bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metaverse and AI Digital Twinning of 42SiCr Steel Alloys
Authors: Khalaj Omid , Jamshidi Mohammad (Behdad) , Hassas Parsa , Hosseininezhad Marziyeh , Mašek Bohuslav , Štadler Ctibor , Svoboda Jiří
Published: December 2022

Digital twins are the most important parts of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs), and play a crucial role in the realization of the Metaverse. Therefore, two important factors: flexibility and adaptability, need to be focused on digital twinning systems. From a virtual perspective, constructing buildings, structures, and mechanisms in the Metaverse requires digital materials and components. Hence, accurate and reliable digital models can guarantee the success of implementation, particularly when it comes to completing physical twins in the real world. Accordingly, four Machine Learning (ML) methods to make digital twins of an advanced 42SiCr alloy considering all of its uncertainties and non-linearities have been employed in this paper. These ML methods accelerate the digitalization of the proposed alloy and allow users to employ them for a wide range of similar metals. Based on this technique, producers can borrow these virtual materials and build their structures in the Metaverse. This way, if the properties of the materials were satisfactory, they might buy them and start manufacturing their products. As a case study, we focus on digital twining of an 42SiCr steel with some influential factors in its mechanical properties, making the nature of the alloy complex. Processes, including heat treatment, may restore the material’s deformability; however, Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) not only eliminates the impact of cold forming but also provides advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) properties. In this research, the combined impacts of different Q&P treatments were investigated on the mechanical properties of 42SiCr steel alloy. The results have shown the acceptability and accuracy of the proposed ML methods in realizing the digital twins of this complex alloy.
Meaning, Needs, and Workplace Spirituality
Authors: Nöhammer Elisabeth
Published: December 2022

Human resource management and leadership are often required to create, sustain, and manage meaning in the workplace. Spirituality in the workplace is a focal idea in this context but lacks conceptual clarity. This article examines the general logic of the concept by analyzing its prevalent definitions and their implications, investigating its legitimization, examining links to the psychological contract and examining potential outcomes. Inherent paradoxes and ethical and practical issues are shown that call for a re-evaluation of the concept, for which alternative routes are outlined. Practical and philosophical questions requiring further investigation are highlighted to structure future research.
Gastro-Intestinal Microbiota in Equines and Its Role in Health and Disease: The Black Box Opens
Authors: Chaucheyras-Durand Frédérique , Sacy Audrey , Karges Kip , Apper Emmanuelle
Published: December 2022

Horses are large non-ruminant herbivores and rely on microbial fermentation for energy, with more than half of their maintenance energy requirement coming from microbial fermentation occurring in their enlarged caecum and colon. To achieve that, the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of horses harbors a broad range of various microorganisms, differing in each GIT segment, which are essential for efficient utilization of feed, especially to use nutrients that are not or little degraded by endogenous enzymes. In addition, like in other animal species, the GIT microbiota is in permanent interplay with the host’s cells and is involved in a lot of functions among which inflammation, immune homeostasis, and energy metabolism. As for other animals and humans, the horse gut microbiome is sensitive to diet, especially consumption of starch, fiber, and fat. Age, breeds, stress during competitions, transportation, and exercise may also impact the microbiome. Because of its size and its complexity, the equine GIT microbiota is prone to perturbations caused by external or internal stressors that may result in digestive diseases like gastric ulcer, diarrhea, colic, or colitis, and that are thought to be linked with systemic diseases like laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome or obesity. Thus, in this review we aim at understanding the common core microbiome -in terms of structure and function- in each segment of the GIT, as well as identifying potential microbial biomarkers of health or disease which are crucial to anticipate putative perturbations, optimize global practices and develop adapted nutritional strategies and personalized nutrition.
The Antimicrobial Effect of Various Single-Strain and Multi-Strain Probiotics, Dietary Supplements or Other Beneficial Microbes against Common Clinical Wound Pathogens
Authors: Fijan Sabina , Kocbek Primož , Steyer Andrej , Vodičar Polona Maver , Strauss Maja
Published: December 2022

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is colonized by a diverse microbiota that works in harmony to protect the skin. However, when skin damage occurs, the skin microbiota is also disrupted, and pathogens can invade the wound and cause infection. Probiotics or other beneficial microbes and their metabolites are one possible alternative treatment for combating skin pathogens via their antimicrobial effectiveness. The objective of our study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of seven multi-strain dietary supplements and eleven single-strain microbes that contain probiotics against 15 clinical wound pathogens using the agar spot assay, co-culturing assay, and agar well diffusion assay. We also conducted genera-specific and species-specific molecular methods to detect the DNA in the dietary supplements and single-strain beneficial microbes. We found that the multi-strain dietary supplements exhibited a statistically significant higher antagonistic effect against the challenge wound pathogens than the single-strain microbes and that lactobacilli-containing dietary supplements and single-strain microbes were significantly more efficient than the selected propionibacteria and bacilli. Differences in results between methods were also observed, possibly due to different mechanisms of action. Individual pathogens were susceptible to different dietary supplements or single-strain microbes. Perhaps an individual approach such as a ‘probiogram’ could be a possibility in the future as a method to find the most efficient targeted probiotic strains, cell-free supernatants, or neutralized cell-free supernatants that have the highest antagonistic effect against individual clinical wound pathogens.
Recurrent Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Due to Medicopsis romeroi: A Case Report in a Dermatomyositis Patient and Review of the Literature
Authors: Aljundi Mohanad , Brun Sophie , Akhoundi Mohammad , Didier Morgane , Jabbour Roula , Izri Arezki , Caux Frédéric , Bohelay Gérôme
Published: December 2022

