bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paraoxonase 1 and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Watanabe Jun , Kotani Kazuhiko , Gugliucci Alejandro
Published: February 2023

Oxidative stress is known to be associated with the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an antioxidant enzyme that has been proposed as a biomarker for CKD. While several studies have reported an association between serum PON1 activity and CKD, consensus based on systematically analyzed data remains necessary. We set out to conduct a meta-analysis of literature on PON1 in CKD. Electronic databases, such as MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL, were searched for available studies on PON1 activity in patients with CKD (without dialysis) as published before December 2022. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed. In total, 24 studies (22 studies on paraoxonase and 11 on arylesterase activity) were eligibly identified. Patients with CKD showed a lower activity of paraoxonase (standard mean difference [SMD], −1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.15 to −1.29) and arylesterase (SMD, −2.60; 95%CI, −3.96 to −1.24) than healthy controls. In the subgroup analyses, paraoxonase activity was lower in chronic kidney failure (CKF), an advanced stage of CKD, than in non-CKF. In summary, PON1 activity is low in patients with CKD, suggesting that the antioxidant defense by PON1 is impaired in CKD. The decrease in enzyme activity is pronounced in advanced CKD showing some variability depending on the substrate employed to measure PON1 activity. Further studies are warranted.
Large-Scale Genetic Correlation Analysis between Spondyloarthritis and Human Blood Metabolites
Authors: Yang Mingyi , Xu Jiawen , Zhang Feng , Luo Pan , Xu Ke , Feng Ruoyang , Xu Peng
Published: February 2023

The aim was to study the genetic correlation and causal relationship between spondyloarthritis (SpA) and blood metabolites based on the large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data. The GWAS summary data (3966 SpA and 448,298 control cases) of SpA were from the UK Biobank, and the GWAS summary data (486 blood metabolites) of human blood metabolites were from a published study. First, the genetic correlation between SpA and blood metabolites was analyzed by linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC) regression. Next, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to perform access causal relationship between SpA and blood metabolites. Random effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) was the main analysis method, and the MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode were supplementary methods. The MR analysis results were dominated by the random effects IVW. The Cochran’s Q statistic (MR-IVW) and Rucker’s Q statistic (MR Egger) were used to check heterogeneity. MR Egger and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) were used to check horizontal pleiotropy. The MR-PRESSO was also used to check outliers. The “leave-one-out” analysis was used to assess whether the MR analysis results were affected by a single SNP and thus test the robustness of the MR results. Finally, we identified seven blood metabolites that are genetically related to SpA: X-10395 (correlation coefficient = −0.546, p = 0.025), pantothenate (correlation coefficient = −0.565, p = 0.038), caprylate (correlation coefficient = −0.333, p = 0.037), pelargonate (correlation coefficient = −0.339, p = 0.047), X-11317 (correlation coefficient = −0.350, p = 0.038), X-12510 (correlation coefficient = −0.399, p = 0.034), and X-13859 (Correlation coefficient = −0.458, p = 0.015). Among them, X-10395 had a positive genetic causal relationship with SpA (p = 0.014, OR = 1.011). The blood metabolites that have genetic correlation and causal relationship with SpA found in this study provide a new idea for the study of the pathogenesis of SpA and the determination of diagnostic indicators.
Is the Postoperative Outcome after Intraarticular Distal Radius Fracture Influenced by Age and Gender? A PROM Study
Authors: Von Matthey Francesca , Rammensee Johannes Rüdiger , Biberthaler Peter , Abel Helen
Published: February 2023

Background: Although the most common fracture of the human body, so far, only few data concerning gender-specific outcomes after distal radius fracture exist. Typically, elderly women suffer from DRF due to a low-energy fall because of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome after a surgically treated intraarticular DRF with the help of patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) and with special regard to gender and age impact. Patients and methods: It is a retrospective case-control study in which all patients with an intraarticular DRF were enrolled. The control group was composed of healthy volunteers. Munich Wrist Questionnaire (MWQ) was used as Patient Related Outcome Measurement (PROM) for analyzing the outcome. Moreover, age, gender, handedness, fracture classification and follow-up interval were detected. The functional outcome of the fracture group was compared to a healthy control group. Analyses of gender, age and handedness-specific results compared to the healthy control groups were performed as well. Results: 197 patients with distal radius fracture could be enrolled in the study (134 were female and 63 were male). Women (mean age 62 years) were significantly older than men (mean age 50 years). The control group comprised 110 healthy subjects, 71 females (mean age 56 years) and 39 males (mean age 53 years). The whole fracture group had significantly lower MWQ scores compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The male fracture group (90.6 ± 12.4) and the female fracture group (90.8 ± 11.4) had a significantly worse outcome compared to the corresponding control group (p < 0.001 male and p = 0.034 female). Although significantly younger, the male patients had a similar outcome compared to the female patients. Discussion: Even elderly patients can reach the preoperative level after operative treatment of an intraarticular distal radius fracture. Although significantly younger than the female patients, men have significantly worse functional outcomes compared to their control and cannot perform better than the significantly older female patients. Gender might influence the outcome as well; however, age seems to have a greater impact on the outcome than gender.
Usefulness of the Cognitive Composition Test as an Early Discriminator of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Tamaru Yoshiki , Sumino Hiroyuki , Matsugi Akiyoshi
Published: February 2023

