bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Lipids in Phosphine Resistant Stored-Grain Insect Pests Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica
Authors: Alnajim Ihab , Aldosary Naser , Agarwal Manjree , Liu Tao , Du Xin , Ren Yonglin
Published: September 2022

Insects rely on lipids as an energy source to perform various activities, such as growth, flight, diapause, and metamorphosis. This study evaluated the role of lipids in phosphine resistance by stored-grain insects. Phosphine resistant and susceptible strains of the two main stored-grain insects, Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica, were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) to determine their lipid contents. Phosphine resistant strains of both species had a higher amount of lipids than susceptible stains. Significant variance ratios between the resistant and susceptible strains of T. castaneum were observed for glycerolipids (1.13- to 53.10-fold) and phospholipids (1.05- to 20.00-fold). Significant variance ratios between the resistant and susceptible strains of R. dominica for glycerolipids were 1.04- to 31.50-fold and for phospholipids were 1.04- to 10.10-fold. Glycerolipids are reservoirs to face the long-term energy shortage. Phospholipids act as a barrier to isolate the cells from the surrounding environment and allow each cell to perform its specific function. Thus, lipids offer a consistent energy source for the resistant insect to survive under the stress of phosphine fumigation and provide a suitable environment to protect the mitochondria from phosphine. Hence, it was proposed through this study that the lipid content of phosphine-resistant and phosphine-susceptible strains of T. castaneum and R. dominica could play an important role in the resistance of phosphine.
Ultra-Morphology and Mechanical Function of the Trichoideum Sensillum in Nabis rugosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Insecta: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha)
Authors: Chakilam Shashikanth , Brożek Jolanta , Chajec Łukasz , Poprawa Izabela , Gaidys Rimvydas
Published: September 2022

The present study aims to investigate the morphological features of the antennal sensilla by using SEM and TEM. The construction of a 3D model of trichoideum sensillum using Amira software is presented in this paper. Five sensillum types, namely trichoideum, chaeticum, campaniformium, coeloconicum, and basiconicum, were recorded. This model exhibits the mechanosensillum components, including the embedded hair in a socket attached by the joint membrane and the dendrite connected to the hair base passing through the cuticle layers. TEM images present the dendrite way, micro-tubules inside the dendritic sheath, and terminal structure of the tubular dendrite body and so-called companion cells included in the receptor, e.g., tormogen and trichogen. The parameters noted for the external structure and ultrastructure of the mechano-receptor indicate that they are specific to a particular type of sensillum and would be useful in developing the model for a biosensor. Results show that bio-inspired sensors can be developed based on morphological and ultrastructural studies and to conduct mechanical studies on their components.
Energetics of Paper Wasps (Polistes sp.) from Differing Climates during the Breeding Season
Authors: Kovac Helmut , Käfer Helmut , Petrocelli Iacopo , Amstrup Astrid B. , Stabentheiner Anton
Published: September 2022

Paper wasps are widely distributed in Europe. They live in the warm Mediterranean, and in the harsh Alpine climate. Some species are very careful in their choice of nesting sites to ensure a proper development of the brood. We investigated microclimate conditions at the nests of three species (P. dominula, P. gallicus, P. biglumis) from differing climates, in order to characterize environmental conditions and conduct energetic calculations for an entire breeding season. The mean ambient nest temperature differed significantly in the Mediterranean, temperate, and Alpine habitats, but in all habitats it was about 2 to 3 °C above the standard meteorological data. The energetic calculations of adult wasps’ standard and active metabolic rate, based on respiratory measurements, differed significantly, depending on the measured ambient temperatures or the wasps’ body temperatures. P. gallicus from the warm Mediterranean climate exhibited the highest energetic costs, whereas P. biglumis from the harsh Alpine climate had the lowest costs. Energetic costs of P. dominula from the temperate climate were somewhat lower than those in the Mediterranean species, but clearly higher than those in the Alpine species. Temperature increase due to climate change may have a severe impact on the wasps’ survival as energetic costs increase.
Modulating the Fatty Acid Profiles of Hermetia illucens Larvae Fats by Dietary Enrichment with Different Oilseeds: A Sustainable Way for Future Use in Feed and Food
Authors: Georgescu Bogdan , Boaru Anca Mihaela , Muntean Leon , Sima Nicușor , Struți Dănuț Ioan , Păpuc Tudor Andrei , Georgescu Carmen
Published: September 2022