Medicopsis romeroi phaeohyphomycosis is increasingly reported in immunocompromised patients living in or originating from tropical and subtropical areas. We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by M. romeroi in a 56-year-old Malian woman residing in France for 20 years. She developed a small nodule on her dominant hand’s ring finger 15 months after starting immunosuppressive medications for paraneoplastic dermatomyositis. A first surgical debridement was followed by a local recurrence. Despite a second surgical excision combined with posaconazole treatment, the infection recurred one year after antifungal therapy discontinuation. A wide excision was performed again, and antifungal therapy was resumed and maintained for six months, resulting in the absence of relapse during the 18 months following the surgery. This case highlighted the high risk of relapse in immunocompromised patients, suggesting the need for long-term follow-up and prolonged antifungal treatment following surgical excision in cases with sustained immunosuppression. The literature review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines and included 51 scientific publications. A noteworthy predominance of the subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis presentation was found in immunocompromised patients, whereas eumycetoma had been reported in apparently healthy individuals. A combination of complete excision with antifungal treatment seemed to confer the best outcome.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Marine Bioactive Compounds and Their Potential as Functional Food Ingredients in the Prevention and Treatment of Neuroinflammatory Disorders
Authors: Elbandy Mohamed
Published: December 2022

Functional foods include enhanced, enriched, fortified, or whole foods that impart health benefits beyond their nutritional value, particularly when consumed as part of a varied diet on a regular basis at effective levels. Marine sources can serve as the sources of various healthy foods and numerous functional food ingredients with biological effects can be derived from these sources. Microalgae, macroalgae, crustaceans, fungi, bacteria fish, and fish by-products are the most common marine sources that can provide many potential functional food ingredients including phenolic compounds, proteins and peptides, and polysaccharides. Neuroinflammation is closely linked with the initiation and progression of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Activation of astrocytes and microglia is a defense mechanism of the brain to counter damaged tissues and detrimental pathogens, wherein their chronic activation triggers neuroinflammation that can further exacerbate or induce neurodegeneration. Currently, available therapeutic agents only provide symptomatic relief from these disorders and no therapies are available to stop or slow down the advancement of neurodegeneration. Thereffore, natural compounds that can exert a protective effect against these disorders have therapeutic potential. Numerous chemical compounds, including bioactive peptides, fatty acids, pigments, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, have already been isolated from marine sources that show anti-inflammatory properties, which can be effective in the treatment and prevention of neuroinflammatory disorders. The anti-inflammatory potential of marine-derived compounds as functional food ingredients in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders is covered in this review.
Micromorphology and Chemical Studies on Anacardium occidentale L. Stem Bark as an Herbal Medicine
Authors: Encarnação Sofia , Serrano Rita , Almeida Cristina , Silva Olga
Published: December 2022

The red and white types of Anacardium occidentale L. stem barks (AoB) are used in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, including Portugal, to make traditional herbal preparations for the treatment of diabetes. This work aims to obtain the macroscopic, micromorphological, chemical, and purity data necessary to use both types of AoBs as medicinal plants safely. Macroscopically, a brown inner (red AoB) or a dark-brown inner surface (white AoB) was observed. Light and scanning electron microscopy showed that sclereid cells with thin cell walls were significantly larger (p < 0.001) in red AoB than in white AoB, but calcium oxalate druses and starch grain areas were significantly larger (p < 0.001) in white AoB than in red AoB. The chromatographic profiles (thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography) of both types of AoBs were characterized by the presence of gallic and protocatechuic acids and other phenolic derivatives. The condensed tannins were the major secondary metabolites class (143.69 ± 4.67 mg and 73.79 ± 4.46 mg catechin equivalents/g AoB in red and white types, respectively). The loss on drying and the total ash were, respectively, 7.07 ± 0.16% and 2.31 ± 0.18% in red AoB and 6.58 ± 0.16% and 1.94 ± 0.14% in white AoB. The obtained data are helpful in ensuring the quality of AoB as raw material for the pharmaceutical market.
Can Microbial Consortium Applications Affect Yield and Quality of Conventionally Managed Processing Tomato?
Authors: Fusco Giovanna Marta , Burato Andrea , Pentangelo Alfonso , Cardarelli Mariateresa , Nicastro Rosalinda , Carillo Petronia , Parisi Mario
Published: December 2022

