bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ascorbic acid nanoencapsulation using polyelectrolyte complex formation and optimization using hybrid artificial neural network‐genetic algorithm
Authors: Khuntia Anjali , Mitra Jayeeta
Published: September 2023

Backgrounds

The polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) formation using chitosan (Cs) and alginate (Alg) has been employed to carry out Vitamin C (VC) nanoencapsulation because of its instability in adverse conditions. This method includes VC nanoencapsulation using physical cross‐linking. The effect of the mixing order as well as the different mass ratios of both the polymer and the VC content, were investigated on the size, pdi, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and yield%. Hence, considering different mass ratios of both polymer (4:1–1:4) and VC content (10%–30% w/w of Cs) as independent variables, PECs were formed using 0.1% (w/v) of Cs and Alg solution.

Result

The result showed that, for equal mass ratio (1:1) of Cs and Alg, the addition of Alg solution to Cs solution led to lower particle size, while higher particle size was observed with reverse order of addition. However, no significant effect of polymer mass ratios was observed on particle size and NPs stability, while EE varied with VC concentration. Artificial neural network (ANN) was applied to train the experimental parameters Cs: Alg ratios (X1:X2) and VC content (X3) for the output variables. Moreover, process optimization was carried out using multi‐objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) with the goal of lowering particle size and increasing EE while increasing nanoparticle yield.

Conclusion

The PEC method effectively encapsulated VC as obtained from higher EE. The Cs: Alg ratio of 4:2.1 and 18% VC content (w/w of Cs) was found optimum for nanoencapsulation. The final ANN‐GA model showed an acceptable agreement with experimental data.
Antecedents of memorable tourism experience related to behavioral intentions
Authors: Coudounaris Dafnis N. , Sthapit Erose
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the antecedent factors of memorable tourism experience (MTE) and their relationship to visitors’ behavioral intentions (BIs); Kim, Ritchie, & McCormick, ). Based on a survey of 314 structured interviews among visitors to the zoo and museum in Rovaniemi, Finland, the study reveals different MTE dimensions than in Kim et al.’s study. Only four factors—hedonism, local culture, involvement, and knowledge—influence visitors’ BIs. The results suggest the need to rebuild the scale of MTE by incorporating other relevant dimensions.
Environmental regulation, public environmental concern, and pollution reduction
Authors: Liu Liwen , Zhou Sisi
Published: September 2023

Selecting the national water ecological civilization city (NWECC) policy as the starting point, this paper investigates whether environmental regulation might mitigate pollution discharge by the channel of public environmental concern. The results indicate that the NWECC policy has the effect of reducing pollution while significantly enhancing public environmental concern. The mediating effect analysis indicates that the NWECC policy reduces urban pollution via public environmental concern. The heterogeneity study shows that the pollution reduction effect of the NWECC policy is more apparent in cities with low economic development levels, low administrative levels, and low water resource endowments.
Quantitative hemodynamic assessment of stenotic below‐the‐knee arteries using spatio‐temporal bolus tracking on 4D‐CT angiography
Authors: Boonen Pieter Thomas , Buls Nico , van Gompel Gert , Devos Hannes , de Brucker Yannick , Leiner Tim , Aerden Dimitri , de Mey Johan , Vandemeulebroucke Jef
Published: September 2023

Background

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a chronic occlusive disease that restricts blood flow in the lower limbs, causing partial or complete blockages of the blood flow. While digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has traditionally been the preferred method for assessing blood flow in the lower limbs, advancements in wide beam Computed Tomography (CT), allowing successive acquisition at high frame rate, might enable hemodynamic measurements.

Purpose

To quantify the arterial blood flow in stenotic below‐the‐knee (BTK) arteries. To this end, we propose a novel method for contrast bolus tracking and assessment of quantitative hemodynamic parameters in stenotic arteries using 4D‐CT.

Methods

Fifty patients with suspected PAD underwent 4D‐CT angiography in addition to the clinical run‐off computed tomography angiography (CTA). From these dynamic acquisitions, the BTK arteries were segmented and the region of maximum blood flow was extracted. Time attenuation curves (TAC) were estimated using 2D spatio‐temporal B‐spline regression, enforcing both spatial and temporal smoothness. From these curves, quantitative hemodynamic parameters, describing the shape of the propagating contrast bolus were automatically extracted. We evaluated the robustness of the proposed TAC fitting method with respect to interphase delay and imaging noise and compared it to commonly used approaches. Finally, to illustrate the potential value of 4D‐CT, we assessed the correlation between the obtained hemodynamic parameters and the presence of PAD.

Results

280 out of 292 arteries were successfully segmented, with failures mainly due to a delayed contrast arrival. The proposed method led to physiologically plausible hemodynamic parameters and was significantly more robust compared to 1D temporal regression. A significant correlation between the presence of proximal stenoses and several hemodynamic parameters was found.

