bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Schiff Base Metal–Ligand Complexes with Copper and Nickel Centres for Electrochemical In Vitro Sensing of Nitric Oxide in an Aqueous Solution
Authors: Moeketse Teboho N. , Baker Priscilla G. , Farao Al. C. , Iwuoha Emmanuel I.
Published: May 2022

Nitric oxide (NO), the smallest signalling molecule known in the human body, keeps blood vessels dilated, controls blood pressure, and has numerous other health regulatory effects. The use of Schiff base complexes incorporated onto electrodes to make electrochemical sensors has been explored as an effective method for the determination and quantification of nitric oxide in aqueous solutions. Schiff base ligands were complexed with Cu and Ni metal centres using the microwave synthesis method to produce metal–ligand complexes with enhanced capabilites for NO detection. The electrical current generated at the anode is directly proportional to NO concentrations in the solution through its oxidation to HNO3. Various characterisation techniques were implemented to verify the integrity of each step of metal–ligand synthesis as well as the final product produced, using FT-IR, UV-VIS, and TGA. The as-synthesised Schiff base complexes were electrodeposited on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) and electrochemically evaluated in a 0.1 M PBS. Furthermore, metal complexes were screened for their in vitro activity towards NO detection in an aqueous solution (PBS). The results show that the investigated sensors (SPCE/Ni-BPND and SPCE/Cu-BPND) respond positively toward NO detection. It was, therefore, identified that the two sensors also do not differ significantly in terms of precision, sensitivity, and lowest detection limit. The sensor strategies demonstrate the NO limits of detection of 0.22 µM and 0.09 µM, and they also demonstrate sensitivity values of 16.3 µA/µM and 13.1 µA/µM for SPCE/Cu-BPND and SPCE/Ni-BPND sensors, respectively.
Impact of Illness Severity and Interventions on Successful Weaning from Nasal CPAP in Very Preterm Neonates: An Observational Study
Authors: Chen I-Ling , Chen Hsiu-Lin
Published: May 2022

This study aims to identify clinical variables that could affect successful weaning from nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in very preterm infants. Infants born at a gestational age (GA) of <32 weeks were retrospectively enrolled. Weaning from NCPAP was initiated when the infants were clinically stable. In the univariate analysis, GA, birth weight, body weight (BW) z-score at the time of successful NCPAP weaning, intubation, total duration of intubation, respiratory distress syndrome grade, APGAR score at the 1 and 5 min, initial shock, anemia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, number of blood transfusions, total duration of dopamine use, administration of more than two doses of surfactant, use of aminophylline, use of a diuretic, and total duration of total parenteral nutrition were significantly associated with postmenstrual age (PMA) at the time of successful NCPAP weaning. Multivariate analysis showed that the total duration of intubation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and administration of more than two doses of surfactant were positively associated with PMA at the time of successful NCPAP weaning. A reverse association was noted between BW z-score and PMA at the time of successful NCPAP weaning. Sufficient nutrition and avoidance of further ventilator-induced lung injury could decrease NCPAP duration in very preterm infants.
COVID-19 Vaccine—A Potential Trigger for MOGAD Transverse Myelitis in a Teenager—A Case Report and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Mărginean Cristina Oana , Meliț Lorena Elena , Cucuiet Maria Teodora , Cucuiet Monica , Rațiu Mihaela , Săsăran Maria Oana
Published: May 2022

MOGAD-transverse myelitis is a rare disorder in children and adults, but with a higher incidence in pediatric patients. We report a case of MOGAD-transverse myelitis in a boy who was admitted to hospital with bilateral motor deficit of the lower limbs associated with the impossibility of defecating and urinating. The symptoms progressively developed with severe fatigue within the week prior to admission, with the impossibility to stand occurring 36 h before admission. The anamnesis found that he was vaccinated for COVID-19 approximately 6 weeks before admission to our clinic. The laboratory tests revealed a normal complete cellular blood count, without any signs of inflammation or infection, except for both cryoglobulins and IgG anti-MOG antibodies. MRI showed a T2 hypersignal on vertebral segments C2-C5, Th2-Th5 and Th7-Th11, confirming the diagnosis of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. The patient received intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone (1 g) for 5 days, associated with prophylactic antibiotic treatment, subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin and other supportive treatment. The patient was discharged on the 12th day of admission, able to walk without support and with no bladder or bowel dysfunction. We can conclude that an early diagnosis was essential for improving the patient’s long-term outcome.
Cor Triatriatum Dexter: Contrast Echocardiography Is Key to the Diagnosis of a Rare but Treatable Cause of Neonatal Persistent Cyanosis
Authors: Picciolli Irene , Francescato Gaia , Colli Anna Maria , Cappelleri Alessia , Mayer Alessandra , Raschetti Roberto , Di Cosola Roberta , Pisaniello Marco , Annoni Giuseppe Alberto , Papa Marco , Maldi Mimoza , Olivieri Guido , Mosca Fabio , Marianeschi Stefano
Published: May 2022

Cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) is an extremely uncommon and underreported congenital cardiac anomaly in which the persistence of the embryonic right venous valve separates the right atrium into two chambers with varying degrees of obstruction to antegrade flow and variable degree of right to left shunt at atrial level. Depending on the size of the valves, clinical manifestations vary from absence of symptoms to severe hypoxia, requiring urgent surgical correction. We herein describe the diagnostic difficulties in a case of neonatal CTD, who developed increasingly severe and unresponsive cyanosis, first interpreted as postnatal maladjustment with pulmonary hypertension. The failure to respond to oxygen and pulmonary vasodilators led us to reconsider a different diagnosis. The use of contrast echocardiography improved the diagnostic performance of transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and revealed a massive right-to-left shunt secondary to the presence of an atrial membrane that required urgent surgery.
Pediatric Fractures Are Challenging from Head to Toe
Authors: van Bergen Christiaan J. A.
Published: May 2022

Fractures are extremely common in children [...]
Dose-Related Analysis in Percutaneous Central Venous Catheters Insertion: Experience of a Pediatric Interventional Radiology Center
Authors: Natali Gian Luigi , Cassanelli Giulia , Polito Claudia , Cannatà Vittorio , Martinelli Marco , Rollo Massimo
Published: May 2022

Background: There are many techniques for long-term central venous catheter (CVC) placement, but none of them are specific for pediatric patients or focused on the delivered dose of ionizing radiation. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study examined a sample of pediatric patients who received percutaneous long-term CVC positioning in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Effective dose, dose-area product (DAP) and length of time of exposition during the procedure were determined, using an appropriate technical procedure, exam and program set of the angiograph, and compared with an unpaired t-test analysis. Results: The study included 1410 enrolled patients, with a median age of 10 years (range 0.2–18 years), between 2016 and 2019. In 2016 (318 pts), the mean effective dose was 0.13 mSv and the mean DAP dose was 18.95 µGy/m2 In 2017 (353 pts), the mean effective dose was 0.11 mSv and the mean DAP dose was 17.26 µGy/m2. In 2018 (351 pts), the mean effective dose was 0.05 mSv and the mean DAP dose was 7.23 µGy/m2. In 2019 (388 pts), the mean effective dose was 0.02 mSv and the mean DAP dose was 3.10 µGy/m2. Conclusions: Medical and technical expertise led to a remarkable reduction in the radiation dose. Therefore, the authors’ hypothesis is that US- and fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous long-term CVC insertion technique is safer, more cost-effective and lower in terms of radiation exposure if correctly applied, compared to surgical or percutaneous by direct puncture techniques.
Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Laser Cladding FeCoNiCrBSi Based High-Entropy Alloy Coatings
Authors: Zhang Hongling , Li Wenjuan , Xu Huanhuan , Chen Liang , Zeng Junshan , Ding Zhibing , Guo Wenmin , Liu Bin
Published: May 2022

High-entropy amorphous alloys designed based on the concept of multi-principal components have the comprehensive advantages of high passivation element content and amorphous structure, and are considered as one of the promising alternative protective materials in extreme marine environments. However, based on the composition of traditional amorphous alloys, the multi-principal design significantly reduces its glass forming ability. In order to improve the glass formation ability of high-entropy amorphous alloys, this study attempts to design Fe19.6Co19.6Ni19.6Cr19.6(B13.72Si5.88)19.6Y2 alloy by microalloying on the basis of traditional FeCoNiCrBSi high-entropy amorphous alloy. The traditional Fe43.6Co6Ni17.4Cr9B17.5Si1.5Nb5 iron-based amorphous alloy was selected as the comparison material. Then, spherical alloy powders were prepared by gas atomization. The amorphous nanocrystalline composite coatings were deposited on the 304 stainless steel by laser cladding technology. The microstructure of the coatings was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometer. The corrosion behavior of laser cladding coatings in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were investigated in detail. The results show that the Fe43.6Co6Ni17.4Cr9B17.5Si1.5Nb5 powder is composed of FCC, Laves and boride phases. Whereas the Fe19.6Co19.6Ni19.6Cr19.6(B13.72Si5.88)19.6Y2 high-entropy amorphous alloy powder is composed of FCC and boride phases. Due to the remelting and multiple heat treatments during the preparation of the laser cladding coatings, borides were precipitated in both coatings. The microstructure of the two coatings from the bonding area with the substrate to the top layer are plane grains, dendrite, equiaxed grains and amorphous phase, respectively. Fe19.6Co19.6Ni19.6Cr19.6(B13.72Si5.88)19.6Y2 high-entropy amorphous alloy coating exhibits high corrosion potential, passivation film resistance and low corrosion current density in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. In addition, the passivation film formed on the coating has higher Cr content and lower defect concentration, showing more excellent corrosion resistance.
A Highly Adaptive Oversampling Approach to Address the Issue of Data Imbalance
Authors: Szeghalmy Szilvia , Fazekas Attila
Published: May 2022