Edible insects such as the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. represent a potential and sustainable source of nutrients for food and feed due to their valuable nutritional composition, which can be modulated through dietary enrichment. The high content of saturated fatty acid (FA) of Hermetia illucens larvae fats can be modulated through dietary enrichment as a result of adding vegetable oils in the rearing substrate. Therefore, the present research aims to highlight the effects of a 10% addition of vegetable oils from five dietary fat sources (linseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, and hempseed oil) on the growth, development, reproductive performance, and the fat and fatty acids profile of H. illucens. Oil inclusion in the larval diet improved (p < 0.05) the weight of larvae, prepupae, pupae, and imago without influencing (p > 0.05) the egg clutch weight and the number of eggs in the clutch. In addition, the larvae fatty acid profile was different (p < 0.001) according to the oil type, because the unsaturated FAs (UFA) increased from 11.23 to 48.74% of FAME, as well as according to the larvae age, because the saturated FAs decreased from 85.86 to 49.56% of FAME. Linseed oil inclusion led to the improvement of the FA profile at 10 days age of larvae, followed by hempseed and rapeseed oil. These three dietary treatments recorded the highest concentrations in UFA (29.94–48.74% of FAME), especially in polyunsaturated FA (18.91–37.22% of FAME) from the omega-3 series (3.19–15.55% of FAME) and the appropriate n–6/n–3 ratio. As a result, the degree of the lipid polyunsaturation index increased (17.76–41.44) and the value of the atherogenic (3.22–1.22) and thrombogenic (1.43–0.48) indices decreased. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that enriching the larval diet with these oils rich in UFA can modulate the larvae FA profile, making them suitable sources of quality fats for feed and indirectly for food.
Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Contact Chemosensilla in Adults and Larvae of the Butterfly, Atrophaneura alcinous
Authors: Tsuchihara Kazuko , Takanashi Takuma , Asaoka Kiyoshi
Published: September 2022

Distribution and electrophysiological responses of contact chemosensilla were examined in the Aristolochiaceae-feeding butterfly Atrophaneuraalcinous. In adult butterflies, tarsal contact chemosensilla of the foreleg were classified into two groups based on length: long- and short-type sensilla. Long-type sensilla were distributed much more widely in females than in males, whereas short-type sensilla were found at the edge of the tarsi in a similar manner in both sexes. Taste responses of the long- and short-type sensilla to methanol extracts of Aristolochia debilis and Citrus spp. were recorded. Aristolochia debilis extracts evoked spikes with different amplitudes, whereas Citrus spp. extracts evoked spikes with a single amplitude in the long-type sensilla. Short-type sensilla did not respond to either extract. Moreover, we recorded responses to different concentrations of sucrose and NaCl. Results suggest that adult butterflies can discriminate the taste of host plant components from other chemicals using long-type sensilla during oviposition and may recognize diets containing sugar and salts during feeding using short-type sensilla. In the larval mouthparts, there were lateral and medial styloconic sensilla on the maxillary galea and epipharyngeal sensillum on the epipharynx. Electrophysiological responses of these sensilla suggest that larvae can discriminate between host plant compounds.
Triglyceride–Glucose Index May Predict Renal Survival in Patients with IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Qin Aiya , Tan Jiaxing , Wang Siqing , Dong Lingqiu , Jiang Zheng , Yang Dandan , Zhou Huan , Zhou Xiaoyuan , Tang Yi , Qin Wei
Published: September 2022

Background: The triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index is a simple, novel and reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance. However, evidence for the prognostic impact of an elevated TyG index on IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is limited. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between the TyG index and the risk of renal progression in IgAN. Method: This cohort study involved biopsy-proven IgAN between January 2009 and December 2018 in West China Hospital, in which patients were assigned to two groups based on the cut-off value of TyG using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A 1:1 matched-pair analysis was established to optimize the bias in IgAN by propensity score matching (PSM). The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. The composite endpoint was defined by eGFR decreased ≥50% of the baseline level, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), renal transplantation and/or death. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were applied to confirm the predictive value of the optimal marker. Results: Before PSM, a total of 1210 participants were ultimately included. During a median follow-up period of 55.8 months (range 37.20–79.09 months), 129 participants progressed to the composite endpoint (10.7%). After PSM, 366 patients were enrolled in the matched cohort, of whom 34 (9.3%) patients reached the endpoints. Based on the cut-off value of the TyG index, patients were divided into the low TyG index group (TyG ≤ 8.72, n = 690) and the high TyG index group (TyG > 8.72, n = 520). Further analysis demonstrated that a higher TyG index was significantly associated with a higher risk of reaching composite endpoints in IgAN patients in both the unmatched and matched cohorts (before PSM: HR 2.509, 95% CI 1.396–4.511, p = 0.002; after PSM: HR 2.654, 95% CI 1.299–5.423, p = 0.007). Conclusion: A high TyG index is associated with a higher risk of renal progression.
Risk Factors and Mortality in Elderly ARDS COVID-19 Compared to Patients without COVID-19
Authors: Chiumello Davide , Modafferi Leo , Fratti Isabella
Published: September 2022

During the last few decades, due to the increase in elderly patients among the general population, the number of patients aged over 80 years admitted in intensive care significantly incremented [...]
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Pure Native Aortic Regurgitation: The Last Frontier
Authors: Tagliari Ana Paula , Petersen Saadi Rodrigo , Keller Saadi Eduardo
Published: September 2022

