bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Time-Dependent Role of Bisphosphonates on Atherosclerotic Plaque Calcification
Authors: Bakhshian Nik Amirala , Ng Hooi Hooi , Garcia Russo Manuel , Iacoviello Francesco , Shearing Paul R. , Bertazzo Sergio , Hutcheson Joshua D.
Published: May 2022

Atherosclerotic plaque calcification directly contributes to the leading cause of morbidity and mortality by affecting plaque vulnerability and rupture risk. Small microcalcifications can increase plaque stress and promote rupture, whereas large calcifications can stabilize plaques. Drugs that target bone mineralization may lead to unintended consequences on ectopic plaque calcification and cardiovascular outcomes. Bisphosphonates, common anti-osteoporotic agents, have elicited unexpected cardiovascular events in clinical trials. Here, we investigated the role of bisphosphonate treatment and timing on the disruption or promotion of vascular calcification and bone minerals in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. We started the bisphosphonate treatment either before plaque formation, at early plaque formation times associated with the onset of calcification, or at late stages of plaque development. Our data indicated that long-term bisphosphonate treatment (beginning prior to plaque development) leads to higher levels of plaque calcification, with a narrower mineral size distribution. When given later in plaque development, we measured a wider distribution of mineral size. These morphological alterations might be associated with a higher risk of plaque rupture by creating stress foci. Yet, bone mineral density positively correlated with the duration of the bisphosphonate treatment.
Natural Language Processing for Information Extraction of Gastric Diseases and Its Application in Large-Scale Clinical Research
Authors: Song Gyuseon , Chung Su Jin , Seo Ji Yeon , Yang Sun Young , Jin Eun Hyo , Chung Goh Eun , Shim Sung Ryul , Sa Soonok , Hong Moongi Simon , Kim Kang Hyun , Jang Eunchan , Lee Chae Won , Bae Jung Ho , Han Hyun Wook
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims: The utility of clinical information from esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) reports has been limited because of its unstructured narrative format. We developed a natural language processing (NLP) pipeline that automatically extracts information about gastric diseases from unstructured EGD reports and demonstrated its applicability in clinical research. Methods: An NLP pipeline was developed using 2000 EGD and associated pathology reports that were retrieved from a single healthcare center. The pipeline extracted clinical information, including the presence, location, and size, for 10 gastric diseases from the EGD reports. It was validated with 1000 EGD reports by evaluating sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), accuracy, and F1 score. The pipeline was applied to 248,966 EGD reports from 2010–2019 to identify patient demographics and clinical information for 10 gastric diseases. Results: For gastritis information extraction, we achieved an overall sensitivity, PPV, accuracy, and F1 score of 0.966, 0.972, 0.996, and 0.967, respectively. Other gastric diseases, such as ulcers, and neoplastic diseases achieved an overall sensitivity, PPV, accuracy, and F1 score of 0.975, 0.982, 0.999, and 0.978, respectively. The study of EGD data of over 10 years revealed the demographics of patients with gastric diseases by sex and age. In addition, the study identified the extent and locations of gastritis and other gastric diseases, respectively. Conclusions: We demonstrated the feasibility of the NLP pipeline providing an automated extraction of gastric disease information from EGD reports. Incorporating the pipeline can facilitate large-scale clinical research to better understand gastric diseases.
Positive Orientation and Fatigue Experienced by Polish Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediatory Role of Emotional Control
Authors: Kupcewicz Ewa , Rachubińska Kamila , Gaworska-Krzemińska Aleksandra , Andruszkiewicz Anna , Kawalec-Kajstura Ewa , Kozieł Dorota , Basińska Małgorzata A. , Grochans Elżbieta
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to investigate the mediatory role of emotional control with respect to the control of anger, depression, and anxiety in the relationship between positive orientation and tiredness/fatigue occurring in a group of Polish nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 894 nursing students from six universities in Poland. A diagnostic survey was applied as the research method, and the data were collected using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS) and the Positive Orientation Scale (SOP). The mean participant age was 20.73 years (SD = 1.81). More than half of the students in the study showed a low level of positive orientation. Correlational analyses revealed a significant negative correlation between positive orientation and tiredness/fatigue experienced by the students participating in the study (r = −0.336; p < 0.001), and correlation between positive orientation and the overall emotional control index (r = −0.317; p < 0.001), and the indices of control of anger (r = −0.154; p < 0.01), depression (r = −0.376; p < 0.001), and anxiety (r = −0.236; p < 0.01). Analysis of the results also revealed the occurrence of significant, positive links between the controlled emotions and their components and the tiredness/fatigue experienced by nursing students. It is important to take action associated with the prevention of tiredness/fatigue among students and to reinforce a positive orientation and the capacity to control emotions to effectively minimize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing students.
Effects of Obesity, Blood Pressure, and Blood Metabolic Biomarkers on Grey Matter Brain Healthcare Quotient: A Large Cohort Study of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Brain Screening System in Japan
Authors: Watanabe Keita , Kakeda Shingo , Nemoto Kiyotaka , Onoda Keiichi , Yamaguchi Shuhei , Kobayashi Shotai , Yamakawa Yoshinori
Published: May 2022

