bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unilateral Mitochondrial–Hemodynamic Coupling and Bilateral Connectivity in the Prefrontal Cortices of Young and Older Healthy Adults
Authors: Sissons Claire , Saeed Fiza , Carter Caroline , Lee Kathy , Kerr Kristen , Shahdadian Sadra , Liu Hanli
Published: November 2023

A recent study demonstrated that noninvasive measurements of cortical hemodynamics and metabolism in the resting human prefrontal cortex can facilitate quantitative metrics of unilateral mitochondrial–hemodynamic coupling and bilateral connectivity in infraslow oscillation frequencies in young adults. The infraslow oscillation includes three distinct vasomotions with endogenic (E), neurogenic (N), and myogenic (M) frequency bands. The goal of this study was to prove the hypothesis that there are significant differences between young and older adults in the unilateral coupling (uCOP) and bilateral connectivity (bCON) in the prefrontal cortex. Accordingly, we performed measurements from 24 older adults (67.2 ± 5.9 years of age) using the same two-channel broadband near-infrared spectroscopy (bbNIRS) setup and resting-state experimental protocol as those in the recent study. After quantification of uCOP and bCON in three E/N/M frequencies and statistical analysis, we demonstrated that older adults had significantly weaker bilateral hemodynamic connectivity but significantly stronger bilateral metabolic connectivity than young adults in the M band. Furthermore, older adults exhibited significantly stronger unilateral coupling on both prefrontal sides in all E/N/M bands, particularly with a very large effect size in the M band (>1.9). These age-related results clearly support our hypothesis and were well interpreted following neurophysiological principles. The key finding of this paper is that the neurophysiological metrics of uCOP and bCON are highly associated with age and may have the potential to become meaningful features for human brain health and be translatable for future clinical applications, such as the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Influence of the Long-Term Outdoor Storage of Rockrose (Cistus laurifolius L.) Shrub Biomass on Biofuel’s Quality, Pre-Treatment and Combustion Processes
Authors: Bados Raquel , Mediavilla Irene , Tolosana Eduardo , Borjabad Elena , Ramos Raquel , Fernández Miguel José , Pérez Paloma , Esteban Luis Saúl
Published: November 2023

Biomass storage is an essential requirement in the supply chain of bio-refineries and power plants. This research aims to evaluate the influence of long-term outdoor storage (1 year) of baled rockrose (Cistus laurifolius L.) shrub biomass on biofuel’s quality, pre-treatment processes and on combustion emissions in an industrial boiler. The raw material was obtained from different rockrose shrublands in north central Spain. A total of 233 tWM (tones of wet matter) of biomass were used to produce biofuels (30 mm of milled biomass and Ø 8 mm pellets) in the pre-treatment pilot plants at CEDER-CIEMAT. The combustion tests were conducted in an industrial moving grate boiler with a thermal power of 50 MWth, in a 17 MWe power plant. Outdoor storage improved some biofuel quality parameters, mainly the reduction in ash content, which allowed 30 mm of milled material to be classified as class I1 (ISO 17225-9:2022) and pellets as class I3 (ISO 17225-2-2021). No significant differences were observed in the total specific mass flow and energy consumption in the pre-treatment processes. The combustion tests had similar results, with the emissions being below the limits established in the directive (EU) 2015/2193. The results obtained indicated that the 1-year outdoor storage of rockrose-baled biomass, under Mediterranean conditions, was feasible for its subsequent use as biofuel.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Benzo [4,5]- and Naphtho[2′,1′:4,5]imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidinone Derivatives
Authors: Kamzeeva Polina , Dagaev Nikolai , Lizunova Sofia , Khodarovich Yuri , Sogomonyan Anna , Kolchanova Anastasia , Pokrovsky Vadim , Alferova Vera , Chistov Alexey , Eshtukov-Shcheglov Artur , Eshtukova-Shcheglova Elizaveta , Belyaev Evgeny , Skvortsov Dmitry , Varizhuk Anna , Aralov Andrey
Published: November 2023

Azacarbazoles have attracted significant interest due to their valuable properties, such as anti-pathogenic and antitumor activity. In this study, a series of structurally related tricyclic benzo[4,5]- and tertacyclic naphtho[2′,1′:4,5]imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidinone derivatives with one or two positively charged tethers were synthesized and evaluated for anti-proliferative activity. Lead tetracyclic derivative 5b with two amino-bearing arms inhibited the metabolic activity of A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells with a CC50 value of 3.6 μM, with remarkable selectivity (SI = 17.3) over VA13 immortalized fibroblasts. Cell-cycle assays revealed that 5b triggers G2/M arrest without signs of apoptosis. A study of its interaction with various DNA G4s and duplexes followed by dual luciferase and intercalator displacement assays suggests that intercalation, rather than the modulation of G4-regulated oncogene expression, might contribute to the observed activity. Finally, a water-soluble salt of 5b was shown to cause no acute toxic effects, changes in mice behavior, or any decrease in body weight after a 72 h treatment at concentrations up to 20 mg/kg. Thus, 5b is a promising candidate for studies in vivo; however, further investigations are needed to elucidate its molecular target(s).
A Moderate Decrease in ADAMTS13 Activity Correlates with the Severity of STEC-HUS
Authors: Emirova Khadizha M. , Orlova Olga M. , Chichuga Ekaterina M. , Muzurov Alexander L. , Avdonin Piotr P. , Avdonin Pavel V.
Published: November 2023

