bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-Person, Remote, or Hybrid Instruction? A Quality Improvement Assessment of a Six Week Interprofessional Education Pathway Program for Undergraduate Pre-Health Students
Authors: McCleary-Gaddy Asia , Yu Erica Tengyuan , Spears Robert D.
Published: November 2022

There is an emphasis on increasing the diversity of healthcare providers with the goal of reducing health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities. To support this initiative, pathway programs were designed to provide educational and career support to students belonging to racial/ethnic minorities or those who have challenges applying to or entering health professions. As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, pathway programs have assumed various instructional delivery formats (e.g., face to face, virtual, hybrid) with little knowledge on the satisfaction of such methods. The current preliminary study examines whether in person, virtual, or hybrid learning is most effective for underrepresented pre-health undergraduate students who are engaged in a six-week interprofessional health pathway program. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected at one time point towards the end of the program when it was offered in person, virtually, and in hybrid format. Results revealed that the pre-health pathway program received highest satisfaction when presented in a hybrid format and least satisfaction when presented in virtual instruction. Qualitative data suggests that virtual instruction increases feelings of isolation and complicates educational information due to the limitations of virtual streaming. Implications for pathway design are discussed.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Deaths from COVID-19 in Peru during the Initial Pandemic Response
Authors: Ramos Willy , Arrasco Juan , De La Cruz-Vargas Jhony A. , Ordóñez Luis , Vargas María , Seclén-Ubillús Yovanna , Luna Miguel , Guerrero Nadia , Medina José , Sandoval Isabel , Solis-Castro Maria Edith , Loayza Manuel
Published: November 2022

Background and aim: Peru is the country with the highest mortality rate from COVID-19 globally, so the analysis of the characteristics of deaths is of national and international interest. The aim was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of deaths from COVID-19 in Peru from 28 March to 21 May 2020. Methods: Deaths from various sources were investigated, including the COVID-19 Epidemiological Surveillance and the National System of Deaths (SINADEF). In all, 3851 deaths that met the definition of a confirmed case and had a positive result of RT-PCR or rapid test IgM/IgG, were considered for the analysis. We obtained the epidemiological variables and carried out an analysis of time defined as the pre-hospital time from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization, and hospital time from the date of hospitalization to death. Results: Deaths were more frequent in males (72.0%), seniors (68.8%) and residents of the region of Lima (42.7%). In 17.8% of cases, the death occurred out-of-hospital, and 31.4% had some comorbidity. The median of pre-hospital time was 7 days (IQR: 4.0–9.0) and for the hospital time was 5 days (IQR: 3.0–9.0). The multivariable analysis with Poisson regression with robust variance found that the age group, comorbidity diagnosis and the region of origin significantly influenced pre-hospital time; while sex, comorbidity diagnosis, healthcare provider and the region of origin significantly influenced hospital time. Conclusion: Deaths occurred mainly in males, seniors and on the coast, with considerable out-of-hospital deaths. Pre-hospital time was affected by age group, the diagnosis of comorbidities and the region of origin; while, hospital time was influenced by gender, the diagnosis of comorbidities, healthcare provider and the region of origin.
Efficacy of Injury Prevention Using Functional Movement Screen Training in High-School Baseball Players: Secondary Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Suzuki Kenta , Mizoguchi Yasuaki , Kimura Fumihiko , Sawada Yutaka , Akasaka Kiyokazu
Published: November 2022

This study of a randomized controlled trial aimed to clarify the effect of functional movement screen (FMS) training on the FMS score and the number of injuries in high-school baseball players. Accordingly, 71 high-school baseball players (age: 15–17 years) were randomized into an intervention group (n = 37; FMS training 4 times per week for 12 weeks on the ground of each team) or a control group (n = 34; team practice without limits). No significant differences were observed in terms of the participant characteristics of the two groups. The FMS score of the intervention group significantly increased after 12 weeks of training compared with the control group. However, there was no difference between the groups in terms of the FMS score after 24 weeks. Injuries in the intervention group were significantly reduced after 24 weeks. The time lost due to noncontact injuries (12 weeks/follow-up) was 56.5 h/113 h in the intervention group and 33 h/325.5 h in the control group. Injuries were found all over the body. Based on these results, FMS training was proven to reduce injury in high-school baseball players. Although continued training is required to improve FMS scores, the number of injuries decreased after training.
Integration of Non-Destructive Acoustic Imaging Investigation with Photogrammetric and Morphological Analysis to Study the “Graecia Vetus” in the Chigi Palace of Ariccia
Authors: Calicchia Paola , De Simone Sara , Camassa Antonio , Tatì Angelo , Petrucci Francesco
Published: November 2022

