bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Permeability of Skin-Mimicking Cell Coatings by Polymers of Complex Architecture Based on Polyoxazolines
Authors: Storti Gia , Romano Giulia , Gilmore Kristen , Sadowski Nicholas , Tiiara Andrii , Luzinov Igor , Sidorenko Alexander
Published: May 2023

In the scope of drug delivery, the transdermal route is desirable because it provides attainable therapeutic concentrations and has minimal systemic side effects. To make the skin a feasible route for the delivery of therapeutic agents, the biggest challenge is overcoming its natural coating. In this paper, we investigate the effect of the architectures (homopolymer vs. block copolymer vs. hybrid block–graft copolymer) of several amphiphilic polymeric derivatives of poly(2-oxazoline) on skin permeability. The block copolymers are composed of a hydrophobic poly(2-oxazoline) block and a hydrophilic PEG block. The hybrid block–graft copolymers are obtained by grafting hydrophobic side chains of polycaprolactone to a poly(2-oxazoline) backbone. We used the commercially available EpiDerm™ by MatTek, composed of human epidermal cells, as a model of human skin. Two parameters of skin permeation are reported: penetration rate and lag time. We hypothesize that the skin permeation characteristics correlate with the critical micelle concentration and particle size of the studied polymers, while both parameters are a function of the complex architectures of the presented macromolecular constructs. While homopolymer poly(2-oxazolines) show the least permeation, the block copolymers demonstrate partial permeation. The hybrid block–graft copolymers exhibited full penetration through the model skin samples.
A Novel Na(I) Coordination Complex with s-Triazine Pincer Ligand: Synthesis, X-ray Structure, Hirshfeld Analysis, and Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Yousri Amal , El-Faham Ayman , Haukka Matti , Ayoup Mohammed Salah , Ismail Magda M. F. , Menofy Nagwan G. El , Soliman Saied M. , Öhrström Lars , Barakat Assem , Abu-Youssef Morsy A. M.
Published: May 2023

The pincer ligand 2,4-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazine (bpmt) was used to synthesize the novel [Na(bpmt)2][AuCl4] complex through the self-assembly method. In this complex, the Na(I) ion is hexa-coordinated with two tridentate N-pincer ligands (bpmt). The two bpmt ligand units are meridionally coordinated to Na(I) via one short Na-N(s-triazine) and two slightly longer Na-N(pyrazole) bonds, resulting in a distorted octahedral geometry around the Na(I) ion. In the coordinated bpmt ligand, the s-triazine core is not found to be coplanar with the two pyrazole moieties. Additionally, the two bpmt units are strongly twisted from one another by 64.94°. Based on Hirshfeld investigations, the H···H (53.4%) interactions have a significant role in controlling the supramolecular arrangement of the [Na(bpmt)2][AuCl4] complex. In addition, the Cl···H (12.2%), C···H (11.5%), N···H (9.3%), and O···H (4.9%) interactions are significant. Antimicrobial investigations revealed that the [Na(bpmt)2][AuCl4] complex has promising antibacterial and antifungal activities. The [Na(bpmt)2][AuCl4] complex showed enhanced antibacterial activity for the majority of the studied gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria compared to the free bpmt (MIC = 62.5–125 µg/mL vs. MIC = 62.5–500 µg/mL, respectively) and Amoxicillin (MIC > 500 µg/mL) as a positive control. Additionally, the [Na(bpmt)2][AuCl4] complex had better antifungal efficacy (MIC = 125 µg/mL) against C. albicans compared to bpmt (MIC = 500 µg/mL).
Shaking Table Design for Testing Earthquake Early Warning Systems
Authors: Serea Elena , Donciu Codrin
Published: May 2023

The unpredictability in time of seismic activities and the dependence of tectonic movements on a multitude of factors challenges specialists to identify the most accurate related methods to avoid catastrophes associated with hazards. Early warning systems are critical in reducing negative effects in the case of an earthquake with a magnitude above 5 MW. Their precision is all the better as they corroborate and transmit more information collected from the regional or on-site sensory nodes to a central unit that discloses events and estimates the epicentral location, earthquake magnitude, or ground shaking amplitude. The shaking table is the proper instrument for evaluating an early warning systems’ dynamic response and performance under specific vibration conditions. To this issue, the paper presents a laboratory single-axis shaking table with a small-scale, low-cost design and an accurate displacement control. Experiments based on a suite of 12 real earthquakes provided results with very small errors related to similar models, bearing out the designed shaking table is suitable for early earthquake warning system response testing for high magnitude earthquakes.
Histology of the Primary Tumor Correlates with False Positivity of Integrated 18F-FDG-PET/CT Lymph Node Staging in Resectable Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Damirov Fuad , Stoleriu Mircea Gabriel , Manapov Farkhad , Büsing Karen , Michels Julia Dorothea , Preissler Gerhard , Hatz Rudolf A. , Hohenberger Peter , Roessner Eric D.
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and false positivity rate of lymph node (LN) staging assessed by integrated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in patients with operable lung cancer to the tumor histology. In total, 129 consecutive patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing anatomical lung resections were included. Preoperative LN staging was evaluated in the relationship to the histology of the resected specimens (group 1: lung adenocarcinoma/LUAD; group 2: squamous cell carcinoma/SQCA). Statistical analysis was performed by the Mann–Whitney U-test, the chi2 test, and binary logistic regression analysis. To establish an easy-to-use algorithm for the identification of LN false positivity, a decision tree including clinically meaningful parameters was generated. In total, 77 (59.7%) and 52 (40.3%) patients were included in the LUAD and SQCA groups, respectively. SQCA histology, non-G1 tumors, and tumor SUVmax > 12.65 were identified as independent predictors of LN false positivity in the preoperative staging. The corresponding ORs and their 95% CIs were 3.35 [1.10–10.22], p = 0.0339; 4.60 [1.06–19.94], p = 0.0412; and 2.76 [1.01–7.55], and p = 0.0483. The preoperative identification of false-positive LNs is an important aspect of the treatment regimen for patients with operable lung cancer; thus, these preliminary findings should be further evaluated in larger patient cohorts.
Homologous Recombination Deficiency Score Determined by Genomic Instability in a Romanian Cohort
Authors: Rădoi Viorica-Elena , Țurcan Mihaela , Maioru Ovidiu , Dan Andra , Bohîlțea Laurentiu , Dumitrescu Elena , Gheorghe Adelina , Stănculeanu Dana , Thodi Georgia , Loukas Yannis , Săbău Ileana-Delia
Published: May 2023

The Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) Score, determined by evaluating genomic instability through the assessment of loss of heterozygosity (LOH), telomeric allelic imbalance (TAI), and large-scale state transitions (LST), serves as a crucial biomarker for identifying patients who might benefit from targeted therapies, such as PARP inhibitors (PARPi). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of HRD testing in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, tubal, and peritoneal cancer patients who are negative for somatic BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and to evaluate the impact of HRD status on Bevacizumab and PARPi therapy response. A cohort of 100 Romanian female patients, aged 42–77, was initially selected. Among them, 30 patients had unsuitable samples for HRD testing due to insufficient tumor content or DNA integrity. Using the OncoScan C.N.V. platform, HRD testing was successfully performed on the remaining 70 patients, with 20 testing negative and 50 testing positive for HRD. Among the HRD-positive patients, 35 were eligible for and benefited from PARPi maintenance therapy, resulting in a median progression-free survival (PFS) increase from 4 months to 8.2 months. Our findings support the importance of HRD testing in ovarian cancer patients, demonstrating the potential therapeutic advantage of PARPi therapy in HRD-positive patients without somatic BRCA1/2 mutations.
Real-World Driver Stress Recognition and Diagnosis Based on Multimodal Deep Learning and Fuzzy EDAS Approaches
Authors: Amin Muhammad , Ullah Khalil , Asif Muhammad , Shah Habib , Mehmood Arshad , Khan Muhammad Attique
Published: May 2023

Mental stress is known as a prime factor in road crashes. The devastation of these crashes often results in damage to humans, vehicles, and infrastructure. Likewise, persistent mental stress could lead to the development of mental, cardiovascular, and abdominal disorders. Preceding research in this domain mostly focuses on feature engineering and conventional machine learning approaches. These approaches recognize different levels of stress based on handcrafted features extracted from various modalities including physiological, physical, and contextual data. Acquiring good quality features from these modalities using feature engineering is often a difficult job. Recent developments in the form of deep learning (DL) algorithms have relieved feature engineering by automatically extracting and learning resilient features. This paper proposes different CNN and CNN-LSTSM-based fusion models using physiological signals (SRAD dataset) and multimodal data (AffectiveROAD dataset) for the driver’s two and three stress levels. The fuzzy EDAS (evaluation based on distance from average solution) approach is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed models based on different classification metrics (accuracy, recall, precision, F-score, and specificity). Fuzzy EDAS performance estimation shows that the proposed CNN and hybrid CNN-LSTM models achieved the first ranks based on the fusion of BH, E4-Left (E4-L), and E4-Right (E4-R). Results showed the significance of multimodal data for designing an accurate and trustworthy stress recognition diagnosing model for real-world driving conditions. The proposed model can also be used for the diagnosis of the stress level of a subject during other daily life activities.
Elastography of the Liver in Wilson’s Disease
Authors: Nehring Piotr , Szeligowska Jowita , Przybyłkowski Adam
Published: May 2023

Staging of liver fibrosis is of special significance in Wilson’s disease as it determines the patient’s prognosis and treatment. Histopathological examination is a standard method for fibrosis assessment; however, non-invasive methods like transient elastography and share wave elastography are believed to be reliable and repetitive and are expected to replace liver biopsy in Wilson’s disease. This article presents a short description of available elastography techniques and the results of the most recent studies on elastography of the liver in patients with Wilson’s disease.
Blood Slide Image Analysis to Classify WBC Types for Prediction Haematology Based on a Hybrid Model of CNN and Handcrafted Features
Authors: Olayah Fekry , Senan Ebrahim Mohammed , Ahmed Ibrahim Abdulrab , Awaji Bakri
Published: May 2023