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) develops as a result of damage to the endothelium of microvasculature vessels by Shiga toxin produced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (STEC-HUS). STEC-HUS remains the leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children aged 6 months to 5 years. The pathomorphological essence of the disease is the development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). One of the key causes of TMA is an imbalance in the ADAMTS13–von Willebrand factor (vWF)–platelet system. The goal of the work was to clarify the role of a moderate decrease in ADAMTS13 activity in the pathogenesis of STEC-HUS. The activity of ADAMTS13 was determined in 138 children (4 months–14.7 years) in the acute period of STEC-HUS and the features of the course of the disease in these patients were analyzed. The study revealed a decrease in the activity and concentration of ADAMTS13 in 79.8% and 90.6% of patients, respectively. Measurements of von Willebrand factor antigen content and the activity of von Willebrand factor in the blood plasma of part of these patients were carried out. In 48.6% and 34.4% of cases, there was an increase in the antigen concentration and the activity of the Willebrand factor, respectively. Thrombocytopenia was diagnosed in 97.8% of children. We have demonstrated that moderately reduced ADAMTS13 activity correlates with the risk of severe manifestations of STEC-HUS in children; the rate of developing multiple organ failure, cerebral disorders, pulmonary edema, and acute kidney injury with the need for dialysis increases. It is assumed that reduction in ADAMTS13 activity may serve as a predictor of disease severity.
Effect of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Burden on Infarct Growth Rate and Stroke Outcomes in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Receiving Endovascular Treatment
Authors: Sohn Jong-Hee , Kim Yejin , Kim Chulho , Sung Joo Hye , Han Sang-Won , Kim Yerim , Park Soo-Hyun , Lee Minwoo , Yu Kyung-Ho , Lee Jae Jun , Lee Sang-Hwa
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to investigate the association between cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) burden and infarct growth rate (IGR) in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT). A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 495 patients with anterior circulation stroke who received EVT. CSVD burden was assessed using a CSVD score based on neuroimaging features. IGR was calculated from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesion volumes divided by the time from stroke onset to imaging. Clinical outcomes included stroke progression and functional outcomes at 3 months. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess the relationship between CSVD burden, IGR, and clinical outcomes. The fast IGR group had a higher proportion of high CSVD scores than the slow IGR group (24.4% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.001). High CSVD burden was significantly associated with a faster IGR (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 26.26 [6.26–110.14], p < 0.001) after adjusting for confounding factors. High CSVD burden also independently predicted stroke progression and poor functional outcomes. This study highlights a significant relationship between CSVD burden and IGR in LVO stroke patients undergoing EVT. High CSVD burden was associated with faster infarct growth and worse clinical outcomes.
Neural Mechanisms of Neuro-Rehabilitation Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) over the Front-Polar Area
Authors: Ishikuro Koji , Hattori Noriaki , Otomune Hironori , Furuya Kohta , Nakada Takeshi , Miyahara Kenichiro , Shibata Takashi , Noguchi Kyo , Kuroda Satoshi , Nakatsuji Yuji , Nishijo Hisao
Published: November 2023

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technique that applies a weak current to the scalp to modulate neuronal excitability by stimulating the cerebral cortex. The technique can produce either somatic depolarization (anodal stimulation) or somatic hyperpolarization (cathodal stimulation), based on the polarity of the current used by noninvasively stimulating the cerebral cortex with a weak current from the scalp, making it a NIBS technique that can modulate neuronal excitability. Thus, tDCS has emerged as a hopeful clinical neuro-rehabilitation treatment strategy. This method has a broad range of potential uses in rehabilitation medicine for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). The present paper reviews the efficacy of tDCS over the front-polar area (FPA) in healthy subjects, as well as patients with PD, where tDCS is mainly applied to the primary motor cortex (M1 area). Multiple evidence lines indicate that the FPA plays a part in motor learning. Furthermore, recent studies have reported that tDCS applied over the FPA can improve motor functions in both healthy adults and PD patients. We argue that the application of tDCS to the FPA promotes motor skill learning through its effects on the M1 area and midbrain dopamine neurons. Additionally, we will review other unique outcomes of tDCS over the FPA, such as effects on persistence and motivation, and discuss their underlying neural mechanisms. These findings support the claim that the FPA could emerge as a new key brain region for tDCS in neuro-rehabilitation.
Investigation on the Through-Thickness Temperature Gradient and Thermal Stress of Concrete Box Girders
Authors: Shen Qiangru , Chen Jingcheng , Yue Changqi , Cao Hui , Chen Chong , Qian Wangping
Published: November 2023