Integrating complementary information from many available technologies is a question of growing interest among the Cultural Heritage community, due to the complexity of the cultural assets under study and of their contexts. Recently, this need has pushed the development of appropriate data fusion procedures for this sector, among which the authors wish to propose their approach for treating multi-source data from image-based methodologies, experimented with in a representative case study. The Chigi Palace of Ariccia hosted our investigation campaign on a precious monochrome painting by Giuseppe Cades (1788), the Graecia Vetus. The study encompasses a photogrammetric survey and two acoustic diagnostic methods, the innovative Frequency Resolved Acoustic Imaging technique and the more traditional Acoustic Tomography. The photogrammetric survey allows reconstruction of the surface morphology of the painting, generating a 3D Digital Elevation Model, while the acoustic methods detect the structural damage beneath the surface due to detachments and flaws, generating 2D images. The output of this heterogeneous datasets fusion is a multi-layer map, each layer representing a type of dataset that clearly shows how some deformations of the surface morphology appear correlated with the presence of sub-surface anomalies, wide air cavities and more superficial detachments revealed by the acoustic diagnostic methods. Beside the exam of the conservation state of the Graecia Vetus, the proposed procedure effectively guarantees access to the integrated information, offering the possibility to understand the correlation between the causes and the effects of the decay process, as well as the retrieval of the single analysis in order to deepen one specific aspect.
Influence of Drought Stress and PGPR Inoculation on Essential Oil Yield and Volatile Organic Compound Emissions in Mentha piperita
Authors: Chiappero Julieta , Cappellari Lorena del Rosario , Palermo Tamara Belén , Giordano Walter , Banchio Erika
Published: November 2022

Considering that inoculation with beneficial rhizobacteria promotes biomass and secondary metabolite biosynthesis and also the fact that drought stress can increase their production, we determined the effects when both of these situations were combined in EO yield. In addition, the levels of endogenous phytohormones and the gene expression of enzymes related to monoterpenes biosynthesis were measured. The experimental results showed that inoculation with PGPR in stressed plants produced the same effects on trichome density, the EO main components and total yield as in plants only inoculated or with moderate stress alone. In addition, the VOC emissions of inoculated stressed plants did not vary the release amount in relation to uninoculated stressed ones. The results observed have suggested a way of improving aromatic plant productivity, particularly that of peppermint, by managing drought stress through the inoculation of plants with PGPR. This inoculation under moderate drought stress is appropriate when the purpose of the crops is to obtain plants with a high secondary metabolites yield.
Qualitative and Nutritional Characteristics of Plum Cultivars Grown on Different Rootstocks
Authors: Zezulová Eliška , Ondrášek Ivo , Kiss Tomáš , Nečas Tomáš
Published: November 2022

Previous study hsas confirmed the influence of rootstock on the scion. Using a suitable rootstock for plum cultivar can affect many qualitative parameters of fruit. This study deals with the pomological and chemical analysis of three plums of Japanese origin (Prunus salicina) ‘Black Amber’, ‘Karkulka’, ‘Shiro’ and one European origin (Prunus domestica) ‘Stanley’ grown on five different rootstock (Ishtara, St. Julien A, Torinel, Citation and Penta) planted in Czech Republic. During the year, the phenological phases of date of blooming, flower set, date of ripening, and fruit set were determined. In this study, significant negative correlation (p < 0.05, R = −0.6831) was determined between fruit set and fruit weight. Rootstocks did not have influence on the fruit weight, but ‘Karkulka’ reached significantly higher fruit weight on St. Julien A and Citation rootstocks (32 g) than on the other three rootstocks (24 to 26 g). For all cultivars, fruit firmness and soluble solid content (SSC) were measured. The rootstocks greatly influenced the titratable acidity of plums which reached the highest value for cultivars grown on Citation rootstock (from 0.65 to 2.43%) and the lowest when grown on Ishtara rootstock (from 0.53 to 1.88%). In addition, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity were determined. The cultivars on Ishtara rootstock reached the highest values of TPC (from 336.26 to 562.75 mg (GAE)/100 g). The results presented in this study show influence of rootstock on quality of plums, where Ishtara rootstock was highlighted as the best.
Site-Specific Nutrient Diagnosis of Orange Groves
Authors: Yamane Danilo Ricardo , Parent Serge-Étienne , Natale William , Cecílio Filho Arthur Bernardes , Rozane Danilo Eduardo , Nowaki Rodrigo Hiyoshi Dalmazzo , Mattos Junior Dirceu de , Parent Léon Etienne
Published: November 2022

Nutrient diagnosis of orange (Citrus sinensis) groves in Brazil relies on regional information from a limited number of studies transferred to other environments under the ceteris paribus assumption. Interpretation methods are based on crude nutrient compositions that are intrinsically biased by genetics X environment interactions. Our objective was to develop accurate and unbiased nutrient diagnosis of orange groves combining machine learning (ML) and compositional methods. Fruit yield and foliar nutrients were quantified in 551 rainfed 7–15-year-old orange groves of ‘Hamlin’, ‘Valência’, and ‘Pêra’ in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The data set was further documented using soil classification, soil tests, and meteorological indices. Tissue compositions were log-ratio transformed to account for nutrient interactions. Ionomes differed among scions. Regression ML models showed evidence of overfitting. Binary ML classification models showed acceptable values of areas under the curve (>0.7). Regional standards delineating the multivariate elliptical hyperspace depended on the yield cutoff. A shapeless blob hyperspace was delineated using the k-nearest successful neighbors that showed comparable features and reported realistic yield goals. Regionally derived and site-specific reference compositions may lead to differential interpretation. Large-size and diversified data sets must be collected to inform ML models along the learning curve, tackle model overfitting, and evaluate the merit of blob-scale diagnosis.
Forecasting High-Flow Discharges in a Flashy Catchment Using Multiple Precipitation Estimates as Predictors in Machine Learning Models
Authors: Zanchetta Andre , Coulibaly Paulin , Fortin Vincent
Published: November 2022