White blood cells (WBCs) are one of the main components of blood produced by the bone marrow. WBCs are part of the immune system that protects the body from infectious diseases and an increase or decrease in the amount of any type that causes a particular disease. Thus, recognizing the WBC types is essential for diagnosing the patient’s health and identifying the disease. Analyzing blood samples to determine the amount and WBC types requires experienced doctors. Artificial intelligence techniques were applied to analyze blood samples and classify their types to help doctors distinguish between types of infectious diseases due to increased or decreased WBC amounts. This study developed strategies for analyzing blood slide images to classify WBC types. The first strategy is to classify WBC types by the SVM-CNN technique. The second strategy for classifying WBC types is by SVM based on hybrid CNN features, which are called VGG19-ResNet101-SVM, ResNet101-MobileNet-SVM, and VGG19-ResNet101-MobileNet-SVM techniques. The third strategy for classifying WBC types by FFNN is based on a hybrid model of CNN and handcrafted features. With MobileNet and handcrafted features, FFNN achieved an AUC of 99.43%, accuracy of 99.80%, precision of 99.75%, specificity of 99.75%, and sensitivity of 99.68%.
Scan Aided Dental Arch Width Prediction via Internationally Recognized Formulas and Indices in a Sample of Kurdish Population/Iraq
Authors: Mahmood Trefa Mohammed Ali , Noori Arass Jalal , Aziz Zana Hussein , Rauf Aras Maruf , Kareem Fadil Abdulla
Published: May 2023

Background: Numerous studies have investigated the applicability of Pont’s index using a variety of selection criteria. The morphology of teeth and the shapes of the face are significantly influenced by racial, cultural, and environmental factors, so the current study focused on these demographics. Methods: This study is a retrospective study and included one hundred intraoral scanned images selected from patients seeking orthodontic treatment. Medit design software was used to obtain the real measurements and compare them to the predicted values from Pont’s index. Paired t tests were used to test the validity of Pont’s index, and regression equations were advocated to predict the inter-molar, inter-premolar, and anterior arch widths via SPSS version 25. Results: There were significant differences between the real anterior, inter-premolar, and inter-molar widths and the predicted values obtained from Pont’s index, and there were weak positive correlations between the real values and the predicted values from Pont’s index. Conclusions: Pont’s index is not reliable to predict the arch widths for the Kurdish population, and new formulas are advocated. Hence, space analysis, malocclusion treatment, and arch expansion therapy should all take into account these results. Therefore, the derived equations may have further positive effects on diagnoses and treatment preparation.
Diagnostic Implications of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Is an Independent Risk Factor for Undergoing Surgical Interventions in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Fu Yuhan , Waghray Nisheet , Fass Ronnie , Song Gengqing
Published: May 2023

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can present with overlapping symptoms, making diagnosis and management challenging. Patients with IBD in remission may continue to experience IBS symptoms. Patients with IBS were found to have a disproportionately higher prevalence of abdominal and pelvic surgeries than the general population. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether IBS is a risk factor for undergoing surgical interventions in patients with IBD and explore the diagnostic implications of these findings. Methods: A population-based cohort analysis was performed using TriNetX. Patients with Crohn’s disease + IBS (CD + IBS) and ulcerative colitis + IBS (UC + IBS) were identified. The control groups consisted of patients with CD or UC alone without IBS. The main outcome was to compare the risks of undergoing surgical interventions between the cohorts. The secondary outcomes were to compare the risks of developing gastrointestinal symptoms and IBD-related complications between the cohorts. Results: Patients with IBD who subsequently developed IBS were more likely to experience gastrointestinal symptoms than those without IBS (p < 0.0001). Patients with concomitant IBD and IBS were more likely to develop IBD-related complications, including perforation of the intestine, gastrointestinal bleeding, colon cancer, and abdominal abscess (p < 0.05). Patients with concomitant IBD and IBS were more likely to undergo surgical interventions than patients without IBS, including colectomy, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, exploratory laparotomy, and hysterectomy (p < 0.05). Conclusions: IBS appears to be an independent risk factor for patients with IBD to develop IBD-related complications and undergo surgical interventions. Patients with concomitant IBD and IBS could represent a unique subgroup of IBD patients with more severe symptoms, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and management in this population.
Perspectives of People with Mild to Moderate Cognitive Impairment and Their Caregivers about Physical Activity and Exercise for Fall Prevention: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mesbah Normala , Perry Meredith , Hale Leigh , Hill Keith D. , Wilkinson Amanda
Published: May 2023

Older adults with cognitive impairment are at high risk of experiencing falls. Although no specific fall prevention guidelines presently exist for this population, exercise programmes to prevent falls are recommended. Limited literature exploring what older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment think about or how they make sense of the need for such programmes exists. This study explored the perspectives of older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their caregivers about exercise and physical activity in the context of fall prevention. Underpinned by Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken with nine community-dwelling adults (>65 years) with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their caregivers (N = 6). Three themes of acceptance, denial, and accommodation were identified. The fluctuating concept of ‘self’ appeared to influence individual decisions to exercise or be physically active and what sort of physical activity to undertake more than any practical barriers. We suggest that healthcare professionals emphasise the concept of personhood, listening to and reinforcing biographic narratives of older adults living with cognitive impairment to foster a sense of autonomy, and shared decision-making while emphasising fall prevention activities that older adults with cognitive impairment might like to engage with.
Effect of Different Silane Coupling Agents on the Bond Strength between Hydrogen Peroxide-Etched Epoxy-Based- Fiber-Reinforced Post and Composite Resin Core
Authors: Adwani Sarah , Elsubeihi Emad , Zebari Ahmad , Aljanahi May , Moharamzadeh Keyvan , Elbishari Haitham
Published: May 2023

