bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eco-Friendly Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Nanofiber-Based Air Filter for Effectively Capturing Particulate Matter
Authors: Kim Han-Jung , Choi Dong-In , Sung Sang-Keun , Lee Su-Han , Kim Sang-Jin , Kim Junhee , Han Byong-Sam , Kim Dong-Ik , Kim Yoonkap
Published: April 2021

Due to the increasing use of polypropylene-based nonwoven dust masks and air filters, environmental problems that occur due to the plastic pollution resulting from the disposal of these materials have also increased. Hence, an eco-friendly air filter based on PVA nanofibers (NFs) was fabricated by electrospinning on a nonwoven fabric, and its performance was evaluated as a filter capable of blocking or capturing particulate matter. The quality factor of the optimized PVA NF-based air filter was found to be 0.010606 Pa−1, which is lower than that of a HEPA filter (0.015394 Pa−1), but higher than that of a cabin air filter (0.010517 Pa−1) and a dust mask (0.009102 Pa−1). The contamination level of the PVA NF-based filter was analyzed by optical and structural analyses of the filter surface. Finally, the filter was soaked in water to selectively remove the contaminated PVA NF layer, and the remaining nonwoven fabric was able to be reused to make the filter.
Real-Time Psychological Stress Detection According to ECG Using Deep Learning
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Li Fenghua , Zhao Rongjian , Zhou Ruishi , Du Lidong , Zhao Zhan , Chen Xianxiang , Fang Zhen
Published: April 2021

Today, excessive psychological stress has become a universal threat to humans. That stress can heavily affect work and study when a person repeatedly is exposed to high stress. If that exposure is long enough, it can even cause cardiovascular disease and cancer. Therefore, both monitoring and managing of stress is imperative to reduce the bad outcomes from excessive psychological stress. Conventional monitoring methods firstly extract the characteristics of the RR interval of an electrocardiogram (ECG) from a time domain and a frequency domain, then use machine learning models, like SVM, random forest, and decision tree, to distinguish the level of that stress. The biggest limitation of using these methods is that at least one minute of ECG data and other signals are indispensable to ensure the high accuracy of the results. This will greatly affect the real-time application of the models. To satisfy real-time detection of stress with high accuracy, we proposed a framework based on deep learning technology. The proposed monitoring framework is based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM). To evaluate the performance of this network, we conducted the experiments applying conventional methods. The data for the 34 subjects were collected on the server platform created by the group at the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and our group. The accuracy of the proposed framework was up to 0.865 on three levels of stress using a 10 s ECG signal, a 0.228 improvement compared with conventional methods. Therefore, our proposed framework is more suitable for real-time applications
Lifelong Learning Courses Recommendation System to Improve Professional Skills Using Ontology and Machine Learning
Authors: Urdaneta-Ponte María Cora , Méndez-Zorrilla Amaia , Oleagordia-Ruiz Ibon
Published: April 2021

Lifelong learning enables professionals to update their skills to face challenges in their changing work environments. In view of the wide range of courses on offer, it is important for professionals to have recommendation systems that can link them to suitable courses. Based on this premise and on our previous research, this paper proposes the use of ontology to model job sectors and areas of knowledge, and to represent professional skills that can be automatically updated using the profiled data and machine learning for clustering entities. A three-stage hybrid system is proposed for the recommendation process: semantic filtering, content filtering and heuristics. The proposed system was evaluated with a set of more than 100 user profiles that were used in a previous version of the proposed recommendation system, which allowed the two systems to be compared. The proposed recommender showed 15% improvement when using ontology and clustering with DBSCAN in recall and serendipity metrics, and a six-point increase in harmonic mean over the stored data-based recommender system.
Time-Domain Studies of General Dispersive Anisotropic Media by the Complex-Conjugate Pole–Residue Pairs Model
Authors: Prokopidis Konstantinos P. , Zografopoulos Dimitrios C.
Published: April 2021

A novel finite-difference time-domain formulation for the modeling of general anisotropic dispersive media is introduced in this work. The method accounts for fully anisotropic electric or magnetic materials with all elements of the permittivity and permeability tensors being non-zero. In addition, each element shows an arbitrary frequency dispersion described by the complex-conjugate pole–residue pairs model. The efficiency of the technique is demonstrated in benchmark numerical examples involving electromagnetic wave propagation through magnetized plasma, nematic liquid crystals and ferrites.
Hearing Loss in Children: Clinical-Epidemiological Data from Two Different Provinces of the Same Region
Authors: Palma Silvia , Ciorba Andrea , Nascimbeni Laura , Pecovela Mariachiara , Negossi Laura , Pelucchi Stefano , Stagi Paolo , Genovese Elisabetta
Published: April 2021

