bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Diet on the Immune Responses of the Oriental Armyworm Mythimna separata
Authors: Zhou Lizhen , Ma Li , Liu Lu , Sun Shaolei , Jing Xiangfeng , Lu Zhiqiang
Published: August 2023

Nutrients can greatly affect host immune defenses against infection. Possessing a simple immune system, insects have been widely used as models to address the relationships between nutrition and immunity. The effects of high versus low protein-to-carbohydrate ratio (P:C) diets on insect immune responses vary in different studies. To reveal the dietary manipulation of immune responses in the polyphagous agricultural pest oriental armyworm, we examined immune gene expression, phenoloxidase (PO) activity, and phagocytosis to investigate the immune traits of bacteria-challenged oriental armyworms, which were fed different P:C ratio diets. We found the oriental armyworms that were fed a 35:7 (P:C) diet showed higher phenoloxidase (PO) activity and stronger melanization, and those reared on a 28:14 (P:C) diet showed higher antimicrobial activity. However, different P:C diets had no apparent effect on the hemocyte number and phagocytosis. These results overall indicate that high P:C diets differently optimize humoral immune defense responses in oriental armyworms, i.e., PO-mediated melanization and antimicrobial peptide synthesis in response to bacteria challenge.
Suppression Trial through an Integrated Vector Management of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) Based on the Sterile Insect Technique in a Non-Isolated Area in Spain
Authors: Tur Carlos , Almenar David , Zacarés Mario , Benlloch-Navarro Sandra , Pla Ignacio , Dalmau Vicente
Published: August 2023

In recent years, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1984) has expanded its distribution globally due to its high ecological plasticity. This expansion has increased the population’s susceptibility to contracting diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, among others, which are transmitted by this mosquito species. In the absence of effective control methods, the application of the sterile insect technique (SIT) is proposed as part of an integrated vector management (IVM) program. From 2007 to 2020, this strategy has been tested in a non-isolated mosquito population urban area of 45 ha, representative of the municipalities of the Valencian region (Spain). The population levels of adult females and eggs collected in the traps have been reduced by 70–80% compared to the control area, demonstrating its efficacy in reducing mosquito populations. This work analyzes the impact of the migration of the wild mosquito population from the peri-urban area to the urban core.
Correlation between Accuracy in Computer-Guided Implantology and Peri-Implant Tissue Stability: A Prospective Clinical and Radiological Pilot Study
Authors: Poli Pier Paolo , Manfredini Mattia , Maiorana Carlo , Salina Federica E. , Beretta Mario
Published: August 2023

The present pilot study was designed by hypothesizing a possible correlation between lack of accuracy in implant placement and peri-implant hard and soft tissue health. A total of five patients underwent computer-guided implant surgery and full-arch immediate loading between 2013 and 2014. They subsequently underwent postoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). After a follow-up of 5 years, all patients were recalled for a clinical-radiographic evaluation of peri-implant health status. The mean linear deviation was 0.5 ± 0.2 mm at the implant’s head and 0.6 ± 0.2 mm at the implant’s apex, while the mean angular deviation of the long axis was 2.8° ± 1.2°. A mean marginal bone loss (MBL) of 1.16 ± 0.94 mm and 2.01 ± 1.76 mm was observed after 1 and 5 years of follow-up, respectively. At 5 years, the mean peri-implant probing depth (PPD) was 4.09 ± 1.44 mm, 66.6% of the evaluated implants showed peri-implant bleeding on probing (BOP), keratinized mucosa (KM) was <2 mm in 48.4% of cases, and mucosal recession (REC) ≥ 1 mm was assessed in 45.4% of the included implants. A negative correlation was observed between bucco-palatal/lingual linear inaccuracy and MBL, PPD, BOP, and KM.
The Impact of Chronic Pancreatitis on the Occurrences of Human Cancers: Real-World Data
Authors: Hsieh Chi-Chia , Fu Yi-Hsiu , Ku Nien-En , Hsia Chia-Chun , Hung Yu-Tung , Hsu Tzu-Ju , Chen Sung-Hsiung , Kuo Shu-Jui
Published: August 2023

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) may induce systemic inflammation, potentially increasing cancer susceptibility. However, the link between CP and extra-pancreatic cancer remains underexplored. Employing Taiwanese National Health Insurance Database data from 2000 to 2017, we compared 5394 CP patients with 21,576 non-CP individuals through propensity score matching. CP patients exhibited a significantly higher cancer risk (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.32 for females and 1.68 for males) and cumulative incidence (p < 0.001) compared to non-CP individuals. CP showed notable associations with pancreatic (aHR = 3.51), liver (aHR = 1.62), stomach (aHR = 2.01), and other cancers (aHR = 2.09). In terms of liver cancer, CP was significantly associated with patients without viral hepatitis, regardless of gender (aHR = 2.01 for women; aHR = 1.54 for men). No significant cancer occurrences were observed within the first year following CP diagnosis. Pancreatic or liver cancer developed in approximately half of CP patients within 2–3 years, while gastric cancer in male CP patients predominantly occurred around the fifth year after diagnosis. These findings inform potential cancer-screening plans for CP patients.
Deploying Secure Distributed Systems: Comparative Analysis of GNS3 and SEED Internet Emulator
Authors: Golightly Lewis , Modesti Paolo , Chang Victor
Published: August 2023