Conclusions

The proposed method based on spatio‐temporal bolus tracking was shown to lead to stable and physiologically plausible estimation of quantitative hemodynamic parameters, even in the case of stenotic arteries. These parameters may provide valuable information in the evaluation of PAD and contribute to its diagnosis.
Stellate Ganglion Block for the Treatment of COVID‐19‐Induced Olfactory Dysfunction: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Peterson Andrew M. , Miller Brevin J. , Kallogjeri Dorina , Piccirillo Jay F. , Kukuljan Sara , Roland Lauren T. , Schneider John S. , Crock Lara W. , Farrell Nyssa F.
Published: September 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore the safety and feasibility of stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) to treat persistent COVID‐19‐induced olfactory dysfunction (OD). Secondarily, the goal was to determine effect sizes to plan a future randomized clinical trial.

Study Design

Prospective case series.

Setting

Quaternary Care Academic Medical Center.

Methods

In this single‐arm pilot trial, adult participants with a COVID‐19 diagnosis ≥ 12 months prior to enrollment with OD underwent bilateral SGBs. Subjects were followed for 1 month after completion of SGB. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Clinical Global Impression‐Improvement Scale for smell loss. Secondary outcome measures included changes in the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and Olfactory Dysfunction Outcomes Rating (ODOR).

Results

Twenty participants were enrolled with a mean (SD) age of 46 (11) years and a mean (SD) duration of OD of 21 (5) months. At 1 month, 10 (50%) participants experienced at least slight subjective improvement in their OD, 11 (55%) attained a clinically meaningful improvement in smell identification using the UPSIT, and 7 (35%) achieved a clinically meaningful improvement in olfactory‐specific quality of life (QoL) measured by the ODOR. The median difference between UPSIT scores at baseline and 1 month was 6 (95% confidence interval: 3‐11), exceeding the minimal clinically important difference of 4. There were no serious adverse events.

Conclusion

Sequential SGBs for COVID‐19‐associated OD were safe and associated with modest improvements in subjective olfaction, odor identification, and olfactory‐specific QoL. A placebo‐controlled trial is warranted to determine the efficacy of SGBs for COVID‐19‐associated OD.
Synthesis and characterization of UV and thermal curable polybenzoxazine/silica nanocomposites
Authors: Akkaya Büşra , Şen Ferhat
Published: September 2023

In this study, it was aimed to synthesize and characterize UV and thermally curable polybenzoxazine/silica nanocomposites as high performance coating materials. For this purpose, synthesis and characterization of allyl‐functional benzoxazine monomers and thiol‐functional silica nanoparticles were performed to carry out UV polymerization. Allyl functional benzoxazine monomers were characterized by FT‐IR (Fourier Transform Infrared) and 1H NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy techniques. Using the obtained benzoxazine monomers and silica nanoparticles, polybenzoxazine/silica nanocomposites in various formulations were prepared by UV and thermal curing. Structural characterization of prepared nanocomposites were analyzed by FT‐IR spectroscopy technique. The thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films were analyzed by TGA/DTA (Thermogravimetric Analysis/Differential Thermal Analysis) and DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis). Morphological structures were investigated by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and particle distributions were investigated by EDS (Energy Dissipative X‐Ray Spectroscopy). In addition, gel contents and water absorption capacities of the samples were determined. It was determined that thiol functional nanosilica reinforcement increased the thermal and mechanical strength of nanocomposite films and the optimum amount of thiol functional nanosilica to be added at room temperature was 1 mmol. When all the results obtained were evaluated, it was concluded that nanocomposite films with superior thermal and mechanical properties that could be used in the coating industry were produced.
Reliability modeling and optimization of K/N phased mission system with backup missions and global redundancy strategy
Authors: Li Xiaopeng , Qin Sha , Liu Kanglun , Li Yizhao
Published: September 2023

The mission success probability (MSP) is a critical indicator for phased mission systems (PMSs). In the modern aerospace industry, redundancy techniques, including component/phase redundancy, are commonly seen to increase the MSP of the whole system. These component/phase redundancies make the reliability analysis more complex. Meanwhile, one or more components are required for normal working for different subsystems, called the K/N structure. In this article, a Markov‐process method is proposed for PMS with K/N subsystems and different redundancy strategies. Then, a universal system optimization model is proposed to optimize system structure and redundancy strategies for all subsystems at the same time. Then, an improved genetic algorithm (GA) is used to resolve the optimization problem. At last, a propulsion system is used as an engineering case, showing the proposed binary decision diagram‐based method.
Multiple case study exploring the impact of visitor restrictions in hospitals on childbirth support during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Hicks Lauren E.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Childbirth is a life‐changing experience for new mothers, birth partners, and families. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic restricted labouring mothers' access to support in hospitals through visitor restrictions. The goal of this research was to describe childbirth support in hospitals during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

A qualitative study using a multiple case study design describes childbirth support in hospitals during the COVID‐19 pandemic from the perspectives of the new mother, birth partner, and obstetric hospital staff, including doulas, nurses, and obstetric providers. The setting was a large metropolitan area in South Texas. Sixteen participants were interviewed, including four new mothers, three birth partners, three doulas, three obstetric nurses, and three obstetric providers.

Results

Themes that emerged from the data include: under a spotlight, unmet expectations, discovering serenity, and quality childbirth support.

