bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitudes and Application of Critical Nutrient Supplementation in Vegan Diets among Healthcare Professionals—Survey Results from a Medical Congress on Plant-Based Nutrition
Authors: Jeitler Michael , Storz Maximilian Andreas , Steckhan Nico , Matthiae Dorothea , Dressler Justina , Hanslian Etienne , Koppold Daniela A. , Kandil Farid I. , Michalsen Andreas , Kessler Christian S.
Published: December 2022

Plant-based diets are associated with numerous health benefits but also bear risks of micronutrient deficiencies if inadequately planned. The risk of nutrient deficiencies can be reliably reduced by supplementation but requires risk-awareness. We distributed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire to n = 902 healthcare professionals attending a congress on plant-based nutrition (VegMed 2018, Berlin). On the day of the survey (21 April 2018), n = 475 questionnaires were returned and analyzed descriptively. Of the n = 213 strict vegan participants, 2% (n = 5) took no supplements at all. All supplementing vegans reported taking vitamin B12. Almost three-quarters of vegans (73%, n = 152) took vitamin D, and 22% (n = 45) reported taking omega-3 fatty acids. Iron was supplemented by 13% (n = 28), iodine by 12% (n = 25), calcium by 11% (n = 22), zinc by 7% (n = 14), magnesium by 5% (n = 11), and selenium by 4% (n = 9). For 11%, a supplement other than vitamin B12 was subjectively most important. Nearly 50% had their vitamin B12 levels laboratory tested at least once a year; nearly one-quarter reported testing every two years, and another one-quarter rarely or never. Participants following a vegan diet were better informed about institutional recommendations of the German Nutrition Society and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for vegan diets than participants following vegetarian or omnivorous diets. Vegan nutrition in pregnancy/lactation period and childhood was considered most appropriate by vegans. Despite a high awareness of potential health risks associated with vitamin B12 deficiency on a strict vegan diet and a comprehensive understanding of the official dietary recommendations of nutrition societies, use of supplements and performance of regular laboratory tests were only moderate among vegan healthcare professionals. Considering the paramount importance of adequate supplementation of critical nutrients to avoid nutrient deficiencies, scientific and public discourse should be further facilitated. Further investigation of the supplementation behavior of vegan health professionals could be of particular interest, as a possible correlation with the quality of their own nutrition counseling is not inconceivable.
Smoothie Drinks: Possible Source of Resistant and Biofilm-Forming Microorganisms
Authors: Šilha David , Syrová Petra , Syrová Lenka , Janečková Jana
Published: December 2022

Smoothie drinks are currently very popular drinks sold especially in fast food establishments. However, smoothies are a significant source of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of smoothies purchased in Eastern Bohemia. A higher prevalence of mesophilic aerobic bacteria (5.4–7.2 log CFU/mL), yeast (4.4–5.9 log CFU/mL) and coliform bacteria (3.1–6.0 log CFU/mL) was observed in vegetable smoothies, in which even the occurrence of enterococci (1.6–3.3 log CFU/mL) was observed. However, the occurrence of S. aureus, Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. was not observed in any samples. Nevertheless, antimicrobial resistance was observed in 71.8% of the isolated strains. The highest level of resistance was found in isolates from smoothie drinks with predominantly vegetable contents (green smoothie drinks). Considerable resistance was observed in Gram-negative rods, especially to amoxicillin (82.2%) and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (55.6%). Among enterococci, only one vancomycin-resistant strain was detected. The vast majority of isolated strains were able to form biofilms at a significant level, which increases the clinical importance of these microorganisms. The highest biofilm production was found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Kocuria kristinae and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Overall, significant biofilm production was also noted among isolates of Candida spp.
An Analysis of the Impact of Logistics Processes on the Temperature Profile of the Beginning Stages of a Blueberry Supply Chain
Authors: Steynberg Petré , Goedhals-Gerber Leila L. , van Dyk Esbeth
Published: December 2022

Blueberries are highly perishable and temperature sensitive. The main purpose of the study was to determine whether logistics processes in the beginning stages of the blueberry supply chain have an influence on the temperature profiles and quality of the fruit further downstream. Temperature trials were conducted on three farms in the Gauteng and three in the Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Observations were made, and iButton® temperature monitoring devices were used to record ambient temperatures experienced by blueberries from harvesting until after forced cooling in the cold store. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the temperature data. The results showed poor adherence to protocols and a large number of temperature and chilling injury spikes and breaks. Many trials did not reach pre-cooling and forced cooling protocol temperatures within the required time. Quality reports indicated that pallets were downgraded owing to cartons being underweight, probably as a result of moisture loss, and other quality defects such as collapsed berries and mould. By minimizing the breach of protocols and improving the beginning stages of the blueberry supply chain, a better-quality product will be ensured, thus reducing costs, food loss and food waste.
Disinfectants Useful to Manage the Emerging Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus in Greenhouse Tomato Production
Authors: Ling Kai-Shu , Gilliard Andrea C. , Zia Bazgha
Published: December 2022