Background: In many countries, neonatal hearing screening programs (NHS) have been available for many years; however, because of the presence of hearing loss at late onset, early hearing detection programs (EHDP) have been implemented. The aim of this study was to evaluate all cases of infantile hearing loss under the care of two different provinces of a regional health service since the introduction of NHS. Methods: Clinical data (the presence of audiological risk factors, age at which children are placed under the care of health service, entity of hearing loss, treatment, and exposure to bilingualism) were retrospectively collected during the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2018, starting from the IT management system used in all of the regional neuropsychiatric services. Results: In total, 124 children were included—116 cases failed the screening, 1 case had an untraceable result, and 7 cases (5.6%) had hearing screening that passed. Most of the children were placed under the care of a neuropsychiatric infantile and adolescence (NPIA) service within the first year of life. The main differences across the two provinces concerned the percentages of audiological risk factors and the number of unilateral hearing loss cases. Conclusion: In order to plan and manage hearing rehabilitation programs for children in the best way, it is very important to know the local clinical-epidemiological features of the population.
Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Tools: From Pre-Clinical to Clinical Applications
Authors: Ciferri Maria Chiara , Quarto Rodolfo , Tasso Roberta
Published: April 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are ubiquitous masters of intercellular communication, being detectable in tissues, circulation, and body fluids. Their complex cargo reflects the (patho)physiologic status of the cells from which they originate. Due to these properties, the potential of EVs, and in particular exosomes, to serve as biomarkers or therapeutics has grown exponentially over the past decade. On one side, numerous studies have demonstrated that EV-associated nucleic acids and proteins are implicated in cancer progression, as well as neurodegenerative, infectious, and autoimmune disorders. On the other, the therapeutic use of EVs secreted by various cell types, and in particular stem/progenitor cells, present significant advantages in comparison to the corresponding parental cells, such as the less complex production and storage conditions. In this review, we examine some of the major pre-clinical studies dealing with EVs and exosomes, that led to the development of numerous completed clinical trials.
Study of Stem Cells Influence on Cardiac Cells Cultured with a Cyanide-P-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone in Organ-on-a-Chip System
Authors: Kobuszewska Anna , Kolodziejek Dominik , Wojasinski Michal , Ciach Tomasz , Brzozka Zbigniew , Jastrzebska Elzbieta
Published: April 2021

Regenerative medicine and stem cells could prove to be an effective solution to the problem of treating heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease. However, further studies on the understanding of the processes which occur during the regeneration of damaged tissue are needed. Microfluidic systems, which provide conditions similar to in vivo, could be useful tools for the development of new therapies using stem cells. We investigated how mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) affect the metabolic activity of cardiac cells (rat cardiomyoblasts and human cardiomyocytes) incubated with a potent uncoupler of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation under microfluidic conditions. A cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) was used to mimic disfunctions of mitochondria of cardiac cells. The study was performed in a microfluidic system integrated with nanofiber mats made of poly-l-lactid acid (PLLA) or polyurethane (PU). The microsystem geometry allows four different cell cultures to be conducted under different conditions (which we called: normal, abnormal—as both a mono- and co-culture). Metabolic activity of the cells, based on the bioluminescence assay, was assessed in the culture’s performed in the microsystem. It was proved that stem cells increased metabolic activity of cardiac cells maintained with FCCP.
A Facile Aptasensor for Instantaneous Determination of Cadmium Ions Based on Fluorescence Amplification Effect of MOPS on FAM-Labeled Aptamer
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Dongwei , Ding Jina , Hayat Kashif , Yang Xijia , Zhan Xuejia , Zhang Dan , Lu Yitong , Zhou Pei
Published: April 2021

Analytical performance and efficiency are two pivotal issues for developing an on-site and real-time aptasensor for cadmium (Cd2+) determination. However, suffering from redundant preparations, fabrications, and incubation, most of them fail to well satisfy the requirements. In this work, we found that fluorescence intensity of 6-carboxyfluorescein(FAM)-labeled aptamer (FAM-aptamer) could be remarkably amplified by 3-(N-morpholino)propane sulfonic acid (MOPS), then fell proportionally as Cd2+ concentration introduced. Importantly, the fluorescence variation occurred immediately after addition of Cd2+, and would keep stable for at least 60 min. Based on the discovery, a facile and ultra-efficient aptasensor for Cd2+ determination was successfully developed. The sensing mechanism was confirmed by fluorescence pattern, circular dichroism (CD) and intermolecular interaction related to pKa. Under the optimal conditions, Cd2+ could be determined rapidly from 5 to 4000 ng mL−1. The detection limit (1.92 ng mL−1) was also lower than the concentration limit for drinking water set by WHO and EPA (3 and 5 ng mL−1, respectively). More than a widely used buffer, MOPS was firstly revealed to have fluorescence amplification effect on FAM-aptamer upon a given context. Despite being sensitive to pH, this simple, high-performance and ultra-efficient aptasensor would be practical for on-site and real-time monitoring of Cd2+.
Enhanced C2 and C3 Product Selectivity in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction on Carbon-Doped Copper Oxide Catalysts Prepared by Deep Eutectic Solvent Calcination
Authors: Iwanow Melanie , Seidler Johannes , Vieira Luciana , Kaiser Manuela , Van Opdenbosch Daniel , Zollfrank Cordt , Gärtner Tobias , Richter Michael , König Burkhard , Sieber Volker
Published: April 2021