Bridges are generally affected by thermal loads which include the daily cycle, seasonal cycle and annual cycle. Thermal loads mode and thermal effects on bridges, especially for concrete girders, are quite essential but complicated. To investigate the temperature field and thermal stress in the thickness direction of a concrete box girder, the temperature field of a prestressed concrete continuous box girder bridge is monitored, and the temperature distribution in the thickness direction of the concrete box girder is analyzed. Finite element simulation, utilizing air elements specifically designed for concrete box girders, is employed to analyze the temperature field and thermal stress profiles along the thickness of the slab. The findings indicate a variation in temperature along the thickness of the concrete box girder slab. The most significant temperature differential, reaching up to 10.7 °C, is observed along the thickness of the top slab, followed by the bottom plate, with the web exhibiting relatively smaller differentials. Temperature in the full thickness range has a significant impact on the top plate, while the web plate and bottom plate are greatly influenced by temperature ranging from the outer surface to the center of the plate thickness. The temperature difference between the center of the plate thickness and the inner surface is approximately 0. The variation in temperature due to the variation in thickness direction is a temporal factor, wherein the outer layer of the roof is primarily compressed, while the inner layer is subjected to tension. The external surface of the web is mainly compressed. The stress exerted by the internal surface temperature is minimal. The internal and external surface effects of the floor are similar, and as time passes, tensile and compressive stresses appear.
The Impact of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in Design Studios on the Comfort and Academic Performance of Architecture Students
Authors: Al-Jokhadar Amer , Alnusairat Saba , Abuhashem Yasser , Soudi Yasmine
Published: November 2023

This study addresses the limited research on examining comfort levels among architecture students. Specifically, it seeks to evaluate indoor environmental quality (IEQ) within design studios to investigate the occurrence of health symptoms and ascertain the influence of these factors on academic performance. This study was conducted at a university in Jordan during the autumn semester. The research database encompassed objective measurements utilizing instruments, subjective aspects using questionnaires, and academic performance assessments. This study’s results indicated a significant need for more satisfaction with the overall comfort levels encountered in design studios. The element of noise levels was considered the least satisfactory by the students, followed by the level of humidity, temperature conditions, lighting quality, and air quality. The findings revealed that the symptoms most frequently reported weekly throughout the autumn semester in design studios were decreased focus, dry skin, nasal congestion, and headaches. A significant positive link was seen between the degree of concentration and academic achievement. Moreover, a significant majority of students (77.4%) expressed their belief that enhancing IEQ will improve their academic performance.
Dynamic Response of Transmission Tower-Line Systems Due to Ground Vibration Caused by High-Speed Trains
Authors: Zhao Guifeng , Wang Meng , Liu Ying , Zhang Meng
Published: November 2023

With the continuous expansion of the scale of power grid and transportation infrastructure construction, the number of crossovers between transmission lines and high-speed railways continues to increase. At present, there is a lack of systematic research on the dynamic characteristics of transmission tower-line structures crossing high-speed railways under vehicle-induced ground vibration. This article focuses on the phenomenon of accidents such as line drops when crossing areas in recent years and establishes a high-speed train track foundation soil finite element model in ABAQUS that considers track irregularity. The three-dimensional vibration characteristics and attenuation law of train ground vibration are analyzed. Acceleration data for key points are also extracted. A separate finite element model of the transmission tower-line system is established in ANSYS, where acceleration is applied as an excitation to the transmission tower-line system, and the coupling effect between the tower and the line is considered to analyze its dynamic response. Subsequently, modal analysis is conducted on the tower-line system, providing the vibration modes and natural frequencies of the transmission tower-line structure. The effects of factors such as train speed, soil quality, and distance from the tower to the track on the dynamic response of the transmission tower-line system under vehicle-induced ground vibration are studied. The results show that the speed range (300 km/h–400 km/h) and track distance range (4.5 m–30 m) with the greatest impacts are obtained. The research results can provide a reference for the reasonable design of transmission tower-line systems in high-speed railway sections.
Unveiling Disrupted Lipid Metabolism in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, Prostate Cancer, and Metastatic Patients: Insights from a Colombian Nested Case–Control Study
Authors: Pardo-Rodriguez Daniel , Santamaría-Torres Mary , Salinas Angela , Jiménez-Charris Eliécer , Mosquera Mildrey , Cala Mónica P. , García-Perdomo Herney Andrés
Published: November 2023