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to treat patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is a well-established procedure. Even though cases series have reported TAVI use in high-risk patients with pure native aortic regurgitation, this is still considered an off-label intervention, especially when the aortic annulus dimensions are beyond the recommended by prosthesis manufacturers. Herein, we provide an updated review regarding the transcatheter treatment of pure native aortic regurgitation and illustrate this issue by presenting a clinical case of a patient with pure aortic regurgitation and a large aortic annulus who received a self-expanding non-dedicated transcatheter heart valve.
Myocarditis Induced by Immunotherapy in Metastatic Melanoma—Review of Literature and Current Guidelines
Authors: Czarnecka Anna M. , Kleibert Marcin , Płachta Iga , Rogala Paweł , Wągrodzki Michał , Leszek Przemysław , Rutkowski Piotr
Published: September 2022

Immunotherapy is a widely used treatment modality in oncology. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, as a part of immunotherapy, caused a revolution in oncology, especially in melanoma therapy, due to the significant prolongation of patients’ overall survival. These drugs act by activation of inhibited immune responses of T lymphocytes against cancer cells. The mechanism responsible for the therapy’s high efficacy is also involved in immune tolerance of the patient’s own tissues. The administration of ICI therapy to a patient can cause severe immune reactions against non-neoplastic cells. Among them, cardiotoxicity seems most important due to the high mortality rate. In this article, we present the history of a 79 year-old patient diagnosed with melanoma who died due to myocarditis induced by ICI therapy, despite the fast administration of recommended immunosuppressive therapy, as an illustration of possible adverse events of ICI. Additionally, we summarize the mechanism, risk factors, biomarkers, and clinical data from currently published guidelines and studies about ICI-related myocarditis. The fast recognition of this fatal adverse effect of therapy may accelerate the rapid introduction of treatment and improve patients’ outcomes.
Interaction Effects of Maternal Sexually Transmitted Infections with Prenatal Care Utilization Status on Preterm Birth and Low Birthweight: U.S. National Data
Authors: Kondracki Anthony J. , Li Wei , Bursac Zoran , Mokhtari Manouchehr , Reddick Bonzo , Barkin Jennifer L.
Published: September 2022

This case-control study aimed to test interaction between the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) and prenatal care (PNC) utilization status on preterm birth (PTB) (<37 weeks gestation) and low birthweight (LBW) (<2500 g). We used data of participants with singleton live births (N = 3,418,028) from the 2019 United States National Vital Statistics System. There were 280,206 participants in the PTB group and 3,137,822 in the control group, and 221,260 participants in the LBW group and 3,196,768 in the control group. Nearly 1.9% of the participants had chlamydia, 0.3% had gonorrhea, and 0.2% had syphilis. Interaction effects of STIs with PNC utilization status on the risk of PTB and LBW were tested on the multiplicative and additive scales. Using measures of the relative excess risk of interaction (RERI), the attributable proportion of interaction (AP), and the synergy index (S), we observed the highest significant synergistic interaction between syphilis and inadequate PNC utilization increasing the risk of PTB (RERI 2.12, AP 38%, and SI 1.88), and between gonorrhea and inadequate PNC utilization increasing the risk of LBW (RERI 1.03, AP 28%, and SI 1.64). Findings from this study help improve our understanding of disease etiology and inform prevention planning.
Effects of on-Table Extubation after Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Baehner Torsten , Pruemm Philipp , Vergnat Mathieu , Asfour Boulos , Straßberger-Nerschbach Nadine , Kirfel Andrea , Hamann Michael , Mayr Andreas , Schindler Ehrenfried , Velten Markus , Wittmann Maria
Published: September 2022

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, reassessing physiology to improve clinical outcomes, reducing length of hospital stay (LOS) stay, resulting in cost reduction. Since its introduction in colorectal surgery. the concept has been utilized in various fields and benefits have been recognized also in adult cardiac surgery. However, ERAS concepts in pediatric cardiac surgery are not yet widely established. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of on-table extubation (OTE) after pediatric cardiac surgery compared to the standard approach of delayed extubation (DET) during intensive care treatment. Study Design and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all pediatric cardiac surgery cases performed in children below the age of two years using cardiopulmonary bypass at our institution in 2021. Exclusion criteria were emergency and off pump surgeries as well as children already ventilated preoperatively. Results: OTE children were older (267.3 days vs. 126.7 days, p < 0.001), had a higher body weight (7.0 ± 1.6 kg vs. 4.9 ± 1.9 kg, p < 0.001), showed significantly reduced duration of ICU treatment (75.9 ± 56.8 h vs. 217.2 ± 211.4 h, p < 0.001) and LOS (11.1 ± 10.2 days vs. 20.1 ± 23.4 days; p = 0.001) compared to DET group. Furthermore, OTE children had significantly fewer catecholamine dependencies at 12-, 24-, 48-, and 72-h post-surgery, while DET children showed a significantly increased intrafluid shift relative to body weight (109.1 ± 82.0 mL/kg body weight vs. 63.0 ± 63.0 mL/kg body weight, p < 0.001). After propensity score matching considering age, weight, bypass duration, Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Mortality (STATS)-Score, and the outcome variables, including duration of ICU treatment, catecholamine dependencies, and hospital LOS, findings significantly favored the OTE group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that on-table extubation after pediatric cardiac surgery is feasible and in our cohort was associated with a favorable postoperative course.
Fitting Cotidal Charts of Eight Major Tidal Components in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea Based on Chebyshev Polynomial Method
Authors: Wang Qixiang , Zhang Yibo , Wang Yonggang , Xu Minjie , Lv Xianqing
Published: September 2022

