bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Emerging Health Crisis in Turkey and Syria after the Earthquake Disaster on 6 February 2023: Risk Factors, Prevention and Management of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Mavrouli Maria , Mavroulis Spyridon , Lekkas Efthymios , Tsakris Athanassios
Published: April 2023

On 6 February 2023, Turkey and Syria were hit by two major earthquakes that caused extremely heavy structural damage to buildings and infrastructure in one of the most densely populated areas of Anatolia. The authors visited the devastated area shortly after the earthquakes in the frame of search and rescue and scientific missions in order to check whether the newly formed conditions have the potential to further affect public health. Based on the collected disaster-related field data, it is revealed that risk factors associated with and favoring emergence of infectious diseases are present in the affected residential areas from the first hours of the emergency state. The coexistence and synergy of many collapsed health facilities, cold winter conditions, destruction of lifeline infrastructures, overcrowding in emergency shelters, poor sanitation and adverse socio-economic conditions along with evolving crises and disasters (conflicts, pandemic and epidemics) may further aggravate the already fragile public health situation and cause considerable delays in the recovery process. Efficient disease surveillance at local and regional levels is a crucial requirement for early warning and protection against emerging infectious diseases in the earthquake-affected areas among other proposed measures for prevention and management of infectious diseases.
Development and Validation of the Osteoporosis Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviors Questionnaire for Female Osteoporosis Patients in Taiwan: A Mediation Model
Authors: Huang I-Chin , Wu Hui-Chuan , Lin Chih-Lung , Wang Hsiu-Hung
Published: April 2023

This research develops the Osteoporosis Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviors Questionnaire (OKABQ) with the intent to evaluate the levels of osteoporosis knowledge, attitude and behavior change by developing and validating the OKABQ while establishing a mediation model of the research. A quantitative, descriptive and instrumental study was conducted in two phases: Phase I—development of the scale through Delphi Method by osteoporosis experts; and Phase II—evaluation of the validity and reliability of the scale and construction of a mediation model using SmartPLS. In Phase I, the content validity index (CVI) of the questionnaire was higher than 0.96 and the inter-rater reliability (IRR) kappa was 1.00. In Phase II, exploratory factor analysis showed that two predominating factors of attitude as a mediation were addressed by the 26-item OKABQ. The indirect effect results from the estimated model indicate that attitude mediates the relationship between knowledge and behaviors (β = 0.114, t = 2.627, p < 0.001), which is positive and statistically significant. We concluded that the OKABQ is a valid measure of osteoporosis knowledge, attitudes and behaviors for women with osteoporosis. These assessment results could assist healthcare providers in mitigating insufficiency in health education and help patients better adapt to a more active bone-healthy lifestyle.
Land Cover Impacts on Surface Temperatures: Evaluation and Application of a Novel Spatiotemporal Weighted Regression Approach
Authors: Fan Chao , Que Xiang , Wang Zhe , Ma Xiaogang
Published: April 2023

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is an important topic for many cities across the globe. Previous studies, however, have mostly focused on UHI changes along either the spatial or temporal dimension. A simultaneous evaluation of the spatial and temporal variations is essential for understanding the long-term impacts of land cover on the UHI. This study presents the first evaluation and application of a newly developed spatiotemporal weighted regression framework (STWR), the performance of which was tested against conventional models including the ordinary least squares (OLS) and the geographically weighted regression (GWR) models. We conducted a series of simulation tests followed by an empirical study over central Phoenix, AZ. The results show that the STWR model achieves better parameter estimation and response prediction results with significantly smaller errors than the OLS and GWR models. This finding holds true when the regression coefficients are constant, spatially heterogeneous, and spatiotemporally heterogeneous. The empirical study reveals that the STWR model provides better model fit than the OLS and GWR models. The LST has a negative relationship with GNDVI and LNDVI and a positive relationship with GNDBI for the three years studied. Over the last 20 years, the cooling effect from green vegetation has weakened and the warming effect from built-up features has intensified. We suggest the wide adoption of the STWR model for spatiotemporal studies, as it uses past observations to reduce uncertainty and improve estimation and prediction results.
High-Flow Nasal Therapy in Acute and Chronic Respiratory Failure: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Crimi Claudia , Cortegiani Andrea
Published: April 2023

High-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) was introduced into clinical practice in the early 2000s as a form of noninvasive respiratory support (NIRS) [...]
MYD88-Mutated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma as a Distinctive Molecular Subgroup Is Associated with Atypical Immunophenotypes in Chinese Patients
Authors: Mu Yafei , Fan Xijie , Chen Tao , Meng Yuhuan , Lin Junwei , Yuan Jiecheng , Yu Shihui , Chen Yuxin , Liu Lingling
Published: April 2023

