bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From a View of the Hospital as a System to a View of the Suffering Patient
Authors: Gabay Gillie , Ben-Asher Smadar
Published: January 2022

Purpose: Hospitals aspire to provide patient-centered care but are far from achieving it. This qualitative mixed methods study explored the capacity of hospital directors to shift from a hospital systemic-view to a suffering patient-view applying the Salutogenic theory.

Methods: Following IRB, we conducted in-depth narrative interviews with six directors of the six Israeli academic tertiary public hospitals, focusing on their managerial role. In a second meeting we conducted vignette interviews in which we presented each director with a narrative of a suffering young patient who died at 33 due to medical misconduct, allowing self-introspection. Provisional coding was performed for data analysis to identify categories and themes by the three dimensions of the sense-of-coherence, an anchor of Salutogenics: comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness.

Results: While at the system level, directors reported high comprehensibility and manageability in coping with complexity, at the patient level, when confronted with the vignette, directors acknowledged their poor comprehensibility of patients' needs and patient's experience during hospitalizations. They acknowledged their poor capacity to provide patient-centered care. Meaningfulness in the narrative interview focused on the system while meaningfulness in the vignette interview focused on providing patient care.

Conclusions: The evident gaps between the system level and the patient level create lack of coherence, hindering the ability to cope with complexity, and are barriers to providing patient-centered care. To improve the delivery of patient-centered care, we suggest ways to consolidate the views, enabling the shift from a systemic-view to a patient-view.
General-Purpose Bayesian Tensor Learning With Automatic Rank Determination and Uncertainty Quantification
Authors: Zhang Kaiqi , Hawkins Cole , Zhang Zheng
Published: January 2022

A major challenge in many machine learning tasks is that the model expressive power depends on model size. Low-rank tensor methods are an efficient tool for handling the curse of dimensionality in many large-scale machine learning models. The major challenges in training a tensor learning model include how to process the high-volume data, how to determine the tensor rank automatically, and how to estimate the uncertainty of the results. While existing tensor learning focuses on a specific task, this paper proposes a generic Bayesian framework that can be employed to solve a broad class of tensor learning problems such as tensor completion, tensor regression, and tensorized neural networks. We develop a low-rank tensor prior for automatic rank determination in nonlinear problems. Our method is implemented with both stochastic gradient Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (SGHMC) and Stein Variational Gradient Descent (SVGD). We compare the automatic rank determination and uncertainty quantification of these two solvers. We demonstrate that our proposed method can determine the tensor rank automatically and can quantify the uncertainty of the obtained results. We validate our framework on tensor completion tasks and tensorized neural network training tasks.
Application of Deep Neural Networks to Distribution System State Estimation and Forecasting
Authors: Carmichael James P. , Liao Yuan
Published: January 2022

Classical neural networks such as feedforward multi-layer perceptron models (MLPs) are well established as universal approximators and as such, show promise in applications such as static state estimation in power transmission systems. The dynamic nature of distributed generation (i.e. solar and wind), vehicle to grid technology (V2G) and false data injection attacks (FDIAs), may pose significant challenges to the application of classical MLPs to state estimation (SE) and state forecasting (SF) in power distribution systems. This paper investigates the application of conventional neural networks (MLPs) and deep learning based models such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and long-short term networks (LSTMs) to mitigate the aforementioned challenges in power distribution systems. The ability of MLPs to perform regression to perform power system state estimation will be investigated. MLPs are considered based upon their promise to learn complex functional mapping between datasets with many features. CNNs and LSTMs are considered based upon their promise to perform time-series forecasting by learning the correlation of the dataset being predicted. The performance of MLPS, CNNs, and LSTMs to perform state estimation and state forecasting will be presented in terms of average root-mean square error (RMSE) and training execution time. An IEEE standard 34-bus test system is used to illustrate the proposed conventional neural network and deep learning methods and their effectiveness to perform power system state estimation and power system state forecasting.
Role of Neighborhood Design in Reducing Impacts of Development and Climate Change, West Sherwood, OR
Authors: Tchintcharauli-Harrison Michael B. , Santelmann Mary V. , Greydanus Hattie , Shehab Omar , Wright Maria
Published: January 2022