Three commercial microbial-based biostimulants containing fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizae and Trichoderma spp.) and other microrganisms (plant growth-promoting bacteria and yeasts) were applied on a processing tomato crop in a two-year field experiment in southern Italy. The effects of the growing season and the microorganism-based treatments on the yield, technological traits and functional quality of the tomato fruits were assessed. The year of cultivation affected yield (with a lower fruit weight, higher marketable to total yield ratio and higher percentage of total defective fruits in 2020) and technological components (higher dry matter, titratable acidity, total soluble solids content in 2020). During the first year of the trial, the consortia-based treatments enhanced the soluble solids content (+10.02%) compared to the untreated tomato plants. The sucrose and lycopene content were affected both by the microbial treatments and the growing season (greater values found in 2021 with respect to 2020). The year factor also significantly affected the metabolite content, except for tyrosine, essential (EAA) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Over the two years of the field trial, FID-consortium enhanced the content of proteins (+53.71%), alanine (+16.55%), aspartic acid (+31.13%), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (+76.51%), glutamine (+55.17%), glycine (+28.13%), monoethanolamine (MEA) (+19.57%), total amino acids (TAA) (+33.55), EAA (+32.56%) and BCAAs (+45.10%) compared to the control. Our findings highlighted the valuable effect of the FID microbial inoculant in boosting several primary metabolites (proteins and amino acids) in the fruits of the processing tomato crop grown under southern Italian environmental conditions, although no effect on the yield and its components was appreciated.
The Tobacco Leaf Redrying Process Parameter Optimization Based on IPSO Hybrid Adaptive Penalty Function
Authors: Luo Danping , Li Yingna , Tang Shouguo , Liu Ailian , Zhang Liping
Published: December 2022

In the tobacco redrying process, process parameter settings are greatly influenced by ambient temperature and humidity, and the moisture content of the tobacco leaf. In the face of complex and variable tobacco leaf characteristics, it is difficult to accurately adapt the process parameters to fluctuations in the incoming material characteristics by manual experience alone. Therefore, an improved optimization method combining an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm (IPSO) and an adaptive penalty function is proposed, which can adaptively recommend the best combination of process parameters according to the dynamic incoming characteristics of the tobacco leaf, to reduce the deviation in the outlet moisture and temperature of the roaster under different processing standards of the tobacco leaf. Firstly, the Radial Basis Function (RBF) Neural Network is used to fit the relationship between process parameters and roaster exit moisture content and temperature. Then, taking the standard tobacco leaf redrying export quality as the optimization goal, the optimization algorithm is used to search for the optimal solution. From the high-dimensional nature of the process operating conditions, the difficulty of this study lies in searching for the optimal solution under complex nonlinear constraints of multiple processes. To improve the convergence speed and accuracy of the searching algorithm, the position update method of the particle swarm optimization algorithm is improved, and the adaptive penalty function is combined to search for the optimal global solution to the optimization problem. Redrying experiments are conducted using the method proposed in this paper. Compared with the manual regulation of outlet moisture and temperature, the fluctuation range values are reduced by 7.5% and 11.8%, respectively, which has good application prospects and promotion value.
Generalized Mathematical Model of the Grain Drying Process
Authors: Myhan Ryszard , Markowski Marek
Published: December 2022

Convective cereal grain drying is an energy-intensive process. Mathematical models are applied to analyze and optimize grain drying processes in different types of dryers and in different stages of drying to improve final grain quality and reduce energy consumption. The aim of the present study was to develop a generalized mathematical model of the grain drying process that accounts for all drying stages, including loading and unloading of unprocessed grain, drying, and cooling of dry grain. The developed mathematical model is a system of algebraic equations, where the calculated coefficients are determined by the thermophysical and diffusive properties of dried grain. The model was validated for batch drying of wheat, canola, and corn grain, as well as continuous flow drying of wheat grain. The results were compared with published findings. The relationships between energy consumption during drying and drying time vs. air temperature at the dryer inlet and air stream volume were determined. Dryer capacity and drying conditions specified by the manufacturers, as well as loading and unloading capacity, were considered during batch drying. Continuous flow drying simulations were conducted in counter-flow, parallel-flow, and cross-flow mode. Simulation results indicate that the proposed models correctly depicted process flow in both batch and continuous flow dryers.
Graphical Tools for Increasing the Effectiveness of Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility Analysis
Authors: Plura Jiří , Vykydal David , Tošenovský Filip , Klaput Pavel
Published: December 2022

The article deals with the quality of measured data, which is necessary for effective quality management and successful implementation of the concept Industry 4.0 and the related concept Quality 4.0. The quality of the measured data is determined by the properties of the used measurement system, which are evaluated by measurement system analysis (MSA). Attention is paid to increasing the effectiveness of the repeatability and reproducibility analysis often used in practice. The importance of graphical tools of analysis, which are often neglected in practice, is emphasized in this regard, and new or modified graphical tools are proposed. The proposed graphical tools allow more detailed analysis of the data collected for the study and reveal the causes of the measurement system variability. The information obtained by applying these graphical tools is a valuable basis for proposals of appropriate actions to improve the measurement system. The use of the proposed graphical tools is presented in a real study of the repeatability and reproducibility of the measurement system.
Immigration Ethics: Sacred and Secular
Authors: Clark David J. , Crisp Thomas M.
Published: December 2022

