bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surrogate Model-Based Parameter Tuning of Simulated Annealing Algorithm for the Shape Optimization of Automotive Rubber Bumpers
Authors: Huri Dávid , Mankovits Tamás
Published: May 2022

A design engineer has to deal with increasingly complex design tasks on a daily basis, for which the available design time is shrinking. Market competitiveness can be improved by using optimization if the design process can be automated. If there is limited information about the behavior of the objective function, global search methods such as simulated annealing (SA) should be used. This algorithm requires the selection of a number of parameters based on the task. A procedure for reducing the time spent on tuning the SA algorithm for computationally expensive, simulation-driven optimization tasks was developed. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by solving a shape optimization problem of a rubber bumper built into air spring structures of lorries. Due to the time-consuming objective function call, a support vector regression (SVR) surrogate model was used to test the performance of the optimization algorithm. To perform the SVR training, samples were taken using the maximin Latin hypercube design. The SA algorithm with an adaptive search space and different cooling schedules was implemented. Subsequently, the SA parameters were fine-tuned using the trained SVR surrogate model. An optimal design was found using the adapted SA algorithm with negligible error from a technical aspect.
Safety-Oriented System Hardware Architecture Exploration in Compliance with ISO 26262
Authors: Lu Kuen-Long , Chen Yung-Yuan
Published: May 2022

Safety-critical intelligent automotive systems require stringent dependability while the systems are in operation. Therefore, safety and reliability issues must be addressed in the development of such safety-critical systems. Nevertheless, the incorporation of safety/reliability requirements into the system will raise the design complexity considerably. Furthermore, the international safety standards only provide guidelines and lack concrete design methodology and flow. Therefore, developing an effective safety process to assist system engineers in tackling the complexity of system design and verification, while also satisfying the requirements of international safety standards, has become an important and valuable research topic. In this study, we propose a safety-oriented system hardware architecture exploration framework, which incorporates fault tree-based vulnerability analysis with safety-oriented system hardware architecture exploration to rapidly discover an efficient solution that complies with the ISO-26262 safety requirements and hardware overhead constraint. A failure mode, effect, and diagnostic analysis (FMEDA) report is generated after performing the exploration framework. The proposed framework can facilitate the system engineers in designing, assessing, and enhancing the safety/robustness of a system in a cost-effective manner.
A Novel Hierarchical Adaptive Feature Fusion Method for Meta-Learning
Authors: Ding Enjie , Chu Xu , Liu Zhongyu , Zhang Kai , Yu Qiankun
Published: May 2022

Meta-learning aims to teach the machine how to learn. Embedding model-based meta-learning performs well in solving the few-shot problem. The methods use an embedding model, usually a convolutional neural network, to extract features from samples and use a classifier to measure the features extracted from a particular stage of the embedding model. However, the feature of the embedding model at the low stage contains richer visual information, while the feature at the high stage contains richer semantic information. Existing methods fail to consider the impact of the information carried by the features at different stages on the performance of the classifier. Therefore, we propose a meta-learning method based on adaptive feature fusion and weight optimization. The main innovations of the method are as follows: firstly, a feature fusion strategy is used to fuse the feature of each stage of the embedding model based on certain weights, effectively utilizing the information carried by different stage features. Secondly, the particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to optimize the weight of feature fusion, and determine each stage feature’s weight in the process of feature fusion. Compared to current mainstream baseline methods on multiple few-shot image recognition benchmarks, the method performs better.
Fatigue Performance Test and Numerical Analysis of Composite Girders with CSW-CFST Truss Chords
Authors: Huang Hanhui , Chen Kangming , Wu Qingxiong , Nakamura Shozo
Published: May 2022

Composite girders with corrugated steel webs and concrete-filled steel tubular (CSW-CFST) truss chords are a new type of structure and have been used in bridges. To study the fatigue performance of these composite girders, model tests and numerical analysis were conducted, and the results compared with those for composite girders with corrugated steel webs and steel tubular (CSW-ST) truss chords. The results indicated that concrete-filling the chords constrained chord radial deformation and relieved hot-spot stress in the intersecting weld zones of composite girders with CSW-ST truss chords by 18.5–60.1%. The crack growth rates along both depth and length directions in composite girders with CSW-CFST truss chords were lower than those of composite girders with CSW-ST truss chords during the crack propagation and failure stages. Under the same fatigue load, concrete-filling the chords increased the fatigue life of composite girders with CSW-ST truss chords by 61.5%. Under the condition that there is no fatigue design S-N curve, the fatigue design S-N curve given in API can be used to evaluate the fatigue life of composite girders with CSW-CFST truss chords with a deviation of less than 17.4%.
Measurement of Sub-Surface Microstructures Based on a Developed Ultrasonic Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Wang Yuyang , Wu Chengjian , Tang Jinyan , Duan Mingyu , Chen Jian , Ju Bing-Feng , Chen Yuan-Liu
Published: May 2022

