bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Improved YOLOv5s-Based Scheme for Target Detection in a Complex Underwater Environment
Authors: Hou Chenglong , Guan Zhiguang , Guo Ziyi , Zhou Siqi , Lin Mingxing
Published: May 2023

At present, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and other seafood products have become increasingly significant in the seafood aquaculture industry. In traditional fishing operations, divers go underwater for fishing, and the complex underwater environment can cause harm to the divers’ bodies. Therefore, the use of underwater robots for seafood fishing has become a current trend. During the fishing process, underwater fishing robots rely on vision to accurately detect sea cucumbers and sea urchins. In this paper, an algorithm for the target detection of sea cucumbers and sea urchins in complex underwater environments is proposed based on the improved YOLOv5s. The following improvements are mainly carried out in YOLOv5s: (1) To enhance the feature extraction ability of the model, the gnConv-based self-attentive sublayer HorBlock module is proposed to be added to the backbone network. (2) To obtain the optimal hyperparameters of the model for underwater datasets, hyperparameter evolution based on the genetic algorithm is proposed. (3) The underwater dataset is extended using offline data augmentation. The dataset used in the experiment is created in a real underwater environment. The total number of created datasets is 1536, and the training, validation, and test sets are randomly divided according to the ratio of 7:2:1. The divided dataset is input to the improved YOLOv5s network for training. The experiment shows that the mean average precision (mAP) of the algorithm is 94%, and the mAP of the improved YOLOv5s model rises by 4.5% compared to the original YOLOv5s. The detection speed increases by 4.09 ms, which is in the acceptable range compared to the accuracy improvement. Therefore, the improved YOLOv5s has better detection accuracy and speed in complex underwater environments, and can provide theoretical support for the underwater operations of underwater fishing robots.
A Novel Robust IMM Filtering Method for Surface-Maneuvering Target Tracking with Random Measurement Delay
Authors: Chen Chen , Zhou Weidong , Gao Lina
Published: May 2023

A proper filtering method for jump Markov system (JMS) is an effective approach for tracking a maneuvering target. Since the coexisting of heavy-tailed measurement noises (HTMNs) and one-step random measurement delay (OSRMD) in the complex scenarios of the surface maneuvering target tracking, the effectiveness of typical interacting multiple model (IMM) techniques may decline severely. To solve the state estimation problem in JMSs with HTMN and OSRMD simultaneously, this article designs a novel robust IMM filter utilizing the variational Bayesian (VB) inference framework. This algorithm models the HTMNs as student’s t-distribuitons, and presents a random Bernoulli variable to describe the OSRMD in JMSs. By transforming measurement likelihood function form from weighted summation to exponential product, this paper constructs hierarchical Gaussian state space models. Then, the state vectors, random Bernoulli vairable, and model probability are inferred jointly according to VB inference. The surface maneuvering target tracking simulation example result indicates that the presented IMM filter achieves superior target state estimation accuracy among existing IMM filters.
Role of YSZ Particles on Microstructural, Wear, and Corrosion Behavior of Al-15%Mg2Si Hybrid Composite for Marine Applications
Authors: Ghandvar Hamidreza , Jabbar Mostafa Abbas , Petrů Michal , Bakar Tuty Asma Abu , Ler Lim Jia , Rahimian Koloor Seyed Saeid
Published: May 2023

This study aims to investigate the microstructural alterations, mechanical properties, sliding wear behavior, and corrosion properties of Al-15%Mg2Si composites with different contents of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Al-15%Mg2Si composites with the different contents of YSZ (0, 3, 6, and 9 wt.%) were fabricated using the stir-casting technique. The fabricated composites were characterized by means of optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Vickers hardness tester, linear reciprocating tribometer (LRT), and electrochemical test. The results showed that with the introduction of YSZ particles, the average size of the primary Mg2Si particles in the base composite was 137.78 µm, which was reduced to 88.36 µm after adding 9 wt.% YSZ. The aspect ratio of Mg2Si particles also decreased from 3, for the base composite, to 1.27 in the composite containing 9 wt.% YSZ. Moreover, the hardness value displays an incremental trend from 102.72 HV, as recorded for the base in situ composite, to 126.44 HV in the composite with 9 wt.% YSZ. On top of that, the Al-15%Mg2Si-9%YSZ demonstrates exceptional wear resistance, with the lowest wear rate of 0.46 mm3/km under a 25 N applied load. Its average coefficient of friction (COF) was recorded at 0.42, which is lower than both the 3 and 6 wt.% of YSZ-containing composites. The smoother worn surface in Al-15%Mg2Si-9%YSZ hybrid composite implies the abrasion phenomenon, as dominant wear behavior is milder than the other fabricated composites. On top of that, the Al-15%Mg2Si-9%YSZ also possesses optimum corrosion resistance. The corrosion rate is 0.080 mmpy, comparable to the 0.164 mmpy rate obtained in the in situ composite.
Erg4 Is Involved in Ergosterol Biosynthesis, Conidiation and Stress Response in Penicillium expansum
Authors: Han Zhanhong , Zong Yuanyuan , Zhang Xuemei , Gong Di , Wang Bin , Prusky Dov , Sionov Edward , Xue Huali , Bi Yang
Published: May 2023