This study investigated the relationship between grey matter (GM) volume and blood biomarkers, blood pressure, and obesity. We aimed to elucidate lifestyle factors that promote GM volume loss. A total of 1799 participants underwent the brain dock as a medical checkup. Data regarding blood pressure, obesity measurements, and standard blood biomarkers were obtained. Further, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including high-resolution T1-weighted imaging, was performed. We calculated the grey matter brain healthcare quotient (GM-BHQ), which represents GM volume as a deviation value. After adjusting for confounding variables, multiple regression analysis revealed that body mass index (BMI) (b = −0.28, p < 0.001), gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GTP) (b = −0.01, p = 0.16), and fasting blood glucose (b = −0.02, p = 0.049) were significantly correlated with GM-BHQ. Although the current cross-sectional study cannot determine a cause-and-effect relationship, elevated BMI, γ-GTP, and fasting blood glucose could promote GM volume loss.
Predicting, Recognizing, and Treating Right Heart Failure in Patients Undergoing Durable LVAD Therapy
Authors: Wang Teresa S. , Cevasco Marisa , Birati Edo Y. , Mazurek Jeremy A.
Published: May 2022

Despite advancing technology, right heart failure after left ventricular assist device implantation remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality. With the UNOS allocation policy change, a larger proportion of patients proceeding to LVAD are destination therapy and consist of an overall sicker population. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of right heart failure is critical for ensuring the ongoing success of durable LVADs. The purpose of this review is to describe the effect of LVAD implantation on right heart function, review the diagnostic and predictive criteria related to right heart failure, and discuss the current evidence for management and treatment of post-LVAD right heart failure.
Measurement of the Heat Transfer Properties of Carbon Fabrics via Infrared Thermal Mapping
Authors: Kearney Phillip , Lekakou Constantina , Belcher Stephen
Published: May 2022

The aim of this paper is to determine the heat transfer properties of biaxial carbon fabrics of different architectures, including non-crimp stitch bonded fabrics, plain, twill and satin woven fabrics. The specific heat capacity was determined via DSC (differential scanning calorimetry). A novel method of numerical analysis of temperature maps from a video using a high-resolution thermal camera is investigated for the measurement of the in-plane and transverse thermal diffusivity and conductivity. The determined thermal conductivity parallel to the fibers of a non-crimp stitch bonded fabric agrees well with the theoretical value calculated employing the rule of mixtures. The presence of voids due to the yarn crossover regions in woven fabrics leads to a reduced value of transverse thermal conductivity, especially in the single ply measurements of this study.
Monetite vs. Brushite: Different Influences on Bone Cell Response Modulated by Strontium Functionalization
Authors: Boanini Elisa , Pagani Stefania , Tschon Matilde , Rubini Katia , Fini Milena , Bigi Adriana
Published: May 2022

Monetite and brushite are regarded with increasing interest for the preparation of biomaterials for applications in the musculoskeletal system. Herein, we investigated the influence of strontium substitution in the structures of these two phosphates on bone cell response. To achieve this aim, co-cultures of human primary osteoclasts and human osteoblast-like MG63 cells were tested on strontium-substituted monetite and strontium-substituted brushite, as well as on monetite and brushite, as controls. In both structures, strontium substitution for calcium amounted to about 6 at% and provoked enlargement of the cell parameters and morphologic variations. Cumulative release in physiological solution increased linearly over time and was greater from brushite (up to about 160 and 560 mg/L at 14 days for Sr and Ca, respectively) than from monetite (up to about 90 and 250 mg/L at 14 days for Sr and Ca, respectively). The increasing viability of osteoblast-like cells over time, with the different expression level of some typical bone markers, indicates a more pronounced trigger toward osteoblast differentiation and osteoclast inhibition by brushite materials. In particular, the inhibition of cathepsin K and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase at the gene and morphological levels suggests strontium-substituted brushite can be applied in diseases characterized by excessive bone resorption.
Histological Evidences of Autograft of Dentin/Cementum Granules into Unhealed Socket at 5 Months after Tooth Extraction for Implant Placement
Authors: Murata Masaru , Kabir Md Arafat , Hirose Yukito , Ochi Morio , Okubo Naoto , Akazawa Toshiyuki , Kashiwazaki Haruhiko
Published: May 2022