Accurate and non-destructive technology for detection of subsurface defect has become a key requirement with the emergence of various ultra-precision machining technologies and the application of ultra-precision components. The combination of acoustic technique for sub-surface detection and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for measurement with high resolution is a potential method for studying the subsurface structure of workpiece. For this purpose, contact-resonance AFM (CR-AFM) is a typical technique. In this paper, a CR-AFM system with a different principle from commercially available instruments is set up and used for the detection of sub-surface Si samples with grating structures and covered by different thickness of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The influence of subsurface burial depth on the detection capability is studied by simulations and experiments. The thickest HOPG film allowing for sub-surface measurement by the proposed method is verified to be about 30 μm, which is much larger than the feature size of the subsurface microstructure. The manuscript introduces the difference between this subsurface topography measurement principle and the commercially available AFM measurement principle, and analyzes its advantages and disadvantages. The experimental results demonstrates that the technique has the capability to reveal sub-surface microstructures with relatively large buried depth and is potential for engineering application in ultra-precision technologies.
Moving to e-Service Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Dapena Adriana , Castro Paula M. , Ares-Pernas Ana
Published: May 2022

Service Learning is a methodology in which students achieve academic and transversal competences related to the curriculum of a subject while performing a service for the benefit of the community. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary to reorganize the Service Learning activities developed in recent years so that they do not lose their pedagogical value and community service. This scenario has been an opportunity to kick-start an e-Service Learning experience. For that purpose, this work shows how different Information and Communication Technology tools are integrated into an online platform to develop both activities and assessment following an e-Service Learning methodology. Since the experience was performed with two collaborating entities serving people with autism and in two schools of the University of A Coruña, the tools are available not only to professors and students, but also to entities. Our experience includes the assessment of both competences and service satisfaction using different resources for virtual collaborative work. The main contribution of our work is that we have greatly simplified our previous project on-site and also the monitoring of the student’s progress, the work of both professors and students, and the analysis of results, providing a virtual service that responds to user needs.
Multi-Label Extreme Learning Machine (MLELMs) for Bangla Regional Speech Recognition
Authors: Hossain Prommy Sultana , Chakrabarty Amitabha , Kim Kyuheon , Piran Md. Jalil
Published: May 2022

Extensive research has been conducted in the past to determine age, gender, and words spoken in Bangla speech, but no work has been conducted to identify the regional language spoken by the speaker in Bangla speech. Hence, in this study, we create a dataset containing 30 h of Bangla speech of seven regional Bangla dialects with the goal of detecting synthesized Bangla speech and categorizing it. To categorize the regional language spoken by the speaker in the Bangla speech and determine its authenticity, the proposed model was created; a Stacked Convolutional Autoencoder (SCAE) and a Sequence of Multi-Label Extreme Learning machines (MLELM). SCAE creates a detailed feature map by identifying the spatial and temporal salient qualities from MFEC input data. The feature map is then sent to MLELM networks to generate soft labels and then hard labels. As aging generates physiological changes in the brain that alter the processing of aural information, the model took age class into account while generating dialect class labels, increasing classification accuracy from 85% to 95% without and with age class consideration, respectively. The classification accuracy for synthesized Bangla speech labels is 95%. The proposed methodology works well with English speaking audio sets as well.
A Critical Analysis of Agile and Lean Methodology to Fulfill the Project Management Gaps in Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs)
Authors: AbuKhamis Fares , Abdelhadi Abdelhakim
Published: May 2022

This research examines the implications of lean and agile methodologies for solving project management gaps in nonprofit organizations (NPOs). The data were collected from project managers, executives, and supervisors through an online survey questionnaire. The value of Cronbach’s Alpha is below 0.8, indicating reliable, valid, and consistent results. This study also concludes that the primary cause of the incapability of the previously mentioned methodologies could be the lack of awareness from project respondents because only 40% and 36% knew about lean methodology and the agile approach, respectively, which could be a significant drawback. The findings of this study state that Agile and Lean methodology implantation in project management allows the recording of progress and teamwork performance periodically, which helps monitor projects that are going as per planned objectives or where remedial actions are required to be undertaken. Moreover, the agile technique should be employed in a project where the role of managers is crucial in this regard because sensitive issues, such as cost and efforts require constant monitoring and urgent attention. Based on the present study’s results, a hybrid strategy is necessary, combining Agile and Lean approaches to examine diverse business situations. Researchers and project experts need to add more factors to measure project gaps accurately and explain how Agile and Lean management work to change the success of a project.
Quantification of Coronary Artery Atherosclerotic Burden and Muscle Mass: Exploratory Comparison of Two Freely Available Software Programs
Authors: Nappi Carmela , Megna Rosario , Volpe Fabio , Ponsiglione Andrea , Caiazzo Elisa , Piscopo Leandra , Mainolfi Ciro Gabriele , Vergara Emilia , Imbriaco Massimo , Klain Michele , Petretta Mario , Cuocolo Alberto
Published: May 2022

