bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of a Wireless Ultrasound Device with a High-End Ultrasound Machine in the Assessment of Pleuro-Pulmonary Diseases
Authors: Quarato Carla Maria Irene , Fiore Lucia Angela , Lacedonia Donato , Scioscia Giulia , Salvemini Michela , Hoxhallari Anela , Villani Rosanna , D’Agostino Federica , Tuccari Giulia , Notarangelo Stefano , Mirijello Antonio , Cosmo Salvatore De , Maiello Evaristo , Sperandeo Marco
Published: May 2023

Abstract: Background. The newer wireless portable scanners seem to permit a quicker bedside ultrasound (US) assessment, shortening the transfer times of the portable US unit and without the hindering of connection cables. However, no substantial evidence is currently available regarding of the clinical effectiveness of such new generation devices. Objective. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a wireless US system with respect to a high-end US unit in a cohort of consecutive respiratory patients. Materials and Methods. This prospective observational study included a total of 72 respiratory patients admitted in the department of Internal Medicine. The US examination were independently performed by two experienced blinded examiners with a high-end Esaote MyLab-Twice scanner and a wireless double-head linear and convex probe OTE-L/C501CD. The findings resulting from the high-end US assessment and the wireless US examination were then compared each other. All the patients had a confirmation chest CT scan. Results. The high-end US machine identified 64 positive cases for pleuro-pulmonary alterations, in comparison to which the wireless US unit resulted in 13 false negative results. The respective overall sensitivity and specificity for the portable wireless US unit were of 79.69% and 100.00%, respectively. The resolution of the portable wireless US device was judged as good in 22 (31%) cases, affected by minor diagnostic limitations in 26 (36%) cases and affected by major diagnostic limitations in 24 (33%). The main diagnostic strength of the wireless probe was in the detection of pleural effusion (sensitivity 100%). The diagnostic sensitivity of the wireless probe in assessing abnormalities of the pleural line (67%), pulmonary subpleural consolidations (65%), pleural lesions (33%) and pericardial effusion (0%) was reduced. Conclusions. The newer wireless US probes may have clinical roles for the detection and management of pleural effusion when used by experienced examiners. However, sensitivity in detecting other pleuro-pulmonary pathologies is not comparable to high-end ultrasound machines.
Application of Ligand- and Structure-Based Prediction Models for the Design of Alkylhydrazide-Based HDAC3 Inhibitors as Novel Anti-cancer Compounds
Authors: Bülbül Emre f , Robaa Dina , Sun Ping , Mahmoudi Fereshteh , Melesina Jelena , Zessin Matthes , Schutkowski Mike , Sippl Wolfgang
Published: May 2023

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) represent promising epigenetic targets for several diseases including different cancer types. The HDAC inhibitors approved to date are pan-HDAC inhibitors and most show a poor selectivity profile, side effects and especially hydroxamic acid based inhibitors lack good pharmacokinetic profiles. Therefore, the development of isoform-selective non-hydroxamic acid HDAC inhibitors is a highly regarded field in medicinal chemistry. In this study, we analyzed different ligand-based and structure-based drug design techniques to predict the binding mode and inhibitory activity of recently developed alkylhydrazide HDAC inhibitors. Alkylhydrazides have recently attracted more attention as they have shown promising effects in various cancer cell lines. In this work, pharmacophore models and atom-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were generated and evaluated. The binding mode of the studied compounds was determined using molecular docking as well as molecular dynamics simulations and compared with known crystal structures. Calculated free energies of binding were also considered to generate QSAR models. The models created show a good explanation of in vitro data and were used to develop novel HDAC3 inhibitors.
Marginal and Para-Marginal Technique in Late Germectomy of Inferior Third Molars
Authors: Ludovichetti Francesco Saverio , Mazzoleni Sergio , Menin Manuel , Parcianello Roberta Gaia , Romanowski Francielle , Stellini Edoardo , Zuccon Andrea
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Third molar surgery can cause post-operative complications to the patient due to the presence of wound from the incision. The study aimed to compare marginal flap with para-marginal flap on postoperative complications by the measurements on pre and post-surgical plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BoP), maximum opening of the mouth (MOM), pain perception (PP) and post-surgical tumefaction (PT). Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 40 patients were recruited and randomly allocated in two groups. In Group 1, third molar extraction was carried out after a marginal flap design was performed, while in group 2 a para-marginal flap was per-formed. Plaque Index, Bleeding on Probing, Maximum Mouth Opening, and Distal Probing were assessed right before and one week after surgery, while Post-operative Pain Perception and Post-operative Swelling were accounted one week following sur-gery. Results: Statistically significant difference are reported between treatment groups, as the para-marginal flap led to better outcomes for all the measured indexes. Conclusion: The para-marginal flap design may decrease the occurrence of post-operative compli-cations and discomforts after mandibular third molar surgery, compared to marginal flap design.
Distributed Manufacturing and Supply Chain Sustainability – Comparative Approach on Construction Case Studies
Authors: Radics Robert Istvan , Umar Muhammad , Duong Linh N.K.
Published: May 2023