The aim of this clinical case study was to observe biopsy tissues at 5 months after an autograft of a partially demineralized dentin/cementum matrix (pDDM) into a tooth-extracted socket exhibiting healing failure. A 66-year-old female presented with healing failure in the cavity for 2 months after the extraction (#36). Initial X-ray photos showed a clear remainder of lamina dura (#36), a residual root (#37), and a horizontal impaction (#38). The vital tooth (#38) was selected for pDDM. The third molar crushed by electric mill was decalcified in 1.0 L of 2.0% HNO3 for 20 min and rinsed in cold distilled water. The pDDM granules (size: 0.5–2.0 mm) were grafted immediately into the treated socket. X-ray views just after pDDM graft showed radio-opaque granules. At 5 months after pDDM graft, the surface of regenerated bone was harmonized with the mandibular line, and bone-like radio-opacity was found in the graft region. The biopsy tissue (diameter: 3.0 mm) at 5 months after pDDM graft showed that mature bone was interconnected with the remaining pDDM. The novel histological evidence highlighted that newly formed bone was connected directly with both dentin-area and cementum-area matrix of pDDM. We concluded that pDDM contributed to the regeneration of bone in the unhealed socket, and this regeneration prepared the socket for implant placement. Autogenous pDDM could be immediately recycled as an innovative biomaterial for local bone regeneration.
The Association between Multidirectional Speed Performance, Dynamic Balance and Chronological Age in Young Soccer Players
Authors: Scinicarelli Giordano , Offerhaus Christoph , Feodoroff Boris , Froböse Ingo , Wilke Christiane
Published: May 2022

The ability to maintain a stable single-leg balance stance during a fast change of direction movement is a fundamental aspect both for improving sport-specific skills and for prevention strategies. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations between multidirectional speed performance (MDS), dynamic balance performance (DBP), and chronological age in young and uninjured soccer players. In addition, it was examined whether chronological age and balance can predict variance in speed performance. One-hundred forty-six young male soccer players (age range 11–19) performed the y-balance test (YBT) and the lower extremity functional test (LEFT). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were executed. The analyses were carried out on the further variables: for the DBP, the YBT composite score % (CS dominant leg/CS non-dominant leg) and limb symmetry index % (LSI) were used; for the MDS, the LEFT time in seconds (s) was used. Findings revealed LEFT scores to have a significant association with chronological age (p = 0.000), CS dominant (p = 0.019) and LSI (p = 0.044) of the YBT. In addition, CS dominant and chronological age explained the variance of the LEFT by 44%, regardless of LSI. To conclude, MDS revealed a strong association with DBP of the dominant side but a small association with LSI. In addition, a small association was found between quick LEFT times and older players. Finally, MDS variance can be predicted from DBP of the dominant side and chronological age in young soccer players. The tests used in this study could be useful screening tools for the detection of performance deficits, the implementation of prevention training programs, and the optimization of selection strategies in soccer academies.
An Arm-Claw-Type Manipulator for Rapid Deep Water Salvage with a General Support Vessel, Part A: Prototype and Test
Authors: Nan Yibo , Long Feng , Yun Feihong , Yao Shaoming , Wang Liquan , Li Chao , Wang Pengpeng , Liu Ming , Li Zhibo
Published: May 2022

This paper proposed a concept prototype of the arm-claw-type manipulator with a general purpose support vessel for the rapid salvage of deep submergence vehicles, aircraft, satellites, etc. The key functions were realized, including object clamping, claw butting and locking, position and posture adjustment, awareness, positioning, and navigation. The prototype was successfully tested in a lake environment on a hollow and cylindrical object. The arm-claw-type manipulator is suitable for the rapid salvage of cylindrical objects in an underwater environment to minimize the clamping force and possible clamping damage on the object being salvaged. Four propeller thrusters with a symmetrical arrangement can be used for the adjustment of position and posture in underwater environments, to match the orientation of the object. Cameras capture the profile images of the underwater salvage object and can be used for posture adjustment, but in dark, deep-water environments, sonar can be used in the place of underwater cameras.
Harnessing of Different WECs to Harvest Wave Energy along the Galician Coast (NW Spain)
Authors: Arguilé-Pérez Beatriz , Ribeiro Américo Soares , Costoya Xurxo , deCastro Maite , Carracedo Pablo , Dias João Miguel , Rusu Liliana , Gómez-Gesteira Moncho
Published: May 2022

The wave power resource (WP) was calculated along the Galician coast (NW Spain) over the period 2014–2021 using high spatial resolution hourly data from the SWAN model. In addition, the electrical energy (PE) that can be extracted for a particular wave energy converter (WEC) was analyzed for four different WECs (Oyster, Atargis, Aqua Buoy, and Pelamis). The performance of every WEC was also calculated attending to two parameters: the power load factor (ε) and the normalized capture width with respect to the WEC’s geometry (efficiency). Results show that the WP resource is lower than 10 kWm−1 onshore, but it increases to about 50 kWm−1 offshore. Atargis obtained the highest PE, and it is the most efficient device (ε ~40% and efficiency ~45%). Pelamis showed the lowest performance in offshore areas (ε ~15%, efficiency < 10%). A different type of WEC should be considered for every location along the coast depending on its size, performance parameters, and coexistence with other socio-economic activities and protected environmental areas.
Turbulent Heat Fluxes in a Mediterranean Eddy Quantified Using Seismic and Hydrographic Observations
Authors: Xiao Wuxin , Meng Zhou
Published: May 2022