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an emerging tobamovirus infecting tomato and pepper crops. First identified in 2014 in the Middle East, ToBRFV has spread rapidly around the world. Being seed-borne, resistance breaking and easy mechanical transmission, ToBRFV can spread quickly in a greenhouse through plant handling. Thus, selecting an effective disinfectant that is capable of deactivating virus infectivity is important. We aimed to identify these effective disinfectants for ToBRFV management in greenhouse tomato production, particularly for total cleaning. A useful disinfectant should be effective against ToBRFV infectivity without major phytotoxic effect on the test plants. In this study, we evaluated 11 disinfectants at various concentrations and assessed their efficacy in ToBRFV treatment on tomato plants that were pretreated with or without SP2700, a known antiviral plant activator of Ningnanmycin. SP2700 treated-plants generated systemic acquired resistance with a delay in symptom expression for 2–3 weeks in comparison to the mock control. Overall, 1% Virocid, 2% Virkon S, 0.25% sodium hypochlorite (5% Clorox bleach), and 2.5% trisodium phosphate (TSP) achieved complete deactivation of ToBRFV with 15 min exposure. However, TSP presented serious phytotoxicity. Our results offer practical solutions to manage this emerging disease affecting tomato production in greenhouses.
Experimental Study on the Structural Response of Reinforced Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete Members
Authors: Eisa Ahmed S. , Sabol Peter , Khamis Kamilia M. , Attia Ahmed A.
Published: December 2022

Geopolymer concrete is concrete made from industrial materials, such as fly ash, GGBS, silica fume, and metakaolin, used as a cement alternative. In this study, geopolymer concrete will be based on fly ash as a binder material, alkaline activators of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate, GPC beams of dimensions 800 mm × 250 mm × 100 mm, circular columns with diameter 350 mm and depth of 700 mm and GPC slabs of dimensions 500 mm × 500 mm × 100 mm are all cast with fly ash content of 350 kg/m3. The ratio of alkaline solution to fly ash was equal to 0.5 and was kept constant, and the Na2SiO3-to-NaOH ratio was 2.5 and the NaOH molarity was kept constant at 12 M. The beams reinforcement was changed to study the shear and flexural behaviour, and the slabs and columns reinforcement ratio was kept constant. The load capacity, stress–strain behaviour of the GPC and load-deflection behaviours of the members were also examined. The results showed that reinforced geopolymer members can be used as an alternative to reinforced concrete structural members, but they are more expensive than reinforced concrete. Further study is recommended to provide more practical design recommendations for incorporating geopolymer concrete into structural elements in order to accelerate the adoption of this concrete for large-scale field applications in the future.
A New Species of Ascodipteron (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from China Based on Morphology and DNA Barcodes
Authors: Sun Haoran , Ding Liang , Pape Thomas , Zhang Dong
Published: December 2022

A new species of the genus Ascodipteron Adensamer, 1896 (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is described from Fujian, namely A. guoliangi sp. nov. Habitus and diagnostic details, as well as the attachment sites on the host, are documented with photographs. A detailed comparison of the new species with related species is provided and the new species is accommodated in the most recent key to the world species of Ascodipteron.
Insect Feeding on Sorghum bicolor Pollen and Hymenoptera Attraction to Aphid-Produced Honeydew
Authors: Harris-Shultz Karen R. , Armstrong John Scott , Caballero Michael , Hoback William Wyatt , Knoll Joseph E.
Published: December 2022

Pollinators are declining globally, potentially reducing both human food supply and plant diversity. To support pollinator populations, planting of nectar-rich plants with different flowering seasons is encouraged while promoting wind-pollinated plants, including grasses, is rarely recommended. However, many bees and other pollinators collect pollen from grasses which is used as a protein source. In addition to pollen, Hymenoptera may also collect honeydew from plants infested with aphids. In this study, insects consuming or collecting pollen from sweet sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, were recorded while pan traps and yellow sticky card surveys were placed in grain sorghum fields and in areas with Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense to assess the Hymenoptera response to honeydew excreted by the sorghum aphid (SA), Melanaphis sorghi. Five genera of insects, including bees, hoverflies, and earwigs, were observed feeding on pollen in sweet sorghum, with differences observed by date, but not plant height or panicle length. Nearly 2000 Hymenoptera belonging to 29 families were collected from grain sorghum with 84% associated with aphid infestations. About 4 times as many Hymenoptera were collected in SA infested sorghum with significantly more ants, halictid bees, scelionid, sphecid, encyrtid, mymarid, diapriid and braconid wasps were found in infested sorghum plots. In Johnsongrass plots, 20 times more Hymenoptera were collected from infested plots. Together, the data suggest that sorghum is serving as a pollen food source for hoverflies, earwigs, and bees and sorghum susceptible to SA could provide energy from honeydew. Future research should examine whether planting strips of susceptible sorghum at crop field edges would benefit Hymenoptera and pollinators.
Attraction of Insects to Ornamental Lighting Used on Cultural Heritage Buildings: A Case Study in an Urban Area
Authors: Méndez Anxo , Martín Luis , Arines Justo , Carballeira Rafael , Sanmartín Patricia
Published: December 2022