Conclusion

During the pandemic, new mothers and birth partners experienced fewer distractions, better communication with the hospital staff, and had better opportunities to bond with the newborn during labour and after birth, but did report missing the presence of their family and friends. Doulas, obstetric nurses, and obstetric providers found they were able to provide better quality and safer care to labouring mothers and birth partners.
Differences in digital prenatal service utilization by self‐reported race
Authors: Peahl Alex , Jahnke Hannah R. , Rubin‐Miller Lily , Henrich Natalie , Shah Neel
Published: September 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to understand the use of supplemental digital prenatal services by race and ethnicity among pregnant people utilizing a comprehensive, employer‐sponsored digital health platform.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pregnant people enrolled in a comprehensive, employer‐sponsored digital health platform, assessing utilization of app‐based supplemental digital prenatal services by race and ethnicity. Care utilization included three categories: asynchronous utilization (e.g., article reads, videos); interactions with a care advocate, a trained care navigator; and provider interactions (e.g., messages and visits with a medical provider). Differences in service utilization by race and ethnicity were assessed using basic descriptive statistics with between‐group comparisons.

Results

Of 5662 users, 2362 (41.7%) were White, 266 (4.7%) were Black, and 1411 (24.9%) reported ‘prefer not to say’ for their race. More Black and Asian users sent messages to a provider and had provider appointments than White and Hispanic users (messages: White: 33.7%, Hispanic: 33.6%, Asian: 44.9%, Black: 45.1%, p < 0.001; provider appointments: White: 49.8%, Hispanic: 43.3%, Asian: 52.4%, Black: 46.2%, p < 0.001). More Black users accessed doula and mental health appointments than other racial groups.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that pregnant people of historically marginalized groups use digital supplemental prenatal services as much or more than White patients. Digital prenatal services may be a promising avenue for improving care access and experience for patient groups that face the biggest barriers to care and worst maternity care outcomes.
Melatonin enhances the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5‐fluorouracil through the regulation of the miR‐532‐3p/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Gao Jun , Hou Yi , Yang Xiaorui , Liu Jia , Zhang Ying
Published: September 2023

This research aimed to investigate whether melatonin affected sensitivity to 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) in colorectal cancer (CRC) as well as to show the underlying molecular mechanism. Melatonin and 5‐FU were added to CRC cells at varying doses. The effect of melatonin on sensitivity to 5‐FU was investigated by measuring cell activity and apoptosis, and the potential underlying mechanism was further explored by detecting miR‐532‐3p expression and the associated pathway proteins. Melatonin could suppress cell malignancy in SW480 and HCT116 cells. Melatonin also significantly promoted sensitivity to 5‐FU in CRC cells. miR‐532‐3p expression was downregulated in CRC and was also markedly enhanced when treated with 1 mmol/L melatonin. The inhibitory ability of the co‐cultured melatonin, 5‐FU, and miR‐532‐3p inhibitor on SW480 and HCT116 cells was markedly diminished, and the IC50 value was significantly enhanced. Relative to the melatonin group, melatonin+miR‐532‐3p inhibitor markedly declined apoptosis rate. Bioinformatics analysis predicted the target of miR‐532‐3p. β‐catenin level presented obvious downregulation in the melatonin group, while it was notably upregulated in the co‐culture group in relative to with that in the melatonin group. Overall, melatonin promotes sensitivity to 5‐FU in CRC cells by regulating the miR‐532‐3p/β‐catenin pathway.
Bubble-assisted leptogenesis
Authors: Chun Eung Jin , Dutka Tomasz P. , Jung Tae Hyun , Nagels Xander , Vanvlasselaer Miguel
Published: September 2023

Abstract

We explore the possibility of embedding thermal leptogenesis within a first-order phase transition (FOPT) such that RHNs remain massless until a FOPT arises. Their sudden and violent mass gain allows the neutrinos to become thermally decoupled, and the lepton asymmetry generated from their decay can be, in principle, free from the strong wash-out processes that conventional leptogenesis scenarios suffer from, albeit at the cost of new washout channels. To quantify the effect of this enhancement, we consider a simple setup of a classically scale-invariant B − L potential, which requires three RHNs with similar mass scales, in the “strong-washout” regime of thermal leptogenesis. Here we find that parameter space which requires MN ~ 1011 GeV without bubble assistance is now predicted at MN ~ 5 × 109 GeV suggesting a sizeable reduction from bubble effects. We numerically quantify to what extent such a framework can alleviate strong-washout effects and we find the lower bound on the RHN mass, MN ~ 107 GeV, below which bubble-assisted leptogenesis cannot provide an enhancement. We also study the signature possibly observable at GW terrestrial interferometers and conclude that bubble-assisted leptogenesis models with relatively light masses, MN ≲ 5 × 109 GeV may be probable.
Five or more gender‐ and size‐diverse customizations of distal femur prostheses are needed to improve fit for Chinese knees
Authors: Chen Song , Zheng Zhenxin , Guo Jinku , Hong Shengkun , Zhou Weijun , Xie Jun , Wang Wei
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Mismatch between partial imported prostheses and Chinese anatomy affects the clinical outcome of the procedure. The purpose of this study was to measure the anatomical dimensions of Chinese distal femurs to provide guidance for the design of more compatible distal femoral prostheses.