Copper and its oxides are the main catalyst materials able to promote the formation of hydrocarbons from the electrocatalytic CO2 conversion. Herein, we describe a novel preparation method for carbon-doped copper oxide catalysts based on an oxidative thermal treatment of copper-containing deep eutectic solvents (DES). XRD and EDX analysis of the samples show that thermal treatment at 500 °C in air for a prolonged time (60 min) provides exclusively carbon-doped copper(II) oxide catalysts, whereas shorter calcination time leads to a mixture of less oxidized forms of copper (Cu2O and Cu0), CuO, and a higher carbon content from the DES. Chronoamperometry of the electrode containing the prepared materials in 0.5 M KHCO3 electrolyte show the reduction of CuO to less oxidized copper species. The materials prepared by the use of different DES, copper precursors and calcination times were used as electrocatalysts for the electrochemical CO2 reduction. Chemical analysis of the products reveals an enhanced selectivity toward C2 and C3 products for the catalyst prepared from the DES galactose-urea with copper nanoparticles and calcination for 60 min in air. The electrocatalytic activity of the prepared materials were compared to commercial CuO and showed a higher product concentration at −1.7 V vs. Ag/AgCl, with formation rates of 7.4, 6.0, and 10.4 µmol h−1 cm−2 for ethanol, n-propanol, and ethylene, respectively.
Electron-Enriched Pd Nanoparticles for Selective Hydrogenation of Halonitrobenzenes to Haloanilines
Authors: Liang Zechen , Zhang Mingkai , Zhang Sai , Qu Yongquan
Published: April 2021

Selective hydrogenation of halonitrobenzenes into haloanilines represents a green process to replace the environmentally unfriendly non-catalytic chemical reduction process in industry. However, this transformation often suffers from serious dehalogenation due to the easy break of carbon-halogen bonds on metal surfaces. Modulations of the electronic structure of the supported Pd nanoparticles on Lewis-basic layered double hydroxides have been demonstrated to promote catalytic activity and selectivity for hydrogenation of halonitrobenzenes into haloanilines. Mechanism studies suggest that Pd with the enhanced electron density not only improves the capability for hydrogen activation, but also generates the partially negative-charged hydrogen species to suppress the electrophilic attack on the carbon-halogen bond and avoid the dehalogenation.
Mast Cells and Skin and Breast Cancers: A Complicated and Microenvironment-Dependent Role
Authors: Hanes Mark R. , Giacomantonio Carman A. , Marshall Jean S.
Published: April 2021

Mast cells are important sentinel cells in host defense against infection and major effector cells in allergic disease. The role of these cells in cancer settings has been widely debated. The diverse range of mast cell functions in both immunity and tissue remodeling events, such as angiogenesis, provides multiple opportunities for mast cells to modify the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we consider both skin and breast cancer settings to address the controversy surrounding the importance of mast cells in the host response to tumors. We specifically address the key mediators produced by mast cells which impact tumor development. The role of environmental challenges in modifying mast cell responses and opportunities to modify mast cell responses to enhance anti-tumor immunity are also considered. While the mast cell’s role in many cancer contexts is complicated and poorly understood, the activities of these tissue resident and radioresistant cells can provide important opportunities to enhance anti-cancer responses and limit cancer development.
Traumatic Optic Neuropathy Is Associated with Visual Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Adolescent Mice
Authors: Hetzer Shelby M. , Guilhaume-Correa Fernanda , Day Dylan , Bedolla Alicia , Evanson Nathan K.
Published: April 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in a number of impairments, often including visual symptoms. In some cases, visual impairments after head trauma are mediated by traumatic injury to the optic nerve, termed traumatic optic neuropathy (TON), which has few effective options for treatment. Using a murine closed-head weight-drop model of head trauma, we previously reported in adult mice that there is relatively selective injury to the optic tract and thalamic/brainstem projections of the visual system. In the current study, we performed blunt head trauma on adolescent C57BL/6 mice and investigated visual impairment in the primary visual system, now including the retina and using behavioral and histologic methods at new time points. After injury, mice displayed evidence of decreased optomotor responses illustrated by decreased optokinetic nystagmus. There did not appear to be a significant change in circadian locomotor behavior patterns, although there was an overall decrease in locomotor behavior in mice with head injury. There was evidence of axonal degeneration of optic nerve fibers with associated retinal ganglion cell death. There was also evidence of astrogliosis and microgliosis in major central targets of optic nerve projections. Further, there was elevated expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers in retinas of injured mice. Visual impairment, histologic markers of gliosis and neurodegeneration, and elevated ER stress marker expression persisted for at least 30 days after injury. The current results extend our previous findings in adult mice into adolescent mice, provide direct evidence of retinal ganglion cell injury after head trauma and suggest that axonal degeneration is associated with elevated ER stress in this model of TON.
Denoising of LCR Wave Signal of Residual Stress for Rail Surface Based on Lifting Scheme Wavelet Packet Transform
Authors: Li Peilu , Xu Chunguang , Pan Qinxue , Lu Yuren , Li Shuangyi
Published: April 2021