Network emulation offers a flexible solution for network deployment and operations, leveraging software to consolidate all nodes in a topology and utilizing the resources of a single host system server. This research paper investigated the state of cybersecurity in virtualized systems, covering vulnerabilities, exploitation techniques, remediation methods, and deployment strategies, based on an extensive review of the related literature. We conducted a comprehensive performance evaluation and comparison of two network-emulation platforms: Graphical Network Simulator-3 (GNS3), an established open-source platform, and the SEED Internet Emulator, an emerging platform, alongside physical Cisco routers. Additionally, we present a Distributed System that seamlessly integrates network architecture and emulation capabilities. Empirical experiments assessed various performance criteria, including the bandwidth, throughput, latency, and jitter. Insights into the advantages, challenges, and limitations of each platform are provided based on the performance evaluation. Furthermore, we analyzed the deployment costs and energy consumption, focusing on the economic aspects of the proposed application.
The Cytotoxic Effect of Thermoplastic Denture Base Resins: A Systematic Review
Authors: Patil Shankargouda , Licari Frank W. , Bhandi Shilpa , Awan Kamran H. , Badnjević Almir , Belli Valentina , Cervino Gabriele , Minervini Giuseppe
Published: August 2023

Partial or complete dentures are constructed from thermoplastic resins that are thermally processed and molded. This review examines the presently available evidence for the cytotoxicity of thermoplasticized denture base resins on human gingival epithelial cells, adipose cells, and fibroblasts; human amnion fibroblasts; and mouse fibroblasts. Electronic searches were performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant articles to be included in the review until September 2022. Clinical, in vivo, and in vitro studies in English language were searched for. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Toxicological data Reliability Assessment tool (ToxRTool) developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. GRADE assessment was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. Seven in vitro studies were included in the review. The overall risk of bias was determined to be high, with the majority of studies assessed found to be reliable with restrictions or not reliable. Only two studies were considered reliable without restrictions based on ToxRTool assessment. The effect of thermoplastic denture base resins on viability and cell adherence of human gingival or amnion fibroblasts and mouse fibroblasts (L929s) is not significant. Conditioned media from unpolished specimens of resins were significantly more toxic to cultured cells than those from polished specimens. This may be of concern in cases of poor post-processing of dentures. Based on the limited evidence available, there is low-certainty evidence that thermoplastic denture base resins appear to be biocompatible and show insignificant cytotoxicity. Further well-designed trials adhering to standard reporting guidelines and using objective measures are necessary before outlining universal guidelines for best practice. Long-term in vivo and clinical assessment is necessary to corroborate laboratory findings with clinical outcomes. Denture base resins are in constant contact with oral tissues, and cytotoxic components released by the resins may irritate or inflame the tissues or provoke an allergic response.
Polyphenol-Loaded Polymeric Matrixes as Potential Biopharmaceuticals against Cancer
Authors: Picos-Salas Manuel Adrian , García-Carrasco Melissa , Heredia José Basilio , Cabanillas-Bojórquez Luis Angel , Leyva-López Nayely , Gutiérrez-Grijalva Erick Paul
Published: August 2023

Polyphenols have attracted attention for their anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. Due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of these molecules, they are also proposed as a potential therapeutic tool to prevent complications of cancer and decrease the secondary effects of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. Nonetheless, polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids have low bioavailability, as they are highly metabolized. Thus, administration strategies have been developed to enhance the anticancer properties of polyphenols. Most of these strategies involve different encapsulation techniques, such as nanoencapsulation, nanoemulsion, and the use of other polymeric matrixes. These techniques can increase the activity of these compounds after going through the gastrointestinal process and improve their solubility in an aqueous medium. This review comprises recent studies regarding encapsulation techniques to enhance the bioactivity of polyphenols against cancer and their current state in clinical studies. Overall, micro- and nanoencapsulation techniques with different polymers enhanced the anticancer properties of polyphenols by inhibiting tumor growth, modulating the expression of genes related to metastasis and angiogenesis, decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers.
Aggressive Pelvic Angiomyxoma in a Patient with Twin Pregnancy: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Clinical Complications in Light of the Literature
Authors: Aquino Carmen Imma , Tinelli Raffaele , Libretti Alessandro , Bertinato Riccardo , Boldorini Renzo Luciano , Giana Michele , Sorrentino Felice , Nappi Luigi , Remorgida Valentino , Surico Daniela
Published: August 2023