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the preliminary stage of dementia, which is a serious social problem worldwide. This study aimed to investigate whether the Cognitive Composition Test (CCT) is effective for the early diagnosis of MCI. A total of 104 older adults underwent the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Trail Making Test Parts A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B), and our newly prototyped cognitive composition test (CCT). We created three types of CCT (CCT-A, CCT-B, and CCT-C) with different degrees of difficulty. First, we examined the concurrent validity of CCT-A, CCT-B, and CCT-C with the MoCA, MMSE, TMT-A, and TMT-B. All participants were classified into the healthy control (HC) and MCI groups based on their scores in the Japanese versions of the MoCA and MMSE. The HC and MCI groups were compared using the TMT-A, TMT-B, CCT-A, CCT-B, and CCT-C. Finally, we examined the sensitivity for discrimination of CCT-C. CCT-C had a higher discrimination sensitivity than TMT-A, TMT-B, CCT-A, and CCT-B, with a cut-off value of 65.75 s, a sensitivity level of 0.844, and a specificity of 0.776. It may be a useful screening tool for the early diagnosis of the early-stages of dementia, such as MCI, in asymptomatic older adults.
Do Individualized Patient-Specific Situations Predict the Progression Rate and Fate of Knee Osteoarthritis? Prediction of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Yoo Hyun Jin , Jeong Ho Won , Park Sung Bae , Shim Seung Jae , Nam Hee Seung , Lee Yong Seuk
Published: February 2023

Factors affecting the progression rate and fate of osteoarthritis need to be analyzed when considering patient-specific situation. This study aimed to identify the rate of remarkable progression and fate of primary knee osteoarthritis based on patient-specific situations. Between May 2003 and May 2019, 83,280 patients with knee pain were recruited for this study from the clinical data warehouse. Finally, 2492 knees with pain that were followed up for more than one year were analyzed. For analyzing affecting factors, patient-specific information was categorized and classified as demographic, radiologic, social, comorbidity disorders, and surgical intervention data. The degree of contribution of factors to the progression rate and the fate of osteoarthritis was analyzed. Bone mineral density (BMD), Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) grade, and physical occupational demands were major contributors to the progression rate of osteoarthritis. Hypertension, initial K–L grade, and physical occupational demands were major contributors to the outcome of osteoarthritis. The progression rate and fate of osteoarthritis were mostly affected by the initial K–L grade and physical occupational demands. Patients who underwent surgical intervention for less than five years had the highest proportion of initial K–L grade 2 (49.0%) and occupations with high physical demand (41.3%). In identifying several contributing factors, the initial K–L grade and physical occupational demands were the most important factors. BMD and hypertension were also major contributors to the progression and fate of osteoarthritis, and the degree of contribution was lower compared to the two major factors.
Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain—An Umbrella Review
Authors: Chys Marjolein , De Meulemeester Kayleigh , De Greef Indra , Murillo Carlos , Kindt Wouter , Kouzouz Yassir , Lescroart Bavo , Cagnie Barbara
Published: February 2023

The number of systematic reviews (SR) summarizing the literature regarding the clinical effects of Dry Needling (DN) has increased rapidly. Yet, rigorous evidence about the clinical effectiveness of this technique is still lacking. The aim of this umbrella review is to summarize the evidence about the clinical effects of trigger point DN on musculoskeletal disorders across all body regions. PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were searched to identify SRs examining the effect of DN (as a stand-alone intervention or combined with another treatment modality) compared to sham/no intervention or a physical therapy (PT) intervention with at least one clinical outcome in the domain of pain or physical functioning. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed with the AMSTAR-2 tool. Quantification of the overlap in primary studies was calculated using the corrected covered area (CCA). The electronic search yielded 2286 results, of which 36 SRs were included in this review. Overall, DN is superior to sham/no intervention and equally effective to other interventions for pain reduction at short-term regardless of the body region. Some SRs favored wet needling (WN) over DN for short-term pain reductions. Results on physical functioning outcomes were contradictory across body regions. Limited data is available for mid- and long-term effects. DN has a short-term analgesic effect in all body regions and may be of additional value to the interventions that are used to date in clinical practice. Several studies have shown an additional treatment effect when combining DN to physiotherapeutic interventions compared to these interventions in isolation. There is a substantial need for the standardization of DN protocols to address the problem of heterogeneity and to strengthen the current evidence.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Fecal Calprotectin for Predicting Relapse in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shi Jin-Tong , Chen Nuo , Xu Jia , Goyal Hemant , Wu Zhi-Qi , Zhang Jie-Xin , Xu Hua-Guo
Published: February 2023