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of various silane coupling agents on the micro-push-out bond strength between a hydrogen peroxide-etched epoxy-based fiber-reinforced post and composite resin core. Seventy-five cross-linked epoxy-based fiber-reinforced posts were etched with 24% hydrogen peroxide for 10 min. Then they were divided into five groups according to various silane coupling agents and bonded to a composite core. A Universal Testing Machine was utilized to evaluate the push-out bond strength. In addition, all groups’ modes of failure were assessed. The push-out bond strength data in MPa were analyzed using ANOVA and a Tukey HSD post hoc test to reveal any difference between the groups. Results revealed that the application of a two-bottle silane coupling agent exhibited the highest bond strength, while the application of a one-bottle silane coupling agent demonstrated the lowest bond strength for a hydrogen peroxide-etched fiber post bonded to a composite core material, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The strongest association with the highest bond strength was found with the two-bottle silane coupling agent when compared to the one-bottle. The study highlighted that the application of a silane-coupling agent may affect the bond strength between composite and epoxy-based fiber-reinforced posts.
Road-Network-Based Event Information System in a Cooperative ITS Environment
Authors: Lee Kieun , Hong Dongwon , Kim Juhyun , Cha Dongkeun , Choi Hyunmin , Moon Jeongmin , Moon Changjoo
Published: May 2023

This study proposes and implements an intelligent transportation system (ITS)-based system that collects road event information via a vehicle’s on-board unit (OBU) and roadside unit (RSU), integrates and processes information based on the database and the road network, and provides information to vehicles. This system enables the collection of road unit information without calculating the exact location of event information recognized by the vehicle and facilitates duplicate processing of information recognized from multiple sources. This information can then be provided to other vehicles or road operators via apps or the web, enabling immediate response to emergency situations or changes in road conditions. To verify the practical applicability of this system, we developed a prototype and validated its functions through experiments. Using this system and methods, general drivers, autonomous vehicles, and infrastructure can cooperate in an ITS environment to recognize and propagate various road situations, contributing to the creation of safer and more efficient roads.
Analysis of Image Preprocessing and Binarization Methods for OCR-Based Detection and Classification of Electronic Integrated Circuit Labeling
Authors: Maliński Kamil , Okarma Krzysztof
Published: May 2023

Automatic recognition and classification of electronic integrated circuits based on optical character recognition combined with the analysis of the shape of their housings are essential to machine vision methods supporting the production of electronic parts, especially small-volume ones in the through-hole technology, characteristic of printed circuit boards. Since such methods utilize binary images, applying appropriate image preprocessing and thresholding methods significantly influences the obtained results, particularly in uncontrolled illumination conditions. Therefore, the examination of various adaptive image binarization algorithms for this purpose is conducted in this paper, together with the experimental verification of the proposed method based on the pixel voting approach.
Analysis of Inverter Circulating Current and Magnetic Potential for Flux-Weakening Drive of BLDCM
Authors: Li Xiaokun , Wang Song , Xia Lidong
Published: May 2023

The permanent magnet brushless DC motor (BLDCM) is typically controlled using the six-step commutation method, and the flux-weakening method is employed to enable the motor to operate at speeds higher than the base speed. Currently, it is considered that the weak magnetic angle range is 0-pi/3, while the range for deep weakening is pi/3-pi/2. In field-weakening control, a forward shift of the commutation point results in a circulating current flowing in the three-phase bridge of the inverter and the stator winding of the motor. This paper analyses the principle of the circulating current formed by the inverter. Through magnetic potential analysis and Simulink simulation, it is concluded that flux-weakening control generates a circulating current in the inverter and motor stator windings. The inverter’s circulating current affects the motor’s magnetic potential, causing it to shift towards the rotating direction of the motor rotor. When the forward shift angle of the inverter commutation point is within the range of 0-pi/6 electrical angle, the phase shift of the inverter circulating current remains below pi/6. This configuration weakens the magnetic field and provides the driving effect. However, when the forward shift angle falls within the range of pi/6-pi/3, the phase shift of the inverter circulating current exceeds pi/6, resulting in magnetic weakening and braking. During the braking effect, a reverse torque is generated, leading to a decrease in motor torque and efficiency. Therefore, the range of the weak magnetic angle should be between 0-pi/6.
Optimized Active Collision Avoidance Algorithm of Intelligent Vehicles
Authors: Xu Qingwei , Lu Xiangyang , Xu Juncai
Published: May 2023

