bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging: A Potential Game-Changer in a Modern Microbiology
Authors: Feucherolles Maureen , Frache Gilles
Published: December 2022

Nowadays, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is routinely implemented as the reference method for the swift and straightforward identification of microorganisms. However, this method is not flawless and there is a need to upgrade the current methodology in order to free the routine lab from incubation time and shift from a culture-dependent to an even faster independent culture system. Over the last two decades, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) gained tremendous popularity in life sciences, including microbiology, due to its ability to simultaneously detect biomolecules, as well as their spatial distribution, in complex samples. Through this literature review, we summarize the latest applications of MALDI-MSI in microbiology. In addition, we discuss the challenges and avenues of exploration for applying MSI to solve current MALDI-TOF MS limits in routine and research laboratories.
Mesoscopic Mapping of Visual Pathway in a Female 5XFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Nam Yunkwon , Kim Sujin , Kim Jieun , Hoe Hyang-Sook , Moon Minho
Published: December 2022

Amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and Aβ-induced neurodegeneration appear in the retina and retinorecipient areas in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although these Aβ-related changes in the retina cause damage to the visual functions, no studies have yet revealed the alterations in the visual pathways of AD. Therefore, we investigated the alterations of visual circuits in the AD mouse model using anterograde tracer cholera toxin β subunits (CTβ). Moreover, we investigated the Aβ accumulation in the retina and retinorecipient areas and the neuronal loss, and synaptic degeneration in retinorecipient areas by immunofluorescent staining of 4- and 12-month-old female 5XFAD transgenic mice. Our results demonstrated that Aβ accumulation and neurodegeneration occurred in the retina and retinorecipient regions of early and late stages of the 5XFAD mice. Retinal efferents to the suprachiasmatic nucleus and lateral geniculate nucleus were impaired in the early stage of AD. Moreover, retinal connections to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and superior colliculus were degenerated in the late-stage of AD. These findings reveal the Aβ-related pathology induced visual circuit disturbances at the mesoscale level in both the early and late stages of AD and provide anatomical and functional insights into the visual circuitry of AD.
Dermal Telocytes: A Different Viewpoint of Skin Repairing and Regeneration
Authors: Manole Catalin G. , Gherghiceanu Mihaela , Ceafalan Laura Cristina , Hinescu Mihail E.
Published: December 2022

Fifteen years after their discovery, telocytes (TCs) are yet perceived as a new stromal cell type. Their presence was initially documented peri-digestively, and gradually throughout the interstitia of many (non-)cavitary mammalian, human, and avian organs, including skin. Each time, TCs proved to be involved in diverse spatial relations with elements of interstitial (ultra)structure (blood vessels, nerves, immune cells, etc.). To date, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) remained the single main microscopic technique able to correctly and certainly attest TCs by their well-acknowledged (ultra)structure. In skin, dermal TCs reiterate almost all (ultra)structural features ascribed to TCs in other locations, with apparent direct implications in skin physiology and/or pathology. TCs’ uneven distribution within skin, mainly located in stem cell niches, suggests involvement in either skin homeostasis or dermatological pathologies. On the other hand, different skin diseases involve different patterns of disruption of TCs’ structure and ultrastructure. TCs’ cellular cooperation with other interstitial elements, their immunological profile, and their changes during remission of diseases suggest their role(s) in tissue regeneration/repair processes. Thus, expanding the knowledge on dermal TCs could offer new insights into the natural skin capacity of self-repairing. Moreover, it would become attractive to consider that augmenting dermal TCs’ presence/density could become an attractive therapeutic alternative for treating various skin defects.
Tetrafluorosubstituted Metal Phthalocyanines: Study of the Effect of the Position of Fluorine Substituents on the Chemiresistive Sensor Response to Ammonia
Authors: Klyamer Darya , Bonegardt Dmitry , Krasnov Pavel , Sukhikh Alexander , Popovetskiy Pavel , Basova Tamara
Published: December 2022

A comparative analysis of the chemiresistive sensor response of thin films of a series of tetrasubstituted phthalocyanines of various metals with F-substituent in peripheral (MPcF4-p, M = Cu, Co, Zn, Pb, VO) and non-peripheral (MPcF4-np) positions in macroring to low concentrations of ammonia (1–50 ppm) was carried out. It was found that MPcF4-p films exhibit a higher sensor response than MPcF4-np ones. A CoPcF4-p film demonstrated a calculated LOD of 0.01 ppm with a recovery time of 215 s, while a VOPcF4-p film had LOD of 0.04 ppm and the recovery time of 270 s. The selectivity test showed that CO2, ethanol, acetone, benzene, and formaldehyde did not interfere with the determination of ammonia, while H2S at a concentration of more than 10 ppm could act as an interfering gas. It was shown that, as a result of quantum-chemical calculations, the observed regularities are best described by the interaction of NH3 with phthalocyanines through the formation of hydrogen bonds between NH3 and side atoms of the macroring. In the case of MPcF4-p, the NH3 molecule approaches the macrocycle more closely and binds more strongly than in the case of MPcF4-np. The stronger binding leads to a stronger effect of the ammonia molecule on the electronic structure of phthalocyanine and, as a consequence, on the chemiresistive sensor response of the films to ammonia.
Observations from Personal Weather Stations—EUMETNET Interests and Experience
Authors: Hahn Claudia , Garcia-Marti Irene , Sugier Jacqueline , Emsley Fiona , Beaulant Anne-Lise , Oram Louise , Strandberg Eva , Lindgren Elisa , Sunter Martyn , Ziska Franziska
Published: December 2022

