bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction criteria for the qualitative analysis of the prison population: drugs possession/consumption and gender violence
Authors: Muñoz-López Lucas , Fernández García-Valdecasas Borja , López-Rodríguez Slava , Aguilar-Yamuza Beatriz
Published: August 2024

Introduction

People with language difficulties cannot face challenges related to social skills. Those language disorders affect academic, work environments, and social interaction, leading to maladaptive and aggressive behaviors. Young inmates are at high risk of experiencing unrecognized language deficiencies. It is, therefore, necessary to analyze linguistic pathologies that can influence criminal behavior (drugs possession/consumption and gender violence crimes). There are many standardized tests to evaluate and detect language difficulties in adults in English. However, there are relatively few options in Spanish; there are no tests that evaluate language qualitatively and in depth. Most of the research is conducted with children and adolescents.

Objectives

To propose a reliable coding system for the correction and interpretation of narratives (essays and narratives) from the Battery for the Evaluation of Writing Processes (PROESC) in the prisoners charged of drugs possession or consumption and gender violence crimes.

Design

The sample was composed of 287 men.

Main outcome measures

They completed the Demographic, Offense, and Behavioral Interview in Institutions, the International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE), and PROESC.

Results

We found that the proposed coding system presented high concordance, that is, high inter-rater reliability.

Conclusion

The classification system for the correction and interpretation of narratives was shown to be reliable.
Prevalence of stigma towards mental illness among Portuguese healthcare professionals: a descriptive and comparative study
Authors: Torres Inês N. , Pereira Helena P. , Moreira Maria Beatriz P. , Marina Sílvia , Ricou Miguel
Published: August 2024

Background

Stigmatising attitudes among healthcare professionals can hinder access to healthcare, making it important to address this issue. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of stigma related to mental illness among Portuguese healthcare professionals and to compare the results among mental health professionals, General Practitioners (GPs) and other health professionals.

Methods

An online cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Portugal using Google Forms® to collect data. The data collection process lasted five months, from September 2023 to January 2024. Participants were recruited from various professional associations and Health Centre Groups, through a purposive sampling. The study used the Portuguese version of the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Healthcare Providers (OMS-HC) to measure stigma which assesses three dimensions: attitudes towards disclosure and help-seeking, attitudes towards people with mental illness, and attitudes towards social distance.

Results

A total of 292 healthcare professionals participated in the study. In Portugal, healthcare professionals displayed low to moderate levels of stigma towards mental illness (M = 22.17, SD = 5.41). Mental health professionals demonstrated significantly lower levels of stigma (M=20.37, SD=5.37) compared to other healthcare professionals (M=24.15, SD=4.71), including GPs (M=23.97, SD=5.03). Additionally, having a close friend or relative with mental illness seemed to be related with lower levels of stigma for the dimension attitudes towards social distance (M=6.93, SD=2.50), compared to not having one (M=7.60, SD=2.56). On the other hand, a personal history of mental illness indicated higher levels of stigma for the dimension disclosure and help-seeking (M=8.95, SD=3.07), compared to having no history of mental illness (M=8.16, SD=2.67).

Conclusion

This study indicates that Portuguese healthcare professionals have stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness, although at low to moderate levels. Training and frequent interaction with people with mental illness seem to be associated with lower levels of stigma. Personal experience of mental illness seems to follow the opposite path regarding disclosure and seeking help. Thus, further research is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-stigma measures and deepen the study of the concept of self-stigma in healthcare professionals.
Sustainability of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination in Ghana: a cost-effectiveness analysis in the context of donor transition
Authors: Ibrahim Abdul-Mumin , Owusu Richmond , Nonvignon Justice
Published: August 2024

Background

Streptococcus pneumonia is responsible for 18% of infant deaths in Ghana. With co-financing from Gavi in 2012, Ghana introduced the PCV13 into the childhood immunization programme to reduce the burden of Streptococcus pneumonia. However, Ghana will graduate to the Gavi fully self-financing phase in 2026, when the nation assumes full responsibility of paying for the PCV13. This research aims to evaluate the health impact and cost-effectiveness of PCV13 immunization in Ghana since its implementation and after the cessation of support from Gavi.

Methods

We used the UNIVAC tool to evaluate two main scenarios of cost-effectiveness, from vaccine introduction (2012–2025) and after Gavi transition (2026–2031) in comparison with no vaccination. The sources of data include national data, international estimates and expert opinion. Cost was considered from both the government and societal perspectives. We discounted health outcomes at 3%. Currency values were stated in US Dollars. We tested the robustness of the base case results by performing scenario and sensitivity analyses.

Results

PCV13 will reduce the pneumococcal disease burden by 48% from 2012 to 2031. The vaccination programme costs are USD 130 million and USD 275 million in 2012–2025 and 2026–2031 respectively. It also has a budget impact of USD 280 million for the 2026–2031 period from the perspective of government. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios are USD 89 and USD 73 respectively from the perspectives of government and society in 2012–2025. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios are USD 530 and USD 510 respectively from the perspectives of government and society in 2026–2031.

