bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents
Authors: Thompson Darcy A. , Jimenez-Zambrano Andrea M. , Ringwood Haley , Tschann Jeanne M. , Clark Lauren
Published: April 2023

Screen media use starts in early childhood, despite recommendations to limit use. This study explored low-income Mexican American mothers’ and fathers’ beliefs, parenting practices, and perceived contextual contributors related to toddler screen use. We conducted interviews with 32 low-income Mexican American parents. Transcripts of audio recordings were analyzed to identify themes. Parents perceived numerous benefits to screen use, including learning and enjoyment, as well as seeing it as a helpful tool for parents. Reported risks included harmful mental and physical effects and a risk of use being all-consuming. Parents managed screen use with a variety of practices, including giving close attention to content, monitoring duration, and engaging in co-use. They also used screens for behavior management and in specific situations, such as to prepare for sleep. Some differences in beliefs and parenting practices exist by screen device type. Parents also reported that contextual factors, such as weather and neighborhood safety, influenced screen use. This study extends the current literature regarding child screen use, with its focus on low-income Mexican American toddlers. The findings offer interventionists and providers insight into the management of screens in the lives of this population.
The Association between Training Frequency, Symptoms of Overtraining and Injuries in Young Men Soccer Players
Authors: Rodrigues Filipe , Monteiro Diogo , Ferraz Ricardo , Branquinho Luís , Forte Pedro
Published: April 2023

Overtraining is a prevalent issue among young men soccer players, particularly those who are driven to enhance their skills. While an intense training volume and effort might contribute to athletic growth, it can also have negative implications, including injury. The current study aimed at examining the association between training frequency, symptoms of overtraining and injuries in young men soccer players. A path analysis approach was used to examine the causal relationships between variables. The sample consisted of 189 young men soccer players aged 13–17 years old (age = 14.81, SD = 1.37). Participants reported that they were training, on average, 5.77 days (SD = 1.53) per week. Athletes were competing at a regional (n = 100) or national (n = 89) level. Concerning injuries, participants indicated, on average, 2.03 (SD = 1.16) injuries since they started practicing soccer. The results displayed a significant association, as theoretically expected, namely: (i) training frequency was significantly associated with overtraining symptoms (β = 0.15 [IC95% = 0.01, 0.29]); (ii) overtraining symptoms were significantly associated with the number of injuries (β = 0.19 [IC95% = 0.02, 0.35]). An indirect effect between training frequency and injuries was also observed (β = 0.15 [IC95% = 0.01, 0.29]). Thus, there is preliminary evidence that overtraining symptoms could play a mediating role. In conclusion, investigating the links between overtraining symptoms and injury in young men soccer players is critical, as it can assist in identifying overtraining warning signs, promote young players’ health and safety, customize training regimens to individual needs, and contribute to a better understanding of sports-related injuries.
Mechanisms, Techniques and Devices of Airborne Virus Detection: A Review
Authors: Chang Yuqing , Wang Yuqian , Li Wen , Wei Zewen , Tang Shichuan , Chen Rui
Published: April 2023

Airborne viruses, such as COVID-19, cause pandemics all over the world. Virus-containing particles produced by infected individuals are suspended in the air for extended periods, actually resulting in viral aerosols and the spread of infectious diseases. Aerosol collection and detection devices are essential for limiting the spread of airborne virus diseases. This review provides an overview of the primary mechanisms and enhancement techniques for collecting and detecting airborne viruses. Indoor virus detection strategies for scenarios with varying ventilations are also summarized based on the excellent performance of existing advanced comprehensive devices. This review provides guidance for the development of future aerosol detection devices and aids in the control of airborne transmission diseases, such as COVID-19, influenza and other airborne transmission viruses.
Reduction of Excessive Dietary Sodium Consumption: Effectiveness of a Prevention Intervention among Health Workers in a Large Italian Hospital
Authors: Spiteri Gianluca , Monaco Maria , Carta Angela , Torroni Lorena , Taus Francesco , Verlato Giuseppe , Porru Stefano
Published: April 2023

Excessive salt consumption is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure. Worldwide salt intake largely exceeds the WHO recommended amount. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of high salt consumers and the effectiveness of a short-term workplace educational intervention among health workers. An online survey, assessing daily salt consumption through the MINISAL-SIIA questionnaire, was sent to the 4911 health workers employed by the University Hospital of Verona, Italy. Health workers who had a high (total score ≥ 10) or moderate (total score = 8/9) salt consumption associated with obesity or arterial hypertension were invited to undergo a medical examination and a short individual counselling session. A total of 1665 health workers (34.0%) completed the online questionnaire; 40.9% and 12.6% had moderate and high salt intake, respectively. High salt intake was more prevalent in men, current and past smokers, and obese and overweight subjects. In 95 participants completing the clinical phase, median daily salt consumption decreased from 10 (p25–p75 8–11) to 7 g (6–8) (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure from 130 (120–140) to 120 (120–130) mmHg and weight from 78 (62–87) to 75 (62–86) kg. More than half of health workers had an excessive salt intake. However, a brief educational intervention in the healthcare working setting can substantially reduce unhealthy dietary habits, fostering weight loss and blood pressure control. Studies with a longer follow-up are needed to evaluate the persistence over time of these effects.
Driving Factors and Scale Effects of Residents’ Willingness to Pay for Environmental Protection under the Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Zhao Hongkun , Yang Yaofeng , Chen Yajuan , Yu Huyang , Chen Zhuo , Yang Zhenwei
Published: April 2023

