bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Blood Biomarkers for Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wikan Vårin Eiriksdatter , Tøndel Birgitte Gladsø , Morelli Vânia Maris , Brodin Ellen Elisabeth , Brækkan Sigrid Kufaas , Hansen John-Bjarne
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: The current diagnostic algorithm for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with the overuse of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). An additional highly specific blood test could potentially lower the proportion of patients with suspected PE that require CTPA. The aim was to summarize the literature on the diagnostic performance of biomarkers of patients admitted to an emergency department with suspected acute PE. (2) Methods: Medline and Embase databases were searched from 1995 to the present. The study selection process, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted by two reviewers. Eligibility criteria accepted all blood biomarkers except D-dimer, and CTPA was used as the reference standard. Qualitative data synthesis was performed. (3) Results: Of the 8448 identified records, only 6 were included. Eight blood biomarkers were identified, of which, three were investigated in two separate studies. Red distribution width and mean platelet volume were reported to have a specificity of ≥ 90% in one study, although these findings were not confirmed by other studies. The majority of the studies contained a high risk of selection bias. (4) Conclusions: The modest findings and the uncertain validity of the included studies suggest that none of the biomarkers identified in this systematic review have the potential to improve the current diagnostic algorithm for acute PE by reducing the overuse of CTPA.
Recent Advances of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Interstitial Lung Diseases
Authors: Exarchos Konstantinos P. , Gkrepi Georgia , Kostikas Konstantinos , Gogali Athena
Published: July 2023

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) comprise a rather heterogeneous group of diseases varying in pathophysiology, presentation, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Even though they have been recognized for several years, there are still areas of research debate. In the majority of ILDs, imaging modalities and especially high-resolution Computed Tomography (CT) scans have been the cornerstone in patient diagnostic approach and follow-up. The intricate nature of ILDs and the accompanying data have led to an increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, primarily on imaging data but also in genetic data, spirometry and lung diffusion, among others. In this literature review, we describe the most prominent applications of AI in ILDs presented approximately within the last five years. We roughly stratify these studies in three categories, namely: (i) screening, (ii) diagnosis and classification, (iii) prognosis.
State-of-the-Art Research: Current Developments in CT Imaging
Authors: Booz Christian
Published: July 2023

This Special Issue of Diagnostics entitled “Advances in CT Images” provides an interesting selection of articles on recent technical developments in CT imaging with a special focus on spectral imaging, including dual-energy CT (DECT) and photon-counting CT (PCCT) [...]
Optic Nerve Sheath Meningiomas: Solving Diagnostic Challenges with 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT
Authors: Horowitz Tatiana , Salgues Betty , Padovani Laetitia , Farah Kaissar , Dufour Henry , Chinot Olivier , Guedj Eric , Graillon Thomas
Published: July 2023

68Ga-DOTATOC PET could be a noninvasive, highly sensitive, and specific technique for the challenging diagnosis of optic nerve sheath meningioma (ONSM). Our objective was to report the use and results of 68Ga-DOTATOC PET in suspected ONSM. Twelve subjects who underwent 68Ga-DOTATOC PET for suspected ONSM in our department were retrospectively included. Standardised clinical and radiological data were collected. The PET examination results were classified as positive or negative, and lesion standardised uptake values (SUVmax) were recorded. 68Ga-DOTATOC PET confirmed positive uptake in six cases (SUVmax > 5), leading to ONSM diagnoses followed by radiation therapy in patients with vision loss. Six 68Ga-DOTATOC PET scans were considered negative (SUVmax < 5); these comprised one case of neurosarcoidosis, one cavernous malformation, and four uncertain diagnoses, leading to further investigation. 68Ga-DOTATOC PET was helpful in tumour volume delineation before radiation therapy, leading to a decrease in dose exposure. Noninvasive 68Ga-DOTATOC PET should be performed before treating nonhistologically proven meningiomas with radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery, particularly in cases of uncertain diagnosis with MRI, which characterises most ONSM cases. PET SUVmax thresholds to distinguish meningioma from nonspecific uptake in other lesions need to be adapted to ONSM. 68Ga-DOTATOC PET improves the intraorbital lesion diagnostic approach and therefore impacts therapeutic management.
Low Trapping Effects and High Blocking Voltage in Sub-Micron-Thick AlN/GaN Millimeter-Wave Transistors Grown by MBE on Silicon Substrate
Authors: Carneiro Elodie , Rennesson Stéphanie , Tamariz Sebastian , Harrouche Kathia , Semond Fabrice , Medjdoub Farid
Published: July 2023