(1) Background: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a mesenchymal cancer that is rare during pregnancy. It is a neoplasm that relapses and infiltrates the nearest structures. Our aim is to evaluate the management and outcomes of an observed case, in light of the current literature. (2) Methods: We observed this condition at the “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital in Novara (Italy) in a patient with an initial twin pregnancy and a suspected pelvic mass. The words “angiomyxoma” and “pregnancy” were searched on the main online scientific search sources (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, WES, and Embase, etc.). (3) Results: The patient underwent surgery with a complicated follow-up, but recent negative controls. We analyzed the literature about the topic and found only 24 similar clinical cases. (4) Conclusions: Considering the current literature, it is useful to assess an aggressive angiomyxoma in the differential diagnosis of soft masses in pregnant women. The treatment of choice is surgical excision, and vaginal delivery is feasible. The therapeutic decision depends on each case.
Review of Particle-Based Computational Methods and Their Application in the Computational Modelling of Welding, Casting and Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Tong Mingming
Published: August 2023

A variety of particle-based methods have been developed for the purpose of computationally modelling processes that involve, for example, complex topological changes of interfaces, significant plastic deformation of materials, fluid flow in conjunction with heat transfer and phase transformation, flow in porous media, granular flow, etc. Being different from the conventional methods that directly solve related governing equations using a computational grid, the particle-based methods firstly discretize the continuous medium into discrete pseudo-particles in mathematics. The methods then mathematically solve the governing equations by considering the local interaction between neighbouring pseudo-particles. Such solutions can reflect the overall flow, deformation, heat transfer and phase transformation processes of the target materials at the mesoscale and macroscale. This paper reviews the fundamental concepts of four different particle-based methods (lattice Boltzmann method—LBM, smoothed particle hydrodynamics—SPH, discrete element method—DEM and particle finite element method—PFEM) and their application in computational modelling research on welding, casting and additive manufacturing.
Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Pteropodine in Rodents
Authors: Paniagua-Pérez Rogelio , Sánchez-Chapul Laura , Madrigal-Bujaidar Eduardo , Álvarez-González Isela , Madrigal-Santillán Eduardo , Cruz-Hernández Lidia , Martínez-Canseco Carlos , Reyes-Legorreta Celia , Ruiz-Rosano Lidia , Hernández-Flores Cecilia , Valdez-Mijares Rene , Quintana-Armenta Alejandra
Published: August 2023

Pteropodine (PT) is a component of some plants with potentially useful pharmacological activities for humans. This compound has biomedical properties related to the modulation of the immune system, nervous system, and inflammatory processes. This study addresses the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of pteropodin in a murine model of arthritis and induced edema of the mouse ear. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity, we used the reversed passive Arthus reaction (RPAR), which includes the rat paw edema test, the rat pleurisy test, and a mouse ear edema model. The antioxidant effect of PT was evaluated by determining the myeloperoxidase enzyme activity. PT showed an anti-inflammatory effect in the different specific and non-specific tests. We found a 51, 66 and 70% inhibitory effect of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg of PT, respectively, in the rat paw edema test. In the pleurisy assay, 40 mg/kg of PT induced a low neutrophil count (up to 36%) when compared to the negative control group, and 20 mg/kg of PT increased the content of lymphocytes by up to 28% and the pleural exudate volume decreased by 52% when compared to the negative control group, respectively. We also found an 81.4% inflammatory inhibition of the edema ear with 0.04 mg/ear of PT, and a significant myeloperoxidase enzyme inhibition by the three doses of PT tested. We conclude that PT exerted a potent anti-inflammatory effect in the acute inflammation model in rodents.
Comparative Molecular Characterization and Pharmacokinetics of IgG1-Fc and Engineered Fc Human Antibody Variants to Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 Receptor (IGF2R)
Authors: Prabaharan Chandra B. , Giri Sabeena , Allen Kevin J. H. , Bato Katrina E. M. , Mercado Therese R. , Malo Mackenzie E. , Carvalho Jorge L. C. , Dadachova Ekaterina , Uppalapati Maruti
Published: August 2023

Novel therapeutic approaches are much needed for the treatment of osteosarcoma. Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) and radioimmunotherapy (RIT) are promising approaches that deliver therapeutic radiation precisely to the tumor site. We have previously developed a fully human antibody, named IF3, that binds to insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R). IF3 was used in TRT to effectively inhibit tumor growth in osteosarcoma preclinical models. However, IF3’s relatively short half-life in mice raised the need for improvement. We generated an Fc-engineered version of IF3, termed IF3δ, with amino acid substitutions known to enhance antibody half-life in human serum. In this study, we confirmed the specific binding of IF3δ to IGF2R with nanomolar affinity, similar to wild-type IF3. Additionally, IF3δ demonstrated binding to human and mouse neonatal Fc receptors (FcRn), indicating the potential for FcRn-mediated endocytosis and recycling. Biodistribution studies in mice showed a higher accumulation of IF3δ in the spleen and bone than wild-type IF3, likely attributed to abnormal spleen expression of IGF2R in mice. Therefore, the pharmacokinetics data from mouse xenograft models may not precisely reflect their behavior in canine and human patients. However, the findings suggest both IF3 and IF3δ as promising options for the RIT of osteosarcoma.
Smart Inhibition Action of Amino Acid-Modified Layered Double Hydroxide and Its Application on Carbon Steel
Authors: Messina Elena , Pascucci Marianna , Riccucci Cristina , Boccaccini Francesca , Blanco-Valera Maria Teresa , Garcia-Lodeiro Ines , Ingo Gabriel Maria , Di Carlo Gabriella
Published: August 2023

