bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of Developments in Combating COVID-19 by Vaccines, Inhibitors, Radiations, and Nonthermal Plasma
Authors: Han Ihn , Mumtaz Sohail , Ashokkumar Sekar , Yadav Dharmendra Kumar , Choi Eun Ha
Published: November 2022

Global society has been highly pressured by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains for disinfection products, personal protective equipment, and medical resources worldwide. It is critically necessary to find effective treatments and medications for these viral infections. This review summarizes and emphasizes critical features of recent breakthroughs in vaccines, inhibitors, radiations, and innovative nonthermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) technologies to inactivate COVID-19. NTAP has emerged as an effective, efficient, and safe method of viral inactivation. NTAP can be used to inactivate viruses in an environmentally friendly manner, as well as activate animal and plant viruses in a variety of matrices. Researchers and engineers desire to help the medical world deal with the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic by establishing techniques that make use of widely available NTAP technologies. NTAP technology is not dependent on viral strain, and it does not necessitate months or years of research to develop specific vaccines for each novel or arising viral disease. We believe the NTAP is a highly promising technique for combating COVID-19 and other viruses. Thus, NTAP technology could be a significant breakthrough in the near future in assisting humans in combating COVID-19 infections. We hope that this review provides a platform for readers to examine the progress made in the fight against COVID-19 through the use of vaccines, inhibitors, radiation, and NTAP.
Steam Explosion Pre-Treatment of Sawdust for Biofuel Pellets
Authors: Alizadeh Peyman , Dumonceaux Tim , Tabil Lope G. , Mupondwa Edmund , Soleimani Majid , Cree Duncan
Published: November 2022

The current study explores steam explosion pre-treatment of wood sawdust to develop high-quality biofuel pellets. In order to determine optimized conditions (temperature and residence time) for steam-treated biomass, seven test responses were chosen, including bulk, particle and pellet densities as well as tensile strength, dimensional stability, ash content and higher heating value (HHV). Parameters tested for steam treatment process included the combination of temperatures 180, 200 and 220 °C and durations of 3, 6 and 9 min. Results showed that when the severity of steam pre-treatment increased from 2.83 to 4.49, most of the qualities except HHV and ash content were favorable for steam pretreated materials. The pellet density of pretreated sawdust in comparison to raw sawdust resulted in 20% improvement (1262 kg/m3 for pretreated material compared with 1049 kg/m3 for non-treated material). Another important factor in determining the best pellet quality is tensile strength, which can be as high as 5.59 MPa for pretreated pellets compared with 0.32 MPa for non-treated pellets. As a result, transportation and handling properties can be enhanced for steam pretreated biomass pellets. After optimization, the selected treatment was analyzed for elemental and chemical composition. Lower nitrogen and sulfur contents compared with fossil fuels make steam pretreated pellets a cleaner option for home furnaces and industrial boilers. High-quality pellets were produced based on optimized pre-treatment conditions and are therefore suggested for bioenergy applications.
Influence of Photochromic Microcapsules on Properties of Waterborne Coating on Wood and Metal Substrates
Authors: Huang Nan , Yan Xiaoxing , Zhao Wenting
Published: November 2022

With the development of the economy and science and technology, consumers have put forward higher requirements for the functionality of surface coatings on wood products and metal products, which requires us to endow traditional coatings with new functions. Innovative research of coatings has been a research hotspot in recent years, and the combination of microencapsulation technology with coatings is a research direction attracting much attention. In this paper, a kind of spirooxazine color-changing microcapsules containing photochromic purple dye was selected to explore the effect of different loadings of the photochromic microcapsules on the properties of the coatings. The photochromic microcapsules were added to the waterborne coating with loadings of 5.0%, 10.0%, 15.0%, 20.0% and 25.0%. The coatings were coated on Tilia europaea boards and aluminum alloy plates to explore the optical properties, mechanical properties, cold liquid resistance and aging resistance of the coatings. The results showed that the coating had good photochromic property on wood substrate and metal substrate. When the loading was 15.0% and 10.0%, the comprehensive performance of the coating was good. The color difference of the coating before and after photochromism was 51.0 and 62.0, the glossiness was 7.1% and 15.9%, the hardness was 3H, the adhesion grade was 1, the impact resistance was 4 kg·cm, the roughness was 1.2 μm and 0.9 μm and the liquid resistance grade was 1. The research results show that the photochromic microcapsule can endow the paint with a reversible color change function and improve some mechanical properties of the coating, which indicates that the composite prepared in this study can be used in the surface finishing of wood and metal and has certain research value and application potential.
Can Enzymatic Treatment of Sugar Beet Pectins Reduce Coalescence Effects in High-Pressure Processes?
Authors: Bindereif Benjamin , Karbstein Heike Petra , van der Schaaf Ulrike Sabine
Published: November 2022

