bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bespoke Implants for Cranial Reconstructions: Preoperative to Postoperative Surgery Management System
Authors: Ulmeanu Mihaela-Elena , Mateș Ileana Mariana , Doicin Cristian-Vasile , Mitrică Marian , Chirteș Vasile Alin , Ciobotaru Georgian , Semenescu Augustin
Published: May 2023

Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with nearly 90% of the deaths coming from low- and middle-income countries. Severe cases of brain injury often require a craniectomy, succeeded by cranioplasty surgery to restore the integrity of the skull for both cerebral protection and cosmetic purposes. The current paper proposes a study on developing and implementing an integrative surgery management system for cranial reconstructions using bespoke implants as an accessible and cost-effective solution. Bespoke cranial implants were designed for three patients and subsequent cranioplasties were performed. Overall dimensional accuracy was evaluated on all three axes and surface roughness was measured with a minimum value of 2.209 μm for Ra on the convex and concave surfaces of the 3D-printed prototype implants. Improvements in patient compliance and quality of life were reported in postoperative evaluations of all patients involved in the study. No complications were registered from both short-term and long-term monitoring. Material and processing costs were lower compared to a metal 3D-printed implants through the usage of readily available tools and materials, such as standardized and regulated bone cement materials, for the manufacturing of the final bespoke cranial implants. Intraoperative times were reduced through the pre-planning management stages, leading to a better implant fit and overall patient satisfaction.
Estimating the Standing Long Jump Length from Smartphone Inertial Sensors through Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: De Lazzari Beatrice , Mascia Guido , Vannozzi Giuseppe , Camomilla Valentina
Published: May 2023

The length of the standing long jump (SLJ) is widely recognized as an indicator of developmental motor competence or sports conditional performance. This work aims at defining a methodology to allow athletes/coaches to easily measure it using the inertial measurement units embedded on a smartphone. A sample group of 114 trained young participants was recruited and asked to perform the instrumented SLJ task. A set of features was identified based on biomechanical knowledge, then Lasso regression allowed the identification of a subset of predictors of the SLJ length that was used as input of different optimized machine learning architectures. Results obtained from the use of the proposed configuration allow an estimate of the SLJ length with a Gaussian Process Regression model with a RMSE of 0.122 m in the test phase, Kendall’s τ < 0.1. The proposed models give homoscedastic results, meaning that the error of the models does not depend on the estimated quantity. This study proved the feasibility of using low-cost smartphone sensors to provide an automatic and objective estimate of SLJ performance in ecological settings.
TNFα Effects on Adipocytes Are Influenced by the Presence of Lysine Methyltransferases, G9a (EHMT2) and GLP (EHMT1)
Authors: Able Ashley A. , Richard Allison J. , Stephens Jacqueline M.
Published: May 2023

Impaired adipocyte function contributes to systemic metabolic dysregulation, and altered fat mass or function increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. EHMTs 1 and 2 (euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferases 1 and 2), also known as the G9a-like protein (GLP) and G9a, respectively, catalyze the mono- and di-methylation of histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) and also methylate nonhistone substrates; in addition, they can act as transcriptional coactivators independent of their methyltransferase activity. These enzymes are known to contribute to adipocyte development and function, and in vivo data indicate a role for G9a and GLP in metabolic disease states; however, the mechanisms involved in the cell-autonomous functions of G9a and GLP in adipocytes are largely unknown. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a proinflammatory cytokine typically induced in adipose tissue in conditions of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Using an siRNA approach, we have determined that the loss of G9a and GLP enhances TNFα-induced lipolysis and inflammatory gene expression in adipocytes. Furthermore, we show that G9a and GLP are present in a protein complex with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in TNFα-treated adipocytes. These novel observations provide mechanistic insights into the association between adipocyte G9a and GLP expression and systemic metabolic health.
Healthier Oils: A New Scope in the Development of Functional Meat and Dairy Products: A Review
Authors: Botella-Martínez Carmen , Pérez-Álvarez José Ángel , Sayas-Barberá Estrella , Navarro Rodríguez de Vera Casilda , Fernández-López Juana , Viuda-Martos Manuel
Published: May 2023

In the present day, it has been widely established that a high intake of animal fat that contains a high content of saturated fatty acids may cause several life-threatening diseases, including obesity, diabetes-type 2, cardiovascular diseases, as well as several types of cancer. In this context, a great number of health organizations and government agencies have launched campaigns to reduce the saturated fat content in foods, which has prompted the food industry, which is no stranger to this problem, to start working to develop foods with a lower fat content or with a different fatty acid profile. Nevertheless, this is not an easy task due to the fact that saturated fat plays a very important role in food processing and in the sensorial perception of foods. Actually, the best way to replace saturated fat is with the use of structured vegetable or marine oils. The main strategies for structuring oils include pre-emulsification, microencapsulation, the development of gelled emulsions, and the development of oleogels. This review will examine the current literature on the different (i) healthier oils and (ii) strategies that will be potentially used by the food industry to reduce or replace the fat content in several food products.
Proteolytically Resistant Bioactive Peptide-Grafted Sr/Mg-Doped Hardystonite Foams: Comparison of Two Covalent Functionalization Strategies
Authors: Zamuner Annj , Zeni Elena , Elsayed Hamada , Di Foggia Michele , Taddei Paola , Pasquato Antonella , Di Silvio Lucy , Bernardo Enrico , Brun Paola , Dettin Monica
Published: May 2023