Fecal calprotectin (FC) levels correlate with the disease activity of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD); however, the utility of FC in predicting IBD relapse remains to be determined. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of fecal calprotectin in predicting the relapse of inflammatory bowel disease. We searched Pubmed (MEDLINE), Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library databases up to 7 July 2021. Our study estimated the pooled sensitivity and specificity, summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve, and the optimal cut-off value for predicting IBD relapse using a multiple threshold model. A total of 24 prospective studies were included in the meta-analysis. The optimal FC cut-off value was 152 μg/g. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of FC was 0.720 (0.528 to 0.856) and 0.740 (0.618 to 0.834), respectively. FC is a useful, non-invasive, and inexpensive biomarker for the early prediction of IBD relapse. An FC value of 152 μg/g is an ideal threshold to identify patients with a high relapse probability.
Predictive Factors of Suicidal Ideation in Spanish University Students: A Health, Preventive, Social, and Cultural Approach
Authors: Lázaro-Pérez Cristina , Gómez Pilar Munuera , Martínez-López José Ángel , Gómez-Galán José
Published: February 2023

Suicide, as the ultimate expression of suicidal ideation, has accompanied human beings throughout history within specific social and cultural contexts. However, in recent decades the increase in suicides, especially in developed countries after the Second Demographic Transition and the rise of postmaterialist values, has been increasing in the youth population. This study is created from a quantitative perspective and aims to determine the predictors of suicidal ideation in university students in Spain. The fieldwork was carried out in a large sample of Spanish universities over several weeks in 2022, with the participation of hundreds of university students (n = 1472). The predictors of suicidal ideation were gender, types of social relationships, history of bullying, health status, taking antidepressant medication, increased anxiety after COVID-19, economic difficulties in continuing studies, and perspective on their future. The results highlight the need for the greater involvement of universities by establishing programs for preventing, detecting, and treating suicidal ideation, always in coordination with health systems to prevent further suicides in their university community.
The Relative Contributions of Occupational and Community Risk Factors for COVID-19 among Hospital Workers: The HOP-COVID Cohort Study
Authors: Bastuji-Garin Sylvie , Brouard Ludivine , Bourgeon-Ghittori Irma , Zebachi Sonia , Boutin Emmanuelle , Hemery Francois , Fourreau Frédéric , Oubaya Nadia , De Roux Quentin , Mongardon Nicolas , Fourati Slim , Decousser Jean-Winoc
Published: February 2023

The relative contributions of occupational and community sources of COVID-19 among health-care workers (HCWs) are still subject to debate. In a cohort study at a 2814-bed tertiary medical center (five hospitals) in the Paris area of France, we assessed the proportion of hospital-acquired cases among staff and identified risk factors. Between May 2020 and June 2021, HCWs were invited to complete a questionnaire on their COVID-19 risk factors. RT-PCR and serology test results were retrieved from the virology department. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to account for clustering by hospital. The prevalence of COVID-19 was 15.6% (n = 213/1369 respondents) overall, 29.7% in the geriatric hospitals, and 56.8% of the infections were hospital-acquired. On multivariable analyses adjusted for COVID-19 incidence and contact in the community, a significantly higher risk was identified for staff providing patient care (especially nursing assistants), staff from radiology/functional assessment units and stretcher services, and staff working on wards with COVID-19 clusters among patients or HCWs. The likelihood of infection was greater in geriatric wards than in intensive care units. The presence of significant occupational risk factors after adjustment for community exposure is suggestive of a high in-hospital risk and emphasizes the need for stronger preventive measures—especially in geriatric settings. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04386759.
Comparative Study of Proximal Femur Bone Tumor Patients Undergoing Hemiarthroplasty versus Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Banskota Nishant , Fang Xiang , Yuan Dechao , Lei Senlin , Zhang Wenli , Duan Hong
Published: February 2023

Hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty are routinely performed procedures. A comparison of these procedures in tumor patients can be performed based on complications and functional outcomes. To weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both procedures, a comparative study is indeed required to decide which procedure is more beneficial for primary bone tumor patients. The outcomes of proximal femur tumor-resected patients were collected from research reports from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar until 30 December 2022. Differences between these two operative procedures in primary bone tumors patients were analyzed based on dislocation, infection, local recurrence, MSTS, and HHS. Six articles were included according to the selection criteria with a total of 360 patients. Our results showed that there was a significant difference in our primary outcome as hemiarthroplasty participants encountered less dislocation than those with total hip arthroplasty. Moreover, the secondary outcomes of our study were similar. Proximal femur bone tumors, when resected, tend to produce more complications and decrease functional ability due to extensive tumor extension and soft tissue involvement. The lower dislocation rate in hemiarthroplasty participants emphasizes the importance of preserving the acetabular head in hemiarthroplasty as a key to preventing dislocation.
The Role of Primary Repair of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve during Thyroid/Parathyroid Surgery in Vocal Outcomes—A Systematic Review
Authors: Papadopoulou Elisavet , Sapalidis Konstantinos , Triaridis Stefanos , Printza Athanasia
Published: February 2023