In this work, sub-micron-thick AlN/GaN transistors (HEMTs) grown on a silicon substrate for high-frequency power applications are reported. Using molecular beam epitaxy, an innovative ultrathin step-graded buffer with a total stack thickness of 450 nm enables one to combine an excellent electron confinement, as reflected by the low drain-induced barrier lowering, a low leakage current below 10 µA/mm and low trapping effects up to a drain bias VDS = 30 V while using sub-150 nm gate lengths. As a result, state-of-the-art GaN-on-silicon power performances at 40 GHz have been achieved, showing no degradation after multiple large signal measurements in deep class AB up to VDS = 30 V. Pulsed-mode large-signal characteristics reveal a combination of power-added efficiency (PAE) higher than 35% with a saturated output power density (POUT) of 2.5 W/mm at VDS = 20 V with a gate-drain distance of 500 nm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of high RF performance achieved with sub-micron-thick GaN HEMTs grown on a silicon substrate.
Single-Image Super-Resolution Challenges: A Brief Review
Authors: Ye Shutong , Zhao Shengyu , Hu Yaocong , Xie Chao
Published: July 2023

Single-image super-resolution (SISR) is an important task in image processing, aiming to achieve enhanced image resolution. With the development of deep learning, SISR based on convolutional neural networks has also gained great progress, but as the network deepens and the task of SISR becomes more complex, SISR networks become difficult to train, which hinders SISR from achieving greater success. Therefore, to further promote SISR, many challenges have emerged in recent years. In this review, we briefly review the SISR challenges organized from 2017 to 2022 and focus on the in-depth classification of these challenges, the datasets employed, the evaluation methods used, and the powerful network architectures proposed or accepted by the winners. First, depending on the tasks of the challenges, the SISR challenges can be broadly classified into four categories: classic SISR, efficient SISR, perceptual extreme SISR, and real-world SISR. Second, we introduce the datasets commonly used in the challenges in recent years and describe their characteristics. Third, we present the image evaluation methods commonly used in SISR challenges in recent years. Fourth, we introduce the network architectures used by the winners, mainly to explore in depth where the advantages of their network architectures lie and to compare the results of previous years’ winners. Finally, we summarize the methods that have been widely used in SISR in recent years and suggest several possible promising directions for future SISR.
Reverse Recovery Optimization of Multiepi Superjunction MOSFET Based on Tunable Doping Profile
Authors: Liu Ke , Tan Chunjian , Li Shizhen , Yuan Wucheng , Liu Xu , Zhang Guoqi , French Paddy , Ye Huaiyu , Wang Shaogang
Published: July 2023

This paper proposes and simulates research on the reverse recovery characteristics of two novel superjunction (SJ) MOSFETs by adjusting the doping profile. In the manufacturing process of the SJ MOSFET using multilayer epitaxial deposition (MED), the position and concentration of each Boron bubble can be adjusted by designing different doping profiles to adjust the resistance of the upper half P-pillar. A higher P-pillar resistance can slow down the sweep out speed of hole carriers when the body diode is turned off, thus resulting in a smoother reverse recovery current and reducing the current recovery rate (dir/dt) from a peak to zero. The simulation results show that the reverse recovery peak current (Irrm) of the two proposed devices decreased by 5% and 3%, respectively, compared to the conventional SJ. Additionally, the softness factor (S) increased by 64% and 55%, respectively. Furthermore, this study also demonstrates a trade-off relationship between static and reverse recovery characteristics with the adjustable doping profile, thus providing a guideline for actual application scenarios.
Smart Driver Behavior Recognition and 360-Degree Surround-View Camera for Electric Buses
Authors: Cuma Mehmet Uğraş , Dükünlü Çağrı , Yirik Emrah
Published: July 2023

The automotive industry’s focus on driver-oriented issues underscores the critical importance of driver safety. This paper presents the development of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) algorithms specifically tailored for an electric bus (e-bus) to enhance safety. The proposed approach incorporates two key components: a 360-degree surround-view system and driver behavior recognition utilizing the You Only Look Once V5 (YOLO_V5) method. The adoption of YOLO_V5 in ADASs enables rapid response by processing multiple class probabilities and region proposals within an image instantaneously. Additionally, ADAS implementation includes an image processing-based surround-view system utilizing OpenCV. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms regarding a smart e-bus, comprehensive experimental studies were conducted. The driver behavior recognition system underwent rigorous testing using various images captured by an onboard camera. Similarly, the surround-view system’s performance was verified in diverse driving scenarios, including regular driving, parking, and parking in near-to-line situations. The results demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of the proposed system, validating its potential to significantly improve driver safety in electric buses. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the work accomplished by emphasizing the specific contributions of the 360-degree surround-view system, driver behavior recognition using YOLO_V5, and the experimental validation conducted for an e-bus.
A Survey of Non-Autoregressive Neural Machine Translation
Authors: Li Feng , Chen Jingxian , Zhang Xuejun
Published: July 2023

Non-autoregressive neural machine translation (NAMT) has received increasing attention recently in virtue of its promising acceleration paradigm for fast decoding. However, these splendid speedup gains are at the cost of accuracy, in comparison to its autoregressive counterpart. To close this performance gap, many studies have been conducted for achieving a better quality and speed trade-off. In this paper, we survey the NAMT domain from two new perspectives, i.e., target dependency management and training strategies arrangement. Proposed approaches are elaborated at length, involving five model categories. We then collect extensive experimental data to present abundant graphs for quantitative evaluation and qualitative comparison according to the reported translation performance. Based on that, a comprehensive performance analysis is provided. Further inspection is conducted for two salient problems: target sentence length prediction and sequence-level knowledge distillation. Accumulative reinvestigation of translation quality and speedup demonstrates that non-autoregressive decoding may not run fast as it seems and still lacks authentic surpassing for accuracy. We finally prospect potential work from inner and outer facets and call for more practical and warrantable studies for the future.
Secure Sensor Prototype Using Hardware Security Modules and Trusted Execution Environments in a Blockchain Application: Wine Logistic Use Case
Authors: Cabrera-Gutiérrez Antonio J. , Castillo Encarnación , Escobar-Molero Antonio , Cruz-Cozar Juan , Morales Diego P. , Parrilla Luis
Published: July 2023