Hardystonite-based (HT) bioceramic foams were easily obtained via thermal treatment of silicone resins and reactive oxide fillers in air. By using a commercial silicone, incorporating strontium oxide and magnesium oxide precursors (as well as CaO and ZnO), and treating it at 1100 °C, a complex solid solution (Ca1.4Sr0.6Zn0.85Mg0.15Si2O7) that has superior biocompatibility and bioactivity properties compared to pure hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi2O7) can be obtained. Proteolytic-resistant adhesive peptide mapped on vitronectin (D2HVP), was selectively grafted to Sr/Mg-doped HT foams using two different strategies. Unfortunately, the first method (via protected peptide) was unsuitable for acid-sensitive materials such as Sr/Mg-doped HT, resulting in the release of cytotoxic levels of Zinc over time, with consequent negative cellular response. To overcome this unexpected result, a novel functionalization strategy requiring aqueous solution and mild conditions was designed. Sr/Mg-doped HT functionalized with this second strategy (via aldehyde peptide) showed a dramatic increase in human osteoblast proliferation at 6 days compared to only silanized or non-functionalized samples. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the functionalization treatment does not induce any cytotoxicity. Functionalized foams enhanced mRNA-specific transcript levels coding IBSP, VTN, RUNX2, and SPP1 at 2 days post-seeding. In conclusion, the second functionalization strategy proved to be appropriate for this specific biomaterial and was effective at enhancing the material’s bioactivity.
Bio-Inspired Swarm Intelligence Optimization Algorithm-Aided Hybrid TDOA/AOA-Based Localization
Authors: Cao Li , Chen Haishao , Chen Yaodan , Yue Yinggao , Zhang Xin
Published: May 2023

A TDOA/AOA hybrid location algorithm based on the crow search algorithm optimized by particle swarm optimization is proposed to address the challenge of solving the nonlinear equation of time of arrival (TDOA/AOA) location in the non-line-of-sight (NLoS) environment. This algorithm keeps its optimization mechanism on the basis of enhancing the performance of the original algorithm. To obtain a better fitness value throughout the optimization process and increase the algorithm’s optimization accuracy, the fitness function based on maximum likelihood estimation is modified. In order to speed up algorithm convergence and decrease needless global search without compromising population diversity, an initial solution is simultaneously added to the starting population location. Simulation findings demonstrate that the suggested method outperforms the TDOA/AOA algorithm and other comparable algorithms, including Taylor, Chan, PSO, CPSO, and basic CSA algorithms. The approach performs well in terms of robustness, convergence speed, and node positioning accuracy.
Data Diversity in Convolutional Neural Network Based Ensemble Model for Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Inamullah  , Hassan Saima , Alrajeh Nabil A. , Mohammed Emad A. , Khan Shafiullah
Published: May 2023

The medical and healthcare domains require automatic diagnosis systems (ADS) for the identification of health problems with technological advancements. Biomedical imaging is one of the techniques used in computer-aided diagnosis systems. Ophthalmologists examine fundus images (FI) to detect and classify stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR is a chronic disease that appears in patients with long-term diabetes. Unattained patients can lead to severe conditions of DR, such as retinal eye detachments. Therefore, early detection and classification of DR are crucial to ward off advanced stages of DR and preserve the vision. Data diversity in an ensemble model refers to the use of multiple models trained on different subsets of data to improve the ensemble’s overall performance. In the context of an ensemble model based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) for diabetic retinopathy, this could involve training multiple CNNs on various subsets of retinal images, including images from different patients or those captured using distinct imaging techniques. By combining the predictions of these multiple models, the ensemble model can potentially make more accurate predictions than a single prediction. In this paper, an ensemble model (EM) of three CNN models is proposed for limited and imbalanced DR data using data diversity. Detecting the Class 1 stage of DR is important to control this fatal disease in time. CNN-based EM is incorporated to classify the five classes of DR while giving attention to the early stage, i.e., Class 1. Furthermore, data diversity is created by applying various augmentation and generation techniques with affine transformation. Compared to the single model and other existing work, the proposed EM has achieved better multi-class classification accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and specificity of 91.06%, 91.00%, 95.01%, and 98.38%, respectively.
The RNA Demethylase ALKBH5 Maintains Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis by Regulating UPR, Autophagy, and Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Subbarayalu Panneerdoss , Yadav Pooja , Timilsina Santosh , Medina Daisy , Baxi Kunal , Hromas Robert , Vadlamudi Ratna K. , Chen Yidong , Sung Patrick , Rao Manjeet K.
Published: May 2023