erg4 is a key gene for ergosterol biosynthesis in filamentous fungi, but its function in Penicillium expansum remains unknown. Our results showed that P. expansum contains three erg4 genes, including erg4A, erg4B and erg4C. The expression levels of the three genes showed differences in the wild-type (WT) strain, and the expression level of erg4B was the highest, followed by erg4C. Deletion of erg4A, erg4B or erg4C in the WT strain revealed functional redundancy between them. Compared to the WT strain, erg4A, erg4B or erg4C knockout mutants reduced ergosterol levels, with erg4B deletion having the greatest effect. Furthermore, deletion of the three genes reduced sporulation of the strain, and Δerg4B and Δerg4C mutants showed defective spore morphology. In addition, Δerg4B and Δerg4C mutants were found to be more sensitive to cell wall integrity and oxidative stress. However, deletion of erg4A, erg4B or erg4C had no significant effect on colony diameter, spore germination rate, conidiophore structure of P. expansum or pathogenicity to apple fruit. Taken together, erg4A, erg4B and erg4C have redundant functions and are all involved in ergosterol synthesis and sporulation in P. expansum. In addition, erg4B and erg4C contribute to spore morphogenesis, cell wall integrity and response to oxidative stress in P. expansum.
The Relationship between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Wang Xiaoliang , Wright Zachary , Patton-Tackett Eva D. , Song Gengqing
Published: May 2023

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly seen in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), although data on the relationship between these conditions are still limited. We aimed to explore whether CKD is related to a higher prevalence of GERD and its complications. National Inpatient Sample data were used in this retrospective analysis, including 7,159,694 patients. Patients who had a diagnosis of GERD with and without CKD were compared with patients without GERD. Complications associated with GERD that were analyzed included Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal stricture. Risk factors of GERD were used for variable adjustment analysis. Different stages of CKD were evaluated in patients with and without GERD. Bivariate analyses were performed using the chi-squared test or Fisher exact test (2-tailed) for categorical variables as appropriate to assess the difference. There were significantly different demographic characteristics between GERD patients with and without CKD regarding age, sex, race, and other co-mobilities. Interestingly, a greater prevalence of GERD was seen in CKD patients (23.5%) compared to non-CKD patients (14.8%), and this increased prevalence was consistently seen in all CKD stages. CKD patients also had 1.70 higher odds of risk of having GERD compared with non-CKD after adjustment. The association between different stages of CKD and GERD showed a similar trend. Interestingly, patients with early-stage CKD were found to have a higher prevalence and odds of risk of esophageal stricture and Barrett’s esophagus than non-CKD patients. CKD is associated with a high prevalence of GERD and its complications.
Pharmacogenetic Analysis Enables Optimization of Pain Therapy: A Case Report of Ineffective Oxycodone Therapy
Authors: Wiss Florine M. , Stäuble Céline K. , Meyer zu Schwabedissen Henriette E. , Allemann Samuel S. , Lampert Markus L.
Published: May 2023

Patients suffering from chronic pain may respond differently to analgesic medications. For some, pain relief is insufficient, while others experience side effects. Although pharmacogenetic testing is rarely performed in the context of analgesics, response to opiates, non-opioid analgesics, and antidepressants for the treatment of neuropathic pain can be affected by genetic variants. We describe a female patient who suffered from a complex chronic pain syndrome due to a disc hernia. Due to insufficient response to oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine in addition to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced side effects reported in the past, we performed panel-based pharmacogenotyping and compiled a medication recommendation. The ineffectiveness of opiates could be explained by a combined effect of the decreased activity in cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), an increased activity in CYP3A, and an impaired drug response at the µ-opioid receptor. Decreased activity for CYP2C9 led to a slowed metabolism of ibuprofen and thus increased the risk for gastrointestinal side effects. Based on these findings we recommended hydromorphone and paracetamol, of which the metabolism was not affected by genetic variants. Our case report illustrates that an in-depth medication review including pharmacogenetic analysis can be helpful for patients with complex pain syndrome. Our approach highlights how genetic information could be applied to analyze a patient’s history of medication ineffectiveness or poor tolerability and help to find better treatment options.
Spatiotemporal Variation and Dynamic Simulation of Ecosystem Carbon Storage in the Loess Plateau Based on PLUS and InVEST Models
Authors: Liu Kang , Zhang Chaozheng , Zhang Han , Xu Hao , Xia Wen
Published: May 2023