While sugar beet pectins (SBPs) are well known for effectively stabilizing fine oil droplets in low-fat food and beverages, e.g., low-fat dressings and soft drinks, it often fails in products of higher oil contents. The aim of this study was to improve the emulsifying properties of SBPs and, consequently, their ability to reduce coalescence during high pressure homogenization of products with increased oil content. Therefore, the molecular size of SBPs was reduced by partial cleavage of the homogalacturonan backbone using the enzymes exo- and endo-polygalacturonanase and varying incubation times. The sizes of SBPs were compared based on the molecular size distribution and hydrodynamic diameter. In addition, to obtain information on the interfacial activity and adsorption rate of SBPs, the dynamic interfacial tension was measured by drop profile analysis tensiometry. The (non)modified SBPs were used as emulsifying agents in 30 wt% mct oil–water emulsions stabilized with 0.5 wt% SBP at pH 3, prepared by high-pressure homogenization (400–1000 bar). By analyzing the droplet size distributions, conclusions could be drawn about the coalescence that occurred after droplet breakup. It could be shown that SBPs modified by exo-polygalacturonanase stabilized the oil–water interface more rapidly, resulting in less coalescence and the smallest oil droplets. In contrast, SBPs modified with endo-polygalacturonanase resulted in poorer emulsification properties, and thus larger oil droplets with increasing incubation time. The differences could be attributed to the different cleavage pattern of the enzymes used. The results suggest that a minimum molecular size is required for the stabilization of fine oil droplets with SBPs as emulsifiers.
Effect of Y Alloying on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ61 Magnesium Alloy Sheets Applied as 3C Electronic Product Shells
Authors: Wang Jian , Chang Zheng , Liu Boyu , Li Yongbing , Sun Yan , Li Hongxiang
Published: November 2022

AZ61 magnesium alloy sheets can be applied as 3C (computer, communication, and consumer) electronic product shells. However, due to their poor plasticity and relatively low strength, the application of AZ61 alloy sheets is limited. The composition modification of AZ61, especially rare earth element alloying, is a good choice to improve the strength and plasticity of AZ61 alloy sheets. In this paper, the strength and plasticity of AZ61 sheets with different contents of Y were studied in detail. We found that the addition of 0.9 wt.% of Y not only improved the strength, but also significantly enhanced the plasticity. As a result, the yield strength of AZ61 increased from 167 MPa to 186 MPa, and the elongation increased from 9.5% to 18%. The reasons can be explained as follows: the Al2Y phase formed by adding Y consumed a large amount of the Al element, thus avoiding the formation of the brittle phases Al8Mn5 and resulting in the improved mechanical properties of the sheets. At the same time, the weakened texture and dispersed grain orientation also effectively improved the plasticity of the sheets. This study will provide a good solution to improve the strength and plasticity of AZ61 sheets without significantly increasing the production cost.
Microstructure and Kinetics of Thermal Behavior of Martensitic Transformation in (Mn,Ni)Sn Heusler Alloy
Authors: Rekik Hanen , Hammami Bechir , Khitouni Mohamed , Bachagha Tarek , Suñol Joan-Josep , Chemingui Mahmoud
Published: November 2022

In this work, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to investigate the solidification structure, thermal behavior, and kinetics of the martensitic transformations of the (Mn,Ni)Sn as-spun and annealed ribbons synthesized by melt-spinning. At room temperature, the as-spun and annealed (Mn,Ni)Sn ribbons exhibited a cubic single-phase Heusler L21 structure. The kinetics of the martensitic transformation (MT) was studied, together with their microstructure evolution and cooling rate dependence. The mechanism was also investigated. Additionally, a high dependence between the cooling rates and energy activation (Ea) was detected. A more detailed characterization of MT and account of thermodynamic parameters were examined after annealing.
Colorectal Cancer and Onset of Anxiety and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cheng Vicki , Oveisi Niki , McTaggart-Cowan Helen , Loree Jonathan M. , Murphy Rachel A. , De Vera Mary A.
Published: November 2022

Research suggests that colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with mental health disorders, primarily anxiety and depression. To synthesize this evidence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the onset of anxiety and depression among patients with CRC. We searched EMBASE and Medline from inception to June 2022. We included original, peer-reviewed studies that: used an epidemiologic design; included patients with CRC and a comparator group of individuals without cancer; and evaluated anxiety and depression as outcomes. We used random effects models to obtain pooled measures of associations. Quality assessment was completed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Of 7326 articles identified, 8 were eligible; of which 6 assessed anxiety and depression and 2 assessed depression only. Meta-analyses showed a non-significant association between CRC and anxiety (pooled HR 1.67; 95% CI 0.88 to 3.17) and a significant association between CRC and depression (pooled HR 1.78; 95% CI 1.23 to 2.57). Predictors of anxiety and depression among patients with CRC included clinical characteristics (e.g., comorbidities, cancer stage, cancer site), cancer treatment (e.g., radiotherapy, chemotherapy, colostomy), and sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex). The impacts of anxiety and depression in patients with CRC included increased mortality and decreased quality of life. Altogether, our systematic review and meta-analysis quantified the risks and impacts of CRC on anxiety and depression, particularly an increased risk of depression after CRC diagnosis. Findings provide support for oncologic care that encompasses mental health supports for patients with CRC.
Recurrence of a Cellular Blue Nevus with Satellitosis—A Diagnostic Pitfall with Clinical Consequences
Authors: Kneitz Hermann , Rose Christian , Glutsch Valerie , Goebeler Matthias
Published: November 2022