Distributed Manufacturing (DM) is becoming increasingly important in operations management due to its potential to support sustainability goals, reduce risks in global supply chains, and boost local economies. However, previous analyses of the advantages and disadvantages of DM have mainly focused on operations, overlooking additional benefits across the supply chain. For example, DM can enable local sourcing, better serve end-users, and tackle reverse supply chain challenges. While economies of scale are essential for reducing costs and improving productivity, highly centralised manufacturing can increase transportation costs, vulnerability, and supply chain disruptions, particularly during pandemics or other times of restricted transportation. To address these challenges, this study introduces a Multi-attribute Decision Support System (MADSS) and assessment process that considers impacts across the supply chain and guides stakeholders, academics, and decision-makers. The MADSS handles quantitative and qualitative information, missing data, and uncertainty, and a team of experts from academia and industry in New Zealand has developed the evaluation. The MADSS was used to analyse DM and traditional construction alternatives from economic, social, environmental, and resilience perspectives in New Zealand. The research contributes to a better understanding of the impacts of DM across the entire supply chain. Also, it proposes a flexible decision-making framework to engage with stakeholders and support decision-making in other industries and regions.
The Symphony of Ethos: A Tale of Boundless Minds and Profound Reflection in the Realm of Language and Literary Enlightenment
Authors: Eslit Edgar
Published: May 2023

In the intricate tapestry of our ever-evolving world, where complexities abound and change unfurls with unyielding speed, the amalgamation of values, critical thinking, and moral reasoning within the realm of language and literature education emerges as an imperious necessity. For it is through this harmonious integration that we fortify the minds of our students, bestowing upon them the indispensable tools to traverse the labyrinthine paths of multifaceted ethical quandaries, while shaping them into steadfast guardians of our shared global community. This article highlights the connection between language, literature, critical thinking, moral reasoning, and values integration in education. Through language and literature, teachers can incorporate values education in their classroom, which can benefit not only individual students but also society as a whole. Theoretical frameworks such as character education, moral education, and values education provide the basis for this approach. The researcher recommends strategies for incorporating values integration in language and literature curricula, including the use of literary texts that promote critical thinking and moral reasoning skills. The limitations of this approach, including the challenges in assessing the effectiveness of values integration and potential resistance from some stakeholders, are also discussed. Ultimately, this article aims to call on educators to take a proactive role in promoting values integration in language and literature education, guided by the principles of Jesus Christ and the belief that education is not only about acquiring knowledge but developing character as well. Moreover, this concept has a significant and lasting impact on students' overall development that highlights the importance of values and moral reasoning needed to live a better life.
Quality 4.0 in Digital Manufacturing – One Example
Authors: Jokovic Zora , Jankovic Goran , Jankovic Slobodan , Supurovic Aleksandar , Majstorovic Vidosav
Published: May 2023

The rapid market changes and strong product individualization create the need for great flexibility of manufacturing management on new foundations, such as the Industry 4.0 model. Digital manufacturing is the basis for Industry 4.0, that have the following dimensions: (i) digital manufacturing based on advanced digital-oriented technologies, (ii) smart products (advanced manufacturing mode and new characteristics), and (iii) smart supply - chain (procurement of raw materials and delivery of finished products). Bidirectional exchange of information in collaborative manufacturing, using it exchange also for digital platforms of design of the innovative products. In this paper we are showing developed model of one Serbian digital factory model for Quality 4.0 (Q 4.0) , especially in workshop as a part of ERP/MES model.
Evaluation of Anal Sphincter With High Resolution Anorectal Manometry and 3D Reconstruction in Patients With Anorectal Malformation
Authors: Caruso Anna Maria , Bommarito Denisia , Girgenti Vincenza , Amato Glenda , Calabrese Ugo , Figuccia Adele , Baldanza Fabio , Grasso Francesco , Giglione Emanuela , Casuccio Alessandra , Milazzo Mario Pietro Marcello , Di Pace Maria Rita
Published: May 2023

Background: Children with anorectal malformation (ARM) require long-term follow-up, especially for fecal continence and main predictors of longer-term success are the type of ARM, associated anomalies and sacral integrity. Three-Dimensional High Resolution Anorectal Manometry (3D-HRAM) provides an image of the pressure profile of anal sphincter complex. Aim of study was to evaluate the anal sphincter function in ARM patients with 3D HRAM correlating this analysis to clinical outcome and to associated malformations.
Methods: Forty ARM patients, were submitted to 3D HRAM: manometric, anatomical and clinical score were correlated to response to bowel management (BM).
Results: A positive correlation between all scores and type of ARM was found: in high ARM and in patients with spinal anomalies (regardless to ARM type) lower scores were reported and even after BM they do not achieve good continence.
Conclusions: 3D-HRAM provides information on the functional anatomy of the sphincter complex. Our study shows good correlation between the manometric results and clinical outcome, confirming spinal malformations and ARM type as most important prognostic risk factors for poor outcome. Specific sphincteric defects can be explored with manometry, allowing for tailored bowel management strategies.
Optimal Pressure Sensor Deployment for Leak Identification in Water Distribution Networks
Authors: Yang Guang , Wang Hai
Published: May 2023