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is a heterogeneous disease in Western and Chinese populations, and it is still not well characterized in Chinese patients. Based on a large cohort of newly diagnosed CLL/SLL patients from China, we investigated immunophenotypes, genetic abnormalities, and their correlations. Eighty-four percent of the CLL/SLL patients showed typical immunophenotypes with scores of 4 or 5 points in the Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) scoring system (classic group), and the remaining 16% of patients were atypical with scores lower than 4 points (atypical group). Trisomy 12 and variants of TP53, NOTCH1, SF3B1, ATM, and MYD88 were the most recurrent genetic aberrations. Additionally, unsupervised genomic analysis based on molecular genetics revealed distinctive characteristics of MYD88 variants in CLL/SLL. By overlapping different correlation grouping analysis from genetics to immunophenotypes, the results showed MYD88 variants to be highly related to atypical CLL/SLL immunophenotypes. Furthermore, compared with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), the genetic landscape showed potential value in clinical differential diagnosis of atypical CLL/SLL and MCL patients. These results reveal immunophenotypic and genetic features, and may provide insights into the tumorigenesis and clinical management of Chinese CLL/SLL patients.
Modulating Influence of State Anxiety on the Effect of Midazolam on Postsurgical Pain
Authors: Dahlem Caroline , Monteiro Catarina , Mendes Eunice , Martinho Joana , Oliveira Carmen , Bettencourt Margarida , Coelho Miguel , Neves Paula , Azevedo Luís , Granja Cristina
Published: April 2023

Anxiety contributes to postsurgical pain, and midazolam is frequently prescribed preoperatively. Conflicting results have been described concerning the impact of midazolam on pain. This study aims to evaluate the effect of systemic midazolam on pain after open inguinal hernia repair, clarifying its relationship with preoperative anxiety. A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in three Portuguese ambulatory units between September 2018 and March 2020. Variable doses of midazolam were administered. Postsurgical pain was evaluated up to three months after surgery. We enrolled 306 patients and analyzed 281 patients. The mean preoperative anxiety Numeric Rating Scale score was 4 (3) and the mean Surgical Fear Questionnaire score was 22 (16); the mean midazolam dose was 1.7 (1.1) mg with no correlation to preoperative anxiety scores. Pain ≥4 was present in 67% of patients 24 h after surgery and in 54% at seven days; at three months, 27% were classified as having chronic postsurgical pain. Preoperative anxiety correlated to pain severity at all time points. In multivariable regression, higher midazolam doses were associated with less pain during the first week, with no apparent effect on chronic pain. However, subgroup analyses uncovered an effect modification according to preoperative anxiety: the decrease in acute pain occurred in the low-anxiety patients with no effect on the high-anxiety group. Inversely, there was an increase in chronic postsurgical pain in the very anxious patients, without any effect on the low-anxiety group. Midazolam, generally used as an anxiolytic, might impact distinctively on pain depending on anxiety.
A Narrative Review Discussing Vasectomy-Related Impact upon the Status of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Biomarkers and Semen Microbiota
Authors: Doroftei Bogdan , Ilie Ovidiu-Dumitru , Maftei Radu , Scripcariu Ioana-Sadyie , Armeanu Theodora , Stoian Irina-Liviana , Ilea Ciprian
Published: April 2023

Background: Male contraceptive approaches besides tubal sterilization involve vasectomy and represent the method of choice among midlife men in developing countries thanks to many advantages. However, the subsidiary consequences of this intervention are insufficiently explored since the involved mechanisms may offer insight into a much more complex picture. Methods: Thus, in this manuscript, we aimed to reunite all available data by searching three separate academic database(s) (PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus) published in the past two decades by covering the interval 2000–2023 and using a predefined set of keywords and strings involving “oxidative stress” (OS), “inflammation”, and “semen microbiota” in combination with “humans”, “rats”, and “mice”. Results: By following all evidence that fits in the pre-, post-, and vasectomy reversal (VR) stages, we identified a total of n = 210 studies from which only n = 21 were finally included following two procedures of eligibility evaluation. Conclusions: The topic surrounding this intricate landscape has created debate since the current evidence is contradictory, limited, or does not exist. Starting from this consideration, we argue that further research is mandatory to decipher how a vasectomy might disturb homeostasis.
Access to High-Cost Biological Agents: Perceptions of Brazilian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Parra Rogerio Serafim , da Costa Ferreira Sandro , Machado Vanessa Foresto , Nigro Cintia Maura Caseiro , da Rocha José Joaquim Ribeiro , de Almeida Troncon Luiz Ernesto , Feres Omar
Published: April 2023