Blue nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion, typically asymptomatic and of unknown etiology. Several histologic and clinical variants have been distinguished, the most frequent being common blue nevus, cellular blue nevus, and combined blue nevus. Although melanocytic nevi with a satellite lesion are usually suggestive of locally advanced malignant melanoma, very few cases of blue nevi with satellite lesions have been reported. The diagnosis of common or cellular blue nevi is generally straightforward; however, the presence of structures such as irregular edges or satellitosis are highly suggestive for malignancy, and differential diagnoses such as locally advanced malignant melanoma and malignant blue nevus should be considered. Recurrent blue nevi can display atypical features not seen in the primary lesion, such as pleomorphism and mitotic activity. They usually tend to follow a benign course; however, in some cases, recurrence may indicate malignant transformation. We here report the unique case of a 64-year-old woman with a recurrent cellular blue nevus accompanied by satellite lesions. Such a biological behavior resulting in a clinical presentation as a melanoma-like lesion is a rarity in blue nevus and has not been described before.
The Diagnostic Efficiency of Quantitative Diffusion Weighted Imaging in Differentiating Medulloblastoma from Posterior Fossa Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Luo Yi , Zhang Siqi , Tan Weiting , Lin Guisen , Zhuang Yijiang , Zeng Hongwu
Published: November 2022

Medulloblastoma (MB) is considered the most common and highly malignant posterior fossa tumor (PFT) in children. The accurate preoperative diagnosis of MB is beneficial in choosing the appropriate surgical methods and treatment strategies. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has improved the accuracy of differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to confirm its value for clinical application. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of DWI in differentiating MB from other PFT. A literature search was conducted using databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies reporting the diagnostic performance of DWI for PFT from January 2000 to January 2022. A bivariate random-effects model was employed to evaluate the pooled sensitivities and specificities. A univariable meta-regression analysis was used to assess relevant factors for heterogeneity, and subgroup analyses were performed. A total of 15 studies with 823 patients were eligible for data extraction. Overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of DWI were 0.94 (95% confident interval [CI]: 0.89–0.97) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.90–0.96) respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of DWI was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96–0.99). Heterogeneity was found in the sensitivity (I2 = 62.59%) and the specificity (I2 = 35.94%). Magnetic field intensity, region of interest definition and DWI diagnostic parameters are the factors that affect the diagnostic performance of DWI. DWI has excellent diagnostic accuracy for differentiating MB from other PFT. Hence, it is necessary to set DWI as a routine examination sequence for posterior fossa tumors.
Sex and Age Influence on Association of CYP450 Polymorphism with Midazolam Levels in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Flores-Pérez Carmen , Flores-Pérez Janett , de Jesús Castillejos López Manuel , Chávez-Pacheco Juan Luis , Tejada-Gutiérrez Karla Miroslava , Aquino-Gálvez Arnoldo , Torres-Espíndola Luz María
Published: November 2022

Midazolam is a drug that is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, particularly CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. The present study aimed to determine the sex and age influence on association of CYP450 polymorphism with midazolam levels in critically ill children. Seventy-two DNA samples were genotyped by real-time PCR. Children ≤ five years of age who carry the rs776746 (T) allele in CYP3A5 gene were associated with lower plasma midazolam levels. The concentration median in patients was 0.0 ng/mL, while in patients with the normal (C) allele, it was 438.17 ng/mL (Q25 135.75–Q75 580.24), p = 0.005. The midazolam plasmatic concentration in female patients with the minor (T) allele was 0.0 ng/mL (Q250.00–Q75204.3), while in patients with the normal (C) allele median it was 459.0 ng/mL (Q25296.9–Q75789.7), p = 0.002. Analysis of the dominant model for the rs2740574 variant in CYP3A4 revealed a median of 0.38 L/kg (Q250.02–Q751.5) for the volume of distribution parameter in female patients with the normal T allele, while female patients with the minor C allele showed a median of 18.1 L/kg (Q257.5–Q7528.7) p = 0.02. Our results suggest an altered midazolam metabolism due to the presence the allelic rs2740574 variants of CYP3A4 and rs776746 of CYP3A5, and also the strong influence of age and sex.
Clinical Relevance of Ultrasonographic and Electrophysiological Findings of the Median Nerve in Unilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients
Authors: Kudo Takamasa , Yoshii Yuichi , Hara Yuki , Ogawa Takeshi , Ishii Tomoo
Published: November 2022