Pipe leakage is an inevitable phenomenon in water distribution networks (WDNs), leading to energy waste and economic damage. Leakage events can be reflected quickly by pressure values, and the deployment of pressure sensors is significant for minimizing the leakage ratio of WDNs. Concerning the restriction of realistic factors, including project budgets, available sensor installation locations, and sensor fault uncertainties, a practical methodology is proposed in this paper to optimize pressure sensor deployment for leak identification in terms of these realistic issues. Two indexes are identified to evaluate the leak identification ability, that is, detection coverage rate (DCR) and total detection sensitivity (TDS), and the principle is to determine priority to ensure an optimal DCR and retain the largest TDS with an identical DCR. Leakage events are generated by a model simulation and the essential sensors for maintaining the DCR are obtained by subtraction. In the event of a surplus budget, and if we suppose the partial sensors have failed, then we can determine the supplementary sensors that can best complement the lost leak identification ability. Moreover, a typical WDN Net3 is employed to show the specific progress, and the result shows that the methodology is largely appropriate for real projects.
The Yin and Yang of Breast Cancer: Ion Channels as Determinants of Left-Right Functional Differences
Authors: Masuelli Sofía , Real Sebastian , McMillen Patrick , Oudin Madeleine , Levin Michael , Roqué Maria
Published: May 2023

Breast cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease that displays diverse molecular subtypes and clinical outcomes. Although it is known that the location of tumors can affect their biological behavior, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In our previous study, we found a differential methylation profile and membrane potential between left (L) and right (R)-sided breast tumors. In this current study, we aimed to identify the ion channels responsible for this phenomenon and determine any associated phenotypic features. To achieve this, experiments were conducted in mammary tumors in mice, human patient samples, and with data from public datasets. The results revealed that L-sided tumors have a more depolarized state than R-ones. We identified a 6-ion channel-gene signature (CACNA1C, CACNA2D2, CACNB2, KCNJ11, SCN3A, and SCN3B) associated with side: L-tumors exhibit lower expression levels than R-ones. Additionally, in silico analyses show that the signature correlates inversely with DNA methylation writers and with key biological processes involved in cancer progression, such as proliferation and stemness. The signature also correlates inversely with patients’ survival rates. In an in vivo mouse model, we confirmed that KI67 and CD44 markers were increased in L-sided tumors and similar tendency for KI67 was found in patient L-tumors. Overall, this study provides new insights into the potential impact of anatomical location on breast cancer biology and highlights the need for further investigation into possible differential treatment options.
Cytomembrane Trafficking Pathways of Connexin 26, 30 and 43: Recent Updates
Authors: Zong Yan-Jun , Liu Xiaozhou , Tu Lei , Sun Yu
Published: May 2023

The connexin gene family is the most prevalent gene that contributes to hearing loss. Connexins 26 and 30, encoded by GJB2 and GJB6 respectively, are the most abundant expressed connexins in the inner ear. Connexin 43 which is encoded by GJA1 appears to be widely expressed in various organs, including the heart, skin, brain, and inner ear. The mutations that arise in GJB2, GJB6 and GJA1 can all result in comprehensive or non-comprehensive genetic deafness in newborns. As it is predicted that connexins include at least 20 isoforms in humans, the biosynthesis, structural composition, and degradation of connexins must be precisely regulated so that the gap junctions can operate properly. Certain mutations result in connexins possessing a faulty subcellular localization, failing to transport to the cell membrane and preventing gap junction formation, ultimately leading to connexin dysfunction and hearing loss. In this review, we provide a discussion of the transport models for connexin 43, connexins 30 and 26, mutations affecting trafficking pathways of connexin 26, the existing controversies in trafficking pathways of connexins, and the molecules involved in connexin trafficking and their functions. This review can contribute to a new way of understanding the etiological principles of connexin mutations and finding therapeutic strategies for hereditary deafness.
Pricing and Coordination for Leasing and Recycling of Construction Machinery in Industrial Internet Platform Based Supply Chain
Authors: Yin Jing , Fang Yifan , Zhang Hengxi , Wang Tingting
Published: May 2023