Eukaryotic cells maintain cellular fitness by employing well-coordinated and evolutionarily conserved processes that negotiate stress induced by internal or external environments. These processes include the unfolded protein response, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) of unfolded proteins and altered mitochondrial functions that together constitute the ER stress response. Here, we show that the RNA demethylase ALKBH5 regulates the crosstalk among these processes to maintain normal ER function. We demonstrate that ALKBH5 regulates ER homeostasis by controlling the expression of ER lipid raft associated 1 (ERLIN1), which binds to the activated inositol 1, 4, 5,-triphosphate receptor and facilitates its degradation via ERAD to maintain the calcium flux between the ER and mitochondria. Using functional studies and electron microscopy, we show that ALKBH5-ERLIN-IP3R-dependent calcium signaling modulates the activity of AMP kinase, and consequently, mitochondrial biogenesis. Thus, these findings reveal that ALKBH5 serves an important role in maintaining ER homeostasis and cellular fitness.
IL-4 Signaling Promotes Myoblast Differentiation and Fusion by Enhancing the Expression of MyoD, Myogenin, and Myomerger
Authors: Kurosaka Mitsutoshi , Hung Yung-Li , Machida Shuichi , Kohda Kazuhisa
Published: May 2023

Myoblast fusion is essential for skeletal muscle development, growth, and regeneration. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying myoblast fusion and differentiation are not fully understood. Previously, we reported that interleukin-4 (IL-4) promotes myoblast fusion; therefore, we hypothesized that IL-4 signaling might regulate the expression of the molecules involved in myoblast fusion. In this study, we showed that in addition to fusion, IL-4 promoted the differentiation of C2C12 myoblast cells by inducing myoblast determination protein 1 (MyoD) and myogenin, both of which regulate the expression of myomerger and myomaker, the membrane proteins essential for myoblast fusion. Unexpectedly, IL-4 treatment increased the expression of myomerger, but not myomaker, in C2C12 cells. Knockdown of IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) in C2C12 cells by small interfering RNA impaired myoblast fusion and differentiation. We also demonstrated a reduction in the expression of MyoD, myogenin, and myomerger by knockdown of IL-4Rα in C2C12 cells, while the expression level of myomaker remained unchanged. Finally, cell mixing assays and the restoration of myomerger expression partially rescued the impaired fusion in the IL-4Rα-knockdown C2C12 cells. Collectively, these results suggest that the IL-4/IL-4Rα axis promotes myoblast fusion and differentiation via the induction of myogenic regulatory factors, MyoD and myogenin, and myomerger.
Lignin Valorization for Added-Value Chemicals: Kraft Lignin versus Lignin Fractions
Authors: Costa Carina A. E. , Casimiro Filipa M. , Vega-Aguilar Carlos , Rodrigues Alírio E.
Published: May 2023

Lignin is a raw material that can potentially be converted into valuable compounds through depolymerization reactions in addition to its use as a polymer or material. However, the chemical recalcitrance and the heterogeneous composition and structure of lignin make it challenging to establish processes that add value to this complex aromatic biopolymer. In this work, solvent fractionation was applied to obtain lignin fractions with a narrowed molecular weight and specific structural characteristics, improving its homogeneity and purity. A kraft lignin was submitted to fractionation using different ratios of acetone, ranging from 60 to 15% v/v, in aqueous mixtures. The composition, structure, and molecular weight of each fraction were studied and their potential applications were evaluated. The most water-soluble fraction has more phenolic OH, less aliphatic OH groups, and shows the lowest content of aryl-ether linkages, which is in accordance with its highest degree of condensation. On the other hand, the insoluble fraction from the mixture with 60% of acetone has the lowest molecular weight and the highest content of inorganic material. Radar plots were applied for lignin fractions evaluation and the fraction with the highest potential (IF 30:70) was submitted to alkaline oxidation with O2. The results were compared with the products yielded from kraft lignin. An increase of about 13 and 19% was found for vanillin and syringaldehyde, respectively, when the fraction IF 30:70 was submitted to oxidation. In conclusion, the proposed fractionation process showed to be an effective method to obtain lignin fractions with specific composition and structural characteristics that could improve its potential as a source of high added-value monomeric phenolic compounds.
Mannitol Challenge to Assess Therapy Response in Asthmatic Children: An Interventional Cohort Study
Authors: Karantaglis Nikolaos , Kirvassilis Fotios , Hatziagorou Elpis , Gkantaras Antonios , Kontouli Kalliopi , Tsanakas John , Emporiadou Maria
Published: May 2023