In recent years, environmental degradation and the COVID-19 pandemic have seriously affected economic development and social stability. Addressing the impact of major public health events on residents’ willingness to pay for environmental protection (WTPEP) and analyzing the drivers are necessary for improving human well-being and environmental sustainability. We designed a questionnaire to analyze the change in residents’ WTPEP before and during COVID-19 and an established ordinary least squares (OLS), spatial lag model (SLM), spatial error model (SEM), geographically weighted regression (GWR), and multiscale GWR to explore driver factors and scale effects of WTPEP based on the theory of environment Kuznets curve (EKC). The results show that (1) WTPEP is 0–20,000 yuan before COVID-19 and 0–50,000 yuan during COVID-19. Residents’ WTPEP improved during COVID-19, which indicates that residents’ demand for an ecological environment is increasing; (2) The shapes and inflection points of the relationships between income and WTPEP are spatially heterogeneous before and during COVID-19, but the northern WTPEP is larger than southern, which indicates that there is a spatial imbalance in WTPEP; (3) Environmental degradation, health, environmental quality, and education are WTPEP’s significant macro-drivers, whereas income, age, and gender are significant micro-drivers. Those factors can help policymakers better understand which factors are more suitable for macro or micro environmental policy-making and what targeted measures could be taken to solve the contradiction between the growing ecological environment demand of residents and the spatial imbalance of WTPEP in the future.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis as a Systemic Disease
Authors: Moresi Viviana
Published: April 2023

The goal of this Special Issue is to report new research progress and reviews concerning amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [...]
Upregulation of APAF1 and CSF1R in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Chang Kuo-Hsuan , Liu Chia-Hsin , Wang Yi-Ru , Lo Yen-Shi , Chang Chun-Wei , Wu Hsiu-Chuan , Chen Chiung-Mei
Published: April 2023

Increased oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, the expression levels of 52 genes related to oxidative stress and inflammation were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the discovery cohort including 48 PD patients and 25 healthy controls. Four genes, including ALDH1A, APAF1, CR1, and CSF1R, were found to be upregulated in PD patients. The expression patterns of these genes were validated in a second cohort of 101 PD patients and 61 healthy controls. The results confirmed the upregulation of APAF1 (PD: 0.34 ± 0.18, control: 0.26 ± 0.11, p < 0.001) and CSF1R (PD: 0.38 ± 0.12, control: 0.33 ± 0.10, p = 0.005) in PD patients. The expression level of APAF1 was correlated with the scores of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS, r = 0.235, p = 0.018) and 39-item PD questionnaire (PDQ-39, r = 0.250, p = 0.012). The expression level of CSF1R was negatively correlated with the scores of the mini-mental status examination (MMSE, r = −0.200, p = 0.047) and Montréal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA, r = −0.226, p = 0.023). These results highly suggest that oxidative stress biomarkers in peripheral blood may be useful in monitoring the progression of motor disabilities and cognitive decline in PD patients.
Association between Psychopathological Symptoms and Aggression and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Adolescents with Behavioural and Emotional Disturbances
Authors: Śmiarowska Małgorzata , Pawlicka Małgorzata , Boroń Agnieszka , Grzywacz Anna , Safranow Krzysztof , Chlubek Dariusz , Dziedziejko Violetta
Published: April 2023

Behavioural and emotional disturbances (F92.8) are the most recognized disorders in a developmental psychiatry. As the problem is still alarmingly increasing, the searches for their etiopathogenesis and more effective preventing and therapy methods are required. The aim of the study was to assess the association between the quality of life, some psychopathological features, concentrations of selected immunoprotective (brain-derived neurotrophin, BDNF), and endocrine (cortisol, F) factors while adolescent disturbances. The study was performed in 123 inpatients of a psychiatric ward with F92.8 diagnosis, aged 13–18 years. The complete patients’ interview, physical examination, and routine laboratory tests, including serum F and BDNF tests, were performed. All patients completed standardized questionnaires to estimate: the severity of psychopathological symptoms (SCL-90), the level of aggression (Buss–Perry). The changes in the plasma BDNF and F concentrations were shown in patients raised in foster homes and institutions. The significantly lower BDNF was observed in youth from foster and suicide-experienced families. The more severe psychopathological symptoms, especially aggression and hostility, were found in these ones, who abused alcohol, attempted suicide, had lower self-esteem and cognitive processes, and were lacking safety in dysfunctional families.
Spectral Characteristics and Functional Responses of Phospholipid Bilayers in the Terahertz Band
Authors: Lin Yanyun , Wu Xingjuan , Wang Kaicheng , Shang Sen , Gong Yubin , Zhao Hongwei , Wu Dai , Zhang Peng , Lu Xiaoyun
Published: April 2023