Coronary artery calcification and sarcopenia may have a relevant prognostic impact in oncological and non-oncological patients. The use of freeware software is promising for quantitative evaluation of these parameters after whole-body positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and might be useful for one-stop shop risk stratification without additional radiation ionizing burden and further charges to health care costs. In this study, we compared two semiautomatic freeware software tools (Horos Medical Image software and LIFEx) for the assessment of coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and muscle mass in 40 patients undergoing whole-body PET/CT. The muscle areas obtained by the two software programs were comparable, showing high correlation with Lin’s concordance coefficient (0.9997; 95% confidence intervals: 0.9995–0.9999) and very good agreement with Bland–Altman analysis (mean difference = 0.41 cm2, lower limit = −1.06 cm2, upper limit = 1.89) was also found. For CAC score, Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was 0.9976 (95% confidence intervals: 0.9965–0.9984) and in a Bland–Altman analysis an increasing mean difference from 8 to 78 by the mean values (intercept = −0.050; slope = 0.054; p < 0.001) was observed, with a slight overestimation of Horos CAC score as compared to LIFEx, likely due to a different calculation method of the CAC score, with the ROI being equal for the two software programs. Our results demonstrated that off-line analysis performed with freeware software may allow a comprehensive evaluation of the oncological patient, making available the evaluation of parameters, such as muscle mass and calcium score, that may be relevant for the staging and prognostic stratification of these patients, beside standard data obtained by PET/CT imaging. For this purpose, the Horos and LIFEx software seem to be interchangeable.
Online Deformation Measurement of Laser Repair Substrate Based on Orthogonal Sampling Moiré
Authors: Shi Wenxiong , Zhang Chenghao , Xie Huimin
Published: May 2022

As an important branch of metal additive manufacturing, laser repair has broad application potential in the aerospace, automobile and ship building industries. In the process of laser repair, metal powder is introduced into the laser action area and heated to a molten state to form a molten pool, which moves on the component surface according to the preset scanning path. Additionally, the temperature of the repaired component changes dynamically with the movement of the molten pool, leading to the time-evolution of stress and deformation. Therefore, online deformation measurement for the repair process is essential for understanding the evolution mechanism of stress and deformation in laser repair. However, extreme environments such as ultra-high temperature, strong laser radiation and metal powder splashing exist during the laser repair, which bring great challenges for dynamic optical measurement. In this paper, an online deformation measurement system based on orthogonal sampling moiré for laser repair environment is developed, which is applied to measure the deformation field of the metal substrate during laser repair. In the measurement, laser repair is performed on a cantilever beam substrate and orthogonal grating is prepared on the side surface of the cantilever beam. The real-time grating images are recorded by an optical imaging system, in which a group of filter components are used to obtain optical images with high signal-to-noise ratio. Finally, the deformation field of the substrate during laser repair is calculated with the orthogonal sampling moiré method. The results show that the scanning path in the repair process has a significant influence on the distribution of residual deformation, which offers reference for optimizing parameters of laser repair.
Repulsive Fermi and Bose Polarons in Quantum Gases
Authors: Scazza Francesco , Zaccanti Matteo , Massignan Pietro , Parish Meera M. , Levinsen Jesper
Published: May 2022

Polaron quasiparticles are formed when a mobile impurity is coupled to the elementary excitations of a many-particle background. In the field of ultracold atoms, the study of the associated impurity problem has attracted a growing interest over the last fifteen years. Polaron quasiparticle properties are essential to our understanding of a variety of paradigmatic quantum many-body systems realized in ultracold atomic gases and in the solid state, from imbalanced Bose–Fermi and Fermi–Fermi mixtures to fermionic Hubbard models. In this topical review, we focus on the so-called repulsive polaron branch, which emerges as an excited many-body state in systems with underlying attractive interactions such as ultracold atomic mixtures, and is characterized by an effective repulsion between the impurity and the surrounding medium. We give a brief account of the current theoretical and experimental understanding of repulsive polaron properties, for impurities embedded in both fermionic and bosonic media, and we highlight open issues deserving future investigations.
Chemical and Sensory Characteristics of Fruit Juice and Fruit Fermented Beverages and Their Consumer Acceptance
Authors: Pinto Teresa , Vilela Alice , Cosme Fernanda
Published: May 2022

Recent social, economic, and technological evolutions have impacted consumption habits. The new consumer is more rational, more connected and demanding with products, more concerned with the management of the family budget, with the health, origin, and sustainability of food. The food industry over the last few years has shown remarkable technological and scientific evolution, with an impact on the development and innovation of new products using non-thermal processing. Non-thermal processing technologies involve methods by which fruit juices receive microbiological inactivation and enzymatic denaturation with or without the direct application of low heat, thereby lessening the adverse effects on the nutritional, bioactive, and flavor compounds of the treated fruit juices, extending their shelf-life. The recognition of the nutritional and protective values of fruit juices and fermented fruit beverages is evident and is attributed to the presence of different bioactive compounds, protecting against chronic and metabolic diseases. Fermentation maintains the fruit's safety, nutrition, and shelf life and the development of new products. This review aims to summarize the chemical and sensory characteristics of fruit juices and fermented fruit drinks, the fermentation process, its benefits, and its effects.
Meta-Analysis Suggests That Intron Retention Can Affect Quantification of Transposable Elements from RNA-Seq Data
Authors: Gualandi Nicolò , Iperi Cristian , Esposito Mauro , Ansaloni Federico , Gustincich Stefano , Sanges Remo
Published: May 2022