Few studies have compared the unaffected and affected sides in the same carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients using ultrasonography and electrophysiological tests. We focused on unilateral idiopathic CTS patients to investigate whether clinical test results differ between the unaffected and affected sides. The bilateral wrist joints of 61 unilateral idiopathic CTS patients were evaluated. The median nerve cross-sectional area of ultrasound image, and latencies of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) were measured. The values obtained were compared between the affected and unaffected sides. The diagnostic accuracies of each parameter were assessed, and cut-off values were defined. Significant differences were observed in all parameters between the affected and unaffected sides (p < 0.01). Area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.74, 0.88, and 0.73 for the cross-sectional area, CMAP distal latency, and SNAP distal latency, respectively. Cut-off values were 11.9 mm2, 5.1 ms, and 3.1 ms for the cross-sectional area, CMAP distal latency, and SNAP distal latency, respectively. The most reliable parameter that reflected clinical symptoms was the distal latency of CMAP. Cut-off values for each parameter are considered to be an index for the onset of the clinical symptoms of CTS.
Exploring the Mechanisms and Association between Oral Microflora and Systemic Diseases
Authors: Issrani Rakhi , Reddy Jagat , Dabah Tarek H. El-Metwally , Prabhu Namdeo , Alruwaili Mohammed Katib , Munisekhar Manay Srinivas , Alshammari Sultan Meteb , Alghumaiz Shmoukh Fahad
Published: November 2022

The scope of dentistry is ever-changing and dynamic in all fields of dentistry including periodontal health and disease. Recent studies show that oral health and systemic health are interdependent, particularly in the way that poor oral hygiene and periodontal health affect the systemic health of an individual and vice versa. Periodontal diseases are multifactorial in nature in which the role of bacterial infections is inevitable. Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing technologies have shed light on the dysregulation of the growth of oral microbial flora and their environment, including those that are associated with periodontitis and other oral and non-oral diseases. Under such circumstances, it becomes important to explore oral microbiota and understand the effects of periodontal pathogens in the pathogenesis of systemic diseases. In addition, it may strengthen our view that a better understanding of oral microbial flora and proper examination of the oral cavity may aid in the early diagnosis and possible treatment of systemic diseases and conditions. This will eventually lead to providing better care to our patients. Therefore, in this research, we attempt to outline the periodontal pathophysiology along with the role of periodontal pathogens in some commonly encountered systemic conditions.
Newborn Cry-Based Diagnostic System to Distinguish between Sepsis and Respiratory Distress Syndrome Using Combined Acoustic Features
Authors: Khalilzad Zahra , Hasasneh Ahmad , Tadj Chakib
Published: November 2022

Crying is the only means of communication for a newborn baby with its surrounding environment, but it also provides significant information about the newborn’s health, emotions, and needs. The cries of newborn babies have long been known as a biomarker for the diagnosis of pathologies. However, to the best of our knowledge, exploring the discrimination of two pathology groups by means of cry signals is unprecedented. Therefore, this study aimed to identify septic newborns with Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) by employing the Machine Learning (ML) methods of Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Furthermore, the cry signal was analyzed from the following two different perspectives: 1) the musical perspective by studying the spectral feature set of Harmonic Ratio (HR), and 2) the speech processing perspective using the short-term feature set of Gammatone Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (GFCCs). In order to assess the role of employing features from both short-term and spectral modalities in distinguishing the two pathology groups, they were fused in one feature set named the combined features. The hyperparameters (HPs) of the implemented ML approaches were fine-tuned to fit each experiment. Finally, by normalizing and fusing the features originating from the two modalities, the overall performance of the proposed design was improved across all evaluation measures, achieving accuracies of 92.49% and 95.3% by the MLP and SVM classifiers, respectively. The MLP classifier was outperformed in terms of all evaluation measures presented in this study, except for the Area Under Curve of Receiver Operator Characteristics (AUC-ROC), which signifies the ability of the proposed design in class separation. The achieved results highlighted the role of combining features from different levels and modalities for a more powerful analysis of the cry signals, as well as including a neural network (NN)-based classifier. Consequently, attaining a 95.3% accuracy for the separation of two entangled pathology groups of RDS and sepsis elucidated the promising potential for further studies with larger datasets and more pathology groups.
Metabolomic Selection in the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Genetic Algorithm Approach
Authors: Morgan-Benita Jorge , Sánchez-Reyna Ana G. , Espino-Salinas Carlos H. , Oropeza-Valdez Juan José , Luna-García Huizilopoztli , Galván-Tejada Carlos E. , Galván-Tejada Jorge I. , Gamboa-Rosales Hamurabi , Enciso-Moreno Jose Antonio , Celaya-Padilla José
Published: November 2022