Bronchial provocation tests, such as the mannitol challenge, can be performed to identify and quantify the severity of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients. Studies of the mannitol challenge as a monitoring tool in asthmatic children are limited. Our primary aim was to compare the bronchial hyperresponsiveness to mannitol in treatment-naive asthmatic children between baseline and three months after receiving the indicated asthma prophylaxis. Twenty-three asthmatic patients aged 4–16 years were analyzed in this prospective cohort study. All subjects underwent the mannitol challenge at baseline and after three months of treatment with budesonide ± formoterol. The difference in the provocative dose of mannitol to induce a 15% drop in FEV1 (PD15) between baseline and follow-up, as well as its association with the presence of exercise-induced or nocturnal asthma symptoms, were evaluated. The PD15 value increased significantly post-treatment (228.5 mg [4.50–458.15]; p = 0.04). Independently of the evaluation time point, the PD15 values were significantly lower in the presence of nocturnal asthma symptoms (490 mg [122–635] vs. 635 mg [635–635]; p = 0.03), whereas there was no association between the PD15 value and the presence of exercise-induced asthma (p = 0.73). These results suggest that bronchial hyperresponsiveness to mannitol may be a potential monitoring tool in the pediatric asthmatic population, reflecting therapy response in children receiving prophylactic treatment.
Ultra-Processed Food, Reward System and Childhood Obesity
Authors: Calcaterra Valeria , Cena Hellas , Rossi Virginia , Santero Sara , Bianchi Alice , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo
Published: May 2023

Obesity and overweight are a major public health problem globally. Diet quality is critical for proper child development, and an unhealthy diet is a preventable risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as obesity. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in childhood may increase the BMI/BMI z-score, body fat percentage, or likelihood of overweight. A strict feeding regulation system allows for sufficient food to be consumed to meet ongoing metabolic demands while avoiding overconsumption. This narrative review explores the issues of obesity and the regulation of food intake related to reward systems and UPF consumption. Nutrient composition alone cannot explain the influence of UPFs on the risk of obesity. Furthermore, the non-nutritional properties of UPFs may explain the mechanisms underlying the relationship with obesity and NCDs. UPFs are designed to be highly palatable, appealing, and energy dense with a unique combination of the main taste enhancer ingredients to generate a strong rewarding stimulus and influence the circuits related to feeding facilitation. How individual UPF ingredients influence eating behavior and reward processes remains not fully elucidated. To increase the knowledge on the relationship between UPFs and pediatric obesity, it may be useful to limit the rapid growth in the prevalence of obesity and subsequent related complications, and to develop new strategies for appropriate food and nutrition policies.
Birth Defects Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure—A Review
Authors: Dyląg Katarzyna Anna , Anunziata Florencia , Bandoli Gretchen , Chambers Christina
Published: May 2023

Since the recognition of fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol has been accepted as a human teratogen. However, little is known about the relation between prenatal alcohol exposure and the spectrum of associated major birth defects. The objective of this review was to summarize data on the association of major congenital abnormalities and prenatal alcohol exposure. We included all major birth defects according to ICD-10 classification. We found that the strongest evidence to date lies in the research examining herniation (gastroschisis and omphalocele), oral clefts (cleft lip with or without palate and cleft palate) and cardiac defects. There is less consistent evidence supporting the association between prenatal alcohol exposure and anomalies of gastrointestinal system, diaphragmatic hernia, genitourinary system and neural tube defects. We found no material support for PAE and choanal atresia, biliary atresia or clubfoot.
Genetic Alterations of Transcription Factors and Signaling Molecules Involved in the Development of Congenital Heart Defects—A Narrative Review
Authors: Bolunduț Alexandru Cristian , Lazea Cecilia , Mihu Carmen Mihaela
Published: May 2023

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common congenital abnormality, with an overall global birth prevalence of 9.41 per 1000 live births. The etiology of CHDs is complex and still poorly understood. Environmental factors account for about 10% of all cases, while the rest are likely explained by a genetic component that is still under intense research. Transcription factors and signaling molecules are promising candidates for studies regarding the genetic burden of CHDs. The present narrative review provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding some of the genetic mechanisms involved in the embryological development of the cardiovascular system. In addition, we reviewed the association between the genetic variation in transcription factors and signaling molecules involved in heart development, including TBX5, GATA4, NKX2-5 and CRELD1, and congenital heart defects, providing insight into the complex pathogenesis of this heterogeneous group of diseases. Further research is needed in order to uncover their downstream targets and the complex network of interactions with non-genetic risk factors for a better molecular–phenotype correlation.
Know Pain, No Pain? Preliminary Testing and Application of a New Tool to Assess Biopsychosocial Pain Concepts in Children
Authors: Wickering Linda , Lautwein Catherina , Nitsche Hanna , Schneider Michael , Hechler Tanja
Published: May 2023

To deliver tailored pain science education, assessing children’s biopsychosocial pain concepts is necessary. As validated tools are lacking, a new tool is presented, the biopsychosocial pain concept matrix (BiPS matrix), which assesses children’s biological, psychological, and social pain concepts in five domains according to the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation (Hagger and Orbell, 2003): (1) illness identity, (2) causes, (3) consequences, (4) duration, and (5) treatment. The present preliminary study aims to (1) assess the items’ readability and understandability in cognitive interviews with N = 9 healthy children (9 to 19 years, M = 13.78 years, SD = 3.05; 44% female) and (2) pre-test the BiPS matrix within an online survey of N = 27 healthy children (9 to 19 years, M = 13.76 years, SD = 3.03; 56% female). Results revealed difficulties in understanding some items. Children’s understanding increased with age. Age, chronic pain status, and pain in the social environment were positively associated with the BiPS total score, whereas the latter explained the most variance in pain concepts of children. Patient-focused methods such as cognitive interviews proved essential in testing the readability and understanding of items in children. Future studies are warranted to further validate the BiPS matrix.
SARS-CoV-2 Serostatus and COVID-19 Illness Characteristics by Variant Time Period in Non-Hospitalized Children and Adolescents
Authors: Messiah Sarah E. , Swartz Michael D. , Abbas Rhiana A. , Talebi Yashar , Kohl Harold W. , Valerio-Shewmaker Melissa , DeSantis Stacia M. , Yaseen Ashraf , Kelder Steven H. , Ross Jessica A. , Padilla Lindsay N. , Gonzalez Michael O. , Wu Leqing , Lakey David , Shuford Jennifer A. , Pont Stephen J. , Boerwinkle Eric
Published: May 2023