Transposable elements (TEs), also known as “jumping genes”, are repetitive sequences with the capability of changing their location within the genome. They are key players in many different biological processes in health and disease. Therefore, a reliable quantification of their expression as transcriptional units is crucial to distinguish between their independent expression and the transcription of their sequences as part of canonical transcripts. TEs quantification faces difficulties of different types, the most important one being low reads mappability due to their repetitive nature preventing an unambiguous mapping of reads originating from their sequences. A large fraction of TEs fragments localizes within introns, which led to the hypothesis that intron retention (IR) can be an additional source of bias, potentially affecting accurate TEs quantification. IR occurs when introns, normally removed from the mature transcript by the splicing machinery, are maintained in mature transcripts. IR is a widespread mechanism affecting many different genes with cell type-specific patterns. We hypothesized that, in an RNA-seq experiment, reads derived from retained introns can introduce a bias in the detection of overlapping, independent TEs RNA expression. In this study we performed meta-analysis using public RNA-seq data from lymphoblastoid cell lines and show that IR can impact TEs quantification using established tools with default parameters. Reads mapped on intronic TEs were indeed associated to the expression of TEs and influence their correct quantification as independent transcriptional units. We confirmed these results using additional independent datasets, demonstrating that this bias does not appear in samples where IR is not present and that differential TEs expression does not impact on IR quantification. We concluded that IR causes the over-quantification of intronic TEs and differential IR might be confused with differential TEs expression. Our results should be taken into account for a correct quantification of TEs expression from RNA-seq data, especially in samples in which IR is abundant.
Stress Responses to One-Day Athletic Tournament in Sport Coaches: A Pilot Study
Authors: Obmiński Zbigniew , Supiński Jan , Rydzik Łukasz , Cynarski Wojciech J. , Ozimek Mariusz , Borysiuk Zbigniew , Błach Wiesław , Ambroży Tadeusz
Published: May 2022

Background: Watching athletic tournaments induces emotional and physiological responses in sports fans and coaches. The aim of the study was to investigate hormonal and cardiovascular responses in judo coaches observing the fights of their athletes during one-day, high-level tournaments. Material and methods: We studied the biological responses of a group of seventeen judo club coaches between the ages of 39 and 57 years to a one-day judo tournament attended by the adult male and/or female athletes that they coached. At the time of the tournaments and also in neutral conditions, the coaches’ capillary blood and saliva samples were collected concurrently two times a day, both at 7:30 a.m. and after completion of the tournament (at about 8:00 p.m.). Cardiovascular parameters were also determined at the same times of day. Sleep quality (SQ) was assessed on a 6-point scale both on the night preceding the tournament and in neutral conditions. Cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) levels were determined from serum and saliva samples. The results for both days at different times of day were compared. Results: Statistical calculations showed higher concentrations of cortisol and a greater reduction of testosterone levels in serum and saliva at the end of the day during the tournament compared with those on a neutral day. Morning and evening cardiovascular indices were higher during the tournament. Conclusion: The study showed that during one-day tournaments, judo coaches were exposed to stress that induced intermittent hormonal changes in blood and saliva and activated the autonomic nervous system.
Predator-Prey Relationship between Urban Bats and Insects Impacted by Both Artificial Light at Night and Spatial Clutter
Authors: Li Han , Wilkins Kenneth T.
Published: May 2022

Predators respond to the increase of prey by aggregation in space or foraging more often. However, foraging habitat suitability limits predators’ responses. For nocturnal insectivorous bats, artificial light at night (ALAN) can trigger insect prey aggregation. It is not clear how ALAN might affect predator-prey relationships in the urban setting, where urban bats could have adapted to the city, and novel spatial complexity introduced by man-made objects might alter foraging habitat suitability. We strategically selected sites to represent different levels of ALAN and spatial complexity. We recorded bat commuting and foraging activities and collected aerial insects to examine how ALAN and spatial complexity affected bat-insect relationships. We found that insect biomass was positively correlated with ALAN, but was not affected by spatial complexity. Large-sized big brown bats and hoary bats positively responded to change of prey in open sites whereas small-sized eastern red bats and silver-haired bats positively responded in cluttered sites, suggesting that the impact of ALAN could vary when ALAN is coupled with urban spatial complexity. Our study demonstrates that foraging habitat suitability can alter which species might benefit from ALAN. Predator-prey relationships in cities are complex, but general ecological principles still apply in novel urban ecosystems.
Ecological Responses of Nannophya koreana (Odonata: Libellulidae) to Temperature: Following Converse Bergmann’s Rule
Authors: Lee Cha Young , Kim Min Kyung , Kim Dong-Gun
Published: May 2022