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a result of the inefficient use of insulin by the body. More than 95% of people with diabetes have T2DM, which is largely due to excess weight and physical inactivity. This study proposes an intelligent feature selection of metabolites related to different stages of diabetes, with the use of genetic algorithms (GA) and the implementation of support vector machines (SVMs), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNNs) and Nearest Centroid (NEARCENT) and with a dataset obtained from the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social with the protocol name of the following: “Análisis metabolómico y transcriptómico diferencial en orina y suero de pacientes pre diabéticos, diabéticos y con nefropatía diabética para identificar potenciales biomarcadores pronósticos de daño renal” (differential metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses in the urine and serum of pre-diabetic, diabetic and diabetic nephropathy patients to identify potential prognostic biomarkers of kidney damage). In order to analyze which machine learning (ML) model is the most optimal for classifying patients with some stage of T2DM, the novelty of this work is to provide a genetic algorithm approach that detects significant metabolites in each stage of progression. More than 100 metabolites were identified as significant between all stages; with the data analyzed, the average accuracies obtained in each of the five most-accurate implementations of genetic algorithms were in the range of 0.8214–0.9893 with respect to average accuracy, providing a precise tool to use in detections and backing up a diagnosis constructed entirely with metabolomics. By providing five potential biomarkers for progression, these extremely significant metabolites are as follows: “Cer(d18:1/24:1) i2”, “PC(20:3-OH/P-18:1)”, “Ganoderic acid C2”, “TG(16:0/17:1/18:1)” and “GPEtn(18:0/20:4)”.
Efficient Tracing of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants in Santa Barbara County Using a Rapid Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR Assay
Authors: Aralis Zach , Comer Stewart , Ansorg Henning , Palmer Carl , Smith Jennifer , Feinstein Stuart C. , Fitzgibbons Lynn N. , Arias Carolina
Published: November 2022

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in 2021 is associated with a global surge of cases in late 2021 and early 2022. Identifying the introduction of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants to a population is imperative to inform decisions by clinicians and public health officials. Here, we describe a quantitative reverse transcription PCR-based assay (RT-qPCR) targeting unique mutations in the Omicron BA.1/BA1.1 and BA.2 viral genomes. This assay accurately and precisely detect the presence of these Omicron variants in patient samples in less than four hours. Using this assay, we tested 270 clinical samples and detected the introduction of Omicron BA.1/BA1.1 and BA.2 in the Santa Barbara County (SBC) population in December 2021 and February 2022, respectively. Identifying Omicron variants using this RT-qPCR assay showed complete concordance with whole viral genome sequencing; both assays indicated that Omicron was the dominant variant in SB County. Our data substantiate that RT-qPCR-based virus detection assays offer a fast and inexpensive alternative to NGS for virus variant-specific detection approach, which allows streamlining the detection of Omicron variants in patient samples.
The Architecture of Macular Neovascularizations Predicts Treatment Responses to Anti-VEGF Therapy in Neovascular AMD
Authors: Faatz Henrik , Rothaus Kai , Ziegler Martin , Book Marius , Spital Georg , Lange Clemens , Lommatzsch Albrecht
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Anti-VEGF therapy is an effective option for improving and stabilizing the vision in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). However, the response to treatment is markedly heterogeneous. The aim of this study was therefore to analyze the vascular characteristics of type 1,2, and 3 macular neovascularizations (MNV) in order to identify biomarkers that predict treatment response, especially with regard to changes in intraretinal and subretinal fluid. Materials and Methods: Overall, 90 treatment-naive eyes with nAMD confirmed by optic coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, and OCT angiography (OCTA) were included in this retrospective study. The MNV detected by OCTA were subjected to quantitative vascular analysis by binarization and skeletonization of the vessel using ImageJ. We determined their area, total vascular length (sumL), fractal dimension (FD), flow density, number of vascular nodes (numN), and average vascular diameter (avgW). The results were correlated with the treatment response to the initial three injections of anti-VEGF and the changes in intraretinal (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF) and the occurrence of pigment epithelial detachements (PED). Results: All patients found to have no subretinal or intraretinal fluid following the initial three injections of anti-VEGF showed a significantly smaller MNV area (p < 0.001), a lower sumL (p < 0.0005), and lesser FD (p < 0.005) before treatment than those who still exhibited signs of activity. These parameters also showed a significant influence in the separate analysis of persistent SRF (p < 0.005) and a persistent PED (p < 0.05), whereas we could not detect any influence on changes in IRF. The vascular parameters avgW, numN, and flow density showed no significant influence on SRF/IRF or PED changes. Conclusions: The size, the total vessel length, and the fractal dimension of MNV at baseline are predictors for the treatment response to anti-VEGF therapy. Therefore, particularly regarding the development of new classes of drugs, these parameters could yield new insights into treatment response.
The Gifted Rating Scales-Preschool/Kindergarten Form (GRS-P): A Preliminary Examination of Their Psychometric Properties in Two Greek Samples
Authors: Sofologi Maria , Papantoniou Georgia , Avgita Theodora , Lyraki Aikaterina , Thomaidou Chrysoula , Zaragas Harilaos , Ntritsos Georgios , Varsamis Panagiotis , Staikopoulos Konstantinos , Kougioumtzis Georgios , Papantoniou Aphrodite , Moraitou Despina
Published: November 2022