Artificial light at night (ALAN) reduces insect populations by altering their movements, foraging, reproduction, and predation. Although ALAN is mainly associated with streetlights and road networks, the ornamental illumination of monuments is making an increasing (but not well-studied) contribution. We compared insect attraction to two different types of light sources: a metal halide lamp (a type currently used to illuminate monuments) and an environmentally sound prototype lamp (CromaLux) comprising a combination of green and amber LEDs. The experiment was performed within the pilot CromaLux project in Santiago de Compostela (NW Spain). The abundance and diversity of the insects captured between June and October 2021 in the areas surrounding both light sources and in an unlit area were compared. By limiting the light emitted to amber and green, the CromaLux lamps reduced the number and diversity of insects, morphospecies, and orders attracted to the light, with similar numbers captured as in the unilluminated area, while a greater diversity of insects was captured beside the metal halide lamp. This effect has been demonstrated for almost all insect orders trapped, especially in Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera. On the contrary, Psocoptera showed a similar attraction to the CromaLux and metal halide lamps, a phenomenon whose causes deserve further investigation. As expected, Diptera were the most diverse and abundant insects in all samples, but the abundance of Lepidoptera was unexpectedly low (4%), which is in line with the worldwide evidence of the progressive decline of populations of this group. The study findings provide evidence that selecting specific wavelengths for ornamental lighting reduces the attraction of insects while maintaining adequate illumination of monuments for aesthetic purposes, resulting in a lower environmental impact on nocturnal insects. This study provides reference data for developing principles of good practices leading to possible regulatory and legal solutions and the incorporation of specific measures for artificial lighting of monuments and urban structures.
Novel Hybrid Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension with or without Eisenmenger Syndrome: Double Lung Transplantation with Simultaneous Endovascular or Classic Surgical Closure of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Authors: Stącel Tomasz , Sybila Paweł , Mędrala Agata , Ochman Marek , Latos Magdalena , Zawadzki Fryderyk , Pióro Anna , Pasek Piotr , Przybyłowski Piotr , Hrapkowicz Tomasz , Mroczek Ewa , Kuczaj Agnieszka , Kopeć Grzegorz , Fiszer Roland , Pawlak Szymon , Stanjek-Cichoracka Anita , Urlik Maciej
Published: December 2022

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) become candidates for lung or lung and heart transplantation when the maximum specific therapy is no longer effective. The most difficult challenge is choosing one of the above options in the event of symptoms of right ventricular failure. Here, we present two female patients with PAH: (1) a 21-year-old patient with Eisenmenger syndrome, caused by a congenital defect—patent ductus arteriosus (PDA); and (2) a 39-year-old patient with idiopathic PAH and coexistent PDA. Their common denominator is PDA and the hybrid surgery performed: double lung transplantation with simultaneous PDA closure. The operation was performed after pharmacological bridging (conditioning) to transplantation that lasted for 33 and 70 days, respectively. In both cases, PDA closure effectiveness was 100%. Both patients survived the operation (100%); however, patient no. 1 died on the 2nd postoperative day due to multi-organ failure; while patient no. 2 was discharged home in full health. The authors did not find a similar description of the operation in the available literature and PubMed database. Hence, we propose this new treatment method for its effectiveness and applicability proven in our practice.
A Predictive Model for Dysphagia after Ventilator Liberation in Severe Pneumonia Patients Receiving Tracheostomy: A Single-Center, Observational Study
Authors: Yoo Wanho , Jang Myung Hun , Kim Sang Hun , Yoon Jin A. , Jang Hyojin , Kim Soohan , Lee Kwangha
Published: December 2022

The main purpose of this study was to develop a model predictive of dysphagia in hospital survivors with severe pneumonia who underwent tracheostomy during their hospital stay. The present study included 175 patients (72% male; mean age, 71.3 years) over 5 years. None of these patients had a history of deglutition disorder before hospital admission. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors predicting dysphagia at hospital discharge. Dysphagia scores were calculated from β-coefficients and by assigning points to variables. Of the enrolled patients, 105 (60%) had dysphagia at hospital discharge. Factors prognostic of dysphagia at hospital discharge included being underweight (body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2), non-participation in a dysphagia therapy program, mechanical ventilation ≥ 15 days, age ≥ 74 years, and chronic neurologic diseases. Underweight and non-participation in a dysphagia therapy program were assigned +2 points and the other factors were assigned +1 point. Dysphagia scores showed acceptable discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for dysphagia 0.819, 95% confidence interval: 0.754–0.873, p < 0.001) and calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow chi-square = 9.585, with df 7 and p = 0.213). The developed dysphagia score was predictive of deglutition disorder at hospital discharge in tracheostomized patients with severe pneumonia.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome after Spine Surgery: A Rare Complication in Mini-Invasive Lumbar Spine Surgery: An Updated Comprehensive Review
Authors: Arcidiacono Umberto Aldo , Armocida Daniele , Pesce Alessandro , Maiotti Marco , Proietti Luca , D’Andrea Giancarlo , Santoro Antonio , Frati Alessandro
Published: December 2022