Methods

A total of 406 healthy distal femurs were reconstructed and measured. Consistency of these measurements and differences in sides, gender, and populations were examined. Parameter correlations were analyzed, and pairs with strong correlations underwent linear regression analysis. The design of distal femoral prostheses was referenced from the results of K‐means and hierarchical clustering analysis.

Results

Ten parameters were measured, including the trans‐epicondylar axis, width of the distal femur (ML), anteroposterior diameter of the distal femur (AP), etc. The intra‐class correlation coefficient ranged from 0.795 to 0.999 for intra‐observer consistency, and from 0.796 to 0.998 for inter‐observer consistency. Males exhibited significantly larger parameters than females, except for the posterior condylar angle (all P values < 0.05). Compared to other populations, substantial differences were observed for most parameters, such as ML, AP, width of lateral femoral condyle, etc. (all P values < 0.05). Clustering analysis suggested that distal femoral prostheses should include at least five sizes to adequately accommodate the sampled population. ML sizes for males were 68, 70, 83, 73, and 89 mm, and for females 64, 65, 71, 67, and 77 mm. AP sizes for males were 56, 60, 60, 64, and 64 mm, and for females 48, 52, 54, 57, and 58 mm.

Conclusions

Chinese distal femur morphology, as analyzed using 3D techniques, varies significantly between genders and when compared with international data. For improved patient fit, the creation of five or more distal femur prostheses, diversified by gender and size and informed by the associated morphological parameters, is recommended.

Level of evidence

IV.
Non-reductive geometric invariant theory and hyperbolicity
Authors: Bérczi Gergely , Kirwan Frances
Published: September 2023

The Green–Griffiths–Lang and Kobayashi hyperbolicity conjectures for generic hypersurfaces of polynomial degree are proved using intersection theory for non-reductive geometric invariant theoretic quotients and recent work of Riedl and Yang.
Perioperative periprosthetic femur fracture associated with direct anterior total hip arthroplasty using metaphyseal fit and fill stem
Authors: Washburn Frederic , Mushaben Jacob , Eichenseer Clayton , Sanderson Brent , Tran Britni , Golden Thomas
Published: September 2023

Introduction

This study aims to identify radiographic and clinical risk factors of perioperative periprosthetic femur fracture associated with the direct anterior approach (DAA) using a metaphyseal fit and fill stem. We hypothesize stem malalignment with this femoral implant places increased stress on the medial calcar region, which leads to an increased risk of periprosthetic fracture.

Methods

We compared patients with periprosthetic femur fractures following DAA total hip arthroplasty (THA) utilizing the Echo Bi-Metric Microplasty Stem (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN) to a cohort of patients who did not sustain a periprosthetic fracture from five orthopedic surgeons over four years. Postoperative radiographs were evaluated for stem alignment, neck cut level, Dorr classification, and the presence of radiographic pannus. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. Demographic and categorical variables were also analyzed.

Results

Fourteen hips sustained femur fractures, including nine Vancouver B2 and five AG fractures. Valgus stem malalignment, proud stems, extended offset, and patients with enlarged radiographic pannus reached statistical significance for increased fracture risk. Low femoral neck cut showed a trend toward statistical significance.

Conclusion

Patients undergoing DAA THA using a metaphyseal fit and fill stem may be at increased risk of perioperative periprosthetic fracture when the femoral stem sits proudly in valgus malalignment with extended offset and when an enlarged pannus is seen radiographically. This study identifies a specific pattern in the Vancouver B2 fracture cohort with regard to injury mechanism, time of injury, and fracture pattern, which may be attributed to coronal malalignment of the implant.
A comprehensive overview of carbon dioxide, including emission sources, capture technologies, and the conversion into value-added products
Authors: Eldesouki Mohammed H. , Rashed Ahmed E. , El-Moneim Ahmed Abd
Published: September 2023

Carbon dioxide is both the planet’s enemy and friend since it maintains the balance of the planet as this gas retains some of the radiant energy that the planet receives. Thus, it keeps the Earth’s heat, without which the Earth would be unbearably cold. However, the increase in the quantity of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere contributes to the exacerbation of global warming. CO2 is mainly produced from the processes of combustion of fuel and petroleum, as well as from the breathing process of living organisms. This study aims to provide a comprehensive view of carbon dioxide, including the main sources of emissions that resulted in negative effects, as well as the various ways to control these emissions by conducting a separation process during fuel combustion in power plants and preventing the release of large quantities into the atmosphere. Finally, an objective viewpoint on how to benefit from separated carbon dioxide and turn it into highly valuable products is presented. Given that this is a global problem that affects our planet, this review links other literature that deals with each part separately, and thus it presents a clear and comprehensive vision that enables the reader to be aware of carbon dioxide gas from all perspectives, concluding with future studies that are required to prevent an increase in negative effects in order to preserve the quality of life in our planet.

