bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling of Fuel Filter Clogging of B20 Fuel Based on the Precipitate Measurement and Filter Blocking Test
Authors: Paryanto Imam , Budianta Ilyin Abdi , Alifia Kanya Citta Hani , Hidayatullah Ibnu Maulana , Darmawan Muhammad Arif , Judistira  , Prakoso Tirto , Indarto Antonius , Gozan Misri
Published: November 2022

The amount of precipitate and residue affects the timing of fuel filter blockage. This study develops a model for fuel filter blocking based on the Precipitate Measurement. Firstly, a modification of ASTM D 7501 for the Cold Soak Filtration Test (CSFT) measured the amount of precipitate in B20 fuel with variations of soaking temperatures and monoglyceride content in biodiesel. Then, a modified ASTM D 2068 for a filter blocking test (FBT) was conducted to correlate the impurities in the B20 fuel and the clogging limit effects represented by the change of pressure difference and time to reach a pressure drop of 30 kPa. Biodiesel B20 samples were prepared by adding monopalmitin so that each had a monoglyceride value of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% before blending with petroleum diesel. The modified CSFT showed that the amount of B0 impurity was almost zero. However, the amount of the B20 sample precipitate retained on the filter was higher when a lower soaking temperature and higher monoglyceride content was used in the biodiesel. Similar results in the modified FBT showed that the more impurities, the faster the pressure drop achieved a level of 30 kPa. A much shorter time was needed to reach the pressure drop of 30 kPa for B20 fuel samples with the impurities present in both test powders and precipitate compared to those for the B20 fuel samples with a single type of impurity (either test powders or precipitate). The fuel filter clogging time could also be predicted using the graph of fuel filter clogging time vs. the precipitate weight of B20 fuel derived from the FBT test if the precipitate weight had already been determined by the precipitation test (modified CSFT). The simulation model using Ergun’s equation for the FBT of the B20 fuel could also show similar results to that of the FBT experiment, with the difference (averaged errors) ranging from 4.15% to 5.79%.
Process Intensification in a Double-Pipe Reactor with Additively Manufactured Internal Inserts
Authors: Claramunt Sara , Schell Paul V. , Kraut Manfred , Stengel Bruno F. , Kuesters Christof F. , Dittmeyer Roland
Published: November 2022

The polycondensation reaction to produce polydextrose can be intensified by using micro-process engineering. Fluid Guiding Elements are additively manufactured internal inserts that have already shown their potential to intensify heat transfer in double-pipe heat exchangers. This study investigated the intensification of the polydextrose yield when these internal inserts were used. Different reactor lengths and internal inserts geometries, as well as different operating conditions, were analyzed. The experiments showed that the reactant concentration had no effect on the product yield. Furthermore, it was shown that the process could be intensified at higher temperatures, with relatively low residence times and lower pressures. It was confirmed that the good heat transfer characteristics of the internal inserts allow them to continuously evaporate water during the reaction and to further reach the required reaction temperature, thus shifting the equilibrium towards the desired product. These findings are of special significance for the optimization of the polycondensation reaction of polydextrose.
Self-Assembly and Gelation Study of Dipeptide Isomers with Norvaline and Phenylalanine
Authors: Scarel Erica , Pierri Giovanni , Rozhin Petr , Adorinni Simone , Polentarutti Maurizio , Tedesco Consiglia , Marchesan Silvia
Published: November 2022

Dipeptides have emerged as attractive building blocks for supramolecular materials thanks to their low-cost, inherent biocompatibility, ease of preparation, and environmental friendliness as they do not persist in the environment. In particular, hydrophobic amino acids are ideal candidates for self-assembly in polar and green solvents, as a certain level of hydrophobicity is required to favor their aggregation and reduce the peptide solubility. In this work, we analyzed the ability to self-assemble and the gel of dipeptides based on the amino acids norvaline (Nva) and phenylalanine (Phe), studying all their combinations and not yielding to enantiomers, which display the same physicochemical properties, and hence the same self-assembly behavior in achiral environments as those studied herein. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction of all the compounds revealed fine details over their molecular packing and non-covalent interactions.
Structures of Three Alkaline-Earth Metal Germanides Refined from Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction Data
Authors: Suen Nian-Tzu , Bobev Svilen
Published: November 2022

The calcium- and strontium- alumo-germanides SrxCa1–xAl2Ge2 (x ≈ 0.4) and SrAl2Ge2 have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Additionally, a binary calcium germanide CaGe has also been identified as a byproduct. All three crystal structures have been established from single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods and refined with high accuracy and precision. The binary CaGe crystallizes with a CrB-type structure in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (no. 63; Z = 4; Pearson symbol oC8), where the germanium atoms are interconnected into infinite zigzag chains, formally [Ge]2−. The calcium atoms are arranged in monocapped trigonal prisms, centered by Ge atoms. SrxCa1−xAl2Ge2 (x ≈ 0.4) and SrAl2Ge2 have been confirmed to crystallize with a CaAl2Si2-type structure in the trigonal space group P3¯m1 (no. 164; Z = 1; Pearson symbol hP5), where the germanium and aluminum atoms form puckered double-layers, formally [Al2Ge2]2−. The calcium atoms are located between the layers and reside inside distorted octahedra of Ge atoms. All presented structures have a valence electron count satisfying the octet rules (e.g., Ca2+Ge2− and Ca2+[Al2Ge2]2−) and can be regarded as Zintl phases.
The Advanced Applications of 2D Materials in SERS
Authors: Liu Yansheng , Qin Zhenle , Deng Junpeng , Zhou Jin , Jia Xiaobo , Wang Guofu , Luo Feng
Published: November 2022