The use of machine learning (ML) for predicting high river flow events is gaining prominence and among its non-trivial design decisions is the definition of the quantitative precipitation estimate (QPE) product included in the input dataset. This study proposes and evaluates the use of multiple concurrent QPEs to improve the performance of a ML model towards the forecasting of the discharge in a flashy urban catchment. Multiple extreme learning machine (ELM) models were trained with distinct combinations of QPEs from radar, reanalysis, and gauge datasets. Their performance was then assessed in terms of goodness of fit and contingency analysis for the prediction of high flows. It was found that multi-QPEs models overperformed the best of its single-QPE counterparts, with gains in Kling-Gupta efficiency (KGE) values up to 4.76% and increase of precision in detecting high flows up to 7.27% for the lead times in which forecasts were considered “useful”. The novelty of these results suggests that the implementation of ML models could achieve better performance if the predictive features related to rainfall data were more diverse in terms of data sources when compared with the currently predominant use of a single QPE product.
Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Combined with Low-Intensity Resistance Training on Lower-Limb Muscle Strength and Mass in Post-Middle-Aged Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chang Hualong , Yao Mengxing , Chen Biao , Qi Yongle , Zhang Jianli
Published: November 2022

We studied the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with low-intensity resistance training (LIRT) on lower-limb muscle strength and mass in post-middle-aged adults. The PubMed, OVID, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were used to obtain randomized controlled trials, and the effects of BFR and LIRT (BFRt) on muscle strength and mass in adults were examined. The Cochrane risk of bias tool assessed bias in the included trials. The combined effects of BFR and LIRT (BFRt) were calculated by meta-analysis, the association between muscle strength/mass and interventions was determined by meta-regression, and beneficial variables of intervention were explored by subgroup analysis. A total of 11 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The combined effects showed that BFRt significantly improved lower extremity muscle strength but not muscle mass gain. Meta-regression analysis indicated that the effect of BFRt on changes in muscle strength was correlated with frequency of the intervention. Subgroup analysis revealed that BFRt achieved greater muscle strength gains than normal activity, LIRT, and similar muscle strength gains compared to high-intensity resistance training. The increased muscle strength after BFRt was noticed with a frequency of three times a week, but not with a frequency of two times a week, and the difference between these subgroups was statistically significant. Our findings indicate that BFRt can increase lower-limb muscle strength in post-middle-aged adults. Frequency of intervention is a key variable; particularly, a schedule of three times a week is effective in improving muscle strength.
Mental Health Disorder Symptoms among Canadian Coast Guard and Conservation and Protection Officers
Authors: Andrews Katie L. , Jamshidi Laleh , Nisbet Jolan , Teckchandani Taylor A. , Price Jill A. B. , Ricciardelli Rosemary , Anderson Gregory S. , Carleton R. Nicholas
Published: November 2022

Canadian public safety personnel (PSP) screen positive for one or more mental health disorders, based on self-reported symptoms, at a prevalence much greater (i.e., 44.5%) than the diagnostic prevalence for the general public (10.1%). Potentially psychologically traumatic event (PPTE) exposures and occupational stressors increase the risks of developing symptoms of mental health disorders. The current study was designed to estimate the mental health disorder symptoms among Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and Conservation and Protection (C&P) Officers. The participants (n = 412; 56.1% male, 37.4% female) completed an online survey assessing their current mental health disorder symptoms using screening measures and sociodemographic information. The participants screened positive for one or more current mental health disorders (42.0%; e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, alcohol use disorder) more frequently than in the general population diagnostic prevalence (10.1%; p < 0.001). The current results provide the first information describing the prevalence of current mental health disorder symptoms and subsequent positive screenings of CCG and C&P Officers. The results evidence a higher prevalence of positive screenings for mental health disorders than in the general population, and differences among the disorder-screening prevalence relative to other Canadian PSP. The current results provide insightful information into the mental health challenges facing CCG and C&P PSP and inform efforts to mitigate and manage PTSI among PSP. Ongoing efforts are needed to protect CCG and C&P Officers’ mental health by mitigating the impacts of risk factors and operational and organizational stressors through interventions and training, thus reducing the prevalence of occupational stress injuries.
Gaming Disorder and Psycho-Emotional Wellbeing among Male University Students and Other Young Adults in Israel
Authors: Isralowitz Richard , Romem Porat Shai-li , Zolotov Yuval , Yehudai Mor , Dagan Adi , Reznik Alexander
Published: November 2022

