bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Accuracy of 3D Surgical Design and Simulation in Prefabricated Fibula Free Flaps for Jaw Reconstruction
Authors: Idris Sherif , Logan Heather , Tabet Paul , Osswald Martin , Nayar Suresh , Seikaly Hadi
Published: October 2022

The ideal jaw reconstruction involves the restoration and maintenance of jaw continuity, jaw relations, joint alignment, and facial contour, and, most importantly, dental occlusal reconstruction. One of the essential requirements of achieving a consistent functional outcome is to place the bony reconstruction in the correct three-dimensional position as it relates to the other jaw segments and dentition. A protocol of occlusion-driven reconstruction of prefabricated fibular free flaps that are customized to the patient with surgical design and simulation (SDS)-planned osseointegrated implant installation was developed by our institution. This innovation introduced significant flexibility and efficiency to jaw reconstructions, but functional and cosmetic outcomes were dependent on the accuracy of the final reconstructions when compared to the SDS plan. The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of the SDS-planned fibular flap prefabrication in a cohort of patients undergoing jaw reconstruction. All patients that had undergone primary jaw reconstruction with prefabricated fibular free flaps were reviewed. The primary outcome of this study was the accuracy of the postoperative implant positions as compared to the SDS plan. A total of 23 implants were included in the analysis. All flaps survived, there was no implant loss postoperatively, and all the patients underwent all stages of the reconstruction. SDS planning of fibular flap prefabrication resulted in better than 2 mm accuracy of osteointegrated implant placement in a cohort of patients undergoing jaw reconstruction. This accuracy could potentially result in improved functional and cosmetic outcomes.
The Psychiatric Consequences of Long-COVID: A Scoping Review
Authors: Sampogna Gaia , Di Vincenzo Matteo , Giallonardo Vincenzo , Perris Francesco , Volpicelli Antonio , Del Vecchio Valeria , Luciano Mario , Fiorillo Andrea
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a new form of traumatic event, affecting the general population worldwide and causing severe disruption of daily routine. A new urgent concern is related to the burden associated with COVID-19 symptoms that persist beyond the onset of infection, the so-called long-COVID syndrome. The present paper aims to: (1) describe the most frequent psychiatric symptoms reported by patients affected by long-COVID syndrome; (2) evaluate methodological discrepancies among the available studies; (3) inform clinicians and policy-makers on the possible strategies to be promoted in order to manage the psychiatric consequences of long-COVID syndrome. Twenty-one papers have been included in the present review, mostly with a cross-sectional or cohort design. Significant heterogeneity of long-COVID syndrome definitions was found. The presence of psychiatric symptoms was evaluated with very different assessment tools. The most common psychiatric symptoms of the long-COVID syndrome included fatigue, cognitive disturbances/impairment, depression, and anxiety symptoms. The rate of fatigue varied from 93.2–82.3% to 11.5%, cognitive impairment/cognitive dysfunction from 61.4% to 23.5% and depressive-anxiety symptoms from 23.5%to 9.5%.
Calculation of an Improved Stiffness Index Using Decomposed Radial Pulse and Digital Volume Pulse Signals
Authors: Wu Hsien-Tsai , Chen Jian-Jung
Published: October 2022

The stiffness index (SI) is used to estimate cardiovascular risk in humans. In this study, we developed a refined SI for determining arterial stiffness based on the decomposed radial pulse and digital volume pulse (DVP) waveforms. In total, 40 mature asymptomatic subjects (20 male and 20 female, 42 to 76 years of age) and 40 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (23 male and 17 female, 35 to 78 years of age) were enrolled in this study. We measured subjects’ radial pulse at the wrist and their DVP at the fingertip, and then implemented ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) to derive the orthogonal intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). An improved SI (SInew) was calculated by dividing the body height by the mean transit time between the first IMF5 peak and the IMF6 trough. Another traditional index, pulse wave velocity (PWVfinger), was also included for comparison. For the PWVfinger index, the subjects with T2DM presented significantly higher SInew values measured according to the radial pulse (SInew-RP) and DVP signals (SInew-DVP). Using a one-way analysis of variance, we found no statistically significant difference between SInew-RP and PWVfinger when applied to the same test subjects. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that a high SInew-RP value was the most significant risk factor for developing T2DM (SInew-RP odds ratio 3.17, 95% CI 1.53–6.57; SInew-DVP odds ratio 2.85, 95% CI 1.27–6.40). Our refined stiffness index could provide significant information regarding the decomposed radial pulse and digital volume pulse signals in assessments of arterial stiffness.
Mega Universities, Nanodegrees, and the Digital Disruption in Higher Education
Authors: George Babu
Published: October 2022

Traditional universities are facing a huge threat from exogenous innovators who have perfected the idea of conceiving and developing various kinds of micro-credentials that are stackable, reconfigurable, and storable in the blockchains (Khatun et al [...]
Territorial Inequalities, Ecological and Material Footprints of the Energy Transition: Case Study of the Cantabrian-Mediterranean Bioregion
Authors: Felipe-Andreu Javier , Valero Antonio , Valero Alicia
Published: October 2022