The U.S. and other nation-states regularly impose horrific harm on immigrants, would-be immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers: ‘migrants’, for short. Migrants are regularly separated from their spouses and children, detained for long periods under brutal and dehumanizing conditions, forced to live in squalid camps, threatened with state-sanctioned violence, deported to foreign lands in which they have little social connection or means of support, forcibly prevented from fleeing violence and poverty, and more. The vast majority of migrants subject to such treatment are non-criminal people looking for honest work, hoping to make a better life for themselves and their children. In this paper, we will argue that the plausibility of the usual justifications for such harms to migrants depends importantly on the metaphysical framework from which one approaches the ethics of immigration. We will argue that, from within a secular framework, in which God plays no role in matters moral, there is at least a surface-level plausibility to some of the standard justifications for harms to migrants in service of border control, but that given a theistic framework of the sort at the heart of Judaism and Christianity, the usual justifications for such harms fall flat: none are even remotely plausible. The upshot of this, we shall urge, is that denizens of those religious traditions should support a policy of nearly open borders.
Evaluation of the Influence of Machine Tools on the Accuracy of Indoor Positioning Systems
Authors: Neuber Till , Schmitt Anna-Maria , Engelmann Bastian , Schmitt Jan
Published: December 2022

In recent years, the use of indoor localization techniques has increased significantly in a large number of areas, including industry and healthcare, primarily for monitoring and tracking reasons. From the field of radio frequency technologies, an ultra-wideband (UWB) system offers comparatively high accuracy and is therefore suitable for use cases with high precision requirements in position determination, for example for localizing an employee when interacting with a machine tool on the shopfloor. Indoor positioning systems with radio signals are influenced by environmental obstacles. Although the influence of building structures like walls and furniture was already analysed in the literature before, the influence of metal machine tools was not yet evaluated concerning the accuracy of the position determination. Accordingly, the research question for this article is defined: To what extent is the positioning accuracy of the UWB system influenced by a metal machine tool?The accuracy was measured in a test setup, which consists of a total of four scenarios in a production environment. For this purpose, the visual contact between the transmitter and the receiver modules, including the influence of further interfering factors of a commercially available indoor positioning system, was improved step by step from scenario 1 to 4. A laser tracker was used as the reference measuring device. The data was analysed based on the type A evaluation of standard uncertainty according to the guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM). It was possible to show an improvement in standard deviation from 87.64cm±32.27cm to 6.07cm±2.24cm with confidence level 95% and thus provides conclusions about the setup of an indoor positioning system on the shopfloor.
Light-Weight Deep Learning Techniques with Advanced Processing for Real-Time Hand Gesture Recognition
Authors: Abdallah Mohamed S. , Samaan Gerges H. , Wadie Abanoub R. , Makhmudov Fazliddin , Cho Young-Im
Published: December 2022

In the discipline of hand gesture and dynamic sign language recognition, deep learning approaches with high computational complexity and a wide range of parameters have been an extremely remarkable success. However, the implementation of sign language recognition applications for mobile phones with restricted storage and computing capacities is usually greatly constrained by those limited resources. In light of this situation, we suggest lightweight deep neural networks with advanced processing for real-time dynamic sign language recognition (DSLR). This paper presents a DSLR application to minimize the gap between hearing-impaired communities and regular society. The DSLR application was developed using two robust deep learning models, the GRU and the 1D CNN, combined with the MediaPipe framework. In this paper, the authors implement advanced processes to solve most of the DSLR problems, especially in real-time detection, e.g., differences in depth and location. The solution method consists of three main parts. First, the input dataset is preprocessed with our algorithm to standardize the number of frames. Then, the MediaPipe framework extracts hands and poses landmarks (features) to detect and locate them. Finally, the features of the models are passed after processing the unification of the depth and location of the body to recognize the DSL accurately. To accomplish this, the authors built a new American video-based sign dataset and named it DSL-46. DSL-46 contains 46 daily used signs that were presented with all the needed details and properties for recording the new dataset. The results of the experiments show that the presented solution method can recognize dynamic signs extremely fast and accurately, even in real-time detection. The DSLR reaches an accuracy of 98.8%, 99.84%, and 88.40% on the DSL-46, LSA64, and LIBRAS-BSL datasets, respectively.
Driver Assisted Lane Keeping with Conflict Management Using Robust Sliding Mode Controller
Authors: Perozzi Gabriele , Oudainia Mohamed Radjeb , Sentouh Chouki , Popieul Jean-Christophe , Rath Jagat Jyoti
Published: December 2022