Mediterranean eddies (meddies) play an essential role in transferring heat, salinity and momentum into the Atlantic Ocean. The rate of heat (and salt) flux from the meddy and its ultimate lifetime are key proxies to understanding how meddies impact the redistribution of heat and salt in the ocean system. A Mediterranean eddy was observed in the Gulf of Caidz in 2007 using seismic and hydrographic data. The spatial distribution of turbulent dissipation rates around the meddy is estimated from the seismically derived internal wave spectra subrange using fine-scale parameterization. Turbulent dissipated rates are lowest (10−11 W/kg) within the core of the meddy but rise by nearly two orders of magnitude at the upper and lower boundaries, where signs of double diffusive convection are observed. Along the left flank of the meddy, thermohaline intrusions and interleaving of water masses are found in inverted temperature and salinity profiles, transporting heat laterally from the warm core to the Atlantic water with a flux of around 470 Wm−2. The meddy presented in this study is shown to decay in 2 years, primarily due to the heat loss associated with thermohaline intrusions. For the first time, heat fluxes around the meddy and its lifetime are quantified using seismic oceanography data, and the methods proposed here can be applied to more seismic datasets in the global oceans.
Neopestalotiopsis siciliana sp. nov. and N. rosae Causing Stem Lesion and Dieback on Avocado Plants in Italy
Authors: Fiorenza Alberto , Gusella Giorgio , Aiello Dalia , Polizzi Giancarlo , Voglmayr Hermann
Published: May 2022

Avocado (Persea americana) represents an important emerging tropical crop in Italy, especially in the southern regions. In this study, young plants of avocado showing symptoms of stem and wood lesion, and dieback, were investigated. Isolations from symptomatic tissues consistently yielded colonies of Neopestalotiopsis-like species. The characterization of representative isolates was based on the observation of morphological characters, the effect of temperature on mycelial growth rate, and on the sequencing of three different gene regions, specifically ITS, TEF1, and TUB2. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood approaches. The results showed the presence of two species, viz. Neopestalotiopsis rosae and N. siciliana, the latter of which is here described as a new species. Pathogenicity tests were conducted using the mycelial plug technique on young potted avocado trees for both Neopestalotiopsis species. The results showed that both species were pathogenic to avocado. This study represents the first report of these two species affecting avocado and results in the description of a new species within the genus Neopestalotiopsis. Based on phylogeny, Pestalotiopsis coffeae-arabicae is combined in Neopestalotiopsis.
Distinct Phenotypes of Kidney Transplant Recipients in the United States with Limited Functional Status as Identified through Machine Learning Consensus Clustering
Authors: Thongprayoon Charat , Jadlowiec Caroline C. , Kaewput Wisit , Vaitla Pradeep , Mao Shennen A. , Mao Michael A. , Leeaphorn Napat , Qureshi Fawad , Pattharanitima Pattharawin , Qureshi Fahad , Acharya Prakrati C. , Nissaisorakarn Pitchaphon , Cooper Matthew , Cheungpasitporn Wisit
Published: May 2022

Background: There have been concerns regarding increased perioperative mortality, length of hospital stay, and rates of graft loss in kidney transplant recipients with functional limitations. The application of machine learning consensus clustering approach may provide a novel understanding of unique phenotypes of functionally limited kidney transplant recipients with distinct outcomes in order to identify strategies to improve outcomes. Methods: Consensus cluster analysis was performed based on recipient-, donor-, and transplant-related characteristics in 3205 functionally limited kidney transplant recipients (Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) < 40% at transplant) in the OPTN/UNOS database from 2010 to 2019. Each cluster’s key characteristics were identified using the standardized mean difference. Posttransplant outcomes, including death-censored graft failure, patient death, and acute allograft rejection were compared among the clusters Results: Consensus cluster analysis identified two distinct clusters that best represented the clinical characteristics of kidney transplant recipients with limited functional status prior to transplant. Cluster 1 patients were older in age and were more likely to receive deceased donor kidney transplant with a higher number of HLA mismatches. In contrast, cluster 2 patients were younger, had shorter dialysis duration, were more likely to be retransplants, and were more likely to receive living donor kidney transplants from HLA mismatched donors. As such, cluster 2 recipients had a higher PRA, less cold ischemia time, and lower proportion of machine-perfused kidneys. Despite having a low KPS, 5-year patient survival was 79.1 and 83.9% for clusters 1 and 2; 5-year death-censored graft survival was 86.9 and 91.9%. Cluster 1 had lower death-censored graft survival and patient survival but higher acute rejection, compared to cluster 2. Conclusion: Our study used an unsupervised machine learning approach to characterize kidney transplant recipients with limited functional status into two clinically distinct clusters with differing posttransplant outcomes.
Brain Mapping the Effects of Chronic Aerobic Exercise in the Rat Brain Using FDG PET
Authors: Hanna Colin , Hamilton John , Arnavut Eliz , Blum Kenneth , Thanos Panayotis K.
Published: May 2022