Background and aims: Brazilian patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) requiring therapy with biological agents usually have access to medicines through the National Unified Health Care System (SUS). This study aimed to analyze Brazilian IBD patient perception regarding access (availability and provision quality) to high-cost drugs in the public health care system. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out in an IBD referral center in Brazil. All adult patients with an established diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) that use biological therapy were invited to participate. Data were collected on the biological in use, lack of distribution (number of absences, average time to regularization, impairment in patient treatment), and difficulties reported by patients in obtaining the drugs. Results: Overall, 205 patients met the inclusion criteria and answered the questionnaire. Most of the patients had CD (n = 161, 78.5%), nearly half of them (n = 104, 50.7%) were female; 87 patients (42.4%) were unemployed, and of these, 40 patients (19.5%) had government assistance as the main source of income. Regarding the medications used, infliximab (n = 128, 62.5%) was the most used medication, followed by adalimumab (n = 39, 19.0%). Most patients (n = 172, 83.9%) reported at least one failed delivery of biological medicine in the last year, with a single shortage in forty-two patients (24.4%), at least two shortages in forty-seven patients (27.3%), and three or more shortages in seventy-eight patients (45.3%). The average time to regularize the distribution was up to 1 month in 44 cases (25.6%), up to 2 months in 64 cases (37.2%), and more than 3 months in 56 patients (32.6%). Among patients who reported delays, 101 patients (58.7%) felt that it may have impaired their treatment. Conclusion: Brazilian IBD patients reported high rates of failure to dispense biological drugs by the national healthcare system within one year. Our data highlight the need for improvement in this system for the correct supply of medication to avoid treatment failure and relapse.
Sublobar Resection for Early-Stage Lung Cancer: An Oncologically Valid Procedure?
Authors: Diebels Ian , Dubois Marc , Van Schil Paul E. Y.
Published: April 2023

In the era of minimally invasive surgery, the role of sublobar resection comprising anatomical segmentectomy and wide wedge excision remains controversial [...]
Neonatal Hemochromatosis: Systematic Review of Prenatal Ultrasound Findings—Is There a Place for MRI in the Diagnostic Process?
Authors: Staicu Adelina , Popa-Stanila Roxana , Albu Camelia , Chira Alexandra , Constantin Roxana , Boitor-Borza Dan , Surcel Mihai , Rotar Ioana Cristina , Cruciat Gheorghe , Muresan Daniel
Published: April 2023

Neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) is an uncommon, severe disorder that results in fetal loss or neonatal death due to liver failure. NH is currently regarded as the phenotypic expression of gestational alloimmune liver disease (GALD). The diagnosis of NH-GALD is rarely prenatally established. In addition to providing a systematic review of the prenatal features that are identifiable using ultrasound (US) and MRI, we suggest a prenatal diagnosis algorithm for use in suspected NH during the first affected pregnancy. From a total of 586 database entries identified in PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate, we selected 18 studies published from 1993 to 2021 that reported maternal medical and obstetric history, prenatal ultrasound findings, and postpartum outcomes. We investigated the ultrasound and MRI features of these studies, along with the outcome due to this condition. A total of 74 cases were identified. The main reported prenatal US finding was fetal growth restriction (FGR) (33%), followed by oligohydramnios (13%) and hydrops fetalis (13%), with 13% cases described as uneventful. Other rare prenatal findings were fetal anemia, ascites, and abnormal fetal liver and spleen. Most pregnancies ended with fetal/perinatal death or therapeutic interruption of pregnancy. Favorable evolution with treatment (ensanguine transfusion and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)) was reported for only 7% of fetuses. Using T2-weighted MRI, fetal extrahepatic siderosis confirmed prenatally in two cases and postnatally in 11 cases. IVIG treatment throughout subsequent pregnancies was found to significantly improve fetal prognosis. MRI should be indicated in selected cases of oligohydramnios, fetal hydrops, fetal hepatomegaly, ascites, or unexplained FGR or anemia after ruling out all other more frequently encountered conditions. MRI can be used to detect iron overload in the liver and extrahepatic siderosis.
Reliability and Validity of Single Axial Slice vs. Multiple Slice Quantitative Measurement of the Volume of Effusion-Synovitis on 3T Knee MRI in Knees with Osteoarthritis
Authors: Gilles Greg , Vohra Arjun , Robles Dagoberto , Taljanovic Mihra S. , Ashbeck Erin L. , Caruso Chelsea , Duryea Jeffrey , Bedrick Edward J. , Guermazi Ali , Kwoh C. Kent
Published: April 2023

Effusion-synovitis (ES) is recognized as a component of osteoarthritis, creating a need for rapid methods to assess ES on MRI. We describe the development and reliability of an efficient single-slice semi-automated quantitative approach to measure ES. We used two samples from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI): 50 randomly selected OAI participants with radiographic osteoarthritis (i.e., Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grade 2 or 3) and a subset from the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Osteoarthritis Biomarker study. An experienced musculoskeletal radiologist trained four non-expert readers to use custom semi-automated software to measure ES on a single axial slice and then read scans blinded to prior assessments. The estimated intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for intra-reader reliability of the single-slice ES method in the KL 2–3 sample was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93, 0.97), and for inter-reader reliability, the ICC was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87, 0.95). The intra-reader mean absolute difference (MAD) was 35 mm3 (95% CI: 28, 44), and the inter-reader MAD was 61 mm3 (95% CI: 48, 76). Our single-slice quantitative knee ES measurement offers a reliable, valid, and efficient surrogate for multi-slice quantitative and semi-quantitative assessment.
What Circuits, Masks and Filters Should Be Used in Home Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Luján Manel , Flórez Pablo , Pomares Xavier
Published: April 2023