High-precision tidal harmonic constants are necessary for studies involving tides. This study proposes a new method combined with the adjoint assimilation model and the Chebyshev polynomial fitting (CPF) method to obtain the tidal harmonic constants in the shallow-water region of the Bohai and Yellow Sea (BYS). Based on the CPF method, the full-field harmonic constants and reliable cotidal charts of the eight major constituents (M2, S2, K1, O1, N2, K2, P1 and Q1) were fitted from the X-TRACK products briefly and this method was effectively for coastal conditions. Compared with the observations of the X-TRACK products and tidal gauges, for the M2 constituent, the TPXO9, Finite Element Solutions 2014 (FES2014), National Astronomical Observatory 99b (NAO.99b) and Empirical Ocean Tide 20 (EOT20) models yield the root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of 18.50, 7.31, 18.73 and 13.32 cm, respectively, while the CPF method yields an RMSE of 10.74 cm. These results indicate that the CPF method could maintain high resolution and obtain accurate cotidal charts consistent with the simulations of the four models in shallow-water regions.
Image Analysis in Digital Pathology Utilizing Machine Learning and Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Amerikanos Paris , Maglogiannis Ilias
Published: September 2022

Detection of regions of interest (ROIs) in whole slide images (WSIs) in a clinical setting is a highly subjective and a labor-intensive task. In this work, recent developments in machine learning and computer vision algorithms are presented to assess their possible usage and performance to enhance and accelerate clinical pathology procedures, such as ROI detection in WSIs. In this context, a state-of-the-art deep learning framework (Detectron2) was trained on two cases linked to the TUPAC16 dataset for object detection and on the JPATHOL dataset for instance segmentation. The predictions were evaluated against competing models and further possible improvements are discussed.
Downstream Alternate Start Site Allows N-Terminal Nonsense Variants to Escape NMD and Results in Functional Recovery by Readthrough and Modulator Combination
Authors: Bowling Alyssa , Eastman Alice , Merlo Christian , Lin Gabrielle , West Natalie , Patel Shivani , Cutting Garry , Sharma Neeraj
Published: September 2022

Genetic variants that introduce premature termination codons (PTCs) have remained difficult to therapeutically target due to lack of protein product. Nonsense mediated mRNA decay (NMD) targets PTC-bearing transcripts to reduce the potentially damaging effects of truncated proteins. Readthrough compounds have been tested on PTC-generating variants in attempt to permit translation through a premature stop. However, readthrough compounds have not proved efficacious in a clinical setting due to lack of stable mRNA. Here, we investigate N-terminal variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which have been shown to escape NMD, potentially through a mechanism of alternative translation initiation at downstream AUG codons. We hypothesized that N-terminal variants in CFTR that evade NMD will produce stable transcript, allowing CFTR function to be restored by a combination of readthrough and protein modulator therapy. We investigate this using two cell line models expressing CFTR-expression minigenes (EMG; HEK293s and CFBEs) and primary human nasal epithelial (NE) cells, and we test readthrough compounds G418 and ELX-02 in combination with CFTR protein modulators. HEK293 cells expressing the variants E60X and L88X generate CFTR-specific core glycosylated products that are consistent with downstream translation initiation. Mutation of downstream methionines at codons 150 and 152 does not result in changes in CFTR protein processing in cells expressing L88X-CFTR-EMG. However, mutation of methionine at 265 results in loss of detectable CFTR protein in cells expressing E60X, L88X, and Y122X CFTR-EMGs, indicating that downstream translation initiation is occurring at the AUG codon at position M265. In HEK293 stable cells harboring L88X, treatment with readthrough compounds alone allows for formation of full-length, but misfolded CFTR protein. Upon addition of protein modulators in combination with readthrough, we observe formation of mature, complex-glycosylated CFTR. In CFBE and NE cells, addition of readthrough ELX-02 and modulator therapy results in substantial recovery of CFTR function. Our work indicates that N-terminal variants generate stable CFTR transcript due to translation initiation at a downstream AUG codon. Thus, individuals with CF bearing 5′ nonsense variants that evade NMD are ideal candidates for treatment with clinically safe readthrough compounds and modulator therapy.
Analysing Drivers of Knowledge Leakage in Collaborative Agreements: A Magnetic Processing Case Firm
Authors: Foli Samuel , Durst Susanne
Published: September 2022