The present paper is based on data of two samples concerning the Gifted Rating Scales-Preschool/Kindergarten Form (GRS-P) that aimed to gain insight into the psychometric properties (internal consistency reliability, structural and convergent validity) of the Greek version of the GRS-P. In both studies, teachers estimated their students’ giftedness with the GRS-P and executive functions with the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (Study 1). In Study 2, kindergarteners were examined in cognitive measurements which included the colored progressive matrices, the children category test, the Athena test, and the mini-mental state examination. Statistical analyses (EFA, CFA, Cronbach’s α, and Pearson’s r coefficients) revealed the excellent internal consistency of the scales as well as their good factorial and convergent/discriminant validity. In relation to the children’s cognitive ability measures, it emphasized the fact that the GRS-P is a reliable and valid tool for teachers to assess their gifted students in a Greek cultural context.
Placental and Umbilical Cord Anomalies Diagnosed by Two- and Three-Dimensional Ultrasound
Authors: Santana Eduardo , Castello Renata , Rizzo Giuseppe , Grisolia Gianpaolo , Araujo Júnior Edward , Werner Heron , Lituania Mario , Tonni Gabriele
Published: November 2022

The aim of this review is to present a wide spectrum of placental and umbilical cord pathologies affecting the pregnancy. Placental and umbilical cord anomalies are highly associated with high-risk pregnancies and may jeopardize fetal well-being in utero as well as causing a predisposition towards poor perinatal outcome with increased fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The permanent, computerized perinatology databases of different international centers have been searched and investigated to fulfil the aim of this manuscript. An extended gallery of prenatal imaging with autopsy correlation in specific cases will help to provide readers with a useful iconographic tool and will assist with the understanding and definition of this critical obstetrical and perinatological issue.
Diagnosis of Organizing Pneumonia with an Ultrathin Bronchoscope and Cone-Beam CT: A Case Report
Authors: Casalini Eleonora , Piro Roberto , Fontana Matteo , Rossi Laura , Ghinassi Federica , Taddei Sofia , Mengoli Maria Cecilia , Magnani Luca , Beghè Bianca , Facciolongo Nicola
Published: November 2022

Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a pulmonary disease histopathologically characterized by plugs of loose connective tissue in distal airways. The clinical and radiological presentations are not specific and they usually require a biopsy confirmation. This paper presents the case of a patient with a pulmonary opacity sampled with a combined technique of ultrathin bronchoscopy and cone-beam CT. A 64-year-old female, a former smoker, was admitted to the hospital of Reggio Emilia (Italy) for exertional dyspnea and a dry cough without a fever. The history of the patient included primary Sjögren Syndrome interstitial lung disease (pSS-ILD) characterized by a non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) radiological pattern; this condition was successfully treated up to 18 months before the new admission. The CT scan showed the appearance of a right lower lobe pulmonary opacity of an uncertain origin that required a histological exam for the diagnosis. The lung lesion was difficult to reach with traditional bronchoscopy and a percutaneous approach was excluded. Thus, cone-beam CT, augmented fluoroscopy and ultrathin bronchoscopy were chosen to collect a tissue sample. The histopathological exam was suggestive of OP, a condition occurring in 4–11% of primary Sjögren Syndrome cases. This case showed that, in the correct clinical and radiological context, even biopsies taken with small forceps can lead to a diagnosis of OP. Moreover, it underlined that the combination of multiple advanced technologies in the same procedure can help to reach difficult target lesions, providing proper samples for a histological diagnosis.
Variable Selection of Spatial Logistic Autoregressive Model with Linear Constraints
Authors: Song Yunquan , Su Yuqi , Wang Zhijian
Published: November 2022

In recent years, spatial data widely exist in various fields such as finance, geology, environment, and natural science. These data collected by many scholars often have geographical characteristics. The spatial autoregressive model is a general method to describe the spatial correlations among observation units in spatial econometrics. The spatial logistic autoregressive model augments the conventional logistic regression model with an extra network structure when the spatial response variables are discrete, which enhances classification precision. In many application fields, prior knowledge can be formulated as constraints on the parameters to improve the effectiveness of variable selection and estimation. This paper proposes a variable selection method with linear constraints for the high-dimensional spatial logistic autoregressive model in order to integrate the prior information into the model selection. Monte Carlo experiments are provided to analyze the performance of our proposed method under finite samples. The results show that the method can effectively screen out insignificant variables and give the corresponding coefficient estimates of significant variables simultaneously. As an empirical illustration, we apply our method to land area data.
Optimization and Benefit Analysis of Grain Trade in Belt and Road Countries
Authors: Du Ruijin , Chen Yang , Dong Gaogao , Tian Lixin , Zhang Jing , Zhang Nidan
Published: November 2022