Most of the published reviews about non-invasive home ventilation mainly reflect the technical aspects of ventilators. There is much less information about the consumables most used at home. However, the choice of a good interface or tubing system can lead to physiological changes in the patient–ventilator interaction that the clinician should be aware of. These physiological changes may affect the performance of the ventilator itself, the reliability of monitoring and, of course, the comfort of the patient. The use of different circuits, masks or filters is therefore related to the concepts of rebreathing, compressible volume, instrumental dead space or leak estimation and tidal volume. Through certain bench experiments, it is possible to determine the implications that each of these elements may have in clinical practice.
Are Intelligent People Better Liars? Relationships between Cognitive Abilities and Credible Lying
Authors: Sarzyńska-Wawer Justyna , Hanusz Krzysztof , Pawlak Aleksandra , Szymanowska Julia , Wawer Aleksander
Published: April 2023

Lying is essential to social communication. Despite years of research, its detection still poses many challenges. This is partly because some individuals are perceived as truthful and reliable, even when lying. However, relatively little is known about these effective liars. In our study, we focused on the cognitive functioning of effective liars. We tested 400 participants who completed tasks measuring executive functions, verbal fluency, and fluid intelligence, and also made four statements (two true and two false, half of them written and half oral). The reliability of the statements was then assessed. Only fluid intelligence was found to be relevant for reliable lying. This relationship was only evident for oral statements, suggesting that the importance of intelligence is highlighted when statements are made spontaneously without prior preparation.
Assessment of the Connectivity and Comfort of Urban Rivers, a Case Study of the Czech Republic
Authors: Havránková Lucie , Štych Přemysl , Ondr Pavel , Moravcová Jana , Sláma Jiří
Published: April 2023

This article investigates public spaces near urban rivers that contribute to the interaction between natural and urbanized areas and between people from different socio-economic backgrounds. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the environment of the largest urbanized areas of the Czech Republic, through which a large watercourse flows and creates a direct interaction with the city center. To evaluate the state of connectivity and comfort of urban rivers in the Czech Republic, a set of tools was applied to three cities: Prague, České Budějovice, and Hradec Králové. The methodology was created to correspond to the territory of Central Europe and was used for the specific assessment of rivers in four dimensions: (a) the spatial and visual accessibility, (b) the condition of the green corridor, (c) the condition of public space, and (d) the condition of the first built line. The dimensions are expressed using thirteen quantitative indicators of the environmental condition. The methodology uses the Urban River Sustainability Index (URSI), which was necessary to adjust the calculations of the indicators and resources for the Central European area. The best results were found in the central part of Prague and the worst in the peripheral part of Hradec Králové. The results call for the use of connectivity and comfort assessments of urban rivers for comparison, motivation, and future improvement in practice.
Scale Issue for Organic and Inorganic Carbon Exports to Oceans: Case Study in the Sub-Tropical Thukela River Basin, South Africa
Authors: Mutema Macdex , Figlan Sandiswa , Chaplot Vincent
Published: April 2023

Despite carbon (C) exports from continents being crucial in the connection between terrestrial, atmospheric, and oceanic C, there is still limited understanding of the dynamics of C within river basins. The objective of this work was to assess the changes in particulate (POC) and dissolved organic (DOC) and inorganic C (PIC: particulate inorganic carbon, DIC: dissolved inorganic carbon) content, quality, and fluxes within a river basin from its headwaters to its exit at the ocean. A survey was designed in the Thukela basin (from 2012 to 2013 and at six nested catchments ranging from ~10 to ~30,000 km2) in the east of South Africa to evaluate the content, fluxes, and quality (UV spectral slope, 13C, CO2 effluxes from runoff) of the transported C in conjunction with chemical elements (Si, Na) for discriminating between the water sources and estimating C dynamics during low flows. Total carbon exports decreased continuously from 9.75 km2 in the headwater (31.9 kg C km−2 y−1) to ocean (4.7 kg C km−2 y−1) with the highest decrease occurring between the catchment (7614 km2) and large catchment (14,478 km2). About 80% of C exports from the headwaters were POC, followed by DIC (10%) and DOC (10%), while at the ocean, the proportions were 31% (POC), 45% (DIC), 23% (DOC), and 0.7% (PIC). Moreover, there was a sharp decrease in the dissolved organic matter aromaticity from the headwater to ocean and for both DOC and POC that did not correspond to changes in water sources along the river (as indicated by a relatively constant Si/Na ratio). This pointed to the decomposition in the river of the dissolved organic matter originating from soils and to the within-stream organic production. Further in situ investigations need to be performed to quantify the within-stream inputs.
Attribution and Causality Analyses of Regional Climate Variability
Authors: Cai Danlu , Fraedrich Klaus , Sielmann Frank , Zhu Shoupeng , Yu Lijun
Published: April 2023