Due to the embeddedness of organisations in networks, collaborations, and business relationships, knowledge leakage has become a common concern. In this regard, this paper aims to investigate drivers of knowledge leakage in collaborative agreements using an integrated ISM-MICMAC model. Based on insights from employees including the CEO of a magnetic processing firm, we validate the proposed model. The findings of our study reveal nine key drivers that influence knowledge leakage in collaborative agreements. In terms of level of influence, incomplete contract is the most influential driver, followed by sub-contracting activities. Last, the nine drivers are classified into two main clusters: independency cluster—weak dependence power with high driving power—and linkage cluster—strong dependence and driving power.
Cultivating Positivity to Achieve a Resilient Society: A Critical Narrative Review from Psychological Perspectives
Authors: Hartanto Andree , Kasturiratna K. T. A. Sandeeshwara , Soh Xun Ci
Published: September 2022

With the rapid speed of globalization and technological breakthroughs, current social issues have become more complex than in past decades. As many issues such as pandemics, terrorism, and interracial conflict are realistically unpredictable, the idea of resilience offers an intuitively plausible and attainable strategy to deal with these potential adversities. The current narrative review explores the cultivation of positive emotions and traits as a plausible way to achieve a resilient society. Based on research in the social and industrial organizational psychology literature, we reviewed the role of positive emotions and traits on resilience. Lastly, we highlight important experiences and interventions that have been shown to be effective in cultivating positivity and discuss several potential considerations and boundary conditions.
Distance to Biorefinery Plants and Its Influence on Agricultural Land Value: Evidence from the United States Midwest Region
Authors: Park Junpyo
Published: September 2022

This paper examines the influence of distance to biorefinery plants on agricultural land value. The research utilizes micro-level data on characteristics of parcels and the locations of ethanol facilities in Central Nebraska, USA. I employ a theoretical model and an empirical hedonic approach to determine the effect of proximity. To address potential endogeneity, the econometric model adopts an instrumental variable. Estimates from the model provide evidence that land values significantly decrease as the distance from a parcel to a biorefinery plant increases. The results also reveal a non-linearity pattern in the model, with land prices falling at a decreasing rate with distance from ethanol plants.
The Built Environment and Children’s Active Commuting to School: A Case Study of San Pedro De Macoris, the Dominican Republic
Authors: Torres Maite Adames , Oh Hye Won , Lee Jeongwoo
Published: September 2022

While car-centric culture and children’s mobility have been studied in industrialized countries, there are limited data on developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. This study analyzes children’s active transportation to school in the Dominican Republic using audit observations of the built environment and surveys. The study assesses how parents’ and children’s environmental perceptions vary and how children’s mode choice is influenced by physical features and perceived safety levels. Land use and built environment attributes were evaluated for each street segment within a 400-m radius of 20 schools using the audit method. The findings indicate that safety problems are the main obstacle preventing children from bicycling or walking to school. Particularly, industrial land use, abandoned buildings, and bars hampered children’s active travels to school. Interestingly, public school students are nearly four times more likely to walk or bike to school than private school students. Furthermore, children who live in an area with fast-moving cars were more inclined to walk to school as captive walkers. The study’s conclusions have implications for urban environments where children’s independent mobility is constrained by car-oriented policies.
Urban Ageing, Gender and the Value of the Local Environment: The Experience of Older Women in a Central Neighbourhood of Madrid, Spain
Authors: Gómez M. Victoria , Lebrusán Irene
Published: September 2022

Urban ageing is an emerging domain that mixes two challenges of current societies: the ageing of the population and the increasing urbanisation. While ageing in place has demonstrated numerous benefits, some social sectors question whether the city is the right environment for ageing, since cities are home to many of the social problems that characterise contemporary societies. Urban environments are widely described as rootless in most academic articles, with a focus on the impersonality, transience, and segmentation of links between city dwellers. However, this portrayal coexists with contrasting views of urban life that instead emphasise the importance of the local setting and other experiences of attachment to the place of residence. From the age and gender perspectives, in some urban areas, the neighbourhood plays a fundamental role in the lives of many older women, as a natural setting for interaction and an area conducive to collaborative relationships and practical and emotional support in times of need. This article analyses the role that the local space plays in the lives of older women, the value they attach to it and the meaning they attribute to neighbourhood relations in the local urban environment. In order to analyse this reality, the Universidad (Malasaña) neighbourhood, has been selected as a case study, a central area in Madrid (Spain) exposed to numerous processes of transformation, which shows the highest rate of residential mobility in the area. Despite this reality, in a context marked by new difficulties, the conclusion shows that elderly women have a strong attachment to their neighbourhood. This attachment is not necessarily characterised by deep friendships, but by the existence of a significant social network that responds in case of need.
Spatio-Temporal Pattern and Driving Force Evolution of Cultivated Land Occupied by Urban Expansion in the Chengdu Metropolitan Area
Authors: Meng Bao , Wang Xuxi , Zhang Zhifeng , Huang Pei
Published: September 2022

