bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of a Common-Mode Rejection Filter Using Dumbbell-Shaped Defected Ground Structures Based on Equivalent Circuit Models
Authors: Choi Jeong-Sik , Min Byung-Cheol , Kim Mun-Ju , Kumar Sachin , Choi Hyun-Chul , Kim Kang-Wook
Published: July 2023

An efficient design method is proposed for a compact common-mode rejection (CMR) filter utilizing dumbbell-shaped defected ground (DS-DG) structures and gap-coupled stub (GCS) resonators. A CMR filter for differential lines helps to improve the signal integrity of high-speed digital signals on printed circuit boards. The proposed CMR filter design is based on the equivalent circuit models, while the previous designs depended heavily on the DS-DG structure optimization using the EM simulations. The proposed CMR filter effectively rejects the common-mode components while minimally affecting the differential signals. To prove the simplified design approach, a fifth-order Chebyshev band-stop filter is designed with three DS-DG structures and two GCS resonators. From the simulated and measured results, it is found that the proposed CMR filter provides ~90% fractional frequency bandwidth with more than 20 dB of common-mode rejection ratio and less than 0.6 dB of insertion loss of the differential signal.
Artificial Intelligence Solutions and Applications for Distributed Systems in Smart Spaces
Authors: Corchado Juan M. , Rodríguez Sara , De la Prieta Fernando , Sitek Paweł , Julián Vicente , Mehmood Rashid
Published: July 2023

This editorial presents a summary of the Special Issue on Artificial Intelligence Solutions and Applications for Distributed Systems in Smart Spaces, presented in the “Computer Science & Engineering” section of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292) [...]
ICSF: An Improved Cloth Simulation Filtering Algorithm for Airborne LiDAR Data Based on Morphological Operations
Authors: Cai Shangshu , Yu Sisi , Hui Zhenyang , Tang Zhanzhong
Published: July 2023

Ground filtering is an essential step in airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data processing in various applications. The cloth simulation filtering (CSF) algorithm has gained popularity because of its ease of use advantage. However, CSF has limitations in topographically and environmentally complex areas. Therefore, an improved CSF (ICSF) algorithm was developed in this study. ICSF uses morphological closing operations to initialize the cloth, and estimates the cloth rigidness for providing a more accurate reference terrain in various terrain characteristics. Moreover, terrain-adaptive height difference thresholds are developed for better filtering of airborne LiDAR point clouds. The performance of ICSF was assessed using International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing urban and rural samples and Open Topography forested samples. Results showed that ICSF can improve the filtering accuracy of CSF in the samples with various terrain and non-ground object characteristics, while maintaining the ease of use advantage of CSF. In urban and rural samples, ICSF obtained an average total error of 4.03% and outperformed another eight reference algorithms in terms of accuracy and robustness. In forested samples, ICSF produced more accuracy than the well-known filtering algorithms (including the maximum slope, progressive morphology, and cloth simulation filtering algorithms), and performed better with respect to the preservation of steep slopes and discontinuities and vegetation removal. Thus, the proposed algorithm can be used as an efficient tool for LiDAR data processing.
The Potential of Arctic Pseudogymnoascus Fungi in the Biosynthesis of Natural Products
Authors: Antipova Tatiana V. , Zaitsev Kirill V. , Zhelifonova Valentina P. , Tarlachkov Sergey V. , Grishin Yuri K. , Kochkina Galina A. , Vainshtein Mikhail B.
Published: July 2023

Scarce research into the secondary metabolites of the fungi Pseudogymnoascus spp. has shown a hidden biosynthetic potential for biologically active compounds. This work investigated the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites by two Pseudogymnoascus fungal strains, VKM F-4518 and VKM F-4519, isolated from the surface soil layer of the Kolyma Lowland, Russia, in the Arctic. In these strains, 16-membered trilactone macrolides, (+)-macrosphelides A and B, were identified using 1D and 2D NMR, UHRMS, and optical rotation data. In the fungi of this genus, these metabolites were found for the first time. The studied strains are highly active producers of macrosphelide A, which is being considered as a promising agent for the cure of cancer. Using the antiSMASH secondary metabolite analysis tool, we found that the genome of strain VKM F-4518 contained 32 of the biosynthetic clusters of the secondary metabolite genes (BGC) and that of VKM F-4519 had 17 BGCs. Based on the comparison of the cluster of macrotriolide genes from the fungus Paraphaeosphaeria sporulosa, we found the complete supposed cluster BGCs of macrosphelides in the genomes of two Pseudogymnoascus strains using the BLAST+ program.
Dual Emerging Applications of Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) with Aspergillus niger and Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction (UAE) for the Obtention of Antimicrobial Polyphenols from Pineapple Waste
Authors: Paz-Arteaga Sarah , Cadena-Chamorro Edith , Serna-Cock Liliana , Torres-Castañeda Harlen , Pabón-Rodríguez Omar , Agudelo-Morales Carlos , Ramírez-Guzmán Nathiely , Ascacio-Valdés Juan , Aguilar Cristóbal , Torres-León Cristian
Published: July 2023