Data imbalance is a serious problem in machine learning that can be alleviated at the data level by balancing the class distribution with sampling. In the last decade, several sampling methods have been published to address the shortcomings of the initial ones, such as noise sensitivity and incorrect neighbor selection. Based on the review of the literature, it has become clear to us that the algorithms achieve varying performance on different data sets. In this paper, we present a new oversampler that has been developed based on the key steps and sampling strategies identified by analyzing dozens of existing methods and that can be fitted to various data sets through an optimization process. Experiments were performed on a number of data sets, which show that the proposed method had a similar or better effect on the performance of SVM, DTree, kNN and MLP classifiers compared with other well-known samplers found in the literature. The results were also confirmed by statistical tests.
Gemological Characteristics and Chemical Composition of a New Type of Black Jadeite and Three Imitations
Authors: Zheng Beiqi , Li Ke , Zhang Yuyang
Published: May 2022

Because of the increasing price of jadeite, many fake species have appeared on the market. We recognized three pieces of fake black jadeite that had been placed among real black jadeite. In this study we conducted a mineralogical investigation of the three fakes and the real jadeite by using FTIR and XRD techniques; in addition, we performed in situ major, minor and trace element chemical characterization based on EPMA-WDS and LA-ICP-MS techniques. The three imitations have different components, dominated by katophorite (97%), augite (66%) and anorthite (97%). In contrast, the real jadeite sample contains more than 99% jadeite. Unlike previous reports on black jadeite, the dark omphacite exsolution around the jadeite cleavage is the chromogenic factor in the present study, whereas the black color of the imitations comes from light absorption by major melanocratic minerals and widespread fine graphite. We propose that 2–4 sharp bands between 600 and 800 cm−1 of FTIR and the 2.42 and 2.49 Å peaks of XRD can be used to discriminate black jadeite from imitations. Even though natural jadeite deposits are being exhausted, materials of the three natural imitations were determined not to be suitable for jewelry due to low hardness, widespread occurrence and unknown injury of the radioactive elements thorium and uranium. Otherwise, they could enhance value and be ideal for large-sized ornaments of fine design.
Characterizations of Single-Crystal Lithium Niobate Thin Films
Authors: Li Qingyun , Zhang Honghu , Zhu Houbin , Hu Hui
Published: May 2022

Single-crystal lithium niobate thin films (lithium niobate on insulator, LNOI) are becoming a new material platform for integrating photonics. Investigation into the physical properties of LNOI is important for the design and fabrication of photonic devices. Herein, LNOIs were prepared by two methods: ion implantation and wafer bonding; and wafer bonding and grinding. High-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and confocal Raman spectroscopy were used to study the LNOI lattice properties. The full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of HRXRD and Raman spectra showed a regular crystal lattice arrangement of the LNOIs. The domain inversion voltage and electro-optical coefficient of the LNOIs were close to those of LN bulk material. This study provides useful information for LNOI fabrication and for photonic devices in LNOI.
Investigation of Impact Resistance of High-Performance Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Wu Bojian , Kong Xiangqing , Fu Ying
Published: May 2022

In order to investigate the effect of high-performance polypropylene (HPP) fiber on the impact resistance of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), the impact resistance of HPP fiber-reinforced RAC (HFRAC) was investigated using drop-weight impact equipment and compared with steel fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete (SFRAC). The effects of recycled aggregate replacement rates, fiber content, and fiber type were analyzed. Furthermore, the log-normal distribution and two-parameter Weibull distribution statistical methods were used to fit the probability distribution and predict the failure probability of the initial and final crack impact resistance of HFRAC and SFRAC specimens. The experimental results showed that the impact resistance of RAC decreased with the increase in recycled aggregate replacement rates. HPP fiber had little effect on the impact resistance of initial cracking in RAC, but significantly improved the impact resistance of final cracking in RAC, while steel fiber significantly improved the impact resistance of initial cracking in RAC, but had little effect on the impact resistance of final cracking in RAC. The anti-impact energy consumption and ductility of RAC increased with the increase in HPP content. When the HPP fiber content was 1.25% and the recycled aggregate replacement rate was 50%, the maximum impact energy consumption of RAC was 114.5 times higher than that of the plain RAC concrete specimen, and the maximum ductility ratio of the RAC matrix was 118.3. The addition of HPP fibers significantly improved the impact resistance of RAC. The fitting results showed that the distribution characteristics of HFRAC and SFRAC impact resistance were represented by a log-normal distribution and two-parameter Weibull distribution, with the former presenting a better fit to predict the impact resistance of HFRAC and SFRAC.
Antibody Response to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Oncologic and Hematologic Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Authors: Mencoboni Manlio , Fontana Vincenzo , Damiani Azzurra , Spitaleri Antonino , Raso Alessandro , Bottaro Luigi Carlo , Rossi Giovanni , Canobbio Luciano , La Camera Antonella , Filiberti Rosa Angela , Taveggia Paola , Cavo Alessia
Published: May 2022