Leasing and recycling are important issues to achieve low-carbon sustainable development of construction machinery industry, however there are some dilemmas bothering which is caused by excessive restriction of product service life. Focusing on the problem of pricing and coordination, a two-stage model of leasing closed-loop supply chain based on the Industrial Internet platform practical application was proposed. Under the centralized and decentralized decision-making scenarios, the price of leasing and selling, maintenance effort and recovery rate are calculated respectively. By using the Shapley value method to optimize the selling price, and the two-part pricing contract to calculate the compensation fee, the global profit is reasonably distributed, while the supply chain achieving Pareto optimality. The performance of different contracts on the improvement of supply chain profit was investigated. And the correlation among parameters was also explored through sensitivity analysis and numerical simulation. The findings showed that maintenance and recycling of construction machinery can be improved with the advantage of the Industrial Internet platform, while achieving the supply chain coordination by contracts. The enhancement of maintenance effort can decrease the remanufacturing cost which is positively correlated to the selling price and leasing price of product, furthermore promoting the recovery rate of used products. In the future, reasonable control of platform cost can help improve the recycling of construction machinery.
Molecular Characterization and Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates Derived From Environmental Habitats
Authors: Dioli Chrysa , Pappa Olga , Siatravani Eirini , Bratakou Spyridoula , Tatsiopoulos Apostolos , Giakkoupi Panagiota , Miriagou Vivi , Beloukas Apostolos
Published: May 2023

We survey the diversity of antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates and molecular genotypes by means of phylogenetic groups circulating in complex aquatic habitats, such as sewage and receiving waters bodies as well as in clinical environment in Boeotia regional district of Greece. The predominant resistant profile among all environmental and clinical isolates was to penicillins - ampicillin (AMP) and piperacillin (PIP). ESBLs resistance related profiles were observed both in environmental and clinical isolates. Phylogenetic group B2 was the predominant in clinical isolates, whilst group A was dominant in environmental isolates. We report that reclaimed river water and wastewater are reservoirs of R and MDR E. coli to commonly used antibiotics in clinical practice posing putative threats for human and animal health.
Tiny Deep Learning Architectures Enabling Sensor-near Acoustic Data Processing and Defect Localization
Authors: Donati Giacomo , Zonzini Federica , De Marchi Luca
Published: May 2023

The timely diagnosis of defects at their incipient stage of formation is crucial to extend
the life-cycle of technical appliances. This is the case of mechanical-related stress, either due to long
aging degradation processes (e.g., corrosion) or in-operation forces (e.g., impact events), which might
provoke detrimental damages, such as cracks, disbonding or delaminations, most commonly followed
by the release of acoustic energy. The localization of these sources can be successfully fulfilled via
adoption of Acoustic Emission (AE)-based inspection techniques through the computation of the Time
of Arrival (ToA), namely the time at which the induced mechanical wave released at the occurrence
of the acoustic event arrives to the acquisition unit. However, the accurate estimation of the ToA may
be hampered by poor Signal-to-Noise ratios (SNRs). In these conditions, standard statistical methods
typically fail. In this work, two alternative Deep Learning methods are proposed for ToA retrieval,
namely a Dilated Convolutional Neural Network (DilCNN) and a Capsule Neural Network for ToA
(CapsToA). These methods have the additional benefit of being portable on resource-constrained
microprocessors. Their performance has been extensively studied on both synthetic and experimental
data, focusing on the problem of ToA identification for the case of a metallic plate. Results show that
the two novel methods can achieve localization errors which are up to 70% more precise than those
yielded by conventional strategies, even when the SNR is severely compromised (i.e., down to 2 dB).
Moreover, DilCNN and CapsNet have been implemented in a tiny machine learning environment
and then deployed on microcontroller units, showing a negligible loss of performance with respect to
offline realizations.
Malnutrition and the Microbiome Across the Four Trimesters of Pregnancy and the Post-Partum Period
Authors: Strobel Katie M. , Juul Sandra , Hendrixson D. Taylor
Published: May 2023

Appropriate nutrition during pregnancy and the post-partum period is vital to both the parent and their offspring. Both under- and over-nourished status may have important microbial implications on the parental and infant gut microbiomes. Alterations to the microbiome can have implications for a person’s risk of obesity and metabolic diseases. In this review, we examine alterations in the parental gut, vaginal, placental, and milk microbiomes in the context of pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, body composition, gestational diabetes, and parental diet. We also investigate how the infant gut microbiome may be altered by these different parameters. Many of the microbial changes seen in under- and over-nourished states in birthing parents may result in long-term implications to the health of offspring. Differences in diet appear to be a major driver of the parental, and subsequently milk and offspring microbiomes. Further prospective longitudinal cohort studies are needed examining nutrition and the microbiome to better understand its implications. Additionally, trials involving dietary interventions in child-bearing age adults should be explored to improve the parent and child’s risks for metabolic diseases.
Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of Chitosan Fibres
Authors: Hérnandez César , Draczynski Zbigniew
Published: May 2023

