February 2022

Agricultural land abandonment is a complex, multidimensional, and nonlinear global phenomenon driven by multiple factors and has contrasting impacts on agrobiodiversity, the environment, and society. Appropriate management strategies on abandoned cultivated land are helpful in maintaining food and ecological security. However, there are few studies on the management of cultivated land abandonment from the perspective of stakeholders. Based on the stakeholder perspective and focusing on the two main modes of farmland abandonment management, namely, “transfer-oriented management” and “condition-improved management”, this study constructs two evolutionary game models to analyze the interest conflicts, decision-making behaviors and interest game foci of different subjects in the two management modes. Simulation analysis is conducted to verify the equilibrium results of the evolutionary game to find the key problems in abandonment management and put forward corresponding management policies. This study reveals the internal mechanism of abandonment management, thus providing a theoretical basis for the classified management of abandoned cultivated land.
Introducing Management Actions to Unmanaged Campsites in Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan: A Discussion Based on a Reservation System in Taiwan’s National Parks
Authors: Wang Ting , Watanabe Teiji
Published: February 2022

A limit on use is often practiced overnight in mountain national parks to reduce users’ environmental impact on campgrounds and cabins or huts, where they spend most of their time. This study aims to propose an appropriate management system to mitigate the problems observed in Daisetsuzan National Park’s unmanaged campsites. We looked into three mountain national parks in Taiwan to learn about an established campground reservation system. We collected information on campgrounds and cabins in these three national parks through a literature review and internet surveys. The distribution of campgrounds and cabins was mapped using ArcMap 10.8.1. They effectively reduced the distance between adjacent campgrounds and controlled each campground’s area. This was done by tolerating some informal sites among online reservable campgrounds. The results of the interview surveys with the three park managers showed that the reservation system helped reduce the crowding problem. Introducing a lenient reservation system, with the support of related stakeholders and park users, would be a promising option to mitigate soil erosion and overuse problems in campsites in Daisetsuzan National Park’s alpine zone and in other campsites in fragile environments worldwide.
Selecting Graph Metrics with Ecological Significance for Deepening Landscape Characterization: Review and Applications
Authors: de la Barra Felipe , Alignier Audrey , Reyes-Paecke Sonia , Duane Andrea , Miranda Marcelo D.
Published: February 2022

The usual approaches to describing and understanding ecological processes in a landscape use patch-mosaic models based on traditional landscape metrics. However, they do not consider that many of these processes cannot be observed without considering the multiple interactions between different land-use patches in the landscape. The objective of this research was to provide a synthetic overview of graph metrics that characterize landscapes based on patch-mosaic models and to analyze the ecological meaning of the metrics to propose a relevant selection explaining biodiversity patterns and ecological processes. First, we conducted a literature review of graph metrics applied in ecology. Second, a case study was used to explore the behavior of a group of selected graph metrics in actual differentiated landscapes located in a long-term socioecological research site in Brittany, France. Thirteen landscape-scale metrics and 10 local-scale metrics with ecological significance were analyzed. Metrics were grouped for landscape-scale and local-scale analysis. Many of the metrics were able to identify differences between the landscapes studied. Lastly, we discuss how graph metrics offer a new perspective for landscape analysis, describe the main characteristics related to their calculation and the type of information provided, and discuss their potential applications in different ecological contexts.
Relaxation and Strain-Hardening Relationships in Highly Rejuvenated Metallic Glasses
Authors: Yuan Xudong , Şopu Daniel , Song Kaikai , Eckert Jürgen
Published: February 2022

One way to rejuvenate metallic glasses is to increase their free volume. Here, by randomly removing atoms from the glass matrix, free volume is homogeneously generated in metallic glasses, and glassy states with different degrees of rejuvenation are designed and further mechanically tested. We find that the free volume in the rejuvenated glasses can be annihilated under tensile or compressive deformation that consequently leads to structural relaxation and strain-hardening. Additionally, the deformation mechanism of highly rejuvenated metallic glasses during the uniaxial loading–unloading tensile tests is investigated, in order to provide a systematic understanding of the relaxation and strain-hardening relationship. The observed strain-hardening in the highly rejuvenated metallic glasses corresponds to stress-driven structural and residual stress relaxation during cycling deformation. Nevertheless, the rejuvenated metallic glasses relax to a more stable state but could not recover their initial as-cast state.
Analysis of High-Speed Milling Surface Topography and Prediction of Wear Resistance
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Kangning , Wang Weiran , Wang Ben , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2022

Surface topography parameters are an important factor affecting the wear resistance of parts, and topography parameters are affected by process parameters in order to explore the influence law of process parameters on surface topography parameters and to find the quantitative relationship between milling surface topography parameters and wear resistance. Firstly, this paper took the surface after high-speed milling as the research object, established the residual height model of the milled surface based on static machining parameters, and analyzed the relationship between the residual height of the surface and the machining parameters. Secondly, a high-speed milling experiment was designed to explore the influence law of processing parameters on surface topography and analyzed the influence law of processing parameters on specific topography parameters; Finally, a friction and wear experiment was designed. Based on the BP neural network, the wear resistance of the milled surface in terms of wear amount and friction coefficient was predicted. Through experimental verification, the maximum error of the prediction model was 16.39%, and the minimum was 6.18%.
Assessing Roadside Hybrid Energy Absorbers Using the Example of SafeEnd
Authors: Budzynski Marcin , Jamroz Kazimierz , Jelinski Lukasz , Bruski Dawid , Pachocki Lukasz , Baginski Grzegorz
Published: February 2022