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is a well and long-known complication of thyroid and parathyroid surgery that significantly affects the quality of life of patients. Despite the advances in surgical techniques and technology, it still occurs in clinical practice either as temporary paresis or as permanent paralysis of the corresponding vocal cord. The purpose of the current systematic review is to examine the value of intraoperative repair of the RLN in voice restoration. A systematic review of the existing literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases according to the PRISMA guidelines. The systematic review resulted in 18 studies, which met the inclusion criteria. An improvement in phonatory function and voice quality was observed in all these studies after immediate RLN reconstruction (not always statistically significant). This improvement appears to be comparable to or even higher than that achieved with other methods of repair, and in some cases, the improvement approaches levels found in normal subjects. Intraoperative RLN reconstruction is not widely used in clinical practice, but the evidence so far makes it a viable and safe alternative to traditional techniques with better long-term results, as it prevents the occurrence of atrophy of the vocal cord and should be considered in the operating room if possible.
Mental Health Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Troisi Alfonso
Published: February 2023

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has unveiled the complexity of the relationship between psychiatry and the rest of medicine, as clearly shown by the collection of studies published in this Special Issue entitled “Mental Health Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic” [...]
Shoulder Joint Hybrid Assistive Limb Treatment for Chronic Stroke Patients with Upper Limb Dysfunction
Authors: Taketomi Masakazu , Shimizu Yukiyo , Kadone Hideki , Kubota Shigeki , Kagai Yuta , Okamoto Yoshitaka , Hada Yasushi , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: February 2023

Upper extremity dysfunction after stroke affects quality of life. Focusing on the shoulder joint, we investigated the safety and effectiveness of rehabilitation using a shoulder joint hybrid assistive limb (HAL). Eight patients with chronic stroke and upper extremity functional disability were enrolled and used a shoulder joint HAL, which assisted shoulder movement based on the user’s intention, through myoelectric activation of the shoulder flexor. Ten training sessions of 30–40 min each were performed to assist voluntary movement of upper limb elevation on the affected side through triggering the deltoid muscle. All patients completed the interventions without shoulder pain. Surface electromyography evaluation indicated post-intervention improvement in coordinated movement of the affected upper extremity. Significant improvements in voluntary and passive shoulder joint range of motion were obtained after the intervention, suggesting improvement in shoulder muscle strength. A significant decrease in the modified Ashworth scale and improvements in functional scores in the upper limb were also observed. Along with safe use for our study patients, the shoulder HAL provided appropriate motor learning benefits. Improvements in shoulder joint function and whole upper limb function were observed, suggesting that HAL could be an optimal treatment method.
A Neural Network for Automated Image Quality Assessment of Optic Disc Photographs
Authors: Bouris Ella , Davis Tyler , Morales Esteban , Grassi Lourdes , Salazar Vega Diana , Caprioli Joseph
Published: February 2023

This study describes the development of a convolutional neural network (CNN) for automated assessment of optic disc photograph quality. Using a code-free deep learning platform, a total of 2377 optic disc photographs were used to develop a deep CNN capable of determining optic disc photograph quality. Of these, 1002 were good-quality images, 609 were acceptable-quality, and 766 were poor-quality images. The dataset was split 80/10/10 into training, validation, and test sets and balanced for quality. A ternary classification model (good, acceptable, and poor quality) and a binary model (usable, unusable) were developed. In the ternary classification system, the model had an overall accuracy of 91% and an AUC of 0.98. The model had higher predictive accuracy for images of good (93%) and poor quality (96%) than for images of acceptable quality (91%). The binary model performed with an overall accuracy of 98% and an AUC of 0.99. When validated on 292 images not included in the original training/validation/test dataset, the model’s accuracy was 85% on the three-class classification task and 97% on the binary classification task. The proposed system for automated image-quality assessment for optic disc photographs achieves high accuracy in both ternary and binary classification systems, and highlights the success achievable with a code-free platform. There is wide clinical and research potential for such a model, with potential applications ranging from integration into fundus camera software to provide immediate feedback to ophthalmic photographers, to prescreening large databases before their use in research.
A Nomogram Model Based on Neuroendocrine Markers for Predicting the Prognosis of Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Cervix
Authors: Jia Mingzhu , Pi Jiangchuan , Zou Juan , Feng Min , Chen Huiling , Lin Changsheng , Yang Shuqi , Deng Ying , Xiao Xue
Published: February 2023