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a postoperative, misdiagnosed condition highlighted only by pain therapists after numerous failed attempts at pain control by the treating surgeon in the case of prolonged pain after surgery. It only occurs rarely after spine surgery, causing the neurosurgeon’s inappropriate decision to resort to a second surgical treatment. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature reporting and analyzing all recognized and reported cases of CRPS in patients undergoing spinal surgery to identify the best diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this unusual condition. We compare our experience with the cases reported through a review of the literature. Results: We retrieve 20 articles. Most of the papers are clinical cases showing the disorder’s rarity after spine surgery. Most of the time, the syndrome followed uncomplicated lumbar spine surgery involving one segment. The most proposed therapy was chemical sympathectomy and spinal cord stimulation. Conclusion: CRPS is a rare pathology and is rarer after spine surgery. However, it is quite an invalidating disorder. Early therapy and resolution, however, require a rapid diagnosis of the syndrome. In our opinion, since CRPS occurs relatively rarely following spinal surgery, it should not have a substantial impact on the indications for and timing of these operations. Therefore, it is essential to diagnose this rare occurrence and treat it promptly and appropriately.
Effect of Annealing and Diameter on Tensile Property of Spinnable Carbon Nanotube and Unidirectional Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Epoxy Composite
Authors: Tokumitsu Naoki , Shimamura Yoshinobu , Fujii Tomoyuki , Inoue Yoku
Published: December 2022

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are thought to have higher elastic modulus and strength than carbon fibers. The recent development of spinnable multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) enables us to produce unidirectional MWNT reinforced polymer-based composites with a higher volume fraction of CNTs. The results of tensile tests of spinnable MWNTs in scanning electron microscopes show, however, that Young’s modulus and tensile strength of MWNTs are not as high as expected. Annealing and developing thinner spinnable MWNTs will be the solution to improving the tensile property. In this study, as-produced and annealed untwisted yarns composed of MWNTs with three different diameters were prepared, and the tensile properties of spinnable MWNTs were estimated from the tensile properties of the untwisted yarns to investigate the effect of annealing and diameter on the overall tensile property of MWNTs. Furthermore, tensile tests of unidirectional MWNT reinforced epoxy composites were conducted and the contribution of the tensile property of MWNTs to the bulk tensile property of the composite was discussed. As a result, it was found that MWNTs with thinner diameters had higher Young’s modulus and tensile strength and annealing improved Young’s modulus of MWNTs, in addition to that the bulk tensile property of unidirectional MWNT reinforced epoxy composites was primarily determined by the tensile property of MWNTs. The results support previous findings from a limited number of tensile tests in SEM/TEM, and also reveal the validity of estimating the tensile properties of individual CNTs by tensile testing of untwisted yarns. In addition, the discussion on composite materials suggests that the tensile property of composite materials can be enhanced by improving the tensile property of MWNTs.
Surface Heparinization of a Magnesium-Based Alloy: A Comparison Study of Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) Dendrimers
Authors: Ebrahimi Masoumeh , Solouk Atefeh , Davoodi Ali , Akbari Somaye , Nazarpak Masoumeh Haghbin , Nouri Alireza
Published: December 2022

Magnesium (Mg)-based alloys are biodegradable metallic biomaterials that show promise in minimizing the risks of permanent metallic implants. However, their clinical applications are restricted due to their rapid in vivo degradation and low surface hemocompatibilities. Surface modifications are critically important for controlling the corrosion rates of Mg-based alloys and improving their hemocompatibilities. In the present study, two heparinization methods were developed to simultaneously increase the corrosion resistance and hemocompatibility of the AZ31 Mg alloy. In the first method, the surface of the AZ31 alloy was modified by alkali–heat treatment and then aminolyzed by 3-amino propyltriethoxy silane (APTES), a self-assembly molecule, and heparin was grafted onto the aminolyzed surface. In the second method, before heparinization, polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM4-4) were grafted onto the aminolyzed surface with APTES to increase the number of surface functional groups, and heparinization was subsequently performed. The presence of a peak with a wavelength of about 1560 cm−1 in the FTIR spectrum for the sample modified with APTES and dendrimers indicated aminolysis of the surface. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of the Mg alloy was significantly improved as a result of the formation of a passive layer following the alkali–heat treatment. The results obtained from a potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) test showed that the corrosion current in the uncoated sample decreased from 25 µA to 3.7 µA in the alkali–heat-treated sample. The corrosion current density was reduced by 14 and 50 times in samples treated with the self-assembly molecules, APTES and dendrimers, respectively. After heparinization, the clotting time for pristine Mg was greatly improved. Clotting time increased from 480 s for the pristine Mg sample to 630 s for the APTES- and heparin-modified samples and to 715 s for the PAMAM- and heparin-modified samples. Cell culture data showed a slight improvement in the cell-supporting behavior of the modified samples.
Embedded Vision Intelligence for the Safety of Smart Cities
Authors: Martin Jon , Cantero David , González Maite , Cabrera Andrea , Larrañaga Mikel , Maltezos Evangelos , Lioupis Panagiotis , Kosyvas Dimitris , Karagiannidis Lazaros , Ouzounoglou Eleftherios , Amditis Angelos
Published: December 2022