Surface impregnation of concrete structures with a migrating corrosion inhibitor is a promising and non-invasive technique for increasing the lifetime of existing structures that already show signs of corrosion attack. The main requirement for inhibitors is their ability to diffuse the rebar at a sufficient rate to protect steel. The use of smart nanocontainers such as layered double hydroxides (LDH) to store corrosion inhibitors significantly increases efficiency by providing an active protection from chloride-induced corrosion. The addition of LDH to reinforced mortar can also improve the compactness and mechanical properties of this matrix. Here, we report the synthesis of a magnesium–aluminum LDH storing glutamine amino acid as a green inhibitor (labeled as Mg–Al–Gln), which can be used as a migrating inhibitor on mortar specimens. The corrosion behavior of the specimens was determined via electrochemical techniques based on measurements of corrosion potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A cell containing a 3.5% NaCl solution was applied to the mortar surface to promote the corrosion of embedded rebars. The specimens treated with Mg–Al–Gln presented an improved corrosion protection performance, exhibiting an increase in polarization resistance (Rp) compared to the reference specimens without an inhibitor (NO INH). This effect is a consequence of a double mechanism of protection/stimuli-responsive release of glutamine and the removal of corrosive chloride species from the medium.
Resveratrol Mitigates Bisphenol A-Induced Metabolic Disruptions: Insights from Experimental Studies
Authors: Akash Muhammad Sajid Hamid , Fatima Mutayyba , Rehman Kanwal , Rehman Qudsia , Chauhdary Zunera , Nadeem Ahmed , Mir Tahir Maqbool
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the disruptions of metabolic pathways induced by bisphenol A (BPA) and explore the potential therapeutic intervention provided by resveratrol (RSV) in mitigating these disruptions through the modulation of biochemical pathways. Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: group 1 served as the control, group 2 received 70 mg/Kg of BPA, and group 3 received 70 mg/kg of BPA along with 100 mg/Kg of RSV. After the treatment period, various biomarkers and gene expressions were measured to assess the effects of BPA and the potential protective effects of RSV. The results revealed that BPA exposure significantly increased the serum levels of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, G6PC, insulin, HbA1c, HMG-CoA reductase, FFAs, TGs, DPP-4, MDA, and proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. Concurrently, BPA exposure led to a reduction in the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as GLUT4 and HDL cholesterol. However, the administration of RSV along with BPA significantly ameliorated these alterations in the biomarker levels induced through BPA exposure. RSV treatment effectively reduced the elevated levels of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, G6PC, insulin, HbA1c, HMG-CoA reductase, FFAs, TGs, DPP-4, MDA, and proinflammatory cytokines, while increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes, GLUT4, and HDL cholesterol. Furthermore, BPA exposure suppressed the mRNA expression of glucokinase (GCK), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and up-regulated the mRNA expression of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), which are all critical biomarkers involved in glucose metabolism and insulin regulation. In contrast, RSV treatment effectively restored the altered mRNA expressions of these biomarkers, indicating its potential to modulate transcriptional pathways and restore normal metabolic function. In conclusion, the findings of this study strongly suggest that RSV holds promise as a therapeutic intervention for BPA-induced metabolic disorders. By mitigating the disruptions in various metabolic pathways and modulating gene expressions related to glucose metabolism and insulin regulation, RSV shows potential in restoring normal metabolic function and counteracting the adverse effects induced by BPA exposure. However, further research is necessary to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and optimize the dosage and duration of RSV treatment for maximum therapeutic benefits.
Suppression of Inflamm-Aging by Moringa oleifera and Zingiber officinale Roscoe in the Prevention of Degenerative Diseases: A Review of Current Evidence
Authors: Mohd Sahardi Nur Fatin Nabilah , Makpol Suzana
Published: August 2023

Inflammation or inflamm-aging is a chronic low-grade inflammation that contributes to numerous types of degenerative diseases among the elderly and might be impeded by introducing an anti-inflammatory agent like Moringa oleifera Lam (moringa) and Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger). Therefore, this paper aims to review the role of moringa and ginger in suppressing inflamm-aging to prevent degenerative diseases. Various peer-reviewed publications were searched and downloaded using the reputed search engine “Pubmed” and “Google Scholar”. These materials were reviewed and tabulated. A comparison between these previous findings was made based on the mechanism of action of moringa and ginger against degenerative diseases, focusing on their anti-inflammatory properties. Many studies have reported the efficacy of moringa and ginger in type 2 diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and kidney disease by reducing inflammatory cytokines activities, mainly of TNF-α and IL-6. They also enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. The anti-inflammatory activities can be seen by inhibiting NF-κβ activity. Thus, the anti-inflammatory potential of moringa and ginger in various types of degenerative diseases due to inflamm-aging has been shown in many recent types of research.
Reductive Treatment of Pt Supported on Ti0.8Sn0.2O2-C Composite: A Route for Modulating the Sn–Pt Interactions
Authors: Silva Cristina , Salmanzade Khirdakhanim , Borbáth Irina , Dódony Erzsébet , Olasz Dániel , Sáfrán György , Kuncser Andrei , Pászti-Gere Erzsébet , Tompos András , Pászti Zoltán
Published: August 2023