Prostate cancer is a significant global health concern, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Despite extensive research efforts, the complexity of the disease remains challenging with respect to fully understanding it. Metabolomics has emerged as a powerful approach to understanding prostate cancer by assessing comprehensive metabolite profiles in biological samples. In this study, metabolic profiles of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer (PCa), and metastatic prostate cancer (Met) were characterized using an untargeted approach that included metabolomics and lipidomics via liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Comparative analysis among these groups revealed distinct metabolic profiles, primarily associated with lipid biosynthetic pathways, such as biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, fatty acid degradation and elongation, and sphingolipid and linoleic acid metabolism. PCa patients showed lower levels of amino acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and carnitines compared to BPH patients. Compared to Met patients, PCa patients had reduced metabolites in the glycerolipid, glycerophospholipid, and sphingolipid groups, along with increased amino acids and carbohydrates. These altered metabolic profiles provide insights into the underlying pathways of prostate cancer’s progression, potentially aiding the development of new diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies.
Thoracoscopy for Pediatric Thoracic Neurogenic Tumors—A European Multi-Center Study
Authors: Lecompte Jean François , Sarnacki Sabine , Irtan Sabine , Piolat Christian , Scalabre Aurélien , Talon Isabelle , Rod Julien , Panait Nicoleta , Rodesch Gregory , Luis Huertas Ana Lourdes , Abbo Olivier , Demarche Martine , Habonimana Edouard , Ballouhey Quentin , Valteau-Couanet Dominique , Guérin Florent
Published: November 2023

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of thoracoscopy and the outcome for children with thoracic neurogenic tumors. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 15 European centers between 2000 and 2020 with patients who underwent thoracoscopy for a neurogenic mediastinal tumor. We assessed preoperative data, complications, and outcomes. Results were expressed with the median and range values. Results: We identified 119 patients with a median age of 4 years old (3 months–17 years). The diameter was 5.7 cm (1.1–15). INRG stage was L1 n = 46, L2 n = 56, MS n = 5, M n = 12. Of 69 patients with image-defined risk factors (IDRF), 29 had only (T9–T12) locations. Twenty-three out of 34 patients with preoperative chemotherapy had an 18 mm (7–24) decrease in diameter. Seven out of 31 patients lost their IDRF after chemotherapy. Fourteen had a conversion to thoracotomy. The length of the hospital stay was 4 days (0–46). The main complications included chylothorax (n = 7) and pneumothorax (n = 5). Long-term complications included Horner’s syndrome (n = 5), back pain, and scoliosis (n = 5). Pathology was 53 neuroblastomas, 36 ganglioneuromas, and 30 ganglioneuroblastomas. Fourteen had a postoperative residue. With a median follow-up of 21 months (4–195), 9 patients had a recurrence, and 5 died of disease. Relapses were associated with tumor biology, histology, and the need for chemotherapy (p = 0.034, <0.001, and 0.015, respectively). Residues were associated with preoperative IDRF (excluding T9–T12 only) and the need for preoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.04 and 0.020). Conclusion: Our results show that thoracoscopy is safe, with good outcomes for thoracic neurogenic tumors in selected cases. Surgical outcomes are related to the IDRFs, whereas oncologic outcomes are related to tumor histology and biology.
The Neuropharmacological Evaluation of Seaweed: A Potential Therapeutic Source
Authors: Jannat Khoshnur , Balakrishnan Rengasamy , Han Jun-Hyuk , Yu Ye-Ji , Kim Ga-Won , Choi Dong-Kug
Published: November 2023

The most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), are the seventh leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries. Clinical observations of NDD patients are characterized by a progressive loss of neurons in the brain along with memory decline. The common pathological hallmarks of NDDs include oxidative stress, the dysregulation of calcium, protein aggregation, a defective protein clearance system, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and damage to cholinergic neurons. Therefore, managing this pathology requires screening drugs with different pathological targets, and suitable drugs for slowing the progression or prevention of NDDs remain to be discovered. Among the pharmacological strategies used to manage NDDs, natural drugs represent a promising therapeutic strategy. This review discusses the neuroprotective potential of seaweed and its bioactive compounds, and safety issues, which may provide several beneficial insights that warrant further investigation.
The Emission of Volatile Components during Laboratory Vitrification When Using Fly Ash and Other Waste to Obtain Ceramic Coatings
Authors: Almendro-Candel María Belén , Callejas Pío , Montealegre María Ángeles , Rincón Jesús María , Jordán Vidal Manuel M.
Published: November 2023

For decades, a significant amount of research has been conducted on the vitrification of mixtures of all kinds of industrial wastes, especially fly ash, both from thermal power plants and municipal waste incinerators. Although the possibility of creating glass from all types of fly ash has been proven through such research, these studies barely focused on the emission of volatile components that takes place during vitrification processes at high temperatures. This is why, after identifying the types of volatilisation that can occur, we characterised the gasses that are emitted during the vitrification of some types of fly ash and other waste in a laboratory furnace. In order to do so, we analysed the Cl2 and SO2 gasses emitted using the DTA/TG/FTIR techniques, as well as the losses of H2O and CO2. The authors also measured the volatilizations directly from the mouth of the furnace using gas chromatography syringes and analysed the possible emission of dioxins. This study is the first analysis of volatile elements of this kind, after numerous vitrifications in recent decades which ignored the volatilisations that occur when using fly ashes. Although the various types of fly ash used generate emissions of Cl2 and SO2, their use as a by-product on an industrial level could be recommended if previous thermal and washing treatments are conducted. These would minimise the above emissions, enabling the use of said fly ash in the production of glasses for commercial frits, even if an efficient industrial-scale gas cleaning system would apply. Furthermore, an appropriate optimised design of its formulation would make it possible to structurally link some of these gaseous components to the glass structure. These types of results will make it possible to calculate the volatilization when vitrifying certain types of industrial waste on an industrial level, although these studies would require prior assessment in a pilot plant.
Pólya’s Methodology for Strengthening Problem-Solving Skills in Differential Equations: A Case Study in Colombia
Authors: Chacón-Castro Marcos , Buele Jorge , López-Rueda Ana Dulcelina , Jadán-Guerrero Janio
Published: November 2023