Understanding the vibrational information encoded within the terahertz (THz) spectrum of biomolecules is critical for guiding the exploration of its functional responses to specific THz radiation wavelengths. This study investigated several important phospholipid components of biological membranes—distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE), dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), sphingosine phosphorylcholine (SPH), and lecithin bilayer—using THz time-domain spectroscopy. We observed similar spectral patterns for DPPC, SPH, and the lecithin bilayer, all of which contain the choline group as the hydrophilic head. Notably, the spectrum of DSPE, which has an ethanolamine head group, was different. Interestingly, density functional theory calculations confirmed that the absorption peak common to DSPE and DPPC at approximately 3.0 THz originated from a collective vibration of their similar hydrophobic tails. Accordingly, the cell membrane fluidity of RAW264.7 macrophages with irradiation at 3.1 THz was significantly enhanced, leading to improved phagocytosis. Our results highlight the importance of the spectral characteristics of the phospholipid bilayers when studying their functional responses in the THz band and suggest that irradiation at 3.1 THz is a potential non-invasive strategy to increase the fluidity of phospholipid bilayers for biomedical applications such as immune activation or drug administration.
Targeting the I7L Protease: A Rational Design for Anti-Monkeypox Drugs?
Authors: Dodaro Andrea , Pavan Matteo , Moro Stefano
Published: April 2023

The latest monkeypox virus outbreak in 2022 showcased the potential threat of this viral zoonosis to public health. The lack of specific treatments against this infection and the success of viral protease inhibitors-based treatments against HIV, Hepatitis C, and SARS-CoV-2, brought the monkeypox virus I7L protease under the spotlight as a potential target for the development of specific and compelling drugs against this emerging disease. In the present work, the structure of the monkeypox virus I7L protease was modeled and thoroughly characterized through a dedicated computational study. Furthermore, structural information gathered in the first part of the study was exploited to virtually screen the DrugBank database, consisting of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and clinical-stage drug candidates, in search for readily repurposable compounds with similar binding features as TTP-6171, the only non-covalent I7L protease inhibitor reported in the literature. The virtual screening resulted in the identification of 14 potential inhibitors of the monkeypox I7L protease. Finally, based on data collected within the present work, some considerations on developing allosteric modulators of the I7L protease are reported.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) Protects Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ASC) against Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Development and Reduces Inflammation during Adipogenesis
Authors: Kowalczuk Anna , Marycz Krzysztof , Kornicka Justyna , Groborz Sylwia , Meissner Justyna , Mularczyk Malwina
Published: April 2023

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) fulfills essential duties in cell physiology, and impairment of this organelle’s functions is associated with a wide number of metabolic diseases. When ER stress is generated in the adipose tissue, it is observed that the metabolism and energy homeostasis of the adipocytes are altered, leading to obesity-associated metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). In the present work, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV, a cannabinoid compound isolated from Cannabis sativa L.) against ER stress in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Our results show that pre-treatment with THCV prevents the subcellular alteration of cell components such as nuclei, F-actin, or mitochondria distribution, and restores cell migration, cell proliferation and colony-forming capacity upon ER stress. In addition, THCV partially reverts the effects that ER stress induces regarding the activation of apoptosis and the altered anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokine profile. This indicates the protective characteristics of this cannabinoid compound in the adipose tissue. Most importantly, our data demonstrate that THCV decreases the expression of genes involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway, which were upregulated upon induction of ER stress. Altogether, our study shows that the cannabinoid THCV is a promising compound that counters the harmful effects triggered by ER stress in the adipose tissue. This work paves the way for the development of new therapeutic means based on THCV and its regenerative properties to create a favorable environment for the development of healthy mature adipocyte tissue and to reduce the incidence and clinical outcome of metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
Novel Task-Based Unification and Adaptation (TUA) Transfer Learning Approach for Bilingual Emotional Speech Data
Authors: Shahin Ismail , Nassif Ali Bou , Thomas Rameena , Hamsa Shibani
Published: April 2023

