bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the link between gut microbiota, dietary intake, and nutritional status in children with autism and typical development
Authors: Mendive Dubourdieu Paula , Guerendiain Marcela
Published: July 2023

Background

Gut microbiota plays a potential role in human health and different disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, we analyzed gut bacteria composition in children with ASD and typical development (TD), and its relationship with nutritional status and dietary intake.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 3- to 12-year-old children (ASD = 30, TD = 28). Dietary intake (applying food frequency questionnaires) and body mass index-for-age (expressed in z-score) were determined. Children were divided into normal weight and excess weight (risk of overweight + overweight + obesity), and the ASD group was categorized into gluten- and casein-free diet (ASD-diet) or no diet (ASD-no diet). The relative abundance of gut bacteria was analyzed in fecal samples by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results

Children with excess weight had lower Roseburia than normal weight. Fewer Bifidobacterium longum and higher Clostridium glycolicum were found in the ASD group compared with TD one. Participants with excess weight and ASD had lower Roseburia and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and higher Eubacterium ventricosum and Flavonifractor plautii than the TD group with the same nutritional status. Positive and negative associations were found between the bacteria genus and species, and the intake of dairy, vegetable drinks, cereals with and without gluten, food source of proteins, fish, food source of fat, and coconut oil, in unadjusted models and after adjustment for age, diet/no diet, ASD/TD.

Conclusion

Significant differences in microbial community composition were found between children with ASD and TD, considering their nutritional status and dietary intake.
Deep learning-enhanced radiomics for histologic classification and grade stratification of stage IA lung adenocarcinoma: a multicenter study
Authors: Pei Guotian , Wang Dawei , Sun Kunkun , Yang Yingshun , Tang Wen , Sun Yanfeng , Yin Siyuan , Liu Qiang , Wang Shuai , Huang Yuqing
Published: July 2023

Background

Preoperative prediction models for histologic subtype and grade of stage IA lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) according to the update of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Lung in 2021 and the 2020 new grade system are yet to be explored. We aim to develop the noninvasive pathology and grade evaluation approach for patients with stage IA LUAD via CT-based radiomics approach and evaluate their performance in clinical practice.

Methods

Chest CT scans were retrospectively collected from patients who were diagnosed with stage IA LUAD and underwent complete resection at two hospitals. A deep learning segmentation algorithm was first applied to assist lesion delineation. Expansion strategies such as bounding-box annotations were further applied. Radiomics features were then extracted and selected followed by radiomics modeling based on four classic machine learning algorithms for histologic subtype classification and grade stratification. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate model performance.

Results

The study included 294 and 145 patients with stage IA LUAD from two hospitals for radiomics analysis, respectively. For classification of four histological subtypes, multilayer perceptron (MLP) algorithm presented no annotation strategy preference and achieved the average AUC of 0.855, 0.922, and 0.720 on internal, independent, and external test sets with 1-pixel expansion annotation. Bounding-box annotation strategy also enabled MLP an acceptable and stable accuracy among test sets. Meanwhile, logistic regression was selected for grade stratification and achieved the average AUC of 0.928, 0.837, and 0.748 on internal, independent, and external test sets with optimal annotation strategies.

Conclusions

DL-enhanced radiomics models had great potential to predict the fine histological subtypes and grades of early-stage LUADs based on CT images, which might serve as a promising noninvasive approach for the diagnosis and management of early LUADs.
Effects of electroacupuncture on pediatric chronic urinary retention: a case-series study
Authors: Yang Min , Gao Shuai , Yao Hao , He Xin , Fang Jiufei , Chen Yu , Liu Zhishun
Published: July 2023

Objectives

This study aims to preliminarily evaluate the effect and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating pediatric chronic urinary retention (CUR) following lumbosacral surgeries, with treatment duration evaluated.

Methods

This prospective case-series study was performed from August 5, 2017, to July 31, 2022. Pediatric patients diagnosed with CUR following lumbosacral surgeries were included and treated by EA for 2–16 weeks. Responders were defined as participants achieving a reduction of 50% or more in post void residuals (PVR) from baseline. Time-to-event analysis was applied to explore the association between EA treatment duration and response rate. Adverse event was recorded.

Results

Totally 14 participants (mean [SD] age, 12 [4] years) completed EA treatment. Response rate was 71% (10/14) at the 12th week. 50% (7/14) of participants removed catheters at the 12th week, and none of them experienced re-catheterization in the 24-week follow-up. No serious adverse event was reported. Time-to-event analysis estimated that over 50% patients could respond to EA of more than 8 weeks. Subgroup analysis showed that participants with baseline PVR ≥300 ml and CUR duration ≥12 months experienced longer EA duration to reach the response rate of 50%, compared with those whose PVR <300 ml and CUR duration <12 months (median value: 12 weeks vs. 8 weeks, 12 weeks vs. 4 weeks, respectively).

Conclusions

EA could reduce PVR for pediatric patients suffering from CUR following lumbosacral surgeries, with long-term efficacy and safety. EA treatment of more than 8 weeks was reasonable. Further study of a larger sample and controlling is needed.