The number of people owning a private weather station (PWS) and sharing their meteorological measurements online is growing worldwide. This leads to an unprecedented high density of weather observations, which could help monitor and understand small-scale weather phenomena. However, good data quality cannot be assured and thorough quality control is crucial before the data can be utilized. Nevertheless, this type of data can potentially be used to supplement conventional weather station networks operated by National Meteorological & Hydrological Services (NMHS), since the demand for high-resolution meteorological applications is growing. This is why EUMETNET, a community of European NMHS, decided to enhance knowledge exchange about PWS between NMHSs. Within these efforts, we have collected information about the current interest in PWS across NMHSs and their experiences so far. In addition, this paper provides an overview about the data quality challenges of PWS data, the developed quality control (QC) approaches and openly available QC tools. Some NMHS experimented with PWS data, others have already incorporated PWS measurements into their operational workflows. The growing number of studies with promising results and the ongoing development of quality control procedures and software packages increases the interest in PWS data and their usage for specific applications.
Advanced Nb2O5 Anode towards Fast Pseudocapacitive Sodium Storage
Authors: Deng Qinglin , Yao Lingmin
Published: December 2022

Intercalation-type Nb2O5, based on its inherent structural advantages in energy storage, shows excellent energy storage characteristics in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The rapid pseudocapacitive Na-ion insertion/extraction dynamic mechanisms result in its outstanding rate performance. However, the inherent low electronic conductivity hinders its application and development in SIBs. Though various modification projects can effectively ameliorate these shortcomings, there are also some basic research problems that need to be clarified and solved. This review summarizes the latest research progress of Nb2O5 in SIBs. The structural advantages and pseudocapacitive characteristics of sodium storage are emphasized. The recent advanced modification strategies are summarized comprehensively, including carbon modification, structural optimization, defect engineering, increased mass loading, flexible electrodes, synergistic effect electrodes, etc. In addition, this review summarizes and prospects the key research strategies and future development directions of Nb2O5 in future practical applications.
Morphology Features of Ferroelectric Submicron Domains Written by E-Beam under a Metal Film in LiNbO3
Authors: Kokhanchik Lyudmila S. , Emelin Evgeny V. , Sirotkin Vadim V.
Published: December 2022

The practical significance of ferroelectric domains and various domain boundaries has been growing steadily in recent years. In this work, various domain structures were written with an electron beam through a thin aluminum film on a −Z cut of bulk lithium niobate. The use of relatively low accelerating voltages (5 and 10 kV) and the grounding of the surface metallization made it possible to write periodic structures (1D and 2D) on large areas with domain sizes ≤1 μm. Selective domain etching and AFM in contact mode were used to observe various domain shapes obtained in the experiments. An unusual feature of the submicron-sized domains was needle-like vertices. Importantly, the vertices of the domains were deepened relative to the irradiated surface. It was found that the size and proximity of the irradiated regions to each other in the patterns used can significantly change the upper part of the domains. The experimental data were analyzed and discussed taking into account the computer simulation of the spatial field distribution of injected electron beam charges. The obtained results contribute to the development of controlled writing of submicron-sized domain structures using an electron beam.
The Influence of Scaffold Interfaces Containing Natural Bone Elements on Bone Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Vadivelmurugan Adhisankar , Tsai Shiao-Wen
Published: December 2022

Bone has the capacity to repair damage and reproduce itself, but if the defect is too large, a scaffold is needed to promote regeneration. Recently, researchers have developed numerous approaches to promote bone reformation, such as the direct delivery of bioactive molecules, guided tissue regeneration membranes, and creating osteoinduction/osteoconduction surfaces. The surface of a medical device is the first contact area for a biological system; therefore, the interactions between biological fluids and the surface of the implant determine the performance of the implant. Well-designed surface physical and chemical properties, such as topography, net charge, components, and hydrophilicity, enhance cell attachment and proliferation. Various surface modification technologies and methods have been studied to enhance cellular expression. This review selects scaffold materials that are FDA-approved and have been widely used in the clinic and focuses on recent studies of surface modification with hydroxyapatites and collagen, which are the main components of the bone matrix, for the enhancement of bone regrowth.
Effect of Antimony on Wetting Behavior and Interfacial Reaction between Zinc Liquid and X80 Steel
Authors: Xie Kunlun , Li Zhiwei , Zhou Nianyong , Su Xuping , Lei Yun , Liu Ya , Peng Haoping
Published: December 2022