Conclusion

The PCV13 vaccination programme in Ghana is cost-effective at 50% GDP per capita threshold even when Gavi withdraws co-financing support from 2026 onwards.
The GIBACHT fellowship: a multilateral initiative for strengthening capacity in biosafety and biosecurity towards pandemic preparedness
Authors: Mertens Eva , Zimmermann Marlow , Dywicki Janine , Lee Min-Hi , Pelikan Joachim , Bürkin Barbara M. , Rutebemberwa Elizeus , Hoffmann Axel
Published: August 2024

The German Biosecurity Programme was launched in 2013 with the aim to support partner countries overcome biological threats including natural outbreaks or the intentional misuse of highly pathogenic agents. As part of this programme, this paper describes the development and implementation of a multilateral biosafety and biosecurity training initiative, called ‘Global Partnership Initiated Biosecurity Academia for Controlling Health Threats’ (GIBACHT). To achieve its objectives, GIBACHT implemented a blended-learning approach with self-directed, distance-based learning phases and three training-of-trainer workshops. The programme follows Kirkpatrick’s model of learning to guarantee sustainable effects of improved knowledge and skills. One hundred nine fellows from 26 countries have been trained in seven cohorts. Many GIBACHT alumni have established additional biosafety/biosecurity trainings in their home countries. The knowledge exchange is strengthened by the implementation of a Moodle-based alumni network. GIBACHT has the potential to contribute to strengthening the capacities of partner countries in Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia to respond and build resilience to biological threats.
A Process Model of Formative Work to Strengthen a Prison Health Surveillance System
Authors: Gaber Jessica , Sanya Njideka , Lawson Jennifer , Grenada Iridian M. , Kouyoumdjian Fiona G.
Published: August 2024

Worldwide, there is a lack of systematically collected health data on people who are incarcerated. Our objective in this paper was to describe a process model of formative work for a project to strengthen health surveillance for people incarcerated under a Canadian prison authority. We have developed project structures and processes, and we are evaluating project partnerships. To inform prison health surveillance foci, we are conducting a review of literature on best practices, a qualitative study to understand stakeholders’ needs and priorities, and mapping work to understand available prison health-related data. Developing and implementing prison health surveillance is gradual and developmental, necessitating time to build relationships and obtain approvals. The needs and interests of knowledge users should be prioritized, but there may be challenges to achieving a coherent vision due to feasibility and differing needs and objectives of various stakeholders. Developing collaborative relationships could help bridge this gap.
Feasibility Analysis for Active Noise Cancellation Using the Electrical Power Steering Motor
Authors: Schubert Dominik , Hecker Simon , Sentpali Stefan , Buss Martin
Published: August 2024

This paper describes the use of an electric drive as an acoustic actuator for active noise cancellation (ANC). In the presented application, the idea is to improve the noise, vibration, harshness (NVH) characteristics of passenger cars without using additional active or passive damper systems. Many of the already existing electric drives in cars are equipped with the required hardware components to generate noise and vibration, which can be used as compensation signals in an ANC application. To demonstrate the applicability of the idea, the electrical power steering (EPS) motor is stimulated with a control signal, generated by an adaptive feedforward controller, to reduce harmonic disturbances at the driver’s ears. As it turns out, the EPS system generates higher harmonics of the harmonic compensation signal due to nonlinearities in the acoustic transfer path using a harmonic excitation signal. The higher harmonics impair an improvement in the subjective hearing experience, although the airborne noise level of the harmonic disturbance signal can be clearly reduced at the driver’s ears. Therefore, two methods are presented to reduce the amplitude of the higher harmonics. The first method is to limit the filter weights of the algorithm to reduce the amplitude of the harmonic compensation signal. The filter amplitude limitation also leads to a lower amplitude of the higher harmonics, generated by the permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM). The second method uses a parallel structure of adaptive filters to actively reduce the amplitude of the higher harmonics. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed ANC system is demonstrated in two real driving situations, where in one case a synthetic noise/vibration induced by a shaker on the front axle carrier is considered to be the disturbance, and in the other case, the disturbance is a harmonic vibration generated by the combustion engine. In both cases, the subjective hearing experience of the driver could be clearly improved using the EPS motor as ANC actuator.
Rotorcraft Airfoil Performance in Martian Environment
Authors: Giacomini Enrico , Westerberg Lars-Göran
Published: August 2024