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the impact of gaming and gaming disorder on the wellbeing of Israeli male university students and other adults. Gaming disorder (i.e., persistent, and recurrent gaming activity associated with a lack of control that may be clinically diagnosed) was determined using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form (IGDS9-SF). Survey participants were recruited from gaming associations, clubs and the gaming community using Facebook. Data were collected in June 2022. A total of 526 males completed the survey (30.9% university students and 69.1% other young adults). Various statistical methods of analysis including regression were used for this study. Significant study group differences revealed university students with more indications of gaming disorder, more burnout, less loneliness, more stimulant (i.e., Ritalin) use, a greater consumption of salt- and/or sugar-loaded foods and lower economic wellbeing. The levels of resilience (i.e., the ability to recover from stress), substance use (e.g., tobacco and alcohol) and weight gain were similar for the two groups. Regression analysis showed gaming disorder as a key predictor of burnout, economic wellbeing and resilience. This study examined only male gamers because of the small number of female respondents. However, additional research is needed about female internet gamers, including their possible exposure to online harassment and sexual degradation. Additionally, additional research should be considered to verify the present study’s findings about gamers based on demographic factors and gaming disorder levels. Prevention and treatment intervention measures, including those that can be made available on campus, should be thought about by university administration personnel and student association leaders in consultation with professionals who are experienced in reducing gaming disorder and other harmful behaviors among students.
Signaling Transduction of ABA, ROS, and Ca2+ in Plant Stomatal Closure in Response to Drought
Authors: Liu Hui , Song Songbo , Zhang Hui , Li Yanhua , Niu Liangjie , Zhang Jinghua , Wang Wei
Published: November 2022

Drought is a global threat that affects agricultural production. Plants have evolved several adaptive strategies to cope with drought. Stomata are essential structures for plants to control water status and photosynthesis rate. Stomatal closure is an efficient way for plants to reduce water loss and improve survivability under drought conditions. The opening and closure of stomata depend on the turgor pressure in guard cells. Three key signaling molecules, including abscisic acid (ABA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and calcium ion (Ca2+), play pivotal roles in controlling stomatal closure. Plants sense the water-deficit signal mainly via leaves and roots. On the one hand, ABA is actively synthesized in root and leaf vascular tissues and transported to guard cells. On the other hand, the roots sense the water-deficit signal and synthesize CLAVATA3/EMBRYO-SURROUNDING REGION RELATED 25 (CLE25) peptide, which is transported to the guard cells to promote ABA synthesis. ABA is perceived by pyrabactin resistance (PYR)/PYR1-like (PYL)/regulatory components of ABA receptor (RCAR) receptors, which inactivate PP2C, resulting in activating the protein kinases SnRK2s. Many proteins regulating stomatal closure are activated by SnRK2s via protein phosphorylation. ABA-activated SnRK2s promote apoplastic ROS production outside of guard cells and transportation into the guard cells. The apoplastic H2O2 can be directly sensed by a receptor kinase, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE-INDUCED CA2+ INCREASES1 (HPCA1), which induces activation of Ca2+ channels in the cytomembrane of guard cells, and triggers an increase in Ca2+ in the cytoplasm of guard cells, resulting in stomatal closure. In this review, we focused on discussing the signaling transduction of ABA, ROS, and Ca2+ in controlling stomatal closure in response to drought. Many critical genes are identified to have a function in stomatal closure under drought conditions. The identified genes in the process can serve as candidate genes for genetic engineering to improve drought resistance in crops. The review summarizes the recent advances and provides new insights into the signaling regulation of stomatal closure in response to water-deficit stress and new clues on the improvement of drought resistance in crops.
The Role of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria in Colorectal Cancer Related Cachexia: Friends or Foes?
Authors: van de Haterd Britt , Verboven Kenneth , Vandenabeele Frank , Agten Anouk
Published: November 2022

Up to 60% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients develop cachexia. The presence of CRC related cachexia is associated with more adverse events during systemic therapy, leading to a high mortality rate. The main manifestation in CRC related cachexia is the loss of skeletal muscle mass, resulting from an imbalance between skeletal muscle protein synthesis and protein degradation. In CRC related cachexia, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and proteolytic systems lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in an imbalanced skeletal muscle metabolism. Mitochondria fulfill an important function in muscle maintenance. Thus, preservation of the skeletal muscle mitochondrial homeostasis may contribute to prevent the loss of muscle mass. However, it remains elusive whether mitochondria play a benign or malignant role in the development of cancer cachexia. This review summarizes current (mostly preclinical) evidence about the role of skeletal muscle mitochondria in the development of CRC related cachexia. Future human research is necessary to determine the physiological role of skeletal muscle mitochondria in the development of human CRC related cachexia.
The New Version of the ANDDigest Tool with Improved AI-Based Short Names Recognition
Authors: Ivanisenko Timofey V. , Demenkov Pavel S. , Kolchanov Nikolay A. , Ivanisenko Vladimir A.
Published: November 2022