The wetting behavior of molten Zn and Zn-Sb alloy and X80 steel in a high vacuum environment was studied by the modified sessile drop method. The wetting morphology and interface structure were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer. The results show when the content of Sb in Zn-Sb alloy increases from 0.0 wt. % to 1.0 wt. %, the initial contact angle between the droplet and the substrate decreases from 102.8° to 82.5°, and the equilibrium contact angle also decreases from 57.4° to 41.4°. Sb element in the Zn-Sb alloy can reduce the contact angle and improve the wettability due to its smaller surface tension. The spreading process of Zn-Sb alloys on X80 steel can be divided into rapid adsorption, reaction control, steady-state equilibrium stages, and Zn-Sb alloys with different mass fractions have the same spreading kinetics. The volatilized Zn element in the Zn-Sb alloy will reduce the oxide film on the surface of the substrate, making it easier for the Zn-Sb droplet to wet the steel plate and induce the formation of a precursor film. The formation mechanism of the precursor film is the subcutaneous penetration mechanism.
Sourcing New Ingredients for Organic Cosmetics: Phytochemicals of Filipendula vulgaris Flower Extracts
Authors: Rubio Laura , Valiño Mª del Carmen , Expósito Mª Jesús , Lores Marta , Garcia-Jares Carmen
Published: December 2022

Plant extracts are well known for their beneficial cosmetic properties based on bioactive phytochemicals with highly demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities as phenolic compounds. This work presents the polyphenolic characterization of different extracts from organically grown Filipendula vulgaris. An ultrasound-assisted extraction procedure is proposed for obtaining ethanolic extracts at the laboratory level, both from dried and fresh plants, to be compared with those obtained by classical flower processing techniques for cosmetic purposes. The individual quantification of target phenolic compounds was carried out using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results revealed the presence of 24 phenolic compounds in the analyzed samples, ranging in concentrations from 0.1 to 71.64 µg g−1. The total phenolic content (TPC) ranging from 1163 to 6114 mg GAE L−1, and the antioxidant activity (AA), from 6 to 52 mmol TRE L−1, were also evaluated. The differences were established between the plant material and extraction technique.
Electron-Beam Welding Cu and Al6082T6 Aluminum Alloys with Circular Beam Oscillations
Authors: Kaisheva Darina , Anchev Angel , Dunchev Vladimir , Kotlarski Georgi , Stoyanov Borislav , Ormanova Maria , Valkov Stefan
Published: December 2022

In this study, we present the results from electron-beam welding operations applied on copper and Al6082T6 aluminum alloys. The influence of beam-scanning geometries on the structure and mechanical properties of the welded joint is studied. The experiments were conducted using a circle oscillation mode with an oscillation radius of 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm. The beam deflection was set to 0.4 mm with respect to the side of the aluminum alloy, and the beam power was set at 2700 W. The phase composition of the obtained welded joints was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for the investigation of the microstructure of the joints. The chemical composition was investigated by using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The mechanical properties were studied by micro-hardness investigations. The fusion zone of the weld seam contains three phases—an aluminum matrix, an ordered solid solution of copper and aluminum in the form of CuAl2, and pure copper. Electron beam-scanning geometries have significant influences on the structure of the weld. Increasing the beam oscillation’s radius leads to a decrease in intermetallic phases and improves homogeneity. The measured microhardness values in the fusion zone are much higher than the ones measured in the base metals due to the formation of intermetallic phases. The microhardness of the weld joint formed using an oscillation radius of 0.2 mm was much lower compared to the one formed using an oscillation radius of 0.1 mm.
Improvement of Mechanical Properties for a Novel Zr–Ti–V Alloy via Hot-Rolling and Annealing Treatment
Authors: Liu Yiwei , Chen Kai , Song Tianshuo , Chen Bohan , Li Qiang , Xia Chaoqun
Published: December 2022

In this experiment, an annealing treatment was carried out for a rolled Zr–Ti–8V alloy, and the toughening mechanism of the material was thoroughly analyzed by combining advanced material characterization and other testing methods. The phase composition of the Zr–Ti–8V alloy was sensitive to the applied annealing temperature, while a series of changes in the phase composition of the alloy were induced by enforcing bigger thermal budgets. Implementing a temperature value of 450 °C led to a higher α-phase content, in striking contrast with the case where a lower annealing temperature of 400 °C was applied. The β grains that were stretched in the alloy’s rolling direction and annealed at 600 °C to 800 °C were recrystallized. As a result, the acquired configuration was equiaxed with β grains. The extracted results revealed that the alloy annealed at 450 °C showed a good strong–plastic ratio, with tensile strength and elongation of 1040 MPa and 8.2%, respectively. In addition, the alloy annealed at 700–800 °C showed good plasticity properties. From the hardness tests and friction wear experiments on all the experimental alloys, it was demonstrated that the dual-phase alloy with α + β had higher hardness and wear resistance, whereas the opposite trend was observed for the single β-phase alloy.
Privacy-Aware Secure Routing through Elliptical Curve Cryptography with Optimal RSU Distribution in VANETs
Authors: Shayea Ghadeer Ghazi , Mohammed Dheyaa Abdulameer , Abbas Ali Hashim , Abdulsattar Nejood Faisal
Published: December 2022

Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) are the backbone of the intelligent transportation system, which consists of high-speed vehicles with huge dynamic mobility. The communication takes place with a vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle to infrastructure, with traffic signals. The major flaw of this kind of network is that due to high mobility in VANETs, the communication overhead is so high that it directly affects the efficiency of the network. Security is also holding a vital role in VANETs. The attackers can easily capture vehicle details of this type. To overcome this drawback, security should also need to get improved. This paper introduces Elliptical Curve Cryptography with Generic Algorithm based Privacy-Aware Secure Routing (ECC-GA-PASR), which is the combination of two methods such as optimal RSU distribution and elliptical curve cryptography (ECC) based authentication. RSU distribution is optimized by using the generic algorithm (GA) as well as to improve the authentication in trusted authority (TA) ECC algorithm is used. By using these two concepts, the proposed method reduced the communication overhead and increased the security of the network. The simulation is conducted throughput NS2 and SUMO. The performance analysis is performed concerning vehicle count, varying speed, and malicious activities. The parameters that are concentrated for this performance analysis are energy efficiency, packet delivery ratio, overhead, and packet loss. The performance of the proposed method is calculated and compared with earlier works such as S-AODV, ES-AODV, and ECC-ACO-AODV. Compared with the earlier works, the proposed ECC-GA-PASR produced 15% better efficiency, 12% better packet delivery ratio, 50% lower overhead, and 30% lower packet loss.
Novel Simulation and Analysis of Mie-Scattering Lidar for Detecting Atmospheric Turbulence Based on Non-Kolmogorov Turbulence Power Spectrum Model
Authors: Zhang Yingnan , Mao Jiandong , Li Juan , Gong Xin
Published: December 2022

The Mie-scattering lidar can detect atmospheric turbulence intensity by using the return signals of Gaussian beams at different heights. The power spectrum method and Zernike polynomial method are used to simulate the non-Kolmogorov turbulent phase plate, respectively, and the power spectrum method with faster running speed is selected for the subsequent simulation. In order to verify the possibility of detecting atmospheric turbulence by the Mie-scattering lidar, some numerical simulations are carried out. The power spectrum method is used to simulate the propagation of the Gaussian beam from the Mie-scattering lidar in a vertical path. The propagation characteristics of the Gaussian beam using a non-Kolmogorov turbulence model are obtained by analyzing the intensity distribution and spot drift effect. The simulation results show that the scintillation index of simulation is consistent with the theoretical value trend, and the accuracy is very high, indicating that the method of atmospheric turbulence detection using Mie-scattering lidar is effective. The simulation plays a guiding role for the subsequent experimental platform construction and equipment design.
Virtual and Augmented Reality versus Traditional Methods for Teaching Physiotherapy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lucena-Anton David , Fernandez-Lopez Juan Carlos , Pacheco-Serrano Ana I. , Garcia-Munoz Cristina , Moral-Munoz Jose A.
Published: December 2022

The use of virtual worlds in health-related education is increasingly popular, but an overview of their use in physiotherapy education is still needed. The aim of this review was to analyse the use of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) compared to traditional methods for teaching physiotherapy. A systematic review was performed up to October 2022 in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycInfo. The quality appraisal and risk of bias were assessed by the Joana Briggs Institute checklist and the Cochrane Collaboration’s RoB Tool 2.0, respectively. A total of seven randomised and non-randomised controlled studies were included, involving 737 students. VR/AR-based teaching approaches included simulation and virtual worlds, and were conducted through immersive head-mounted displays, AR-based applications, and 3D visualisations. Three studies were focused on teaching anatomy content, two on clinical decision making skills, and the rest were focused on pathology, physiotherapy tasks or exercise performance, and movement analysis of lower limbs. Inconclusive results were found in terms of learning satisfaction and academic performance, showing VR/AR-based teaching models to be equally effective as traditional methods for teaching physiotherapy. We encourage researchers and teachers to include games in their VR/AR-based teaching approaches to enhance interaction and active learning in physiotherapy education.
Use of Personal Resources May Influence the Rate of Biological Aging Depending on Individual Typology
Authors: Berezina Tatiana N. , Rybtsov Stanislav A.
Published: December 2022