We used the EPA SWMM-5. 1 model to evaluate the relative impact of neighborhood design and constructed Low Impact Development (LID) features on infiltration, evaporation, and runoff for three future scenarios. In the Current Course (CC) future, current regulations and policies remain in place under lower rates of climate change and population growth. In the Stressed Resources (SR) future, rapid rates of population growth and climate change stress water systems, and conventional development patterns and management actions fail to keep pace with a changing environment. In the Integrated Water (IW) future, with the same rapid rates of climate change and population growth as the SR future, informed water management anticipates and adapts to expected changes. The IW scenario retains public open space, extensive use of constructed LID features, and has the lowest proportion of impervious surface. Neighborhood designs varied in the number of dwelling units, density of development, and spatial extent of nature-based solutions and constructed LID features used for stormwater management. We compared the scenarios using SWMM-5.1 for a set of NRCS Type 1a design storms (2-yr, 25-yr, 20% increase over 25-yr, 30% increase over 25-yr) with precipitation input at 6-min time steps as well as a set of 10-year continuous runs. Results illustrate the importance of neighborhood design in urban hydrology. The design with the highest proportion of impervious surface (SR future) produced runoff of up to 45–50% of precipitation for all variations of the 25-year storm, compared to 34–44 and 23–39% for the CC and IW futures, respectively. Evaporation accounted for only 2–3% of precipitation in the 25-year design storm simulations for any scenario. Results of continuous 10-year simulations were similar to the results of design storms. The proportion of precipitation that became runoff was highest in the SR future (33%), intermediate in the CC (16%), and lowest in the IW future (9%). Evaporation accounted for 6, 11, and 14 of precipitation in the SR, CC, and IW futures with LID, respectively. Infiltration was higher in scenarios with LID than for the same scenario without LID, and varied with the extent of LID employed, accounting for 59, 71, and 74% of precipitation in the SR, CC, and IW scenarios with LID. In addition to differences in performance for stormwater management, the alternative scenarios also provide different sets of co-benefits. The IW and SR future designs both provide more housing than the CC, and the IW future has the lowest cost of development per dwelling unit.
Quadriceps Muscle Fatigue Reduces Extension and Flexion Power During Maximal Cycling
Authors: O'Bryan Steven J. , Taylor Janet L. , D'Amico Jessica M. , Rouffet David M.
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate how quadriceps muscle fatigue affects power production over the extension and flexion phases and muscle activation during maximal cycling.

Methods: Ten participants performed 10-s maximal cycling efforts without fatigue and after 120 bilateral maximal concentric contractions of the quadriceps muscles. Extension power, flexion power and electromyographic (EMG) activity were compared between maximal cycling trials. We also investigated the associations between changes in quadriceps force during isometric maximal voluntary contractions (IMVC) and power output (flexion and extension) during maximal cycling, in addition to inter-individual variability in muscle activation and pedal force profiles.

Results: Quadriceps IMVC (−52 ± 21%, P = 0.002), voluntary activation (−24 ± 14%, P < 0.001) and resting twitch amplitude (−45 ± 19%, P = 0.002) were reduced following the fatiguing task, whereas vastus lateralis (P = 0.58) and vastus medialis (P = 0.15) M-wave amplitudes were unchanged. The reductions in extension power (−15 ± 8%, P < 0.001) and flexion power (−24 ± 18%, P < 0.001) recorded during maximal cycling with fatigue of the quadriceps were dissociated from the decreases in quadriceps IMVC. Peak EMG decreased across all muscles while inter-individual variability in pedal force and EMG profiles increased during maximal cycling with quadriceps fatigue.

Conclusion: Quadriceps fatigue induced by voluntary contractions led to reduced activation of all lower limb muscles, increased inter-individual variability and decreased power production during maximal cycling. Interestingly, power production was further reduced over the flexion phase (24%) than the extension phase (15%), likely due to larger levels of peripheral fatigue developed in RF muscle and/or a higher contribution of the quadriceps muscle to flexion power production compared to extension power during maximal cycling.
RETRACTED: Hypertonic Saline Compared to Mannitol for the Management of Elevated Intracranial Pressure in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Han Chengchen , Yang Fan , Guo Shengli , Zhang Jianning
Published: January 2022

Background: We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of hypertonic saline compared to mannitol for the management of elevated intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury.

Methods: A systematic literature search up to July 2021 was performed and 17 studies included 1,392 subjects with traumatic brain injury at the start of the study; 708 of them were administered hypertonic saline and 684 were given mannitol. They were reporting relationships between the effects of hypertonic saline compared to mannitol for the management of elevated intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the effect of hypertonic saline compared to mannitol for the management of elevated intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury using the dichotomous or continuous method with a random or fixed-effect model.

Results: Hypertonic saline had significantly lower treatment failure (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15–0.98, p = 0.04), lower intracranial pressure 30–60 mins after infusion termination (MD, −1.12; 95% CI, −2.11 to −0.12, p = 0.03), and higher cerebral perfusion pressure 30–60 mins after infusion termination (MD, 5.25; 95% CI, 3.59–6.91, p < 0.001) compared to mannitol in subjects with traumatic brain injury.

However, hypertonic saline had no significant effect on favorable outcome (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.01–2.58, p = 0.05), mortality (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.34–1.02, p = 0.06), intracranial pressure 90–120 mins after infusion termination (MD, −0.90; 95% CI, −3.21–1.41, p = 0.45), cerebral perfusion pressure 90–120 mins after infusion termination (MD, 4.28; 95% CI, −0.16–8.72, p = 0.06), and duration of elevated intracranial pressure per day (MD, 2.20; 95% CI, −5.44–1.05, p = 0.18) compared to mannitol in subjects with traumatic brain injury.