Graphical abstract
Serum concentration–guided intravenous magnesium sulfate administration for neuroprotection in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective evaluation of a 12-year single-center experience
Authors: Wipplinger C. , Cattaneo A. , Wipplinger T. M. , Lamllari K. , Semmler F. , Geske C. , Messinger J. , Nickl V. , Beez A. , Ernestus R.-I. , Pham M. , Westermaier T. , Weiland J. , Stetter C. , Kunze E.
Published: September 2023

Delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The benefits of magnesium sulfate as an alternative treatment are controversial, and most previous studies examined its benefits only as adjunctive treatment to traditional nimodipine. We retrospectively analyzed aSAH patients records with magnesium sulfate between 2010 and 2021. We aimed for a serum magnesium concentration of 2–2.5 mmol/l between post-hemorrhage days 3 and 12. The patients were separated in three groups based on average serum magnesium concentration (magnesium >2 mmol/l, reduced magnesium 1.1–1.9 mmol/l, and no magnesium). Additionally, we assessed delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) and clinical outcome at follow-up, using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), categorized in favorable (0–3) and unfavorable outcome (4–5). In this analysis, 548 patients were included. Hereof, radiological evidence of DCI could be found in 23.0% (n = 126) of patients. DCI rates were lower if patients’ average serum magnesium was higher than 2 mmol/l (magnesium 18.8%, n = 85; reduced magnesium 38.3%, n = 23; no magnesium 51.4%, n = 18; p < 0.001). Also, at the last follow-up, patients in the group with a higher serum magnesium concentration had better outcome (favorable outcome: magnesium 64.7%, n = 293; reduced magnesium 50.0%, n = 30; no magnesium 34.3%, n = 12; p < 0.001). This 12-year study reveals the value of serum concentration-guided magnesium administration in aSAH patients. Our findings demonstrate the safety and efficacy when titrated to a serum concentration of 2–2.5 mmol/l. We observed higher rates of delayed cerebral infarction and unfavorable outcomes in patients with serum concentrations below 2 mmol/l.
Investigating Balloon-Vessel Contact Pressure Patterns in Angioplasty: In Silico Insights for Drug-Coated Balloons
Authors: Stratakos Efstathios , Antonini Luca , Poletti Gianluca , Berti Francesca , Tzafriri Abraham R. , Petrini Lorenza , Pennati Giancarlo
Published: September 2023

Drug-Coated Balloons have shown promising results as a minimally invasive approach to treat stenotic arteries, but recent animal studies have revealed limited, non-uniform coating transfer onto the arterial lumen. In vitro data suggested that local coating transfer tracks the local Contact Pressure (CP) between the balloon and the endothelium. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate in silico how different interventional and device parameters may affect the spatial distribution of CP during the inflation of an angioplasty balloon within idealized vessels that resemble healthy femoral arteries in size and compliance. An angioplasty balloon computational model was developed, considering longitudinal non-uniform wall thickness, due to its forming process, and the folding procedure of the balloon. To identify the conditions leading to non-uniform CP, sensitivity finite element analyses were performed comparing different values for balloon working length, longitudinally varying wall thickness, friction coefficient on the balloon-vessel interface, vessel wall stiffness and thickness, and balloon-to-vessel diameter ratio. Findings indicate a significant irregularity of contact between the balloon and the vessel, mainly affected by the balloon’s unfolding and longitudinal thickness variation. Mirroring published data on coating transfer distribution in animal studies, the interfacial CP distribution was maximal at the middle of the balloon treatment site, while exhibiting a circumferential pattern of linear peaks as a consequence of the particular balloon-vessel interaction during unfolding. A high ratio of balloon-to-vessel diameter, higher vessel stiffness, and thickness was found to increase significantly the amplitude and spatial distribution of the CP, while a higher friction coefficient at the balloon-to-vessel interface further exacerbated the non-uniformity of CP. Evaluation of balloon design effects revealed that the thicker tapered part caused CP reduction in the areas that interacted with the extremities of the balloon, whereas total length only weakly impacted the CP. Taken together, this study offers a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the irregularity of balloon-tissue contact, a key step toward uniformity in drug-coating transfer and potential clinical effectiveness.
Effects of Electrode Position Targeting in Noninvasive Electromyography Technologies for Finger and Hand Movement Prediction
Authors: Wang Michelle , Khundrakpam Budhachandra , Vaughan Thomas
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Stroke patients may need to undergo rehabilitation therapy to improve their mobility. Electromyography (EMG) can be used to improve the effectiveness of at-home therapy programs, as it can assess recovery progress in the absence of a health professional. In particular, EMG armbands have the advantage of being easy to use compared to other EMG technologies, which could allow patients to complete therapy programs without external assistance. However, it is unclear whether there are drawbacks associated with the fixed electrode placement imposed by current armband designs. This study compared the hand gesture prediction capabilities of an off-the-shelf EMG armband with fixed electrode placement and an EMG setup with flexible electrode positioning.

Methods

Ten able-bodied participants performed a series of hand and finger gestures with their dominant hand, once with an EMG armband (Untargeted condition) and once with electrodes deliberately placed on specific muscles (Targeted condition). EMG features were extracted from overlapping sliding windows and were used to (1) classify the gestures and (2) predict finger joint positions as measured by a robotic hand exoskeleton.