The formation of students is integral to education. Strengthening critical thinking and reasoning are essential for the professionals that today’s world needs. For this reason, the authors of this article applied Pólya’s methodology, an initiative based on observing students’ difficulties when facing mathematical problems. The present study is part of the qualitative and quantitative research paradigm and the action research methodology. In this study, the inquiry process was inductive, the sample is non-probabilistic, and the data interpretation strategy is descriptive. As a case study, six students were enrolled onto a differential equations course at the Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga. A didactic process was designed using information and communication technologies (ICTs) in five sequences that address first-order differential equation applications. As a result of the pedagogical intervention, problem-solving skills were strengthened. All this was based on asking the right questions, repeated reading, identifying and defining variables, mathematization, communication, and decomposing the problem into subproblems. This research study seeks to set a precedent in the Latin American region that will be the basis for future studies.
Postural Control Measurements to Predict Future Motor Impairment in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bosserman Jennifer , Kelkar Sonia , LeBlond Kristen D. , Cassidy Jessica , McCarty Dana B.
Published: November 2023

Preterm infants are more likely to demonstrate developmental delays than fullterm infants. Postural measurement tools may be effective in measuring the center of pressure (COP) and asymmetry, as well as predicting future motor impairment. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate existing evidence regarding use of pressure mats or force plates for measuring COP and asymmetry in preterm infants, to determine how measures differ between preterm and fullterm infants and if these tools appropriately predict future motor impairment. The consulted databases included PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL. The quality of the literature and the risk of bias were assessed utilizing the ROB2: revised Cochrane risk-of bias tool. Nine manuscripts met the criteria for review. The postural control tools included were FSA UltraThin seat mat, Conformat Pressure-Sensitive mat, Play and Neuro-Developmental Assessment, and standard force plates. Studies demonstrated that all tools were capable of COP assessment in preterm infants and support the association between the observation of reduced postural complexity prior to the observation of midline head control as an indicator of future motor delay. Postural measurement tools provide quick and objective measures of postural control and asymmetry. Based on the degree of impairment, these tools may provide an alternative to standardized assessments that may be taxing to the preterm infant, inaccessible to therapists, or not sensitive enough to capture motor delays.
Ultrasound-Guided vs. Fluoroscopy-Guided Interventions for Back Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Viderman Dmitriy , Aubakirova Mina , Aryngazin Anuar , Yessimova Dinara , Kaldybayev Dastan , Tankacheyev Ramil , Abdildin Yerkin G.
Published: November 2023

The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of the ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided techniques in the management of back pain. Using PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, we searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before May 2023, which reported relevant data on the topic. The effectiveness of the ultrasound-guided (US-guided) and fluoroscopy-guided (FL-guided) approaches for back pain management was compared in terms of postoperative pain intensity, postoperative functional outcomes, and postoperative complications. Subgroup analyses were conducted for different postoperative periods. Eight studies were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference in post-procedural pain relief at one week, two weeks, one month, two months, and three months between the US-guided and FL-guided interventions for back pain management (SMD with 95% CI is −0.01 [−0.11, 0.10]), p = 0.91, I2 = 0%). In terms of the postoperative functional outcomes assessed by the “Oswestry Disability Index” (ODI) functionality score, the model tends to favor the FL-guided injections over the US-guided injections (SMD with 95% CI: 0.13 [−0.00, 0.25], p = 0.05, I2 = 0). Finally, the US-guided and FL-guided injections did not show significantly different results in terms of postoperative complications (RR with 95% CI is 0.99 [0.49, 1.99], p = 0.97, I2 = 0). The subgroup analysis also did not demonstrate differences between the US-guided and FL-guided techniques in the following outcomes: vasovagal reaction, transient headache, and facial flushing. There was no significant difference between the US-guided and FL-guided injections for treating back pain in terms of postoperative pain intensity and complications. Still, the model tends to favor the FL-guided injections over the US-guided injections in terms of functionality.
Digitalization of Classrooms: A Comparative Study on Teachers’ Perceptions about the Use of Digital Teaching Materials in Early Childhood and Primary Education
Authors: Vidal-Esteve María Isabel , Martín-Gómez Sebastián
Published: November 2023