Individual hobbies and interests, the ways of spending leisure time develop personal resources influencing health and wellbeing. The literature analysis helped selecting thirteen personal resources that also affect the rate of aging: sports, order, creativity, intellect, handwork, kindness, Humor, spirituality, risk, nature, achievements, optimism, communication. In 1632 people, (840 women and 792 men) personal resources were assessed using a questionnaire developed in-house. Biological age was determined by health indicators. The personal typology was determined by testing functional asymmetry, physique, interaction style, emotionality, profession, marital status, gender, age, and place of residence. The data were processed by correlation and cluster analysis and methods of automatic artificial neural networks (ANN). Personal resources were used as input continuous variables. Personality types were used as input categorical variables. The index of relative biological aging (RBA) was applied as an output continuous variable. We also calculated the correlation between the RBA index and the applied personal resources in different types of personalities. For most female types including investigative occupations, psychomotor emotionality, living in urban areas, asthenic physique, negative correlations were found between most personal resources and the aging index. In men, resources that slow down aging are found only for certain types: enterprising and conventional professions, ambidexter and left-handed, intellectual emotionality, athletic physique. In conclusion, with the help of the trained ANN, we selected personal resources that slow down aging. For women of all types, there are common resources reducing RBA index including nature, intellect, and achievements. For men, ANN was unable to find common resources that slow down aging. However, with an individual selection of resources, a trained neural network gives a favorable forecast of the ability to slow down the biological aging of a particular man by changing his hobbies and interests and ways of spending free time.
Analysis of the Influence of Selected Factors on Heating Costs and Pollutant Emissions in a Cold Climate Based on the Example of a Service Building Located in Bialystok
Authors: Ołtarzewska Agata , Krawczyk Dorota Anna
Published: December 2022

In recent years, due to the rapidly growing global energy crisis and the ever-increasing prices of energy carriers, more attention has been paid to the energy efficiency of existing buildings, especially in the context of reducing harmful emissions and lowering heating costs. The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of selected factors on heating costs and air pollution in a cold climate based on the example of a service building located in Bialystok, Poland. The following scenarios were assumed: the implementation of a heating schedule, improvement of the thermal insulation of the building envelope, lowering of the indoor temperature in all rooms, and moving away from a traditional heat source (gas boiler) to renewable energy (heat pump). The results showed that improvements in heat transfer coefficients had the greatest impact on reducing heating costs and that emissions from renewable energy sources depend largely on the national energy mix.
Social Innovations for Improving Compostable Packaging Waste Management in CE: A Multi-Solution Perspective
Authors: Kędzia Grażyna , Ocicka Barbara , Pluta-Zaremba Aneta , Raźniewska Marta , Turek Jolanta , Wieteska-Rosiak Beata
Published: December 2022

Compostable packaging is one of the innovative alternatives to conventional packaging. This is also an opportunity in view of the current energy crisis and rising oil prices, firstly, because compostable packaging is produced only from renewable resources, and secondly, it can feed both the composting process and biogas plants. According to the CE principles, it is vital to effectively close product life cycles. Therefore, this paper is aimed at expounding the triggering role of social innovations co-created by stakeholders for improving compostable packaging waste management in accordance with the CE concept. The research procedure consisted of four integrated research phases. A qualitive study was undertaken by conducting 29 in-depth interviews and 3 Social Innovation Labs, engaging 67 bio-packaging market stakeholders, which are national and international companies (e.g., manufacturing, distributing), institutions and other organisations from the social, public and private sectors. The results show that one of the key problems for the development of the CE compostable packaging market is the low level of compostable waste packaging management. Its detailed analysis showed that this problem is associated with several barriers and their numerous causes. According to stakeholders, this can be effectively minimised by applying three social innovations that when combined stimulate all elements of waste management, moving it to a higher level of development.
Analytical Investigation of the Properties of Transients in Unbalanced Three-Phase Four-Wire Networks
Authors: Bellan Diego
Published: December 2022

In this paper, the theoretical properties of transients in three-phase networks, including the fourth wire and unbalanced source, are systematically investigated by resorting to several analytical tools. First, a Cartesian space vector is introduced to provide the geometrical three-dimensional representation of a three-phase voltage/current transient. It is shown that a voltage/current transient can be always represented as a three-dimensional trajectory leaving one plane (corresponding to the previous steady state) towards another plane (corresponding to the new steady state at the end of the transient). The quantity driving the trajectory from one plane to another is the Park/Clarke zero component. Second, the Clarke transformation is used to study the original three-phase circuit as a superposition of two independent transients: the transient of the Clarke space vectors and the transient of the Clarke zero components. Third, the Park transformation is used to evaluate the dq0 components of transient voltages/currents. Since the Park transformation is related to the Clarke transformation through a simple frequency shift, the effects on the frequency content of the steady-state and transient waveforms are put into evidence. Three case studies are presented and solved to prove the theoretical results.
Evaluation of Water Resources through Efficiency Index and Water Productivity in EU
Authors: Taušová Marcela , Čulková Katarína , Kudelas Dušan , Gabániová Ľubomíra , Koščo Ján , Mehana Ibrahim
Published: December 2022