The security of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems is a challenge that needs to be addressed immediately, as the increasing use of new communication paradigms and the abundant use of sensors opens up new opportunities to compromise these types of systems. In this sense, technologies such as Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) become crucial for adding new layers of security to IIoT systems, especially to edge nodes that incorporate sensors and perform continuous measurements. These technologies, coupled with new communication paradigms such as Blockchain, offer a high reliability, robustness and good interoperability between them. This paper proposes the design of a secure sensor incorporating the above mentioned technologies—HSMs and a TEE—in a hardware device based on a dual-core architecture. Through this combination of technologies, one of the cores collects the data extracted by the sensors and implements the security mechanisms to guarantee the integrity of these data, while the remaining core is responsible for sending these data through the appropriate communication protocol. This proposed approach fits into the Blockchain networks, which act as an Oracle. Finally, to illustrate the application of this concept, a use case applied to wine logistics is described, where this secure sensor is integrated into a Blockchain that collects data from the storage and transport of barrels, and a performance evaluation of the implemented prototype is provided.
Pulmonary Pathogen-Induced Epigenetic Modifications
Authors: Wrede Dylan , Bordak Mika , Abraham Yeabtsega , Mehedi Masfique
Published: July 2023

Epigenetics generally involves genetic control by factors other than our own DNA sequence. Recent research has focused on delineating the mechanisms of two major epigenetic phenomena: DNA methylation and histone modification. As epigenetics involves many cellular processes, it is no surprise that it can also influence disease-associated gene expression. A direct link between respiratory infections, host cell epigenetic regulations, and chronic lung diseases is still unknown. Recent studies have revealed bacterium- or virus-induced epigenetic changes in the host cells. In this review, we focused on respiratory pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and fungi) induced epigenetic modulations (DNA methylation and histone modification) that may contribute to lung disease pathophysiology by promoting host defense or allowing pathogen persistence.
Natural Hybridization between Bursera bicolor × B. glabrifolia (Burseraceae) Complex: Molecular and Chemical Evidence
Authors: Ocampo-Bautista Fidel , Mussali-Galante Patricia , Alvarez Laura , Marquina-Bahena Silvia , Valencia-Cuevas Leticia , Valencia-A Susana , Tovar-Sánchez Efraín
Published: July 2023

The hybridization phenomenon is recognized as an important evolutionary force that influences the diversification and evolution of different vascular plant groups. Hence, it is important to identify hybrid individuals. In Mexico, the dry tropical forest (DTF) is considered as the main center of diversification and endemism of the Bursera genus, containing 85% of the approximately 106 described species worldwide. In the Mexican DTF, a complex of Bursera species was identified, which is formed by two putative parental species Bursera bicolor (Will. ex Schltdl.) Engl. and B. glabrifolia (H.B.K) Engl. Their putative hybrids were analyzed using molecular (cpSSR) and chemical markers (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and triterpenes) in two pure sites (one site for each parental species) and two hybrid zones. We tested whether individuals with atypical morphology between B. bicolor and B. glabrifolia from sympatric sites were the result of genetic flow between these two species. A total of 80 individuals were analyzed with 4 microsatellite diagnostic primers and 37 secondary metabolites (SMs). The genetic and chemical markers were highly coincident according to the statistical analyses performed, and they supported the hybridization hypothesis in this Bursera complex, with both species remaining distinct even in sympatric zones. α-Amyrin (b), β-amyrin (a), and β-amyrin (b) (triterpenes) were the SMs that most contributed to differentiating putative parental species according to SIMPER analysis. The putative hybrids registered the highest genetic diversity values along with the highest number of SMs, out of which 11 were novel and distributed as follows: triterpenes > monoterpenes > sesquiterpenes. Finally, the chemical markers of the three analyzed families give a framework for future studies to explore hybridization events between Bursera species.
Thermophilic Dark Fermentation for Simultaneous Mixed Volatile Fatty Acids and Biohydrogen Production from Food Waste
Authors: Jariyaboon Rattana , Hayeeyunu Surananee , Usmanbaha Nikannapas , Ismail Shahrul Bin , O-Thong Sompong , Mamimin Chonticha , Kongjan Prawit
Published: July 2023