The incorporation of digital didactic materials into the teaching and learning process of students, both in Early Childhood and Primary Education, inevitably entails changes. Some of them concern teacher training, others the interactions and roles of the members of the educational community, and others the innovation, a priori, of the educational process itself. In this context, characterized by the digitization of classrooms, questions arise that this research aims to answer: What vision do teachers have of the incorporation of these media? In what learning situations are they used and for what purposes? Are there differences between the use of digital resources in the infant and primary school stages? This article aims to analyze and compare the perceptions of teachers in two different contexts: the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the Valencian Community. By means of a qualitative study, the focus is on knowing the teachers’ assessment of the usefulness of these resources and on identifying the uses given to them in classroom practices. The results show how, despite the widespread use of digital materials in both stages, some teachers are rethinking their use with students at an early age.
Joint Overlapping Event Extraction Model via Role Pre-Judgment with Trigger and Context Embeddings
Authors: Chen Qian , Yang Kehan , Guo Xin , Wang Suge , Liao Jian , Zheng Jianxing
Published: November 2023

The objective of event extraction is to recognize event triggers and event categories within unstructured text and produce structured event arguments. However, there is a common phenomenon of triggers and arguments of different event types in a sentence that may be the same word elements, which poses new challenges to this task. In this article, a joint learning framework for overlapping event extraction (ROPEE) is proposed. In this framework, a role pre-judgment module is devised prior to argument extraction. It conducts role pre-judgment by leveraging the correlation between event types and roles, as well as trigger embeddings. Experiments on the FewFC show that the proposed model outperforms other baseline models in terms of Trigger Classification, Argument Identification, and Argument Classification by 0.4%, 0.9%, and 0.6%. In scenarios of trigger overlap and argument overlap, the proposed model outperforms the baseline models in terms of Argument Identification and Argument Classification by 0.9%, 1.2%, 0.7%, and 0.6%, respectively, indicating the effectiveness of ROPEE in solving overlapping events.
ODCS: On-Demand Hierarchical Consistent Synchronization Approach for the IoT
Authors: Saleh Safaa S. , Alansari Iman S. , Hamiaz Mounira Kezadri , Ead Waleed , Tarabishi Rana A. , Farouk Mohamed , Khater Hatem A.
Published: November 2023

An IoT data system is a time constraint in which some data needs to be serviced on or before its deadline. Distributed processing is one of the most latent sources in such systems and is considered a vital design concern. Many sources of delay in the IoT can affect the availability of data from different resources, which may cause missing data deadlines, resulting in a catastrophic effect. In fact, such systems are inherently distributed in nature and use distributed processing. The distributed processing permits different nodes to obtain the information from remote sites, which may take a long time to access the required data. Therefore, it is considered one of the most latent sources in such systems, which is considered a vital design concern. The typical recommended solution for this problem is to commit distributed transactions locally. Therefore, replication techniques are used to enhance the availability of data and consequently avoid the resulting latency. However, the use of local processing raises inconsistent periods. Therefore, this study proposes a new synchronization framework to minimize periods of temporal inconsistency. It permits several connected nodes to synchronize the shared data on demand concurrently without any need to use distributed synchronization, which consumes the system resource and raises its delay cost. The proposed framework aims to enhance the timely response of IoT real-time systems by minimizing the temporal inconsistency periods. The results indicate that the synchronization framework can be completed within a reasonable time period. They also depict improved consistency by minimizing the temporal inconsistency duration and increasing the chance of meeting critical time requirements.
Full-Range Static Method of Calibration for Laser Tracker
Authors: Hu Chang’an , Lv Fei , Xue Liang , Li Jiangang , Zhong Xiaoyin , Xu Yue
Published: November 2023

This paper focuses on the challenge of the inability to accurately calibrate the static measurement of a laser tracker across the full scale. To address this issue, this paper proposes to add a hollow corner cube prism on a 50 m high-precision composite guide rail to achieve a double-range measurement of the laser tracker. Data analysis indicated that, in the 77 m identical-directional double-range measurement experiment, the maximum indication error of a single-beam laser interferometer was −29.5 μm, and that of a triple-beam laser interferometer was 14.6 μm, and the measurement indication error was obviously small when the Abbe error was eliminated. The single-point repeatability of the tracker was 0.9 μm. In the 50 m identical-directional verification experiment, the results of the direct measurement outperformed those of the double-range measurement, and the indication errors under standard conditions were −4.0 μm and −8.9 μm, respectively. Overall, the method used in the experiment satisfies the requirements of the laser tracker. In terms of the identical-directional measurement, the measurement uncertainty of the tracker indication error is U ≈ 1.0 μm + 0.2L (k = 2) L = (0~77 m). The proposed method also provides insights for length measurements using other high-precision measuring instruments.
Emotion Recognition in Conversations: A Survey Focusing on Context, Speaker Dependencies, and Fusion Methods
Authors: Fu Yao , Yuan Shaoyang , Zhang Chi , Cao Juan
Published: November 2023