This research introduces an innovative strategy to impede and lessen lateral and rear-end vehicular collisions by consolidating braking systems with active emergency steering controls. This study puts forward a T-type active emergency steering method, designed to circumvent both lateral and rear-end collisions at vehicular intersections. To secure vehicular stability and condense the time required for steering during the T-type active emergency process, this research formulates a nonlinear dynamic model for the vehicle, in addition to a nonlinear tire model. This study also engages in a thorough analysis of the constraints linked to the initial and terminal states of the steering process. The issue at hand is articulated as an optimization control problem with boundary value restrictions, which is subsequently resolved using the Radau pseudospectral method. Simulation results corroborate that the prompt commencement of the anti-collision strategy can effectively deter potential collisions. This pioneering approach shows considerable promise in augmenting the active safety of intelligent vehicles and bears meaningful implications for high-precision automotive collision evasion systems.
Effect of Bamboo Culm Grading on the Properties of Flattened Bamboo Boards
Authors: Zong Yurong , Chen Xiaohan , Luo Xun , Su Qin , Zhang Xiubiao , Yan Yan , Liu Huanrong
Published: May 2023

As a natural biomass material, bamboo is subject to variations in culm size as well as in physical and mechanical properties that substantially influence processing and product quality. The diameter, thickness, and hardness of bamboo culms are critical factors for the output and quality of flattened bamboo board (FBB). In this study, the effects of different hardness modulus (HM) grades on the physical and mechanical properties of FBB were examined. The results showed that the HM of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) followed a normal distribution. Nine grades of HM could be divided by an interval of 5 KN/mm2. The physical and mechanical properties of FBB were positively correlated with the HM of bamboo culms. Compressive strength, tensile strength, and shear strength, as well as the bending properties of FBB, each increased with increasing HM. Furthermore, under the same conditions, the mechanical properties of FBB were superior to those of both bamboo strips and bamboo culms. The softening, flattening, and planing processes were beneficial in improving the performance of bamboo. The strong correlation between HM and the properties of FBB indicates that the HM grading of bamboo culms can be used in bamboo processing to produce high-quality FBB products with uniform performance.
Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Bacillus subtilis 168 for Efficient Production of Surfactin Using NH4Cl as a Nitrogen Source
Authors: Li Jie , Tao Weiyi , Yue Shenghui , Yuan Zhangzhong , Li Shuang
Published: May 2023

Bacillus subtilis strain 168 is commonly used as a host to produce recombinant proteins and as a chassis for bio-based chemicals production. However, its preferred nitrogen source is organic nitrogen, which greatly increases production costs. In this study, adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) was used to improve B. subtilis 168 growth using NH4Cl as the sole nitrogen source. The cell density (OD600) of a mutant strain LJ-3 was 208.7% higher than that of the original strain. We also optimized the metal ions in the medium and this resulted in a further increase in growth rate by 151.3%. Reintroduction of the sfp+ gene into strain LJ-3 led to the LJ-31 clone, which restored LJ-3’s ability to synthesize surfactin. The fermentation system was optimized (C/N, aeration, pH) in a 5 L bioreactor. Dry cell weight of 7.4 g/L and surfactin concentration of 4.1 g/L were achieved using the optimized mineral salt medium after 22 h of batch fermentation with a YP/S value of 0.082 g/g and a YP/X of 0.55 g/g. HPLC analysis identified the surfactin isoforms produced by strain LJ-31 in the synthetic medium as C13-surfactin 13.3%, C14-surfactin 44.02%, and C15-surfactin 32.79%. Hence, the variant LJ-3 isolated by ALE is a promising engineering chassis for efficient and cost-effective production of a variety of metabolites.
Damage Detection of Unwashed Eggs through Video and Deep Learning
Authors: Huang Yuan , Luo Yangfan , Cao Yangyang , Lin Xu , Wei Hongfei , Wu Mengcheng , Yang Xiaonan , Zhao Zuoxi
Published: May 2023

Broken eggs can be harmful to human health but are also unfavorable for transportation and production. This study proposes a video-based detection model for the real-time detection of broken eggs regarding unwashed eggs in dynamic scenes. A system capable of the continuous rotation and translation of eggs was designed to display the entire surface of an egg. We added CA into the backbone network, fusing BiFPN and GSConv with the neck to improve YOLOv5. The improved YOLOV5 model uses intact and broken eggs for training. In order to accurately judge the category of eggs in the process of movement, ByteTrack was used to track the eggs and assign an ID to each egg. The detection results of the different frames of YOLOv5 in the video were associated by ID, and we used the method of five consecutive frames to determine the egg category. The experimental results show that, when compared to the original YOLOv5, the improved YOLOv5 model improves the precision of detecting broken eggs by 2.2%, recall by 4.4%, and mAP:0.5 by 4.1%. The experimental field results showed an accuracy of 96.4% when the improved YOLOv5 (combined with ByteTrack) was used for the video detection of broken eggs. The video-based model can detect eggs that are always in motion, which is more suitable for actual detection than a single image-based detection model. In addition, this study provides a reference for the research of video-based non-destructive testing.
The Use of Gonimbrasia belina (Westwood, 1849) and Cirina forda (Westwood, 1849) Caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Sarturniidae) as Food Sources and Income Generators in Africa
Authors: Nemadodzi Lufuno Ethel , Managa Gudani Millicent , Prinsloo Gerhard
Published: May 2023