Lane-keeping assistance design for road vehicles is a multi-objective design problem that needs to simultaneously maintain lane tracking, ensure driver comfort, provide vehicle stability, and minimize conflict between the driver and the autonomous controller. In this work, a cooperative control strategy is proposed for lane-keeping keeping by integrating driving monitoring, variable level of assistance allocation, and human-in-the-loop control. In the first stage, a time-varying physical driver loading pattern is identified based on a relationship between lateral acceleration, road curvature, and the measured maximum driver torque. Together with the monitored driver state that indicates driver mental loading, an adaptive driver activity function is then formulated that replicates the levels of assistance required for the driver in the next stage. To smoothly transition authority between various modes (from manual to autonomous and vice versa) based on the generated levels of assistance, a novel higher-order sliding mode controller is proposed and closed-loop stability is established. Further, a novel sharing parameter (which is proportional to the torques coming from the driver and from the autonomous controller) is used to minimize the conflict. Experimental results on the SHERPA high-fidelity vehicle simulator show the real-time implementation feasibility. Extensive experimental results provided on the Satory test track show improvement in cooperative driving quality by 9.4%, reduction in steering workload by 86.13%, and reduced conflict by 65.38% when compared with the existing design (no sharing parameter). These results on the cooperative performance highlight the significance of the proposed controller for various road transportation challenges.
A Blockchain-Based End-to-End Data Protection Model for Personal Health Records Sharing: A Fully Homomorphic Encryption Approach
Authors: Vanin Fausto Neri da Silva , Policarpo Lucas Micol , Righi Rodrigo da Rosa , Heck Sandra Marlene , da Silva Valter Ferreira , Goldim José , da Costa Cristiano André
Published: December 2022

Personal health records (PHR) represent health data managed by a specific individual. Traditional solutions rely on centralized architectures to store and distribute PHR, which are more vulnerable to security breaches. To address such problems, distributed network technologies, including blockchain and distributed hash tables (DHT) are used for processing, storing, and sharing health records. Furthermore, fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) is a set of techniques that allows the calculation of encrypted data, which can help to protect personal privacy in data sharing. In this context, we propose an architectural model that applies a DHT technique called the interplanetary protocol file system and blockchain networks to store and distribute data and metadata separately; two new elements, called data steward and shared data vault, are introduced in this regard. These new modules are responsible for segregating responsibilities from health institutions and promoting end-to-end encryption; therefore, a person can manage data encryption and requests for data sharing in addition to restricting access to data for a predefined period. In addition to supporting calculations on encrypted data, our contribution can be summarized as follows: (i) mitigation of risk to personal privacy by reducing the use of unencrypted data, and (ii) improvement of semantic interoperability among health institutions by using distributed networks for standardized PHR. We evaluated performance and storage occupation using a database with 1.3 million COVID-19 registries, which showed that combining FHE with distributed networks could redefine e-health paradigms.
An Effect of Carbon Dioxide and Energy Reduction on Production Efficiency and Economic Growth: Application of Carbon Neutrality in Korea
Authors: Kang Sangmok , Li Ziyao , Jeong Dasom
Published: December 2022

Global interest in climate change and carbon neutrality is hot. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, achieving carbon neutrality is the solution to avoiding climate change. Carbon neutrality is a global challenge for sustainable economic growth. In response, Korea declared 2050 carbon neutrality in 2021. However, for Korea to be carbon neutral, an incredible transformation in terms of an energy revolution is required. In this context, this study aims to diagnose the current situation to achieve carbon neutrality in Korea and to explore the direction of minimizing the national economic burden in the implementation process. To this end, we use the data envelopment analysis (DEA) directional distance function based on the material balance flow approach to examine changes in production efficiency and GDP due to carbon dioxide reduction and energy conversion. The empirical analysis results are as follows. First, in the analysis, according to the type of reduction, when only 1% of CO2 was reduced, GDP decreased by about 0.1%. Still, when reduced simultaneously with fossil energy, GDP fell by about 0.3% or more. Secondly, based on the scenario of the 2050 carbon-neutral plan, as a result of estimating the efficiency and GDP change caused by Korea’s energy transition, Korea is a country with a significant increase in inefficiency due to the energy transition and a substantial loss of GDP. Therefore, the government should establish a Korean carbon-neutral policy at a level that the national economy can afford.
Public Transport Tweets in London, Madrid and Prague in the COVID-19 Period—Temporal and Spatial Differences in Activity Topics
Authors: Zajac Martin , Horák Jiří , Osorio-Arjona Joaquín , Kukuliač Pavel , Haworth James
Published: December 2022