According to the acousto elastic effect, the residual stress on the surface of the rail can be evaluated by measuring the change in the propagation velocity of ultrasonic waves, such as longitudinal critically refracted (LCR) waves on the surface of the rail. The LCR wave signal is often polluted by a variety of noise sources, coupled with the influence of the poor surface condition of the inspected component, which greatly reduces the detectability and online measurement ability of the LCR wave signal. This paper proposes the application of the lifting scheme wavelet packet transform (LSWPT) denoising method to solve the noise suppression problem of LCR wave signal. The traditional wavelet transform (WT), wavelet packet transform (WPT), as well as the lifting scheme wavelet transform (LSWT) and lifting scheme wavelet packet transform are compared and analyzed in the soft thresholding and hard thresholding processing of denoising ability and efficiency of the noisy LCR wave signal. The experimental results show that the LSWPT method has the characteristics of fast calculation speed and a good denoising effect, and it is an efficient method of denoising signals for on-line ultrasonic measurement of residual stress on the rail surface.
Development of Life Skills Program for Primary School Students: Focus on Entry Programming
Authors: Gim Nam-gyeong
Published: April 2021

There are areas where the competencies obtained through computer coding activities substantially overlap with life skills components. Studies of these common competencies have suggested the possibility of including these contents in a life skills program. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a program through the Entry program that elementary school students could use online to improve their life skills, given the need to increase contactless online classes due to COVID-19. Eight elementary school teachers with 20 years of experience and two curriculum experts participated in the program’s development. For data collection, 360 data points were collected from eight elementary schools located in each Korean province, including urban and rural areas. SPSS 21.0 was used to analyze the data. Upon completing the 8-week program, the difference in life skills between groups was confirmed using variance analysis based on the number of implementation times, and post-hoc testing was conducted. The study’s results confirmed the difference between the groups conducted for two weeks (M = 3.22), four weeks (M = 3.25), and six weeks (M = 3.67), and the group conducted for eight weeks (M = 3.83). In other words, as the number of weeks of participation in the life skills program increased, there was a difference between groups. These findings suggest a life skills program could be included as part of Entry based computer coding activities for elementary school students through a backward curriculum. In conclusion, this study showed the possibility of using contactless online classes with free Entry-based websites to improve the life skills of elementary school students struggling at home due to COVID-19. It also showed that each elementary school teacher could operate the life skills programs as a contactless learning method using a free coding platform and manual.
A Novel, Inexpensive In-House Immunochromatographic Strip Test for Cryptococcosis Based on the Cryptococcal Glucuronoxylomannan Specific Monoclonal Antibody 18B7
Authors: Sathongdejwisit Pakornswit , Pruksaphon Kritsada , Intaramat Akarin , Aiumurai Pisinee , Sookrung Nitat , Ratanabanangkoon Kavi , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Youngchim Sirida
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to develop a novel lateral flow immunochromatoghaphic strip test (ICT) for detecting cryptococcal polysaccharide capsular antigens using only a single specific monoclonal antibody, mAb 18B7. The mAb 18B7 is a well characterized antibody that specifically binds repeating epitopes displayed on the cryptococcal polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). We validated the immunoreactivities of mAb 18B7 against capsular antigens of different cryptococcal serotypes. The mAb 18B7 ICT was constructed as a sandwich ICT strip and the antibody serving in the mobile phase (colloidal gold conjugated mAb 18B7) to bind one of the GXM epitopes while the stationary phase antibody (immobilized mAb18B7 on test line) binding to other remaining unoccupied epitopes to generate a positive visual readout. The lower limit of detection of capsular antigens for each of the Cryptococcus serotypes tested was 0.63 ng/mL. No cross-reaction was found against a panel of antigens isolated from cultures of other pathogenic fungal, except the crude antigen of Trichosporon sp. with the lower limit of detection of 500 ng/mL (~800 times higher than that for cryptococcal GXM). The performance of the mAb 18B7 ICT strip was studied using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum and compared to commercial diagnostic kits (latex agglutination CALAS and CrAg IMMY). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the mAb18B7 ICT with CSF from patients with confirmed cryptococcal meningitis were 92.86%, 100% and 96.23%, respectively. No false positives were observed with samples from non-cryptococcosis patients. With serum samples, the mAb 18B7 ICT gave a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 96.15%, 97.78% and 96.91%, respectively. Our results show that the mAb 18B7 based ICT was reliable, reproducible, and cost-effective as a point-of-care immunodiagnostic test for cryptococcosis. The mAb 18B7 ICT may be particularly useful in countries where commercial kits are not available or affordable.
Hfinger: Malware HTTP Request Fingerprinting
Authors: Białczak Piotr , Mazurczyk Wojciech
Published: April 2021