Advances in Artificial intelligence (AI) and embedded systems have resulted on a recent increase in use of image processing applications for smart cities’ safety. This enables a cost-adequate scale of automated video surveillance, increasing the data available and releasing human intervention. At the same time, although deep learning is a very intensive task in terms of computing resources, hardware and software improvements have emerged, allowing embedded systems to implement sophisticated machine learning algorithms at the edge. Additionally, new lightweight open-source middleware for constrained resource devices, such as EdgeX Foundry, have appeared to facilitate the collection and processing of data at sensor level, with communication capabilities to exchange data with a cloud enterprise application. The objective of this work is to show and describe the development of two Edge Smart Camera Systems for safety of Smart cities within S4AllCities H2020 project. Hence, the work presents hardware and software modules developed within the project, including a custom hardware platform specifically developed for the deployment of deep learning models based on the I.MX8 Plus from NXP, which considerably reduces processing and inference times; a custom Video Analytics Edge Computing (VAEC) system deployed on a commercial NVIDIA Jetson TX2 platform, which provides high level results on person detection processes; and an edge computing framework for the management of those two edge devices, namely Distributed Edge Computing framework, DECIoT. To verify the utility and functionality of the systems, extended experiments were performed. The results highlight their potential to provide enhanced situational awareness and demonstrate the suitability for edge machine vision applications for safety in smart cities.
Predication of Writing Originality Based on Computational Linguistics
Authors: Yang Liping , Xin Tao , Zhang Sheng , Yu Yunye
Published: December 2022

Existing assessment methods of writing originality have been criticized for depending heavily on subjective scoring methods. This study attempted to investigate the use of topic analysis and semantic networks in assessing writing originality. Written material was collected from a Chinese language test administered to eighth-grade students. Two steps were performed: 1. Latent topics of essays in each writing task were identified, and essays on the same topic were treated as a refined reference group, within which an essay was to be evaluated; 2. A group of features was developed, including four categories, i.e., path distance, semantic differences, centrality, and similarity of the network drawn from each text response, which were used to quantify the differences among essays. The results show that writing originality scoring is not only related to the intrinsic characteristics of the text, but is also affected by the reference group in which it is to be evaluated. This study proves that computational linguistic features can be a predictor of originality in Chinese writing. Each feature type of the four categories can predict originality, although the effect varies across various topics. Furthermore, the feature analysis provided evidence and insights to human raters for originality scoring.
Dynamic Load Effects and Power Performance of an Integrated Wind–Wave Energy System Utilizing an Optimum Torus Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Shi Wei , Li Jinghui , Michailides Constantine , Chen Mingsheng , Wang Shuaishuai , Li Xin
Published: December 2022

To increase the utilization of wave and other renewable energy resources, an integrated system consisting of an offshore wind turbine and a wave energy converter (WEC) could be used to harvest the potential energy. In this study, a dimensionless optimization method is developed for shape optimization of a hollow cylindrical WEC, and an optimal shape is obtained using a differential evolution (DE) algorithm. The frequency domain response characteristics of the WEC with different geometric shapes and viscous damping loads are studied. The numerical model of the wind-wave integrated system, which consists of a semisubmersible platform and the WEC, is developed and used. The dynamic responses of the integrated system with and without using the WEC optimum section are compared. The results show that the dimensionless optimization method utilized in this paper is very applicable for hollow cylindrical WECs. A smaller inner radius and larger draft increase the heave RAO amplitude of the WEC significantly. In addition, optimization of the WEC shape and power take-off (PTO) damping coefficient can significantly improve the energy capture of the integrated system, which increases by 32.03%. The research results of this paper provide guidance for achieving the optimum design of offshore wind-wave energy integrated systems and quantify the benefits of using optimum designs in the produced wave energy power. In addition, the proposed dimensionless optimization method is generic and can be widely applied to different types of WECs.
Identification of Potential microRNA Panels for Male Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Identification Using Microarray Datasets and Bioinformatics Methods
Authors: Haranguș Antonia , Lajos Raduly , Budisan Livia , Zanoaga Oana , Ciocan Cristina , Bica Cecilia , Pirlog Radu , Simon Ioan , Simon Marioara , Braicu Cornelia , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana
Published: December 2022