A two-step attribution and causality diagnostic is designed by employing singular spectrum analysis to unfold the attributed climate time series into a trajectory matrix and then subjected to an empirical orthogonal function analysis to identify the evolving driving forces, which can finally be related to major climate modes through their independent frequencies by wavelet analysis. Application results from the arid and drought-prone southern Intermountain region of North America are compared with the climate or larger scale forcing diagnosed from slow feature analysis using the sources of the water and energy flux balance. The following results are noted: (i) The changes between the subsequent four 20-year periods from 1930 to 2010 suggest predominantly climate-induced forcing by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. (ii) Land cover influences on the changing land cover are of considerably smaller magnitude (in terms of area percentage cover) whose time evolution is well documented from forestation documents. (iii) The drivers of the climate-induced forcings within the last 20 years are identified as the quasi-biennial oscillation and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation by both the inter-annual two-step attribution and the causality diagnostics with monthly scale-based slow feature analysis.
Supporting the Global Biodiversity Framework Monitoring with LUI, the Land Use Intensity Indicator
Authors: Spangenberg Joachim H.
Published: April 2023

Biodiversity loss has been identified as one of the environmental impacts where humankind has been trespassing over planetary boundaries most significantly. Going beyond the pressures causing damages (calling them ‘direct drivers’) and analysing their underlying driving forces, IPBES, the Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, also identified a series of indirect drivers. The Montreal–Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework, GBF, including its suggested monitoring approach, is intended to and claims to be a policy response to such analyses. However, to assess the human impact on ecosystems as a basis for planning conservation and restoration, as foreseen in the GBF, monitoring ecosystem typologies (in the GBF with reference to the UN statistical standard SEEA ES, which, in turn, refers to the IUCN ecosystem classification) is not enough. It needs to be complemented with data on the severity of human impacts and on the history of places, i.e., how and when the current ecosystem status was brought about. In this conceptual paper, we suggest LUI, a deliberately simple ordinal scale index for land use intensity changes, to address these two gaps. It is based on the hemeroby concept, measuring the human impact as deviation from naturalness. This makes it an information collection and presentation tool for those working in landscape planning and management. LUI’s simple and intuitively understandable structure makes it suitable for citizen science applications, and, thus, for participative monitoring when extensive statistical data gathering is not feasible and past data are not available. Of course, it can also be used as a simple tool for communicating when detailed statistical data series are available. While the aggregate index is expected to communicate well, its components are more relevant to motivate and help policy makers to prioritise their decisions according to the severity of recent anthropogenic ecosystem disturbances.
New Strategy for Preparation of Yttria Powders with Atypical Morphologies and Their Sintering Behavior
Authors: Qu Sheng , Li Jinlian , Liu Zhaoyang
Published: April 2023

A modified precipitation method was used to prepare yttria powers for the fabrication of yttria ceramics in this study. The precipitation behavior, phase evolution, and shape of the yttria precursor were all examined in the presence or absence of an electric field. The findings demonstrate that the phases of the yttria precursor were Y2(CO3)3·2H2O with and without an electric field, while the morphology changed from flake to needle-like under the action of the electric field. After calcining both yttria precursors at 750 °C, yttria powders with similar morphologies were obtained and then densified via conventional sintering (CS) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The densification and thermal shock resistance of the yttria ceramics were investigated. The yttria ceramics sintered using SPS had higher bulk density and thermal shock resistance than the samples sintered using CS. When the sintering process for the ceramics sintered from needle-like yttria powder was switched from CS to SPS, the bulk density increased from 4.44 g·cm−3 to 5.01 g·cm−3, while the number of thermal shock tests increased from two to six. The denser samples showed better thermal shock resistance, which may be related to the fracture mechanism shifting from intergranular fracture to transgranular fracture.
Calculations on Enhancement of Polycrystalline Diamond Bits through Addition of Superhard Diamond-Reinforced Elements
Authors: Ratov Boranbay , Rucki Miroslaw , Fedorov Boris , Hevorkian Edvin , Siemiatkowski Zbigniew , Muratova Samal , Omirzakova Elmira , Kuttybayev Aidar , Mechnik Vladimir , Bondarenko Nikolai
Published: April 2023

The paper is dedicated to the enhancement of Polycrystalline Diamond Bits (PDC) designed for oil and gas industry. A novel diamond-reinforced composite was applied for cutting inserts, with the addition of 4 wt% chromium diboride to the WC-Co matrix. The addition of CrB2 ensured improvement of bending strength and fracture toughness by nearly 30% and 40%, respectively, and enhanced the diamond retention force. The efficiency of PDC bits was further improved by incorporating constructional features in both bottomhole and reaming parts. An analytical relationship between the feeding speed and geometrical parameters was found, including the wings and calibrating inserts numbers, as well as the rotational speed of the cutter. Under the conditions of rock fracture by reaming inserts, the approximate value of the required power was calculated.
Randomized Response Techniques: A Systematic Review from the Pioneering Work of Warner (1965) to the Present
Authors: Le Truong-Nhat , Lee Shen-Ming , Tran Phuoc-Loc , Li Chin-Shang
Published: April 2023