Clinical Trial Registration

www.chictr.org.cn, identifier, ChiCTR1800020222.
A qualitative study into the personal factors influencing secondary school teachers’ motivating styles
Authors: Liu Woon Chia , Kong Leng Chee , Wang Chee Keng John , Kee Ying Hwa , Ng Betsy , Lam Karen , Reeve Johnmarshall
Published: July 2023

Background

All teachers aspire to create the most motivating classroom climate for their students. This is because students who are motivated demonstrate superior learning outcomes relative to students who are not motivated. According to the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), when teachers establish an autonomy-supportive climate in their classrooms, their students can benefit in numerous developmentally and educationally important ways. Whilst most teachers have an understanding that autonomy-supportive teaching can benefit their students, many of them are unwilling or unable to carry out autonomy-supportive strategies. This can be explained by the implicit and explicit forces (e.g., teaching philosophies and beliefs, personal experiences) imposed on them by their internal (namely, intrapsychic) and external (namely, social) environments. This paper focuses on the personal factors that influence teachers’ adoption and employment of autonomy-supportive instructional behaviours.

Method

Following a 10-week intervention program on implementing six autonomy-supportive instructional behaviours, we interviewed 59 teachers from 17 secondary schools in Singapore on their adoption and employment of the teaching strategies. Their number of years of teaching experience ranged from 1 to 31 years with a mean of 10.8 years of teaching experience, and 62.71% of them were female.

Finding

From the interviews, we identified several teacher-related personal factors which we labelled “teaching philosophies and beliefs,” “personal experiences,” “motivation to teach,” “personality,” “teachers’ mental and emotional states” and “teaching efficacy.” Through identifying the personal factors, we hope to raise awareness amongst the teachers on the inner forces that can foster or frustrate their own expression of autonomy-supportive instructional behaviours. Given the many plausible benefits that can be derived from autonomy-supportive teaching, we hope that the information gained from this qualitative study can path the way for greater willingness and effort in implementing autonomy-supportive teaching in the classrooms.
Influence of psychological inflexibility and mindfulness on hypersexuality and sexual satisfaction in a Spanish sample
Authors: Ortega-Otero Marta , Montesinos Francisco , Charrabe Luka
Published: July 2023

Sexual satisfaction is tremendously relevant to wellbeing and quality of life. Inversely, hypersexuality may increase the risk of psychological distress, unprotected sex, and marital problems. This study attempts to explore the sociodemographic variables related to hypersexuality and the relationship between hypersexuality and sexual dissatisfaction with psychological inflexibility, cognitive fusion, body awareness, bodily dissociation, and mindfulness skills in the Spanish population. The sample was made up of 530 participants between 18 and 67 years of age. In total, 5.5% displayed hypersexuality, more likely in males, lesbians and gay men, singles, and students. An online survey was conducted including standardized questionnaires as follows: AAQ-II, CFQ, SBC, MAAS, NSSS-S, and HBI. Significant moderate positive correlations were found between hypersexuality and psychological inflexibility, cognitive fusion, and bodily dissociation, and an inverse moderate correlation with mindfulness skills. Moderate negative correlations were found between sexual satisfaction and bodily dissociation. Linear regression showed psychological inflexibility was the variable with the most weight on hypersexuality, while bodily dissociation was the variable with the most influence on sexual dissatisfaction. This study suggests lesbians and gay men, males, and singles may show an increased vulnerability toward engaging in hypersexual behavior and provides justification for interventions focused on psychological inflexibility and mindfulness skills to treat hypersexuality and improve sexual satisfaction.
Symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with steroid efficacy and clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Duan Shihao , Yang Yi , Cao Yubin , Chen Pingrun , Liang Chang , Zhang Yan
Published: July 2023

Background

Anxiety and depression symptoms are very common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to explore the impact of anxiety and depression on the efficacy of medications, as well as IBD-related poor outcomes.

Method

This was a prospective longitudinal observational study. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression symptoms. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between anxiety/depression and the response to different medications. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox regression model were applied to analyze the relationship between anxiety/depression and IBD-related poor outcomes, which were defined as urgent IBD-related hospitalization, IBD-related surgery, or death.

Results

A total of 325 IBD patients were enrolled, 118 of whom were treated with corticosteroids, 88 with azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine (AZA/6-MP), and 147 with anti-TNF agents. Anxiety/depression symptoms were found to be significantly related to steroid resistance, but independent of AZA/6-MP and anti-TNF agents nonresponse. There was a significant association between anxiety/depression symptoms and IBD-related poor outcomes. Coexisting with anxiety/depression symptoms was an independent influencing factor of steroid resistance and IBD-related poor outcomes.