Ecological rules such as Bergmann’s rule and the temperature–size rule state that body-size decline is a universal response to warm temperatures in both homeotherms and poikilotherms. In the present study, we investigated the biological responses of Nannophya koreana, an endangered dragonfly species in Korea, by comparing body size in two habitats with large differences in water temperature, Mungyong-si (MG, terraced paddy fields) and Muui-do (MU, a mountainous wetland). To conserve the dragonfly populations, the collected larvae were photographed and released, and their head widths and body lengths were measured. There was no difference in the annual mean air temperature and precipitation between the two sites; however, the annual mean water temperature was substantially lower in MU than in MG. There was little difference in larval head width between the two sites; however, body length in the MU population was smaller than that in the MG population. Larval growth rate per 100-degree-days was 0.75 mm for MG and 1.16 for MU. The relationship between temperature and body size of N. koreana larvae showed opposite trends to Bergmann’s rule and the temperature–size rule. Since the larval growth period during a year in MU was shorter than that in MG, the MU population potentially exhibits a higher growth rate as a mechanism of compensating for the low water temperature. Our study established the relationship between temperature and body size of N. koreana in two wetlands that had an obvious difference in water temperature despite being geographically close. The results highlight the importance of considering detailed factors such as habitat type when studying the temperature–size responses of organisms.
Fabrication of Doxorubicin-Loaded Lipid-Based Nanocarriers by Microfluidic Rapid Mixing
Authors: Lee Chia-Ying , Tsai Tsuimin , Peng Po-Chun , Chen Chin-Tin
Published: May 2022

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a widely known chemotherapeutic drug that has been encapsulated into liposomes for clinical use, such as Doxil® and Myocet®. Both of these are prepared via remote loading methods, which require multistep procedures. Additionally, their antitumor efficacy is hindered due to the poor drug release from PEGylated liposomes in the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we aimed to develop doxorubicin-loaded lipid-based nanocarriers (LNC-Dox) based on electrostatic interaction using microfluidic technology. The resulting LNC-Dox showed high loading capacity, with a drug-to-lipid ratio (D/L ratio) greater than 0.2, and high efficacy of drug release in an acidic environment. Different lipid compositions were selected based on critical packing parameters and further studied to outline their effects on the physicochemical characteristics of LNC-Dox. Design of experiments was implemented for formulation optimization. The optimized LNC-Dox showed preferred release in acidic environments and better therapeutic efficacy compared to PEGylated liposomal Dox in vivo. Thus, this study provides a feasible approach to efficiently encapsulate doxorubicin into lipid-based nanocarriers fabricated by microfluidic rapid mixing.
Identification of Novel Vascular Genes Downstream of Islet2 and Nr2f1b Transcription Factors
Authors: Li Ru-Fang , Wang Yi-Shan , Lu Fu-I , Huang Yi-Shan , Chiu Chien-Chih , Tai Ming-Hong , Wu Chang-Yi
Published: May 2022

The genetic regulation of vascular development is not elucidated completely. We previously characterized the transcription factors Islet2 (Isl2) and Nr2f1b as being critical for vascular growth. In this study, we further performed combinatorial microarrays to identify genes that are potentially regulated by these factors. We verified the changed expression of several targets in isl2/nr2f1b morphants. Those genes expressed in vessels during embryogenesis suggested their functions in vascular development. We selectively assayed a potential target follistatin a (fsta). Follistatin is known to inhibit BMP, and BMP signaling has been shown to be important for angiogenesis. However, the fsta’s role in vascular development has not been well studied. Here, we showed the vascular defects in ISV growth and CVP patterning while overexpressing fsta in the embryo, which mimics the phenotype of isl2/nr2f1b morphants. The vascular abnormalities are likely caused by defects in migration and proliferation. We further observed the altered expression of vessel markers consistent with the vascular defects in (fli:fsta) embryos. We showed that the knockdown of fsta can rescue the vascular defects in (fli:fsta) fish, suggesting the functional specificity of fsta. Moreover, the decreased expression of fsta rescues abnormal vessel growth in isl2 and nr2f1b morphants, indicating that fsta functions downstream of isl2/nr2f1b. Lastly, we showed that Isl2/Nr2f1b control vascular development, via Fsta–BMP signaling in part. Collectively, our microarray data identify many interesting genes regulated by isl2/nr2f1b, which likely function in the vasculature. Our research provides useful information on the genetic control of vascular development.
Modern Aspects of Burn Injury Immunopathogenesis and Prognostic Immunobiochemical Markers (Mini-Review)
Authors: Kuznetsova Tatyana A. , Andryukov Boris G. , Besednova Natalia N.
Published: May 2022