Exercise is a key component to health and wellness and is thought to play an important role in brain activity. Changes in brain activity after exercise have been observed through various neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). The precise impact of exercise on brain glucose metabolism (BGluM) is still unclear; however, results from PET studies seem to indicate an increase in regional metabolism in areas related to cognition and memory, direction, drive, motor functions, perception, and somatosensory areas in humans. Using PET and the glucose analog [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), we assessed the changes in BGluM between sedentary and chronic exercise in rats. Chronic treadmill exercise treatment demonstrated a significant increase in BGluM activity in the following brain regions: the caudate putamen (striatum), external capsule, internal capsule, deep cerebellar white matter, primary auditory cortex, forceps major of the corpus callosum, postsubiculum, subiculum transition area, and the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus. These brain regions are functionally associated with auditory processing, memory, motor function, and motivated behavior. Therefore, chronic daily treadmill running in rats stimulates BGluM in distinct brain regions. This identified functional circuit provides a map of brain regions for future molecular assessment which will help us understand the biomarkers involved in specific brain regions following exercise training, as this is critical in exploring the therapeutic potential of exercise in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, traumatic brain injury, and addiction.
Investigating Plant Response to Soil Characteristics and Slope Positions in a Small Catchment
Authors: Zsigmond Tibor , Braun Péter , Mészáros János , Waltner István , Horel Ágota
Published: May 2022

Methods enabling stakeholders to receive information on plant stress in agricultural settings in a timely manner can help mitigate a possible decrease in plant productivity. The present work aims to study the soil–plant interaction using field measurements of plant reflectance, soil water content, and selected soil physical and chemical parameters. Particular emphasis was placed on sloping transects. We further compared ground- and Sentinel-2 satellite-based Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series data in different land use types. The Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) and NDVI were measured concurrently with calculating the fraction of absorbed photochemically active radiation (fAPAR) and leaf area index (LAI) values of three vegetation types (a grassland, three vineyard sites, and a cropland with maize). Each land use site had an upper and a lower study point of a given slope. The NDVI, fAPAR, and LAI averaged values were the lowest for the grassland (0.293, 0.197, and 0.51, respectively), which showed the highest signs of water stress. Maize had the highest NDVI values (0.653) among vegetation types. Slope position affected NDVI, PRI, and fAPAR values significantly for the grassland and cropland (p < 0.05), while the soil water content (SWC) was different for all three vineyard sites (p < 0.05). The strongest connections were observed between soil physical and chemical parameters and NDVI values for the vineyard samples and the selected soil parameters and PRI for the grassland. Measured and satellite-retrieved NDVI values of the different land use types were compared, and strong correlations (r = 0.761) between the methods were found. For the maize, the satellite-based NDVI values were higher, while for the grassland they were slightly lower compared to the field-based measurements. Our study indicated that incorporating Sentinel-derived NDVI can greatly improve the value of field monitoring and provides an opportunity to extend field research in more depth. The present study further highlights the close relations in the soil–plant–water system, and continuous monitoring can greatly help in developing site-specific climate change mitigating methods.
A Hierarchical Binary Process Model to Assess Deviation from Desired Ecological Condition across a Broad Forested Landscape in Alabama
Authors: Bettinger Pete , Merry Krista , Stober Jonathan
Published: May 2022

This work describes the development and analysis of a spatially explicit environmental model to estimate the current, ecological, condition class of a managed forest landscape in the southern United States. The model could be extendable to other similar temperate forest landscapes, yet is characterized as a problem-specific, hierarchical, binary process model given the explicit relationships it recognizes between the management of southern United States pine-dominated natural forests and historical ecological conditions. The model is theoretical, based on informed proposals of the landscape processes that influence the ecological condition, and their relationship to perceived ecological condition. The modeling effort is based on spatial data that describe the historical forest community classes, forest plan provisions, fire history, silvicultural treatments, and current vegetation conditions, and six potential ecological condition classes (ECC) are assigned to lands. A case study was provided involving a large national forest, and validation of the outcomes of the modelling effort suggested that the overall accuracy when predicting the exact ecological condition class was about 46%, while the overall accuracy ±1 class was about 81%. For large, heterogeneous forest areas, issues remain in estimating the input variables relatively accurately, particularly the pine basal area.
Predicting Chinese Preschoolers’ Acquisition of Aspect Markers: A Corpus-Based Study
Authors: Li Hui , Liang Luyao , Wu Dandan
Published: May 2022

This study explored the patterns and predictors of aspect marker acquisition of Chinese preschoolers speaking Mandarin Chinese as their first language (L1). Based on a corpus drawn from 157 preschoolers from Beijing, China, this study set out to explore (1) the developmental pattern of aspect marker acquisition; (2) the interactional pattern between grammatical aspect markers and lexical aspects; (3) the production of temporal adverbs with aspect markers; and (4) the predictors of aspect marker acquisition. The main research findings included the following: (1) the Jonckheere–Terpstra test revealed an age-related increase in children’s production of aspect markers, and in particular, there was a significant increase in grammatical aspect markers and lexical aspect subclasses from age 4;6 (Year; Month) onwards; (2) the Friedman’s ANOVAs indicated that -LE was frequently used in combination with most of the lexical aspect subclasses, among them the achievement was the most frequently co-occurring subclass, while the activities came second; (3) a series of Chi-square tests showed that using temporal adverbs in combination with aspect markers became increasingly common among older children; (4) the hierarchical regression analysis identified children’s preschooling experience as a significant predictor of their early aspectual development, after controlling for the other variables.
A Serious Game for the Prevention of Obesity in School Children–Impact of Parent’s Involvement: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Weiland Alisa , Reiband Nadine , Schäffeler Norbert , Zurstiege Guido , Giel Katrin Elisabeth , Zipfel Stephan , Mack Isabelle
Published: May 2022