Modern developments in machine learning methodology have produced effective approaches to speech emotion recognition. The field of data mining is widely employed in numerous situations where it is possible to predict future outcomes by using the input sequence from previous training data. Since the input feature space and data distribution are the same for both training and testing data in conventional machine learning approaches, they are drawn from the same pool. However, because so many applications require a difference in the distribution of training and testing data, the gathering of training data is becoming more and more expensive. High performance learners that have been trained using similar, already-existing data are needed in these situations. To increase a model’s capacity for learning, transfer learning involves transferring knowledge from one domain to another related domain. To address this scenario, we have extracted ten multi-dimensional features from speech signals using OpenSmile and a transfer learning method to classify the features of various datasets. In this paper, we emphasize the importance of a novel transfer learning system called Task-based Unification and Adaptation (TUA), which bridges the disparity between extensive upstream training and downstream customization. We take advantage of the two components of the TUA, task-challenging unification and task-specific adaptation. Our algorithm is studied using the following speech datasets: the Arabic Emirati-accented speech dataset (ESD), the English Speech Under Simulated and Actual Stress (SUSAS) dataset and the Ryerson Audio-Visual Database of Emotional Speech and Song dataset (RAVDESS). Using the multidimensional features and transfer learning method on the given datasets, we were able to achieve an average speech emotion recognition rate of 91.2% on the ESD, 84.7% on the RAVDESS and 88.5% on the SUSAS datasets, respectively.
Acute Haemostatic Depletion and Failure in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Pathophysiological and Clinical Considerations
Authors: Kockelmann Fabian , Maegele Marc
Published: April 2023

Background: Because of the aging population, the number of low falls in elderly people with pre-existing anticoagulation is rising, often leading to traumatic brain injury (TBI) with a social and economic burden. Hemostatic disorders and disbalances seem to play a pivotal role in bleeding progression. Interrelationships between anticoagulatoric medication, coagulopathy, and bleeding progression seem to be a promising aim of therapy. Methods: We conducted a selective search of the literature in databases like Medline (Pubmed), Cochrane Library and current European treatment recommendations using relevant terms or their combination. Results: Patients with isolated TBI are at risk for developing coagulopathy in the clinical course. Pre-injury intake of anticoagulants is leading to a significant increase in coagulopathy, so every third patient with TBI in this population suffers from coagulopathy, leading to hemorrhagic progression and delayed traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. In an assessment of coagulopathy, viscoelastic tests such as TEG or ROTEM seem to be more beneficial than conventional coagulation assays alone, especially because of their timely and more specific gain of information about coagulopathy. Furthermore, results of point-of-care diagnostic make rapid “goal-directed therapy” possible with promising results in subgroups of patients with TBI. Conclusions: The use of innovative technologies such as viscoelastic tests in the assessment of hemostatic disorders and implementation of treatment algorithms seem to be beneficial in patients with TBI, but further studies are needed to evaluate their impact on secondary brain injury and mortality.
Extrusion-Based Additively Manufactured PAEK and PAEK/CF Polymer Composites Performance: Role of Process Parameters on Strength, Toughness and Deflection at Failure
Authors: Sharafi S. , Santare M. H. , Gerdes J. , Advani S. G.
Published: April 2023

Poly aryl-ether-ketone (PAEK) belongs to a family of high-performance semicrystalline polymers exhibiting outstanding material properties at high temperatures, making them suitable candidates for metallic part replacement in different industries such as aviation, oil and gas, chemical, and biomedical. Fused filament fabrication is an additive manufacturing (AM) method that can be used to produce intricate PAEK and PAEK composite parts and to tailor their mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength and deflection at failure. In this work, we present a methodology to identify the layer design and process parameters that will have the highest potential to affect the mechanical properties of additively manufactured parts, using our previously developed multiscale modeling framework. Five samples for each of the ten identified process conditions were fabricated using a Roboze-Argo 500 version 2 with heated chamber and dual extruder nozzle. The manufactured PAEK and PAEK/carbon fiber samples were tested until failure in an Instron, using a video extensometer system. Each sample was prepared with a speckle pattern for post analysis using digital image correlation (DIC) to measure the strain and displacement over its entire surface. The raster angle and the presence of fibers had the largest influence on the mechanical properties of the AM manufactured parts, and the resulting properties were comparable to the mechanical properties of injection molded parts.
PVB Nanocomposites as Energy Directors in Ultrasonic Welding of Epoxy Composites
Authors: Cilento Fabrizia , Bassano Alessio , Sorrentino Luigi , Martone Alfonso , Giordano Michele , Palmieri Barbara
Published: April 2023

Ultrasonic welding (UW) is a well-established technique for joining thermoplastic composites and has recently been utilized in the aerospace and automotive industries. In the case of thermoset composites (TSCs), a polymer-based material placed at the welding interface called an energy director (ED) is required. The choice of the coupling layer material is linked to several requirements, such as processing temperature, high adhesion to the thermoset composites (TSCs) adherend and mechanical strength of the resulting welded joints. In this work, the authors investigated the possibility of using Poly-vinyl-butyral (PVB) reinforced with graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) as a coupling layer in the UW of TSC adherents. The effect of GNPs aspect ratio and content on the weldability of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) has been investigated. PVB/GNPs nanocomposites with different filler contents (from 0.5 wt% to 2 wt%) and different aspect ratios (100 and 2100) have been fabricated. The influence of the viscoelastic properties of the flat EDs on weldability has been assessed. Finally, an improvement of lap shear strength (LSS) of 80% was found for nanocomposites with 0.5 wt% of high-aspect-ratio GNPs with respect to neat PVB. The use of high damping nanocomposites as coupling materials for TSCs paves the way for a new generation of EDs in UW.
Biomechanical Characteristics and Analysis Approaches of Bone and Bone Substitute Materials
Authors: Niu Yumiao , Du Tianming , Liu Youjun
Published: April 2023