The exploration of natural antimicrobial compounds is necessary due to the current bacterial resistance to synthetic antibiotics. For this reason, pineapple residues were evaluated as a natural source of phenolic compounds with antimicrobial capacity. Pineapple residues were fermented with A. niger GH1 and subjected to ultrasound for the extraction of phenolic compounds. In the solid-state fermentation (SSF), the peel and the core (70:30) were fermented for 32 h. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) was optimized. The factors solid–liquid ratio (X1), ethanol concentration (X2), and extraction cycle (X3) were optimized through a Box–Behnken statistical design, using the total phenol content (TPC) as a response variable. The optimized and pre-purified extract with amberlite was characterized using HPLC-MS and we measured the antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The optimal values for X1, X2, and X3 were 82 mg/mL, 26%, and two cycles, respectively. The extract was effective as an antimicrobial agent against S. aureus and L. monocytogenes, with MICs of 50 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively; the bacterial growth curve and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the antimicrobial activity. The main compounds identified in the antimicrobial extract were 3,4-DHPEA-EA, Phloretin 2′-O-xylosyl-glucoside, and Feruloyl tartaric acid. Overall, the combination SSF-UAE showed to be a promising strategy to recover phenolic compounds from pineapple residues, exhibiting great potential as a natural antimicrobial agent.
Bioaccumulation of Metals in Some Fish Species from the Romanian Danube River: A Review
Authors: Cordeli (Săvescu) Anca Nicoleta , Oprea Lucian , Crețu Mirela , Dediu Lorena , Coadă Marian Tiberiu , Mînzală Diana-Nicoleta
Published: July 2023

The Danube is the second-largest river in Europe and has been subject to pollution in the past. Additionally, in the last few years, the rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization has led to the inevitable pollution of this aquatic ecosystem by certain metals (essential and non-essential elements). This issue is considered the central problem of pollution in the Danube and is gaining increasing attention. Fish is a good source of proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3 fatty acids), essential vitamins, and minerals. Fish are often exposed to metals present in their aquatic environment through direct contact with contaminated water or by consuming organisms that have accumulated metals in their tissues; therefore, the elevated concentrations of metals in water and sediments are reflected in the fish flesh. In this context, the safety of fish and fishery products for human consumption is a public health concern. In the last two decades, more and more reports have shown that Danube River fish are contaminated with metals, causing great concern among consumers. The negative perception continues, although recent scientific studies show that metal levels in the edible parts of the fish are below acceptable limits. The objective of this study was to put together a multitude of scientific research studies that investigate the levels of some metals in various tissues of some fish species with high economic value in the Romanian market, as well as the levels of metals in the water and sediments. The collected data were then utilized to assess the potential health risks posed to humans.
Modified Structural and Functional Properties of Fish Gelatin by Glycosylation with Galacto-Oligosaccharides
Authors: Wang Yong , Wu Caiyun , Jia Hui , Mráz Jan , Zhao Ran , Li Shengjie , Dong Xiuping , Pan Jinfeng
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of galacto-oligogalactose (GOS) glycosylation on the structural and functional properties of fish gelatin (FG). Results showed that with the increase of glycosylation time, grafting degree and browning increased, and new protein bands with increased molecular weight were observed by SDS-PAGE. Structural analysis showed that glycosylation reduced intrinsic fluorescence intensity and increased surface hydrophobicity of FG. FTIR analysis showed α-helix content decreased while random coil content increased in glycosylated FG. Emulsion activity index and emulsion stability index along with foam activity and foam stability were significantly elevated in GOS-4 and GOS-8, but FG glycosylated longer than 12 h exhibited less pronounced improvement. Glycosylated FG showed lower gel strength than control. The results indicate that moderate glycosylation could be applied to improve interfacial properties of FG.
Tracing Disabled Children’s Lives in 19th-Century Scotland through Public and Institutional Records
Authors: Hutchison Iain
Published: July 2023

Records of asylums, schools, and benevolent organisations that intervened in the lives of disabled children in Scotland during the long nineteenth century have survived to varying degrees in public and institutional archives. This might suggest the existence of detailed primary source material that stands in contrast to the sparse data about those disabled children who ‘escaped’ the attention of organisations that aimed to support and direct their lives. However, the records of these formal organisations are inconsistent in what they reveal about the lives of the children under their patronage. This article explores the challenges presented by the records of three organisations, namely, the Scottish National Institution for the Education of Imbecile Children in Larbert, Edinburgh’s Gayfield Square blind school, and East Park Home for Aiding Infirm Children in the Maryhill district of Glasgow. Among the deficiencies of surviving institutional records are the frequent paucity of insights into the lives of their young residents. This article will consider how some of their life journeys can nonetheless be researched by marshalling data from the likes of mandatory registration records and decennial census enumerators’ books. In addition to benefits afforded to genealogists, such records provide historians with materials from which disabled lives can be reconstructed and analysed.
Split Hand-Foot and Deafness in a Patient with 7q21.13-q21.3 Deletion Not Including the DLX5/6 Genes
Authors: Ambrosetti Irene , Bernardini Laura , Pollazzon Marzia , Giuffrida Maria Grazia , Guida Valentina , Peluso Francesca , Baroni Maria Chiara , Polizzi Valeria , Napoli Manuela , Rosato Simonetta , Trimarchi Gabriele , Gelmini Chiara , Caraffi Stefano Giuseppe , Wischmeijer Anita , Frattini Daniele , Novelli Antonio , Garavelli Livia
Published: July 2023