Objective: To describe COVID-19 illness characteristics, risk factors, and SARS-CoV-2 serostatus by variant time period in a large community-based pediatric sample. Design: Data were collected prospectively over four timepoints between October 2020 and November 2022 from a population-based cohort ages 5 to 19 years old. Setting: State of Texas, USA. Participants: Participants ages 5 to 19 years were recruited from large pediatric healthcare systems, Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers, urban and rural clinical practices, health insurance providers, and a social media campaign. Exposure: SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s): SARS-CoV-2 antibody status was assessed by the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunoassay for detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (Roche N-test). Self-reported antigen or PCR COVID-19 test results and symptom status were also collected. Results: Over half (57.2%) of the sample (N = 3911) was antibody positive. Symptomatic infection increased over time from 47.09% during the pre-Delta variant time period, to 76.95% during Delta, to 84.73% during Omicron, and to 94.79% during the Omicron BA.2. Those who were not vaccinated were more likely (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.47, 2.00) to be infected versus those fully vaccinated. Conclusions: Results show an increase in symptomatic COVID-19 infection among non-hospitalized children with each progressive variant over the past two years. Findings here support the public health guidance that eligible children should remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
Association between Chronotype and Physical Behaviours in Adolescent Girls
Authors: Plekhanova Tatiana , Crawley Emily , Davies Melanie J. , Gorely Trish , Harrington Deirdre M. , Ioannidou Ekaterini , Khunti Kamlesh , Rowlands Alex V. , Sherar Lauren B. , Yates Tom , Edwardson Charlotte L.
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to (1) describe accelerometer-assessed physical behaviours by chronotype, and (2) examine the association between chronotype and accelerometer-assessed physical behaviours in a cohort of adolescent girls. Chronotype (single question) and physical behaviours (GENEActiv accelerometer on the non-dominant wrist) were assessed in 965 adolescent girls (13.9 ± 0.8 years). Linear mixed-effects models examined the relationships among chronotype and physical behaviours (time in bed, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sedentary time, overall, light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) on weekdays and weekend days. Over the 24 h day, participants spent 46% sedentary, 20% in light activity, 3% in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and 31% in ‘time in bed’. Seventy percent of participants identified as ‘evening’ chronotypes. Compared to evening chronotypes, morning chronotypes engaged in less sedentary time (10 min/day) and had higher overall physical activity (1.3 mg/day, ~30 min of slow walking) on weekdays. Most girls identified as evening chronotypes with a large proportion of their day spent sedentary and a small amount in physical activities which may be exacerbated in evening chronotypes on weekdays. The results maybe be important for programmes aiming to promote physical activity in adolescent girls.
Association between Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Different Age Groups of Adolescents: An Analysis of Data from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey
Authors: Lee Joowon , Cha Seul Gi , Lee Jue Seong , Kim Susan Taejung , Song Young Hwan
Published: May 2023

We investigated the association between obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRFs) in adolescents. We performed a cross-sectional study using the data from 8149 adolescents, aged 10–18 years, included in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2020). Using the body mass index, we defined “overweight” (≥85th to <95th percentile) and “obese” (≥95th percentile). We analyzed the associations between obesity and CVDRFs (high blood pressure, abnormal lipid profiles, and high fasting glucose levels) by sex and age groups (early [10–12 years], middle [13–15 years], and late [16–18 years] adolescence). When analyzing all the subjects, being overweight was correlated with high blood pressure and abnormal all-lipid profiles in boys and high triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in girls, while obesity was associated with all CVDRFs in both boys and girls. Analyzing separately in the age subgroups, the correlation between obesity and CVDRFs tended to be shown earlier in boys than in girls, and obesity tended to be associated with CVDRFs earlier than being overweight. The association between obesity and CVDRFs may begin to be shown at different periods of youth, depending on the degree of obesity, CVDRF variables, and sex.
High Gas Response Performance Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide/SnO2 Nanowires Heterostructure for Triethylamine Detection
Authors: Peng Ruiqin , Zhuang Xuzhen , Li Yuanyuan , Yu Zhiguo , Ci Lijie
Published: May 2023