Background: Information on immune responses in cancer patients following mRNA COVID-19 vaccines is still insufficient, but generally, patients had impaired serological responses, especially those with hematological malignancies. We evaluated serological response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy compared with healthy controls. Methods: In total, 195 cancer patients and 400 randomly selected controls who had been administered a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in two doses were compared. The threshold of positivity was 4.33 BAU/mL. Patients were receiving anticancer treatment after the first and second dose of the vaccines. Results: a TOTAL OF 169 patients (87%) had solid tumors and 26 hemolymphopoietic diseases. Seropositivity rate was lower in patients than controls (91% vs. 96%), with an age/gender-adjusted rate ratio (RR) of 0.95 (95% CL = 0.89–1.02). Positivity was found in 97% of solid cancers and in 50% of hemolymphopoietic tumors. Both advanced and adjuvant therapy seemed to slightly reduce seropositivity rates in patients when compared to controls (RR = 0.97, 95% CL = 0.89–1.06; RR = 0.94, 95% CL = 0.87–1.01). Conclusions: the response to vaccination is similar in patients affected by solid tumors to controls. On the contrary, hemolymphopietic patients show a much lower response than controls.
PBMNCs Treatment in Critical Limb Ischemia and Candidate Biomarkers of Efficacy
Authors: Zamboni Matilde , Pedriali Massimo , Ferretto Luca , Scian Sabrina , Ghirardini Francesca , Bozza Riccardo , Martini Romeo , Irsara Sandro
Published: May 2022

When in critical limb ischemia (CLI) the healing process aborts or does not follow an orderly and timely sequence, a chronic vascular wound develops. The latter is major problem today, as their epidemiology is continuously increasing due to the aging population and a growth in the incidence of the underlying diseases. In the US, the mean annualized prevalence of necrotic wounds due to the fact of CLI is 1.33% (95% CI, 1.32–1.34%), and the cost of dressings alone has been estimated at USD 5 billion per year from healthcare budgets. A promising cell treatment in wound healing is the local injection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs). The treatment is aimed to induce angiogenesis as well to switch inflammatory macrophages, called the M1 phenotype, into anti-inflammatory macrophages, called M2, a phenotype devoted to tissue repair. This mechanism is called polarization and is a critical step for the healing of all human tissues. Regarding the clinical efficacy of PBMNCs, the level of evidence is still low, and a considerable effort is necessary for completing the translational process toward the patient bed site. From this point of view, it is crucial to identify some candidate biomarkers to detect the switching process from M1 to M2 in response to the cell treatment.
Facial Emotion Recognition in Patients with Post-Paralytic Facial Synkinesis—A Present Competence
Authors: Kuttenreich Anna-Maria , Volk Gerd Fabian , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , von Piekartz Harry , Heim Stefan
Published: May 2022

Facial palsy is a movement disorder with impacts on verbal and nonverbal communication. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of post-paralytic facial synkinesis on facial emotion recognition. In a prospective cross-sectional study, we compared facial emotion recognition between n = 30 patients with post-paralytic facial synkinesis (mean disease time: 1581 ± 1237 days) and n = 30 healthy controls matched in sex, age, and education level. Facial emotion recognition was measured by the Myfacetraining Program. As an intra-individual control condition, auditory emotion recognition was assessed via Montreal Affective Voices. Moreover, self-assessed emotion recognition was studied with questionnaires. In facial as well as auditory emotion recognition, on average, there was no significant difference between patients and healthy controls. The outcomes of the measurements as well as the self-reports were comparable between patients and healthy controls. In contrast to previous studies in patients with peripheral and central facial palsy, these results indicate unimpaired ability for facial emotion recognition. Only in single patients with pronounced facial asymmetry and severe facial synkinesis was an impaired facial and auditory emotion recognition detected. Further studies should compare emotion recognition in patients with pronounced facial asymmetry in acute and chronic peripheral paralysis and central and peripheral facial palsy.
Evaluation of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Detecting Chlamydia trachomatis in Vaginal Samples
Authors: Kebbi-Beghdadi Carole , Aeby Sebastien , Baud David , Greub Gilbert
Published: May 2022