Chitosan's favourable characteristics, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity, have made it a popular biomaterial and the subject of numerous studies over the last years. This study investigates the enhancement of mechanical properties of chitosan fibres through wet impregnation using tripolyphosphate (TPP) as cross-linker. A 1% w/v solution of TPP was prepared and five separate chitosan fibre specimens were immersed individually in TPP solution for varying times (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours). The specimens were then characterized using FTIR, SEM, and dynamometry to evaluate their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. The FTIR results indicated successful interaction between the protonated amine groups of chitosan and TPP ions, with the crosslinking reaction reaching completion after 2 hours of immersion. SEM images showed that the surface of the fibres became rougher after the crosslinking reaction, suggesting the formation of new chemical bonds. Mechanical testing revealed a significant improvement in tensile strength for the treated samples compared to untreated ones, indicating successful strengthening through crosslinking. The fibres demonstrate significant potential for use in wound healing dressings.
Processing Adipose Tissue Samples in a GMP Environment Standardizes Their Use in Cell Therapy Treatments. Data on 302 Patients
Authors: Cremona Martina , Rusconi Giulio , Ferrario Alessandro , Mariotta Luca , Gola Mauro , Soldati Gianni
Published: May 2023

The adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells are becoming the tool of choice for many clinical applications and nowadays, nearly 200 clinical trials are running worldwide to prove the efficacy of this cell type for many diseases and pathological conditions. To reach the goal of cell therapies and produce ATMPs as drugs for regenerative medicine, it is necessary to properly standardize the GMP processes and thus collection methods, transportation strategies, extraction protocols and characterization procedures without forgetting that all the tissues of the human body are characterized by a wide inter-individual variability genetically determined and acquired during life. Here we compare 302 samples processed under GMP rules to exclude the influence of the operator and of the anatomical site of collection. Variability in the age of patients, gender and laboratory parameters like total cell number, cell viability, stem cell number and other stromal vascular fraction cell sub-populations have been compared to each other. Results show that, when the laboratory protocol is standardized, the variability in quantifiable cell parameters is widely statistically non-significant, meaning that we can make a further step toward standardized advanced cell therapy products.
Dual-Step Controlled Release of Berberine Hydrochloride from the Trans-scale Hybrids of Nanofibers and Microparticles
Authors: Zhou Jianfeng , Dai Yelin , Fu Junhao , Yan Chao , Yu Deng-Guang , Yi And Tao
Published: May 2023

In this nano era, nanomaterials and nanostructures are popular in developing novel functional materials. However, the combinations of nanoproducts with materials at micro and macro scale can open new routes for conceiving novel materials with an improved or even new functional performances. In this study, a brand-new hybrid, containing both nanofibers and particles having a microsize, was fabricated using a sequential electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) process. Firstly, the microparticles loaded with drug (berberine hydrochloride, BH) molecules in the cellulose acetate (CA) were fabricated using a solution electrospraying process. Later, these microparticles were suspended into a co-dissolved solution containned BH and a hydrophilic polymer (polypyrrolidone, PVP), and were co-electrospun into the nanofiber/microparticle hybrids. The EHDA processes were clearly recorded, and the resultant products showed a typical hybrid topography, with microparticles distributed all over the nanofibers, which was demonstrated by SEM assessments. FTIR and XRD demonstrated that the components within the hybrids were presented in an amorphous state and have fine compatibility with each other. In vitro dissolution tests verified that the hybrids were able to provide the designed dula-step drug release profiles, a combination of the fast release step of BH from the hydrophilic PVP nanofibers through an erosion mechanism and the sustained release step of BH from the insoluble CA microparticles via a typical Fickian diffusion mechanism. The present protocols pave a new way for developing trans-scale functional materials.
Comparison of Digital Coaching Centers and Face-to-Face Coaching Centers in the Context of Shadow Education Institutions: Student and Teacher Perceptions and Academic Achievements of Students
Authors: Meço Gülsüm
Published: May 2023

This article discusses the comparison between digital and traditional face-to-face coaching within the scope of shadow education institutions. While analyzing the differences and similarities between the two educational models, both their advantages and disadvantages are thoroughly discussed. In this context, interviews were conducted with students and teachers who receive education in both face-to-face and digital coaching, and the positive and negative aspects of both institutions, suitable and unsuitable courses, the future situation, and the effects on students' academic achievements were revealed. According to the results obtained from the research, it is noteworthy that students who do not receive education in digital coaching have prejudices against digitalization. Additionally, no significant difference was found between the academic achievements of students receiving education in digital coaching and those receiving education in face-to-face coaching.
Development and Evaluation of Mechanical Harvesting of Root Crops and Its Performance Optimization
Authors: Gong Zheng , Yang Yuwan
Published: May 2023

Root crops grow in the soil deeply and bond with soil closely, which results in that the process of the separation between soil and root becomes the most difficult during the harvesting processes. In order to harvest root crops efficiently, the mechanical harvesting has become the main developing trend. However, high power and high damage rate are still occurred when mechanical harvester gets in touch with the roots. In this paper, we review the research of the development and evaluation of the mechanical harvesting of root crops and its performance optimization on the past years. The process of soil separation mainly consists in the initial separation between root and the ground and further separation between root and adhered soil. In general, the soil-cutting operation in the initial separation and the sieving mechanism in the further separation require high draught and power. And the dramatic friction, impact, pressure and so on, which happen in the components and soil-roots, are the key reasons to lead to root damage. The optimization of harvesting methods and parameters, including the digging shovel shape, working conditions, vibration, and screening way, is more significant in improving the harvesting performance. But there are still some limitations in the research and application of the mechanical harvester for root crops. Future research is suggested to focus on the development of the soil break-up when the digging shovel cutting soil, the insight into the interaction between soil and roots by different external compression loads, and the long-term studies to verify the high-efficiency and low-damage performances of mechanical harvester in practical application.
Overview of Caffeine Effects on Human Health and Emerging Delivery Strategies
Authors: Saraiva Sofia M. , Jacinto Telma A. , Gonçalves Ana C. , Gaspar Dário , Silva Luís R.
Published: May 2023