Serious games convey information and use interactive components to reinforce and train behaviours. A serious game addressing nutrition, physical activity and stress coping—the Kids Obesity Prevention Program (KOP)—was previously evaluated for efficacy in children. This study aimed at evaluating the KOP-game regarding: (i) its acceptance and efficacy with respect to parents of primary school children receiving the same game intervention as the children; and (ii) whether the children could benefit by parental involvement. A randomized controlled trial with two groups of children aged 9 to 12 years was conducted which included a 6-month follow-up period. All children played the game twice in two weeks. In the family-intervention group, the parents additionally played the game. The primary outcome was the gain in knowledge in parents and children measured with a pretested questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were knowledge maintenance as well as several behavior changes. Parents and children in both groups improved and maintained their knowledge equally. The KOP-game increases knowledge of nutrition in children independently of the involvement of their parents. KOP games are well accepted in children; further research should examine the structured involvement of parents.
Comparison of Chemical and Mechanical Surface Treatments on Metallic Precision Spheres for Using as Optical Reference Artifacts
Authors: Meana Víctor , Cuesta Eduardo , Álvarez Braulio J. , Giganto Sara , Martínez-Pellitero Susana
Published: May 2022

The improvement of industrial manufacturing processes requires measurement procedures and part inspection tasks to be faster and faster while remaining effective. In this sense, the capabilities of noncontact measuring systems are of great help, not only because of the great amount of data they provide but also for the ease of the integration of these systems as well as their automation, minimising the impact on the industry. This work presents a comparative study on the influence of two surface treatments performed on low-cost, high-precision metallic spheres on the suitability of these spheres to be used as artefacts for the calibration of optical sensors, specifically laser triangulation sensors. The first surface treatment is sandblasting (a mechanical process), whose effect has been studied and presented in previous work. The second treatment focused on in this paper is acid etching (a chemical process). The comparison has been performed by evaluating the same metrological characteristics on two identical groups of spheres of similar type (diameter and accuracy), each of which was subjected to a different treatment. It was necessary to obtain the reference values of the metrological parameters with high accuracy, which involved measuring the spheres with a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) by contact probing. Likewise, spheres were scanned by a laser triangulation sensor mounted on the same CMM. The results derived from both the contact and laser measurements and before and after treating the surfaces were used to compare four parameters: point density, sphere diameter, sphere form deviation, and standard deviation of the best-fit sphere to the corresponding point cloud. This research has revealed that acid etching produces better optical qualities on the surfaces than the mirror-like original ones, thus enhancing the laser sensor capturing ability. However, such chemical etching has affected the metrological characteristics of the spheres to a greater extent than that produced by sandblasting. This difference is due to the variability of the chemical etching, caused by the high aggressiveness of the acid, which makes the process very sensitive to the time of exposure to the acid and the orientations of the spheres in the bath.
2D and 3D Triangulation Are Suitable In Situ Measurement Tools for High-Power Large Spot Laser Penetration Processes to Visualize Depressions and Protrusions before Perforating
Authors: Reich Stefan , Göbel Alexander , Goesmann Marcel , Heunoske Dominic , Schäffer Sebastian , Lueck Martin , Wickert Matthias , Osterholz Jens
Published: May 2022

During laser penetration, the irradiated samples form a melt pool before perforation. Knowledge of the dynamics of this melt pool is of interest for the correct physical description of the process and leads to improved simulations. However, a direct investigation, especially at the location of high-power laser interaction with large spot diameters in the centimeter range is missing until now. Here, the applicability of 2D triangulation for surface topology observations is demonstrated. With the designed bidirectional 2D triangulation setup, the material cross-section is measured by profile detection at the front and back side. This allows a comprehensive description of the penetration process to be established, which is important for a detailed explanation of the process. Specific steps such as surface melting, indentations, protrusions during melt pool development and their dynamics, and the perforation are visualized, which were unknown until now. Furthermore, a scanning 3D triangulation setup is developed to obtain more information about the entire melt pool at the front side, and not just a single intersection line. The measurements exhibit a mirror-symmetric melt pool and the possibility to extrapolate from the central profile to the outer regions in most cases.
Influence of Foam Morphology on Flow and Heat Transport in a Random Packed Bed with Metallic Foam Pellets—An Investigation Using CFD
Authors: George Ginu R. , Bockelmann Marina , Schmalhorst Leonhard , Beton Didier , Gerstle Alexandra , Lindermeir Andreas , Wehinger Gregor D.
Published: May 2022