The composites of transition metal-doped titania and carbon have emerged as promising supports for Pt electrocatalysts in PEM fuel cells. In these multifunctional supports, the oxide component stabilizes the Pt particles, while the dopant provides a co-catalytic function. Among other elements, Sn is a valuable additive. Stong metal-support interaction (SMSI), i.e., the migration of a partially reduced oxide species from the support to the surface of Pt during reductive treatment is a general feature of TiO2-supported Pt catalysts. In order to explore the influence of SMSI on the stability and performance of Pt/Ti0.8Sn0.2O2-C catalysts, the structural and catalytic properties of the as prepared samples measured using XRD, TEM, XPS and electrochemical investigations were compared to those obtained from catalysts reduced in hydrogen at elevated temperatures. According to the observations, the uniform oxide coverage of the carbon backbone facilitated the formation of Pt–oxide–C triple junctions at a high density. The electrocatalytic behavior of the as prepared catalysts was determined by the atomic closeness of Sn to Pt, while even a low temperature reductive treatment resulted in Sn–Pt alloying. The segregation of tin oxide on the surface of the alloy particles, a characteristic material transport process in Sn–Pt alloys after oxygen exposure, contributed to a better stability of the reduced catalysts.
Survey of Bacterial Isolates and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns from Dogs with Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Schreiber Alexander , Epstein Steven E. , Byrne Barbara A. , Reagan Krystle L.
Published: August 2023

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially fatal disease in dogs. Limited information exists regarding the characterization of bacterial isolates from dogs with IE. The objective of this study was to describe bacterial isolates associated with IE and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. A retrospective analysis of dogs with IE and bacterial isolates was performed, and antimicrobial susceptibility was interpreted using current veterinary cut points where available. The susceptibility rate was assessed for association with survival and previous antimicrobial administration. Fifty-one bacterial isolates were identified from 45 dogs, and 33 had antimicrobial susceptibility performed. Staphylococcus spp. (14/51; 27.5%) was the most common organism. Antimicrobials with the lowest susceptibility rate were ampicillin (19/26; 73%), doxycycline (16/22; 73%), and enrofloxacin (22/29; 76%) with 12/33 (36%) of isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR). Individual antimicrobial resistances and the MDR rate were not associated with a difference in survival rate. Bacterial isolates from dogs that had received fluoroquinolone antimicrobials in the month before diagnosis had a higher rate of non-intrinsic fluoroquinolones resistance (5/8;62.5%) compared to those that did not receive fluoroquinolones (2/21; 9.5%) (p = 0.03). Antimicrobial resistance and MDR phenotype were common in this study. Culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be pursued in dogs with IE to help guide antimicrobial therapy.
What Are the Drug-Related Problems Still Faced by Patients in Daily Life?—A Qualitative Analysis at the Pharmacy Counter
Authors: Kaae Susanne , Hedegaard Ulla , Andersen Armin , Loon Ellen Van , Crutzen Stijn , Taxis Katka , Jacobsen Ramune
Published: August 2023

Background: Drug-related problems (DRPs) affect many patients. Many activities in general practice, hospitals, and community pharmacies have been initiated to tackle DRPs. However, recent studies exploring what DRP patients are still facing in their daily lives are scarce. Methods: Danish pharmacy staff registered DRPs in prescription encounters to understand what DRPs patients are still experiencing in daily life. They noted short descriptions of what happened in the encounter that qualified the incident as a DRP. The descriptions were subjected to an inductive content analysis. Results: A wide range of DRPs that impacted patients’ daily lives practically and healthwise were identified. In total, eighteen percent of patients with prescriptions had a DRP. Three overall stages of DRPs were identified: challenges in receiving the medications, not knowing how or why to take the medications, and not experiencing satisfactory effects. Patients were emotionally affected by these problems. Conclusions: DRPs are still widespread in patients’ daily lives and influence their well-being. The identified DRPs illustrated the complexity of obtaining medications to work as intended and demonstrate that health professionals must take even the basics of medication intake much more seriously.
Advanced Topics and Smart Systems for Wireless Communications and Networks
Authors: Mansour Ali , Aggoune Hadi , Moy Christophe , Nasser Abbass , Ayaz Muhammad , Yao Koffi-Clément
Published: August 2023

Telecommunication has shaped our civilization and fueled economic growth significantly throughout human history [...]
Experimental Determination of the Charge Carrier Transport Models for Improving the Simulation of the HR GaAs:Cr Detectors’ Response
Authors: Smolyanskiy Petr , Burian Petr , Sitarz Mateusz , Bergmann Benedikt
Published: August 2023