This study develops a methodology to assess the energy transition’s territorial, ecological and material impacts on regions. As a case study, the methodology is applied to the Cantabrian-Mediterranean Bioregion, a geographical area constituting eight autonomous communities located in the north of Spain. Two energy demand scenarios for 2030 and 2050 were assessed. The 2030 scenario is based on the Spanish government’s planning, and the 2050 scenario constitutes a net-zero emission economy based on electrification. Energy dependence between autonomous communities, energy and raw material needs, and availability are obtained for both scenarios. Results show a high imbalance between energy producer–consumer autonomous communities and an ecological and critical material deficit for the Bioregion. Two alternative scenarios are proposed, one based on self-sufficiency to ensure a balanced energy transition and another based on energy and material efficiency seeking that the ecological and critical material footprints do not surpass the planet’s carrying capacity. The indicators and methodology proposed can be easily replicated elsewhere and help develop more equitable and sustainable territorial planning strategies.
Geomorphological Classification of Monogenetic Volcanoes and Its Implication to Tectonic Stress Orientation in the Middle Atlas Volcanic Field (Morocco)
Authors: Benamrane Mohammed , Németh Károly , Jadid Mohamed , Talbi El Hassan
Published: October 2022

The Middle Atlas Volcanic Field (MAVF) covers an area of 1500 km2, with a total erupted volume of solid products (e.g., Dense Rock Equivalent or DRE) estimated to be more than 80 km3. The MAVF comprises 87 monogenetic basaltic volcanoes of Tertiary-Quaternary age as scoria cones (71%) and maars (29%). These monogenetic basaltic volcanoes have various morphologies (e.g., circular, semi-elliptic, elliptic in map views). They can be isolated or form clustered monogenetic complexes. They are largely grouped in the Middle Atlas, in an intraplate geotectonic context forming two distinct major alignments (N160–170° and N40–50°), each closely associated with regional structural elements. By the best estimates, the preserved bulk pyroclastic products do not exceed 0.7 km3, and they show large textural and componentry diversity (e.g., bedded/unbedded, coarse/fine, dense/scoriaceous fallout and pyroclastic density current deposit, etc.). Lava flows also demonstrate great variety of preserved surface textures, including pāhoehoe, ‘a’ā, and clastogenic types. Morphostructural features of lava flows linked to lava flow dynamics have also been recognized, and the presence of hornitos, columnar jointed basaltic flow units, lava tubes, tumuli, and clastogenic lava flows have been recognized and mapped. Some half-sectioned dykes expose interior parts of magmatic shallow feeding pipes. The current morphology of the volcanoes of the MAVF reflects various syn- and post-eruptive processes, including (1) erosional features due to weathering, (2) gravitational instability during and after volcanic activity, (3) vegetation impact, and (4) successive burial of lava flows. The documented volcanic features of this typical monogenetic volcanic field form the core of the region’s geoheritage elements and are considered to be unique in the new African geoheritage context. Hence, they will likely form the basis of future geotourism, geoeducation, and geoconservation ventures.
The Effect of School Quality on House Prices: Evidence from Shanghai, China
Authors: Liu Ziming , Ye Jiayu , Ren Guangcheng , Feng Shuyi
Published: October 2022

Understanding the housing price premium of high-quality education could be important for improving our knowledge on the formation of housing prices and potential consequences of educational resources misallocation. This paper estimates the housing price premium of high-quality primary schools in Shanghai, China. Applying the hedonic price and paired difference models with a boundary fixed effect to the house resale transaction data from January to October 2019, the study found that the housing price premium of high-quality primary school was approximately 15.6%. Moreover, the price premium of small houses was larger than that of large houses. The results suggest that high-quality education has a significant capitalization effect on housing values. This implies that the policy of restricting one student to have a seat in only one particular school within the zoning area would lead to greater education inequality and future policies should consider this effect.
Assessment and Comparison of Agricultural Technology Development under Different Farmland Management Modes: A Case Study of Grain Production, China
Authors: Luo Hui , Hu Zhaomin , Hao Xiuping , Khan Nawab , Liu Xiaojie
Published: October 2022

Agricultural technological change plays a crucial role in food security and agricultural development. In the case of considering economic risks and technical risk tolerance, farmers will use different technologies to match production factors to achieve the optimal production state. Therefore, under different farmland management modes, farms show different characteristics of technological progress. This paper attempts to compare and analyze agricultural technology development under different farmland management modes: the unified management mode of collective organizations (UMCO) and the decentralized management mode of contracted families (DMCF). The Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) of the translog average production function was applied to the 24 farms of the Hulunbuir Agricultural Reclamation Group, of which 11 farms in the western part of the Greater Khingan Mountains (Western Farms) were managed by the DMCF, and the other 13 farms in the eastern part of the Greater Khingan Mountains (Eastern Farms) were managed by the UMCO. The results are as follows: (1) without considering the resource allocation efficiency, from 2000 to 2019, the generalized technological progress rate (TFPG) of the 13 Eastern Farms (7.65%) was higher than that of the Western Farms (2.25%). (2) The returns to scale (SRC) of the Western Farms was higher than that of the Eastern Farms. (3) The technological efficiency change rate (TEC) and the technical progress (TP) of the Eastern Farms is higher than that of the Western Farms. It is recommended that farms strengthen the construction of their infrastructure and service systems, resist natural disasters, reduce the disaster’s impact on technological progress, give full play to the overall planning advantages of the collective organizations, improve the product allocation efficiency factors, and create connotative profit points.
Socio-Spatial Inequalities, and Local Struggles for the Right to the City and to Nature—Cases of Urban Green Parks in Athens
Authors: Sotiriou Giannis , Petropoulou Chryssanthi
Published: October 2022