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) as a label-free, non-contact, highly sensitive, and powerful technique has been widely applied in determining bio- and chemical molecules with fingerprint recognitions. 2-dimensional (2D) materials with layered structures, tunable optical properties, good chemical/physical stabilities, and strong charge–transfer interaction with molecules have attracted researchers’ interests. Two-D materials with a large and flat surface area, as well as good biocompatibility have been considered promising candidates in SERS and widely applied in chemical and bio-applications. It is well known that the noble metallic nanostructures with localized surface plasmon effects dominate the SERS performance. The combination of noble metallic nanostructure with 2D materials is becoming a new and attractive research domain. Until now, the SERS substrates combined with 2D materials, such as 2D graphene/metallic NPs, 2D materials@metallic core-shell structures, and metallic structure/2D materials/metallic structure are intensely studied. In this review, we introduce different kinds of fabrication strategies of 2D and 3D SERS substrates combing with 2D materials as well as their applications. We hope this review will help readers to figure out new ideas in designing and fabricating SERS substrates with high SERS performance that could enlarge the applicable domains of SERS.
The Core Jasmonic Acid-Signalling Module CoCOI1/CoJAZ1/CoMYC2 Are Involved in Jas Mediated Growth of the Pollen Tube in Camellia oleifera
Authors: Liu Yiyao , Zhou Junqin , Lu Mengqi , Yang Jin , Tan Xiaofeng
Published: November 2022

Camellia oleifera is a woody edible oil species with late self-incompatibility characteristics. Previous transcriptome analysis showed that genes involved in jasmonic acid signal transduction were significantly different in self-and cross-pollinated pistils of Camellia oleifera. To investigate the relationship between jasmonate signal and self-incompatibility by studying the core genes of jasmonate signal transduction. The results showed that exogenous JA and MeJA at 1.0 mM significantly inhibited pollen tube germination and pollen tube elongation. and JA up-regulated CoCOI1, CoJAZ1, and CoMYC, the core genes of jasmonate signal transduction. Subcellular localization indicated that CoCOI1 and CoJAZ1 were located in the nucleus and CoMYC2 in the endoplasmic reticulum. The three genes exhibited tissue-specific expression pattern. CoCOI1 was significantly expressed in pollen, CoJAZ1 was significantly expressed in ovary, CoMYC2 was significantly expressed in filaments, but not in pollen. Furthermore, CoJAZ1 and CoMYC2 were highly expressing at 24 h in self-pollinated styles. These results suggested that JA signal transduction of C. oleifera was involved in the process of self-pollination, and thus in the process of plant defense. When pollen tubes grew slowly in the style, ovary may receive JA signal, which initiates the molecular mechanism of inhibiting the growth of self-pollinating pollen tubes.
Analyzing Sensitive Aerosol Regimes and Active Geolocations of Aerosol Effects on Deep Convective Clouds over the Global Oceans by Using Long-Term Operational Satellite Observations
Authors: Zhao Xuepeng , Foster Michael J.
Published: November 2022

Long-term satellite climate data records of aerosol and cloud along with meteorological reanalysis data have been used to study the aerosol effects on deep convective clouds (DCCs) over the global oceans from a climatology perspective. Our focus is on identifying sensitive aerosol regimes and active geolocations of the aerosol effects on DCCs by using statistical analyses on long-term averaged aerosol and cloud variables. We found the aerosol effect tends to manifest relatively easily on the long-term mean values of observed cloud microphysical variables (e.g., cloud particle size and ice water amount) compared to observed cloud macrophysical variables (e.g., cloud cover and cloud top height). An increase of aerosol loading tends to increase DCC particle size and ice water amount in the tropical convergence zones but decrease them in the subtropical subsidence regions. The aerosol effect on the cloud microphysical variables is also likely to manifest over the northwestern Pacific Ocean and central and eastern subtropical Pacific Ocean. The aerosol effect manifested on the microphysical cloud variables may also propagate to cloud cover but weakly to cloud top height since the latter is more susceptible to the influence of cloud dynamical and thermodynamic processes. Our results, based on the long-term averaged operational satellite observation, are valuable for the evaluation and improvement of aerosol-cloud interactions in global climate models.
Comparative Study of the Mesomechanical Response of Asphalt Bridge Deck Pavement under Multiple Loads
Authors: Cui Yaning , Si Chundi , Li Song , Fan Taotao
Published: November 2022