Conclusion

IBD patients with anxiety/depression symptoms were at a higher risk of developing steroid resistance and IBD-related poor outcomes. Future studies are needed to explore whether interventions for anxiety and depression will improve their response to medications and change their prognosis.
Navigating Choices: Determinants and Outcomes of Surgery Refusal in Thyroid Cancer Patients Using SEER Data
Authors: Hussein Mohammad , Toraih Eman , Ohiomah Ifidon , Siddeeque Nabeela , Comeaux Marie , Landau Madeleine , Anker Allison , Jishu Jessan , Fawzy Manal , Kandil Emad
Published: July 2023

With thyroid cancer being a prevalent endocrine cancer, timely management is essential to prevent malignancy and detrimental outcomes. Surgical intervention is a popular component of the treatment plan, yet patients often refuse to undergo such procedures even if clinicians explicitly recommend them. This study gathers data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2000–2019) to learn more about the sociodemographic factors that predict the likelihood of surgical intervention. A total of 176,472 patients diagnosed with either papillary or follicular thyroid cancer were recommended surgery, of which 470 were refused. Cancer-specific mortality and overall mortality were determined with the Kaplan–Meier method and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model. Mortality rates for patients who delayed surgery (≥4 months vs. <4 months) were determined using similar methods. The findings reveal that surgical delay or refusal increased overall mortality. The surgical refusal was associated with increased thyroid cancer-specific mortality. However, the impact on thyroid cancer-specific mortality for those who delay surgery was not as pronounced. Significant sociodemographic determinants of surgical refusal included age greater than or equal to 55 years, male sex, being unmarried, race of Asian and Pacific Islander, and advanced tumor staging. The results underscore the importance of patient education, shared decision-making, and access to surgical interventions to optimize outcomes in thyroid cancer management.
Therapeutic Potential of Protein Tyrosine Kinase 6 in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jerin Samanta , Harvey Amanda J. , Lewis Annabelle
Published: July 2023

PTK6, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, modulates the pathogenesis of breast and prostate cancers and is recognized as a biomarker of breast cancer prognosis. There are over 30 known substrates of PTK6, including signal transducers, transcription factors, and RNA-binding proteins. Many of these substrates are known drivers of other cancer types, such as colorectal cancer. Colon and rectal tumors also express higher levels of PTK6 than the normal intestine suggesting a potential role in tumorigenesis. However, the importance of PTK6 in colorectal cancer remains unclear. PTK6 inhibitors such as XMU-MP-2 and Tilfrinib have demonstrated potency and selectivity in breast cancer cells when used in combination with chemotherapy, indicating the potential for PTK6 targeted therapy in cancer. However, most of these inhibitors are yet to be tested in other cancer types. Here, we discuss the current understanding of the function of PTK6 in normal intestinal cells compared with colorectal cancer cells. We review existing PTK6 targeting therapeutics and explore the possibility of PTK6 inhibitory therapy for colorectal cancer.
Hydrogen Spillover in Tungsten Oxide Bronzes as Observed by Broadband Neutron Spectroscopy
Authors: Lalik Erwin , Parker Stewart , Irvine Gavin , da Silva Ivan , Gutmann Matthias , Romanelli Giovanni , Drużbicki Kacper , Kosydar Robert , Krzystyniak Matthew
Published: July 2023

Hydrogen spillover is an elusive process, and its characterization, using experimental probes and ab initio modeling, poses a serious challenge. In this work, the nuclear quantum dynamics of hydrogen in a palladium-decorated cubic polymorph of tungsten oxide, Pd/cWO3, are characterized by the technique of neutron Compton scattering augmented by ab initio harmonic lattice modeling. The deeply penetrating nature of the neutron scattering process, the lack of spectroscopic selection rules, the inherent high sensitivity to hydrogen, the high energy and momentum resolution for hydrogen, and the mass selectivity of the technique render the neutron Compton scattering a very potent and unique tool for investigating the local dynamics of hydrogen species in bulk matrices. The total neutron Compton scattering response of hydrogen is described in terms of the hydrogen momentum distribution. The distribution is deconvoluted under the assumption of three pools of hydrogen with distinctly different nuclear quantum dynamical behavior: (i) hydrogen-terminated beta-palladium hydride, (ii) hydrogen in acid centers (OH+ groups) on the surface of the cubic phase of tungsten oxide, and (iii) quasi-free atomic hydrogen inside the saturated hydrogen bronze resulting from the spillover process. The ab initio modeling of lattice dynamics yields theoretical predictions for the values of the widths of proton momentum distributions in the first two hydrogen pools, which allows for obtaining the contribution and the width of the momentum distribution of the quasi-free atomic hydrogen resulting from the hydrogen spillover process. The analysis reveals that the local binding strength of the quasi-free hydrogen is characterized by the values of nuclear momentum distribution width, nuclear kinetic energy, and force constant of the underlying potential of the mean force close to those of free, unconstrained hydrogen atomic species in a gas of non-interacting particles described by the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. Moreover, this picture of the local dynamics of the quasi-free hydrogen is consistent with the proton polaron model of hydrogen-induced coloration of bulk hydrogenated WO3.
Boost Converter with Main Switch Possessing ZVT and ZCT and Auxiliary Switch Possessing ZCS
Authors: Hwu Kuo-Ing , Lin Zhi-Fan , Tseng Pei-Ching
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a zero-voltage and zero-current transition (ZVZCT) boost converter is presented with a small number of auxiliary components, such as a resonant capacitor, a resonant inductor and an auxiliary power switch, to produce a main power switch with both zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and zero-current switching (ZCS). Furthermore, the auxiliary power switch also has zero current switching. In addition, a look-up table is employed to implement an auto-tuning technique to regulate the trigger position and turn-on time of the auxiliary power switch, to further improve efficiency, especially at light load, thereby making the overall efficiency of the converter present a horizontal curve. Moreover, in terms of the system control, the digital controller is implemented directly from the z-domain, and the field programmable gate array (FPGA) is utilized as the system control kernel to achieve a fully digitalized control system. The simulated results are used to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed converter, whereas the experimental results are used to verify its effectiveness.
Valuing Nonuse Value of a National Forest Park with Consideration of the Local Residents’ Environmental Attitudes
Authors: Yu Yang , Wang Erda , Wang Ziang
Published: July 2023