The response of Timepix3 detectors with 300 µm and 500 µm thick HR GaAs:Cr sensors was studied with particle beams at the Danish Centre for Particle Therapy in Aarhus, Denmark. Therefore, the detectors were irradiated at different angles with protons of 240 MeV. The precise per-pixel time and energy measurements were exploited in order to determine the charge carrier transport properties. Using the tracks left by the penetrating charged particles hitting the sensor at the grazing angle, we were able to determine the charge collection efficiency, the charge carrier drift times across the sensor thickness, the dependency of the electron, and for the first time, the hole drift velocity on the electric field. Moreover, extracting the dependence of the charge cloud size on the interaction depth for different bias voltages, it was possible to determine the dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the applied bias voltage. A good agreement was found with the previously reported values for n-type GaAs. The measurements were conducted for different detector assemblies to estimate the systematic differences between them, and to generalize the results. The experimental findings were implemented into the Allpix Squared simulation framework and validated by a comparison of the measurement and simulation for the 241Am γ-ray source.
The Impact of Stretching Intensities on Neural and Autonomic Responses: Implications for Relaxation
Authors: Imagawa Naoto , Mizuno Yuji , Nakata Ibuki , Komoto Natsuna , Sakebayashi Hanako , Shigetoh Hayato , Kodama Takayuki , Miyazaki Junya
Published: August 2023

Stretching is an effective exercise for increasing body flexibility and pain relief. This study investigates the relationship between stretching intensity and relaxation effects, focusing on brainwaves and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. We used a crossover design with low- and high-intensity conditions to elucidate the impact of varying stretching intensities on neural activity associated with relaxation in 19 healthy young adults. Participants completed mood questionnaires. Electroencephalography (EEG) and plethysmography measurements were also obtained before, during, and after stretching sessions. The hamstring muscle was targeted for stretching, with intensity conditions based on the Point of Discomfort. Data analysis included wavelet analysis for EEG, plethysmography data, and repeated-measures ANOVA to differentiate mood, ANS activity, and brain activity related to stretching intensity. Results demonstrated no significant differences between ANS and brain activity based on stretching intensity. However, sympathetic nervous activity showed higher activity during the rest phases than in the stretch phases. Regarding brain activity, alpha and beta waves showed higher activity during the rest phases than in the stretch phases. A negative correlation between alpha waves and sympathetic nervous activities was observed in high-intensity conditions. However, a positive correlation between beta waves and parasympathetic nervous activities was found in low-intensity conditions. Our findings suggest that stretching can induce interactions between the ANS and brain activity.
Clustering-Based Energy-Efficient Self-Healing Strategy for WSNs under Jamming Attacks
Authors: López-Vilos Nicolás , Valencia-Cordero Claudio , Souza Richard , Montejo-Sánchez Samuel
Published: August 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a key technology to interconnect the real and digital worlds, enabling the development of smart cities and services. The timely collection of data is essential for IoT services. In scenarios such as agriculture, industry, transportation, public safety, and health, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) play a fundamental role in fulfilling this task. However, WSNs are commonly deployed in sensitive and remote environments, thus facing the challenge of jamming attacks. Therefore, these networks need to have the ability to detect such attacks and adopt countermeasures to guarantee connectivity and operation. In this work, we propose a novel clustering-based self-healing strategy to overcome jamming attacks, in which we denominate fairness cooperation with power allocation (FCPA). The proposed strategy, aware of the presence of the jammer, clusters the network and designates a cluster head that acts as a sink node to collect information from its cluster. Then, the most convenient routes to overcome the jamming are identified and the transmit power is adjusted to the minimum value required to guarantee the reliability of each link. Finally, through the weighted use of the relays, the lifetime of each subnetwork is extended. To show the impact of each capability of FCPA, we compare it with multiple benchmarks that only partially possess these capabilities. In the proposal evaluation, we consider a WSN composed of 64 static nodes distributed in a square area. Meanwhile, to assess the impact of the jamming attack, we consider seven different locations of the attacker. All experiments started with each node’s battery full and stopped after one of these batteries was depleted. In these scenarios, FCPA outperforms all other strategies by more than 50% of the information transmitted, due to the efficient use of relay power, through the weighted balance of cooperative routes. On average, FCPA permits 967,961 kb of information transmitted and 63% of residual energy, as energy efficiency, from all the analyzed scenarios. Additionally, the proposed clustering-based self-healing strategy adapts to the change of jammer location, outperforming the rest of the strategies in terms of information transmitted and energy efficiency in all evaluated scenarios.
Wearable Technologies and AI at the Far Edge for Chronic Heart Failure Prevention and Management: A Systematic Review and Prospects
Authors: Shumba Angela-Tafadzwa , Montanaro Teodoro , Sergi Ilaria , Bramanti Alessia , Ciccarelli Michele , Rispoli Antonella , Carrizzo Albino , De Vittorio Massimo , Patrono Luigi
Published: August 2023