Cultivated land is the principal land source for urban expansion. Recent large-scale urban expansion through the occupation of cultivated land has influenced regional food security and the realization of sustainable development goals. Based on data regarding the cultivated land occupied for urban construction in the Chengdu metropolitan area from 2000 to 2018, the spatio-temporal evolution of cultivated land occupied by urban expansion was analysed using the contribution index. Based on a model comparison, the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was used to explore the spatio-temporal pattern and evolution path of significant driving factors. The results demonstrate that (1) the total area of cultivated land occupied by urban expansion from 2000 to 2018 was 470.528 km2 and mainly concentrated in the main urban area of Chengdu City and its surrounding districts and counties. The K value continued to decline from 93.23 to 37.48, indicating that the contribution of cultivated land in urban expansion is decreasing. (2) The GWR model, with a better fitting effect, demonstrates that the significant factors that influence the cultivated land occupied by urban expansion in the study area gradually shift from population aggregation factors to food safety and the proportion of non-farming population. (3) The evolution type of the driving force is mainly dominated by continuous change, and there is significant spatial heterogeneity in the evolution path. The population density → proportion of non-farm population → grain yield → comprehensive and proportion of cultivated land → per capita fixed asset investment → comprehensive → proportion of non-farm population were typical pathways. (4) Realizing the coordination between urban system structural optimization and cultivated land protection policies in the Chengdu metropolitan area is an important way to guarantee regional food and ecological security and promote the green and high-quality development of the metropolitan area. This study can promote coordination between urban expansion and cultivated land protection in metropolitan areas and provide a reference basis for sustainable economic and social development.
A Turf-Based Feature Selection Technique for Predicting Factors Affecting Human Health during Pandemic
Authors: Saeed Alqahtani , Zaffar Maryam , Abbas Mohammed Ali , Quraishi Khurrum Shehzad , Shahrose Abdullah , Irfan Muhammad , Huneif Mohammed Ayed , Abdulwahab Alqahtani , Alduraibi Sharifa Khalid , Alshehri Fahad , Alduraibi Alaa Khalid , Almushayti Ziyad
Published: September 2022

Worldwide, COVID-19 is a highly contagious epidemic that has affected various fields. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and particular feature selection approaches, this study evaluates the aspects affecting the health of students throughout the COVID-19 lockdown time. The research presented in this paper plays a vital role in indicating the factor affecting the health of students during the lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic. The research presented in this article investigates COVID-19’s impact on student health using feature selections. The Filter feature selection technique is used in the presented work to statistically analyze all the features in the dataset, and for better accuracy. ReliefF (TuRF) filter feature selection is tuned and utilized in such a way that it helps to identify the factors affecting students’ health from a benchmark dataset of students studying during COVID-19. Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and 2- layer Neural Network (NN), helps in identifying the most critical indicators for rapid intervention. Results of the approach presented in the paper identified that the students who maintained their weight and kept themselves busy in health activities in the pandemic, such student’s remained healthy through this pandemic and study from home in a positive manner. The results suggest that the 2- layer NN machine-learning algorithm showed better accuracy (90%) to predict the factors affecting on health issues of students during COVID-19 lockdown time.
Roles of Eco-Friendly Non-Edible Vegetable Oils in Drilling Inconel 718 through Minimum Quantity Lubrication
Authors: Safie Nur Syahilia Syahira , Murad Muhamad Nasir , Lih Tan Chye , Azmi Azwan Iskandar , Wan Hamzah Wan Azmi , Danish Mohd
Published: September 2022

Metal cutting fluids (MCFs) have played a principal role as coolants and lubricants in the machining industry. However, the wide use of mineral-based oil MCFs has contributed to an adverse effect on humans and the environment. Thus, to overcome the adverse effects of mineral-based oil MCFs, eco-friendly vegetable oil, which is non-edible oil, has been implemented to overcome the issues related to edible oil such as manufacturing costs and food shortages. This study investigated the performance of three different types of non-edible oil, namely castor, neem, and rice bran oils in drilling Inconel 718 using a coated titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) carbide drill towards tool life, tool wear, surface integrity, dimensional accuracy, and chip thickness. The MCFs were implemented under the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) condition at a 50 mL/h flow rate using different cutting speeds (10, 20 m/min) and a constant feed (0.015 mm/rev). The results showed that castor oil minimizes the rapid growth of tool wear and prolongs the tool life by 50% at 10 m/min as compared to rice bran oil. At 20 m/min, castor oil obtained the lowest values of average surface roughness (1.455 µm) and chip thickness (0.220 mm). It was also found that different cutting speeds did not contribute to any significant trend towards hole diameter and roundness for all MCFs. The outstanding performance of castor oil proved that the oil is a potential alternative as an eco-friendly MCF for a cleaner machining environment. Castor oil was determined to be optimum in terms of tool life, tool wear, surface roughness, and chip thickness.
Additive Manufacturing of Lithium Disilicate with the LCM Process for Classic and Non-Prep Veneers: Preliminary Technical and Clinical Case Experience
Authors: Unkovskiy Alexey , Beuer Florian , Metin Dilan Seda , Bomze Daniel , Hey Jeremias , Schmidt Franziska
Published: September 2022