In this paper we hypothesize that the practices that prevailed during the pandemic period in relation to the right to parks were related to traditional urban discriminatory policies that need to be changed. We also argue that, in some cases, the residents themselves treated the parks as common living spaces by protecting them from neoliberal grabbing policies that deprive residents of greenery and infringe on the right to the city and to nature. With this in mind, we proceeded with research on the city of Athens. We investigated two urban green parks, the first was “Lofos Philopappou”, which is one of the most important parks in the city, as it is one of the largest green spaces in the city center and includes some of the most important ancient monuments. The second park was “Antonis Tritsis”, which is the largest park in Athens Metropolitan Area and one of the few high green spaces in the western suburbs. In the framework of this study, we investigated the attitudes and the actions of visitors and groups regarding these parks, the urban social movements, and local struggles and initiatives that are active in the public green parks, together with participation through the commons. We also investigated management policies and attempts to privatize them. The research methods that were used were participant observation in the studied parks, semi-structured interviews with people or groups that used the public urban green parks on a regular basis, noting the narratives they produced, and questionnaires given to visitors who actively used the urban parks. In conclusion, policies implemented within public parks were found to prevent the integration of public green spaces in the daily lives of residents and the active participation of residents in decisions concerning the green extensions of their neighborhoods. In this way, a part of society is deprived of the ability to maintain continuous contact with nature and green parks.
Sustainable Revitalization and Green Development Practices in China’s Northwest Arid Areas: A Case Study of Yanchi County, Ningxia
Authors: Wang Yongsheng , Qu Lulu , Wang Jieyong , Liu Qian , Chen Zongfeng
Published: October 2022

Consolidating and expanding the achievements of poverty alleviation, and effectively connecting it with rural revitalization, are part of an important path to achieving sustainable poverty alleviation and common prosperity in China, especially in its northwest arid areas. In this paper, the human–earth system was employed to analyze the elemental composition, structural organization, and functional state of China’s northwest arid areas. The results revealed the following: (1) poverty in northwest arid areas stems from the lack of a coupling and coordinating mechanism among humans, the economy, resources, and environmental elements; this is not conducive to transforming ecological advantages into regional development. (2) In the antipoverty stage, China’s northwest arid areas innovate human–earth coupling and a coordinating mechanism through a series of targeted measures. (3) We found that three paths, namely “promoting the integration of featured advantageous industries and tourism culture, innovating the realization path according to local conditions, and paying attention to the subjectivity of farmers” broaden the means of sustainable livelihood, consolidate the achievements of poverty alleviation, and achieve rural revitalization. (4) In particular, it is necessary to practice the concept of green development and pursue ecological industrialization by establishing a policy system of green land-people-industry-right, thus building an endogenous growth mechanism of sustainable poverty alleviation and green development in China’s northwest arid areas. The results provide theoretical support and model reference for the effective connection between consolidating and expanding the key achievements of poverty alleviation and rural revitalization in China’s northwest arid areas.
Correlation Analysis of Evapotranspiration, Emissivity Contrast and Water Deficit Indices: A Case Study in Four Eddy Covariance Sites in Italy with Different Environmental Habitats
Authors: Torresani Michele , Masiello Guido , Vendrame Nadia , Gerosa Giacomo , Falocchi Marco , Tomelleri Enrico , Serio Carmine , Rocchini Duccio , Zardi Dino
Published: October 2022

Evapotranspiration (ET) represents one of the essential processes controlling the exchange of energy by terrestrial vegetation, providing a strong connection between energy and water fluxes. Different methodologies have been developed in order to measure it at different spatial scales, ranging from individual plants to an entire watershed. In the last few years, several methods and approaches based on remotely sensed data have been developed over different ecosystems for the estimation of ET. In the present work, we outline the correlation between ET measured at four eddy covariance (EC) sites in Italy (situated either in forest or in grassland ecosystems) and (1) the emissivity contrast index (ECI) based on emissivity data from thermal infrared spectral channels of the MODIS and ASTER satellite sensors (CAMEL data-set); (2) the water deficit index (WDI), defined as the difference between the surface and dew point temperature modeled by the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) data. The analysis covers a time-series of 1 to 7 years depending on the site. The results showed that both the ECI and WDI correlate to the ET calculated through EC. In the relationship WDI-ET, the coefficient of determination ranges, depending on the study area, between 0.5 and 0.9, whereas it ranges between 0.5 and 0.7 when ET was correlated to the ECI. The slope and the sign of the latter relationship is influenced by the vegetation habitat, the snow cover (particularly in winter months) and the environmental heterogeneity of the area (calculated in this study through the concept of the spectral variation hypothesis using Rao’s Q heterogeneity index).
Dietary Polyphenols as Natural Inhibitors of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase
Authors: Ćorković Ina , Gašo-Sokač Dajana , Pichler Anita , Šimunović Josip , Kopjar Mirela
Published: October 2022