The body of scientific literature continues to grow annually. Over 1.5 million abstracts of biomedical publications were added to the PubMed database in 2021. Therefore, developing cognitive systems that provide a specialized search for information in scientific publications based on subject area ontology and modern artificial intelligence methods is urgently needed. We previously developed a web-based information retrieval system, ANDDigest, designed to search and analyze information in the PubMed database using a customized domain ontology. This paper presents an improved ANDDigest version that uses fine-tuned PubMedBERT classifiers to enhance the quality of short name recognition for molecular-genetics entities in PubMed abstracts on eight biological object types: cell components, diseases, side effects, genes, proteins, pathways, drugs, and metabolites. This approach increased average short name recognition accuracy by 13%.
Inhibition of IRAK1 Is an Effective Therapy for Autoimmune Hypophysitis in Mice
Authors: Huang Hsiao-Chen , Chen Yun-Ti , Lin Han-Huei , Li Zhi-Qin , Yang Jinn-Moon , Tzou Shey-Cherng
Published: November 2022

Autoimmune hypophysitis (AH) is an autoimmune disease of the pituitary for which the pathogenesis is incompletely known. AH is often treated with corticosteroids; however, steroids may lead to considerable side effects. Using a mouse model of AH (experimental autoimmune hypophysitis, EAH), we show that interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) is upregulated in the pituitaries of mice that developed EAH. We identified rosoxacin as a specific inhibitor for IRAK1 and found it could treat EAH. Rosoxacin treatment at an early stage (day 0–13) slightly reduced disease severity, whereas treatment at a later stage (day 14–27) significantly suppressed EAH. Further investigation indicated rosoxacin reduced production of autoantigen-specific antibodies. Rosoxacin downregulated production of cytokines and chemokines that may dampen T cell differentiation or recruitment to the pituitary. Finally, rosoxacin downregulated class II major histocompatibility complex expression on antigen-presenting cells that may lead to impaired activation of autoantigen-specific T cells. These data suggest that IRAK1 may play a pathogenic role in AH and that rosoxacin may be an effective drug for AH and other inflammatory diseases involving IRAK1 dysregulation.
Gender Dimorphism in Hepatic Carcinogenesis-Related Gene Expression Associated with Obesity as a Low-Grade Chronic Inflammatory Disease
Authors: Izquierdo Andrea G. , Carreira Marcos C. , Rodriguez-Carnero Gemma , Perez-Lois Raquel , Seoane Luisa M. , Casanueva Felipe F. , Crujeiras Ana B.
Published: November 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) show clear evidence of sexual dimorphism, with a significantly higher incidence in males. Among the determining factors that could explain this sex-based difference, the specific distribution of fat by sex has been suggested as a primary candidate, since obesity is a relevant risk factor. In this context, obesity, considered a low-grade chronic inflammatory pathology and responsible for the promotion of liver disease, could lead to sexual dimorphism in the expression profile of genes related to tumor development. When we compared the expression levels of genes associated with the early stages of carcinogenesis in the liver between male and female diet-induced obesity (DIO) rats, we observed that the expression pattern was similar in obese male and female animals. Interestingly, the SURVIVIN/BIRC5 oncogene showed a higher expression in male DIO rats than in female DIO and lean rats. This trend related to sexual dimorphism was observed in leukocytes from patients with obesity, although the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study evidenced a similar pattern in the expression of most carcinogenesis-related genes in the liver, except SUVIVIN/BIRC5, which could be a predictive biomarker of liver carcinogenesis predisposition in male patients with obesity.
Fuzzy Inference System for Predicting Functional Service Life of Concrete Pavements in Airports
Authors: Prieto A. J. , Guiñez F. , Ortiz M. , González M.
Published: November 2022

Concerning one of the most important tasks of road structure management is the development of methods to predict their own functional or physical service life, which allows for objectively evaluating the state of road structures that are being considered or are already in operation with minimal labor and monetary incomes. Fuzzy logic systems constitute one successful methodology used for the valuation of pavement degradation. The clustering that focuses on pavement degradation conditions is normally performed by a visual inspection or using data collected by automated distress measurement equipment. Fuzzy sets theory provides different advantages for including a certain degree of uncertainty in the pavement performance index, subjective analysis, and maintenance assessments and can greatly improve consistency and reduce subjectivity in the degradation process. The main objective of this study was to develop a new fuzzy logic-based model to predict the functional service life of concrete pavement conditions and maintenance action evaluations concerning the airport network of Viña del Mar, Central Chile, and using pavement distress data from the Directorate of Airports, Ministry of Public Works of Chile. The proposed fuzzy logic model can be remarkably beneficial for design, construction, and maintenance, to evaluate design decisions for the measurable and objective valuation of deviations in the quality of construction, and for timely forecasting work based on continuous observing of the current infrastructure system.
Performance Evaluation of Uncooled UAV Infrared Camera in Detecting Concrete Delamination
Authors: Aljagoub Dyala , Na Ri , Cheng Chongsheng , Shen Zhigang
Published: November 2022