SnO2 nanowires are locally synthesized by a simple thermal evaporation method and its growth mechanism is confirmed. Here, we present a simple strategy for realizing reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/SnO2 nanowires heterostructure. As expected, the heterostructure gas-sensing response is up to 63.3 when the gas concentration of trimethylamine (TEA) is 50 ppm, and it exhibits an excellent dynamic response with high stability at 180 °C. A low detection limit of 50 ppb level is fully realized. Compared to SnO2 nanowires, the sensing performance of the RGO/SnO2 heterostructure-based sensor is greatly enhanced, which can be ascribed to the RGO and the heterostructure. The RGO/SnO2 composite engineering poses an easy way to make full use of the advantages originating from RGO and heterostructure.
Effectiveness of Lubricants and Fly Ash Additive on Surface Damage Resistance under ASTM Standard Operating Conditions
Authors: Bui Tuan-Anh , Pham Van-Hung , Nguyen Duc-Toan , Bui Ngoc-Tam
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the effectiveness of lubricants and additives in preventing surface damage and wear, which is critical for numerous industrial applications. The ASTM standard operation conditions were employed for a series of experiments using a four-ball friction and wear tester, testing three different oils (A, B, and C) with and without 0.5% fly ash additive. The experiments were analyzed using a microscope to evaluate the effectiveness of oils and additives in preventing surface damage. The study found that certain anti-wear additives significantly reduced the size of wear scars on the balls, indicating their effectiveness in reducing surface damage. These findings have important implications for developing new lubricant formulations and optimizing industrial processes that involve sliding and rolling contacts. The study emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate oils and additives for specific applications to minimize surface damage and wear, which is crucial for improving the performance and lifespan of machine components.
History of Natural Ingredients in Cosmetics
Authors: McMullen Roger L. , Dell’Acqua Giorgio
Published: May 2023

There has been interest in the history of cosmetics for the last several decades. In part, this renewed curiosity is probably due to the revolutionizing natural movement in the cosmetic industry. In this article, we provide an overview of the historical aspects of the use of natural ingredients in cosmetics, which mostly come from botanical and mineral sources. We begin with an introduction to the art and science of cosmetics in the ancient world, which includes accounts of Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman cosmetics as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine. These dermatological and cosmetic practices, which were advanced for the time, paved the way for the current revolution of natural ingredients in cosmetic products. Without providing a comprehensive historical account, we surveyed selected cultures during different periods of time to provide some perspective of our current understanding of natural ingredients in cosmetics. Attention is also given to the rich contributions of body art by tribal societies to our knowledge base, especially in the areas of dyes and pigments. Finally, we offer some perspective of natural ingredient cosmetics in the Information Age.
Physico-Chemical Characterization, DFT Modeling and Biological Activities of a New Zn (II) Complex Containing Melamine as a Template
Authors: Salah Thouraya , Mhadhbi Noureddine , Ben Ahmed Ali , Hamdi Besma , Krayem Najeh , Loukil Mohamed , Guesmi Ahlem , Khezami Lotfi , Houas Ammar , Ben Hamadi Naoufel , Naïli Houcine , Costantino Ferdinando
Published: May 2023

Single crystals of a new organic–inorganic hybrid compound (C3H7N6)2[ZnCl4]·H2O was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction at room temperature, FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopies, optical absorption and photoluminescence behavior. The title compound belongs to the triclinic space group P1¯, and in the crystal structure, the inorganic layers are built from tetrachloridozincate anions [ZnCl4]2− and free water molecules, linked together by O–H···Cl hydrogen bonds and halogen···halogen interactions. In addition, Hirshfeld surfaces and 2D fingerprint plots estimate the weak intermolecular interactions accountable for the generation of crystal packing. The optimized geometry, vibrational frequencies and various thermodynamic parameters of the title compound calculated using density functional theory (DFT) methods are in agreement with the experimental values. The theoretical calculations were performed using the DFT method at WB97XD/Lanl2dz basis set levels and we discussed topological analysis of atoms in molecules (AIM) at the BCP point. A detailed interpretation of the IR and Raman spectra were reported. Additionally, the simulated spectrum satisfactorily coincided with the experimental UV-Visible spectrum. A wide band gap exceeding 4 eV of the synthesized compound was recorded. The photoluminescence (PL) was characterized through two bands successively at 453 and 477 nm. Ultimately, antimicrobial activity and enzymatic inhibition assays of the complex were also investigated through microbial strains, agar diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination, lipase and phospholipase A2 inhibition.
On the Behavior of Ferroelectric Liquid Droplets in the Vicinity of a Ferroelectric Solid
Authors: Barboza Raouf , Bahwi Sameh , Marni Stefano , Lucchetti Liana
Published: May 2023

We analyzed the behavior of sessile ferroelectric liquid droplets in the vicinity of a pyroelectrically charged ferroelectric crystal, an experimental configuration that allows testing the recently observed coupling between the polarizations of the fluid and solid materials, in conditions of no direct contact. Results demonstrate that polarizations’ coupling also exists in this configuration and has two distinct effects. Specifically, it gives rise both to an electromechanical instability of the liquid droplets consisting in the sudden ejection of interfacial fluid jets, and to a slow droplet motion toward the ferroelectric solid driven by a dielectrophoretic force. The two effects can possibly be separated, depending on the droplet size.
Quid Pro Quo: A Documented Case of Cannibalism in the Red-Bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus in Lamington (Queensland, Australia)
Authors: Lüddecke Tim
Published: May 2023