Chlamydia trachomatis is an important cause of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Western countries. It is often asymptomatic, and thus, left untreated, and can have severe negative consequences, such as tubal infertility or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Other sexually transmitted microorganisms, such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis, as well as normal residents of the vaginal flora, such as genital mycoplasmas, also negatively impact human sexual and reproductive health. We evaluated the reliability of the Seegene Allplex STI Essential Assay for C. trachomatis detection using the real-time qPCR routinely used in our diagnostic laboratories as the gold standard. The Seegene assay displayed a sensitivity of 97.8% and a specificity of 98.9%. As this assay can also detect six other urogenital pathogens, we applied it to 404 samples from women who attended Lausanne University Maternity Hospital and obtained the following prevalence rates: 2.5% for C. trachomatis, 3.5% for Mycoplasma hominis, 6.3% for Ureaplasma urealyticum, and 27.7% for Ureaplasma parvum. Two samples were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis, and one sample was positive for Mycoplasma genitalium. Bacterial vaginosis was present in 4.5% of the cases and was strongly associated with M. hominis. Finally, we confirmed the association between C. trachomatis infection and pre-term birth (p = 0.03) but could not detect any association of this condition with other urogenital pathogens (Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma). In conclusion, given its high sensitivity and specificity for C. trachomatis DNA detection as well as its multiplex format, which simultaneously provides results for six other urogenital pathogens, the Seegene Allplex™ STI Essential Assay represents an appealing diagnostic tool in modern microbiology laboratories.
The Role of Adjuvant Single Postoperative Instillation of Gemcitabine for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Koimtzis Georgios , Alexandrou Vyron , Chalklin Christopher G. , Carrington-Windo Eliot , Ramsden Mark , Karakasis Nikolaos , Lam Kit W. , Tsakaldimis Georgios
Published: May 2022

Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease with variable natural history. Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer has a favorable prognosis following transurethral resection, but the optimal adjuvant chemotherapy plan is still in debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the adjuvant intravesical administration of a single dose of gemcitabine in the outcome of this disease. For that purpose, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on available randomized control trials on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Ultimately, two studies were included with a total number of 654 patients. The statistical analysis performed showed that a single post-operative intravesical dose of gemcitabine does not affect the recurrence rate of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer compared to placebo. Therefore, this therapeutic strategy does not offer any significant improvement on the outcomes of the disease. Nonetheless, due to the plethora of available therapeutic agents and treatment strategies, further research is needed to establish the optimal treatment in this category of patients.
The Role of Inflammation in Anal Cancer
Authors: Selimagic Amir , Dozic Ada , Husic-Selimovic Azra , Tucakovic Nijaz , Cehajic Amir , Subo Anela , Spahic Azra , Vanis Nedim
Published: May 2022

The aim of this article was to present a summary of the current resources available in the literature regarding the role of inflammation in anal cancer development. Anal cancer is relatively uncommon, accounting for about 2.7% of all reported gastrointestinal cancers in the United States. However, the importance of understanding the pathogenesis and risk factors for anal cancer has been recognized over the last several decades due to a noticed increase in incidence worldwide. Infections, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory diseases of unknown etiology cause chronic inflammation that promotes tumorigenesis. The association between chronic inflammation and cancer development is widely accepted. It is based on different pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to cellular transformation and changes in immunological response, allowing tumor cells to avoid apoptosis and immune surveillance. However, there are still many molecular and cellular mechanisms that remain largely unexplored. Further studies on this topic could be of tremendous significance in elucidating anal cancer pathogenesis and developing immunotherapeutic approaches for its treatment.
Influence of Implant Tilting and Length on the Biomechanics of Single-Tooth Restoration: A Finite Element Analysis in Atrophic Mandible
Authors: Anitua Eduardo , Larrazabal Saez de Ibarra Naiara , Morales Martín Iñigo , Saracho Rotaeche Luis
Published: May 2022

The aim of the present study is to assess by means of finite element models the effect on bone stresses of implant length and tilting in single-unit implant restorations. The factors that were analyzed in this study were implant length (4.5, 5.5, and 10 mm), implant titling (0, 17°, 30°, and 45°), bone type (0/I, II, and III), and loading (immediate and delayed). An axial load of 200 N was applied to the occlusal surface of the prosthesis at a height of 11 mm and the Von Mises equivalent stress in the bone was analyzed. Finite element analysis indicated that the most determinant factor was implant tilting. Tilting the implant by 17° doubled the Von Mises stress received by bone. The highest increase was in the case of implant tilting at 45° (by 1300%). The use of extra-short implants did not produce a significant increase in Von Mises stress in bone. Moreover, the length of the implant did not affect the stress value in bone types I and II. Based on the obtained results, an axially placed short implant would be a better option than titling a standard-length implant to support a crown restoration in an atrophic mandible from a biomechanical point of view.
Efficient Network Architecture Search Using Hybrid Optimizer
Authors: Wang Ting-Ting , Chu Shu-Chuan , Hu Chia-Cheng , Jia Han-Dong , Pan Jeng-Shyang
Published: May 2022