Open-cell metallic foams used as catalyst supports exhibit excellent transport properties. In this work, a unique application of metallic foam, as pelletized catalyst in a packed bed reactor, is examined. By using a wall-segment Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) setup, parametric analyses are carried out to investigate the influence of foam morphologies (cell size ϕ=0.45–3 mm and porosity ε=0.55–0.95) and intrinsic conductivity on flow and heat transport characteristics in a slender packed bed (N=D/dp=6.78) made of cylindrical metallic foam pellets. The transport processes have been modeled using an extended version of conventional particle-resolved CFD, i.e., flow and energy in inter-particle spaces are fully resolved, whereas the porous-media model is used for the effective transport processes inside highly-porous foam pellets. Simulation inputs include the processing parameters relevant to Steam Methane Reforming (SMR), analyzed for low (Rep~100) and high (Rep~5000) flow regimes. The effect of foam morphologies on packed beds has shown that the desired requirements contradict each other, i.e., an increase in cell size and porosity favors the reduction in pressure drop, but, it reduces the heat transfer efficiency. A design study is also conducted to find the optimum foam morphology of a cylindrical foam pellet at a higher Rep~5000, which yields ϕ = 0.45, ε = 0.8. Suitable correlations to predict the friction factor and the overall heat transfer coefficient in a foam-packed bed have been presented, which consider the effect of different foam morphologies over a range of particle Reynolds number, 100≤Rep≤5000.
Optimization of Heat Treatment for 38Si7 Spring Steel with Excellent Mechanical Properties and Controlled Decarburization
Authors: Wang Xian-Wen , Hu Qing-Feng , Zhang Chao-Lei , Chen Lie , Zhu Chang-Yong , Tao Bo , Jiang Bo , Liu Ya-Zheng
Published: May 2022

Optimizing the heat treatment procedure with 13 mm diameter 38Si7 spring steel is critical for developing high-performance, low-cost, large spring steel for railway clips. The effects of quenching temperature, holding time, tempering temperature, and tempering time on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated using an orthogonal experiment, designed with four factors and three levels. The best heat treatment settings were explored, as well as the variation laws of mechanical properties, decarburization behavior, and fracture morphology. The results demonstrated that quenching temperature and tempering temperature had the most impact on plasticity and tempering temperature, while time had the most effect on strength. The optimized heat treatment schemes made the elongation increase by up to 106% and the reduction in area increase by up to 67%, compared with the standard BS EN 10089-2002, and there were mixed fractures caused by ductility and brittleness. The fracture tests showed a good performance of 20.2 GPa·%, and the heat treatment processes’ minimum decarburization depth of 93.4 μm was determined. The optimized process would obtain stronger plastic deposition and better decarburization performance. The microstructure was simply lightly tempered martensite, and the matrix still retained the acicular martensite. The optimal heat treatment process is quenching at 900 °C for 30 min (water cooling), followed by tempering at 430 °C for 60 min (air cooling). The research led to a solution for increasing the overall mechanical characteristics and decreasing the surface decarburization of 38Si7 spring steel with a diameter of 13 mm, and it set the foundation for increasing the mass production of railway clips of this size.
Degradation Analyses of Systemic Large-Panel Buildings Using Comparative Testing during Demolition
Authors: Wardach Maciej , Krentowski Janusz R. , Knyziak Piotr
Published: May 2022

Assessment of the technical condition of large-panel buildings, due to their on-going use and covering resulting from thermomodernization works, is problematic. Results from non-destructive tests (NDT) are subjected to high uncertainty. Destructive tests, which give results with the highest level of confidence, are practically not used. Local sampling for testing gives only a partial image of the condition of a prefabricated building. In this type of construction, joints connecting the precast elements are the most vulnerable to degradation. Access to them is technically difficult. Demolition of this type of building is extremely rare. However, it is a unique opportunity to perform a full spectrum of both NDT and destructive testing. This gives an opportunity for large-scale demolition sampling to identify hidden defects and compare the results obtained by different methods. The comparison of results allows for the scaling of NDT methods and reveals the presence of typical relationships. The paper presents visual, non-destructive, and destructive tests’ results of an over 40-year-old large-panel building scheduled for demolition. The design of this building is repetitive and similar to solutions found in thousands of other buildings. The usefulness of particular research methods for evaluating the technical condition of prefabricated buildings has been determined.
Properties of Cutting Tool Composite Material Diamond–(Fe–Ni–Cu–Sn) Reinforced with Nano-VN
Authors: Mamalis Athanasios , Mechnik Vladimir , Morozow Dmitrij , Ratov Boranbay , Kolodnitskyi Vasyl , Samociuk Waldemar , Bondarenko Nikolai
Published: May 2022