Food waste is categorized as organic solid waste, which has a negative impact on environmental sustainability. Food waste was simultaneously used for the feasible generation of mixed volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and bio-hydrogen by deploying dark fermentation. Original anaerobic digested sludge was prepared via the shock technique with 50 g/L glucose under thermophilic temperature (55 °C). The pretreated inoculum was found capable of converting 10 g VS/L food waste to hydrogen with a rather high yield of 135.2 ± 7 mL H2/VSadded. The effect of various concentrations of food waste, including 10.2, 16.3, 20.3, and 26.4 g VS/L, on mixed VFAs production was subsequently carried out in batch dark fermentation. The highest butyric acid concentration (5.26 ± 0.22 g/L) in soluble metabolites was obtained from batch dark fermentation with 26.4 g VS/L of food waste. The dominant Clostridium thermobutyricum, Clostridium sporogenes, and Octadecobacter sp. found in the batch of dark fermentation of food waste could confirm the effectiveness of the load shock pretreatment method for inoculum preparation. The continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) inoculated with mixed cultures, also prepared via the load shock pretreatment method and without the addition of external nutrients, was operated by feeding 26.4 g VS/L food waste at the kinetically designed HRT for 4 days, corresponding to an organic loading rate (OLR) of 7.6 g VS/L·d. Under steady state conditions, promising butyric acid (5.65 ± 0.51 g/L)-rich mixed VFAs were achieved along with the hydrogen yield of 104.9 ± 11.0 mL-H2/g VSadded, which is similar to the upper side of the previously reported yields (8.8 ± 0.6–103.6 ± 0.6 mL-H2/g VS).
Using a Graph Engine to Visualize the Reconnaissance Tactic of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework from UWF-ZeekData22
Authors: Bagui Sikha S. , Mink Dustin , Bagui Subhash C. , Plain Michael , Hill Jadarius , Elam Marshall
Published: July 2023

There has been a great deal of research in the area of using graph engines and graph databases to model network traffic and network attacks, but the novelty of this research lies in visually or graphically representing the Reconnaissance Tactic (TA0043) of the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Using the newly created dataset, UWF-Zeekdata22, based on the MITRE ATT&CK framework, patterns involving network connectivity, connection duration, and data volume were found and loaded into a graph environment. Patterns were also found in the graphed data that matched the Reconnaissance as well as other tactics captured by UWF-Zeekdata22. The star motif was particularly useful in mapping the Reconnaissance Tactic. The results of this paper show that graph databases/graph engines can be essential tools for understanding network traffic and trying to detect network intrusions before they happen. Finally, an analysis of the runtime performance of the reduced dataset used to create the graph databases showed that the reduced datasets performed better than the full dataset.
Unraveling the Effect of Fire Seasonality on Fire-Preferred Fuel Types and Dynamics in Alto Minho, Portugal (2000–2018)
Authors: Oliveira Emanuel , Fernandes Paulo M. , Barros David , Guiomar Nuno
Published: July 2023

Socio-demographic changes in recent decades and fire policies centered on fire suppression have substantially diminished the ability to maintain low fuel loads at the landscape scale in marginal lands. Currently, shepherds face many barriers to the use of fire for restoring pastures in shrub-encroached communities. The restrictions imposed are based on the lack of knowledge of their impacts on the landscape. We aim to contribute to this clarification. Therefore, we used a dataset of burned areas in the Alto Minho region for seasonal and unseasonal (pastoral) fires. We conducted statistical and spatial analyses to characterize the fire regime (2001–2018), the distribution of fuel types and their dynamics, and the effects of fire on such changes. Unseasonal fires are smaller and spread in different spatial contexts. Fuel types characteristic of maritime pine and eucalypts are selected by seasonal fires and avoided by unseasonal fires which, in turn, showed high preference for heterogeneous mosaics of herbaceous and shrub vegetation. The area covered by fuel types of broadleaved and eucalypt forest stands increased between 2000 and 2018 at the expense of the fuel type corresponding to maritime pine stands. Results emphasize the role of seasonal fires and fire recurrence in these changes, and the weak effect of unseasonal fires. An increase in the maritime pine fuel type was observed only in areas burned by unseasonal fires, after excluding the areas overlapping with seasonal fires.
Multiple Stories, Multiple Marginalities: The Labor-Intensive Forest and Fire Stewardship Workforce in Oregon
Authors: Davis Emily Jane , Wilmsen Carl , Machado Manuel A. , Alessi Gianna M.
Published: July 2023

Latino/a/x workers perform labor-intensive forestry and fire stewardship work in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, but are not well recognized in research and practice about wildfire governance. This industry has pervasive issues of unsafe working conditions, inequitable wage practices, violations of worker rights, limited opportunity for advancement, and a lack of recognition and inclusion of workers in decision making. We draw on a literature review and practice-based knowledge to make this workforce’s history more visible, from its origins in lumber production and reforestation to expansion into forest and fire stewardship. We suggest a new conceptual framing of “multiple marginalities” that situates this workforce as simultaneously crucial to our future with wildfire and subject to structural, distributional, recognitional, and procedural inequities. We recommend new approaches to research and practice that can better examine and address these inequities, while also acknowledging the persistent and systemic nature of these challenges. These include participatory action research, lessons learned from research and advocacy related to farmworkers and incarcerated workers, and Cooperative Extension and education programs that are learner-centered and culturally appropriate. Multiple interventions of offering education and outreach, enforcing or reforming law, and changing policy and practice must all occur at multiple scales given the many drivers of these marginalities. Study and practice can contribute new knowledge to inform this and expand current conceptions of equity and environmental justice in the wildfire governance literature to become more inclusive of the forest and fire stewardship workforce.
Comparative Study of the Suppression Behavior and Fire-Extinguishing Mechanism of Compressed-Gas Aqueous Film-Forming Foam in Diesel Pool Fires
Authors: Yan Long , Wang Ning , Guan Jingjing , Wei Zheng , Xiao Qiaowei , Xu Zhisheng
Published: July 2023

