bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of caregivers in the clinical pathway of patients newly diagnosed with breast and prostate cancer: A study protocol
Authors: Cincidda Clizia , Oliveri Serena , Sanchini Virginia , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: November 2022

Background

Caregivers may play a fundamental role in the clinical pathway of cancer patients. They provide emotional, informational, and functional support as well as practical assistance, and they might help mediate the interaction and communication with the oncologists when care options are discussed, or decisions are made. Little is known about the impact of dyadic dynamics on patient-doctor communication, patient's satisfaction, or adherence to the therapies. This study protocol aims to evaluate the efficacy of a psychological support intervention on patients-caregivers relationship and their alignment in the treatment decision-making (TDM) process and estimate related improvement in patient' compliance/adherence to treatments.

Methods

A total of 102 patients-caregivers' dyads will be involved, among breast and prostate cancer patients. The study entails a pre- post- evaluation through psychological questionnaires, with a randomization of participants in two conditions, the experimental one in which subjects participate in a psychological support consultation, and the control one, where dyads do not receive any intervention. A follow up after 6 months from the enrollment is planned.

Discussion

A positive impact of the psychological support intervention on patients' anxiety, depression, distress, and perceived social support is expected. Such improvements can directly affect patients' satisfaction and adherence to treatments. Data gathered from this study may inform health care providers, policy makers, and public health managers about the importance of caregiver's involvement in the cancer care pathway, and the best way to manage it. A further impact is to develop a specific intervention protocol to support caregivers' involvement in cancer care pathway, improve patient's wellbeing, the interaction with physicians and the compliance with the cancer treatment.
The relationship between three subtypes of safety behaviors and social anxiety: Serial mediating effects of state and trait post-event processing
Authors: Kim Dahye , Kang Ha-Yeon , Ahn Jung-Kwang
Published: November 2022

The cognitive model for social anxiety disorder (SAD) highlights the role of safety behaviors and post-event processing (PEP). We identify the serial mediating effect of state and trait PEP between three types of safety behaviors (impression management, avoidance behavior, and anxiety-symptom control) and social anxiety. Given that the associations between the three subtypes of safety behaviors and two perspectives of PEP have not yet been examined, we aimed to investigate these relationships according to the level of social anxiety. A total of 487 participants participated in an online survey. Participants were classified into two groups, high and low, based on their social anxiety scores. We used Social Behavior Questionnaire to distinguish three types of safety behaviors and the State and Trait versions of the Post-Event Processing Inventory to identify two perspectives of PEP. We used descriptive statistics and an independent t-test to compare the high and low social anxiety groups. Mediation effects were examined using mediation analysis and bootstrapping with 5,000 replications. The results showed that the three safety behaviors had different effects on social anxiety via PEP. In the high social anxiety group, avoidance behavior and anxiety-symptom control predicted social anxiety positively, whereas impression management did not. However, with state PEP and trait PEP as mediators, impression management and avoidance behavior positively predicted social anxiety but not anxiety-symptom control. In the low social anxiety group, only avoidance behavior was significantly related to social anxiety, but when the state and trait PEP were mediated, the effect disappeared. These results indicated that impression management could affect social anxiety only when mediated by PEP in people with high social anxiety. A better understanding of the content and processes underpinning safety behavior and PEPs might have important implications for the prevention and treatment of social anxiety disorder.
A moderated-mediation analysis of pathways in the association between Veterans’ health and their spouse’s relationship satisfaction: The importance of social support
Authors: Frank Christine , Coulthard Julie , Lee Jennifer E. C. , Skomorovsky Alla
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Military personnel and Veterans are at increased risk of mental and physical health conditions, which can impact their families. Spouses often perform a vital role in caring for service members and Veterans facing illness or injury, which can lead to caregiver burden. In turn, this may contribute to relationship issues. Research suggests that ensuring that spouses are well supported can alleviate some of these negative effects. The current study examined whether social support received by spouses of newly released Veterans buffers the impact of Veterans’ health on caregiver burden, subsequently impacting spouses’ relationship satisfaction.

Methods

Data were collected as part of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition and Well-being Survey. The sample included N = 595 spouses of Regular Force Veterans who released in 2016 with at least 2 years of service. We examined Veterans’ mental and physical health and spouses’ caregiver burden, social support, and relationship satisfaction. A moderated mediation model was tested using structural equation modeling.

Results

There was a significant indirect association between Veterans’ health (both physical and mental) and spouses’ relationship satisfaction through caregiver burden. Furthermore, social support moderated the association, as evidenced by a weaker association between Veterans’ health and caregiver burden at low levels (−1SD) of social support compared to high levels (+1SD).

Implications

Findings suggest additional efforts should be made to ensure sufficient support is provided to spouses, especially when they are caring for a service member or Veteran facing illness or injury, to strengthen their families’ well-being.
What is the quality of life in patients with long COVID compared to a healthy control group?
Authors: Líška Dávid , Liptaková Erika , Babičová Adriana , Batalik Ladislav , Baňárová Patrícia Shtin , Dobrodenková Silvia
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Many patients have prolonged symptoms after COVID-19 infection, which can affect patient quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study is to determine the quality of life in patients with long COVID, compared with healthy controls.