The study is devoted to structure and mechanical properties of a diamond composite used for manufacturing of cutting tools applied in a wide range of technological fields. The sample tools were fabricated by cold-pressing technology followed by hot-pressing in vacuum of the 51Fe–32Cu–9Ni–8Sn matrix mixture with diamond bits, both in absence and presence of nano-VN additives. It was demonstrated that without VN addition, the diamond–matrix interface contained voids and discontinuities. Nanodispersed VN added to the matrix resulted in the formation of a more fine-grained structure consisting of solid solutions composed of iron, copper, nickel, vanadium and tin in different ratios and the formation of a tight diamond–matrix zone with no visible voids, discontinuities and other defects. Optimal concentrations of VN in the CDM matrix were found achieving the maximum values of nanohardness H = 7.8 GPa, elastic modulus E = 213 GPa, resistance to elastic deformation expressed by ratio H/E = 0.0366, plastic deformation resistance H3/E2 = 10.46 MPa, ultimate flexural strength Rbm = 1110 MPa, and compressive strength Rcm = 1410 MPa. As-prepared Fe–Cu–Ni–Sn–VN composites with enhanced physical and mechanical properties are suitable for cutting tools of increased durability and improved performance.
Implementation of Pedagogical Research into Statistical Courses to Develop Students’ Statistical Literacy
Authors: Gonda Dalibor , Pavlovičová Gabriela , Ďuriš Viliam , Tirpáková Anna
Published: May 2022

To participate fully in society, a person needs to critically evaluate statistical information. To be able to do this, it is appropriate to start developing the statistical literacy of young people in diverse levels in schools. In our article, we present a modified seminar on statistics for prospective humanities teachers. During the seminar, we planned a pedagogical experiment, the aim of which was to statistically verify the students’ own diagnostic competencies as prospective teachers of humanities. The statistical analysis confirmed that the implementation of real research into the course on statistics has a positive impact on the development of statistical literacy but does not change the attitude of students toward statistics and its use in the future teaching practice.
Evolutionary Optimization of Control Strategies for Non-Stationary Immersion Environments
Authors: Musaev Alexander , Makshanov Andrey , Grigoriev Dmitry
Published: May 2022

We consider the problem of evolutionary self-organization of control strategies using the example of speculative trading in a non-stationary immersion market environment. The main issue that obstructs obtaining real profit is the extremely high instability of the system component of observation series which implement stochastic chaos. In these conditions, traditional techniques for increasing the stability of control strategies are ineffective. In particular, the use of adaptive computational schemes is difficult due to the high volatility and non-stationarity of observation series. That leads to significant statistical errors of both kinds in the generated control decisions. An alternative approach based on the use of dynamic robustification technologies significantly reduces the effectiveness of the decisions. In the current work, we propose a method based on evolutionary modeling, which supplies structural and parametric self-organization of the control model.
GATSMOTE: Improving Imbalanced Node Classification on Graphs via Attention and Homophily
Authors: Liu Yongxu , Zhang Zhi , Liu Yan , Zhu Yao
Published: May 2022

In recent decades, non-invasive neuroimaging techniques and graph theories have enabled a better understanding of the structural patterns of the human brain at a macroscopic level. As one of the most widely used non-invasive techniques, an electroencephalogram (EEG) may collect non-neuronal signals from “bad channels”. Automatically detecting these bad channels represents an imbalanced classification task; research on the topic is rather limited. Because the human brain can be naturally modeled as a complex graph network based on its structural and functional characteristics, we seek to extend previous imbalanced node classification techniques to the bad-channel detection task. We specifically propose a novel edge generator considering the prominent small-world organization of the human brain network. We leverage the attention mechanism to adaptively calculate the weighted edge connections between each node and its neighboring nodes. Moreover, we follow the homophily assumption in graph theory to add edges between similar nodes. Adding new edges between nodes sharing identical labels shortens the path length, thus facilitating low-cost information messaging.
Swarm-Intelligence Optimization Method for Dynamic Optimization Problem
Authors: Liu Rui , Mo Yuanbin , Lu Yanyue , Lyu Yucheng , Zhang Yuedong , Guo Haidong
Published: May 2022

In recent years, the vigorous rise in computational intelligence has opened up new research ideas for solving chemical dynamic optimization problems, making the application of swarm-intelligence optimization techniques more and more widespread. However, the potential for algorithms with different performances still needs to be further investigated in this context. On this premise, this paper puts forward a universal swarm-intelligence dynamic optimization framework, which transforms the infinite-dimensional dynamic optimization problem into the finite-dimensional nonlinear programming problem through control variable parameterization. In order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of dynamic optimization, an improved version of the multi-strategy enhanced sparrow search algorithm is proposed from the application side, including good-point set initialization, hybrid algorithm strategy, Lévy flight mechanism, and Student’s t-distribution model. The resulting augmented algorithm is theoretically tested on ten benchmark functions, and compared with the whale optimization algorithm, marine predators algorithm, harris hawks optimization, social group optimization, and the basic sparrow search algorithm, statistical results verify that the improved algorithm has advantages in most tests. Finally, the six algorithms are further applied to three typical dynamic optimization problems under a universal swarm-intelligence dynamic optimization framework. The proposed algorithm achieves optimal results and has higher accuracy than methods in other references.