Bone has a special structure that is both stiff and elastic, and the composition of bone confers it with an exceptional mechanical property. However, bone substitute materials that are made of the same hydroxyapatite (HA) and collagen do not offer the same mechanical properties. It is important for bionic bone preparation to understand the structure of bone and the mineralization process and factors. In this paper, the research on the mineralization of collagen is reviewed in terms of the mechanical properties in recent years. Firstly, the structure and mechanical properties of bone are analyzed, and the differences of bone in different parts are described. Then, different scaffolds for bone repair are suggested considering bone repair sites. Mineralized collagen seems to be a better option for new composite scaffolds. Last, the paper introduces the most common method to prepare mineralized collagen and summarizes the factors influencing collagen mineralization and methods to analyze its mechanical properties. In conclusion, mineralized collagen is thought to be an ideal bone substitute material because it promotes faster development. Among the factors that promote collagen mineralization, more attention should be given to the mechanical loading factors of bone.
In Vivo Assessment of the Apatite-Forming Ability of New-Generation Hydraulic Calcium Silicate Cements Using a Rat Subcutaneous Implantation Model
Authors: Edanami Naoki , Takenaka Shoji , Ibn Belal Razi Saifullah , Yoshiba Kunihiko , Takahara Shintaro , Yoshiba Nagako , Ohkura Naoto , Noiri Yuichiro
Published: April 2023

Hydroxyapatite formation on endodontic hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs) plays a significant role in sealing the root canal system and elevating the hard-tissue inductivity of the materials. This study evaluated the in vivo apatite-forming ability of 13 new-generation HCSCs using an original HCSC (white ProRoot MTA: PR) as a positive control. The HCSCs were loaded into polytetrafluoroethylene tubes and implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of 4-week-old male Wistar rats. At 28 days after implantation, hydroxyapatite formation on the HCSC implants was assessed with micro-Raman spectroscopy, surface ultrastructural and elemental characterization, and elemental mapping of the material–tissue interface. Seven new-generation HCSCs and PR had a Raman band for hydroxyapatite (v1 PO43− band at 960 cm−1) and hydroxyapatite-like calcium-phosphorus-rich spherical precipitates on the surfaces. The other six HCSCs with neither the hydroxyapatite Raman band nor hydroxyapatite-like spherical precipitates did not show calcium-phosphorus-rich hydroxyapatite-layer-like regions in the elemental mapping. These results indicated that 6 of the 13 new-generation HCSCs possessed little or no ability to produce hydroxyapatite in vivo, unlike PR. The weak in vivo apatite-forming ability of the six HCSCs may have a negative impact on their clinical performance.
The Evaluation of the Phytoremediation Potential of the Energy Crops in Acid Soil by Sewage Sludge Fertilization
Authors: Mockevičienė Ieva , Šiaudinis Gintaras , Karčauskienė Danutė , Repšienė Regina , Barčauskaitė Karolina , Anne Olga
Published: April 2023

Phytoremediation is a green technique being increasingly used worldwide for various purposes, including sewage sludge contaminated by heavy metals. Most plants proposed for this technique have high nutrient demands, and fertilization is often required to maintain soil fertility and nutrient balance. In this context, sewage sludge could be a valuable source of nutrients (especially N and P) and water for plant growth. The main aim of this study was to assess the phytoremediation potential of selected energy plants, aspects of its increase, as well as contamination risks. Three treatments were used: unfertilized soil and the application of 45 and 90 t ha−1 of sewage sludge. The experiment was performed in common osier and cup plant growing sites. Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, and Zn contents in the soil tended to rise steadily when the amount of sewage sludge increased from 45 to 90 t ha−1. Heavy metal concentrations in the soil were ranked as follows: Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cu. Cr and Pb concentrations increased by 22.5% and 37.4% in 2020, respectively, compared to those in 2017, whereas Cu concentrations declined by 44.4%. Cu and Ni were significantly reduced by common osier while Pb and Zn were reduced by cup plant. A moderate potential ecological risk due to Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn was observed in soils. The data can be used to estimate the suitability of the soil treated by sewage sludge for added value development in line with circular economy principles.
Is the Abandonment of Organic Grassland a Threat to Alpine Insect Diversity?
Authors: Hussain Raja Imran , Ablinger Daniela , Starz Walter , Friedel Jürgen Kurt , Frank Thomas
Published: April 2023