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still one of the types of cancer with the highest death rates. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in NSCLC development. This study evaluates miRNA expression patterns and specific mechanisms in male patients with NSCLC. Methods: We report an integrated microarray analysis of miRNAs for eight matched samples of males with NSCLC compared to the study of public datasets of males with NSCLC from TCGA, followed by qRT-PCR validation. Results: For the TCGA dataset, we identified 385 overexpressed and 75 underexpressed miRNAs. Our cohort identified 54 overexpressed and 77 underexpressed miRNAs, considering a fold-change (FC) of ±1.5 and p < 0.05 as the cutoff value. The common miRNA signature consisted of eight overexpressed and nine underexpressed miRNAs. Validation was performed using qRT-PCR on the tissue samples for miR-183-3p and miR-34c-5p and on plasma samples for miR-34c-5p. We also created mRNA-miRNA regulatory networks to identify critical molecules, revealing NSCLC signaling pathways related to underexpressed and overexpressed transcripts. The genes targeted by these transcripts were correlated with overall survival. Conclusions: miRNAs and some of their target genes could play essential roles in investigating the mechanisms involved in NSCLC evolution and provide opportunities to identify potential therapeutic targets.
The Efficacy, Safety, and Satisfaction Associated with Switching from Brinzolamide or Brimonidine to Brinzolamide/Brimonidine in Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Onoe Hiromitsu , Hirooka Kazuyuki , Nagayama Mikio , Mochizuki Hideki , Hirota Atsushi , Suzuki Katsuyoshi , Sagara Takeshi , Kiuchi Yoshiaki
Published: December 2022

We evaluated switching from brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% to a fixed-combination of brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.1%, and then determined the efficacy, safety, and satisfaction associated with these changes in glaucoma patients. This prospective, nonrandomized study evaluated a total of 31 enrolled glaucoma patients who underwent treatment with at least brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1%. Patients were administered a brinzolamide/brimonidine fixed-combination ophthalmic suspension (BBFC) after being switched from their original brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% therapy. All other intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications currently being used were continued. IOP, superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK), and conjunctival hyperemia data obtained at baseline and then at 4 and 12 weeks were evaluated. To assess the changes in treatment satisfaction, this study utilized the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication-9 (TSQM-9). There was a significant decrease in the mean baseline IOP from 15.7 ± 4.9 mmHg to 13.6 ± 4.4 (p = 0.001) and 13.5 ± 3.9 mmHg (p = 0.002) at 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. Evaluation of the incidence of conjunctival hyperemia or SPK score showed there were no significant changes noted at any time point. The TSQM-9 score demonstrated there was a significant increase for effectiveness after switching from brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% to BBFC. After switching from brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% to BBFC, there was a significant decrease in the IOP. Patients were aware of the effectiveness of switching from brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% to BBFC.
Cabergoline Failure and a Spontaneous Pregnancy in a Microprolactinoma with High Prolactin Levels
Authors: Tica Andrei Adrian , Dumitrescu Daniela , Tica Irina , Neamţu Corina , Tica Vlad Iustin , Dumitrescu Cristiana Iulia , Tica Oana Sorina
Published: December 2022

We report a particular case of a spontaneously occurring pregnancy in a long-term amenorrheic patient due to a prolactinoma with high serum prolactin (PRL) following the failure of dopamine agonist therapy (DA) for infertility. Initially, clinical, laboratory, and genital ultrasounds were normal, but the serum PRL was 10,074 μIU/mL (n.v.: 127–637 μIU/mL), the PEG fraction was 71% (laboratory cut-off > 60%), and luteinizing hormone (LH) was significantly lower. An MRI revealed a pituitary tumor of 12.8/10 mm with a subacute intratumoral hemorrhage. DA was initiated, and menstrual bleeding reappeared with a reduction in the tumor’s volume to 1.9/2.2 mm at 12 months. Two years later, the patient renounced DA and follow-ups. After another 2 years, she became spontaneously pregnant. Serum PRL was 18,325 μIU/mL, and an MRI revealed a microprolactinoma of 2.1/2 mm. The patient gave birth to a normal baby at term, and she breastfed for six months, after which she asked for ablactation, and DA was administered. This case highlights the possibility of the occurrence of a normal pregnancy during a long period of amenorrhea induced by a microprolactinoma with a high level of serum PRL, even if DA fails to correct infertility. There was no compulsory relationship between the tumoral volume’s evolution and the evolution of its lactophore activity. The hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism induced by high PRL was mainly manifested by low LH, and in this situation, normal levels of FSH and estradiol do not always induce follicle recruitment and development without abnormalities in the ovary ultrasound.
Zookeeper–Animal Bonds and Their Relationship with Conservation Action
Authors: Thomas Veronica , Orwig Jerran , Shelmidine Nichole , York Joshua
Published: December 2022

Human–animal relationships have been demonstrated to have impacts on animal and keeper welfare, although their impacts on zookeepers have been less studied outside of evaluating job satisfaction. Many zoological facilities are active in supporting conservation initiatives among staff, but current levels of zookeeper engagement in pro-conservation behavior and the motivations behind it are less studied. Some research indicates motivations for pro-environmental action, in general, may include empathetic connections with animals. To investigate connections between zookeeper–animal relationships and conservation participation, 144 zookeepers from various locations participated in an online survey responding to questions about their perception of their relationships with the animals in their care and current conservation participation levels. This study found zookeepers who report bonds with the animals in their care are more likely to participate in select conservation behaviors, such as reducing personal waste, than those who do not claim a bond with animals. Bonds did not predict involvement in larger conservation actions such as habitat restoration or citizen science participation. These findings have implications for how zoos might encourage engagement in pro-conservation behaviors and participation among their staff.
Challenges in the Geo-Processing of Big Soil Spatial Data
Authors: Liakos Leonidas , Panagos Panos
Published: December 2022