Smart wearable devices enable personalized at-home healthcare by unobtrusively collecting patient health data and facilitating the development of intelligent platforms to support patient care and management. The accurate analysis of data obtained from wearable devices is crucial for interpreting and contextualizing health data and facilitating the reliable diagnosis and management of critical and chronic diseases. The combination of edge computing and artificial intelligence has provided real-time, time-critical, and privacy-preserving data analysis solutions. However, based on the envisioned service, evaluating the additive value of edge intelligence to the overall architecture is essential before implementation. This article aims to comprehensively analyze the current state of the art on smart health infrastructures implementing wearable and AI technologies at the far edge to support patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). In particular, we highlight the contribution of edge intelligence in supporting the integration of wearable devices into IoT-aware technology infrastructures that provide services for patient diagnosis and management. We also offer an in-depth analysis of open challenges and provide potential solutions to facilitate the integration of wearable devices with edge AI solutions to provide innovative technological infrastructures and interactive services for patients and doctors.
Multifunctional THz Graphene Antenna with 360∘ Continuous ϕ-Steering and θ-Control of Beam
Authors: Dmitriev Victor , de Oliveira Rodrigo M. S. , Paiva Rodrigo R. , Rodrigues Nilton R. N. M.
Published: August 2023

A novel graphene antenna composed of a graphene dipole and four auxiliary graphene sheets oriented at 90∘ to each other is proposed and analyzed. The sheets play the role of reflectors. A detailed group-theoretical analysis of symmetry properties of the discussed antennas has been completed. Through electric field control of the chemical potentials of the graphene elements, the antenna can provide a quasi-omnidirectional diagram, a one- or two-directional beam regime, dynamic control of the beam width and, due to the vertical orientation of the dipole with respect to the base substrate, a 360∘ beam steering in the azimuth plane. An additional graphene layer on the base permits control of the radiation pattern in the θ-direction. Radiation patterns in different working states of the antenna are considered using symmetry arguments. We discuss the antenna parameters such as input reflection coefficient, total efficiency, front-to-back ratio, and gain. An equivalent circuit of the antenna is suggested. The proposed antenna operates at frequencies between 1.75 THz and 2.03 THz. Depending on the active regime defined by the chemical potentials set on the antenna graphene elements, the maximum gain varies from 0.86 to 1.63.
Research on the Improvement of Semi-Global Matching Algorithm for Binocular Vision Based on Lunar Surface Environment
Authors: Guo Ying-Qing , Gu Mengjiao , Xu Zhao-Dong
Published: August 2023

The low light conditions, abundant dust, and rocky terrain on the lunar surface pose challenges for scientific research. To effectively perceive the surrounding environment, lunar rovers are equipped with binocular cameras. In this paper, with the aim of accurately detect obstacles on the lunar surface under complex conditions, an Improved Semi-Global Matching (I-SGM) algorithm for the binocular cameras is proposed. The proposed method first carries out a cost calculation based on the improved Census transform and an adaptive window based on a connected component. Then, cost aggregation is performed using cross-based cost aggregation in the AD-Census algorithm and the initial disparity of the image is calculated via the Winner-Takes-All (WTA) strategy. Finally, disparity optimization is performed using left–right consistency detection and disparity padding. Utilizing standard test image pairs provided by the Middleburry website, the results of the test reveal that the algorithm can effectively improve the matching accuracy of the SGM algorithm, while reducing the running time of the program and enhancing noise immunity. Furthermore, when applying the I-SGM algorithm to the simulated lunar environment, the results show that the I-SGM algorithm is applicable in dim conditions on the lunar surface and can better help a lunar rover to detect obstacles during its travel.
Hierarchical Clustering Algorithm for Multi-Camera Vehicle Trajectories Based on Spatio-Temporal Grouping under Intelligent Transportation and Smart City
Authors: Wang Wei , Xie Yujia , Tang Luliang
Published: August 2023

With the emergence of intelligent transportation and smart city system, the issue of how to perform an efficient and reasonable clustering analysis of the mass vehicle trajectories on multi-camera monitoring videos through computer vision has become a significant area of research. The traditional trajectory clustering algorithm does not consider camera position and field of view and neglects the hierarchical relation of the video object motion between the camera and the scenario, leading to poor multi-camera video object trajectory clustering. To address this challenge, this paper proposed a hierarchical clustering algorithm for multi-camera vehicle trajectories based on spatio-temporal grouping. First, we supervised clustered vehicle trajectories in the camera group according to the optimal point correspondence rule for unequal-length trajectories. Then, we extracted the starting and ending points of the video object under each group, hierarchized the trajectory according to the number of cross-camera groups, and supervised clustered the subsegment sets of different hierarchies. This method takes into account the spatial relationship between the camera and video scenario, which is not considered by traditional algorithms. The effectiveness of this approach has been proved through experiments comparing silhouette coefficient and CPU time.
Vision-Based Jigsaw Puzzle Solving with a Robotic Arm
Authors: Ma Chang-Hsian , Lu Chien-Liang , Shih Huang-Chia
Published: August 2023