Material and methods

The study was a prospective cross-sectional study using an anonymous online survey. The SF-36 questionnaire was chosen for quality of life measurement. The survey was distributed through the Facebook social media platform targeting groups of patients with long COVID. The control group was made up of physiotherapy and physical education students.

Results

There was a significant difference in physical function, with a mean score of 94.9 (±9.4) among the students, compared to long COVID patients with a mean score of 66.2 (±25.4) (p < 0.001). A similar result was found in the physical role (p < 0.001). The overall quality of life score for college students was 578.0 (±111.9), and the overall score for patients with long COVID was 331.9 (±126.9).

Conclusions

Patients with long COVID had a lower quality of life compared to the healthy control group, and this was associated with the negative effect of long-COVID. Lower quality of life in patients with long COVID is an important therapeutic goal, which requires attention.
Knowledge and attitudes of medical students in Lebanon toward artificial intelligence: A national survey study
Authors: Doumat George , Daher Darine , Ghanem Nadim-Nicolas , Khater Beatrice
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study assesses the knowledge and attitudes of medical students in Lebanon toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical education. It also explores the students' perspectives regarding the role of AI in medical education as a subject in the curriculum and a teaching tool.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study using an online survey consisting of close-ended questions. The survey targets medical students at all medical levels across the 7 medical schools in Lebanon.

Results

A total of 206 medical students responded. When assessing AI knowledge sources (81.1%) got their information from the media as compared to (9.7%) from medical school curriculum. However, Students who learned the basics of AI as part of the medical school curriculum were more knowledge about AI than their peers who did not. Students in their clinical years appear to be more knowledgeable about AI in medicine. The advancements in AI affected the choice of specialty of around a quarter of the students (26.8%). Finally, only a quarter of students (26.5%) want to be assessed by AI, even though the majority (57.7%) reported that assessment by AI is more objective.

Conclusions

Education about AI should be incorporated in the medical school curriculum to improve the knowledge and attitudes of medical students. Improving AI knowledge in medical students will in turn increase acceptance of AI as a tool in medical education, thus unlocking its potential in revolutionizing medical education.
Perioperative management of acute myocardial infarction in the 31st week of pregnancy: A case report and literature review
Authors: Sun Pei , Liang Xin-Quan , Hong Tao , Zhang Hong
Published: November 2022

Pregnancy-related acute myocardial infarction (PAMI) is rare but life-threatening. The incidence of PAMI is growing over time for multiple reasons, and the management of parturients with acute myocardial infarction is challenging in terms of diagnosis and treatment. To date, there are still no clear guidelines on the best practice for PAMI. We present a case of a 41-year-old woman with PAMI at 31 weeks of pregnancy. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, successful outcomes were achieved for both the mother and fetus.
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy as complete hydatidiform mole: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Athanasiou Aikaterini , Féki Anis , Fruscalzo Arrigo , Guani Benedetta , Ben Ali Nordine
Published: November 2022

Usually, a hydatidiform mole (HM) develops inside the uterus. The occurrence of HM in ruptured tubal pregnancy is exceptional. Cases reported in the literature are scarce. In this article, a case of haemoperitoneum secondary to a ruptured fallopian tube by a complete mole is reported. A 50-year-old gravida 2, para 1 was admitted to the emergency department for acute abdominal pain. After the clinical examination, an abdominal sonography and CT scan were done, revealing the presence of an adnexal left mass associated with an important haemoperitoneum. A urine pregnancy test was done and was positive, indicating an immediate laparoscopic exploration. The laparoscopy revealed a haemoperitoneum secondary to a ruptured tubal mass. The pathological exam concluded a complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) invading the wall of the fallopian tube. Any acute abdominal pain in a potentially pregnant woman imposes first the routine realization of a pregnancy test. The occurrence of CHM in a ruptured fallopian tube is particularly rare and has exceptionally been diagnosed before the laparoscopic exploration.
Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy via the medial foraminal and interlaminar approaches: A comparative study with 2-year follow-up
Authors: Huang Sen , Wang Zhenfei , Xu Long , Bu Jinhui , He Bo , Xia Mengjiao , Chen Tao , Gao Juan , Liu Guangpu , Niu Ru , Ma Chao , Liu Guangwang
Published: November 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical effect of percutaneous endoscopic medial foraminal discectomy (PEMFD) in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods

We retrospectively examined and compared clinical data from 39 single-level LDH patients who underwent PEID and 47 who underwent PEMFD. All the patients were diagnosed with single-level LDH and were treated in Xuzhou Central Hospital for single-segmental lumbar disc herniation between June 2017 and December 2019. Collect and count surgical-related indicators, intraoperative bleeding volume and 24-hour postoperative drainage volume, lower extremity numbness Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the pain VAS and lumbar Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores.