Gonimbrasia belina (mopane worm) and Cirina forda caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) are mostly found in shrubs and trees, from where they are collected as larvae and are widely consumed across southern Africa by rural and increasingly urban populations. These caterpillars are among the most prominent, traded, and economically beneficial edible insects found in Western African countries, but also in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Over the years, these caterpillars have evolved from being part of the diet in various communities to playing a vital role in income generation. In addition, consumption of G. belina and C. forda caterpillars as potential food sources has gained momentum due to their potential for contributing to livelihoods and mitigating food security challenges across Africa while providing significant benefits to developing countries on a socio-economic and ecological level. Edible caterpillars serve as a good source of rich nutrients such as proteins, fatty acids, and micronutrients and can be used in formulating nutrient-dense complementary foods. However, limited information is available, specifically on different trees that serve as hosts to these caterpillars, as they depend on the leaves as their only source of food. In addition, the review aims to critique and document knowledge on the nutritional benefits, acceptance of the use of these caterpillars as food security, commercial value, and level of acceptance towards the utilization of caterpillars as food sources.
Characteristic Flavor Compounds and Functional Components of Fragrant Rice with Different Flavor Types
Authors: Lu Lin , Hu Zhanqiang , Fang Changyun , Hu Xianqiao
Published: May 2023

Fragrant rice has various flavor types, mainly the popcorn flavor, corn flavor and lotus root flavor. Chinese fragrant rice from China and Thai fragrant rice from Thailand were analyzed. GC-MS was used to determine the volatile compounds of fragrant rice. It was found that there were 28 identical volatile compounds between Chinese and Thai fragrant rice. The key compounds of different flavor types of fragrant rice were obtained by comparing the common volatile compounds. The key compounds of the popcorn flavor were 2-butyl-2-octenal, 4-methylbenzaldehyde, ethyl 4-(ethyloxy)-2-oxobut-3-enoate and methoxy-phenyl-oxime. The key compounds of the corn flavor were 2,2′,5,5′-tetramethyl-1,1′-biphenyl, 1-hexadecanol, 5-ethylcyclopent-1-enecarboxaldehyde and cis-muurola-4(14), 5-diene. By using a combination of GC-MS and GC-O, the flavor spectrogram of fragrant rice was constructed, and the characteristic flavor compounds of each flavor type were identified. It was found that the characteristic flavor compounds of the popcorn flavor were 2-butyl-2-octenal, 2-pentadecanone, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 4-methylbenzaldehyde, 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone, phenol and methoxy-phenyl-oxime. The characteristic flavor compounds of the corn flavor were 1-octen-3-ol, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 3-methylbutyl 2-ethylhexanoate, methylcarbamate, phenol, nonanal and cis-muurola-4(14), 5-diene. The characteristic flavor compounds of the lotus root flavor were 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 10-undecenal, 1-nonanol, 1-undecanol, phytol and 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone. The resistant starch content of lotus root flavor rice was relatively high (0.8%). The correlation between flavor volatiles and functional components was analyzed. It was found that the fat acidity of fragrant rice was highly correlated (R = 0.86) with the characteristic flavor compounds, such as 1-octen-3-ol, 2-butyl-2-octenal and 3-methylbutyl-2-ethylhexanoate. The characteristic flavor compounds had an interactive contribution to the production of the different flavor types of fragrant rice.
Random Solutions for Generalized Caputo Periodic and Non-Local Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Ahmad Bashir , Boumaaza Mokhtar , Salim Abdelkrim , Benchohra Mouffak
Published: May 2023

In this article, we present some results on the existence and uniqueness of random solutions to a non-linear implicit fractional differential equation involving the generalized Caputo fractional derivative operator and supplemented with non-local and periodic boundary conditions. We make use of the fixed point theorems due to Banach and Krasnoselskii to derive the desired results. Examples illustrating the obtained results are also presented.
Critical Family History: A Tool to Dismantle Racism
Authors: Mokuria Vicki G. , Williams Alexia
Published: May 2023

As schools and universities are under attack for educating students about race, racism, and other topics with deep roots that directly link to our current societal challenges, we must find and utilize meaningful tools of resistance. This article is a collaborative auto-ethnographic narrative inquiry that presents the stories of two professors and two students who engaged in the reflective work of critical family history (CFH). Currently, merely mentioning the word racism is so troubling to many politicians whose ideas are rooted in White supremacist ideology that laws are being passed in the U.S. to ban books on certain topics about race and LGBTQIA+ issues so that students cannot even read about these topics. A Tennessee law recently passed in both the state House and Senate seriously diminishes and limits how professors teach putative “divisive topics” related to race and its societal impact at the college level. A valuable teaching tool, critical family history, offers an impactful approach for us, especially for educators, to face the truth about the complexity of our lives and our ancestors, specifically in relation to issues of race—in a subtle, yet powerful way that is grounded in courage, wisdom, and compassion. The findings in this article are both surprising and troubling, which points to why educators need to seek ways to incorporate CFH in their work to dismantle racism.
Clinical Heterogeneity and Different Phenotypes in Patients with SETD2 Variants: 18 New Patients and Review of the Literature
Authors: Parra Alejandro , Rabin Rachel , Pappas John , Pascual Patricia , Cazalla Mario , Arias Pedro , Gallego-Zazo Natalia , Santana Alfredo , Arroyo Ignacio , Artigas Mercè , Pachajoa Harry , Alanay Yasemin , Akgun-Dogan Ozlem , Ruaud Lyse , Couque Nathalie , Levy Jonathan , Porras-Hurtado Gloria Liliana , Santos-Simarro Fernando , Ballesta-Martinez Maria Juliana , Guillén-Navarro Encarna , Muñoz-Hernández Hugo , Nevado Julián ,   Spanish OverGrowth Registry Initiative, Tenorio-Castano Jair , Lapunzina Pablo
Published: May 2023