Asphalt bridge deck pavement is a weak bridge structure area, and early damage usually occurs in this area under vehicle loads. Due to the complexity and diversity of vehicle loads and material structures, it is difficult to truly reflect the mechanical response of bridge deck pavement under vehicle loads. This paper studies the vehicle road interaction from a microscopic perspective. In this research, the dynamic response of asphalt bridge deck pavement under multiple loads is comparatively studied, considering the mesoscopic structure of the asphalt materials. First, the compressive properties, tensile properties and interlaminar shear properties of each layer were studied through laboratory tests. Second, the asphalt mixture bridge deck pavement model, including mesostructured, was established. Then, the subprograms of the sinusoidal vibration load, rolling load and vehicle road coupling load were realised using the discrete element method (DEM). Finally, the mesomechanical response of asphalt bridge deck pavement under those three dynamic loads was comparatively studied. The study finds that there is a large difference in the mechanical response of bridge deck pavement under multiple loads. A sinusoidal vibration load can simply be the moving load, the edge of the loading area and the bottom of the lower layer bear large tensile stress, and the shear stress at the edge of the loading area is approximately 4 times that of the middle area. The rolling load can better reflect the status of the vehicle. There is a certain difference in the shear stress response between the rolling load and the sinusoidal vibration load, and the lower layer bears compressive–tensile alternating stress. Under the vehicle road coupling load, the volatility of the dynamic response is obvious due to the road roughness. Therefore, it is of vital importance to improve the abrasion resistance of the surface layer. The results show that the comprehensive consideration of multiple loads and the mesostructure can provide a more reliable method for the dynamic design of bridge deck pavement, which is of great significance for improving the durability of the pavement.
ZIF-67 Derived Co-Ni/C Composites for High-Efficiency Broadband Microwave Absorption
Authors: Liu Qingwei , Zhao Yiming , Fan Zhao , Yu Jiali , Zeng Min
Published: November 2022

The development of broadband and high-efficiency broadband microwave-absorbing materials is one of the keys to resisting electromagnetic radiation and electromagnetic interference. In this paper, we used zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) as the template to obtain Ni-doped ZIF-67 via Ni(NO3)2 etching followed by pyrolysis to prepare Co-Ni/C composites successfully. The morphology and microstructure of Co-Ni/C composites can be well-tuned by altering the Ni doping content. ZIF-67-derived Co-Ni/C porous materials exhibit extremely strong microwave absorption performance thanks to dielectric loss, magnetic loss, and the synergistic effect between different components. When the dosage of Ni(NO3)2 used reaches 0.32 g, the obtained composite possesses the optimal absorbing properties with a maximum reflection loss (RL) of −72.88 dB and an effective bandwidth (fe, representing RL ≤ −10 dB) of 7.04 GHz (9.76–16.8 GHz) corresponding to a thickness of 2.53 mm. The results of this work indicate that Co-Ni/C composites have potential application value in the field of microwave absorption.
Possible Role of Vesicles on Metallocatalytic Reduction Reaction of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Dimethylfuran
Authors: Shimanouchi Toshinori , Takahashi Yuki , Hayashi Keita , Yasuhara Kazuma , Kimura Yukitaka
Published: November 2022

A reduction reaction of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-dimethylfuran (2,5-DMF) has been previously performed in an organic solvent under high-temperature conditions. For the relaxation of such reaction conditions, conventional palladium on carbon (Pd/C) was combined with vesicles composed of phospholipids or surfactants. Pd/C combined with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine indicated a yield (25%) at 60 °C compared with Pd/C (17%). Vesicles at the liquid crystalline phase were advantageous for the reduction reaction of HMF. The yield of 2,5-DMF catalyzed by Pd/C combined with the vesicles depended on the lipid composition of the vesicles. It was clarified that the yield of 2,5-DMF could be controlled by the hydration property of the vesicles. Compared with conventional 2,5-DMF synthesis in an organic solvent, the use of vesicles made it possible to reduce the burden of using organic solvents in high-temperature conditions, although limitedly.
Model for the Detection of Falls with the Use of Artificial Intelligence as an Assistant for the Care of the Elderly
Authors: Villegas-Ch. William , Barahona-Espinosa Santiago , Gaibor-Naranjo Walter , Mera-Navarrete Aracely
Published: November 2022

Currently, telemedicine has gained more strength and its use allows establishing areas that acceptably guarantee patient care, either at the level of control or event monitors. One of the systems that adapt to the objectives of telemedicine are fall detection systems, for which artificial vision or artificial intelligence algorithms are used. This work proposes the design and development of a fall detection model with the use of artificial intelligence, the model can classify various positions of people and identify when there is a fall. A Kinect 2.0 camera is used for monitoring, this device can sense an area and guarantees the quality of the images. The measurement of position values allows to generate the skeletonization of the person and the classification of the different types of movements and the activation of alarms allow us to consider this model as an ideal and reliable assistant for the integrity of the elderly. This approach analyzes images in real time and the results showed that our proposed position-based approach detects human falls reaching 80% accuracy with a simple architecture compared to other state-of-the-art methods.
Composition of Coriander Seed Grown in Virginia, USA
Authors: Hamama Anwar A. , Bhardwaj Harbans L.
Published: November 2022