Results

Intraoperative bleeding volume and 24-hour postoperative drainage volume were significantly lower in the PEMFD group (p < 0.05). Operation time and length of hospital stay did not significantly differ between the groups. Transient spinal cord injury and surgical site infection did not occur. Recurrence occurred in two patients in each group. Repeat surgery in these patients demonstrated remarkable epidural scarring in the PEID group patients; no scarring was evident in the PEMFD group patients. The numbness VAS score 72 h after surgery and the pain VAS and ODI scores 1 month after surgery significantly differed between groups; however, pain VAS and ODI scores 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery did not. At last follow-up, the modified MacNab criteria outcome did not significantly differ between the groups.

Conclusion

PEMFD and PEID have similar short- and medium-term outcomes. However, PEMFD has several advantages: simplicity, lower bleeding volume, and preservation of the LF.
Pregnancy Interventions to Improve Birth Outcomes: What Are the Effects on Maternal Outcomes? A Scoping Review
Authors: Zavala Eleonor , Rhodes Mary , Christian Parul
Published: November 2022

Objectives: Interventions in pregnancy are commonly evaluated for their effects on birth outcomes because maternal infection and poor nutrition are the primary contributors to adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the extent to which such interventions directly impact maternal health and nutrition has not been succinctly characterized.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of 27 pregnancy interventions to summarize the evidence of impact on maternal outcomes.

Results: Overall, these were reported incompletely, and we failed to find any evidence for eight interventions. Influenza vaccination, insecticide-treated bed nets, intermittent preventive treatment for malaria, anthelmintic therapy, and treatment of bacterial vaginosis, asymptomatic bacteriuria, and periodontal disease during pregnancy provided direct benefit to women, with reductions in infection risk. Nutritional interventions such as micronutrient supplementation and balanced energy and protein improved outcomes of maternal anemia and gestational weight gain, particularly in deficient populations. Calcium and low dose aspirin significantly reduced the risk of pre-eclampsia.

Conclusion: These findings highlight antenatal interventions benefitting maternal health and provide insights into pathways for impacting birth and infant outcomes.
An Analysis of the COVID-19 Situation in India in Terms of Testing, Treatment, Vaccine Acceptance and National Economic Performance
Authors: Patel Ritu Bhaumik , Patel Bhaumik Bipinchandra
Published: November 2022

Objectives: This study aims to provide a comprehensive review on the analysis of COVID-19 pandemic in India and address economic impact, diagnosis approaches, and vaccine acceptance and hesitation.

Method: We retrieved articles published in 2020 and 2021 and current data from official websites that narrate the strategy for COVID-19 testing, issues, and challenges, healthcare system insufficiency, statistics of cases, deaths, vaccination, and vaccine acceptance barriers, and beliefs.

Results: India being the 2nd largest populated country with a population of 1.4 billion faced massive difficulty in controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This crisis dramatically impeded the economy of the nation. India witnessed 2nd highest number (43,019,453) of confirmed cases and 3rd highest number of deaths (521,004) across the world.

Conclusion: The major cause of the collapse of COVID-19 is the high population of India, pre-existing weak healthcare system, and the lack of awareness among the people. The fall, rise, and statistics provided in the review will help in comparing the current status with other countries and in making strong strategies to combat future calamities.
How Do University Spin-Offs Apply Stakeholder Management in Practice?
Authors: Aerts Geoffrey , Jacobs Sophie
Published: November 2022

This paper aims to better understand the application of stakeholder management within the university spin-offs (USOs) of the five Flemish universities (Belgium). Every organization, including USOs, must deal with different types of stakeholders. Even though a lot of research on USOs exists, as far as we know, no previous research has been performed on how USOs manage their stakeholders. For this qualitative research, 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with executives from USOs to understand how they define, categorize, and manage their stakeholders. Moreover, the impact of COVID-19 on their stakeholder management is examined and an overview is conducted of the stakeholders in each development phase of the USOs. Based on these interviews, we found that stakeholder management is mostly performed in a more intuitive way. However, it is shown that stakeholder management becomes more important as the USO moves along the company life cycle.
On Mechanical and Motion Behavior of the Normal Impact Interface between a Rigid Sphere and Elastic Half-Space
Authors: Xie Hong , Zeng Zhiping , Su Miao , Luo Jun , Dai Gonglian
Published: November 2022