Caffeine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in various plants. It acts as a stimulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and even an aid in pain management, and is found in several over-the-counter medications. This naturally derived bioactive compound is the best-known ingredient in coffee and other beverages, such as tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks, and is the most widely consumed substance worldwide. Therefore, it is extremely important to research the effects of this substance on the human body. With this in mind, caffeine and its derivatives have been extensively studied to evaluate its ability to prevent diseases and exert anti-aging and neuroprotective effects. This review is intended to provide an overview of the effects of caffeine on cancer, cardiovascular, immunological, inflammatory, and neurological diseases, among others. The heavily researched area of caffeine in sports will also be discussed. Finally, recent advances in the development of novel formulations, in the form of dietary supplements of caffeine and nanocarriers, to enhance the bioavailability of caffeine and its beneficial effects will be discussed. On the other hand, caffeine may contribute to elevated blood pressure, anemia, and migraine.
Proposal Model for Evaluation of African/Asian/Brazilian-ZIKV Strains Viral Kinetics (Step Growth Curve) in Trophoblastic Cell Lines
Authors: Duarte-Barbosa Márcia , Costa Anderson , Prieto-Oliveira Paula , Andreata-Santos Robert , Peter Cristina M. , Zanotto Paolo M. A. , Janini Luiz M. R.
Published: May 2023

The Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic brought new discoveries regarding arboviruses, especially flaviviruses, as ZIKV was described as sexually and vertically transmitted. The latter shows severe consequences for the embryo/fetus, such as congenital microcephaly and deficiency of the neural system, currently known as Congenital ZIKV Syndrome (CZS). To better understand ZIKV dynamics in trophoblastic cells present in the first trimester of pregnancy (BeWo, HTR-8, and control cell HuH-7), an experiment of viral kinetics was performed for African MR766 low passage and Asian-Brazilian IEC ZIKV lineages. The results were described independently, and demonstrated that the three placental cells lines are permissive and susceptible to ZIKV. We noticed cytopathic effects that are typical in vitro viral infection in BeWo and HTR-8. Regarding kinetics, MR766lp showed peaks of viral loads in 24 and 48 hpi for all cell types tested, as well as marked cells death after peak production. On the other hand, HTR-8 lineage inoculated with ZIKV-IEC exhibited increased viral production in 144 hpi, with a peak between 24 and 96 hpi. Furthermore, IEC had peak variations of viral production for BeWo in 144 hpi. Both cells types continued alive during the process of viral replication. Considering such in vitro results, the hypothesis that maternal-fetal transmission is probably a way of virus transmission between the mother and the embryo/fetus is maintained.
How Technology-Based Interventions Can Sustain Ageing Well in the New Decade through the User-Driven Approach
Authors: Velciu Magdalen , Spiru Luiza , Dan Marzan Mircea , Reithner Eva , Geli Simona , Borgogni Barbara , Cramariuc Oana , Mocanu Irina G. , Kołakowski Jerzy , Ayadi Jaouhar , Rampioni Margherita , Stara Vera
Published: May 2023

The worldwide population is undergoing a fundamental change in its age structure, which challenges the health and social services system. The need to migrate towards a more person-centered and coordinated model of care that supports the optimization of abilities and capacities for older people has to be matched. In this sense, eHealth technologies can play a fundamental role. In this paper, through a questionnaire-based data collection on 30 primary (older people) and 32 secondary (informal caregivers) end-users, we share the sustainable way to develop a product optimizing the user experience and ensuring adoption. Both older adults and caregivers consider the use of smartphone and smartwatch to be very important, but also the use of digital devices for healthcare can be helpful. Seniors care about self-monitoring of health parameters using wearable devices, regardless of their health status, and would like to be included in the process of making good health decisions, because they need to feel in control of their healthcare process. Digital solutions in health and care can support the wellbeing of older adults in many areas of their daily lives at home and in their communities, but only if such innovation is designed around the natural voice of the intended target.
Establishment of a Hydrometallurgical Scheme for Cleaning Cu-Ni Smelter Slag From Botswana and Its Economic Evaluation
Authors: Godirilwe Labone Lorraine , Haga Kazutoshi , Altansukh Batnasan , Jeon Sanghee , Danha Gwiranai , Shibayama Atsushi
Published: May 2023