It is well known that carbohydrates are the main source of calories in most diets. However, by inhibiting carbohydrases, intake of calories is reduced and weight loss is improved. α-amylase is an enzyme that hydrolyses α-1,4 glycosidic linkages of α-linked polysaccharides, resulting in low-molecular-weight products such as glucose, maltose and maltotriose, while α-glucosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of nonreducing α-1,4-linked glucose moieties from disaccharides or oligosaccharides. Currently, one of the most common nutritional disorders in the world is hyperglycemia. One of the new therapeutic approaches to treat this disease is the application of natural inhibitors, such as polyphenols, that control starch digestion and regulate blood glucose level. Dietary polyphenols showed potential inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase and this review summarizes the recently published literature that studied inhibition mechanisms and the structure–activity relationship between individual dietary polyphenols and mentioned digestive enzymes. It is known that higher binding interactions cause higher inhibitory activities; thus, different polyphenols can affect different steps in the digestion of polysaccharides. The aim of this review is to clarify these mechanisms and to introduce polyphenol-rich functional foods as potential tools for the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase.
Effects of the Probiotic Enterococcus faecium on Muscle Characteristics of Chickens
Authors: Albrecht Elke , Zitnan Rudolf , Karaffova Viera , Revajova Viera , Čechová Michaela , Levkut Jr. Martin , Röntgen Monika
Published: October 2022

The use of antibiotics in farm animals is one of the main reasons for the development of resistant bacterial strains (e.g., zoonotic pathogens). Therefore, save alternatives are needed. Here, we examined how post-hatch application (day one to seven of life) of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium AL41 (EF) affects the development and tissue properties of the broiler pectoralis major muscle (PM). Expression of regulators, namely IGF-1, PAX7, and MYF5, was also investigated. At day 1 (n = 6), and days 5, 8, and 12 (n = 10), muscle samples were taken from control and EF supplemented chicks. From day 5 on, myonuclei number per fiber was elevated in EF chicks. Improved capillarization (from day 8), larger myofibers, increased body and PM weights (day 12) were found in the EF group. Part of our findings is explainable by higher intramuscular expression of IGF-1 and lower MYF5 expression in EF birds. In both groups IGF-1 expression decreases with age, thereby increasing the cellular myogenic potential. However, a strong increase in PAX7 expression and more PAX7-positive nuclei were found in EF chicks at day 12. We conclude that EF supplementation improves PM growth and health due to positive effects on bioavailability and fusion capacity of SATC progeny and better tissue perfusion.
Chest CT for Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Desperito Elise , Schwartz Lawrence , Capaccione Kathleen M. , Collins Brian T. , Jamabawalikar Sachin , Peng Boyu , Patrizio Rebecca , Salvatore Mary M.
Published: October 2022

Background: We report the results of our retrospective analysis of the ability of standard chest CT scans to correctly diagnose cancer in the breast. Methods: Four hundred and fifty-three consecutive women with chest CT scans (contrast and non-contrast) preceding mammograms within one year comprise the study population. All chest CT images were reviewed by an experienced fellowship-trained chest radiologist and mammograms by an experienced fellowship-trained mammographer without the benefit of prior or ancillary studies; only four mammographic views were included for analysis. The size, location, and shape of breast masses were documented; on CT, the average Hounsfield units were measured. On both imaging modalities, the presence of lymphadenopathy, architectural distortion, skin thickening, and microcalcifications were recorded. Ultimately, the interpreting radiologist was asked to decide if a biopsy was indicated, and these recommendations were correlated with the patient’s outcome. Findings: Nineteen of four hundred and fifty-three patients had breast cancer at the time of the mammography. Breast masses were the most common finding on chest CT, leading to the recommendation for biopsy. Hounsfield units were the most important feature for discerning benign from malignant masses. CT sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT for breast cancer detection was 84.21%, 99.3%, and 98.68% compared to 78.95%, 93.78%, and 93.16% for four-view mammography. Chest CT scans with or without contrast had similar outcomes for specificity and accuracy, but sensitivity was slightly less without contrast. Chest CT alone, without the benefit of prior exams and patient recall, correctly diagnosed cancer with a p-value of <0.0001 compared to mammography with the same limitations. Conclusion: Chest CT accurately diagnosed breast cancer with few false positives and negatives and did so without the need for patient recall for additional imaging.
Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties of Tetrahydrocurcumin-Based Formulations: An Overview of Their Metabolism in Different Microbiotic Compartments
Authors: Atanasova-Panchevska Natalija , Stojchevski Radoslav , Hadzi-Petrushev Nikola , Mitrokhin Vadim , Avtanski Dimiter , Mladenov Mitko
Published: October 2022