Terrestrial ecosystems play an important role in carbon reduction and sequestration, and it is important to explore the carbon sequestration potential of terrestrial ecosystems under different land use scenarios to enhance the regional carbon storage potential. We analysed land use changes in the Loess Plateau, an important ecological barrier in China, from 2000 to 2020, used the PLUS model to predict land use patterns under different scenarios in 2035, and applied the InVEST model to assess carbon storage from 2000 to 2035. The findings were as follows: (1) Cropland in the study area decreased significantly from 2000 to 2020, and forests, waters, and construction land showed an increasing trend. The area of cropland further decreased under the natural growth and ecological protection scenarios, the area of grassland decreased significantly under the cropland protection scenario, and forests and waters were effectively protected under the natural development, ecological protection, and cropland protection scenarios. (2) Carbon storage in the Loess Plateau has increased by 28 Tg (0.56%) over the past 20 years. Compared with those in 2020, by 2035, carbon storage under the natural development, ecological protection, and cropland protection scenarios will increase by 30, 44, and 21 Tg, respectively. (3) Carbon storage has obvious spatial heterogeneity, with high carbon density in the northern Qinling Mountains, Taihang Mountains, and Lvliang Mountains and low carbon density in Erdos City and its surrounding areas. Regional differences in carbon density are closely related to the spatial distribution of land use types. (4) Carbon storage showed an inverted V-shaped trend with the increase in elevation. Land use change is the main reason for the increase or decrease in carbon storage under different scenarios. Compared with the other two scenarios, the ecological protection scenario not only protects the ecological environment but also has a strong carbon storage potential, which may be significant for guiding the formulation of future land use planning on the Loess Plateau.
From Productive Landscape to Agritouristic Landscape? The Evidence of an Agricultural Heritage System—Zhejiang Huzhou Mulberry-Dyke and Fish-Pond System
Authors: Zhou Ran , Huang Lu , Wang Ke , Hu Wenhao
Published: May 2023

Agricultural Heritage Systems exhibit multiple functions of agricultural production, ecological protection, and invaluable cultures and landscapes. The mulberry-dyke and fish-pond system is an important agricultural heritage. The Nanxun District of Huzhou, China is currently the area with the most complete and largest mulberry dykes and fish ponds in the world. In the past thirty years, with changes in labor force distribution and consumer demand, the production function of mulberry dyke and fish ponds has been challenged, and the production landscape as the carrier of farming culture has been threatened. Studying the spatial characteristics and optimization of mulberry dykes and fish ponds is of great significance to the sustainable development of the regional economy, culture, and environment. This study analyzes the spatial and temporal pattern evolution of mulberry dyke and fish ponds in Nanxun District since 1975. Based on the evaluation of the environmental carrying capacity of fish ponds, and according to the development goals of agricultural heritage inheritance and “planting and breeding balance”, the Future Land Use Simulation model is adopted to optimize the study area. The results show the following findings: (1) From 1975 to 2019, fish ponds and construction land increased significantly, mulberry fields and paddy fields decreased significantly, the scale of mulberry dykes and fish ponds decreased significantly, and the proportion of mulberry dykes and fish ponds was seriously unbalanced; (2) The overall scale of fish-pond breeding in Nanxun District is too large, and the proportion of farming and breeding needs to be adjusted; (3) In view of economic growth, cultural inheritance, and environmental protection, this paper simulates the spatial layout of mulberry dykes and fish ponds in 2035, and divides mulberry dykes and fish ponds in Nanxun District into a display area and an industrial development area. The display area restores the traditional mulberry dykes and fish ponds to the greatest extent. The industrial development zone maximizes the economic benefits of agriculture on the basis of “balancing planting and breeding”. Overall, this study provides a reference for protecting Huzhou mulberry-dyke and fish-pond agricultural heritage, optimizing agricultural production space, balancing human–environment relationship, and promoting regional sustainable development.
Spatial Structure and Evolution of Territorial Function of Rural Areas at Cultural Heritage Sites from the Perspective of Social Space
Authors: Wu Chong , Yang Mengling , Zhang Hang , Yu Yafang
Published: May 2023

Affected by multiple factors, differentiated capital investment and power games have led to the uneven regional development of rural areas at cultural heritage sites. Therefore, it is urgent to reflect on the spatial equity and justice of heritage sites from the perspective of social space. This study took the territorial function of rural areas (TFRA) as its research objective, utilizing the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site—the Qinshihuang Mausoleum—and the Qianling Mausoleum and the Qiaoling Mausoleum in Shaanxi Province as cases. Based on the theory of spatial production, an index system of TFRA was constructed using social and spatial dimensions. Factor analysis and social–spatial differentiation indices were employed to identify the spatial structure and differentiation of TFRA. The results show the following: (1) the case areas reflect eight principal components, and these components have obvious spatial differentiation characteristics; (2) the principal components related to heritage display and utilization have had a sustained impact over the past decade, which have driven the development of related industries, but the scores of principal components related to the restrictions of heritage protection have been decreased; (3) six functional type zones are designated, and the spatial pattern of TFRA presented a concentric circle with a core-periphery structure, which is influenced by heritage protection zoning; (4) high-value-added functional spaces form and expand along transportation lines; (5) the inherent demand for capital proliferation is the fundamental driving force for the differentiation and evolution of TFRA at heritage sites. Based on the results of the above analysis, strategies of coordinated development between society and space are proposed to address the issue of uneven regional development at heritage sites.
Geodiversity and Geoheritage to Promote Geotourism Using Augmented Reality and 3D Virtual Flights in the Arosa Estuary (NW Spain)
Authors: Martínez-Graña Antonio , González-Delgado José Angel , Nieto Carlos , Villalba Vanessa , Cabero Teresa
Published: May 2023