Background: Combining traditional clinical parameters with neuroendocrine markers to construct a nomogram model to predict the postoperative recurrence of neuroendocrine carcinoma of cervix (NECC). Methods: A total of 257 patients were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to establish a nomogram model in the training cohorts, which was further validated in the validation cohorts. The calibration curve was used to conduct the internal and external verification of the model. Results: Overall, 41 relapse cases were observed in the training (23 cases) and validation (18 cases) cohorts. The univariate analysis preliminarily showed that FIGO stage, stromal invasion, nerve invasion, lymph vascular space invasion, lymph node involvement, cervical–uterine junction invasion and CgA were correlated with NECC recurrence. The multivariate analysis further confirmed that FIGO stage (p = 0.023), stromal invasion (p = 0.002), lymph vascular space invasion (p = 0.039) and lymph node involvement (p = 0.00) were independent risk factors for NECC recurrence, which were ultimately included in the nomogram model. In addition, superior consistency indices were demonstrated in the training (0.863, 95% CI 0.784–0.942) and validation (0.884, 95% CI 0.758–1.010) cohorts. Conclusions: The established nomogram model combining traditional clinical parameters with neuroendocrine markers can reliably and accurately predict the recurrence risks in NECC patients.
Retinopathy of Prematurity in the 21st Century and the Complex Impact of Supplemental Oxygen
Authors: Rodriguez Sarah H. , Ells Anna L. , Blair Michael P. , Shah Parag K. , Harper C. Armitage , Martinez-Castellanos Maria Ana , Prakalapakorn S. Grace , Denis Erima , Lusobya Rebecca C. , Greenwald Mark J. , Isenberg Sherwin J. , Lambert Scott R. , Vaucher Yvonne E. , Carroll Ann , Namakula Lucy
Published: February 2023

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness. Not only do the epidemiologic determinants and distributions of patients with ROP vary worldwide, but clinical differences have also been described. The Third Edition of the International Classification of ROP (ICROP3) acknowledges that aggressive ROP (AROP) can occur in larger preterm infants and involve areas of the more anterior retina, particularly in low-resource settings with unmonitored oxygen supplementation. As sub-specialty training programs are underway to address an epidemic of ROP in sub-Saharan Africa, recognizing characteristic retinal pathology in preterm infants exposed to unmonitored supplemental oxygen is important to proper diagnosis and treatment. This paper describes specific features associated with various ROP presentations: oxygen-induced retinopathy in animal models, traditional ROP seen in high-income countries with modern oxygen management, and ROP related to excessive oxygen supplementation in low- and middle-income countries: oxygen-associated ROP (OA-ROP).
Proposed Implementation of a Patient-Centered Self-Assessment Tool for Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors among Academic and Community Practice Sites: The City of Hope Model
Authors: Crook Christiana Joy , Yen Lisa , Ta Kathleen , Karimi Misagh , Nguyen Danny , Lee Richard T. , Li Daneng
Published: February 2023

Neuroendocrine tumors are a rare type of cancer found in hormone-producing cells throughout the body. Research on disease-specific patient education assessments in this population is lacking. We previously demonstrated the feasibility and validity of NET VITALS, a patient-centered self-assessment designed to improve patients’ knowledge of their neuroendocrine tumor diagnosis/treatment and facilitate communication with their physician. In this report, we provide a brief overview of patient assessments that have been used for patients with neuroendocrine tumors. We summarize NET VITALS and present a proposed infrastructure for its implementation into standard clinical care in both academic and community practice settings at City of Hope. Incorporating NET VITALS into standard of care treatment for patients with neuroendocrine tumors may improve patients’ overall clinical care experience.
Application of Composite Materials for Energy Generation Devices
Authors: Trzepieciński Tomasz , Batu Temesgen , Kibrete Fasikaw , Lemu Hirpa G.
Published: February 2023

Globally, electricity demand rises by 1.8% per year; according to the American Energy Information Administration, global energy demand will increase by 47% over the next 30 years, driven by demographic and economic growth. Global demand for electricity is growing faster than renewable energy sources. Electricity production from renewable sources (i.e., biomass energy, geothermal energy, hydro energy, solar energy, tidal energy, wind energy) is on its way to strong growth around the world over the next dozen years. With the increasing demand for energy, new technologies and materials are being developed to replace exhaustible traditional construction materials. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the research into the application of composite materials in mainstream power generation. The main energy generation technologies, i.e., photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, fuel cells, and biogas generators, were analysed and discussed. The review presented in this article also covers the latest achievements and prospects for the use of composite materials in energy generation devices.
From Flat Plates to Sinusoidal Structures: Influence of Geometry on the Energy Absorption Capability of Carbon/Epoxy Composites
Authors: Engül Mehmet , Ersoy Nuri
Published: February 2023

Composite structures have excellent performance related to energy absorption during crush events. Among various factors, geometry has a significant influence on the specific energy absorption (SEA) performance of composites; however, the variation of crush-induced failure mechanisms for various geometric features and the way they affect energy absorption capability have not yet been fully clarified. Moving from simple to complex composite structures, a holistic study investigating the influence of geometry on the SEA is required. This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations of the crushing process for flat plates, semi-circle geometries, and sinusoidal structures with different diameters and numbers of curvatures. In a numerical analysis, a finite element (FE) model with the idea of an artificial plug-initiator was developed for the accurate and realistic crushing behavior of sinusoidal specimens. The results were discussed and compared in terms of the observed failure mechanisms. The sinusoidal structure with the highest energy absorption capability was identified.
Silk–Inorganic Nanoparticle Hybrid Hydrogel as an Injectable Bone Repairing Biomaterial
Authors: Sun Liangyan , Lu Minqi , Chen Ling , Zhao Bingjiao , Yao Jinrong , Shao Zhengzhong , Chen Xin , Liu Yuehua
Published: February 2023