Conclusions: Hypertonic saline had significantly lower treatment failure, lower intracranial pressure 30–60 mins after infusion termination, and higher cerebral perfusion pressure 30–60 mins after infusion termination compared to mannitol in subjects with traumatic brain injury. However, hypertonic saline had no significant effect on the favorable outcome, mortality, intracranial pressure 90–120 mins after infusion termination, cerebral perfusion pressure 90–120 mins after infusion termination, and duration of elevated intracranial pressure per day compared to mannitol in subjects with traumatic brain injury. Further studies are required to validate these findings.
Early Efficacy Assessment of Arthroscopic Lower Trapezius Transfer With Tendon Autograft in the Management of Massive Irreparable Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears
Authors: Ye Lingchao , Han Dawei , Zhang Qingguo , Yang Xiangdong , Tung Tao-Hsin , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To explore the indications and surgical techniques for arthroscopic lower trapezius transfer (LTT) with tendon autograft in managing massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears (PSRCTs); to validate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this technique.

Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 23 patients with massive irreparable PSRCTs, admitted to and followed up by the Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang province between July 2020 and April 2021, and treated with ipsilateral LTT and ipsilateral hamstring tendon autograft. The control group consisted of 23 patients with massive RCTs receiving conventional repair procedures within the same frame. Follow-up data at the preoperative visit, and postoperative month 3 were collected to assess the active range of motion, Constant–Murley Score (CMS),American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)shoulder score, visual analog scale (VAS)and the post-operative MRI results, all of which could provide a comprehensive postoperative early efficacy assessment.

Results: Three months follow-up visits were completed for all patients, revealing improvements in all aspects compared to the preoperative state, with no complications, such as postoperative infection of surgical sites and nerve injuries of infection and nerve injury. The distribution of active shoulder range of motion of patients and function scores with two types of operation was as follow: angles of flexion and lifting (130.00° ± 31.55° vs. 90.78° ± 19.85°), abduction (123.26° ± 30.47°vs. 85.87° ± 18.74°), external rotation at side (101.74° ± 14.74° vs. 91.74° ± 11.92°), external rotation at 90° abduction (41.52° ± 21.97° vs. 24.57° ±12.60°), VAS (0.74± 0.81 vs. 1.87 ±0.87), CMS(56.3 ± 13.01 vs. 48.30 ± 8.38), UCLA shoulder score (24.04 ± 2.88 vs.20.96 ± 3.47), ASES (72.91 ± 9.99 vs.60.74 ± 8.84). Significantly better improvements were found in the study group on month 3.19 of 23 patients in the study group and 17 of 23 patients in the control group underwent MRI on the 3 months follow up. Retear was found in only one patient who had grade 4 subscapularis tendon injury, However, revision was not performed due to postoperative pain relief and functional improvement.

Conclusion: Compared to conventional repair procedures, in the early postoperative period, LTT with tendon autograft could achieve better pain relief, more rapid motor functional recovery, and higher functional scores for massive irreparable PSRCTs.
Identification and Characterization of P0 Protein as a Vaccine Candidate Against Babesia divergens, Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance
Authors: El-Sayed Shimaa Abd El-Salam , Rizk Mohamed Abdo , Eldoumani Haitham , Sorour Shimaa Sobhy , Terkawi Mohamad Alaa , AbouLaila Mahmoud , Igarashi Ikuo , Sayed-Ahmed Mohamed Z.
Published: January 2022

The molecular identification and antigenic characterization of P0 protein in Babesia divergens, a blood parasite of veterinary and zoonotic importance, were carried out in this study for use in developing subunit vaccines against B. divergens infection. Recombinant protein encoding P0 (BdP0) was developed in Escherichia coli, and its antiserum was generated in mice for further molecular characterization. Anti-rBdP0 serum had a specific interaction with the corresponding legitimate B. divergens protein, as confirmed by Western blotting and indirect fluorescent antibody tests. ELISA was used to assess the immunogenicity of BdP0 in a group of 68 bovine field samples, and significant immunological reactivity was found in 19 and 20 positive samples of rBdp0 and B. divergens lysate, respectively. The in vitro growth of B. divergens cultures treated with anti-rBdP0 serum was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05). Furthermore, after 6 h of incubation with 2 mg/ml anti-rBdP0 serum, the ability of pre-incubated free merozoites to invade bovine erythrocytes was reduced by 59.88%. The obtained data suggest the possible use of rBdP0 as diagnostic antigen and may serve as a vaccine candidate against babesiosis caused by B. divergens either in animal or human.
Embryonic Thermal Manipulation and in ovo Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Supplementation Regulating the Chick Weight and Stress-Related Genes at Hatch
Authors: Goel Akshat , Ncho Chris Major , Jeong Chae-Mi , Choi Yang-Ho
Published: January 2022