Malicious software utilizes HTTP protocol for communication purposes, creating network traffic that is hard to identify as it blends into the traffic generated by benign applications. To this aim, fingerprinting tools have been developed to help track and identify such traffic by providing a short representation of malicious HTTP requests. However, currently existing tools do not analyze all information included in the HTTP message or analyze it insufficiently. To address these issues, we propose Hfinger, a novel malware HTTP request fingerprinting tool. It extracts information from the parts of the request such as URI, protocol information, headers, and payload, providing a concise request representation that preserves the extracted information in a form interpretable by a human analyst. For the developed solution, we have performed an extensive experimental evaluation using real-world data sets and we also compared Hfinger with the most related and popular existing tools such as FATT, Mercury, and p0f. The conducted effectiveness analysis reveals that on average only 1.85% of requests fingerprinted by Hfinger collide between malware families, what is 8–34 times lower than existing tools. Moreover, unlike these tools, in default mode, Hfinger does not introduce collisions between malware and benign applications and achieves it by increasing the number of fingerprints by at most 3 times. As a result, Hfinger can effectively track and hunt malware by providing more unique fingerprints than other standard tools.
Prediction of Abrasive and Impact Wear Due to Multi-Shaped Particles in a Centrifugal Pump via CFD-DEM Coupling Method
Authors: Tang Cheng , Yang You-Chao , Liu Peng-Zhan , Kim Youn-Jea
Published: April 2021

Since solid particles suspended in the fluid can cause wear in centrifugal pumps, intensive attention has been focused on the numerical prediction for the wear of flow parts in centrifugal pumps. However, most numerical studies have focused on only one wear model and a sphere particle model. The impact of particle shape on the wear of flow parts in centrifugal pumps is under-studied, particularly considering abrasive and impact wear simultaneously. In this work, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-Discrete Element Method (DEM) coupling method with an abrasive and impact wear prediction model was adopted to study the wear characteristics of a centrifugal pump. Moreover, four regular polyhedron particles and a sphere particle with the same equivalent diameter but different sphericity were mainly analyzed. The results demonstrate that more particles move closer to the blade pressure side in the impeller passage, and particles tend to cluster in specific areas within the volute as sphericity increases. The volute suffers the principal wear erosion no matter what the shapes of particles and wear model are. Both the impact and abrasive wear within the impeller occur primarily on the blade leading edge. The pump’s overall impact wear rate decreases first and then increases with particle sphericity rising, while the pump’s overall abrasive wear rate grows steadily.
A Complex Study of Stator Tooth-Coil Winding Thermal Models for PM Synchronous Motors Used in Electric Vehicle Applications
Authors: Veg Lukáš , Kaska Jan , Skalický Martin , Pechánek Roman
Published: April 2021

The operational reliability and high efficiency of modern electrical machines depend on the ability to transfer heat in the construction parts of the machine. Therefore, many authors study various thermal models and work on the development of effective heat dissipation. New insights and methods lead to improved techniques for the thermal design of electrical machines. This paper presents an experimentally validated thermal model of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with an improved slot winding model. It also deals with various approaches to homogenization and equivalent material properties of a tooth-coil winding sub-model. First, an algorithm for building a lumped-parameter thermal network (LPTN) of PMSM is described and its properties and problems are discussed. Subsequently, a sub-model of a slot with a winding based on the finite element method (FEM) is introduced. This sub-model is able to generate different conductor distributions based on probabilistic methods for a specified fill factor. This allows the verification of various homogenization approaches and at the same time it is a tool that automatically calculates thermal resistances for the LPTN.
Numerical Simulation of the Thermally Developed Pulsatile Flow of a Hybrid Nanofluid in a Constricted Channel
Authors: Ali Amjad , Bukhari Zainab , Shahzadi Gullnaz , Abbas Zaheer , Umar Muhammad
Published: April 2021

Heat transfer analysis of the pulsatile flow of a hybrid nanofluid through a constricted channel under the impact of a magnetic field and thermal radiation is presented. Hybrid nanofluids form a new class of nanofluids, distinguished by the thermal properties and functional utilities for improving the heat transfer rate. The behaviors of a water-based copper nanofluid and water-based copper plus a single-wall carbon nanotube, i.e., (Cu–SWCNT/water), hybrid nanofluid over each of velocity, wall shear stress, and temperature profiles, are visualized graphically. The time-dependent governing equations of the incompressible fluid flow are transformed to the vorticity-stream function formulation and solved numerically using the finite difference method. The laminar flow simulations are carried out in 2D for simplicity as the flow profiles are assumed to vary only in the 2D plane represented by the 2D Cartesian geometry. The streamlines and vorticity contours are also shown to demonstrate the flow behviour along the channel. For comparison of the flow characteristics and heat transfer rate, the impacts of variations in Hartmann number, Strouhal number, Prandtl number, and the thermal radiation parameter are analyzed. The effects of the emerging parameters on the skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number are also examined. The hybrid nanofluid is demonstrated to have better thermal characteristics than the traditional one.
Obtaining Fermentable Sugars from a Highly Productive Elm Clone Using Different Pretreatments
Authors: Ibarra David , Martín-Sampedro Raquel , Jiménez-López Laura , Martín Juan A. , Díaz Manuel J. , Eugenio María E.
Published: April 2021