In 2021, the Ingenuity helicopter performed the inaugural flight on Mars, heralding a new epoch of exploration. However, the aerodynamics on Mars present unique challenges not found on Earth, such as low chord-based Reynolds number flows, which pose significant hurdles for future missions. The Ingenuity’s design incorporated a Reynolds number of approximately 20,000, dictated by the rotor’s dimensions. This paper investigates the implications of flows at a Reynolds number of 50,000, conducting a comparative analysis with those at 20,000 Re. The objective is to evaluate the feasibility of using larger rotor dimensions or extended airfoil chord lengths. An increase in the Reynolds number alters the size and position of Laminar Separation Bubbles (LSBs) on the airfoil, significantly impacting performance. This study leverages previous research on the structure and dynamics of LSBs to examine the flow around a cambered plate with 6% camber and 1% thickness in Martian conditions. This paper details the methods and mesh used for analysis, assesses airfoil performance, and provides a thorough explanation of the results obtained.
Dynamic Fault Tree Model of Civil Aircraft Avionics Network Transmission Failure Based on Optimized Extended Fuzzy Algorithm
Authors: Gu Zhaojun , Zhang Yinuo , Sui He
Published: August 2024

The avionics network supports high-safety-level flight operations, with the analysis of transmission failures serving as a crucial means for its safety evaluation. Due to the time-dependent nature of the failure probability in avionics networks, traditional constant and unchangeable probability values can deviate from the actual situation under specific conditions. This deviation may lead to inadequate responses to occasional events and potentially cause flight accidents. A Dynamic Fault Tree (DFT) model for civil aircraft avionics network transmission failures, based on an optimized extended fuzzy algorithm, is introduced in this paper. Initially focusing on event correlations, a DFT is established for the transmission failure of the Avionics Full Duplex Switched Ethernet (AFDX). Subsequently, considering the variations between events, triangular fuzzy processing is applied to the event failure rates based on relative confidence levels. Finally, by optimizing the weakest t-norm operator, the failure probability intervals are aggregated and the fuzzy scale is regulated. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared to the static-minimum t-norm and traditional weakest t-norm methods, the proposed approach enhances the accuracy of the fuzzy failure probability intervals by 66.15% and 40.59%, respectively. Concurrently, it maintains consistency in the ranking of event importance, highlighting the superior effectiveness of the proposed method in analyzing transmission failures in avionics networks.
Effect of γ-Irradiation on the Growth and Yield Response of Three Varieties of Pea (Pisum spp.)
Authors: Sarri Efi , Samolada Styliani-Maria , Katsileros Anastasios , Tomlekova Nasya , Abraham Eleni M. , Tani Eleni
Published: August 2024

In this study, three pea varieties (Pisum sativum), including one field pea variety ‘Dodoni’, and two varieties of garden peas ‘Early Onward’ and ‘Rondo’, were irradiated with 100 Gy gamma rays. The irradiated seeds were then cultivated in the experimental field of the Plant Breeding and Agricultural Experimentation Laboratory of the Agricultural University of Athens, in the period of 2021–2022, affording them the chance to reveal their full potential under natural environmental conditions. The M1 generation plants were compared to non-irradiated plants in terms of their agro-morphological traits. The results indicate a statistically significant difference on several traits: plant height, plant weight, dry biomass, pod length, and the number of seeds per pod. On the other hand, no significant difference was detected in: plant growth rate, the number of shoots and leaves per plant, pods and seed yield per plant, and 1000-seed weight. However, the three pea varieties did not seem to respond in the same way. The M1 generation plants of the two garden pea varieties (‘Early Onward’ and ‘Rondo’) showed a shorter plant height and pod length than their corresponding non-irradiated plants. Likewise, the number of seeds per pod for both ‘Early Onward’ and ‘Dodoni’ was lower for the mutant plants than it was for the plants used as the control. In contrast, mutant plants of the ‘Dodoni’ variety indicated a greater plant weight and dry biomass per plant compared to non-irradiated plants. Finally, the correlation found between agronomic traits was the same regardless of the treatment (control and mutant plants). The number of seeds per plant indicated a positive correlation with the pods per plant and plant weight. Similarly, the dry biomass was positively correlated with plant weight, while being negatively correlated with pod length. Thus, the results obtained in the present study clearly indicate that there were differences between seeds irradiated with gamma rays and non-irradiated seeds in terms of their overall performance and various quantitative pea traits, which should to be further investigated in M2 and the following generations. Peas have gathered a significant market interest and demand. Given their narrow genetic base, we employed gamma irradiation technology, which can be effectively integrated with omics technologies in future generations. This study underscores the necessity to explore performance characteristics and integrate them with quality traits. Our findings reveal that each generation exhibits unique attributes, and specifically, provide a valuable foundation for identifying valuable characteristics for future breeding programs.
Rapid and Precise Approaches for XRF Analysis of Rare Earth Niobates
Authors: Arkhipenko Alexandra Alexandrovna , Marina Galina Evgenievna , Ryumin Mikhail Alexandrovich , Doronina Marina Sergeevna , Korotkova Natalia Alexandrovna , Ksenofontova Tatiana Dmitrievna , Baranovskaya Vasilisa Borisovna
Published: August 2024