Geoheritage constitutes a natural resource that promotes sustainable rural tourism by creating employment and activities that allow population settlement in unpopulated areas with great natural heritage. The objective of this work is to value the singularity and variety of the geosites, which show a wide geodiversity, with lithological, geomorphological, tectonic and natural process diversity (fluvial, coastal, sedimentary, etc.). In the “Arosa estuary” (Galicia, Spain), seven Geosites have been identified, described and valued, determining their scientific, educational and tourist-recreational potential and obtaining values between 565 and 660 points. The state of conservation and risk of degradation is analyzed in order to proceed with their geoconservation, promoting sustainable geo-tourism. The values of degradation susceptibility range between 0.03 and 3 points, and anthropic degradation between 0.33 and 1.73 points. A 3D virtual itinerary is made using Google Earth, implementing descriptive sheets, interpreted diagrams and photographs, and analysis of the geological processes. An interactive virtual flight is presented for academic and tourist purposes to promote geotourism. The virtual tour also has geomatic didactic elements: geoapp and georeferenced thematic cartographies. These resources are helpful for the unknown geoheritage of the population that lives or visits the “Arosa estuary”, favoring sustainable development and fostering attitudes and skills of respect for nature.
Research on Nonconstant and Discontinuous Pumping Characteristics of the Concrete Pump Truck
Authors: Ren Yafeng , Bi Chunyang , Lu Wenwen , Zhi Jinning , Yang Weifeng , Li Jie , Wang Haiwei
Published: May 2023

The nonconstant concrete flow due to the alternating pumping of the twin cylinder of the hydraulic pump will cause vibration of concrete pump trucks. Furthermore, the discontinuous pumping of concrete caused by inadequate suction and air doping will exacerbate the vibration. In order to study the effect of nonconstant and discontinuous pumping of concrete on the dynamic response and vibrational stability of the whole vehicle, multi-fluid pumping models with concrete-lubrication gas for straight and elbow pipes are established, respectively, and the boundary conditions of periodic pumping speed are taken into account to compare the rheological characteristics of concrete and the exciting force on the pipe wall under nonconstant pumping, discontinuous pumping and nonconstant discontinuous pumping conditions. Results show that the pipe pressure and the exciting force vary periodically with the pumping speed under nonconstant pumping conditions, and the peak-to-peak value of the pipe pressure and excitation for discontinuous pumping depend on the volume fraction and distribution state of the gas in the pipe.
Evaluating the Coverage and Depth of Latent Dirichlet Allocation Topic Model in Comparison with Human Coding of Qualitative Data: The Case of Education Research
Authors: Nanda Gaurav , Jaiswal Aparajita , Castellanos Hugo , Zhou Yuzhe , Choi Alex , Magana Alejandra J.
Published: May 2023

Fields in the social sciences, such as education research, have started to expand the use of computer-based research methods to supplement traditional research approaches. Natural language processing techniques, such as topic modeling, may support qualitative data analysis by providing early categories that researchers may interpret and refine. This study contributes to this body of research and answers the following research questions: (RQ1) What is the relative coverage of the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic model and human coding in terms of the breadth of the topics/themes extracted from the text collection? (RQ2) What is the relative depth or level of detail among identified topics using LDA topic models and human coding approaches? A dataset of student reflections was qualitatively analyzed using LDA topic modeling and human coding approaches, and the results were compared. The findings suggest that topic models can provide reliable coverage and depth of themes present in a textual collection comparable to human coding but require manual interpretation of topics. The breadth and depth of human coding output is heavily dependent on the expertise of coders and the size of the collection; these factors are better handled in the topic modeling approach.
A Novel Fault-Tolerant Super-Twisting Control Technique for Chaos Stabilization in Fractional-Order Arch MEMS Resonators
Authors: Alsaade Fawaz W. , Al-zahrani Mohammed S.
Published: May 2023

With the increasing demand for high-performance controllers in micro- and nano-systems, it is crucial to account for the effects of unexpected faults in control inputs during the design process. To tackle this challenge, we present a new approach that leverages an estimator-based super-twisting control technique that is capable of regulating chaos in fractional-order arch micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) resonators. We begin by studying the governing equation of a fractional-order arch MEMS resonator, followed by a thorough exploration of its chaotic properties. We then outline the design process for our novel control technique. The proposed technique takes into consideration the effects of uncertainty and faults in the control input by utilizing a finite time estimator and a super-twisting algorithm. The proposed technique addresses important challenges in the control of MEMS in real-world applications by providing fault tolerance, which enables the controller to withstand unexpected faults in the control input. We apply our controller to the fractional-order arch MEMS resonator, conducting numerical simulations. The numerical findings reveal that our proposed control technique is capable of stabilizing the system’s dynamics, even in the presence of a time-evolving fault in the control actuator. These results provide compelling evidence of the efficacy of our approach to control, despite the presence of an evolving fault.
Fractional Langevin Coupled System with Stieltjes Integral Conditions
Authors: Majeed Rafia , Zhang Binlin , Alam Mehboob
Published: May 2023

This article outlines the necessary requirements for a coupled system of fractional order boundary value involving the Caputo fractional derivative, including its existence, uniqueness, and various forms of Ulam stability. We demonstrate the existence and uniqueness of the proposed coupled system by using the cone-type Leray–Schauder result and the Banach contraction principle. Based on the traditional method of nonlinear functional analysis, the stability is examined. An example is used to provide a clear illustration of our main results.
An End-to-End Framework Based on Vision-Language Fusion for Remote Sensing Cross-Modal Text-Image Retrieval
Authors: He Liu , Liu Shuyan , An Ran , Zhuo Yudong , Tao Jian
Published: May 2023