Background: ceramic veneers, crowns, and other types of restorations are often made using either the press heating technique or the subtractive method. The advent of lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) allows for the manufacturing of such restorations in an additive way. Methods: this concept paper describes the first clinical experience in the application of LCM lithium disilicate restorations in vivo for the manufacturing of classic veneers for a patient with severe tooth wear. The applied restorations were analyzed in terms of their marginal fit in metrology software (Geomagic Control X, 3D Systems). Furthermore, the feasibility of 3D printing of non-prep veneers with a 0.1 mm thickness was tested. Results: the classic LCM lithium disilicate veneers were tried in the mouth cavity and demonstrated adequate esthetics and a sufficient marginal fit of 100 µm. Furthermore, the non-prep veneers with a 0.1 mm thickness could be successfully printed using LCM technology and also demonstrated an adequate fit on the model in vitro. Conclusions: the described technical approach of lithium disilicate 3D printing with LCM technology may pose a valid alternative to subtractive and analog manufacturing and be a game-changing option with the use of additive chairside ceramic fabrication.
Evolution of Microstructural Characteristics of Carbonated Cement Pastes Subjected to High Temperatures Evaluated by MIP and SEM
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Luo Yaoming , Du Hangyu , Liu Wei , Tang Luping , Xing Feng
Published: September 2022

The microstructural evolutions of both uncarbonated and carbonated cement pastes subjected to various high temperatures (30 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, 720 °C, and 950 °C) are presented in this study by the means of mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the thermal stabilities of uncarbonated cement pastes were significantly changed from 400 to 500 °C due to the decomposition of portlandite at this temperature range. More large pores and microcracks were generated from 600 to 720 °C, with the depolymerization of C-S-H. After carbonation, the microstructures of carbonated cement pastes remained unchanged below 500 °C and started to degrade at 600 °C, due to the decompositions of calcium carbonates and calcium modified silica gel. At 950 °C, both uncarbonated and carbonated cement pastes showed a loosely honeycombed microstructure, composed mainly of β-C2S and lime. It can be concluded that carbonation improves the high-temperature resistance of cement pastes up to 500 °C, but this advantage is lost at temperatures over 600 °C.
3D Printing of Cellulase-Laden Cellulose Nanofiber/Chitosan Hydrogel Composites: Towards Tissue Engineering Functional Biomaterials with Enzyme-Mediated Biodegradation
Authors: Tamo Arnaud Kamdem , Tran Tuan Anh , Doench Ingo , Jahangir Shaghayegh , Lall Aastha , David Laurent , Peniche-Covas Carlos , Walther Andreas , Osorio-Madrazo Anayancy
Published: September 2022

The 3D printing of a multifunctional hydrogel biomaterial with bioactivity for tissue engineering, good mechanical properties and a biodegradability mediated by free and encapsulated cellulase was proposed. Bioinks of cellulase-laden and cellulose nanofiber filled chitosan viscous suspensions were used to 3D print enzymatic biodegradable and biocompatible cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforced chitosan (CHI) hydrogels. The study of the kinetics of CNF enzymatic degradation was studied in situ in fibroblast cell culture. To preserve enzyme stability as well as to guarantee its sustained release, the cellulase was preliminarily encapsulated in chitosan–caseinate nanoparticles, which were further incorporated in the CNF/CHI viscous suspension before the 3D printing of the ink. The incorporation of the enzyme within the CHI/CNF hydrogel contributed to control the decrease of the CNF mechanical reinforcement in the long term while keeping the cell growth-promoting property of chitosan. The hydrolysis kinetics of cellulose in the 3D printed scaffolds showed a slow but sustained degradation of the CNFs with enzyme, with approximately 65% and 55% relative activities still obtained after 14 days of incubation for the encapsulated and free enzyme, respectively. The 3D printed composite hydrogels showed excellent cytocompatibility supporting fibroblast cell attachment, proliferation and growth. Ultimately, the concomitant cell growth and biodegradation of CNFs within the 3D printed CHI/CNF scaffolds highlights the remarkable potential of CHI/CNF composites in the design of tissue models for the development of 3D constructs with tailored in vitro/in vivo degradability for biomedical applications.
Effect of Crystalline Admixture and Superabsorbent Polymer on Self-Healing and Mechanical Properties of Mortar
Authors: Wu Hexiang , Chen Xi , Liu Yao , Li Shuangxin , Li Hongfeng
Published: September 2022