This paper presents exact solutions for the mechanical behavior of the interface during the normal collision between a rigid sphere and an elastic half-space based on kinematics and particle dynamics theory. The interfacial contact stress is significantly different from the static solution obtained from the Hertz contact theory. Firstly, according to the kinematics theory, the elastic half-space interface deformation of the sphere and the half-space interface in the collision process is divided into the deformation of the contact area and the non-contact area. The curve of the non-contract area is strictly antisymmetric to the deformation curve of the contact area, and the lateral deformation for each particle at the interface can be neglected when the collision depth is relatively small. Then, the vertical deformation equation of the contact area of the half-space interface, the dynamic equation of the rigid sphere, and the dynamic equation of the interface particle in the contact region are established. The proportional relationship between the stress or strain of any particle in the contact area, the stress or strain of the collision center point, and the method for determining the maximum collision depth are obtained. The equal deformation depth in the contact and non-contact regions, and the proportional relationship between the stress or strain in the contact area and the center point of the collision at any moment are consistent with the Hertz contact theory, which verifies the reliability of the current study. Taking the sphere of no initial velocity collides with the half-space under pure gravity as an example, when the elastic half-space Poisson’s ratio is taken as 0.2–0.4, the ratio of the maximum contact stress determined by the Hertz theory and the current solution when the sphere reaches the maximum collision depth is 0.58–0.54. Based on this study, the contact stress and its distribution in the interfacial contact region can be obtained when the motion state of the sphere and the interface are determined.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation in Painful Conditions of the Upper Extremity—An Overview
Authors: Yaccarino Vincent , Jin Max Y. , Abd-Elsayed Alaa , Kraemer Jacob M. , Sehgal Nalini
Published: November 2022

Our objective is to present a brief history of the evolution of peripheral nerve stimulation, the current understanding of peripheral nerve stimulation mechanisms in chronic pain, peripheral nerve stimulation applications in upper extremity chronic pain conditions, and complications of peripheral nerve stimulation. The evolution of peripheral nerve stimulation from the early ages to the current status has been facilitated by discoveries in neurobehavioral mechanisms of pain, advances in technology and percutaneous lead development, and the availability of high-quality portable ultrasound units. Peripheral nerve stimulation application in managing upper extremity pain of amputated limbs, post-stroke shoulder pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and median, ulnar, and radial neuropathies are discussed. Finally, we describe complications of peripheral nerve stimulation. The availability of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve stimulation techniques and superior peripheral nerve stimulation technology have opened up new and minimally invasive treatment options for chronic intractable neuropathic pain of the upper extremity. Additionally, the ability to place peripheral nerve stimulation leads percutaneously without open peripheral nerve surgery expands the pool of implanting physicians, while simultaneously decreasing the risks and complications that are associated with open surgery.
Paired Housing or a Socially-Paired Context Decreases Ethanol Conditioned Place Preference in Male Rats
Authors: Lorenz Eva , Moye Chase , Leong Kah-Chung
Published: November 2022

Alcohol abuse dramatically affects individuals’ lives nationwide. The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimated that 10.2% of Americans suffer from alcohol use disorder. Although social support has been shown to aid in general addiction prevention and rehabilitation, the benefits of social support are not entirely understood. The present study sought to compare the benefits of social interaction on the conditioned ethanol approach behavior in rats through a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm in which a drug is paired with one of two distinct contexts. In experiment 1A, rats were single-housed and received conditioning trials in which ethanol was paired with the less preferred context. In experiment 1B, rats underwent procedures identical to experiment 1A, but were pair-housed throughout the paradigm. In experiment 1C, rats were single-housed, but concurrently conditioned to a socially-paired context and an ethanol-paired context. By comparing the time spent between the ethanol-paired environment and the saline-paired or socially-paired environment, we extrapolated the extent of ethanol approach behavior in the pair-housed, single-housed, and concurrently conditioned rats. Our results revealed that social interaction, both in pair-housed animals or concurrently socially-conditioned animals, diminished the ethanol approach behavior, which highlights the importance of social support in addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.
Effect of Lighting Environment on the CO2 Concentration Reduction Efficiency of Plants by a Model Experiment
Authors: Ding Nan , Liu Fudan , Ding Xiaoling , Yan Lianyu , Meng Xi
Published: November 2022

Plants have the potential to reduce CO2 concentration, but their photosynthesis is directly influenced by the indoor lighting environment. As a result, the efficiency of indoor plants is limited by indoor lighting environment. In order to explore the effect of lighting environments on the reduction of indoor CO2 concentration by indoor plants, three representative lighting environments were constructed, including a natural lighting environment, a poor lighting environment and an all-day lighting environment, while five common plants were selected to be planted in five transparent sealed chambers. Experimental results show that the lighting environment affected the CO2 concentration largely in transparent sealed chambers. Compared to the transparent sealed chamber without plants, the highest and average CO2 concentrations were increased by from 47.9% to 160.9% and from 21.6% to 132.4% in the poor lighting environment, respectively, while they decreased by from 60.4% to 84.6% and from 71.4% to 89.7% in the all-day lighting environment. This indicated that plants did not purify the indoor air consistently. Among the selected plants, the most suitable houseplant was Scindapsus aureus, followed by Chlorophytum comosum and Bambusa multiplex.
Tillandsia usneoides Extract Decreases the Primary Tumor in a Murine Breast Cancer Model but Not in Melanoma
Authors: Lasso Paola , Rojas Laura , Arévalo Cindy , Urueña Claudia , Murillo Natalia , Barreto Alfonso , Costa Geison M. , Fiorentino Susana
Published: November 2022