Remote sensing cross-modal text-image retrieval (RSCTIR) has recently attracted extensive attention due to its advantages of fast extraction of remote sensing image information and flexible human–computer interaction. Traditional RSCTIR methods mainly focus on improving the performance of uni-modal feature extraction separately, and most rely on pre-trained object detectors to obtain better local feature representation, which not only lack multi-modal interaction information, but also cause the training gap between the pre-trained object detector and the retrieval task. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end RSCTIR framework based on vision-language fusion (EnVLF) consisting of two uni-modal (vision and language) encoders and a muti-modal encoder which can be optimized by multitask training. Specifically, to achieve an end-to-end training process, we introduce a vision transformer module for image local features instead of a pre-trained object detector. By semantic alignment of visual and text features, the vision transformer module achieves the same performance as pre-trained object detectors for image local features. In addition, the trained multi-modal encoder can improve the top-one and top-five ranking performances after retrieval processing. Experiments on common RSICD and RSITMD datasets demonstrate that our EnVLF can obtain state-of-the-art retrieval performance.
A Perturbed Cauchy Viscoelastic Problem in an Exterior Domain
Authors: Samet Bessem , Vetro Calogero
Published: May 2023

A Cauchy viscoelastic problem perturbed by an inverse-square potential, and posed in an exterior domain of RN, is considered under a Dirichlet boundary condition. Using nonlinear capacity estimates specifically adapted to the non-local nature of the problem, the potential function and the boundary condition, we establish sufficient conditions for the nonexistence of weak solutions.
An Improved Approach to Investigate the Oscillatory Properties of Third-Order Neutral Differential Equations
Authors: Moaaz Osama , Alnafisah Yousef
Published: May 2023

In this work, by considering a third-order differential equation with delay-neutral arguments, we investigate the oscillatory behavior of solutions. It is known that the relationships between the solution and its derivatives of different orders, as well as between the solution and its corresponding function, can help to obtain more efficient oscillation criteria for differential equations of neutral type. So, we deduce some new relationships of an iterative nature. Then, we test the effect of these relationships on the criteria that exclude positive solutions to the studied equation. By comparing our results with previous results in the literature, we show the importance and novelty of the new results.
Mild Hyperglycaemia in Hospitalised Children with Moderate COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Vojtková Jarmila , Bánovčin Peter , Ďurdíková Anna , Nováková Elena , Jeseňák Miloš
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives: COVID-19 infection may influence many physiological processes, including glucose metabolism. Acute hyperglycaemia has been related to a worse prognosis in patients with severe COVID-19 infection. The aim of our study was to find out if moderate COVID-19 infection is associated with hyperglycaemia. Materials and Methods: A total of 235 children were enrolled in the study between October 2021 and October 2022, 112 with confirmed COVID-19 infection and 123 with other RNA viral infection. In all patients, types of symptoms, glycaemia at the time of admission, and basic anthropometric and biochemical parameters were recorded. Results: Average glycaemia was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to other viral infections (5.7 ± 1.12 vs. 5.31 ± 1.4 mmol/L, p = 0.011). This difference was more obvious in subgroups with gastrointestinal manifestations (5.6 ± 1.11 vs. 4.81 ± 1.38 mmol/L, p = 0.0006) and with fever (5.76±1.22 vs. 5.11±1.37 mmol/L, p = 0.002), while no significant difference was found in subgroups with mainly respiratory symptoms. The risk of hyperglycaemia (>5.6 mmol/L) was higher in COVID-19 patients compared to other viral infections (OR = 1.86, 95%CI = 1.10–3.14, p = 0.02). The risk of hyperglycaemia was significantly higher in COVID-19 compared to other viral infections in the subgroups of patients with fever (OR = 3.59, 95% CI 1.755–7.345, p = 0.0005) and with gastrointestinal manifestations (OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.058–5.791, p = 0.036). Conclusion: According to our results, mild hyperglycaemia was significantly more common in children with moderate COVID-19 infection compared to other RNA virus respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, especially when accompanied by fever or gastrointestinal symptoms.
The Use of F-18 FDG PET-Based Cognitive Reserve to Evaluate Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease, Independent of Educational Influence
Authors: Choi Hyung Jin , Seo Minjung , Kim Ahro , Park Seol Hoon
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives: The optimal assessment of cognitive function, including the impact of education, is crucial in managing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to evaluate the role of cognitive reserve (CR), represented by the metabolic status of regions of the cerebral cortex, to evaluate cognitive decline considering the educational attainment of patients with AD. Materials and Methods: We used data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database, and selected 124 patients who underwent both baseline F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and F-18 florbetaben (FBB) positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Demographics, cognitive function variables (Clinical Dementia Rating—Sum of Boxes [CDR]; AD Assessment Scale 11/13 [ADAS11/13] Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]), and the average standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) of cerebral cortex regions to those of the cerebellum were obtained from the data. The participants’ education level was divided into low and high education subgroups using four cut-offs of 12, 14, 16, and 18 years of educational attainment (G12, G14, G16, and G18, respectively). Demographic and cognitive function variables were compared between the two subgroups in each of the four groups, and their correlations with the SUVRs were evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference between the high and low education subgroups in each of the four groups, except for ADAS11/13 and MMSE in G14 and age in G16. The SUVRs of FDG PET (FDGSUVR) were significantly correlated with CDR, ADAS11/13, and MMSE scores. FDGSUVR showed different trajectories of neurodegeneration between the low and high education groups. Conclusions: FDGSUVR correlated moderately but significantly with neuropsychological test results, without being influenced by education level. Therefore, FDG PET may reflect CR independent of education level, and therefore could be a reliable tool to evaluate cognitive decline in AD.
Comparative Evaluation of Commercial Protein A Membranes for the Rapid Purification of Antibodies
Authors: Osuofa Joshua , Husson Scott M.
Published: May 2023