Concrete delamination detection using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-mounted infrared cameras has proved effective in recent research. However, most studies used expensive research-grade infrared cameras and proprietary software to acquire images, which is hard to implement in state departments of transportation (DOTs) due to the lack of specialty professionals. Some state DOTs started deploying lightweight UAV-based consumer-grade infrared cameras for delamination detection. Quantitative performance evaluation of such a camera in concrete delamination detection is lacking. To fill this gap, this study intends to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the consumer-grade camera benchmarked against the results of a research-grade camera to see the practicality of using the small and low-cost camera in concrete delamination detection. Data was collected for a slab with mimicked delamination and two in-service bridge decks. For the case of the slab, maximum detectability of 70–72% was achieved. A transient numerical simulation was conducted to provide a supplemental and noise-free dataset to explore detectability accuracy peaks throughout the day. The results of the in-service bridge decks indicated that the consumer-grade infrared camera provided adequate detection of the locations of suspected delamination. Results of both the slab and in-service bridge decks were comparable to those of a research-grade infrared camera.
Long COVID-19 Myocarditis and Various Heart Failure Presentations: A Case Series
Authors: Rohun Justyna , Dorniak Karolina , Faran Anna , Kochańska Anna , Zacharek Dariusz , Daniłowicz-Szymanowicz Ludmiła
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Emerging data indicate that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may result in long-term cardiovascular complications, among which long COVID-19 myocarditis seems to be one of the most dangerous. Clinical presentation of cardiac inflammation ranges from almost asymptomatic to life-threatening conditions, including heart failure (HF) in different stages. (2) Methods: This is a retrospective case-series study that includes three adults with different clinical presentations of heart failure on grounds of myocarditis after initial COVID-19 infection. (3) Results: All patients had new-onset symptomatic HF of various severity: from a moderately reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in one patient to significantly reduced fractions in the remaining two. Moreover, complex ventricular arrhythmias were present in one case. All patients had confirmed past myocarditis in cardiac magnetic resonance. With optimal medical treatment, cardiac function improved, and the symptoms subsided in all cases. (4) Conclusions: In COVID-19 patients, long COVID myocarditis may be one of the severe complications of this acute disease. The heterogeneity in clinical symptoms and a paucity of specific diagnostic procedures expose the patient to the significant risk of misdiagnosing and further HF development.
Residual Heat Effect on the Melt Pool Geometry during the Laser Powder Bed Fusion Process
Authors: Shrestha Subin , Chou Kevin
Published: November 2022

The continuous back-and-forth melting of the powder bed during the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process leads to the development of residual heat, which affects the melt pool geometry as the laser scan progresses. The magnitude of the residual heat depends on the scan length, hatch spacing, location on the track, etc. In this regard, back-and-forth raster scanning was performed to investigate the effect of the scan length and hatch spacing on the melt pool size at different locations along the laser travel direction. Multi-track specimens with different scan lengths (0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 1.5 mm) were fabricated using 195 W laser power, three scan speeds (375 mm/s, 750 mm/s, and 1500 mm/s), and two hatch spacings (80 µm and 120 µm). A white light interferometer was used to analyze the surface morphologies of the fabricated samples, and metallography was performed to observe the melt pool boundary. The melt pool boundary obtained at different locations revealed that the effect of the residual heat was maximal in the laser-turn region. In addition, a powder scale numerical model was developed to investigate the effect of temperature distribution on the melt pool geometry. The numerical results show that the laser-turn region was most affected by the residual heat, as the melt pool from the two tracks merged. The depth of the melt pool increased with increasing track numbers, while the track height decreased. The addition of a second layer of powder showed that the inherent surface variation in the first layer leads to the difference in the actual layer thickness of the second layer.
Laboratory Observations of Swash Signatures Using Video Imagery
Authors: Yang Haoye , Zhang Chi , Shi Jian , Cao Xiangming , Li Yuan
Published: November 2022

Swash motions are important for the design and assessment of beach protection projects, while the limitation of insightful observations in the swash zone still exists. An automatic identification method based on video imagery is developed to monitor and extract instantaneous swash motions in the laboratory. The method increases video sampling frequency and improves image enhancement in identification. The improved method fits well with the results of the manual method. The incident band roll-off of the swash spectrum in the experiment is consistent with those observed on natural beaches. Results have shown that on the barred beach, water depths influence the peak frequency in the incident band and cause a multi-peak swash spectrum. A large incident wave period causes a low peak frequency but high peak energy in the swash spectrum. Large incident wave height results in wider energy coupling, making swash to be saturated and more energy in swash energy. The existence of a barred beach promotes swash energy transferring from a high frequency to a low frequency.
Mycobiome Diversity of the Cave Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Serbia—Risk Assessment Implication for the Conservation of Rare Cavern Habitat Housing a Peculiar Fresco Painting
Authors: Ljaljević Grbić Milica , Dimkić Ivica , Savković Željko , Stupar Miloš , Knežević Aleksandar , Jelikić Aleksa , Unković Nikola
Published: November 2022