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is an aromatic member of the Apiaceae with a wide diversity of uses. Its rapid life cycle allows it to fit into different growing seasons, making it possible to grow the crop under a wide range of conditions. Even though extensive demand for this herb exists among ethnic communities, its’ production in the eastern USA is essentially non-existent. We are interested in facilitation of commercial production of this herb and to characterize its’ composition. We have previously observed that coriander can be commercially produced in Virginia but composition of coriander seed produced in Virginia (Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America) is unknown. To remedy this situation, we conducted two experiments during 2015 and 2016 with three cultivars (‘Santo’, ‘Santo Monogerm’, and ‘Marino-Organic’). Coriander seed in this study had 7.6 and 8.7 percent oil and 17 and 15 percent protein in winter (planted in December 2015 and harvested in July, 2016) or summer crop (planted in May, 2016 and harvested), respectively whereas mean concentrations (g per 100 g) of P, K, S, Mg, Ca, and Na were 501, 830, 140, 332, 620, 10, respectively. Concentrations of B, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu (mg per 100 g) were 1.10, 2.71, 2.81, 8.96, and 1.29, respectively. Coriander seed in this study contained approximately 19, 63, and 17 percent total saturated, MUFA, and PUFA fatty acids, respectively. Coriander seed contained 0.179, 0.877, and 0.219 percent fructose, glucose, and sucrose, respectively. Our results indicated that coriander seed produced in Virginia has seed composition, generally, similar to that produced elsewhere.
Enhancement of Thermoelectric Performance of Donor-Doped ZnO Ceramics by Involving an In Situ Aluminothermic Reaction during Processing
Authors: Constantinescu Gabriel , Galatanu Andrei , Tobaldi David , Mikhalev Sergey , Suarez Diana , Paulino Tiago , Zakharchuk Kiryl , Sergiienko Sergii , Lopes Daniela , Kovalevsky Andrei
Published: November 2022

This work explores the possibility of involving aluminothermy in processing donor-doped zinc oxide-based thermoelectrics by relying on local, strong exothermic effects developed during sintering, with a potential positive impact on the electrical and thermal transport properties. The strategy was exemplified by using aluminium as a dopant, due to its recognized ability to generate additional, available charge carriers in ZnO, and by using two different metallic Al powders and conventional Al2O3 as precursors. Nanosized aluminium powder was involved in order to evaluate the possible desirable effects of the particles size, as compared to aluminium micropowder. A significant enhancement of the electrical and thermoelectric performance of the samples prepared via metallic Al precursors was observed and discussed in terms of the potential impacts provided by the aluminothermic reaction on the microstructure, charge carrier concentration and mobility during sintering. Although the presented results are the first to show evidence of how aluminothermic reactions can be used for boosting the thermoelectric performance of zinc oxide materials, the detailed mechanisms behind the observed enhancements are yet to be understood.
Research on Mid-Infrared External Cavity Quantum Cascade Lasers and Applications
Authors: Ma Yuhang , Ding Keke , Wei Long , Li Xuan , Shi Junce , Li Zaijin , Qu Yi , Li Lin , Qiao Zhongliang , Liu Guojun , Zeng Lina , Xu Dongxin
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we review the progress of the development and application of external cavity quantum cascade lasers (ECQCLs). We concentrated on ECQCLs based on the wide tunable range for multi-component detection and applications. ECQCLs in the mid-infrared band have a series of unique spectral properties, which can be widely used in spectroscopy, gas detection, protein detection, medical diagnosis, free space optical communication, and so on, especially wide tuning range, the tuning range up to hundreds of wavenumbers; therefore, ECQCLs show great applications potential in many fields. In this paper, the main external cavity structures of ECQCLs are reviewed and compared, such as the Littrow structure, the Littman structure, and some new structures. Some new structures include the intra-cavity out-coupling structure, multimode interference (MMI) structure, and acousto-optic modulator (AOM) control structure. At the same time, the application research of ECQCLs in gas detection, protein detection, and industry detection are introduced in detail. The results show that the use of diffraction gratings as optical feedback elements can not only achieve wide tuning, but it also has low cost, which is beneficial to reduce the complexity of the laser structure. Therefore, the use of diffraction gratings as optical feedback elements is still the mainstream direction of ECQCLs, and ECQCLs offer a further new option for multi-component detection.
The Foraging Window for Greater White-Fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) Is Consistent with the Growth Stage of Carex
Authors: Zhong Yundong , Cheng Lei , Fan Yanguang , Zhou Lizhi , Song Yunwei
Published: November 2022

Food resources are key limiting factors for migratory waterbirds, and the foraging strategies adopted by herbivorous waterbirds are affected by food availability in wetland habitats. The greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) is mainly dependent on Carex in the lower and middle Yangtze River floodplain. Exploring the relationship between the growth conditions of Carex and the foraging strategies adopted by wintering greater white-fronted geese has important ecological implications for habitat protection and management. In this study, scan sampling and focal animal sampling were used to record the foraging behaviors of greater white-fronted geese wintering at Shengjin Lake, and the plant height and water content of Carex were surveyed simultaneously. The relationship between plant characteristics and foraging behaviors was tested using a linear regression equation. The results showed that Carex had two growth periods at Shengjin Lake, and the pecking rate and foraging time budget of greater white-fronted geese were higher during these two periods. Plant characteristics were positively correlated with goose foraging behaviors. The strategic adjustment of the foraging behaviors adopted by wintering greater white-fronted geese was consistent with the growth stage of Carex, which is the optimal foraging window for greater white-fronted geese. During the foraging windows, geese changed their foraging strategies to obtain more energy in order to guarantee successful wintering and migration.
Early Assessment of Chemoradiotherapy Response for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound
Authors: Lu Xiu-Yun , Guo Xi , Zhang Qi , Qiu Yi-Jie , Zuo Dan , Chen Sheng , Tian Xiao-Fan , Zhou Yu-Hong , Dong Yi , Wang Wen-Ping
Published: November 2022