Chickens are exposed to numerous types of stress from hatching to shipping, influencing poultry production. Embryonic manipulation may develop resistance against several stressors. This study investigates the effects of thermoneutral temperature (T0; 37.8°C) with no injection (N0) (T0N0), T0 with 0.6 ml of 10% in ovo gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplementation (N1) at 17.5th embryonic day (ED) (T0N1), thermal manipulation (T1) at 39.6°C from the 10th to 18th ED (6 h/day) with N0 (T1N0), and T1 with N1 (T1N1) on hatchability parameters and hepatic expression of stress-related genes in day-old Arbor Acres chicks. The parameters determined were hatchability, body weight (BW), organ weight, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant-related gene expression. Percent hatchability was calculated on a fertile egg basis. Growth performance was analyzed using each chick as an experimental unit. Eight birds per group were used for organ weight. Two-way ANOVA was used taking temperature and GABA as the main effect for growth performance and gene expression studies. Analysis was performed using an IBM SPSS statistics software package 25.0 (IBM software, Chicago, IL, USA). Hatchability was similar in all the groups and was slightly lower in the T1N1. Higher BW was recorded in both T1 and N1. Intestinal weight and MDA were higher in T0N1 against T0N0 and T1N1, respectively. The expression of HSP70, HSP90, NOX1, and NOX4 genes was higher and SOD and CAT genes were lower in the T1 group. The present results show that T1 and N1 independently improve the BW of broiler chicks at hatch, but T1 strongly regulates stress-related gene expression and suggests that both T1 and N1 during incubation can improve performance and alleviate stress after hatch.
Resource Utilization of Biogas Waste as Fertilizer in China Needs More Inspections Due to the Risk of Heavy Metals
Authors: Chang Yajun , Zhao Huijun , Sun Linhe , Cui Jian , Liu Jixiang , Tang Qiang , Du Fengfeng , Liu Xiaojing , Yao Dongrui
Published: January 2022

The utilization of livestock waste has attracted increasing attention in recent years. The presence of high levels of heavy metals is a major obstacle to the utilization of biogas as a fertilizer resource. In this study, the heavy metal contents in biogas residue, slurry, and discharged sewage from three representative farms of gooseries, henneries, and dairy farms in the Yangtze River Basin were investigated and assessed. The results demonstrated that heavy metals, including Cd, Mn, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, etc., could be detected in all biogas residues, with significantly different contents between farm types (p < 0.005). Specifically, biogas residues from the goosery and the dairy farms met “China’s Organic Fertilizer Standards” (COF Standards); however, Cd concentrations in biogas residues from hennery farms exceeded the limits by five times. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in biogas slurries from all of the farms exceeded the limits of the “China Farmland Irrigation Water Quality Standard” (CFIWQ Standard). In particular, the Pb concentrations in biogas slurry from the dairy farms exceeded the limits by 29 times, and the discharged sewage from all three farm types complied with the comprehensive sewage discharge standards in China; however, only that from the goosery farms was suitable for irrigation. Thus, it is recommended to increase the feed selection, biogas engineering, and biological-purification-supporting technology, and to carry out regular sampling inspections of the biogas residue, slurry, and discharged sewage for heavy metals, so that environmental and crop pollution risks can be reduced when they are used as sources of nutrients for eco-friendly agriculture.
Detection and Analysis of Sow Targets Based on Image Vision
Authors: Lei Kaidong , Zong Chao , Yang Ting , Peng Shanshan , Zhu Pengfei , Wang Hao , Teng Guanghui , Du Xiaodong
Published: January 2022

In large-scale sow production, real-time detection and recognition of sows is a key step towards the application of precision livestock farming techniques. In the pig house, the overlap of railings, floors, and sows usually challenge the accuracy of sow target detection. In this paper, a non-contact machine vision method was used for sow targets perception in complex scenarios, and the number position of sows in the pen could be detected. Two multi-target sow detection and recognition models based on the deep learning algorithms of Mask-RCNN and UNet-Attention were developed, and the model parameters were tuned. A field experiment was carried out. The data-set obtained from the experiment was used for algorithm training and validation. It was found that the Mask-RCNN model showed a higher recognition rate than that of the UNet-Attention model, with a final recognition rate of 96.8% and complete object detection outlines. In the process of image segmentation, the area distribution of sows in the pens was analyzed. The position of the sow’s head in the pen and the pixel area value of the sow segmentation were analyzed. The feeding, drinking, and lying behaviors of the sow have been identified on the basis of image recognition. The results showed that the average daily lying time, standing time, feeding and drinking time of sows were 12.67 h(MSE 1.08), 11.33 h(MSE 1.08), 3.25 h(MSE 0.27) and 0.391 h(MSE 0.10), respectively. The proposed method in this paper could solve the problem of target perception of sows in complex scenes and would be a powerful tool for the recognition of sows.
Ultrasound, Dacryocystorhinography and Morphological Examination of Normal Eye and Lacrimal Apparatus of the Donkey (Equus asinus)
Authors: Abdelbaset-Ismail Ahmed , Aref Mohamed , Ezzeldein Shimaa , Eisa Eslam , Gugjoo Mudasir Bashir , Abdelaal Ahmed , Emam Hassan , Al Syaad Khalid , Ahmed Ahmed Ezzat , Alshati Ali , Abd El Raouf Mustafa
Published: January 2022