This work describes a two-stage technique of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of rare earth niobates. A comparison between the two approaches revealed that the Fundamental Parameters Method (FPM) can be employed for a rapid preliminary assessment of the composition of the resulting material and the construction of calibration curves can be used to determine the contents of the major elements with precision. The results of the relative standard deviation (RSD) for FPM were no more than 7%, while the approach to construct calibration curves had an RSD of no more than 1%. Calibration samples were prepared using the same synthesis method as the study samples to construct the calibration curves. The possibility of constructing calibration dependencies using mixtures of oxides was assessed, but this approach could not provide the desired accuracy. The obtained results have been shown to have a good correlation with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The developed technique enables the determination of the major components in niobates containing two and three rare earth elements, which are used as optical materials and medium-entropy ceramics.
Societal Perception of Animal Videos on Social Media—Funny Content or Animal Suffering? A Survey
Authors: Stumpf Alina , Herbrandt Swetlana , Betting Leia , Kemper Nicole , Fels Michaela
Published: August 2024

On social media, numerous animal videos are uploaded and viewed every day. However, these videos, which are apparently funny for humans, are often associated with animal suffering. In this study, 3246 participants of an online survey were asked about their personal perception of animal videos on social media, about recognising animal suffering in these videos, and about their respective reactions. A total of 98.5% of participants who used social media already saw animal videos. Participants most frequently viewed informative videos (52.9%), followed by funny/entertaining animal videos (41.8%). For 45.8% of participants, animal suffering was often recognisable in animal videos. Female participants were more likely to recognise animal suffering than male participants (p < 0.001), and participants living in a rural residence were more likely to recognise it than those from an urban residence (p = 0.017). Furthermore, 62.5% of participants had left a critical comment or disliked a video with animal suffering. Animal videos seem to be highly popular on social media, but animal suffering may go unnoticed in funny videos. The fact that 91.8% of participants want a warning label for animal suffering in videos shows that social media users would like to see animal welfare be given more prominence on social media.
Impact of Personality Trait Interactions on Foraging and Growth in Native and Invasive Turtles
Authors: Gan Lin , Zhang Shufang , Zeng Ruyi , Shen Tianyi , Tian Liu , Yu Hao , Hua Ke , Wang Yue
Published: August 2024

Animal personalities play a crucial role in invasion dynamics. During the invasion process, the behavioral strategies of native species vary among personalities, just as the invasive species exhibit variations in behavior strategies across personalities. However, the impact of personality interactions between native species and invasive species on behavior and growth are rarely illustrated. The red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) is one of the worst invasive species in the world, threatening the ecology and fitness of many freshwater turtles globally. The Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii) is one of the freshwater turtles most threatened by T. scripta elegans in China. In this study, we used T. scripta elegans and M. reevesii to investigate how the personality combinations of native and invasive turtles would impact the foraging strategy and growth of both species during the invasion process. We found that M. reevesii exhibited bolder and more exploratory personalities than T. scripta elegans. The foraging strategy of M. reevesii was mainly affected by the personality of T. scripta elegans, while the foraging strategy of T. scripta elegans was influenced by both their own personality and personalities of M. reevesii. Additionally, we did not find that the personality combination would affect the growth of either T. scripta elegans or M. reevesii. Differences in foraging strategy may be due to the dominance of invasive species and variations in the superficial exploration and thorough exploitation foraging strategies related to personalities. The lack of difference in growth may be due to the energy allocation trade-offs between personalities or be masked by the slow growth rate of turtles. Overall, our results reveal the mechanisms of personality interaction effects on the short-term foraging strategies of both native and invasive species during the invasion process. They provide empirical evidence to understand the effects of personality on invasion dynamics, which is beneficial for enhancing comprehension understanding of the personality effects on ecological interactions and invasion biology.
Combined Injection for Control of Iron-Deficiency Anemia and Coccidiosis in Piglets Decreases Stress at Management Time
Authors: Sperling Daniel , Rodríguez María , de Frutos Laura , Morales Joaquín
Published: August 2024

The aim of the present study was to assess the short-term behavioral and physiological responses of piglets to different treatment protocols for the control of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and cystoisosporosis. Piglets were treated with either (1) an injection of iron combined with an oral application of toltrazuril (TLZ) by drenching or (2) a combination injection of TZL + gleptoferron; the behavior of the piglets was then evaluated. For this study, 288 piglets were divided into three experimental groups: 96 piglets were kept untreated (control group); 96 piglets received an oral administration of a generic TZL-based anticoccidial agent (20 mg/kg BW) along with intramuscular administration of iron dextran (200 mg/mL; 1 mL/piglet) at the same handling (oral + parenteral group, O + P); and 96 piglets received an intramuscular application of the combination product (parenteral group, P). For each treated piglet, the total handling time, flight reaction, and the intensity and frequency of vocalizations were determined using the methodology described by Scollo et al. (2020). Piglets in the O + P group were found to emit more screams during treatment administration than animals in the P group (21.05% vs. 8.42% of animals; p < 0.05). Piglets in the O + P group reacted worse to manipulation and oral administration because a higher percentage of animals continued to fidget even after handling (32.63% vs. 12.63%; p < 0.05). Differences in growth performance between the groups were not observed in our study (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the administration of a combination product reduced stress during administration, as indicated by reduced vocalizations and reactions to manipulation.
Treatment of Canine Leishmaniasis with Meglumine Antimoniate: A Clinical Study of Tolerability and Efficacy
Authors: Digiaro Serena , Recchia Alessandra , Colella Antonella , Cucciniello Sara , Greco Beatrice , Buonfrate Dora , Paradies Paola
Published: August 2024