Objective: To evaluate the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) and quantitative parameters in early prediction of tumor response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (LAPC). Patients and Methods: In this prospective study, patients with biopsy-proved and histopathologically proved LAPC who underwent regular CRT were recruited. DCE-US evaluations were performed before and four months after CRT. SonoVue-enhanced contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed by an ultrasound system (ACUSON Sequoia; Siemens Medical Solutions, USA) equipped with a 5C1 MHz convex array transducer. Time–intensity curves were created by VueBox software (Bracco, Italy), and various DCE-US quantitative parameters were obtained. Taking Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) based on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the gold standard, DCE-US parameters were compared between the treatment responder group (RG) and non-responder group (NRG). The correlation between the DCE-US parameters and the serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) level was also analyzed. Results: Finally, 21 LAPC patients (mean age 59.3 ± 7.2 years) were included. In comparing the RG (n = 18) and NRG (n = 3), no significant change could be found among the mean size of the lesions (31.2 ± 8.1 mm vs. 27.2 ± 8.3 mm, p = 0.135). In comparing the TICs between the two groups, the LAPC lesions in the RG took a longer time to reach peak enhancement and to wash out. Among all the DCE-US parameters, RT (rise time), WiAUC (wash-in area under the curve), WoAUC (wash-out area under the curve) and WiWoAUC (wash-in and wash-out area under the curve) decreased significantly after CRT in the RG (p < 0.05). The RT ratio, WiAUC ratio, WoAUC ratio and WiWoAUC ratio were closely correlated with the change in serum CA 19-9 level in the RG (p < 0.05). Conclusion: DCE-US might be a potential imaging method for non-invasive follow-up for early response in LAPC patients treated by CRT.
Development of a Versatile Half-Strip Lateral Flow Assay toward the Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus Antibodies
Authors: Domfe Thulaganyo , Njengele-Tetyana Zikhona , Mhlanga Nikiwe , Tetyana Phumlani , Skepu Amanda , Ngila Jane Catherine , Sikhwivhilu Lucky Mashudu
Published: November 2022

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that is caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV); Bunyaviridae: Phlebovirus. RVF disease can affect several different species, including ruminants, camels and humans and thus present a dual threat to public health and livestock food production in endemic regions. In livestock, the RVFV infection is characterised by an acute hepatitis, abortion and high mortality rates in new-born animals. The current RVF diagnostic techniques have shown good sensitivity. However, they require extensive sample processing and complex instrumentation. Owing to speed, low cost, ease of use, and most importantly, the ability to diagnose diseases at sites where they are managed, lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) are the most widely used point-of-care (POC) tools for disease diagnosis. In this study, a lateral flow assay (LFA) device that is able to detect antibodies against RVFV, with a minimum detectable concentration of 0.125 mg/mL, was successfully developed. The LFA also successfully detected RVFV antibodies in reference RVFV sera. Protein A (ProA), which has the ability to bind immunoglobulins from different species, was used in the detection probe, giving the developed RVFV LFA potential for multi-species diagnosis.
Evaluation of Hepcidin Level in COVID-19 Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Ciotti Marco , Nuccetelli Marzia , Pieri Massimo , Petrangeli Carlo Maria , Giovannelli Alfredo , Cosio Terenzio , Rosa Luigi , Valenti Piera , Leonardis Francesca , Legramante Jacopo Maria , Bernardini Sergio , Campione Elena , Minieri Marilena
Published: November 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a clinical spectrum that ranges from a mild condition to critical illness. Patients with critical illness present respiratory failure, septic shock and/or multi-organ failure induced by the so called “cytokine storm”. Inflammatory cytokines affect iron metabolism, mainly inducing the synthesis of hepcidin, a hormone peptide not routinely measured. High levels of hepcidin have been associated with the severity of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to analyze, retrospectively, the levels of hepcidin in a group of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Policlinico Tor Vergata of Rome, Italy. Thirty-eight patients from November 2020 to May 2021 were enrolled in the study. Based on the clinical outcome, the patients were assigned to two groups: survivors and non-survivors. Moreover, a series of routine laboratory parameters were monitored during the stay of the patients in the ICU and their levels correlated to the outcome. Statistical differences in the level of hepcidin, D-dimer, IL-6, LDH, NLR, neutrophils level, CRP, TNF-α and transferrin were observed between the groups. In particular, hepcidin values showed significantly different median concentrations (88 ng/mL vs. 146 ng/mL) between survivors and non-survivors. In addition, ROC curves analysis revealed sensitivity and specificity values of 74% and 76%, respectively, at a cut-off of 127 (ng/mL), indicating hepcidin as a good biomarker in predicting the severity and mortality of COVID-19 in ICU patients.
Visualization of Ray Propagation through Extended Depth-of-Focus Intraocular Lenses
Authors: Baur Isabella D. , Auffarth Gerd U. , Yan Weijia , Łabuz Grzegorz , Khoramnia Ramin
Published: November 2022