Split Hand-Foot Malformation (SHFM) is a congenital limb defect characterized by a median cleft of the hands and/or feet due to the absence/hypoplasia of the central rays. It may occur as part of a syndromic condition or as an isolated malformation. The most common of the six genetic loci identified for this condition is correlated to SHFM1 and maps in the 7q21q22 region. SHFM1 is characterized by autosomal dominant transmission, incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. Associated features often include hearing loss, intellectual disability/developmental delay and craniofacial abnormalities. Disruption of the DLX5/DLX6 genes, mapping within the SHFM1 locus, is now known to be responsible for the phenotype. Through SNP array, we analyzed a patient affected by SHFM1 associated with deafness and an abnormality of the inner ear (incomplete partition type I); we identified a deletion in 7q21, not involving the DLX5/6 genes, but including exons 15 and 17 of DYNC1I1, known to act as exonic enhancers (eExons) of the DLX5/6 genes. We further demonstrated the role of DYNC1I1 eExons in regulating DLX5/6 expression by means of showing a reduced expression of the DLX5/6 genes through RT-PCR in a patient-derived lymphoblastoid cell line. Furthermore, our data and a review of published cases do not support the hypothesis that DLX5/6 are imprinted in humans. This work is an example of how the disruption of regulatory elements can be responsible for congenital malformations.
Impact of High-to-Moderate Penetrance Genes on Genetic Testing: Looking over Breast Cancer
Authors: Turchiano Antonella , Piglionica Marilidia , Martino Stefania , Bagnulo Rosanna , Garganese Antonella , De Luisi Annunziata , Chirulli Stefania , Iacoviello Matteo , Stasi Michele , Tabaku Ornella , Meneleo Eleonora , Capurso Martina , Crocetta Silvia , Lattarulo Simone , Krylovska Yevheniia , Lastella Patrizia , Forleo Cinzia , Stella Alessandro , Bukvic Nenad , Simone Cristiano , Resta Nicoletta
Published: July 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Since the discovery of the highly penetrant susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, many other predisposition genes that confer a moderate risk of BC have been identified. Advances in multigene panel testing have allowed the simultaneous sequencing of BRCA1/2 with these genes in a cost-effective way. Germline DNA from 521 cases with BC fulfilling diagnostic criteria for hereditary BC were screened with multigene NGS testing. Pathogenic (PVs) and likely pathogenic (LPVs) variants in moderate penetrance genes were identified in 15 out of 521 patients (2.9%), including 2 missense, 7 non-sense, 1 indel, and 3 splice variants, as well as two different exon deletions, as follows: ATM (n = 4), CHEK2 (n = 5), PALB2 (n = 2), RAD51C (n = 1), and RAD51D (n = 3). Moreover, the segregation analysis of PVs and LPVs into first-degree relatives allowed the detection of CHEK2 variant carriers diagnosed with in situ melanoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), respectively. Extended testing beyond BRCA1/2 identified PVs and LPVs in a further 2.9% of BC patients. In conclusion, panel testing yields more accurate genetic information for appropriate counselling, risk management, and preventive options than assessing BRCA1/2 alone.
Impaired Repopulating Ability of Uhrf2−/− Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells in Mice
Authors: Sano Takahiro , Ueda Koki , Minakawa Keiji , Mori Tsutomu , Hashimoto Yuko , Koseki Haruhiko , Takeishi Yasuchika , Ikeda Kazuhiko , Ikezoe Takayuki
Published: July 2023

UHRF proteins catalyze the ubiquitination of target proteins and are involved in regulating gene expression. Some studies reported a reduced expression of UHRF2 in acute leukemia cells, but the role of UHRF2 in hematopoiesis remains unknown. Here, we generated Uhrf2−/− mice to clarify the role of UHRF2 deletion in hematopoiesis. Compared to Uhrf2+/+ mice, Uhrf2−/− mice showed no differences in complete blood counts, as well as bone marrow (BM) findings and spleen weights. Proportions of cells in progenitor fractions in BM were comparable between Uhrf2+/+ mice and Uhrf2−/− mice. However, in competitive repopulation assays with BM transplants (BMT), the proportions of Uhrf2−/− cells were decreased relative to Uhrf2+/+ cells in all lineages. After the second BMT, Uhrf2−/− neutrophils were few, while 20–30% of Uhrf2−/− T cells and B cells were still detected. RNA sequencing showed downregulation of some genes associated with stem-cell function in Uhrf2−/− hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). Interestingly, trimethylated histone H3 lysine 9 was increased in Uhrf2−/− HSPCs in a cleavage under targets and tagmentation assay. While UHRF2 deletion did not cause hematologic malignancy or confer a growth advantage of HSPCs, our results suggest that UHRF2 may play a role in the regulation of hematopoiesis.
Patient-Oriented Research to Improve Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for People of Diverse Ethnocultural Groups in Routine Practice
Authors: Sapkota Ram P. , Valli Emma , Wilhelms Andrew , Adlam Kelly , Bourgeault Lee , Heron Vanessa , Dickerson Kathryn , Nugent Marcie , Hadjistavropoulos Heather D.
Published: July 2023