SETD2 belongs to the family of histone methyltransferase proteins and has been associated with three nosologically distinct entities with different clinical and molecular features: Luscan–Lumish syndrome (LLS), intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 70 (MRD70), and Rabin–Pappas syndrome (RAPAS). LLS [MIM #616831] is an overgrowth disorder with multisystem involvement including intellectual disability, speech delay, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), macrocephaly, tall stature, and motor delay. RAPAS [MIM #6201551] is a recently reported multisystemic disorder characterized by severely impaired global and intellectual development, hypotonia, feeding difficulties with failure to thrive, microcephaly, and dysmorphic facial features. Other neurologic findings may include seizures, hearing loss, ophthalmologic defects, and brain imaging abnormalities. There is variable involvement of other organ systems, including skeletal, genitourinary, cardiac, and potentially endocrine. Three patients who carried the missense variant p.Arg1740Gln in SETD2 were reported with a moderately impaired intellectual disability, speech difficulties, and behavioral abnormalities. More variable findings included hypotonia and dysmorphic features. Due to the differences with the two previous phenotypes, this association was then named intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 70 [MIM 620157]. These three disorders seem to be allelic and are caused either by loss-of-function, gain-of-function, or missense variants in the SETD2 gene. Here we describe 18 new patients with variants in SETD2, most of them with the LLS phenotype, and reviewed 33 additional patients with variants in SETD2 that have been previously reported in the scientific literature. This article offers an expansion of the number of reported individuals with LLS and highlights the clinical features and the similarities and differences among the three phenotypes associated with SETD2.
The Diversity of Astrocyte Activation during Multiple Sclerosis: Potential Cellular Targets for Novel Disease Modifying Therapeutics
Authors: Barmpagiannos Konstantinos , Theotokis Paschalis , Petratos Steven , Pagnin Maurice , Einstein Ofira , Kesidou Evangelia , Boziki Marina , Artemiadis Artemios , Bakirtzis Christos , Grigoriadis Nikolaos
Published: May 2023

Neuroglial cells, and especially astrocytes, constitute the most varied group of central nervous system (CNS) cells, displaying substantial diversity and plasticity during development and in disease states. The morphological changes exhibited by astrocytes during the acute and chronic stages following CNS injury can be characterized more precisely as a dynamic continuum of astrocytic reactivity. Different subpopulations of reactive astrocytes may be ascribed to stages of degenerative progression through their direct pathogenic influence upon neurons, neuroglia, the blood-brain barrier, and infiltrating immune cells. Multiple sclerosis (MS) constitutes an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the CNS. Despite the previously held notion that reactive astrocytes purely form the structured glial scar in MS plaques, their continued multifaceted participation in neuroinflammatory outcomes and oligodendrocyte and neuronal function during chronicity, suggest that they may be an integral cell type that can govern the pathophysiology of MS. From a therapeutic-oriented perspective, astrocytes could serve as key players to limit MS progression, once the integral astrocyte–MS relationship is accurately identified. This review aims toward delineating the current knowledge, which is mainly focused on immunomodulatory therapies of the relapsing–remitting form, while shedding light on uncharted approaches of astrocyte-specific therapies that could constitute novel, innovative applications once the role of specific subgroups in disease pathogenesis is clarified.
Family Attachment, Sexuality, and Sexual Recidivism in a Sample of Italian Sexual Offenders: Preliminary Results
Authors: Saladino Valeria , Eleuteri Stefano , Nuzzi Angela , Verrastro Valeria
Published: May 2023

Objective: The research aims to investigate family communication regarding sexuality and the possible link between insecure attachment, violence in relationships, and the tendency toward sexual sensation-seeking in a sample of Italian sexual offenders. Design and method: We evaluated 29 male sexual offenders in two correctional facilities of Southern Lazio (Italy) (mean age = 40.76; SD = 11.16). The participants completed general questions about their family and sexual education and fulfilled the following questionnaires: Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI), Sexual Sensation-seeking Scale (SSSS), and the High-Risk Situation Checklist, adapted in Italian, as well as the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), validated in Italian. Results: Most of the participants had never talked about sex within their family and perceived a severe or abusive education during childhood. In addition, positive correlations emerged between SSSS and the two scales of the CSBI, as well as between insecure attachment style, CSBI, and sexual sensation-seeking. The participants also reported some critical issues regarding the personal perception of high-risk situations linked to sexual relapse. Conclusions: The data suggest factors to investigate, such as family education and relationships and the personal perception of sexual recidivism. The results might be effective in treatment and prevention programs among sex offenders.
Effect of the Frequency of Rehabilitation Treatments on the Long-Term Mortality of Stroke Survivors with Mild-to-Moderate Disabilities under the Korean National Health Insurance Service System
Authors: Park Dougho , Son Kang Ju , Kim Jong Hun , Kim Hyoung Seop
Published: May 2023