The study investigated normal macromorphological and ultrasonographic features of the eye and lacrimal gland, as well as normal dacryocystorhinography of the donkey (Equus asinus) in Egypt. A total of 36 donkeys of different ages, weights, and sexes were included in the study: 21 live animals for ultrasonography and dacryocystorhinography, and 15 cadaver skulls for morphological anatomy of the lacrimal apparatus. The ultrasound biometric values of the eye were 33.7 ± 1.7 mm for axial globe length (AGL), 39.8 ± 2.1 mm for globe diameter (GD), 10.8 ± 0.7 mm for lens thickness (LT), 3.2 ± 0.7 mm for anterior chamber depth (ACD), and 19.3 ± 1.6 mm for vitreous chamber depth (VCD). The lacrimal gland was recognized as a hypoechogenic structure with an anechoic core, located at the dorsolateral aspect of the orbit, and ovoid in shape. The mean NLD length was 193.0 ± 9.8 mm by radiography and 206.0 ± 20.4 mm by gross assessment. One NL orifice (NLO) was noticed on each side, with a diameter of 3.0 ± 0.1 mm and located 12.1 ± 2.1 mm from the dorsal commissure of the nostril. These results may act as the baseline for proper management of conditions of the eye and lacrimal apparatus in the donkey in the future.
Design and Optimization of a Neuro-Fuzzy System for the Control of an Electromechanical Plant
Authors: Espitia Helbert , Machón Iván , López Hilario
Published: January 2022

One characteristic of neuro-fuzzy systems is the possibility of incorporating preliminary information in their structure as well as being able to establish an initial configuration to carry out the training. In this regard, the strategy to establish the configuration of the fuzzy system is a relevant aspect. This document displays the design and implementation of a neuro-fuzzy controller based on Boolean relations to regulate the angular position in an electromechanical plant, composed by a motor coupled to inertia with friction (a widely studied plant that serves to show the control system design process). The structure of fuzzy systems based on Boolean relations considers the operation of sensors and actuators present in the control system. In this way, the initial configuration of fuzzy controller can be determined. In order to perform the optimization of the neuro-fuzzy controller, the continuous plant model is converted to discrete time to be included in the closed-loop controller training equations. For the design process, first the optimization of a Proportional Integral (PI) linear controller is carried out. Thus, linear controller parameters are employed to establish the structure and initial configuration of the neuro-fuzzy controller. The optimization process also includes weighting factors for error and control action in such a way that allows having different system responses. Considering the structure of the control system, the optimization algorithm (training algorithm) employed is dynamic back propagation. The results via simulations show that optimization is achieved in the linear and neuro-fuzzy controllers using different weighting values for the error signal and control action. It is also observed that the proposed control strategy allows disturbance rejection.
Measurements and Analysis of the Physical Properties of Cereal Seeds Depending on Their Moisture Content to Improve the Accuracy of DEM Simulation
Authors: Gierz Łukasz , Kolankowska Ewelina , Markowski Piotr , Koszela Krzysztof
Published: January 2022

This article presents the results of research on the influence of moisture on changes in the physical properties, i.e., the length, width, thickness, and weight, of dressed and untreated cereal seeds in order to improve the simulation process based on the discrete element method (DEM). The research was conducted on the seeds of three winter cereals, i.e., triticale, rye, and barley. The seeds with an initial moisture content of about 7% were moistened to five levels, ranging from 9.5% to 17.5%, at an increment of 2%. The statistical analysis showed that moisture significantly influenced the physical properties of the seeds, i.e., their length, width, thickness, and weight. As the moisture content of the seeds increased, there were greater differences in their weight. The average increase in the thousand kernel weight resulting from the increase in their moisture content ranged from 4 to 6 mg. The change in the seed moisture content from 9.5% to 17.5% significantly increased the volume of rye seeds from 3.10% to 14.99%, the volume of triticale seeds from 1.00% to 13.40%, and the volume of barley seeds from 1.00% to 15.33%. These data can be used as a parameter to improve the DEM simulation process.
Evidence for Human-Centric In-Vehicle Lighting: Part 1
Authors: Weirich Christopher , Lin Yandan , Khanh Tran Quoc
Published: January 2022

Today, up to hundreds of RGB and W-LEDs are positioned in a vehicle’s interior context and are able to be individually controlled in intensity, color and sequence. However, which kind of illumination distracts or supports car occupants and how to define such a modern illumination system is still under discussion and unknown. For that, first a definition for an in-vehicle lighting system is introduced. Second, a globally distributed study was performed based on a free-access online survey to investigate in-vehicle lighting for visual signaling within 10 colors, eight positions and six dynamic patterns. In total, 238 participants from China and Europe rated color preferences, color moods, light-position preferences, differences between manual and autonomous driving and also different meanings for dynamic lighting patterns. Out of these, three strong significant (p < 0.05) color preference groups were identified with a polarized, accepted or merged character. For the important driving-signaling mood attention, we found a significant hue dependency for Europeans which was missing within the Chinese participants. In addition, we identified that light positioned at the door and foot area was globally favored. Furthermore, we evaluated qualitative results: men are primarily focusing on fast-forward, whereas women paid more attention on practical light usage. These findings conclude the need for a higher lighting-car-occupant adaptation in the future grounded by deeper in-vehicle human factors research to achieve a higher satisfaction level. In interdisciplinary terms, our findings might also be helpful for interior building or general modern cockpit designs for trains or airplanes.
A Novel Embedding Model Based on a Transition System for Building Industry-Collaborative Digital Twin
Authors: Yang Minyeol , Moon Junhyung , Jeong Jongpil , Sin Seokho , Kim Jimin
Published: January 2022