The red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) is a member of the Elapidae family and is distributed on the east coast of Australia. The species is known to feed on a variety of ectothermic prey, including frogs and lizards. It is also known to be ophiophagous (snake-feeding), and stomach-content analyses suggest that P. porphyriacus also exhibits cannibalistic behavior, yet this extreme case of ophiophagy has rarely been documented. Here, a case of cannibalism in P. porphyriacus, which was observed in Lamington (Queensland, Australia), has been photographically documented and is described.
Spatial Distribution of Hunting and Its Potential Effect on Browsing Impact of Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) on Forest Vegetation
Authors: Griesberger Paul , Kunz Florian , Reimoser Friedrich , Hackländer Klaus , Obermair Leopold
Published: May 2023

Increasing numbers of wild ungulates in human-dominated landscapes in Europe could lead to negative effects, such as damages to forests through browsing. To prevent those effects and, thus, mitigate wildlife-based conflicts while ensuring viable ungulate populations, sustainable management is required. Roe deer, as the most abundant cervid species in Europe, is primarily managed via hunting to decrease population densities through harvesting. Besides direct mortality, non-lethal effects of hunting activities further affect the spatial habitat selection for this species. Accordingly, the spatial distribution of hunting locations might influence game impact on forest vegetation. To examine these relationships in more detail, we linked the spatial distribution of hunting locations for roe deer with forest damage through browsing in 20 regions in Upper Austria. Consistent with our hypothesis, an avoidance of forests by hunters was found in regions with <20% forest cover and intolerable browsing impact. When hunters in certain regions, however, used forests according to their availability, game impact on forest vegetation was tolerable. Although forest damage by ungulates depends on numerous factors, we conclude that careful consideration of hunting locations might be an additional approach to reduce browsing intensity by roe deer, at least in regions with low forest cover.
Population Characteristics of Spirlin Alburnoides bipunctatus (Bloch, 1782) in Serbia (Central Balkans): Implications for Conservation
Authors: Jakovljević Marija , Nikolić Marijana , Kojadinović Nataša , Đuretanović Simona , Radenković Milena , Veličković Tijana , Simić Vladica
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the population characteristics of spirlin, Alburnoides bipunctatus, in Serbia, since this small fish species is facing a severe decline in its abundance and its natural habitats in Europe. We investigated the spirlin population dynamics, including size, age structure, growth pattern, mortality, and exploitation rate. Additionally, we used the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection approach with the Decision Tree algorithm to investigate the influence of different environmental parameters on the population parameters to unveil which factors shape the abundance and distribution of spirlin. The results showed that the highest values of production, abundance, and biomass were estimated in sites with low temperature, optimal pH, and well-oxygenated water, even though we found them in heavily polluted waters with extremely high values of conductivity. Moreover, we observed a pattern of migratory behavior, in which spirlin migrate upstream to sites at a higher altitude in early summer and autumn. Despite the putative vulnerability and high sensitivity of spirlin populations, our results showed that the species was abundant, occurring in altered habitats (due to pollution, climate change, anthropogenic pressure, etc.).
Exploring Spatial Patterns in Sensor Data for Humidity, Temperature, and RSSI Measurements
Authors: Botero-Valencia Juan , Martinez-Perez Adrian , Hernández-García Ruber , Castano-Londono Luis
Published: May 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the fastest-growing research areas in recent years and is strongly linked to the development of smart cities, smart homes, and factories. IoT can be defined as connecting devices, sensors, and physical objects that can collect and transmit data across a network, enabling increased automation and better decision-making. In several IoT applications, humidity and temperature are some of the most used variables for adjusting system configurations and understanding their performance because they are related to various physical processes, human comfort, manufacturing processes, and 3D printing, among other things. In addition, one of the biggest problems associated with IoT is the excessive production of data, so it is necessary to develop methodologies to optimize the process of collecting information. This work presents a new dataset comprising almost 55 million values of temperature, relative humidity, and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) collected in two indoor spaces for longer than 3915 h at 10 s intervals. For each experiment, we captured the information from 13 previously calibrated sensors suspended from the ceiling at the same height and with a known relative position. The proposed dataset aims to contribute a benchmark for evaluating indoor temperature and humidity-controlled systems. The collected data allow the validation and improvement of the acquisition process for IoT applications.
Biotechnology and Bio-Based Products Perceptions in the Community of Madrid: A Representative Survey Dataset
Authors: Romero-Luis Juan , Gertrudix Manuel , Gertrudis Casado María del Carmen , Carbonell-Alcocer Alejandro
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: Bioeconomy aims to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and foster economic growth through the development of new bio-based products and services. Achieving this goal requires social acceptance and stakeholder engagement in the development of sustainable technologies. The objective of this data article is to provide a dataset derived from a survey with a representative sample of 500 citizens over 18 years old based in the Community of Madrid. (2) Methods: We created a questionnaire on the social acceptance of technologies and bio-based products to later gather the responses using a SurveyMonkey panel for the Community of Madrid through an online CAWI survey; (3) Results: A dataset with a total of 82 columns with all responses is the result of this study. (4) Conclusions: This data article provides not only a valuable representative dataset of citizens of the Community of Madrid but also sufficient resources to replicate the same study in other regions.
Impeller Design and Performance Analysis of Aviation Fuel Pump Based on the Inverse Method
Authors: Ping Chenguang , Yang Jinguang , Ferlauto Michele , Zhao Yang
Published: May 2023