Protein A chromatography is ubiquitous to antibody purification. The high specificity of Protein A for binding the Fc-region of antibodies and related products enables unmatched clearance of process impurities like host cell proteins, DNA, and virus particles. A recent development is the commercialization of research-scale Protein A membrane chromatography products that can perform capture step purification with short residence times (RT) on the order of seconds. This study investigates process-relevant performance and physical properties of four Protein A membranes: Purilogics Purexa™ PrA, Gore® Protein Capture Device, Cytiva HiTrap™ Fibro PrismA, and Sartorius Sartobind® Protein A. Performance metrics include dynamic binding capacity, equilibrium binding capacity, regeneration-reuse, impurity clearance, and elution volumes. Physical properties include permeability, pore diameter, specific surface area, and dead volume. Key results indicate that all membranes except the Gore® Protein Capture Device operate with flow rate-independent binding capacities; the Purilogics Purexa™ PrA and Cytiva HiTrap Fibro™ PrismA have binding capacities on par with resins, with orders of magnitude faster throughput; and dead volume and hydrodynamics play major roles in elution behavior. Results from this study will enable bioprocess scientists to understand the ways that Protein A membranes can fit into their antibody process development strategies.
Investigating the Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Al4C3 on the Tribological Performance of Aluminum-Based Nanocomposites
Authors: Kolev Mihail , Lazarova Rumyana , Petkov Veselin , Mourdjeva Yana , Nihtianova Diana
Published: May 2023

The study investigates the effects of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the tribological properties of aluminum-based nanocomposites, both annealed after extrusion and non-annealed. It also examines the role of nanosized Al4C3 (aluminum carbide), which forms in the annealed Al/GNPs nanocomposite, on the tribological performance of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were fabricated using the powder metallurgy method. The microstructure of the composite materials was characterized using SEM, EDS, XRD and TEM techniques. The coefficient of friction (CF) and mass wear of the composites were measured using a pin-on-disk test under dry sliding friction conditions. The results showed that adding GNPs increased the coefficient of friction (CF) of the nanocomposites by up to 44% at 0.1 wt.% GNP, but the CF decreased by 15% at 1.1 wt.% GNP. The optimal concentration of GNPs for minimizing the CF and mass wear of Al-based nanocomposites was 0.1 wt.%. Additionally, the presence of Al4C3 in the annealed Al/GNP nanocomposite had a positive effect on the CF at low GNP concentrations, with a 38% increases at 0.1 wt.% GNP, but this effect diminished as the GNP concentration increased. The study also found that the mass wear of the nanocomposites increased with the GNP concentration, with a 46% increase in the mass wear from 0.1 wt.% GNP to 0.5 wt.% GNP and a 202% increase from 0.1 wt.% GNP to 1.1 wt.% GNP. The presence of Al4C3 also affected the mass wear, with the effect diminishing as the GNP concentration increased. The study observed an increase in the mass wear with the increase in the GNP concentrations, but the mass wear of the annealed Al/GNPs with 1.1 wt.% GNP and Al4C3 was 52% lower than the Al composite with 1.1 wt.%. Overall, this study provides insights into the role of GNPs and Al4C3 on the tribological performance of aluminum-based nanocomposites.
Oxidation Property of a Fourth-Generation Powder Metallurgy FGH4108 Nickel-Based Superalloy
Authors: Zhao Xin , Wang Zhigang , Lv Jinjuan , Liu Xiao , Zheng Lei , Liu Jiantao
Published: May 2023

Isothermal oxidation kinetics of a fourth-generation powder metallurgy FGH4108 nickel-based superalloy is investigated at 800 °C to 1100 °C by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). At 800 °C and 900 °C, the oxidation kinetic curves of the FGH4108 superalloy follow parabolic law. At 1000 °C, the oxidation kinetic curve follows cubic law. At 1100 °C, the oxidation kinetic curve has two distinct parts: the first part follows a parabolic law, and the second one obeys a linear law. Cross-sectional morphologies and elemental distributions show that the oxide film consists of two parts at 800 °C: the outer layer is a continuous dense protective Cr2O3 oxide film, and the inner layer is a discontinuous Al2O3 oxide layer. At 900–1100 °C, the oxides consist of three layers: the outermost is the oxides of Cr2O3 and TiO2, the middle is a continuous oxide of Al2O3, and the innermost is dotted oxides of TiO2. The thickness of the inner TiO2 oxide layer increases with the increase of oxidation temperature. On this basis, the oxidation behavior of the FGH4108 superalloy at high temperatures is confirmed to be controlled by the diffusion of Cr, Al, Ti, and O. From the aspect of oxidation resistance, the long-term service temperature of the FGH4108 superalloy should not exceed 1000 °C.
Advances in Fracture, Fatigue and Structural Integrity Analyses of Metals
Authors: Arrieta Sergio , Cicero Sergio
Published: May 2023