Water presents one of the earth resources as a component of environmental change, demanding the research of water use. A nusmber of authors analyzed water use from different perspectives, in different regions, not including the water efficiency index and water productivity in the whole of the EU. The presented contribution is orientated to the evaluation of water resources through the development of efficiency and productivity indexes in EU member states. The research is made by a single analysis of the index in time development, followed by countries’ comparison according to the available data and software support, accessing the sustainability features in water supply that are the three-fold-goals of economic feasibility, social responsibility, and environmental integrity, linked to the purpose of the water use. The results of the contribution show the countries with a positive indexes trend, and countries with a negative indexes trend. Such results can be used for improving measurements to increase water productivity, as well as to make measurements to decrease water use.
An Experimental Study and Statistical Analysis on the Electrical Properties of Synthetic Ester-Based Nanofluids
Authors: Khan Suhaib Ahmad , Tariq Mohd , Khan Asfar Ali , Urooj Shabana , Mihet-Popa Lucian
Published: December 2022

The rise in power demand today necessitates its generation and transmission at high voltages. The efficient transmission of electric power requires transformers with an insulation system that exhibits excellent dielectric properties. In this paper ZnO and CuO nanomaterials are utilized to investigate the dielectric characteristics of pure synthetic ester oil and its related nanofluids (NFs) from room temperature up to 60 °C at increments of 20 °C, including AC breakdown voltage, Dielectric Dissipation factor, and DC resistivity. The breakdown testing is carried out in accordance with experimental IEC-60156 requirements. The DC resistivity and dissipation factor of oils are measured using the Dissipation Factor meter, resistivity meter, and a heating chamber with an oil cell that follows IEC 60247 standard. The statistical analysis is performed on the breakdown voltages test values using the Weibull probability distribution model for better accuracy. From the results, it has been found that ZnO nanofluid possesses a higher breakdown voltage among all the tested liquids. Furthermore CuO nanofluid gives a minimum value of dissipation factor even at higher temperatures.
Optimization of Steam Distribution Mode for Turbine Units Based on Governing Valve Characteristic Modeling
Authors: Zhang Lei , Qiao Zongliang , Hei Bingsen , Tang Youfei , Liu Shasha
Published: December 2022

With the extensive application of renewable energy generation, thermal power units are required to participate in peak-regulating operations. The mode of steam distribution significantly influences the economy when the steam turbine operates at a low load. The turbine unit’s governing valve characteristics and steam distribution modes are studied in this paper, and the optimal sliding pressure operation curve is derived. Firstly, the theoretical model of the governing stage and the governing valve is derived, and the reliability is verified with field data. Secondly, the overall simulation model of the turbine unit is established, and the turbine off-design performance is analyzed with variable main steam pressure. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the three steam distribution modes are discussed thoroughly. The steam distribution modes and optimal main steam pressures are analyzed. The results show that a precise composite sliding pressure operation scheme is recommended, and a sliding pressure operation mode is adopted under 470 MW and constant pressure operation for others.
Dietary Strategies to Reduce Obesity Burden—Polyphenols as a Game-Changer?
Authors: Yaskolka Meir Anat , Tsaban Gal
Published: December 2022

The obesity epidemic has nearly tripled worldwide over the past five decades and has become a significant risk factor for noncommunicable diseases [...]
“Talking on the Phone Is Very Cold”—Primary Health Care Nurses’ Approach to Enabling Patient Participation in the Context of Chronic Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Heumann Marcus , Zabaleta-del-Olmo Edurne , Röhnsch Gundula , Hämel Kerstin
Published: December 2022

Strengthening patient participation is considered a crucial element of primary health care (PHC) nurses’ practice when working with chronically ill patients. The COVID-19 pandemic had extraordinary effects on PHC nursing routines and how chronically ill patients’ could be involved in their own care. This study investigates the adaptation of Spanish PHC nurses’ approaches to supporting the participation of patients living with chronic illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. To reach this goal, we interviewed 13 PHC nurses who practiced in PHC centers in Spain. The interviews were analyzed using thematic coding. Three themes emerged from the descriptions of the nurses: (1) High COVID-19-related workload, decreasing health promotion, and chronic care, (2) Emphasis on patients’ and families’ self-responsibility, (3) Expanded digital and telephone communication with fewer in-person consultations. Nurses felt especially challenged to uphold the support for vulnerable groups, such as older people or patients without family support. Future research should focus on how the participation of the most vulnerable chronic patients can be supported in the context of the growing relevance of remote care.
A Novel Master-Slave Architecture to Detect COVID-19 in Chest X-ray Image Sequences Using Transfer-Learning Techniques
Authors: Aljohani Abeer , Alharbe Nawaf
Published: December 2022