This study addressed a critical resource—soil—through the prism of processing big data at the continental scale. Rapid progress in technology and remote sensing has majorly improved data processing on extensive spatial and temporal scales. Here, the manuscript presents the results of a systematic effort to geo-process and analyze soil-relevant data. In addition, the main highlights include the difficulties associated with using data infrastructures, managing big geospatial data, decentralizing operations through remote access, mass processing, and automating the data-processing workflow using advanced programming languages. Challenges to this study included the reproducibility of the results, their presentation in a communicative way, and the harmonization of complex heterogeneous data in space and time based on high standards of accuracy. Accuracy was especially important as the results needed to be identical at all spatial scales (from point counts to aggregated countrywide data). The geospatial modeling of soil requires analysis at multiple spatial scales, from the pixel level, through multiple territorial units (national or regional), and river catchments, to the global scale. Advanced mapping methods (e.g., zonal statistics, map algebra, choropleth maps, and proportional symbols) were used to convey comprehensive and substantial information that would be of use to policymakers. More specifically, a variety of cartographic practices were employed, including vector and raster visualization and hexagon grid maps at the global or European scale and in several cartographic projections. The information was rendered in both grid format and as aggregated statistics per polygon (zonal statistics), combined with diagrams and an advanced graphical interface. The uncertainty was estimated and the results were validated in order to present the outputs in the most robust way. The study was also interdisciplinary in nature, requiring large-scale datasets to be integrated from different scientific domains, such as soil science, geography, hydrology, chemistry, climate change, and agriculture.
Metagenomic Analysis of Garden Soil-Derived Microbial Consortia and Unveiling Their Metabolic Potential in Mitigating Toxic Hexavalent Chromium
Authors: Singh Nidhi , Singh Veer , Rai Sachchida Nand , Vamanu Emanuel , Singh Mohan P.
Published: December 2022

Soil microbial communities connect to the functional environment and play an important role in the biogeochemical cycle and waste degradation. The current study evaluated the distribution of the core microbial population of garden soil in the Varanasi region of Uttar Pradesh, India and their metabolic potential for mitigating toxic hexavalent chromium from wastewater. Metagenomes contain 0.2 million reads and 56.5% GC content. The metagenomic analysis provided insight into the relative abundance of soil microbial communities and revealed the domination of around 200 bacterial species belonging to different phyla and four archaeal phyla. The top 10 abundant genera in garden soil were Gemmata, Planctomyces, Steroidobacter, Pirellula, Pedomicrobium, Rhodoplanes, Nitrospira Mycobacterium, Pseudonocardia, and Acinetobacter. In this study, Gemmata was dominating bacterial genera. Euryarchaeota, Parvarchaeota, and Crenarchaeota archaeal species were present with low abundance in soil samples. X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicates the presence of carbon, nitrogen–oxygen, calcium, phosphorous, and silica in the soil. Soil-derived bacterial consortia showed high hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] removal efficiency (99.37%). The bacterial consortia isolated from garden soil had an important role in the hexavalent chromium bioremediation, and thus, this study could be beneficial for the design of a heavy-metal treatment system.
Improving Osteosarcoma Treatment: Comparative Oncology in Action
Authors: Tarone Lidia , Mareschi Katia , Tirtei Elisa , Giacobino Davide , Camerino Mariateresa , Buracco Paolo , Morello Emanuela , Cavallo Federica , Riccardo Federica
Published: December 2022

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common pediatric malignant bone tumor. Although surgery together with neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy has improved survival for localized OSA, most patients develop recurrent/metastatic disease with a dismally poor outcome. Therapeutic options have not improved for these OSA patients in recent decades. As OSA is a rare and “orphan” tumor, with no distinct targetable driver antigens, the development of new efficient therapies is still an unmet and challenging clinical need. Appropriate animal models are therefore critical for advancement in the field. Despite the undoubted relevance of pre-clinical mouse models in cancer research, they present some intrinsic limitations that may be responsible for the low translational success of novel therapies from the pre-clinical setting to the clinic. From this context emerges the concept of comparative oncology, which has spurred the study of pet dogs as a uniquely valuable model of spontaneous OSA that develops in an immune-competent system with high biological and clinical similarities to corresponding human tumors, including in its metastatic behavior and resistance to conventional therapies. For these reasons, the translational power of studies conducted on OSA-bearing dogs has seen increasing recognition. The most recent and relevant veterinary investigations of novel combinatorial approaches, with a focus on immune-based strategies, that can most likely benefit both canine and human OSA patients have been summarized in this commentary.
Weak Fault Feature Extraction of Axle Box Bearing Based on Pre-Identification and Singular Value Decomposition
Authors: Zhao Le , Yang Shaopu , Liu Yongqiang
Published: December 2022