A compressed-gas fire extinguishing experiment was carried out to analyze the impact of gas-liquid flow ratio, liquid flow rate and driving pressure on the fire suppression efficiency of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in a diesel pool fire, and a possible fire-extinguishing mechanism was proposed. A fire suppression test showed that AFFF at a gas-liquid flow ratio of 16 between the range of 5 to 24 had the fastest fire-extinguishing temperature drop rate (16.67 °C/s), the shortest fire-extinguishing time, of 42 s, and the lowest foam solution consumption of 230 g, exhibiting the best fire suppression performance. Meanwhile, the fire suppression efficiency of AFFF improved with the augmentation of either liquid flow rate or system driving pressure. Based on fluid mechanics and combustion science, a foam fire-extinguishing mechanism was proposed to explain the influence of system parameters such as gas-liquid ratio, liquid flow rate and driving pressure on key combustion parameters such as temperature drop rate, evaporation rate and combustion rate, which can better illustrate the change in fire extinguishing performance.
Dyes Used in Processed Meat Products in the Polish Market, and Their Possible Risks and Benefits for Consumer Health
Authors: Czech-Załubska Katarzyna , Klich Daniel , Jackowska-Tracz Agnieszka , Didkowska Anna , Bogdan Janusz , Anusz Krzysztof
Published: July 2023

Manufacturers are obliged to label processed meat products with information concerning the additives used and nutritional values. The aim of the study was to identify the dyes most frequently used in processed meat, evaluate their influence on specific food qualities, assess whether their use was correct and review their effect on health. The analysis was based on information on the labels and images of processed meat, and used a generalised linear model with a binary dependent variable. The risks and benefits for human health were defined based on the available literature. Twelve dyes were found to be used in the manufacture of processed meat. Carmine was found in 183 of 273 (67.03%) evaluated assortments containing dyes. The occurrence of water, flavourings and high fat and carbohydrate contents increased the chances that a dye would be present in a particular product. Unauthorised use of food additives was found in 20 products, with smoked meat products demonstrating the highest number of non-compliances. In general, the dyes used with food are considered safe; however, reservations are associated with the use of E150C and E150D caramels due to their potential carcinogenic effect, and carmine and annatto due to their allergic effects.
Enhancing the Nutritional Profile of Tenebrio molitor Using the Leaves of Moringa oleifera
Authors: Kotsou Konstantina , Chatzimitakos Theodoros , Athanasiadis Vassilis , Bozinou Eleni , Rumbos Christos I. , Athanassiou Christos G. , Lalas Stavros I.
Published: July 2023

Nowadays, more and more research is being carried out on various feeds of Tenebrio molitor larvae, in order to increase their nutritional value and render them a valuable component of the human diet. In this study, Moringa oleifera leaves were used in different proportions (up to 50%) to substitute wheat bran (the usually employed feed), in order to evaluate their effect on the growth and development of the larvae, as well as on their composition in crude protein, fat and fatty acids, ash, vitamins, and antioxidants. It was found that the addition of M. oleifera leaves in the feed had no negative impact on the development and survival of the insects, while an increase in their nutritional value was recorded. More specifically, an increase in the crude protein of up to 22.61% and vitamin C and A contents of up to 40.74% and 491.63%, respectively, was recorded. Therefore, the use of M. oleifera leaves as a feed additive is highly recommended for rearing T. molitor larvae to enhance the nutritional value of the insects.
Antibacterial Effects of Theaflavins against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella paratyphi B: Role of Environmental Factors and Food Matrices
Authors: Wang Jun , Shan Hongyan , Li Ping , Liu Yanan , Zhang Xun , Xu Jingguo , Li Songnan
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different environmental factors (temperature, pH, and NaCl) and food matrices (skimmed milk powder, lecithin, and sucrose) on the antibacterial activity of theaflavins (TFs) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Salmonella paratyphi B (S. paratyphi B). TFs showed a larger diameter of inhibition zone (DIZ, 12.58 ± 0.09 mm–16.36 ± 0.12 mm) value against S. aureus than that of S. paratyphi B (12.42 ± 0.43 mm–15.81 ± 0.24 mm) at the same concentration (2–10 mg/mL). When temperatures were 25–121 °C, the DIZ of TFs against both S. aureus and S. paratyphi B was not significantly different. As pH increased from 2 to 10, their DIZ values decreased significantly from 16.78 ± 0.23 mm to 13.43 ± 0.08 mm and 15.63 ± 0.42 mm to 12.18 ± 0.14 mm, respectively. Their DIZ values increased slightly as the NaCl concentration increased from 0.2 mol/L to 0.8 mol/L, while their DIZ values decreased significantly for skimmed milk powder concentrations in the range of 20–120 g/L. Regarding the concentrations of lecithin and sucrose were 2–12 g/L and 10–60 g/L, their DIZ values showed no significant change against S. paratyphi B, but an increased trend for S. aureus. Under the above different environmental factors and food matrices, TFs maintained excellent antibacterial activity against S. aureus and S. paratyphi B, providing a theoretical guidance for applying TFs as novel antibacterial additives in the food industry.
Comparative Phytochemical Analyses of Flowers from Primula veris subsp. veris Growing Wild and from Ex Situ Cultivation in Greece
Authors: Graikou Konstantia , Mpishinioti Anna , Tsafantakis Nikolaos , Maloupa Eleni , Grigoriadou Katerina , Chinou Ioanna
Published: July 2023