In pursuit of carbon neutrality, the demand for metals that are necessary for the development of clean energy technologies is rapidly increasing. Metallurgical waste, such as slag, presents a promising secondary source of these key metals. This research aims to develop an eco-friendly hydrometallurgical process to recover Cu, Ni, and Co from discarded copper/nickel slag. The high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) was used to selectively leach Ni, Cu, and Co from the fayalite slag, yielding high leaching efficiencies of 99.9%, 89.4%, and 99.9%, respectively, with low Fe and Si tenors to the pregnant leach solution (PLS). The solvent extraction (SX) technique utilizing LIX 984N was used to selectively extract and enrich copper from the dilute PLS to about 23 g/L Cu with a very low Fe concentration of 0.05 g/L. Potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) solution was used to form Ni and Co xanthate complexes from the raffinate solution. Nickel was selectively recovered using ammonia solution, while cobalt xanthate complex was thermally decomposed and recovered as cobalt oxide solids of about 25 wt.% Co. A comprehensive process flowsheet is presented, furthermore, to realize the real application of the developed slag cleaning process, a preliminary economic evaluation was performed.
O O currículo cultural da Educação Física: a educação comparada sobre as perspectivas contemporâneas em torno do currículo
Authors: Oechsler Fabio Richard , Lamar Adolfo Ramos , Tormena Carolaine
Published: May 2023

Este artigo tece contribuições contemporâneas sobre o currículo cultural da Educação Física. O objetivo geral da pesquisa é analisar as principais concepções atuais do currículo cultural da Educação Física, e tem como objetivos específicos comparar e demonstrar as perspectivas dos autores em torno do currículo cultural da Educação Física e sua importância para as aulas. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter bibliográfico e comparativo. Conclui-se que o currículo cultural da Educação Física rompe com os paradigmas tradicionais da área, e propõe a promoção de uma disciplina crítica, respeitada e autêntica.
Cytosolic DNA sensing combined with differentiation therapy induces irreversible differentiation and cell growth arrest in myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Baba Tomohisa , Tomaru Utano , Hirao Atsushi , Mukaida Naofumi , Johmura Yoshikazu
Published: May 2023

Accumulating evidence indicates that various oncogenic mutations interfere with normal myeloid differentiation of leukemogenic cells during the early process of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) development. Differentiation therapy is an ideal therapeutic strategy capable of terminating leukemic expansion by reactivating the differentiation potential; however, the plasticity and instability of leukemia cells counteract the establishment of curative treatment for AML. Thus, the viable strategy for irreversible differentiation is urgently required. Based on our previous observation that autophagy inhibitor treatment induces the accumulation of cytosolic DNA and activation of cytosolic DNA-sensor signaling selectively in leukemia cells, we herein examined the synergistic effect of cytosolic DNA-sensor signaling activation with conventional differentiation therapy on AML. The combined treatment succeeded in inducing irreversible differentiation in AML cells. Mechanistically, cytosolic DNA was sensed by absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), a cytosolic DNA sensor. Activation of the AIM2 inflammasome resulted in the accumulation of p21 through the inhibition of its proteasomal degradation, thereby facilitatingthe myeloid differentiation. Importantly, the combined therapy dramatically reduced the total leukemia cell counts and proportion of blast cells in the spleens of AML mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that the activation of cytosolic DNA-sensor signaling in combination with conventional differentiation therapy can be an effective approach to drive the irreversible differentiation of leukemia cells.
Niche modelling and molecular phylogenetics unravel the colonisation biology of three species of the freshwater planarian genus Girardia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida)
Authors: Benítez-Álvarez Lisandra , Leria Laia , Sluys Ronald , Leal-Zanchet Ana María , Riutort Marta
Published: May 2023

Freshwater planarians of the genus Girardia have been introduced all over the world, but little is known about the species involved and their possible impact on autochthonous ecosystems. Using molecular phylogenetics and niche modelling under different climatic scenarios we examine the human-induced spread of alien Girardia species from their original areas of distribution in the Americas to other areas. Our results corroborate that Girardia populations spreading worldwide belong to three species: G. dorotocephala, G. sinensis, and G. tigrina. Our study emphasizes that G. sinensis is native to North America and shows that G. dorotocephala has a broader range of introduced localities than previously known. Niche modelling revealed that the three species have a broad range of potential distribution in extensive regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Regardless of the future climatic scenario, their distributional range will increase towards northern Europe, without diminishing the high suitability of regions in the south. Their environmental requirements, being generalists with high suitability for human-modified habitats, and fissiparous reproduction explain their successful colonization. In the Iberian Peninsula, G. tigrina and G. sinensis have extensive areas of high suitability, overlapping with the more limited suitable areas of autochthonous planarians, pointing to potential detrimental effects of Girardia invaders.
Interferon-γ elicits the ocular surface pathology mimicking dry eye through direct modulation of resident corneal cells.
Authors: Ko Jung Hwa , Kim Seonghwan , Ryu Jin Suk , Song Hyo Jeong , Oh Joo Youn
Published: May 2023