The main limits of current antitumor therapies are chemoresistance, relapses, and toxicity that impair patient quality of life. Therefore, the discovery of therapeutic alternatives, such as adjuvants to conventional therapy that modulate the intracellular oxidation state or the immune response, remains a challenge. Owing to traditional medicine, several uses of plants are known, indicating a promising antitumor and immunomodulatory effect. We evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract of T. usneoides in vitro and in vivo in models of 4T1 breast cancer and B16-F10 melanoma. In vitro evaluations with both cell lines showed that the extract has cytotoxic activity and induces apoptotic cell death. However, its effect on ROS production and glucose uptake was opposite. In vivo, only in the 4T1 model, a significant decrease in tumor size was found in animals treated with the extract, accompanied by an increase in dendritic cells and activated CD8+ T cells, and a decrease in myeloid-derived suppressor-like cells (MDSC-LC) and Tregs in the tumor microenvironment. These results suggest that T. usneoides extract antagonistically regulates tumor metabolism of 4T1 vs. B16-F10, impacting the tumor microenvironment and effective antitumor immune response, leading to a reduction in 4T1 tumor size but not on B16-F10.
Use of High-Plex Data Reveals Novel Insights into the Tumour Microenvironment of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: De Filippis Raffaele , Wölflein Georg , Um In Hwa , Caie Peter D. , Warren Sarah , White Andrew , Suen Elizabeth , To Emily , Arandjelović Ognjen , Harrison David J.
Published: November 2022

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved the oncological outcomes, about one-third of patients affected by clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) still experience recurrence. Current prognostic algorithms, such as the Leibovich score (LS), rely on morphological features manually assessed by pathologists and are therefore subject to bias. Moreover, these tools do not consider the heterogeneous molecular milieu present in the Tumour Microenvironment (TME), which may have prognostic value. We systematically developed a semi-automated method to investigate 62 markers and their combinations in 150 primary ccRCCs using Multiplex Immunofluorescence (mIF), NanoString GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted image analysis in order to find novel prognostic signatures and investigate their spatial relationship. We found that coexpression of cancer stem cell (CSC) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers such as OCT4 and ZEB1 are indicative of poor outcome. OCT4 and the immune markers CD8, CD34, and CD163 significantly stratified patients at intermediate LS. Furthermore, augmenting the LS with OCT4 and CD34 improved patient stratification by outcome. Our results support the hypothesis that combining molecular markers has prognostic value and can be integrated with morphological features to improve risk stratification and personalised therapy. To conclude, GeoMx® DSP and AI image analysis are complementary tools providing high multiplexing capability required to investigate the TME of ccRCC, while reducing observer bias.
Control and Trajectory Planning of an Autonomous Bicycle Robot
Authors: Mavungu Masiala
Published: November 2022

This paper addresses the modeling and the control of an autonomous bicycle robot where the reference point is the center of gravity. The controls are based on the wheel heading’s angular velocity and the steering’s angular velocity. They have been developed to drive the autonomous bicycle robot from a given initial state to a final state, so that the total running cost is minimized. To solve the problem, the following approach was used: after having computed the control system Hamiltonian, Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle was applied to derive the feasible controls and the costate system of ordinary differential equations. The feasible controls, derived as functions of the state and costate variables, were substituted into the combined nonlinear state–costate system of ordinary differential equations and yielded a control-free, state–costate system of ordinary differential equations. Such a system was judiciously vectorized to easily enable the application of any computer program written in Matlab, Octave or Scilab. A Matlab computer program, set as the main program, was developed to call a Runge–Kutta function coded into Matlab to solve the combined control-free, state–costate system of ordinary differential equations coded into a Matlab function. After running the program, the following results were obtained: seven feasible state functions from which the feasible trajectory of the robot is derived, seven feasible costate functions, and two feasible control functions. Computational simulations were developed and provided in order to persuade the readers of the effectiveness and the reliability of the approach.
Research on Corrosion Resistance and Formation Mechanism of Molybdate Composite Film
Authors: Wan Yi , Liu Qiaoping , Fan Yunying
Published: November 2022