There has been limited research on improving Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (ICBT) in routine online therapy clinics that serve people from diverse ethnocultural groups (PDEGs). This article describes a patient-oriented adaptation approach used to address this gap in research. A working group consisting of people with lived experience, community representatives, ICBT clinicians, managers, and researchers was formed. The working group examined archival feedback on ICBT from past patients who self-identified as being from diverse ethnocultural backgrounds (N = 278) and the results of interviews with current patients (N = 16), community representatives (N = 6), and clinicians (N = 3). The archival data and interviews revealed the majority of the patients reported being satisfied with and benefitting from ICBT. Suggestions for improvement were not related to the cognitive-behavioural model and techniques, but rather to making treatment materials more inclusive. Consequently, the ICBT adaptation focused on adding content related to cultural influences on mental health, addressing stigma, diversifying case stories, examples, and imagery, adding audiovisual introductions, and replacing English idioms with more descriptive language. Moreover, further training was offered to clinicians, and efforts were made to improve community outreach. This study demonstrates a process for using patient-oriented research to improve ICBT within routine care serving patients of diverse backgrounds.
Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Compassion Fatigue among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia: Implications for Well-Being and Support
Authors: Almadani Ahmad H. , Alenezi Shuliweeh , Algazlan Maha S. , Alrabiah Ebraheem S. , Alharbi Reem A. , Alkhamis AlRabab S. , Temsah Mohamad-Hani
Published: July 2023

Compassion fatigue (CF) poses significant challenges to healthcare workers’ (HCWs) well-being. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CF and identify its predictive factors among HCWs in all regions of Saudi Arabia (SA). As such, all HCWs from different disciplines in different centers were allowed to participate, resulting in 678 participants. The study tool, distributed between October 2022 and January 2023, consisted of a questionnaire created by the authors based on the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). The ProQOL measures the positive (compassion satisfaction [CS]) and negative (CF) effects of helping those who have suffered, noting that burnout (BO) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) are the two subscales that constitute CF. Our findings revealed that 63.9% of HCWs experienced average STS, while 57.2% reported average BO levels. HCWs in the southern and northern regions exhibited higher STS (p-value = 0.003 and 0.010, respectively). Physicians displayed higher BO levels (p-value = 0.024). Higher levels of CS were found among older HCWs (p-value = 0.001) and lower levels among those with more years of experience (p-value = 0.004). Support at work and job, life, and financial income satisfaction were significantly and positively correlated with CS and negatively correlated with BO and STS. These findings highlight the need for tailored awareness campaigns targeting HCWs, particularly physicians, to promote well-being, enhance coping skills, and foster problem-solving techniques. Keywords: burnout; compassion fatigue; compassion satisfaction; healthcare workers; professional quality of life; Saudi Arabia; secondary traumatic stress; medical trainees’ well-being.
Bibliometric Analysis of Integrated Pest Management Practices
Authors: Zhou Xi , Yang Chongxi , Yesmin Sabina , Islam Md Ashraful , Sarkar Apurbo
Published: July 2023

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a wide-ranging strategy that involves tactics for the structural control of pests and diseases, also known as integrated pest control (IPC). The prime aim of this study is to explore global scientific publications regarding integrated pest management and map the recent global trends in this innovative research domain, thereby providing future research directions based on dynamic observations. Bibliometric assessment is used in the research to provide a more detailed evaluation of the existing state of IPM, which will ultimately lead policymakers to develop novel measures to promote the efficient utilisation of the IPM measure. The study explores the Web of Science (WoS) core collection database covering published articles from 1993 to 2022, and we evaluated 1217 articles. The study employed the Biblioshiny app (V4.1, K-Synth, Naples, Italy), specially designed for the Bibliometrix R package, and a robust Java-based application, namely CiteSpace (V6.2.R3, Chaomei Chen, Philadelphia, PA, USA), to convert, process, visualise and evaluate the selected dataset. Moreover, we utilised another Java-based app VOSViewer (Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands), to provide a comprehensive visualisation. Based on citation analysis, we presented a list of the top 10 articles based on global citation count, the top 10 institutes, the top 10 journals, and the top 10 countries. By carefully evaluating the co-occurrence network, this study structurally represents the 9 clusters and the 20 prime keywords, which will be assisted the future researcher in understanding the key terms used by the prior research and the density criteria. The strategic coordinate mapping is utilised to evaluate the keywords’ inner relationship and provide strong themes of recent research progression of IPM by evaluating the centrality and density quadrant tactics. This technique has not been rehashed previously within the IPM domain. We identify gaps related to the formulation, implementation, and assessment of the IPM mechanisms and propose avenues for future studies to fill those gaps.
Prediction of Greenhouse Indoor Air Temperature Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Combined with Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Hosseini Monjezi Pejman , Taki Morteza , Abdanan Mehdizadeh Saman , Rohani Abbas , Ahamed Md Shamim
Published: July 2023