Silk fibroin is regarded as a promising biomaterial in various areas, including bone tissue regeneration. Herein, Laponite® (LAP), which can promote osteogenic differentiation, was introduced into regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) to prepare an RSF/LAP hybrid hydrogel. This thixotropic hydrogel is injectable during the operation process, which is favorable for repairing bone defects. Our previous work demonstrated that the RSF/LAP hydrogel greatly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts in vitro. In the present study, the RSF/LAP hydrogel was found to have excellent biocompatibility and significantly improved new bone formation in a standard rat calvarial defect model in vivo. Additionally, the underlying biological mechanism of the RSF/LAP hydrogel in promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was extensively explored. The results indicate that the RSF/LAP hydrogels provide suitable conditions for the adhesion and proliferation of BMSCs, showing good biocompatibility in vitro. With the increase in LAP content, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mRNA and protein expression of the osteogenic markers of BMSCs improved significantly. Protein kinase B (AKT) pathway activation was found to be responsible for the inherent osteogenic properties of the RSF/LAP hybrid hydrogel. Therefore, the results shown in this study firmly suggest such an injectable RSF/LAP hydrogel with good biocompatibility (both in vitro and in vivo) would have good application prospects in the field of bone regeneration.
Type I Collagen from the Skin of Barracuda (Sphyraena sp.) Prepared with Different Organic Acids: Biochemical, Microstructural and Functional Properties
Authors: Matarsim Nur Nadiah , Jaziri Abdul Aziz , Shapawi Rossita , Mokhtar Ruzaidi Azli Mohd , Noordin Wan Norhana Md. , Huda Nurul
Published: February 2023

This study was carried out to compare the extractability and characteristics of barracuda (Sphyraena sp.) skin collagen using various organic acids. Acetic-solubilized collagen (ASBS), lactic-solubilized collagen (LSBS) and citric-solubilized collagen (CSBS) yielded 6.77 g/100 g, 10.06 g/100 g and 8.35 g/100 g, respectively, and those yields were significantly different (p < 0.05). All acid-solubilized collagens were considered as type I because of their two alpha chains (α1 and α2) detected in acrylamide gel after electrophoresis. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) analysis confirmed that ASBS, LSBS and CSBS had similar absorption peaks (230.5 nm) and the results were in accordance with other fish collagens. Under infrared (IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the triple helical structure of type I collagens extracted from barracuda skin was maintained. From a thermostability study, all type I collagens showed a higher maximum transition temperature (Tmax = 40.16 to 41.29 °C) compared to other fish skin collagens. In addition, the functional properties of the extracted collagens revealed the ASBS had higher water and oil absorption capacities than the CSBS and LSBS samples. The highest level of the emulsion ability index (EAI) (>200 m2/g) was detected under acidic conditions (pH 4), while lower EAIs were recorded under the alkaline (pH 10) and neutral treatments (pH 7). All type I collagens had a higher relative solubility (>60%) at a low pH test but the solubility level sharply decreased at a neutral pH. In addition to this, a lower concentration of NaCl (0–20 g/L) showed the higher percentage of solubility (>60%) while adding over 30 g/L of NaCl decreased solubility (>40%). From a microstructural test, all type I samples had an irregular and dense flake structure with random coiled filaments. Overall, collagen extracted from the barracuda skin may be applied as an alternative collagen from an industry perspective.
Underwater Target Detection Lightweight Algorithm Based on Multi-Scale Feature Fusion
Authors: Chen Liang , Yang Yuyi , Wang Zhenheng , Zhang Jian , Zhou Shaowu , Wu Lianghong
Published: February 2023

The performance of underwater target detection algorithms is affected by poor imaging quality in underwater environments. Due to the arithmetic power limitation of underwater devices, existing deep learning networks are unable to provide efficient detection processes with high detection accuracy. Lightweight CNN models have been actively applied for underwater environment detection, yet their lite feature fusion networks cannot provide effective fusion effects and reduce the detection accuracy. In this paper, a lightweight algorithm based on multi-scale feature fusion was proposed, with the model parameters greatly reduced, improving the target detection accuracy. The forward propagation memory overhead is reduced by using multi-scale shared convolutional kernels and pooling operations to co-construct the query matrix in the Tansformer encoding stage. Then, the feature fusion path is optimized in order to enhance the connection of multi-scale features. A multiscale feature adaptive fusion strategy is used to enhance the detection performance and reduce the dependence on the complex feature extraction network. The feature extraction network is also reparameterized to simplify the operation. Using the UPRC offshore dataset for validation, the study results have demonstrated that the statistical mAP metrics validate the detection accuracy. Compared with SSD, RetinaNet and YOLOv5-s improved by 13%, 8.6%, and 0.8%, while the number of parameters decreased by 76.09%, 89.74%, and 87.67%. In addition, compared with the YOLOv5-lite model algorithm with the same parameter volume, the mAP is improved by 3.8%, which verifies the accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm in this paper.
Hurricane Kay (September 2022) Impacts Rocky Shores in the Loreto Area of Baja California Sur, Mexico
Authors: Johnson Markes E. , Callahan Ginni
Published: February 2023