Extended depth-of-focus (EDoF) presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (IOL) models differ in their optical design and performance. In the laboratory, we compared the ray propagation and light intensity profiles of four IOLs: the non-diffractive AcrySof IQ Vivity (Alcon Inc., Fort Worth, TX, USA) and two diffractive models, Symfony ZXR00 (Johnson & Johnson Vision, Jacksonville, FL, USA) and AT Lara 829 MP (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Berlin, Germany). A fourth lens, the monofocal AcrySof IQ SN60WF (Alcon Inc.) acted as the control. We projected a 520 nm laser light through each submerged lens in a bath of fluorescein solution. A camera mounted on a microscope captured the light that emerged from the IOL. We recorded the IOLs’ point spread function (PSF) to determine the presence of unwanted visual effects. The ray propagation visualization and light intensity profile of the monofocal control showed one distinct focus, while the AcrySof IQ Vivity demonstrated an extended focus area. We observed two distinct foci with each diffractive IOL. We found a lower level of light spread beyond the PSF center for the AcrySof IQ Vivity compared to the diffractive IOLs. In conclusion, we could confirm the extended range of focus for all the EDoF IOL models. However, the non-diffractive AcrySof IQ Vivity appears to have a smoother transition from a far to an intermediate range. We discuss whether, in clinical use, the higher level of spurious light we found in the diffractive designs may translate into increased dysphotopsia.
Budd–Chiari Syndrome Management: Controversies and Open Issues
Authors: Mancuso Andrea
Published: November 2022

Budd–Chiari Syndrome (BCS) is due to thrombosis of hepatic veins (HVs), inferior vena cava (IVC) or both, leading to impaired hepatic venous outflow [...]
Effects of Laser Therapy on Periodontal Status in Adult Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment
Authors: Lazăr Luminița , Dako Timea , Mârțu Maria-Alexandra , Bica Cristina-Ioana , Bud Anamaria , Suciu Mircea , Păcurar Mariana , Lazăr Ana-Petra
Published: November 2022

Orthodontic treatment with fixed devices should only be indicated in case of a stable, non-active periodontal disease status. Throughout orthodontic treatment, a careful assessment of the periodontal status is advised. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, laser therapy is frequently used as an adjunct to classic periodontal therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantages and limitations of the use of laser therapy on periodontal status during orthodontic treatment. Throughout the 9 months during which this placebo-controlled, single-blind clinical trial was conducted, 32 patients were included in the study, divided into two groups: microscope “+” (patients who observed the bacteria within the dental plaque-sample examination on the screen of a dark-field microscope in real time) and microscope “−” (patients who did not see the oral pathogens using a dark-field microscope). For all patients, using the split-mouth study design, laser therapy was applied to one hemiarch (HL), whereas the other hemiarch received treatment without active light (HC). After one month, by analyzing the main indicators of periodontal health status, we found that the plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) values were significantly decreased after receiving treatment (for PI: HL-p = 0.0005, HC-p = 0.0297; for BOP: HL-p = 0.0121, HC-p = 0.0236), whereas the probing-depth (PD) values remained almost the same as before treatment (HL-p = 1.5143; HC-p = 1.4762). Conclusions: The use of the dark-field microscope proved to be beneficial in sensitizing patients to the presence of bacteria in the oral cavity and motivated them to strictly follow the rules of oral hygiene. Laser treatment can be a valuable aid in periodontal therapy, but only in adjunction with mechanical therapy.
Home-Applied Dual-Light Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Stable Chronic Periodontitis (HOPE-CP)—Three-Month Interim Results
Authors: Pakarinen Saila , Saarela Riitta K. T. , Välimaa Hannamari , Heikkinen Anna Maria , Kankuri Esko , Noponen Marja , Alapulli Heikki , Tervahartiala Taina , Räisänen Ismo T. , Sorsa Timo , Pätilä Tommi
Published: November 2022

A single-site, randomized clinical trial was designed to determine the efficacy of regular home use of Lumoral® dual-light antibacterial aPDT in periodontitis patients. For the study, 200 patients were randomized to receive non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT), including standardized hygiene instructions and electric toothbrush, scaling and root planing, or NSPT with adjunctive Lumoral® treatment. A complete clinical intraoral examination was conducted in the beginning, at three months, and at six months. This report presents the three-month results of the first 59 consecutive randomized subjects. At three months, bleeding on probing (BOP) was lower in the NSPT + Lumoral®-group than in the NSPT group (p = 0.045), and more patients in the NSPT + Lumoral®-group had their BOP below 10% (54% vs. 22%, respectively, p = 0.008). In addition, patients in the NSPT + Lumoral®-group improved their oral hygiene by visible-plaque-index (p = 0.0003), while the NSPT group showed no statistical improvement compared to the baseline. Both groups significantly reduced the number of deep periodontal pockets, but more patients with a reduction in their deep pocket number were found in the NSPT + Lumoral® group (92% vs. 63%, p = 0.02). Patients whose number of deep pockets was reduced by 50% or more were also more frequent in the NSPT + Lumoral®-group (71% vs. 33%, p = 0.01). Patients with initially less than ten deep pockets had fewer deep pockets at the three-month follow-up in the Lumoral® group (p = 0.01). In conclusion, adjunctive use of Lumoral® in NSPT results in improved treatment outcomes at three months post-therapy.
Bearing Fault Diagnosis Method Based on Convolutional Neural Network and Knowledge Graph
Authors: Li Zhibo , Li Yuanyuan , Sun Qichun , Qi Bowei
Published: November 2022