The mycobiome of the cave Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, housing the peculiar fresco painting of “The Bald-headed Jesus”, was analyzed via culture-dependent and -independent methods. Salt efflorescence, colored patinas, and biofilm, as well as biopitting, discolorations, and fruiting bodies of wood-decay fungi were observed on surfaces within the church. Microscopic analyses showed an abundance of fungal structures, i.e., conidiophores, conidia, chlamydospores, and ascospores. The estimated values of the contamination classified all surfaces as the “Danger zone”. A total of 24 fungi from 17 genera were determined as part of the culturable mycobiome, with a dominance of Ascomycota of genera Penicillium. Biodegradative profiles analyzed via plate assays demonstrated positive reactions for 16 isolates: most commonly acid production (8), followed by pigment production and ligninolytic activity (6), protein degradation (5), cellulolytic activity (3) and carbonate dissolution (2). Metabarcoding analysis showed a dominance of Ascomycota in all samples (79.9–99.7%), with high relative abundance documented for Hypoxylon fuscopurpureum on the iconostasis and unclassified Mycosphaerellaceae family within order Capnodiales on fresco and stone, as well as moderate relative abundance for unclassified Dothideomycetes, Botryolepraria lesdainii, Verrucaria sp. and Cladosporium sp. on stone walls. The used set of integrative methods pointed out species of genus Neodevriesia and H. fuscopurpureum as the main deteriogenic agents of fresco and iconostasis surfaces, respectively.
Predicting Volatility Based on Interval Regression Models
Authors: Qu Hui , He Mengying
Published: November 2022

Considering the inferior volatility tracking capability of the point-data-based models, we propose using the more informative price interval data and building interval regression models for volatility forecasting. To characterize the heterogeneity of the market and the nonlinearity of volatility, we incorporated the heterogeneous autoregressive structure and the Markov regime switching structure in the benchmark interval regression model, respectively, and thus propose three extended models. Our empirical examination on S&P 500 index shows that: (1) the proposed interval regression models significantly improve the volatility prediction accuracy compared to the point-data-based GARCH model. (2) Incorporating the heterogeneous structure significantly improves the volatility prediction accuracy, and the corresponding models significantly outperform the range-based ECARR model. (3) Incorporating the Markov regime switching structure improves the prediction performance, and the improvement is significant when the heterogeneous structure is characterized. The above results are robust under different market conditions, including the extremely volatile periods.
Regional Economic and Financial Interconnectedness and the Impact of Sanctions: The Case of the Commonwealth of Independent States
Authors: Sultonov Mirzosaid
Published: November 2022

The war in Ukraine and the direct and indirect political, economic and financial involvement of many countries worldwide in this conflict demonstrates the difficult process of developing the new world order. Over 10,000 sanctions have already been imposed on Russia by the United States, the European Union and their allies. Many countries are significantly affected by sanctions regardless of whether they are imposing them, being targeted by them, or have economic and trade partnerships with either—or both—of the sides. Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries have been significantly affected by sanctions related to the Russian–Ukrainian war. Seasonally adjusted real quarterly time series, including gross domestic product and external trade, monthly nominal exchange rate time series, exogenous dummy variables for sanctions, and a combination of the vector autoregressive model and the Granger causality test were used in the estimations. We demonstrate how sanctions have affected the Russian economy and foreign exchange market and how their impact may spill over to the economies and foreign exchange markets of other CIS countries. Based on the research findings and contemporary political and economic conditions in the region and the world, we make suggestions helpful for improving the international economic and trade policies of the CIS countries.
To What Extent Is Hydrologic Connectivity Taken into Account in Catchment Studies in the Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia? A Review
Authors: Astuti Anik Juli Dwi , Annys Sofie , Dessie Mekete , Nyssen Jan , Dondeyne Stefaan
Published: November 2022

Knowledge of hydrologic connectivity is important to grasp the hydrological response at a basin scale, particularly as changes in connectivity can have a negative effect on the environment. In the context of a changing climate, being able to predict how changes in connectivity will affect runoff and sediment transport is particularly relevant for land-use planning. Many studies on hydrology, geomorphology and climatology have been conducted in the Lake Tana Basin in Ethiopia, which is undergoing rapid development and significant environmental changes. This systematic literature review aims at assessing to what extent the hydrologic connectivity has been taken into account in such research, and to identify research gaps relevant to land and water management. On the Web of Science and Scopus databases, 135 scientific articles covering those topics were identified. Aspects of hydrologic connectivity were mostly implicitly taken into account based on process-based, statistical and descriptive models. Amongst the drivers of changing connectivity, the climate was covered by a large majority of publications (64%). Components of structural hydrologic connectivity were accounted for by considering geomorphology (54%) and soils (47%), and to a lesser extent, hydrography (16%) and geology (12%). Components of functional connectivity were covered by looking at surface water fluxes (61%), sediment fluxes (18%) and subsurface water fluxes (13%). While numerous studies of the Lake Tana Basin accounted for the hydrologic connectivity implicitly, these related predominantly to functional components. The structural components are given less attention, while in the context of a changing climate, better insights into their influence on the hydrologic seem most relevant. Better knowledge of the static aspect of connectivity is particularly important for targeting appropriate soil and water conservation strategies. Being able to explicitly assess the ‘structural connectivity’ is therefore of direct relevance for land management and land-use policy.
A Study on the Skin Adhesion Test of Fine Particles by Brake Pad Friction
Authors: Yoo Jae Sang , Lee Young Ze
Published: November 2022