Given the increase in stroke-related social costs, studies on survival and functional prognosis after stroke are urgently needed. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the frequency of rehabilitation treatments in the acute and subacute phases of stroke and the long-term mortality of stroke survivors with mild-to-moderate disabilities. We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Our final cohort included 733 patients with national disability registration grades 4–6. The number of special rehabilitation treatment claim codes was used as a proxy for the frequency of rehabilitation treatments. Furthermore, we categorized the rehabilitation frequencies within 24 months of stroke onset as 1–50, 51–200, 201–400, and >400. The dependent variable was all-cause mortality, and it was evaluated from 24 to 84 months after stroke onset. Severe disability was associated with a lower long-term mortality rate in the chronic phase (p < 0.001). In the Cox regression analysis, severe disability, older age, male sex, and chronic kidney disease were independent risk factors for long-term mortality in patients with stroke and mild-to-moderate disabilities. However, the frequency of acute/subacute rehabilitation treatments did not significantly improve long-term mortality. Our results suggest that the association between rehabilitation frequency and lower long-term mortality for patients with mild-to-moderate stroke was inconclusive. Therefore, further study is needed to determine a better-customized rehabilitation treatment system for these patients.
A Theological Age: A New Way of Looking at the History of the West
Authors: Melleuish Greg , Rizzo Susanna
Published: May 2023

This paper argues that the current age is best understood as a theological age in that its normal approach to the world is one based on a high level of abstraction. Theology stands in contrast with piety, which derives much more from immediate experience and embodies common sense. The cultural and intellectual development of Europe and the West can be understood in terms of the interaction of two distinct modes of thinking and viewing the world, namely theology and piety, and the way in which theology has come to dominate Western culture to the detriment of piety. Hence, the dominance of Greek rationalism within the West has led to a one-sided culture that gives priority to rationalist modes of thought. There has been a continuing tradition of piety in the West, but its existence has tended to be somewhat fugitive as can be seen, for example, in Musil’s depiction of the ‘other condition’ and in J S Mill’s personal breakdown caused by an excess of theology. The implications of a theological approach for history are evident as historical developments are viewed through the rigid prisms of perspectives that either fragment the study of history into a series of disconnected narratives endowed with their unique telos or impose an all-encompassing narrative that erases differences as well as potentialities. In both cases, it is the theological mode of thought—which has dominated the West since the so-called birth of rationalism—that turns history into ideology. This paper contends that the current condition calls for a new history of philosophy that captures and responds to the crisis affecting the West’s self-understanding and sense of purpose.
A Systematic Review of Location Data for Depression Prediction
Authors: Shin Jaeeun , Bae Sung Man
Published: May 2023

Depression contributes to a wide range of maladjustment problems. With the development of technology, objective measurement for behavior and functional indicators of depression has become possible through the passive sensing technology of digital devices. Focusing on location data, we systematically reviewed the relationship between depression and location data. We searched Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases by combining terms related to passive sensing and location data with depression. Thirty-one studies were included in this review. Location data demonstrated promising predictive power for depression. Studies examining the relationship between individual location data variables and depression, homestay, entropy, and the normalized entropy variable of entropy dimension showed the most consistent and significant correlations. Furthermore, variables of distance, irregularity, and location showed significant associations in some studies. However, semantic location showed inconsistent results. This suggests that the process of geographical movement is more related to mood changes than to semantic location. Future research must converge across studies on location-data measurement methods.
Benchmarking Geospatial High-Value Data Openness Using GODI Plus Methodology: A Regional Level Case Study
Authors: Kević Karlo , Kuveždić Divjak Ana , Welle Donker Frederika
Published: May 2023

The 2019 European Open Data Directive identifies geospatial data as data that could have a major impact on human activities (high-value data, HVD) and advocates its provision as open data (OD), i.e., without barriers to access and re-use. Although Croatia has implemented OD policies to support the provision of open data, many geospatial data are still not available, or if available, their level of openness ranks Croatia lower than Slovenia and Serbia on some ranking lists. Benchmarking tools have proven to be a powerful tool in identifying barriers in OD. This paper, therefore, benchmarks the level of openness and provision of geospatial HVD in Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia, using the extended and modified Global Open Data Index methodology (GODI Plus). It is expected that this will provide an answer to the status of OD policies and government engagement in OD in Croatia and identify good OD practices among the three countries analyzed. Furthermore, the results will be a baseline benchmark for future HVD analyses. The results reveal low data openness for Croatia and Serbia, high data openness for Slovenia, and a low level of government engagement in all three proposed countries.