In order to reduce phosphorus pollution, the low phosphorus passivation process on Q235 steel was studied. The electrochemical method was used to test the corrosion resistance of sodium molybdate low phosphorus passivation. The polarization curve shows that the corrosion current of the sample passivated by low phosphorus is only 1/4 of that of the blank sample. Under scanning electron microscopy, the passivation film obtained by low phosphorus passivation treatment had the lowest phosphorus content and was more uniform and compact. The XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and OCP (open circuit potential) were used to study the film formation regularity and mechanism of low molybdenum sodium passivation. The results show that sodium molybdate low phosphorus passivation film has good corrosion resistance. The formation process of a passivation film can be divided into four stages alternating phosphating and passivation. The surface of the passivation film is mainly composed of phosphate, molybdate, molybdenum oxide, and their crystalline hydrates. The low phosphorus passivation process of sodium molybdate can reduce the concentration of phosphorus ions and reduce its pollution to the environment, which has broad application prospects.
Mechanical Properties of Parallel TDG Bamboo Laminated Columns with Tough and Grove Joints
Authors: Kitiyanun Krittapat , Kongsong Waranon , Tuprakay Seree , Tuprakay Sirawan Ruangchuay , Harnphanich Boontham , Poowarakulchai Chaiwat , Thammapornram Chaleeporn
Published: November 2022

The problem of bamboo’s strength depends on the length used. From past experiments, it was found that the physical properties of bamboo have thickness at the bottom and a tapered end, resulting in the strength of the bamboo in each part being different. The bottom part can resist more compression than the tip, which corresponds to the physical characteristics of bamboo. To use bamboo for main construction, such as columns, many select raw bamboo that measures approximately 3 m from the ground and is considered the strongest part. The present bamboo laminated products are limited to 2.4 m in length due to the capabilities of today’s compression machines and the factor of length as mentioned above. The column is an important infrastructure, which must have sufficient strength and capacity to solve the problem of high space. However, based on the above limitations, it is particularly important to study the connectivity of increasing column length. A wood joint is a traditional method to secure two pieces of wood together. Tongue and groove joints are most common in floorings, such as wood flooring, laminate flooring, and flooring. One of the hardest methods of securing wood is end to end of edge to edge. In order to further develop green building materials, TDG bamboo is processed into laminated columns (TDGLC). It is considered important because, in addition to increasing income for farmers, it will also enable the development of building materials to replace wood in the future. Therefore, this research demonstrates the benefits of developing locally available materials such as bamboo. To develop laminated bamboo columns for use in a structure, we chose 3–4-year-old TDG bamboo and glued it to obtain a 100 mm cross-section column in order to maximize the benefits of using TDG bamboo for real use. Test specimens are joined by tongue-groove joints to a column length of 1 m, 2 m, and 3 m by joining joints in four different areas: Top (T), middle (M), top-bottom (TB), and bottom (B), to test for compressive strength. The test results showed that TDGLC + TG at the top specimens 4L01 T–4L03 T can resist a load range of 100–65%, and for the middle specimen 4L01 M–4L03 M, the load is between 88 and 57%. At the top-bottom 4L01 TB–4L03 TB, the load is between 30 and 20%. At the bottom 4L01 B–4L03 B, the load is between 28 and 18%.
Optimisation and Efficiency Improvement of Electric Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling
Authors: Afianto Darryl , Han Yu , Yan Peiliang , Yang Yan , Elbarghthi Anas F. A. , Wen Chuang
Published: November 2022

Due to the rise in awareness of global warming, many attempts to increase efficiency in the automotive industry are becoming prevalent. Design optimization can be used to increase the efficiency of electric vehicles by reducing aerodynamic drag and lift. The main focus of this paper is to analyse and optimise the aerodynamic characteristics of an electric vehicle to improve efficiency of using computational fluid dynamics modelling. Multiple part modifications were used to improve the drag and lift of the electric hatchback, testing various designs and dimensions. The numerical model of the study was validated using previous experimental results obtained from the literature. Simulation results are analysed in detail, including velocity magnitude, drag coefficient, drag force and lift coefficient. The modifications achieved in this research succeeded in reducing drag and were validated through some appropriate sources. The final model has been assembled with all modifications and is represented in this research. The results show that the base model attained an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.464, while the final design achieved a reasonably better overall performance by recording a 10% reduction in the drag coefficient. Moreover, within individual comparison with the final model, the second model with front spitter had an insignificant improvement, limited to 1.17%, compared with 11.18% when the rear diffuser was involved separately. In addition, the lift coefficient was significantly reduced to 73%, providing better stabilities and accounting for the safety measurements, especially at high velocity. The prediction of the airflow improvement was visualised, including the pathline contours consistent with the solutions. These research results provide a considerable transformation in the transportation field and help reduce fuel expenses and global emissions.
Influence of Fluid Viscosity on Cavitation Characteristics of a Helico-Axial Multiphase Pump (HAMP)
Authors: Ye Kaijie , He Denghui , Zhao Lin , Guo Pengcheng
Published: November 2022