The interest of supplying lignocellulosic materials for producing fermentable sugars has recently emerged in order to diminish the negative environmental effects of fossil fuels. In this study, the Ulmus minor clone Ademuz, characterized for its tolerance to Dutch elm disease and its rapid growth, was evaluated as a source of fermentable sugars. For that, different pretreatments, comprising autohydrolysis, dilute acid hydrolysis, acid catalyzed organosolv, and alkaline extraction, were evaluated at two levels of severity (pretreatment temperatures at 160 °C and 180 °C, except for alkaline extraction at 80 °C and 160 °C); and the resulting pretreated materials were enzymatically hydrolyzed for fermentable sugars production. The major extraction of lignin and hemicellulose was achieved during organosolv (48.9%, lignin; 77.9%, hemicellulose) and acid hydrolysis (39.2%, lignin; 95.0%, hemicellulose) at 180 °C, resulting in the major enzymatic digestibility (67.7%, organosolv; 53.5% acid hydrolysis). Contrarily, under the most favorable conditions for autohydrolysis (180 °C) and alkaline extraction (160 °C), lower extraction of lignin and hemicellulose was produced (4.8%, lignin; 67.2%, hemicellulose, autohydrolysis; 22.6%, lignin; 33.1%, hemicellulose, alkaline extraction), leading to lower enzymatic digestibility (32.1%, autohydrolysis; 39.2%, alkaline extraction). Taking into account the sugars produced during enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated materials and the solubilized sugars from pretreatment liquors, the highest sugars (glucose and xylose) yield production (28.1%) per gram of biomass from U. minor clone Ademuz was achieved with acid catalyzed organosolv at 180 °C.
Real-World Implementation of an ICT-Based Platform to Promote Energy Efficiency
Authors: Dorokhova Marina , Ribeiro Fernando , Barbosa António , Viana João , Soares Filipe , Wyrsch Nicolas
Published: April 2021

The energy efficiency requirements of most energy-consuming sectors have increased recently in response to climate change. For buildings, this means targeting both facility managers and building users with the aim of identifying potential energy savings and encouraging more energy-responsible behaviors. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platform developed in Horizon 2020 FEEdBACk project intends to fulfill these goals by enabling the optimization of energy consumption, generation, and storage and control of flexible devices without compromising comfort levels and indoor air quality parameters. This work aims to demonstrate the real-world implementation and functionality of the ICT platform composed of Load Disaggregation, Net Load Forecast, Occupancy Forecast, Automation Manager, and Behavior Predictor applications. Particularly, the results obtained by individual applications during the test phase are presented alongside the specific metrics used to evaluate their performance.
A CFD-Based Parametric Thermal Performance Analysis of Supply Air Ventilated Windows
Authors: Najaf Khosravi Shiva , Mahdavi Ardeshir
Published: April 2021

Ventilated windows have the potential to contribute to both indoor air quality and energy efficiency in cold climates. A typical ventilated window functions as a solar collector under inward air flow direction and incident solar radiation. The ventilated window is a modification of the multiple pane windows in which air is drawn in from outside and is heated through conduction, convection, and radiation in the cavity. In this study, a detailed parametric analysis was conducted to investigate the thermal performance of ventilated windows and their capacity to preheat ventilation air. High-resolution 3D steady RANS computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed for six ventilated window geometries. Model results were compared with measurements. The following geometric characteristics were evaluated in detail: (i) The height of the window, (ii) the width of the cavity, (iii) the location of double-layered glazing, and (iv) the width of the supply air opening. The results suggested that taller cavities and a smaller cavity depth can provide higher incoming air temperature. Windows with inner double-layered glazing and a smaller width of supply air opening displayed a better thermal performance.
Biostimulation as a Means for Optimizing Fruit Phytochemical Content and Functional Quality of Tomato Landraces of the San Marzano Area
Authors: Rouphael Youssef , Corrado Giandomenico , Colla Giuseppe , De Pascale Stefania , Dell’Aversana Emilia , D’Amelia Luisa Ida , Fusco Giovanna Marta , Carillo Petronia
Published: April 2021

The effect of plant biostimulation on fruits of traditional tomato germplasm is largely unknown. We examined how a tropical plant-derived biostimulant impacts the nutritional, functional, and compositional characteristics of tomato fruits from four landraces, collected in the San Marzano (SM) tomato Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) region, by profiling primary and secondary metabolites. Biostimulation was not able to completely reshuffle the morpho-physiological and nutritional profile of the four landraces. Their distinct phytochemical profile indicated a genotype-specific tuning of the analyzed traits, which also included an improved yield and fruit quality. Biostimulation of SM1 and SM3 increased photosynthetic accumulation of carbohydrate reserves, improved mineral nutrient use efficiency and consequently, yield (+21% and 34%, respectively). Moreover, biostimulation augmented the nutraceutical properties of the SM2 landrace. Interestingly, the plant-derived product increased in all genotypes lycopene, but not polyphenol accumulation in fruits. Our results show the potential of biostimulatory applications towards optimizing the fruit quality of the acclaimed SM landraces, which is suitable to satisfy both the rising consumer demand for premium traditional tomatoes and the technological needs of the food industry.
Rapid Detection of Salmonella Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Thompson by Specific Peak Analysis Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Yang Seung-Min , Kim Eiseul , Kim Dayoung , Baek Jiwon , Yoon Hyunjin , Kim Hae-Yeong
Published: April 2021