Antimoniate therapy, in association with allopurinol, is one of the first-line treatments of canine leishmaniasis (CanL). This study evaluates the potential adverse effects associated with aNm in the treatment of CanL through both a retrospective analysis and a long-term prospective study also aimed to investigate its efficacy. The retrospective study reviewed records of 87 dogs with CanL with at least one follow-up available during or at the end of therapy with aNm (Glucantime®) at a dose of 50 mg/kg administered subcutaneously twice a day in association with allopurinol. In total, 29.8% of dogs showed adverse effects during treatment as local reactions at the injection site (n = 6), severe systemic reaction to pain (originating from the inoculation site) with depression and anorexia (n = 4), systemic disease due to renal function worsening (n = 4), acute pancreatitis (n = 1), diarrhea (n = 5), vomiting (n = 3) and severe idiosyncratic skin reactions (n = 3). Of these dogs, 13 (14.9%) required treatment suspension. The prospective study included 16 dogs, selected among the LeishVet stages II and III CKD IRIS stage 1 (International Renal Interest Society staging of canine Chronic Kidney Disease) and treated with the same aNm plus allopurinol protocol as in the retrospective study and observed for 360 days; 2 dogs were excluded for severe reactions at the injection site. Mild and transient adverse events were reported in the other 4 dogs. The criteria used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with aNm were as follows: a reduction in the clinical score and improvement and/or normalization of laboratory parameters, negativization of PCR on the bone marrow samples and disease-free interval time. The proportion of reduction in the clinical score reached 91.9% at D180. No animals showed clinical laboratory relapse during the whole study duration and interestingly, the PCR results showed complete negativity between D0 and D60 in 78.5% of animals. Veterinarians must be vigilant regarding the potentially serious adverse effects associated with aNm and promptly stop drug administration if unexpected clinical manifestations occur. On the other hand, they should not discard its use for CanL treatment since it is confirmed that aNm in association with allopurinol is highly effective in controlling CanL.
Exploring Therapeutic Advances: A Comprehensive Review of Intestinal Microbiota Modulators
Authors: Pires Lara , González-Paramás Ana M. , Heleno Sandrina A. , Calhelha Ricardo C.
Published: August 2024

The gut microbiota establishes a mutually beneficial relationship with the host starting from birth, impacting diverse metabolic and immunological processes. Dysbiosis, characterized by an imbalance of microorganisms, is linked to numerous medical conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune disorders. This imbalance promotes the proliferation of toxin-producing bacteria, disrupts the host’s equilibrium, and initiates inflammation. Genetic factors, dietary choices, and drug use can modify the gut microbiota. However, there is optimism. Several therapeutic approaches, such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, microbe-derived products, and microbial substrates, aim to alter the microbiome. This review thoroughly explores the therapeutic potential of these microbiota modulators, analysing recent studies to evaluate their efficacy and limitations. It underscores the promise of microbiota-based therapies for treating dysbiosis-related conditions. This article aims to ensure practitioners feel well-informed and up to date on the most influential methods in this evolving field by providing a comprehensive review of current research.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Potential of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don Essential Oil
Authors: Šovljanski Olja , Aćimović Milica , Tomić Ana , Lončar Biljana , Miljković Ana , Čabarkapa Ivana , Pezo Lato
Published: August 2024

Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don is a typical Mediterranean plant, with limited distribution on the islands of Sardinia, Corsica, and the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the islands of the Adriatic Sea and the Balkan Peninsula. In these regions, H. italicum is mainly collected from spontaneous nature, while in recent years, there has been a pronounced cultivation trend due to increased demand and market requirements for constant quality of raw materials. Bearing in mind that biological activity is linked with chemical composition, this review aimed to collect data from different scientific databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) on the antimicrobial activity of essential oil and its chemical composition. A total of 20 papers investigating the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antifungal activities of H. italicum essential oil were found. Furthermore, in these samples, several compounds occurred as dominant: neryl acetate, α-pinene, and γ-curcumene. These compounds are known for their antimicrobial properties, which likely contribute to the essential oil’s efficacy against various microbial strains.
(Chemical) Roles of HOCl in Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Leopold Jenny , Schiller Jürgen
Published: August 2024