In the last decades, Primula veris subsp. veris (roots and flowers) has been over harvested through legal and illegal ways in Greece, due to its extremely high commercial demand, as it is used in industry because of its well-known therapeutic properties. As ex situ cultures of the plant have been already developed, in the current comparative study, the herbal teas (infusions) from both flowers of cowslip growing wild in the Prespa Lake Park (NW Greece), and from ex situ propagated and cultivated plant material, have been investigated, with the ultimate goal of assessing them qualitatively. Furthermore, through classic phytochemical studies, the ten most abundant metabolites, belonging to the chemical categories of flavonol-glycosides and methoxy flavones, have been identified and structurally determined. The chemical profile of both infusions has been further analyzed through UHPLC-HRMS, showing that they show only light differences. The total phenolic content (TPC) of both studied samples (wild and ex situ cultivation), was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau method, followed by an antioxidant activity assay though DPPH where, in both cases, wild plants exerted higher phenolic load and stronger antioxidative properties. According to the reported results, it could be proposed that the ex situ cultivated plant material could facilitate the mass production of plants and the sustainable cultivation of cowslip in the Greek mountains.
Highly Sensitive and Selective Hydrogen Gas Sensor with Humidity Tolerance Using Pd-Capped SnO2 Thin Films of Various Thicknesses
Authors: Kumar Vipin , Gautam Yogendra K. , Gautam Durvesh , Kumar Ashwani , Adalati Ravikant , Singh Beer Pal
Published: July 2023

Detecting and identifying hydrogen gas leakage before a potential disaster is a critical safety concern. To address this issue, a low-cost and simple-design sensor is required with high response and fast sensing time, capable of detecting hydrogen gas even at low concentrations of 5–500 ppm. This study investigates the use of magnetron-sputtered SnO2 thin films with palladium as a catalytic layer to achieve better sensing output. The developed Pd-caped SnO2 thin film sensors showed increased sensitivity with increasing thickness, up to 246.1 nm at an operating temperature of 250 °C. The sensor with a thickness of 246.1 nm exhibited excellent selectivity for H2 gas, even in humid conditions, and was able to distinguish it from other gases such as CO, NH3, and NO2. The sensor demonstrated high response (99%) with a response/recovery time of 58 s/35 s for (5–500 ppm) hydrogen gas. The sensor showed linear response to H2 gas concentration variation (5–500 ppm) at 250 °C. The sensor was found to be mechanically stable even after 60 days in a high-humidity environment. The LOD of sensor was 151.6 ppb, making it a suitable candidate for applied sensing applications. The Pd-caped SnO2 thin film sensor with thickness of ~245 nm could potentially improve the safety of hydrogen gas handling.
Reliability and Validity Analysis of the Korean Version of the Affinity for Technology Interaction Scale
Authors: Kim Taehui , Park Seyeon , Jeong Miri
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to translate the affinity for technology interaction (ATI) scale into Korean and examine its validity and reliability to measure nurses’ interactions and affinity with digital healthcare. Data from 154 nurses employed by general hospitals were analyzed. This developmental and psychometrical evaluation of the ATI scale included a translation, a pilot test, and psychometric properties. Concurrent validity, content validity, construct validity, and reliability testing were completed. The corrected item–total correlation was below the standard of 0.3, and the content validity index was >0.8. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin and Bartlett sphericity test values were 0.81 and Χ2 = 496.25 (p < 0.001), respectively. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) result was extracted as two factors, with an overall variance of 60.52%. The correlation between the ATI scale and the Quality Improvement Information System acceptance tool was examined to confirm concurrent validity and showed a significant correlation. Cronbach’s α was 0.75, indicating adequate reliability. ATI’s internal, construct, and concurrent validity demonstrated its suitability as a tool. Therefore, assessing nurses’ information and communication technology proficiency and developing strategies for boosting it would be possible.
Access to Healthcare and Health Literacy in Croatia: Empirical Investigation
Authors: Bobinac Ana
Published: July 2023