Centrifugal pumps have a wide range of applications in the aviation field. The present work focuses on the optimal design of aviation fuel pump impellers by means of an inverse method. The fuel pump impeller is designed here by solving an inverse problem, in which the impeller geometry is found by imposing a target blade loading. As the inverse procedure is inviscid, an iterative process based on RANS is then applied to finally converge to a fully viscous solution. Three representative loading distributions have been investigated, and the final performances are evaluated by RANS computations. Since flow variables, rather than the blade geometry, are imposed on the target flow field, it is found that the impellers designed by way of the inverse method have high efficiency under the conditions without cavitation; among them, the pump impeller with a higher loading at the hub maintains a high efficiency for a wide range of flow conditions and also has better anti-cavitation performances under low inlet pressure conditions. Moreover, cavitation resistance can be improved by adjusting the loading distribution near the blade leading edge using the inverse design tool.
Task Assignment of UAV Swarms Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Liu Bo , Wang Shulei , Li Qinghua , Zhao Xinyang , Pan Yunqing , Wang Changhong
Published: May 2023

UAV swarm applications are critical for the future, and their mission-planning and decision-making capabilities have a direct impact on their performance. However, creating a dynamic and scalable assignment algorithm that can be applied to various groups and tasks is a significant challenge. To address this issue, we propose the Extensible Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (Ex-MADDPG) algorithm, which builds on the MADDPG framework. The Ex-MADDPG algorithm improves the robustness and scalability of the assignment algorithm by incorporating local communication, mean simulation observation, a synchronous parameter-training mechanism, and a scalable multiple-decision mechanism. Our approach has been validated for effectiveness and scalability through both simulation experiments in the Multi-Agent Particle Environment (MPE) and a real-world experiment. Overall, our results demonstrate that the Ex-MADDPG algorithm is effective in handling various groups and tasks and can scale well as the swarm size increases. Therefore, our algorithm holds great promise for mission planning and decision-making in UAV swarm applications.
Improving the Capacity of Quantum Dense Coding and the Fidelity of Quantum Teleportation by Weak Measurement and Measurement Reversal
Authors: Wang Meijiao , Sun Bing , Cao Lianzhen , Yang Yang , Liu Xia , Wang Xinle , Zhao Jiaqiang
Published: May 2023

A protective scheme of quantum dense coding and quantum teleportation of the X-type initial state is proposed in amplitude damping noisy channel with memory using weak measurement and measurement reversal. Compared with the noisy channel without memory, the memory factor improves both the capacity of quantum dense coding and the fidelity of the quantum teleportation to a certain extent for the given damping coefficient. Although the memory factor can inhibit decoherence in some degree, it cannot eliminate it completely. In order to further overcome the influence of the damping coefficient, the weak measurement protective scheme is proposed, which found that the capacity and the fidelity can be efficiently improved by adjusting weak measurement parameter. Another practical conclusion is that, among the three initial states, the weak measurement protective scheme has the best protective effect on the Bell-state in terms of the capacity and the fidelity. For the channel with no memory and full memory, the channel capacity of quantum dense coding reaches two and the fidelity of quantum teleportation reaches one for the bit system; the Bell system can recover the initial state completely with a certain probability. It can be seen that the entanglement of the system can be well protected by the weak measurement scheme, which provides a good support for the realization of quantum communication.
Adaptive Inertia and Damping Coordination (AIDC) Control for Grid-Forming VSG to Improve Transient Stability
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhou Hao , Hu Xuekai , Hou Xiaochao , Su Can , Sun Kai
Published: May 2023

Different from the conventional synchronous generator, the virtual inertia and damping control parameters for the inverter-based virtual synchronous generator (VSG) provide more flexibility for stable operation and dynamic performance optimization. However, the operation control principle is still unclear regarding how to coordinate virtual inertia and damping considering both frequency stability and transient synchronization stability. In this paper, an Adaptive Inertia and Damping Coordination (AIDC) control strategy is proposed for grid-forming VSGs to improve transient stability. The proposed AIDC strategy adaptively adjusts the virtual inertia and damping coefficients based on real-time conditions of operation frequency deviation and its rate of change of frequency (RoCoF). The virtual inertia is designed to dynamically increase in the accelerated area and decrease in the decelerated are, and the virtual damping coefficient is designed to increase and enlarge the positive virtual damping effect during the whole accelerated/decelerated transient process. In addition, the proposed AIDC strategy is realized through the practical arctan-function control method with limited boundaries, which can assist engineers. The effectiveness of the proposed AIDC strategy is validated through hardware-in-the-loop experiments.