Manually designing a convolutional neural network (CNN) is an important deep learning method for solving the problem of image classification. However, most of the existing CNN structure designs consume a significant amount of time and computing resources. Over the years, the demand for neural architecture search (NAS) methods has been on the rise. Therefore, we propose a novel deep architecture generation model based on Aquila optimization (AO) and a genetic algorithm (GA). The main contributions of this paper are as follows: Firstly, a new encoding strategy representing the CNN coding structure is proposed, so that the evolutionary computing algorithm can be combined with CNN. Secondly, a new mechanism for updating location is proposed, which incorporates three typical operators from GA cleverly into the model we have designed so that the model can find the optimal solution in the limited search space. Thirdly, the proposed method can deal with the variable-length CNN structure by adding skip connections. Fourthly, combining traditional CNN layers and residual blocks and introducing a grouping strategy provides greater possibilities for searching for the optimal CNN structure. Additionally, we use two notable datasets, consisting of the MNIST and CIFAR-10 datasets for model evaluation. The experimental results show that our proposed model has good results in terms of search accuracy and time.
Unsupervised and Self-Supervised Tensor Train for Change Detection in Multitemporal Hyperspectral Images
Authors: Sohail Muhammad , Wu Haonan , Chen Zhao , Liu Guohua
Published: May 2022

Remote sensing change detection (CD) using multitemporal hyperspectral images (HSIs) provides detailed information on spectral–spatial changes and is useful in a variety of applications such as environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster detection. However, the high dimensionality and low spatial resolution of HSIs do not only lead to expensive computation but also bring about inter-class homogeneity and inner-class heterogeneity. Meanwhile, labeled samples are difficult to obtain in reality as field investigation is expensive, which limits the application of supervised CD methods. In this paper, two algorithms for CD based on the tensor train (TT) decomposition are proposed and are called the unsupervised tensor train (UTT) and self-supervised tensor train (STT). TT uses a well-balanced matricization strategy to capture global correlations from tensors and can therefore effectively extract low-rank discriminative features, so the curse of the dimensionality and spectral variability of HSIs can be overcome. In addition, the two proposed methods are based on unsupervised and self-supervised learning, where no manual annotations are needed. Meanwhile, the ket-augmentation (KA) scheme is used to transform the low-order tensor into a high-order tensor while keeping the total number of entries the same. Therefore, high-order features with richer texture can be extracted without increasing computational complexity. Experimental results on four benchmark datasets show that the proposed methods outperformed their tensor counterpart, the tucker decomposition (TD), the higher-order singular value decomposition (HOSVD), and some other state-of-the-art approaches. For the Yancheng dataset, OA and KAPPA of UTT reached as high as 98.11% and 0.9536, respectively, while OA and KAPPA of STT were at 98.20% and 0.9561, respectively.
Isolation and Grading of Faults in Battery Packs Based on Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Yang Sen , Xu Boran , Peng Hanlin
Published: May 2022

As the installed energy storage stations increase year by year, the safety of energy storage batteries has attracted the attention of industry and academia. In this work, an intelligent fault diagnosis scheme for series-connected battery packs based on wavelet characteristics of battery voltage correlations is designed. First, the cross-cell voltages of multiple cells are preprocessed using an improved recursive Pearson correlation coefficient to capture the abnormal electrical signals. Secondly, the wavelet packet decomposition is applied to the coefficient series to obtain fault-related features from wavelet sub-bands, and the most representative characteristic principal components are extracted. Finally, the artificial neural network (ANN) and multi-classification relevance vector machine (mRVM) are employed to classify and evaluate fault mode and fault degree, respectively. Physical injection of external and internal short circuits, thermal damage, and loose connection failure is carried out to collect real fault data for model training and method validation. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively detect and locate different faults using the extracted fault features; mRVM is better than ANN in thermal fault diagnosis, while the overall diagnosis performance of ANN is better than mRVM. The success rates of fault isolation are 82% and 81%, and the success rates of fault grading are 98% and 90%, by ANN and mRVM, respectively.
A Backwards Induction Framework for Quantifying the Option Value of Smart Charging of Electric Vehicles and the Risk of Stranded Assets under Uncertainty
Authors: Giannelos Spyros , Borozan Stefan , Strbac Goran
Published: May 2022

The anticipated electrification of the transport sector may lead to significant increase in the future peak electricity demand, resulting in potential violations of network constraints. As a result, a considerable amount of network reinforcement may be required in order to ensure that the expected additional demand from electric vehicles that are to be connected will be safely accommodated. In this paper we present the Backwards Induction Framework (BIF), which we use for identifying the optimal investment decisions, for calculating the option value of smart charging of EV and the cost of stranded assets; these concepts are crystallized through illustrative case studies. Sensitivity analyses depict how the option value of smart charging and the optimal solution are affected by key factors such as the social cost associated with not accommodating the full EV capacity, the flexibility of smart charging, and the scenario probabilities. Moreover, the BIF is compared with the Stochastic Optimization Framework and key insights are drawn.
The Study of Soil Temperature Distribution for Very Low-Temperature Geothermal Energy Applications in Selected Locations of Temperate and Subtropical Climate
Authors: Teleszewski Tomasz Janusz , Krawczyk Dorota Anna , Fernandez-Rodriguez Jose María , Lozano-Lunar Angélica , Rodero Antonio
Published: May 2022