Health literacy is related to different health-related outcomes. However, the nature of the relationship between health literacy and health outcomes is not well understood. One pathway may lead from health literacy to health outcomes by means of access to healthcare. The goal of the current study is to explore the association between health literacy and the particular measure of access to healthcare—unmet medical need—for the first time in Croatia and, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time in the EU context. We use data obtained from face-to-face interviews in a large nationally representative sample of the Croatian population (n = 1000) to estimate the level of health literacy and self-reported access to care and investigate the association between health literacy and self-perceived barriers to access. Our study showed that limited and problematic health literacy is prevalent and associated with higher rates of unmet medical need. Unmet need is largely caused by long waiting lists. It is therefore essential to design health services fitting the needs of those who have limited and/or problematic health literacy as well as enhance health education with the potential of improving the access to care and health outcomes as well as design policies that reduce waiting times.
Recent Evidence on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure
Authors: Zhao Xiaohan , Gao Jiuhe , Zhai Lingzi , Yu Xi , Xiao Ying
Published: July 2023

This review provides a comprehensive conclusion of the relationship between the intake of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and different dietary patterns, pointing to the accompanying potential health risks. To achieve this, existing pertinent research was collected and analyzed. The collation revealed that the concentration of PAHs in food and their dietary patterns were diverse in different regions. Specifically, the concentration of PAHs in food was found to be related to the level of pollution in the area, including soil, air, and water pollution, which is then accumulated through the food chain into food that can be ingested directly by the human body, resulting in malformations in offspring, increased risk of cancer, and gene mutation. Guidebooks and dietary surveys were consulted to uncover disparities in dietary patterns, which indicated regional variations in taste preferences, traditional foods, and eating habits. Different regions are spatially categorized in this assessment by cities, countries, and continents. Notably, smoking and grilling are two of the food processing methods most likely to produce high levels of PAHs. To prevent excessive intake of PAHs from food items and attain a higher quality of life, more health education is urgently needed to promote healthy eating patterns.
How Could Increasing Temperature Scenarios Alter the Risk of Terrorist Acts in Different Historical Squares? A Simulation-Based Approach in Typological Italian Squares
Authors: Quagliarini Enrico , Bernardini Gabriele , D’Orazio Marco
Published: July 2023

Squares in the urban historical built environment are public open spaces prone to the risk of terrorist acts, essentially because they are ideal soft targets and attract significant user densities. Risk assessment methods should consider how users behave in them, both before and during an accident (i.e., the evacuation process). In addition to squares’ morphology and layout, and considering that urban areas are more and more prone to the effects of increasing temperatures, outdoor climate conditions can alter the initial scenario. In fact, such conditions can lead users to gather in specific outdoor areas, where they can look for shadows and shelter. This work hence proposes a simulation-based approach to assess how differences in users’ behaviours in response to increasing temperatures and squares’ morphology can alter the risk of terrorist acts in an emergency evacuation. An agent-based model is developed to simulate the interactions between users, hazards and the historical built environment. The work considers four typological squares prone to terrorist acts since they host a special building attracting users in front of it. These squares are derived from the analysis of Italian historical contexts within the BE S2ECURe project. Users are generated in the public open space (thus, before the terrorist act) depending on the intended uses of the square and on the outdoor temperature, which is affected by the square’s morphology. Three different users’ behaviours are modelled to consider (or not) the effects of the outdoor temperature on users’ thermal acceptability levels in an increasing temperature situation. Then, two evacuation scenarios are simulated: (a) a general evacuation process, without attackers, as the baseline for the risk assessment; and (b) an armed assault with cold weapons, to define one of the most probable attack situations in open spaces. Evacuation performance indicators are developed to assess users’ risk. Preliminary verifications demonstrate the capabilities of the approach. The results show that higher differences in evacuation indicators are noticed in large and asymmetric squares, since their conditions highly affect the variability of users’ behaviours in response to increasing temperatures. At the same time, stronger safety behaviours in response to increasing temperatures could reduce emergency issues because they allow users to be more dispersed and initially placed farther from the attack area. Decision-makers could take advantage of the proposed approach and simulation tool, moving towards an effectiveness analysis of solutions to increase the thermal comfort of users in respect of the risk levels during an evacuation. Finally, applications to real-world scenarios are thus encouraged to compare such idealized results with effective conditions.
Comparison of the Growth, Physio-Biochemical Characteristics, and Quality Indices in Soilless-Grown Strawberries under Greenhouse and Open-Field Conditions
Authors: Rahim Doust Jalil , Nazarideljou Mohammad Javad , Arshad Mousa , Ferrante Antonio
Published: July 2023