Greenhouses are essential for agricultural production in unfavorable climates. Accurate temperature predictions are critical for controlling Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Dehumidification (HVACD) and lighting systems to optimize plant growth and reduce financial losses. In this study, several machine models were employed to predict indoor air temperature in an even-span Mediterranean greenhouse. Radial Basis Function (RBF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) were applied using external parameters such as outside air, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. The results showed that an RBF model with the LM learning algorithm outperformed the SVM and GPR models. The RBF model had high accuracy and reliability with an RMSE of 0.82 °C, MAPE of 1.21%, TSSE of 474.07 °C, and EF of 1.00. Accurate temperature prediction can help farmers manage their crops and resources efficiently and reduce energy inefficiencies and lower yields. The integration of the RBF model into greenhouse control systems can lead to significant energy savings and cost reductions.
Exploring the Unmet Needs of Young Adults with Stroke in Australia: Can Technology Help Meet Their Needs? A Qualitative Study
Authors: Amoah Dinah , Prior Sarah , Mather Carey , Schmidt Matthew , Bird Marie-Louise
Published: July 2023

The post-stroke needs of young adults with stroke are not being met, as most resources are tailored to older people with stroke. This includes technology-based applications, which are being used more frequently in stroke rehabilitation. There is limited data on technology usage to support the unique needs of young adults with stroke in Australia. This study aimed to explore the unmet needs of young adults aged 18–30 years with stroke and ascertain how technology can help meet those needs to improve quality of life and participation. Sixteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with young adults with stroke (n = 10), healthcare professionals (n = 3) and caregivers of young adults with stroke (n = 3). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively. Five themes were generated: ‘Support for recovery’, ‘Availability of specific resources’, ‘Continuity of care’, ‘Adjustment’ and ‘Knowledge’. This study revealed the unique needs of young adults under 30 years with stroke who requested more targeted post-stroke support, age-specific resources and improved awareness on young stroke, with technology playing a pivotal role in all these interventions. We suggest co-designing technology-based solutions with young people after stroke to maximize their effectiveness in improving quality of life and participation in this unique cohort.
Parenting, Gender, and Perception of Changes in Children’s Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Vargas-Rubilar Jael , Richaud María Cristina , Balabanian Cinthia , Lemos Viviana
Published: July 2023

In a previous Argentine study, we found that, in the critical context of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were changes in maternal practices that influenced the relationship with their children. We also found that the impact of mandatory isolation was moderated positively by protective factors such as positive parenting and maternal school support or negatively by risk factors such as maternal stress. Although this study only analyzed maternal behavior, we were interested in studying the behavior of both parents, comparing the parenting (positive parenting, parental stress, and school support) of the father and mother and the perceived behavioral changes in their children. A quantitative ex post facto study was carried out. The sample consisted of 120 Argentinean parents (70 mothers and 50 fathers) aged between 27 and 56 (M = 38.84; SD = 5.03). Questionnaires were administered on sociodemographic and behavioral data of the children, as well as a brief scale to assess parenting. Mann–Whitney U and MANOVA were used to analyze the influence of gender on perceived changes in children’s behavior and perceived parenting, respectively. Mothers perceived more significant changes than fathers in their children’s behavior. In addition, women reported more parental stress, greater child school support, and greater perceived positive parenting compared to men. These findings support the hypothesis that parenting developed differently in fathers and mothers. These results imply the need for psycho-educational intervention programs aimed at promoting greater involvement of fathers in parenting and better management of parental stress in mothers’ and family psychological well-being.
Dynamics of Podospora anserina Genome Evolution in a Long-Term Experiment
Authors: Kudryavtseva Olga A. , Gerasimov Evgeny S. , Glagoleva Elena S. , Gasparyan Anna A. , Agroskin Saveliy M. , Belozersky Mikhail A. , Dunaevsky Yakov E.
Published: July 2023

The Podospora anserina long-term evolution experiment (PaLTEE) is the only running filamentous fungus study, which is still going on. The aim of our work is to trace the evolutionary dynamics of the accumulation of mutations in the genomes of eight haploid populations of P. anserina. The results of the genome-wide analysis of all of the lineages, performed 8 years after the start of the PaLTEE, are presented. Data analysis detected 312 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 39 short insertion-deletion mutations (indels) in total. There was a clear trend towards a linear increase in the number of SNPs depending on the experiment duration. Among 312 SNPs, 153 were fixed in the coding regions of P. anserina genome. Relatively few synonymous mutations were found, exactly 38; 42 were classified as nonsense mutations; 72 were assigned to missense mutations. In addition, 21 out of 39 indels identified were also localized in coding regions. Here, we also report the detection of parallel evolution at the paralog level in the P. anserina model system. Parallelism in evolution at the level of protein functions also occurs. The latter is especially true for various transcription factors, which may indicate selection leading to optimization of the wide range of cellular processes under experimental conditions.
Chemical Composition of Four Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Pollen and Bee Preference
Authors: Dingha Beatrice N. , Jackai Louis E.
Published: July 2023