The randomized response technique is one of the most commonly used indirect questioning methods to collect data on sensitive characteristics in survey research covering a wide variety of statistical applications including, e.g., behavioral science, socio-economic, psychological, epidemiology, biomedical, and public health research disciplines. After nearly six decades since the technique was invented, many improvements of the randomized response techniques have appeared in the literature. This work provides several different aspects of improvements of the original randomized response work of Warner, as well as statistical methods used in the RR problems.
Whole Exome Sequencing of a Patient with a Milder Phenotype of Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group C
Authors: Seo Ji-In , Nishigori Chikako , Ahn Jung Jin , Ryu Jae Young , Lee Junglok , Lee Mu-Hyoung , Kim Su Kang , Jeong Ki-Heon
Published: April 2023

A 17-year-old female Korean patient (XP115KO) was previously diagnosed with Xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC) by Direct Sanger sequencing, which revealed a homozygous nonsense mutation in the XPC gene (rs121965088: c.1735C > T, p.Arg579Ter). While rs121965088 is associated with a poor prognosis, our patient presented with a milder phenotype. Hence, we conducted whole-exome sequencing in the patient and her family members to detect coexisting mutations that may have resulted in a milder phenotype of rs121965088 through genetic interaction. Materials and Methods: the whole-exome sequencing analysis of samples obtained from the patient and her family members (father, mother, and brother) was performed. To identify the underlying genetic cause of XPC, the extracted DNA was analyzed using Agilent’s SureSelect XT Human All Exon v5. The functional effects of the resultant variants were predicted using the SNPinfo web server, and structural changes in the XPC protein using the 3D protein modeling program SWISS-MODEL. Results: Eight biallelic variants, homozygous in the patient and heterozygous in her parents, were detected. Four were found in the XPC gene: one nonsense variant (rs121965088: c.1735C > T, p.Arg579Ter) and three silent variants (rs2227998: c.2061G > A, p. Arg687Arg; rs2279017: c.2251-6A > C, intron; rs2607775: c.-27G > C, 5′UTR). The remaining four variants were found in non-XP genes, including one frameshift variant [rs72452004 of olfactory receptor family 2 subfamily T member 35 (OR2T35)], three missense variants [rs202089462 of ALF transcription elongation factor 3 (AFF3), rs138027161 of TCR gamma alternate reading frame protein (TARP), and rs3750575 of annexin A7 (ANXA7)]. Conclusions: potential candidates for genetic interactions with rs121965088 were found. The rs2279017 and rs2607775 of XPC involved mutations in the intron region, which affected RNA splicing and protein translation. The genetic variants of AFF3, TARP, and ANXA7 are all frameshift or missense mutations, inevitably disturbing the translation and function of the resultant proteins. Further research on their functions in DNA repair pathways may reveal undiscovered cellular relationships within xeroderma pigmentosum.
Brief Introduction on Manufacturing and Characterization of Metallic Electrode and Corresponding Modified Materials
Authors: Huang Que , Wang Silong , Chen Yanjun , Liu Changcheng , Li Qiyue
Published: April 2023

As an important part in new energy storage devices, electrodes containing metals or their corresponding derivatives are widely used due to the diversity of material types, existing forms and assembly methods. In order to obtain novel energy storage components with superior performance, new technologies and studies on the improvement of electrode materials are emerging in recent years. This editorial paper aims to summarize the classical and latest research highlights on manufacturing, characterization and modification of metallic electrodes, especially new materials.
Multi-Objective Lightweight Optimization Design of the Aluminium Alloy Front Subframe of a Vehicle
Authors: Meng Xiangchao , Sun Youping , He Jiangmei , Li Wangzhen , Zhou Zhifeng
Published: April 2023

The aluminium alloy front subframe of an automobile was developed through multi-operating condition topology optimization and multi-objective optimization methods. By considering the influences of loads on the strength, static stiffness, and modal of the aluminium alloy front subframe under typical operating conditions, the performance parameters of the aluminium alloy front subframe after topology optimization were obtained. After topology optimization was performed, the parametric model of the aluminium alloy front subframe was established. Based on the Isight optimization platform, sample points were generated with the optimal Latin hypercube test method, and the response surface approximate model was constructed. The minimum mass and maximum first-order frequency were taken as the objectives, the stress under typical working conditions did not exceed the set target value, and the maximum displacement of the installation point was taken as the constraint condition. The multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to optimize the aluminium alloy front subframe. The error of the free modal and finite element free modal analysis of the aluminium alloy front subframe samples was less than 15%. The optimized aluminium alloy front subframe was 2.4 kg lighter than the original subframe under the premise of satisfying various performance indices, and the lightweight rate was up to 12%.
Editorial for the Special Issue: “Tick-Borne Encephalitis”
Authors: Ruzek Daniel
Published: April 2023

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a disease caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) [...]
Magnetite Nanoparticles and Carbon Nanotubes for Improving the Operation of Mesophilic Anaerobic Digesters
Authors: Ziganshina Elvira E. , Ziganshin Ayrat M.
Published: April 2023