Chronic rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are characterized by a dysregulated immune response and persistent inflammation. The large number of neutrophilic granulocytes in the synovial fluid (SF) from RA patients leads to elevated enzyme activities, for example, from myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), as the most important MPO-derived product, is a strong reactive oxygen species (ROS) and known to be involved in the processes of cartilage destruction (particularly regarding the glycosaminoglycans). This review will discuss open questions about the contribution of HOCl in RA in order to improve the understanding of oxidative tissue damaging. First, the (chemical) composition of articular cartilage and SF and the mechanisms of cartilage degradation will be discussed. Afterwards, the products released by neutrophils during inflammation will be summarized and their effects towards the individual, most abundant cartilage compounds (collagen, proteoglycans) and selected cellular components (lipids, DNA) discussed. New developments about neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the use of antioxidants as drugs will be outlined, too. Finally, we will try to estimate the effects induced by these different agents and their contributions in RA.
The Double-Edged Sword of Total Antioxidant Capacity: Clinical Significance and Personal Experience
Authors: Silvestrini Andrea , Mancini Antonio
Published: August 2024

Oxidative stress (OS) could be a condition underlying several human diseases, despite the physiological role of reactive oxygen species (oxidative eustress). Therefore, antioxidant compounds could represent a modulatory mechanism for maintaining a proper redox balance and redox signaling. When antioxidants are insufficient or overwhelmed, OS ensues, causing multiple damages at molecular, tissue, and cellular levels. This study focuses on the role of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as a biomarker to be interpreted according to several clinical scenarios. After a brief description of various assay methods to elucidate terminology and physiopathological roles, we focus on the hormonal influence on TAC in blood plasma and other biological fluids, as different endocrine systems can modulate the antioxidant response. Furthermore, OS characterizes several endocrinopathies through different mechanisms: an inadequate antioxidant response to an increase in reducing equivalents (reductive distress) or a marked consumption of antioxidants (oxidative distress), which leads to low TAC values. An increased TAC could instead represent an adaptive mechanism, suggesting a situation of OS. Hence, the clinical context is fundamental for a correct interpretation of TAC. This review aims to provide the reader with a general overview of oxidative stress in several clinical examples of endocrine relevance, such as metabolic syndrome, non-thyroid illness syndrome, hypopituitarism, and infertility. Finally, the impact of dietary and surgical interventions on TAC in the model of metabolic syndrome is highlighted, along with personal experience.
Metal Toxicity and Dementia Including Frontotemporal Dementia: Current State of Knowledge
Authors: Gorini Francesca , Tonacci Alessandro
Published: August 2024

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) includes a number of neurodegenerative diseases, often with early onset (before 65 years old), characterized by progressive, irreversible deficits in behavioral, linguistic, and executive functions, which are often difficult to diagnose due to their similar phenotypic characteristics to other dementias and psychiatric disorders. The genetic contribution is of utmost importance, although environmental risk factors also play a role in its pathophysiology. In fact, some metals are known to produce free radicals, which, accumulating in the brain over time, can induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and protein misfolding, all of these being key features of FTD and similar conditions. Therefore, the present review aims to summarize the current evidence about the environmental contribution to FTD―mainly dealing with toxic metal exposure―since the identification of such potential environmental risk factors can lead to its early diagnosis and the promotion of policies and interventions. This would allow us, by reducing exposure to these pollutants, to potentially affect society at large in a positive manner, decreasing the burden of FTD and similar conditions on affected individuals and society overall. Future perspectives, including the application of Artificial Intelligence principles to the field, with related evidence found so far, are also introduced.
Application Study of the High-Strain Direct Dynamic Testing Method
Authors: Qiu Hongsheng , He Hengli , Ayasrah Mo’men , Huang Weihong
Published: August 2024

The high-strain direct testing method is a novel technique for dynamic testing of pile bearing capacity, developed as an improvement to the traditional high-strain method. While its theoretical feasibility has been demonstrated through numerical simulations and laboratory experiments, its effectiveness in practical engineering applications remains uncertain. This paper discusses the foundational theory of the high-strain direct testing method, highlighting its clear calculation principles, straightforward process, and advantage of not requiring iterative fitting. The bridge project in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China, serves as a case study. An instrumentation layout for concrete-filled piles was designed based on the principles of the high-strain direct testing method, and data processing and analysis programs were developed using Python. Fifteen test piles were selected for field application of the high-strain direct testing method, with detailed analysis conducted on the results from four test piles. The test results were consistent with the soil layer distribution characteristics beneath the four piers of the bridge, validating the feasibility of this method in actual engineering practice. Subsequent static load tests on these four test piles allowed for a comparison with the high-strain direct testing method results, confirming the accuracy and reliability of the high-strain direct testing method for determining the bearing capacity of single piles. Furthermore, this paper identifies sources of error in the application of this method and proposes corresponding improvement measures. As this method directly derives results from instrumented measurements, it is theoretically applicable to piles of any cross-sectional shape and material, provided that enough measurement lines can be successfully arranged along the pile shaft. This capability allows for the real-time estimation of the ultimate bearing capacity during pile driving, thereby enhancing the universality of the high-strain direct dynamic testing method beyond traditional techniques.
Comparative Study on the Responsiveness of Different Species to Coagulation and Complement for Hemocompatibility Evaluation
Authors: Kim Jeonghwa , Kim Geonyong , Lim Jiyoung , Kim Sekyung , Eom Joonho , Kim Taewon
Published: August 2024