Burn injuries are among the most common peacetime injuries, with mortality ranging from 2.3% to 3.6%. At the same time, 85–90% of patients with burns are people of working age and children. Burn injury leads to metabolic disorders and systemic inflammatory response, inefficient energy consumption, and other physiological changes that can lead to dysfunction of organs and systems. The most formidable complication of burn injuries is sepsis mediated by multiple organ failure, the most common cause of poor prognosis in patients and has specific differences in these injuries. The purpose of this article was to dwell in detail on the most promising immunobiochemical markers of sepsis in the format of a mini-review, based on the main aspects of the immunopathogenesis of this complication. The pathogenesis of a burn injury and any general pathological process is based on an inflammatory reaction and large-scale changes in the skin and mucous membranes. This review is devoted to the progress in understanding the main aspects of the immunopathogenesis of burn lesions and the features of post-burn immune dysfunction, manifested by disorders in the innate and adaptive immunity systems. Attention is focused on the role in the immunopathogenesis of the development of systemic and local disorders in burn injury. Characterization of primary immunobiochemical markers of burn injury (cytokines, growth factors, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, presepsin, matrix metalloproteinases, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, hemostasis parameters) is presented. The problem of treating burn lesions is associated with constant monitoring of the condition of patients and regular monitoring of specific immunobiochemical markers predicting sepsis for the timely initiation of a specific therapy.
Point-of-Care Testing Using a Neuropsychology Pocketcard Set: A Preliminary Validation Study
Authors: Bellartz Emily , Pertz Milena , Jungilligens Johannes , Kleffner Ilka , Wellmer Jörg , Schlegel Uwe , Thoma Patrizia , Popkirov Stoyan
Published: May 2022

Neurocognitive screening instruments usually require printed sheets and additional accessories, and can be unsuitable for low-threshold use during ward rounds or emergency workup, especially in patients with motor impairments. Here, we test the utility of a newly developed neuropsychology pocketcard set for point-of-care testing. For aphasia and neglect assessment, modified versions of the Language Screening Test and the Bells Test were validated on 63 and 60 acute stroke unit patients, respectively, against expert clinical evaluation and the original pen-and-paper Bells Test. The pocketcard aphasia test achieved an excellent area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–1, p < 0.001). Using an optimal cut-off of ≥2 mistakes, sensitivity was 91% and specificity was 81%. The pocketcard Bells Task, measured against the clinical neglect diagnosis, achieved higher sensitivity (89%) and specificity (88%) than the original paper-based instrument (78% and 75%, respectively). Separately, executive function tests (modified versions of the Trail Making Test [TMT] A and B, custom Stroop color naming task, vigilance ‘A’ Montreal Cognitive Assessment item) were validated on 44 inpatients with epilepsy against the EpiTrack® test battery. Pocketcard TMT performance was significantly correlated with the original EpiTrack® versions (A: r = 0.64, p < 0.001; B: r = 0.75, p < 0.001). AUCs for the custom Stroop task, TMT A and TMT B for discriminating between normal and pathological EpiTrack® scores were acceptable, excellent and outstanding, respectively. Quick point-of-care testing using a pocketcard set is feasible and yields diagnostically valid information.
Mindfulness, Interoception, and the Body
Authors: Todd Jennifer , Aspell Jane E.
Published: May 2022

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in the topics of interoception and mindfulness from researchers, clinicians, and the general public alike (e [...]
Identifying Factors Associated with the Recurrence of Tic Disorders
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Xiao Nong , Zhang Xilian , Zhang Zhenhua , Zhang Jiusi
Published: May 2022

Tic disorders are neurological disorders that are prone to fluctuation and recurrence. It is important to study the factors related to disease recurrence and to subsequently provide suggestions for clinical treatment. A retrospective study was conducted to assess patients with recurrent and non-recurring tic disorders diagnosed in the Pediatric Tic Disorder Clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, and to extract various factors—such as fetal status; medication, allergy, and family history; social and psychological factors; blood lead content; electroencephalogram (EEG); disease duration; type of tics; and disease severity—and identify factors associated with recurrence. The recurrence rate of tic disorders was approximately 45.10% in this study. The childbirth conditions, surgery/trauma, respiratory tract infection, allergy, stress, consumption of tiapride, and severity of tic disorders were factors related to and affected disease recurrence.
Effects of Ten Different Exercise Interventions on Motor Function in Parkinson’s Disease Patients—A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Hao Zikang , Zhang Xiaodan , Chen Ping
Published: May 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate ten exercise interventions (YOGA: yoga training, RT: resistance training, AQU: aquatic training, TAI: Taiji Qigong training, TRD: treadmill training, VR: virtual reality training, DANCE: musical dance training, WKT: walking training, CYC: cycling training, BDJ: Baduanjin Qigong training) on motor function in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Design: Through searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI, only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were collected to study the effects of the ten exercise interventions on motor function in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The included studies were evaluated for methodological quality by the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. Results: The RCTs were collected between the earliest available date and April 2022. Sixty RCTs were included and the total sample size used in the study was 2859. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that DANCE can significantly improve patients’ Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (SUCRA = 78.4%); DANCE can significantly decline patients’ Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale score (UPDRS) (SUCRA = 72.3%) and YOGA can significantly decline patients’ Timed-Up-and-Go score (TUGT) (SUCRA = 78.0%). Conclusion: Based on the network meta-analysis and SUCRA ranking, we can state that dance, yoga, virtual reality training and resistance training offers better advantages than other exercise interventions for patients’ motor function.
Experimental Investigation of the High Temperatures Effects on Self-Compacting Concrete Properties
Authors: Benjeddou Omrane , Katman Herda Yati , Jedidi Malek , Mashaan Nuha
Published: May 2022