Valuing the nonuse value of a national forest park (NFP) is critically important to obtain a better understanding of its total economic value, beyond focusing solely on the recreation value. This paper estimates the nonuse value of an NFP based on the relationship between the local public’s environmental attitudes and their willingness to pay (WTP). The data collected on the local residents’ environmental attitudes relied on the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP). Residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the national forest parkland protection was collected using the contingent valuation method (CVM). The nonuse value WTP was estimated using a bivariate dichotomous choice model. This model analyzed the relationship between the environmental attitude scores and WTP in order to estimate the nonuse value of the NFP of our case study site, Dalian Xijiao National Forest Park (DXNFP) in northeastern China. The results showed that DXNFP provides 20.26 CNY (3.02 USD) in nonuse value per household per year in Dalian city, which can then be translated into 140 CNY (21 USD) million annually in total.
One Health and Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities: A One Health Pilot Study
Authors: Riley Tamara , Cumming Bonny , Thandrayen Joanne , Meredith Anna , Anderson Neil E. , Lovett Raymond
Published: July 2023

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities face barriers in accessing animal healthcare and are exposed to disproportionate environmental health exposures leading to increased risk of disease. A One Health approach has been promoted to address public health risks and improve human, animal, and environmental health outcomes in communities. We undertook a pilot One Health study in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland collecting animal, human, and environmental health data from 82 households. We performed a descriptive analysis and assessed the association between human and environmental health exposures and animal health outcomes. Most households were not crowded (82.9%) but did report a high level of environmental health concerns (86.6%). The majority of households owned cats and dogs (81.7%), with most animals assessed as healthy. There was no association between human and environmental health exposures and animal health outcomes. As most households experienced concerns regarding housing conditions, environmental health programs should prioritise improving household factors. There was also strong support for animal healthcare (including access to medicines and veterinarians, education programs and population management), indicating that a One Health approach is desired by communities.
Health Service Implementation and Antifragile Characteristics in Rural Communities: A Dirt Research Approach
Authors: Petrie Samuel , Peters Paul
Published: July 2023

The implementation of health and care services within rural communities requires necessary sensitivity to the unique facets of rural places. Often, rural service implementation is executed with inappropriate frameworks based on assumptions derived from urban centres. To understand the characteristics of rural communities that can facilitate successful program implementation better, ethnographic accounts of rural health and care services were compiled in rural communities within Canada, Australia, and Iceland. Ethnographic accounts are presented in the first and third person, with an accompanying reflexive analysis immediately following these accounts. Antifragility was the guiding concept of interest when investigating rural implementation environments, a concept that posits that a system can gain stability from uncertainty rather than lose integrity. These ethnographic accounts provide evidence of antifragile operators such as optionality, hybrid leadership, starting small, nonlinear evaluation, and avoiding suboptimisation. It is shown that the integration of these antifragile operators allows programs to function better in complex rural systems. Further, the presence of capable individuals with sufficient knowledge in several disciplines and with depth in a single discipline allows for innovative local thinking initiatives.
The Analysis of 222Rn and 220Rn Natural Radioactivity for Local Hazard Estimation: The Case Study of Cerveteri (Central Italy)
Authors: Voltattorni Nunzia , Gasparini Andrea , Galli Gianfranco
Published: July 2023