In this review, the basic metabolic characteristics of the curcuminoid tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) at the level of the intestinal microbiota were addressed. Special attention was given to the bactericidal effects of one of the THC-phospholipid formulations, which has shown greater bioavailability and activity than pure THC. Similarly, quinoline derivatives and amino acid conjugates of THC have also shown antibacterial effects in the gut. The microbial effect of pure THC is particularly pronounced in pathophysiological conditions related to the function of the intestinal microbiota, such as type II diabetes. Furthermore, the antiviral characteristics of Cur compared to those of THC are more pronounced in preventing the influenza virus. In the case of HIV infections, the new microemulsion gel formulations of THC possess high retention during preventive application in the vagina and, at the same time, do not disturb the vaginal microbiota, which is critical in maintaining low vaginal pH. Based on the reviewed literature, finding new formulations of THC which can increase its bioavailability and activity and emphasize its antibacterial and antiviral characteristics could be very important. Applying such THC formulations in preventing and treating ailments related to the microbiotic compartments in the body would be beneficial from a medical point of view.
Pre-Lens Tear Meniscus Height, Lipid Layer Pattern and Non-Invasive Break-Up Time Short-Term Changes with a Water Gradient Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens
Authors: Capote-Puente Raúl , Bautista-Llamas María-José , Manzoni Caterina , Sánchez-González José-María
Published: October 2022

To evaluate pre-lens tear film volume, stability and lipid interferometry patterns with a silicone hydrogel water content contact lens, a novel, noninvasive, ocular-surface-analyzer technology was used. A prospective, longitudinal, single-center, self-control study was performed in daily or monthly replacement silicone hydrogel contact lens wearers. A tear film analysis was achieved with the Integrated Clinical Platform (ICP) Ocular Surface Analyzer (OSA) from SBM System. The subjects were reassessed, with the contact lens, after 30 min of wearing to quantify the volume, stability and lipid pattern of the short-term pre-lens tear film. Lipid layer thickness decreased from 2.05 ± 1.53 to 1.90 ± 1.73 Guillon patterns (p = 0.23). First pre-lens NIBUT decreased from 5.03 ± 1.04 to 4.63 ± 0.89 s (p = 0.01). Mean pre-lens NIBUT significantly increased from 15.19 ± 9.54 to 21.27 ± 11.97 s (p < 0.01). Lid opening time significantly increased from 26.36 ± 19.72 to 38.58 ± 21.78 s (p < 0.01). The silicone hydrogel contact lens with water gradient technology significantly increased the mean pre-lens NIBUT and lid opening time. Lehfilcon A suggested an improvement in contact lens wearers with tear film instability or decreased subjective symptoms of dry eye disease.
Combined Deep Learning Techniques for Mandibular Fracture Diagnosis Assistance
Authors: Son Dong-Min , Yoon Yeong-Ah , Kwon Hyuk-Ju , Lee Sung-Hak
Published: October 2022

Mandibular fractures are the most common fractures in dentistry. Since diagnosing a mandibular fracture is difficult when only panoramic radiographic images are used, most doctors use cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to identify the patient’s fracture location. In this study, considering the diagnosis of mandibular fractures using the combined deep learning technique, YOLO and U-Net were used as auxiliary diagnostic methods to detect the location of mandibular fractures based on panoramic images without CBCT. In a previous study, mandibular fracture diagnosis was performed using YOLO learning; in the detection performance result of the YOLOv4-based mandibular fracture diagnosis module, the precision score was approximately 97%, indicating that there was almost no misdiagnosis. In particular, fractures in the symphysis, body, angle, and ramus tend to be distributed in the middle of the mandible. Owing to the irregular fracture types and overlapping location information, the recall score was approximately 79%, which increased the detection of undiagnosed fractures. In many cases, fractures that are clearly visible to the human eye cannot be grasped. To overcome these shortcomings, the number of undiagnosed fractures can be reduced using a combination of the U-Net and YOLOv4 learning modules. U-Net is advantageous for the segmentation of fractures spread over a wide area because it performs semantic segmentation. Consequently, the undiagnosed case in the middle of the mandible, where YOLO was weak, was somewhat supplemented by the U-Net module. The precision score of the combined module was 95%, similar to that of the previous method, and the recall score improved to 87%, as the number of undiagnosed cases was reduced. Through this study, the performance of a deep learning method that can be used for the diagnosis of the mandibular bone has been improved, and it is anticipated that as an auxiliary diagnostic inspection device, it will assist dentists in making diagnoses.
Correlation of Surface Tension of Mono-Solvents at Various Temperatures
Authors: Kabudi Navid , Shayanfar Ali , Acree William E. , Jouyban Abolghasem
Published: October 2022