Given the good response of the scientific and technical communities to our previous Special Issue in Metals, titled “Fracture, Fatigue and Structural Integrity of Metallic Materials” (2019), and given that research in these fields is continuously increasing in qualitative and quantitative terms, this new Special Issue intends to provide a forum for the dissemination of the latest significant advances in fracture, fatigue and structural integrity analyses [...]
Flotation Mechanism of Sphalerite by Sulfuration–Amine Method
Authors: Piao Yongchao , He Fayu , Pang Zengrui , Shang Yanbo , Luo Kehua , Zhu Yangge , Gao Xiyu , Zhang Xingrong
Published: May 2023

Sphalerite is a common sulfide mineral, and xanthate is usually used as the collector of sphalerite flotation. In order to realize the simultaneous flotation of sphalerite- and zinc-containing oxide ores, in this paper, dodecylamine was used as the collector and sodium sulfide as the regulator to explore the flotation behavior of sphalerite in a sulfuration–amine system through single mineral flotation tests, and several analytical methods, including contact angle measurement, adsorption capacity test, FT-IR, and XPS, were employed to discuss the interaction mechanism of dodecylamine on the surface of sphalerite. The results confirm that dodecylamine had a strong collecting effect on sphalerite throughout almost the entire pH range, and the flotation recovery increased with the increase in pH, reaching 86.81% at pH 12. It was found that the effect of sodium sulfide on the floatability of sphalerite was relatively weak, and a weak activation effect, of about 2% improved recovery, was achieved. The results of the mechanism analysis further show that dodecylamine underwent both physical adsorption and chemical adsorption on the surface of sphalerite, and the physical adsorption was enhanced with the increase in pH. The above findings provide evidence for the simultaneous flotation of zinc-containing sulfide-oxide mixed minerals.
Two Methods for the Isolation and Cultivation of Porcine Primary Corneal Cells
Authors: Netto Alice Rocha Teixeira , Hrusa Marc Dieter , Bartz-Schmidt Karl-Ulrich , Schnichels Sven , Hurst José
Published: May 2023

In ophthalmic research, there is a strong need for in vitro corneal cell models. Here, we describe different protocols for the cultivation of primary corneal cells that were isolated from porcine eyes. This primary cell culture can be used to test new therapeutic options for corneal diseases, such as dry eye disease, traumatic injuries, or corneal infections, and to study limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) expansion. Two different isolation methods were performed: the outgrowth and the collagenase method. To perform the outgrowth protocol, small explants of the corneal limbus were generated and incubated in culture flasks in an incubator for 4–5 weeks. Regarding the collagenase method, to extract corneal cells, porcine corneas were removed, cut into small pieces, and incubated with collagenase. After incubation and centrifugation, the cells were seeded in 6- or 12-well plates and incubated in an incubator for 2–3 weeks. The differences between corneal cell cultivation with fetal bovine serum (FBS) and without it are also discussed. Therefore, the main advantages of the outgrowth method are that it requires fewer porcine eyes, and it takes less time to be performed compared to the collagenase method. On the other hand, with the collagenase method, mature cells are obtained earlier, at about 2 to 3 weeks.
Tunable Nonlinear Optical Response of ITO Films with Au@Ag Bimetallic Nanoparticles
Authors: Yan Tingzhen , Hong Ruijin , Lian Jiqing , Tao Chunxian , Lin Hui , Wang Qi , Han Zhaoxia , Zhang Dawei
Published: May 2023

The nonlinear optical (NLO) response of indium tin oxide films covered with Au@Ag colloid layer was characterized by a femtosecond single-beam open aperture (OA) Z-scan technique in this study. As the Au@Ag thickness increased, the transition from saturated absorption (SA) to reverse saturated absorption (RSA) was found in these ITO matrix composites. The nonlinear absorption coefficient for these composite materials can be regulated from −6.85 × 10−7 m/W to 26.06 × 10−7 m/W. In addition, this work also characterized the structure, morphology, and other optical properties of the specimen, and the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) results were consistent with the experimental results. The NLO response of the ITO/Au@Ag composites can be attributed to the phase properties, synergistic competition effect, strong interaction based on the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) mode, and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) between the indium tin oxide films and Au@Ag.
Silicon-Based On-Chip Tunable High-Q-Factor and Low-Power Fano Resonators with Graphene Nanoheaters
Authors: Hong Qilin , Jiang Jinbao , Zhou Siyu , Xia Gongyu , Xu Ping , Zhu Mengjian , Xu Wei , Zhang Jianfa , Zhu Zhihong
Published: May 2023