Self-compacting concrete (SCC), which appeared in the 1980s in Japan, is a concrete that differs from others by its high fluidity. The constituents of SCC can be quite different from those of ordinary concretes. They can differ both in their proportions and in their choice. Given the method of installation of SCCs, particular attention is paid to the study of their physical and mechanical characteristics. In this context, experimental tests were conducted to assess the effect of high temperatures on the behavior of SCC. For this purpose, a SCC and ordinary concrete (OC) were tested at temperatures of 20, 150, 300, 450, and 600 ∘C. Prismatic specimens of dimensions 100 × 100 × 400 mm3, cylindrical specimens of dimensions 160 × 320 mm, and parallelepiped specimens of dimensions 270 × 270 × 40 mm3 were prepared for physical (thermal conductivity) and mechanical (compressive strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, and ultrasonic pulse velocity) tests. The results showed an increase in the compressive strength for SCC between 150 and 300 ∘C following an additional hydration of the cementitious matrix. The residual flexural strength of the concretes decreases progressively with the increase in temperature. This reduction is about 90% from 450 ∘C to 600 ∘C. The results also showed that the thermal conductivity of concrete decreases as the temperature increases and can reach a value of 1.2 W/mK for the heating temperature of 600 ∘C.
Barriers to Digital Technology Deployment in Value Management Practice
Authors: Aghimien Douglas , Ngcobo Ntebo , Aigbavboa Clinton , Dixit Saurav , Vatin Nikolai Ivanovich , Kampani Shivani , Khera Gurbir Singh
Published: May 2022

In the quest to promote constant value for money, value management (VM) has been proposed and adopted within the construction industry of countries across the world. To improve the VM process for a more effective outcome, pervasive digital technologies can be employed throughout a project and in the VM process. However, developing countries like South Africa are still lagging in using these emerging technologies. Therefore, this study assessed the digital technologies that can improve the VM process and the barriers hindering their usage within the construction industry. The study adopted a postpositivism philosophical stance with a questionnaire used to gather quantitative data from construction professionals that have participated in VM exercises within the South African construction industry. The data gathered were analysed using mean item score, standard deviation, the Kruskal-Wallis H-test, multiple linear regression and exploratory factor analysis. The study found with high predictive accuracy that digital technologies such as computer-based software, BIM, mobile devices, electronic meeting tools, cloud computing, augmented and virtual realities will significantly impact the overall success of VM practices. Furthermore, the barriers to the effective deployment of these technologies in the VM process can be categorised into (1) cost and awareness, (2) complexities of the VM and digital tools, (3) the construction industry’s digital culture, and (4) the availability of technology and expertise. This study provides a theoretical backdrop for future studies exploring the use of digital technologies for VM practices—an aspect that has not gained significant attention in VM discourse in the construction industry.
Leadership Behaviors of Women Entrepreneurs in SME Sector of Bangladesh
Authors: Hoque Mohammad Shamsul , Islam Nazrul
Published: May 2022

Women’s leadership development in entrepreneurial business is critical to improving women’s participation in management and businesses in Bangladesh. Research shows that only seven percent of all business establishments in Bangladesh are women-owned and women-headed. This limited ownership and development of women’s leadership behavior is a clear gap to be filled. Thus, the study aims to identify women’s leadership behavioral factors (WLBFs) and examine the causal relationship between WLBFs and women’s leadership behavior practices (WLBPs) in line with path–goal leadership theory. We conducted causal research, applying systematic sampling techniques in selecting participants and conducting interviews with 366 women entrepreneurs from the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries database under seven administrative divisional headquarters. We analyzed data through exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques. The results show that the factors internal to women as entrepreneurs (including entrepreneurial attitude, intentions, and workplace learning culture), the factors external to women as entrepreneurs (such as training and education), and sociocultural factors are significantly related to the development of WLBPs. The external organizational behavior context was not significant. WLBPs help develop directive, supportive, participatory, and achievement-oriented leadership practices among women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. This study suggests that policymakers, implementing managers, training service providers, and women entrepreneurs focus on entrepreneurial attitude, intention, education and skills development training, workplace learning culture, and sociocultural support among women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.
Liver Transplant Oncology: Towards Dynamic Tumor-Biology-Oriented Patient Selection
Authors: Ilmer Matthias , Guba Markus
Published: May 2022