Fluid viscosity is one of the key factors affecting the cavitation characteristics of the Helico-axial Multiphase Pump (HAMP). In this paper, fluids with viscosities of 24.46 mm2/s, 48.48 mm2/s, 60.70 mm2/s, and 120.0 mm2/s were investigated by numerical simulation. The Ansys Fluent software was employed to conduct the simulation. The mixture multiphase flow model and the RNG k-ε turbulence model were adopted. The Singhal cavitation model was employed to consider the effects of the non-condensable gas on cavitation. An experiment was carried out to validate the numerical method. The results showed that the Net Positive Suction Head-available (NPSHA) of the pump decreased as the fluid viscosity increased. Under the critical NPSHA condition, the NPSHA decreased from 5.11 m to 3.68 m as the fluid viscosity increased from 24.46 mm2/s to 120.0 mm2/s. This suggested that the cavitation performance of the pump was deteriorated under high fluid viscosity. The impeller passage area occupied by the vapor increased when the fluid viscosity increased. Nearly half of the flow passages were occupied by cavitation bubbles when the fluid viscosity increased to 120.0 mm2/s. The vapor volume fraction, both on the suction surface and pressure surface of the blade, increased with the fluid viscosity. The vapor on the suction surface was mainly distributed in the region with the streamwise between 0 and 0.36 when the fluid viscosity was 24.46 mm2/s; while the high vapor volume fraction range increased to the streamwise of 0.42 when the fluid viscosity increased to 120.0 mm2/s. The higher vapor volume fraction corresponded with the lower pressure. It was also found that the turbulent kinetic energy, both on the suction surface and pressure surface, increased with the fluid viscosity, which was the favorite for producing more cavitation bubbles. Furthermore, the maximum velocity area was mainly concentrated in the inlet area of the impeller. The velocity distribution in the impeller was basically the same with the viscosity of 24.46 mm2/s and 48.48 mm2/s. When the viscosity further increased to 60.70 mm2/s, the maximum velocity area in the impeller was relatively large. This study provides a reference for designing the HAMP.
Enhancement of the Biofuel Characteristics of Empty Fruit Bunches through Hydrothermal Carbonization by Decreasing the Inorganic Matters
Authors: Ryu Doyoon , Lee Jongkeun , Kim Doyong , Jang Kyehwan , Lee Jongwook , Kim Daegi
Published: November 2022

This study explores the effects of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) on the fuel properties of empty fruit bunches (EFB) by varying the reaction temperatures between the range of 180–300 °C. The improved properties of hydrochars following HTC were achieved by analyzing the changes in the physical and chemical properties of EFB. Moreover, it can save energy during treatment processes, in addition to evaluating the improvement of the biofuel stability based on the equilibrium moisture content and agglomeration. The results showed that the chemical structure of EFB decomposed owing to dehydration and decarboxylation reactions, leading to increased carbon and fixed carbon concentrations in the obtained hydrochar; and thus, an increased calorific value. Hydrochar generated during HTC exhibited chemical properties similar to those of conventional coal fuel. The optimal HTC reaction temperature range was ~230–250 °C. Based on the X-ray fluorescence results, hydrochar produced during HTC had smaller K and Cl contents and a smaller degree of agglomeration than the original sample, indicating that clinker production can be reduced by the HTC of EFB. The results of this study have significance in the utilization of unused waste biomass as an energy source that can replace fossil fuels.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of Thermal Break Strips’ Improvement in Facade LSF Walls
Authors: Santos Paulo , Mateus Diogo , Ferrandez Daniel , Verdu Amparo
Published: November 2022

Thermal bridges may have a significant prejudicial impact on the thermal behavior and energy efficiency of buildings. Given the high thermal conductivity of steel, in Lightweight Steel Framed (LSF) buildings, this detrimental effect could be even greater. The use of thermal break (TB) strips is one of the most broadly implemented thermal bridge mitigation technics. In a previous study, the performance of TB strips in partition LSF walls was evaluated. However, a search of the literature found no similar experimental campaigns for facade LSF walls, which are even more relevant for a building’s overall energy efficiency since they are in direct contact with the external environmental conditions. In this article the thermal performance of ten facade LSF wall configurations were measured, using the heat flow meter (HFM) method. These measurements were compared to numerical simulation predictions, exhibiting excellent similarity and, consequently, high reliability. One reference wall, three TB strip locations in the steel stud flanges and three TB strip materials were assessed. The outer and inner TB strips showed quite similar thermal performances, but with slightly higher thermal resistance for outer TB strips (around +1%). Furthermore, the TB strips were clearly less efficient in facade LSF walls when compared to their thermal performance improvement in load-bearing partition LSF walls.
Interactions between 14-3-3 Proteins and Actin Cytoskeleton and Its Regulation by microRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer
Authors: Aseervatham Jaya
Published: November 2022