Land abandonment is a multifaceted, nonlinear, worldwide phenomenon that is influenced by a variety of factors and opinions. The goal of this study was to understand the significance of land abandonment for true bugs and syrphids in three grassland management regimes that includes abandoned, intensive, and extensive alpine organic grasslands. In 2021 and 2022, we sampled true bugs and syrphids by applying observation plot and sweep netting sampling methods. Extensive grasslands had significantly higher true bug and syrphid abundance compared to abandoned grasslands. However, no difference of species richness was found in studied grassland regimes. Large numbers of unique species (25.5% true bugs and 21.5% syrphids) only occurred in the abandoned grasslands but not in intensive and extensive grasslands. Similarly, true bug assemblages in abandoned grasslands differed significantly from assemblages in intensive and extensive grasslands. We found that extensive grassland can manage to increase true bugs and syrphid abundance. Likewise, undisturbed abandoned grassland is not a threat to insect diversity, and supports the survival of more unique true bug and syrphid species. A mosaic landscape consisting of abandoned grassland along with grassland having different, mainly extensive, management intensity could be an ideal arrangement for alpine biodiversity conservation.
The Analysis of Mechanical Properties and Geometric Accuracy in Specimens Printed in Material Jetting Technology
Authors: Majca-Nowak Natalia , Pyrzanowski Paweł
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this research was to analyze polymer materials based on mechanical properties and geometrical parameters, such as the smallest material deviations and the best printing texture after three-dimensional (3D) printing in two methods of Material Jetting technology: PolyJet and MultiJet. This study covers checks for Vero Plus, Rigur, Durus, ABS, and VisiJet M2R-WT materials. Thirty flat specimens were printed both for 0 and 90 raster orientations. Specimen scans were superimposed on the 3D model from CAD software. Each of them was tested, paying attention to the accuracy and the layer thickness effect of printed components. Then, all specimens were subjected to tensile tests. The obtained data—Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio—were compared using statistical methods, focusing on the two most important parameters: the isotropy of the printed material in two directions and the characteristics close to linear. It was found that unitary surface deviation with general dimensional accuracy equal to ±0.1 mm was the common feature of printed models. Some small areas had lower accuracy depending on the material and printer device. Rigur material obtained the highest mechanical properties. Dimensional accuracy in Material Jetting technology as a function of layer parameters such as layer thickness and raster orientation was checked. The materials were checked in terms of relative isotropy and linearity. Additionally, similarities and differences between PolyJet and MultiJet methods were covered.
The Effect of Hydrogen on Plastic Anisotropy of Mg and α-Ti/Zr from First-Principles Calculations
Authors: Wang Jiwei , Shao Bin , Shan Debin , Guo Bin , Zong Yingying
Published: April 2023

Mg and α-Ti/Zr exhibit high plastic anisotropy. In this study, the ideal shear strength across the basal, prismatic, pyramidal I, and pyramidal II slip systems in Mg and α-Ti/Zr with and without hydrogen was computed. The findings indicate that hydrogen reduces the ideal shear strength of Mg across the basal and pyramidal II slip systems, as well as of α-Ti/Zr across all four systems. Moreover, the activation anisotropy of these slip systems was analyzed based on the dimensionless ideal shear strength. The results suggest that hydrogen increases the activation anisotropy of these slip systems in Mg, while decreasing it in α-Ti/Zr. Furthermore, the activation possibility of these slip systems in polycrystalline Mg and α-Ti/Zr subjected to uniaxial tension was analyzed by utilizing the ideal shear strength and Schmidt’s law. The results reveal that hydrogen increases the plastic anisotropy of Mg/α-Zr alloy while decreasing that of α-Ti alloy.
Quality, Microstructure, and Properties of Metal Alloys
Authors: Lipiński Tomasz
Published: April 2023

In the course of evolution, humankind has used many construction materials [...]
Analyzing the Potential of Drill Bits 3D Printed Using the Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) Technology to Drill Holes in Polyamide 6 (PA6)
Authors: Nowakowski Lukasz , Skrzyniarz Michal , Blasiak Slawomir , Rolek Jaroslaw , Vasileva Dimka , Avramova Tanya
Published: April 2023

Drilling with standard twist drill bits is the most common method to create cylindrical holes. With the constant development of additive manufacturing technologies and easier access to additive manufacturing equipment, it is now possible to design and fabricate solid tools suitable for various machining applications. Specially designed 3D printed drill bits seem more convenient for standard and nonstandard drilling operations than conventionally made tools. The study described in this article aimed to analyze the performance of a solid twist drill bit made from steel 1.2709 using direct metal laser melting (DMLM), which was compared with that of a drill bit manufactured conventionally. The experiments involved assessing the dimensional and geometric accuracy of the holes made by the two types of drill bits and comparing the forces and torques occurring during the drilling of holes in cast polyamide 6 (PA6).
Fused Filament Fabrication and Computer Numerical Control Milling in Cultural Heritage Conservation
Authors: Fico Daniela , Rizzo Daniela , Montagna Francesco , Esposito Corcione Carola
Published: April 2023