Despite accumulating evidence indicating a key role of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing immune cells in ocular infection and immunity, little is known about the direct effects of IFN-γ on resident corneal cells or on the ocular surface. Here, we report that IFN-γ impacts corneal stromal fibroblasts and epithelial cells to promote inflammation, opacification and barrier disruption on the ocular surface, leading to dry eye. Our results demonstrated that IFN-γ dose-dependently induced cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production, and expression of major histocompatibility complex class II and CD40 in cultures of corneal stromal fibroblasts and epithelial cells while increasing myofibroblast differentiation of corneal stromal fibroblasts. In mice, subconjunctival IFN-γ administration caused corneal epithelial defects and stromal opacity in dose- and time-dependent manners while promoting neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine expression in the cornea. Moreover, IFN-γ reduced aqueous tear secretion and the number of conjunctival goblet cells responsible for mucinous tear production. Together, our findings suggest that IFN-γ induces the ocular surface changes characteristic of dry eye disease at least in part through its direct effects on resident corneal cells.
A New Algorithm for Solving Quadratic Programming Problems
subject to Addition-Min Fuzzy Relation Inequalities
Authors: Guo Fang-Fang , Li Jin-Jun , Shen Jie , Wang Ji-Guang
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates a quadratic programming problem subject to fuzzy relation inequalities with the addition-min composition operator. Three different approaches for solving the problem are introduced and compared through numerical experiments. The first one is converting the problem into an ordinary quadratic programming problem with linear constraints. The second one is smoothing the constraints with polynomial functions and approximating the problem by ordinary smooth nonlinear programming. However, when problem scale is large, both of the two approaches become very time-consuming in practical computation. Inspired by the active-set method for quadratic programming problems, a new iterative algorithm is developed in this paper. At each iteration, a quadratic programming subproblem is generated and solved according to the active set of the current iteration point. Based on the Karuch-Kuhn-Tucker condition for nonlinear programming, the optimality condition of the considered problem is given, which guarantees the constructed algorithm terminates at an optimal solution. Numerical results show that all these three algorithms can solve the problem efficiently when the problem scale is small. While the new algorithm has obvious superiority in terms of running time and computation accuracy for large-scale problems.
Multiscale Analysis of Coastal Social Vulnerability to Extreme Events in Brazil
Authors: LIMA CIBELE OLIVEIRA , Bonetti Jarbas , Gandra Tiago Borges Ribeiro , Bonetti Carla , Scherer Marinez Eymael Garcia
Published: May 2023

Issues related to prevention and mitigation of the impacts of extreme events, intensified by climate changes, have been receiving progressive attention from the academic community. The impacts are increasingly expensive for the society, particularly in the coastal zones, where population growth and concentration of economic activities modify the landscape and alter the natural balance of coastal processes, contributing to the increase of the population’s vulnerability to these events. Considering the growing need to measure the social vulnerability of coastal populations and the lack of studies that focus on the effects of changing spatial scales over vulnerability analysis, the aim of this article is to propose a methodology for obtaining a multiscale Coastal Social Vulnerability Index to extreme events (SVI-Coast) for the 281 Brazilian coastal municipalities. The proposed methodology employed data from the most recent available national demographic census (2010), over which descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques were applied, considering three units of spatial aggregation: states, municipalities, and census sectors. The results show that in Brazil there is a tendency to the concentration of greater social vulnerabilities in the North and Northeast regions and that the key variables responsible for this are the income and access to infrastructure, which are underprovided in these regions. This methodology can be replicated on multiple spatial scales, contributing to provide scientific knowledge capable of assisting decision-making by local and regional managers, especially in the identification of priority areas, which need urgent actions for the mitigation and reduction of coastal social vulnerability.
One-pot synthesis of carbon nanospheres with high nitrogen content for cation removal from wastewater
Authors: Kashina Svetlana , Jacobo-Azuara Araceli , Leyva-Ramos Roberto , Galindo Rosario , Balleza José Marco , Zarraga Ramon
Published: May 2023

Different carbon materials, such as activated carbon and carbon aerogel, are used widely as adsorbents due to their high surface area. Carbon nanospheres (CNS), a nanometric form of carbon, are commonly used in drug delivery, heterogeneous catalysis, and encapsulation of catalysts. However, these properties sill can be improved by N doping. On the other hand, heavy metal ions are considered one of the most toxic aquatic pollutants, and their removal is a current line of research. Thus, the objective of the present study was to reduce the diameters of CNS, augment nitrogen content using different strategies, and assess the adsorption capacities of the newly synthesized CNS. In this work, 3 nitrogen-dopped CNS materials were synthesized via one-pot sol-gel synthesis their morphology and chemical composition were evaluated, and adsorption capacities were investigated with the batch adsorption method. The obtained results show that the particles´ size of the spheres can be reduced by producing steric impediment for nucleation or by cross-linking agent addition. Additionally, newly synthesized materials showed increased capacity for Pb adsorption, which may present an advantage for their industrial application.