Grain trade in Belt and Road (B&R) countries shows a mismatch between the volume and direction of grain flows and actual demand. With economic and industrial development, the water crisis has intensified, which poses a great challenge to the security of world grain supply and demand. There are few studies on the reconstruction of grain trade relations from the perspective of grain economic value. In this paper, a linear optimization model considering opportunity cost is proposed to fill the gap, and it is compared and analyzed with the optimization model considering only transportation cost. The grain supply and demand structures in both optimization results show characteristics of geographical proximity and long-tail distribution. Furthermore, the economic and water resource benefits resulting from the two optimal configurations are compared and analyzed. It is found that the economic benefits generated by grain trade in B&R countries with the consideration of opportunity cost not only cover transportation costs but also generate an economic value of about 130 trillion US dollars. Therefore, considering opportunity cost in grain trade is of great significance for strengthening cooperation and promoting the economic development of countries under the B&R framework. In terms of resource benefits, the grain trade with consideration of opportunity cost saves nearly 28 billion cubic meters of water, or about 5% of the total virtual water flow. However, about 72 billion cubic meters of water is lost for the grain trade with consideration of transportation cost. This study will help to formulate and adjust policies related to the “Belt and Road Initiative” (B&R Initiative), so as to maximize the economic benefits while optimizing the structure of grain trade and alleviating water scarcity pressures.
Wide-Speed-Range Sensorless Control of IPMSM
Authors: Yang Weibin , Guo Hao , Sun Xinxin , Wang Yuanlin , Riaz Saleem , Zaman Haider
Published: November 2022

A wide-speed-range sensorless control for an IPMSM is deeply studied in this paper, which combines the high-frequency injection (HFI) method and sliding-mode observer (SMO) method. At low-speed range, a rotating high-frequency voltage signal is injected into the IPMSM; the rotor position can be estimated by the HFI method based on the saliency of the IPMSM. At high-speed range, an SMO method based on the extended back electromotive force (EMF) of the IPMSM is utilized to estimate the rotor position. Furthermore, to blend the positions estimated by these two methods, a speed-dependent weight function is designed. The steady-state and dynamic performance of the wide-speed sensorless control are investigated by experiments. In high-speed range, the position estimation errors of the SMO method at different operation points are smaller than 6 el.deg.; in low-speed range, the position estimation errors of the HFI method at different operation points are smaller than 15 el.deg.; and during the transition process, the IPMSM can switch smoothly between the HFI-based and SMO-based sensorless control methods.
Adaptive Multilevel Coloring and Significant Texture Selecting for Automatic Deep Learning Image Transfer
Authors: Wu Hsien-Chu , Liu Yu-Chi , Chen Yen-Yu , Weng Yu-Yen
Published: November 2022

This paper proposes an image style transfer technique based on target image color and style, which improves the limitations of previous studies that only consider inter-image color transfer and use only deep learning for style transfer. First, an adaptive multilevel cut is made based on the luminance distribution of the two image pixels, and then a color transfer is applied to each region. Next, deep learning is used to select effective features for the target image, and the convolutional layer determines the extent of effective features by using the structural similarity index (SSIM) and black blocks. Selecting a convolutional layer with more effective features can reduce the limitations of the deep learning style transfer that requires artificial control parameters. The proposed method improves image quality by automatically simulating the color and style of the target image and controlling the parameters without human intervention. By evaluating the similarity between the result image and the target image, the proposed method can reduce the gap of variance by more than two times, and the result image can display a balance between the color and style of the target image.
Research on a Distributed Calibration Method Based on Specific Force Measurement
Authors: Zhang Peng , Xue Yuanting , Liu Peng , Li Mengwei
Published: November 2022

Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) inertial devices are small volume, lightweight, low cost, and have mass-production characteristics. The development trend of inertial modules is to reduce cost and improve accuracy, and batch calibration of MEMS devices is one of the most feasible solutions to reduce cost. In this paper, we propose a distributed calibration method based on system-level, discrete calibration. The distributed calibration method requires only one or a few rotations of the combined and arranged devices to excite the individual error parameters of the inertial instruments. In this study, the relationship between the error parameters and the navigation error was rewritten using equivalence transformation, and the 24 error parameters of the device were identified by the distributed least-squares estimation using the velocity error as the observed quantity. In simulation experiments, this method could calibrate more MEMS devices simultaneously than the traditional calibration method with the exact accuracy requirement.
GCT-UNET: U-Net Image Segmentation Model for a Small Sample of Adherent Bone Marrow Cells Based on a Gated Channel Transform Module
Authors: Qin Jing , Liu Tong , Wang Zumin , Liu Lu , Fang Hui
Published: November 2022

Pathological diagnosis is considered to be declarative and authoritative. However, reading pathology slides is a challenging task. Different parts of the section are taken and read for different purposes and with different focuses, which further adds difficulty to the pathologist’s diagnosis. In recent years, the deep neural network has made great progress in the direction of computer vision and the main approach to image segmentation is the use of convolutional neural networks, through which the spatial properties of the data are captured. Among a wide variety of different network structures, one of the more representative ones is UNET with encoder and decoder structures. The biggest advantage of traditional UNET is that it can still perform well with a small number of samples, but because the information in the feature map is lost in the downsampling process of UNET, and a large amount of spatially accurate detailed information is lost in the decoding part. This makes it difficult to complete accurate segmentation of cell images with dense numbers and high adhesion. For this reason, we propose a new network structure based on UNET, which can be used to segment cell images by aggregating the global contextual information between different channels and assigning different weights to the corresponding channels through the gated adaptive mechanism, we improve the performance of UNET in the cell segmentation task and consider the use of unsupervised segmentation methods for secondary segmentation of the predicted results of our model, and the final results obtained are tested to meet the needs of the readers.
A Review of the Parameters Affecting a Heat Pipe Thermal Management System for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Boonma Kittinan , Patimaporntap Napol , Mbulu Hussein , Trinuruk Piyatida , Ruangjirakit Kitchanon , Laoonual Yossapong , Wongwises Somchai
Published: November 2022