Apart from its economic value, industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a prolific pollen producer, serving as a food source for bees. However, little is known regarding the extent to which varietal differences in hemp pollen chemistry influences bee preference. Here, we report the chemical profile of pollen from four hemp varieties (Canda, CFX-2, Henola, and Joey) and bee abundance and diversity, using direct visual counts and pan traps. The number and type of bees on each variety was recorded and the chemical composition (proximate analysis and mineral, amino, and fatty acid profiles) of pollen from each hemp variety was determined. During the entire sampling period, three bee types (bumble bees, honey bees, and sweat bees) were recorded, with a combined total of 1826. Among these, sweat bees and bumble bees were the most prevalent and were highest on the Joey variety. The four varieties expressed protein content ranging from 6.05% to 6.89% and the highest in Henola. Seventeen amino acids were expressed in all varieties, with leucine recording the highest content ranging from 4.00 mg/g in Canda to 4.54 mg/g in Henola. In general, Henola expressed high protein, amino acid, and saturated and monosaturated fatty acid contents and recorded significantly fewer bees compared with Joey, which had a low content of these components and a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Our findings suggest that, while industrial hemp offers abundant and accessible pollen that would promote bee health and sustainability of their ecosystem services, the nutritional quality may not be adequate for bee growth and development as an exclusive pollen source.
Thermal Convection in a Heated-Block Duct with Periodic Boundary Conditions by Element-by-Element Treatment
Authors: Jue Tswen-Chyuan , Wu Horng-Wen , Hsueh Ying-Chien , Guo Zhi-Wei
Published: July 2023

The periodic nature of stream-wise flow occurs in a cooling channel so frequently due to the multiple heat sources in electronic equipment, demanding the creation of an effective technique to improve the heat-cooling convection. This work explores thermal convection enhancement in a heated-block duct for periodic boundary conditions using the element-by-element (EBE) treatment in a semi-implicit projection finite element method (FEM) through a preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) solver. The effects of changing the Reynolds numbers (100, 175, and 250) on rectangular cylinders installed in the channel under periodic boundary conditions were studied using time-mean Nusselt number enhancement, friction factor enhancement, and thermal performance coefficient. The results show that the rectangular cylinders installed stream-wise above an upstream block promote thermal convection in the heated-block duct due to modifying the flow of no cylinders. However, increasing the number of rectangular cylinders increases the friction factor enhancement. As a result, the case for periodic boundary conditions with a rectangular cylinder above every two blocks has the best thermal performance coefficient.
Increasing Lifestyle Walking by 3000 Steps per Day Reduces Blood Pressure in Sedentary Older Adults with Hypertension: Results from an e-Health Pilot Study
Authors: Lefferts Elizabeth C. , Saavedra Joseph M. , Song Bong Kil , Brellenthin Angelique G. , Pescatello Linda S. , Lee Duck-chul
Published: July 2023

Increasing daily steps by an additional 3000 steps/day on 5 days/week equates to ~150 min/week of aerobic physical activity to meet the physical activity guidelines; however, its effectiveness for blood pressure control in older adults with hypertension is unknown. A 20-week, single-arm, pilot e-health lifestyle walking intervention was conducted in 21 sedentary older adults (73 ± 5 years old) with hypertension (13 female, 8 male) to investigate the effectiveness of increasing daily steps by an additional 3000 steps/day for blood pressure control. The intervention consisted of two phases, with behavior change assistance provided during the first active phase (weeks 1–10) to help reach step goals and minimal assistance provided during the second self-maintenance phase (weeks 11–20). Nineteen participants (91%) completed both the 10- and 20-week assessments. The participants wore the pedometer for ≥10 h on 97% of the days over 20 weeks. They significantly increased average steps/day from 3899 ± 2198 at baseline to 6512 ± 2633 at 10 weeks and 5567 ± 2587 at 20 weeks. After 20 weeks, both systolic (137 ± 10 to 130 ± 11 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and diastolic (81 ± 6 to 77 ± 6 mm Hg, p = 0.01) blood pressure improved. The response was consistent in participants with (n = 8) and without (n = 13) anti-hypertensive medication. The results of our lifestyle walking intervention are encouraging for reducing blood pressure in older adults with hypertension; however, larger randomized, controlled trials need to be performed to confirm these findings.
Increased Aortic Exclusion in Endovascular Treatment of Complex Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Verhagen Merel , Eefting Daniel , van Rijswijk Carla , van der Meer Rutger , Hamming Jaap , van der Vorst Joost , van Schaik Jan
Published: July 2023