Coronavirus disease, frequently referred to as COVID-19, is a contagious and transmittable disease produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The only solution to tackle this virus and reduce its spread is early diagnosis. Pathogenic laboratory tests such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process take a long time. Also, they regularly produce incorrect results. However, they are still considered the critical standard for detecting the virus. Hence, there is a solid need to evolve computer-assisted diagnosis systems capable of providing quick and low-cost testing in areas where traditional testing procedures are not feasible. This study focuses on COVID-19 detection using X-ray images. The prime objective is to introduce a computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) system to differentiate COVID-19 from healthy and pneumonia cases using X-ray image sequences. This work utilizes standard transfer-learning techniques for COVID-19 detection. It proposes the master–slave architecture using the most state-of-the-art Densenet201 and Squeezenet1_0 techniques for classifying the COVID-19 virus in chest X-ray image sequences. This paper compares the proposed models with other standard transfer-learning approaches for COVID-19. The performance metrics demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms standard transfer-learning approaches. This research also fine-tunes hyperparameters and predicts the optimized learning rate to achieve the highest accuracy in the model. After fine-tuning the learning rate, the DenseNet201 model retrieves an accuracy of 83.33%, while the fastest model is SqueezeNet1_0, which retrieves an accuracy of 80%.
Blockchain in Healthcare: A Decentralized Platform for Digital Health Passport of COVID-19 Based on Vaccination and Immunity Certificates
Authors: Razzaq Abdul , Mohsan Syed Agha Hassnain , Ghayyur Shahbaz Ahmed Khan , Al-Kahtani Nouf , Alkahtani Hend Khalid , Mostafa Samih M.
Published: December 2022

COVID-19 has become a very transmissible disease that has had a worldwide impact, resulting in a huge number of infections and fatalities. Testing is critical to the pandemic’s successful response because it helps detect illnesses and so attenuate (isolate/cure) them and now vaccination is a life-safer innovation against the pandemic which helps to make the immunity system stronger and fight against this infection. Patient-sensitive information, on the other hand, is now held in a centralized or third-party storage paradigm, according to COVID-19. One of the most difficult aspects of using a centralized storage strategy is maintaining patient privacy and system transparency. The application of blockchain technology to support health initiatives that can minimize the spread of COVID-19 infections in the context of accessibility of the system and for verification of digital passports. Only by combining blockchain technology with advanced cryptographic algorithms can a secure and privacy-preserving solution to COVID-19 be provided. In this article, we investigate the issue and propose a blockchain-based solution incorporating conscience identity, encryption, and decentralized storage via interplanetary file systems (IPFS). For COVID-19 test takers and vaccination takers, our solution includes digital health passports (DHP) as a certification of test or vaccination. We explain smart contracts constructed and tested with Ethereum to preserve a DHP for test and vaccine takers, allowing for a prompt and trustworthy response from the necessary medical authorities. We use an immutable trustworthy blockchain to minimize medical facility response times, relieve the transmission of incorrect information, and stop the illness from spreading via DHP. We give a detailed explanation of the proposed solution’s system model, development, and assessment in terms of cost and security. Finally, we put the suggested framework to the test by deploying a smart contract prototype on the Ethereum TESTNET network in a Windows environment. The study’s findings revealed that the suggested method is effective and feasible.
Occupational Health: Physical Activity, Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Quality of Life in Computer Workers: A Narrative Review
Authors: Moreira Sara , Criado Maria Begoña , Santos Paula Clara , Ferreira Maria Salomé , Gonçalves Carla , Machado Jorge
Published: December 2022

Computer work has assumed a very important role for many companies, but specific occupational and health symptoms associated with the use of computers can appear. According to the literature, physical activity is considered a key player in the prevention and control of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms, contributing to a better quality of life in computer workers. The principal aims of this review are to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship among sedentary behavior, physical activity and quality of life of computer workers; to outline the importance of promoting the development of an educational program for Occupational Health directed at computer workers at the level of quality of life, musculoskeletal symptoms, and physical activity; and to call for attention to the factors needed to initiate and maintain a health program that involves the active participation of workers who must be concerned about their health. This review demonstrates the important role of workplaces in health promotion and the opportunities that workplaces provide to establish and continue successful health-promotion programs for computer workers, generating important benefits for the health and quality of life of individuals and groups.
Safety and Immunogenicity of a Single Dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in a Warfarin-Treated Protein S Deficient Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Cucunawangsih Cucunawangsih , Wijaya Ratna Sari , Lugito Nata Pratama Hardjo , Suriapranata Ivet
Published: December 2022

Patients with protein S (PS) deficiency possibly have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease. Therefore, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infections is recommended for PS-deficient patients. However, there are limited data regarding the safety and immunogenicity of the currently available COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in PS-deficient patients. We report a case of monitoring the antibody response of a 40-year-old female diagnosed with PS deficiency and on warfarin treatment following a single dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Antibody against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein (anti-S) was measured on days 7, 14, and 21 after vaccination. Seroconversion was detected on day 21 but was possibly lower than the anti-S level previously reported in healthy individuals after receiving the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. There were no local and systemic events reported up to 7 days in this patient after vaccination. This case highlights that the administration of the BNT162b2 vaccine had a favourable safety profile, and the second dose of the vaccine is required to provide the optimal protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in PS-deficient patients.
Classification, Distribution, Biosynthesis, and Regulation of Secondary Metabolites in Matricaria chamomilla
Authors: Wu Hanbin , Yang Ke , Dong Liwei , Ye Jiabao , Xu Feng
Published: December 2022