Anaerobic waste processing contributes to the development of the bioenergy sector and solves environmental problems. To date, many technologies have been developed for increasing the rate of the anaerobic digestion process and yield of methane. However, new technological advancements are required to eliminate biogas production inefficiencies. The performance of anaerobic digesters can be improved by adding conductive materials. In this study, the effects of the separate and shared use of magnetite nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes in anaerobic digesters converting high-nitrogen-containing waste, chicken manure, were investigated. The tested nanomaterials accelerated the methane production and increased the decomposition of products from the acidogenesis and acetogenesis stages. The combined use of magnetite nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes gave better results compared to using them alone or without them. Members of the bacterial classes Bacteroidia, Clostridia, and Actinobacteria were detected at higher levels in the anaerobic digesters, but in different proportions depending on the experiment. Representatives of the genera Methanosarcina, Methanobacterium, and Methanothrix were mainly detected within the methanogenic communities in the anaerobic digesters. The present study provides new data for supporting the anaerobic treatment of substrates with a high content of inhibitory compounds, such as chicken wastes.
Special Issue: Coffee, Fungi, Mycotoxins, and Climate Change
Authors: Paterson Robert Russell Monteith
Published: April 2023

Coffee is very lucrative and enjoyed by many [...]
Discovery, Antitumor Activity, and Fermentation Optimization of Roquefortines from Penicillium sp. OUCMDZ-1435
Authors: He Xingxing , Jin Yanzheng , Kong Fei , Yang Liyuan , Zhu Mingzhuang , Wang Yi
Published: April 2023

Meleagrin and oxaline, which belong to the roquefortine alkaloids with a unique dihydroindole spiroamide framework, have significant bioactivities, especially tumor cell inhibitory activity. In order to discover the requefortine alkaloids, Penicillium sp. OUCMDZ-1435 was fished and identified from marine fungi using molecular probe technology. Meleagrin (1) and oxaline (2) were isolated from it. In addition, we first reported that compounds 1 and 2 could effectively inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of the human HepG2 cell and induce HepG2 cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Additionally, the fermentation of Meleagrin (1) was optimized to increase its yield to 335 mg/L. These results provided bioactive inspiration and fungus resources for roquefortine alkaloid development.
Targeting Toxoplasma gondii ME49 TgAPN2: A Bioinformatics Approach for Antiparasitic Drug Discovery
Authors: Altharawi Ali
Published: April 2023

As fewer therapeutic options are available for treating toxoplasmosis, newer antiparasitic drugs that can block TgAPN2 M1 aminopeptidase are of significant value. Herein, we employed several computer-aided drug-design approaches with the objective of identifying drug molecules from the Asinex library with stable conformation and binding energy scores. By a structure-based virtual screening process, three molecules—LAS_52160953, LAS_51177972, and LAS_52506311—were identified as promising candidates, with binding affinity scores of −8.6 kcal/mol, −8.5 kcal/mol, and −8.3 kcal/mol, respectively. The compounds produced balanced interacting networks of hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions, vital for holding the compounds at the docked cavity and stable binding conformation. The docked compound complexes with TgAPN2 were further subjected to molecular dynamic simulations that revealed mean RMSD for the LAS_52160953 complex of 1.45 Å), LAS_51177972 complex 1.02 Å, and LAS_52506311 complex 1.087 Å. Another round of binding free energy validation by MM-GBSA/MM-PBSA was done to confirm docking and simulation findings. The analysis predicted average MM-GBSA value of <−36 kcal/mol and <−35 kcal/mol by MM-PBSA. The compounds were further classified as appropriate candidates to be used as drug-like molecules and showed favorable pharmacokinetics. The shortlisted compounds showed promising biological potency against the TgAPN2 enzyme and may be used in experimental validation. They may also serve as parent structures to design novel derivatives with enhanced biological potency.
Native and Engineered Cyclic Disulfide-Rich Peptides as Drug Leads
Authors: Tyler Tristan J. , Durek Thomas , Craik David J.
Published: April 2023

Bioactive peptides are a highly abundant and diverse group of molecules that exhibit a wide range of structural and functional variation. Despite their immense therapeutic potential, bioactive peptides have been traditionally perceived as poor drug candidates, largely due to intrinsic shortcomings that reflect their endogenous heritage, i.e., short biological half-lives and poor cell permeability. In this review, we examine the utility of molecular engineering to insert bioactive sequences into constrained scaffolds with desired pharmaceutical properties. Applying lessons learnt from nature, we focus on molecular grafting of cyclic disulfide-rich scaffolds (naturally derived or engineered), shown to be intrinsically stable and amenable to sequence modifications, and their utility as privileged frameworks in drug design.
Exploring Antimicrobial Features for New Imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine Derivatives Based on Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Hjouji Mohammed-yassin , Almehdi Ahmed M. , Elmsellem Hicham , Seqqat Yousra , Ouzidan Younes , Tebbaa Mohamed , Lfakir Noura Ait , Kandri Rodi Youssef , Chahdi Fouad Ouazzani , Chraibi Marwa , Fikri Benbrahim Kawtar , Al-Omar Mohamed A. , Almehizia Abdulrahman A. , Naglah Ahmed M. , El-Mowafi Shaima A. , Elhenawy Ahmed A.
Published: April 2023