The publication presents the results of research on soil temperature distribution at a depth of 0.25–3 m in three measurement locations. Two boreholes were located in Białystok in the temperate climatic zone and one measuring well was installed in Belmez in the subtropical climatic zone. Measurements were made in homogeneous soil layers in sand (Białystok) and in clay (Białystok and Belmez). Based on the results of the measurements, a simplified model of temperature distributions as a function of depth and the number of days in a year was developed. The presented model can be used as a boundary condition to determine heat losses of district heating pipes located in the ground and to estimate the thermal efficiency of horizontal heat exchangers in very low-temperature geothermal energy applications.
Partitioning for “Common but Differentiated” Precise Air Pollution Governance: A Combined Machine Learning and Spatial Econometric Approach
Authors: Yi Yang , Wen Le , He Shan
Published: May 2022

Effective governance of air pollution requires precise identification of its influencing factors. Most existing studies attempt to identify the socioeconomic factors but lack consideration of multidimensional heterogeneous characteristics. This paper fills this long-ignored research gap by differentiating governance regions with regard to multidimensional heterogeneity characteristics. Decision tree recursive analysis combined with a spatial autoregressive model is used to identify governance factors in China. Empirical results show several interesting findings. First, geographic location, administrative level, economic zones and regional planning are the main heterogeneous features of accurate air pollution governance in Chinese cities. Second, significant influencing factors of air pollution in different delineated regions are identified, especially significant differences between coastal and non-coastal cities. Third, the trends of heterogeneity in urban air governance in China are to some extent consistent with national policies. The approach identifies factors influencing air pollution, thus providing a basis for accurate air pollution governance that has wider applicability.
Renewable Energy, Urbanization, and CO2 Emissions: A Global Test
Authors: Gierałtowska Urszula , Asyngier Roman , Nakonieczny Joanna , Salahodjaev Raufhon
Published: May 2022

A fixed effects regression and two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) is used to analyze secondary data from the World Bank, covering 163 countries over the period from 2000 to 2016. The study tests the relationship between renewable energy, urbanization, and CO2 emissions. The empirical results show that urbanization has an inverted U-shaped relationship with CO2 emissions, while renewable energy consumption mitigates CO2 emissions. If causal, a 1% increase in renewable energy use leads to a 1.2% decrease in CO2 emissions. The results also show that the GDP per capita has an inverted U-shaped relationship with CO2 emissions, confirming the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). We also found that innovation, proxied by residents’ patents, has a non-linear effect on CO2 emissions. As a policy implication, developing countries should increase the share of renewable energy in their total energy use, and promote innovative activities by increasing government spending on R&D.
Lean Burn Flame Kernel Characterization for Different Spark Plug Designs and Orientations in an Optical GDI Engine
Authors: Cecere Giovanni , Irimescu Adrian , Merola Simona Silvia , Rolando Luciano , Millo Federico
Published: May 2022

Lean burn spark ignition (SI) engines represent an effective solution for improving fuel economy and reducing exhaust emissions and can be implemented both in conventional and hybrid powertrains. On the other hand, lean operation increases cyclic variability with negative impact on power output, engine efficiency, roughness, and operating stability. Although this phenomenon has been widely investigated, the effects of flow field on the inception and development of flames in direct injection spark ignition (DISI) engines under lean burn conditions is not yet completely understood. In particular, the effect of spark plug geometry and electrode orientation with respect to tumble motion has been minimally investigated. For these reasons, two different spark-plug geometries (i.e., single- and double-ground electrode) and three different orientations (i.e., cross-, counter-, and uni-flow with respect to the direction of tumble motion) were investigated in an optically accessible DISI engine for understanding their influence on the initial phase of combustion. The relative air–fuel ratio (AFRrel) was changed from stoichiometric to lean burn (1.00 to 1.30) for different spark timings around the maximum brake torque setting at fixed engine speed (2000 rpm). An image processing procedure was developed for evaluating the morphological parameters of flame kernels and studying the effects of spark plug design on engine operating stability. With a focus on the correlation between the position where ignition occurs with the subsequent locations of the flame kernel during the first phases of the combustion process, the analysis allowed the gathering of a better understanding of the influence that the electrodes’ geometries and orientation can have on the first stages of combustion development.
The Product Circularity Data Sheet—A Standardized Digital Fingerprint for Circular Economy Data about Products
Authors: Mulhall Douglas , Ayed Anne-Christine , Schroeder Jeannot , Hansen Katja , Wautelet Thibaut
Published: May 2022