Recently, the production environment has been rapidly changing, and accordingly, correct mid term and short term decision-making for production is considered more important. Reliable indicators are required for correct decision-making, and the manufacturing cycle time plays an important role in manufacturing. A method using digital twin technology is being studied to implement accurate prediction, and an approach utilizing process discovery was recently proposed. This paper proposes a digital twin discovery framework using process transition technology. The generated digital twin will unearth its characteristics in the event log. The proposed method was applied to actual manufacturing data, and the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective at discovering digital twins.
Experimental Research on Mechanical and Permeability Properties of Nylon Fiber Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete with Mineral Admixture
Authors: Ahmad Jawad , Zaid Osama , Pérez Carlos López-Colina , Martínez-García Rebeca , López-Gayarre Fernando
Published: January 2022

Plain concrete’s major two drawbacks are its low tensile strength and high carbon footprint. Joint adding of fibers and recycled/waste materials in concrete might assist to resolve these problems. In the present study, a novel technique is planned to improve the recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) mechanical behavior and durability performance by joint incorporation of silica fume (SF) and nylon fibers (NF). In this research paper, different properties of concrete samples are examined for example flexural strength, compressive strength, split tensile strength, penetration of chloride ions, acid resistance, and water absorption. It was noted that adding nylon fibers as individual components enhances the recycled aggregate concrete mechanical characteristics and resistance to acid exposure. The inclusion of nylon fibers improved the behavior of the recycled aggregate concrete; however, it also increased the chloride penetration and water absorption by only 18% and 8% respectively. Up to 26% of mechanical strength of concrete was improved when silica fume was added in comparison to reference concrete, silica fume also assisted in controlling the loss of durability because of adding recycled aggregate concrete and nylon fibers. Silica fume improved the bond between binder matrix and nylon fibers. The study revealed that the combination of 50% RCA, 0.5% nylon fibers and 20% silica fume are optimum for the joint incorporation into concrete that can assist in developing sustainable, durable, and ductile recycled aggregate fiber reinforced concrete.
Influence of Heart Rate on Left and Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Di Terlizzi Vito , Barone Roberta , Manuppelli Vincenzo , Correale Michele , Casavecchia Grazia , Goffredo Giovanni , Pellegrino Pierluigi , Puteo Alessandra , Ieva Riccardo , Di Biase Matteo , Brunetti Natale Daniele , Iacoviello Massimo
Published: January 2022

Over the past years, a number of studies have demonstrated the relevance of strain assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in evaluating ventricular function. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) longitudinal strain associated with variations of heart rate (HR) in participants with and without chronic heart failure (CHF). We enrolled 45 patients, 38 of these diagnosed with CHF and carrying an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and seven patients with pacemakers and without CHF. The frequency of atrial stimulation was increased to 90 beats/min and an echocardiogram was performed at each increase of 10 beats/min. Global LV and RV longitudinal strain (LVGLS and RVGLS, respectively) and RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVfwLS) were calculated at each HR. When analyzed as continuous variables, significant reductions in LVGLS were detected at higher HRs, whereas improvements in both RVGLS and RVfwLS were observed. Patients with a worsening of LVGLS (76% overall) were more likely to present lower baseline LV function. Only a few patients (18% for RVGLS and 16% for RVfwLS) exhibited HR-related deteriorations of RV strain measures, which was associated with lower levels of baseline RV function and higher pulmonary systolic pressures. Finally, 21 (47%) and 25 (56%) participants responded with improvements in RVGLS and RVfwLS, respectively. Our findings revealed heterogeneous RV and LV responses to increases in HR. These findings might ultimately be used to optimize cardiac functionality in patients diagnosed with CHF.
Neuromuscular Impairment of Knee Stabilizer Muscles in a COVID-19 Cluster of Female Volleyball Players: Which Role for Rehabilitation in the Post-COVID-19 Return-to-Play?
Authors: de Sire Alessandro , Demeco Andrea , Marotta Nicola , Spanò Riccardo , Curci Claudio , Farì Giacomo , Fortunato Francesco , Iona Teresa , Lippi Lorenzo , Paolucci Teresa , Invernizzi Marco , Ammendolia Antonio
Published: January 2022