As a branch of sentiment analysis tasks, emotion recognition in conversation (ERC) aims to explore the hidden emotions of a speaker by analyzing the sentiments in utterance. In addition, emotion recognition in multimodal data from conversation includes the text of the utterance and its corresponding acoustic and visual data. By integrating features from various modalities, the emotion of utterance can be more accurately predicted. ERC research faces challenges in context construction, speaker dependency design, and multimodal heterogeneous feature fusion. Therefore, this review starts by defining the ERC task, developing the research work, and introducing the utilized datasets in detail. Simultaneously, we analyzed context modeling in conversations, speaker dependency, and methods for fusing multimodal information concerning existing research work for evaluation purposes. Finally, this review also explores the research, application challenges, and opportunities of ERC.
Evaluation of the Sustainable Forest Management Performance in Forestry Enterprises Based on a Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model: A Case Study in China
Authors: Deng Deqiang , Ye Chenchen , Tong Kemeng , Zhang Jiayang
Published: November 2023

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) can fully use forest resources and improve the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of forest areas. Forestry enterprises play a crucial role in the implementation of SFM. However, the previous literature on SFM pays little attention to the subject of forestry enterprises. This paper aims to extend research on SFM from a macro perspective to the micro level of forestry enterprises. Taking the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) as a theoretical framework and the Montreal Process Criteria and Indicators (MP C&Is) as a basis, this paper constructs an indicator system to evaluate the performance of SFM of forestry enterprises from economic, social, and environmental aspects. Then, we apply the hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods, i.e., the Best–Worst Method (BWM) and the VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method, to construct the methodological system for SFM performance evaluation of forestry enterprises. Through a questionnaire survey of 68 academics and researchers, we determine the weights of the SFM indicators and select a representative forestry enterprise as a case study. The effectiveness of this SFM performance evaluation model is then demonstrated through its application to the case study of forestry enterprises in China. Through the application of the model, this paper evaluates the enterprise’s SFM performance over the five-year period 2017–2021 and proposes appropriate policy recommendations and improvements. It is found that environmental factors are the primary factors of SFM in forestry enterprises. Forestry enterprises should not only pay attention to economic benefits but also to the use of forest resources and the protection of forest ecosystems to better achieve SFM.
Biotechnological Valorization of Cupuaçu By-Products: Solid-State Fermentation for Lipase Production by Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Carvalho Aparecida Selsiane Sousa , Rocha Raíssa de Carvalho Pinto e , Sales Júlio Cesar Soares , Souza Carlos Eduardo Conceição de , Lemes Ailton Cesar , Coelho Maria Alice Zarur
Published: November 2023

Lipases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of ester bonds of triacylglycerols at the oil–water interface, generating free fatty acids, glycerol, diacylglycerol, and monoacylglycerol, which can be produced from the fermentation of agro-industrial by-products rich in fatty acids, such as cupuaçu fat cake. In this study, Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ50682 was used for lipase production from cupuaçu fat cake in solid-state fermentation (SSF) associated with soybean meal. The 2:1 ratio of cupuaçu fat cake/soybean meal increased the lipase activity of Y. lipolytica via SSF by approximately 30.3-fold compared to that in cupuaçu without supplementation. The optimal conditions for Y. lipolytica to produce lipase were obtained by supplementation with peptone, urea, and soybean oil (all at 1.5% w/v), reaching values of up to 70.6 U g−1. These results demonstrate that cupuaçu fat cake associated with soybean meal can be used for lipase production and adds value to cupuaçu by-products. Furthermore, the proper processing of by-products can contribute to improving the economic viability of the biotechnological processing industry and help prevent the accumulation of waste and environmental pollution.
Non-Conventional Ingredients for Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) Feed: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zuluaga-Hernández Christian David , Hincapié Carlos A. , Osorio Marisol
Published: November 2023

The objective of this systematic review was to identify and classify, from the available literature, non-conventional feed ingredients from terrestrial plants, animals, algae, and fungi which have been evaluated for their potential use for tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) production. For this purpose, 795 papers published in the Scopus and Web of Science databases between 2011 and 2021 were analyzed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Data on the growth rate (GR) and effects on weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR); digestibility; fatty acid profile (FAP) of the fish carcass; and the survival rate (SR) were compiled in databases and summary tables. The results were refined according to different criteria, obtaining 144 documents that were pertinent for an in-depth analysis. From those, we found that 50.7% evaluated terrestrial plants, 22.2% animals, 13.9% algae, 9% fungi, and the remaining, combinations of some of the above categories. From the summarized results we concluded that most of the non-conventional sources analyzed have a positive potential impact as alternatives for producing tilapia. Survival was the most evaluated parameter, while digestibility was the least evaluated parameter.
Modeling of Indirect Evaporative Cooling Systems: A Review
Authors: Caruana Roberta , De Antonellis Stefano , Marocco Luca , Guilizzoni Manfredo
Published: November 2023