In this study, the self-healing properties of mortars mixed with a crystalline admixture (CA) and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) were investigated. By conducting uniaxial compressive strength tests on the mortar samples, the effects of the two admixtures and different admixture ratios on the initial compressive strength and strength repair ability at different curing ages of the mortar after pre-cracking were investigated. To verify the results, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used for microscopic observation of the cracks and their healing products. The results of this study show that CA, which generates dense substances through chemical reactions, has obvious advantages in the self-healing of microcracks and has a greater effect on the flexural strength of mortar compared with SAP, which can effectively fill wider cracks, reduce the width of cracks through physical expansion, and has a greater impact on the compressive strength of mortar compared with CA. Compared with ordinary mortar, mortar mixed with CA only, and mortar mixed with SAP only, the appropriate amounts of both CA and SAP can effectively combine the advantageous effects of CA and SAP and optimise the self-healing effect of mortar so that its self-healing rate reaches 103%. The self-healing filler, consisting mainly of calcium silicate and calcium carbonate, is generated in cracks and enhances the repair strength of the mortar so that the strength of the mortar reaches 46 MPa.
Autophagy Plays Multiple Roles in the Soft-Tissue Healing and Osseointegration in Dental Implant Surgery—A Narrative Review
Authors: Ripszky Totan Alexandra , Imre Marina Melescanu , Parvu Simona , Meghea Daniela , Radulescu Radu , Enasescu Dan Sebastian Alexandru , Moisa Mihai Radu , Pituru Silviu Mirel
Published: September 2022

Dental endo-osseous implants have become a widely used treatment for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are placed into a surgically created osteotomy in alveolar bone, the healing of the soft tissue lesion and the osseointegration of the implant being key elements to long-term success. Autophagy is considered the major intracellular degradation system, playing important roles in various cellular processes involved in dental implant integration. The aim of this review is an exploration of autophagy roles in the main cell types involved in the healing and remodeling of soft tissue lesions and implant osseointegration, post-implant surgery. We have focused on the autophagy pathway in macrophages, endothelial cells; osteoclasts, osteoblasts; fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and keratinocytes. In macrophages, autophagy modulates innate and adaptive immune responses playing a key role in osteo-immunity. Autophagy induction in endothelial cells promotes apoptosis resistance, cell survival, and protection against oxidative stress damage. The autophagic machinery is also involved in transporting stromal vesicles containing mineralization-related factors to the extracellular matrix and regulating osteoblasts’ functions. Alveolar bone remodeling is achieved by immune cells differentiation into osteoclasts; autophagy plays an important and active role in this process. Autophagy downregulation in fibroblasts induces apoptosis, leading to better wound healing by improving excessive deposition of extracellular matrix and inhibiting fibrosis progression. Autophagy seems to be a dual actor on the scene of dental implant surgery, imposing further research in order to completely reveal its positive features which may be essential for clinical efficacy.
Iron Removal from Metallurgical Grade Silicon Melts Using Synthetic Slags and Oxygen Injection
Authors: Long Xiao , Luo Wenbo , Lu Guohong , Chen Falou , Zheng Xiaoning , Zhao Xingfan , Long Shaolei
Published: September 2022

Novel SiO2-CaO-CaF2-R2O-MgO based synthetic slags (R2O represents alkali metal oxides) with varied binary basicity values were used with oxygen injection to refine silicon melts and remove Fe from metallurgical-grade silicon. Silicon samples and slags at the silicon-slag interfaces were obtained during refinement. The compositions of the silicon samples were analyzed, and the quenched slag samples and mild cooling slags from the final crucible were inspected using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. After 15 min of refinement, the Fe removal rate ranged from 52.3 to 60.1 wt%. During the refining process, the Fe-concentrated phase formed within the silicon droplets and was then transferred to the silicon-slag interfaces and wetted with slags. The Fe-concentrated phase at the silicon-slag interface can dissolve directly in the slags. It can also be transferred into the slag phase in the form of droplets, which can be affected by the binary basicity of the slags. Ti removal demonstrated a similar mechanism. Fe-bearing crystals were not detected in the quenched slag samples obtained during refinement, while complex Fe-bearing phases were detected in the final slag. This study demonstrates Fe removal from metallurgical-grade Si using slag refining methods and reveals the removal mechanism during the refinement.
Influence of a Two-Dimensional Growth Mode on Electrical Properties of the GaN Buffer in an AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor
Authors: Esendag Volkan , Feng Peng , Zhu Chenqi , Ni Rongzi , Bai Jie , Wang Tao
Published: September 2022

An extensive study has been conducted on a series of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) samples using metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy, to investigate the influence of growth modes for GaN buffer layers on device performance. The unintentional doping concentration and screw dislocation density are significantly lower in the samples grown with our special two-dimensional (2D) growth approach, compared to a widely-used two-step method combining the 2D and 3D growth. The GaN buffer layers grown by the 2D growth approach have achieved an unintentional doping density of 2 × 1014 cm−3, two orders lower than 1016 cm−3 of the GaN samples grown using a conventional two-step method. High-frequency capacitance measurements show that the samples with lower unintentional doping densities have lower buffer leakage and higher breakdown limits. This series of samples have attained sub-nA/mm leakages, a high breakdown limit of 2.5 MV/cm, and a saturation current density of about 1.1 A/mm. It indicates that our special 2D growth approach can effectively lessen the unintentional doping in GaN buffer layers, leading to low buffer leakage and high breakdown limits of GaN/AlGaN HEMTs.