Results

For the classification task, a logistic regression model performed significantly better ($$p < 0.001$$

p
<
0.001

) for the Targeted condition ($$55.8\% \pm 10.1\%$$

55.8
%
±
10.1
%

) compared to the Untargeted condition ($$47.9\% \pm 11.6\%$$

47.9
%
±
11.6
%

). For the regression task, a k-nearest neighbours model obtained significantly lower ($$p = 0.007$$

p
=
0.007

) mean RMSE values for the Targeted condition ($$0.260 \pm 0.037$$

0.260
±
0.037

) compared to the Untargeted condition ($$0.270 \pm 0.043$$

0.270
±
0.043

).

Conclusion

We observed a trade-off between predictive accuracy and ease-of-use of the EMG devices used in this study. It is important to consider such a trade-off when developing clinical applications such as at-home stroke rehabilitation therapy programs.
Unsupervised machine learning and multi-seismic attributes for fault and fracture network interpretation in the Kerry Field, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand
Authors: Ismail Amir , Radwan Ahmed A. , Leila Mahmoud , Abdelmaksoud Ahmed , Ali Moamen
Published: September 2023

Unsupervised machine learning using an unsupervised vector quantization neural network (UVQ-NN) integrated with meta-geometrical attributes as a novel computation process as opposed to traditional methodologies is currently used effectively in the 3D seismic structural interpretation for high-resolution detection of fault patterns, fracture network zones, and small-scale faults (SSFs). This technology has a crucial role in locating prospective well sites and building a 3D structural model while saving time and cost. The innovation of the current workflow involves combining geostatistical and structural filtering, optimal geometrical seismic attributes, UVQ-NN for automatic major faults, fracture network zones, and SSFs volumes extraction due to the unavailability of well logs and cores. To sharpen the fault edges and discontinuities, a steered volume was first extracted. Structural filters were then applied to the 3D volume, first with a dip-steered median filter (DSMF), followed by a dip-steered diffusion filter (DSDF), and finally, both DSMF and DSDF were combined to generate the fault enhancement filter (FEF). After that, optimal geometrical attributes were computed and extracted, such as similarity, FEF on similarity, maximum curvature, polar dip, fracture density, and thinned fault likelihood (TFL) attributes. Finally, selected attributes were inserted as the input layer to the UVQ-NN to generate segmentation and matching volumes. On the other hand, the TFL was used with the voxel connectivity filter (VCF) for 3D automatic fault patches extraction. The results from the UVQ-NN and VCF identified the locations, orientations, and extensions of the main faults, SSFs, and fracture networks. The implemented approach is innovative and can be employed in the future for the identification, extraction, and classification of geological faults and fracture networks in any region of the world.
Generating Virtual Training Labels for Crop Classification from Fused Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 Time Series
Authors: Teimouri Maryam , Mokhtarzade Mehdi , Baghdadi Nicolas , Heipke Christian
Published: September 2023

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown results superior to most traditional image understanding approaches in many fields, incl. crop classification from satellite time series images. However, CNNs require a large number of training samples to properly train the network. The process of collecting and labeling such samples using traditional methods can be both, time-consuming and costly. To address this issue and improve classification accuracy, generating virtual training labels (VTL) from existing ones is a promising solution. To this end, this study proposes a novel method for generating VTL based on sub-dividing the training samples of each crop using self-organizing maps (SOM), and then assigning labels to a set of unlabeled pixels based on the distance to these sub-classes. We apply the new method to crop classification from Sentinel images. A three-dimensional (3D) CNN is utilized for extracting features from the fusion of optical and radar time series. The results of the evaluation show that the proposed method is effective in generating VTL, as demonstrated by the achieved overall accuracy (OA) of 95.3% and kappa coefficient (KC) of 94.5%, compared to 91.3% and 89.9% for a solution without VTL. The results suggest that the proposed method has the potential to enhance the classification accuracy of crops using VTL.
Research on the Process of Dispersing the Bullet by a Large-Size Gasbag with Multiple Inlet Nozzles Based on the Fluid–Structure Interaction Method
Authors: Wang Jian , Liu Rui , Jiang Kun , Song Daquan
Published: September 2023