Air-to-air indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) systems are particular heat exchangers that use the latent heat of evaporation of water to cool down an air stream, without increasing its specific humidity, thus guaranteeing adequate thermohygrometric conditions in the refrigerated environment with low energy consumption. Dew-point indirect evaporative cooling (DIEC) systems are based on the IEC technology, but they recirculate a part of the air taken from the room to be refrigerated, in order to possibly achieve a lower air temperature. IEC and DIEC systems are becoming increasingly common these years, as they can ensure a good efficiency, minimizing the environmental impact of the air-conditioning system. Consequently, it has been necessary to develop models, both analytical and numerical, to quickly and accurately design this type of system and to predict their performance. This paper presents a review of the analytical and numerical models developed specifically for IEC and DIEC systems, highlighting their method, main innovations and advantages, and possible limitations. From this analysis, it emerged that analytical models have been developed since the late 1990s and only few of them are suitable for DIEC heat exchangers, while numerical models for both IEC and DIEC systems are gaining popularity in recent years. Almost all the analyzed models have been validated by comparison with numerical and/or experimental data, showing a maximum discrepancy within 10% in the majority of the cases. However, the validations were performed for a few specific cases, so in real applications it might be difficult to associate the model boundary conditions and the heat exchangers operating conditions, such as nozzles orientations, plates materials, water flow rates, and configurations. Another common limitation concerns the modeling of some properties, as wettability factor and air density, which might affect the accuracy of the results.
Improvement of Microbial Quality, Physicochemical Properties, Fatty Acids Profile, and Shelf Life of Basa (Pangasius bocourti) Fillets during Chilling Storage Using Pepsin, Rosemary Oil, and Citric Acid
Authors: Abd El-Fatah Raghda A. , Rozan Mahmoud A. , Ziena Hamid M. , Imre Kálmán , Morar Adriana , Herman Viorel , Abdel-Naeem Heba H.S.
Published: November 2023

Meat discoloration, lipid oxidation, and undesirable texture are inevitable phenomena in basa fish fillets during storage, which in turn limits their exportation as well as decreases consumer acceptability. In addition, increasing consumers’ requirements for high-quality, minimally processed, and ready-to-cook fish fillets with an extended shelf-life is a great challenge, particularly with lifestyle changes. Accordingly, this study aimed to improve the quality, lipid stability, fatty acid profile, and lipid nutritional quality indices (LNQI) of basa fish fillets during chilling storage at 4 °C for 15 days using pepsin enzyme (E, 0.1%), rosemary oil (R, 0.5%), citric acid (CA, 0.5%), and their combination (0.1% E + 0.5% R; 0.1% E + 0.5% CA; and 0.1% E + 0.5% R + 0.5% CA). Our results revealed that all treated samples exhibited a significant increase in protein content, a significant decrease in fat content, and a marked reduction in pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), free fatty acids, and shear force (SF) values in comparison to control ones. Moreover, significant improvements in sensory scores, color stability, fatty acid profile, LNQI, and microbial quality of all treated samples were observed. Such findings were more pronounced in samples treated with a mixture of pepsin, rosemary, and citric acid (TVBN: 2.04 vs. 6.52 mg%; TBA: 0.40 vs. 2.68 mg malonaldehyde/Kg; and SF: 8.58 vs. 19.51 Kgf). Based on the obtained results, there was an extension for the shelf life of all treated basa fish fillet samples, especially in samples treated with a mixture of pepsin, rosemary, and citric acids when compared with the control samples (˃15 days versus 10 days). Additionally, eucalyptol, camphor, isoborneol, and α-pinene are the main components of rosemary, with great antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. In conclusion, the mixture of pepsin, rosemary, and citric acid can be applied easily in the seafood industry and at the household level to provide ready-to-cook fish fillets of high quality with great health benefits.
Anthocyanin-Rich Butterfly Pea Petal Extract Loaded Double Pickering Emulsion Containing Nanocrystalline Cellulose: Physicochemical Properties, Stability, and Rheology
Authors: Koirala Pankaj , Sriprablom Jiratthitikan , Winuprasith Thunnalin
Published: November 2023

Butterfly pea petal extract (BPE)-loaded water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions were fabricated using nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) as a hydrophilic stabilizer and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as a hydrophobic emulsifier. The impact of different concentrations of NCC and PGPR in different phase proportions on the emulsion formation, rheology, and stability of an anthocyanin-loaded (pH ≈ 7.0) emulsion was investigated. The mean droplet size of the emulsions increased as the NCC concentration increased, while color intensity (greenness) decreased as the PGPR and NCC concentrations increased. A microscopic examination confirmed that the NCC nanoparticles stabilized the inner W1/O phase, whereas the excess concentration of non-adsorbing NCC nanoparticles was suspended in the continuous aqueous phase. The rheological results showed that robust emulsion networks were formed when the NCC concentration increased. A network structure between the droplets and the development of the NCC network during the continuous phase were attributed to a gel-like behavior. Over the course of seven days, the emulsions with a higher proportion of NCC remained stable, as in samples 3%P-%N, 5%P-2%N, and 5%P@1%N, the total anthocyanin content decreased from 89.83% to 76.49%, 89.40% to 79.65, and 86.63% to 71.40%, respectively. These findings have significant implications for the accurate formulation of particle-stabilized double emulsions for anthocyanin delivery with higher stability.