5-bromopyridine-2,3-diamine reacted with benzaldehyde to afford the corresponding 6-Bromo-2-phenyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (1). The reaction of the latter compound (1) with a series of halogenated derivatives under conditions of phase transfer catalysis solid–liquid (CTP) allows the isolation of the expected regioisomers compounds (2–8). The alkylation reaction of (1) gives, each time, two regioisomers, N3 and N4; in the case of ethyl bromoactate, the reaction gives, at the same time, the three N1, N3 and N4 regioisomers. The structures of synthesized compounds were elucidated on the basis of different spectral data (1H NMR, 13C NMR), X-Ray diffraction and theoretical study using the DFT method, and confirmed for each compound. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to determine the intermolecular interactions responsible for the stabilization of the molecule. Density functional theory was used to optimize the compounds, and the HOMO-LUMO energy gap was calculated, which was used to examine the inter/intra molecular charge transfer. The molecular electrostatic potential map was calculated to investigate the reactive sites that were present in the molecule. In order to determine the potential mode of interactions with DHFR active sites, the three N1, N3 and N4 regioisomers were further subjected to molecular docking study. The results confirmed that these analogs adopted numerous important interactions, with the amino acid of the enzyme being targeted. Thus, the most docking efficient molecules, 2 and 4, were tested in vitro for their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to the action of these compounds compared to the Gram-negative, which were much more resistant.
Moringa oleifera Lam Leaf Extract Stimulates NRF2 and Attenuates ARV-Induced Toxicity in Human Liver Cells (HepG2)
Authors: Ndlovu Siqiniseko S. , Chuturgoon Anil A. , Ghazi Terisha
Published: April 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there are 37 million individuals living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) worldwide, with the majority in South Africa. This chronic disease is managed by the effective use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. However, with prolonged use, ARV drug-induced toxicity remains a clinically complex problem. This study investigated the toxicity of ARV drugs on mitochondria and the NRF2 antioxidant pathway and its possible amelioration using Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) leaf extracts. This medicinal plant has a range of functional bioactive compounds. Liver (HepG2) cells were treated with individual ARV drugs: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), Emtricitabine (FTC), and Lamivudine (3TC) for 96 h, followed by MO leaf extracts for 24 h. Intracellular ROS, cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, total and reduced glutathione (GSH), ATP, and mitochondrial polarisation were determined. Finally, protein (pNRF2, NRF2, SOD2, CAT, and Sirt3) and mRNA (NRF2, CAT, NQO1 SOD2, Sirt3, and PGC1α) expression were measured using Western blot and qPCR, respectively. TDF, FTC, and 3TC significantly increased intracellular ROS and extracellular levels of both MDA and LDH. ARVs also reduced the GSH and ATP levels and altered the mitochondrial polarization. Further, ARVs reduced the expression of NRF2 SOD2, Sirt3, CAT, NQO1, UCP2 and PGC1α mRNA and consequently pNRF2, NRF2, SOD2, Sirt3 and CAT protein. In contrast, there was a significant reduction in the extracellular MDA and LDH levels post-MO treatment. MO significantly reduced intracellular ROS while significantly increasing GSH, ATP, and mitochondrial membrane polarization. The addition of MO to ARV-treated cells significantly upregulated the expression of NRF2, SOD2, Sirt3, CAT, UCP2, PGC1α, and NQO1 mRNA and pNRF2, NRF2, SOD2, Sirt3 proteins. Thus, MO ameliorates ARV-induced hepatotoxicity by scavenging oxidants by inducing the NRF2 antioxidant pathway. MO shows great therapeutic potential and may be considered a potential supplement to ameliorate ARV drug toxicity.
Effects of Monochromatic Light on Growth and Quality of Pistacia vera L.
Authors: Abdouli Dhekra , Soufi Sihem , Bettaieb Taoufik , Werbrouck Stefaan P. O.
Published: April 2023

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are popular as a light source for in vitro plants because they save energy and allow the morphology of the plant to be altered. The purpose of this study was to show that switching from classical fluorescent light (FL) to LED light can have both beneficial and adverse effects. Pistacia vera plantlets were exposed to FL, monochromatic Blue LED light (B), monochromatic Red LED light (R), and a 1:1 mixture of both B and R (BR). R increased the total weight, shoot length, number of shoots ≥ 1 cm, and proliferation. It also reduced hyperhydricity (HH), but also dramatically increased shoot tip necrosis (STN) and leaf necrosis (LN). B cured plants of HH and STN, but hardly enabled proliferation. It did not solve the problem of LN, but the plants were high in total chlorophyll and carotenoids. BR reduced HH but enabled limited proliferation, high STN, and LN. All three LED treatments reduced HH compared to FL. B induced both high total phenolic and flavonoid content and high DPPH-scavenging activity. These results show that switching from FL to LED can have a significant positive or negative effect on proliferation and quality. This suggests that finding an optimal lighting regimen will take a lot of trial and error.