This study proposed two algorithms for reconstructing jigsaw puzzles by using a color compatibility feature. Two realistic application cases were examined: one involved using the original image, while the other did not. We also calculated the transformation matrix to obtain the real positions of each puzzle piece and transmitted the positional information to the robotic arm, which then put each puzzle piece in its correct position. The algorithms were tested on 35-piece and 70-piece puzzles, achieving an average success rate of 87.1%. Compared with the human visual system, the proposed methods demonstrated enhanced accuracy when handling more complex textural images.
Physiological Signals and Affect as Predictors of Advertising Engagement
Authors: Strle Gregor , Košir Andrej , Burnik Urban
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the use of affect and physiological signals of heart rate, electrodermal activity, pupil dilation, and skin temperature to classify advertising engagement. The ground truth for the affective and behavioral aspects of ad engagement was collected from 53 young adults using the User Engagement Scale. Three gradient-boosting classifiers, LightGBM (LGBM), HistGradientBoostingClassifier (HGBC), and XGBoost (XGB), were used along with signal fusion to evaluate the performance of different signal combinations as predictors of engagement. The classifiers trained on the fusion of skin temperature, valence, and tiredness (features n = 5) performed better than those trained on all signals (features n = 30). The average AUC ROC scores for the fusion set were XGB = 0.68 (0.10), LGBM = 0.69 (0.07), and HGBC = 0.70 (0.11), compared to the lower scores for the set of all signals (XGB = 0.65 (0.11), LGBM = 0.66 (0.11), HGBC = 0.64 (0.10)). The results also show that the signal fusion set based on skin temperature outperforms the fusion sets of the other three signals. The main finding of this study is the role of specific physiological signals and how their fusion aids in more effective modeling of ad engagement while reducing the number of features.
Probabilistic Detection of Indoor Events Using a Wireless Sensor Network-Based Mechanism
Authors: Al-Zabin Lial Raja , Al-Wesabi Ola A. , Al Hajri Hamed , Abdullah Nibras , Khudayer Baidaa Hamza , Al Lawati Hala
Published: August 2023

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been commonly utilized in event detection and environmental observation applications. The main aim of event detection is to define the presence or absence of an event. Various existing studies in the field of event detection depend on static or threshold values to reveal the occurrence of an event, which can result in imprecise sensor readings. Recently, many studies have utilized fuzzy logic to treat fluctuating sensor readings; as a result, they have decreased the number of false alarms created. However, there is some attention required when utilizing fuzzy logic. One aspect is that the efficiency and accuracy of the fuzzy membership function can be impacted by the utilization of heterogeneous sensors, which may increase the complexity of the fuzzy logic operation as the number of inputs rises. To address these issues, this paper proposes an approach named Probabilistic Collaborative Event Detection (PCED), which is a hybrid event detection technique that is based on a cluster WSN topology. The PCED approach utilizes a validated probabilistic technique for heterogeneous sensor nodes to transform sensing values into probability formulas and introduces a Cluster Head Decision Mechanism to make decisions based on the aggregated data from the sensors. The proposed approach employs fuzzy logic at the fusion center level to enhance the precision of event detection. The effectiveness of this method is thoroughly evaluated using MATLAB software, demonstrating an improvement in the probability of detection and a decrease in the probability of false alarms. PCED is compared to well-established event detection mechanisms such as the REFD mechanism. The results show that PCED reduces the occurrence of false alarms from 37 to 3 in certain scenarios, while improving detection accuracy by up to 19.4% over REDF and decreasing detection latency by up to 17.5%.
Combination of a DC Motor Controller and Telemetry System to Optimize Energy Consumption
Authors: Żur Paweł
Published: August 2023

The paper introduces the development stages of a MOSFET-based controller for a DC brush motor. The main objective was to design a controller that could be integrated with the existing telemetry system, offering full configurability through an Android application. This controller aims to provide real-time analysis of data collected from the measurement system, including motor revolutions and current draw. Based on the analyzed data and the conditions set in the Android application, the controller adjusts the motor’s operational characteristics accordingly. The paper provides a comprehensive description of the controller system’s functioning. The proposed control system is particularly relevant in applications where minimizing energy consumption for driving a DC motor is of utmost importance.
Review of Wireless RFID Strain Sensing Technology in Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Liu Gang , Wang Qi-Ang , Jiao Guiyue , Dang Pengyuan , Nie Guohao , Liu Zichen , Sun Junyu
Published: August 2023

Strain-based condition evaluation has garnered as a crucial method for the structural health monitoring (SHM) of large-scale engineering structures. The use of traditional wired strain sensors becomes tedious and time-consuming due to their complex wiring operation, more workload, and instrumentation cost to collect sufficient data for condition state evaluation, especially for large-scale engineering structures. The advent of wireless and passive RFID technologies with high efficiency and inexpensive hardware equipment has brought a new era of next-generation intelligent strain monitoring systems for engineering structures. Thus, this study systematically summarizes the recent research progress of cutting-edge RFID strain sensing technologies. Firstly, this study introduces the importance of structural health monitoring and strain sensing. Then, RFID technology is demonstrated including RFID technology’s basic working principle and system component composition. Further, the design and application of various kinds of RFID strain sensors in SHM are presented including passive RFID strain sensing technology, active RFID strain sensing technology, semi-passive RFID strain sensing technology, Ultra High-frequency RFID strain sensing technology, chipless RFID strain sensing technology, and wireless strain sensing based on multi-sensory RFID system, etc., expounding their advantages, disadvantages, and application status. To the authors’ knowledge, the study initially provides a systematic comprehensive review of a suite of RFID strain sensing technology that has been developed in recent years within the context of structural health monitoring.