While liver transplantation was initially considered as a curative treatment modality only for hepatocellular carcinoma, the indication has been increasingly extended to other tumor entities over recent years, most recently to the treatment of non-resectable colorectal liver metastases. Although oncologic outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) are consistently good, organ shortage forces stringent selection of suitable candidates. Dynamic criteria based on tumor biology fulfill the prerequisite of an individual oncological prediction better than traditional morphometric criteria based on tumor burden. The availability of specific (neo-)adjuvant therapies and customized modern immunosuppression may further contribute to favorable post-transplantation outcomes on the one hand and simultaneously open the path to LT as a curative option for advanced stages of tumor patients. Herein, we provide an overview of the oncological LT indications, the selection process, and expected oncological outcome after LT.
Dual-Intended Deep Learning Model for Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Vigil Nicolle , Barry Madeline , Amini Arya , Akhloufi Moulay , Maldague Xavier P. V. , Ma Lan , Ren Lei , Yousefi Bardia
Published: May 2022

Automated medical data analysis demonstrated a significant role in modern medicine, and cancer diagnosis/prognosis to achieve highly reliable and generalizable systems. In this study, an automated breast cancer screening method in ultrasound imaging is proposed. A convolutional deep autoencoder model is presented for simultaneous segmentation and radiomic extraction. The model segments the breast lesions while concurrently extracting radiomic features. With our deep model, we perform breast lesion segmentation, which is linked to low-dimensional deep-radiomic extraction (four features). Similarly, we used high dimensional conventional imaging throughputs and applied spectral embedding techniques to reduce its size from 354 to 12 radiomics. A total of 780 ultrasound images—437 benign, 210, malignant, and 133 normal—were used to train and validate the models in this study. To diagnose malignant lesions, we have performed training, hyperparameter tuning, cross-validation, and testing with a random forest model. This resulted in a binary classification accuracy of 78.5% (65.1–84.1%) for the maximal (full multivariate) cross-validated model for a combination of radiomic groups.
Systematic Review of Available CAR-T Cell Trials around the World
Authors: Barros Luciana Rodrigues Carvalho , Couto Samuel Campanelli Freitas , da Silva Santurio Daniela , Paixão Emanuelle Arantes , Cardoso Fernanda , da Silva Viviane Jennifer , Klinger Paulo , Ribeiro Paula do Amaral Costa , Rós Felipe Augusto , Oliveira Théo Gremen Mimary , Rego Eduardo Magalhães , Ramos Rodrigo Nalio , Rocha Vanderson
Published: May 2022

In this systematic review, we foresee what could be the approved scenario in the next few years for CAR-T cell therapies directed against hematological and solid tumor malignancies. China and the USA are the leading regions in numbers of clinical studies involving CAR-T. Hematological antigens CD19 and BCMA are the most targeted, followed by mesothelin, GPC3, CEA, MUC1, HER2, and EGFR for solid tumors. Most CAR constructs are second-generation, although third and fourth generations are being largely explored. Moreover, the benefit of combining CAR-T treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other drugs is also being assessed. Data regarding product formulation and administration, such as cell phenotype, transfection technique, and cell dosage, are scarce and could not be retrieved. Better tracking of trials’ status and results on the ClinicalTrials.gov database should aid in a more concise and general view of the ongoing clinical trials involving CAR-T cell therapy.
Innovative Diagnostic and Therapeutic Interventions in Cervical Dysplasia: A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials
Authors: Hecken Julia M. , Rezniczek Günther A. , Tempfer Clemens B.
Published: May 2022

Cervical dysplasia is a common precancerous lesion affecting 1% to 2% of women worldwide. Significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical dysplasia have been made in the last decade. We performed a systematic literature search of the databases PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify controlled clinical trials reporting on the efficacy and safety of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for cervical dysplasia. Data were analyzed according to PRISMA guidelines. In total, 33 studies reporting on 5935 women were identified. We recommend intravenous or intracervical lidocaine for pain reduction during colposcopically-directed cervical biopsies but not topical lidocaine, music, or video colposcopy. Monsel’s solution might be used to control bleeding after cervical biopsies. The acetic acid test should be scored 1 min after the application of acetic acid and should be followed by Lugol’s iodine test for an optimal yield of LSIL/HSIL. LEEP/LLETZ remains the standard and techniques such as SWETZ, C-LETZ, and TCBEE are not superior. LEEP/LLETZ should be performed under local anesthesia and with direct colposcopic vision. Cryotherapy and thermoablation might be used in women with LSIL, especially in women with HIV infection, but LEEP/LLETZ remains the standard for HSIL. Topical imiquimod remains an experimental procedure. In conclusion, significant progress has been made in the last decade regarding both diagnostic interventions as well as therapeutic interventions for women with cervical dysplasia. Based on >30 controlled clinical trials, we were able to formulate specific and evidence-based recommendations.