This paper reports a comparison between the advantages and disadvantages of fused filament fabrication (FFF) and computer numerical control (CNC) milling, when applied to a specific case of conservation of cultural heritage: the reproduction of four missing columns of a 17th-century tabernacle. To make the replica prototypes, European pine wood (the original material) was used for CNC milling, while polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) was used for FFF printing. Neat materials were chemically and structurally characterized (FTIR, XRD, DSC, contact angle measurement, colorimetry, and bending tests) before and after artificial aging, in order to study their durability. The comparison showed that although both materials are subject to a decrease in crystallinity (an increase in amorphous bands in XRD diffractograms) and mechanical performance with aging, these characteristics are less evident in PETG (E = 1.13 ± 0.01 GPa and σ = 60.20 ± 2.11 MPa after aging), which retains water repellent (ca = 95.96 ± 5.56°) and colorimetric (∆E = 2.6) properties. Furthermore, the increase in flexural strain (%) in pine wood, from 3.71 ± 0.03% to 4.11 ± 0.02%, makes it not suitable for purpose. Both techniques were then used to produce the same column, showing that for this specific application CNC milling is quicker than FFF, but, at the same time, it is also much more expensive and produces a huge amount of waste material compared to FFF printing. Based on these results, it was assessed that FFF is more suitable for the replication of the specific column. For this reason, only the 3D-printed PETG column was used for the subsequent conservative restoration.
Rare-Earth-Zirconate Porous High-Entropy Ceramics with Unique Pore Structures for Thermal Insulating Applications
Authors: Wang Hengchang , Xu Jie , Zhu Jiatong , Meng Xuanyu , Lin Lang , Zhang Ping , Gao Feng
Published: April 2023

Porous high-entropy ceramics are a new alternative material for thermal insulation. Their better stability and low thermal conductivity are due to lattice distortion and unique pore structures. In this work, rare-earth-zirconate ((La0.25Eu0.25Gd0.25Yb0.25)2(Zr0.75Ce0.25)2O7) porous high-entropy ceramics were fabricated by a tert-butyl alcohol (TBA)-based gel-casting method. The regulation of pore structures was realized through changing different initial solid loadings. The XRD, HRTEM, and SAED results showed that the porous high-entropy ceramics had a single fluorite phase without impurity phases, exhibiting high porosity (67.1–81.5%), relatively high compressive strength (1.02–6.45 MPa) and low thermal conductivity (0.0642–0.1213 W/(m·K)) at room temperature. Porous high-entropy ceramics with 81.5% porosity demonstrated excellent thermal properties, showing a thermal conductivity of 0.0642 W/(m·K) at room temperature and 0.1467 W/(m·K) at 1200 °C. The unique pore structure with a micron size contributed to their excellent thermal insulating performance. The present work provides the prospect that rare-earth-zirconate porous high-entropy ceramics with tailored pore structures are expected to be thermal insulation materials.
Nerve Ultrasound Score in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Authors: Tan Cheng-Yin , Yahya Mohd Azly , Goh Khean-Jin , Shahrizaila Nortina
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: Studies have suggested that, by applying certain nerve ultrasound scores, demyelinating and axonal polyneuropathies can be differentiated. In the current study, we investigated the utility of ultrasound pattern sub-score A (UPSA) and intra- and internerve cross-sectional area (CSA) variability in the diagnostic evaluation of demyelinating neuropathies. Materials and Methods: Nerve ultrasound was performed in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and compared to patients with axonal neuropathies. The UPSA, i.e., the sum of ultrasound scores at eight predefined measurement points in the median (forearm, elbow and mid-arm), ulnar (forearm and mid-arm), tibial (popliteal fossa and ankle) and fibular (lateral popliteal fossa) nerves, was applied. Intra- and internerve CSA variability were defined as maximal CSA/minimal CSA for each nerve and each subject, respectively. Results: A total of 34 CIDP, 15 AIDP and 16 axonal neuropathies (including eight axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), four hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis, three diabetic polyneuropathy and one vasculitic neuropathy) were included. A total of 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for comparison. Significantly enlarged nerve CSA was observed in CIDP and AIDP with significantly higher UPSA in CIDP compared to the other groups (9.9 ± 2.9 vs. 5.9 ± 2.0 vs. 4.6 ± 1.9 in AIDP vs. axonal neuropathies, p < 0.001). A total of 89.3% of the patients with CIDP had an UPSA score ≥7 compared to the patients with AIDP (33.3%) and axonal neuropathies (25.0%) (p < 0.001). Using this cut-off, the performance of UPSA in differentiating CIDP from other neuropathies including AIDP was excellent (area under the curve of 0.943) with high sensitivity (89.3%), specificity (85.2%) and positive predictive value (73.5%). There were no significant differences in intra- and internerve CSA variability between the three groups. Conclusion: The UPSA ultrasound score was useful in distinguishing CIDP from other neuropathies compared to nerve CSA alone.
Occurrence and Treatment of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Present in Surface Water
Authors: Sério João , Marques Ana Paula , Huertas Rosa , Crespo João Goulão , Pereira Vanessa Jorge
Published: April 2023