Background. Laws that enable a circular economy (CE) are being enacted globally, but reliable standardized and digitized CE data about products is scarce, and many CE platforms have differing exclusive formats. In response to these challenges, the Ministry of The Economy of Luxembourg launched the Circularity Dataset Standardization Initiative to develop a globalized open-source industry standard to allow the exchange of standardized data throughout the supply cycle, based on these objectives: (a) Provide basic product circularity data about products. (b) Improve circularity data sharing efficiency. (c) Encourage improved product circularity performance. A policy objective was to have the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) voted to create a working group. Methods. A state-of-play analysis was performed concurrently with consultations with industry, auditors, data experts, and data aggregation platforms. Results. Problem statements were generated. Based on those, a solution called Product Circularity Data Sheet (PCDS) was formulated. A proof of concept (POC) template and guidance were developed and piloted with manufacturers and platforms, thus fulfilling objective (a). For objective (b), IT ecosystem requirements were developed, and aspects are being piloted in third party aggregation platforms. Objective (c) awaits implementation of the IT ecosystem. The policy objective related to the ISO was met. Conclusions and future research. In order to fully test the PCDS, it is necessary to: conduct more pilots, define governance, and establish auditing and authentication procedures.
Make Hay While the Sun Shines: Beneficiaries of Renewable Energy Promotion
Authors: Szewczyk Mirosława , Szeliga-Duchnowska Anna
Published: May 2022

One of the conditions behind the development of any company is its capability of meeting the constantly changing challenges posed by the surrounding environment. Photovoltaics in Poland has been a boom industry in recent years. On 1 April 2022, new changes in photovoltaics came into force. A very short transition time will bring about serious problems to companies dealing in the photovoltaics branch since it has had an exceptionally short time to sufficiently prepare for the changes. The article presents results of a questionnaire-based survey conducted among 394 companies dealing in fitting photovoltaic installations in Poland. The subjects were selected for participation according to the purposive sample principle. The aim of the article was to present and analyze the entrepreneurs’ opinions concerning prospects for development in the nearest year to come. The alterations to the system of support of prosumers, which entered into force on 1 April 2022, will limit the interest in photovoltaic installations, which in turn will cause significant changes in the functioning of companies dealing in this business. Consequently, companies must make every effort to monitor and to interpret the events in their environment, to take appropriate actions to survive. About 80% of the companies will tend to use quality as a key differentiator in a crowded market. Firms adapt to the new situation and initiate both reactive and proactive responses. Almost 60% of the enterprises attach great importance to analyses of their competitors’ activities. Enterprises are aware of trends appearing on the market. A total of 28.9% of the surveyed enterprises consider the possibility of introducing new services (e.g., exploitation services) or new products (e.g., photovoltaic roofing-tiles or energy storage). It should be noted that the survey had been completed one week before the military conflict in Ukraine started. This poses limitations to the conclusions, which are too early to assess.
A Review of Aging Models for Electrical Insulation in Power Cables
Authors: Choudhary Maninder , Shafiq Muhammad , Kiitam Ivar , Hussain Amjad , Palu Ivo , Taklaja Paul
Published: May 2022

Electrical insulation is an integral part of power components. The aging of electrical insulation is an undeniable fact that limits the operational lifetime of power components. Apart from regular aging, abnormal stresses and the development of defects are real threats because of their contribution in accelerating the aging rate and thereby leading to a premature failure of the power components. Over the decades, various studies have been carried out to understand the aging behavior of electrical insulation mainly considering electrical and thermal stresses. Similarly, a number of mathematical (aging) models have been developed based on the theoretical and experimental investigations and evidences. However, a dependable formulation of the models that can provide more practical estimation of the insulation degradation profile has not been achieved yet. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the aging models considering single and multistress conditions. Further, the paper discusses possible challenges and barricades averting the conventional models to achieve a suitable accuracy. Finally, suggestions are provided that can be considered to improve the modeling approaches and their performance.
Study on the Enhancement of Antioxidant Properties of Rice Bran Using Mixed-Bacteria Solid-State Fermentation
Authors: Liu Na , Wang Yuan , An Xiaoping , Qi Jingwei
Published: May 2022

Rice bran is usually mixed into animal feeds or discarded directly because of its harsh taste and undesirable flavor. Its bioavailability and exploitation are limited. In order to enhance the antioxidant properties of rice bran, the solid-state fermentation of rice bran with mixed bacteria was adopted in addition to the optimization of the fermentation technology. The bioactive constituents of water-soluble extracts and the in vivo antioxidant activity were compared before and after fermentation. The results revealed that the DPPH free radical scavenging rate of the water-soluble rice bran extracts under optimized fermentation technology conditions reached 86.38%, which was a 54.06% increase compared to that of raw materials. The mixed-bacteria solid-state fermentation increased the levels of bioactive constituents, including the polyphenols, flavonoid, protein, uronic acid, mannose, catechinic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid contents. In a zebrafish model, the water-soluble fermented rice bran extracts (FRBE) displayed superior protective effects against 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, and cell death, and FRBE significantly improved SOD and CAT activity against the induced AAPH. Taken together, mixed-bacteria solid-state fermentation could change the bioactive constituents and enhance the antioxidant activity of water-soluble extracts from rice bran.