Public transport requires constant feedback to improve and satisfy daily users. Twitter offers monitoring of user messages, discussion and emoticons addressed to official transport provider accounts. This information can be particularly useful in delicate situations such as management of transit operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The behaviour of Twitter users in Madrid, London and Prague is analysed with the goal of recognising similar patterns and detecting differences in traffic related topics and temporal cycles. Topics in transit tweets were identified using the bag of words approach and pre-processing in R. COVID-19 is a dominant topic for both London and Madrid but a minor one for Prague, where Twitter serves mainly to deliver messages from politicians and stakeholders. COVID-19 interferes with the meaning of other topics, such as overcrowding or staff. Additionally, specific topics were discovered, such as air quality in Victoria Station, London, or racism in Madrid. For all cities, transit-related tweeting activity declines over weekends. However, London shows much less decline than Prague or Madrid. Weekday daily rhythms show major tweeting activity during the morning in all cities but with different start times. The spatial distribution of tweets for the busiest stations shows that the best-balanced tweeting activity is found in Madrid metro stations.
Assessment of Microplastics in Green Mussel (Perna viridis) and Surrounding Environments around Sri Racha Bay, Thailand
Authors: Phaksopa Jitraporn , Sukhsangchan Roochira , Keawsang Rangsiwut , Tanapivattanakul Kittipod , Asvakittimakul Bojara , Thamrongnawasawat Thon , Worachananant Suchai
Published: December 2022

Microplastic pollution is a common problem in the coastal and marine environment, especially in the transferential process through trophic levels. This study analyzed the characteristics of microplastics in the seawater, sediments, and green mussels (Perna viridis) around Sri Racha Bay, Thailand, during the dry and wet season in 2020. This area is a semi-enclosed bay highly affected by extensive green mussel farms and anthropogenic activities. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics was undertaken using a stereomicroscope and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (ATR-μ-FT-IR). During the wet season (July), the average abundance of microplastics was found to be relatively higher in water (2.06 ± 1.78 particles/m3) and sediment (69.35 ± 22.29 items/Kg D.W.) than those found in the dry season (April) (0.85 ± 0.25 items/m3 in water and 48.30 ± 28.17 items/Kg D.W.). Overall, the most abundant microplastic polymers were PE, PP, and poly in water, but PE, nylon, and PP in sediments. In green mussels, microplastic counts were 0.15 ± 0.41 and 0.22 ± 0.57 items/individual in the dry and wet season, respectively, and PET, PP, and nylon were the three most abundant. Some inter-specific differences were found, but no evidence for a sampling sites or seasons was highlighted, although the tendency was higher during the wet season. The excessive riverine freshwater discharge transported terrestrial plastic debris into the estuarine system; hence, higher microplastic contamination in surface seawater and sediment was evidenced. The presence of colorants in organisms revealed an anthropogenic origin through the use of a wide array of applications. This study provides thoughtful insights for coastal area management and food-safety planning.
Ultra-Dense Networks: Taxonomy and Key Performance Indicators
Authors: Stoynov Viktor , Poulkov Vladimir , Valkova-Jarvis Zlatka , Iliev Georgi , Koleva Pavlina
Published: December 2022

One major influence on the future deployment of cellular networks will be a continuous increase in traffic inside mobile broadband systems. Moreover, traditional macrocell-based mobile communication networks will struggle to keep up with the enormous expansion in the demand for communications services in the future. Densification of networks is required if we are to meet the comprehensive needs for end terminals for a wide range of applications. One of the leading concepts in this competitive environment is the Ultra-Dense Network (UDN) where the access nodes and/or the communication links per unit area are densified, with the aim of improving overall network performance. The location of the UDN nodes meets the criteria for symmetry with a high probability. Ultra-dense cell deployment aims to reduce the physical distance between the transmitter and receiver in order to boost system performance and generally optimize the values of a wide variety of key performance indicators (KPIs). This paper aims to provide a taxonomy of UDNs and specifically of UDN-related KPIs. Initially, we address the complex questions “What is the current understanding of what ultra-dense networks are and what they should be, and how can we measure their performance?” by shedding light on the fundamental characteristics of UDNs.
Commercial Antivenoms Exert Broad Paraspecific Immunological Binding and In Vitro Inhibition of Medically Important Bothrops Pit Viper Venoms
Authors: Alsolaiss Jaffer , Alomran Nessrin , Hawkins Laura , Casewell Nicholas R.
Published: December 2022