This project follows a tradition of survey work undertaken to appraise physical and biological damage in the aftermath of hurricane-strength winds and waves at a given locality where conditions were well documented prior to the arrival of a particular storm. The locality is the 12 m limestone terrace at Arroyo Blanco on the eastern shores of Isla del Carmen in Baja California Sur, Mexico. A study undertaken in February 2018 established that the surface of the terrace is covered by a coastal boulder deposit that features large slabs of limestone pealed from the outer edge by strong surf attributed to storms of hurricane intensity but unknown date. The largest slabs tend to be rectilinear in shape vulnerable to dislodgement along horizonal bedding planes and weaknesses in vertical joints. These blocks are sufficiently large and weigh enough that movement by humans without necessary mechanical equipment would be impossible. Hurricane Kay, rated as a Category 2 storm, struck the island on 8 September 2022 and an effort was made to visit the area for reconnaissance and detailed survey work soon afterwards. Although a Category 2 storm lacked the energy to remobilize the largest limestone slabs on the terrace, it was found that the storm was sufficient to disturb the adjacent seabed and redeposit as many as 44 sea fans onto the terrace by overwash; the sea fans belonged to the species Pacifigorgia adamsi. Moreover, a species of land plant common to the limestone terrace is the Gulf Star Violet (Stenotis mucronate); it suffered significant desiccation and death due to saltwater exposure. The occurrence of large potholes on the limestone terrace represents a style of physical erosion previously undocumented at the locality and rarely seen elsewhere on rocky shores.
Investigation on the Influence of Flap Valve Area on Transition Process of Large Axial Flow Pump System
Authors: Zhang Xiaowen , Jiang Yuhang , Song Xijie , Tang Fangping , Dai Jian , Yang Fan , Wang Hai , Shi Lijian
Published: February 2023

The large axial flow pump systems used in coastal pump stations are often required to add flap valves to the gates to improve the quality of the transition process. However, due to the unclear mechanism of the additional flap valve on the transition process of the large axial flow pump system, there are many difficulties in the design and application of this feature. In this paper, six kinds of flap valves with different areas are designed. On the basis of the secondary development of the Flomaster software, the transient simulation method is used to study the impact of flap valves with different areas on the large axial flow pump system synchronous start-up process, the asynchronous start-up process, the synchronous stop process and the asynchronous stop process. The research results show that when the AOF is less than 38% Ag during the asynchronous startup, increasing the AOF can significantly improve the shunt ability of the flap valve during startup. However, in the process of asynchronous starting, the working capacity of the flap valve is less affected by the AOF. During the asynchronous shutdown process, the additional flap valve can effectively delay the attenuation of the LAPS flow and reduce the instantaneous head and power. However, when the AOF reaches 38% Ag, further increasing the AOF has no obvious gain in reducing the maximum instantaneous head and power of the LAPS. When the AOF increases from 38% Ag to 49% Ag, the maximum instantaneous head and the power of the LAPS only decrease by 2.7% and 1.4%, respectively.
Influence of Wave–Current Interaction on a Cyclone-Induced Storm Surge Event in the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna Delta: Part 1—Effects on Water Level
Authors: Elahi Md Wasif E , Wang Xiao Hua , Salcedo-Castro Julio , Ritchie Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2023

The Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna Delta (GBMD) located in the head of the Bay of Bengal is regularly affected by severe tropical cyclones frequently. The GBMD covers the Bangladesh coast, which is one of the most vulnerable areas in the world due to cyclone-induced storm surges. More than 30% of the total country’s population lives on the Bangladesh coast. Hence, it is crucial to understand the underlying processes that modulate the storm surge height in the GBMD. A barotropic numerical 3D model setup is established by using Delft3D and SWAN to investigate a cyclone-induced storm surge event. The model is calibrated and validated for Cyclone Sidr in 2007 and applied to six idealized cyclonic scenarios. Numerical experiments with different coupling configurations are performed to distinguish the contribution of wind, tides, waves, and wave–current interactions (WCI) on the storm surge height. Results show that the wind-driven setup is the dominant contributor to the storm surge height during cyclonic events. Based on the tidal phase and wind direction, the interaction between tide and wind can increase or decrease the magnitude of the storm surge height. Finally, considering the wind-driven wave may increase the surge height up to 0.3 m along the coastline through a strong wave setup.
Diffusion and Superposition of Ship Exhaust Gas in Port Area Based on Gaussian Puff Model: A Case Study on Shenzhen Port
Authors: Gan Langxiong , Lu Tianfu , Shu Yaqing
Published: February 2023