Background: According to the International Standard (ISO10993-4), a test model using human blood must be used for blood compatibility evaluation of medical devices. However, various safety investigations have reported outcomes from animal models simulating clinical conditions. Additionally, the validation of animal blood in blood compatibility assessment models is limited. In this study, the differences in the reactivity of different species to coagulation and complement, as well as the main mechanisms governing blood clot formation upon contact with medical devices, were examined. Moreover, it aimed to acquire information required to design a hemocompatibility evaluation model and interpret the results. Results: Rabbits, porcine, rhesus monkeys, and cynomolgus monkeys were exposed to one negative and two positive control substances, and variations in the partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were observed. The activity of the complement system was observed in accordance with the test method in ISO 10993-4. Although the PTT absolute values varied across animal species, the normalized PTT values—61% for rabbits, 66% for pigs, 63% for rhesus monkeys, and 65% for cynomolgus monkeys—exhibited no statistically significant differences. After reacting human and porcine sera with the material, the test model using human serum distinguished the positive and negative control candidates, whereas the test model using porcine serum could not discriminate them. Conclusions: These results suggest similar reactivity in blood coagulation across species after substance contact. However, complement system activity indicated a significant difference in reactivity between human and porcine blood. This finding will be useful in the design of a blood compatibility evaluation model for medical devices and interpretation of the results.
Simulation-Based Prediction of the Cold Start Behavior of Gerotor Pumps for Precise Design of Electric Oil Pumps
Authors: Schumacher Sven , Stetter Ralf , Till Markus , Laviolette Nicolas , Algret Benoît , Rudolph Stephan
Published: August 2024

The development of electric gerotor pumps is a complex multiphysical optimization problem. To develop optimal systems, accurate simulation models are required to increase digital reliability. An important challenge is the accurate prediction of the pump behavior for extreme temperatures in automotive applications from −40 °C to 110 °C, where the viscosity of the fluid changes significantly. Therefore, simulation-based methods (numerical methods for calculating viscous friction) were developed and validated by measurements, including climatic chamber tests. The results show a strong correlation between simulated and measured performance characteristics, especially in terms of volumetric flow rate (<5%), pump torque and efficiency (<7%) at different temperature and viscosity conditions over a wide speed range (1000–5000 rpm) and different system pressures (0.5–5 bar). A novel method for simulating the cold start behavior of pumps (journal bearing approach for outer gear in pump housing) was introduced and validated by measurements. The methods presented significantly reduce the need for physical testing and accelerate the development process, as the pump behavior at each operating point can be accurately predicted before a hardware prototype is built. This improves the understanding of gerotor pump characteristics and provides insights to further improve the model-based development of electric oil pumps for the automotive industry.
Preparation and Characterization of CPCM for Thermal Energy Storage Unit
Authors: Zhou Wenhe , Cao Hailan , Zhao Yun , Zhang Wenxiang , Shen Wei
Published: August 2024

The efficiency and economy of an ASHP (air source heat pump) can be significantly improved in a cold area by combining it with a TESU (thermal energy storage unit). The work of looking for a phase change material with a suitable temperature range, a large thermal capacity, and high conductivity has been always on the road. This paper prepared 10 CPCMs (composites of a phase change material) by using the vacuum adsorption method, which consists of LA (lauric acid) as the phase change material and EG (expanded graphite) as the skeleton matrix for its high thermal conductivity and porous characteristics. By characterizing and analyzing their basic properties, surface morp\hology, and stability, a suitable CPCM for the TESU coupled with the ASHP heating system is found. The leakage experiment results show that the maximum effective content of LA absorbed in 100-mesh EG of a CPCM is 80%, and that in 200-mesh EG, it is 90%. Among 10 CPCMs, CPCM3, with a mass ratio of LA:EG/8:2, is considered the more satisfactory one for the TESU proposed by this paper, because its performance shows good stability, its phase transition temperature is 40.98–41.94 °C, its latent heat is 164.34–168.28 kJ/kg, and especially, its thermal conductivity is 8.15–8.33 W/(m·K). This paper will be followed by performance research on TESUs coupled with ASHP heating systems.
Optimizing Asphalt Binder Performance: The Synergistic Impact of Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) and Crumb Rubber Modifier (CRM)
Authors: Vigneswaran Shyaamkrishnan , Yun Jihyeon , Lee Moon-Sup , Lee Soon-Jae
Published: August 2024