Rapid detection of Salmonella serovars is important for the effective control and monitoring of food industries. In this study, we evaluate the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the rapid detection of three serovars, Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Thompson, that are epidemiologically important in Korea. All strains were identified at the genus level, with a mean score of 2.319 using the BioTyper database, and their protein patterns were confirmed to be similar by principal component analysis and main spectrum profile dendrograms. Specific peaks for the three serovars were identified by analyzing 65 reference strains representing 56 different serovars. Specific mass peaks at 3018 ± 1 and 6037 ± 1, 7184 ± 1, and 4925 ± 1 m/z were uniquely found in the reference strains of serovars Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Thompson, respectively, and they showed that the three serovars can be differentiated from each other and 53 other serovars. We verified the reproducibility of these mass peaks in 132 isolates, and serovar classification was achieved with 100% accuracy when compared with conventional serotyping through antisera agglutination. Our method can rapidly detect a large number of strains; hence, it will be useful for the high-throughput screening of Salmonella serovars.
miR-542-3p Contributes to the HK2-Mediated High Glycolytic Phenotype in Human Glioma Cells
Authors: Kim Junhyung , Park Min Woo , Park Young Joon , Ahn Ju Won , Sim Jeong Min , Kim Suwan , Heo Jinhyung , Jeong Ji Hun , Lee Mihye , Lim Jaejoon , Moon Jong-Seok
Published: April 2021

(1) Background: The elevation of glucose metabolism is linked to high-grade gliomas such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The high glycolytic phenotype is associated with cellular proliferation and resistance to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents in GBM. MicroRNA-542-3p (miR-542-3p) has been implicated in several tumors including gliomas. However, the role of miR-542-3p in glucose metabolism in human gliomas remains unclear; (2) Methods: We measured the levels of cellular proliferation in human glioma cells. We measured the glycolytic activity in miR-542-3p knockdown and over-expressed human glioma cells. We measured the levels of miR-542-3p and HK2 in glioma tissues from patients with low- and high-grade gliomas using imaging analysis; (3) Results: We show that knockdown of miR-542-3p significantly suppressed cellular proliferation in human glioma cells. Knockdown of miR-542-3p suppressed HK2-induced glycolytic activity in human glioma cells. Consistently, over-expression of miR-542-3p increased HK2-induced glycolytic activity in human glioma cells. The levels of miR-542-3p and HK2 were significantly elevated in glioma tissues of patients with high-grade gliomas relative to that in low-grade gliomas. The elevation of HK2 levels in patients with high-grade gliomas were positively correlated with the high levels of miR-542-3p in GBM and low-grade gliomas (LGG) based on the datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Moreover, the high levels of miR-542-3p were associated with poor survival rate in the TCGA database; (4) Conclusions: miR-542-3p contributes to the HK2-mediated high glycolytic phenotype in human glioma cells.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Indonesian Residents toward COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Muslih Muhammad , Susanti Henny Dwi , Rias Yohanes Andy , Chung Min-Huey
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic. We examined the KAP’s relationship with factors associated with practice toward the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. This cross-sectional survey study was conducted between March and April 2020 and included 1033 participants. Knowledge scores of COVID-19 were positively associated with wearing a mask when leaving home (odds ratio (OR): 1.22, p < 0.05). Although men had a lower knowledge score, they were less likely to go to a crowded place compared with women (OR: 0.79, p < 0.05). However, women (OR: 1.25, p < 0.05) were more likely than men to wear a mask when leaving home. Furthermore, men (OR: 3.32, p < 0.05) were more likely than women to have a positive attitude toward COVID-19. Indonesian residents had satisfactory knowledge, demonstrated a positive attitude, and followed appropriate practices toward the pandemic. More educated individuals had a more positive attitude. Men and women differed with respect to their knowledge-based practices. Men were less likely to go to crowded places, and women were more likely to wear a mask when leaving home. Furthermore, men were more likely to wear a mask when leaving home than women when men had the attitude that Indonesia can win against COVID-19.
A Qualitative Evaluation of a Mother and Child Center Providing Psychosocial Support to Newly Arrived Female Refugees in a Registration and Reception Center in Germany
Authors: Zehetmair Catharina , Kindermann David , Tegeler Inga , Derreza-Greeven Cassandra , Cranz Anna , Friederich Hans-Christoph , Nikendei Christoph
Published: April 2021