To meet the needs of the airborne dispenser to disperse large-mass bullets, the dispersal system of large-size gasbag with multiple inlet nozzles was designed and built. The rationality and feasibility of the dispersal system were verified by the experimental study of the interior ballistic process. On this basis, the fluid–structure interaction method was used to simulate and analyze the process of the gasbag propelling the bullet when the number of inlet nozzles is different. The calculation results show that the final shape of the expanded gasbag is pillow shaped, and wrinkles appear at the ends of the long side and in the middle of the short side of the gasbag. The stress at the wrinkles is relatively large, and the stress on the wall of the gasbag with three inlet nozzles is greater than that on the wall of the gasbag with two inlet nozzles. Affected by the changes of flow field in the gasbag and the deformation of the gasbag, the process of the gasbag propelling the bullet is divided into two stages, and there are also two large fluctuation peaks during the change of the acceleration of the bullet. Moreover, the expansion process of gasbag with two inlet nozzles lags behind that of the gasbag with three inlet nozzles, and the maximum acceleration and separation velocity of the bullet are also relatively reduced by 2% and 3%, respectively.
Maximizing the output power for electric vehicles charging station powered by a wind energy conversion system using tip speed ratio
Authors: Kawashty Amro A. , Abdellatif Sameh O. , Ebrahim Gamal A. , Ghali Hani A.
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the influence of tip speed ratio (TSR) as maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique on energy conversion for wind-powered electric vehicles (EVs) charging stations. The data for 14 different models of (EVs) as well as the energy demand profile for El Sherouk city in new Cairo, Egypt, is used in the study. Those vehicles represent the models that are most likely to be used according to the nature of the Egyptian market from economic and technological concerns. This includes range, battery capacity, battery technology and charging methods. charging can be in the form of fast DC, three phases which are suitable for commercial charging stations or a single phase charging suitable for residential use. A simulation is done using MATLAB/Simulink for a wind turbine Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) system including TSR MPPT algorithm. The energy output is compared with and without implementing the MPPT algorithms to measure the difference in energy. The system simulation optimized by the TSR MPPT algorithm shows an increase in the energy yield by 41.68%. The economic analysis showed a 30% reduction in the levelized cost of energy while utilizing the TSR concerning a bare system without an MPPT algorithm.
In silico identification of new potential inhibitors of quorum sensing by Gram-positive bacteria through specialized molecular docking
Authors: Obaid Najla A. , Alkhudhir Najd Ahmad , Mojally Mariam , Abou Rehab Mohammed , Albohy Amgad
Published: September 2023

Quorum sensing is the process by which bacterial cells can communicate by producing substances to regulate viable processes such as gene expression, virulence, and biofilm formation. Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis have specific enzymes (autoinducers) that control the quorum sensing system. Sortase A is a surface protein that regulates virulence and cell‒cell communication in Gram-positive bacteria. To interfere with this system and reduce virulence and cell‒cell communication, quorum sensing inhibitors are used, which are nonantibiotic substances. In this study, we aimed to use Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs (analgesics and antipsychotics) and investigate their activity using molecular docking and microbiological assays against both quorum sensing in Gram-positive S. aureus and E. faecalis. This study investigated the quorum sensing inhibitors acetylsalicylic acid and trifluoperazine and evaluated their affinity to the active site of SrtA (PDB:1t2w) using AutoDock Vina software. Agar diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration tests were performed to experimentally validate the quorum sensing inhibitor activity of acetylsalicylic acid and trifluoperazine. Molecular docking illustrated that acetylsalicylic acid and trifluoperazine have high affinity as quorum sensing inhibitors in both S. aureus and E. faecalis. However, only acetylsalicylic acid showed inhibition activity at 1000 µg/ml in E. faecalis and at 250 µg/ml by the agar well diffusion method in S. aureus. The high affinity of these quorum sensing inhibitors, as presented by the molecular docking and inhibition of growth experiments, are indications of their ability to act as quorum sensing inhibitors and as promising synergistic with nonantibiotic drugs to treat infection.
Edible Arrangements
Authors: Blake Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

In Edible Arrangements, Elizabeth Blake explores the way modernist writing about eating delves into larger questions about bodily and literary pleasure. Drawing on insights from the field of food studies, she makes dual interventions into queer theory and modernist studies: first, locating an embrace of queerness within modernist depictions of the pleasure of eating, and second, showing how this queer consumption shapes modernist notions of literary form, expanding and reshaping conventional genres. Drawing from a promiscuous archive that cuts across boundaries of geography and canonicity, Blake demonstrates how modernist authors draw on this consuming queerness to restructure a range of literary forms. Each chapter constellates a set of seemingly disparate writers working in related modes—such as the satirical writings of Richard Bruce Nugent, Virginia Woolf, and Katherine Mansfield—in order to demonstrate how writing about eating can both unsettle the norms of bodily pleasure and those of genre itself.
Mixing enhancement of a compressible jet over a convex wall
Authors: Wang Qing , Qu Feng , Wang Tianyu , Sun Di , Bai Junqiang
Published: September 2023