Soilless cultivation represents a promising method for the future of the horticulture industry as it offers advantages such as improved quality control over the growth environment and mitigation of uncertainties related to soil, water, and nutrient availability. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of different environments, specifically greenhouse (GH) and open-field (OF), on the growth, phenotypic characteristics, physio-biochemical properties, qualitative parameters, and antioxidant capacity of strawberries cultivated using a soilless system. The aforementioned parameters were measured in both the GH and OF settings. Our findings revealed that the growth, yield, and morphological parameters were significantly higher in the GH environment compared to the OF. However, when considering fruit quality indices such as fruit texture firmness, fruit dry matter percentage, taste index (TSS/TA ratio), and post-harvest shelf-life, the OF cultivation method exhibited significantly superior results. Moreover, various aspects, related to plant physiology and biochemistry, antioxidant enzyme activity, total antioxidant capacity (DPPH), vitamin C content, and secondary metabolites, were found to be significantly higher in the OF environment compared to the GH. Overall, the results of our study suggest that OF soilless cultivation outperforms GH cultivation in terms of fruit quality, antioxidant capacity, and post-harvest shelf-life. Despite the observed decrease in fruit growth and yield, soilless strawberries grown in OF are likely to yield a final product of higher quality and nutritional value compared to those cultivated in a GH environment. These findings highlight the potential of OF soilless cultivation as a viable approach for strawberry production, emphasizing the importance of considering not only yield but also qualitative aspects and the nutritional value. Further exploration and optimization of soilless cultivation techniques in OF settings could contribute to the advancement of sustainable horticultural practices.
How to Predict the Efficacy of Free-Product DNAPL Pool Extraction Using 3D High-Precision Numerical Simulations: An Interdisciplinary Test Study in South-Western Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Feo Alessandra , Lo Medico Federica , Rizzo Pietro , Morticelli Maurizio , Pinardi Riccardo , Rotigliano Edoardo , Celico Fulvio
Published: July 2023

Dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) are known to be denser than water and immiscible with other fluids. Once released into the environment, they migrate downward through the variably saturated zone, causing severe damage. For this reason, it is essential to properly develop a rapid response strategy, including predictions of contaminant migration trajectories from numerical simulations modeling. This paper presents a series of simulations of free-product DNAPL extraction by means of a purpose-designed pumping well. The objective is to minimize the environmental impact caused by DNAPL release in the subsurface, estimating the recoverable free-product DNAPL, depending on the hydraulic properties of the aquifer medium, and estimating the leaving residual DNAPL that could act as a long-term pollution source. Coupling the numerical simulations to the bacterial community characterization (through biomolecular analyses), it was verified that (i) the DNAPL recovery (mainly PCE at the study site) through a pumping well would be almost complete and (ii) the application of other remediation techniques (such as bioremediation) would not be necessary to remove the pollution source because (iii) a natural attenuation process is provided by the autochthonous bacterial community, which is characterized by genera (such as Dechloromonas, Rhodoferax, and Desulfurivibrio) that have metabolic pathways capable of favoring the degradation of chlorinated compounds.
Mental Health in the Post-Lockdown Scenario: A Scientometric Investigation of the Main Thematic Trends of Research
Authors: Cataldo Ilaria , Novotny Dora , Carollo Alessandro , Esposito Gianluca
Published: July 2023

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, researchers and clinicians have published scientific articles on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its medical, organizational, financial, and psychological implications. However, many effects have been observed in the post-lockdown scenario. In this study, we adopted a scientometric–bibliometric approach to drawing the state of the art regarding the emotional and psychological effects of the pandemic after the lockdown. In Scopus, we found 791 papers that were subsequently analyzed using CiteSpace. The document co-citation analysis (DCA) computation generated a network of eight major clusters, each representing a central area of investigation. Specifically, one major cluster—cluster no. 1—focuses on the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and individuals’ ability to develop adaptive coping mechanisms and resilience. The results allow us to frame the fields covered by researchers more precisely and the areas that still need more investigation.
Development of a COVID-19 Vulnerability Index (CVI) for the Counties and Residents of New Jersey, USA
Authors: DiSalvatore Remo , Bauer Sarah K. , Ahn Jeong Eun , Jahan Kauser
Published: July 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, has impacted countless aspects of everyday life since it was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March of 2020. From societal to economic impacts, COVID-19 and its variants will leave a lasting impact on our society and the world. During the height of the pandemic, it became increasingly evident that indices, such as the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), were instrumental in predicting vulnerabilities within a community. The CDC’s SVI provides important estimates on which communities will be more susceptible to ‘hazard events’ by compiling a variety of data from the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey. The CDC’s SVI does not directly consider the susceptibility of a community to a global pandemic, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the four themes and 15 factors that contribute to the index. Thus, the objective of this research is to develop a COVID-19 Vulnerability Index, or CVI, to evaluate a community’s susceptibility to future pandemics. With 15 factors considered for CDC’s SVI, 26 other factors were also considered for the development of the CVI that covered themes such as socioeconomic status, environmental factors, healthcare capacity, epidemiological factors, and disability. All factors were equally weighted to calculate the CVI based on New Jersey. The CVI was validated by comparing index results to real-world COVID-19 data from New Jersey’s 21 counties and CDC’s SVI. The results present a stronger positive linear relationship between the CVI and the New Jersey COVID-19 mortality/population and infection/population than there is with the SVI. The results of this study indicate that Essex County has the highest CVI, and Hunterdon County has the lowest CVI. This is due to factors such as disparity in wealth, population density, minority status, and housing conditions, as well as other factors that were used to compose the CVI. The implications of this research will provide a critical tool for decision makers to utilize in allocating resources should another global pandemic occur. This CVI, developed through this research, can be used at the county, state, and global levels to help measure the vulnerability to future pandemics.