Radon (222Rn) is the second most common cause of lung cancer after smoking. As radon poses a significant risk to human health, radon-affected areas should be identified to ensure people’s awareness of risk and remediation. The primary goal of this research was to investigate the local natural radioactivity (in soils, groundwater, and indoors) because of the presence of tuff outcrops (from middle–lower Pleistocene volcanic activity) that naturally produce radioactive gas radon at Cerveteri (Rome, Central Italy). The results of the radon survey highlighted moderate (>16,000 Bq/m3) but localized anomalies in soils in correspondence with a funerary site pertaining to the Etruscan Necropolis of Cerveteri, which extends over a volcanic rock plateau. Indoor radon measurements were performed at several tuff-made dwellings, and the results showed medium-low (<200 Bq/m3) values of indoor radon except for some cases exceeding the reference level (>300 Bq/m3) recommended by the 2013/59 Euratom Directive. Although no clinical data exist regarding the health effects of thoron (220Rn) on humans, the study of 220Rn average activity concentration in the soil gas survey reveals new insights for the interpretation of radon sources that can affect dwellings, even taking into account the considerable difference in the half-lives of 222Rn and 220Rn.
The Content of Total Carotenoids, Vitamin C and Antioxidant Properties of 65 Potato Cultivars Characterised under the European Project ECOBREED
Authors: Tatarowska Beata , Milczarek Dorota , Plich Jarosław
Published: July 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cultivars on the concentration of antioxidant compounds: total carotenoid content (TC) and vitamin C (VC), and their correlation with the total antioxidant activity (TAA) in 65 potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum) from 10 countries. The TC content revealed a highly significant effect of the year (Y), cultivar (C) and flesh colour (FC). The TC ranged from 101.5 µg 100 g−1 DM (in cv. Kelly) to 715 µg 100 g−1 DM (in cv. Mayan Gold). The TC values were weakly correlated with years and higher in yellow-fleshed potatoes than in white-fleshed potatoes (319.9 vs. 175.6 µg 100 g−1 DM, respectively). The VC content ranged from 1.0 mg 100 g−1 FM (in cv. Bzura) to 14.8 mg 100 g−1 FM (in cv. Twinner). The content of VC were higher in yellow-fleshed (6.5 mg 100 g−1 FM) than in white-fleshed potatoes (5.8 mg 100 g−1 FM). The highest TAA were observed in cvs. Colleen, Basa, Triplo, Gatsby, Ditta, Twinner, Riviera, Michalina, Damaris, Belmonda, Ambo, Savinja, 12-LHI-6. For these cultivars, the FRAP values were 0.53 µmol TE 100 mg−1 DM and DPPH 0.55 µmol TE 100 mg−1 DM. The lowest TAA were observed in cvs.: Owacja, Mayan Gold, Kokra, Magnolia and Kelly. For them, the FRAP and DPPH values were slightly above 0.2 µmol TE 100 mg−1 DM. It was shown that the concentration of TC in potato tubers has an impact on TAA.
Full Endoscopic Treatment for a Fibrosis Complication after Psoas Abscess
Authors: Dowling Montalva Álvaro , de Araujo Santana Junior Rui Nei , Molina Marcelo
Published: July 2023

Background: Psoas abscess is a challenging disease that may sometimes lead to a devastating prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are mandatory for better results in their treatments and to avoid complications. Purpose: There is no article regarding a fibrosis treatment of the psoas muscle with a psoas abscess that is treated with full endoscopic debridement (FED). Study design: a case report and literature review. Result: we successfully treated this case, who suffered from psoas fibrosis with a clinical and MRI diagnosis, with full endoscopic debridement. Conclusions: FED is a viable alternative to open debridement for this rare complication of a psoas muscle abscess.
Social Commerce in Europe: A Literature Review and Implications for Researchers, Practitioners, and Policymakers
Authors: Păuceanu Alexandrina Maria , Văduva Sebastian , Nedelcuț Amalia Cristina
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered consumer behavior, making social commerce a viable alternative throughout the world. Europe is trailing the US and China in adopting this technology, but the prognosis is encouraging. Our goal is to contribute to this process by offering a literature review on social commerce in Europe for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. We analyzed 4.764 articles published during the 2015–2023 period on the topic of social commerce in Europe utilizing the PRISMA flow diagram. After scrutinizing this large body of literature with various instruments including artificial intelligence (AI), we identified a final list of 45 articles that are most pertinent to our research questions. The emerging themes were that social media is shaping behavior and triggering buying intentions, that trust is paramount in buying impulses and behavior, and that success in social commerce is predicated upon relationships and engagement.
Analysis of the Effectiveness of Technological Lubricants with the Addition of Boric Acid in Sheet Metal Forming
Authors: Adamus Janina , Więckowski Wojciech , Lacki Piotr
Published: July 2023

One of the main problems during sheet metal forming is the reduction in coefficient of friction and separation of contact surfaces in order to eliminate buildups of the formed material on the forming tools. For this purpose, technological lubricants based on mineral or synthetic oils are usually used. Unfortunately, their removal from the drawn parts and their subsequent utilization pose many problems and are expensive. Environmentally benign lubricants based on vegetable oils with the addition of boric acid could be an effective alternative to lubricants based on mineral and synthetic oils; however, the solubility of boric acid in oils is limited. Therefore, the paper proposes new, effective, and environmentally friendly methods for applying boric acid to the metal sheet by spraying it on a thin rapeseed oil layer previously applied to the metal sheet or by spraying a 25% solution of boric acid in methyl alcohol onto the sheet. The effectiveness of such lubrication was assessed on the basis of the so-called strip drawing test, Erichsen cupping test, and formation of cylindrical drawn parts in industrial conditions. The tests showed that the addition of boric acid was most effective for forming the DC01 steel sheet, reducing the coefficient of friction by about 60% compared to base oil lubrication. Although its usefulness is lower in the case of other frictional pairs, it eliminates the phenomenon of the formed material sticking to the tool, thus extending the life of the forming tools. The use of the proposed solution reduces production costs and indirectly boosts environmental protection. Moreover, an explanation of the tribological mechanism contributing to the lubrication action of boric acid is given.
A Study on an Easy-Plane FeSi3.5 Composite with High Permeability and Ultra-Low Loss at the MHz Frequency Band
Authors: Wu Peng , Yang Shengyu , Huang Yuandong , Wang Guowu , Cui Jinghao , Qiao Liang , Wang Tao , Li Fashen
Published: July 2023

An easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite with excellent magnetic properties and loss properties at MHz were proposed. The easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite has ultra-low loss at 10 MHz and 4 mT, about 372.88 kW/m3. In order to explore the reason that the Pcv of easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite is ultra-low, a none easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite, without easy-plane processing as a control group, measured the microstructure, and the magnetic and loss properties. We first found that the real reason why magnetic materials do not work properly at MHz due to overheat is dramatical increase of the excess loss and the easy-plane composite can greatly re-duce the excess loss by loss measurement and separation. The total loss of none easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite is much higher than that of easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite, where the excess loss is a major part in the total loss and even over 80% in the none easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite. The easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite can greatly reduce the total loss compared to the none easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite, from 2785.8 kW/m3 to 500.42 kW/m3 (3 MHz, 8 mT), with the main reduction being the excess loss, from 2435.2 kW/m3 to 204.93 kW/m3 (3 MHz, 8 mT), reduced by 91.58%. Furthermore, the easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite also has excellent magnetic properties, high permeability and ferromagnetic resonance frequencies. This makes the easy-plane FeSi3.5 composite become an excellent soft magnetic composite and it is possible for magnetic devices to operate properly at higher frequencies, especially at the MHz band and above.
Investigating the Effects of Recycled Aggregate and Mineral Admixtures on the Mechanical Properties and Performance of Concrete
Authors: Fawzy Amal , Elshami Ahmed , Ahmad Seleem
Published: July 2023

In this work, the effects of recycled concrete aggregate, modified with mineral admixtures and nanosilica, on the mechanical properties and performance of concrete after curing in tap water for 28 and 90 days were investigated. The compressive (ƒc), indirect tensile (ƒt), and flexural (ƒb) strengths for the cured concrete specimens were measured, and the concrete strength ratios were analyzed. The water and rapid chloride permeabilities were measured. SEM analysis of the microstructure was also performed. The coarse aggregates used were dolomite (control) and recycled concrete aggregate, incorporating different mineral admixtures, including ground, granulated blast slag, granite, and nanosilica. It was found that the slump values of the dolomite concrete decreased compared with recycled aggregate concrete. Compared to the control mix produced with the recycled aggregate, the slump value of the concrete mixes created with the recycled aggregate increased by approximately 11.1% with the addition of binary cementing materials of 1% NS. The results also indicate that the concrete mix containing the recycled aggregate had the highest compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength compared to that of the dolomite aggregate. Regarding the compressive strength, the addition of 1% NS and 15% slag improved the physico-mechanical properties of the recycled aggregate concretes compared to the other mixes after curing in tap water. Compared to the other mixes, the concrete mix containing 1% NS and 15% slag had a comparatively dense and compact microstructure.
Effect of a Multiaxial Load of Reverse Torsion on Open-Cell Aluminum Foams Behavior
Authors: Huluka Solomon Bayu , Baleh Rachid , Alsaleh Naser A. , Alfozan Adel , Abdul-Latif Akrum , Ataya Sabbah
Published: July 2023

As a main goal of this work, a novel generation of cellular materials has been developed and manufactured by the kelvin cell model to be offered for different multifunctional applications. These Open-Cell Aluminum Foams (OCAF) have 85% porosities of spherical-shaped pores with a diameter of 11 mm. Several foamed square-section specimens were used. This work investigated the impact of different new quasi-static biaxial loading complexities on the mechanical behavior of such foams. Thus, new S-profiled rigs were already designed for examining the behavior of tested foams under biaxial loading conditions with different reverse torsional components named ACTP-S. After testing, their high specific strength and high energy absorption abilities have been characterized. Thus, in addition to the reference uniaxial test, all other tests were conducted at a speed of 5 mm/min. Thus, the mechanical responses of this foam are affected by loading complexities which are simple uniaxial, intermediate-biaxial (Bi-45°), and sever-biaxial (Bi-60°). These results were compared to the classical Absorption using Compression-Torsion Plastique (ACTP) responses. It was concluded that the highest dissipated energy increases with the increase in loading path complexity. Note that the energy absorption of the foam is essentially governed by its collapse mode.
Extrauterine Growth Restriction and Optimal Growth of Very Preterm Neonates: State of the Art
Authors: Gounaris Antonios K. , Sokou Rozeta , Gounari Eleni A. , Panagiotounakou Polytimi , Grivea Ioanna N.
Published: July 2023