A combination of crash cushion and end-terminal, hybrid energy absorbing devices have been in use worldwide for a few years already. They include SafeEnd, a system Poland has recently introduced. Some road authorities have raised concerns as regards the operating conditions of the devices and how they work together with safety barriers. The objective of this research is to clarify the concerns and answer the following questions: (1) Can SafeEnd devices be used as hybrid devices and combine the roles of end-terminal and crash cushion placed before an obstacle? (2) What should be the rules for installing crash cushions at diverging roads and at the start of an off-ramp? The article presents characteristics of SafeEnd devices, defines the doubts raised by road safety auditors, discusses the results of field and numerical tests of the devices and explains the design principles for interchange ramps where crash cushions are required. The study results have helped to answer the research questions: SafeEnd devices fulfil the role of end-terminal and crash cushion, it is possible to make them more visible and principles have been defined for how the devices should be used at road interchanges. Further research should help to define general principles of deploying road restraint systems such as crashworthy terminals, crash cushions or hybrid devices.
A Multi-Type Queueing Inventory System—A Model for Selection and Allocation of Spectra
Authors: Sinu Lal Thulaseedharan Salini , Joshua Varghese Chaukayil , Vishnevsky Vladimir , Kozyrev Dmitry , Krishnamoorthy Achyutha
Published: February 2022

The model discussed in this paper provides an efficient mechanism for the selection and allocation of available limited spectra for transmission of heterogeneous data in a network. The data packets (customers), belonging to different classes, arrive according to a batch marked the Markovian arrival process (BMMAP). The inventory considered is of multi-type (different types of channels becoming available) and are generated according to a marked Markovian arrival process (MMAP). The number of distinct types of inventory and that of the customers are the same. Arriving customers are allowed to wait in finite buffers of each category which are reserved for distinct classes of customers except for the most general class, which is provided with an infinite waiting space. The number of servers also equals the number of distinct types of inventory. When items of a particular type arrive in the inventory, the service starts, providing the buffer of customers of the corresponding class is non-empty. The service can be viewed as a selection process with Coxian distributed service times. The system is analyzed using the matrix analytic method and performance measures are obtained. The model is illustrated with suitable numerical examples.
Is There an Asymmetric Relationship between Economic Policy Uncertainty, Cryptocurrencies, and Global Green Bonds? Evidence from the United States of America
Authors: Syed Aamir Aijaz , Ahmed Farhan , Kamal Muhammad Abdul , Ullah Assad , Ramos-Requena Jose Pedro
Published: February 2022

The environmental degradation and the concern for sustainable development have garnered extensive attention from researchers to evaluate the prospects of green bonds over other traditional assets. Against this backdrop, the current study measures the asymmetric relationship between green bonds, U.S. economic policy uncertainty (EPU), and bitcoins by employing the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distribution Lag (NARDL) estimation technique recently developed by Shin et al. The outcome of the empirical analysis confirms an asymmetric cointegration between EPU, bitcoins, the clean energy index, oil prices, and green bonds. The NARDL estimation substantiates that positive shock in EPU exerts a negative impact on green bonds, whereas a negative shock in EPU increases the performance of green bonds. It implies, in the long run, a 1 percent increase (decrease) in EPU decreases (increases) the performance of green bonds by 0.22 percent and 0.11 percent, respectively. Likewise, the study also confirms a bidirectional relationship between bitcoins and green bonds. A positive shock in bitcoin increases the performance of green bonds and vice versa. In addition, our study also reveals a direct co-movement between clean energy, oil prices, and green bonds. This outcome implies that green bonds are not a different asset class, and they mirror the performance of other asset classes, such as clean energy, oil prices, and bitcoins. The findings offer several implications to understand the hedging and diversification properties of bitcoins, and assist in understanding the role of U.S. economic policy uncertainty on green bonds.
A Variety of Nabla Hardy’s Type Inequality on Time Scales
Authors: El-Deeb Ahmed , Makharesh Samer , Askar Sameh , Awrejcewicz Jan
Published: February 2022

The primary goal of this research is to prove some new Hardy-type ∇-conformable dynamic inequalities by employing product rule, integration by parts, chain rule and (γ,a)-nabla Hölder inequality on time scales. The inequalities proved here extend and generalize existing results in the literature. Further, in the case when γ=1, we obtain some well-known time scale inequalities due to Hardy inequalities. Many special cases of the proposed results are obtained and analyzed such as new conformable fractional h-sum inequalities, new conformable fractional q-sum inequalities and new classical conformable fractional integral inequalities.