Purpose: Perioperative risk assessments for complex aneurysms are based on the anatomical extent of the aneurysm and do not take the length of the aortic exclusion into account, as it was developed for open repair. Nevertheless, in the endovascular repair (ER) of complex aortic aneurysms, additional segments of healthy aorta are excluded compared with open repair (OR). The aim of this study was to assess differences in aortic exclusion between the ER and OR of complex aortic aneurysms, to subsequently assess the current classification for complex aneurysm repair. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients that underwent complex endovascular aortic aneurysm repair by means of fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR), fenestrated and branched EVAR (FBEVAR), or branched EVAR (BEVAR). The length of aortic exclusion and the number of patent segmental arteries were determined and compared per case in ER and hypothetical OR, using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: A total of 71 patients were included, who were treated with FEVAR (n = 44), FBEVAR (n = 8), or BEVAR (n = 19) for Crawford types I (n = 5), II (n = 7), III (n = 6), IV (n = 7), and V (n = 2) thoracoabdominal or juxtarenal (n = 44) aneurysms. There was a significant increase in the median exclusion of types I, II, III, IV, and juxtarenal aneurysms (p < 0.05) in ER, compared with hypothetical OR. The number of patent segmental arteries in the ER of type I–IV and juxtarenal aneurysms was significantly lower than in hypothetical OR (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There are significant differences in the length of aortic exclusion between ER and hypothetical OR, with the increased exclusion in ER resulting in a lower number of patent segmental arteries. The ER and OR of complex aortic aneurysms should be regarded as distinct modalities, and as each approach deserves a particular risk assessment, future efforts should focus on reporting on the extent of exclusion per treatment modality, to allow for appropriate comparison.
Heart Failure Prevalence Rates and Its Association with Other Cardiovascular Diseases and Chronic Kidney Disease: SIMETAP-HF Study
Authors: Ruiz-García Antonio , Serrano-Cumplido Adalberto , Escobar-Cervantes Carlos , Arranz-Martínez Ezequiel , Turégano-Yedro Miguel , Pallarés-Carratalá Vicente
Published: July 2023

Introduction and objectives: Heart failure (HF) is a major health problem that causes high mortality and hospitalization rates. This study aims to determine the HF prevalence rates in populations aged both ≥18 years and ≥50 years and to assess its association with cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney disease. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a primary care setting, with a population-based random sample of 6588 people aged 18.0–102.8 years. Crude and adjusted prevalence rates of HF were calculated. The associations of renal and cardiometabolic factors with HF were assessed in both populations using univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The HF crude prevalence rates were 2.8% (95%CI: 2.4–3.2) in adults (≥18 years), and 4.6% (95%CI: 4.0–5.3) in the population aged ≥ 50 years, without significant differences between males and females in both populations. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rates were 2.1% (male: 1.9%; female: 2.3%) in the overall adult population, and 4.5% (male: 4.2%; female: 4.8%) in the population aged ≥ 50 years, reaching 10.0% in the population aged ≥ 70 years. Atrial fibrillation, hypertension, low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes were independently associated with HF in both populations. A total of 95.7% (95%CI: 92.7–98.6) of the population with HF had an elevated cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: This study reports that HF prevalence increases from 4.5% in the population over 50 years to 10% in the population over 70 years. The main clinical conditions that are HF-related are sedentary lifestyle, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes, low eGFR, stroke, and CHD.
Quantitative CT Metrics Associated with Variability in the Diffusion Capacity of the Lung of Post-COVID-19 Patients with Minimal Residual Lung Lesions
Authors: Wen Han , Huapaya Julio A. , Kanth Shreya M. , Sun Junfeng , Matthew Brianna P. , Lee Simone C. , Do Michael , Chen Marcus Y. , Malayeri Ashkan A. , Suffredini Anthony F.
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: A reduction in the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide is a prevalent longer-term consequence of COVID-19 infection. In patients who have zero or minimal residual radiological abnormalities in the lungs, it has been debated whether the cause was mainly due to a reduced alveolar volume or involved diffuse interstitial or vascular abnormalities. (2) Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 45 patients with either zero or minimal residual lesions in the lungs (total volume < 7 cc) at two months to one year post COVID-19 infection. There was considerable variability in the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, with 27% of the patients at less than 80% of the predicted reference. We investigated a set of independent variables that may affect the diffusion capacity of the lung, including demographic, pulmonary physiology and CT (computed tomography)-derived variables of vascular volume, parenchymal density and residual lesion volume. (3) Results: The leading three variables that contributed to the variability in the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide were the alveolar volume, determined via pulmonary function tests, the blood vessel volume fraction, determined via CT, and the parenchymal radiodensity, also determined via CT. These factors explained 49% of the variance of the diffusion capacity, with p values of 0.031, 0.005 and 0.018, respectively, after adjusting for confounders. A multiple-regression model combining these three variables fit the measured values of the diffusion capacity, with R = 0.70 and p < 0.001. (4) Conclusions: The results are consistent with the notion that in some post-COVID-19 patients, after their pulmonary lesions resolve, diffuse changes in the vascular and parenchymal structures, in addition to a low alveolar volume, could be contributors to a lingering low diffusion capacity.
Life Cycle Assessment of LPG Engines for Small Fishing Vessels and the Applications of Bio LPG Fuel in Korea
Authors: Kim Jeong Kuk , Jeong Byongug , Choi Jae-Hyuk , Lee Won-Ju
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the environmental impact of using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in small fishing vessels by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) in Korea. For the first time in the country, LPG engines designed for small fishing ships were utilized in this study. In addition, this research examined the potential benefits of employing Bio LPG, a renewable LPG produced from two distinct raw materials (crude palm oil (CPO) and refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm oil), instead of conventional LPG. The LCA findings reveal that utilizing LPG fuel in small fishing vessels can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 30% over conventional gasoline and diesel fuels. During the life cycle of vessels that use LPG fuel instead of gasoline and diesel fuels, there is a reduction of 2.2 and 1.2 million tons of GHG emissions, respectively. Moreover, substituting conventional fossil fuels with Bio LPG can result in over 65% reduction in GHG emissions. For the life cycle of boats that use Bio LPG fuel in place of gasoline and diesel fuels, the reduction of GHG emissions was 4.9 million tons and 2.5 million tons for CPO and 5.2 million tons and 2.7 million tons for RBD, respectively. This study not only underscores the substantial advantages of using Bio LPG over conventional fossil fuels but also presents conventional LPG as a way to reduce GHG emissions and promote sustainable practices in the fishing industry.
Pain in High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Becerra-Bolaños Ángel , Jiménez-Gil Miriam , Federico Mario , Domínguez-Díaz Yurena , Valencia Lucía , Rodríguez-Pérez Aurelio
Published: July 2023