Snakebite envenoming is a life threatening neglected tropical disease that represents a considerable public health concern in the tropics. Viperid snakes of the genus Bothrops are among those of greatest medical importance in Latin America, and they frequently cause severe systemic haemotoxicity and local tissue destructive effects in human victims. Although snakebite antivenoms can be effective therapeutics, their efficacy is undermined by venom toxin variation among snake species. In this study we investigated the extent of paraspecific venom cross-reactivity exhibited by three distinct anti-Bothrops antivenoms (Soro antibotrópico-crotálico, BothroFav and PoliVal-ICP) against seven different Bothrops pit viper venoms from across Latin America. We applied a range of in vitro assays to assess the immunological binding and recognition of venom toxins by the antivenoms and their inhibitory activities against specific venom functionalities. Our findings demonstrated that, despite some variations, the monovalent antivenom BothroFav and the polyvalent antivenoms Soro antibotrópico-crotálico and PoliVap-ICP exhibited extensive immunological recognition of the distinct toxins found in the different Bothrops venoms, with Soro antibotrópico-crotálico generally outperformed by the other two products. In vitro functional assays revealed outcomes largely consistent with the immunological binding data, with PoliVap-ICP and BothroFav exhibiting the greatest inhibitory potencies against procoagulant and fibrinogen-depleting venom activities, though Soro antibotrópico-crotálico exhibited potent inhibition of venom metalloproteinase activities. Overall, our findings demonstrate broad levels of antivenom paraspecificity, with in vitro immunological binding and functional inhibition often highly comparable between venoms used to manufacture the antivenoms and those from related species, even in the case of the monovalent antivenom BothroFav. Our findings suggest that the current clinical utility of these antivenoms could possibly be expanded to other parts of Latin America that currently suffer from a lack of specific snakebite therapies.
Application of the Luminescence Syncytium Induction Assay to Identify Chemical Compounds That Inhibit Bovine Leukemia Virus Replication
Authors: Sato Hirotaka , Fukui Jun-na , Hirano Hiroyuki , Osada Hiroyuki , Arimura Yutaka , Masuda Michiaki , Aida Yoko
Published: December 2022

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection causes endemic bovine leukemia and lymphoma, resulting in lower carcass weight and reduced milk production by the infected cattle, leading to economic losses. Without effective measures for treatment and prevention, high rates of BLV infection can cause problems worldwide. BLV research is limited by the lack of a model system to assay infection. To overcome this, we previously developed the luminescence syncytium induction assay (LuSIA), a highly sensitive and objectively quantifiable method for visualizing BLV infectivity. In this study, we applied LuSIA for the high-throughput screening of drugs that could inhibit BLV infection. We screened 625 compounds from a chemical library using LuSIA and identified two that markedly inhibited BLV replication. We then tested the chemical derivatives of those two compounds and identified BSI-625 and -679 as potent inhibitors of BLV replication with low cytotoxicity. Interestingly, BSI-625 and -679 appeared to inhibit different steps of the BLV lifecycle. Thus, LuSIA was applied to successfully identify inhibitors of BLV replication and may be useful for the development of anti-BLV drugs.
In Vitro and In Vivo Phenotypes of Venezuelan, Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis Viruses Derived from cDNA Clones of Human Isolates
Authors: Gardner Christina L. , Sun Chengqun , Dunn Matthew D. , Gilliland Theron C. , Trobaugh Derek W. , Terada Yutaka , Reed Douglas S. , Hartman Amy L. , Klimstra William B.
Published: December 2022

The Department of Defense recently began an effort to improve and standardize virus challenge materials and efficacy determination strategies for testing therapeutics and vaccines. This includes stabilization of virus genome sequences in cDNA form where appropriate, use of human-derived virus isolates, and noninvasive strategies for determination of challenge virus replication. Eventually, it is desired that these approaches will satisfy the FDA “Animal Rule” for licensure, which substitutes animal efficacy data when human data are unlikely to be available. To this end, we created and examined the virulence phenotype of cDNA clones of prototypic human infection-derived strains of the alphaviruses, Venezuelan (VEEV INH9813), eastern (EEEV V105) and western (WEEV Fleming) equine encephalitis viruses, and created fluorescent and luminescent reporter expression vectors for evaluation of replication characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Sequences of minimally passaged isolates of each virus were used to synthesize full-length cDNA clones along with a T7 transcription promoter-based bacterial propagation vector. Viruses generated from the cDNA clones were compared with other “wild type” strains derived from cDNA clones and GenBank sequences to identify and eliminate putative tissue culture artifacts accumulated in the cell passaged biological stocks. This was followed by examination of aerosol and subcutaneous infection and disease in mouse models. A mutation that increased heparan sulfate binding was identified in the VEEV INH9813 biological isolate sequence and eliminated from the cDNA clone. Viruses derived from the new human isolate cDNA clones showed similar mouse virulence to existing clone-derived viruses after aerosol or subcutaneous inoculation.
The importance of compression time in stapled hemorrhoidopexy: is patience a virtue?
Authors: Yoo Byung Eun , Kang Wook Ho , Ko Yong Teak , Lee Young Chan , Lim Cheong Ho
Published: December 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether longer compression time before firing the stapler reduced the postoperative complications related to staple line formation in stapled hemorrhoidopexy.Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted at a colorectal-anal specialty hospital. Consecutive patients with grades III and IV hemorrhoids who underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy between January 2016 and November 2019 were included. According to the compression time, patients were assigned to the long compression time group (2 minutes) or the typical compression time group (30 seconds). The primary outcome measure was incidence of staple line complications such as dehiscence, bleeding, and stenosis.Results: A total of 348 patients treated with stapled hemorrhoidopexy were evaluated. Seventy-three and 275 patients were included in the long compression time group and the typical compression time group, respectively. No significant differences were observed in patient characteristics between the groups. However, additional procedures were performed more frequently in the typical compression time group (78.1% vs. 92.0%, P=0.001). Bleeding occurred more frequently in the typical compression time group (1.4% vs. 8.4%, P=0.030). The rates of dehiscence and stenosis were not significantly different between the groups. Fecal urgency developed more frequently in the typical compression time group (0% vs. 5.1%, P=0.040). In logistic regression analysis, typical compression time (30 seconds) was the only risk factor for bleeding (odds ratio, 8.496; P=0.040).Conclusion: Longer compression time was associated with a decreased incidence of postoperative bleeding after stapled hemorrhoidopexy.
Outcomes of redo for failed colorectal or coloanal anastomoses: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Galletti Ricardo Purchio , Agareno Gabriel Andrade , Sesconetto Lucas de Abreu , Silva Rafael Benjamim Rosa da , Pandini Rafael Vaz , Gerbasi Lucas Soares , Seid Victor Edmond , Araujo Sérgio Eduardo Alonso , Tustumi Francisco
Published: December 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to review the outcomes of redo procedures for failed colorectal or coloanal anastomoses.Methods: A systematic review was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and LILACS databases. The inclusion criteria were adult patients undergoing colectomy with primary colorectal or coloanal anastomosis and studies that assessed the postoperative results. The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42021267715).Results: Eleven articles met the eligibility criteria and were selected. The studied population size ranged from 7 to 78 patients. The overall mortality rate was 0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0%–0.01%). The postoperative complication rate was 40% (95% CI, 40%–50%). The length of hospital stay was 13.68 days (95% CI, 11.3–16.06 days). After redo surgery, 82% of the patients were free of stoma (95% CI, 75%–90%), and 24% of patients (95% CI, 0%–39%) had fecal incontinence. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (P=0.002) was associated with a lower probability of being free of stoma in meta-regression.Conclusion: Redo colorectal and coloanal anastomoses are strategies to restore colonic continuity. The decision to perform a redo operation should be based on a proper evaluation of the morbidity and mortality risks, the probability of remaining free of stoma, the quality of life, and a functional assessment.
Learning curve for single-port robot-assisted colectomy
Authors: Choi Moon Suk , Yun Seong Hyeon , Lee Sung Chul , Shin Jung Kyong , Park Yoon Ah , Huh Jungwook , Cho Yong Beom , Kim Hee Cheol , Lee Woo Yong
Published: December 2022