A highly compressive effect would suppress the mixing of the shear layer in a convex wall jet. The spanwise distributed protrusions at the nozzle lip are employed to achieve mixing enhancement in this study. The mixing characteristics and enhancement mechanisms are numerically investigated by the delayed detached-eddy simulation method based on the two-equation shear-stress transport model. A widely applicable flow spatiotemporal analysis method, called proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), is used to gain further insight into the dynamical behaviours of the flow instability mode. The results reveal that the centrifugal effect maintains and amplifies the initial perturbations induced by the spanwise distributed heterogeneities, resulting in forced streamwise vortices. The instabilities induced by the streamwise vortices significantly increase the growth rate of the jet half-width and the shear layer vorticity thickness. The spanwise wavelength of the streamwise vortices is consistent with the spanwise distributed forced excitation. In addition, the spanwise meandering motion of the streamwise vortices is observed, which is usually associated with the streamwise travelling wave. This is further confirmed by the POD analysis of the spanwise velocity fluctuation in both stream-radial and stream-span sections. Also, the spatial distributions of the POD modes with the highest energy provide information on the secondary instability modes. Both sinuous and varicose types of disturbances are observed in the unforced jet, whereas the forced jet seems to be dominated by the sinuous type instability, which is more easily excited than the varicose type instability. Moreover, the turbulence intensity in the forced jet is also significantly enhanced as expected due to the earlier and stronger streamwise vortices and associated instabilities. The enhanced turbulent characteristics of the highly compressible condition tend to be isotropic, whereas in the unforced jet, it is anisotropic due to the strong compressibility suppressing the spanwise turbulent fluctuations.
A unified explanation of energy growth sources for unstable modes in flat-plate boundary layers
Authors: Chen Yifeng , Guo Peixu , Wen Chihyung
Published: September 2023

The detailed energy sources that sustain the eigenmodal exponential growth in boundary layers are currently unclear. In the present study, the phase of each term in the linear stability equation is examined to identify the significant physical sources for a wide range of Mach numbers and wall temperature ratios. The Tollmien–Schlichting mode for incompressible flows, the oblique first mode for supersonic flows and the Mack second mode and supersonic mode for hypersonic flows share some similar features. The unique appearance of obliqueness for the most unstable first mode is accompanied by the enhancement of Reynolds shear stress. By contrast, the weakened Reynolds thermal stress prevents the oblique second mode from being the most unstable state. Wall cooling stabilises the oblique first mode by rendering Reynolds thermal stress and dilatation fluctuations out of phase with the internal energy fluctuation. It destabilises the second mode by a newly generated pronounced region of wall-normal internal energy transport beneath the second generalised inflection point. In comparison, the porous coating destabilises the oblique first mode by significantly enhancing the mean-shear production while it stabilises the second mode similarly to wall heating. Finally, the relatively weak supersonic mode has the feature that the phase destruction of wall-normal transport near the critical layer results in a low contribution to the internal energy growth. Connections and consistencies are also highlighted with the previous inviscid thermoacoustic interpretation for the second mode (Kuehl, AIAA J., vol. 56, 2018, pp. 3585–3592) and for the supersonic mode. The pronounced sources along the critical layer and near-wall regions provide a unified understanding of the local energy amplification mechanisms of the inviscid modes in hypersonic boundary layers.
Multifractality and scale-free network topology in a noise-perturbed laminar jet
Authors: Guan Yu , Zhu Yuanhang , Yang Zhijian , Yin Bo , Gupta Vikrant , Li Larry K.B.
Published: September 2023

We present experimental evidence of multifractality and scale-free network topology in a noise-perturbed laminar jet operated in a globally stable regime, prior to the critical point of a supercritical Hopf bifurcation and prior to the saddle-node point of a subcritical Hopf bifurcation. For both types of bifurcation, we find that (i) the degree of multifractality peaks at intermediate noise intensities, (ii) the conditions for peak multifractality produce a complex network whose node degree distribution obeys an inverse power-law scaling with an exponent of

$2 < \gamma < 3$

, indicating scale-free topology and (iii) the Hurst exponent and the global clustering coefficient can serve as early warning indicators of global instability under specific operating and forcing conditions. By characterising the noise-induced dynamics of a canonical shear flow, we demonstrate that the multifractal and scale-free network dynamics commonly observed in turbulent flows can also be observed in laminar flows under certain stochastic forcing conditions.
Are epigenetic mechanisms and nutrition effective in male and female infertility?
Authors: Erdoğan Kadriye , Sanlier Nazlı Tunca , Sanlier Nevin
Published: September 2023

This review discusses epigenetic mechanisms and the relationship of infertility in men and women in relation to parameters pertaining to nutrition. The prevalence of infertility worldwide is 8–12 %, and one out of every eight couples receives medical treatment. Epigenetic mechanisms, aging, environmental factors, dietary energy and nutrients and non-nutrient compounds; more or less energy intake, and methionine come into play in the occurrence of infertility. It also interacts with vitamins B12, D and B6, biotin, choline, selenium, zinc, folic acid, resveratrol, quercetin and similar factors. To understand the molecular mechanisms regulating the expression of genes that affect infertility, the environment, the role of genotype, age, health, nutrition and changes in the individual's epigenotype must first be considered. This will pave the way for the identification of the unknown causes of infertility. Insufficient or excessive intake of energy and certain macro and micronutrients may contribute to the occurrence of infertility as well. In addition, it is reported that 5–10 % of body weight loss, moderate physical activity and nutritional interventions for improvement in insulin sensitivity contribute to the development of fertility. Processes that pertain to epigenetics carry alterations which are inherited yet not encoded via the DNA sequence. Nutrition is believed to have an impact over the epigenetic mechanisms which are effective in the pathogenesis of several diseases like infertility. Epigenetic mechanisms of individuals with infertility are different from healthy individuals. Infertility is associated with epigenetic mechanisms, nutrients, bioactive components and numerous other factors.