COVID-19 athletes reported persistent and residual symptoms many weeks after initial infection, including cough, fatigue, and neuromuscular disorders. Poor neuromuscular control may cause inefficient movement strategies increasing anterior cruciate ligament load. This is particularly relevant in female athletes, who show a 3-time higher risk than male counterparts. Aim is to evaluate the impairment in thigh muscles activation, body composition, and physical performance after COVID-19 in volleyball athletes. We recruited a cohort of female professional players from the same team. We assessed the pre-activation time of Rectus Femoris (RF), Vastus Medialis (VM), Medial Hamstring (MH), and Lateral Hamstring (LH) before (T0) and after (T1) COVID-19 infection, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and jump tests. We included 12 athletes with COVID-19 infection diagnosis in January 2021. At T1 we found a significant (p < 0.05) delay (ms) of the activation time of RF (426 ± 188 vs. 152 ± 106); VM (363 ± 192 vs. 140 ± 96); BF (229 ± 60 vs. 150 ± 63); MH (231 ± 88 vs. 203 ± 89), and a significant reduction of body composition at BIA. The neuromotor imbalance of the knee stabilizer muscle in female athletes after COVID-19 infection determines a deficit of knee stabilization. Physicians should consider neuromuscular and metabolic sequelae to identify athletes at higher risk of injury and set up specific neuromuscular rehabilitation protocols.
On the Oval Shapes of Beach Stones
Authors: Hill Theodore P.
Published: January 2022

This article introduces a new stochastic non-isotropic frictional abrasion model, in the form of a single short partial integro-differential equation, to show how frictional abrasion alone of a stone on a planar beach might lead to the oval shapes observed empirically. The underlying idea in this theory is the intuitive observation that the rate of ablation at a point on the surface of the stone is proportional to the product of the curvature of the stone at that point and the likelihood the stone is in contact with the beach at that point. Specifically, key roles in this new model are played by both the random wave process and the global (non-local) shape of the stone, i.e., its shape away from the point of contact with the beach. The underlying physical mechanism for this process is the conversion of energy from the wave process into the potential energy of the stone. No closed-form or even asymptotic solution is known for the basic equation, which is both non-linear and non-local. On the other hand, preliminary numerical experiments are presented in both the deterministic continuous-time setting using standard curve-shortening algorithms and a stochastic discrete-time polyhedral-slicing setting using Monte Carlo simulation.
Geo-Hydrological Events and Temporal Trends in CAPE and TCWV over the Main Cities Facing the Mediterranean Sea in the Period 1979–2018
Authors: Paliaga Guido , Parodi Antonio
Published: January 2022

The Mediterranean region is regarded as the meeting point between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Due to favourable climatic conditions, many civilizations have flourished here. Approximately, about half a billion people live in the Mediterranean region, which provides a key passage for trading between Europe and Asia. Belonging to the middle latitude zone, this region experiences high meteorological variability that is mostly induced by contrasting hot and cold air masses that generally come from the west. Due to such phenomenon, this region is subject to frequent intensive precipitation events. Besides, in this complex physiographic and orographic region, human activities have contributed to enhance the geo-hydrologic risk. Further, in terms of climate change, the Mediterranean is a hot spot, probably exposing it to future damaging events. In this framework, this research focuses on the analysis of precipitation related events recorded in the EM–DAT disasters database for the period 1979–2018. An increasing trend emerges in both event records and related deaths. Then a possible linkage with two meteorological variables was investigated. Significant trends were studied for CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) and TCWV (Total Column Water Vapor) data, as monthly means in 100 km2 cells for 18 major cities facing the Mediterranean Sea. The Mann–Kendall trend test, Sen’s slope estimation and the Hurst exponent estimation for the investigation of persistency in time series were applied. The research provides new evidence and quantification for the increasing trend of climate related disasters at the Mediterranean scale: recorded events in 1999–2018 are about four times the ones in 1979–1998. Besides, it relates this rise with the trend of two meteorological variables associated with high intensity precipitation events, which shows a statistically significative increasing trend in many of the analysed cities facing the Mediterranean Sea.
The Future Is Bright for Polyoxometalates
Authors: Aureliano Manuel
Published: January 2022

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are clusters of units of oxoanions of transition metals, such as Mo, W, V and Nb, that can be formed upon acidification of neutral solutions. Once formed, some POMs have shown to persist in solution, even in the neutral and basic pH range. These inorganic clusters, amenable of a variety of structures, have been studied in environmental, chemical, and industrial fields, having applications in catalysis and macromolecular crystallography, as well as applications in biomedicine, such as cancer, bacterial and viral infections, among others. Herein, we connect recent POMs environmental applications in the decomposition of emergent pollutants with POMs’ biomedical activities and effects against cancer, bacteria, and viruses. With recent insights in POMs being pure, organic/inorganic hybrid materials, POM-based ionic liquid crystals and POM-ILs, and their applications in emergent pollutants degradation, including microplastics, are referred. It is perceived that the majority of the POMs studies against cancer, bacteria, and viruses were performed in the last ten years. POMs’ biological effects include apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, interference with the ions transport system, inhibition of mRNA synthesis, cell morphology changes, formation of reaction oxygen species, inhibition of virus binding to the host cell, and interaction with virus protein cages, among others. We additionally refer to POMs’ interactions with various proteins, including P-type ATPases, aquoporins, cinases, phosphatases, among others. Finally, POMs’ stability and speciation at physiological conditions are addressed.
In Silico Analysis of Honeybee Venom Protein Interaction with Wild Type and Mutant (A82V + P375S) Ebola Virus Spike Protein
Authors: Muzammal Muhammad , Khan Muzammil , Mohaini Mohammed , Alsalman Abdulkhaliq , Hawaj Maitham , Farid Arshad
Published: January 2022