According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic resistance is one of the main threats to global health. The excessive use of several antibiotics has led to the widespread distribution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in various environment matrices, including surface water. In this study, total coliforms, Escherichia coli and enterococci, as well as total coliforms and Escherichia coli resistant to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ampicillin, streptomycin, and imipenem, were monitored in several surface water sampling events. A hybrid reactor was used to test the efficiency of membrane filtration, direct photolysis (using UV-C light emitting diodes that emit light at 265 nm and UV-C low pressure mercury lamps that emit light at 254 nm), and the combination of both processes to ensure the retention and inactivation of total coliforms and Escherichia coli as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) present in river water at occurrence levels. The membranes used (unmodified silicon carbide membranes and the same membrane modified with a photocatalytic layer) effectively retained the target bacteria. Direct photolysis using low-pressure mercury lamps and light-emitting diode panels (emitting at 265 nm) achieved extremely high levels of inactivation of the target bacteria. The combined treatment (unmodified and modified photocatalytic surfaces in combination with UV-C and UV-A light sources) successfully retained the bacteria and treated the feed after 1 h of treatment. The hybrid treatment proposed is a promising approach to use as point-of-use treatment by isolated populations or when conventional systems and electricity fail due to natural disasters or war. Furthermore, the effective treatment obtained when the combined system was used with UV-A light sources indicates that the process may be a promising approach to guarantee water disinfection using natural sunlight.
A Hybrid Method for Performance Degradation Probability Prediction of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Hu Yanyan , Zhang Li , Jiang Yunpeng , Peng Kaixiang , Jin Zengwang
Published: April 2023

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a promising power source, but the short lifespan and high maintenance cost restrict its development and widespread application. Performance degradation prediction is an effective technique to extend the lifespan and reduce the maintenance cost of PEMFC. This paper proposed a novel hybrid method for the performance degradation prediction of PEMFC. Firstly, considering the randomness of PEMFC degradation, a Wiener process model is established to describe the degradation of the aging factor. Secondly, the unscented Kalman filter algorithm is used to estimate the degradation state of the aging factor from monitoring voltage. Then, in order to predict the degradation state of PEMFC, the transformer structure is used to capture the data characteristics and fluctuations of the aging factor. To quantify the uncertainty of the predicted results, we also add the Monte Carlo dropout technology to the transformer to obtain the confidence interval of the predicted result. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method are verified on the experimental datasets.
Influence of Cryogenic Temperatures on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of 2195-T8 Alloy
Authors: Wang Tao , Wen Kai , Lin Ben , Li Xiwu , Li Yanan , Li Zhihui , Zhang Yongan , Xiong Baiqing
Published: April 2023

The 2195 aluminum alloy is widely used in cryogenic storage tanks for space vehicles, where it can reach a temperature of 20 K. In order to explore the reasons for the increased strength of 2195 aluminum alloys at cryogenic temperatures, uniaxial tensile tests were conducted in the range of 20 K–298 K. Tensile fracture was observed. In addition, the microstructures under different temperatures were observed using EBSD (electron back-scattered diffraction) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) techniques, and the dislocation density of the material was quantitatively characterized using the modified Williamsone–Hall method based on XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis. The results indicated that the ultimate strength increased at an increasing rate with the temperature decrease, while the elongation increase was insignificant. The fracture’s surface exhibited that dimple characteristics seemed to be unapparent while the quantity of tearing ridges was enhanced by the temperature decrease. Meanwhile, the fracture mode changed from ductile to brittle fracture. The microdeformation degree revealed by KAM images showed an aggravating trend, and the deformation tended to be more uniform. The increasingly enhanced dislocation density quantitatively revealed by the modified Williamsone–Hall method also proved this and that the increase in dislocations had a similar trend to that of tensile strength, which was furtherly revealed by TEM images. This indicated that the more regions are involved in deformation, the more dislocations are generated in the material during deformation, resulting in an increase in strength at cryogenic temperatures.
Metabolic Inheritance and the Competition for Calories between Mother and Fetus
Authors: Archer Edward , Lavie Carl J. , Dobersek Urska , Hill James O.
Published: April 2023

During the prenatal period, maternal and fetal cells compete for calories and nutrients. To ensure the survival of the mother and development of the fetus, the prenatal hormonal milieu alters the competitive environment via metabolic perturbations (e.g., insulin resistance). These perturbations increase maternal caloric consumption and engender increments in both maternal fat mass and the number of calories captured by the fetus. However, a mother’s metabolic and behavioral phenotypes (e.g., physical activity levels) and her external environment (e.g., food availability) can asymmetrically impact the competitive milieu, leading to irreversible changes in pre- and post-natal development—as exhibited by stunting and obesity. Therefore, the interaction of maternal metabolism, behavior, and environment impact the competition for calories—which in turn creates a continuum of health trajectories in offspring. In sum, the inheritance of metabolic phenotypes offers a comprehensive and consilient explanation for much of the increase in obesity and T2DM over the past 50 years in human and non-human mammals.