This research investigates the synergistic impact of Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) and Crumb Rubber Modifier (CRM) on the performance characteristics of PG 64-22 asphalt binder. Employing Superpave test analysis and Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) testing, our study reveals that the incorporation of TLA significantly elevates the viscosity of the binder due to its high asphaltene content. This viscosity enhancement translates to increased stiffness and durability of the asphalt binder. Furthermore, CRM contributes to improved elasticity and deformation resistance, counterbalancing the stiffness induced by TLA. Our results indicate that the combined use of TLA and CRM not only boosts viscosity but also mitigates stiffness, thereby enhancing the binder’s resistance to rutting, especially post-aging. However, an elevated concentration of TLA increases the risk of fatigue cracking, a concern effectively alleviated through the integration of CRM. At a critical temperature of −12 °C, Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) tests demonstrate that TLA augments stiffness while CRM enhances low-temperature flexibility. This study underscores the necessity of optimizing TLA and CRM ratios to achieve a balance between enhanced performance and practical feasibility. The findings highlight the potential of TLA and CRM to substantially improve asphalt binder performance, contributing to the longevity and resilience of pavement structures.
Application of Microalgae to Wastewater Bioremediation, with CO2 Biomitigation, Health Product and Biofuel Development, and Environmental Biomonitoring
Authors: Iakovidou Gesthimani , Itziou Aikaterini , Tsiotsias Arsenios , Lakioti Evangelia , Samaras Petros , Tsanaktsidis Constantinos , Karayannis Vayos
Published: August 2024

In the current study, the cultivation of microalgae on wastewater-based substrates is investigated for an effective natural wastewater treatment that also generates biofuels and value-added products beneficial to human health. Additionally, the health of ecosystems can be evaluated via microalgae. The utilization of microalgae as bioindicators, biofuel producers, and wastewater treatment providers, under the biorefinery concept, is covered in this article. In fact, bioremediation is feasible, and microalgae culture can be used to efficiently process a variety of effluents. Along with wastewater processing and the creation of value-added substances, bioconversion concurrently offers a viable and promising alternative for reducing CO2 greenhouse gas emissions to contribute to climate change mitigation. The microalgal biorefinery being considered as the third generation is unique in that it addresses all the aforementioned problems, in contrast to lignocellulosic biomass from agricultural waste in second-generation biorefineries and edible crops in first-generation biorefineries. In particular, one of the most promising natural resources for the manufacture of biofuel, including biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane, and biohydrogen, is found to be microalgae. Furthermore, products of high value, like fatty acid methyl esters, astaxanthin, β-carotene, DHA, and EPA can be made. Hence, microalgal biomass offers a substitute for the development of biofertilizers, bioplastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal and aquatic feeds, and human nutrition products, thus promoting human and environmental health.
Analyzing Regulatory Impacts on Household Natural Gas Consumption: The Case of the Western Region of Ukraine
Authors: Sala Dariusz , Pavlov Kostiantyn , Bashynska Iryna , Pavlova Olena , Tymchyshak Andriy , Slobodian Svitlana
Published: August 2024

In this study, we analyzed the impact of government regulatory institutions on households’ natural gas use behavior and suggested that the conventional view of natural gas as a social utility is inappropriate. Pursuing this goal, we applied correlation analysis, regression analysis and the Granger causality test to assess the statistically significant impact of particular factors (environmental temperature, price and tariff on natural gas) on household gas consumption. Our study was based on the data on household gas consumption in 2019–2022. Ultimately, the lowest rate of influence was recorded by the Granger causality test (2.47%), compared to 6.88% in the test for the significance of the correlation coefficient and 9.23% in the t-test for the statistical significance of the regression coefficients. One has to note that the Granger causality test used in our study is considered the most sensitive model for analyzing economic data. Using statistical methods, we concluded that regulatory factors have a negligible impact on the volume of natural gas consumption by households. Our results suggest that the Ukrainian regulatory authorities should be cautious about using non-market mechanisms, such as price caps, in the energy sector.
New Display Technologies: The Most Desired Usage Properties and Their Perception during Product Interaction
Authors: Agost Maria-Jesus , Bayarri-Porcar Vicente
Published: August 2024

Display technologies influence user experience, not only through the perception of product features but also due to their own usage properties. In this work, 12 functional, usable, pleasuring, and media usage properties were analysed for five display technologies: image rendering, 360° rotation, and augmented, immersive, and non-immersive virtual reality. The perception of their importance and their assessment for the chosen technologies were studied by taking two different household products. Two variables for studying decision and expectations were also considered. The results showed that 360° rotation was well-valued in various properties, mainly related to functionality and usability, while the immersive virtual technology stood out in media properties and also in the most important feature: realism. It was also seen that the results could depend on the displayed product. These results provide a deeper insight for user experience optimisation because they complement the information to choose the most appropriate display technology based on the properties to be prioritised.