An effective fault diagnosis method of bearing is the key to predictive maintenance of modern industrial equipment. With the single use of equipment failure mechanism or operation of data, it is hard to resolve multiple complex variable working conditions, multiple types of fault and equipment malfunctions and failures related to knowledge and data. In order to solve these problems, a fault diagnosis method based on the fusion of deep learning with a knowledge graph is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the knowledge rules of bearing data is used for entity extraction. Next, the multiscale optimized convolutional neural network (MOCNN) proposed in this paper is used for fault classification to achieve relationship extraction. Finally, the fault diagnosis graph of the bearing is constructed for fault-assisted decision-making as well as the detailed display of fault information. According to experiment analysis, the fault diagnosis model based on MOCNN proposed in this paper, which integrates the end-to-end convolutional neural network and the attention mechanism, still achieves an accuracy of 97.86% under the data set of 160 types of faults. Compared with the deep learning models such as Resnet and Inception in the noise environment of multiple working conditions and variable working conditions, the model proposed in this paper not only shows a faster convergence speed and stable performance, but also a higher accuracy in evaluation indicators, which is beneficial to practical use.
Rényi Entropies of Multidimensional Oscillator and Hydrogenic Systems with Applications to Highly Excited Rydberg States
Authors: Dehesa Jesús
Published: November 2022

The various facets of the internal disorder of quantum systems can be described by means of the Rényi entropies of their single-particle probability density according to modern density functional theory and quantum information techniques. In this work, we first show the lower and upper bounds for the Rényi entropies of general and central-potential quantum systems, as well as the associated entropic uncertainty relations. Then, the Rényi entropies of multidimensional oscillator and hydrogenic-like systems are reviewed and explicitly determined for all bound stationary position and momentum states from first principles (i.e., in terms of the potential strength, the space dimensionality and the states’s hyperquantum numbers). This is possible because the associated wavefunctions can be expressed by means of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials. Emphasis is placed on the most extreme, non-trivial cases corresponding to the highly excited Rydberg states, where the Rényi entropies can be amazingly obtained in a simple, compact, and transparent form. Powerful asymptotic approaches of approximation theory have been used when the polynomial’s degree or the weight-function parameter(s) of the Hermite, Laguerre, and Gegenbauer polynomials have large values. At present, these special states are being shown of increasing potential interest in quantum information and the associated quantum technologies, such as e.g., quantum key distribution, quantum computation, and quantum metrology.
Gaussian Multiuser Wiretap Channels in the Presence of a Jammer-Aided Eavesdropper
Authors: Chou Rémi A. , Yener Aylin
Published: November 2022

This paper considers secure communication in the presence of an eavesdropper and a malicious jammer. The jammer is assumed to be oblivious of the communication signals emitted by the legitimate transmitter(s) but can employ any jamming strategy subject to a given power constraint and shares her jamming signal with the eavesdropper. Four such models are considered: (i) the Gaussian point-to-point wiretap channel; (ii) the Gaussian multiple-access wiretap channel; (iii) the Gaussian broadcast wiretap channel; and (iv) the Gaussian symmetric interference wiretap channel. The use of pre-shared randomness between the legitimate users is not allowed in our models. Inner and outer bounds are derived for these four models. For (i), the secrecy capacity is obtained. For (ii) and (iv) under a degraded setup, the optimal secrecy sum-rate is characterized. Finally, for (iii), ranges of model parameter values for which the inner and outer bounds coincide are identified.
Measuring Uncertainty in the Negation Evidence for Multi-Source Information Fusion
Authors: Tang Yongchuan , Chen Yong , Zhou Deyun
Published: November 2022

Dempster–Shafer evidence theory is widely used in modeling and reasoning uncertain information in real applications. Recently, a new perspective of modeling uncertain information with the negation of evidence was proposed and has attracted a lot of attention. Both the basic probability assignment (BPA) and the negation of BPA in the evidence theory framework can model and reason uncertain information. However, how to address the uncertainty in the negation information modeled as the negation of BPA is still an open issue. Inspired by the uncertainty measures in Dempster–Shafer evidence theory, a method of measuring the uncertainty in the negation evidence is proposed. The belief entropy named Deng entropy, which has attracted a lot of attention among researchers, is adopted and improved for measuring the uncertainty of negation evidence. The proposed measure is defined based on the negation function of BPA and can quantify the uncertainty of the negation evidence. In addition, an improved method of multi-source information fusion considering uncertainty quantification in the negation evidence with the new measure is proposed. Experimental results on a numerical example and a fault diagnosis problem verify the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed method in measuring and fusing uncertain information.
Memory-Limited Partially Observable Stochastic Control and Its Mean-Field Control Approach
Authors: Tottori Takehiro , Kobayashi Tetsuya J.
Published: November 2022