Surface tension is among the most important factors in chemical and pharmaceutical processes. Modeling the surface tension of solvents at different temperatures helps to optimize the type of solvent and temperature. The surface tension of solvents at different temperatures with their solvation parameters was used in this study to develop a model based on the van’t Hoff equation by multiple linear regression. Abraham solvation parameters, Hansen solubility parameters, and Catalan parameters are among the most discriminating descriptors. The overall MPD of the model was 3.48%, with a minimum and maximum MPD of 0.04% and 11.62%, respectively. The model proposed in this study could be useful for predicting the surface tension of mono-solvents at different temperatures.
William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition: Finding Human Agency in a Commodified Techno-Culture
Authors: Ghashmari Ahmad A.
Published: October 2022

This paper addresses the commodification of the human experience in late capitalism as depicted in William Gibson’s novel Pattern Recognition and the potential of technology in helping the human subject in evading commodification. The novel shows how the virtual world and the physical world can become mutually supportive in allowing the characters to search for meaning, pattern and wholeness by using technology as an empowering force for the human subject while managing to avoid being consumed by a powerful capitalist market. The novel’s protagonist’s success in using technology as a humanizing force proves that humans can thrive within its sphere without necessarily being absorbed or overwhelmed by it.
Characterisation of the Contact between Cross-Country Skis and Snow: A Macro-Scale Investigation of the Apparent Contact
Authors: Kalliorinne Kalle , Sandberg Joakim , Hindér Gustav , Larsson Roland , Holmberg Hans-Christer , Almqvist Andreas
Published: October 2022

In a cross-country skiing competition, the time difference between the winner and the skier coming in at second place is typically very small. Since the skier spends much of the energy on overcoming resistive forces, a relatively small reduction in these forces can have a significant impact on the results. The resistive forces come partly from the friction, at the tribological interface between the ski and the snow, and as with many tribological processes, the characterisation of its origin plays an important role in determining the frictional properties. Furthermore, in cross-country ski friction, there are several scales impacting the frictional performance, with the major contributors being the ski-camber profile and ski-base structure. Macro-scale measurements of the ski-camber profile under loading are often used to determine how adequate the ski is for use under specific conditions. The characteristic properties usually assessed are the force required to collapse the ski in order to obtain a certain camber height, the topography of the kick-wax zone, and the length (determined by simple means) of the frictional interfaces associated with the rear- and front glide zones, i.e., the apparent contact length. These measurements are, however, commonly performed by loading the ski against a much stiffer counter surface than snow and this affects the quantification of the characteristic properties. To date, some mathematical models have been proposed, but there is no reliable approach for determining the macro-scale properties of the contact between a cross-country ski and a counter surface using simulations. In the present paper, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has been trained to predict the ski-camber profile for various loads applied at different positions. A well-established deterministic approach has been employed to simulate the contact between the ANN-predicted ski-camber profile and a linearly elastic body with a flat upper surface, representing the snow. Our findings indicate that this method is feasible for the determination of relevant macro-scale contact characteristics of different skis with snow. Moreover, we show that the apparent contact area does not linearly depend on the load and that the material properties of the counter surface also exert a large impact when quantifying the apparent contact area and the average apparent contact pressure.
1-Phenyl-3-tosyl-1H-pyrrole
Authors: Kechagioglou Zoumpoulia , Demopoulos Vassilis J.
Published: October 2022

1-Phenyl-3-tosyl-1H-pyrrole was prepared, in moderate yield, by the electrophilic aromatic substitution of 1-phenyl-1H-pyrrole with tosyl chloride in the presence of excess zinc oxide under solvent-free conditions. A minor product was its isomer, 1-phenyl-2-tosyl-1H-pyrrole.
A Case Study in Social Manufacturing: From Social Manufacturing to Social Value Chain
Authors: Xiong Guang-Yu , Helo Petri , Ekstrom Steve , Tamir Tariku Sinshaw
Published: October 2022