Over the last few decades, there has been an ongoing debate over both the optimal feeding mode for very premature neonates (VPN) as well as what their optimal growth should be. Despite the American Academy of Pediatric declaring since 1997 that the growth of VPN should follow the trajectory of intrauterine fetal growth, differences of opinion persist, feeding policies keep changing, and the growth and development of VPN remains extremely variable not only between countries, but even between neighboring neonatal units. Even the appropriate terminology to express poor postnatal growth (extrauterine growth restriction (EGR) and postnatal growth failure (PGF)) remains a subject of ongoing discussion. A number of recent publications have shown that by implementing breast milk fortification and closely following growth and adjusting nutrition accordingly, as per the consensus guidelines of the major Neonatal Societies, we could achieve growth that closely follows birth centiles. A recent position paper from EPSGAN recommending targeted nutritional support to cover the energy and protein deficits sustained by VPN during periods of critical illness further strengthens the above findings. Conclusion: We can promote better growth of VPN by ensuring a stable administration of sufficient calories and protein, especially in the first 2 weeks of life, implementing breast milk fortification, covering energy and protein deficits due to critical illness, and increasing feeding volumes as per the latest guidelines. The adoption of universal protocol for nutrition and growth of VPN is essential and will enable better monitoring of long-term outcomes for this population.
Nano- and Microemulsions in Biomedicine: From Theory to Practice
Authors: Nikolaev Boris , Yakovleva Ludmila , Fedorov Viacheslav , Li Hanmei , Gao Huile , Shevtsov Maxim
Published: July 2023

Nano- and microemulsions are colloidal systems that are widely used in various fields of biomedicine, including wound and burn healing, cosmetology, the development of antibacterial and antiviral drugs, oncology, etc. The stability of these systems is governed by the balance of molecular interactions between nanodomains. Microemulsions as a colloidal form play a special important role in stability. The microemulsion is the thermodynamically stable phase from oil, water, surfactant and co-surfactant which forms the surface of drops with very small surface energy. The last phenomena determines the shortage time of all fluid dispersions including nanoemulsions and emulgels. This review examines the theory and main methods of obtaining nano- and microemulsions, particularly focusing on the structure of microemulsions and methods for emulsion analysis. Additionally, we have analyzed the main preclinical and clinical studies in the field of wound healing and the use of emulsions in cancer therapy, emphasizing the prospects for further developments in this area.
Intraoral Drug Delivery: Highly Thiolated κ-Carrageenan as Mucoadhesive Excipient
Authors: Kali Gergely , Fürst Andrea , Efiana Nuri Ari , Dizdarević Aida , Bernkop-Schnürch Andreas
Published: July 2023

Aim: This study aims to design a novel thiolated κ-carrageenan (κ-CA-SH) and evaluate its potential as an excipient for the design of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. Methods: Native κ-carrageenan (κ-CA) was thiolated with phosphorous pentasulfide in sulfolane and characterized via 1H NMR, FTIR, as well as Ellman’s test. Cytotoxicity was assessed via resazurin assay. In vitro release of the model drug, benzydamine hydrochloride, was determined. Tensile and mucosal residence time studies were performed on buccal and small intestinal mucosa. Mucoadhesive features were investigated via rheological studies with freshly isolated porcine mucus. Results: Thiolated κ-CA (κ-CA-SH) with 1213.88 ± 52 µmol/g thiol groups showed no cytotoxicity at a concentration of 1% (m/v) and low cytotoxicity up to 2% (m/v). Benzydamine hydrochloride showed slow release in solution for both polymers. Tensile studies on buccal and intestinal mucosa showed an up to 2.7-fold and 7.7-fold enhancement in the maximum detachment force (MDF) and total work of adhesion (TWA) of κ-CA-SH vs. κ-CA, respectively. The κ-CA-SH exhibited an up to 4.4-fold improved dynamic viscosity with mucus and significantly prolonged residence time on mucosa compared to native κ-CA. Conclusion: Since highly thiolated κ-CA shows a slow release of positively charged active pharmaceutical ingredients and enhanced mucoadhesive properties, it might be a promising excipient for local drug delivery in the oral cavity.
Synthesis of Degradable Polyolefins Bearing Disulfide Units via Metathesis Copolymerization
Authors: Xia Yu , Zhou Fulin , Hao Wenyan , Tang Shan
Published: July 2023

Disulfide bonds are dynamic covalent bonds, which are easy to cleave and reform upon chemical stimulus. Various methods including the oxidative coupling of thiols and polymerization of disulfide-containing monomers have been developed for the synthesis of poly(disulfide)s. However, installing small amounts of disulfide units in the main chain of polyolefins has received much less attention. Herein, we report a novel strategy for incorporating cleavable disulfide units into the backbone of polyolefins using commercially available diallyl disulfide (DADS) as a comonomer via metathesis copolymerization. The copolymerization of diallyl disulfide with cyclooctene occurred using the second-generation Grubbs catalyst under mild conditions, allowing for the synthesis of copolymers with adjustable disulfide content ranging from 0.7 to 8.5 mol%, and the molecular weight of the obtained copolymers ranged from 5.8 kg·mol−1 to 42.8 kg·mol−1. The resulting polyolefins with disulfide insertion retained excellent thermal processability and exhibited degradability. Treatment of the copolymer (8.5 mol% disulfide content) with tri-n-butylphosphine resulted in a significant reduction in molecular weight from 5.8 kg·mol−1 to 1.6 kg·mol−1. Successful copolymerization with diallyl disulfide provides a convenient and effective method for obtaining degradable polyolefins.
A Spatial and Temporal Evolution Analysis of Desert Land Changes in Inner Mongolia by Combining a Structural Equation Model and Deep Learning
Authors: Chang Xinyue , Zhang Bing , Zhu Hongbo , Song Weidong , Ren Dongfeng , Dai Jiguang
Published: July 2023