Control problems with incomplete information and memory limitation appear in many practical situations. Although partially observable stochastic control (POSC) is a conventional theoretical framework that considers the optimal control problem with incomplete information, it cannot consider memory limitation. Furthermore, POSC cannot be solved in practice except in special cases. In order to address these issues, we propose an alternative theoretical framework, memory-limited POSC (ML-POSC). ML-POSC directly considers memory limitation as well as incomplete information, and it can be solved in practice by employing the technique of mean-field control theory. ML-POSC can generalize the linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) problem to include memory limitation. Because estimation and control are not clearly separated in the LQG problem with memory limitation, the Riccati equation is modified to the partially observable Riccati equation, which improves estimation as well as control. Furthermore, we demonstrate the effectiveness of ML-POSC for a non-LQG problem by comparing it with the local LQG approximation.
Right Mindfulness in Teacher Education: Integrating Buddhist Teachings with Secular Mindfulness to Promote Racial Equity
Authors: Romano Lindsay E. , Chang Doris F.
Published: November 2022

Despite decades of reform efforts, disparities in schooling persist based on race, threatening the economic and social wellbeing of the United States. Why are there still significant opportunity gaps despite decades of reform efforts to curb inequities? For one, these efforts often overlook the internal habits of mind, or inner nature of inequity, and the ways in which educators may perpetuate racism through unexamined racial biases. Secular mindfulness and its Buddhist origins could help address these harmful habits of mind and transform systems by providing tools for educators to examine their internalized beliefs around race. Realizing the potential of these practices to combat racial inequities in the classroom requires building a stronger bridge between Eastern Buddhism and the individual psychological emphasis of Westernized mindfulness. This critical theoretical paper will examine opportunities for mindfulness interventions in the United States educational context to address inequities through a deeper integration with Eastern contemplative traditions. Implications for researchers and practitioners will be presented to explore how mindfulness practices in the West might be expanded and utilized in service of racial justice.
Automated Context-Aware Vulnerability Risk Management for Patch Prioritization
Authors: Ahmadi Mehri Vida , Arlos Patrik , Casalicchio Emiliano
Published: November 2022

The information-security landscape continuously evolves by discovering new vulnerabilities daily and sophisticated exploit tools. Vulnerability risk management (VRM) is the most crucial cyber defense to eliminate attack surfaces in IT environments. VRM is a cyclical practice of identifying, classifying, evaluating, and remediating vulnerabilities. The evaluation stage of VRM is neither automated nor cost-effective, as it demands great manual administrative efforts to prioritize the patch. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the VRM procedure by automating the entire VRM cycle in the context of a given organization. The authors propose automated context-aware VRM (ACVRM), to address the above challenges. This study defines the criteria to consider in the evaluation stage of ACVRM to prioritize the patching. Moreover, patch prioritization is customized in an organization’s context by allowing the organization to select the vulnerability management mode and weigh the selected criteria. Specifically, this study considers four vulnerability evaluation cases: (i) evaluation criteria are weighted homogeneously; (ii) attack complexity and availability are not considered important criteria; (iii) the security score is the only important criteria considered; and (iv) criteria are weighted based on the organization’s risk appetite. The result verifies the proposed solution’s efficiency compared with the Rudder vulnerability management tool (CVE-plugin). While Rudder produces a ranking independent from the scenario, ACVRM can sort vulnerabilities according to the organization’s criteria and context. Moreover, while Rudder randomly sorts vulnerabilities with the same patch score, ACVRM sorts them according to their age, giving a higher security score to older publicly known vulnerabilities.
A Dimension Estimation Method for Rigid and Flexible Planar Antennas Based on Characteristic Mode Analysis
Authors: Qas Elias Bashar Bahaa , Al-Hadi Azremi Abdullah , Akkaraekthalin Prayoot , Soh Ping Jack
Published: November 2022

An empirical method for simplified dimension estimation of patch antennas is proposed in this work based on characteristic mode analysis (CMA). This method involves generating formulae to calculate substrate-independent antenna patch widths produced from the antenna’s characteristic angle. This enables the definition of a relationship between the characteristic angle and the natural resonant frequency of an antenna structure, bridging the changes of resonant frequencies contributed by possible variation in substrate properties. From here, the end ‘calibrated’ results can be used to generate specific formulae for each antenna to determine the width of the patch at different operating frequencies, making it time- and resource-efficient. This method was validated using conventional and slotted antennas designed using different substrates, both rigid (RO4003C, Rogers RT/Duroid 5880) and conventional (felt, denim fabric). Measurement results obtained were in satisfactory agreement with simulated results, even without considering the substrates and excitations. Finally, this method was also applied in designing dual-band antennas using flexible materials for wearable applications, indicating good agreement with experimental results.