Matricaria chamomilla is a multi-use aromatic medicinal plant, and is known to be one of the oldest medicinal plants in the world. M. chamomilla contains abundant volatile oils, of which terpenes and flavonoids are the main medicinal active ingredients, including chamazulene and α-bisabolol. M. chamomilla is often used to treat flatulence, inflammation, and other disorders. It is also used for pain relief and sedation. In recent years, many studies have examined the medicinally active ingredients, pharmacological efficacy, plant physiology, and other aspects of M. chamomilla. Here, we summarize studies on the secondary metabolites of medicinally active components in M. chamomilla, with respect to their biosynthesis pathways and regulation.
Effects of Different Root Zone Heating Methods on the Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Cucumber
Authors: Bi Xueting , Wang Xiaozhuo , Zhang Xueyan
Published: December 2022

Root zone heating can solve the problems associated with the yield and decline in the quality caused by low-temperature stress in cucumber during winter and early spring. An experiment was performed to investigate the effects of different heating methods on the root zone temperature, growth and photosynthetic characteristics, fruit quality, and yield of cucumber. Using traditional soil cultivation (CK1) and sand cultivation (CK2) in a greenhouse as the controls, four heating treatments were set up: soil-ridge sand-embedded cultivation (T1), water-heated soil cultivation (T2), water-heated sand cultivation (T3), and water-curtain and floor-heating cultivation (T4). The results indicated that heating treatments T2 and T4 had better warming and insulation effects than the other treatments during both day and night, with an average temperature increase throughout the day of 0.8–1.2 °C compared with CK1. The chlorophyll content of leaves under the T2 and T4 treatments increased, and the photosynthetic rate and the overall plant growth were significantly higher than in the other treatments. Compared with the control, the fruit yield increased most significantly under the T2 and T4; the soluble sugar, soluble solids, and Vc contents in the fruit increased; while the nitrate content in the fruit decreased, effectively improving the fruit’s quality and yield. It was finally determined that the T2 and T4 heating treatments are the most effective in solving the low-temperature problem. Moreover, as T2 consumed relatively more electricity, the use of a water-curtain and floor-heating system in winter and spring should be considered in order to boost the yield and improve the quality.
Plant Performance and Soil Microbial Responses to Irrigation Management: A Novel Study in a Calafate Orchard
Authors: Betancur Matías , Retamal-Salgado Jorge , López María Dolores , Vergara-Retamales Rosa , Schoebitz Mauricio
Published: December 2022

Calafate fruits have a high content of phenolic compounds and an antioxidant activity up to four times higher than that of blueberries. The establishment of a calafate orchard and irrigation responses on fruit and soil characteristics have been scarcely studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of water replenishment rate: 0%, 50%, 100% and 150% of reference evapotranspiration (ET0), on soil microbiological activity, plant physiological response, fruit yield and chemical composition in a calafate orchard. The results showed that irrigation at 50% ET0 presented significant increases in soil urease, dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activity. Likewise, irrigation at 50% ET0 significantly increased stomatal conductance and plant chlorophyll index, which led to a significant increase in fruit yield being 60% higher compared to the other treatments. Despite the higher fruit yield, 50% ET0 irrigation had a similar level of total anthocyanins and ORAC antioxidant capacity as the 100% ET0 treatment. In contrast, 0% and 150% ET0 treatments showed a higher degree of stress and got higher values for total anthocyanins and fruit antioxidant capacity. Irrigation rates 50% ET0 increases fruit yield while maintaining fruit quality and optimizing water resources in commercial orchards of calafate.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Salt Stress Response in Pleurotus ostreatus
Authors: Pyeon Ha-Young , Park Youn-Jin , Lee Sang-Chul , Jang Myoung-Jun
Published: December 2022

This study was conducted to confirm the expression patterns of genes involved in stress resistance by comparing the expression patterns of genes expressed after sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment in Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) cultivation. To confirm this, as a result of checking different gene expressions for the untreated group and the NaCl 1% and 2% treated group, a total of 12,460 gene expression differences were confirmed. There were 275 and 397 genes with increased expression in the 2.0% and 1.0% NaCl treated group and 400 and 247 genes with reduced expression in the 1.0% and 2.0% NaCl treated group, respectively. Among the genes whose expression was confirmed in DEG, qRT-PCR was performed on six genes to confirm the expression pattern of the genes affecting the mycelium structure. The DEG results showed that a putative aldo-keto reductase of akor3, Alpha-1,4 glucan phosphorylase of PLEOSDRAFT_1058949, and heme-thiolate peroxidase of HTP1 were up-regulated and that glycoside hydrolase family 92 protein of PLEOSDRAFT_1063499 were down-regulated, and the qRT-PCR showed the same results. However, hydrophobin of Hydph16 and pleurotolysin B of plyB were up-regulated in the qRT-PCR results while down-regulated in the DEG results. From the above results, it is judged that NaCl ultimately inhibits growth by inhibiting the formation of the skeleton constituting the mycelium and the physiological activity within the cell.