A new manufacturing mode, called social manufacturing, has been developing widely, and employed in many enterprises across the business value chain in recent years. Faced with this increasing dynamic, both enterprises and customers have to be more aware of the potential opportunity and benefit to be derived from this new manufacturing mode. One benefit is more value-adding potential for both enterprises upstream and customers downstream across the business value chain, compared with the normal mode. This research extends the application of social manufacturing to the entire business value chain system to bring new opportunities and value-adding potential for enterprises. This paper proposes a social value chain system that applies the social manufacturing mode to the entire value chain and contributes to three areas: (1) a new way of thinking for enterprises to create new opportunities to add value throughout the value chain by employing the social manufacturing mode; (2) establishing the social value chain system for all participants/enterprises across the chain in order to gain a win–win situation for all participants; and (3) suggesting some idea of a suitable performance measurement to monitor and evaluate the proposed social value chain system.
Kinematic Comparisons of Hybrid Mechanisms for Bone Surgery: 3-PRP-3-RPS and 3-RPS-3-PRP
Authors: Reinaldo Christopher , Phu Sinh Nguyen , Essomba Terence , Nurahmi Latifah
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes an approach to derive the Jacobian matrix of a hybrid mechanism by applying a velocity operator to the transformation matrix. This Jacobian matrix is capable of deducing hybrid singularities, which cannot be identified by using the screw-based Jacobian or velocity-based Jacobian. The transformation matrix was obtained based on the algebraic geometry approach, and it becomes the key point since it was used to not only formulate the Jacobian matrix, but also to define the motion type of hybrid mechanisms. In this paper, two hybrid mechanisms were investigated, which were composed of two distinct parallel mechanisms mounted in series. Hybrid Mechanisms 1 and 2 were composed of 3-PRP-3-RPS and 3-RPS-3-PRP (the underlined P is an actuated joint), respectively. The motion types of Hybrid Mechanisms 1 and 2 were determined from the product of the transformation matrices of the 3-PRP and 3-RPS parallel mechanisms, and vice versa. The developed method was employed to establish the Jacobian matrix to which the conditioning index was applied. Therefore, the kinematic performances of the two hybrid mechanisms can be compared for a given bone surgery trajectory within the workspace. It turns out that Hybrid Mechanism 1 has superior performance than that of Mechanism 2, which indicates that Mechanism 1 is better at transmitting power to the moving platform.
Mechanical Response of Reactive Extruded Biocomposites Based on Recycled Poly(lactic Acid) (R-PLA)/Recycled Polycarbonate (R-PC) and Cellulosic Fibers with Different Aspect Ratios
Authors: Gigante Vito , Aliotta Laura , Coltelli Maria-Beatrice , Lazzeri Andrea
Published: October 2022

Coupling recycling processes with increased use of bio-derived and environmentally friendly materials, with the aim of approaching (or overcoming) the mechanical properties of petroleum-derived plastics, is a path that research is pursuing in small but important steps. It is in this stream that this paper wants to fit in developing recycled poly(lactic acid) (R-PLA)/recycled polycarbonate (R-PC) blends obtained from thermoforming processing scraps and reinforcing them with cellulosic-derived fibers, having three different aspect ratios. The aim is to understand the mechanical properties of “second life” materials, their adherence to some micromechanical predictive models and the reinforcement capacity of these natural fibers in relation to their dimensions. Moreover, a compatibilizing system, based on Triacetin (TA) and Tetrabutylammonium Tetraphenylborate (TBATPB), has been added during the extrusion to investigate if a reactive process among R-PLA/R-PC and cellulosic fibers can be achieved.
New Framework to Study Electromagnetic Turbulence
Authors: Pinheiro Mario J.
Published: October 2022

Combining a current source involving vortical surface currents in the set of Maxwell’s equations offers a functional framework to address the complex phenomena of electromagnetic turbulence. The field structure equations exhibit fluid behavior with associated electromagnetic viscosity and reveal that the electromagnetic field, as a fluid, shows turbulent properties. This is an entirely new mechanism, investigated for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The fluidic–electromagnetic analogy implies that diffraction is the analog phenomenon of EM turbulence. The method clarifies the role of vortical surface currents in generating electromagnetic turbulence and classical fractal-like behavior in optical devices and suggests norms to design suitable plasmon circuity to control electromagnetic turbulence in stealth technology and propulsion machines.
Bandwidth Enhancement of a Mobile Phone Antenna Using Ferrite Slab
Authors: Li Peng , Zong Wei-Hua , Jin Zhejun , Yang Zhiqun , Qu Xiaoyun , Li Shandong
Published: October 2022

A novel technique to enhance the bandwidth of mobile phone antennas using YIG ferrite is proposed. The technique is applied in two slot antennas which are the proposed antenna and the reference antenna. The two antennas have the same shaped slot consisting of a rectangle connected to a circle etched on the ground plane. A ferrite slab is attached at the region near the circular slot on the ground plane of each antenna. The measured bandwidth of the proposed antenna with ferrite slab is enhanced to 0.669–1.533 and 1.69–5 GHz compared with the bandwidth of 0.81–1.44 and 2.3–5 GHz for the antenna without ferrite. The bandwidth of the reference antenna with ferrite slab is enhanced to 0.715–5 GHz compared with the bandwidth of 0.813–1.01, 1.11–1.3 and 2.33–5 GHz for the antenna without ferrite loading. The technique has the virtues of easy fabrication and low cost.
An Intelligent System for Patients’ Well-Being: A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach
Authors: Silva-Aravena Fabián , Gutiérrez-Bahamondes Jimmy H. , Núñez Delafuente Hugo , Toledo-Molina Roberto M.
Published: October 2022

The coronavirus pandemic has intensified the strain on medical care processes, especially waiting lists for patients under medical management. In Chile, the pandemic has caused an increase of 52,000 people waiting for care. For this reason, a high-complexity hospital (HCH) in Chile devised a decision support system (DSS) based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), which combines management criteria, such as critical events, with clinical variables that allow prioritizing the population of chronic patients on the waiting list. The tool includes four methodological contributions: (1) pattern recognition through the analysis of anonymous patient data that allows critical patients to be characterized; (2) a score of the critical events suffered by the patients; (3) a score based on clinical criteria; and (4) a dynamic–hybrid methodology for patient selection that links critical events with clinical criteria and with the risk levels of patients on the waiting list. The methodology allowed to (1) characterize the most critical patients and triple the evaluation of medical records; (2) save medical hours during the prioritization process; (3) reduce the risk levels of patients on the waiting list; and (4) reduce the critical events in the first month of implementation, which could have been caused by the DSS and medical decision-making. This strategy was effective (even during a pandemic period).
Neural Network Approaches for Computation of Soil Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Rizvi Zarghaam Haider , Akhtar Syed Jawad , Husain Syed Mohammad Baqir , Khan Mohiuddeen , Haider Hasan , Naqvi Sakina , Tirth Vineet , Wuttke Frank
Published: October 2022