With the wide application of remote sensing technology, target detection based on deep learning has become a research hotspot in the field of remote sensing. In this paper, aimed at the problems of the existing deep-learning-based desert land intelligent extraction methods, such as the spectral similarity of features and unclear texture features, we propose a multispectral remote sensing image desert land intelligent extraction method that takes into account band information. Firstly, we built a desert land intelligent interpretation dataset based on band weighting to enhance the desert land foreground features of the images. On this basis, we introduced the deformable convolution adaptive feature extraction capability to U-Net and developed the Y-Net model to extract desert land from Landsat remote sensing images covering the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Finally, in order to analyze the spatial and temporal trends of the desert land in the study area, we used a structural equation model (SEM) to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of natural conditions and human activities, i.e., population density (PD), livestock volume (LS), evaporation (Evp), temperature (T), days of sandy wind conditions (LD), humidity (RH), precipitation (P), anthropogenic disturbance index (Adi), and cultivated land (CL). The results show that the F1-score of the Y-Net model proposed in this paper is 95.6%, which is 11.5% more than that of U-Net. Based on the Landsat satellite images, the area of desert land in the study area for six periods from 1990 to 2020 was extracted. The results show that the area of desert land in the study area first increased and then decreased. The main influencing factors have been precipitation, humidity, and anthropogenic disturbance, for which the path coefficients are 0.646, 0.615, and 0.367, respectively. This study will be of great significance in obtaining large-scale and long-term time series of desert land cover and revealing the inner mechanism of desert land area change.
Analysis of the Differences in Internal Solitary Wave Characteristics Retrieved from Synthetic Aperture Radar Images under Different Background Environments in the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Peng Pai , Xie Jieshuo , Du Hui , Wang Shaodong , Xuan Pu , Wang Guanjing , Wei Gang , Cai Shuqun
Published: July 2023

Two internal solitary waves (ISWs) with very long fronts observed by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images in the northern South China Sea (NSCS) are comparatively analyzed based on oceanic reanalysis data and the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) theory. The differences in the environmental parameters, wave half-width, and amplitude of the two ISW fronts in the two distinct oceanic environments are studied. In the presence of a weak westward surface current of approximately 0.05 m/s, the values of the linear wave speed increase by up to 0.056 m/s, and the retrieved ISW amplitudes decrease by up to 14 m. On the contrary, for another background oceanic environment considering a relatively strong eastward surface current of approximately 0.2 m/s, there are decreases of up to 0.17 m/s in the linear wave speed and increases of up to 32 m in the retrieved amplitudes. However, the results retrieved from both the SAR observations commonly show that the ISW amplitudes along the fronts reach their maximums at roughly 21°N and decrease toward the southern and northern sides, in spite of their distinct background environments.
Malicious Vehicle Detection Using Layer-Based Paradigm and the Internet of Things
Authors: Razaque Abdul , Bektemyssova Gulnara , Yoo Joon , Alotaibi Aziz , Ali Mohsin , Amsaad Fathi , Amanzholova Saule , Alshammari Majid
Published: July 2023

Deep learning algorithms have a wide range of applications, including cancer diagnosis, face and speech recognition, object recognition, etc. It is critical to protect these models since any changes to them can result in serious losses in a variety of ways. This article proposes the consortium blockchain-enabled conventional neural network (CBCNN), a four-layered paradigm for detecting malicious vehicles. Layer-1 is a convolutional neural network-enabled Internet-of-Things (IoT) model for the vehicle; Layer-2 is a spatial pyramid polling layer for the vehicle; Layer-3 is a fully connected layer for the vehicle; and Layer-4 is a consortium blockchain for the vehicle. The first three layers accurately identify the vehicles, while the final layer prevents any malicious attempts. The primary goal of the four-layered paradigm is to successfully identify malicious vehicles and mitigate the potential risks they pose using multi-label classification. Furthermore, the proposed CBCNN approach is employed to ensure tamper-proof protection against a parameter manipulation attack. The consortium blockchain employs a proof-of-luck mechanism, allowing vehicles to save energy while delivering accurate information about the vehicle’s nature to the “vehicle management system.” C++ coding is employed to implement the approach, and the ns-3.34 platform is used for simulation. The ns3-ai module is specifically utilized to detect anomalies in the Internet of Vehicles (IoVs). Finally, a comparative analysis is conducted between the proposed CBCNN approach and state-of-the-art methods. The results confirm that the proposed CBCNN approach outperforms competing methods in terms of malicious label detection, average accuracy, loss ratio, and cost reduction.