14-3-3s are a family of structurally similar proteins that bind to phosphoserine or phosphothreonine residues, forming the central signaling hub that coordinates or integrates various cellular functions, thereby controlling many pathways important in cancer, cell motility, cell death, cytoskeletal remodeling, neuro-degenerative disorders and many more. Their targets are present in all cellular compartments, and when they bind to proteins they alter their subcellular localization, stability, and molecular interactions with other proteins. Changes in environmental conditions that result in altered homeostasis trigger the interaction between 14-3-3 and other proteins to retrieve or rescue homeostasis. In circumstances where these regulatory proteins are dysregulated, it leads to pathological conditions. Therefore, deeper understanding is needed on how 14-3-3 proteins bind, and how these proteins are regulated or modified. This will help to detect disease in early stages or design inhibitors to block certain pathways. Recently, more research has been devoted to identifying the role of MicroRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs, which play an important role in regulating gene expression. Although there are many reviews on the role of 14-3-3 proteins in cancer, they do not provide a holistic view of the changes in the cell, which is the focus of this review. The unique feature of the review is that it not only focuses on how the 14-3-3 subunits associate and dissociate with their binding and regulatory proteins, but also includes the role of micro-RNAs and long non-coding RNAs and how they regulate 14-3-3 isoforms. The highlight of the review is that it focuses on the role of 14-3-3, actin, actin binding proteins and Rho GTPases in cancer, and how this complex is important for cell migration and invasion. Finally, the reader is provided with super-resolution high-clarity images of each subunit of the 14-3-3 protein family, further depicting their distribution in HeLa cells to illustrate their interactions in a cancer cell.
Correction: Yosef et al. Land Surface Temperature Regulation Ecosystem Service: A Case Study of Jaipur, India, and the Urban Island of Jhalana Reserve Forest. Forests 2022, 13, 1101
Authors: Yosef Reuven , Rakholia Shrey , Mehta Abhinav , Bhatt Alap , Kumbhojkar Swapnil
Published: November 2022

The authors wish to make the following corrections to their paper [...]
Optimizing Spectral Libraries from Landsat Imagery for the Analysis of Habitat Richness Using MESMA
Authors: Compains Iso Leyre , Fernández-Manso Alfonso , Fernández-García Víctor
Published: November 2022

Spectral mixture analysis of satellite images, such as MESMA (multiple endmember spectral mixtures analysis), can be used to obtain fraction images in which the abundance of each land occupation class is represented at the pixel level, which is crucial for the analysis of heterogeneous landscapes in which types of habitats vary at fine spatial scales. The objective of this work is to analyze the influence of spectral libraries of various characteristics on the performance of MESMA. To this end, eight spectral libraries from Landsat satellite images were elaborated with different characteristics in terms of size, composition, and temporality. The spectral libraries were optimized using the iterative selection of endmembers (IES) method with the MESMA technique to obtain the fraction images considering five habitat classes (forest, shrubland, grassland, water, and rock and bare soil). The application of MESMA resulted in the classification of more than 95% of pixels in all cases with a root mean square error (RMSE) less than or equal to 0.025. Validation of the fraction images through linear regressions resulted in an RMSE ≥ 0.35 for the shrubland and grassland classes, with a lower RMSE for the remaining classes. A significant influence of library size was observed, as well as a significant effect of temporality, with the best results obtained for the largest monotemporal libraries.
Teaching, Learning and Assessing Anatomy with Artificial Intelligence: The Road to a Better Future
Authors: Abdellatif Hussein , Al Mushaiqri Mohamed , Albalushi Halima , Al-Zaabi Adhari Abdullah , Roychoudhury Sadhana , Das Srijit
Published: November 2022

Anatomy is taught in the early years of an undergraduate medical curriculum. The subject is volatile and of voluminous content, given the complex nature of the human body. Students frequently face learning constraints in these fledgling years of medical education, often resulting in a spiraling dwindling academic performance. Hence, there have been continued efforts directed at developing new curricula and incorporating new methods of teaching, learning and assessment that are aimed at logical learning and long-term retention of anatomical knowledge, which is a mainstay of all medical practice. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has gained in popularity. AI uses machine learning models to store, compute, analyze and even augment huge amounts of data to be retrieved when needed, while simultaneously the machine itself can be programmed for deep learning, improving its own efficiency through complex neural networks. There are numerous specific benefits to incorporating AI in education, which include in-depth learning, storage of large electronic data, teaching from remote locations, engagement of fewer personnel in teaching, quick feedback from responders, innovative assessment methods and user-friendly alternatives. AI has long been a part of medical diagnostics and treatment planning. Extensive literature is available on uses of AI in clinical settings, e.g., in Radiology, but to the best of our knowledge there is a paucity of published data on AI used for teaching, learning and assessment in anatomy. In the present review, we highlight recent novel and advanced AI techniques such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), or more complex Convoluted Neural Networks (CNN) and Bayesian U-Net, which are used for teaching anatomy. We also address the main advantages and limitations of the use of AI in medical education and lessons learnt from AI application during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the future, studies with AI in anatomy education could be advantageous for both students to develop professional expertise and for instructors to develop improved teaching methods for this vast and complex subject, especially with the increasing paucity of cadavers in many medical schools. We also suggest some novel examples of how AI could be incorporated to deliver augmented reality experiences, especially with reference to complex regions in the human body, such as neural pathways in the brain, complex developmental processes in the embryo or in complicated miniature regions such as the middle and inner ear. AI can change the face of assessment techniques and broaden their dimensions to suit individual learners.