Tunable and low-power microcavities are essential for large-scale photonic integrated circuits. Thermal tuning, a convenient and stable tuning method, has been widely adopted in optical neural networks and quantum information processing. Recently, graphene thermal tuning has been demonstrated to be a power-efficient technique, as it does not require thick spacers to prevent light absorption. In this paper, a silicon-based on-chip Fano resonator with graphene nanoheaters is proposed and fabricated. This novel Fano structure is achieved by introducing a scattering block, and it can be easily fabricated in large quantities. Experimental results demonstrate that the resonator has the characteristics of a high quality factor (∼31,000) and low state-switching power (∼1 mW). The temporal responses of the microcavity exhibit qualified modulation speed with 9.8 μs rise time and 16.6 μs fall time. The thermal imaging and Raman spectroscopy of graphene at different biases were also measured to intuitively show that the tuning is derived from the joule heating effect of graphene. This work provides an alternative for future large-scale tunable and low-power-consumption optical networks, and has potential applications in optical filters and switches.
Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by the Aqueous Extract of Zanthoxylum nitidum and Its Herbicidal Activity against Bidens pilosa L.
Authors: Jiang Tianying , Huang Jinyan , Peng Jieshi , Wang Yanhui , Du Liangwei
Published: May 2023

Phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has been progressively acquiring attractiveness. In this study, the root of Zanthoxylum nitidum was used to synthesize Ag NPs, and its pre-emergence herbicidal activity was tested. The synthesized Ag NPs by the aqueous extract from Z. nitidum were characterized by visual inspection, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The plant-mediated synthesis was completed within 180 min and the Ag NPs exhibited a characteristic peak at around 445 nm. The results of the DLS measurement showed that the average hydrodynamic diameter was 96 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.232. XRD results indicated the crystalline nature of the phytogenic Ag NPs. A TEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticles were spherical with an average particle size of 17 nm. An EDX spectrum confirmed the presence of an elemental silver signal. Furthermore, the Ag NPs exhibited a herbicidal potential against the seed germination and seedling growth of Bidens Pilosa L. The present work indicates that Ag NPs synthesized by plant extract could have potential for the development of a new nanoherbicide for weed prevention and control.
Digital Healthy Diet Literacy and Fear of COVID-19 as Associated with Treatment Adherence and Its Subscales among Hemodialysis Patients: A Multi-Hospital Study
Authors: Le Lan T. H. , Tran Tu T. , Duong Tuyen Van , Dang Loan T. , Hoang Trung A. , Nguyen Dung H. , Pham Minh D. , Do Binh N. , Nguyen Hoang C. , Pham Linh V. , Nguyen Lien T. H. , Nguyen Hoi T. , Trieu Nga T. , Do Thinh V. , Trinh Manh V. , Ha Tung H. , Phan Dung T. , Nguyen Thao T. P. , Nguyen Kien T. , Yang Shwu-Huey
Published: May 2023

Treatment adherence (TA) is a critical issue and is under-investigated in hemodialysis patients. A multi-center study was conducted from July 2020 to March 2021 on 972 hemodialysis patients in eight hospitals in Vietnam to explore the factors associated with TA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected, including socio-demographics, an End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire (ESRD-AQ), 12-item short-form health literacy questionnaire (HLS-SF12), 4-item digital healthy diet literacy scale (DDL), 10-item hemodialysis dietary knowledge scale (HDK), 7-item fear of COVID-19 scale (FCoV-19S), and suspected COVID-19 symptoms (S-COVID19-S). Bivariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to explore the associations. Higher DDL scores were associated with higher TA scores (regression coefficient, B, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI, 0.59, 2.12; p = 0.001). Higher FCoV-19S scores were associated with lower TA scores (B, −1.78; 95%CI, −3.33, −0.24; p = 0.023). In addition, patients aged 60–85 (B, 24.85; 95%CI, 6.61, 43.11; p = 0.008) with “very or fairly easy” medication payment ability (B, 27.92; 95%CI, 5.89, 44.95; p = 0.013) had higher TA scores. Patients who underwent hemodialysis for ≥5 years had a lower TA score than those who received <5 years of hemodialysis (B, −52.87; 95%CI, −70.46, −35.28; p < 0.001). These findings suggested that DDL and FCoV-19S, among other factors, should be considered in future interventions to improve TA in hemodialysis patients.
Association of Pork (All Pork, Fresh Pork and Processed Pork) Consumption with Nutrient Intakes and Adequacy in US Children (Age 2–18 Years) and Adults (Age 19+ Years): NHANES 2011–2018 Analysis
Authors: Agarwal Sanjiv , Fulgoni Victor L.
Published: May 2023

Pork is a rich source of high-quality protein and select nutrients. The objective of this work was to assess the intakes of all pork (AP), fresh pork (FP) and processed pork (PP) and their association with nutrient intake and meeting nutrient recommendations using 24 h dietary recall data. Usual intake was determined using the NCI method and the percentage of the population with intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement, or above the Adequate Intake for pork consumers and non-consumers, was estimated. About 52, 15 and 45% of children and 59, 20 and 49% of adults were consumers of AP, FP and PP, respectively, with mean intakes in consumers of 47, 60 and 38 g/day for children and 61, 77 and 48 g/day for adults, respectively. Among consumers of AP, FP and PP, the intakes of copper, potassium, selenium, sodium, zinc, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6 and choline were higher (p < 0.05) and a higher (p < 0.05) proportion met nutrient recommendations for copper, potassium, zinc, thiamin and choline compared to non-consumers. There were additional differences (p < 0.05) in intakes and adequacies for other nutrients between consumers and non-consumers depending upon the age group and pork type. In conclusion, pork intake was associated with higher intakes and adequacies in children and adults for certain key nutrients.