Though fine dust on the side of the road has decreased substantially due to environmental regulations, the adverse effects on the human due to air pollution still cannot be ignored. In this study, we aim to determine the effect of the vehicle’s brake usage on air pollution and the human skin according to the brake pad conditions. A friction experiment device simulating the mechanical friction of a vehicle brake pad was designed to conduct a fine particle generation experiment. Different loads and rpms were set under the friction and the fine particles generated through this were analyzed using an ELPI+ (Electrical Low Pressure Impactor) apparatus. At the same time as the friction experiment was conducted, a human skin sample was installed around it, and after the experiment, the deposited fine dust was observed under a microscope for each certain area. The experiment found that there was a change in micrometer-sized microparticles affecting PM (Particulate Matter) depending on the brake pad conditions. In addition, a result graph of the adhesion of fine particles according to skin surface conditions and brake pad conditions was derived. A discussion was performed on how the fine particles affect the human skin through the characteristics of the fine particles according to the friction conditions.
Structure of Shock Wave in Nanoscale Porous Nickel at Pressures up to 7 GPa
Authors: Dolgoborodov Alexander , Rostilov Timofei , Ananev Sergey , Ziborov Vadim , Grishin Leonid , Kuskov Mikhail , Zhigach Alexey
Published: November 2022

The structure of shock waves in pressed porous samples of nickel nanoparticles was investigated in a series of uniaxial planar plate impact experiments in the pressure range of 1.6–7.1 GPa. The initial porosity of the samples was about 50%. Wave profiles were obtained using laser velocimetry techniques. The nanomaterial demonstrated a complex response to shock loading including the development of a two-wave structure associated with precursor and compaction waves. The effect on profiles and measurements of the observed precursor reverberations propagating between the front of a compaction wave and a monitored sample surface was described. The obtained wave profiles were used to estimate the thicknesses of precursor and compaction wave fronts.
Study of the Possibility of Recycling of Technogenic Hafnium during Electron Beam Refining
Authors: Vutova Katia , Stefanova Vladislava , Markov Martin , Vassileva Vania
Published: November 2022

The possibility of removing metallic (such as Zr, Fe, Cr, and Zn) impurities and non-metallic (such as [O] and C) impurities from technogenic hafnium through single and double refining in the conditions of electron beam melting (EBM) has been studied. The influence of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters on the degree of removal of these impurities from the base metal under vacuum conditions and within a temperature interval of 2500 K to 3100 K is defined. The relative volatility of metal impurities and the stability of the oxides and carbides present in the base metal are evaluated. The possibility for complete removal of Fe, Cr, Zn, [O], and C during EBM is shown. In the case of double refining, at a temperature of 2700 K for 20 min, the maximum degree of removal of Zr is 46.8%, the achieved highest hafnium purity is 99.004%, and the overall effectiveness of the refining of hafnium from impurities is 53%. There is a correlation between the degree of removal of Zr and the micro-hardness of the Hf ingots obtained after EBM. The weight losses vary in the ranges of 1.5–5.8% and 1–8% under the studied single and double refining processes, respectively.
A Comprehensive Review of Self-Healing Polymer, Metal, and Ceramic Matrix Composites and Their Modeling Aspects for Aerospace Applications
Authors: Paladugu Sri Ram Murthy , Sreekanth P. S. Rama , Sahu Santosh Kumar , Naresh K. , Karthick S. Arun , Venkateshwaran N. , Ramoni Monsuru , Mensah Rhoda Afriyie , Das Oisik , Shanmugam Ragavanantham
Published: November 2022

Composites can be divided into three groups based on their matrix materials, namely polymer, metal and ceramic. Composite materials fail due to micro cracks. Repairing is complex and almost impossible if cracks appear on the surface and interior, which minimizes reliability and material life. In order to save the material from failure and prolong its lifetime without compromising mechanical properties, self-healing is one of the emerging and best techniques. The studies to address the advantages and challenges of self-healing properties of different matrix materials are very limited; however, this review addresses all three different groups of composites. Self-healing composites are fabricated to heal cracks, prevent any obstructed failure, and improve the lifetime of structures. They can self-diagnose their structure after being affected by external forces and repair damages and cracks to a certain degree. This review aims to provide information on the recent developments and prospects of self-healing composites and their applications in various fields such as aerospace, automobiles etc. Fabrication and characterization techniques as well as intrinsic and extrinsic self-healing techniques are discussed based on the latest achievements, including microcapsule embedment, fibers embedment, and vascular networks self-healing.