The effective thermal conductivity (ETC) of soil is an essential parameter for the design and unhindered operation of underground energy transportation and storage systems. Various experimental, empirical, semi-empirical, mathematical, and numerical methods have been tried in the past, but lack either accuracy or are computationally cumbersome. The recent developments in computer science provided a new computational approach, the neural networks, which are easy to implement, faster, versatile, and reasonably accurate. In this study, we present three classes of neural networks based on different network constructions, learning and computational strategies to predict the ETC of the soil. A total of 384 data points are collected from literature, and the three networks, Artificial neural network (ANN), group method of data handling (GMDH) and gene expression programming (GEP), are constructed and trained. The best accuracy of each network is measured with the coefficient of determination (R2) and found to be 91.6, 83.2 and 80.5 for ANN, GMDH and GEP, respectively. Furthermore, two sands with 80% and 99% quartz content are measured, and the best performing network from each class of ANN, GMDH and GEP is independently validated. The GEP model provided the best estimate for 99% quartz sand and GMDH with 80%.
Speed Fluctuation Suppression Strategy of Servo System with Flexible Load Based on Pole Assignment Fuzzy Adaptive PID
Authors: Liu Xiangchen , Wang Yihan , Wang Minghai
Published: October 2022

Flexible load is widely used in servo systems, and will cause nonlinear displacement and vibration of the system and then cause speed fluctuations in the servo system motor. In order to reduce the fluctuation of system velocity, a fuzzy adaptive vibration suppression strategy based on pole assignment is proposed. Firstly, the dynamic model of the flexible-load system is established by using the assumed mode method (AMM) and the Lagrange principle. Then, according to the initial traditional PID parameters, the same real-part pole assignment method is used to improve it. Next, a fuzzy adaptive rule is designed to adjust the PID parameters after pole assignment. Finally, three different control strategies are applied to the servo-driven flexible-load system, three different conditions with the variable as the length of the flexible load are selected for numerical simulation, the output parameters of the system are obtained, and the errors are analyzed. The results show that the fuzzy adaptive PID control strategy based on pole assignment proposed in this paper makes the system have a higher working accuracy, and compared with the traditional PID control method and the improved PID control method, the vibration suppression effect of the system is more obvious, and the stability of the system can be increased by about 10%, which fully demonstrates the effectiveness of the control strategy proposed in this paper.
An Integrable Evolution System and Its Analytical Solutions with the Help of Mixed Spectral AKNS Matrix Problem
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Gao Jiao , Xu Bo
Published: October 2022

In this work, a novel integrable evolution system in the sense of Lax’s scheme associated with a mixed spectral Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur (AKNS) matrix problem is first derived. Then, the time dependences of scattering data corresponding to the mixed spectral AKNS matrix problem are given in the inverse scattering analysis. Based on the given time dependences of scattering data, the reconstruction of potentials is carried out, and finally analytical solutions with four arbitrary functions of the derived integrable evolution system are formulated. This study shows that some other systems of integrable evolution equations under the resolvable framework of the inverse scattering method with mixed spectral parameters can be constructed by embedding different spectral parameters and time-varying coefficient functions to the known AKNS matrix spectral problem.
Equivalent Solution Method for the Analytical Transverse Modal Shape of Hollow Slab Bridges
Authors: Qu Chunxu , Gong Yachao , Ren Liang , Zhang Rui , Li Hongnan
Published: October 2022

Hollow slab bridges are the most widely used form of small- and medium-span bridges. The existing research on the dynamic characteristics of hollow slab bridges is mostly based on numerical models, but there is a lack of theoretical analyses of their dynamic characteristics. In this paper, the relationship between the dynamic characteristic parameters and structural parameters of a hollow slab bridge is explored theoretically. Firstly, the solid model of a hollow slab bridge was established, and a modal analysis was carried out on it as a reference. Then, an orthotropic plate was used as an equivalent dynamic analysis model, and the analytical form of the transverse modal shape was deduced based on Kirchhoff thin plate theory. Furthermore, one hinge joint was considered as being equivalent to the elastic support boundary, and the local structure and the equivalent elastic support boundary were used to reflect the transverse modal shape of the original structure. The analysis shows that the influence of hinge joints on the transverse modal shape is mainly reflected in the transmission of bending deformation. Through comparison and verification, the results show that the analytical expression of the transverse modal shape can well describe the low-order transverse modal shape of a hollow slab bridge.