High-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR) is part of the main treatment for locally advanced uterine cervical cancer. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence and intensity of pain and patients’ satisfaction during HDR. Risk factors for suffering pain were also analyzed. A retrospective study was carried out by extracting data from patients who had received HDR treatment for five years. Postoperative analgesia had been administered using pre-established analgesic protocols for 48 h. Pain assessment was collected according to a protocol by the acute pain unit. Analgesic assessment was compared according to analgesic protocol administered, number of needles implanted, and type of anesthesia performed during the procedure. From 172 patients treated, data from 247 treatments were analyzed. Pain was considered moderate in 18.2% of the patients, and 43.3% of the patients required at least one analgesic rescue. Patients receiving major opioids reported worse pain control. No differences were found regarding the analgesic management according to the intraprocedural anesthesia used or the patients’ characteristics. The number of inserted needles did not influence the postoperative analgesic assessment. Continuous intravenous infusion of tramadol and metamizole made peri-procedural pain during HDR mild in most cases. Many patients still suffered from moderate pain.
Do Sex-Specific Factors Influence the Surgical Treatment of Facial Skin Cancer?
Authors: Wünscher Sarah Victoria , Spendel Stephan , Nischwitz Sebastian P. , Gualdi Alessandro , Avian Alexander , Kamolz Lars-Peter , Cambiaso-Daniel Janos
Published: July 2023

Facial skin cancer (FSC) is prone to incomplete excision due to the sophisticated anatomy and the aesthetic importance of the face. In this study, we sought to investigate to what extent sex-specific differences and other operation-, patient-, and cancer-specific factors influence the re-resection rate in FSC surgery, in order to provide personalized treatment strategies to patients. In this retrospective study, patients (>18 years) undergoing surgical excision of an FSC were enrolled. Each patient’s demographic data, cancer location, the surgical team, primary and secondary surgeries were analyzed. Overall, 469 patients (819 surgeries) were included. The mean age was 69 ± 15 years. No significant association between sex-specific factors (surgeon’s sex (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.76–1.56) or patient’s sex (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.62–1.17), surgeon–patient sex concordance and discordance) and the likelihood of secondary surgery were found. However, healing by secondary intention (OR: 4.28; 95% CI: 1.94–9.45) and cancer location showed an increased re-resection rate. In conclusion, FSC surgery is a safe method unaffected by sex-specific factors, which had no impact on the re-resection rate. However, in further analysis, the likelihood of a re-resection was influenced by other factors such as healing by secondary intention and cancer location. This knowledge might be useful to provide an algorithm for personalized treatment strategies in the future.
Determinants of the Sustained Development of the Night-Time Economy: The Case of Hanoi, Capital of Vietnam
Authors: Son Nguyen Ngoc , Thu Nguyen Thi Phuong , Dung Ngo Quoc , Huyen Bui Thi Thanh , Xuan Vu Ngoc
Published: July 2023

Sustainable development is a subject of study and consideration by scientists and policymakers, especially the sustainable development of the night-time economy. The night-time economy refers to the various economic activities and businesses that primarily operate during the evening and night hours, typically from 6 p.m. until early morning. It includes a diverse range of sectors such as entertainment, dining, hospitality, and nightlife, with establishments such as bars, clubs, restaurants, theaters, and live music venues playing a significant role. The development of the night-time economy refers to the process of managing and promoting the growth of economic activities during the evening and night hours in a manner that balances economic, social, and environmental considerations. Therefore, the paper aimed to identify the factors affecting the night-time economy in Hanoi to achieve the sustainable development of this economy. The paper processed and analyzed the data using SPSS Statistics 26.0 software. The quantitative study included (1) testing the suitability of the scale for the variables using Cronbach’s alpha, (2) analyzing the EFA factors to check the convergence of the observed variables and the separation between the independent variables, (3) checking the correlation to evaluate the problem of multicollinearity of the model, and (4) performing regression analysis to evaluate the impact of the factors on night-time economic development in Hanoi City. The empirical results showed that the variables positively impacted night-time economic development in Hanoi. However, the study found differences in the levels of their impact. Among the four factors, factor 3 (promotion and sharing) had the strongest impact on night-time economic development, followed by factor 2 (city infrastructure and safety), factor 1 (institutions and environment), and factor 4 (nature and resources). The empirical results will help policymakers promote the sustained development of the night-time economy in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Correction: Li et al. Novel Therapies for Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients with High-Grade Tumors. Life 2021, 11, 813
Authors: Li Yinghua , Lin Hao , Chen Lu , Chen Zihao , Li Weizhong
Published: July 2023

Yinghua Li was not included as an author in the original publication [...]