The thermal management system of batteries plays a significant role in the operation of electric vehicles (EVs). The purpose of this study is to survey various parameters enhancing the performance of a heat pipe-based battery thermal management system (HP-BTMS) for cooling the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), including the ambient temperature, coolant temperature, coolant flow rate, heat generation rate, start-up time, inclination angle of the heat pipe, and length of the condenser/evaporator section. This review provides knowledge on the HP-BTMS that can guarantee achievement of the optimum performance of an EV LIB at a high charge/discharge rate.
Energy Management for PV Powered Hybrid Storage System in Electric Vehicles Using Artificial Neural Network and Aquila Optimizer Algorithm
Authors: Narasimhulu Namala , Krishnam Naidu R. S. R. , Falkowski-Gilski Przemysław , Divakarachari Parameshachari Bidare , Roy Upendra
Published: November 2022

In an electric vehicle (EV), using more than one energy source often provides a safe ride without concerns about range. EVs are powered by photovoltaic (PV), battery, and ultracapacitor (UC) systems. The overall results of this arrangement are an increase in travel distance; a reduction in battery size; improved reaction, especially under overload; and an extension of battery life. Improved results allow the energy to be used efficiently, provide a comfortable ride, and require fewer energy sources. In this research, energy management between the PV system and the hybrid energy storage system (HESS), including the battery, and UC are discussed. The energy management control algorithms called Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Aquila Optimizer Algorithm (AOA) are proposed. The proposed combined ANN–AOA approach takes full advantage of UC while limiting the battery discharge current, since it also mitigates high-speed dynamic battery charging and discharging currents. The responses’ behaviors are depicted and viewed in the MATLAB simulation environment to represent load variations and various road conditions. We also discuss the management among the PV system, battery, and UC to achieve the higher speed of 91 km/h when compared with existing Modified Harmony Search (MHS) and Genetic Algorithm-based Proportional Integral Derivative (GA-PID). The outcomes of this study could aid researchers and professionals from the automotive industry as well as various third parties involved in designing, maintaining, and evaluating a variety of energy sources and storage systems, especially renewable ones.
Experimental Investigation on the Thermophysical and Rheological Behavior of Aqueous Dual Hybrid Nanofluid in Flat Plate Solar Collectors
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed , Meteab Mohammed , Salih Qusay , Mohammed Hussein , Alawi Omer
Published: November 2022

This work investigates the thermal–physical and rheological properties of hexagonal boron nitride/carbon nanotubes (hBN/CNTs) applied to reinforce water-based working fluid in a flat plate solar collector (FPSC). The hybrid nanoadditives of hBN and the chemically functionalized CNTs (CF-CNTs) were suspended in distilled water (DW) with a nonionic surfactant. The hybridization ratio between CF-CNTs and hBN was optimized to be 40:60. The thermal efficiency tests on the solar collector were carried out using different volumetric flow rates (2, 3, and 4 L/min) under the ASHRAE-93-2010 standard. The morphological characteristics of the hybrid nanoadditives were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Different concentrations of hBN/CF-CNTs were added to the water-based working fluid to record the optimal wt.% for maximum enhancement in the FPSC’s efficiency. The results revealed that using only 0.1 wt.% of hBN/CF-CNTs with a flow rate of 4 L/min remarkably improved the collector efficiency by up to 87% when compared to the conventional working fluid used in FPSC.
A Study of Intermediate for Synthesis of Cs0.3WO3 with Near-Infrared Photothermal Response
Authors: Zhang Yue , Li Ruixing
Published: November 2022

Nanoscale tungsten bronze can convert near-infrared light into thermal energy. For a chemical synthesis, intermediate products and processes are potentially positive or negative to an end product. In this study, (NH4)2SO4 was added into the hydrothermal system of WO3, CsCl, CH3CH2CHO, and NH3·H2O to increase the Cs/W ratio in solution. An intermediate, Cs1.1W1.65O5.5, was isolated. Subsequently, it was confirmed via a kinetics experiment conducted for different times. The results of the NH3·H2O and NH4COOCH3 system indicate there are two influence factors that influence the formation of Cs1.1W1.65O5.5: the leaching out of W and imine reactions. A low leaching out rate induces a high Cs/W ratio and low-concentration W in solution, leading to the formation of Cs1.1W1.65O5.5. The imine reaction decreasing CH3CH2CHO restrains the reduction in Cs1.1W1.65O5.5. The increase in CH3CH2COO− with the reduction reaction results in both the micron-size sticks and nano-size equiaxial particles in powder.