Purpose: Since the introduction of robotic surgery, robots for colorectal cancer have replaced laparoscopic surgery, and a single-port robot (SPR) platform has been launched and is being used to treat patients. We analyzed the learning curve and initial complications of using an SPR platform in colorectal cancer surgery. Methods: We reviewed 39 patients who underwent SPR colectomy from April to October 2019. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon using an SPR device. A learning curve was generated using the cumulative sum methodology to assess changes in total operation time, docking time, and surgeon console time. We grouped the patients into 3 groups according to the time period: the first 11 were phase 1, the next 11 were phase 2, and the last 17 were phase 3. Results: The mean age of the patients was 61.28±13.03 years, and they had a mean body mass index of 23.79±2.86 kg/m2. Among the patients, 23 (59.0%) were male, and 16 (41.0%) were female. The average operation time was 186.59±51.30 minutes, the average surgeon console time was 95.49±35.33 minutes, and the average docking time (time from skin incision to robot docking) was 14.87±10.38 minutes. The surgeon console time differed significantly among the different phases (P<0.001). Complications occurred in 8 patients: 2 ileus, 2 postoperation hemoglobin changes, 3 urinary retentions, and 1 complicated fluid collection. Conclusion: In our experience, the learning curve for SPR colectomy was achieved after the 18th case.
May the delta neutrophil index be used as a marker to predict the need for bowel resection in incarcerated hernias?
Authors: GÖNÜLLÜ Emre , HARMANTEPE Ahmet Tarık , KUCUK Furkan , CAPOGLU Recayi , BAYHAN Zulfu , ÖZDİN Mehmet , FIRTINA Gizem
Published: December 2022

Objective: Delta neutrophil index is a parameter that shows the ratio of immature granulocytes to the neutrophil count. This study aims to determine the power of DNI in predicting the presence of strangulation in incarcerated inguinal hernias.

Methods: The files of the patients who were admitted to our clinic and operated due to incarcerated inguinal hernia between May 2021 and May 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients' age, gender, hernia type, leukocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil, platelet, monocyte values, delta neuthrophil index, the surgical method applied, and whether bowel resection was performed were extracted from the patient files. The patients were divided into two groups patients who underwent bowel resection because of bowel ischemia (group 1) and those who did not (group 2).

Results: Eighty-one patients were included in the study. It was determined that 70 (86.4%) patients did not undergo bowel resection, and 11 (13.6%) underwent bowel resection. The median DNI value of the patients in Group 1 was 0.30 (0.10 - 1.20), and the median DNI value of the patients in Group 2 was 0.30 (0.10 - 1.30), and the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.77)

Conclusion: Delta neutrophil index may not be an accurate predictive value to predict the presence of ischemia in the incarcerated bowel segment in patients with incarcerated inguinal hernia.