Ship exhaust gas has become an essential source of air pollution in recent years. To assess the impact of ship exhaust gas on the atmospheric environment and human health, this paper studies the problem of ship exhaust gas diffusion in the port area. According to automatic identification system (AIS) data, ship exhaust gas is estimated based on the bottom-up method, and the result of emission calculation is entered into a Gaussian puff model to calculate the superposition of the diffusion of gaseous pollutants from multiple ships. In addition, the results of a case study of the diffusion of ship exhaust gas in the western area of Shenzhen Port in China show that the distribution of the NO2 concentration in the studied area is not stable, the diffusion of exhaust gas from multiple ships mainly affects some areas near large ship berths at night, and there is a small impact on the whole study area. This lays a foundation for monitoring and treating the atmospheric environment in the port area.
Correction: Díaz-García et al. Candida Genotyping of Blood Culture Isolates from Patients Admitted to 16 Hospitals in Madrid: Genotype Spreading during the COVID-19 Pandemic Driven by Fluconazole-Resistant C. parapsilosis. J. Fungi 2022, 8, 1228
Authors: Díaz-García Judith , Gómez Ana , Machado Marina , Alcalá Luis , Reigadas Elena , Sánchez-Carrillo Carlos , Pérez-Ayala Ana , de la Pedrosa Elia , González-Romo Fernando , Cuétara María , García-Esteban Coral , Quiles-Melero Inmaculada , Zurita Nelly , Algarra María , Durán-Valle María , Sánchez-García Aída , Muñoz Patricia , Escribano Pilar , Guinea Jesús ,   on behalf of the CANDIMAD Study
Published: February 2023

In the original publication [...]
A New Species of Neoscytalidium hylocereum sp. nov. Causing Canker on Red-Fleshed Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Southern Thailand
Authors: Wonglom Prisana , Pornsuriya Chaninun , Sunpapao Anurag
Published: February 2023

During 2020–2021, cultivated red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Phatthalung province, southern Thailand, was infected with canker disease in all stages of growth. Small, circular, sunken, orange cankers first developed on the cladodes of H. polyrhizus and later expanded and became gray scabs with masses of pycnidia. The fungi were isolated using the tissue transplanting method and identified based on the growth of the fungal colony, and the dimensions of the conidia were measured. Their species level was confirmed with the molecular study of multiple DNA sequences, and their pathogenicity was tested using the agar plug method. Morphological characterization and molecular identification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α) and β-tubulin (tub) sequences revealed the fungal pathogen to be a new species. It was named Neoscytalidium hylocereum sp. nov. The biota of the new species, N. hylocereum, was deposited in Mycobank, and the species was assigned accession number 838004. The pathogenicity test was performed to fulfil Koch’s postulates. N. hylocereum showed sunken orange cankers with a mass of conidia similar to those observed in the field. To our knowledge, this is the first report of H. polyrhizus as a host of the new species N. hylocereum causing stem cankers in Thailand.
Brexit and ‘Specialness’: Mapping the UK–US Relationship in the New York Times and The Guardian Newspapers
Authors: Ette Mercy
Published: February 2023

At a time of renewed power struggles among nations, especially with the rise of China and Russia, the UK’s loss of leverage as a key player in the European Union following Brexit makes its relationship with the United States more crucial than ever before. That relationship, which is traditionally conceptualised as being ‘special’, undergirds international relations discourses in media spaces and political and academic communities on both sides of the Atlantic. Drawing on news coverage by the New York Times and The Guardian (UK) newspapers, this article explores how the media frame the UK–US relationship against the backdrop of Brexit. The discussion is predicated on the understanding that important sources of information can influence not only people’s perceptions but also how they think about an issue. The study concludes that while a special relationship is still a contested notion, a resilient and abiding alliance between the two countries is alleviating the impact of Brexit.
Smallholder Farming during COVID-19: A Systematic Review Concerning Impacts, Adaptations, Barriers, Policy, and Planning for Future Pandemics
Authors: Marsden Alexander R. , Zander Kerstin K. , Lassa Jonatan A.
Published: February 2023

Our broad aim was to systematically analyse research on the effect of COVID-19 on smallholder farming during 2019–2021 and to discuss how the research could be beneficial to smallholder farm resilience to future pandemics. The review methods were based on PRISMA guidelines, and 53 articles were included in the final review. The review aims to document the social-economic impacts on different groups, barriers and opportunities of smallholder farmers adapting to COVID, and policy options. Barriers to adaptations were considered in only 15% of journal articles, suggesting a research gap. This review highlights the fact that, among others, technology access to ensure information and crisis communication that specifically targets smallholders, as well as multi-layered diversification, serves as good predictors of smallholder adaptation to COVID-19. Multi-layered diversification includes product diversification, market diversification and income stream diversification. This confirms the established knowledge in disasters and livelihood studies where diversification of livelihoods portfolio serves as the key factor to resilience against shocks and crisis. Finally, we summarised the different policy implications arising from the literature. This implies that governments must develop an effective policy-mix that leaves no smallholder farmers behind in future pandemics.