Venom from different organisms was used in ancient times to treat a wide range of diseases, and to combat a variety of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. The aim of this in silico research was to investigate the impact of honeybee venom proteins and peptides against Ebola virus. In the current in silico study, different online and offline tools were used. RaptorX (protein 3D modeling) and PatchDock (protein–protein docking) were used as online tools, while Chimera and LigPlot + v2.1 were used for visualizing protein–protein interactions. We screened nine venom proteins and peptides against the normal Ebola virus spike protein and found that melittin, MCD and phospholipase A2 showed a strong interaction. We then screened these peptides and proteins against mutated strains of Ebola virus and found that the enzyme phospholipase A2 showed a strong interaction. According to the findings, phospholipase A2 found in honeybee venom may be an effective source of antiviral therapy against the deadly Ebola virus. Although the antiviral potency of phospholipase A2 has been recorded previously, this is the first in silico analysis of honeybee phospholipase A2 against the Ebola viral spike protein and its more lethal mutant strain.
Characterization and Modification of Light-Sensitive Phosphodiesterases from Choanoflagellates
Authors: Tian Yuehui , Yang Shang , Nagel Georg , Gao Shiqiang
Published: January 2022

Enzyme rhodopsins, including cyclase opsins (Cyclops) and rhodopsin phosphodiesterases (RhoPDEs), were recently discovered in fungi, algae and protists. In contrast to the well-developed light-gated guanylyl/adenylyl cyclases as optogenetic tools, ideal light-regulated phosphodiesterases are still in demand. Here, we investigated and engineered the RhoPDEs from Salpingoeca rosetta, Choanoeca flexa and three other protists. All the RhoPDEs (fused with a cytosolic N-terminal YFP tag) can be expressed in Xenopus oocytes, except the AsRhoPDE that lacks the retinal-binding lysine residue in the last (8th) transmembrane helix. An N296K mutation of YFP::AsRhoPDE enabled its expression in oocytes, but this mutant still has no cGMP hydrolysis activity. Among the RhoPDEs tested, SrRhoPDE, CfRhoPDE1, 4 and MrRhoPDE exhibited light-enhanced cGMP hydrolysis activity. Engineering SrRhoPDE, we obtained two single point mutants, L623F and E657Q, in the C-terminal catalytic domain, which showed ~40 times decreased cGMP hydrolysis activity without affecting the light activation ratio. The molecular characterization and modification will aid in developing ideal light-regulated phosphodiesterase tools in the future.
The Sphingolipid Asset Is Altered in the Nigrostriatal System of Mice Models of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Blokhin Victor , Shupik Maria , Gutner Ulyana , Pavlova Ekaterina , Lebedev Albert T. , Maloshitskaya Olga , Bogdanov Vsevolod , Sokolov Sergey , Alessenko Alice , Ugrumov Michael
Published: January 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease incurable due to late diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, one of the priorities of neurology is to study the mechanisms of PD pathogenesis at the preclinical and early clinical stages. Given the important role of sphingolipids in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, we aimed to analyze the gene expression of key sphingolipid metabolism enzymes (ASAH1, ASAH2, CERS1, CERS3, CERS5, GBA1, SMPD1, SMPD2, UGCG) and the content of 32 sphingolipids (subspecies of ceramides, sphingomyelins, monohexosylceramides and sphinganine, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate) in the nigrostriatal system in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse models of the preclinical and clinical stages of PD. It has been shown that in PD models, the expression of five of the nine studied genes (CERS1, CERS5, ASAH1, ASAH2, and GBA1) increases but only in the substantia nigra (SN) containing dopaminergic cell bodies. Changes in the expression of enzyme genes were accompanied by an increase in the content of 7 of the 32 studied sphingolipids. Such findings suggest these genes as attractive candidates for diagnostic purposes for preclinical and clinical stages of PD.
Comparison of the Embodied Carbon Emissions and Direct Construction Costs for Modular and Conventional Residential Buildings in South Korea
Authors: Jang Hanbyeol , Ahn Yonghan , Roh Seungjun
Published: January 2022

Modular construction is an innovative new construction method that minimizes waste and improves efficiency within the construction industry. However, practitioners are hampered by the lack of environmental and economic sustainability analysis methods in this area. This study analyzes the embodied carbon emissions and direct construction costs incurred during the production phase of a modular residential building and provides comparison to an equivalent conventional residential building. Major drawings and design details for a modular residential building in South Korea were obtained, and the quantity take-off data for the major construction materials were analyzed for a modular construction method and a conventional construction method using a reinforced concrete structure under the same conditions. Focusing on major construction materials during the production phase, the embodied carbon emissions assessment revealed that adopting a modular construction approach reduced the environmental impact by approximately 36%, as compared to the conventional reinforced concrete method. However, in terms of the direct construction cost, the modular construction was approximately 8% more expensive than the conventional reinforced concrete construction method.