Female refugees are frequently exposed to sexualized, gender-based violence and harassment before, during, and after their flight. Yet female refugee-specific care and protection needs are rarely addressed in host countries. This study aimed to evaluate a mother and child center (MUKI) for female refugees in a reception and registration center in Germany. In 2017, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 16 female refugees attending the MUKI and with its five main staff members. We asked the participants about the MUKI’s relevance, encountered difficulties, and suggestions for improvement. The interviewees appreciated the MUKI’s sheltered environment, care services, and socializing opportunities, as well as its women-only concept. Overall, the participants saw overexertion, social engagement-related difficulties, and the MUKI’s noisy environment as key attendance barriers. Interviewed staff primarily reported problems regarding the working conditions, including the high staff and attendee turnover and low general service awareness. The participants advocated an expansion of the MUKI program. The MUKI project underlines that providing newly arrived, vulnerable female refugees with sheltered surroundings and psychosocial services is an essential step toward addressing female refugees’ specific care needs.
Research on Modern Marine Environmental Governance in China: Subject Identification, Structural Characteristics, and Operational Mechanisms
Authors: Chen Qi , Yu Huijuan , Wang Yezhi
Published: April 2021

Under the guidance of modern environmental governance concepts, there have been profound changes in the subject, structure, and operational mechanism of the modern marine environmental governance in China. This paper first classifies the subjects of modern marine environmental governance in China, as well as their relationships; analyses the structural characteristics from the three levels of rights, society, and region; explores the operational mechanism; and builds the framework of the modern marine environmental governance system in China. Both the central and local governments act as the leaders of the modern marine environmental governance system in China, and there have been many new changes in their relationships. On the one hand, the interest and goals of the central and local governments have gradually converged under the pressure system. On the other hand, local governments follow the principles of comprehensive governance regarding the coastline and collaborative cooperation is gradually beginning to occur. Different governance subjects are interrelated and intertwined to form a complete modern marine environmental governance structure, which includes the following three levels: the governmental power structure; the social structure, which involves collaboration between multiple entities; and the regional structure, which involves land-sea coordination in environmental governance. These structures each play their parts in the overall process of the marine environmental governance’s institutional arrangements, process coordination, and feedback adjustments and ultimately constitute a dynamic and complete modern marine environmental governance operational system.
Abdominal Expansion versus Abdominal Drawing-In Strategy on Thickness and Electromyography of Lumbar Stabilizers in People with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kuo Yi-Liang , Kao Chieh-Yu , Tsai Yi-Ju
Published: April 2021

The abdominal expansion (AE) strategy, involving eccentric contraction of the abdominal muscles, has been increasingly used in clinical practices; however, its effects have not been rigorously investigated. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of the AE versus abdominal drawing-in (AD) strategy on lumbar stabilization muscles in people with nonspecific low back pain (LBP). Thirty adults with nonspecific LBP performed the AE, AD, and natural breathing (NB) strategies in three different body positions. Ultrasonography and surface electromyography (EMG) were, respectively, used to measure the thickness and activity of the lumbar multifidus and lateral abdominal wall muscles. The AE and AD strategies showed similar effects, producing higher EMG activity in the lumbar multifidus and lateral abdominal wall muscles when compared with the NB strategy. All muscles showed higher EMG activity in the quiet and single leg standing positions than in the lying position. Although the AE and AD strategies had similar effects on the thickness change of the lumbar multifidus muscle, the results of thickness changes of the lateral abdominal muscles were relatively inconsistent. The AE strategy may be used as an alternative method to facilitate co-contraction of lumbar stabilization muscles and improve spinal stability in people with nonspecific LBP.
Assessment of an Educational Intervention to Improve Healthy Life Habits in Children Living in Vulnerable Socioeconomic Conditions
Authors: López María , Alcoceba Irene , Castro María-José , Cao María-José , García Sara , Frutos Manuel , Jiménez José-María
Published: April 2021

Nutritional condition impacts academic performance and cognitive development. In Peru, the prevalence of chronic undernutrition in children is 6.9%, increasing the risk of mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to develop an educational intervention to achieve an improvement in the healthy habits of children in a primary education school in Lima who live in vulnerable socioeconomic conditions. We conducted a prospective quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test study of an educational intervention. The information was collected through the adaptation of the WHO questionnaire “Global School-based Student Health Survey” (GSHS), with anthropometric variables, socioeconomic level, hygiene and eating habits. One hundred eight students from 5 to 13 years old from Arenitas del Mar School in Lima (Peru) participated. The educational intervention improved eating habits. Fruit and vegetable consumption 3 or more times/day (50.9%) increased after the educational intervention (49% vs. 62.9%,) p < 0.0001. There was an improvement in hygiene habits, such as the frequency of handwashing with soap (32.4% vs. 63.9%) and the frequency of weekly bathing 4–6 times/week (25% vs. 47.5%) p < 0.0001. The educational intervention promoted better healthy living behaviors, eating habits and hygiene. This kind of initiative is a crucial tool to establish healthy living habits.