The axle box bearing is one of the core rotating components in high-speed trains, having served in complex working conditions for a long time. With the fault feature extraction of the vibration signal, the noise interference caused by the interaction between the wheels and rails becomes apparent. Especially when there is a shortwave defect in the rail, the interaction between wheels and rails will produce high-amplitude impulse interference. To solve the problem of the collected vibration signals of axle box bearings containing strong noise interference and high amplitude impact interference caused by rail shortwave irregularities, this paper proposes a method based on pre-identification via singular value decomposition technology to select the signals in sections and filter the noise, followed by feature extraction and fault diagnosis. The method is used to analyze the axle box bearing fault simulation signal and the weak fault signal collected by the railway bearing comprehensive experimental platform, and these signals are then compared with the random screening signal and the manual screening signal to verify the effectiveness of the method.
Random Maximum 2 Satisfiability Logic in Discrete Hopfield Neural Network Incorporating Improved Election Algorithm
Authors: Someetheram Vikneswari , Marsani Muhammad Fadhil , Mohd Kasihmuddin Mohd Shareduwan , Zamri Nur Ezlin , Muhammad Sidik Siti Syatirah , Mohd Jamaludin Siti Zulaikha , Mansor Mohd. Asyraf
Published: December 2022

Real life logical rule is not always satisfiable in nature due to the redundant variable that represents the logical formulation. Thus, the intelligence system must be optimally governed to ensure the system can behave according to non-satisfiable structure that finds practical applications particularly in knowledge discovery tasks. In this paper, we a propose non-satisfiability logical rule that combines two sub-logical rules, namely Maximum 2 Satisfiability and Random 2 Satisfiability, that play a vital role in creating explainable artificial intelligence. Interestingly, the combination will result in the negative logical outcome where the cost function of the proposed logic is always more than zero. The proposed logical rule is implemented into Discrete Hopfield Neural Network by computing the cost function associated with each variable in Random 2 Satisfiability. Since the proposed logical rule is difficult to be optimized during training phase of DHNN, Election Algorithm is implemented to find consistent interpretation that minimizes the cost function of the proposed logical rule. Election Algorithm has become the most popular optimization metaheuristic technique for resolving constraint optimization problems. The fundamental concepts of Election Algorithm are taken from socio-political phenomena which use new and efficient processes to produce the best outcome. The behavior of Random Maximum 2 Satisfiability in Discrete Hopfield Neural Network is investigated based on several performance metrics. The performance is compared between existing conventional methods with Genetic Algorithm and Election Algorithm. The results demonstrate that the proposed Random Maximum 2 Satisfiability can become the symbolic instruction in Discrete Hopfield Neural Network where Election Algorithm has performed as an effective training process of Discrete Hopfield Neural Network compared to Genetic Algorithm and Exhaustive Search.
Some Examples of BL-Algebras Using Commutative Rings
Authors: Flaut Cristina , Piciu Dana
Published: December 2022

BL-algebras are algebraic structures corresponding to Hajek’s basic fuzzy logic. The aim of this paper is to analyze the structure of BL-algebras using commutative rings. Due to computational considerations, we are interested in the finite case. We present new ways to generate finite BL-algebras using commutative rings and provide summarizing statistics. Furthermore, we investigated BL-rings, i.e., commutative rings whose the lattice of ideals can be equipped with a structure of BL-algebra. A new characterization for these rings and their connections to other classes of rings is established. Furthermore, we give examples of finite BL-rings for which the lattice of ideals is not an MV-algebra and, using these rings, we construct BL-algebras with 2r+1 elements, r≥2, and BL-chains with k elements, k≥4. In addition, we provide an explicit construction of isomorphism classes of BL-algebras of small n size (2≤n≤5).
Higher Transcendental Functions and Their Multi-Disciplinary Applications
Authors: Srivastava Hari Mohan
Published: December 2022

This volume consists of a collection of 17 peer-reviewed and accepted submissions from authors around the world (including several invited feature articles) to the Special Issue of the journal Mathematics, on the general subject-area of “Higher Transcendental Functions and Their Multi-Disciplinary Applications” [...]
Geometric Inequalities for a Submanifold Equipped with Distributions
Authors: Rovenski Vladimir
Published: December 2022

The article introduces invariants of a Riemannian manifold related to the mutual curvature of several pairwise orthogonal subspaces of a tangent bundle. In the case of one-dimensional subspaces, this curvature is equal to half the scalar curvature of the subspace spanned by them, and in the case of complementary subspaces, this is the mixed scalar curvature. We compared our invariants with Chen invariants and proved geometric inequalities with intermediate mean curvature squared for a Riemannian submanifold. This gives sufficient conditions for the absence of minimal isometric immersions of Riemannian manifolds in a Euclidean space. As applications, geometric inequalities were obtained for isometric immersions of sub-Riemannian manifolds and Riemannian manifolds equipped with mutually orthogonal distributions.